The Botanist and the Beast

by Viola Vines

Sometimes love blooms in the coldest places.

Theo Rhodes supports his family by selling enchanted flowers at the market. When he gets the opportunity to make more money than he has ever dreamed of by escorting a rich girl through the veil, he jumps at the chance.

But quickly the journey goes awry and he crashes into a cursed kingdom. After committing an unforgivable crime, he becomes a ward of the castle and is forced to stay at the ethereal prince’s side.

He plans to escape, but crossing frozen wastelands isn’t easy. Especially not when a vicious beast guards his only way out.

The Botanist and the Beast is a steamy MM reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. It is perfect for readers who like shifters, cursed kingdoms, a prince that bites, and a ward that likes it. Check author’s website for content notes.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Retellings, Magic, Fairy Tales

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

-Queer author writing queer romance books.
-I usually have a content warning/note on the first page if you want to make sure the book's content is for you. You can also check my website.

-Current project: Next book in the world of From Frost to Flame <3

-I only have a Goodreads account to upload my books so you won't really see reviews from me here. You can find my reviews/thoughts on YouTube/Instagram/TikTok or my newsletter

Reviews

[Nala Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read and an incredible work of art

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this story and I absolutely loved these two with their push and pull. I asked for recs for a florist or a flowershop and someone recommended this. Now, this didn't *really* fit but I am a slut for Beauty and the Beast retellings so I already knew I'd love this.

The only thing that niggled was the editing errors with the wrong words used, missing letters, and just plain missing words. I saw it was edited so that was a surprise as I was curious how so many mistakes got past this editor but it is what it is.

I also thought some of the thoughts of the characters were fairly juvenile, especially our lead Theo. It was slightly annoying to see him think something and then go back and explain, in his head, why he was thinking a certain way and how he came to that conclusion.

I really enjoyed this world though and couldn't put it down! I enjoyed Theo learning about who he really was, what the pull he kept feeling was, Sebastian's curse, and finally, seeing the curse be broken. I DIDN'T LIKE THAT THE STATUES REMAINED STATUES. 😭😭

[Viki · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know what? Let's do four stars! I can't completely justify it - I was very happy with the book, just not four stars kind of happy and I really liked the world-building, for a reimagining, this was really innovative and let's not forget the great cast of characters and honestly, also this softness to the whole book so yes, plenty of really good elements should be enough to give this work of art four stars.

Why should you read it? Or the more important question: should you? Is this a book for you? It is worth a shot if you like:
Fantasy settings (the timeframe is very vague, it actually felt close so what I would like to write, this non-explanatory way that just focuses on the story instead of boring you with three pages of exposition just to explain why the world is the way it is)
'exotic' love interest (the original Beast was supposed to be off-putting but I think the author found a nice blend of animal and also dryad-evoking features to make Sebastian striking in an alien, otherworldly way)
Who is both soft and dangerous (because he's a weary prince of a dying kingdom but also a shifter under a curse, best combo)
A headstrong young MC
A forgiving offense (I must say I liked the way the blame was shifted around, maybe it's silly and really the reason Theo had to stay and 'pay' the price and how he did it was half-hearted at best but it means Sebastian was not a jerk who triggered the curse, he father did it and Theo also sacrificed himself in the girl's stead because he was better equipped to handle the possible punishment)
A really... Mellow plot (there is 'action' and stuff happens but it feels very much like giving the love birds the space and time to fall in love and if you can enjoy that, it's great)
Sweet but spicy relationship (the book has tropes I mean trigger warnings but there is a lot of sweetness before and during the spice, which is rare and also sweet in nature, there is talking before kinking and precautions instead of just excuses made for Sebastian's issues so I think even those who aren't necessarily drawn to this particular kink/s will find it nice or at least not offensive)

And probably plenty of things I can't remember at the moment. Suffice to say I like this version of Beauty and the Beast and recommended heartily.

[Iluvlynx · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was all right. There were a lot of distracting grammatical errors, unfortunately (like run-on sentences and missing commas), which took me out of the world quite often and made for a less enjoyable reading experience.

It was a cute book but I felt like the romance actually progressed too quickly. I was expecting more of a enemies-to-lovers trope but I feel like the "enemies" part was quickly surpassed and the feelings bloomed quickly. There were some other parts of the book that fit a little too neatly.

Also, there's mention of knotting and I don't think cats knot... I know it's a fictional story but that was also bothering me that there were inconsistencies with animals.

Overall, it was a cute quick read and I didn't dislike it, but I wouldn't read it again.

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally enjoyable and flowed through the story quite nicely, some things were a little on the nose but it was easy to read.

I liked the setting and the world that they were in and the dynamics between the different characters. Theo was lovely, as was Sebastian although they were quite different, there was a connection there from the start.
I was not a fan on Lyle and I think the dynamic between him and Sebastian felt inconsistent and often odd. However, I liked most of the secondary characters.

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25
Really enjoyed this and will be reading more by Viola.
Well-written fantasy worlds

Quote
. .” Theo’s words evaporated when he felt Sebastian’s big, fluffy tail snake wrapped around him like a thick, warm blanket. The tip brushed his cheek. “Better?” “So much better.” He hugged the tail and nuzzled his face into it. “This may be the softest thing I’ve ever felt in my life.”

NSFW infos
Primal play

[Jennirella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally would have skipped this book if I had read the part of the blurb that says it’s a Beauty and The Beast re-telling but I’m really glad I didn’t because I enjoyed this a lot.

I don’t know if I read an early edition or what, but there were tons of editing mistakes. Once I start seeing them, I start looking for them and it just takes me out of the story a bit.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch Love Bloom

This was a fun read. So much of the fairytale that I love with more pining and angst. Sebastian is just trying to do right by his kingdom under the curse and in stumbles Theo throwing him for a loop. All the twists and turns that Viola wrote were well placed. I do love a happily ever after!

[Jen Bocskor · Rating 4 out of 5]

a beautiful love story

So much happened I don’t know where to start.
I loved this story. It was beautiful, broken, devastating, magical and love. I wasn’t expecting it to be so sad, but it was worth it. The epilogue could use a bit more, but it was a happy ending so that’s what matters.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't bad. If you're a fan of fairytale retellings, shifters and kinky sex, you might enjoy this book.

It wasn't really for me, though. I didn't buy the relationship, the plot mostly seemed to be a set-up for the kink, and the resolution wasn't particularly satisfying.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique Reimagining.

I love to read retelling and reimagining stories of beauty and the beast and this is so unique. There were a few twists and turns along the way which I really enjoyed. A great book.

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Queer romantasy. Lots of good ideas (and a good deal of adaption, i.e. the Beauty and the Beast) but wavers in its commitment and editing. Plot points and backstories are messier than they need to be. The actual romance falls under fated mates but is almost too subtle for our couple to pick up on.

[Rochelle Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did like this book! It was such a fun read and I was so interested, to me it had a perfect balance between silly goofy and deep. Really the only critique I have was the ending seemed rushed, (SPOILER PART) we just kind of jumped to them being a happy family and I kind of just wanted more instead of the jump being so short, I would probably be more ok with it if we got more about them, it just seemed like a rushed way to end the book. It was really good though!

[Stella Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute! It's a spicy quick read with a little bit of angst and a little bit of fluff. :)

[Elise H · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75⭐️

Another retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but make it gay Fae.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 👌

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a SUCKER for beauty and the beast retellings. IT was SO good!!!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars. The world building was great and the added spice was nice ;)

Theo's complicated past and Sebastian's curse made for a good tug and pull of emotions that kept me reading.

[Hazel M Bear · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
The dialogue sometimes seemed odd, sometimes it just didn't flow so great. Relationship was pretty good, they went from not trusting each other to liking and loving each other smoothly.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the twist that this book had to the standard Beauty and the Beast story as well as the path that most other re-tellings take. It has the flair and some of the feel but is its self a wholly new and wonderful tale.

[Di Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great characters and a good read but quite quick in a way felt it could have gone deeper.

[Jazmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was such a good premise and could’ve easily been a four star but it felt like a first draft and nothing flowed together like it should with the spelling errors to boot
i would’ve been sad if i had of spent the money it costs for books here but i’m glad i read it on my kindle