Beast and Remedy: The Last of the Heirs

The Last of the Heirs #2

by L.L. Riley, Jacci Prior (Narrator), Christian Leatherman (Narrator)

Six Deities. Six Kingdoms. Each monarch gifted one of the Maker's abilities…But one heir is desperate to rectify a devastating mistake.

Vivienne suffers through perilous transitions from woman to bear, a burden forced on her as the future Queen of Belmur. She juggles her time between the two forms, grieving the loss of her mother, and relying on her twin sister, Marian, to help create a tonic to reduce the excruciating shifts. But when a failed experiment gets out of hand, her entire kingdom is forced to evacuate while she seeks to find a remedy.

King Beauvais of Torgem, Vivienne's lifelong friend, is quick to step in and offer her support. But the king and Vivienne have a long history—a history of love, secret and forbidden, that weaves through their very souls. And when betrayal comes from a place Vivienne least expects, she fears that saving her kingdom and her family will come at a great cost.

Can Vivienne push her boundaries and her heart? Or will she be forced to rely on the beast within?

Beast and Remedy is a reimagining of the popular fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. This story brings together a captivating and classic story retold and filled with fantasy, folklore, magic, and romance. This is a standalone book is the second book in an interconnected series. If you love fairytale/folklore retellings, check out Beast and Remedy today!

*Author's This book contains content intended for mature readers only.*

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Romantasy, Fairy Tales, Second Chance, Beauty and The Beast, Friends To Lovers

Audible Audio

Published May 4, 2026

About the author

L.L. Riley is a fantasy romance author with a passion for turning the timeless into the extraordinary. As a lover of fairytales, folklore, mythology, and all things magical, it’s her mission to transform the familiar into richly layered stories that feel unforgettable and wholly original.
L.L. Riley writes to enchant—to stir emotion—to spark curiosity. With lyrical prose, heartfelt depth, and worlds that glitter with magic, her work reflects who she is. Playfully bold, deeply feeling, and endlessly curious. With balancing whimsy and wonder with raw intensity, she invites readers to discover her uniquely composed stories meant to leave a lingering impact beyond the final page.
When L.L. Riley isn't immersed in worlds she creates, she's a homebody with her husband, where they take turns spoiling each other senselessly with jokes, sarcasm, and endless amounts of love. They're also surrounded and constantly smothered by their four needy, greedy, and utterly adorable cats.

Reviews

[Bookish_Aly_Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this reimagining of Beauty and the Beast. It felt completely original and had me totally captivated. I loved following Vi in this story as well as how there were letters sprinkled in throughout the book. This was such a fun retelling and I can’t wait to go back and read book one! This book can easily be read as a standalone, but I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Thank you Grimm & Co and the author for the gifted copy of the book.

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

"This unrest and foreboding will devour my mind, taint my soul, and ravish my heart.
It’ll keep going and going and going. Consuming me. Tormenting me. Until there is nothing left of me.
Nothing left to save.
Nothing left to fix.
And if I can’t stop this, who will?" (Ch 24)

Beauty and the Beast reshaped and reimagined into a spicy fairytale, one unlike any you have read before! This is a standalone in an interconnected series... BUT you should really read Frost and Death, too, if you haven't already, because it's good!!!

Love these kinds of interconnected stories where you get to revisit with main characters from a previous book, such as Tove and Jerrick from Book 1. It was good reading about them again.

"My blood, my bones, and my body ignite, the shift no longer deniable and the pain indiscernible as I charge .... my fury, my scream erupting into a roar as I drag my feet forward, unable to swallow down the wrath within as I transform." (Ch 48)

Vivienne'a gift is more of a curse, causing excruciating pain, though on the flipside she's a protector of the forest and has an affinity towards help animals. She longs to find a cure to her shifting pain and longs for her childhood love, Beau, who has been forbidden to her.

This is a story of a strong FMC, a selfless heroine. In a high-stakes journey and race against a vicious threat that's spreading across the kingdoms, Vi puts love on the back-burner (or tries to) and puts her sister and people before her own needs despite her agony and yearings.

Love the self-imposed torture, the blushes, friendships, and banter!

And AHHHHH!!!! The unexpected twist and betrayal! Sharp and straight to the heart. 💔 Tension, suspense gone savage!

[Update: Also had the pleasure of listening to the ALC. Will add updated review soon.]

eARC/ALC courtesy of Behind the Pages LLC

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and this book delivers and more. This is a story about love, about second chances, about secrets, and betrayal. Oh and what if instead of the male being the beast, it was the girl?

The love story between Vi and Beau is one of the best that I have read. From being friends as children, to ignoring each other in adolescence, to rekindling that friendship and it blossoming to more in early adulthood to have it all ripped out from under them by an unforeseen tragedy. I loved getting to watch these parts of the story unfold through the letters shared between the two throughout their lives.

The book actually starts when an injured wolf ingests something that causes it to carry a deadly infection that can spread between animals and humans. Vi and her sister must go behind their father's back and reach out to old friends who have been accused of their mother's death years prior in order to save not only their kingdom but all of the kingdoms.

This story if full of love, found family, heartache, and longing. The absolute betrayal towards the end of the book was one that even I did not see coming.

[Ashley Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beast and Remedy by L.L. Riley is book 2 in The Last of the Heirs series of standalone interconnected stories. I have not read the first book and had no issues diving into this one and understanding it. I really love the duet narration by Jacci Prior and Christian Leatherman, they did a phenomenal job bringing all the feelings of the characters to life!

Princess Vivienne is the heir to the throne of Belmur, with magic that causes her excruciating pain whenever she is forced to shift into her bear form. When a deadly infection begins spreading through animals and her people, Vi and her twin sister Marian seek out help from the other kingdoms to create a cure. This forces Vi to reunite with King Beauvais, once an ally and her first love, but was banished by her father 7 years ago.

Vi and Beau’s love story was just so incredibly sweet. They have this beautiful and innocent history filled with old letters shared between them. Their slow-burn, second-chance romance that grows as they race against time to save their people is equal parts heart warming and heart breaking as secrets unravel and tragedy strikes.

L.L. Riley did an amazing job with the pacing and world-building. There was such a good balance of romance, magic, political intrigue, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked. I love that this is a series of interconnected standalones, it gave me closure for Vi and Beau, but also leaves me excited for book 3 without sitting on a painful cliffhanger. Add this ALC to your TBR, you won’t be disappointed!

[Jennifer]

DNF (paused) @ 56%

Notes:
- This is book 2 in the series. I haven't read the first book, and you don't HAVE to, but I feel like it would have been better to, because characters from the first book are quite a lot of the first 20% of the book.
-@ 4%: the quote "... every male approaching me lacking substantial intellect." hahahahahaha!!
- I don't think I've heard Christian Leatherman narrate anything before, but he's a fantastic narrator! His voice is especially perfect for regal characters.
- @ 55%: Okay, yes she said she'd "find a husband", but why can't that husband be Beau, exactly? Also, she's apparently just okay with her randomly ghosting her for 7 years with no explanation?!?
- @56%: This whole "double squeeze" thing is getting annoying. It's done wayyyyyy too often!
- I'm reading The Poison Daughter at the same time as listening to this, and in both books characters keeping their magic abilities a secret is a big thing, so I'm going to pause this for awhile so I don't mix up the plots, or blend them together in my mind.

[Rikke's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an arc review.

I love Viv and Beau so much - Beau is actually the first blonde MMC that I've liked. I love their kindness and grace towards each other. Their struggles, and the yearning! Throughout I've been kicking my feet in joy, ugly crying from heartbreak and ultimately left with a feeling of happiness on their behalf at the end.

This book is everything a fantasy Romance should be - excellent world building, characters to fall in love with and hate, ‘save the world’ plot and of course romance. I love Lacey's take on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, how she's weaved it into her wider world. I felt every shift in my bones, it was very visceral.

I said in my review of Frost and Death, that she's an author I'd keep an eye on because I think she has great potential and I think she's proven this again by delivering a great story that now lives rent free in my head. She’s firmly on my auto-buy list.

I can't wait to read book 3 and see where this series will end up.

[Kez Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook -
🎧Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎧Narrator performance ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a genderswap beauty and beast style retelling with shifting, second chances, banter, yearning, and shocking twists right up to the end.
I like the letters portraying the transition from friendship to love, and the character driven focus, although it felt more YA at times despite the character ages.
It has family secrets, political intrigue and scandals, hidden powers, and a quest to find a cure for the plague on the land.
I liked how it explored the themes of grief and isolation, love for family, sacrifice, and the pain Vivi endures.

The audiobook is easy to listen to and get immersed in, portraying Vivi as the strong and selfless FMC well, and Beau as her forbidden childhood love who is all green flags.
There are shifts to mild spice, it is romance heavy, and the audiobook is very dramatised making it more of an experience. The music playing took a bit of time to adjust too alongside the narration and was sometimes distracting, although it did add to the regency feel of the fairytale world.
It is part of an interconnected series but can be read/listened to as a romantasy standalone.

[Maddy Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨OH, SWEET MAKERS. I am SHATTERED. HEALED. REBORN. INFINITY STARS ✨

Beast and Remedy by L.L. Riley – A Book Review from the Deepest Part of My Soul

Happy release day to yet another book that owns my heart and soul by L.L Riley - Beast and Remedy. Let me be very clear: THIS BOOK IS AN INFINITY-STAR READ. If I could tattoo it on my soul, I would.

This was my #1 most anticipated read of 2025, and rightfully so. I devoured Frost and Death twice last year (my favorite of 2024!), and I knew this sequel would absolutely destroy me in the best way. I was hesitant to start it, knowing it would completely consume me… and I was 100% right.

This book is immaculate. Perfection. Raw and beautiful and achingly powerful. I don’t even have the right words because all the words fall short. I teared up. I laughed. I felt everything deeply in my soul. I fell in love with the characters, and the emotional grip it had on me was UNREAL.

Let’s talk about Beau and Vi. Oh, my heart. I ADORE THEM. I didn’t think anyone could top Tove and Jerrick (my beloveds from book one), but L.L. Riley said watch this - and now I’m absolutely obsessed. Vi, our redheaded, stubborn, fierce animal-loving apothecary, gifted with forest magic and cursed/blessed with the form of a bear is nothing short of ICONIC. And Beau- King Beau, her banished childhood friend/love, perfect, selfless, letter-writing, starry-eyed, healing masterpiece of a man? I fell for him immediately. He is literally the perfect MMC.

AND THOSE LETTERS. Sprinkled between chapters, from their childhood through their separation—they were so sweet to read and added so much depth to their connection. I’ve seen this done in other books, but never this well. These letters weren’t filler—they deepened their bond, layered their story, and made the love between them feel timeless and soul-deep. It gave us the insight as to how they are so fiercely protective of each other, and why their love is worth it.

“Because nothing. Death. Banishment. Infection. Curses. Beast or not, nothing will ever stop me or keep me from loving you.” AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

And then, the stakes: When Vi accidentally creates a disease while trying to heal an injured wolf, the plot kicks into high gear. The illness spreads—from animals to humans—and she and Beau must find a cure. Vi’s journey to accepting and owning her magic was so personal, so moving. And all while navigating politics, secrets, and betrayal right under her stubborn father’s nose. (Speaking of… Bernie? I loved you in book 1. But you’ve officially entered my literary villain list. Do BETTER.)

The worldbuilding, pacing and plot were all perfect. The snippets of Tove and Jer melted my heart because I wasn't ready for their story to be over from book 1 and seeing them as the united front that they are now was beautiful. The side characters are ALL gems. Every element was woven together so flawlessly that I didn’t want to leave this world. I need 500 more pages. Minimum.

And L.L. Riley… HOW is this only her second book? Her skill, her emotion, her storytelling—she’s outwriting some of the most hyped traditional authors out there. I will scream about her books until my lungs give out. She deserves ALL the recognition, ALL the fandom love, ALL the awards. I’m not kidding when I say I will follow this woman’s career like it’s my religion.

THANK THE MAKERS a novella is coming before book 3 because I physically cannot wait.

If you haven’t read Frost and Death or Beast and Remedy yet… you need to right this second.

[Sam Cortez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Behind the Pages LLC for providing an ALC. this is my honest review.

This was such a fun, fast-paced, and spicy reimagining of Beauty and the Beast with the added twist that the FMC gets to embody both the beauty and the beast.

Set in the same universe as Frost and Death, the story follows Princess Vivienne, a woman with the rare ability to shift into a bear in order to protect the forest. She also possesses a deep connection to animals, instinctively understanding their needs and caring for them. But her transformation comes at a painful cost, adding an emotional and physical weight to her powers.

The story takes off when a mysterious illness begins affecting animals before spreading to humans, with no known cure in sight. When Vivienne’s sister becomes infected, the stakes suddenly become deeply personal. Desperate for answers, Vivienne travels to a neighboring kingdom to reunite with Beau, a former love interest whose relationship with her has been forbidden.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was the inclusion of the letters between Beau and Vivienne. They added so much emotional depth and beautifully captured the feeling of first love and summer romance. Watching their relationship evolve from friends to forbidden lovers was incredibly engaging.

I also appreciated how the plot escalates naturally. The danger begins on a smaller scale before steadily growing into something much more urgent and tangible. There were several twists I genuinely did not see coming, and some developments were surprisingly emotional.

It was also fun revisiting characters from the previous book and catching glimpses of where their journeys have taken them.

The audiobook features dual narration, and both narrators do a fantastic job bringing the characters to life with distinct performances that makes each voice immediately recognizable. Their range and emotional delivery add depth to the story’s most impactful moments, making the listening experience incredibly immersive. The production quality is outstanding and truly enhanced my overall reading experience.

Overall, this was an entertaining and emotionally engaging fantasy romance with strong chemistry, rising stakes, and a compelling blend of magic, mystery, and heart.

[Joleen Turns Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BehindThePages and LL Riley for the ALC releasing May 19th

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | L.L. Riley Delivers a Lush, Emotion-Driven Fairytale Reimagining

Jacci Prior and Christian Leatherman deliver a great duet narration and the immersive sounds add such a nice touch!

With Beast and Remedy, L.L. Riley leans fully into what she does best—taking something familiar and reshaping it into something emotionally immersive, layered, and distinctly her own.

Riley’s strength is her ability to transform the timeless into something that feels personal and alive, and you see that all over this story. This isn’t just a Beauty and the Beast retelling—it’s a version that feels heavier, more intimate, and driven by emotional consequence. The way she threads grief, duty, and identity through Vivienne’s journey adds a depth that elevates the narrative beyond the typical romantasy structure.

Her writing style is where the book really shines. There’s a lyrical quality to it that pulls you in, balanced with moments of raw intensity that keep the stakes feeling urgent. Riley has a clear knack for building tension—both romantic and plot-driven—and sustaining it. The slow burn between Vi and Beau isn’t just romantic tension, it’s layered with history, mistrust, and longing, which makes every interaction feel earned and charged.

What stands out most is how intentional Riley is with emotion. She writes characters who feel deeply, and she’s not afraid to let them sit in that discomfort. The internal conflicts, the moral gray areas, the questioning of loyalties—it all reflects her signature style of blending whimsy with something more intense and grounded.

If there’s anything that keeps this from a full five stars, it’s that some of those emotional and plot transitions could have used just a bit more space to breathe. At times, the pacing moves quickly through moments that feel like they deserved to linger longer, especially when it comes to major revelations.

Overall, this is a strong, author-driven romantasy that showcases exactly why L.L. Riley is carving out her place in the genre. It’s emotional, atmospheric, and quietly addictive—the kind of story that proves fairytale retellings can still feel fresh when placed in the right hands.

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Beast and Remedy✨

Author: LL Riley
Release: August 29, 2025
Series: Standalones with an overarching plot, The Last of Heirs, book 2

I knew I was going to love Riley’s second standalone in her current series, because Frost and Death was one of my top reads in 2024, and she did NOT disappoint. Honestly, I was so beyond impressed with this - especially with our dashing MMC cinnamon roll with a dash cayenne (AKA a dirty mouth 🫠).

We follow our FMC, Vivienne, the crown princess of a kingdom that soon finds themselves under attack by wolves that have an infection that spreads to other animals as well as people. When her twin sister is infected and their kingdom is evacuated, Vivienne makes a rash decision to find refuge in the kingdom that is not only enemy to theirs but is also ran by the man she has loved since childhood.

This book is so full of yearning, found family, healing and support, and banter. Our MMC is EPIC and full of green flags yet accompanied by a delightfully dirty mouth. 🤭 He is all in and a phenomenal support despite the stakes being entirely against them. Betrayals and questions surround our found family. Secrets from the past cause strife and freedom. Chronic pain and anxiety rep is intentional and thoughtful throughout. And that ending!! See, I had a theory. And then it totally changed because Riley is just that good. And then the plot twist occurs. 🫠 so good.

Once again, it is confirmed how much I love LL Riley’s books. They are deep, dark, spicy, emotional, and yet never fail to make you laugh or feel seen. Thank you for letting me be an arc reader for you again!

Tropes you may find in BAR are childhood friends to lovers, second chance, forced proximity, shifter x healer, beauty and the beast unique retelling, cinnamon roll MMC, reluctant hero, found family, plot twists, political intrigue, forbidden love, nicknames, bonding over books and letters, and a HEA.

[xXTomeRaiderXx · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK so boom 👏 this one didn’t just deliver spice— it was swinging with spicy spice. And not only do we get my favorite flavor of retelling (Beauty and the Beast, aka the book that started my monster-lover era and cemented my lifelong enemies-to-lovers obsession), but this author looked at that blueprint and said: “Nah… let’s make the Beauty the Beast.” 😍 And bébés… it worked so well!

Our FMC? Strong, intelligent, independent; she’s got bite, she’s got brains, and she doesn’t bend for anyone. But don’t get it twisted, she still has a phenomenal arc, and watching her transform made me feral in the best way.

And the yearning… LORD. The kind of yearning that makes you kick your feet like you’re sixteen again. When the spice finally hits? It doesn’t just smolder— it slaps, it claws, it love-taps you across the forehead and you say thank you. 😌🔥

Now L… girl, who hurt you? Because the betrayal and the twist in this book topped the last one. My jaw was on the damn floor. Like, DN Hoxa-level GAGGED. I live for an author who can devastate me and have me begging for more, and you nailed it.

So, for my fellow Beauty & the Beast addicts: if you love your heroines fiery and defiant, your MMCs sweet-as-sin but with a mouth filthier than the bottom of your garbage can, and your betrayals so sharp they could slice your soul… highly, highly recommend you dive into this one immediately. 🥀

[A Court of Stars and Sapphire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Beauty and the Beast retelling! I especially loved that the FMC (Female Main Character) was the beast!

This is the 2nd book in a series of standalone fairytale retellings. I read the first book in the series, Frost & Death, before reading Beast & Remedy, but reading it first isn't necessary to still thoroughly enjoy Beast & Remedy. That being said, there are some fun references to Frost & Death that you'll love if you've read it already!

This book was very emotional, it deals with some very heavy topics like loss of a parent and self-loathing. I thought L.L. Riley handled these topics very well and the way the characters dealt with them was very relatable and realistic.

There's exploration of complicated relationships in this book as well. I really enjoyed reading about all of the different dynamics between the characters and seeing how they played out. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn more about this world and the characters in the next standalone book in the series.

Overall, this was a fantastic, heartfelt story and since it is a standalone it does have a guaranteed HEA! :)

[lauren dedinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by: Jacci Prior and Christian Leatherman

What To Expect:
- fairytale retelling
- found family
- shifter x healer
- friends to lovers
- forced proximity
- love letters
- cinnamon roll mmc
- interconnected standalone

4⭐️

if you don't know this about me, beauty and the beast is my favorite disney film.

i have always loved fairytale retellings too. so when i read what this book was about and how it was similar to, i jumped on the opportunity 😅 i am very honored to have been able to listen to the alc!

guys the yearning in this book was giving!!! oh my goodness the yearning 🥵 also the mmc may be a complete cinnamon roll but he definitely has a dirty mouth too.

i dont even know how to continue this review without spoiling it🫣 so i am going to have to leave it short. but if you love beauty and the beast retellings, you are going to love this one

thank you so much behindthepages and ll riley for gifting me a copy of this alc! it was such a fun listen🫶🏼

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to the Author for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**

4.25 ⭐️
3 🌶

Beast & Remedy is a solid sequel and a solid romantasy novel. I had a fun time reading this one and getting back into the Last Heirs world! L.L. Riley is very good at writing complicated characters with difficult feelings and experiences. I enjoyed getting to know Vi since her introduction in the first book, and seeing her and Beau pine after one another was the star of the show! I loved all the side characters and can't wait to see who book 3 will be about!

(spoilers-ish: I did feel like the plot-twist at the end was meh? Not bad, but it wasnt my favorite.)

If you like:
☆beauty & the beast vibes
☆friends-to-lovers
☆magic
☆betrayal
☆tragedy
☆found family
Check this one out!!

[Falling_Into_Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal book two!!!

I was fortunate enough to Gamma read this beauty and then again to ARC it!

This book had me jumping, kicking, swearing, cursing LL Riley out, fanning myself to cool down and of course, sobbing my heart out!

The growth that our MCs have across their journey towards love, happiness and safety for their Kingdoms first and themselves second is just beyond breathtaking.

There are so many wonderfully intricate nods, plot points, references to not only book 1, or what happened across book 2 but im sure there are some for book 3 aswell.

The spice as per usual in this one is next. Level. I loved it!

The romance is soooo swoonworthy and had me loving a blond MC!

Book 1 was my roman empire book, and book two is just as amazing. I really can't wait to see where you take us next!

[Annie (Houseofbooksandboardgames) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC Review

I love a unique retelling so I was excited about the premise of this! It was interesting having her be the one who transforms into a beast and the descriptions of that were well done.

The duet narration by Jacci Prior and Christian Leatherman was well done and each of the characters had a unique voice. Personally I wasn't a big fan of the background music during dramatic moments as it distracted me but I can see how most people would like that.

I did also enjoy the letters between Beau and Viv as a way to show their childhood friendship turned romance.

I think this book would be great for those who are tired of/looking for a change of pace from powerful FMCs who want to do everything on their own or those who are looking for a story that isn't overly complex.

Unfortunately that was not me when I read this so there was a lot that frustrated me. I had initially been excited that the FMC was almost thirty but I found her to be very immature. Most of the conflict throughout the story was that she was too afraid to stand up to her father and yet he was not the villain. Obviously their family was all dealing with grief/trauma but by the end it still didn't really feel like anything had actually changed in their relationship. This was a very long character-driven book for the main characters not to really experience growth.

Thanks to Behind the Pages for the ALC!

[Toshokan · Rating 4 out of 5]

story that make me feel happy because the retelling is very very very is well exploited.
I recommande you this book at 100%

[kym ✨ the midnight review · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐½
Beast and Remedy
The Last of the Heirs #2
By LL Riley
Narrated by Jacci Prior & Christian Leatherman


I received an ALC of this book from Behind the Pages LLC and LL Riley. All opinions are my own.

Beast and Remedy is a timeless fairytale romance - with a shifter twist. It follows Vivienne, a princess who can turn into a bear, on a quest to save her kingdom from a mysterious virus that she believes she had a role in beginning. Knowing her father will be upset, she requests aid from a childhood friend & romantic interest who has been banned from her kingdom in a political scandal involving the death of her mother years before.

This is advertised as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I would say that probably the only similarities are that our FMC loves to read, her kingdom is vaguely French, and, in a twist, the beauty IS the beast.

This book is technically the second in series, the first following the Snow Queen, who we briefly see in this story, but the books can be read as standalones.

Beast and Remedy felt, somehow, like Once Upon a Time and Brigderton joined forces and threw in a shifter for good measure. The plot and premise were actually fairly unique, and I really enjoyed the storytelling through letters.

With that said I do think that the focus was less on the events of the story and more on the romance, which was kind of a bummer because the worldbuilding could have been amazing! Magical kingdoms whose rulers carry hidden powers, the BRUTAL and agonizing shifts our FMC experienced, and the race to find a cure for the virus sweeping the land were all really engaging.

Sometimes it felt like our FMC lost focus on her goal, thinking too much about the king she's in love with which would feel realistic in a YA novel, but not for a 26-year-old scholar like Vivienne.

King Beaux is all green flags, super soft and sweet and kind. No complaints here other than I'd like to know more about him.

My major qualm is how quickly Vivienne seemed to get over the events at the end of the book. I can't say more without spoiling it, but the twist was a GREAT one I did not see coming, and I thought it deserved a lot more afterthought than it was given.

The audiobook narration was great! I was a little taken aback when music would play randomly, but I adjusted pretty quickly. Jacci Prior especially did a wonderful job with our FMC and the main narration, and Christian Leatherman was solid at the supporting male characters.

All in all, the story was really solid, though I think I'd have preferred less emphasis on the romance and more on the plot, and the audiobook was well executed. I would recommend if you enjoy spicy shifter romances, Once Upon A Time, and Brigderton.

⭐⭐⭐½

[Sydney Victorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Beast and Remedy is another solid entry into this world of interconnected standalones! You don’t have to read Frost and Death first (though I recommend it just because that book is great as well), but I really enjoyed seeing some of the callbacks to events in the previous book as well as seeing some of those characters from a different POV.

Vi and Beau are a sweet couple. They start out as friends growing up, eventually growing apart due to *certain* circumstances, but their reunion makes it seem as though they’d never been apart. Beau is a really caring and attentive MMC, and I loved getting to see the way he cared for Vi. He kept her grounded throughout their journey in this book.

I really liked the friend group/found family as well. The group is full of banter that really showcases the way the group grew up together. You could just tell they had been friends since they were children.

Perhaps my favorite part of this book though was the letter entries throughout. Those letters allowed us to get a feel of Vi and Beau’s relationship as kids and how it progressed without having the characters having to recall these memories on page. It was a nice way to show rather than tell, which I really appreciated. Their letters to one another were just so sweet and full of love.


Semi spoiler but also not really?? I’m not naming anyone or providing details but you know, still proceed at your own risk I guess:
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My one final thought that I just have to get out is this: vindication!!! I just love when I read a book and I instantly don’t like a character but can’t pinpoint an exact reason, all for it to be justified in the end. *chefs kiss* really feeds my ego 😂

Thank you L.L. Riley for the early review copy of Beast and Remedy! All opinions are my own!

[Breanna Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beast and Remedy by L.L. Riley

What its About: Six Deities. Six Kingdoms. Each monarch gifted one of the Maker’s abilities…
But one heir is desperate to rectify a devastating mistake.
Vivienne suffers through perilous transitions from woman to bear, a burden forced on her as the future Queen of Belmur. She juggles her time between the two forms, grieving the loss of her mother, and relying on her twin sister, Marian, to help create a tonic to reduce the excruciating shifts. But when a failed experiment gets out of hand, her entire kingdom is forced to evacuate while she seeks to find a remedy.
King Beauvais of Torgem, Vivienne’s lifelong friend, is quick to step in and offer her support. But the king and Vivienne have a long history—a history of love, secret and forbidden, that weaves through their very souls. And when betrayal comes from a place Vivienne least expects, she fears that saving her kingdom and her family will come at a great cost.

My Thoughts: 3.5/5 stars. I have always loved Beauty and the Beast so when I saw it was a reimagining I immediately signed up. The FMC this time was the Beast but there is a challenge to heal a magical sickness that is affecting the kingdom. The ALC is a dramatized adaptation and at times I found it hard to pay attention to what was going on in the story. The music was a little too much. I did not expect the plot twist that happened but im very pleased with how the book ended. The narrators chosen for the ALC were very good.

Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶. The book was pretty spicy! However it was quite the contrast between how they were talking in public and maintaining decorum but then a switch flipped and they were super naughty. It almost was a little too much of a contrast.

Thank you Behind the Pages L.L.C and L. L. Riley for this Arc opportunity. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own!

#fairytaleretellings
#arcreader
#beautyandthebeast
#romantasy

[Amy HC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m relatively new to reading romantasy but I believe that this is a good example of the genre and people would enjoy it. I’m torn between a 3 and 3.5, as it is a good read but has some repetitiveness and felt long at points for a simple plot. Book 2 is technically an interconnected standalone, so you can also start with this book if you choose.

The Beauty and the Beast inspiration is interesting as this isn’t a retelling, possessing its own unique story and twist on the curse. I also liked the gender swapped roles from the original. I like the FMC has family and friends that support her instead of the trope of being hard done by those she loves. I also like that the MMC is a green flag and doesn’t express himself in a toxic way, even if he sometimes is jealous or does the “touch her and die” trope.

There are some moments I felt were emotional repetition in both the main plot elements and within the relationship elements. I don’t think they’re deal breakers.

Overall enjoyable and would hit the mark for many romantasy fans.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars!

This is a very sweet, very heartwarming beauty and the beast retelling, that hits you with some unexpected twists.

My favourite parts of this book are the letters. They beautifully depict the innocence of friendship and childhood, touch on the struggles of adolescence and feeling alone, and morph into feelings of giddiness and longing as a result of first love.

Vi and Beau are both strong willed, passionate characters that have deep connections with those in their lives and would move mountains for those they care about. Their story is full of forbidden romance, second chances, lots of yearning, and a healthy amount of dirty talk ;)

The friendships in this story are also so special. This group of friends will give you the warm and fuzzies with their endless amounts of adoration and support for eachother. Even in the face of heartache and betrayal, they never waiver.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is new to romantasy or loves a fairytale retelling!

[Mom Needs Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★★.5 (4.5/5)

This just keeps getting better and better! My brain was working overtime trying to figure out which of my theories was the one 😮‍💨 I was switching sooo fast between potential culprits it was crazy… and I loved every second of it!!! So YES!, Plot and intrigue? A solid 5/5 ✨

Now, Beau and Vi… I can’t think of a better description for them than ABSOLUTE BEAUTY 🌹(yes, totally intentional 👀). Their love was pure, wholesome, and passionate 🌶️ I just can’t 🥹

The world building? It was exactly what I needed, the pacing was great, and I genuinely couldn’t peel my eyes away from the pages.
Now add the amazing and interesting side characters and you get a winner!🥇 Also, Tove + Jerrick? loveeeed!

This one delivered, and it delivered hard!

P.S. Can we talk about the Letters? That was such an exquisite touch 🤌🏻

[Sara Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beast and Remedy was such an entertaining read and the characters were honestly so easy to love. I really enjoyed the emotional tension, the relationships, and the way the plot kept building as secrets, loyalty, and danger started colliding. There was always something happening that kept me curious about where the story was going next.

While I did want a little more depth from the world building and some parts of the romance, I still had a great time reading it and found myself invested in both the characters and the overall storyline.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable continuation to the series and a solid 3.5 star read for me.

Thank you so much to the author and Behind the page spa for allowing me to be part of this ALC Team!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Behind The Pages for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorite stories, so retellings can be very hit or miss for me, but this one completely won me over. Riley’s journey was magical, emotional, and captivating from beginning to end. The romance was filled with genuine tension and chemistry that felt authentic and believable. Watching Riley and Beau reconnect after years apart, moving from childhood friends to strangers, back to friendship, and ultimately something deeper, made their relationship even more compelling. Overall, this was an enchanting story and an audiobook experience I truly enjoyed.

[Victoria | Readingwith-Wolves · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The amount of theories I had while reading this! Usually I am pretty good at figuring things out but this book kept me guessing.
I was on the edge of my seat for this whirlwind of a story. The absolute soul deep love brought me to tears a few times. It was just so sweet!
🖤The yearning!
🔥The tension!
Yes please! The amount of times this book had me squealing and kicking my feet. Love love love! This read will break your heart and mend it!
If you love:
* Friends to Lovers
* Yearning
* Mending bonds
* Found Family
* Soul deep love
Then you will love this book! Add this one to your tbr! Beast and Remedy releases August 29th!!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in a series of books that can be read as standalone. Firstly, if anyone knows me, I love fairytale retellings! And this was so well done. I will be honest, I didn't read book 1, however I will be asap. Vivienne and Beau are meant for each other! Whether they want it or not 🤭 Omg the tension and chemistry! The yearning! Romantasy at its finest! The world building brings you in immediately. This is one of my favourite retellings, it brought the stories together. You still knew it was a retelling but had its own form and world.

[Linda Alyss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivenne suffers brutal & painful shifts from bear to woman as the future Queen of Belmur. Grieving the loss of her mother alongside her father and twin sister, Marian, they're working to create a tonic to remedy a virus spreading across the kingdom from a failed experiment. Her lifelong friend, King Beauvais of Torgem, steps in to assist with the mission, but they have a long history - a history of secret and forbidden longing shared through exchanged letters over the years. That & a betrayal Vivenne least expects, saving her kingdom & family maybe come at a greater cost.

🍁 Beauty & The Beast retelling
❤️‍🔥 passionate romance
💌 love letters
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 found family
✨ magic

This story continues after the Frost & Death storyline. We actually got to see Vivenne & Marian in book 1 which was so fun to see how things progressed even with the minimal interactions. It was so nice to see more into the world of these characters. I will say.... no slow burn here. These 2 just go RIGHT IN & let me tell you it is SPICY. It was a nice shift from the pace of book 1 as well. But once I read chapter 25....... Everything was just moving SO fast & was so interesting. The BETRAYAL? I was NOT prepared!!! THE SPEECH FROM HER DAD AT THE END? UNCONTROLLABLE TEARS. The letters in each chapter were such a nice intimate touch. I loved this so much. I can't wait to continue the series!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fairytale retelling! Friends to lovers, found family, love letters, shifter and healer. I loved it all. The audiobook was so well done. The plot twist I didn't I see coming had my jaw on the floor. But I was swept away with the love Beau and Vi had for each other.