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Beloved Villains #6
Blue Beard, Red Hood
A spicy, adult romantasy retelling of "Bluebeard" and "Little Red Riding Hood," two of Charles Perrault's most famous stories.
Sybil Fallon has a habit of summoning demons unintentionally and at the most inconvenient times. When she, her mother, and her sister are invited to an upcoming dinner at the estate of the mysterious Theron Beresford, Sybil is desperate to ensure that her ability won't manifest and ruin the evening. But when she seeks help from her reclusive former mentor, Grandmother Riquet, she discovers that the old woman has changed in dangerous and disturbing ways... and so has the forest in which she lives.
As Sybil struggles to control an ability she doesn't understand, she becomes strongly attracted to Beresford, the brawny, handsome estate owner. His distinctive blue beard isn't his only unusual trait. In addition to socially acceptable dinner parties, he also likes to host secret gatherings in the refurbished barn on his property. Sybil's first invitation to one of his naughty midnight parties opens her mind to a world of new pleasures. But with local disappearances inciting the suspicion of the neighbors, and Beresford's secretive nature raising questions in her own mind, Sybil must navigate an increasingly treacherous path through the forest of her circumstances in pursuit of the future she wants.
Content guidance can be found in the front matter of the book or on the author's website.
Sybil Fallon has a habit of summoning demons unintentionally and at the most inconvenient times. When she, her mother, and her sister are invited to an upcoming dinner at the estate of the mysterious Theron Beresford, Sybil is desperate to ensure that her ability won't manifest and ruin the evening. But when she seeks help from her reclusive former mentor, Grandmother Riquet, she discovers that the old woman has changed in dangerous and disturbing ways... and so has the forest in which she lives.
As Sybil struggles to control an ability she doesn't understand, she becomes strongly attracted to Beresford, the brawny, handsome estate owner. His distinctive blue beard isn't his only unusual trait. In addition to socially acceptable dinner parties, he also likes to host secret gatherings in the refurbished barn on his property. Sybil's first invitation to one of his naughty midnight parties opens her mind to a world of new pleasures. But with local disappearances inciting the suspicion of the neighbors, and Beresford's secretive nature raising questions in her own mind, Sybil must navigate an increasingly treacherous path through the forest of her circumstances in pursuit of the future she wants.
Content guidance can be found in the front matter of the book or on the author's website.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
About the author
Rebecca F. Kenney
74 books3,167 followersRebecca F. Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories... pirates, warlords, demons, Fae, and royals. Her main series are the "Wicked Darlings" series (spicy Fae retellings of the Nutcracker, Wonderland, and Oz), the "Dark Rulers" series (standalones in a shared world), and the "For the Love of the Villain" series of genderbent fairytales. Other books include a post-apocalyptic vampire romance trilogy ("The Vampires Will Save You"), a demon romance "Interior Design for Demons," a dark mermaid fantasy duet, and other spicy retellings.
Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.
For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1, and on TikTok @rebeccafkenney
Rebecca is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. She lives in upstate South Carolina with her handsome blue-eyed husband and two smart, energetic kids.
For updates and information about upcoming novels, follow on Instagram @rebeccafkenneybooks, on Twitter @RebeccaFKenney1, and on TikTok @rebeccafkenney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
December 5, 2025
Probably one of the most fun books I read this year because I truly didn’t know where the romance or plot was going so I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!! It is SPICYYY!! And truly unhinged I was sitting up saying “WTF” several times 😂
If you want an easy-to-read book that’s super fun I’d definitely recommend this one!
If you want an easy-to-read book that’s super fun I’d definitely recommend this one!
December 16, 2025
4 Summoned Demon Stars ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Blue Beard, Red Hood was a delightful little present that I honestly did not expect, which is surprising because Rebecca F. Kennedy is my favourite romantasy author. I often move away from her writing when I go down contemporary rabbit holes, but every time I am drawn back into one of her romantasy books, it reminds me how much I love her writing. She has this excellent ability to write an amazing story, to take inspiration and make it so unique and so unashamedly hers, while still keeping the elements of the traditional stories that you know and love.
This is a twist on two fairy tales. The tale of Bluebeard, which I did not know much about going in, and the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, which I think everybody has heard. Sybil is our Little Red Riding Hood. She lives on the edge of the forest with her sister and her mother, and life is a little difficult for them. She is ostracised by the society around her because whenever she experiences heightened emotions, she summons a demon, and naturally people find this strange and unsettling. One day, she meets a mysterious man, Theron Beresford, who invites her family to a dinner party. From there, Sybil and Beresford instantly hit it off. The attraction is immediate and intense, and when he later invites her to a secret party where she can finally unleash her desires, she is drawn even deeper into his world of charm and forbidden pleasure. At the same time, strange things are happening in the forest. People are going missing, including her mysterious grandmother who lives in a cottage in the woods, and all the while, Sybil is falling madly in love with the man with the blue beard.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
If the introduction has not already made it clear, I have genuinely never read a Rebecca F. Kennedy book that has disappointed me. This one is very fast-paced in terms of the instalust. They jump together quickly. It is raunchy, it is spicy, it is going to make your toes curl, and it does it in the kinkiest ways possible. This is definitely one of the spicier books I have read from Rebecca F. Kenney, almost to the point where it toes the line of erotica, but not quite. BUT what I really love is that she still manages to balance the spice with plot and characterisation.
Sybil is innocent in a sheltered, naïve way. She is not the smartest girl in the class, but she is hardworking and she loves her family. She has this innate curiosity about things, but she is scared to act on it because of the demons she summons, and that fear constantly holds her back and makes her feel incredibly real and human.
Beresford himself is the sweetest little cinnamon roll villain. He is charming, sexy, and endearing, and I absolutely adored him and his backstory. I thought he was an excellent and intriguing character and really well written. The chemistry between him and Sybil is intense, even though for most of the book it feels unsettling because of this reader-known foreshadowing that he is a bad guy. That same unsettling feeling carries into Sybil’s romance. I mean as the reader, you know something is not right. You can see the red flags, and I found myself wanting to scream at Sybil because she is not seeing them. You know this man has a hidden agenda. You know he is the villain. The series is literally called "Beloved Villains"... So you sit there watching this innocent girl fall for him, waiting for the moment when she finally realises that he is not who he says he is and that she needs to ask the hard questions.
The entire story exists in this strange push and pull between creepy and sweet, dark and sensual, innocence and corruption, and it just solidified why I have always loved the way Rebecca F. Kenney balances her descriptive, almost poetic prose with actual story progression so that neither ever feels too heavy. What you are left with is this rich embodiment of a sentence that has the best of both worlds. It never feels like it is waffling, but it is also never so minimal that it feels juvenile or lacking depth. It honestly feels like a Goldilocks situation where everything is just right.
I also really want to commend the worldbuilding in this book, because the descriptions of the animals and the demons Sybil summons are both delightful and terrifying at the same time. You get these vivid images of twisted, deformed creatures made up of different animal combinations, and imagining them being pulled into the world through Sybil’s magic is equal parts cute and deeply unsettling.
There were numerous twists and turns. Some I saw coming, some I did not, and it kept me on my toes. This book has such an intriguing and erotically charged twist to it, but it is balanced with this constant unsettling tension about what is happening in the background. It is darkly sensual and atmospheric, and it feels like a blend of creepy and sweet. You are constantly pulled back and forth between the two. Especially because the book is told almost entirely through Sybil’s point of view, you experience everything through her innocent eyes and her simplistic way of seeing the world.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨, 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▶ Fairytale Retelling
▶ Villain Gets the Girl
▶ Public Sex and Voyeurism
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Sex/Kink Club
▶ Fast burn
▶ Demons
▶ Potato Sack over his Shoulder
▶ "You taste like", "More", "Beg Me", "It Wont Fit", "Look at Me"
▶ Pushes it Back In
Overall, I loved the way the story progressed. I loved how it balanced the writing, the plot, and the spice, and it felt so full-bodied. If you are looking for a very easy-to-read, standalone romantasy that you just want to get lost in, this is absolutely the kind of book I would recommend. You are going to get spice, excellent worldbuilding, and cute but weird animals that are twisty and strange.
Thank you so much to Rebecca F. Kenney for this gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
Blue Beard, Red Hood was a delightful little present that I honestly did not expect, which is surprising because Rebecca F. Kennedy is my favourite romantasy author. I often move away from her writing when I go down contemporary rabbit holes, but every time I am drawn back into one of her romantasy books, it reminds me how much I love her writing. She has this excellent ability to write an amazing story, to take inspiration and make it so unique and so unashamedly hers, while still keeping the elements of the traditional stories that you know and love.
“I love you, you fucking idiot. I love who you are at your core, and I love who you try to be. Neither of us will be the same souls in ten years, or twenty, or thirty, but I’m willing to change together, if you are.”𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This is a twist on two fairy tales. The tale of Bluebeard, which I did not know much about going in, and the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, which I think everybody has heard. Sybil is our Little Red Riding Hood. She lives on the edge of the forest with her sister and her mother, and life is a little difficult for them. She is ostracised by the society around her because whenever she experiences heightened emotions, she summons a demon, and naturally people find this strange and unsettling. One day, she meets a mysterious man, Theron Beresford, who invites her family to a dinner party. From there, Sybil and Beresford instantly hit it off. The attraction is immediate and intense, and when he later invites her to a secret party where she can finally unleash her desires, she is drawn even deeper into his world of charm and forbidden pleasure. At the same time, strange things are happening in the forest. People are going missing, including her mysterious grandmother who lives in a cottage in the woods, and all the while, Sybil is falling madly in love with the man with the blue beard.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
If the introduction has not already made it clear, I have genuinely never read a Rebecca F. Kennedy book that has disappointed me. This one is very fast-paced in terms of the instalust. They jump together quickly. It is raunchy, it is spicy, it is going to make your toes curl, and it does it in the kinkiest ways possible. This is definitely one of the spicier books I have read from Rebecca F. Kenney, almost to the point where it toes the line of erotica, but not quite. BUT what I really love is that she still manages to balance the spice with plot and characterisation.
Sybil is innocent in a sheltered, naïve way. She is not the smartest girl in the class, but she is hardworking and she loves her family. She has this innate curiosity about things, but she is scared to act on it because of the demons she summons, and that fear constantly holds her back and makes her feel incredibly real and human.
Beresford himself is the sweetest little cinnamon roll villain. He is charming, sexy, and endearing, and I absolutely adored him and his backstory. I thought he was an excellent and intriguing character and really well written. The chemistry between him and Sybil is intense, even though for most of the book it feels unsettling because of this reader-known foreshadowing that he is a bad guy. That same unsettling feeling carries into Sybil’s romance. I mean as the reader, you know something is not right. You can see the red flags, and I found myself wanting to scream at Sybil because she is not seeing them. You know this man has a hidden agenda. You know he is the villain. The series is literally called "Beloved Villains"... So you sit there watching this innocent girl fall for him, waiting for the moment when she finally realises that he is not who he says he is and that she needs to ask the hard questions.
The entire story exists in this strange push and pull between creepy and sweet, dark and sensual, innocence and corruption, and it just solidified why I have always loved the way Rebecca F. Kenney balances her descriptive, almost poetic prose with actual story progression so that neither ever feels too heavy. What you are left with is this rich embodiment of a sentence that has the best of both worlds. It never feels like it is waffling, but it is also never so minimal that it feels juvenile or lacking depth. It honestly feels like a Goldilocks situation where everything is just right.
I also really want to commend the worldbuilding in this book, because the descriptions of the animals and the demons Sybil summons are both delightful and terrifying at the same time. You get these vivid images of twisted, deformed creatures made up of different animal combinations, and imagining them being pulled into the world through Sybil’s magic is equal parts cute and deeply unsettling.
There were numerous twists and turns. Some I saw coming, some I did not, and it kept me on my toes. This book has such an intriguing and erotically charged twist to it, but it is balanced with this constant unsettling tension about what is happening in the background. It is darkly sensual and atmospheric, and it feels like a blend of creepy and sweet. You are constantly pulled back and forth between the two. Especially because the book is told almost entirely through Sybil’s point of view, you experience everything through her innocent eyes and her simplistic way of seeing the world.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨, 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
▶ Fairytale Retelling
▶ Villain Gets the Girl
▶ Public Sex and Voyeurism
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Sex/Kink Club
▶ Fast burn
▶ Demons
▶ Potato Sack over his Shoulder
▶ "You taste like", "More", "Beg Me", "It Wont Fit", "Look at Me"
▶ Pushes it Back In
Overall, I loved the way the story progressed. I loved how it balanced the writing, the plot, and the spice, and it felt so full-bodied. If you are looking for a very easy-to-read, standalone romantasy that you just want to get lost in, this is absolutely the kind of book I would recommend. You are going to get spice, excellent worldbuilding, and cute but weird animals that are twisty and strange.
Thank you so much to Rebecca F. Kenney for this gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
February 16, 2026
'His breath heaves through his clenched jaws, and for a moment I feel infinitely fragile and consumable, like delicate prey in the grip of a powerful predator.' (Pg 56)
Dark Fairytales Reimagined | Spicy Romantasy | Horror | Blue Beard x Little Red Riding Hood
Was riding the fence on this one. It was interesting, but at the same time, I wasn't sure where it was going. There were mysterious elements, Beresford was sus with all his secrets, and Sybil was shrouded in curiosities. Those things kept me reading.
'But my attention keeps straying to the tallest and broadest man in the room, the one with the blue beard and the devouring eyes.' (Pg 57)
The last third of the book gets more thrilling, makes up for it, and is worth the read.
And IDK, if I were Sybil, could I keep my curiosity at bay and leave things in the dark? Umm... probably not, I'd probably fail that test, lol. I think any normal person would be too curious to be cautious.
'“You’re deeper than they are. Richer where it counts. I could dive into you, swim for years, and never reach the bottom. I could swallow your soul for ages, and yet no matter how much I consumed, you would remain wholly yourself....”' (Pg 162)
Warning, there is a little bit of grotesque horror.
eARC voluntary review
Dark Fairytales Reimagined | Spicy Romantasy | Horror | Blue Beard x Little Red Riding Hood
Was riding the fence on this one. It was interesting, but at the same time, I wasn't sure where it was going. There were mysterious elements, Beresford was sus with all his secrets, and Sybil was shrouded in curiosities. Those things kept me reading.
'But my attention keeps straying to the tallest and broadest man in the room, the one with the blue beard and the devouring eyes.' (Pg 57)
The last third of the book gets more thrilling, makes up for it, and is worth the read.
And IDK, if I were Sybil, could I keep my curiosity at bay and leave things in the dark? Umm... probably not, I'd probably fail that test, lol. I think any normal person would be too curious to be cautious.
'“You’re deeper than they are. Richer where it counts. I could dive into you, swim for years, and never reach the bottom. I could swallow your soul for ages, and yet no matter how much I consumed, you would remain wholly yourself....”' (Pg 162)
Warning, there is a little bit of grotesque horror.
eARC voluntary review
December 1, 2025
As many know I am a sucker for retellings, they make up like 45% of my reading personality.
A Blue Beard and Red Riding Hood mash up was not on my bingo reading card and yet…it belongs there. How Kenney tied them together was genius and I loved every minute of this book.
Sybil, the FMC, is the youngest daughter and not the son her father so desired, despite going to great lengths to try and assure it. As a result she is cursed and has no idea how to reverse it, leaving the villagers weary of her asa result.
Beresford, the MMC, is as mysterious as he is handsome…blue hair and all. Wealthy, charming, and with eyes only for Sybil. But he has secrets and he does not want to share them.
Yet, their connection is immediate and all-consuming. Their feelings for each other impossible to ignore. Can a marriage be successful when they agreed to keep their secrets? Can their love be enough? Are they connected in more ways than they realize?
A Blue Beard and Red Riding Hood mash up was not on my bingo reading card and yet…it belongs there. How Kenney tied them together was genius and I loved every minute of this book.
Sybil, the FMC, is the youngest daughter and not the son her father so desired, despite going to great lengths to try and assure it. As a result she is cursed and has no idea how to reverse it, leaving the villagers weary of her asa result.
Beresford, the MMC, is as mysterious as he is handsome…blue hair and all. Wealthy, charming, and with eyes only for Sybil. But he has secrets and he does not want to share them.
Yet, their connection is immediate and all-consuming. Their feelings for each other impossible to ignore. Can a marriage be successful when they agreed to keep their secrets? Can their love be enough? Are they connected in more ways than they realize?
December 6, 2025
Sybil Fallon has a talent for summoning demons at exactly the wrong moment, so when her family receives an invitation to dine with the enigmatic - and undeniably alluring - Theron Beresford, she’ll do anything to keep her unruly magic under control. Seeking help from her reclusive mentor only leads her into a forest that’s turned strange and sinister, and Sybil realizes the dangers surrounding her go far beyond a few ill-timed demonic manifestations. Drawn into Beresford’s world of refined charm by day and forbidden pleasures by night, Sybil must navigate desire, unease, and a rising body count if she hopes to carve out a future that’s actually hers.
This is an intriguing, erotically-charged twist on two classic fairy tales, and while it isn’t my personal favorite from Kenney, it still delivers the dark, sensual atmosphere she excels at. Her ability to blend erotic tension with genuinely unsettling undertones remains unmatched, and the plot strikes a surprisingly effective balance between creepy and sexy. The writing is smooth and vivid, with excellent scene-setting and tension-building that makes it easy to binge. I particularly liked Sybil’s magical abilities and the relationship she has with her mother and sister, which added a warmth that contrasted nicely with the darker elements.
The pacing wobbles a bit in the middle and toward the end, and Sybil herself felt a little bland compared to other Kenney heroines, but neither issue stopped me from enjoying the experience overall. Beresford, meanwhile, is a fantastic MMC: magnetic and mysterious. This is the kind of book that’s perfect when you want something quick, spicy, and just edgy enough to keep you on your toes. Fans of fairy-tale retellings and darkly erotic fantasy will find plenty to savor. Many thanks to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.
3.5/5 Not your local farmer’s barn parties.
This is an intriguing, erotically-charged twist on two classic fairy tales, and while it isn’t my personal favorite from Kenney, it still delivers the dark, sensual atmosphere she excels at. Her ability to blend erotic tension with genuinely unsettling undertones remains unmatched, and the plot strikes a surprisingly effective balance between creepy and sexy. The writing is smooth and vivid, with excellent scene-setting and tension-building that makes it easy to binge. I particularly liked Sybil’s magical abilities and the relationship she has with her mother and sister, which added a warmth that contrasted nicely with the darker elements.
The pacing wobbles a bit in the middle and toward the end, and Sybil herself felt a little bland compared to other Kenney heroines, but neither issue stopped me from enjoying the experience overall. Beresford, meanwhile, is a fantastic MMC: magnetic and mysterious. This is the kind of book that’s perfect when you want something quick, spicy, and just edgy enough to keep you on your toes. Fans of fairy-tale retellings and darkly erotic fantasy will find plenty to savor. Many thanks to the author for this ARC. This is my honest review.
3.5/5 Not your local farmer’s barn parties.
February 15, 2026
A fun mash up of Red ridding hood and Blue beard. This story was entertaining from start to finish.
February 25, 2026
I kinda just devoured this book like I’d like Beresford to devour me 😋 I just thoroughly enjoyed the meshing of these two fairytales, that you wouldn’t think would work well together but do!
The way Rebecca Kennedy injects the most addictive gothic atmosphere into her Romantasy, and it makes it impossible it put down. I loved the setting, plot, mystery woven through, and elements of magic. It was just an easy book to read and extremely entertaining and spicy 🥵
The way Rebecca Kennedy injects the most addictive gothic atmosphere into her Romantasy, and it makes it impossible it put down. I loved the setting, plot, mystery woven through, and elements of magic. It was just an easy book to read and extremely entertaining and spicy 🥵
February 16, 2026
3.5 stars! This was one of the weirdest but spiciest books I’ve ever read. And I’ve read a lot of weird shit lol
December 19, 2025
Another fun, smutty fairytale retelling by Rebecca Kenney! Her books are always entertaining and I love a standalone book! This is a Blue Beard and Red Riding hood retelling which is obvious from the title of the book.
Sybil is our FMC and accidentally summons demons on occasion. Sybil is also in a marrying age and lives in poverty, so her marital prospects are lacking. The mysterious fellow townsman, Beresford, reappears and Sybil is shocked by his stunning looks and electric blue hair. Like most of Rebecca’s books, the spice starts quick and gets spicy quick after Beresford invites Sybil to a spicy party at his house. These two fall hard and super quick and each have their own secrets they don’t want the other to know about.
Read this if you like:
❤️ red riding hood retelling
💙 blue beard inspired MMMC
❤️ forced proximity
💙 insta love/lust
❤️ accidental demon summoning
💙 complex world with mythical creatures and demons
❤️ spicy parties/exhibitionism
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much to Rebecca Kenney for the eARC!!
Sybil is our FMC and accidentally summons demons on occasion. Sybil is also in a marrying age and lives in poverty, so her marital prospects are lacking. The mysterious fellow townsman, Beresford, reappears and Sybil is shocked by his stunning looks and electric blue hair. Like most of Rebecca’s books, the spice starts quick and gets spicy quick after Beresford invites Sybil to a spicy party at his house. These two fall hard and super quick and each have their own secrets they don’t want the other to know about.
Read this if you like:
❤️ red riding hood retelling
💙 blue beard inspired MMMC
❤️ forced proximity
💙 insta love/lust
❤️ accidental demon summoning
💙 complex world with mythical creatures and demons
❤️ spicy parties/exhibitionism
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Thank you so much to Rebecca Kenney for the eARC!!
May 10, 2026
Fantastic Fairytale Mashup Retelling, Gripping, Gothic, Lush, Mysterious, Supernatural
Blue Beard, Red Hood is the sixth standalone in Rebecca F. Kenney's Beloved Villains series, comprised of dark, spicy fairytale retellings, with, you guessed it, a beloved villain as the love interest. The preceding books tell, at times, genderbent, but always re-imagined tales through the magical mind of Ms. Kenney, of the Little Mermaid (The Sea Witch), Sleeping Beauty (The Maleficent Faerie), Rumplestiltskin (The Nameless Trickster), Cinderella (The Midnight King), and Beauty and the Beast (The Beastly Brothers).
Blue Beard, Red Hood, tackles, and combines two classic tales: Red Riding Hood and Bluebeard.
Set in a dark, lush world with mysterious woods, strange supernatural happenings, a miserly, yet magical, grandmother figure, and an enigmatic aristocrat, we meet our protagonist and FMC, Sybil Fallon. Sybil sits at the center of the mysteries, as she happens to have a habit—one she can’t quite control—of summoning demons at the most inconvenient times.
Sybil, often in her red-hooded cape, does not know why she is the way she is, only that it is a source of shame for her mother and sister, Anne. Although no proof has ever been officially discovered, she is at the epicenter of their small town’s gossip as a witch—something wrong, unnatural. Perhaps she is the reason her father simply disappeared one day. Perhaps she is the cause of all the creeping, demonic creatures that now inhabit the woods. Perhaps she is the reason that anyone who wanders in those woods, including Grandmother Riquet, who has not been seen in some time, is never seen again, and if they are, are marred by some dark wrongness…
Sybil internalized all the rumors and shame as she prepares for another cold, impoverished winter that might finally be the end of her family when she meets her perplexing knight in shining armor, Theron Beresford. With his true-blue hair and beard, Theron appears just at the moment when Sybil had all but given up hope. And just like that, Sybil is whisked into an all-encompassing attraction turned passionate connection. Yet Beresford has secrets, secrets Sybil knows she cannot press upon, for she has her own that she’s not willing to give up, either.
As Sybil dives deeper into her relationship with Beresford, she will discover that some secrets cannot be unturned. When it all comes to a head, Sybil will be forced to navigate a path to uncover the truth—about herself, about Beresford, about the circumstances that surrounded her birth, and how all the mysteries seem to circle back to those eerie woods.
—
Let me just say that I am obsessed with this book. The author did such an incredible job of marrying these fairytales and legends while also weaving something brand new and electric. Of course, there is spice, and that spice is excellent, *chefs kiss.* The mysteries are decadent and alluring. The supporting characters are complex, and my opinion of them evolves through the book.
I was deeply impressed by the weaving of Bluebeard’s legend into this tale. I didn’t know much about Bluebeard in general prior to reading this, and I loved the elements Kenney chose to keep and how she powered those elements into an MMC we can still root for after the fact.
[Legend spoiler ahead if you’re unaware, proceed cautiously]
The theme I felt was so incredibly important that she really hammered home was the unfairness and patriarchal wrongness of Bluebeard giving his bride the keys to every room in the mansion/castle, and telling her she must not use a specific key to a forbidden room. The war that Sybil wages against herself to not open this particular door was spectacular. The blood-stained magical key, and what she finds there, and what it all means—had my jaw drop on the floor. I could not put it down at this point, and I had to understand the full picture, which totally tilted everything I thought I understood on its axis. The theme of the legend that scholars still debate today is the importance of a woman not simply abiding by the cruel rule of a man, but standing up to him and to it, even if it means the end of her happy relationship and life. The idea that a happy relationship can only be a facade as long as there is a secret line that cannot be broached. She would lose her mind if she didn’t broach it, if she didn’t unearth all the secrets. She could never be truly happy, could never trust in her relationship, if she didn’t.
I also loved the side romance between Sybil’s sister, Anne, and a local passing character, Henry Partridge, who comes back to be very important in a huge way later on.
The concept of what Beresford is, is so fascinating, and I loved the lore detailed.
The concept of what Beresford is, is so fascinating, and I loved the lore both within the book and in the legend research I conducted. Kenney, as always, brings back all the small details and story elements that, at the time, had me highlighting and thinking, “I wonder where this will fit in later.” She always makes it fit, and fit perfectly.
And of course, because it’s Kenney, there is a happy ending for all our heroes, and a very fitting ending for our true villain, which of course, is not actually Beresford.
This was just beautifully done, and I honestly think it is her #1 best work to date.
There were a few moments when I felt the side characters absorbed the world-tilting details a little too quickly, running with them without much difficulty. But of course, this is a fantastical story, and there’s a certain suspension of belief involved. I did appreciate that, in the end, it is not 100% wrapped up in a perfect bow; there are proposed ideas for how the future might pan out, but the characters are given the space they need to adjust to the new reality and all that might come next.
All in all, this was a masterpiece, and I truly enjoyed every part of it.
I’ll also note that I received this ARC in November, and it's taken me quite a while to finish it due to some personal matters. I was on a reading hiatus for a few months, and now that I’m back, it feels like a huge accomplishment to have finally finished this beautiful book and to get to post this review. I’m grateful to be bestowed ARCs and to be trusted to share my thoughts, even if those thoughts come a little later than expected.
CW: This book, and the legends reflected, contain dark themes and material. Please review the author’s content warnings at the start of the book or on her website before proceeding.
As always, thank you to Rebecca F. Kenney for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blue Beard, Red Hood is the sixth standalone in Rebecca F. Kenney's Beloved Villains series, comprised of dark, spicy fairytale retellings, with, you guessed it, a beloved villain as the love interest. The preceding books tell, at times, genderbent, but always re-imagined tales through the magical mind of Ms. Kenney, of the Little Mermaid (The Sea Witch), Sleeping Beauty (The Maleficent Faerie), Rumplestiltskin (The Nameless Trickster), Cinderella (The Midnight King), and Beauty and the Beast (The Beastly Brothers).
Blue Beard, Red Hood, tackles, and combines two classic tales: Red Riding Hood and Bluebeard.
Set in a dark, lush world with mysterious woods, strange supernatural happenings, a miserly, yet magical, grandmother figure, and an enigmatic aristocrat, we meet our protagonist and FMC, Sybil Fallon. Sybil sits at the center of the mysteries, as she happens to have a habit—one she can’t quite control—of summoning demons at the most inconvenient times.
Sybil, often in her red-hooded cape, does not know why she is the way she is, only that it is a source of shame for her mother and sister, Anne. Although no proof has ever been officially discovered, she is at the epicenter of their small town’s gossip as a witch—something wrong, unnatural. Perhaps she is the reason her father simply disappeared one day. Perhaps she is the cause of all the creeping, demonic creatures that now inhabit the woods. Perhaps she is the reason that anyone who wanders in those woods, including Grandmother Riquet, who has not been seen in some time, is never seen again, and if they are, are marred by some dark wrongness…
Sybil internalized all the rumors and shame as she prepares for another cold, impoverished winter that might finally be the end of her family when she meets her perplexing knight in shining armor, Theron Beresford. With his true-blue hair and beard, Theron appears just at the moment when Sybil had all but given up hope. And just like that, Sybil is whisked into an all-encompassing attraction turned passionate connection. Yet Beresford has secrets, secrets Sybil knows she cannot press upon, for she has her own that she’s not willing to give up, either.
As Sybil dives deeper into her relationship with Beresford, she will discover that some secrets cannot be unturned. When it all comes to a head, Sybil will be forced to navigate a path to uncover the truth—about herself, about Beresford, about the circumstances that surrounded her birth, and how all the mysteries seem to circle back to those eerie woods.
—
Let me just say that I am obsessed with this book. The author did such an incredible job of marrying these fairytales and legends while also weaving something brand new and electric. Of course, there is spice, and that spice is excellent, *chefs kiss.* The mysteries are decadent and alluring. The supporting characters are complex, and my opinion of them evolves through the book.
I was deeply impressed by the weaving of Bluebeard’s legend into this tale. I didn’t know much about Bluebeard in general prior to reading this, and I loved the elements Kenney chose to keep and how she powered those elements into an MMC we can still root for after the fact.
[Legend spoiler ahead if you’re unaware, proceed cautiously]
The theme I felt was so incredibly important that she really hammered home was the unfairness and patriarchal wrongness of Bluebeard giving his bride the keys to every room in the mansion/castle, and telling her she must not use a specific key to a forbidden room. The war that Sybil wages against herself to not open this particular door was spectacular. The blood-stained magical key, and what she finds there, and what it all means—had my jaw drop on the floor. I could not put it down at this point, and I had to understand the full picture, which totally tilted everything I thought I understood on its axis. The theme of the legend that scholars still debate today is the importance of a woman not simply abiding by the cruel rule of a man, but standing up to him and to it, even if it means the end of her happy relationship and life. The idea that a happy relationship can only be a facade as long as there is a secret line that cannot be broached. She would lose her mind if she didn’t broach it, if she didn’t unearth all the secrets. She could never be truly happy, could never trust in her relationship, if she didn’t.
I also loved the side romance between Sybil’s sister, Anne, and a local passing character, Henry Partridge, who comes back to be very important in a huge way later on.
The concept of what Beresford is, is so fascinating, and I loved the lore detailed.
The concept of what Beresford is, is so fascinating, and I loved the lore both within the book and in the legend research I conducted. Kenney, as always, brings back all the small details and story elements that, at the time, had me highlighting and thinking, “I wonder where this will fit in later.” She always makes it fit, and fit perfectly.
And of course, because it’s Kenney, there is a happy ending for all our heroes, and a very fitting ending for our true villain, which of course, is not actually Beresford.
This was just beautifully done, and I honestly think it is her #1 best work to date.
There were a few moments when I felt the side characters absorbed the world-tilting details a little too quickly, running with them without much difficulty. But of course, this is a fantastical story, and there’s a certain suspension of belief involved. I did appreciate that, in the end, it is not 100% wrapped up in a perfect bow; there are proposed ideas for how the future might pan out, but the characters are given the space they need to adjust to the new reality and all that might come next.
All in all, this was a masterpiece, and I truly enjoyed every part of it.
I’ll also note that I received this ARC in November, and it's taken me quite a while to finish it due to some personal matters. I was on a reading hiatus for a few months, and now that I’m back, it feels like a huge accomplishment to have finally finished this beautiful book and to get to post this review. I’m grateful to be bestowed ARCs and to be trusted to share my thoughts, even if those thoughts come a little later than expected.
CW: This book, and the legends reflected, contain dark themes and material. Please review the author’s content warnings at the start of the book or on her website before proceeding.
As always, thank you to Rebecca F. Kenney for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 26, 2025
Blue Beard, Red Hood by Rebecca F Kenney is a spicy blend of two dark fairytales and filled with folklore, debauchery, uncontrollable magic, ominous mysteries and otherworldly creatures.
Sybil, our FMC, struggles to suppress her demon summoning powers, which are unpredictable and seemingly tied to her emotions. Theron Beresford is our mysterious, wealthy and charming MMC with a distinct allure and dangerously magnetic pull.
I read this in one night as a quick stand alone and palate cleanser. I struggled connecting with the characters in a meaningful way, though, and would’ve liked Beresford’s perspective introduced earlier and more frequently. The chemistry and spice was well done (and plentiful) but at times the story felt off in its pacing.
Blue Beard, Red Hood releases on December 5th, 2025. I recommend this for fans of spicy fairytale retellings, standalones, morally grey MMCs, age gap, debauched secret parties and obsessive & devoted MMCs!
Sybil, our FMC, struggles to suppress her demon summoning powers, which are unpredictable and seemingly tied to her emotions. Theron Beresford is our mysterious, wealthy and charming MMC with a distinct allure and dangerously magnetic pull.
I read this in one night as a quick stand alone and palate cleanser. I struggled connecting with the characters in a meaningful way, though, and would’ve liked Beresford’s perspective introduced earlier and more frequently. The chemistry and spice was well done (and plentiful) but at times the story felt off in its pacing.
Blue Beard, Red Hood releases on December 5th, 2025. I recommend this for fans of spicy fairytale retellings, standalones, morally grey MMCs, age gap, debauched secret parties and obsessive & devoted MMCs!
December 7, 2025
RATING 4.5 (rounded up).
In the world of fantasy retellings, Rebecca F. Kenney is one of my absolute favorites and I am always on the lookout for anything new that she puts out. In her latest release, Blue Beard, Red Hood, Kenney takes on a combination of two French fairy tales by Charles Perrault. It is a standalone in her Beloved Villains series and she delivers a dark goth tale set amidst the Winter chill of a small village.
In Blue Beard, Red Hood, we meet Sybil, a young woman who is 'cursed' with a gift that has kept her isolated from most, never having the chance to experience true freedom. In times of heightened emotion, Sybil summons demon like creatures, whose appearance is otherworldly. Amidst the shame of a power she cannot control, Sybil hides many of the creatures in the mysterious woods near her house. However, much like the demons she summons, Sybil finds herself burdened by the secrets of dark magic that is building in the woods and past bargains that she does not yet understand.
Soon, Sybil finds herself drawn to the mysterious and magnetic Theron Beresford, a wealthy neighbor who until recently has lived on the fringes. Beresford with his blue beard and extravagant parties, opens a world to Sybil that she had never envisioned for herself. With a voracious appetite for pleasure and enjoyment, Beresford allows Sybil to indulge in fantasies and needs that she has never been able to before. She feels an inexplicable pull to Beresford and the attraction between them is instantaneous and profound.
However, Beresford is not all he seems with a past cloaked in a darkness that he lets no one near. As Beresford and Sybil grow closer, the weight of the secrets they carry threaten to destroy the tenuous foundation of their relationship. All the while, there is a growing evil spreading in the woods and Sybil cannot help but fear that it may be linked to the magic flowing in her veins, to the unknown of who Beresford truly is, and to the evil deity known as the Barrow Man, whose gateway lives deeps within the forrest.
While I am familiar with the Little Red Riding Hood tale, I did not know the story of Blue Beard and I almost preferred it that way because it really helped build the suspense of Kenney's story. I really adored the way that Kenney slowly unravels the dark layers of mystery behind Beresford's past. The atmospheric quality to the story telling was very Poe-like and left me unable to put the book down as the twist and turns left my hair standing on end and goose bumps breaking out on my skin. I never saw the twist coming and I always love that!
Amidst the painful and traumatic themes of Sybil and Beresford's pasts, I adored the way that Kenney represented the relationship between the women in Sybil's life. The way that her sister Anne and her mother are always there to protect herand show up for her is beautiful. Each is fierce and powerful in her own way and it is a touching part of the story. Also, without spoiling, there is a side character who definitely snuck up on me and by the end of the book had absolutely gained a place in my heart. Their steadfastness and sacrifice are a much needed counterpoint to all of the darkness that threatens to drown our main characters.
Once again, Kenney has given us a retelling that balances perfectly between themes and tropes that are dark and even at times a touch horrific, with a message of perseverance, acceptance, hope and love. It is another one to add to your to read list!
In the world of fantasy retellings, Rebecca F. Kenney is one of my absolute favorites and I am always on the lookout for anything new that she puts out. In her latest release, Blue Beard, Red Hood, Kenney takes on a combination of two French fairy tales by Charles Perrault. It is a standalone in her Beloved Villains series and she delivers a dark goth tale set amidst the Winter chill of a small village.
In Blue Beard, Red Hood, we meet Sybil, a young woman who is 'cursed' with a gift that has kept her isolated from most, never having the chance to experience true freedom. In times of heightened emotion, Sybil summons demon like creatures, whose appearance is otherworldly. Amidst the shame of a power she cannot control, Sybil hides many of the creatures in the mysterious woods near her house. However, much like the demons she summons, Sybil finds herself burdened by the secrets of dark magic that is building in the woods and past bargains that she does not yet understand.
Soon, Sybil finds herself drawn to the mysterious and magnetic Theron Beresford, a wealthy neighbor who until recently has lived on the fringes. Beresford with his blue beard and extravagant parties, opens a world to Sybil that she had never envisioned for herself. With a voracious appetite for pleasure and enjoyment, Beresford allows Sybil to indulge in fantasies and needs that she has never been able to before. She feels an inexplicable pull to Beresford and the attraction between them is instantaneous and profound.
However, Beresford is not all he seems with a past cloaked in a darkness that he lets no one near. As Beresford and Sybil grow closer, the weight of the secrets they carry threaten to destroy the tenuous foundation of their relationship. All the while, there is a growing evil spreading in the woods and Sybil cannot help but fear that it may be linked to the magic flowing in her veins, to the unknown of who Beresford truly is, and to the evil deity known as the Barrow Man, whose gateway lives deeps within the forrest.
While I am familiar with the Little Red Riding Hood tale, I did not know the story of Blue Beard and I almost preferred it that way because it really helped build the suspense of Kenney's story. I really adored the way that Kenney slowly unravels the dark layers of mystery behind Beresford's past. The atmospheric quality to the story telling was very Poe-like and left me unable to put the book down as the twist and turns left my hair standing on end and goose bumps breaking out on my skin. I never saw the twist coming and I always love that!
Amidst the painful and traumatic themes of Sybil and Beresford's pasts, I adored the way that Kenney represented the relationship between the women in Sybil's life. The way that her sister Anne and her mother are always there to protect herand show up for her is beautiful. Each is fierce and powerful in her own way and it is a touching part of the story. Also, without spoiling, there is a side character who definitely snuck up on me and by the end of the book had absolutely gained a place in my heart. Their steadfastness and sacrifice are a much needed counterpoint to all of the darkness that threatens to drown our main characters.
Once again, Kenney has given us a retelling that balances perfectly between themes and tropes that are dark and even at times a touch horrific, with a message of perseverance, acceptance, hope and love. It is another one to add to your to read list!
December 8, 2025
(Actual rating: 4.5 stars)
It’s been a while since I read one of Kenney’s books and I forgot how much I love her writing style.
This story immediately sucks you in. I really enjoyed the melding of the two fairytales and how I was left wondering how everything was going to tie together. The setting almost felt Gatsbyish at times with rich, decadent parties, just with a lot more sex.
And of course the spice was 10/10.
My only time complaint (I can’t even really call it that) is that the ending came really fast and everything tied up very quickly. Which isn’t a bad thing I just wasn’t ready for it to end and I was hoping the villain would get more screen time.
Overall I really loved this story and it makes me want to dive into another of Kenney’s books.
*I received and ARC from BookFunnel and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
It’s been a while since I read one of Kenney’s books and I forgot how much I love her writing style.
This story immediately sucks you in. I really enjoyed the melding of the two fairytales and how I was left wondering how everything was going to tie together. The setting almost felt Gatsbyish at times with rich, decadent parties, just with a lot more sex.
And of course the spice was 10/10.
My only time complaint (I can’t even really call it that) is that the ending came really fast and everything tied up very quickly. Which isn’t a bad thing I just wasn’t ready for it to end and I was hoping the villain would get more screen time.
Overall I really loved this story and it makes me want to dive into another of Kenney’s books.
*I received and ARC from BookFunnel and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
December 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this one!
I always love a Rebecca F Kenney book and this one did not disappoint.
I adored the vibes of Wormsloe and the forest and the twist on the Blue Beard story. Beresford was an amazing MMC, and I really liked Sybil as well.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a dark fairytale retelling.
The plot was plotting and spice was spicing!
Thank you so much for the ARC. ❤️
I always love a Rebecca F Kenney book and this one did not disappoint.
I adored the vibes of Wormsloe and the forest and the twist on the Blue Beard story. Beresford was an amazing MMC, and I really liked Sybil as well.
Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a dark fairytale retelling.
The plot was plotting and spice was spicing!
Thank you so much for the ARC. ❤️
November 17, 2025
I could not put it down! It was so good!
Every page had me guessing and I loved it so much! This is absolutely a recommendation!
I immediately fell in love with the characters even when the secrets got revealed! The writing was beautiful and the story was incredible
I cannot wait to read more of her books🖤
Tropes
🥀Dark Fantasy
🖤Otherworldly Powers/Beings
🥀Secrets
🖤Touch her and unalive
🥀Lots of Steamy Scenes
🖤Poor FMC x Rich MMC
Every page had me guessing and I loved it so much! This is absolutely a recommendation!
I immediately fell in love with the characters even when the secrets got revealed! The writing was beautiful and the story was incredible
I cannot wait to read more of her books🖤
Tropes
🥀Dark Fantasy
🖤Otherworldly Powers/Beings
🥀Secrets
🖤Touch her and unalive
🥀Lots of Steamy Scenes
🖤Poor FMC x Rich MMC
November 27, 2025
I devoured this and the opportunity to have eARC of this because I’m a sucker for reimaginings/retellings of fairytales and folklore. Add in dark romantasy and plenty of spice it checks all my interests with plenty of magic, intrigue and plot to keep me interested. It’s my first book by this author and now I want to read more.
November 22, 2025
I got the opportunity to read this as an eArc and I ate it all up! I loved the combination of two stories and did not see several things coming (in a good way). Sybil is the FMC and I adored her!
Fave quote:
“I love you, you fucking idiot. I love who you are at your core, and I love who you try to be. Neither of us will be the same souls in ten years, or twenty, or thirty, but I’m willing to change together, if you are.”
Fave quote:
“I love you, you fucking idiot. I love who you are at your core, and I love who you try to be. Neither of us will be the same souls in ten years, or twenty, or thirty, but I’m willing to change together, if you are.”
December 3, 2025
The vibes were immaculate. This was such a creative, chaotic twist on two fairytales that absolutely shouldn’t go together… and yet somehow totally did. I had so much fun with it. I love Rebecca F. Kenney and this book just reminded me why.
February 17, 2026
yeah.. i'm definitely in a reading slump 😩
March 5, 2026
Weird Story
September 17, 2026
What just happened
December 13, 2025
this was insanely interesting book about people abs creatures who can love and accept their secrets together and grow. I had my what in the world moments to aw moments. wonderful job Rebecca
January 25, 2026
3 stars for the storyline and an extra half star for the smut
January 9, 2026
I just couldn’t with this book. It’s my fault for choosing it I suppose, I read the description. Just not my kind of book.
July 16, 2026
potrzebuję tego w wydaniu specjalnym, to moje guilty pleasure
May 3, 2026
My girl Sybil saw every red flag known to mankind and still said “ but mommy I love him”
November 30, 2025
I got to read this while on the beach in Cabo and it was much spicier than I was prepared for haha but man, did I love it. I LOVED it so much. The retelling was perfection. It was so much fun and I was highly entertained the entire read through. I had fun telling my hubby all about what was happening and my theories as I went. I was excited when some theories came true while others I missed FAR. I love all Rebecca Kenney books and I was so excited for the invite to read this one for free. It made my time in Cabo even better.
Phenomenal retelling!!! I loved all the red riding nods and the twists and turns. The worldbuilding was so good. Absolutely everything about this was great.
Phenomenal retelling!!! I loved all the red riding nods and the twists and turns. The worldbuilding was so good. Absolutely everything about this was great.
December 3, 2025
⭐️4.75
✨ARC Review✨
Blue Beard hosting orgy parties at his house barn was something I didn't know I needed until I read this.
I loved this from start to finish. I really like fairytale retellings, so I was wondering how the Red riding hood and Blue beard stories would come together, but honestly, this was pure genius. I loved the dark undertones, the whole woods part as well with the Barrow-Man, I loved that everything felt so thought-out and it was the perfect mixture of tense, funny, mysterious, dark and cute (that's literally my favourite mixture).
I loved all the characters in this, with Sybil's mother being my favourite. I find that most of the fantasy books I've read have either dead parents for the main characters, or they're just shitty/evil people (there's always an evil king isn't there..) so it's always so refreshing when I stumble upon a parent who is actually alive and cares for their child and will sacrifice anything to help them.
I also absolutely loved how I couldn't decide until near the end if our MMC is gonna be proper evil like the fairytale or if there's gonna be a twist and he'll turn out nice. I was gonna be happy either way to be honest, but I thought the ending was fantastic and how everything tied up together ✨
✨ARC Review✨
Blue Beard hosting orgy parties at his house barn was something I didn't know I needed until I read this.
I loved this from start to finish. I really like fairytale retellings, so I was wondering how the Red riding hood and Blue beard stories would come together, but honestly, this was pure genius. I loved the dark undertones, the whole woods part as well with the Barrow-Man, I loved that everything felt so thought-out and it was the perfect mixture of tense, funny, mysterious, dark and cute (that's literally my favourite mixture).
I loved all the characters in this, with Sybil's mother being my favourite. I find that most of the fantasy books I've read have either dead parents for the main characters, or they're just shitty/evil people (there's always an evil king isn't there..) so it's always so refreshing when I stumble upon a parent who is actually alive and cares for their child and will sacrifice anything to help them.
I also absolutely loved how I couldn't decide until near the end if our MMC is gonna be proper evil like the fairytale or if there's gonna be a twist and he'll turn out nice. I was gonna be happy either way to be honest, but I thought the ending was fantastic and how everything tied up together ✨
December 11, 2025
Being 100% honest, this one threw me for a loop for a while. I had no clue how to come out the other side of a Bluebeard story without him being the villain. Rebecca Kenney managed it in an interesting way, and in a way that feels fairytale-ish. I also learned about a new folkloric creature I hadn’t heard before, which is saying something for me. Felt almost surrealist at points and definitely veered into botanical horror, and until explanations were had, I was genuinely thinking it might veer into cosmic horror. Always an interesting spin on a story you think you know, and impressed how well the mashup was managed, but I definitely prefer some of her other works more.
February 10, 2026
A blue beard cannot be attractive to me no matter how handsome the character is. Just like how you would not find a neon green cat attractive.
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