Tragic Beauty

by Beth Peters

The Beast within howled, claws ripping at the shadows that threatened to consume me. Yet I pressed on through the village, following the beacon of light that was her. Bella. A woman I barely knew, and yet was inexplicably drawn to with a desire beyond reason. What magic did she possess to make me defy the curses of my monstrous nature? I had to know. Had to have her. Make her mine, no matter who tried to keep us apart.

So I set forth, hiding myself beneath a cloak, journeying through the gloomy day, to the village bookstore where I knew she'd be. Would she see past the façade? Could she ever love the monster I hid within? I had to try, had to see her again. Feel the power of her light penetrating my darkness. The need consumed me, drove me onward despite the risk. For she was my obsession, my salvation. And I would make her mine.

Revised with a second edit as of August 2025

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2025

Reviews

[Robyn Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always loved a fairytale so was excited for a Beauty and the Beast retelling! It was a new version that used what we already know as a basis but created a story all of its own.

This was fast paced from the get go, jumping straight into the action. This pace continued through the story allowing a lot to happen in 220 pages. The language was beautiful! This for me helped to build those images and connections that can sometimes take double the pages to create! I really enjoyed Beth Peters’ writing style and will definitely read more that she releases!

I do feel that some parts could have been explored more but that’s because I’m a greedy reader😅 I enjoyed the plot and feel that any spice just added to building connections rather than feeling pointless.

All in all a good read!

[Morag Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the very first line it’s not often that you feel the raw intensity of a character’s inner turmoil so vividly, but here, the Beast’s voice is impossible to ignore. The writing is dark, poetic, and deeply emotional, making the reader feel both the hunger of the monster and the fragile hope of redemption through love.
What I enjoyed most is how the story doesn’t just retell a familiar “Beauty and the Beast” theme but dives into the psychology of obsession, desire, and the desperate need for connection. The Beast isn’t just a cursed figure here he’s a man fighting against the shadows of his own nature, clawing toward the light embodied in Bella. It’s haunting, passionate, and surprisingly vulnerable.
The scenes are atmospheric the gloomy village, the shadows, the flicker of light that Bella represents all create a gothic, almost cinematic feel. I could see the cloaked figure walking through the misty streets, torn between hope and damnation.
Bella herself feels like a mystery at this stage, which only adds to the tension. You can’t help but wonder: will she see past the façade? Will love be strong enough to tame the beast within?
This is a book for readers who love dark romance, gothic atmospheres, and characters consumed by passion and inner conflict. It’s Beauty and the Beast reimagined with sharper edges, higher stakes, and a pulse of danger that makes it impossible to stop reading.
I was left with chills and a craving for more. If you enjoy stories that mix fantasy, obsession, and redemption, this one is worth devouring.

[Not Before Mom Has Coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different take on Beauty & the Beast.

What I liked:
The story included magic and curses and set in a country town with a castle all giving it that nostalgic feel.

Bella is innocent but not naive. She’s young and inexperienced but also strong determined.

Aiden is our beast in more ways than one his struggles are very deep and his internal struggle spans decades.

They both save the day in different ways and different moments. Physical strength of a beast versus Mental strength of someone who is a care giver becomes important.

Also a quick read.


What I didn’t like:
It could be repetitive at times, using similar or even the exact same phrases to describe places or feelings.

There were some minor errors which are easily overlooked and sometimes expected with self publish/Indie authors. Things like tense & voice changes. Though these didn’t completely deter me from continuing on as the story was pretty good otherwise.


⭐️- 3.5 stars (rounded up) It’s more true to the original beauty and the best than most retellings. Yet added spice and more angst and removed some of the superfluous details of a children’s fairy tale to make it more grown up.

🌶️ - 2.5 spicy peppers - there are more than one on page spicy scenes that are open door. There are solo scenes and of course couplings. The scenes are short and not highly descriptive but enough to take this way out of the clean romance category.

[Alyssa Biggerstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic Beauty is a dark, seductive reimagining of the classic “Beauty and the Beast” tale, told from the tortured mind of a creature desperate for love—and redemption. This hauntingly lyrical story immerses you in the aching loneliness of a beast cursed by his own monstrous nature, and the magnetic pull of a woman whose mere presence feels like salvation.

The prose is rich with gothic tension, steeped in longing, obsession, and the fragile hope that even the darkest soul might find light. Bella is not just a romantic interest—she’s a symbol of hope, a beacon in the gloom, and the driving force behind the beast’s painful journey back toward humanity. Every word is soaked in yearning, every step toward her filled with danger—not just from the outside world, but from the rage and torment he carries within.

What sets Tragic Beauty apart is its unapologetic exploration of desire, vulnerability, and inner war. The narration grips you like a fever dream, pulling you through shadowed forests and lonely villages, straight into the heart of a creature who dares to reach for something beautiful despite his fear of being unworthy.

For fans of dark romance, tragic antiheroes, and tales where love is both a weapon and a cure, Tragic Beauty is an unforgettable descent into obsession—and the light that might just save it.

[Lorna Bromwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairy tale retellings are a new genre for me, i only know the story from the Disney movie so I was interested to see how this turned out. It took me a while to get into, but the further in I read the more I enjoyed it. I would have loved to have seen more of the back story of the sun and moon witches behind the curse.
The author has a more traditional writing style which complements this dark and spicy fairy tale retelling. Bella's father is an alcoholic, who never recovered from losing Bella's mother during childbirth. Bella yearns to escape her dreary existance and finds refuge in new worlds imagined through books. Aiden was cursed to harbour a beast within by the witch Agnes, only to be released by his true love. His human side longs for connection but the curse brings forward a possessive and angry beast within him. In a moment of weakness, Aiden kidknaps Bella and traps her in his castle. Bella's curiosity gets the better of her and she tries to unravel the mystery of Aiden and the beast. Meanwhile, Bella's father desperately searches the village for her, and Agnes plots to ensure the curse remains unbroken.

Themes
🧹Witches Curse ⏳️Slow Burn
💞Fated Mates ☠️Touch her and die
4️⃣Multiple POV ☀️Grumpy/Sunshine

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Peters delivers a dark and captivating retelling of Beauty and the Beast in Tragic Beauty, weaving together romance, mystery, and a touch of magic. From the start, the story pulls you in with its atmospheric writing and intriguing characters.

Bella’s journey is compelling—she’s seeking escape from a painful past, only to find herself drawn into the life of Aiden, a man cursed in more ways than one. I appreciated the dual points of view, which added depth to both characters and allowed me to connect with their struggles. The chemistry between them was intense, and the tension kept me flipping pages.

I also enjoyed Peters’ traditional writing style, which gave the story a classic fairy tale feel while still adding a modern, spicy twist. However, there were moments that felt a bit repetitive, and at times, I wished Bella had shown more strength earlier in the story. That said, her growth throughout the book was satisfying, making the journey worth it.

Overall, Tragic Beauty is a unique and enchanting retelling that fans of dark fairy tale romances will enjoy. It’s an impressive work from a local author, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more from Beth Peters in the future! So glad to have someone local to me who writes spicy books!

[Jess (aka Pages & Passions) · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, I would like to say that I received this book as an ARC. I’m always thankful for the opportunity to be an ARC reader - it’s not something I take lightly. I know it’s not easy and it takes a lot of courage to put your work out there.

Unfortunately, I don’t have anything positive to report - I didn’t enjoy any part of this book.

Some of the major issues I have with this book:
*While descriptive language is good and important, there was way too much. And the same metaphors were used over and over (within sentences of each other).
*Inconsistent POV: switching between 3rd person to 1st person (within the same chapter/same character) - it was not on purpose
*It’s way too rushed - none of the feelings or events are earned.
*Both main characters constantly alternated between feeling resolution/certainty and then uncertainty - it was exhausting
*Timeline jumps with no explanations
*Very repetitive - characters would repeat the same thoughts over and over
*The last chapter (before Epilogue) ended mid-sentence…not on purpose

There is more but I’ll leave it at that.

I’m so disappointed because I think there was potential in this story - it really just needed to be fully fleshed out and have a good editor.

Sorry, y’all - I can’t recommend this one. 😬

[Luiz Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely consumed me. I’ve read a lot of dark romances, but few capture the internal war between man and monster as powerfully as this one. The Beast’s voice is raw, desperate, and heartbreaking you feel his hunger and his shame in every line.
What struck me most was the way Bella isn’t just a love interest, but a beacon. She embodies hope, light, and the possibility of redemption. The Beast’s obsession with her is both terrifying and tender, and I found myself questioning along with him: could she ever love the monster he hides?
The writing is beautifully gothic cloaked figures in shadowed villages, whispers of curses, the pull of forbidden desire. Every scene felt cinematic, like I was walking the streets with him, cloaked in the same secrecy, sharing his pounding heart.
If you love Beauty and the Beast retellings with a darker edge think obsession, yearning, and dangerous love this book will grip you completely. It’s not just romance; it’s a story of a soul clawing toward salvation.

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

TROPES:
~beauty and the beast retelling
~fated mates
~slow burn
~vcard heroine
~disfigured hero
~forced proximity/kidnapping/captivity

This is my first read by author Beth Peters, and I enjoyed it! I adore beauty and the beast retellings. This one was super cute.

Bella has an alcoholic father and spends her days reading. One day she's venturing out into town and the cursed hero, the beast, sees her. He wants her and takes her. It's a tiny bit of a slow burn but it gets there! Bella is very reluctant but once she learns there's a man behind his beast-y appearance, she gives him a try. It's really sweet. I liked it!

SAFETY:
Virgin/manwhore/celibate: virgin heroine, celibate hero
OM/OW: none
Cheating/sharing: none
Triggers: heroine has an alcoholic and neglectful parent
HEA?: yes! <3

My bookshelves may contain spoilers.

[Chrristie Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this story surprised me with its depth. At first glance, it’s a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but underneath, it reads like a meditation on identity, desire, and redemption.
The Beast is not just cursed by appearance he’s haunted by the shadows within himself. His journey through the village toward Bella isn’t just physical, but symbolic: every step is a fight against despair, every glance at her light a step toward hope.
The tension is palpable: will love save him, or will his darker instincts destroy everything? I loved that this book doesn’t shy away from the messiness of obsession. It acknowledges that love isn’t always safe, and sometimes salvation is as dangerous as damnation.
This is a slow-burn, moody, gothic read that lingers in your mind long after you finish.

[Kylie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved fairy tales since I was a child, which began my love for romance stories. As an adult, I adore and chase after any retellings I’m able to get my hands on. Sprinkle in a touch of darkness, and I am ALL IN. This retelling and twist of Beauty and the Beast was just wonderful. It was a magical combination of nostalgia and captivating. I loved the twists in the story that made it unique to the original fairy tale, especially being inside the mind of the “beast”. I loved that this story was told from alternate points of view.
The author brought a beautiful tale of fate and redemption to page in this all-new poetic tale of magic and darkness.
I am very excited to see what other worlds this author can bring to this all-new series!
4 ⭐️

[kayleighsBookCorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start by saying, Beauty And The Beast is my all time favourite childhood movie, so any retelling of it, I need to read.
Unfortunately , this book didn't really do it for me. It was okay, just felt like it was rushed and therefore didn't really make sense at times.

It was fast paced, and jumped straight into the action, which I liked. Just wish it was a little longer, so more detail could have been added in.

The story follows Aiden (the Beast) and Bella (Belle) on their journey to fall in love and break the curse. It followed the Disney version to a T, but had its own dark twist to it.

Overall, it wasnt a bad story, which is why I give it a 3.5 rating, just felt it needed to be longer for the story to have more of an impact!

[Bobby Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a seductive dive into the psyche of a cursed soul yearning for redemption through love.
The writing is lush and feverish, dripping with a sense of desperate longing that makes the narrator’s journey both tragic and captivating. The beast is not just a creature of fangs and claws it’s a metaphor for self-loathing, alienation, and the overwhelming need to belong. Bella becomes more than just a love interest she’s hope personified, a symbol of everything he believes he can never have.
This book will resonate with anyone who has ever felt unworthy of love but dared to seek it anyway. The prose is poetic and gothic, filled with emotional depth and psychological tension. A darkly romantic, beautifully written gem.

[Robert Evangeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inner voice of the protagonist is powerful raw with anguish and feral desire. You’re pulled into his world, into the tension of trying to be more than the beast he fears he is. The writing style is vivid and immersive, painting a fog-drenched village and the soft beacon of Bella’s light with haunting precision.
The dynamic between the two is compelling: she is unknowingly his salvation, and he is both protector and threat. I loved the way the story teetered between danger and devotion.
I only wish there had been more insight into Bella’s perspective but perhaps that's part of the mystery. A powerful read for fans of dark fantasy romance.

[Tom Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story does something rare it plunges deep into the wounded psyche of a “beast” without ever losing its poetic touch. The narrator’s obsession with Bella is not crude or superficial it’s aching, soulful, and full of restrained intensity.
What struck me most was the tension between the monstrous and the vulnerable. He hides beneath a cloak, both literally and metaphorically, and you feel every heartbeat of risk as he walks toward her. The prose is gorgeous, rich with mood and emotional texture.
This is less a fairy tale and more a spiritual love lament. Gothic romance fans, this one’s for you

[Simmons Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beast within isn’t some external horror; it’s the metaphorical weight of shame, rage, and yearning. The narrator’s voice is electric with need and doubt. Bella doesn’t just attract him—she awakens something he thought was long dead.
The scene at the village bookstore is quiet yet charged, the perfect collision of darkness approaching light. You can feel the stakes rising with every step he takes.
The writing is lyrical without losing emotional clarity. It’s romantic, haunting, and full of soul. This is the kind of story that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt unworthy of love but longed for it anyway.

[Regina Bergen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s something timeless about this story. The narrator’s voice is soaked in longing and pain, yet never self indulgent. His journey to see Bella again is brave and tragic, like a final act of hope from someone who’s lived too long in the shadows.
Bella remains distant yet central she’s the only brightness in a world otherwise consumed by sorrow. The power of this piece lies in its emotional honesty. It’s not just about wanting someone it’s about needing to be seen, understood, loved.
If you love tortured romance, gothic themes, and prose that reads like poetry, don’t skip this.

[Bonney Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more than a tale of a monster seeking love it’s a study in how desperation, hope, and self loathing can coexist inside one haunted body. The narrator is a beautifully tormented figure, rendered with such emotional depth that you ache for him. His need for Bella is more than desire it’s salvation, identity, purpose.
The prose is lush and immersive. Each line carries weight, echoing with both dread and longing. Bella is barely there, and yet she radiates through every sentence.
It’s the kind of story that reads like a secret whispered through a locked door intimate, aching, unforgettable.

[Marah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that lingers. The writing is lyrical and unhinged in the best way, like the author dipped a quill into longing and madness. I couldn’t stop highlighting lines. Every word felt desperate and aching.
The beast's voice is devastating like a creature who never learned how to love gently, only how to need. And Bella… she’s more than a muse or a savior. She’s his mirror and his hope.
Is it toxic? Maybe. Is it beautiful? Absolutely. I will be thinking about this story every time I see fog rolling over rooftops

[Gold Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beast’s desire isn’t simple it’s painful, spiritual, almost sacred. Bella is more than a woman here; she’s the symbol of everything he’s been denied. His need to have her, to be with her, reads like both salvation and damnation.
I was drawn in by the writing’s intensity lush, sorrowful, driven by the ache of unmet need. This isn’t your typical romance. It’s obsessive, haunting, yet somehow tender.
I only wish we had more from Bella’s perspective, but perhaps that mystery is part of the allure. A dark, aching read with emotional depth.

[Levi Charley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is drenched in longing every word feels like it’s reaching out through shadow to find something warm and real. The beast doesn’t see Bella as just a woman she’s light, possibility, everything he thought was lost to him forever.
There’s an almost feverish beauty to the writing. You feel the internal tearing the man warring with the creature, love warring with fear. It’s not about whether he gets the girl; it’s about whether he deserves to try.
Intense, emotional, and mythic in scope. I’d read an entire novel of this voice.

[Jimenez Lethal · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I loved most about this story is how real the beast felt not just in his cursed form, but in his thoughts, his shame, his need. He isn’t looking for rescue; he’s looking for connection, to feel something other than the shadow gnawing at him.
Bella feels like a miracle he’s trying to earn, and that urgency, that drive, gives the story so much emotional fire. The writing has the soul of classic romantic tragedy with a modern emotional edge.
A truly beautiful read that made me ache in the best way.

[Sandra Worre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a dream you can’t shake a cloaked figure, a quiet village, a woman shining like light through a fog. The narrator’s perspective is deeply intimate, torn between craving and self doubt. His need for Bella feels spiritual, not just physical.
There’s a slow-burning tension that pulls you in. The beast’s fear of rejection is so relatable, even as his love borders on obsession. That delicate balance between danger and hope makes the story compelling.
A must-read for lovers of brooding, lyrical fantasy.

[Vincent Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

What grabbed me immediately was the atmosphere dark village, cloaked figure, a cursed soul clutching at hope. The narrator's love for Bella is all consuming, but it’s not predatory. It’s reverent, even desperate. He’s not trying to possess her he’s trying to belong, to feel worthy of something good.
The tension is built beautifully. You feel his dread and desire equally. The prose is stunningly evocative every sentence thrums with emotional urgency.
If you’re drawn to stories of monsters who ache for the light, this one delivers.

[Mahmoud Harold · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story held me captive with its voice so raw, so full of desperation, it nearly trembles off the page. The beast isn’t just a figure of horror; he’s a deeply wounded soul chasing a glimmer of hope in a world that has turned cold and cruel. Bella becomes a beacon not just of desire, but of possibility, of redemption.
The tension between his monstrous identity and his aching humanity is beautifully rendered. The writing evokes classic gothic tones but with a fresh, deeply emotional energy. I was moved, haunted, and completely pulled in.

[Jacob Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely have I read something that captures the emotional turmoil of a cursed soul so vividly. The narrator’s journey through the village is simple in plot but epic in feeling. Every sentence tightens the tension between the desire to be seen and the fear of being exposed.
Bella’s presence is ethereal, distant, powerful. She’s the symbol of everything he thinks he can’t have but still, he walks toward her. That act alone feels mythic.
This is gothic romance at its most lyrical and emotionally raw. A stunning work of character and atmosphere.

[Williamson Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the first line, you know you’re not reading a conventional story. This is a confession, a howl, a prayer. The beast within the narrator is a beautiful metaphor for shame, grief, and the fear of being unlovable.
What makes this powerful is how Bella isn’t some passive damsel or fantasy she’s a light he moves toward with trembling hands. The restraint in the writing, the way the tension simmers just below the surface, is masterful.
If you enjoy emotionally rich, character driven fantasy, this will strike right through your heart.

[Wright Jnr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like the opening chapter of a gothic epic a cursed figure driven by an emotion so raw it tears at him from the inside. The narrator’s need for Bella is portrayed not as lust, but as sacred hunger, something he believes might burn the monster away if he can just get close enough.
The story is both intimate and mythic. The fog, the cloak, the hidden bookstore it’s all painted with such sensual texture that you feel you're there, walking with him through the dread and hope.
Emotionally devastating in the best way. I'd follow this beast through any darkness.

[Amalia Mcrae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories where the narrator’s torment becomes your own. The prose is drenched in darkness, but also trembling with beauty. The beast’s obsession with Bella feels like a cry from the edge of ruin aching, reverent, almost spiritual.
He isn’t hunting her he’s haunted by her. And that’s what makes it so devastating. Bella, radiant and distant, is his last hope for redemption in a world that sees only his curse.
The writing is lyrical and aching, the atmosphere misted in sorrow. It’s not just a love story it’s a tragedy wrapped in hope. I was completely mesmerized.

[Sandra Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a certain kind of magic when you read a story and feel as though you’re intruding on someone’s most intimate confession. That’s what this feels like. The beast isn’t a villain he’s a man who has suffered and lost himself, clinging to the idea that love might still be possible.
His attraction to Bella is steeped in awe and fragility. It’s not about conquest it’s about becoming.
The rich, atmospheric writing carries emotional weight in every line. A melancholic yet tender meditation on what it means to be seen.