Loving the Beast

Beauty #5

by Skye Warren

The sexy journey began in Beauty Touched the Beast and continued in the Beauty series. Now read the breathtaking conclusion in this epilogue novella from New York Times bestselling author Skye Warren…

Since their forbidden beginning, Erin and Blake’s relationship has been marked by deep sensuality and intense emotion. Each challenge only makes them stronger, and Blake is ready to take his new fiance to meet his family. And to meet hers.

Home holds secrets for them both. A dark legacy threatens everything they’ve worked to build. When old debt comes between them, both Blake and Erin must fight to protect each other—and their love.

Books in the Beauty series:
1. Beauty Touched the Beast
2. Beneath the Beauty
3. Broken Beauty
4. Beauty Becomes You
5. Loving the Beast: A Beauty Epilogue

Genres: Romance, Erotica, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Novella, Erotic Romance, Military Fiction

116 pages, Unknown Binding

First published April 28, 2015

Reviews

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

That is the perfect epilogue to the Beauty series!! I think that each book of this series was better than the previous one and the fourth one offered satisfying closure. I started this fifth book without imagining what else the author had to say about Erin and Blake. However, Loving the Beast pleasantly surprised me!!



The story goes deeper into Blake’s PTSD problem and how this is affecting his relationship with Erin. Also, in this book Erin makes the acquaintance of Blake’s parents for the first time and secrets from the past are finally revealed threatening their love affair.



This book is darker, hotter, more intense, emotional and kinky!! We see Blake’s raw, darker and more carnal side, as well as Erin’s strength and will to support him and help him fight his insecurities.

This fifth book is a big romance appraiser, it’s simply perfect!!



I highly recommend it to all those who have already read the previous books.

[Iliada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's no secret I'm not a big fan of erotica, but this series has given me hope for the genre, because there's actually substance and two very nice characters beneath all the mindblowing sex.

I didn't expect to get another book, but I did and this last installment is as good as the rest of them.

To other writers of erotica: That's how it's done people.

[✦❋Arianna✦❋ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!!

[Snooty1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this...if only for the tree scene...hot damn!
Someone get me a fan and a change of underwear...
You do need to read all the others for this to make sense though. It's the epilogue.

[✦ Ellen’s Reviews ✦ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

It is such a pleasure to read anything that Skye Warren writes! Blake and Erin are one of my favorite couples and this epilogue is a sensual, dramatic and very satisfying conclusion to their story. I absolutely love the Beauty series and I am very sad to see this couple's story come to an end. Blake is, just, um, no words - brilliant, brave, broken, strong AND sensitive, all rolled into one HOT Alpha male. The sex scenes in this series are among the hottest I have ever read. Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this fantastic story. Highly recommended reading.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Great ending to the series even though it always left me wanting more. I'm going to miss Blake and Erin's love story. *sobs* I love their passion and intimacy together. I'm going to re-read the entire series soon, really enjoyed this one. Sweet and sensual:) <3

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, we have the epilogue! If you expected an easy HEA, then you’re in for a surprise. While Erin and Blake have certainly had their struggles over the short relationship – they really haven’t begun to deal with the demons or the stark differences in their lives.

When Blake brings Erin home, he knows he’s exposing her to a life that she wants no part of – a way of life that has already caused her enough grief – but as Erin gets to know more about Blake, seeing all sides of him is something that she must experience.

And just as Blake exposes the life he had before his accident, Erin forces him to show her his true self, not the one that holds back.

The fifth in this series marks the conclusion of this series and although I would have loved to see Blake be more comfortable in his new skin, we are given enough to know that these two will be the strength the other needs to make it last.

A beautiful and erotic romance. What a fun twist on a favorite fairytale and I am so glad that when she first wrote the start of this for an anthology that she decided to give us all more of these characters.

[Andrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love Erin and Blake. They have something special and every time they manage to touch my heart. The epilogue was darker than the other books, but it was sweet and romantic at the same time. I had a great time.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say other than...


My favourite thing about this MC?
No drama.
They love each other.
They have problems.
They work through their shit without jumping to conclusions or running away from each other.
They respect each other.
And that's so fucking rare in Romance. I love a good push/pull dynamic but sometimes, sometimes, I just want to read about a couple in love and that's it.
No fucking about.
No adolescent, bullshit behaviour.
Just love.
And Loving the Beast delivers in abundance.

"That's right, baby. Give in to it. I'll make you feel good and I'll keep you safe while I do it. That's a goddamn promise."

So good.
So fucking good.

[Lynsey A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little epilogue to wrap up this series. However, what was with the tree sex? LOL Not with a tree but against one, the woman, front first. Ouch!

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Saswati · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9*

Finishing this series was a commitment lol.

[Babel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading the Beauty series late at night, secretly and silently lost in the cocoon of the story. It's not one of those tales that ravishes your mind, or takes you by storm. No, to me it was like melting into a hot bath. Gentle, evocative, softly erotic and the kind of romance that means something.

I was pleasantly surprised and excited to find out there was an epilogue to that story that I so cherished.

I still feel connected to Blake and Erin. They feel vibrantly alive thanks to the poetic writing style of Skye Warren.
Love has blossomed between them into a deep, unbreakable connection. That means responsibilities, decisions for the future, family ties that bind. They take a path that tests the consequences of their union. Secrets from the past, clash of classes, insecurities... all threaten to unbalance this beautiful and liberating relationship between Erin and Blake. I marveled at the sensitive attention given to feelings, while the raw, possessive nature of the passionate encounters had me enthralled. As the scenes progress, the tension around them and inside them grows until it bursts into an orgasmic flow of truth, pain, freedom and lust.

I'm thoroughly satisfied with this intense and beautifully emotional epilogue. It's romantic, keenly sensual and a touch dark, just like the best style I expect from this author.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story, these two, you never want it to end! Each piece of their story is perfect and complete, but you want to know what they are doing now?

This epilogue feels like a closing of one part of their life and the beginning of the next, so in a bit, the question will arise again, what are they doing now? They are that compelling and interesting

We have Blake and Erin on the next step here. They are officially a couple and engaged, and off to meet the families. There is conflict with both, to very differing degrees, but their commitment to each other holds true

There is also one more step in their relationship and, if it is even possible, the sex life just got even hotter!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella epilogue was a little odd to me. The newly introduced storyline of Erin's mom having been the maid for Blake's parents seemed a bit far fetched to me. It seemed like a grab for a conflict. I think the familiar financial differences between Erin and Blake would have been conflict enough for the story. Especially when we meet Blake's parents for the first time in this story.

I think this could have been fleshed out a bit better and given better character development. Why begin introducing Blake's PTSD without resolving it a bit? His PTSD was never a huge part of the original 4 stories and so again, it felt odd being introduced here, in what is supposed to be the epilogue.

[April Brookshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epilogue novella to the series. Nice way to conclude this couple's story. It's meet the parents time for the H and h. Hero's parents: not so good. Heroine's mother is accepting and they live happily ever after.

[Karla Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely & fitting finale to a wonderful love story.

Blake & Erin are truly made for each other, though I'm sure we'd all like to take Erin's place. ;)

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this characters. It was nice reading one more story about them even though it wasn't essential but I did enjoy it.

[Zuray yaruz7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting so much more in this epilogue novella :(

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Erin and Blake are engaged and she is meeting his parents. And it doesn’t go so well but Blake will take no disrespect from his parents and lines will be crossed. His dad also has more of a past interwoven in Erin’s moms past as well. That comes to light. Blake can’t wait to marry her and own her so he can protect her and love her. And man do they end up loving each other. He sex scenes continue as well.

This whole series would take you about 5 1/2 hours to read. Easy read. Fun fluff.

[Smutty McBookwhore · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 RAW STARS.


Um. I want more. I cannot gett enough of this couple. I really hope that there is another book because I fell in love with Erin and Blake so much that this ending was not enough for me. However, still such a wonderful story. I love that so many walls were broken down in this final book. But still, now I want more raw filthy dirty steamy sex....I NEED ANOTHER BOOK OF THE BEAST!!!!

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Intriguing storyline. Wonderful ending for a deserving couple.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it is finished. The Ice Queen is a real piece of work. And I just don't think a tree would be comfortable!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing ending to a beautiful story.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ending. Erin meets Blake's parents, they find out why her mom's employment ended there, and they get married. The ending was kinda quick, I feel like she just decided to end it

[Clary · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.50

[Jocelyne Gallien · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate when an author changes the story line in a book especially when she has gone over it multiple times in the previous books...

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent end to our love story I still love them together and I love their connection I think it just needed a bit more

[Mattie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok, wouldn't want to re-read. Np.

[Venessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pov: male & female

Main characters: Erin & Blake

Minor characters: his mom and dad, her mom


My thoughts:

I loved it. It was a nice conclusion to this excellent series. I liked that even though they felt secure with each other they still were insecure once they got into the world. I liked how he was so sure she'd leave him because she was so perfect, and how it contrasted with her feeling less than. It was an interesting dynamic to see what she thought were faults about herself be strengths to him, and vice verse. I loved them as a couple.

I would have liked to see if his ptsd ever got better, but I understand that wasn't the point. The point was that he's let go of all his fear and knows Erin will love him regardless.



Synopsis:

Erin was raised by a poor single mother who worked as a housekeeper. Her mother worked for Blake's family, but he was in college when she worked there.

Something happened at work and her mom never went back.

Erin worked as a housekeeper for Blake while she went to school. She had a crush on him but didn't think he could ever like someone so young and unsophisticated.

One day she caught him masturbating after a shower and heard him call out her name. She was shocked and he realized she was there. They eventually started a relationship and are now engaged.

Blake is from a wealthy family. After college he joined the military. On one trip something went wrong and everyone from his squad died. He was rescued but the helicopter was blown up, resulting in burns all over his body.

He was sent home and lived as a recluse. Erin came to work for him and he liked her. He thought she was beautiful and smart. He had a crush on her but thought he was too old and disfigured for her.

After she caught him masturbating they started a relationship and fell in love. He was very insecure about his appearance, but she was determined that he know she loved him.

He has nightmares about his time overseas. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and finds out he hurt Erin (he pinned her down). He feels awful and thinks she deserves someone whole.

After they got engaged they went to meet his parents. She's nervous because of whatever happened between her mom and his parents, and that she's so poor. She thinks it'll tear them apart. He's determined not to let anything separate them.

They meet his parents and Erin is intimidated. He's tense the entire visit. He worries his parents will scare her off. That she'll think he's just like them. She worries he'll realize she isn't good enough for him and leave her.

On their last day he decides to ask his dad what happened with Erin's mom. He leaves Erin in the study alone and his mom corners her. His mom tells her she's trash and that's all that she'll ever be.

He asks his dad what happened with the maid and his dad confesses they had an affair. His mother found out and kicked the maid out. He didn't defend her and let her go. Blake tells him Erin is her daughter. His dad confesses they did a background check on Erin but only Blake's mom has seen the results. Blake realizes he left Erin alone with his mom and rushes out to her.

Blake's mom tells Erin she's worthless. That men like Blake won't stay with her. Erin sticks up for herself and tries to leave. His mom grabs her wrist and twists it hard. Erin pulls away and knocks his mom down. She tells her never to speak to her like that again.

Blake comes on and demands to know what his mom said. Erin just wants to leave. She knows he'll never reconcile with them and might resent her. His father comes in and tells Blake to take care of Erin. That she's the most important thing.

Blake gets her out of there and drives her to a lookout point. She's distracted and he wants to know what his mom said, but he doesn't want to push her. He's worried she might leave him.

She asks him to have sex with her and he's concerned she isn't in the right frame of mind. She tells him she wants him to be real with her. That he's always holding back. He decides to be rough with her and asks if she's going to use this as an excuse to leave him.

She tells him no. That she loves him. He has sex with her and it's rough and aggressive. He confesses what his mother said and he tells her she's better than he could ever hope to be.

They go to see her mother the next day. Her mother loves Blake. She was worried Erin would never find someone, because she never did and worried she set a bad example about trusting someone.

Six months later they get married.