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Bride of the Beast
A brand new standalone fantasy romance from P. Jameson...
They call him the Beast. The savage. Feral monster.
Kept as a pet by the cruel Barbarian Empress since childhood, Rolan has been granted his freedom and given a Bride to call his own. Another like him, he is told—covered from head to toe with fur-like hair. Ugly like him. An outcast. A pariah, hated by a society that accepts no differences.
But he won’t hate her. After all he’s endured, she will be a welcome cure to his loneliness. He will show her kindness he was never shown, and prove to her that they aren’t the monsters everyone claims them to be. Together they will heal each other, and he will finally be free of his pain.
They call her a beauty. Too ethereal for her station. A curse upon her people.
The Barbarian society requires one to blend in, fulfill their assigned role, and above all, never anger the Empress. Abauna has managed to break each of those rules, and now she’s to be given as a Bride to the most savage Barbarian alive. A warrior, she is told—who will be harsh and cruel, and require much from her.
But when they meet at the altar, it’s clear that she isn’t what he expected… and neither is he. The wicked Empress has played a cruel trick on them both—offering the despised beauty to the beast who only wanted a monster like himself. A monster who could understand him, not fear him. Who might even come to love him one day.
Because how could the beauty ever love a beast?
And how could the beast continue to exist without it?
They call him the Beast. The savage. Feral monster.
Kept as a pet by the cruel Barbarian Empress since childhood, Rolan has been granted his freedom and given a Bride to call his own. Another like him, he is told—covered from head to toe with fur-like hair. Ugly like him. An outcast. A pariah, hated by a society that accepts no differences.
But he won’t hate her. After all he’s endured, she will be a welcome cure to his loneliness. He will show her kindness he was never shown, and prove to her that they aren’t the monsters everyone claims them to be. Together they will heal each other, and he will finally be free of his pain.
They call her a beauty. Too ethereal for her station. A curse upon her people.
The Barbarian society requires one to blend in, fulfill their assigned role, and above all, never anger the Empress. Abauna has managed to break each of those rules, and now she’s to be given as a Bride to the most savage Barbarian alive. A warrior, she is told—who will be harsh and cruel, and require much from her.
But when they meet at the altar, it’s clear that she isn’t what he expected… and neither is he. The wicked Empress has played a cruel trick on them both—offering the despised beauty to the beast who only wanted a monster like himself. A monster who could understand him, not fear him. Who might even come to love him one day.
Because how could the beauty ever love a beast?
And how could the beast continue to exist without it?
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2024
316 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
P. Jameson
81 books445 followersP. Jameson is a USA Today Bestselling author who likes to spend her time daydreaming, and then rearranging those dreams into heartstring-pulling stories of trials and triumph. Paranormal is her jam, so you're sure to find said stories full of hot alpha males of the supernatural variety who fall hard for strong, sassy women. She lives next door to the great Rocky Mountains with her husband and kids, who provide her with plenty of writing fodder.
For news on all of P. Jameson's books, copy and paste the following link to your browser and sign up for the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/3s00L
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OR visit her website at www.pjamesonbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
May 24, 2024
HOLY JALAPEÑOS!!!!! This was smokin hottt!! Hot enough to melt my kindle, hot enough to melt my heart!
This was an incredible story! The hero was a beastly man who was mocked and tortured due to his appearance, given a bride as another act of cruelty. The heroine was beautiful and broken, also an outcast and alone. Two broken, hurting, lonely people finding love and support and healing together!
It brought the swoon! The emotion was so heart wrenching, and I was so freakin happy for these two!!
Super safe. Dual virgins who belong only to each other. No ow/om, no cheating or sharing or abuse. Both hero and heroine have been abused by others. HEA with epilogue
This was an incredible story! The hero was a beastly man who was mocked and tortured due to his appearance, given a bride as another act of cruelty. The heroine was beautiful and broken, also an outcast and alone. Two broken, hurting, lonely people finding love and support and healing together!
It brought the swoon! The emotion was so heart wrenching, and I was so freakin happy for these two!!
Super safe. Dual virgins who belong only to each other. No ow/om, no cheating or sharing or abuse. Both hero and heroine have been abused by others. HEA with epilogue
March 5, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up because of the sweetness at its core
This is a very literal version of Beauty and the Beast, the beast being an evil Empress’s lifelong pet named Rolan, whom she enjoys taunting and torturing when he’s not left alone in his dungeon. Much to Rolan’s surprise, he’s told to prepare for his wedding. In spite of his belief that the Empress is only indulging in a new form of cruelty, he allows himself to hope that maybe, finally, he’ll have someone of his own, someone he can love and who will love him in return. His hopes are dashed, however, when Abauna and he remove their veils after the ceremony and he discovers his incredibly beautiful bride visibly recoils at the sight of him. His heart is broken, for who could ever learn to love a beast?
I found Rolan incredibly easy to love. Abauna was too timid and too reticent for my taste and the plot was driven by lack of communication, fostering misunderstandings. This romantasy suffered from a decided lack of worldbuilding. Several things that happened seemed pointless—the guy with wings, for example. Why was he even in the book? But there was a gentleness and a yearning permeating the story that I found appealing.
This was my first book by this author and I found the writing basic and the structure of the story rather simple. I wouldn’t refuse to read another book by this author, but I wouldn’t approach it with a great deal of enthusiasm either.
This is a very literal version of Beauty and the Beast, the beast being an evil Empress’s lifelong pet named Rolan, whom she enjoys taunting and torturing when he’s not left alone in his dungeon. Much to Rolan’s surprise, he’s told to prepare for his wedding. In spite of his belief that the Empress is only indulging in a new form of cruelty, he allows himself to hope that maybe, finally, he’ll have someone of his own, someone he can love and who will love him in return. His hopes are dashed, however, when Abauna and he remove their veils after the ceremony and he discovers his incredibly beautiful bride visibly recoils at the sight of him. His heart is broken, for who could ever learn to love a beast?
I found Rolan incredibly easy to love. Abauna was too timid and too reticent for my taste and the plot was driven by lack of communication, fostering misunderstandings. This romantasy suffered from a decided lack of worldbuilding. Several things that happened seemed pointless—the guy with wings, for example. Why was he even in the book? But there was a gentleness and a yearning permeating the story that I found appealing.
This was my first book by this author and I found the writing basic and the structure of the story rather simple. I wouldn’t refuse to read another book by this author, but I wouldn’t approach it with a great deal of enthusiasm either.
September 14, 2024
“What would happen if a so-called monster was shown affection instead of scorn?“
Super cute book about two tortured people who are forced together and heal each other. It's more of a fairy tale than a paranormal romance, so I can easily ignore some implausible aspects and lack of world building and wallow in all the deep and heartbreaking emotions. So beautiful!
4.5
Super cute book about two tortured people who are forced together and heal each other. It's more of a fairy tale than a paranormal romance, so I can easily ignore some implausible aspects and lack of world building and wallow in all the deep and heartbreaking emotions. So beautiful!
4.5
May 22, 2024
This is great. there is an angst too. Both leads were damaged and are dealing with their own traumas. Shunned by their "people" and that evil witch.
a
Both V ( Hero has never been kissed) but the empress that tortures him for more than a decade, watches him as he gets himself off (mentioned)
"The Empress used to watch him. She would require him to make himself hard and then mock him for his need… the wretched female"
also there is a scene that irks me, when the hero and heroine must fake that they are done with their union. The hero gets himself off and hard thinking of the empress squirming on her throne as h and H confirm their union.
" This was supposed to be his wedding night. He was supposed to be slowly loving his bride’s body—a body suited to his own. It was supposed to be a sweet, careful new beginning. One that would atone for all the wrongs done to him in the past.
Instead, it was more cruelty. More hate. More of everything he’d endured for so long.
Would he ever be free of the Empress?
He pushed away any happy thoughts of his future with Abauna of Trice, and thought only of his anger. His feelings toward the Empress were enough to keep him hard, and if he was lucky—by the mercy of the Ancients—he would find his release quickly."
- It is hatred, I understand but weird tbh...
HFN ( it ended abruptly like it was cut short. wish it was a bit longer though.
no opd
a
Both V ( Hero has never been kissed) but the empress that tortures him for more than a decade, watches him as he gets himself off (mentioned)
"The Empress used to watch him. She would require him to make himself hard and then mock him for his need… the wretched female"
also there is a scene that irks me, when the hero and heroine must fake that they are done with their union. The hero gets himself off and hard thinking of the empress squirming on her throne as h and H confirm their union.
" This was supposed to be his wedding night. He was supposed to be slowly loving his bride’s body—a body suited to his own. It was supposed to be a sweet, careful new beginning. One that would atone for all the wrongs done to him in the past.
Instead, it was more cruelty. More hate. More of everything he’d endured for so long.
Would he ever be free of the Empress?
He pushed away any happy thoughts of his future with Abauna of Trice, and thought only of his anger. His feelings toward the Empress were enough to keep him hard, and if he was lucky—by the mercy of the Ancients—he would find his release quickly."
- It is hatred, I understand but weird tbh...
HFN ( it ended abruptly like it was cut short. wish it was a bit longer though.
no opd
November 20, 2024
Three stars because it was short, and an interesting take on Beauty and the Beast?
I love a good fairy tale retelling but they have definitely started to get stale with the huge influx of them after books like ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash got so popular. So, I quit reading them because they were all so much of the same with no twists or surprises.
But, it was the middle of the night and I was browsing KU trying to lull myself to sleep and I saw the description of this and thought “meh, it’s free why not? Maybe it will put me to sleep”
But I will say the first hour of this two hour book was pretty interesting! It was a little hokey, and the world building was absolutely minimal, but I wasn’t regretting giving it a read….
But then the halfway mark hit and it got SO CHEESY. Everything just fell into place on the most convenient of ways, and the weird miscommunication between them was so unbelievable. And then the dialogue. I got second hand embarrassment at least a million times.
It was so hokey I wasn’t even going to add it to my Goodreads out of abject shame, BUT I need this reminder for future me that decisions made in the middle of the night aren’t always the best.
I love a good fairy tale retelling but they have definitely started to get stale with the huge influx of them after books like ACOTAR and From Blood and Ash got so popular. So, I quit reading them because they were all so much of the same with no twists or surprises.
But, it was the middle of the night and I was browsing KU trying to lull myself to sleep and I saw the description of this and thought “meh, it’s free why not? Maybe it will put me to sleep”
But I will say the first hour of this two hour book was pretty interesting! It was a little hokey, and the world building was absolutely minimal, but I wasn’t regretting giving it a read….
But then the halfway mark hit and it got SO CHEESY. Everything just fell into place on the most convenient of ways, and the weird miscommunication between them was so unbelievable. And then the dialogue. I got second hand embarrassment at least a million times.
It was so hokey I wasn’t even going to add it to my Goodreads out of abject shame, BUT I need this reminder for future me that decisions made in the middle of the night aren’t always the best.
March 3, 2025
3 stars seems fair (I did actually read the entire story)
Was initially thinking it was going to be 4-5 stars until I hit around 70% and the dialogue hit corny-edge-of-cringe land and never left. They called each other “bride” and “groom” throughout the whole book. Even after being together for months, they were still referring to each other as such. And it was towards the end that I also realized there were going to be A LOT of plot holes that the author didn’t give two shits about and was not going to address them in any fashion. Writing was okay, but this is a very lazy writer who doesn’t want to put any thought behind their concepts or give any cause and effect to correlating issues. It was a quick, easy read, though.
Was initially thinking it was going to be 4-5 stars until I hit around 70% and the dialogue hit corny-edge-of-cringe land and never left. They called each other “bride” and “groom” throughout the whole book. Even after being together for months, they were still referring to each other as such. And it was towards the end that I also realized there were going to be A LOT of plot holes that the author didn’t give two shits about and was not going to address them in any fashion. Writing was okay, but this is a very lazy writer who doesn’t want to put any thought behind their concepts or give any cause and effect to correlating issues. It was a quick, easy read, though.
May 8, 2024
So much promise
First off, I do not recommend reading while pregnant or if you’re particularly sad/sensitive that day. I am pregnant and bawled through 2/3 or so of the book. I LOVED it, right up until what feels like a very abrupt ending. At minimum this needs an epilogue, but 2-3 more chapters to round it out would make it a perfect book in my eyes. Perhaps a sequel is coming with the new characters near the end, but none of the information I have at the time of this writing says so.
First off, I do not recommend reading while pregnant or if you’re particularly sad/sensitive that day. I am pregnant and bawled through 2/3 or so of the book. I LOVED it, right up until what feels like a very abrupt ending. At minimum this needs an epilogue, but 2-3 more chapters to round it out would make it a perfect book in my eyes. Perhaps a sequel is coming with the new characters near the end, but none of the information I have at the time of this writing says so.
February 23, 2025
This was a great read! I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because I expected some kind of retribution coming the empress' way but it didn't happen. Also I like a tad more spice in my books but that's a personal thing. The story was so good. It made me all warm and fuzzy to see them fall in love. I will absolutely read this again.
November 25, 2024
Beauty and the beast reimagining. Very low stakes - conflict is over in the first 20%? making it just a nice little happy read.
January 17, 2025
3.5 stars
I feel similarly to this book to how I feel about the kind of modern art that is a painted square of a very specific color where I'm like anyone could have done that and yet, no one else did it in this exact way and I guess who am I to judge if they've done the actual thing to make it, there is some expertise that goes into it, and I'm here enjoying it.
I read this bad boy in one sitting and it was the exact escapist book I was looking for. Based on the description, you can accurately guess a lot of things about this book and I think it delivered on exactly what it promised in the best way possible.
Tbh I did not see the initial plot twist coming but then understood that it was a way to just zero in on the two characters without any plot outside of the romance and also a little bit a way to skirt around doing too much worldbuilding (not-derogatory).
There is something about a man so desperate for love and really clueless that I actually do enjoy. Because Jameson was able to execute monster cut off from society never knowing kindness without adding super toxic masculinity/brutality to the mix he was just really eager to give love in the protective way he knew how and was so grateful and most importantly, surprised at his good fate, to be receiving love and kindness from Abauna in return.
For an quick but well worth it read with simple setting and a plot that really focuses on the over time love between and development of the characters, this is your read.
I feel similarly to this book to how I feel about the kind of modern art that is a painted square of a very specific color where I'm like anyone could have done that and yet, no one else did it in this exact way and I guess who am I to judge if they've done the actual thing to make it, there is some expertise that goes into it, and I'm here enjoying it.
I read this bad boy in one sitting and it was the exact escapist book I was looking for. Based on the description, you can accurately guess a lot of things about this book and I think it delivered on exactly what it promised in the best way possible.
Tbh I did not see the initial plot twist coming but then understood that it was a way to just zero in on the two characters without any plot outside of the romance and also a little bit a way to skirt around doing too much worldbuilding (not-derogatory).
There is something about a man so desperate for love and really clueless that I actually do enjoy. Because Jameson was able to execute monster cut off from society never knowing kindness without adding super toxic masculinity/brutality to the mix he was just really eager to give love in the protective way he knew how and was so grateful and most importantly, surprised at his good fate, to be receiving love and kindness from Abauna in return.
For an quick but well worth it read with simple setting and a plot that really focuses on the over time love between and development of the characters, this is your read.
May 22, 2024
I was drawn in by the pretty cover. But next time my instincts say to DNF a book because I won't like it, I should listen.
And technically speaking, I did DNF this book. I didn't read the last 20% because it was a giant smut scene. I skipped over it, looking for the plot to resume, but nope, the characters just kept going at it and then the book ended.
I really should have DNF-ed after the wedding night scene, in which the FMC and MMC don't sleep together, but they do have to create fake proof of their consummation for the Ancients to examine. That scene also being one in which I skimmed it because I didn't really want to read about how FMC stood awkwardly in the corner while MMC did things.
I think I kept reading because I was hoping that there would be some change in the characters at some point, and that they would understand that their society is not a civil or humane one. It pissed me off that for the entire book, women were called "females" and men "males". FMC and MMC (I legit cannot remember their names) called each other "bride" and "groom" to each others' faces. I remember exactly ONE time that FMC called MMC by his name (of course, this is assuming that they don't say each other's names in the long scene at the end which I simply did not read). I was hoping that the characters would learn to recognize each other as unique individuals instead of things to be bred. That maybe they could emotionally connect with each other on a deeper level than, "this is the first person to ever be nice to me, so I should return the favor physically". The reviews I read before beginning the book spoke of an achingly heartfelt story about redemption and connection, but I never really got that from the story. I really should have stopped reading after I read (skipped) the scene in which MMC runs into the forest to deal with himself after FMC touches his arm, and FMC follows and SPIES on him as he does. Which also rubbed me the wrong way, there were no repercussions or commentary or anything about the morality of spying on someone as they deal their, uh, needs. Which the author also had a weird inconsistency writing about but I'm not getting into that.
I understand that some people are totally fine with sex scenes and stuff in their book. I prefer that stuff not in the things I read, and I should have DNF-ed once I realized where the book was headed (unfortunately for me, I'm dumb and don't pick up on cues). However, I'd also like to point out that my rating of the book is low because it also had hella confusing worldbuilding.
The cover and the first few chapters suggest the book is a fantasy book which takes place in the weird, ambiguous "medieval" times that most fantasy books do. The leader of the place is called the Empress with a team of Ancients. People are referred to as either "males" or "females", and "proof" of the wedding night must be presented to the Ancients. All of these things are indicative of an earlier time in history, when people were more primal (that's not the right word to use here, but I couldn't think of the correct one). Also, the characters are from tribes and call themselves Barbarians. Yet, in this same world, there is plumbing and refrigerators???
Perhaps most confusing is MMC. He's called the Empress's "pet" and is treated as such (no dignity, forced to do very humiliating things publicly, etc.). Other characters describe him as super strong and a vicious warrior. But his "otherness" seems to be limited to only his excessive hair growth, which I thought sounded similar to hypertrichosis (werewolf syndrome), which is a real thing in our world. But, MMC says his hair grows back overnight, which implies that it's magical, maybe? Or maybe it's not and I'm just assuming it is. Having excessive hair growth wouldn't automatically give MMC super strength or a larger size, so maybe he isn't actually human? But the author makes it very clear that he is (anatomically) human, so maybe he's just a little magical? Idk man, like I said, it was all very confusing.
Lesson learned: listen to my gut when it tells me to stop reading something. Also, don't write anything with hella confusing worldbuilding.
And technically speaking, I did DNF this book. I didn't read the last 20% because it was a giant smut scene. I skipped over it, looking for the plot to resume, but nope, the characters just kept going at it and then the book ended.
I really should have DNF-ed after the wedding night scene, in which the FMC and MMC don't sleep together, but they do have to create fake proof of their consummation for the Ancients to examine. That scene also being one in which I skimmed it because I didn't really want to read about how FMC stood awkwardly in the corner while MMC did things.
I think I kept reading because I was hoping that there would be some change in the characters at some point, and that they would understand that their society is not a civil or humane one. It pissed me off that for the entire book, women were called "females" and men "males". FMC and MMC (I legit cannot remember their names) called each other "bride" and "groom" to each others' faces. I remember exactly ONE time that FMC called MMC by his name (of course, this is assuming that they don't say each other's names in the long scene at the end which I simply did not read). I was hoping that the characters would learn to recognize each other as unique individuals instead of things to be bred. That maybe they could emotionally connect with each other on a deeper level than, "this is the first person to ever be nice to me, so I should return the favor physically". The reviews I read before beginning the book spoke of an achingly heartfelt story about redemption and connection, but I never really got that from the story. I really should have stopped reading after I read (skipped) the scene in which MMC runs into the forest to deal with himself after FMC touches his arm, and FMC follows and SPIES on him as he does. Which also rubbed me the wrong way, there were no repercussions or commentary or anything about the morality of spying on someone as they deal their, uh, needs. Which the author also had a weird inconsistency writing about but I'm not getting into that.
I understand that some people are totally fine with sex scenes and stuff in their book. I prefer that stuff not in the things I read, and I should have DNF-ed once I realized where the book was headed (unfortunately for me, I'm dumb and don't pick up on cues). However, I'd also like to point out that my rating of the book is low because it also had hella confusing worldbuilding.
The cover and the first few chapters suggest the book is a fantasy book which takes place in the weird, ambiguous "medieval" times that most fantasy books do. The leader of the place is called the Empress with a team of Ancients. People are referred to as either "males" or "females", and "proof" of the wedding night must be presented to the Ancients. All of these things are indicative of an earlier time in history, when people were more primal (that's not the right word to use here, but I couldn't think of the correct one). Also, the characters are from tribes and call themselves Barbarians. Yet, in this same world, there is plumbing and refrigerators???
Perhaps most confusing is MMC. He's called the Empress's "pet" and is treated as such (no dignity, forced to do very humiliating things publicly, etc.). Other characters describe him as super strong and a vicious warrior. But his "otherness" seems to be limited to only his excessive hair growth, which I thought sounded similar to hypertrichosis (werewolf syndrome), which is a real thing in our world. But, MMC says his hair grows back overnight, which implies that it's magical, maybe? Or maybe it's not and I'm just assuming it is. Having excessive hair growth wouldn't automatically give MMC super strength or a larger size, so maybe he isn't actually human? But the author makes it very clear that he is (anatomically) human, so maybe he's just a little magical? Idk man, like I said, it was all very confusing.
Lesson learned: listen to my gut when it tells me to stop reading something. Also, don't write anything with hella confusing worldbuilding.
August 16, 2024
[mature content ]
This book was not for me. The title, and even the blurb make it sound like it would be a beauty and the beast trope. It is in fact a monster bride trope. Two very different things to me.
It has a great Mad Max vibe going on with an evil Empress, and fantastic set up for a potentially intriguing plot and it all let it drop in favor of smut.
I really like my smut with a little more plot and a LOT less angst and self conciseness from both characters.
The amount of self doubt in her side was really not that believable, more so later in the book when we get her full back story and that was an exciting revelation that made me think bigger better overthrow-the-evil-empress plot was on the horizon…. And then it wasn’t.
They did get their HEA.
This book was not for me. The title, and even the blurb make it sound like it would be a beauty and the beast trope. It is in fact a monster bride trope. Two very different things to me.
It has a great Mad Max vibe going on with an evil Empress, and fantastic set up for a potentially intriguing plot and it all let it drop in favor of smut.
I really like my smut with a little more plot and a LOT less angst and self conciseness from both characters.
The amount of self doubt in her side was really not that believable, more so later in the book when we get her full back story and that was an exciting revelation that made me think bigger better overthrow-the-evil-empress plot was on the horizon…. And then it wasn’t.
They did get their HEA.
July 24, 2025
By giving this only 2 stars I'm not saying the book was bad. It was just really boring for me. It's all fluff with perfect characters and absolutely nothing ever happens. It also really annoyed me that for the whole book these two pretty much never called each other by their names. Despite being married for months by the end it was still always bride, wife, groom, husband, or beast. And considering the whole situation about him being called a beast his whole life like he was some kind of monster, you would think that the woman who loved him wouldn't be calling him that.
The world building here is not the greatest. We are told almost nothing of this place except there are three castes, these ancients that supposedly control things but allow this evil empress to literally do whatever she wants, and for whatever reason I think they all wear mostly metal? So yeah, that wasn't really clear either but it was pointed out often that people wore a lot of chain mail sooooo. We are given hints when Rolan and Abauna find the place they decide to call home that this might be taking place in the future, which could have been interesting to explore but wasn't.
The whole story here is pretty simple. Rolan was given to the empress when he was a child as a sort of toy because he is completely covered in fur. So his entire life he spent being tortured by this lunatic and constantly degraded. Abauna on the other hand comes from the working class but her beauty rivals that of the ones in control so she has been tortured by her own people as well. I'm talking they literally physically attacked her to make her more ugly. But for some reason, that was never brought up past the one sentence that it was mentioned in, she would always just heal right back up after each time. So the empress hates them both and has come up with a new way to make them suffer. Marry them to each other without knowing who they're marrying. Too bad for her it doesn't go as she wanted so she throws a fit and banishes the two of them. Thus begins their journey in the barrens and finding a way to eke out a living. Which as it turns out, isn't very hard for these two.
The reason I said these two were perfect characters is because they both have the personalities of saints. Because of how they both have lived, all they want to do is please the other. They have never been treated nicely so now that someone is being kind they both want to devote themselves to the other. It's even to the point that they have numerous misunderstandings because they don't want to say the wrong thing to the other and drive them away. I'm not saying I want them to be fighting constantly or anything like that, but neither of them had any REAL personality. And that was boring.
I'm glad I only paid $1 for this, but I honestly have to say it was a waste of my time. Which is unfortunate because it had potential.
The world building here is not the greatest. We are told almost nothing of this place except there are three castes, these ancients that supposedly control things but allow this evil empress to literally do whatever she wants, and for whatever reason I think they all wear mostly metal? So yeah, that wasn't really clear either but it was pointed out often that people wore a lot of chain mail sooooo. We are given hints when Rolan and Abauna find the place they decide to call home that this might be taking place in the future, which could have been interesting to explore but wasn't.
The whole story here is pretty simple. Rolan was given to the empress when he was a child as a sort of toy because he is completely covered in fur. So his entire life he spent being tortured by this lunatic and constantly degraded. Abauna on the other hand comes from the working class but her beauty rivals that of the ones in control so she has been tortured by her own people as well. I'm talking they literally physically attacked her to make her more ugly. But for some reason, that was never brought up past the one sentence that it was mentioned in, she would always just heal right back up after each time. So the empress hates them both and has come up with a new way to make them suffer. Marry them to each other without knowing who they're marrying. Too bad for her it doesn't go as she wanted so she throws a fit and banishes the two of them. Thus begins their journey in the barrens and finding a way to eke out a living. Which as it turns out, isn't very hard for these two.
The reason I said these two were perfect characters is because they both have the personalities of saints. Because of how they both have lived, all they want to do is please the other. They have never been treated nicely so now that someone is being kind they both want to devote themselves to the other. It's even to the point that they have numerous misunderstandings because they don't want to say the wrong thing to the other and drive them away. I'm not saying I want them to be fighting constantly or anything like that, but neither of them had any REAL personality. And that was boring.
I'm glad I only paid $1 for this, but I honestly have to say it was a waste of my time. Which is unfortunate because it had potential.
October 5, 2024
I read this book for our 2024 Reading Bingo Challenge, to go towards: Read a Romantasy Book.
“If he was the proverbial beast, she was pure and utter beauty.” A sweet and then eventually steamy futuristic romantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Hero: Rolan of Vegoth, a fur-covered Barbarian man that had been given to the evil Empress as a pet when they were both children. He had lived in a dark dungeon and was belittled and tortured daily by the Empress, leaving him with zero self-esteem and starving for affection and love.
Heroine: Abauna of Trice, a loner and hated by all for her uncommon beauty in her tribe of plain/ugly-looking Barbarians. She was forced by the nasty Empress to marry the hero. She was initially scared of the horrible rumors that she had heard about him and his supposed beastly ways, yet she was patient and kind with Rolan.
Rolan may have looked like a beast, but he was far from acting like a monster. He was so kind and considerate with the heroine, he felt he was too hideous to expect her to want any type of intimate relationship with him, yet as they learned to survive in their new land, they slowly fell in love. It was a very very sweet and sometimes heartbreaking story at how little they both thought of themselves as being unworthy. Although some reviewers claim it was a smutty story…. I honestly thought it was a heartfelt, emotional love story with sexy times not kicking in until after 80%.
“Are you… are you sure?”
“Positively,” she breathed, twisting her fingers into the fur at his neck. “No one has ever treated me the way you do. Cared for me like you. Protected me like you. I would give myself to you a hundred times over—a thousand, a million—if you’d allow it.”
Was it perfect? No. Could more points of the fantasy world have been further explained? Definitely. But the focus was on the falling in love and learning to trust, and I feel it delivered.
Bingo square #8 - Read a Romantasy
[01] [❤️] [❤️] [04] [❤️]
[06] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [🎰] [❤️] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [19] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️]
“If he was the proverbial beast, she was pure and utter beauty.” A sweet and then eventually steamy futuristic romantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Hero: Rolan of Vegoth, a fur-covered Barbarian man that had been given to the evil Empress as a pet when they were both children. He had lived in a dark dungeon and was belittled and tortured daily by the Empress, leaving him with zero self-esteem and starving for affection and love.
Heroine: Abauna of Trice, a loner and hated by all for her uncommon beauty in her tribe of plain/ugly-looking Barbarians. She was forced by the nasty Empress to marry the hero. She was initially scared of the horrible rumors that she had heard about him and his supposed beastly ways, yet she was patient and kind with Rolan.
Rolan may have looked like a beast, but he was far from acting like a monster. He was so kind and considerate with the heroine, he felt he was too hideous to expect her to want any type of intimate relationship with him, yet as they learned to survive in their new land, they slowly fell in love. It was a very very sweet and sometimes heartbreaking story at how little they both thought of themselves as being unworthy. Although some reviewers claim it was a smutty story…. I honestly thought it was a heartfelt, emotional love story with sexy times not kicking in until after 80%.
“Are you… are you sure?”
“Positively,” she breathed, twisting her fingers into the fur at his neck. “No one has ever treated me the way you do. Cared for me like you. Protected me like you. I would give myself to you a hundred times over—a thousand, a million—if you’d allow it.”
Was it perfect? No. Could more points of the fantasy world have been further explained? Definitely. But the focus was on the falling in love and learning to trust, and I feel it delivered.
Bingo square #8 - Read a Romantasy
[01] [❤️] [❤️] [04] [❤️]
[06] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [🎰] [❤️] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [19] [❤️]
[❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️] [❤️]
May 28, 2024
She was his reason for breathing. His eternal muse. His one and only forever.
4 stars
Aside from an unwanted arranged marriage, I really didn't know what to expect from this novel going in. I didn't expect the traumatic and horrible way Rolan had been treated his entire life, and my heart just broke at his defeated spirit and outlook on life. Both Rolan and Abauna had hoped that their arranged marriage would be a way to start a new life, but their hasty first impressions of each other dashed those dreams into dust. However the more time they spend together, the more they begin to understand and truly care for one another, and their hope for a happy future together blooms once again.
Even though this story was quieter in that there wasn't lots of drama or action, I still found myself entranced by Rolan and Abauna's story of healing. Both Rolan and Abauna have feelings of inadequacy and scars carried from their past, and I enjoyed watching their slow journey to acceptance and eventually love. One major thing that bugged me while reading was their tendency of calling each other "bride" and "groom". I wished they had called each other by their names or maybe even a nickname as their feelings grew deeper as keeping these monikers throughout the story felt impersonal. Other than that, I enjoyed this emotional and tender novel.
Tropes: arranged marriage, forced proximity, tortured hero, outcast heroine, Beauty-and-the-Beast vibes, 'soft only for her' hero, hurt/comfort, only one bed, 'touch her and die' vibes, SLOW BURN, found family, HFN ending, steamy🔥
June 25, 2025
Short but incredible
I don’t remember where I saw this but I was immediately intrigued by the blurb of the main characters and I quickly devoured this book.
The mmc is a sweet sweet male that is labeled a savage because of his outward appearance and is treated like a pet. He is married in a blind arranged marriage to the most beautiful woman in the tribe but is tricked to think she is like him and covered entirely by fur.
The relationship may have started out as strangers but they were the greatest pairing in the end. Abauna was so gentle and loving that despite her own trauma she helped heal Rolan and show him love is unconditional.
I loved the innocence of the pair and how they grew to love each other so deeply.
I smiled every time Rolan learned something new and how patient the FMC was in teaching him about it and never made him feel less for his inexperience. Like snuggling and a woman’s cycle.
I truly truly hope this series continues especially as a new winged character is introduced at the end. This book did end a happily ever after.
A m/f romantic fantasy romance with barbarians, banishment, opposites attract, arranged marriage, touch her and ☠️, sweet romance with open dialogue and acceptance.
Dual POVs told in third person
Main couple -
Rolan of Vegoth
Abauna of Trice
Steam - slow build up but gets very steamy at the end, both their first time
I don’t remember where I saw this but I was immediately intrigued by the blurb of the main characters and I quickly devoured this book.
The mmc is a sweet sweet male that is labeled a savage because of his outward appearance and is treated like a pet. He is married in a blind arranged marriage to the most beautiful woman in the tribe but is tricked to think she is like him and covered entirely by fur.
The relationship may have started out as strangers but they were the greatest pairing in the end. Abauna was so gentle and loving that despite her own trauma she helped heal Rolan and show him love is unconditional.
I loved the innocence of the pair and how they grew to love each other so deeply.
I smiled every time Rolan learned something new and how patient the FMC was in teaching him about it and never made him feel less for his inexperience. Like snuggling and a woman’s cycle.
I truly truly hope this series continues especially as a new winged character is introduced at the end. This book did end a happily ever after.
A m/f romantic fantasy romance with barbarians, banishment, opposites attract, arranged marriage, touch her and ☠️, sweet romance with open dialogue and acceptance.
Dual POVs told in third person
Main couple -
Rolan of Vegoth
Abauna of Trice
Steam - slow build up but gets very steamy at the end, both their first time
September 20, 2024
Searching for love is never wrong
A very sweet read . A sort of retelling of beauty and the beast.
Rolan is a beast of a man who has been abused and used by the crazy empress. On this particular day, he has been preparing for his wedding. To become a member of society, he must wed, and perform his husbandly duties. But the empress likes nothing better then to show him something, get him all excited, and then snatch it away. Rolan believes that this will happen to him as well.
Right up until he meets his bride.
Abauna is part of the working class. But she is hated among them all. Because she is beautiful beyond measure. And can not be marked . They have tried.
Repeatedly.
So, the empress hates her too. Since she will not share her secret.
As these two get together, two souls who have not know simple kindness, or decency, this story becomes a journey of pure love. It is a delight to read .
I DO wish that some more of the mystery was cleared up, but perhaps it is in the next book. These two are special.
A very sweet read . A sort of retelling of beauty and the beast.
Rolan is a beast of a man who has been abused and used by the crazy empress. On this particular day, he has been preparing for his wedding. To become a member of society, he must wed, and perform his husbandly duties. But the empress likes nothing better then to show him something, get him all excited, and then snatch it away. Rolan believes that this will happen to him as well.
Right up until he meets his bride.
Abauna is part of the working class. But she is hated among them all. Because she is beautiful beyond measure. And can not be marked . They have tried.
Repeatedly.
So, the empress hates her too. Since she will not share her secret.
As these two get together, two souls who have not know simple kindness, or decency, this story becomes a journey of pure love. It is a delight to read .
I DO wish that some more of the mystery was cleared up, but perhaps it is in the next book. These two are special.
November 25, 2025
It was fine, good even! Just not great. I’m rating this 2.5 because I did read it in one sitting, but I don’t know if I’ll go to any of the authors other books. I like fantasy, and I know this is more spice than fantasy but I would have really loved to see more world building.
The two MCs (who if I’m being honest I’ve already forgotten the names of) are banished from their kingdom after it’s discovered they didn’t consummate their arranged marriage. They’re forced to travel in some place called the Barren (again I forget- if that’s wrong don’t come at me). Lo and behold they stumble upon a deserted cottage, and in this cottage is a note that state the previous owner has left it and whoever finds it may use it to their hearts content!! How convenient!! It is their belief that the kingdom they come from is the only one in existence, but about 80% of the way through they meet a creature from a different one; do they explore this?? No!!!!
Still it was a fun and quick read, and I just can’t find it in me to hate it all that much. Have fun reading and don’t take it seriously! After that it’s just fun :)
The two MCs (who if I’m being honest I’ve already forgotten the names of) are banished from their kingdom after it’s discovered they didn’t consummate their arranged marriage. They’re forced to travel in some place called the Barren (again I forget- if that’s wrong don’t come at me). Lo and behold they stumble upon a deserted cottage, and in this cottage is a note that state the previous owner has left it and whoever finds it may use it to their hearts content!! How convenient!! It is their belief that the kingdom they come from is the only one in existence, but about 80% of the way through they meet a creature from a different one; do they explore this?? No!!!!
Still it was a fun and quick read, and I just can’t find it in me to hate it all that much. Have fun reading and don’t take it seriously! After that it’s just fun :)
October 10, 2024
Really slow burn,but lots of character development. Abauna and rolan are both outcasts for their looks and this each have A LOT of insecurity,which dragged on a bit too long for my liking,and resulted in A TON of reticence when open communication would have helped,but overall I liked the characters and rooted for their happiness. As one one star review pointed out,it did seem like there was going to be more story,as a pretty hefty curse was uttered at the beginning of the book,so you kind of thought that would come up later,but it did not,this giving one the thought that this will be a book series,as an additional character was introduced in the latter part of the book. That character and the possibility of an ally and more companionship intrigued me,and I hope that is explored in another book. I would read it.
February 25, 2025
Surprisingly adorable
I actually loved this. It started out with me thinking this was going to be dark read. It was actually a super adorable light read. The “Beast” (Rolan) was just an absolute teddy bear. I just loved him. And the FMC I for get how to spell her name so will call her Abby, was just darling. I had wanted her to love on the beast sooner, but hesitancy was completely believable, I just wanted Rolan to get all the love he deserved sooner. This book has some really dark themes underneath so just understand that. You HATE the Empress, and are left bereft that nothing is solved there, but I think it will be an underlying plot line weaved throughout the series. I will absolutely read the next just so I can have more Rolan. I genuinely hope we get more of him and we get to see him and the winged man (forget his name at the moment) become genuine friends.
I actually loved this. It started out with me thinking this was going to be dark read. It was actually a super adorable light read. The “Beast” (Rolan) was just an absolute teddy bear. I just loved him. And the FMC I for get how to spell her name so will call her Abby, was just darling. I had wanted her to love on the beast sooner, but hesitancy was completely believable, I just wanted Rolan to get all the love he deserved sooner. This book has some really dark themes underneath so just understand that. You HATE the Empress, and are left bereft that nothing is solved there, but I think it will be an underlying plot line weaved throughout the series. I will absolutely read the next just so I can have more Rolan. I genuinely hope we get more of him and we get to see him and the winged man (forget his name at the moment) become genuine friends.
August 3, 2024
amazing
What an amazing story by P Jameson.
This was like reading a fairytale, but an adult version and just so much more!
Rolan is a man covered in fur married to a beautiful young woman, who has been abused verbally and physically by her people.
These two wretched souls come together by the plotting of an evil Empress.
They are cast out to live or die together.
They embark on their journey for survival and find redemption and love along the way.
What an absolutely wonderful story that grabs you from the first page. I couldn’t put it down. Read it in a few hours.
P. Jameson has been a favorite of mine for years, this is definitely a different type of book, but just fabulous!
What an amazing story by P Jameson.
This was like reading a fairytale, but an adult version and just so much more!
Rolan is a man covered in fur married to a beautiful young woman, who has been abused verbally and physically by her people.
These two wretched souls come together by the plotting of an evil Empress.
They are cast out to live or die together.
They embark on their journey for survival and find redemption and love along the way.
What an absolutely wonderful story that grabs you from the first page. I couldn’t put it down. Read it in a few hours.
P. Jameson has been a favorite of mine for years, this is definitely a different type of book, but just fabulous!
July 5, 2024
This book was good. I could have used a little more world building. At first I thought it was just a different world where everyone was pretty much human, then they kinda started things that would make it seem like it’s a dystopian future of earth but then a dude with wings shows up and I was all confused.
That being said it was a quick read and a good book with some spice. I keep trying to find the follow up book about Soren because I want to know is story!
There was a bit left open at the end seemed more like HFN rather than HEA.
That being said it was a quick read and a good book with some spice. I keep trying to find the follow up book about Soren because I want to know is story!
There was a bit left open at the end seemed more like HFN rather than HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
A good read.
What hooked me into this book was the post apocalyptic veins written in. I say veins because we don't truly get a world build just hints. Found myself looking for more books in the series thinking I may have missed the first. No such luck.
I enjoyed the overall story but it does feel unfinished. I just wish the heroine wouldn't have kept calling him Beast when she knew his name. It broke my heart a bit when she kept calling him that. Definitely accounted for the loss of stars. This could have been the perfect book boyfriend swoon material.
What hooked me into this book was the post apocalyptic veins written in. I say veins because we don't truly get a world build just hints. Found myself looking for more books in the series thinking I may have missed the first. No such luck.
I enjoyed the overall story but it does feel unfinished. I just wish the heroine wouldn't have kept calling him Beast when she knew his name. It broke my heart a bit when she kept calling him that. Definitely accounted for the loss of stars. This could have been the perfect book boyfriend swoon material.
August 7, 2024
A sweet tale of romance for Rolan & Abauna
This book popped up in my feed and I decided to give it a read. It is a sweet tale of romance from two young people who have been abused and bullied by their own tribe. Rolan has fur all over and has been tortured by the Empress that he was given to as a present. Abauna is beautiful and has been outcast due to that beauty. Now the Empress is planning to make these two join as mates in a secret wedding where neither will see or know of the other until after the ceremony. It is a low angst and interesting story. Read On!
This book popped up in my feed and I decided to give it a read. It is a sweet tale of romance from two young people who have been abused and bullied by their own tribe. Rolan has fur all over and has been tortured by the Empress that he was given to as a present. Abauna is beautiful and has been outcast due to that beauty. Now the Empress is planning to make these two join as mates in a secret wedding where neither will see or know of the other until after the ceremony. It is a low angst and interesting story. Read On!
May 27, 2024
the heat
Okay at first this story has a sad start, the builds into something beautiful that you can’t help but feel for both characters in such a visceral way.
This is easily a 5 star read though I wish we got more.
I feel like the story didn’t really end. I also feel like the villain went unresolved maybe it was meant to, but I hoped the evil empress would get what the FMC had threatened. Overall I devoured this story and read it in two sittings!
Okay at first this story has a sad start, the builds into something beautiful that you can’t help but feel for both characters in such a visceral way.
This is easily a 5 star read though I wish we got more.
I feel like the story didn’t really end. I also feel like the villain went unresolved maybe it was meant to, but I hoped the evil empress would get what the FMC had threatened. Overall I devoured this story and read it in two sittings!
January 4, 2025
sweet love story!
This was just what I needed!
Rolan is a gentle and caring man who’s been abused and mistreated for his differences. When he’s given a wife he vows to protect her and see that she is cared for. It’s basically a beauty and the beast retelling but the “beast” is a golden retriever/cinnamon roll 🥰
My only complaint was how long it took the FMC to stop calling him beast🥲
This was just what I needed!
Rolan is a gentle and caring man who’s been abused and mistreated for his differences. When he’s given a wife he vows to protect her and see that she is cared for. It’s basically a beauty and the beast retelling but the “beast” is a golden retriever/cinnamon roll 🥰
My only complaint was how long it took the FMC to stop calling him beast🥲
May 6, 2024
Love and Acceptance
I loved this story. Rolan and Abauna were two broken souls who made each other whole. They found a life together without ridicule, degradation, scorn and pain. They created their own world of love and acceptance. I would have liked them to consummate their marriage sooner but it did not take away from the story.
I loved this story. Rolan and Abauna were two broken souls who made each other whole. They found a life together without ridicule, degradation, scorn and pain. They created their own world of love and acceptance. I would have liked them to consummate their marriage sooner but it did not take away from the story.
July 8, 2024
Super cute
This was an adorable quick read. For a tale involving torture and banishment from civilization, this was a fairly low-angst read. It focuses on two people who were put into close proximity, who treat each other with kindness, patience, and respect, and who end up falling madly in love. The hero is a very furry cinnamon roll.
May 4, 2024
Great read, would recommend
Rolan and Abauna were both well written amazing characters. I loved the whole book! I also enjoyed the way the world was introduced. Could be a wonderful start to a new series.
Rolan and Abauna were both well written amazing characters. I loved the whole book! I also enjoyed the way the world was introduced. Could be a wonderful start to a new series.
May 12, 2024
the feels!
I love pretty much everything from this author..She really does world building and character development right! I loved this book in particular..Abauna reminded me of me a bit and Roland? Sweet sexy beast! I need this kind of love in my life!
I love pretty much everything from this author..She really does world building and character development right! I loved this book in particular..Abauna reminded me of me a bit and Roland? Sweet sexy beast! I need this kind of love in my life!
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