Captured Beauty

by Tay Mo'Nae

Him
She was only supposed to be the holder for an unpaid debt.
When I laid eyes on her, I never expected her to become my sweetest obsession

Her
When I was taken I didn't think I would fall for my captor
He's a beast to everyone else, but to me he's so much more.

What they both learn is it takes a real beauty to fall for a beast.

Genres: Dark Romance, Audiobook, Urban, Romance, Forced Proximity, BDSM, Retellings

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2024

About the author

Tay Mo'Nae is a 27-year-old Urban Romance author who pens about Black Love. She create stories to help her readers escape reality and create a movie in their head. She loves writing about characters that at least one reader can relate too.

With 50 books under her belt, Tay Mo'Nae hopes to gain at least one new reader with every release and have them connect to her characters and story in some way. If she would have to explain her writing she would say she loves "penning complicated characters that find a path to love".

Reviews

[🌷kema 🤎]

DNF 30%

The characters had no chemistry like at all. The fmc was so bland and boring and the mmc began to annoy the shit out of me. I didn’t like the spicy scenes much either. All the blood play was done in such a weird way imo that it just turned me all the way off.

The writing was so choppy and the dialogue was not realistic to me. I gave this a go but it’s just not for me sadly. Not sure if I’ll read more from this author.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5⭐️
THIS WAS NOT MY KINDA PARTY😵‍💫 (dark romance)
Honestly I did not see the romance in this book…. Kairus was more than just unhinged or misunderstood and I honestly felt bad for Azeira. The ONLY thing he was actually capable of doing was laying down that 🍆! And that alone is NOT good enough and she deserved better🙄😒. MINUS THREE STARS BECAUSE HE NEVER EVEN SAID I LOVE YOU BACK!




Moving back to contemporary romance where home is!

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beastly

I am over joyed that a talented and seasoned Black author is testing the DARK romance waters and I think she did an excellent job. Kairus is truly a dark and twisted soul and unapologetically so, which is what I loved most. Mo’Nae didn’t try to sugar coat him or make him seem like anything other than a bad guy who found the person meant to love him. Azeira was a good character, while she annoyed me at times she was well developed and true to her identity. Which meant she never told her daddy off like she should have but I respect the consistency. I enjoyed the pacing, I enjoyed the writing, and loved the darkness. My only complaint if you can call it that is not ever knowing how here suspect daddy got that money 🧐. I will always be present for a Beauty and the Beast retelling and I highly enjoyed this one.

[Nerlie౨ৎ🎧📚 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s almost hurtful to me to watch her be so dumb.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured Beauty was a dark fairytale retelling that made me feel so many emotions. Tay stepped outside the box and did her thing with this story! I couldn’t believe my eyes, and I couldn’t stop reading. “There were no sunshine and rainbows in this story, only dark desires and twisted needs surrounded by shadows.” - the quote accurately sums up the story.

Kairus Navarro goes by Beast, and he is “violent, possessive, obsessive, and dangerous.” He was a troubled soul with a rough upbringing. I felt feelings for him, and that shows how Tay was able to humanize his character. Azeira Marks was a good girl who always played in the background. She had a light aura and meant well - always seeing the good in people. Unfortunately, Azeira’s father owed a debt to Beast, and that is how the story began. But there’s a twist; Beast was previously obsessed with Azeira - her being in his possession further intensified his feelings.

I’m a sucker for bad boys who make good girls bad. Beast constantly said he would make Azeira dirty, but I think he helped her to grow into her own. She even said, “Beast unlocked something in me that was hidden deep. Something that had been begging to come alive for a while now.” And subsequently, Azeira did the same; she made him “feel.” He said, “Azeira was my perfect match, beautiful on the outside and twisted on the inside. The perfect catalyst that calmed the raging beast within me.” A perfect example of when “opposites attract.” The story is a slow burn with action. The sexual tension and chemistry between the characters were intentional. Beast was so cryptic and unhinged, but I understood how Azeira fell for him. I loved experiencing their love because it was unorthodox, but it worked for them. Tay pushed the boundaries with the kinks, tropes, and romantic elements. It was a balanced approach to a dark romance story. And by the end, I wanted more of them. I loved this one so much!


**arc review

[Denisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just ok

I didn’t really like this book. The characters had NO chemistry. I didn’t like the blood scenes. Something was definitely missing for me. The dialogue between the characters were unrealistic. I’m a fan of this author and have read and will continue to read her books. This one just wasn’t for me.

[Kay Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast meets dark romance—all bark with extra smut and sass!

Captured Beauty has all the classic elements of my favorite fairy tale princess story: prisoner trapped in a lavish castle (lavish house.) Roses galore, a "beastly" captor, and a prisoner's-to-lovers vibe that makes your Kindle blush. The only downside? No talking teapots or sassy candelabras to lighten the mood. The dishes in this castle are strictly decorative, and they’re not helping anyone clean up. (No, it didn't affect my rating; it's only my humor showing. Lol)

Meet Kairus, our beast—growly, broody, territorial type, and the kind of man who, if you dared to hug him, would feel like embracing the thorniest rose in the garden. Definitely not the guy you’d want to owe money to.

Then we have Azeira, our prisoner, thanks to dear old dad, who couldn't repay his debts. She got the one-way ticket to Kairus massive estate, where the sexual tension builds enough to snap a chandelier chain. C'est magnifique!

Azeira isn't one to take her imprisonment lying down (unless Kairus has anything to say about it, wink). She struts around his castle, chatting with the staff while driving Kairus up the stone walls. He’s not used to anyone poking at his grumpy exterior, and the more she does, the more “beastly” he becomes. He's territorial with a "don't touch what's mine."

Captured Beauty is perfect for dipping your toes into dark romance. It’s not too heavy on the darkness—think more along the lines of shadows—but it’s brimming with the alpha we all secretly love.

My only qualm? While the sexual tension and smut are c'est magnifique, there’s a bit of a missing link I would have loved. Kairus and Azeira stay true to their characters, which is great, but I wanted more of that deep, human connection. There was only a touch of it. One thing also left me scratching my head: where did the money come from? Did Lumière hand him some enchanted stacks? I guess we’ll never know. (IUKUK, once you read Captured Beauty. Lol)




Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Myles Washington; Tamika Antoinette
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (4/5) Open Door, Dubious Consent

[RoXXie | The Art of Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Disappointing Experience

I was intrigued by the premise of Captured Beauty by Tay Mo’Nae. The Beauty and the Beast – trope can be a fascinating exploration of complex characters and emotional growth, but unfortunately, this audiobook fell short for me in several critical areas.



Captured Beauty ♦ Tay Mo’Nae - A Review

Opinion

First and foremost, the writing style didn’t resonate with me. It was bumpy and stiff, making it hard to get into the story. Sentences often felt disjointed, lacking the fluidity that allows a reader (or listener) to lose themselves in the narrative. Instead of being immersed in the world or the characters’ emotions, I found myself repeatedly pulled out of the story by awkward phrasing or abrupt transitions. This was particularly disappointing because the premise had the potential for a much deeper and more engaging execution.

The characters themselves were another significant weak point. They felt vaguely developed, with little depth or nuance. As a result, I struggled to connect with them or care about their journey. The heroine’s transformation from captive to someone who falls for her captor felt rushed and unconvincing, and the hero’s supposed duality — a beast to others but tender to her — never fully came through in a meaningful way. Without a strong emotional anchor, the story lacked the impact it seemed to aim for.

The dynamic between the two main characters, which should have been the heart of the story, felt forced rather than natural. Their interactions lacked the organic development that makes a romance compelling. Instead of a gradual build-up of tension and affection, their relationship seemed to jump from one stage to another without sufficient groundwork. This left me feeling more frustrated than invested in their love story.

The narrators did their best to bring the story to life, and I could tell they put effort into their performances. However, even a talented narrator can only do so much when the writing lacks some polish and flow. Despite their efforts, the stiff writing style made it hard for them to elevate the material.

Conclusion

Overall, Captured Beauty had potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired. A more polished writing style, deeper character development, and a more natural relationship dynamic could have turned this into a gripping and emotional tale. Instead, it fell flat, leaving me disappointed and unengaged. I gave it two stars because the narrators tried their best and the premise was intriguing, but this wasn’t the experience I was hoping for.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

[Kathryn Card · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a very dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast! This book features enemies to lovers, possessive MMC, morally grey MMC, mob style business and lots of trigger warnings!

Kairus is probably one of the most possessive characters I've read in a while who is into everything BDSM making him the perfect Beast. Azeira definitely portrayed Belle's character really well but also portrayed a strong willed woman. The touches of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale is sprinkled throughout which was nice.

This book is extremely dark but also had some cringy moments with some of the descriptive language. This book portrays knife play, breath play, and aspects of BDSM.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Myles Washington and Tamika Antoinette was ok. I had some issues during Kairus's character when Myles Washington attempted to do a female voice.

[Ambhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy dark romance especially BLACK dark romance I feel like there’s not enough and this one really good. I didn’t expect to finish it as fast as I did. It was also my first fairytale retelling.

[basmas_world · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me just process the whole thing…

_____________________________

First, I’d like to thank NetGalley for providing the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

When I saw this was a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, I was thrilled to add it to my library. However, this book fell short of my expectations as a lover of twisted, dark romance.

The narration deserves some praise: the FMC’s voice was spot on, but the MMC’s felt overly forced, which made me uncomfortable. This might be a personal preference, but it did impact my enjoyment.

My bigger issue lies in the book’s claim as a “retelling.” Apart from the captor/captive dynamic, there’s little to connect it to Beauty and the Beast. This was my first major disappointment, as I expected a more meaningful reimagining of the classic tale.

Despite this, I kept listening, but unfortunately, it only got worse. The story felt disjointed, with the focus heavily skewed toward steamy moments between Kairus and Azeira. The lack of character development made it hard to believe in their relationship. Instead of a natural connection, it felt like two mismatched puzzle pieces forced together.

The chemistry between the characters was practically nonexistent, leaving their dynamic flat and unconvincing. Additionally, the book felt like a dark romance stuck in 2016, with minimal depth and an overemphasis on erotica. It would’ve been more appropriate to market this as a “dark erotica” retelling, given the lack of emotional or narrative buildup to support the romance.

One scene, in particular, made me cringe: Kairus is about to fight for Azeira in full “caveman” mode when she holds him back and whispers “Beast” in his ear, calming him down instantly. Even now, just thinking about it gives me chills—and not the good kind.

Then there’s the use of certain terms, “juices,” which made me visibly wince. And let’s not forget the tattoos. He inked his name on her lower belly and her pinky. My soul left my body at that moment. Why the lower belly? What’s the logic here? Anyway, let’s not even try to rationalize it.

Lastly, the portrayal of Stockholm syndrome was poorly handled. The FMC’s shift from “Why am I here?” and “He’s dangerous” to “Oh my, he’s hot” happened far too quickly. This abrupt transition not only undermined the story’s emotional weight but also veered dangerously close to problematic territory. To make matters worse, the book failed to address key trigger warnings, which could be upsetting for readers sensitive to certain themes, like knife play, blood play, graphic description, etc.

In conclusion, while I appreciate the opportunity to review this audiobook, it simply wasn’t for me.

[Claire Hondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Isatta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been calling out into the emptiness, urging black writers to delve into dark romance. While I enjoy a variety of books from authors of diverse backgrounds, there's something special about seeing yourself reflected in the pages. Tay Monae answered my plea by gifting me with the opportunity to read Captured Beauty, a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
Picture yourself falling for a man who declares, "Yes, I am cruel and hideous. You may leave now." This encapsulates Kairus Navarro's persona, though these words belong to Rigoletto Rivaldi. As I delved into this book, thoughts of a certain film with a Gothic dark romance theme crossed my mind multiple times. Kairus is a mesmerizing and damaged individual, both physically and emotionally. He exudes an air of mystery and terror, qualities that draw Azeira Marks in. The narrative skillfully intertwines the classic elements of Beauty and the Beast with a darker ambiance, incorporating elements of erotica, Kairus's violent tendencies towards his foes (of which there are many), and a deeper exploration of the trauma experienced by both Belle and her Beast.
This is the kind of book that stirs a profound hunger within, but it caters to a specific audience. If you appreciate the original Count Dracula or the works of Edgar Allan Poe, then this is a read you'll likely enjoy. However, if you prefer lighter fare, then I suggest leaving this one to me and those who share my tastes.

Thank you Tay for allowing me to review this ARC.

[Renada Boddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve tapped into a genre that I like. I think I like dark romance. I’ve read several retelling of Beauty and the Beast but this retelling from Tay Mo’Nae is by far the best. Kairus and Azeira relationship was very unconventional. I wanted so much to not like Kairus but after learning his background I softened for him just a little. Kairus did way too much with his jealousy and over protection. He loved his Beauty he just had a very weird way of showing love. I would say I’m very disappointed in the dad. He burned me up the entire book. Overall great job with Dark retelling.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ✨️✨️

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished listening to the book, Captured Beauty. This book was just released on January 7th. This was a beauty and the beast retelling. When Azeira's father borrows money from Kairus and can't pay it back, she is taken captive for 6 months as collateral until the debt is paid back. So now she is living with him as his maid, she gets to roam the most beautiful garden and library, as well as finding a music room in his huge house. As she is living with him she slowly starts to see the man behind the "beast", she starts chipping away at his walls, and learning about his troubled childhood and helping him through the trauma. And she starts to realize she is happier with her new life here with him, much more than she ever was before him. This was an enjoyable audiobook, it was a dual narration which I definitely appreciate, although the male narrator's take on a female voice did bother me. Also I was left with the question, how did her father come up with the money he owed 2 months early, it was a lot of money and it was never explained how he came up with all of it so fast, even when she straight out asked her father how he did it. But overall it was an enjoyable audiobook! 🩶📚

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this audio ARC of Captured Beauty, in exchange for an honest review.

[Fallon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have noticed that this is one of those books people love or hate. I wouldn't say I hate the book but I will say that it wasn't for me. Let's get into it. First, this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, this is my favorite Disney film so you already get a point in the win column for me. The book is a "dark romance" meaning it has rougher spicy scenes, including breath and blood play. However, like the original, it's hard to see the romance in this book, with the focus being on the kinks instead of putting in chemistry between our MCs. The FMC is kidnapped, watches her dad's finger gets cut off, is branded, forced to harm people, and manipulated, but she falls in love with the MMC. He doesn't really do anything to warrant this except he's great in the bedroom. I do like that our FMC doesn't try to change the MMC and accepts him the way that he is. I also like the nods to the source, even in slight ways (dropping and chipping a coffee cup, etc.) I think if there were more romance in The Dark Romance it may have been better, but it's just pure Stockholm syndrome and unhealthy interactions. The narrators were ok, they both have great voices, however, I was not a fan of the male's female voice, she sounded really whiny and it made her a bit irritating. Otherwise, he has a great voice and is easy to listen to. Overall, this wasn't for me, but you may love it.

[Holly Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really had high hopes for this book. I love anything beauty and the beast and adding a dark romance element just sounded divine. The end result fell flat though. An attempt was made at a morally black beast. I’m not sure how to describe Belle in this instance. The plot was very choppy like reading Swiss cheese. Many of the scenes felt incomplete, the character would be doing one thing and next sentence something completely different and unrelated and it was confusing. The spicy scenes didn’t work out very well either. I feel if a lot of these holes were better fleshed out and more detail and character building was added it would be a much better book. Now onto the narrators. The female narrator was ok, the male narrator just sounded rushed like he was trying to read through it as fast as possible. I had to slow it down to .75 to even understand what he was saying, not much in the way of voice acting either. I really tried to like this book and I gave it 3 stars because a valiant effort was made, but it wasn’t for me.

[JazzReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Elements

This books is my first read by Tay Monae and I enjoyed the dark elements in this book. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite stories so I really enjoyed Tay Monae spin in this book. Beast was wild and his obsession with the FFM had me questioning something’s lol……From the cameras to the implant tracker he was really unhinged and crazy. The FMC falling in love with him was just as crazy overall this could kept me entertained. I will be reading other books by this author.

[keyonna jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a BEAST!

Wheeewwww Karius was a deranged man! As dark and demented as he was, I was still completely drawn in. He was definitely growing a soft spot for his Beauty ❤️. I’m glad that Aziela able to start asserting some boundaries toward the end, even though I know that won’t stop Beast from Beasting! Her dad was salty about that damn finger 😂😩Great read over all and would definitely read more from them if it came about. I hope I spelled the names right

[Kendra Broomfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

See, I read this book off the strength of Tay Mo’nae’s name alone. I DID NOT know what I was getting myself into at all! The book is well written and is a dark twist on Beauty and the Beast, but not my cup of tea. She did the story justice for sure but I like the lighter side of romance. I side eyed a lot of the cutting and sex scenes. May this type of obsessive, possessive, sadistic love never find me. But to the girls that love it, more power to you!

[K_Clear22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so this was a first for Tay Mo’Nae and I have to say that she did a good job in the dark romance sector. Kairus was really a scary dude. Very unpredictable and Azeira was exactly what he needed. I honestly didn’t think Azeria would survive. Kairus was definitely obsessed. I didn’t like the licking blood thing (that was too much for me). What I like about Tay is that she doesn’t waste time with extra details, so no slow burn here (Thank God!). Overall, a good read for her first dark romance.

[QuettaThaGreatVirgoQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and the beast! I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read that kept me entertained. Kairus was insane but it worked as he's seen as a beast so his actions are fitting. Overall for me this was a great read

[Maya Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baby I LOVE me some Kairus!! That man can cut me up, tie me down, and lock me away. Growing up I never watched any of the Disney princesses movies, im kinda glad I didn’t because I’m pretty sure they were no way like this.

[Tazja Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow…a dark retelling is exactly what this was lol. There should’ve been a trigger warning at the beginning. Although I didn’t mind it, not everyone can deal with the darker side of BDSM. Breath and knife play…whew🫦. Lmao!!

[KarynReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark romance definitely. I wouldn’t say retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was almost hitting the mark for me, but wasn’t quite there. The spice element is present. I didnt get some other things… I dont want to include any spoilers.

The narrators were enjoyable in this story.

[Lady J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is my first dark romance. I liked it. Of course there was some things I was shocked about, but the book was booking. My girl is just as crazy as he is.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good a dark beauty and the beast retelling this was dark violent and steamy this author is new to me this is the second book i have read by her and she's brilliant

[Bergströms Bookshelf]

No thanks

DNF

[Zaji-Kali (ZajiKaliReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️