Beautifully Beastly

by Maria Dean

My father is a king in a kingdom of blood—Barrett Devall, ruthless gang lord, feared by everyone.

When war breaks out, I’m forced into hiding, exiled to an isolated mansion deep in the mountains of Hellion Ridge. My only protection? Fenrir Therion—scarred, brutal, and bound to me by loyalty alone.

But Belial House isn’t just old and cold. It breathes. It listens. The walls whisper, and something in the shadows is waiting for us.

As a blizzard traps us inside, the lines between protection and possession blur. Fenrir is more beast than man—violent, broken, and infuriatingly irresistible. And the deeper we sink into the house’s secrets, the more I can’t tell what’s haunting the ghosts in the halls… or the heat in his eyes.

He was sent to keep me safe.

But no one warned us that the real danger would be falling for each other.

Beautifully Beastly is a dark, haunting romance steeped in mystery, tension, and forbidden heat. Perfect for fans of twisted longing and slow-burning desire in the face of the unknown.

389 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 5, 2026

Reviews

[Amy Elste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maria you have done it again! 💕

This is a mafia romance with some paranormal elements that just make sense as it’s intertwined into the story really well!

The yearning between our MC’s was absolutely delicious , the spice was just right and everyone loves a morally grey MMC that only has eyes for the FMC😍

Thank you HotTree Publishing for the gifted copy 🫶🏼

[Maria Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Beastly certainly lived up to its name as this one was a BEAST to write! Luckily for me, I had some help along the way from my amazing editors at Hot Tree Publishing. Nevertheless, it was worth all the hard work as I hope you’ll agree that this book is off the charts! Influenced by the timeless classic, Beauty and the Beast, and Stephen King’s masterpiece The Shining, I’m hoping this book will haunt you in more ways than one. Enjoy ☺️

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to do the pre edit beta read on this book and absolutely adored it! An excellent story with awesome characters. Definitely needs to be on your TBR list!

[Becks O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: Kindle
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️

This book had me gripped from start to finish.

The story follows mafia princess Hayami and her bodyguard Fenrir (aka The Beast or The Hellhound). When stranded in the mountains in a haunted house will they both give into their feelings for each other?

💘 Tropes
- Haunted House
- Forced proximity
- Mafia
- Bodyguard
- Slow Burn


💖 What I loved:
- The plot is brilliant. If the book didn't have the spice I would have still rated it the same. The story is brilliant.
- Spooky vibes
- The plot twist
- Hayami and Fenrir love story is beautiful 😍
- Strong FMC

💬 Favourite Romantic Moment:
“I’ve never been in love. I don’t know what it feels like. But if wanting to die in your arms is love, then please, hold me.”

🎯 Perfect For Readers Who:
Love a spooky story and Beauty and the beast.

🌹 Final Thoughts: This was my first ever horror romance, and I think I’ve just discovered my new favourite genre blend. The story is brilliantly spooky (I thought I may have had to put the book in the freezer at some points) and so gripping I couldn’t put it down. It’s written so well that the plot could stand entirely on its own, even without the romance or the spice.

But the romance and the spice is also absolutely brilliant. It gives full Beauty and the Beast vibes if the Beast never turned into a prince, honestly, weren’t we all a bit disappointed when he did?. The romance is dark, tender, feral, and absolutely beautiful.

There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love and this is one of the books that instantly earned a permanent spot on my recommend list, and I’m already fighting the urge to reread it. Without question, it’s been my favourite read of 2026 so far.

[Yes_I_Read_Lots · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Beastly by Maria Dean completely stole my heart and refused to give it back.

This book is the kind of story that sinks its claws into you—the kind you think about when you’re not reading and miss the moment you finish. Maria has a way of weaving beauty and darkness together so seamlessly that you can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. Every page felt alive with emotion, tension, and aching vulnerability, and I found myself utterly consumed by the characters and their journey.

What truly floored me was the heart. This story isn’t pretty but it is beautifully written—it feels deeply. The characters are raw, flawed, and achingly real, and their emotional arcs hit with a power that lingered long after I turned the final page. I gasped, I hurt, I held my breath, and yes—I absolutely cried. The romance is intense and magnetic, the angst is delicious, and the tenderness sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

Maria’s writing is lush and evocative without ever feeling heavy. Every word feels intentional, every scene crafted with care, and the atmosphere is simply intoxicating. Beautifully Beastly is a reminder that love can be fierce, messy, and transformative—and that sometimes the most broken things are the most beautiful.

This book is a treasure. A standout. One I will gladly reread and recommend endlessly. If you love stories that dig deep into the soul and leave you emotionally wrecked in the best way possible, do yourself a favor and read this. 💔✨📖

[Kerry Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10
Give it all the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dean’s best yet!

Honestly, my fave read of 2026 so far! This is just incredible, so sexy, so scary. I just loved the atmosphere, the story telling was nuanced and clever and so so immersive. I loved Hyemi’s complex character. And if you want a Michele Morrone coded MMC then Fenrir is your man.
Parts of it had me so freaked out I had to put it down and wait for daylight!
Such a stunning genre bending novel that will both thrill and delight.
Loved it from the first page to the final word. A must read ♥️

[Christie Petty · Rating 4 out of 5]

captivating - and a bit spooky

It took me a few chapters to get into this book but once I was in I couldn’t put it down. I’m not sure I liked the timeline changes in the beginning, I feel like it would have been just as effective if it was in chronological order but it didn’t pull away too much from the story. Now I’m not a fan of horror so some parts of this really freaked me out and I wasn’t expecting them. The mmc was likeable and I loved the insight into his background and how it made him who he is. The fmc feels vulnerable but has a hidden steely strength. It was different from the mafia type story I was expecting.
Overall, the story was gripping and fast paced. It left me on edge waiting for more each chapter. It’s a completely different read from the last book I read by this author but I will be picking up another book by her very soon.

[Nina Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This book had everything without it being overwhelming. Forbidden love (bodyguard/heiress), warring crime families and a haunted house. Throw in some forced proximity in said haunted house and you're on to a winner!

Fenrir has a dark past. Hayami has a dark future. Their two worlds collide in spectacular fashion within the walls of the very spooky Belial House.

I loved the slow burn romance between our MCs and the fact that even though it was just the two of them in the house for most of the book, lots of character's stories were told. I found this aspect intriguing.

I'm not giving any more away. You have to go and buy it!

[Sabrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling!

I was unable to put this book down, it was thrilling, haunting and exhilarating to the end.

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱 (ARC)
Check CWs before reading

This is another of those hard-to-rate books for me. I won't lie, there were a few times I thought it would be a DNF - the constant jumping between past and present as well as which MC's POV we were in for the first ten-ish chapters really took me out of enjoying the book, and I found myself getting easily distracted whilst reading (that could very well be a me thing, though).

I will say, though, when the hook hits as Fenrir starts to unravel the mystery and the truth behind Belial? That's when I was deeply engrossed, and absolutely LOVED the folklore weaved into the dark romance story.

I absolutely loved how much development went into Hayami and Fenrir. They felt real, genuine, and every decision they made just made sense. When we uncover some of Fenrir's secrets, there was a moment I had to suspend my belief - I don't see how he'd have gotten away with murdering the other mafia head like he has; seemed a bit too coincidental that he was able to do it - but the depth of their creation, their motivations and their genuine build to be more than just bodyguard and mafia princess was fantastic.

This is the epitome of a slow burn romance, which isn't very common in the world of mafia romance. I really enjoyed this aspect of it. But part of me wants to say this is a "mafia-lite" - yes, Hayami is the daughter of one of the leaders, but the story itself feels pulled away from the tension, seeing as they're hiding from the rival mafia and nothing really comes of it, given the "haunting" aspect of the story.

My heart broke for Fenrir when we learned of how he got his scars, and it continued to break as I understood Hayami's thought process for her decisions that led to Fenrir becoming her bodyguard in the first place, and just why she was acting out.

An enjoyable read that took me a bit to get into, but if you like your dark romance heavily character driven, with a sprinkle of traditional folklore and definitely a dash of suspense, this is the book for you.

Thank you to the author and Hot Tree Publishing for the eARC opportunity. These are my honest thoughts that I have provided voluntarily.

[Kascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A forbidden bodyguard romance where the safest house hides the darkest threat.

I went into this not really knowing what to expect, but it ended up being a surprisingly unique mix of forbidden bodyguard romance and haunted house vibes. The story centers on Hayami, the 22-year-old daughter of a powerful gang lord who lives on a suffocatingly tight leash. She’s expected to be beautiful, quiet, submissive, and constantly protected, so her rebellion comes out in small but sharp ways: brattiness, picking fights, and pushing every boundary she can reach. It made her feel messy and real, especially as her story is revealed and she becomes more than just spoiled.

Fenrir is the immovable object to her unstoppable force. A hardened army vet in his 30s with a past full of trauma, fire, and loss, he’s pulled onto her bodyguard team after seeing a darkness around her that mirrors his own. He doesn’t indulge her antics, doesn’t soften easily, and stays laser-focused on his job - even as desire simmers under the surface. Their dynamic is tense and slow-burning, with a strong power imbalance and a lot of unspoken emotion. Things do get spicy, in a couple open door scenes, that bring them closer together despite their surroundings.

Once gang tensions force them into a secluded safe house, the story really leans into its eerie side. Night terrors, visions, flickering lights, and the constant threat of something being wrong inside the house create a claustrophobic, unsettling atmosphere. I liked that the danger eventually felt more internal than external, shifting the story from gang warfare to survival and psychological horror. It leans into Japanese folklore, but has a surprising twist that wraps the story up nicely.

[Taylah Guttormsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big mood reader, I put off reading this book as I ‘didn’t feel it’- assuming it was just a mafia dark romance. Boy was i wrong. When i started this book, I finished it within 24 hours- I stayed up reading it… Woke up early to read it and was absolutely locked in. As this Dual POV story progressed it became apparent that there were intensely complex characters and multiple stories intertwined together to create this thriller romance that was nothing like I expected (in the best way). The themes featured a slow slow burn, forbidden love, enemies (not friends) to lovers, touch her and 💀, a morally grey MMC and bodyguard vs mafia princess. Honestly if that doesn’t get you excited, the big morally grey HUNK of a MMC, ‘Beast’ will- with his hard exterior and traumatic backstory, he is such a dreamy book boyfriend who will 100/10 protect you like it’s his sole purpose in life. The thriller aspect of this book really surprised me and i’m so glad I didn’t read about this book before I started, the sub plot had me gasping, looking over my shoulder and absolutely shuddering at times. It was so well written and well balanced with the other aspects of the story- the romance, the controlling family dynamic and strained relationships as well as the FMCs personal journey taking back her life. 6 star read, wouldn’t change a thing and although not my normal read, I absolutely devoured it. Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing for providing me the opportunity to read this breathtaking story.

[Simply Vaish · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨10/10
Open door spice (the tension uff ♨️)

✨ Hayami is the daughter of mafia boss Barrett Devall. Because of danger to her life, his heir Hayami and her bodyguard Fenrir needs to go and live in a secluded mansion - the Belial house. But since they have reached there eerie things have begun to happen, there is journal written by Hayami's mother, the death and disappearance of the first and second wives. Amidst all this is the rising tension between the mafia princess and her bodyguard.

✨ This is a page turner dark romance 🖤 with paranormal touch, beauty and the beast story 💕. Trust me it has all the toe curling tropes - not to forget a library like beauty and beast. Loved how rational Hayami's character is. Loved how their back stories are revealed slowly to progress the plot. The chapters are small which makes it easier to read. They are also super interesting making you want to know what happens next (it's 4:21 am right now, I couldn't keep the book away 😌). The sexual tension between the leads is off the charts. It has a slow burn which then leads to quite the bomb. ;)😉

✨ Overall must read. ✅

✨ Book released on 5th February 2026 ✨

Thank you @hottreepublishing and @author.maria.dean for this gifted copy in exchange of an honest review. ✨

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecs #simplyvaish #vaishreads26

[Lee ✨✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking I knew exactly what this book was about, expecting a run of the mill mafia romance for me to absolutely eat up, and this delivered so much more!! I obviously misread a bit of the blurb, because this book has supernatural elements that had me on the edge of my seat, jaw dropped, and needing to know what was happening next and I loved every dang moment.

Maria did not pull any punches, the moments of terror in this book felt all too real, and the highs and lows of this book were heavy hitting, I definitely went on a journey with our main characters Hayami and Fenrir. This book follows Hayami, mafia princess of the Devall family, and Fenrir "The Beast", her body guard that will stop at nothing to protect her as they travel to the mountain estate Belial House for safety when tension between mobs rises. But there is more to this house than meets the eye and Hayami and Fenrir are snowed in. I am recommending that everyone read this book if they love a gritty romance, especially if they love a touch of supernatural events, I have never read anything like this and need more ASAP.

Thank you to HotTreePublishing for sending me an eARC of this book!!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went in thinking it was going to be a mafia romance, but was fabulously surprised with the horror aspect! It was creepy as it was romantic, it kept me on my toes and I HAD to look up the legend. I really enjoyed it!

Hayami Duvall has been under her father's thumb her whole life. This is the life of a mafia family after all. She gets assigned a new, second, bodyguard, Fenrir, because violence between the crime families have escalated. Soon Hayami and her two bodyguards are whisked away into a secret house just before a snowstorm hits, but when they arrived they started to notice a few oddities happening; think The Shining meets Beauty and the Beast.

[Victoria Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and the author for sending me this Arc.

Amazing book, it's been a while since I enjoyed "mafia romance" since normally is not my cup of tea.
But this was amazingly done, the longing, the terror, the back stories, the atmosphere... Everything was well crafted. It was kinda Gothic at moments which I absolutely loved.
Both the main characters were well constructed, expecially him.

[Irum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can’t deal with immature brats who make life hell for people who are just trying to do their job. Especially the fact she commented on Fenrir appearance cause he got burn marks 🫩

Like she’s a full on bitch who has a victim complex. Have a problem with your dad not the people who are trying to do their job. If u feel so sorry for yourself do something about it not excuse your behaviour because of trauma.

[Morgan Jacques · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc Review✨

Tropes:
✨ Mafia Princess
✨ Forbidden Romance
✨ Thriller Subplot
✨ Slow Burn

Hayami is a mafia princess with the most infuriating bodyguard, Fenrir. When a full on mafia war breaks out, Hayami’s father orders her and two of her bodyguards to go Belial House, which has a reputation of its own (and not a good one). After some events that happen, Hayami and Fenrir are alone at the house and some interesting things have been happening. The two of them get closer as they investigate what’s happening. Is their love strong enough to withstand time outside of Belial House? Or will it end in despair?

Okay I absolutely loved how this books was written. You get the whole bodyguard and mafia princess love with the forced proximity. But then you also get the mystery/thriller plot with some supernatural elements thrown into the mix. Fenrir and Hayami’s story and dynamic is one I have never witnessed or read and it was so refreshing. This is a book I would definitely read again. All the different elements in this book were perfect woven together.

Thank you Maria Dean and Hot Tree Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book❤️

[Blue]

Bodyguard romance

[Erin pages_and_prosecco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a haunting read. Gave a little Romeo and Juliet vibe. A dark romance that was suspensful with fusions of folklore and horror, devoured until I finished it. Love love loved it.

[KK Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mafia romance but make it paranormal - yes absolutely! I ate this up.
Our FMC is the daughter of a mafia boss and our MMC is her bodyguard... what more can I say? But also send them to a secluded gothic manor, throw in a little light haunting with your forced proximity and a little bit of trauma for each of them and you a great story!
Hayami is angsty and defiant and Fenrir is stoic and measured, though easily riled when it comes to Hayami.
The forced proximity is delicious and spicy but layered with a ghost story riddled with trauma and revenge is *chef's kiss*. The story is very character driven, the plot is a little slower paced, but the story didn't feel slow at all. This is a different sort of read for me and I really enjoyed it!