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Once Upon the East End #3
Dearest Beast
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26Felicia Grossman continues the “revolutionary storytelling” of the Once Upon the East End series with an enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in Regency London’s Jewish community, in which a single father finds himself entranced by the same woman he once rejected (Entertainment Weekly).
Despite an unhappy first marriage, Roger Berab always took pride in being a good father. When his daughter’s reckless behavior, however, damages both their neighbor and her home, he’s forced to reconsider. To pay reparations, he agrees to provide lodgings until the repairs are complete. Unfortunately for Roger, the victim is the same woman with whom he foolishly once shared a night of passion . . . and then scorned for her lack of status.
With her sharp tongue and and disdain for fashion, Rebecca Adler is not exactly a community darling. What she does have, however, are her skills at midwifery. That is, until she injures herself saving Roger Berab’s daughter. With her profession at a halt and her haven in disrepair, she has no choice but to accept Roger’s offer of shelter . . . but never again will she believe a man of substance lies beyond his pretty face.
Trapped in the same house, neither Rebecca nor Roger can avoid each other—or the passion still burning between them. But their time together has a deadline, and Rebecca no longer trusts Roger: can he convince her his feelings are true? Or is their tale doomed before it’s truly started?
Despite an unhappy first marriage, Roger Berab always took pride in being a good father. When his daughter’s reckless behavior, however, damages both their neighbor and her home, he’s forced to reconsider. To pay reparations, he agrees to provide lodgings until the repairs are complete. Unfortunately for Roger, the victim is the same woman with whom he foolishly once shared a night of passion . . . and then scorned for her lack of status.
With her sharp tongue and and disdain for fashion, Rebecca Adler is not exactly a community darling. What she does have, however, are her skills at midwifery. That is, until she injures herself saving Roger Berab’s daughter. With her profession at a halt and her haven in disrepair, she has no choice but to accept Roger’s offer of shelter . . . but never again will she believe a man of substance lies beyond his pretty face.
Trapped in the same house, neither Rebecca nor Roger can avoid each other—or the passion still burning between them. But their time together has a deadline, and Rebecca no longer trusts Roger: can he convince her his feelings are true? Or is their tale doomed before it’s truly started?
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
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Did Not Finish
May 23, 2026I stopped reading at 10%. I had a difficult time getting over the language, and I mean that in three ways:
1. Referring to someone as "slow" is offensive. Full stop. (She might as well have used the "R" word, in my opinion.)
2. Caustic language made me dislike this character. Maybe ease us in a little bit before using terms like "F*cking schmuck.".
3. There was a great deal of language specific to the Jewish culture, but without much in the way of context clues. This leads me to believe that the author either means this novel to be read only by people who have the background knowledge in this area already, OR she's content to have those of us who aren't familiar with the culture, stopping our reading to look up word after word to know what everyone's talking about. It took me out of the story. I always love learning about various cultures, and have learned a great deal from other historical romances I've read, but the way this was done was unfortunate.
1. Referring to someone as "slow" is offensive. Full stop. (She might as well have used the "R" word, in my opinion.)
2. Caustic language made me dislike this character. Maybe ease us in a little bit before using terms like "F*cking schmuck.".
3. There was a great deal of language specific to the Jewish culture, but without much in the way of context clues. This leads me to believe that the author either means this novel to be read only by people who have the background knowledge in this area already, OR she's content to have those of us who aren't familiar with the culture, stopping our reading to look up word after word to know what everyone's talking about. It took me out of the story. I always love learning about various cultures, and have learned a great deal from other historical romances I've read, but the way this was done was unfortunate.
March 13, 2026
I love everything Felicia Grossman writes and Dearest Beast is no exception. I love the characters she creates-strong, intelligent heroines and swoon-worthy heroes-and the chemistry between them. Seriously, Roger and Rebecca have that impossible to control, fiery passion, an attraction to one another that constantly simmers beneath the surface, making every interaction heated. I delighted in their frequent verbal sparring, would each debate end with them in anger or in each others' arms? Seriously, their banter is top-tier. They weren't supposed to catch feelings, but they couldn't help themselves. And the declarations of love were chef's kiss.
Roger has kids from his first marriage. And though the book is billed as a Beauty & the Beast retelling, the way Rebecca interacts with Roger's kids actually gave me Maria & Von Trapp children vibes, and it was fantastic. I was particularly obsessed with Roger's daughter Fannie and honestly I could read an entire book about her!! What a character! I also loved that Rebecca is a midwife and how her work led to both comical and heartfelt moments in the novel.
This is a historical romance and I'd be remiss not to mention how fantastically Grossman features history. I learn when I read her novels and it's done so seamlessly. Set in London's 1830's Jewish community, the characters in Dearest Beast are navigating the challenges of different customs (Ashkenazi and Sephardic) as well as gentile society.
So yeah, I loved this. Gosh darn it though, now I begin the wait for whatever Felicia Grossman writes next.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC. Dearest Beast is out 6/30, leaving you plenty of time to start the series with Marry Me By Midnight!
Roger has kids from his first marriage. And though the book is billed as a Beauty & the Beast retelling, the way Rebecca interacts with Roger's kids actually gave me Maria & Von Trapp children vibes, and it was fantastic. I was particularly obsessed with Roger's daughter Fannie and honestly I could read an entire book about her!! What a character! I also loved that Rebecca is a midwife and how her work led to both comical and heartfelt moments in the novel.
This is a historical romance and I'd be remiss not to mention how fantastically Grossman features history. I learn when I read her novels and it's done so seamlessly. Set in London's 1830's Jewish community, the characters in Dearest Beast are navigating the challenges of different customs (Ashkenazi and Sephardic) as well as gentile society.
So yeah, I loved this. Gosh darn it though, now I begin the wait for whatever Felicia Grossman writes next.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC. Dearest Beast is out 6/30, leaving you plenty of time to start the series with Marry Me By Midnight!
May 23, 2026
Reviewed advance copy received from Netgalley.
While Dearest Beast had an interesting storyline and some enjoyable moments, the pacing felt slow at times, which made the book difficult to get through in certain parts. The overall plot had potential, and I did like the main storyline, but it often felt a little too drawn out. Some sections seemed to drag on longer than necessary, making it hard to stay fully engaged.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advance copy to read and review
While Dearest Beast had an interesting storyline and some enjoyable moments, the pacing felt slow at times, which made the book difficult to get through in certain parts. The overall plot had potential, and I did like the main storyline, but it often felt a little too drawn out. Some sections seemed to drag on longer than necessary, making it hard to stay fully engaged.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advance copy to read and review
April 4, 2026
The one night stand in the prologue didn’t draw me in, especially since it’s been two years since the last book. And the long setup made me want to stop reading. I’ve read the other books in the series, but here I found my mind wandering. Things picked up for me about %20. I found Roger’s daughter unlikable to start, which I guess is the point, but it was another thing that made me put the book down and come back to it. Roger didn’t exactly charm me either. He grows and changes, and it’s development that’s well done, but I just struggled in the beginning to like him enough to care that he did change.
For those complaining they don’t know Hebrew or about Judaism, the lookup feature works on your ereader. Or skip to the end, bookmark the readers guide, then start reading. But this book is not hard to follow. I don’t think the terminology will take readers out of the story.
Marry Me by Midnight is still the standout, but fans of the series will like this one. I think this was a simple, “this particular book ain’t for me” situation. But I’ll read the next in the series.
I received an arc from NetGalley
For those complaining they don’t know Hebrew or about Judaism, the lookup feature works on your ereader. Or skip to the end, bookmark the readers guide, then start reading. But this book is not hard to follow. I don’t think the terminology will take readers out of the story.
Marry Me by Midnight is still the standout, but fans of the series will like this one. I think this was a simple, “this particular book ain’t for me” situation. But I’ll read the next in the series.
I received an arc from NetGalley
March 5, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Where do I even start with this book?? It's like I've been starved for good Jewish representation, for feeling seen in a way that we keep being told is important but I rarely get to feel, and then Felicia Grossman writes a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (with a touch of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks maybe) and it's so good and it's written for me with the assumption that I will understand and I do and I want to cry for the attention and love. I love being Jewish so much, and Roger and Rebecca love being Jewish as much as I do, even if they show it in different ways and reading this book was a salve to my soul at a time where it feels like history is repeating itself yet again. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to keep reading it, I want to go back and read it again. Roger and Rebecca are so incredibly fully formed as characters. The way their love develops, their banter, the way they challenge each other and develop intimacy through argument (which is SO JEWISH I kill me). Everything in their story felt real. It didn't feel like a retelling of a fairly tale, even when it was clear it was or when the text referenced it (cheekily). I will be thinking about this book for a very long time.
Where do I even start with this book?? It's like I've been starved for good Jewish representation, for feeling seen in a way that we keep being told is important but I rarely get to feel, and then Felicia Grossman writes a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (with a touch of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks maybe) and it's so good and it's written for me with the assumption that I will understand and I do and I want to cry for the attention and love. I love being Jewish so much, and Roger and Rebecca love being Jewish as much as I do, even if they show it in different ways and reading this book was a salve to my soul at a time where it feels like history is repeating itself yet again. I couldn't put this book down, I wanted to keep reading it, I want to go back and read it again. Roger and Rebecca are so incredibly fully formed as characters. The way their love develops, their banter, the way they challenge each other and develop intimacy through argument (which is SO JEWISH I kill me). Everything in their story felt real. It didn't feel like a retelling of a fairly tale, even when it was clear it was or when the text referenced it (cheekily). I will be thinking about this book for a very long time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book two of Felicia Grossman's Once Upon the East End series made my best of the year list back in 2024, so I was eagerly anticipating this release. You give me a Beauty and the Beast retelling where a bookish woman causes a jerk to reform, and I will be all over it.
Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC of Dearest Beast.
Rebecca Adler doesn't have many friends. She isn't particularly well-liked in the Jewish community of 1830s London, even on the Ashkenazi side. But what she does have is the community's respect for her skill as a midwife. One night, Rebecca wakes up to the sound of someone in her workroom—a space filled with volatile compounds—and finds a girl with her cat who has put the whole house in danger by mixing chemicals. Rebecca is able to get everyone out in time, but her house is severely damaged in an explosion, leaving her to accept the offer of shelter from the girl's father, Sephardic community leader Roger Berab, the man with whom Rebecca had a steamy encounter in her best friend's library the year before.
Roger is a widower with two young children, a wealthy businessman, and an aspiring leader in Jewish London. As a prominent member of the Sephardic side of the community, he is focused on keeping up appearances with the Gentiles. This includes finding an appropriate woman to marry who will help him claim a role on the community committee and solidify his position as an unofficial ambassador for the Jews of London. But before he can do any of that, he has to make things right with Rebecca after his daughter blows up her house. He will pay for the repairs, but when it comes to where Rebecca will spend the next six weeks, that's a bit more complicated. Feeling obligated to Rebecca, Roger offers his home to her, even though he can't stand the woman while simultaneously wanting to relive the passion they shared that one time in the library.
One caveat before we dive into my full review: I am friends with Felicia in real life. She is someone I respect both as a person and an author, and I've spoken at length with her about how she approaches writing these characters, so some of that will color my review.
I want to start by talking about the cultural representation on the page here. Jewish London in the mid-19th century was a fascinating place because Jews were not considered citizens—they could not vote and were kept segregated by social norms, if not actual walls—but they had far more freedom than in other parts of Europe. The Jewish community in London was largely made up of Sephardic Jews who had been expelled from the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition, but in the early 19th century, more Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe moved to Britain. As with many communities where there are cultural differences, there is social stratification along economic and aesthetic lines. The more established Sephardic Jews, who had thriving businesses and deeper roots in the community, were at the top, while the Ashkenazi Jews, who were generally poorer and had stereotypically Jewish features, were seen as lesser. Felicia explored this divide in the community in the first book of this series, where the heroine was Sephardic and the hero Ashkenazi. In this book, she really goes for it with a Sephardic hero who truly believes that his side of the community is what will keep the Jews of London safe and an Ashkenazi heroine who represents all the things Roger initially disdains about Ashkenazi Jews. For those who don't know the differences between the cultural groups of Jews around the world, this divide can seem bizarre, but it was—and still is—very real, especially in places where both communities exist side by side.
Rebecca Adler had my whole heart and soul from the moment she appeared on the page. I loved her in the other books of this series and was so excited to see her get her own story. She is a prickly woman who has spent her entire life believing the story she tells herself about who she is and how she fits within the community. I loved how competent she was, how sure she was of her worth even when she was in hostile territory. My favorite part of her story was watching her interact with Roger's family. His brother and sister-in-law clearly saw from the jump how good she was for Roger and his kids, and the relationship she developed with young Fannie and Michael was lovely.
I am garbage for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, even when the hero is not a scarred man. In this case, Roger isn't beastly in appearance—he's actually more conventionally attractive than Rebecca—but he behaves like the haughty prince from the beginning of that story. He is so convinced his own opinions are right and so eager to prove himself worthy of the position in which birth and luck placed him that he is unable to see how monstrous that has made him to others. I enjoyed that we got a different type of beast in this version of the story. But fans of the 1991 Disney classic need not worry; there is still a magnificent library.
One last point: I have seen several reviews from people complaining about the amount of Yiddish or the number of Jewish holidays and customs featured in this book. Some of these people are also romantasy readers who have no problem with unknown words or complex worldbuilding in those books but can't handle a little Yiddish that could easily be looked up on their e-readers. That is lazy behavior that is unbecoming of the romance community. Don't know what the word "schmuck" means? Look it up. Unsure what the holiday Purim is? Look it up. None of this is complicated, and you're showing your ignorance by complaining instead of doing something about it. Just prior to reading this book, I read a fantasy novel set in a fictional version of Imperial China. Did I know what every word meant? No, but I looked them up because I'm not helpless. Google is free. Use it.
Ok, I feel better after getting that off my chest.
I loved this book. I devoured it in about five hours, and each hour was great. I can't wait to read the last book of this series! 5 stars.
Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC of Dearest Beast.
Rebecca Adler doesn't have many friends. She isn't particularly well-liked in the Jewish community of 1830s London, even on the Ashkenazi side. But what she does have is the community's respect for her skill as a midwife. One night, Rebecca wakes up to the sound of someone in her workroom—a space filled with volatile compounds—and finds a girl with her cat who has put the whole house in danger by mixing chemicals. Rebecca is able to get everyone out in time, but her house is severely damaged in an explosion, leaving her to accept the offer of shelter from the girl's father, Sephardic community leader Roger Berab, the man with whom Rebecca had a steamy encounter in her best friend's library the year before.
Roger is a widower with two young children, a wealthy businessman, and an aspiring leader in Jewish London. As a prominent member of the Sephardic side of the community, he is focused on keeping up appearances with the Gentiles. This includes finding an appropriate woman to marry who will help him claim a role on the community committee and solidify his position as an unofficial ambassador for the Jews of London. But before he can do any of that, he has to make things right with Rebecca after his daughter blows up her house. He will pay for the repairs, but when it comes to where Rebecca will spend the next six weeks, that's a bit more complicated. Feeling obligated to Rebecca, Roger offers his home to her, even though he can't stand the woman while simultaneously wanting to relive the passion they shared that one time in the library.
One caveat before we dive into my full review: I am friends with Felicia in real life. She is someone I respect both as a person and an author, and I've spoken at length with her about how she approaches writing these characters, so some of that will color my review.
I want to start by talking about the cultural representation on the page here. Jewish London in the mid-19th century was a fascinating place because Jews were not considered citizens—they could not vote and were kept segregated by social norms, if not actual walls—but they had far more freedom than in other parts of Europe. The Jewish community in London was largely made up of Sephardic Jews who had been expelled from the Iberian Peninsula during the Inquisition, but in the early 19th century, more Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe moved to Britain. As with many communities where there are cultural differences, there is social stratification along economic and aesthetic lines. The more established Sephardic Jews, who had thriving businesses and deeper roots in the community, were at the top, while the Ashkenazi Jews, who were generally poorer and had stereotypically Jewish features, were seen as lesser. Felicia explored this divide in the community in the first book of this series, where the heroine was Sephardic and the hero Ashkenazi. In this book, she really goes for it with a Sephardic hero who truly believes that his side of the community is what will keep the Jews of London safe and an Ashkenazi heroine who represents all the things Roger initially disdains about Ashkenazi Jews. For those who don't know the differences between the cultural groups of Jews around the world, this divide can seem bizarre, but it was—and still is—very real, especially in places where both communities exist side by side.
Rebecca Adler had my whole heart and soul from the moment she appeared on the page. I loved her in the other books of this series and was so excited to see her get her own story. She is a prickly woman who has spent her entire life believing the story she tells herself about who she is and how she fits within the community. I loved how competent she was, how sure she was of her worth even when she was in hostile territory. My favorite part of her story was watching her interact with Roger's family. His brother and sister-in-law clearly saw from the jump how good she was for Roger and his kids, and the relationship she developed with young Fannie and Michael was lovely.
I am garbage for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, even when the hero is not a scarred man. In this case, Roger isn't beastly in appearance—he's actually more conventionally attractive than Rebecca—but he behaves like the haughty prince from the beginning of that story. He is so convinced his own opinions are right and so eager to prove himself worthy of the position in which birth and luck placed him that he is unable to see how monstrous that has made him to others. I enjoyed that we got a different type of beast in this version of the story. But fans of the 1991 Disney classic need not worry; there is still a magnificent library.
One last point: I have seen several reviews from people complaining about the amount of Yiddish or the number of Jewish holidays and customs featured in this book. Some of these people are also romantasy readers who have no problem with unknown words or complex worldbuilding in those books but can't handle a little Yiddish that could easily be looked up on their e-readers. That is lazy behavior that is unbecoming of the romance community. Don't know what the word "schmuck" means? Look it up. Unsure what the holiday Purim is? Look it up. None of this is complicated, and you're showing your ignorance by complaining instead of doing something about it. Just prior to reading this book, I read a fantasy novel set in a fictional version of Imperial China. Did I know what every word meant? No, but I looked them up because I'm not helpless. Google is free. Use it.
Ok, I feel better after getting that off my chest.
I loved this book. I devoured it in about five hours, and each hour was great. I can't wait to read the last book of this series! 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
At the end of last year, I kind of stopped caring about most of my NetGalley ARCs. Quite a few of the books eventually became available through the library anyway, and if I really wanted something I couldn’t get there, I would just buy it. But I had an ARC for Dearest Beast, and despite having it on hold at the library (which I intend to retain to establish demand for the title), I ended up deciding to read this ARC anyway, because it fit one of my readathon prompts to read a retelling. And with the track record of this series consistently getting a very middling average rating on Goodreads, I wanted to contribute, as I saw some very questionable reviews already…side-eying the DNFer calling out ableism in the text while also getting mad the book didn’t hold their hand and over-explain the Jewish cultural aspects. Like, goddamn, there’s a reader’s guide in the back! The audacity to complain about the use of the word “slow” while you’re the one complaining that the author didn’t over-explain things to you. Like, do you go around explaining every facet of your life and culture to everyone, even if they already know it? That’s literally what this feels like they’re asking for.
And when it came to the premise, I guess I was curious how Grossman would handle it, as this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a very independent heroine and a single father hero, and if you’ve seen how much I’ve ranted about a certain book this year with those aspects, you’ll know I was both intrigued and worried. And Grossman posted a graphic the other day with her inspirations for her “unlikable” heroines of the series, and a few of them are men on my “would kill if I ran into them” list. Funny how traits come off so differently in men than they do in women, huh?
Tangent aside, I did end up enjoying the characters a fair amount in this one, and the way they take inspiration from the source material is quite unique, as you might expect, if you’ve followed the series. Rebecca especially. I quite liked that she mostly takes on a “Beast” role, being rather abrasive and sharp-tongued. But balancing that with her profession as a midwife is interesting, given that the profession is very feminine-coded. But there’s also a scientific element to it, and I loved diving more into that.
Roger is also fairly interesting, especially as he and his brother have featured before in the series more antagonistic roles. It’s kind of interesting how he kind of occupies both “Beauty” and “Beast” roles in different ways, reflecting in different aspects of the narrative.
But I kind of felt a bit mixed on the romance. They’re perceived opposites with a bit of a rough history, and it started with a bad one-night stand, often the omen of doom for me in a romance. And while I kind of liked how they sort of rubbed along together, navigating that awkwardness, it wasn’t something that left me swooning or wondering how they’d navigate the stakes. And I think making him kind of a snob only didn’t aggravate me because she was equally quite frosty. But that didn’t leave much room for feels. Like, even when things got steamy in the other books, I felt the love and the stakes. Here, I was like, “They’ve slept together, and I feel…nothing.” They made such a big deal about “oh, no I’ve caught feelings, but we can’t!” And I was like, “What feelings? Why do you like each other again? The fucking was good this time?” They just seemed like the alignment just didn’t quite fit (Clearly I’m either too asexual or too neurdivergent to get this sort of romance). Which was one of the underlying problems with the other aforementioned book. But at least this book didn’t commit that book’s sin of him trying to drag her down to his level (One day, I will get over my trauma and stop comparing everything to That Book. But today is not that day).
I’m sad this book didn’t work better for me, but Beauty and the Beast is one of those tropes I’ve struggled to like in historical romances, and even more so lately. However, I am glad I gave this book a fair shot, and am hopeful that, despite the state of the genre, Grossman will be able to continue to have fun playing in her “sandbox,” swapping around gender archetypes and fairy tale tropes to create unique stories, especially given that that post with the comp titles did promise more was to come. And while I didn’t care for this one, I would still recommend it, especially on the strength of the historical context, and it may work better for you if you like your lead characters when they’re both a little unlikable, and you’re more of a fan of the Beauty and the Beast trope than I am.
At the end of last year, I kind of stopped caring about most of my NetGalley ARCs. Quite a few of the books eventually became available through the library anyway, and if I really wanted something I couldn’t get there, I would just buy it. But I had an ARC for Dearest Beast, and despite having it on hold at the library (which I intend to retain to establish demand for the title), I ended up deciding to read this ARC anyway, because it fit one of my readathon prompts to read a retelling. And with the track record of this series consistently getting a very middling average rating on Goodreads, I wanted to contribute, as I saw some very questionable reviews already…side-eying the DNFer calling out ableism in the text while also getting mad the book didn’t hold their hand and over-explain the Jewish cultural aspects. Like, goddamn, there’s a reader’s guide in the back! The audacity to complain about the use of the word “slow” while you’re the one complaining that the author didn’t over-explain things to you. Like, do you go around explaining every facet of your life and culture to everyone, even if they already know it? That’s literally what this feels like they’re asking for.
And when it came to the premise, I guess I was curious how Grossman would handle it, as this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a very independent heroine and a single father hero, and if you’ve seen how much I’ve ranted about a certain book this year with those aspects, you’ll know I was both intrigued and worried. And Grossman posted a graphic the other day with her inspirations for her “unlikable” heroines of the series, and a few of them are men on my “would kill if I ran into them” list. Funny how traits come off so differently in men than they do in women, huh?
Tangent aside, I did end up enjoying the characters a fair amount in this one, and the way they take inspiration from the source material is quite unique, as you might expect, if you’ve followed the series. Rebecca especially. I quite liked that she mostly takes on a “Beast” role, being rather abrasive and sharp-tongued. But balancing that with her profession as a midwife is interesting, given that the profession is very feminine-coded. But there’s also a scientific element to it, and I loved diving more into that.
Roger is also fairly interesting, especially as he and his brother have featured before in the series more antagonistic roles. It’s kind of interesting how he kind of occupies both “Beauty” and “Beast” roles in different ways, reflecting in different aspects of the narrative.
But I kind of felt a bit mixed on the romance. They’re perceived opposites with a bit of a rough history, and it started with a bad one-night stand, often the omen of doom for me in a romance. And while I kind of liked how they sort of rubbed along together, navigating that awkwardness, it wasn’t something that left me swooning or wondering how they’d navigate the stakes. And I think making him kind of a snob only didn’t aggravate me because she was equally quite frosty. But that didn’t leave much room for feels. Like, even when things got steamy in the other books, I felt the love and the stakes. Here, I was like, “They’ve slept together, and I feel…nothing.” They made such a big deal about “oh, no I’ve caught feelings, but we can’t!” And I was like, “What feelings? Why do you like each other again? The fucking was good this time?” They just seemed like the alignment just didn’t quite fit (Clearly I’m either too asexual or too neurdivergent to get this sort of romance). Which was one of the underlying problems with the other aforementioned book. But at least this book didn’t commit that book’s sin of him trying to drag her down to his level (One day, I will get over my trauma and stop comparing everything to That Book. But today is not that day).
I’m sad this book didn’t work better for me, but Beauty and the Beast is one of those tropes I’ve struggled to like in historical romances, and even more so lately. However, I am glad I gave this book a fair shot, and am hopeful that, despite the state of the genre, Grossman will be able to continue to have fun playing in her “sandbox,” swapping around gender archetypes and fairy tale tropes to create unique stories, especially given that that post with the comp titles did promise more was to come. And while I didn’t care for this one, I would still recommend it, especially on the strength of the historical context, and it may work better for you if you like your lead characters when they’re both a little unlikable, and you’re more of a fan of the Beauty and the Beast trope than I am.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dearest Beast is the latest regency fairy tale romance in Felicia Grossman’s Once Upon the East End series, following her Cinderella and Snow White retellings (Marry Me by Midnight and Wake Me Most Wickedly), and it brings all the passion and swoon readers have come to expect. When Roger Berab, a widow with two children is forced to offer shelter to a midwife named Rebecca Adler after his daughter inadvertently damages her home and laboratory, it seems a mild inconvenience. But Robert and Rebecca, two people unsuited to one another in all ways but the physical, once shared a night of torrid passion that lingers in their minds though they both struggle to forget it. As Roger makes plans to marry a much younger woman who can serve as a dignified wife and mother, he continues to wrestle with his attraction to Rebecca, forcing him to reevaluate all he holds dear.
Grossman’s books are historical romance at its best, and she deftly weaves real-world details into her fairy tale plot, educating readers about the plight of Jewish people during the Regency era. Characters are both Ashkenazi and Sephardi, and Grossman poignantly illustrates the conflicts between them and the gentile world as she introduces Jewish traditions, rituals, and beliefs. A note at the back of the book provides in-depth historical context for the characters and situations in the story, using the miraculous transformations found in fairy tales as a metaphor for the social transformations required to combat contemporary prejudice and marginalization. These poignant messages are balanced with witty banter and dialogue that often made me laugh out loud. Grossman’s ability to provide Jewish representation while gifting her readers a romance propelled by joy, heat, and passion is admirable, and this is what sets her work apart from typical regency love stories.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, so while I have long been a fan of Grossman’s Once Upon the East End series, it came as no surprise that Dearest Beast is my favorite so far! Fans of the series will recognize characters like Isabelle, Hannah, and Sol, but those new to Grossman will easily navigate the East End as they note the markers of a Beauty and the Beast tale: a couple ill-suited to each other but simmering with passion, a hothouse of cultivated roses, and a luscious library, three stories high with ladders climbing up to the ceiling and warm patterned rugs on the floor. The relationship between Roger and Rebecca is the quintessential enemies-to-lovers tale, and at thirty-six and thirty years of age respectively, they are far from inexperienced in matters of the flesh. Their frank discussions of sexual intimacy and their unadulterated joy in its other’s bodies is refreshing, and I adored Grossman’s balance between steamy scenes and scenes which explore Roger’s children as they grapple with their father’s new relationships. The children fall in love with Rebecca as surely as Roger does, and readers will eagerly turn pages as the “beastly” woman “Awful Roger” wants removed from his home and life becomes the woman he cannot live without.
If you enjoy smart, witty, and steamy fairy tale-themed romance, pick up a copy of Dearest Beast. I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
Grossman’s books are historical romance at its best, and she deftly weaves real-world details into her fairy tale plot, educating readers about the plight of Jewish people during the Regency era. Characters are both Ashkenazi and Sephardi, and Grossman poignantly illustrates the conflicts between them and the gentile world as she introduces Jewish traditions, rituals, and beliefs. A note at the back of the book provides in-depth historical context for the characters and situations in the story, using the miraculous transformations found in fairy tales as a metaphor for the social transformations required to combat contemporary prejudice and marginalization. These poignant messages are balanced with witty banter and dialogue that often made me laugh out loud. Grossman’s ability to provide Jewish representation while gifting her readers a romance propelled by joy, heat, and passion is admirable, and this is what sets her work apart from typical regency love stories.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, so while I have long been a fan of Grossman’s Once Upon the East End series, it came as no surprise that Dearest Beast is my favorite so far! Fans of the series will recognize characters like Isabelle, Hannah, and Sol, but those new to Grossman will easily navigate the East End as they note the markers of a Beauty and the Beast tale: a couple ill-suited to each other but simmering with passion, a hothouse of cultivated roses, and a luscious library, three stories high with ladders climbing up to the ceiling and warm patterned rugs on the floor. The relationship between Roger and Rebecca is the quintessential enemies-to-lovers tale, and at thirty-six and thirty years of age respectively, they are far from inexperienced in matters of the flesh. Their frank discussions of sexual intimacy and their unadulterated joy in its other’s bodies is refreshing, and I adored Grossman’s balance between steamy scenes and scenes which explore Roger’s children as they grapple with their father’s new relationships. The children fall in love with Rebecca as surely as Roger does, and readers will eagerly turn pages as the “beastly” woman “Awful Roger” wants removed from his home and life becomes the woman he cannot live without.
If you enjoy smart, witty, and steamy fairy tale-themed romance, pick up a copy of Dearest Beast. I loved it!
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Roger Berab and Rebecca Adler have known each other for years, and disliked each other for nearly as long, but they meet one night when they are both feeling vulnerable and share an intimate encounter, which ends with Roger declaring it a mistake and that they don’t need to marry, causing Rebecca to hate him even more. Rebecca is a midwife and chemist who prides herself on her independence. But when her home and workshop is ruined by Roger’s daughter, she has no choice but to accept his offer of shelter. As she heals, she gets to know Roger and his children, particularly his daughter, which adds tension as well as opportunities for growth within the household and her feelings for Roger.
For Roger, status is everything and now that his time of mourning has passed, he is eager to find a new wife who will help him achieve his hope for a seat on the Commission of Delegates and mother to his children. But when his daughter destroys Rebecca Adler’s home, he is honor bound to offer her a place to stay, which brings the two back into close contact after months of avoiding each other after their passionate encounter. Roger finds Rebecca sharp-tongued, opinionated, plain, common, and utterly intriguing.
When I read the blurb for this book, I was intrigued because I love a “Beauty and the Beast” retelling, but quite honestly, I found both main characters rather beastly and am not sure who was the “beauty” and who was the “beast” in this story. I also didn’t care for the fact that Roger had a love interest for most of the book, someone he hoped to marry, even while lusting after Rebecca. The book does delve deeply into Jewish culture and uses a lot of terms that were not familiar to me, so I appreciated the glossary of Jewish terms used in the book, but think it would have been more helpful at the beginning of the book rather than the end, because I had to stop several times to look up a term, which if the book started with that information, I would have already understood while reading. Overall, I wanted to like this book, but I never really liked Rebecca or Roger and found it hard to be invested in their relationship. This is the third book in the series and is connected with the previous books, but it could be read as a standalone title without issue.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
For Roger, status is everything and now that his time of mourning has passed, he is eager to find a new wife who will help him achieve his hope for a seat on the Commission of Delegates and mother to his children. But when his daughter destroys Rebecca Adler’s home, he is honor bound to offer her a place to stay, which brings the two back into close contact after months of avoiding each other after their passionate encounter. Roger finds Rebecca sharp-tongued, opinionated, plain, common, and utterly intriguing.
When I read the blurb for this book, I was intrigued because I love a “Beauty and the Beast” retelling, but quite honestly, I found both main characters rather beastly and am not sure who was the “beauty” and who was the “beast” in this story. I also didn’t care for the fact that Roger had a love interest for most of the book, someone he hoped to marry, even while lusting after Rebecca. The book does delve deeply into Jewish culture and uses a lot of terms that were not familiar to me, so I appreciated the glossary of Jewish terms used in the book, but think it would have been more helpful at the beginning of the book rather than the end, because I had to stop several times to look up a term, which if the book started with that information, I would have already understood while reading. Overall, I wanted to like this book, but I never really liked Rebecca or Roger and found it hard to be invested in their relationship. This is the third book in the series and is connected with the previous books, but it could be read as a standalone title without issue.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📖 Title: Dearest Beast-Once Upon the East End #3
✍🏾 Author: Felicia Grossman-read Wake Me Most Wickedly and gave 5⭐
📅 Publication date: 6/30/26 | Read:6/23/26
📃 Format: e-Book 368 pgs.
Genre:
*Historical Fic
* Romance
* Religion
Tropes:
*2nd chance romance
*enemies to lovers
*friends w/ benefits
*family drama
*Jewish H/h
*neighbors
*single dad
*Beauty & the Beast/Sound of Music vibes
👆🏾POV:3rd person
⚠️TW: death of loved ones, antisemitism, classism
🌎 Setting: England 1832-1833
Summary: When Roger's daughter and cat break into Rebecca's house, they set the place on fire. With nowhere to go, Roger offers to let her stay w/ him while he pays for the repairs on her house. Rebecca and Roger had a one-night stand seven months ago and Roger scorned her. Rebecca was hurt in the explosion and will be unable to work as a midwife for at least four weeks. Roger and Rebecca start a friends w/ benefits relationship that turns into more.
👩🏾 Heroine: Rebecca Adler-30, midwife, says and does what she wants against the ton
👨🏾 Hero: Roger Berab-36, an ambassador at Commission of Delegates-wants a job w/them, concerned w/ opinions of the ton, and being the "right" kind of Jew
🎭 Other Characters
* Fannie,9 and Michael,5 -Roger's children w/ 1st wife Lucy
* Sol and Hannah Weiss-Roger's BFF and his wife
* David and Nina-older brother and his wife, Louis-exiled to US, and Maria-Roger's siblings
* Isabelle and Aaron Ellenberg-Rebecca's BFF and her husband
*Ms. Leone Teres-to be Roger's new wife
*Rose-Fannie's cat
🤔 My Thoughts/Likes:
-being a midwife and concern for women's healthcare
-Jewish commentary from Roger & Rebecca
-Fannie-no filter, too smart for her age, and devilish-the MVP
-Roger taking over the children's education/no governess
Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level: 4/5 🌶️ open door
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, and Felicia Grossman for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
✍🏾 Author: Felicia Grossman-read Wake Me Most Wickedly and gave 5⭐
📅 Publication date: 6/30/26 | Read:6/23/26
📃 Format: e-Book 368 pgs.
Genre:
*Historical Fic
* Romance
* Religion
Tropes:
*2nd chance romance
*enemies to lovers
*friends w/ benefits
*family drama
*Jewish H/h
*neighbors
*single dad
*Beauty & the Beast/Sound of Music vibes
👆🏾POV:3rd person
⚠️TW: death of loved ones, antisemitism, classism
🌎 Setting: England 1832-1833
Summary: When Roger's daughter and cat break into Rebecca's house, they set the place on fire. With nowhere to go, Roger offers to let her stay w/ him while he pays for the repairs on her house. Rebecca and Roger had a one-night stand seven months ago and Roger scorned her. Rebecca was hurt in the explosion and will be unable to work as a midwife for at least four weeks. Roger and Rebecca start a friends w/ benefits relationship that turns into more.
👩🏾 Heroine: Rebecca Adler-30, midwife, says and does what she wants against the ton
👨🏾 Hero: Roger Berab-36, an ambassador at Commission of Delegates-wants a job w/them, concerned w/ opinions of the ton, and being the "right" kind of Jew
🎭 Other Characters
* Fannie,9 and Michael,5 -Roger's children w/ 1st wife Lucy
* Sol and Hannah Weiss-Roger's BFF and his wife
* David and Nina-older brother and his wife, Louis-exiled to US, and Maria-Roger's siblings
* Isabelle and Aaron Ellenberg-Rebecca's BFF and her husband
*Ms. Leone Teres-to be Roger's new wife
*Rose-Fannie's cat
🤔 My Thoughts/Likes:
-being a midwife and concern for women's healthcare
-Jewish commentary from Roger & Rebecca
-Fannie-no filter, too smart for her age, and devilish-the MVP
-Roger taking over the children's education/no governess
Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level: 4/5 🌶️ open door
🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, and Felicia Grossman for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.
April 15, 2026
This was very different to the kinds of historical romances I pick up and sometimes you need a nudge in a different direction to take you out of your usual reads 🤷♀️
I won’t lie, I know very little about Judaism so I was worried I wouldn’t understand some references, dialogue or customs but it was easy enough to follow along but didn’t feel like it really took over the story to the extent of being a primary focus. This book is also part of a series. I haven’t read the previous books but it can definitely be read as a standalone I had no issues keeping up.
This opens with a one night stand (closed door, grateful for this because I don’t love spice early on in books) and I won’t lie.. I was really scratching my head wondering what the significance of this would be and it just… didn’t really need to happen? Sometimes it felt like the characters themselves forgot it happened at times. I think I’d have preferred a heated kiss and a swift exist because the ONS didn’t make much sense to me given the time period and the nature of their relationship at the start of the book.
The chemistry between Rebecca and Roger was sizzling though when we got into the heart of the story, the tension and back and forth was delicious and I really loved them together. I also loved that Frannie (Roger’s daughter) wasn’t too keen on Rebecca at first, more often than not we get single dad romances where the kids are instantly besotted with the fmc and it’s almost serendipity that this woman could join forced with this already established family, but this bond was hard work and I really appreciate that it took effort for Rebecca and Frannie to grow to even like each other.
The sex. I really enjoyed the spice in this, it’s not gratuitous or overkill. It’s a little awkward at first which I loved but also solidified my opinion that it shouldn’t have been a one night stand opener.
Will always eat up a beauty and the beast retelling and I’m glad I picked this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc. All opinions are my own.
I won’t lie, I know very little about Judaism so I was worried I wouldn’t understand some references, dialogue or customs but it was easy enough to follow along but didn’t feel like it really took over the story to the extent of being a primary focus. This book is also part of a series. I haven’t read the previous books but it can definitely be read as a standalone I had no issues keeping up.
This opens with a one night stand (closed door, grateful for this because I don’t love spice early on in books) and I won’t lie.. I was really scratching my head wondering what the significance of this would be and it just… didn’t really need to happen? Sometimes it felt like the characters themselves forgot it happened at times. I think I’d have preferred a heated kiss and a swift exist because the ONS didn’t make much sense to me given the time period and the nature of their relationship at the start of the book.
The chemistry between Rebecca and Roger was sizzling though when we got into the heart of the story, the tension and back and forth was delicious and I really loved them together. I also loved that Frannie (Roger’s daughter) wasn’t too keen on Rebecca at first, more often than not we get single dad romances where the kids are instantly besotted with the fmc and it’s almost serendipity that this woman could join forced with this already established family, but this bond was hard work and I really appreciate that it took effort for Rebecca and Frannie to grow to even like each other.
The sex. I really enjoyed the spice in this, it’s not gratuitous or overkill. It’s a little awkward at first which I loved but also solidified my opinion that it shouldn’t have been a one night stand opener.
Will always eat up a beauty and the beast retelling and I’m glad I picked this one up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dearest Beast is a delight. This latest historical romance from Felicia Grossman features prickly characters, tons of forced proximity, and amazing Jewish representation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Midwife Rebecca Adler is shocked when an accident leads to her home and workroom being temporarily unusable. Wealthy widower Roger Berab offers to make things right; after all, his daughter caused the destructive explosion. So naturally Rebecca moves into his stately townhouse while repairs are being made. Did I mention that these two have a history? While they bicker and quip their way through conversations, it’s tough for either of them to ignore their sizzling attraction.
Both Rebecca and Roger don’t begin this story showing off their best selves. It’s incredibly entertaining to read their quick witted conversations, and see how they challenge each other both intellectually and physically. It’s easy to see how their relationship changes, and both their interactions with Roger’s children reveal just how much they care. And there are plenty of nods to Beauty and the Beast here, so of course there is a gorgeous library too.
The specificity of writing about the Jewish experience in 19th century London makes this book fascinating. Even within this tiny group, it’s clear that the Jewish people are not a monolith; they have many divisions, and varied opinions and experiences. The sprinkling of Yiddish words throughout the story adds to the authenticity. I’d also recommend the author’s note at the end, which details the reality of Jewish life during this time period.
Dearest Beast is a wonderful historical romance. Rebecca and Roger are both interesting, sometimes abrasive characters, and readers discover just how much each one deserves their HEA. The depiction of the 19th century London Jewish community is special too, and even as someone who has some background knowledge, I learned a lot. And I can’t wait to read what Felicia Grossman writes next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Midwife Rebecca Adler is shocked when an accident leads to her home and workroom being temporarily unusable. Wealthy widower Roger Berab offers to make things right; after all, his daughter caused the destructive explosion. So naturally Rebecca moves into his stately townhouse while repairs are being made. Did I mention that these two have a history? While they bicker and quip their way through conversations, it’s tough for either of them to ignore their sizzling attraction.
Both Rebecca and Roger don’t begin this story showing off their best selves. It’s incredibly entertaining to read their quick witted conversations, and see how they challenge each other both intellectually and physically. It’s easy to see how their relationship changes, and both their interactions with Roger’s children reveal just how much they care. And there are plenty of nods to Beauty and the Beast here, so of course there is a gorgeous library too.
The specificity of writing about the Jewish experience in 19th century London makes this book fascinating. Even within this tiny group, it’s clear that the Jewish people are not a monolith; they have many divisions, and varied opinions and experiences. The sprinkling of Yiddish words throughout the story adds to the authenticity. I’d also recommend the author’s note at the end, which details the reality of Jewish life during this time period.
Dearest Beast is a wonderful historical romance. Rebecca and Roger are both interesting, sometimes abrasive characters, and readers discover just how much each one deserves their HEA. The depiction of the 19th century London Jewish community is special too, and even as someone who has some background knowledge, I learned a lot. And I can’t wait to read what Felicia Grossman writes next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dearest Beast by Felicia Grossman is the third book in her Once Upon the East End series. This novel focuses on characters we've seen in the previous books as side characters now getting their own full story.
The main characters are Rebecca, a midwife and healer, and best friends with Isabelle (who's story we saw in book 1 of the series). Roger, is Isabelle's business partner and one-time suitor. Rebecca is no-nonsense and straightforward in her speech, which earns her the censure of most of the community. Roger is sharp-edged and comes from the side of the community that has tried to blend in with the Gentiles.
Two years after a one-night stand, Rebecca and Roger cross paths again when Roger's young daughter accidentally causes Rebecca's herbalist workshop to explode. With no where to live while her home and shop are repaired, Roger offers for her to live with him and his family as part of the community's hospitality rules. While the two aren't keen on this arrangement, there are no other options.
As they both spend time together, they learn more about their past, their respective interests and they grow to be friends. But while Roger is wealthy, Rebecca is not, and their class differences play a large part in their story arc.
Grossman is wonderful at telling a compelling romance while not shying away from uncomfortable truths of the Jewish experience. As a non-Jewish reader, there were moments where I needed a bit of research to understand some terms, I found that it didn't take away from my reading experience or enjoyment.
If you love fairy-tale retellings. historical romance, or diverse stories, I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
The main characters are Rebecca, a midwife and healer, and best friends with Isabelle (who's story we saw in book 1 of the series). Roger, is Isabelle's business partner and one-time suitor. Rebecca is no-nonsense and straightforward in her speech, which earns her the censure of most of the community. Roger is sharp-edged and comes from the side of the community that has tried to blend in with the Gentiles.
Two years after a one-night stand, Rebecca and Roger cross paths again when Roger's young daughter accidentally causes Rebecca's herbalist workshop to explode. With no where to live while her home and shop are repaired, Roger offers for her to live with him and his family as part of the community's hospitality rules. While the two aren't keen on this arrangement, there are no other options.
As they both spend time together, they learn more about their past, their respective interests and they grow to be friends. But while Roger is wealthy, Rebecca is not, and their class differences play a large part in their story arc.
Grossman is wonderful at telling a compelling romance while not shying away from uncomfortable truths of the Jewish experience. As a non-Jewish reader, there were moments where I needed a bit of research to understand some terms, I found that it didn't take away from my reading experience or enjoyment.
If you love fairy-tale retellings. historical romance, or diverse stories, I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First things first—I love a good class-crossing romance, but what I loved EVEN MORE was our girl Rebecca being a full-on lady in STEM in a historical setting. Annnnd if you’ve ever read (and loved) that whimsical, slightly chaotic, super clever vibe from authors like India Holton… just know you’re going to EAT THIS UP.
This is a historical fiction/Jewish romance, which was something a little different for me --> and I actually really enjoyed getting that glimpse into a culture outside my usual historical fiction settings. There is some terminology and cultural language woven throughout, but honestly, it didn’t take me out of the story at all. I kind of embraced it the same way I would in a fantasy—just sink into the world, pick up what you can, and vibe with it ✨
****(And I hope that comes across respectfully because that's the way I mean it!)
If you love:
✨ sassy women in STEM heroines
✨ class difference romance
✨ single parent romances
🌶️🌶️/5 - Definitely some open door spicy moments!
**Thank you to Forever for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
**historical romance, Jewish romance, women in STEM historical fiction, class difference romance, unique romance reads, witty historical romance, strong heroine, diverse romance books, character-driven love story
#DearestBeast #HistoricalRomanceReads #BookstagramRomance #WomenInSTEMReads #UniqueReads
This is a historical fiction/Jewish romance, which was something a little different for me --> and I actually really enjoyed getting that glimpse into a culture outside my usual historical fiction settings. There is some terminology and cultural language woven throughout, but honestly, it didn’t take me out of the story at all. I kind of embraced it the same way I would in a fantasy—just sink into the world, pick up what you can, and vibe with it ✨
****(And I hope that comes across respectfully because that's the way I mean it!)
If you love:
✨ sassy women in STEM heroines
✨ class difference romance
✨ single parent romances
🌶️🌶️/5 - Definitely some open door spicy moments!
**Thank you to Forever for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
**historical romance, Jewish romance, women in STEM historical fiction, class difference romance, unique romance reads, witty historical romance, strong heroine, diverse romance books, character-driven love story
#DearestBeast #HistoricalRomanceReads #BookstagramRomance #WomenInSTEMReads #UniqueReads
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this Beauty and the Beast-inspired historical romance set with in Jewish community in London in the 1830s. The romance progresses from dislike and belligerent sexual tension to forced proximity to eventual lovers. Rebecca, the FMC, is a midwife, and the author does a great job of showing how important and varied her work would have been at the time. Roger is a widower, and while I didn’t really get a strong sense of what his past love had been like, I did enjoy seeing him open himself up to love again in a very unexpected set of circumstances. I liked getting to know his two children through the events of the story, and seeing how the family welcomes Rebecca (after some initial difficulties!).
There are lots of fun references to the Beauty and the Beast story throughout that always made me smile.
The main characters are both not their best selves when they are around each other in the beginning, which made it a little difficult for me to connect with them at first. However, I did come to love them and root for them as the story progressed.
This is book 3 of a series of fairytale-inspired stories, and I do feel it would be helpful to read the other two to understand some of the background of supporting characters, though not absolutely necessary. The author has done a lot of research and I enjoyed learning more about the Jewish community in England at this time, the languages and culture, and the challenges they faced.
I would recommend this if you enjoy historical romances and Beauty and the Beast references.
I enjoyed this Beauty and the Beast-inspired historical romance set with in Jewish community in London in the 1830s. The romance progresses from dislike and belligerent sexual tension to forced proximity to eventual lovers. Rebecca, the FMC, is a midwife, and the author does a great job of showing how important and varied her work would have been at the time. Roger is a widower, and while I didn’t really get a strong sense of what his past love had been like, I did enjoy seeing him open himself up to love again in a very unexpected set of circumstances. I liked getting to know his two children through the events of the story, and seeing how the family welcomes Rebecca (after some initial difficulties!).
There are lots of fun references to the Beauty and the Beast story throughout that always made me smile.
The main characters are both not their best selves when they are around each other in the beginning, which made it a little difficult for me to connect with them at first. However, I did come to love them and root for them as the story progressed.
This is book 3 of a series of fairytale-inspired stories, and I do feel it would be helpful to read the other two to understand some of the background of supporting characters, though not absolutely necessary. The author has done a lot of research and I enjoyed learning more about the Jewish community in England at this time, the languages and culture, and the challenges they faced.
I would recommend this if you enjoy historical romances and Beauty and the Beast references.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can see how some may struggle with this Beauty and the Beast-inspired historical romance heavy on Judaism. There are many references that may not be easily understood unless you’re very familiar with Jewish history and customs. I’ve never read any works by the author before, so I wasn’t sure how the book would be, and I do not count myself as particularly knowledgeable about Judaism, but I enjoyed learning as I read.
I avoid the single dad trope like the plague, and yet I wanted to pick this one up, and I didn’t mind the trope at all in this case. I am curious, however, about the MMC’s relationship with his deceased wife and mother of his children. Having not read previous books in this series, I felt like I was missing context on the characters. Did the MMC love the previous wife and was devastated by her death? I didn’t get much emotion from him regarding this, and his wife died less than a year before he picked things up with the FMC. And was the wife a bad person? She seems to have treated the FMC poorly in the past.
I liked the tension between the FMC and MMC, and that the FMC was a midwife/scientist. She felt progressive for the time. I also liked the fact that the MMC changed for her. The kids were mostly cute; his daughter was the typical moody firecracker, but she had her reasons for her behavior.
All in all, this was a unique historical romance that was new and interesting to me.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I avoid the single dad trope like the plague, and yet I wanted to pick this one up, and I didn’t mind the trope at all in this case. I am curious, however, about the MMC’s relationship with his deceased wife and mother of his children. Having not read previous books in this series, I felt like I was missing context on the characters. Did the MMC love the previous wife and was devastated by her death? I didn’t get much emotion from him regarding this, and his wife died less than a year before he picked things up with the FMC. And was the wife a bad person? She seems to have treated the FMC poorly in the past.
I liked the tension between the FMC and MMC, and that the FMC was a midwife/scientist. She felt progressive for the time. I also liked the fact that the MMC changed for her. The kids were mostly cute; his daughter was the typical moody firecracker, but she had her reasons for her behavior.
All in all, this was a unique historical romance that was new and interesting to me.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-galley given for review. All opinions are my own.
I'll confess and say that I have not read the previous two books in the series, therefore I was not familiar with these MCs who apparently had a history.
To start off I didn't like the MMC. I think him he was a little too pretentious in how he treated Rebecca. I hated how as soon as he had his first smexy time with her, he just put out there that there was NO WAY he was going to marry her. OUCH!! These two really hated each other but yet were physically attracted to each other.
Also, his daughter...I'm usually not a fan of kids in romance stories and she proved my point. She destroys Rebecca's house and is so petulant about it and her father, Roger, doesn't even hold her accountable at first and just blames Rebecca for being careless. Excuse me, dude!! Find out first what your brat did and then hold her accountable and just don't assume that Rebecca was at fault. I loved how the other people flat out told him that it had been his daughter's fault. Yet he was still reluctant to accept her fault.
I liked Rebecca. The only thing is that I wished she had a little more self love. Though I understand that she grew up being told that she was worthless and ugly. It was no surprise how she was willing to accept Roger's crumbs. Roger spends the majority of the book planning to marry someone else (because SHE does meet his so called criteria) This is why Rebecca deserved someone that was going to give her the world without any second guesses.
I'll confess and say that I have not read the previous two books in the series, therefore I was not familiar with these MCs who apparently had a history.
To start off I didn't like the MMC. I think him he was a little too pretentious in how he treated Rebecca. I hated how as soon as he had his first smexy time with her, he just put out there that there was NO WAY he was going to marry her. OUCH!! These two really hated each other but yet were physically attracted to each other.
Also, his daughter...I'm usually not a fan of kids in romance stories and she proved my point. She destroys Rebecca's house and is so petulant about it and her father, Roger, doesn't even hold her accountable at first and just blames Rebecca for being careless. Excuse me, dude!! Find out first what your brat did and then hold her accountable and just don't assume that Rebecca was at fault. I loved how the other people flat out told him that it had been his daughter's fault. Yet he was still reluctant to accept her fault.
I liked Rebecca. The only thing is that I wished she had a little more self love. Though I understand that she grew up being told that she was worthless and ugly. It was no surprise how she was willing to accept Roger's crumbs. Roger spends the majority of the book planning to marry someone else (because SHE does meet his so called criteria) This is why Rebecca deserved someone that was going to give her the world without any second guesses.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dearest Beast had one of the most hilarious and outlandish opening plots I've ever read. A few weeks after a one night stand, our MMC's daughter accidentally blows up the FMC's house. LMAO. And so of course she must stay with him while her house is under construction. These two have some viciously hilarious banter. Rebecca is intelligent and she knows it and wants you to know it, and Roger is better than everyone and he knows it and wants you to know it. Sparks fly over and over again! The spicy bits were so good, and I liked every scene where the two were arguing with each other. I loved the scenes with the children and watching how Rebecca influenced the entire family. And I loved watching Roger accept Rebecca despite their differences. There was a bit of plot in the beginning and a bit of plot at the end, but the middle of the book was just navigating each other while forced to be together in the house. I wished a little bit more happened outside of the home. I also must admit, I am not religious, nor do I know anything about Judaism. So I can't speak to any of that other than to say I did have to do a bit of googling throughout the story. This was such a unique take on Beauty and the Beast. 3.5 rounded up!
Read this if you love these tropes:
* Historical Romance
* Fairytale Retellings
* Single Dad / Widower
* Forced Proximity
* Class differences
* Banter, banter, banter
* One night dalliance
* She's a badass and he's an ass
Read this if you love these tropes:
* Historical Romance
* Fairytale Retellings
* Single Dad / Widower
* Forced Proximity
* Class differences
* Banter, banter, banter
* One night dalliance
* She's a badass and he's an ass
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
While this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I was a bit confused as to how was the beast, as they both acted a little beastly. I loved the nod to the epic library, though.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance, but there was something off putting about Roger for me. He eventually grew on me, but lord did it take awhile. It’s challenging to find the right balance between asshole and charmingly cocky. I will say he had a much better arc than Rebecca. I did like Rebecca a lot as a character. She’s strong-willed and intelligent and gives as good as she gets. I wish we could’ve seen more of her relationship with Fannie as the young girl begins to let her guard down. We were told of their encounters, but didn’t get to see it, and I think that would have been lovely. I did like the way that Rebecca and Roger’s relationship unfolded. I also thought it was sweet to see Roger get emotionally closer to his children.
I did feel that the end was unnecessarily extended. Roger gives a great, heartfelt speech about his love for Rebecca, and she refuses him. I get it. We need a “third act conflict”, and she needs to have her own arc, but like I don’t know it just felt dragged out.
This wasn’t a bad novel, and I definitely plan to read the author’s backlog. I think it was just missing that je ne sais quoi that would’ve elevated it a four star for me.
While this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I was a bit confused as to how was the beast, as they both acted a little beastly. I loved the nod to the epic library, though.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance, but there was something off putting about Roger for me. He eventually grew on me, but lord did it take awhile. It’s challenging to find the right balance between asshole and charmingly cocky. I will say he had a much better arc than Rebecca. I did like Rebecca a lot as a character. She’s strong-willed and intelligent and gives as good as she gets. I wish we could’ve seen more of her relationship with Fannie as the young girl begins to let her guard down. We were told of their encounters, but didn’t get to see it, and I think that would have been lovely. I did like the way that Rebecca and Roger’s relationship unfolded. I also thought it was sweet to see Roger get emotionally closer to his children.
I did feel that the end was unnecessarily extended. Roger gives a great, heartfelt speech about his love for Rebecca, and she refuses him. I get it. We need a “third act conflict”, and she needs to have her own arc, but like I don’t know it just felt dragged out.
This wasn’t a bad novel, and I definitely plan to read the author’s backlog. I think it was just missing that je ne sais quoi that would’ve elevated it a four star for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was given an arc of this book from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.
As a huge fan of Felicia Grossman's historical romances, I have been eagerly anticipating the newest book in the Once Upon the East End Series. I have been intrigued about both of the main character since they were introduced in the previous books, and I was so happy to finally get their story! Rebecca and Roger are both hiding behind masks and seeing them start to lower their walls and let each other in was such a delight to witness. I really felt like their relationship progressed and evolved in a compelling and natural way. I believed in their Happy Ever After. I also really loved the appearance of characters from the previous books! I liked seeing glimpses into their lives as well.
The Jewish representation in this book is incredible. Grossman has done such incredible research into Jewish life during this time period, and I know I learned a lot about Jewish history from the story itself and the back matter included. Roger's Jewish identity and journey in particular, is extremely interesting. He loves his community, but in order to protect it, he has to distance himself and assimilate into the outside world. Unfortunately, that is something that still feels relevant today. Witnessing Roger's journey back to Jewish practice and acceptance of himself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
As a huge fan of Felicia Grossman's historical romances, I have been eagerly anticipating the newest book in the Once Upon the East End Series. I have been intrigued about both of the main character since they were introduced in the previous books, and I was so happy to finally get their story! Rebecca and Roger are both hiding behind masks and seeing them start to lower their walls and let each other in was such a delight to witness. I really felt like their relationship progressed and evolved in a compelling and natural way. I believed in their Happy Ever After. I also really loved the appearance of characters from the previous books! I liked seeing glimpses into their lives as well.
The Jewish representation in this book is incredible. Grossman has done such incredible research into Jewish life during this time period, and I know I learned a lot about Jewish history from the story itself and the back matter included. Roger's Jewish identity and journey in particular, is extremely interesting. He loves his community, but in order to protect it, he has to distance himself and assimilate into the outside world. Unfortunately, that is something that still feels relevant today. Witnessing Roger's journey back to Jewish practice and acceptance of himself was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Dearest Beast is proof that sometimes, patience is a virtue.
I'm not going to lie, the first half of this book did not give me confidence that I would end up enjoying this. Both Rebecca and Roger begin as super prickly characters and most of their early interactions border on being a bit too unintentionally cruel for my taste in banter. Because this is a forced proximity romance, we also don't get interactions outside of the few characters that live in the house; I personally prefer a lot more expansion in the world of a historical romance.
HOWEVER....
Once we hit the 50% mark and the romantic tension ratcheted up, I started to absolutely devour this story. It was an absolute pleasure to witness both characters transform into their best individual selves and find their way to accepting the love of the other. It didn't hurt that we also started to get more characters involved that made the world of these characters that much bigger. To my surprise, when we got to the inevitable happy ending, I did find myself even tearing up a bit! I'm incredibly pleased that I pushed through my initial hesitation because the reward was incredibly sweet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Dearest Beast is proof that sometimes, patience is a virtue.
I'm not going to lie, the first half of this book did not give me confidence that I would end up enjoying this. Both Rebecca and Roger begin as super prickly characters and most of their early interactions border on being a bit too unintentionally cruel for my taste in banter. Because this is a forced proximity romance, we also don't get interactions outside of the few characters that live in the house; I personally prefer a lot more expansion in the world of a historical romance.
HOWEVER....
Once we hit the 50% mark and the romantic tension ratcheted up, I started to absolutely devour this story. It was an absolute pleasure to witness both characters transform into their best individual selves and find their way to accepting the love of the other. It didn't hurt that we also started to get more characters involved that made the world of these characters that much bigger. To my surprise, when we got to the inevitable happy ending, I did find myself even tearing up a bit! I'm incredibly pleased that I pushed through my initial hesitation because the reward was incredibly sweet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I always find Felicia’s books fascinating because of their focus on London’s Jewish community, which I know next to nothing about during the time period. This is a very loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I really enjoyed it. I loved loved loved Rebecca and Roger grew on me. The pair had excellent chemistry from the first chapter but they had to earn their romance. I found the midwifery aspect of the book to be really interesting as it is again something I know very little about in a historical context. I did find Roger’s children rather annoying, especially where they don’t have an equivalent in the fairytale, but that was their purpose in the story. I’ve seen reviews from others complaining about the Yiddish terms and Jewish vocabulary, for the love of god people, hold down the word on your kindle and read the definition or figure it out from context clues. If myself as a Mormon girl from Utah could understand what was going on, so can you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2026
This is the third book in the East End series, but I think it could easily be read as a standalone. This book is a retelling of beauty and the beast. Rebecca is a midwife, plain, outspoken, and in her opinion quite unloveable. At the start of the story a young girl and her cat happen into her workspace and cause an explosion that destroys Rebecca’s home and work. So, the girls’s father Roger must make amends. While her home is being restored, her body is healing, and she is unable to work and earn money, she stays with Roger. That would be alright, except for the fact that they dislike each other, and also engaged in a tryst at a party about a year ago which they both regret. Roger is all about status and social climbing, and Rebecca is the absolute opposite of that. And matters get even more complicated when a prominent man proposes Roger get engaged to his daughter. This was a sweet romance with two likable characters and a satisfying ending. I look forward to seeing what fairy tale the author will tell next! I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first historical romance and I enjoyed it very much. Dearest Beast pulled me from the start, mostly because of Fannie. Her vocabulary is wild and she has some absolute zingers — especially when Rebecca first moves in after everything that went down at Rebecca’s house. She’s sharp and funny for still being a kid.
Rebecca and Roger were another highlight for me. Their chemistry starts right away — it’s two stubborn people who challenge each other at every turn, and that’s what makes it work. Watching them navigate their past and their responsibilities while trying (and failing) to ignore their feelings was really satisfying.
For someone new to the genre, I appreciated the historical setting and the interesting job that Rebecca held and how different being a midwife is from now. The characters are the heart of this book. They are messy, smart, and trying their best — which is my favorite kind of romance.
Give me more historical romances please.
Netgalley ARC Review
Rebecca and Roger were another highlight for me. Their chemistry starts right away — it’s two stubborn people who challenge each other at every turn, and that’s what makes it work. Watching them navigate their past and their responsibilities while trying (and failing) to ignore their feelings was really satisfying.
For someone new to the genre, I appreciated the historical setting and the interesting job that Rebecca held and how different being a midwife is from now. The characters are the heart of this book. They are messy, smart, and trying their best — which is my favorite kind of romance.
Give me more historical romances please.
Netgalley ARC Review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If Felicia Grossman writes it, I'm going to read it. Felicia's writing is so well done, and I always feel she captures the setting beautifully. The depiction of the 1830's London Jewish community is so interesting, and I liked seeing the customs and traditions. While this does give Beauty and the Beast vibes, I also got Sound of Music energy throughout the story. In this one, the characters really take it to the next level. The chemistry and passion between Roger and Rebecca were apparent from the very start, and that never went away for me. Their verbal sparring and banter had me yelling, and I genuinely couldn't get enough. I also liked that Rebecca was an independent working woman. Her midwifery was cool to learn about, and I loved how that was woven in. This book was just so so good, and I'm honestly obsessed with the series. I can't wait to see what Felicia does next! Thank you to Forever for sending me an ARC to read and review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My first Felicia Grossman and I so enjoyed it! I am not usually a historical fiction girlie, but I am a big fan of Jewish protagonists, and the Jewish history lens really made this enjoyable for me! That said, it also needed some good characters and a lot of heart to capture me, and it had that. I loved both protagonists and the MMC's kids. I also don't always love a direct fairytale retelling, but this one was delightful - enough references to Disney's Beauty and the Beast to give a nod to the fairytale without just entirely replicating the characters. May have started with the third book in the series but now I can't wait to go back and read about the love stories of some of the side characters in this one!
My first Felicia Grossman and I so enjoyed it! I am not usually a historical fiction girlie, but I am a big fan of Jewish protagonists, and the Jewish history lens really made this enjoyable for me! That said, it also needed some good characters and a lot of heart to capture me, and it had that. I loved both protagonists and the MMC's kids. I also don't always love a direct fairytale retelling, but this one was delightful - enough references to Disney's Beauty and the Beast to give a nod to the fairytale without just entirely replicating the characters. May have started with the third book in the series but now I can't wait to go back and read about the love stories of some of the side characters in this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely adored this latest work from Felicia Grossman, and it has encouraged me to check out her other novels! While this book is technically the third in a series, they all seem to be standalones and the series comes from the setting (Jewish characters in Regency England) and the theme (retellings of classic fairytales with new settings, less magic, and a whole lot more steam!).
This book shined with the witty banter and portrayal of the characters, and it was so refreshing to read Jewish characters in a historical setting, especially at this point in time. I really liked how both main and side characters were richly portrayed rather than being reduced to romance tropes, which is not easy to do in a (relatively) short novel. If you're looking for a good historical romance in a setting that is far too under-explored, you would be well-served by Dearest Beast!
This book shined with the witty banter and portrayal of the characters, and it was so refreshing to read Jewish characters in a historical setting, especially at this point in time. I really liked how both main and side characters were richly portrayed rather than being reduced to romance tropes, which is not easy to do in a (relatively) short novel. If you're looking for a good historical romance in a setting that is far too under-explored, you would be well-served by Dearest Beast!
Read
May 28, 2026DNFed at 10%
From the outset of the prologue I feel like I was soured regarding the FMC by how she not once, but multiple times (before 4%) refers to a character as “slow” which to me as a reader feels offensive.
“Was the man a complete dunce? Possible. There was logic to the idea that he was a touch slow…”
“Unless, again, he was truly foolish. To be fair, most people, especially those of his ilk, were. Or if they weren’t originally, their brain had atrophied enough that the result was the same.”
“Apparently, he was not quite so dim.”
I get that she is extremely intelligent and has worked hard to achieve what she has in her field of medicine and midwifery. I just didn’t like the references to another character based off their perceived intellect. So it took me out of the story and I found I could not continue after reaching mid way through chapter 2.
I was gifted an eARC.
From the outset of the prologue I feel like I was soured regarding the FMC by how she not once, but multiple times (before 4%) refers to a character as “slow” which to me as a reader feels offensive.
“Was the man a complete dunce? Possible. There was logic to the idea that he was a touch slow…”
“Unless, again, he was truly foolish. To be fair, most people, especially those of his ilk, were. Or if they weren’t originally, their brain had atrophied enough that the result was the same.”
“Apparently, he was not quite so dim.”
I get that she is extremely intelligent and has worked hard to achieve what she has in her field of medicine and midwifery. I just didn’t like the references to another character based off their perceived intellect. So it took me out of the story and I found I could not continue after reaching mid way through chapter 2.
I was gifted an eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Despite an unhappy first marriage, Roger Berab always took pride in being a good father. When his daughter's reckless behaviour, however, damages both their neighbour and her home, he's forced to reconsider. To pay reparations, he agrees to provide lodgings until the repairs are complete. Unfortunately for Roger, the victim is the same woman with whom he foolishly once shared a night of passion and then scorned for her lack of status. With her sharp tongue and disdain for fashion, Rebecca Adler is not exactly a community darling. What she does have, however, are her skills at midwifery. That is, until she injures herself saving Roger Berab's daughter.
I’m on the fence with this book, I liked the blurb but the novel failed to deliver. I just couldn’t like either Roger nor Rebecca & I did consider not finishing it, so I put it to one side & kept going back to it until I did finish it. I did enjoy delving into the Jewish community, thank you for the glossary of terms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
I’m on the fence with this book, I liked the blurb but the novel failed to deliver. I just couldn’t like either Roger nor Rebecca & I did consider not finishing it, so I put it to one side & kept going back to it until I did finish it. I did enjoy delving into the Jewish community, thank you for the glossary of terms.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another fun entry in the "Once Upon the East End" series. Grossman does a good job at sprinkling just enough references to the fairy tales upon which these are loosely based without letting them distract from the story (nor be inaccessible to anyone who is not a fan of the original fairy tale). I also appreciate reading historical fiction with Jewish main characters that don't necessarily take place in time periods and locations that folks don't necessarily associate with Jewish history (in this case, the Regency period). Fans of the previous two books in the series will be delighted that the couples from both make more than just token appearances here. Recommended for anyone who likes historical romance and some steamy scenes.
Thank-you to Netgalley and Hachette for an advanced reader copy.
Thank-you to Netgalley and Hachette for an advanced reader copy.
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