For fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Curse So Dark and Lonely comes a new Beauty & the Beast retelling set in a dark and deadly atmosphere, with a slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, and a twisted curse that’ll have you frantically flipping pages to find out what happens next.
Maren’s sole goal in life is to protect her family from their abusive father at all costs.
When she’s kidnapped and ripped away from her life in rural Minnesota, her world shatters.
Thrust into a world of nightmares, Fae, and magic she hadn’t known existed, Maren finds herself desperate to get back to her family.
But the last heir of Eroth claims she can’t leave.
Prince Rhydian Malathar is cursed—and his time is running out.
Maren is the last chance to break the curse entrapping himself and his kingdom.
As the line between friend and foe becomes blurred, an unexpected flame ignites between the two.
Yet nothing about the curse is as it seems, and Rhydian’s secrets have put Maren’s life in grave danger.
Will Maren be able to break the Prince’s curse before the last petal falls? Or will the darkness that consumes Rhydian keep them both bound forever?
I was granted the privilege to alpha read BTF. While her cute rom-coms served as a nice palette cleanser (I’m not a rom-com girl), I was so thrilled that Schneider’s next book was a fantasy. And not only that, but a fairytale retelling, which I and so many others are a sucker for.
If you loved A Court of Thorns & Roses and A Curse So Dark & Lonely, meet your new favorite B&B retelling!
While keeping the beloved elements of Beauty & the Beast, she’s breathed new life into the classic tale with her own fresh take. As usual, Schneider’s story has strong MC’s with plenty of banter and snippets of hope. “…you can find fear in anything. Your choice is whether to accept it or not.” Also, there are several swoony moments with MC’s Maren & Rhydian. And just wait for Nico.
If you love: 🔥 enemies to lovers 🔥 slow burn without spice 🔥 forced proximity 🔥 one tent 🔥 swoony banter 🔥 and so much more
Then you don’t wanna miss out on Beneath the Flames. Available for preorder now on emilyschneiderwrites.com!
A tale as old as time, told in an entirely unique way! Beneath the Flames is such a good Beauty and the Beast retelling. It had plenty of winks to our favorite parts of Beauty and the Beast, but just when you think you know what's going to happen, the author pulls a twist! The romance is palpable, and I so desperately want Maren and Rhydian to have their happy ending.
This book does contain instances of physical abuse that may be triggering. The actual action is brief and not graphic, but the mental impact of abuse is prevalent throughout. Maren is such a strong, brave character.
4.5 stars rounded to 5! I am so excited to see where this story goes!
First I want to say I'm so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read the arc of this book! I was so excited when I saw it pop up in my email, ahhhh.
Okay, the star rating looks low, I know it does, but let me explain!
I LOVED the way this book began. Maren quickly became a favorite character of mine. She was strong in silent ways and I appreciated that the story started off so... normal. And I did enjoy Maren's sass and endless questions toward Rhydian. Honestly, he deserved it. I also found myself connecting the pieces that felt like Beauty and the Beast as this is a retelling of the fairytale. The flower, the CASTLE—I loved it so much. And Nico, oh he was so sweet. I wanted to give him a big hug and protect him from EVERYTHING.
Now, I will be completely honest, I did have a hard time with the situation Maren found herself in. Her reason for being dragged into another world fell flat for me. And I'm afraid the worldbuilding felt like it was lacking as well. It felt like another world, but there was hardly description in many areas, so I couldn't visualize the place.
The curse and the inside look at Rhydian's character also felt... off. I'm not sure if he was supposed to look like the villain from the start, but with his POV involved, it was overshadowed by the need to sympathize with his predicament, even if he had done some things wrong.
Other small probems stuck out to me like an unnecessary repetition of internal thoughts of both Maren's (desire to return home) and Rhydian's (feeling hopeless about breaking the curse) situations when it could've been mentioned maybe twice near to start and lessened later on. And the mystery of the castle and Maren's role were dragged on for at least a few chapters with no clear explanation as if only there for suspense.
All in all, I had a hard time sticking with this book, but it could just mean it wasn't for me. Definitely give this a try if you love fae and/or Beauty and the Beast! I am just one opinion in the crowd.
As a fan of any BATB retelling, I knew I had to read this. It was a fresh take on the tale that was also familiar enough to bring with it fairytale comfort.
I love finding romantasy books that while world building, still allow you to shut your mind off and be sucked into a different world without having to try and keep track of many different fantasy facts and concepts. This book was easy to follow despite its setting outside of Earth. I enjoyed the B&B parallels, but also the differences in the storyline. Knowing how B&B turns out in the end kept me page turning to see how Rhydian and Maren may get their happy ending. The slow burn from hatred so something else growing was beautifully crafted and enhanced by the second impossible task Maren was given to break the curse. I admired the FMCs determination and strength and the dual POV. The story was paced appropriately and I liked that it wasn’t 500+ pages that droned on and on. Definitely recommend the read when wanting to escape from the everyday chaos!
DNF at 22%. Everyone loves a headstrong, snarky FMC in an enemies to lovers romantasy, but I feel like the author missed out on the perfect opportunity to do something different. Maren and her family have been physically abused by her father, which the author makes the point of bringing up constantly, using it as the reason why Maren often acts timid and submissive. But suddenly, around Rhydian, she goes against everything that's been ingrained in her, shooting off her mouth at him at just about every opportunity. It just didn't make sense based on her background.
I was HOOKED the second I started reading. It dove right in to the story. I loved the dual pov. It was so appreciated. Enemies to lovers. Slowburn. Beauty and the beast retelling.
Beneath the Flames is a fun new twist on the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast! This is obviously the first book since it left us on a rude cliffhanger, haha 🫠😉 I audibly gasped out loud when the book ended. Like what do you mean it’s over?! It’s not over. This story is just the beginning! The world building is interesting and unique. We’re in a frozen tundra type location but with rivers of lava and volcanoes. It’s very interesting. I truly love stories where I get to watch the characters fall in love and this was no exception. I can’t wait to be able to continue the story when the next book comes out! This is a clean fantasy romance, no spice. And no foul language either. So if you’re looking for a great clean book recommendation, I would absolutely feel comfortable with my 16 y/o daughter reading this. The author does a great job of introducing side characters just enough to peak our interests and now we need to know how it’s all gonna work out! Thank you to the author for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. TW would include mention of abuse between parent and child, but no descriptive scenes of abuse.
Quotes that I loved:
“There’s no power in darkness other than what you give to it.”
“I assure you, Maren, if I were snuggling you, it would have been much different.”
He held his hands out at his sides. “I am the night, Maren.”
He was quick to respond, his caramel eyes swinging to mine. “Who said you needed to be special to accomplish something difficult?”
This world needs your light, not my darkness.” “Why are you so sure you’re a monster?”
And the final quote is one that I found in the author acknowledgments and I love it — “I hope this story made you feel that way; like love is possible, even in the darkest places.”
Beauty and the beast retold as a Romantasy? Yes! And it works so well. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this timeless classic retelling. I am a huge fan of Emily and her writing. This story is so well thought out and unique to the classic Beauty and the Beast. Karen is kidnapped because she saw too much and desperately wants to get back to her family in order to protect them from a beast only to find herself faced with another cursed beast. Will she be able to break the curse? Read it and find out!
I loved the fantasy aspect of this tale, Dark Fae meets human. The world of Eroth is brought to life by the descriptive writing and the characters are interesting and unique. Nico, Rydian’s servant boy, brings a depth to the story that allows us to see both sides of Maren and Rydian. The ending left me wondering if hearts can truly change.
Great read for the chilly months ahead! Get your copy now!
I ate up the Beauty and the Beast retelling that is Beneath the Flames!
Maren has had a rough life and spends all her energy trying to protect her little brother and sister (and sometimes her mom) from their abusive father. What seems like a typical trip into her small town for supplies turns into a world-changing day (literally). There’s a magical world of fae and other beings that she had no idea about.
Enter Rhydian. He’s the perfect balance of evil fae prince and protector. I loved that throughout the book, he’s battling with himself, having new experiences and ultimately growing.
There were several stressful nail-biting moments, especially the volcano climbs, that kept me turning the pages. I HAD to know how this ended! And also, I want to read all the beauty and the beast retellings now - this got me in the mood!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC! The review expresses my own opinions.
Maren will do anything to protect her family from her abusive father—but when she’s suddenly kidnapped and taken to a mysterious fae realm, she must find a way to survive and return home. When she learns that breaking a powerful curse might be her only way back, she reluctantly agrees to help her captor, Rhydian, in hopes of reuniting with her loved ones.
So, I have thoughts.
This story had a strong start and an intriguing premise. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this one offered a creative take on the story. The setup and concept were interesting, and I especially enjoyed the side characters—Nico, in particular, was an adorable standout, and his relationship with Rhydian added a lot of heart.
That said, I found myself wishing for more depth in the writing and character development. The story relied heavily on telling rather than showing, which made it difficult to fully connect with the characters or feel the chemistry between Maren and Rhydian. The romance, while enemies-to-lovers, didn’t quite build naturally for me—it only really started to come alive toward the end, however, by then, I didn’t believe in the romance. I won’t get started on how I TRULY felt about this “relationship”. Rhydian is also supposed to be morally grey, but this was never backed up with action, only inner thoughts that he had. To me, he was simply grumpy.
I also would have liked more world-building and explanation about the fae realm. Such as why or how is there a separate world, why or how is there a portal, just something to explain to me as to why there’s a separate Fae world, and no one knows about it. It’s such a random concept and it had so much potential. I think expanding on the lore would have made the story even stronger.
I also noticed quite a bit of repetition within and between chapters, which caused the pacing to slow down and made certain sections feel drawn out. Combined with limited world-building, this made the story harder to stay immersed in at times.
Despite some pacing and development issues, I did enjoy the overall story, the ending helped. I’m curious to see how the series continues and how the characters grow in the next installment.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From start to finish, I was hooked! Beneath the Flames is a beautiful retelling of Beauty and the Beast. From the complex characters to incredible world building, Emily Schneider did a fabulous job.
Characters: Maren is the FMC, and boy does she have trauma. Her father is abusive, and she is the only one protecting her family from him. Maren shows strength even when she is afraid, and she finds her voice later in the book. Her sarcasm is so relatable, and I love her wit. Rhydian is the MMC. He's extremely mysterious, and doesn't know how to express feelings. The description of him is amazing(aka he would definitely have won me over with his looks). He seems grouchy with everyone except Nico, who he has such a soft spot for. Nico is such fun side character! He's dealt with a lot of pain in his short lifetime, and yet he is still a kind boy. I loved how protective he was of Maren.
I thought the world building was good, and I think there could be a lot to build on in the sequel. I loved the idea of four fae realms with different seasons for each. I read this during the winter, so the icy chill in the book felt extra real❄️ I will say though, I felt like it jumped very quickly to Eroth from Minnesota. But that is a very minor complaint. I loved the little detail where Rhydian shows Maren the library. I loved that in the Disney movie. If a guy gave me an entire library😍 I kind of saw the plot twist at the end coming, but it still shocked me🫢
I'm excited to see where book two takes the story, and I would highly recommend!
Spice🌶️: 2/10 Profanity🤬: 0/10 ( think there may have been one very mild word) Violence🗡️:3/10
What drew me in first wasn’t the magic or the romance it was the chaos of Maren’s world. The fragile balance between protecting her family and surviving the constant tension around her felt so real that it hurt a little to read. You can feel the exhaustion in her choices, the fear in every quiet moment, and the fire that keeps her moving forward. That tension builds early and never lets up, simmering until it finally bursts.
Emily Schneider builds a world that feels alive, both cruel and heartbreakingly familiar. It’s layered with family turmoil, secrets, and small-town danger that all spiral into something bigger than any of them can control. It’s a setting that breathes—part fantasy, part raw human emotion, and you can’t help but get pulled under.
There’s a clear echo of Beauty and the Beast woven through this story, but it’s not the kind you already know. This isn’t a fairytale softened by love; it’s one reforged in pain, trust, and choice. Rhydian carries the curse, but Maren carries the cost. Their dynamic is what makes the story burn. It’s about seeing the monster in someone else and realizing it mirrors your own reflection.
By the time I reached the final chapters, I wasn’t just invested—I was wrecked. The emotion hits hard and lingers long after. It’s dark, hopeful, and achingly beautiful.
🔥 🥀 y’all this book had my HOOKED from page one to the end 📕 I didn’t even realize how far I was until I had hit 75% and had to pause for food 😂 and the CLIFFHANGER?! 🤯 I need book two so bad 🥀 🔥
Maren. After growing up with an abus!ve father, Maren struggles to trust and rightfully so ❤️🩹 After being saved, and then subsequently kidnapped by a mysterious man 🙈 Maren is launched into a world of flames and sorrow 🔥 ❄️ where only she can break the curse- one the Prince had given up on breaking years ago 😶🌫️
Rhydian. One of the two Princess of the dark Fae 🖤 Rhydian has been cursed to remain in its land as it slowly falls apart 🏰 Only a human falling in love with him can break the curse… only… he must fall in love with her too ♥️
YALL this book BROUGHT the fantasy feels ✨ I adored the beauty and the beast elements 🥀 and the classic adventure was AMAZING 🌋 I have to give a shoutout Nico! The sweetest boy ever 🥰 and I loved how he brought out a different side of Rhydian 🥹
The banter between these two was SO 👏🏻 GOOD 👏🏻 and the slow burn was SMOLDERING 🔥 you have got to check this one out 🥀
This was such a wonderful read! I'm not exactly "into" all the he fae romantasy out there (personally feel it's way overdone), but I never turn down the chance to read one of Emily's books.
This is not a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but more a reimaginging. The storyline was a little rocky for both Rhydian and Maren, starting with Rhydian saving her from a kidnapper only to kidnapper her himself and then basically expect a thank you. Then Maren's self-inflicted victim plot with an abusive father was a little much, but it certainly played well into the overall scheme and how she fit into the world.
All that said though, the story really came together once Rhydian and Maren started to understand one another and each other's backgrounds. There are a few areas where the plot felt rushed, sometimes even forced, but overall this was a delightful read! I kind of guessed the ending with Rhydian. but BOY the way it played out and how we're left is nailbiting. And Nico was adorable. I wish we'd gotten more of him and I hope we do in the next book.
**I was given an arc copy in exchange for my honest review**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"There is no power in darkness other than what you give to it."
I really enjoyed this unique take on Beauty and the Beast. I'm not sure if Emily did this on purpose, but I also saw a lot of Biblical symbolism. The villain in the book reminded me of the snake in the garden, clouding truth and isolating Maren, the FMC.
The world-building was really well fleshed out, which I always appreciate in the fantasy genre. The bitter cold and volcanic atmosphere of Eroth, the cursed kingdom, was super eerie and reminded me of the fallen world we live in, being just a shadow of what God intended. Again, not sure if this was on purpose, but either way, it was really well done!
The romance between Rhydian and Maren felt very true to YA. There was some cute banter and an enemies-to-lovers vibe that I enjoyed. I loved the way Maren brought hope and life to the darkness surrounding Rhydian.
4/5 Stars
Read if you enjoy: Fantasy Romance Fae Romance Portal Worlds/Kingdoms Enemies to Lovers Beauty & the Beast Retellings
*Thank you so much to Emily Schneider for my complimentary ARC! All opinions expressed are my own.
First things first, I love a good fantasy - especially a fairy tale retelling! I also love when a book keeps my attention from the beginning and holds it all the way through!
Emily Schneider, you have done it again!
Maren and Rhydian’s story was so captivating. As with most retellings, there’s can be a level of predictability seeing as it is following a pre existing timeline… While to a small degree that is true, (cloched flower, need to break a curse) there are unique twists and turns that allow this book to stand on its own!
I was turning each page in anticipation of what I thought or knew had to be coming…. And somehow by the end, I was truly left not knowing how in the heck this storyline would resolve!
As the first of a series, I quite literally yelled “No!!” When the first book left me hanging..
I really enjoyed this book! This was my first read from Emily that wasn’t a cute rom com and I was drawn in!
I appreciated that I was learning Rhydian’s world alongside Maren rather in way that didn’t feel like I was the odd one out as the reader.
It was nice seeing both Maren and Rhydian grow in their character and go outside of their comfort zones as th story progressed.
This was a different take on the beauty and beast style of story telling that I rather enjoyed even if the ending left me desperate for the next book 😭
I am curious to see where this series goes as I want to see how Maren’s new purpose develops! Will everyone come back? What will happen?! I need to know 👀
I love a good fairytale retelling! This one did not disappoint! A fun beauty and the beast retelling with a different twist on the curse and more magic that had me hanging onto every word!
I have been in a reading slump recently and so I struggled to start it. Once I got into it I couldn’t put it down! She does a fantastic job of creating a new world that is just magical and makes you feel like you are truly in that world!
It took a few chapters for me to get into this book. If physical abuse is something you struggle reading about then this book isn’t for you even though it doesn’t go into detail about what happens. Once I got past the first few chapters I really got into the storyline and adventure that it brought along with it. I love the challenges that Maren went on with Rhydian and how it blossomed into something more. Definitely a grumpy vs sunshine vibe with some enemies to lovers. Great read and I can’t wait to dive back into this story with the second book once it releases!
She does it again! So happy to be an Arc reader for Emily she is definitely one of those authors I just buy the book because I already know I am going to love it.
This retelling was beautiful and original in its own way but keeping key similarities to the Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed Marens and Rhydians inner monologue as they danced around their feelings for each other I giggled a lot!
The ending was surprising to me, I didn’t expect it to end on a cliff hanger.. what am I gonna do now?! This book hasn’t even come out yet 😭😭😭 Emily!!!!
Very cute and fun story to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Beauty & the Beast retelling with some extra twists!
I generally enjoyed this book as it immediately jumps into the story and the world building is easy to grasp. The story continues that pace throughout the book so you’re never bored! I’m looking forward to even more interactions between the FMC and MMC in the next book so we buy into their love story even more. I also am GREATLY looking forward to some particular characters getting their comeuppance 😉
Tropes: ✨ Fairytale retelling ✨ Enemies to Lovers ✨ Forced Proximity �� One bed
Thank you so much to Emily for sending me an e-ARC!
The premise for this book is so beautiful and such a unique twist on the Beauty & Beast fairytale! I think this book is perfect for those who want something easy and quick to read with some really fun and unique elements.
Unfortunately, the writing style in this wasn't my personal taste so I DNFed.
Raise your hand if you love a good “Beauty and the Beast” retelling. 🙋🏻♀️
“Beneath the Flames” by Emily L. Schneider is for fans of “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.”
Synopsis: Maren is the protector of her family. When her father is in one of his “moods,” she is always there to step in. While running errands, Maren is kidnapped from her world. She has one goal: “get home!” The only question is, how will she escape a world of fae, magic, and curses?
Prince Rhydian is the ruler of a doomed realm. As the Magmara flower is getting closer to dropping its last petals, so goes any hope of breaking the curse. That is, until Rhydian accidentally kidnaps Maren. With Maren being his last chance, can he win her heart? More importantly, can he learn to open up his heart to her?
Thoughts:
I feel blessed to read this book as a beta reader and as an ARC reader. It’s amazing how a story grows and changes from one draft to the next.
I spent many nights staying up late reading this book. Even when I already knew how the story would end, I was pulled into the journey of Rhydian and Maren. Their journey up the volcano had me squealing with delight (you will have to read to find out why!) I’m so glad Emily wrote this story with a dual point of view. Rhydian’s POV was my favorite. He is constantly wrestling with doing the right thing or saving his kingdom.
I absolutely loved that Maren is from Minnesota. As a Minnesota girly myself, I could definitely identify with all of Maren’s complaints about the cold!
I can’t wait for the second book in the series to come out. I’m curious to see where the story will go. Will it be another retelling or its own unique storyline? Whatever it will be, I need it asap, since this book ends on a cliffhanger!
Publication day is October 14, 2025. Make sure to pick up your copy of "Beneath the Flames" from Emily L. Schneider's website. I'm currently waiting for my physical copy of the book. I need to add it to my bookshelf.
(This book does contain scenes with physical abuse.)
Favorite quote: “Who said you needed to be special to accomplish something difficult?”
This book i was SO excited for🤭 When i saw one of my fav contemporary authors was writing a Beauty & the Beast retelling I was ALL IN😍✨ Beneath the flames is the PERFECT fantasy for those who crave stories like Iron Fey, Medoran Chronicles, the classic adventure vibes were immaculate✨ and the aching slow burn of the romance added the perfect touch😭🫠 The world was so cool to learn about and become more immersed in, I ate up every detail we got!!
Maren & Rhydian’s relationship’s progression was one of my favorite things reading, I was so entranced I didn’t even know I was over half way in the book when I checked🤭 Rhydian is an absolutely KING👑 some of his lines had me ABSOLUTELY DYING & MELTING🫠🤭 The plot kept me engaged until the very very end and THAT ENDING WAS IN FACT CRIMINAL😭😭😭 Im so very desperate for more, I need book 2 like I need air😭✨
Emily’s writing is one of my favorites, I’ve read all three of her romcoms and ADORED them all✨ This was my first fantasy book of hers and it did not disappoint one bit!! I’d like to thank Emily for letting me read and review an early copy!! I can’t wait to see where this story goes and to celebrate every other book you put out🫶🏻💗💗 Beneath the Flames comes out TOMORROW DONT MISS IT💗
I was so thankful to be able to have read this book prior to its launch, as an arc reader I enjoy the ability to help the author out and get a peek before anyone else.
Being not only that I would devour anything from this author the fact that it’s a beauty and the beast retelling sold me right there.
Yes this is another retelling but not at the same time. Emily put so much work and art into this story that yes the base line is there but the magic, the world, the fact that it’s in the human worlds and its own makes it fresh and new. It’s more of a nod then a retelling which is great and exciting.
Im always up for banter, trials, magic, friends and found family, enemies to lovers and this fit the bill. Not only that but the way she fleshed out the characters made me swoon worthy of the mysterious dark fae who plunged his world into darkness and to get to know the girl that only wants to protect her family from her not so great father. She has a reason to fight, to return to her human lands but also a pull towards the world she was pulled into that’s dying and the male that doesn’t seem all that bad to have a curse on him.
I would definitely recommend and oh-the chapter art. Chefs kiss.
Emily does it again! I love all her past books and this is her first fantasy after a series of romance and she knocked it out of the park! Enemies to lovers is done so well with this one, and I loved the dynamic of Maren and Rhydian. It’s fast paced and full of twists and turns. But that cliff hanger at the end? So rude! Emily has a way of making you want more and I need a sequel yesterday with the way this one ends. As always I recommend Emily Schneider to fantasy romance and Beauty and the Beast fans. Thanks to Emily Schneider for the ARC!