Beast of the Bayou

by C.J. North

In the heart of the bayou, love can be a curse.

When Magdalena “Mag” Lafleur agrees to visit the mysterious Belcourt House with her best friend, she expects an abandoned house and ghost stories. But deep in the Louisiana swamps, the past lingers.

It never forgets.

As Mag sleeps, a man appears in her dreams and brands her as his. When she wakes, she discovers the terrible truth—he is real, and he has come for her.

Though her captor can’t speak a word, his intentions become clear—he wants her to love him. And as much as she fights against it, something about him calls to her.

Now, trapped in a bayou filled with secrets, dangerous creatures, and restless spirits, Mag must unravel the mystery of the man who holds her captive. The question is, what will be the price of her freedom—her life or her heart?

In this dark, atmospheric retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the line between love and possession is razor-thin.

Genres: Fantasy, Dark Romance, Romance, Novella, Dark, Retellings, Romantasy

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2025

About the author

CJ North lives in the frozen wasteland better known as Alaska. She loves geography, history, mythology, and writing romance stories that incorporate them all. When not lost in a story, she's probably wandering a street on Google Maps or two hours into a deep dive on a random topic with no practical use.

Reviews

[read.whatever · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️ and 3/5 🌶

*I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Definitely a must read if you want to have beauty and the beast vibes combined with a tarzan like MMC. He provides food by hunting for it with his bare hands. Keep in mind, they are in a bayou. Crocodiles! The twists in this story were unexpected, and I loved that!

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a slightly dark paranormal romance, the MMC is mute and cursed, a HEA, and wants some spice.

- Bakery Worker FMC (Mag)
- Mute MMC (Henri)
- Check Trigger Warnings
- Beauty and the Beast meets Tarzan Retelling
- Cursed MMC
- Paranormal Dark Romance
- Captive/Captor
- HEA
- Available 9/18/2025

[Dal · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I want to thank the author for the lovely opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Actual ⭐️ rating: 4.5

The concept intrigued me from the start and once I had time to properly sit down and read this book I was hooked and finished it in less than a day. I loved the paranormal aspect of Henri, the curse, and how one act of desperation can backfire catastrophically.

I do wish we got more insight and more time on Mag and Henri's connection, like seeing her fall in love with him and his actions instead of just the small little glimpses we get. I also would have loved to see Mag through Henri's eyes, especially between when she first arrives and once we know how the curse works. His insight would have added just a little bit more flavor to the book.

All in all the story kept me on my toes, I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend! I was rooting for both their rescue and their HEA the entire time!

[S.Valystriga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beast of the Bayou was the perfect read while living in Queensland, summer/spring (they are the same). The humidity, the atmosphere, the mosquitoes… it all felt spot-on for a warm climate hellscape. The setting of a small Southern town gave me True Blood vibes, I loved that this story felt like it could exist in the same universe.
Henri was sweet, elusive, and (pleasantly) unraveled into a sexy little deviant. I was right there with Mag in not being able to stay mad at a possibly slightly gone insane kidnapper?

And then the twist?! I was mad.

Also: the oven. C.J hooked me in with the little teasers… it was exactly all the wholesome I was hoping for.😭😭😭
I’m genuinely mourning that oven.
Overall! Beast of the Bayou is short, sweet, made me laugh at times and gave me goosebumps when things got real. I had such a good time with this one.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magdelena goes on a trip deep into the bayou with her best friend who claims to be intrigued by stories of a haunted house and town long abandoned. When she’s taken captive by a cursed man who can’t speak, it all takes a turn. He dotes on her entirely but she’s unsure. Will Magdelena break his curse, or will they be doomed to a life together away from the world in the unforgiving swamp?

This is labeled as a Beauty and the Beast esque retelling and while I definitely see the parallels I actually love how completely unique this story is in so many ways. It’s a tale that spirals from danger to fear to budding feelings to full romance and ends with a gorgeously happy life for the main characters. Couldn’t stop reading this and I really loved it from start to finish.

[Marina Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read dark romance, but this one had some of my favorite tropes (dom dynamics, light k!nk, wild and unhinged MMC), and I got lured by some very fun spicy quotes. The book totally delivered on all fronts.
Both characters were likeable and their dynamic made sense.Henri being mute made things quite interesting and it was well handled within the story. I enjoyed watching him become more human as it progressed. He’s not your usual dark romance bad boy. He’s like a big softie for Magdalena, even when he knows how to boss her around in the sheets.
I really like the swampy vibes, and the mystery surrounding everything. Detective Romero was totally a vibe, and added a lot of value to the book.

[Veritie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and Beast of the Bayou is no exception. It's evocative, with a vivid setting, and the developing relationship is emotional and compelling.

As part of his curse, the MMC Henri cannot speak, which makes for an interesting 'getting to know you' dynamic. The paranormal elements unfold gradually, and the revelations at the end, plus their transition to HEA, is well executed. All along it kept me guessing and wanting to work out how they'd resolve everything, and I loved the way it happened—beautiful and worth the wait.

I received an ARC copy (thank you!) and am leaving a voluntary honest review.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a refreshing retelling! The twists and turns keep you guessing the entire time! I do wish we had more interactions between the MMC & FMC but I’m also a glutton for swooning!

I have read many retellings of Beauty and the Beast and it is always fun to read something that is a retelling but unique in its own way too! Obviously it is a bit of a dark romance but all our favorite flags are red! 🫶🏻

Great pick for anyone who is wanting a paranormal dark romance!

[Sablewhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this novella in a day. 

When it comes to stories that are reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, we always look for a balance. It should be familiar enough, but also be innovative in a way that makes it new and exciting. This story struck the perfect balance. 

I loved the characters, I adored the setting, it was just short enough for a quick, cozy yet dark, palate cleanser.

It really set the mood for autumn and the spooky season, which I really appreciate.

[Renate Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique interpretation of the Beauty & the Beast fairy tale, with a bit of mystery and suspense.

Henri's character has just the right amount of desperation and obsessiveness a girl needs. His heart is in the right place. To Mag, he's worthy of redemption.

I loved the Bayou setting.

[Alena Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Mag was feisty, but I was so excited to see how things played out and how strong she ended up being. Henri was just down right adorable. I loved it! Loved the story, the writing was great, and I liked the bit of difference in how the curse worked.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly was super sweet sexy and fun. very well written.

[Kourtney Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story immensely but the way things ended for Jessa bothered me a bit.

[Luci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alastor from Hazbin Hotel will always be the Beast of the Bayou to me, but Henri is a pretty close 2nd in my book.

[Simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in a day... completely hooked....the story line was a wonderful beauty and the beast style and the plot was unique.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this story completely blind and I was BLOWN AWAY. It is like a dark fairytale. We have curses and ghosts and a plot twist I didn't see coming.

[Baby Got Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really interesting beauty and the beast like story!

Set in modern times at a haunted home/town lost in the Bayou that is only assessable by boat through the swamp.

Two friends decide to head out as a fun little ghost hunting weekend trip but it turns into a very different type of getaway.

This had some twists and turns I did not expect. The MMC "beast" was not entirely lovable or without faults thus the curse and honestly some "choices" but you find yourself really getting an understanding for his actions though not necessarily condoning them.

The ending doesn't end at the end of the curse and I did love that.

Very atmospheric writing and setting. I was highly engrossed.

[Rachel Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC REVIEW***
4.5 stars

This version of the beast is actually all too human in the best possible way. He’s also mute and cursed, which made for a very creative way of communicating! I love when writers don’t make things too easy for their characters.

In the role of leading lady, we have Mags, a bread baker with some really awful friends. Poor girl just wanted a haunted house vacation from her crappy coworkers. She definitely wasn’t expecting to get wrapped up with a very hunky, very cursed dude.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves smutty fairytale retellings with a twist. And basically anyone who has ever dreamed about being kidnapped by a very attractive jungle (bayou) man.

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!