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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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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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 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!
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
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.
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
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
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
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 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 received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. First if you know nothing about Judaism you are going to need a dictionary to understand what is going on. I had some background to go on but this was a really hard for me to understand. The story was okay but it dragged on for me because a lot of it was about stuff I knew little to nothing about. I think I was expecting the book to be about Judaism but it was such an integral part of the book that it overshadowed the relationships in the book for me. Then when I got to the end and there was a dictionary I was disappointed it wasn't at the beginning it would have made it a little bit easier.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Felicia Grossman somehow always writes exactly the book I need to read precisely when I need to read it. This is her third installment in the Once Upon the East End series, which feature Jewish retellings of fairytales set in the East End of London in the 1830s. I am not a big fairytale person, but I love Jewish historical romance and I've enjoyed every book in this series so far. Dearest Beast, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, takes place in the same community as the prior two books in the series and features Rebecca and Roger, who we first meet in the earlier books. I loved the progression of their relationship, but what really shone here for me was Roger's transformation throughout the book. He is caught between his desire to be a community leader who is respected by Gentile society and the importance of maintaining Jewish traditions and customs, particularly as he raises his two young children on his own. Grossman thoroughly immerses the reader in this Jewish world, which is suffused with references to the realities of Jewish life in the East End in the 1830s.
There are some references to plot points that occurred in Marry Me by Midnight, but I don't think it's strictly necessary to have read it before delving into Dearest Beast. I do think that readers would have a better understanding of the dynamics of the historical Jewish community if they read the other books beforehand, but there is also ample back matter explaining the historical realities and references in the book. 5 stars!
Thank you so much to Forever and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There are some references to plot points that occurred in Marry Me by Midnight, but I don't think it's strictly necessary to have read it before delving into Dearest Beast. I do think that readers would have a better understanding of the dynamics of the historical Jewish community if they read the other books beforehand, but there is also ample back matter explaining the historical realities and references in the book. 5 stars!
Thank you so much to Forever and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this book on netgalley. This book was hard for me to follow as I didn't understand their customs. A lot of it didn't make sense until I read the glossary as such after it ended.
The part I enjoyed was the humor and straight talk. This book was just not for me.
The part I enjoyed was the humor and straight talk. This book was just not for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Felicia Grossman is a genius and I loved this book so much! I was so excited for Rebecca’s book after getting to know her character in the previous installments and it was everything I wanted and more!
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February 21, 2026I received a NetGalley widget from Dana at Forever today.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the banter between Rebecca and Roger. But sometimes the book drag in certain areas. I thought there should be little more to ending. But I would definitely check out this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to netgalley for the copy.
Sadly the story didn't keep me engaged. It was a struggle to want to read it. I DNFed it at 67%
Sadly the story didn't keep me engaged. It was a struggle to want to read it. I DNFed it at 67%
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April 30, 2026With thanks to Hachette/Edelweiss for the ARC
April 19, 2026
Felicia Grossman’s Dearest Beast serves as a truly magnificent conclusion to her Once Upon The East End series. The story follows Roger Berab and Rebecca Adler—classic "enemies-to-lovers" who are polar opposites in every way, yet find themselves completely unable to stay apart.
The spark is ignited (literally) after a one-night stand they both intended to bury in the past. When Roger’s nine-year-old daughter, Fannie, accidentally causes an explosion and fire at Rebecca’s house, Rebecca is forced to move into Roger’s home.
Why This Story Shines:
Fannie Berab is quite possibly the most precocious and scene-stealing nine-year-old in literature. Her dialogue is sharp, hilarious, and provides some of the book's best moments.
The chemistry between Roger and Rebecca is "absolute perfection," balanced by witty banter and a healthy dose of "shtupping."
From the rich setting to the multi-layered character arcs, every element feels intentional and immersive.
The physical tension and payoff are expertly handled, adding heat to the emotional weight of the story.
I found myself intentionally slowing my reading pace, desperate to savor every chapter before the series came to a close. While I’m thrilled I received an early copy via NetGalley, I’m still keeping my pre-order for June this is a story worth owning. If only I could wipe my memory and experience this entire series for the first time all over again.
The spark is ignited (literally) after a one-night stand they both intended to bury in the past. When Roger’s nine-year-old daughter, Fannie, accidentally causes an explosion and fire at Rebecca’s house, Rebecca is forced to move into Roger’s home.
Why This Story Shines:
Fannie Berab is quite possibly the most precocious and scene-stealing nine-year-old in literature. Her dialogue is sharp, hilarious, and provides some of the book's best moments.
The chemistry between Roger and Rebecca is "absolute perfection," balanced by witty banter and a healthy dose of "shtupping."
From the rich setting to the multi-layered character arcs, every element feels intentional and immersive.
The physical tension and payoff are expertly handled, adding heat to the emotional weight of the story.
I found myself intentionally slowing my reading pace, desperate to savor every chapter before the series came to a close. While I’m thrilled I received an early copy via NetGalley, I’m still keeping my pre-order for June this is a story worth owning. If only I could wipe my memory and experience this entire series for the first time all over again.
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