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Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1

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Фінлі зі своєю сім’єю живе в селищі на краю зачарованого королівства. Його підданих поступово накриває хвороба, ліків від якої не існує... Майже. Фінлі винайшла спосіб урятувати батька. Для цього потрібно вночі зібрати вічнолист, який росте тільки в Забороненому лісі. Лише ця рослина може сповільнити дію прокляття. Дівчина навчилася майстерно робити з неї трунки, однак щоб зібрати бодай трохи вічнолисту, потрібно порушити закон. Підданим королівства суворо заборонено навідуватися туди, чаклувати й обертатися на тварин, як колись. І все через угоду між покійним королем і демоном.

Фінлі наважилася порушити заборону і стала бранкою в замку Звіра. Хто він і що ним керує? Дівчина може спробувати врятувати його й усе забуте королівство, правителі якого поринули в розпусту, — для цього вона має приборкати монстра у Звірові. Та чи зможе Фінлі протистояти потужній пристрасті? І що вибере, коли доведеться вирішувати, на чиєму боці залишитися?

384 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2021

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104771 people want to read

About the author

K.F. Breene

120 books14.4k followers
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K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,517 reviews
Profile Image for aly ☆彡 (on vacation).
427 reviews1,702 followers
August 1, 2025
Anyone would say "Beauty and the Beast" and I know I would read it in a beat. This book sounds so promising with enemies to lovers, anti-hero accompanied by dark and spicy shapeshifter concept. The book started great and it was an easy and fast read for me. I know I would love this one.

Sadly, this doesn't last long as I started to find the writing juvenile and it does not align with the adult characters, making it quite hard to read. I couldn't take the immaturity. The world-building was a bit messy (I'm giving the benefit of the doubt since this is a first book to the series which may explain why) and the plot was barely existent except for the general concept you'll get from a B&tB retelling. I was bored half through because it later delved into erotic scenes that bring nothing to the plot development.

I was also expecting a different kind of story given the summary but the storyline be a different kettle of fish. The romance was off (I blame the insta-lust) and the characters dynamic fell flat. A thing that might appeal readers would probably be the snarky sense of humour in the dialogues but I find the crude language overbearing. I'm all for excessive language or sex whatever, but please at cross purposes. This book was all just dirty talks and sex but no build-up.

I was surprised to see the high ratings this book has because frankly speaking, it was kinda horrible. I don't think I was being a prude by saying this but in a sense, I get that the right audience would enjoy this. All bad talk aside, since the story didn't end with the curse being broken, I still kind of find myself intrigued with how the story would unfold in the next book.

UPDATE:
Just maybe, I am not really intrigued anymore. Life's too short to spare for books you don't even like LMAO
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Penny Reid.
Author 92 books22.4k followers
August 19, 2021
I just thoroughly enjoyed the ever living hell out of this book.
A Beauty and the Beast retelling (beginning) that was snarky, irreverent, poignant, adventurous, fun, and completely unputdownable. I didn't eat lunch or dinner today, I couldn't spare the time.

Our heroine is Finley, and she is hilarious. All parts* of her are funny. But not as hilarious as the thin mustached butler, Hadriel. Once you read it, you'll understand.

Nyfain is our hero and he is confusing. He runs hot and cold and is just really confusing. I can only assume this is because of so I'm willing to forgive his hot and cold whiplash.

The world mythology was super interesting and easy to follow; I especially enjoyed the creativity surrounding the everlass (sp?) plants, that was super cool.

There's also a bit of but I also found that addition to be a great/cool twist on the fairy tale.

My point is, I loved this book. It was SO FRICKEN FUN and I found myself chuckling out loud like I was reading a romcom. And then tensing and biting my nails like I was reading a romantic suspense. And then swooning because these two have explosive chemistry. Just . . yaaas. It's good. The good stuff. On the top shelf.

Treat yourself. Go get it.
Profile Image for alka .
211 reviews554 followers
November 15, 2021
how was the female main getting wet down there every time the H uttered a word when i was sitting here NUMB the whole time while listening to the audiobook??? either i need a therapist or our homegirl needs a gynaec.

stat.
Profile Image for Lucie V..
1,219 reviews3,642 followers
January 25, 2022
✅ Beauty and the Beast retelling (but much spicier and kinkier)
✅ Smut
✅ Funny
✅ Strong heroine
✅ Pace
🆗✅ Intrigue
❗️❗️ Explicit sexual scenes

❗️❗️ Also, there is some explicit (sexual) language in the quotes included in this review

“You’ll need that fire before the end. Mark my words, princess, before this is all over, I will ruin you.”


Wow, this book was funny and entertaining! And such a quick read, it was exactly what I needed today! Honestly, I had no idea I was nearing the end, I was so engrossed in this story, I just thought my Kindle stopped working when I reached the last page of the book…

Our mad king had used the demon king’s sly magic to settle a personal grudge, and we were all suffering the consequences. Actually, he wasn’t. He’d died and left us to rot. What a peach. They hadn’t said what he’d died from, but I hoped it was gangrene of the dick.


Finley is a shifter, living in a shifter village with her shifter family… Or what is left of her family after the Demon King’s curse made almost everyone sick. Because of the curse, shifter can’t access their animal side anymore, and the dragons who were ruling the lands and tasked with protecting its people are no longer there. Even worse, nasty demons and horrifying creatures have taken over the kingdom and are even entering the villages. Finley tries her best to survive and help her village, but that means entering the forbidden forest and taking some plants to brew herbal remedies. When she gets caught by The Beast of the wood, she is forced to go live with him in the castle as a punishment for her thieving (but let’s face it, it’s just an excuse the Beast found to keep her because he found her attractive and intriguing).

“Don’t take any chances,” Hannon said. “If you see the beast, get out of there.”
“If I see the beast, I’ll probably piss myself.”
“Fine. But do it as you’re running.”


As in The Chosen series, the main character is a kick-ass strong, resilient, and snarky heroine who does not need saving does not take shit from anyone, and has a rather foul mouth when she’s pissed. This book also has the same mix of the serious plot but with funny and sometimes absurd bits of conversations and I went from being hot all over because of the sexual tension and smut to laughing out loud because of some silly interactions between Finley and other characters. Hadriel was a particularly funny secondary character and he made me smile and laugh more than once.

I jumped. My pocketknife tumbled from my fingers. Fuck! I dropped the fucking knife.
Hold on to your dicks, folks, this is about to get hairy.


I find it funny how Finley talks to herself and to imaginary people when she’s in a dire situation. It’s as if she’s imagining a whole crowd with her and she’s talking to them whenever she’s feeling nervous or afraid, or when she’s under a lot of pressure.

“You read too much.”
“Is there such a thing?”


Oh, and she’s also a bookworm, which gives her extra awesomeness points.

She sounded like me, only surlier. I doubted my personality needed more salt, but here we were.

Fuck nice. I have a dark and damning need for that alpha. I want to take a running leap, wrap my legs around his head, and force-feed him my pussy. This bitch needs some cock. Wham, bam, call me ma’am.

Great goddess. What the hell kind of creature did I have inside of me?


Things only get more interesting and even funnier once Finley finally gets in touch with her shifter side and can communicate with her very sarcastic and horny animal, while keeping on talking to her imaginary folks whenever she’s afraid… She had a whole party going on inside her head.

Zombies better not be real, folks, or I’m going to have nightmares for the rest of my life.
I’m getting concerned about who you think you are talking to, my animal thought, pumping power through me.


Nyfain (aka The Beast) is one confusing man. He is hot and sexy, is obviously attracted to Finley, but pushes her away every time something happens or almost happens between them. He is in the middle of the curse and it seems that only he might have a chance at destroying it, but at the same time, we really don’t have much information about the curse so it all remains quite mysterious.

So much for staying away from Nyfain. I just hoped the next meeting didn’t end up with my tit in his mouth.


The angst and banter between Nyfain and Fin was super fun (but vulgar sometimes) to read, and the sexual tension between them was undeniable and soooooo good.


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Profile Image for Nikki Salvatore.
32 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2021
Excellent cover, similar to Sarah J Maas, and a beauty and the beast retelling. Quite frankly a recipe for success but unfortunately it falls flat.

I realize there is a niche for BATB retellings and making the stories geared towards adults is fantastic. The problem that I have with this book is I didn’t know wether to laugh or grimace.

My best rendition for a summary is as follows:

Girl is sassy and makes things.
Girl likes to say FUCK a lot. Book could be set in the past/future/ both???? There was electricity before the curse. Girl meets beast. Beast takes girl. (Insert use of word PUSSY in awkward scenes randomly for the rest of the book) beast wears jeans???? Demons gang banging. Amusing conversations of buttholes commence. Beast is nice guy who likes to garden. Repetitive butthole conversing. Unfortunately plot disappears. Beast leaves. End of book 1.

I would not be surprised if this book was written as a bet. There’s no gradual organic trust developing between the characters. I just have no idea what I even read.


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for astarion's bhaal babe (wingspan matters).
901 reviews4,976 followers
January 8, 2023
"I want to be known for what I do, not how I look. I want to be praised for my achievements. But in this village, I feel like all I am is pretty and full of flaws. I just...I just want something more, I guess."
"You will have it, " he whispered, and I could tell his strenght was failing him. He needed sleep. "You were meant for great things, Finley. Things this kingdom cannot provide you. One day you will see a crack in your cage, and you will fly."



Of course I've read this for the plot


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🌹𝗔 𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗕𝗬 - 𝗞.𝗙. 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗘🌹
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅰️/🅽🅰
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈, 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴, 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂, 𝚃𝙾𝚄𝙲𝙷 𝚇 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚈𝙾𝚄 𝙳𝙸𝙴, 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄, 𝙰𝙶𝙴 𝙶𝙰𝙿
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥/5
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜/5 (𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙾𝙺𝙰𝚈)
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: 💀/5
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: 🔥🔥/5 (𝙻𝙾𝚃𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝙸𝙽𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚅𝚈 𝙿𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶. 𝙽𝙾 𝙰𝙲𝚃𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙴𝚇 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙼𝙲𝚂. 𝙸𝙽𝙲𝚄𝙱𝚄𝚂/𝚂𝚄𝙲𝙲𝚄𝙱𝚄𝚂 𝙳𝚈𝙽𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙲𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙰𝙻𝙻 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙴𝚂 𝚆𝙸𝚃𝙷)
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐🤐🤐/5 (𝙾𝚁𝙶𝙸𝙴𝚂, 𝙾𝚁𝙶𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚈𝚆𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴. 𝙲𝚄𝚁𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶, 𝙼𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴,)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🌹🌹/5
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/5 (𝙲𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙸𝚅𝙸𝚃𝚈)
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Jokes aside, I didn't know what to expect when I started this, so it's not like it let me down, or anything; I am a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this one wasn't a bad one.
I mainly picked it up because I've read City of Thorns and found it a little cringy, and someone in the comments said it reminded them of this book.
It's, in fact, very similar, but A Ruin of Roses is a little more entertaining, over the top, absurd, and the writing is super funny.
Finley, the main character, says and does a lot of things that made me laugh out loud, but at the same time I found the whole cussing thing a little too underwhelming.
I also couldn't understand in what time period this book takes place.
The smut was very prominent, but at the same time, the two main characters never actually do it. They do a lot of the rest, though, and the side characters go at it very often and in very colorful ways, so...I wouldn't say the smut was disappointing. Just...very kinky and explicit.
Speaking of this, I appreciated how emancipated and sexually open the main character was. I wouldn't say it ws peak feminism, but I felt like it was a good change against the purity culture some books seem to praise.
I really liked both the main characters and some of the side characters as well; like I said, I had fun, even if the book felt more like a self-indulgent fanfiction, most of the time.
As for the plot, it was okay and fast-paced, but it didn't blow my mind. Romance predictable, but not insta (kinda all of a sudden, to be honest).


🚩𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙱𝙻𝙴𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙲 𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝙴𝚁𝚃!*🚩
*𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍/𝚘𝚛 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌/𝚝𝚘𝚡𝚒𝚌/𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎.
𝙸, 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠, 𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚎𝚍𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚐𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚣𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚛 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎:
-𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢;
-𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎;
-𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚘𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 "𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌" 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔𝚜/𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙𝚜/𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗;
-𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚊 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚂𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺𝚂, 𝚢'𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠?
Profile Image for  Bon.
1,349 reviews198 followers
January 22, 2022
"Damn it, now I was thinking in dad jokes."

"I jumped. My pocketknife tumbled from my fingers. Fuck! I dropped the fucking knife. Hold on to your dicks, folks, this is about to get hairy."

And other similar choice tidbits are why I DNFed this at the speed of light. Even if it was contemporary YA I'd find this writing juvenile at best and absolutely brain-melting at worst, but this...Seems to be set in a medieval kingdom similar to the source material? Sooo...PASS.
Profile Image for C.N. Crawford.
Author 80 books8,762 followers
September 1, 2021
Did I clutch my pearls? Yes. But this book snapped me out of my long book slump with snarky humor and a heroine who was easy to love. As always with K.F. Breene books, the side characters add layers. Nyfain, the brutal dragon-king of the story, is completely intriguing.
5/5
Profile Image for Books_and_Crafts.
471 reviews2,476 followers
September 22, 2021
Not for me, however there is a HUGE audience that this will be for! The author was “let off her leash”

*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book is marketed for fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout and I will disagree with that and say this is more for fans of Flames of Chaos!

This is an NA fantasy beauty and the beast retelling. Normally 100% my favorite type of things to read. However, this was a not so loose interpretation. There was an attempt at making it their own but ultimately had a lot of plot holes.

While this is an 18+ book, the language was unnecessary and vulgar. Completely made me disconnect from the characters. Not my thing, however I know a ton of people who would love the raunchy banter.

There is a ton of tension build up and graphic *scenes* but it never contributed anything to the story. It felt like it was there for shock factor, which if you’re reading it for the smut, then you’re golden.

Unfortunately this one was just not for me.
Profile Image for Em Lost In Books.
1,057 reviews2,274 followers
April 23, 2023
Started really but once beauty was taken into the castle it turned into a childish story. MG books are better than this at telling a story.
Profile Image for ✩ Yaz ✩.
700 reviews3,842 followers
October 23, 2021
2 - ⭐️⭐️

“The past grievances of your village and your brother are erased. I will show them no wrath. Come now. You must pay for your sins.”


A Ruin of Roses is a dark and sexy retelling of the Beauty and the Beast that is spectacularly debauched.

There is plenty of debauchery in this book and while I usually do not mind vulgar language and explicit scenes—this did not deliver what was promised and the premise gave me different expectations.

At first I was wholly immersed, but then as the story progressed I did not like where the story was going and it felt like the erotic scenes were turning to be the focus than the plot. Again, going into the book with different expectations since it read as erotica but wasn't advertised as one you know? Sexy time isn't an issue when it's balanced and there is build-up or atleast it wasn't forcibly shoved into my face.

The writing made it really hard to get into the story. The characters were one-dimensional and world-building wasn't fleshed out much. It made little sense to me.

Not to keep this long, I was excited to read this because of the glowing reviews but I am sadly disappointed.
Profile Image for Paula.
638 reviews35 followers
August 6, 2022
Had to DNF.
I’m not against smut, I love it and I don’t even need for it to make sense or be well written. My standards are low as they can be. Aaaaand still, this book just wasn’t for me. It had a plot, maybe, at the beginning… and enter the dragon boy (with the annoyingly weird name) and all plot was lost. It became pure smut worse than the fanfics I wrote when I was 13.

I liked the feminism at first but then it became over the top and annoying. I am a feminist, I love heroines that call out their love interests for it. But if you complain when he offers to lift a bucket for you and call him anti-feminist for it…….. no.

There is no balance in the story, it goes from straight up sex (out of nowhere) to let-me-sing-for-you-the-song-my-mom-used-to-sing-for-me-when-I-was-a-child and then back to sex.

I like swearing in books but not if all you say is “fuck” every three words or even worse, call every male “dickface” at some point in the story.

I read 63% !!! Because I wanted to give it a chance. I hate giving up on books. This one was too bad.
Sorry.
Profile Image for Marquise.
1,958 reviews1,413 followers
May 6, 2022
Terrible writing, excess of vulgarity, and B&B is twisted beyond recognition. Could've been good erotica in the hands of a more capable writer, but as is, it's not for me and likely not for most fans of fairy tales & retellings either.
Profile Image for nika.
473 reviews373 followers
December 8, 2022
this book should’ve never seen the light of day.
Profile Image for Юля Проліт .
61 reviews910 followers
March 16, 2025
Ну ніколи я не втомлюсь від цих ретелінгів на «Красуню і Чудовисько». А тут ще й оргії.
Profile Image for TJ.
3,282 reviews274 followers
October 15, 2021
1.5/5.0

Wow, this was not at ALL what I thought it would be, nor even what the synopsis promises. I picked it up because I really enjoy Beauty and the Beast retellings, as it has always been a favorite of mine. Usually the original is just the basis for a completely new and creative story. This one, however, is EXACTLY like the original, from the beautiful but quirky poor girl, hunky bully who wants to marry her, beast in the woods, etc. etc…. Right down to the wilting flower hidden away in the castle. The ONLY difference (and it is a whopper) is this entire story is told as extremely low-brow erotic.

All the enchanted people in the castle are cursed every evening until morning to go crazy for sex in every kinky and degraded way imaginable (it’s a curse, you see). But even during the day, our two main protagonists have only one thing on their mind - and explore it in every way possible. The overall story is extremely crass. The language is even more so. In fact, there is really very little actual “story” to the book, riding a very fine line between erotica rather than erotic. It all centers around debauched sexual pleasure.

SO… if that’s what floats your boat - have at it! I guess where my favorite classics are concerned, I’m not amused. In fact, in this instance, I’m outright disgusted. And sadly, I have read and enjoyed so many of this author’s previous books. But, if this is the direction she is going, I think I may have to tap out altogether.
Profile Image for Heather Rainwater-Alvarado.
399 reviews18 followers
August 17, 2021
THIS BOOK IS NC17 – If you’re a Young Adult genre fan – move on. If you’re looking for something dirtier than the standard vanilla romance books, get this book. Don’t forget to pack your pearls – Breene’s new dark fantasy series will lead you through her kingdom of loyalty, darkness, and steam. Just watch out for that kinky dungeon party along the way.

I hated twists of established fairy tales/characters/movies. Until KF Breene wrote one. And I’m sure it’s now ruined me retellings from other authors I also had not read erotica books but naturally Breene’s great at that too. Then again, I’d read a eulogy if she wrote one, but that’s beside the point. I always enjoyed her sex scenes from her other series’ but never realized how most of them were “vanilla” till now. This book is perfect for those looking to experience a little more kink without being TOO erotically adventurous. Yet. But be prepared, I hear the rest of the series will test those boundaries. I loved how the main character, Finley, had never really been adventurous either but given the opportunity, chooses where she might be interested in pushing her line. It’s a powerful “broadening your horizons” story without being overbearing. Don’t get me wrong though. There are plenty of crazy kinky scenes in the castle that the stumbles across. And I’m told we have even more to look forward to in the sequel.

When it comes to the retelling of B&tB, the very basic concepts are there, but are faint enough that it isn’t distracting. You fall into the unique & dark story to find small breadcrumb reminders; but get quickly distracted by the next twist. I really cannot quit raving at how well done AROR is. It’s NOTHING like the original. Which makes it that much more enjoyable. And drives you mad wanting to see/read what could happen next. Fkng masterful is the only way I can describe it. In the best, most erotic way possible.

What stood out to me the most though was how fast and deep (haha pun intended) the plot was developed. Even with all the sexual angst & situations that pepper the story from cover to cover. It really was amazingly done. Nothing felt incomplete plot-wise because of all the time spent on sex, but rather left you wanting more. Although I will say I felt like I needed a shower to wash all the deliciously dirty scenes away from my mind. Possibly after reading them one more time for the road…

Lastly, I was so lost in the developments toward the end of the book that I had no clue I was rapidly approaching the end. I MAY have cursed colorfully aloud when I reached what I realized was the final line in the book. Forget wanting the next book. I need the entire SERIES. NOW.
Profile Image for Sweet and Salty Reviews by DD.
612 reviews239 followers
November 23, 2021
Where to start.....

I can not quite put my finger on it but something was missing for me. At times I felt it was world related but in the end the storyline felt as if something needed to be added. There was moments I was waiting for the other shoe to drop or for a surprise to be revealed or something shocking....but it was not there.

Nyfain is an issue for me for sure. Here we have a MC where his animal side wants Finley with every fiber of its being. On the other hand the human side of Nyfain finds Finley lacking in station, lacking in heritage, just plain lacking. We go from wild sexual encounters to the after effects of him feeling shame for going there with Finley. I mean if I were her I would have walked. It was frustrating.

Finley is an interesting FMC. She has a hard ass side yet this soft side where saving her family and her village are her reasons for living. This hard and soft aspect makes her really draws a reader in. My only thing is I would LOVE to see her walk away from Nyfain verses always being the one left behind.

Solid 3.5 stars for me. Even with my small issues I am excited to start book 2.

Happy reading,
DD💕
Profile Image for Geo Just Reading My Books.
1,481 reviews337 followers
May 25, 2024
O repovestire a basmului "Frumoasa și Bestia" într-o variantă mai modernă, o adaptare fantasy a acestuia, cu puternice accente erotice.
O lectură urmșoară, cu multe pericole la tot pasul, cu un prinț-dragon blestemat și o tânără vindecătoare curajoasă.
Trec prin variate pericole împreună, luptându-se cu atracția ce mocnește între ei.
Din păcate nu se ridică la nivelul așteptărilor în ceea ce privește latura fantasy, fiind doar o încercare nereușită.
Dar ce m-a dezamăgit cu adevărat este faptul că personajele sunt liniare, fărăpersonalitate, aș spune.
Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,659 reviews850 followers
October 21, 2021
A dark fairytale it was not.

The blurb says it is a beauty and the beast retelling, I don't think it was. Just because there was a beast
and a beauty does not make it Beauty and the Beast.

Was it delicious? Oh absolutely. I have read several K. F Breene and I think this is the first one that I've read that was this erotic. I have come to expect a certain level of heat when I'm reading her books so when I started this , I had to pause and make sure it was the same author that I knew.


The storyline was so so, it had a good premise but since this book was overwhelmingly smut it got lost in all of the heat so if you're not into that you have to sift through a lot of it. I liked it especially since it was so unexpected. Can't wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for ❤️Emma Book Lover ❤️.
558 reviews303 followers
October 12, 2021
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🖤Follow me on Instagram for more edits🖤

I loved absolutely everything about this book! I think this is my first 5 stara no doubts this year.
Hold on to your panties ladies, cos this is no Disney vanilla fairytale, instead it comes with a high dose of spicy,dark and ovaries explosions lol plus lots of hilariousness.

We get immersed in this kingdom of shifters cursed and now ruled by demons. I loved the world the author had created, how nobody can shift or feel their animal because of the cursed that has fallen upon them.

The Beauty,Finley, is no princess in need of saving , she is fearless,strong,resilient and would do anything to save her family,even venturing in the Forbidden Wood which is the Beast territory.I

I increased the wattage of my voice. “Who has two fingers, a thumb, and nightly orgasms? This girl. I wouldn’t want to give that up for a boring ride on your tiny dick. Go peddle your shit somewhere else. This pail is full to the brim.”
••••••••••••••••••
“I hear sometimes it’s more work to be a dick than to be a nice guy,” I said softly.
“Do you know from experience?”
“No. For me it’s always been easier to be a dick. Nice people make me nervous.”


The Beast, Nyfain, the last remained standing of the royal court,is a scarred ,tortured with guilt,broody, moody that runs hot and cold most of the time Hero. He can give you headache with his mood swings ,but don't give up on him just yet.

The secondary characters, Hadriel especially, grab a pack of tissues cos that character is gonna make you cry from so much laughing. Simply adorable and hilarious.

For the ones more sensitive, if you survive chapter 5 , Finley being introduced to the castle and Hadriel ,you 're all good, nothing to fear anymore,trust me😅😋😃

Looking forward for the second book since this one ended in a cliff🙁
Profile Image for Eve Reads.
267 reviews201 followers
June 12, 2022
⚠️ Read this for the laughter and the spice, not for the plot. ⚠️

I was incredibly disappointed during the first 20%. I kept thinking this isn't the Queen Breene I've come to know?? The writing was juvenile and the worldbuilding shallow. But then we met Hadriel and Nyfain and suddenly everything seemed worth it. If you're not liking the book after chapter 5, I'd say give up, but if it's starting to spark your interest; hang on tight, because the story is about to get delicious!

This is Beauty and the Beast but with two very horny adults with asshole tendencies. And I'm so here for it.

The latter half of the book had me smiling more than once. I love Finley! She is brutally honest with a kind heart that's full of fire. She reminds me a lot of Reagan from the Fire and Ice trilogy. The side characters are also great. They have very distinct personalities that I hope to see more of. As for Nyfain... I'm just dying to know what's going on in his head. I think the push and pull between him and Finley might get frustrating if it goes on much longer, but that hasn't stopped me from diving into book two already.

How bad is it that I didn't even find this smutty?
Profile Image for JustForkIt.
42 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2021
Possibly one of the worst books I’ve ever read. The story could have been very interesting but the inner monologue removed you from the story, the blatant use of shock value writing when it wasn’t needed…. It just wasn’t good.
Profile Image for Claudia.
821 reviews182 followers
May 13, 2022
Ok how do I review this? This was ridiculous. Take Beauty and the Beast but make it a) smutty b) more smutty c) foul mouthed d) with all the singing furniture becoming horny, stuck-in-a-castle comedic humans instead. And welcome.

I just found this funny and ludicrous in all the right ways. If you don’t think ‘Belle’ walking into the castle to a full out orgy is kind of funny then maybe this isn’t for you. But if that’s amusing, then hello! Join in! THE READING, NOT THE ORGY. Pervert.

Finley is our Belle here who lives in a cursed land of former shape shifters who lost their abilities when the curse came down. It also causes sickness after a while which Finley has managed to find at least a temporary fix for by using plants out in the forbidden woods. She is caught by a Beast and brought back to the castle where she discovers…well an orgy, but also that the curse is weird and effects different areas differently. Whatever. She also discovers the beast is a hot guy who can’t stop carrying her places and that she is, of course, mysteriously drawn to.

Without actually having sex yet, the smut is A+. There is humor throughout and Hadrial (who is supposed to be this books Lumiere) is basically the embodiment of that vine with the guy yelling he is not going to Janet’s fucking baby shower? Hes that guy. I pictured him as that guy the entire time. The plot is kept at a good pace to keep you interested between the steamy (a problem that unfortunately the second book is having right now as I tried to read it).

Overall, I just had fun with this. If crass humor and smut are not your thing then steer far far far away but if the premise intrigues you and the blurb about the author being off her leash doesn’t scare you then go ahead and try it.
Profile Image for Thais • tata.lifepages •.
630 reviews1,051 followers
October 3, 2021
I didn't know I needed a dark and extremely smutty Beauty & the Beast retelling in my life until I read A Ruin of Roses by K. F. Breene. This is an 18+ NA fantasy retelling.

The author brings lots of twists to the story, the connection to the original fairy-tale is there but its loose which makes it completely new. The worldbuilding was completely unexpected for me, full of evil demons and horrifying creatures who have taken over the kingdom and the surrounding villages. The dialogues were shockingly dirty and vulgar, which at first moment had me aghast, but they are also hilarious and soon enough I was all there for it!

Nyfain had me swooning! The angst and banter between Nyfain and Fin was super fun to read, their attraction was undeniable. I really enjoyed Fin as a MC, she's snarky and candid which had me laughing out loud. She's also very independent; she doesn't need a man to save her, she will save her own ass. I am excited to see how her dynamics with Jedrek will play out in the sequel, since Gaston was one of my favorite Beauty & the Beast characters.

I loved the spooky descriptions of the monsters and creatures in the forest, which gave the story a dark atmosphere combined with a sexy undertone. The Beast's castle is completely unexpected; its full of demons who are trying to seduce and break the last remaining inhabitants. I am anxious to see more of the demons roles in the sequel and how they will try to taint Fin.

The book ends in a cliffhanger which has me anxious for the sequel, good thing it comes out already next month because I am dying for it!

Thank you to the author for gifting me an early review copy!
Profile Image for anmol.
193 reviews836 followers
Want to read
January 2, 2023
dnf @ 19%

i literally dont care
Profile Image for Rebecca (life's chaotic catching up).
395 reviews1,510 followers
July 17, 2022
WTF?! That’s basically what I kept repeating throughout this book. This book is CRAZY! That being said I can see how some people may enjoy it for the camp, it’s just not for me. Mainly bc I feel the writer just can’t decide what the book is supposed to be, modern, medieval, and the dialogue!!! Ouch! He literally says “I don’t need to say boo” That was it for me, I’m out.
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