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Curse of Beauty's Crime
Curse of Beauty’s Crime — Dark Beauty & the Beast Retelling
Germany’s Black Forest has always whispered of monsters— but Alaric Reinhard is no myth. Cursed into the form of a Wolpertinger, hunted and exiled for the crimes of his past, Alaric wanders his wooded estate in rage and ruin. No one dares enter his territory—until she does.
To save her brother, a young fairy woman bargains with the Beast and takes his place as prisoner. Now locked beneath his home, she becomes the one thing Alaric never expected again in his wretched a witness. To his fury. To his guilt. To the man still buried beneath the monster. But curses do not break easily, and every kindness she offers risks awakening the very darkness she should fear.
Love may be her only weapon—
or the crime that damns them both.
Germany’s Black Forest has always whispered of monsters— but Alaric Reinhard is no myth. Cursed into the form of a Wolpertinger, hunted and exiled for the crimes of his past, Alaric wanders his wooded estate in rage and ruin. No one dares enter his territory—until she does.
To save her brother, a young fairy woman bargains with the Beast and takes his place as prisoner. Now locked beneath his home, she becomes the one thing Alaric never expected again in his wretched a witness. To his fury. To his guilt. To the man still buried beneath the monster. But curses do not break easily, and every kindness she offers risks awakening the very darkness she should fear.
Love may be her only weapon—
or the crime that damns them both.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2025
4 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Johnna Dee
21 books63 followersAuthor Johnna Dee is a fantasy romance writer who has three series out at the time of publication. Initially, her creative journey began with poetry, where she honed her skills in crafting evocative and lyrical verses. As her passion for storytelling grew, she ventured into the realm of novels, weaving intricate plots and enchanting worlds that transport readers to extraordinary realms.
For more exclusive content and other goodies, sign-up for Johnna Dee’s newsletter https://linktr.ee/johnnadee or check out her website https://alstroemeriapub.com/.
For more exclusive content and other goodies, sign-up for Johnna Dee’s newsletter https://linktr.ee/johnnadee or check out her website https://alstroemeriapub.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 8, 2025
I really enjoyed getting to read this and enjoyed this as a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast concept, it uses that concept perfectly and was engaged from start to finish and uses that perfectly. The characters were so well written and enjoyed how they were used in this retelling. The plot was so well done and enjoyed how it brought the reader into the world. Johnna Dee was able to create something that I was looking for and enjoyed the shifter element.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 15, 2025
Steamy, sharp, and wicked in all the right ways.
December 30, 2025
This book was so good. I love fairy tale retellings. This was a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a fae twist. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end.
March 19, 2026
A.R.C. read, 2.5 stars
Fingers sink into fur
Open door spice
Trigger Warnings:
The spice was spice-ing. I love a good IYCMYCFM and a happy giver.
It's a good amount of slow for a 180-190 page slow-burn, it dodged insta-lust in my estimations.
Monster lover.
I enjoyed the Beast/Alaric as the MMC, he treated her pretty darn well (he has some odd moments at the beginning where he's a bit inconsistent and dick-ish but the behaviors get mulled over immediately...), I don't think Leni really does much of anything for Alaric besides love.
The rest of the book didn't really come together for me.
Worldbuilding:
I can appreciate the deviation into more mundane household daily tasks but the concept was pretty superficially explored so honestly I'd rather it go back to "magic castle, don't sweat the details bro" logic.
I don't understand why Leni and her people are fae, she never .
Towns were close enough (Eike gets supplies in an afternoon and Leni walks around within a day) to the castle that anyone hunting could stumble on it but no one ever does? but everyone is also always attacking the castle? but no one dies/is killed? but no one comes back alive from the woods?...I'm not sure if this is a case of the author not wanting to commit to the Beast having done "bad" things or if it's an editing inconsistency? idk but it was obnoxious to be juggling the idea that ending up in the woods was really scary but also totally safe...
The German folklore should have been cool but it felt more like it was shimmed into an existing story. I'm guessing it was supposed to give the castle an "otherworldly" charm? but it didn't land for me.
Writing:
There were several phrases that got a lot of mileage in this book.
So much fear tingling up and slithering down spines, metallic tangy fear, gasping fear, heart pounding fear, cold fear...
So many tears, hot tears, cold tears, tear streaks, unshed tears...
A couple sections where the paragraph was a literal repeat of the previous one but italicized.
So much talking to themselves out loud, a storytelling device that was used to further the plot exactly zero times (no one ever overheard the other mumbling), why not just have thoughts instead? I think it would have been easier to follow inner thoughts than chunked up spoken dialogue when only one character is in-scene.
Overall the book had a lot of problems for me, but the spicy scenes were pretty memorable.
Fingers sink into fur
Open door spice
Trigger Warnings:
The spice was spice-ing. I love a good IYCMYCFM and a happy giver.
It's a good amount of slow for a 180-190 page slow-burn, it dodged insta-lust in my estimations.
Monster lover.
I enjoyed the Beast/Alaric as the MMC, he treated her pretty darn well (he has some odd moments at the beginning where he's a bit inconsistent and dick-ish but the behaviors get mulled over immediately...), I don't think Leni really does much of anything for Alaric besides love.
The rest of the book didn't really come together for me.
Worldbuilding:
I can appreciate the deviation into more mundane household daily tasks but the concept was pretty superficially explored so honestly I'd rather it go back to "magic castle, don't sweat the details bro" logic.
I don't understand why Leni and her people are fae, she never .
Towns were close enough (Eike gets supplies in an afternoon and Leni walks around within a day) to the castle that anyone hunting could stumble on it but no one ever does? but everyone is also always attacking the castle? but no one dies/is killed? but no one comes back alive from the woods?...I'm not sure if this is a case of the author not wanting to commit to the Beast having done "bad" things or if it's an editing inconsistency? idk but it was obnoxious to be juggling the idea that ending up in the woods was really scary but also totally safe...
The German folklore should have been cool but it felt more like it was shimmed into an existing story. I'm guessing it was supposed to give the castle an "otherworldly" charm? but it didn't land for me.
Writing:
There were several phrases that got a lot of mileage in this book.
So much fear tingling up and slithering down spines, metallic tangy fear, gasping fear, heart pounding fear, cold fear...
So many tears, hot tears, cold tears, tear streaks, unshed tears...
A couple sections where the paragraph was a literal repeat of the previous one but italicized.
So much talking to themselves out loud, a storytelling device that was used to further the plot exactly zero times (no one ever overheard the other mumbling), why not just have thoughts instead? I think it would have been easier to follow inner thoughts than chunked up spoken dialogue when only one character is in-scene.
Overall the book had a lot of problems for me, but the spicy scenes were pretty memorable.
January 30, 2026
Leni awoke to a blurry world, a strange warmth enveloping her, deepening her confusion. She shifted her head, moving slowly, attempting to understand her surroundings. The haze in her vision began to dissipate, revealing the room: tattered red curtains draped around a heavy four-poster bed. Page 294
I’m a fairytale fan so Curse of Beauty Crimes caught my eye. The parts I enjoyed about this novel were the chemistry between Leny (a fairy woman) and the beast Alaric, their authentic connection, and the very relatable dialogue. Also, the series of events that bring them together, as well as the myth surrounding Alaric, are interesting. The prose is not overflourished, which moves the story along quickly.
Now, my whinges: the retelling is very similar to the original fairy tale, and it doesn’t offer a new perspective on Alaric’s past and transformation. Leny’s trauma needs more work, and there are no flashbacks to give the reader more insight into her past. More vivid world-building is necessary, as the characters are happily set in the castle; however, I was itching to learn more about Leny’s fairy society. And lastly, towards the end, too many chapters are spent narrating their sex encounters, when they could have been spent solidifying the plot and events affecting the characters. It was an easy, fun novel to read; still, I wanted more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m a fairytale fan so Curse of Beauty Crimes caught my eye. The parts I enjoyed about this novel were the chemistry between Leny (a fairy woman) and the beast Alaric, their authentic connection, and the very relatable dialogue. Also, the series of events that bring them together, as well as the myth surrounding Alaric, are interesting. The prose is not overflourished, which moves the story along quickly.
Now, my whinges: the retelling is very similar to the original fairy tale, and it doesn’t offer a new perspective on Alaric’s past and transformation. Leny’s trauma needs more work, and there are no flashbacks to give the reader more insight into her past. More vivid world-building is necessary, as the characters are happily set in the castle; however, I was itching to learn more about Leny’s fairy society. And lastly, towards the end, too many chapters are spent narrating their sex encounters, when they could have been spent solidifying the plot and events affecting the characters. It was an easy, fun novel to read; still, I wanted more!
I received an advance review copy for free, and
I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2026
*****I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As someone who genuinely loves Beauty and the Beast retellings and has read many of them, I am admittedly quite selective when it comes to this trope. Maybe that is why Curse of Beauty's Crime did not fully work for me.
This book feels like a more developed version of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. It is not a direct retelling, but many elements are clearly familiar. Unfortunately, about seventy percent of the book felt extremely slow to me. I had to push myself to keep going rather than being pulled forward by the story. That said, things did improve toward the end. There was an interesting plot twist near the finale, and I genuinely enjoyed the last part of the book. However, aside from that, I struggled to connect with the story mainly because I did not find myself liking any of the characters. Leni, Alaric, Conrad, Eike... none of them really worked for me on an emotional level.
Overall, this might appeal to readers who enjoy slow burn retellings and familiar fairy tale structures, but for me, it lacked engagement for most of its length.
As someone who genuinely loves Beauty and the Beast retellings and has read many of them, I am admittedly quite selective when it comes to this trope. Maybe that is why Curse of Beauty's Crime did not fully work for me.
This book feels like a more developed version of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. It is not a direct retelling, but many elements are clearly familiar. Unfortunately, about seventy percent of the book felt extremely slow to me. I had to push myself to keep going rather than being pulled forward by the story. That said, things did improve toward the end. There was an interesting plot twist near the finale, and I genuinely enjoyed the last part of the book. However, aside from that, I struggled to connect with the story mainly because I did not find myself liking any of the characters. Leni, Alaric, Conrad, Eike... none of them really worked for me on an emotional level.
Overall, this might appeal to readers who enjoy slow burn retellings and familiar fairy tale structures, but for me, it lacked engagement for most of its length.
February 5, 2026
Thank you to BookSirens, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC! This is my honest review!
I looooove a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and this one did not disappoint. I loved the way the author incorporated elements of German folklore because it gave the whole story a really interesting twist that made it its own unique story even though it’s modelled after a classic. I thought the characters were well-written and I felt genuinely attached to them. I also adored Eike as a character and I think a lot of us can relate to having “hangry” as a core personality trait lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would recommend to anyone that’s looking for a darker-edged fairytale re-telling!
I looooove a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and this one did not disappoint. I loved the way the author incorporated elements of German folklore because it gave the whole story a really interesting twist that made it its own unique story even though it’s modelled after a classic. I thought the characters were well-written and I felt genuinely attached to them. I also adored Eike as a character and I think a lot of us can relate to having “hangry” as a core personality trait lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would recommend to anyone that’s looking for a darker-edged fairytale re-telling!
December 10, 2025
3⭐️
This Beauty and the Beast retelling adds a fun and unexpected twist by weaving in elements of German folklore.
Eike, the strange little beast who became snarky when unfed, and I are one and the same. Put a bowl of stew in my hands and suddenly I'm up for conversation.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a unique folkloric flavor. It didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, but it was a solid, cozy-dark fairytale experience that fans of retellings may like. Less than 200 pages as well so super easy to download curl up on the couch and read in one sitting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This Beauty and the Beast retelling adds a fun and unexpected twist by weaving in elements of German folklore.
Eike, the strange little beast who became snarky when unfed, and I are one and the same. Put a bowl of stew in my hands and suddenly I'm up for conversation.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with a unique folkloric flavor. It didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, but it was a solid, cozy-dark fairytale experience that fans of retellings may like. Less than 200 pages as well so super easy to download curl up on the couch and read in one sitting!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 30, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised when I read this book. It’s dark, a little creepy, and feels like a raw version of Beauty and the Beast. I like that the characters aren’t perfect, the relationships are intense, messy, and sometimes almost unsettling, and that’s what made me get hooked. It’s the kind of book you read fast without even noticing, because you just need to know how it all ends. For me, it was a cozy-dark fantasy experience with just the right amount of romance and that cursed-fairytale vibe.
This review is voluntary.
Thank you so much Johanna and BookSirens for letting me be a part of the team.❤️🌺
This review is voluntary.
Thank you so much Johanna and BookSirens for letting me be a part of the team.❤️🌺
January 31, 2026
This felt like it was meant to be a spin on Beauty and the Beast, but it ended up reading more like a quirky twist on Little Red Riding Hood instead.
I found it genuinely amusing, especially the dynamic between the grumpy, misunderstood “man” and the bright, sunny FMC, plus the silly little housemate who added some charm. Despite being marketed as a short, smutty monster romance, there was a surprising amount of actual story woven in, which I appreciated.
It’s a cute, light love story with monster romance elements, though it’s definitely niche. This isn’t something I’d recommend broadly, but if you’re specifically in the mood for a quick monster romance, it’s worth considering.
I found it genuinely amusing, especially the dynamic between the grumpy, misunderstood “man” and the bright, sunny FMC, plus the silly little housemate who added some charm. Despite being marketed as a short, smutty monster romance, there was a surprising amount of actual story woven in, which I appreciated.
It’s a cute, light love story with monster romance elements, though it’s definitely niche. This isn’t something I’d recommend broadly, but if you’re specifically in the mood for a quick monster romance, it’s worth considering.
February 8, 2026
This Beauty and the Beast retelling, though, good felt like it was lacking. The beginning ran slowly, taking a long while to finally catch my interest. The ending bringing the potential of the book.
The story while holding Beauty and the Beast references, the characters themselves felt more Red Riding Hood themed. Even mentioning the story within the book and having a werewolf feel as the beast.
I did enjoy the fact that the author brought folklore into the book with the retelling, not just modernizing it to fit the lives in which we live in today. The story was did have minor grammatical errors, but it didnt confuse the story.
The story while holding Beauty and the Beast references, the characters themselves felt more Red Riding Hood themed. Even mentioning the story within the book and having a werewolf feel as the beast.
I did enjoy the fact that the author brought folklore into the book with the retelling, not just modernizing it to fit the lives in which we live in today. The story was did have minor grammatical errors, but it didnt confuse the story.
December 27, 2025
This was a wonderful retelling of Beauty and the beast. An amazing fairytale retelling for adults. There where a few differenses from the original story, but contained a lot of familiar elements from the original. It was fun and fresh to include a bit of folklore and faires into the mix. The story and characters was well written. The romance was full of tension, And it was intriguing to follow the development of. I definitly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mature fairytale retellings. I am so greatful that I was able to receive an ARC.
January 11, 2026
It's alright not at all what I thought it would be. I love that it's a retelling but when I read "monster romance" I thought it would be a monster romance not necessarily what it was. I mean it eventually got there but like over 100 pages. Smut didn't happen until there was not really anything left in the book so if you want a heavy smut then this book isn't for you if you want a slow burn that feels like it's actually burning you this book is for you.
December 9, 2025
Curse of Beauty’s Crime is dark, seductive, and dangerously addictive. The tension between Beauty and her cursed Beast crackles off the page, and every moment between them feels like a slow burn you’re begging to ignite. Alaric is feral, broken, and irresistibly magnetic—exactly the kind of monster you shouldn’t crave… but absolutely will.
February 13, 2026
The story wasn't bad. Somewhat predictable (it is a retelling so of course its going to be), but with a decent twist at the end. Could use some further editing, there were minor things. They may even be cleaned up before the final publishing.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 8, 2025
We love a retelling. Especially when it’s beauty and the beast. I could not put this down. The world and the characters sucked me right in. Put it on your TBD immediately
December 9, 2025
Such a quick and simple read. A unique twist on Beauty and the beast. Can't wait to read more by this author. Thanks for the book.
December 9, 2025
This is the kind of Beauty & the Beast retelling that ruins you for the sweet ones. The atmosphere is deliciously eerie, the romance is sinfully charged.
December 9, 2025
The Beast is feral, sinful, and absolutely my new book boyfriend.
December 19, 2025
An adult version of the Beauty and the Beast. A few differences. A good read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews