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Charming #2
Beast
If you go down to the woods today…
Former con artist Jean-Marc Charming Arundel—Prince Charming, to his friends—has an appointment to keep with a demon. Travelling through an ancient woodland haunted by wolves and bears, he flees a sudden storm into a beautiful mansion. There, he finds himself an unwilling guest of a fearsome a noblewoman transformed by a fairy curse, as much a prisoner in the house as he.
Charming and his two fellow “guests,” Johannes and Wilhelm, must attend on the Beast in strangely romantic settings—reading books by the fire, picnicking in a menagerie, a formal dinner—for which they are rewarded with mysterious gifts of red roses. But to what end? And when will they be freed? The clock is ticking, and more than just his own life depends on it…
Former con artist Jean-Marc Charming Arundel—Prince Charming, to his friends—has an appointment to keep with a demon. Travelling through an ancient woodland haunted by wolves and bears, he flees a sudden storm into a beautiful mansion. There, he finds himself an unwilling guest of a fearsome a noblewoman transformed by a fairy curse, as much a prisoner in the house as he.
Charming and his two fellow “guests,” Johannes and Wilhelm, must attend on the Beast in strangely romantic settings—reading books by the fire, picnicking in a menagerie, a formal dinner—for which they are rewarded with mysterious gifts of red roses. But to what end? And when will they be freed? The clock is ticking, and more than just his own life depends on it…
368 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2025
6 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
November 14, 2025
This had a very messily developed plot and a cast of characters that were hard to empathise with (the protagonists) or embarrasingly silly (the secondary ones). I'm not sure this was a worthy sequel to the first book, which was fine on its own and didn't necessarily require completion. The pairing of Prince Charming and Beast had such potential, but the pile of plotting messes and the characterisation didn't help it reaach its promising potential.
December 20, 2024
This book is a continuation of Jade Linwood's first book, Charming, and features nearly all of the same characters with the addition of the Beast. It's a gender flipped version of Beauty and the Beast, which is what initially drew me into the book-- but it also clearly combines aspects of many different fairytales.
The story follows Prince Charming, who--during a tumultuous journey in the woods to meet with a demon--stumbles upon the magical manor belonging to the beast, a former lady afflicted by a curse.
The book is somewhat scattered and I found it hard to keep up with all the different POVS, and the story felt disjointed in places. There were some times where I truly couldn't follow what was happening with the "main romance" and all the different princesses.
The vibes were all over the place, but I did enjoy mostly enjoy the romance between Prince Charming and the beast - it was funny and endearing but the chemistry wasn't all there. The different princesses (who are reimaginings of Snow White, Rapunzel, etc) verged on cringey and overdone. I respect their modern and feminist characteristics, and it definitely worked for some of them, but for example having Rapunzel be called Dr. Rapunzel was perhaps a bit too clunky. "Beast" wasn't quite for me, but it's a cozy and humorous story that I think will appeal to many fantasy and romance readers.
Thank you so much to Rebellion and NetGalley for this ARC! 📚
The story follows Prince Charming, who--during a tumultuous journey in the woods to meet with a demon--stumbles upon the magical manor belonging to the beast, a former lady afflicted by a curse.
The book is somewhat scattered and I found it hard to keep up with all the different POVS, and the story felt disjointed in places. There were some times where I truly couldn't follow what was happening with the "main romance" and all the different princesses.
The vibes were all over the place, but I did enjoy mostly enjoy the romance between Prince Charming and the beast - it was funny and endearing but the chemistry wasn't all there. The different princesses (who are reimaginings of Snow White, Rapunzel, etc) verged on cringey and overdone. I respect their modern and feminist characteristics, and it definitely worked for some of them, but for example having Rapunzel be called Dr. Rapunzel was perhaps a bit too clunky. "Beast" wasn't quite for me, but it's a cozy and humorous story that I think will appeal to many fantasy and romance readers.
Thank you so much to Rebellion and NetGalley for this ARC! 📚
December 9, 2024
Thank you Netgalley, Rebellion| Solaris, and Jade Linwood for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
An amazing sequel to the magical book Charming! This time, it involved the stories of Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and Hansel and Gratel to an extent.
I love the way Jade Linwood weaves all these fairy tales together, inter mingling characters into a sensible plot. I enjoyed the how all threads are connected and the way her characters inter acted with one another.
This is by far one of the best fantasies I've read so far this year.
The open ending kinda made me want more of this world. I really hope there is a sequel. I would love to see everything and everyone finally at peace, clearing all their previous misunderstandings and strengthening their bonds.
An amazing sequel to the magical book Charming! This time, it involved the stories of Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and Hansel and Gratel to an extent.
I love the way Jade Linwood weaves all these fairy tales together, inter mingling characters into a sensible plot. I enjoyed the how all threads are connected and the way her characters inter acted with one another.
This is by far one of the best fantasies I've read so far this year.
The open ending kinda made me want more of this world. I really hope there is a sequel. I would love to see everything and everyone finally at peace, clearing all their previous misunderstandings and strengthening their bonds.
March 26, 2025
I constantly promise myself not to request arcs for sequels when I haven't read at least one of the previous books in the series. I also constantly break that promise. When I saw this book I got curious and requested a digital review copy and luckily Solaris granted me one. I quickly caught up with the first book in the series and after finishing that one I was even more excited to read this sequel. I was absolutely hooked!
If you loved the first book in the series, you will without a doubt also love this sequel. All our favorite characters from the first book are present and we're meeting an entire new cast of characters. Which means that a lot of new fairytales are introduced too! I'm not gonna give away which ones, because it's much more fun to discover that on your own, but they fit in seamlessly and I love how the author mashes up these tales without making this one giant mess.
I also love that the author didn't fall into the "the prince is the worst person ever"-trap. We can all agree that it would have been great if he showed any kind of remorse in the first book, however, I'm glad that the author uses this book to flesh him out, to give him his own story and to show that he's, in a way, also only human. I loved reading his chapters. I loved watching him grow. I loved seeing him slowly changing into the person he can be.
And although the author changes the plot of quite a lot of fairytales in this novel, she does keep the important messages of these tales. The story is light hearted, the story is funny and entertaining and yet, in between the lines, there is a deeper layer. It actually feels like the author is simply presenting us with a new fairytale. A fairytale with characters we already know, but new plots and yet, at its core, still very much a fairytale. I can't wait for the next book!
If you loved the first book in the series, you will without a doubt also love this sequel. All our favorite characters from the first book are present and we're meeting an entire new cast of characters. Which means that a lot of new fairytales are introduced too! I'm not gonna give away which ones, because it's much more fun to discover that on your own, but they fit in seamlessly and I love how the author mashes up these tales without making this one giant mess.
I also love that the author didn't fall into the "the prince is the worst person ever"-trap. We can all agree that it would have been great if he showed any kind of remorse in the first book, however, I'm glad that the author uses this book to flesh him out, to give him his own story and to show that he's, in a way, also only human. I loved reading his chapters. I loved watching him grow. I loved seeing him slowly changing into the person he can be.
And although the author changes the plot of quite a lot of fairytales in this novel, she does keep the important messages of these tales. The story is light hearted, the story is funny and entertaining and yet, in between the lines, there is a deeper layer. It actually feels like the author is simply presenting us with a new fairytale. A fairytale with characters we already know, but new plots and yet, at its core, still very much a fairytale. I can't wait for the next book!
December 27, 2024
I'm left a little dissatisfied and a lot puzzled after finishing this book.
The story is mainly a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is really a daring choice by the author because there are so many popular retellings already. Each chapter focuses on one storyline of which there are many, and I was dizzy by the end with chapters jumping around to random side plots. I didn't find any of the side plots particularly amusing or driving forward the story, so I was just confused and annoyed at each chapter that deviated from the main Beauty and the Beast story. I was honestly relieved when we jumped to the main Beast and MMC plot, and we got way too little from the enchanted castle. With what little I saw of each character, I was quite indifferent to them all and their relationships. There were glimmers of compelling character development and interesting twists like the competition amongst the potential Beast partners, and then the next chapter would jump into a side plot. The ending was abrupt and perplexing, too, and I'm not intrigued or bought into the characters and their fates enough to read the next book.
I typically really enjoy fairy tale retellings and read quite a few of them every year, so this was a pretty disappointing read to me. To be fair, I did not read the first in the series, but I don't think it affected my appreciation for this book because the characters from the first are famous fairy tale characters (e.g. Rapunzel, Snow White) and I could guess their situations. I have no issues with the prose itself, and I think there's something here with some serious editing. But I'm sure general chaos of this book is someone's cup of tea!
Thank you, Rebellion Publishing, for the arc!
The story is mainly a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is really a daring choice by the author because there are so many popular retellings already. Each chapter focuses on one storyline of which there are many, and I was dizzy by the end with chapters jumping around to random side plots. I didn't find any of the side plots particularly amusing or driving forward the story, so I was just confused and annoyed at each chapter that deviated from the main Beauty and the Beast story. I was honestly relieved when we jumped to the main Beast and MMC plot, and we got way too little from the enchanted castle. With what little I saw of each character, I was quite indifferent to them all and their relationships. There were glimmers of compelling character development and interesting twists like the competition amongst the potential Beast partners, and then the next chapter would jump into a side plot. The ending was abrupt and perplexing, too, and I'm not intrigued or bought into the characters and their fates enough to read the next book.
I typically really enjoy fairy tale retellings and read quite a few of them every year, so this was a pretty disappointing read to me. To be fair, I did not read the first in the series, but I don't think it affected my appreciation for this book because the characters from the first are famous fairy tale characters (e.g. Rapunzel, Snow White) and I could guess their situations. I have no issues with the prose itself, and I think there's something here with some serious editing. But I'm sure general chaos of this book is someone's cup of tea!
Thank you, Rebellion Publishing, for the arc!
June 4, 2025
I don't usually read fairytale retellings, but for whatever reason, I decided to request this book from NetGalley. I haven't read anything else by Jade Linwood, so it wasn't like I knew anything about the author. I am so glad that I did, though; I loved this maybe more than the first couple seasons of Once Upon A Time (before the show got weird and everyone stopped watching it). At least as much as.
Obviously, yes, the characters are gender-swapped, but the book doesn't just follow the same script as Beauty and the Beast, except with Belle being the Beast. The curse lets in three men at a time to see if they will fall in love with her. So, Charming (apparently Prince Charming doesn't get to marry Cinderella this time) has several other men to talk to during his time there. Tons more going on, but I don't want to leave spoilers.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is voluntarily given and my opinions are my own.
Obviously, yes, the characters are gender-swapped, but the book doesn't just follow the same script as Beauty and the Beast, except with Belle being the Beast. The curse lets in three men at a time to see if they will fall in love with her. So, Charming (apparently Prince Charming doesn't get to marry Cinderella this time) has several other men to talk to during his time there. Tons more going on, but I don't want to leave spoilers.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book. My review is voluntarily given and my opinions are my own.
March 10, 2025
"Charming her will be a monstrous challenge", that is what the cover says. It also became quite the reality because I found myself in a big reading slump the last few weeks. I really wanted to read (and love) this book, but would this book be able to charm me back to reading?
In general, I think the author put down a good story. It was very funny and interesting, making it very enjoyable.
This book is a retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast', but there were also other fairytales (and its characters) that popped up. I think the story is extra fun if you have a little knowledge of all the famous fairytales (because that way you can really see all the fun things that are thrown in the big fairytale mash-up) but I also think it's just as fun if you don't have a clue.
But here is a little note to keep in mind: Because there are so many other characters popping up, there are also a lot of side plots and other characters their backstories to keep track of. I didn't mind that, but some people can find that harder. (While I'm writing this review, it kind of makes me think about the TV series 'Once Upon A Time', where all the fairytales are also connected in some funny or weird way. So if you liked that, definitely add that as a reason to check out this book!)
Talking about the characters in general, I particularly liked Charming very much. He was so much fun to read about, I'm pretty sure he was my favorite of everyone. He was for sure one of the reasons the answer to the question of this book succeeded to charm me is a "Yes."
I received this book as an ARC, and I am very grateful for that. I had a good time and I'm leaving this review 100% voluntarily!
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
In general, I think the author put down a good story. It was very funny and interesting, making it very enjoyable.
This book is a retelling of 'Beauty and the Beast', but there were also other fairytales (and its characters) that popped up. I think the story is extra fun if you have a little knowledge of all the famous fairytales (because that way you can really see all the fun things that are thrown in the big fairytale mash-up) but I also think it's just as fun if you don't have a clue.
But here is a little note to keep in mind: Because there are so many other characters popping up, there are also a lot of side plots and other characters their backstories to keep track of. I didn't mind that, but some people can find that harder. (While I'm writing this review, it kind of makes me think about the TV series 'Once Upon A Time', where all the fairytales are also connected in some funny or weird way. So if you liked that, definitely add that as a reason to check out this book!)
Talking about the characters in general, I particularly liked Charming very much. He was so much fun to read about, I'm pretty sure he was my favorite of everyone. He was for sure one of the reasons the answer to the question of this book succeeded to charm me is a "Yes."
I received this book as an ARC, and I am very grateful for that. I had a good time and I'm leaving this review 100% voluntarily!
If you like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.
January 8, 2025
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Beast by Jade Linwood is a third person multi-POV humorous romantic fantasy reverse gender retelling of Beauty and the Beast. When two princesses and a witch want their revenge on Prince Charming, they force him into a Bachelor-esque situation where he must compete for the love of a young woman cursed with the form of a beast. But is Charming’s self-centeredness going to get in the way of maybe finding true love?
I did not read the first book, so I’m not sure how the three storylines are connected to the previous arc if they are at all. I felt that it was fairly easy to understand what was happening as the first chapter explained the plan Marie Blanche, Bella, and Doctor Rapunzel have formed in regards to Charming and Beast, but I did miss out on how they first met Charming and how some of these pieces fit together. I’ll probably reread this one after finally reading the first and will do so before the third if this becomes a trilogy.
There’s a lot of different fairy tales being mashed up: Snow White, Rapunzel, Goldilocks, Beauty and the Beast along with werewolves and a character called Red Cap. Because there's a lot of playing with the stories (such as Goldilocks being a bear witch and her brother, Hans, being one of Beast’s suitors), a good working knowledge of fairy tales is useful to have. Of all of the classic characters, I was the most interested in Charming because he felt so much like the princes in Into the Woods who aren’t really thinking of others even if they could slowly learn and grow.
The romance between Beast and Charming has a forced proximity dynamic and both are very cautious around each other. Charming’s chapters sometimes show him being more concerned about clothes or more invested in the lives of his competitors, Hans and Will, and their backgrounds. Beast is not particularly enthusiastic about any of them or the situation. When she falls for Charming, she’s convinced he won’t go for her and keeps her feelings to herself.
I would recommend this to fans of humorous fairy tale mash-ups for adults and readers looking for a Bachelor x fairy tale set-up
Beast by Jade Linwood is a third person multi-POV humorous romantic fantasy reverse gender retelling of Beauty and the Beast. When two princesses and a witch want their revenge on Prince Charming, they force him into a Bachelor-esque situation where he must compete for the love of a young woman cursed with the form of a beast. But is Charming’s self-centeredness going to get in the way of maybe finding true love?
I did not read the first book, so I’m not sure how the three storylines are connected to the previous arc if they are at all. I felt that it was fairly easy to understand what was happening as the first chapter explained the plan Marie Blanche, Bella, and Doctor Rapunzel have formed in regards to Charming and Beast, but I did miss out on how they first met Charming and how some of these pieces fit together. I’ll probably reread this one after finally reading the first and will do so before the third if this becomes a trilogy.
There’s a lot of different fairy tales being mashed up: Snow White, Rapunzel, Goldilocks, Beauty and the Beast along with werewolves and a character called Red Cap. Because there's a lot of playing with the stories (such as Goldilocks being a bear witch and her brother, Hans, being one of Beast’s suitors), a good working knowledge of fairy tales is useful to have. Of all of the classic characters, I was the most interested in Charming because he felt so much like the princes in Into the Woods who aren’t really thinking of others even if they could slowly learn and grow.
The romance between Beast and Charming has a forced proximity dynamic and both are very cautious around each other. Charming’s chapters sometimes show him being more concerned about clothes or more invested in the lives of his competitors, Hans and Will, and their backgrounds. Beast is not particularly enthusiastic about any of them or the situation. When she falls for Charming, she’s convinced he won’t go for her and keeps her feelings to herself.
I would recommend this to fans of humorous fairy tale mash-ups for adults and readers looking for a Bachelor x fairy tale set-up
February 24, 2025
Beast is the second book in the Charming series by Jade Linwood, once again Prince charming goes missing, but this time he hasn’t stolen any treasure just the futures of everyone, including himself is left hanging in the balance. unlike last time, however, he had nothing to do with him going missing and finding himself locked in a castle with his every need met in every comfort scene too by seemingly invisible people. His hostess is a bear in Prince charming nor his two companions can leave unless they figure out the riddle or the full moon. The only problem is the full moon isn’t going to appear until the same day. He’s supposed to meet and keep a deal with a demon. and to make matters worse his two housemates or members of warring factions from the same forest. while Prince charming, may not be wandering his conscious is, and as it goes through the history of all that he has done. he isn’t feeling so charming anymore. there’s so much about the story. I didn’t want to put in my review because OMG there are surprises that made me so giddy. We get to see all our favorite princesses, ladies and strong heroines once again save the day or at least attempt to. We also get to see Puss in boots whose real name is Cassius and she be friends a troop of actors and don’t even get me started on what they were doing in the story. This book is full of lol moments that continue the story, while at the same time giving you just enough to know there’s going to be a third book. I love these books so so much and sometimes can’t even think of a word. Brilliant enough to describe how great this book is. If you love fairytale remixes, then you will definitely love this book. It can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to miss the first one which is just as awesome. What more can I say? I freaking love these books! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #JadeLinwood, #Beast,!
March 23, 2025
I had a lot of fun reading *Beast*! 🐺🌹 This gender-flipped take on *Beauty and the Beast*, with its mix of romance, fantasy, and humor, was definitely a wild ride. Jade Linwood has such a creative way of weaving fairy tales together—I mean, who wouldn’t love a mash-up of *The Bachelor*, werewolves, and cursed mansions? The chemistry between Prince Charming and the Beast was a highlight, and the mansion's magical, eerie atmosphere made it such an immersive experience.
That said, I did struggle a bit with this one since I haven’t read the first book in the series. While the story explains a lot as it goes, I could tell I was missing some key context that would’ve helped me connect the dots. Also, there were so many side plots and characters—some of which were super fun but made it a bit chaotic at times. It felt like the main romance between Charming and the Beast didn’t get as much spotlight as I’d hoped, and I really wanted more depth in their relationship. The ending also felt a little rushed, leaving me with questions about how certain things wrapped up.
Even with those hiccups, *Beast* was a charming and quirky read. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings with a good dose of humor and creativity, this is one to try. Huge thanks to the publishers and Jade Linwood for the e-ARC💖🙏
January 13, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC for an honest review!
Beast is a follow up to Charming - in which 3 fairytale women pull a John Tucker Must Die on Prince Charming. As a sequel it followed the same vibes very well, so reading back to back feels seamless.
Beast is a multi POV story where Charming stumbles upon a manor which hosts a beast, so it’s a gender swaped retelling. The retellings do not stop there, and I love that there are so many references to other fairytales (Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, etc).
The main issue I have with it was that I just wanted to focus on Charming and Beast during their time together, it slowly built and with every new chapter we went back to Marie Blanche (Snow White), Doctor Emilia (Rapunzel), and Bella (Sleeping Beauty) I got annoyed. While I didn’t hate their plot, I just really wanted to focus on the gender swapped Beauty and the Beast part of the story more. I'd love to rate it higher, I feel like it's a solid 3. It's a fun story that is a good book to read when you want to get lost, quick and quirky!
Beast is a follow up to Charming - in which 3 fairytale women pull a John Tucker Must Die on Prince Charming. As a sequel it followed the same vibes very well, so reading back to back feels seamless.
Beast is a multi POV story where Charming stumbles upon a manor which hosts a beast, so it’s a gender swaped retelling. The retellings do not stop there, and I love that there are so many references to other fairytales (Goldilocks, Red Riding Hood, etc).
The main issue I have with it was that I just wanted to focus on Charming and Beast during their time together, it slowly built and with every new chapter we went back to Marie Blanche (Snow White), Doctor Emilia (Rapunzel), and Bella (Sleeping Beauty) I got annoyed. While I didn’t hate their plot, I just really wanted to focus on the gender swapped Beauty and the Beast part of the story more. I'd love to rate it higher, I feel like it's a solid 3. It's a fun story that is a good book to read when you want to get lost, quick and quirky!
February 6, 2025
What if Prince Charming is not only devastatingly handsome and as charming as his name, but also a con-man, liar and fraud? That's what the first book in this series explores, together with the princesses he'd duped (Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel etc.) who were hot on his trail and out for payback. In the follow-up book Charming himself is caught up in another twisted fairy tale as he ends up in the stately home of an ensorcelled beast along with two other hapless victims, Hans and Will. The beast is as much a prisoner as they are, and only solving the riddle can save her. Charming might even have feelings for her, but he has a date with Mephistopheles, and time is running out. Our princesses need to free him. They come across two potential enemies, or maybe powerful allies, in the Bear Witch and Red Cap (analogues of Goldilocks and Red Riding Hood). More delightful grown-up fairy tale nonsense from the assured pen of Jade Linwood. And though this has a satisfying ending there's obviously another book to come. Looking forward to it.
January 12, 2025
I had no idea this was a second book in a series before I requested it. You kind of get the gist reading the beginning, but I do feel like I missed a bit.
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast. This one is a reverse gender role retelling which had me intrigued. Unfortunately I was underwhelmed by it. Maybe because I didn't read the first book, but I felt like the writing was a bit chaotic. It's an adult series, but reads very young to me. I liked all the fairytales coming together in this, but that's really the only thing. There was so many side characters that the beast and prince charming felt more like a side story.
Overall, I ended up DNFing this one. I'm not interested in going back and reading the first book or continuing this series.
Thank you netgalley and Rebellion publishing for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially Beauty and the Beast. This one is a reverse gender role retelling which had me intrigued. Unfortunately I was underwhelmed by it. Maybe because I didn't read the first book, but I felt like the writing was a bit chaotic. It's an adult series, but reads very young to me. I liked all the fairytales coming together in this, but that's really the only thing. There was so many side characters that the beast and prince charming felt more like a side story.
Overall, I ended up DNFing this one. I'm not interested in going back and reading the first book or continuing this series.
Thank you netgalley and Rebellion publishing for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.
April 30, 2025
Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for letting me read an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
What an entertaining sequel to this quirky fairy tale. It was a bit all over the place but it was humorous and dare I say charming? So many different side adventures I couldn't quite keep up at times but they all tied up in the end. I felt like it was also rushed and hastily put together trying to tie up everything. The cliff hanger just irked me cause did Charming learn his lesson or will he be off on another adventure to con more people? Still overall entertaining even if not that good.
What an entertaining sequel to this quirky fairy tale. It was a bit all over the place but it was humorous and dare I say charming? So many different side adventures I couldn't quite keep up at times but they all tied up in the end. I felt like it was also rushed and hastily put together trying to tie up everything. The cliff hanger just irked me cause did Charming learn his lesson or will he be off on another adventure to con more people? Still overall entertaining even if not that good.
January 13, 2025
Thank you netgally for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not it for me, it was also not at all what I expected of it. That being said, I did not know this was the second book in the series. At the start I felt like I was missing a little bit of backstory but that didn’t really matter in the story telling. I expected more main story and less side characters and side story lines. Most of the time I was confused about what was going on. All the characters felt kinda flat to me.
If you liked the first part you’ll probably like this one too.
This book was not it for me, it was also not at all what I expected of it. That being said, I did not know this was the second book in the series. At the start I felt like I was missing a little bit of backstory but that didn’t really matter in the story telling. I expected more main story and less side characters and side story lines. Most of the time I was confused about what was going on. All the characters felt kinda flat to me.
If you liked the first part you’ll probably like this one too.
Want to read
December 23, 2024Who doesn't have a soft spot for fairytale retellings??
March 25, 2025
The first book was a surprise, this second one, on the other hand, took me by surprise because I was not thinking of a series even though the premise was all there. Unfortunately, however, as often happens to books "in between", this one bored me a bit moreover the number of fairy tale characters further increased and it also ended in a cliffhanger, so all in all, I liked it not so much overall.
Il primo libro é stato una sorpresa, questo secondo invece, mi ha preso di sorpresa, perché non pensavo ad una serie anche se le premesse c'erano tutte. Putroppo peró, come spesso capita nei libri di passaggio, questo mi ha un po' annoiato inoltre il numero dei personaggi delle favole é ulteriormente aumentato ed inoltre é finito in un cliffhanger, quindi, tutto sommato, non é che mi sia piaciuto complessivamente un granché.
I received a digital advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Il primo libro é stato una sorpresa, questo secondo invece, mi ha preso di sorpresa, perché non pensavo ad una serie anche se le premesse c'erano tutte. Putroppo peró, come spesso capita nei libri di passaggio, questo mi ha un po' annoiato inoltre il numero dei personaggi delle favole é ulteriormente aumentato ed inoltre é finito in un cliffhanger, quindi, tutto sommato, non é che mi sia piaciuto complessivamente un granché.
I received a digital advanced review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
February 9, 2025
I am a sucker for retellings so the premise of a gender swapped Beauty and the Beast was incredibly intriguing. While there were entertaining parts, the story is a bit too chaotic and does not give enough time with Charming and Beast for you to fall in love with the characters.
Beast starts where book 1 ends, with Charming stumbling through the woods on his way to a demon. While on that journey he finds himself stuck in an enchanted manor, playing a bachelorette style game with two other trapped contestants, as they try to solve the "riddle" to break the curse.
Beast is a multi-PoV story and brings back several of your favorite characters from book 1. While I typically like multi-pov, it felt disjointed and left you wanting more of the main plot line. While there were enjoyable parts, I likely won't be picking up book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read this book.
Beast starts where book 1 ends, with Charming stumbling through the woods on his way to a demon. While on that journey he finds himself stuck in an enchanted manor, playing a bachelorette style game with two other trapped contestants, as they try to solve the "riddle" to break the curse.
Beast is a multi-PoV story and brings back several of your favorite characters from book 1. While I typically like multi-pov, it felt disjointed and left you wanting more of the main plot line. While there were enjoyable parts, I likely won't be picking up book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read this book.
February 13, 2025
A.G. Linwood's Beast is a wickedly funny and creative retelling of classic fairy tales, with comedy, adventure, and a dash of romance. Following the adventures of Prince Charming, it brings together a collection of former fairy-tale heroines, one very reluctant hero, and a haunted house with secrets to keep. With a plot as quirky as it is smart, Beast defies convention without losing an ounce of its fairy tale heritage.
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel, aka Charming, is a cad—dishonest, flirtatious, and always in trouble. He's on the move, staying barely one step ahead of those trying to catch up with him in a world where every woman he ever wronged appears to have an axe to grind. And when he arrives at a strange, magical house surrounded by rose bushes that appear to be moving of their own accord, he is caught up in a high-stakes game.
The manor house imprisons Beast, an ugly but pathetic being, sentencing him to loneliness. Along with Hans, a chivalric student, and Will, a boy pragmatist who senses a responsibility, Charming is responsible for discovering the secret behind the curse of the house and the reason why they were selected.
With a deadline on leaving and the ghosts of the past chasing him, Charming will need to draw on more than his fabled charm if he is to survive.
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel – The Fallen Prince
It's that kind of nice hero: the kind of hero whom you just want to bang your head and want to knock some sense into every now and then, but charm gets the better of you in the daytime. Well, he's charming, and he's smart, and at escaping trouble by fleeing, brilliant-but now he might just find himself in one place he can't charm his way out of.
His development during the course of the novel is quite fascinating to notice. He describes his affliction in his usual pomp at first, but with the course of the novel, the layers are slowly unwrapped—his guilt, his repressed sorrows, and the inner turmoil of holding on and staying upright.
Beast – The Mysterious Host
Beast is not an agony-racked prince trapped inside the body of a monster. She is capable, strong, and conscious woman cognizant of the limitations within which she must work. Her interactions with charming are most compelling throughout the book—she will not be tricked by deceit.
Her internal struggle—between human former self and beast she is now—such is a pathos that invokes pity in her.
Hans & Will – The Other Captives
Hans is an intellectual who treats the entire experience as some sort of master thinking challenge. His thoughtful, analytical nature provides a relief from more emotional strife exhibited throughout the novel.
Will, however, is practical, committed, and very much bothered about what he had lost. His agony gives the story its reality because it reminds readers that ordinary people do get touched by this type of paranormal occurrence.
Minor Characters
The solid supporting cast of a cohort of Charming's retired fairy-tale heroines with motives adds humor and narrative tension. Power imbalance as both a society theme, a theme between relationships, a curse theme, and a theme concerning the nature of fate is engrossing.
Charming's past is finally catching up to him. This novel does the whole idea of charm and wit taking you so far before you then have to pay the piper and account for things. All the characters are, in some way or another, stuck due to something outside of their control—bargains, curses, expectation. The novel poses the question of whether or not destiny is predetermined, or if maybe an individual has the ability to make their own.
Beast's curse is physical as well as symbolic for fight with self-esteem and identity. The novel is asking whether people (or beasts) can ever change or not. The novel tantalizes by the implication that love is both a trap and redemptive, particularly where there is imbalanced power.
Linwood's text is full of snappy dialogue, witty repartee, and fairy tale metatropes. The book is never overstuffed but manages to get the emotional bang for its buck when it has to. The novel is an actual page-turner, and there are just enough turns and twists to keep the reader guessing. The action, the humor, and the navel-gazing are well in balance.
The magical house, black roses and otherworldly magic, is evocatively, beautifully described.
A clever, fresh retelling of fairy tales. Intelligent, pleasant heroine. Good character development and understated relationships. Gothic, atmospheric world-building.
Terry Pratchett Discworld fans will appreciate the fantasy convention skewings and humorousness. The Princess Bride fans will appreciate the swashbuckling adventure and irreverent humor. Readers of Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver will appreciate the twist given to fairy tale mythology.
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Writing Style: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
World-Building: ★★★★☆
Trigger Warnings:
Mild violence
Curses & magical coercion
References to past betrayals & emotional manipulation
Beast is pure delight—a funny, intelligent, and completely inventive retelling of the fairy tale. If you're reading for the questing, the humor, or the sheer genius of deconstructing Prince Charming himself, then this book is for you.
A fantasy novel must-read if you enjoy clever dialogue, edge-of-your-seat world-building, and a touch of magic.
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel, aka Charming, is a cad—dishonest, flirtatious, and always in trouble. He's on the move, staying barely one step ahead of those trying to catch up with him in a world where every woman he ever wronged appears to have an axe to grind. And when he arrives at a strange, magical house surrounded by rose bushes that appear to be moving of their own accord, he is caught up in a high-stakes game.
The manor house imprisons Beast, an ugly but pathetic being, sentencing him to loneliness. Along with Hans, a chivalric student, and Will, a boy pragmatist who senses a responsibility, Charming is responsible for discovering the secret behind the curse of the house and the reason why they were selected.
With a deadline on leaving and the ghosts of the past chasing him, Charming will need to draw on more than his fabled charm if he is to survive.
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel – The Fallen Prince
It's that kind of nice hero: the kind of hero whom you just want to bang your head and want to knock some sense into every now and then, but charm gets the better of you in the daytime. Well, he's charming, and he's smart, and at escaping trouble by fleeing, brilliant-but now he might just find himself in one place he can't charm his way out of.
His development during the course of the novel is quite fascinating to notice. He describes his affliction in his usual pomp at first, but with the course of the novel, the layers are slowly unwrapped—his guilt, his repressed sorrows, and the inner turmoil of holding on and staying upright.
Beast – The Mysterious Host
Beast is not an agony-racked prince trapped inside the body of a monster. She is capable, strong, and conscious woman cognizant of the limitations within which she must work. Her interactions with charming are most compelling throughout the book—she will not be tricked by deceit.
Her internal struggle—between human former self and beast she is now—such is a pathos that invokes pity in her.
Hans & Will – The Other Captives
Hans is an intellectual who treats the entire experience as some sort of master thinking challenge. His thoughtful, analytical nature provides a relief from more emotional strife exhibited throughout the novel.
Will, however, is practical, committed, and very much bothered about what he had lost. His agony gives the story its reality because it reminds readers that ordinary people do get touched by this type of paranormal occurrence.
Minor Characters
The solid supporting cast of a cohort of Charming's retired fairy-tale heroines with motives adds humor and narrative tension. Power imbalance as both a society theme, a theme between relationships, a curse theme, and a theme concerning the nature of fate is engrossing.
Charming's past is finally catching up to him. This novel does the whole idea of charm and wit taking you so far before you then have to pay the piper and account for things. All the characters are, in some way or another, stuck due to something outside of their control—bargains, curses, expectation. The novel poses the question of whether or not destiny is predetermined, or if maybe an individual has the ability to make their own.
Beast's curse is physical as well as symbolic for fight with self-esteem and identity. The novel is asking whether people (or beasts) can ever change or not. The novel tantalizes by the implication that love is both a trap and redemptive, particularly where there is imbalanced power.
Linwood's text is full of snappy dialogue, witty repartee, and fairy tale metatropes. The book is never overstuffed but manages to get the emotional bang for its buck when it has to. The novel is an actual page-turner, and there are just enough turns and twists to keep the reader guessing. The action, the humor, and the navel-gazing are well in balance.
The magical house, black roses and otherworldly magic, is evocatively, beautifully described.
A clever, fresh retelling of fairy tales. Intelligent, pleasant heroine. Good character development and understated relationships. Gothic, atmospheric world-building.
Terry Pratchett Discworld fans will appreciate the fantasy convention skewings and humorousness. The Princess Bride fans will appreciate the swashbuckling adventure and irreverent humor. Readers of Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver will appreciate the twist given to fairy tale mythology.
Overall Rating: ★★★★★
Writing Style: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
World-Building: ★★★★☆
Trigger Warnings:
Mild violence
Curses & magical coercion
References to past betrayals & emotional manipulation
Beast is pure delight—a funny, intelligent, and completely inventive retelling of the fairy tale. If you're reading for the questing, the humor, or the sheer genius of deconstructing Prince Charming himself, then this book is for you.
A fantasy novel must-read if you enjoy clever dialogue, edge-of-your-seat world-building, and a touch of magic.
March 31, 2025
What happens when you, a fan of legends and fairy stories, come across the book number 2 in a series inspired by classic folk and fairy tales? You read the first book in the series to catch up. And immediately follow it up with Beast, the second installment in Jade Linwood's Charming series, incapable of resisting the siren song of finding out what happens after the cliffhanger.
Beast is the continuation of Charming and should not be read as a standalone. While Linwood quickly reminds her readers of the entire (and ever-growing) cast of main characters, the story lacks in substance and understanding without covering the first book in the series. In Beast, we are reunited with the sisterhood of duped princesses as well as the very pleasing and even more conniving Prince Charming. This time, however, the tables have turned and it's Charming who is in desperate need of rescue but who can be persuaded to care about the disappearance of a seemingly heartless grifter whose sole companion in the first book was but bound by spell to him? In Beast, Linwood takes us on a different adventure: the ever-escaping prince is imprisoned alongside two other unsuspecting bachelors in an enchanted manor with unforgiving rose hedges and a very big shadow lurking behind the doors.
The prose remains faithful to Charming: easy to read yet infused with delight and humour, enough descriptions to vividly paint the fantasy world we're exploring without being overbearing, a little dialogue-heavy (and still, those incessant "{character] said", no other verbs to signal who's speaking - one of my minor grips with the writing style) but also action-packed (no paragraph-skipping allowed in this series!), and distinct voices for each character (and there are many). Whereas Linwood followed the traditional role adherence in her first book: a prince coming to save princesses in distress, she dabbles in gender swap in this second book and makes the Beast female. I'm glad to report the gender swap twist is well executed and works. Other quirks are added to the mix: it would appear the Beast's curse is not the product of moral lapse, unlike the Beauty & the Beast tale we're all familiar with; the bachelors are dealt with in very, well, Bachelor/ette fashion with roses being handed out (I admit, I chuckled when the first rose appeared) and a certain "production team" being behind this unfortunate game (mere mortals being the playthings of those from the magic realm is a classic, after all). This fresh, feminist and vibrant modernisation is a seamless delight that kept me hooked until the very end.
Beast's main downfall is its construction: the story Linwood wishes to write requires a large cast with new members being added to the pack (another princess - and her fairy godmother, other fairy tale heroines like Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks but also werewolves and bears and other supernatural creatures) and a side quest that seems to take over the main plot halfway through the tale. I found the book to feel both too long and too short in the second half: either Linwood should have doubled down on making Beast longer than Charming and added another few chapters to flesh out the budding love story between Prince Charming and the Beast or some editing choices should have been made to condense the storyline and balance out the two interlacing plots better. In any case, I felt a little disappointed with the manner in which the developing feelings between our romantic interests was dealt with. I couldn't quite figure out why they were in love. On the one hand, Charming seems to develop a sense of empathy and morality a little out of nowhere, not quite connecting the dots between his captivity and his virtuous growth. On the other hand, the Beast was mostly lusting after a man she felt was out of her league, both in her cursed animal form and her once-upon-a-human-life appearance. Something deeper and truer was lacking, alas.
And yet, here I am, mere hours after having finished Beast, sitting with a certain grief at the thought that the wait commences. Linwood leaves us on yet another cliffhanger and I'm already lamenting the 1.5 to 2-year delay until the next book. The Charming series is, true to its name, charming. It's easy to point out its (few, mind you) flaws but this reads like a binge-worthy TV series, leaving you with the kind of sentimental attachment to the large cast of colourful characters and their many adventures that turns waiting in between volumes into a virtue, perhaps the moral of the Beast's tale itself.
* Many thanks to Netgalley & Rebellion | Solaris for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. *
Beast is the continuation of Charming and should not be read as a standalone. While Linwood quickly reminds her readers of the entire (and ever-growing) cast of main characters, the story lacks in substance and understanding without covering the first book in the series. In Beast, we are reunited with the sisterhood of duped princesses as well as the very pleasing and even more conniving Prince Charming. This time, however, the tables have turned and it's Charming who is in desperate need of rescue but who can be persuaded to care about the disappearance of a seemingly heartless grifter whose sole companion in the first book was but bound by spell to him? In Beast, Linwood takes us on a different adventure: the ever-escaping prince is imprisoned alongside two other unsuspecting bachelors in an enchanted manor with unforgiving rose hedges and a very big shadow lurking behind the doors.
The prose remains faithful to Charming: easy to read yet infused with delight and humour, enough descriptions to vividly paint the fantasy world we're exploring without being overbearing, a little dialogue-heavy (and still, those incessant "{character] said", no other verbs to signal who's speaking - one of my minor grips with the writing style) but also action-packed (no paragraph-skipping allowed in this series!), and distinct voices for each character (and there are many). Whereas Linwood followed the traditional role adherence in her first book: a prince coming to save princesses in distress, she dabbles in gender swap in this second book and makes the Beast female. I'm glad to report the gender swap twist is well executed and works. Other quirks are added to the mix: it would appear the Beast's curse is not the product of moral lapse, unlike the Beauty & the Beast tale we're all familiar with; the bachelors are dealt with in very, well, Bachelor/ette fashion with roses being handed out (I admit, I chuckled when the first rose appeared) and a certain "production team" being behind this unfortunate game (mere mortals being the playthings of those from the magic realm is a classic, after all). This fresh, feminist and vibrant modernisation is a seamless delight that kept me hooked until the very end.
Beast's main downfall is its construction: the story Linwood wishes to write requires a large cast with new members being added to the pack (another princess - and her fairy godmother, other fairy tale heroines like Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks but also werewolves and bears and other supernatural creatures) and a side quest that seems to take over the main plot halfway through the tale. I found the book to feel both too long and too short in the second half: either Linwood should have doubled down on making Beast longer than Charming and added another few chapters to flesh out the budding love story between Prince Charming and the Beast or some editing choices should have been made to condense the storyline and balance out the two interlacing plots better. In any case, I felt a little disappointed with the manner in which the developing feelings between our romantic interests was dealt with. I couldn't quite figure out why they were in love. On the one hand, Charming seems to develop a sense of empathy and morality a little out of nowhere, not quite connecting the dots between his captivity and his virtuous growth. On the other hand, the Beast was mostly lusting after a man she felt was out of her league, both in her cursed animal form and her once-upon-a-human-life appearance. Something deeper and truer was lacking, alas.
And yet, here I am, mere hours after having finished Beast, sitting with a certain grief at the thought that the wait commences. Linwood leaves us on yet another cliffhanger and I'm already lamenting the 1.5 to 2-year delay until the next book. The Charming series is, true to its name, charming. It's easy to point out its (few, mind you) flaws but this reads like a binge-worthy TV series, leaving you with the kind of sentimental attachment to the large cast of colourful characters and their many adventures that turns waiting in between volumes into a virtue, perhaps the moral of the Beast's tale itself.
Even those who were fascinated by her, even those who thought they adored her, what they really felt was fear. She couldn't hide what she was, not really, not for long. But if all you have is fear, who will be there for you if you need help? In the end, there are pitchforks, or there is silence.
* Many thanks to Netgalley & Rebellion | Solaris for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. *
July 31, 2025
*4.63 Stars
Notes: I enjoyed getting to read yet another fairy tale retelling. This time, Charming and the main characters from book one, including Rapunzel, get stuck in a mansion.
The Beast (similarly to the fairy tale version of one from Beauty and the Beast), lived in a large mansion with a lot of novels. Charming and his companions, including his best friend Roland and the others, get stuck in a large mansion, that is exquisitely crafted.
They mostly go through a lot of novels to pass the time earlier on in the beginning of the story. It’s not until maybe past 1/3 of the book that other events really start to happen. For a sequel novel with references to other fairy tales in it as well (Cinderella, especially), this book was quite entertaining.
I paid attention to the fictional story for what it was. There were amounts of conversational dialogue among some characters, that sounded almost the same in the friendlier bantering tone that Charming had had with his friends. The Beast has several dialogue lines that made him seem friendlier and less of an adversary. While I’m typing this review out in a slightly different style as the first book, this is because this is the second novel in this series.
I actually was aware of the first book for quite sometime. I had waited to read it, on purpose, so that I could then read book two after. I have seen various movie versions of Beauty and the Beast itself several times over (including the live action one from 2017, which was simply amazing).
This book was quite eventful. I’m not going to lie in saying the main purpose of not having many spoilers included in this review of the novel, is due to the fact that with properly reading the first few chapters in the beginning, content can be easily understood. It is not going to take much concentration to try to know and comprehend what is actually happening in the later chapters, since stuff is explained very well.
The writing style gave appropriate descriptions on what was needed to be described. I was going through and reading as much of this book as I could. The original storyline of a different version of the main fairy tale was distracting for me to read about, since I never would not have gone through and read a sequel book to Charming - where the Prince is forced to read stories.
I mean, there was nothing in my experience of reading this book that could possibly go wrong with that. I would have read the novel literally for that. In fact, some of the conversations get more hilarious in the end. There are other cameos of characters from other fairy tales as well. While I still do not want to try to include spoilers at all, and I’ll leave this review as spoiler-free as I can, if anyone extremely enjoyed book one, book two is worth it.
I was glad that the ending had a good conclusion to it. There were not many unanswered questions that I had had left, since I had not skimmed many chapters. The experience of getting to read book two after book one so quickly was just worth it for me.
I just rather quite liked this fictional novel for what it was. I am trying to stay away from mentioning any spoilers (at all), since this is the sequel. The story is just very much so worth it to page through, if someone is curious in it.
[My only intent on reading this novel was to enjoy it for its unique plot line. I had paid attention to how the characters acted in book one, especially Prince Charming, so reading book two would be much easier for me. Please do not read this novel without previously reading book one, or some concepts might be difficult to understand.]
Notes: I enjoyed getting to read yet another fairy tale retelling. This time, Charming and the main characters from book one, including Rapunzel, get stuck in a mansion.
The Beast (similarly to the fairy tale version of one from Beauty and the Beast), lived in a large mansion with a lot of novels. Charming and his companions, including his best friend Roland and the others, get stuck in a large mansion, that is exquisitely crafted.
They mostly go through a lot of novels to pass the time earlier on in the beginning of the story. It’s not until maybe past 1/3 of the book that other events really start to happen. For a sequel novel with references to other fairy tales in it as well (Cinderella, especially), this book was quite entertaining.
I paid attention to the fictional story for what it was. There were amounts of conversational dialogue among some characters, that sounded almost the same in the friendlier bantering tone that Charming had had with his friends. The Beast has several dialogue lines that made him seem friendlier and less of an adversary. While I’m typing this review out in a slightly different style as the first book, this is because this is the second novel in this series.
I actually was aware of the first book for quite sometime. I had waited to read it, on purpose, so that I could then read book two after. I have seen various movie versions of Beauty and the Beast itself several times over (including the live action one from 2017, which was simply amazing).
This book was quite eventful. I’m not going to lie in saying the main purpose of not having many spoilers included in this review of the novel, is due to the fact that with properly reading the first few chapters in the beginning, content can be easily understood. It is not going to take much concentration to try to know and comprehend what is actually happening in the later chapters, since stuff is explained very well.
The writing style gave appropriate descriptions on what was needed to be described. I was going through and reading as much of this book as I could. The original storyline of a different version of the main fairy tale was distracting for me to read about, since I never would not have gone through and read a sequel book to Charming - where the Prince is forced to read stories.
I mean, there was nothing in my experience of reading this book that could possibly go wrong with that. I would have read the novel literally for that. In fact, some of the conversations get more hilarious in the end. There are other cameos of characters from other fairy tales as well. While I still do not want to try to include spoilers at all, and I’ll leave this review as spoiler-free as I can, if anyone extremely enjoyed book one, book two is worth it.
I was glad that the ending had a good conclusion to it. There were not many unanswered questions that I had had left, since I had not skimmed many chapters. The experience of getting to read book two after book one so quickly was just worth it for me.
I just rather quite liked this fictional novel for what it was. I am trying to stay away from mentioning any spoilers (at all), since this is the sequel. The story is just very much so worth it to page through, if someone is curious in it.
[My only intent on reading this novel was to enjoy it for its unique plot line. I had paid attention to how the characters acted in book one, especially Prince Charming, so reading book two would be much easier for me. Please do not read this novel without previously reading book one, or some concepts might be difficult to understand.]
July 8, 2025
I received a proof copy of this book, and the following review is made up of my own thoughts and not influenced by the author, the publisher or NetGalley.
I picked up this book, not realising that it was the second book of the series, and within a few pages had fallen completely in love with the author's writing style, the twist of the characters from the fairy tales many of us grew up on, and the world flowing before my eyes. It's like our world, but slightly different with magic. A theme that I generally love. I was tapping to the next page, barely an hour in when I realised that while the story was holding me... I wanted to know about the back stories being mentioned. I wanted to know more about why these three princesses were trying to track down this man Charming. What had he done to them? How had he stolen so much for them? And from there I realised... I needed to read the first book. I -had- to know that before I followed the three women's hunt for the scoundrel.
So, I put it on hold, bought the first book (Charming) and... completed it in a day. Luckily I wasn't expected to do anything, so I could wrap myself in the world of Marie Black de Neige, Dr. Emelia Rapunzel and Bella Lucia dei' Sogni... and Charming. He is one of the best anti-hero, because he has all the worst attributes (self-centered, stubborn, full of himself etc) and yet... Oh, I wanted to know how he was going to get away with it. He was ruining lives, and I was chuckling away at his methods. He deserved every bit of retribution from the three women, but...
I sort-of wanted him to get away with it.
Once that one was under my belt, I immediately dived back into the book I was supposed to be reviewing. And I loved every minute of it. I honestly might like the second one a bit more than the first, but that is completely down to Charming. His character is expanded, and this talented author doesn't change him, but uses the attributes already accredited to him to make him even more. He's the same, but the nuances come out to play. He grows, with how he views the world and even what the thinks about himself. And this is done beautifully, with each step carefully laid out so that the progression happens underneath the reader's nose. Half-way into the book and I...
I wanted him to be granted his desire. I wanted the other character to see the change in him, and for a friendship to develop between the two of them. Maybe even something more. I wanted him to get his own version of happily-ever-after and...
I can't praise the author enough for being able to do that. It's very difficult to take the 'villain', and make her/him someone I root for. Too often the villain loses what make them bad/evil, or else you can't see how they have anyone around them. And if the character is someone who is pre-established in a book/movie/etc, then... What makes them 'them', get stripped away and they're just an NPC.
The only negative is that, in my opinion, he outshines this version of Rapunzel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. I found myself more interested when it was in his point of view, rather than theirs. The women are wonderfully fleshed out. They're even more bad-ass then in the fairy tales, yet are still rounded. It's not as if someone made them stereotypical feminists. They're strong. They have emotions. They kick ass and take control of their own lives.
And Charming is in their sight.
Poor Charming.
I'd highly recommend this book. Buy it, and the first book. I didn't regret it, and I don't think anyone else would either.
I picked up this book, not realising that it was the second book of the series, and within a few pages had fallen completely in love with the author's writing style, the twist of the characters from the fairy tales many of us grew up on, and the world flowing before my eyes. It's like our world, but slightly different with magic. A theme that I generally love. I was tapping to the next page, barely an hour in when I realised that while the story was holding me... I wanted to know about the back stories being mentioned. I wanted to know more about why these three princesses were trying to track down this man Charming. What had he done to them? How had he stolen so much for them? And from there I realised... I needed to read the first book. I -had- to know that before I followed the three women's hunt for the scoundrel.
So, I put it on hold, bought the first book (Charming) and... completed it in a day. Luckily I wasn't expected to do anything, so I could wrap myself in the world of Marie Black de Neige, Dr. Emelia Rapunzel and Bella Lucia dei' Sogni... and Charming. He is one of the best anti-hero, because he has all the worst attributes (self-centered, stubborn, full of himself etc) and yet... Oh, I wanted to know how he was going to get away with it. He was ruining lives, and I was chuckling away at his methods. He deserved every bit of retribution from the three women, but...
I sort-of wanted him to get away with it.
Once that one was under my belt, I immediately dived back into the book I was supposed to be reviewing. And I loved every minute of it. I honestly might like the second one a bit more than the first, but that is completely down to Charming. His character is expanded, and this talented author doesn't change him, but uses the attributes already accredited to him to make him even more. He's the same, but the nuances come out to play. He grows, with how he views the world and even what the thinks about himself. And this is done beautifully, with each step carefully laid out so that the progression happens underneath the reader's nose. Half-way into the book and I...
I wanted him to be granted his desire. I wanted the other character to see the change in him, and for a friendship to develop between the two of them. Maybe even something more. I wanted him to get his own version of happily-ever-after and...
I can't praise the author enough for being able to do that. It's very difficult to take the 'villain', and make her/him someone I root for. Too often the villain loses what make them bad/evil, or else you can't see how they have anyone around them. And if the character is someone who is pre-established in a book/movie/etc, then... What makes them 'them', get stripped away and they're just an NPC.
The only negative is that, in my opinion, he outshines this version of Rapunzel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. I found myself more interested when it was in his point of view, rather than theirs. The women are wonderfully fleshed out. They're even more bad-ass then in the fairy tales, yet are still rounded. It's not as if someone made them stereotypical feminists. They're strong. They have emotions. They kick ass and take control of their own lives.
And Charming is in their sight.
Poor Charming.
I'd highly recommend this book. Buy it, and the first book. I didn't regret it, and I don't think anyone else would either.
December 18, 2024
Overall rating: 4/5 stars
“So, what’s the witch lost, and where is it?’ ‘Her brother. He’s in a place that isn’t exactly there.”
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel is on a deadline to pay to the demon who helped save his father. On his journey to meet him, he decides to take a shortcut through the woods, where he happens upon a sprawling manor house.
The house is charming and tends to his needs, but will not let him leave. He soon finds out the Mistress of the house has been cursed as a Beast, and that he and his two co-captives, Will and Hans, -brothers of the bear witch and the wolf leader- must figure out how to break the curse with only clues. Clues and something true and honest. Will one of them be able to break the curse before time runs out?
“Now I don’t know about anyone else, but personally, I’m going to investigate the cellar.” “You think there might be a clue?” Hans said. “I think there might be a very good Riesling.”
This book was an unexpected delight. It felt cozy like a warm hug, that way that fairytales often times do. Magical and wondrous and told in a story tale manner. But there was a quiet intelligence, strong plot and subplots, and an air of mystique as thick as the forest that ensnared me.
The different characters and stories we know and love were twisted and turned, though wonderfully recognizable, and then pulled together in ways I didn’t see coming. It felt as though Linwood weaved a stunning tapestry of every colour over a blank canvas.
“An honest word is better than a fancy word with no heart behind it.”
The gender bent Beauty and the Beast slant was a nice twist. I adore this fairytale and making the beast female kept the story from getting tired, made it something new. It was wonderful to see the three male suitors, the kind man, the smart one, and the charming (pretty?) one, and have no idea which one was going to be the one to fall for her.
“You think he should have a ‘normal’ life, because you miss yours,” she said. “Not everyone wants that.”
My favourite thing about this book was how the servants were written in. Instead of them actually being objects, or simply ceasing to exist, she made them invisible and noiseless. Absolute genius. Because Charming and the bachelors see objects like a candle moving around and assume they are magic or the house is, and you get that wonderful magic feeling, and it is later revealed that they were there all the time, silently working. A real explanation for the magic that is just as magnificent.
“But the magic surrounding this place is stronger, too—and wilder. Less inclined to be controlled.”
I’m half German so I loved all of the German words and names strewn throughout. Especially Wohlabendberg and Johannes and Wilhelm.
“Knowledge was almost always useful. Sometimes dangerous, yes, but almost always useful.”
As I read this book, I disappeared into the magical forest with its cottages and bears and wolves. I could taste the magic. I didn’t want to leave. After all, who wouldn’t love to be locked up in a fairy cottage with nothing to do but solve the mystery of love?
“We are more than the stories that are told about us,” Marie Blanche said. “And less, too.”
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“So, what’s the witch lost, and where is it?’ ‘Her brother. He’s in a place that isn’t exactly there.”
Jean-Marc Charming Arundel is on a deadline to pay to the demon who helped save his father. On his journey to meet him, he decides to take a shortcut through the woods, where he happens upon a sprawling manor house.
The house is charming and tends to his needs, but will not let him leave. He soon finds out the Mistress of the house has been cursed as a Beast, and that he and his two co-captives, Will and Hans, -brothers of the bear witch and the wolf leader- must figure out how to break the curse with only clues. Clues and something true and honest. Will one of them be able to break the curse before time runs out?
“Now I don’t know about anyone else, but personally, I’m going to investigate the cellar.” “You think there might be a clue?” Hans said. “I think there might be a very good Riesling.”
This book was an unexpected delight. It felt cozy like a warm hug, that way that fairytales often times do. Magical and wondrous and told in a story tale manner. But there was a quiet intelligence, strong plot and subplots, and an air of mystique as thick as the forest that ensnared me.
The different characters and stories we know and love were twisted and turned, though wonderfully recognizable, and then pulled together in ways I didn’t see coming. It felt as though Linwood weaved a stunning tapestry of every colour over a blank canvas.
“An honest word is better than a fancy word with no heart behind it.”
The gender bent Beauty and the Beast slant was a nice twist. I adore this fairytale and making the beast female kept the story from getting tired, made it something new. It was wonderful to see the three male suitors, the kind man, the smart one, and the charming (pretty?) one, and have no idea which one was going to be the one to fall for her.
“You think he should have a ‘normal’ life, because you miss yours,” she said. “Not everyone wants that.”
My favourite thing about this book was how the servants were written in. Instead of them actually being objects, or simply ceasing to exist, she made them invisible and noiseless. Absolute genius. Because Charming and the bachelors see objects like a candle moving around and assume they are magic or the house is, and you get that wonderful magic feeling, and it is later revealed that they were there all the time, silently working. A real explanation for the magic that is just as magnificent.
“But the magic surrounding this place is stronger, too—and wilder. Less inclined to be controlled.”
I’m half German so I loved all of the German words and names strewn throughout. Especially Wohlabendberg and Johannes and Wilhelm.
“Knowledge was almost always useful. Sometimes dangerous, yes, but almost always useful.”
As I read this book, I disappeared into the magical forest with its cottages and bears and wolves. I could taste the magic. I didn’t want to leave. After all, who wouldn’t love to be locked up in a fairy cottage with nothing to do but solve the mystery of love?
“We are more than the stories that are told about us,” Marie Blanche said. “And less, too.”
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2024
2 stars.
First, I want to lead with a thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this early. Second, I did enjoy aspects of this book.
Alright, to start off, this is the second book in a comedy series based on fairytales and fables. I did not read the first book but I felt that this book gave enough backstory and context that I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The main character of this book is Prince Charming and is basically an amalgam of all Disney princes with a sort of roguish edge. He's a conman, a liar, a thief, and a womanizer. All of which came back to haunt him in the first book (I'm guessing).
There are some very cute aspects of this world. For instance, all of the characters swear to Goose like "what in the name of Goose..." I have to believe that's a Mother Goose reference. Adorable. All of the scorned princesses from the first book play a role in this one and they are all fun facsimiles of known fairytale princesses (sleeping beauty, snow white, and Rapunzel).
The plot *should* have been a straight forward gender swap of beauty and the beast. That's how it started out and things were going very well for the most part! But alas, this is where some of my criticism begins. For such a brief novel, there is a shocking amount of side plots, backstories, and characters. Because of that I found a lot of the side plots fell flat or were just plain boring. I found myself begging for more chapters in beast's castle. Towards the end, my wishes largely remained un-granted. The last 30 pages took me roughly the same amount of time to read as the preceding 150.
While the meter of the writing was satisfying, I found that particularly where descriptions are concerned, this author struggled. Given this was mostly a retelling, I actually felt that many of the descriptions were not entirely necessary and rambled on a bit long.
When it comes to comedy, I felt this book delivered. I loved the comedy-only characters quite a bit and enjoyed Charming's witty inner monologue. However, given this was a retelling of one of the most famous romantic fairytale, I did feel the romance aspects were lacking. I really didn't feel any connection between any of the romantic characters (of which there were a few).
Anyway, this was cute. I wish some of the side plots had been shaved so that we could spend more time in the main story. I don't foresee going back and reading the first one, but that's only because I felt this book did a good job of covering those bases. If you are reading this book searching for resolution from the first one, I can all but promise you will not get it. This felt less like a sequel and more like a side mission.
First, I want to lead with a thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this early. Second, I did enjoy aspects of this book.
Alright, to start off, this is the second book in a comedy series based on fairytales and fables. I did not read the first book but I felt that this book gave enough backstory and context that I didn't feel like I was missing anything. The main character of this book is Prince Charming and is basically an amalgam of all Disney princes with a sort of roguish edge. He's a conman, a liar, a thief, and a womanizer. All of which came back to haunt him in the first book (I'm guessing).
There are some very cute aspects of this world. For instance, all of the characters swear to Goose like "what in the name of Goose..." I have to believe that's a Mother Goose reference. Adorable. All of the scorned princesses from the first book play a role in this one and they are all fun facsimiles of known fairytale princesses (sleeping beauty, snow white, and Rapunzel).
The plot *should* have been a straight forward gender swap of beauty and the beast. That's how it started out and things were going very well for the most part! But alas, this is where some of my criticism begins. For such a brief novel, there is a shocking amount of side plots, backstories, and characters. Because of that I found a lot of the side plots fell flat or were just plain boring. I found myself begging for more chapters in beast's castle. Towards the end, my wishes largely remained un-granted. The last 30 pages took me roughly the same amount of time to read as the preceding 150.
While the meter of the writing was satisfying, I found that particularly where descriptions are concerned, this author struggled. Given this was mostly a retelling, I actually felt that many of the descriptions were not entirely necessary and rambled on a bit long.
When it comes to comedy, I felt this book delivered. I loved the comedy-only characters quite a bit and enjoyed Charming's witty inner monologue. However, given this was a retelling of one of the most famous romantic fairytale, I did feel the romance aspects were lacking. I really didn't feel any connection between any of the romantic characters (of which there were a few).
Anyway, this was cute. I wish some of the side plots had been shaved so that we could spend more time in the main story. I don't foresee going back and reading the first one, but that's only because I felt this book did a good job of covering those bases. If you are reading this book searching for resolution from the first one, I can all but promise you will not get it. This felt less like a sequel and more like a side mission.
May 23, 2025
Prince Charming is essentially a conman, who although he’s rescued a fair few damsels in distress in his time, always eventually leaves them, taking with him a fair chunk of their riches. However, on travelling through a particularly thick and unfriendly piece of forest and keen to get to the other side, he takes what he thinks must be a short cut. It isn’t one of his better decisions. He finds himself horseless, very hungry and without Roland, his manservant. It is the smell of bacon cooking that leads him to the mansion.
At first, he’s delighted with the luxury and the hospitality provided by the house. Though there are no servants that he can see or hear. He decides to spend the night and then continue on his way – for he’s on his way to attend an extremely important meeting that he can’t afford to miss. And that’s when his troubles really begin, for now he’s inside the house – he isn’t able to leave.
I very much like the premise – a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale with the flipped gender roles works really well. The descriptions of poor Beast trapped within a huge bear’s body works really well. However, this time around – not only does Linwood want to tell this tale – she’s also keen to fold into this adventure a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as her take on Little Red Riding Hood. While also keeping us up to date with the original characters who were wronged by Charming. The result is that we shuttle between an uncomfortably large cast and the sheer number of characters meant that no one was given sufficient time or depth for me to thoroughly bond with them.
I found the storylines interesting – but while there are some clever touches, I particularly liked Linwood’s take on Goldilocks – this didn’t compensate for the fact that I wasn’t as invested in the story as much as I wanted to be. I was also a bit fed up with the abrupt cliff-hanger ending. However, does this mean that I don’t want to discover what happens next? No – I’m keen to see where this quirky retelling goes and hope the next time around, we get to spend a bit more time with the main characters. While I obtained an arc of Beast from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
At first, he’s delighted with the luxury and the hospitality provided by the house. Though there are no servants that he can see or hear. He decides to spend the night and then continue on his way – for he’s on his way to attend an extremely important meeting that he can’t afford to miss. And that’s when his troubles really begin, for now he’s inside the house – he isn’t able to leave.
I very much like the premise – a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast tale with the flipped gender roles works really well. The descriptions of poor Beast trapped within a huge bear’s body works really well. However, this time around – not only does Linwood want to tell this tale – she’s also keen to fold into this adventure a version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as her take on Little Red Riding Hood. While also keeping us up to date with the original characters who were wronged by Charming. The result is that we shuttle between an uncomfortably large cast and the sheer number of characters meant that no one was given sufficient time or depth for me to thoroughly bond with them.
I found the storylines interesting – but while there are some clever touches, I particularly liked Linwood’s take on Goldilocks – this didn’t compensate for the fact that I wasn’t as invested in the story as much as I wanted to be. I was also a bit fed up with the abrupt cliff-hanger ending. However, does this mean that I don’t want to discover what happens next? No – I’m keen to see where this quirky retelling goes and hope the next time around, we get to spend a bit more time with the main characters. While I obtained an arc of Beast from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
8/10
March 9, 2025
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has no affected my opinions.
When I read CHARMING, I didn't realise it was the first book in a series - I thought it was a standalone novel. However, I was delighted to discover it has a sequel, which was just as much of a fun romp as the first book.
This book focuses around a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling, Charming being the accidental beauty. There are also elements from Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks thrown in too. Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks are very much the secondary tales here, a sort of gang warfare going on between werewolves and a witch with bear familiars, while the focus is Charming trapped in the house.
I liked how much the tables had turned on him. Usually, he's the one taking advantage of curses and beset maidens, but here he is at the disadvantage and floundering. It was also a nice way of keeping the fairy-tale theme without it feeling like a repeat of the last book and letting Charming continue is arc away from cad.
The heroines of the first book are also back, and trying to save Charming from the house so he can fulfil his meeting with the demon (and thus not get anyone else hurt.) They're an effective team and also bring another piece of continuity over. It does mean the book has a very large cast of narrators - almost every character is a narrator between the four heroines, Charming, Beast, the two others in the house, and the players (who have puss in boots with them).
Given my surprise at there being a sequel, I am not even going to attempt to guess whether there will be any more books in this series. I would very much enjoy another entry and it does feel like there is space - after all, Charming has an appointment to keep with a certain devil.
When I read CHARMING, I didn't realise it was the first book in a series - I thought it was a standalone novel. However, I was delighted to discover it has a sequel, which was just as much of a fun romp as the first book.
This book focuses around a gender-swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling, Charming being the accidental beauty. There are also elements from Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks thrown in too. Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks are very much the secondary tales here, a sort of gang warfare going on between werewolves and a witch with bear familiars, while the focus is Charming trapped in the house.
I liked how much the tables had turned on him. Usually, he's the one taking advantage of curses and beset maidens, but here he is at the disadvantage and floundering. It was also a nice way of keeping the fairy-tale theme without it feeling like a repeat of the last book and letting Charming continue is arc away from cad.
The heroines of the first book are also back, and trying to save Charming from the house so he can fulfil his meeting with the demon (and thus not get anyone else hurt.) They're an effective team and also bring another piece of continuity over. It does mean the book has a very large cast of narrators - almost every character is a narrator between the four heroines, Charming, Beast, the two others in the house, and the players (who have puss in boots with them).
Given my surprise at there being a sequel, I am not even going to attempt to guess whether there will be any more books in this series. I would very much enjoy another entry and it does feel like there is space - after all, Charming has an appointment to keep with a certain devil.
April 1, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebellion (Solaris) books, and Ms. Linwood for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
This was fun - like Ocean's 8, if the lady criminals were instead a handful of reimagined fairy tale princesses and the treasure they were out to steal was in fact a reprobate... human. It had some really strong heist vibes, with a lot of moving parts and multiple storylines going on simultaneously. We revisit Marie Blanche (Snow White), Bella (Aurora), Dr. Rapunzel (Rapunzel obvs), and Nell (Cinderella) as they pick up the pieces left by Prince Charming and try to track him down to get him to his meeting with Mephistopheles (an upper-level demon). There's also charming imp Roland, and a group of amateur theater performers joined by Puss in Boots, and Hans and Will who are trapped in the Beast's manor along with Charming himself. Then we have the Red Cap (Thelise (sp?), leader of the werewolf pack, and Goldlockchen, Bear Witch, who are at odds in the forest around the Beast; Nell's godmother makes an appearance as well. I had no trouble keeping the characters straight until the theater troupe arrived: those were harder to keep clear.
I had a lot of fun reading this although I think the presence of SO MANY characters and story lines did a disservice to Beast (who got very little page time or resolution) and, surprisingly, to Charming, whose redemption arc was sidetracked by everything else going on. Nonetheless it was a fun story and I sincerely hope Ms. Linwood completes the stories (or at least some of them) in a book #3. I am particularly eager to find out if Charming's redemption will stick, what Beast's actual name is and what she plans to do now that she's free, and, let's face it, whether Roland will succeed with his inn.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
This was fun - like Ocean's 8, if the lady criminals were instead a handful of reimagined fairy tale princesses and the treasure they were out to steal was in fact a reprobate... human. It had some really strong heist vibes, with a lot of moving parts and multiple storylines going on simultaneously. We revisit Marie Blanche (Snow White), Bella (Aurora), Dr. Rapunzel (Rapunzel obvs), and Nell (Cinderella) as they pick up the pieces left by Prince Charming and try to track him down to get him to his meeting with Mephistopheles (an upper-level demon). There's also charming imp Roland, and a group of amateur theater performers joined by Puss in Boots, and Hans and Will who are trapped in the Beast's manor along with Charming himself. Then we have the Red Cap (Thelise (sp?), leader of the werewolf pack, and Goldlockchen, Bear Witch, who are at odds in the forest around the Beast; Nell's godmother makes an appearance as well. I had no trouble keeping the characters straight until the theater troupe arrived: those were harder to keep clear.
I had a lot of fun reading this although I think the presence of SO MANY characters and story lines did a disservice to Beast (who got very little page time or resolution) and, surprisingly, to Charming, whose redemption arc was sidetracked by everything else going on. Nonetheless it was a fun story and I sincerely hope Ms. Linwood completes the stories (or at least some of them) in a book #3. I am particularly eager to find out if Charming's redemption will stick, what Beast's actual name is and what she plans to do now that she's free, and, let's face it, whether Roland will succeed with his inn.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
December 30, 2024
Beast by Jade Linwood is the second book in her ongoing Charming series and as I really enjoyed the first book I was looking forward to relaxing with my copy of this one. Picking up from the ending of book one, we follow Charming as he finds himself caught up in a magical Bachelor style competition in a gender swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While this story had a lot of potential there were a distracting number of side plots and POV shifts that kept pulling me away from the parts of the book I was most interested in. I feel like the addition of several new characters along with the desire to give old favourites a chance to shine just stretched the author too thin when it came to the storytelling and the humour which was one of my favourite things about Charming. The humour is still there and while it sometimes works there are times when it just seems forced or overworked. I love the world the author has created with its strong fairytale vibes and I think that readers who grew up loving the tradtional fairytales will find something to enjoy here.
As I mentioned I really enjoyed the flipped Beauty and the Beast idea , I just wish that there was more time for us to see Beast's character develop and see the relationship with Charming progress a little more believably.
While I did not love this book quite as much as I was hoping to, I did still like it overall and given the way the book ended I look forward to seeing where the author will take us next.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
As I mentioned I really enjoyed the flipped Beauty and the Beast idea , I just wish that there was more time for us to see Beast's character develop and see the relationship with Charming progress a little more believably.
While I did not love this book quite as much as I was hoping to, I did still like it overall and given the way the book ended I look forward to seeing where the author will take us next.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
December 24, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley, Solaris, and Jade Lindwood, for providing me with a free copy of Beast in exchange for an honest review.
This book continues Jade Lindwood's series of gender-reversed retellings. In Beast, we meet a prince who stumbles upon a mysterious manor owned by the Beast—a once-lady cursed into her current form. (love love her)
For those like me who haven’t read Book 1, fear not! Beast can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone, especially if you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast or simply don’t feel like reading the first installment for whatever reasons. While I didn’t feel deeply connected to the side characters (likely due to missing Book 1), I still appreciated them. Readers who liked the first book will likely enjoy their presence even more.
The standout feature of this book is undoubtedly its humor. It’s hilariously witty and cleverly pokes fun at the traditional fairy tale format we all know.
The relationship between Beast and Charming was sweet, but I craved more—more development, more chemistry, and especially more angst. The humor was brilliant, but if it had been paired with some pining or tension between the MCs, this book could have easily been a 5/5 for me. As it stands, it left me feeling a bit like the relationship was incomplete or rushed.
Overall, Beast is a delightful and humorous read, perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings with a twist.
This book continues Jade Lindwood's series of gender-reversed retellings. In Beast, we meet a prince who stumbles upon a mysterious manor owned by the Beast—a once-lady cursed into her current form. (love love her)
For those like me who haven’t read Book 1, fear not! Beast can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone, especially if you’re a fan of Beauty and the Beast or simply don’t feel like reading the first installment for whatever reasons. While I didn’t feel deeply connected to the side characters (likely due to missing Book 1), I still appreciated them. Readers who liked the first book will likely enjoy their presence even more.
The standout feature of this book is undoubtedly its humor. It’s hilariously witty and cleverly pokes fun at the traditional fairy tale format we all know.
The relationship between Beast and Charming was sweet, but I craved more—more development, more chemistry, and especially more angst. The humor was brilliant, but if it had been paired with some pining or tension between the MCs, this book could have easily been a 5/5 for me. As it stands, it left me feeling a bit like the relationship was incomplete or rushed.
Overall, Beast is a delightful and humorous read, perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings with a twist.
February 21, 2025
Title: Beast ( Book 2 of charming)
Author: Jade Linwood
Pages: 360
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 for good reads)
Spice level: 🫑Plain but tasty
Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 25th March 2025
"If you go down to the woods today.."
This was an endearing take on "beauty and the beast" but gender swapped.
At the time, I hadn't realised that this was a second book to a series, so I went in blind. The book itself was still easy to read even though I hadn't read the first book "charming". However, I think it would have helped.
The book is a fairytale romance with no actual intimacy, flirting etc. It's a short, cosy read for anybody who likes reading.
I enjoyed the characters. The strong females of the other princesses (versions of Rapunzel, sleeping beauty and snow white) and the clever ways Hansel and Gretel, red riding hood and Goldilocks were incorporated. However, I did find myself trying to figure out who was who and compare the storylines to the original story.
There are multiple perspectives in the book, which due to the amount of characters were a bit confusing sometimes. (Trying to remember who is who)
Charming was a lovable rogue but had little depth to him. I think this is where not reading the first book failed me as I didn't have much backstory.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more of this series.
You'll love this book if you like
- fairytale influences
- strong female characters
- no spice
- loveable rogues
- different character pov
Author: Jade Linwood
Pages: 360
Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4 for good reads)
Spice level: 🫑Plain but tasty
Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
UK publish date - 25th March 2025
"If you go down to the woods today.."
This was an endearing take on "beauty and the beast" but gender swapped.
At the time, I hadn't realised that this was a second book to a series, so I went in blind. The book itself was still easy to read even though I hadn't read the first book "charming". However, I think it would have helped.
The book is a fairytale romance with no actual intimacy, flirting etc. It's a short, cosy read for anybody who likes reading.
I enjoyed the characters. The strong females of the other princesses (versions of Rapunzel, sleeping beauty and snow white) and the clever ways Hansel and Gretel, red riding hood and Goldilocks were incorporated. However, I did find myself trying to figure out who was who and compare the storylines to the original story.
There are multiple perspectives in the book, which due to the amount of characters were a bit confusing sometimes. (Trying to remember who is who)
Charming was a lovable rogue but had little depth to him. I think this is where not reading the first book failed me as I didn't have much backstory.
All in all, I really enjoyed the book. I look forward to reading more of this series.
You'll love this book if you like
- fairytale influences
- strong female characters
- no spice
- loveable rogues
- different character pov
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews