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The Beast

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She betrayed him. Now, he’s back to claim everything—including her.

Gabriel Grimm was supposed to be dead.

Once, he was the golden heir—untouchable, unstoppable—until a scandal shattered his world, leaving his name in ruins and his body in a shallow grave. But Gabriel didn’t die. He disappeared, forging himself into something harder, colder, unbreakable. And now, after years in the shadows, he’s ready to take back what was stolen.
Starting with her.

Isabella Hart was everything to him. His love. His salvation. And the woman who stood by while her father destroyed him. Now, she’s at the heart of the empire he’s about to dismantle. But taking down her father isn’t enough. Gabriel wants Bella, too. Ruined. Broken. His.

She swears she wasn’t part of the betrayal. That she fought for him. That the past isn’t what he believes.
But Gabriel stopped believing in love the day he died.

Now, he only believes in vengeance.

Yet every time he touches her, the past comes roaring back. The hunger. The need. The lie he tells himself—that breaking her will make him whole again.

But if he’s wrong, then claiming her won’t be his triumph… it will be his downfall. And her undoing.

The Beast is a vengeful, twisted, and all-consuming billionaire romance featuring a ruthless antihero risen from the dead, an intense enemies-to-lovers battle, a dangerous game of control, and a love that was never meant to survive. This book contains explicit content and is intended for mature readers only.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

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About the author

J. Kenner

189 books10.4k followers
J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over one hundred novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A six time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy) and in 2017 for Wicked Dirty in the same category. Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development as a television show.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Rainelle.
2,250 reviews129 followers
March 31, 2026
Oh man score one for a most exciting read from this author. Gabriel and Bella who the main characters are simply amazing. Not only that but the plot was sublime. Gabriel returning to claim what’s his… Revenge never has been sweeter. The plot motivated the main character to accomplish what he thought would never see fruition.
It was Bella who helped him stay on course. I loved her character. Gabriel knew that he needed a strong woman by his side to accomplish his goals. The story reads at a comfortable pace allowing the readers to familiarize themselves with the background story and the characters. The book was very good.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,365 reviews1,343 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 17, 2026
description
description

Book #3 in the Grimm brothers series.
Gabriel is back from the dead!
We start with Isabella in Atlantic City.
She's about to marry her best childhood friend because their parents want to merge their hotel and casino businesses.
Bella is doing it because it means to finally owning the hotel and the gallery inside it. The gallery she started with Gabe. It's filled with his art.
And suddenly he's back? She grieved for five years and has finally started a little something more with David and now Gabe's back? And he's mad at her?

description

Finally Gabriel's book and he's MAD! He thinks his beloved Bella wanted to kill him. He is so mad and hurt and crazy. He wants revenge. He wants to destroy the Hart hotel empire.

Bella is busy with her friends and Gabe's brothers finding out what happened five years ago. She wants her Gabe back - not this ... Beast!

I liked reading this! It was exciting, mysterious and sparky, sexy, adorable.

It was a bit repetitive here and there - a lot gets repeated, many sentences appear several times. And Bella got on my nerves a bit. She's mad because of all the wrong things and way too long!

But I liked this series - it was really interesting and sexy and so much more. Wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on TV one day!

If you can't click the buy-links
from your phone - click ► HERE!


description
💜 💜


Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog Smokin Hot Book Blog
Profile Image for Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈.
606 reviews324 followers
February 8, 2026
My least favorite book of this series. This is the Beauty and the Beast retelling. It deals with the oldest Grimm brother, Gabriel who supposedly died 5 years before in a cabin fire, but (surprise) is back and on a quest to avenge his attempted murder. He was set up and made to believe that the girl he loved back then, Bella Hart, planned and executed his murder, and the knowledge makes him beast-like in his coldness and firm resolve.
Meanwhile Bella, heiress to a billion dollar casino empire in Atlantic City, has been mourning her loss for five years. When she finds herself face to face with Gabriel she is ecstatic until she realizes that he believes she was responsible.

This one actually started strong and then fizzled out by midway. I liked the journey of overcoming trauma that Gabriel faces but just like the first two books it became repetitive and redundant and suffered from very poor writing, but I also found this one to be unrealistic which made it cheesey. I also have never ever in my life read about more patterns being lazily circled on people's naked bodies. Every single sex scene has at least 4 mentions of this in this one and the previous two. And I think I just got tired of the lazy writing. This one also suffered tremendously in terms of continuity of timelines and consistency of characters. For example, we are told that Bella is 28 and earlier mentions that Gabriel is two years older. Which simple math would say makes him 30. It is mentioned that Bella and Ruby (Leo's wife) went to school together and are the same age, but it is mentioned in book 2 that Leo is 2 years older than Ruby, making him also 30. There are also inconsistencies throughout the three books that I picked up on that ended up not making sense. These things seem trivial but really lessened my enjoyment. Like an editor is desperately needed here.

I also liked Bella the least of all the FMCs in these books. She was bland and predictable and didn't seem to have anything other than looks and kindness to attract Gabriel to her. Belle is one of my favorite heroines in the Grimm fairy tales because of her keen mind and love of books, and I'm a little disappointed that more dynamism wasn't written into Bella's character.

But this was still immensely readable and somewhat entertaining so I fell on 2.5 stars, but I'm kind glad I'm done with this series for awhile.

I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for The Dragon Den Book Blog.
2,994 reviews67 followers
February 18, 2026
ARC Review of The Beast by J. Kenner
* * * * *
A dark mafia style romance with a modern fairy tale twist, filled with bloody betrayal and sweet redemption. Thank you to Netgalley for providing my copy.

Bella lose the man she loved 5 years ago in a cabin fire, no body to be found.
She believed he was lost.
She searched and searched for her lover, but was still fighting to control her life and the things she still had left to protect.
Now she was marrying another man to access her father's business and what was promised to her. Bella was ready for a cold future of money and power...until he crashed right back in.
Gabe.
A ghost.
A tormented and torture man.
A man who she loved and believes betrayed him.
She will do all she can to help Gabe prove her innocence and find those responsible for trying to end him fice years ago, but what will happen when Gabe's spirit of anger breaks and accepts what he has done to her?

I have not yet read the other books of the series, but I very much enjoyed this. Grumpy, obsessive, tortured artist and even more scarred man Gabe. Sharp, blunt and ready to crush you weenie power house Bella who is wanting both her gallery and her father's empty. Good friends and family, others not so much. Intense scenes between out MCs both erotic and angry and sad.
Would definietely give the other books a read and see if anything else comes of this series.
Profile Image for Eloïse van Deutekom.
200 reviews1 follower
April 9, 2026
I love dark romance retellings of Disney stories. I honestly don't know if this book was meant to be a retelling. I don't think so to be honest, because the only things that gave Beauty and the Beast/Disney-vibes was that the FMC is called Bella as a nickname. Which sounds a lot like Belle. The last name of the MMC is Grimm, like the brothers Grimm who wrote most of the fairy tales but those versions were horrific. And lastly Daniel, the best friend of Bella, who apparently loves the movie Beauty and the Beast.

I have to admit it was a little hard for me to get into the book, but once I was in I couldn't stop reading!! I loved Gabriel and he really went to hell and back to be were he is now. Like he actually came back from the dead. So it's not that weird that he wants revenge. He thought that the love of his life tried to kill him, because the woman who did looked exactly like her. It's not that weird to me that he wants to have his revenge on her and does not believe her immediately when she tells him that she didn't do it. The pain from the betrayal he thought happened actually kept him alive.

I'm going to be completely honest and tell you that I don't like Bella one bit. She has no backbone and for some reason she finds it really weird that Gabriel doesn't believe her when she tells him that she wasn't the one who tried to kill him. Like everything leads to her, the woman that shot him looked exactly like her. So it's not that weird that he doesn't believe her when he spends 5 years feeling betrayed and wants to seek revenge. The moment Gabriel wanted to kill her dad, because he tried to kill him and did so much more illegal stuff, she suddenly has a moral compass. She doesn't want to be with him if he gets his revenge. She actually told him to go to the police, even though she knows that the police, judges and more powerful people are controlled by him. But the moment she felt what Gabriel went through and she almost got killed she suddenly had no problem with it and wanted her father dead. Like bitch be so fucking for real.

I was so scared that Daniel would be a bad guy and I was so freaking relieved when I found out that he wasn't. He was actually really sweet and I hope that he will have his own love story. He has loved Bella for years, even when she was in love with the ghost of someone. For me it kinda felt like she used him. She knew that he is in love with her and she isn't over her dead boyfriend but she still sleeps with him. The second she hears her boyfriend is not dead she flees without an explention right after they had sex for the first time. If she actually cared about him she would distance herself from him so he could get over his feelings for her but she refuses to do that.

Overall I really liked the book and I have to admit that you have to be an amazing writer if you can make me dislike a character so much as I disliked Bella, I even liked her father more. This is the first book of the series that I've read, but I'm already looking forward to reading other books written by this author.

My rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,477 reviews210 followers
February 22, 2026
THE BEAST is the third instalment in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS GRIMM dark erotic, romance series focusing on the Grimm Brothers, and very loosely based on fairy tale characters are stories. This is billionaire businessman and artist Gabriel Grimm, and twenty-eight year old business woman and heiress Isabella Hart’s story line. THE BEAST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from first person (Isabella) and third person (Gabriel) THE BEAST focuses on Gabriel’s need for revenge. Five years earlier, Gabriel Grimm was presumed dead in a deadly fire, and in the ensuing time Isabella never stopped searching for the truth. Fast forward to present day, Gabriel Grimm has returned, a hardened and dangerous man, seeking revenge against those he blames for his early demise including the woman with whom he had fallen in love. Gabriel refuses to listen to reason, believing he was set up by our story line heroine, a woman who is struggling to understand what happened and why.

The world building follows Gabriel as he hunts for the truth, taking aim at the people he believes want him to die. Pushing away family and former friends, Gabriel is a one-man killing machine, a man who refuses to accept the innocence of our story line heroine.

The rekindling relationship between Gabriel and Isabella is a lovers to enemies to lovers in the face of betrayal and murder. Isabella is wholly unaware of the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s death, yet Gabriel was up close and personal with the people he believes wanted him to die. As Isabella struggles to make Gabriel see the truth, our hero battle between head and heart, unable to trust the woman he once loved. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative but I continue to dislike the use of a certain four-letter word in my romance story lines.

We are introduced to Isabella’s friend David, and best friend Harper Lang; Gabriel’s saviors Anissa and her father Travis Graves; Isabella’s father, hotelier Sterling Hart, as well as the return of Leo Grimm.

THE BEAST is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, dysfunctional family dynamics, forgiveness and love. The fast paced premise is detailed, edgy and dramatic; the second chance romance is fiery and heated; the characters are broken yet determined and charismatic.


copy supplied for review
Profile Image for Liz.
2,217 reviews15 followers
February 20, 2026
A contemporary twist on Beauty and the Beast, this story follows Gabriel Grimm as he returns from the dead to exact revenge on those he blames for his supposed demise namely his fiancée, Isabella Hart, and her father. Having spent five years hidden away in the shadows, carefully plotting his revenge, Gabriel is determined to see make her pay for her treachery and not even the lingering love he once felt for her is enough to stand in his way.

The Beast is the third book in the Billionaire Brothers Grimm series and had all the elements I would normally love - a darker fairytale retelling and revenge-driven dynamic. But while the story started strong and hooked me early on, it gradually lost momentum. The pacing felt uneven in parts lacking the flow I’ve come to expect from this author, and by the latter half, I found myself struggling to stay with it. While I’ve enjoyed J Kenner’s Stark Security series, unfortunately this book didn’t quite live up to that series. There were parts I enjoyed, and Gabriel was, without a doubt, the highlight. He’s the quintessential anti-hero, brooding, hardened, driven by fury, and fuelled by a thirst for vengeance, yet always in control. Even as you sense the beast simmering just beneath the surface barely contained and ready to strike, especially when it came to Bella. Her perceived betrayal had cut him the deepest and breaking her was his ultimate endgame. Unfortunately, the character of Bella didn’t leave much of an impression feeling bland and one-dimensional as she clung to hope that things could return to the way they were, as if the intervening five years hadn’t happened. As for chemistry, with an enemies-to-lovers setup, I was hoping for explosive tension and emotionally charged encounters, the kind where anger erupts into passion blurring together until you forget everything and everyone but the person in your arms. Instead, their intimate scenes felt more clinical than combustible with no sign of the intensity I expected. I haven’t read the earlier books in this series, and based on this one, I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on much.
Profile Image for Sue Galuska.
1,063 reviews23 followers
February 17, 2026
Isabella Hart is 28 years old and heiress to the Hart Industries. All she longs for is to be out from under her father's control. In order to do that Bella has agreed to marry David Mercer, one of her best friends but not a man she loves. That title will always belong to Gabriel Grimm, the man she lost almost 5 years ago. They never found a body and Bella keeps hoping that Gabriel will show up one day.

Imagine Bella's surprise when she finds out that Gabriel is still alive. She expected a happy reunion except Gabriel had other plans. The people who almost killed him convinced him that it was all Bella and her father's doing and now he's vowed to destroy her and her father just like they tried to do to him. Bella is appalled that Gabriel would think she had anything to do with his attempted murder. Her father she believes could be involved, but not her. Too bad Gabriel has turned himself into The Beast, a strong willed man who learned to use his hands a weapon to make people bend to his will.

Over time Bella is finally able to make Gabriel realize that she had nothing to do with his murder attempt. She wants life to go back to how it was 5 years ago but The Beast lurks in the shadows ready to strike. When it looks like Bella and Gabriel might finally have their happy ending, The Beast shows his ugly head and ruins everything. After overcoming many obstacles and working together Bella and Gabriel can finally have their perfect ending.

I just loved this steamy enemies to lovers story. I loved how Bella stood up to Gabriel even when all she wanted was him. I loved how these two were able to find their way back to each other because together is where they belong.


1,341 reviews16 followers
February 24, 2026
Resurrected from the Dead
He thought she killed him—and now, he’s back to take his revenge. Or is he wrong? Gabriel Grimm watched Isabella pull the trigger. He saw the fire she and her father’s men set, and he was left to die. He remembered her eyes, the secret only she knew about the cabin, and the haunting word she whispered—every detail convinced him she had been there. Now, he has returned, transformed into something darker, harder, a force bent on destruction.
Isabella and Gabriel were in love once, and then everything fell apart. When he reappears, she’s overjoyed—but the man before her is unrecognizable. Cruel, vengeful, and determined to reclaim what was taken from him, Gabriel will stop at nothing. Isabella and Gabriel go from lovers to enemies, which only makes the tension, passion, and emotional stakes all the more compelling. Could they go back to being lovers? What was the truth, and could Gabriel open his eyes in time, or will he close his mind and heart to everything but revenge?
This story is action-packed, twisted, and devastating. The enemies-to-lovers tension, combined with the high stakes and dark psychological twists, keeps the pages turning and your heart racing.
I absolutely loved this one and would recommend it to anyone who craves dark, intense enemies-to-lovers romance, high stakes, and a hero whose obsession and vengeance leave no page unturned.
Profile Image for Ari.
61 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 9, 2026
It’s been a while since I have read a book from this author and I was a little bit unsure as this is part of a series so I didn’t know if I was going to be a bit lost reading this. I am happy to say that wasn’t the case, which let me enjoy this book a lot more.

The Beast is the story of Isabelle and Gabriel, who were very much in love until he dies. So the next five years, Isabelle is left to pick up the pieces of the life she wanted to build with Gabriel until she finds out Gabriel wasn’t dead. And he came back to see revenge against her father and her.

Without getting into details on the spoilers, I have to say I really enjoyed the story. It is a story if grief and pain and suffering and I could relate to both Gabriel and Isabell as both come to terms with everything that happened and all the unsaid things that have been left. I really liked the pace of the book and how the other characters completed the story. However, at some points I found it repetitive as the conflict seemed it has resolved in a chapter then appearing again in the next two. I still enjoyed the book and it was a quick read so I highly recommend it because I literally couldn’t put it down until I finished it.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
1,168 reviews6 followers
February 24, 2026
I was really excited for Gabriel's story. I understand the hurt and anger he felt when he thought Isabella/Bella was in collusion with her father to kill him. I can't believe that for five years, especially after he recovered from his injuries, he never gave her the benefit of the doubt. After his re-emergence, several people attested to her behavior following his "death", details that would have been readily available for him to uncover. Bella was still so in love with him, grateful that he was alive, but hurt by his accusations. I can't believe she forgave him so easily even though she threatened he would be sorry when her innocence was proven. Bella was due to assume the ownership of the family's large casino operations, but her behavior did not reflect that of a professional with that much responsibility. For example, she slept in, lounged around her penthouse, enjoyed leisurely breakfasts with Gabe and/or her friends, spent a lot of time in the art gallery she and Gabe created, and seemed to leave at 5 to enjoy her evening with Gabe.
I liked the fight she exhibited to help Gabe overcome his past demons, and I enjoyed them as a couple, but the details surrounding their individual characters' behaviors detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Profile Image for Maria L.
394 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 1, 2026
4.5⭐ I love this book! It’s a dark re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Where promises are broken, dreams are stolen, the ones who are supposed to love you unconditionally don’t, ghosts come back to life, betrayal hurts more than the loss, trust is re-earned, and love will overcome all.

Bella is still grieving her loss, even after 5 long years of anguish, she’s trying to move on. On the verge of marrying her male best friend, she discovers that Gabe is alive. The love of her life. She’s dreamed of this reunion a thousand times over the past 5 years. But the reception she gets far less joyful than she’s been dreaming it might be. From the dark recesses of pain and feeling of betrayal, Bella clings to a sliver of hope that the Gabe she once knew is still inside the Beast she is facing. How will she coax him out? Can she convince him that she’s not the villain he believes her to be? Will she be able to cage the Beast?

“Many a man has a wild beast within him.”—The Brothers Grimm

Thank you J. Kenner, NetGalley and XpressoReads for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.
Profile Image for Eclectic Review.
1,714 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2026
Second-chance, enemies-to-lovers tropes are intriguing to me. I love the angst, the passion, and the struggle to find love again, and this book gives me that and more!

My first J. Kenner novel revolves around Isabelle and Gabriel, who were madly in love until a tragic turn of events takes Gabriel away. Five years later, Isabelle is still trying to navigate life without him until she finds out that he’s not actually dead, and he’s back for revenge against her father and Isabelle herself.

I won’t reveal the spoilers because readers will want to experience the twists and turns for themselves, but the weight of grief and pain that both Isabelle and Gabriel carry throughout the story is volatile. I found myself deeply enthralled in their struggles as they both grapple with their past, the unsaid words, and the relationship they once had.

The pacing of the book really kept me glued to the pages. It flowed well, and the supporting characters enriched the story further. With that said, I did find some moments a little repetitive. It felt like just when one conflict was resolved, another would appear. But honestly, it didn’t take away much from my overall enjoyment. I was hooked and ended up reading it in one sitting because I seriously couldn’t put it down.

If you’re looking for a captivating read that explores themes of love, loss, and emotional complexity, I highly recommend giving this book a shot.

Thanks to Ms. Kenner for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
123 reviews
March 3, 2026
As always, J Kenner, doesn’t disappoint. The Beast kept me guessing, who was under Sterling Harts thumb. Was relieved that it wasn���t anyone I was thinking it could be.

The horror that Gabriel had to live thru for 5 years, was tortuous, not just for him, but Bella too. Bella mourning him everyday, while waiting to gain control of The Monarch and full credit of her gallery. Entering into a “fake” engagement with David, a bestie and trying to fool her father.

Having Harper be her rock and ear was a blessing, too. Both Harper and David did everything to help Bella. Especially, when Gabriel is discovered to still be alive! His torn and twisted mind still loved Bella, but also hated her. Believing that Bella played a part.

Bella trying to prove that she wasn’t the one who “pulled” the trigger and win back her Gabe. Day by day, is how they had to live.

If you haven’t read Billionaire Brothers Grimm, start with The Tower, The Wolf and end with The Beast. You won’t be disappointed.
Profile Image for stacey bourassa.
44 reviews1 follower
February 22, 2026
The Beast is a dark, emotionally intense romance that dives deep into vulnerability, obsession, and redemption. As part of the Stark world, the novel blends luxury, passion, and psychological depth in a way J. Kenner fans expect.

The story centers on powerful, emotionally scarred characters who must confront their past traumas in order to find real intimacy. The chemistry is electric, the tension constant, and the emotional stakes feel raw and personal. Kenner balances explicit romance with character-driven storytelling, giving readers both heat and heart.

While the angst and intensity may feel heavy at times, it ultimately delivers a satisfying and emotional payoff.

Overall: A steamy, dramatic romance filled with emotional depth and high-stakes passion — perfect for readers who enjoy intense, alpha-hero love stories with a redemptive arc.
Profile Image for Kristie Kieffer.
347 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 16, 2026
🔥 The Beast by J. Kenner is a dark, intoxicating plunge into passion and power. From the first page, the tension between desire and danger grips you, pulling you into a world where control, temptation, and secrets collide. Kenner’s characters are magnetic—flawed, intense, and achingly human—making every choice and every betrayal feel electric.

The chemistry is scorching, the stakes are high, and the pacing keeps you turning pages well into the night. If you love romance with a seductive edge and a protagonist who refuses to be tamed, this book will devour you… in the best way.

💀 Dark, thrilling, and impossible to put down—Kenner proves once again why she’s a master of the intense romance genre.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.4k reviews8 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 16, 2026
The Beast, the third book in the Billionaire Brothers Grimm series. The story follows Isabelle and Gabriel, who were deeply in love until Gabriel's reported death. The narrative captures the next five years of Isabelle picking up the pieces of her life, only to discover that Gabriel is alive and seeking revenge against her and her father. It is a powerful story of grief and suffering. I found myself relating to both characters as they came to terms with their past and the many things left unsaid. I particularly liked the pacing and how the supporting characters rounded out the story. It was a quick, engaging read that I couldn't put down until I finished it. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lee Anne Lane.
1,410 reviews4 followers
March 30, 2026
The Beast

Gabriel Grimm, back from the dead. Not really living and truthfully, barely surviving. He’s more beast than man. He’s going to wipe out everyone that attempted to kill him, including the woman of his dreams and nightmares.


Isabella Sterling. Bella. His Izzy. Gabe is back but he’s not the man she knew. His hatred runs deep and it’s directed at her. Does her Gave exist under all that rage, under The Beast? There are glimpses, but The Beast overshadows the man. She’s lived for years believing him dead, but his return may actually kill her.

Another good addition to the Grimm series. I liked seeing Leo and Ruby in action in this book. It felt better than in the ending of their own story.
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
7,580 reviews70 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 23, 2026
The Beast by J. Kenner published by Oliver Heber Books is the third book in the Billionaire Brothers Grimm. The previous books are The Tower and The Wolf.
For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.

Gabriel Grimm is supposed to be unalive. The former golden heir is now shunned, living in the shadows. And all his anger is directed to Isabella Hart, his true love whom he believes he betrayed him. She sewars she didn't do it, but Gabriel is driven to prove her wrong and get his revenge.
A dark read, an enemies-to-lovers second chances story that packs a punch. Twisty and with an anti-hero extraordinaire.
Profile Image for Sarah Rassool.
82 reviews9 followers
February 17, 2026
I've missed a good billionaire romance and this definitely filled that void. You could feel the pain of the characters in the story that it so rare when it comes to most romances and traumatic scenes. Isabella was grieving throughout this whole book and so was Gabe. Though I don't think Isabella gave Gabe the space to grieve the last five years that he lived and how they ended up where they were. I think there could have been more room for the couple to start over rather than try to get back to what they had because it didn't feel natural and they knew that! Overall, a great read.

If you're a billionaire romance reader, this is a great one to add to your TBR.
209 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2026
Gabriel and Isabella are deeply in love.
When he is found dead, she deeply mourns him for five long horrifically sad years.
Shocked when he is truly found to be alive, she rejoices until she discovers Gabriel thinks she killed him.
He is heartbroken and cold, out for revenge. She is heartbroken that he even believes she could do it.
Each encounter is more painful than the last as they strive to find the truth.
The story draws you in to their emotional story and it will be hard to put the book down until it is finished.
Another Grimm brother in the series and this is a favorite so far even though the others have also been compelling.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.
Profile Image for Hey_She _Reads.
46 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2026
Gabriel Grimm choosing vengeance over tenderness? Absolutely feral. The Beast by J. Kenner is dark, dramatic, and soaked in second-chance angst. It’s a story of love twisted by betrayal, grief sharpened into fury, and two people colliding again when the past is anything but buried. The tension is razor-edged, the emotional confrontations hit hard, and the chemistry burns through every page. This leans more into relationship intensity than suspense, but the angst is addictive and the payoff is worth it. Dark Beauty and the Beast billionaire romance with revenge and heat? Say less. Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
425 reviews
February 20, 2026
This is an amazing story of love turned into hate, destruction and devastation. Gabe should be dead. Isabel's heart has been shattered, not once, but twice. Finding out that Gabe is alive should be the happiest day of her life. It would be, if Gabe didn't want to destroy everything she has worked so hard for. The only thing that kept her going in the worst time of her life. These two must learn to deal with their issues head on and confront their real enemy. I really enjoyed this story about forgiveness.
1,495 reviews14 followers
March 7, 2026
I really liked this book. Gabriel was such a dark hero, so in his head and his one track mindset to revenge was a bit scary. I really felt his dislike for Bella, but I also felt his deep abiding love for her. Isabella deserved better, a better father, a better life, a better man. She is sweet, hurt and feels so deeply that sometimes, I just wanted to give her a hug. The story line itself was fast paced, and you get to see what Gabriel & Isabella went through.

Was this the best boo, probably not, but it worked for me.

#netgalley #TheBeast @oliverherberbooks @jkenner
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,102 reviews12 followers
March 16, 2026
The Beast
By J. Kenner
This book in Billionaire Brothers Grimm

Gabriel, the eldest Grimm brother, thought dead five years ago. But he's back with vengeance as The Beast. Willing to take apart anything in his path to right the wrong done to him. There's only one big problem, everything he believes is based on a lie.

She's mourned the loss of him. And now when she's finally stepping back into the light she's pulled into the darkness to try and bring back the man she lost. Can love overcome the betrayal?

This is an anti hero book. It's dark and the best kind of torment and twists.
Profile Image for simply_readss.
52 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 16, 2026
Wow, so this guy is back from the de@d and he's seeking revenge from the girl he was madly in love with?!!

I absolutely love a second chance romance and this book definitely had me rooting for the MMC, Gabriel, and FMC, Isabella. There's something about a tortured soul MMC that always pulls on my heart strings. Poor guy went through he!! and back and I loved seeing him come out on the other side.

Definitely recommend ✨️✨️
Profile Image for Dark Reader.
677 reviews21 followers
February 17, 2026
This is book 3 in a series and a dark romance - check triggers before reading.

Bella, our FMC, is about to enter a marriage of convenience with her best friend to merge their family's businesses - but then she finds out her love, Gabe, isn't dead - and he's back.

This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and I enjoyed it, but the writing wasn't as strong as other books in the series. I couldn't connect to the characters as well either. It was still enjoyable, but not my favorite.
914 reviews5 followers
February 19, 2026
I enjoyed this installment of the Brothers Grimm series more than book two.

Definitely entertaining with Gabriel's tragic past five years, kept me turning the pages. Although I loved Izzy's character, she started to ware on me with her continued doubt. The relationship between David and Izzy was a bit weird, but added to the storyline. Overall a great addition to read. Looking forward to Harper's book!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
Profile Image for Stef.
58 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2026
[i received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review]

DNF at 40%. I reeeeally wanted to like it. I love spicey fairy tale retellings. But the writing was really not there for me. It was very repetitive and how many times do you use the word "bastard" in everyday life? I found the random placements of quotation marks a bit confusing as well, but that can be fixed before release.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
9,249 reviews176 followers
Review of advance copy
February 12, 2026
From the passion of attraction to the heartache of romance, The Beast is an unpredictable thrill. Kenner dives heart first into a sultry, second chance drama that puts the senses on high alert and emotions on full blast. There's a twist around every corner. Isabella and Gabriel dare the soul to be vulnerable to the beautiful drama of love.
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