“WELCOME TO THE BEAST'S LAIR...”
There is nothing I love more than a captivating retelling of a classic fairytale and FILTHY BEAST struck all "write" notes!
Broodingly sexy recluse Declan Hart, international bestselling author of the world’s filthiest erotica, is living in seclusion in his luxurious mansion after a horrible car crash two years earlier that left him with with disfiguring scars. The world outside is just a cruel reminder of everything he lost. Before the accident Declan was a reckless daredevil who lived a life of selfish hedonism and is currently suffering the consequences of his actions. Now it's not only his private life that’s in tatters but his illustrious writing career is on the brink as well. He is long past due delivering his next blockbuster romance and seriously in breach of contract so Declan’s smarmy StoneHaven editor sends his dutiful assistant, Olivia Evans, to his luxurious mansion to help his prized author get his career back on track and ensure he finishes the long overdue romance.
At first Declan is incensed by her intrusion and wants to keep licking his wounds in private. Several days go by without nary a glance between them, but all that changes one night when he charges to Olivia's "rescue" but she unleashes the inner beast in him and their first face to face is fueled with primal rage and sizzling electricity! As drawn as he is to her fresh-faced innocence, Declan knows he is damaged goods. What could this pure-hearted beauty see in a monster like him? But rather than being repulsed by his beastly persona, Olivia feels it only adds to his rugged masculinity.
"He intimidates the f*ck out of me. He’s huge and gorgeous and more than a little rough. I can’t quite decide if I should jump his bones or shake him for him thinking his scars would bother me."
The haunted look in his wicked blue eyes and aura of aching loneliness calls out to an elemental need in Olivia. She wants to heal him from the inside, let him talk dirty to her and ravish her like the heroes in the steamy erotic romances he pens, but can this voluptuous beauty truly tame the filthy savage beast??
FILTHY BEAST (Bk 1 in Vanessa Booke’s Filthy Fairy Tales) is FANFREAKINGTASTIC! I was swept up in this enchanting Fairytale about the scarred scoundrel who learns the true meaning of love and positive self worth when he falls for his gorgeous, effervescent muse. This delightful twist on the timeless Beauty and the Beast theme is brimming with angst, heat, passion, fiery discord, sweet tenderness and lots of deliciously filthy, panty-melting sex!!!!
The hero, Declan, once a notorious playboy who previously went through women like candy, has paid dearly for his sins of his past and is now wallowing in pity, self recrimination, bitterness and anger. Up till now the only one who bore the brunt of his fury was his loyal housekeeper Adele (who was a real pistol by the way!!) but everything changes when soft-hearted, lusciously curved Olivia barges into his home and ingratiates herself into his life. Ironically, he may have amassed a fortune writing about love and romance, but the truth is he doesn't believe in either. Back when he was handsome and whole, at the peak of his success, none of the women who fell at his feet and warmed his bed could look past the trappings of his money, fame and potent sex appeal. Until Olivia. The adorably feisty assistant editor illuminates the dark corners of his world, breaches the iron fortress he’s erected around his stone cold heart, and inspires him to finally finish his book and be the kind of man he's always meant to be. Turns out, she's the woman he’s waited his whole life for...but he doesn’t feel worthy.
"I’m broken. Damaged goods, literally scarred by all the poor decisions I’ve made in my pathetic excuse of a life. Olivia Evans would never want someone like me. Nor should she. She deserves someone whole, someone good. Someone who isn’t me."
Of course our story's sweet-natured "Beauty” sees beyond his "ghastly" scars and doesn't let his big, bad demeanor intimidate her. She is inexplicably drawn to Declan’s growly persona, the haunted look in his ice blue eyes and she wants him more than her next breath. Yearns to surrender to his rough dominance. Yet deep down behind the sunny smile and sweet bubbly demeanor she has secret heartache of her own that needs healing and sees a kindred spirit of sorts in Declan.
"I see past the a**hole from the past couple of days to the lonely guy underneath. I don’t know much about Declan Hart, but I know pain."
As they work together to whip his book into shape a love beyond their wildest dreams soon takes flight. These characters are pure magic together and I not only love how they grow and evolve together but how they both open the world of possibilities and help one another overcome fears and inhibitions so they can truly live life to the fullest! And I am also thrilled that Olivia is a "big girl," but it's not a source of angst. I have seen a delightful trend of generously curved heroines lately and it's one I fully applaud because beautiful, desirable women do in fact come in all shapes and sizes.
“I see you. You’re used to being the girl who slips into the background, who hides behind her books, but I can’t take my eyes off you. I see you for what you really are.”
“And what’s that?” The words fall from my mouth in a breathless state.
“Absolutely f*king beautiful.”
Cue the collective sighhhh!!!!
Bottom line? This book was just jam-packed with AWESOMENESS! The exquisitely talented Vanessa Booke is a new author to me, but she has gained an instant fan in me with this swoony, red-hot romance, and I can’t wait to read more books in her Filthy Fairy Tales series. FILTHY BEAST is a MUST READ for those of us who have a hankering for a super sultry, whimsical modern day fairytale that celebrates the redemptive power of true love!
Five DELICIOUSLY FILTHY stars!!