A Husband for Beauty

Beastly Love #3

by Lindsey Hart

Dallas Armstead is at best, impossible. A musical genius, he locks himself away and lets music dictate his life.

From the minute Leena Armstead met her husband, she knew that she loved him, and it had only made sense to enter a marriage of convenience. He got to hide away from the world and she got the theatre she always wanted. Just being near Dallas was enough for her… until it wasn’t.

After a horrible accident leaves her with no memory at all, Leena struggles to make sense of a life that makes no sense at all. She’s married to a man who never ventures out into the world. A man haunted by the past, a man in love with ghosts. She’s married to a man who doesn’t love her. Worst of all, she’s sure that she’s madly in love with him.

As Dallas and Leena get ready to put on the first production that they ever wrote together, both their worlds are rocked by the growing attraction burning bright between them.

Will it consume them both or will they find that love was there right from the start?

This is a full length stand-alone steamy romance novel. No cheating. No cliff-hanger. And the kind of ending you will just love. HEA all the way!!

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts*

Genres: Romance

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2018

About the author

Lindsey Hart specializes in sweet to extra hot and dirty romance and strongly believes in happily ever after. If you are looking for a page turner, then you are in for a wild and naughty ride with feisty heroines and alpha male heroes.

Reviews

[Coco.V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come...

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dallas is a musical genius that gets lost in trying to get the music down so he can get it out of his head. He is a recluse that forgets to eat, sleep and bath all in the name of the music. Leena is a woman that has loved Dallas for half of her life. Since she was 15 she has slowly integrated herself into Dallas' life. Cooking, cleaning, caring for Dallas when he gets lost in the music, taking care of all of the life details for him has become Leena's existence. A huge event takes place forcing booth Leena and Dallas to step back from the daily routine and re-evaluate how they have been living their lives together. Will this new examination and learning period alter their path and bring them both love or will the madness win and forever leave them both in darkness?

It is at this time that I would normally say one click this one to find out and don't get me wrong, you should one click and find out. I just want you to know that I feel that Lindsey Hart may have done to good of a job writing Dallas. His madness is all consuming and frankly I think the 15 years that Lenna has spent caring for him have been detrimental to Dallas and to Leena. I am not sure she isn't a touch mad herself. But that is really where I am going with this. You must suspend critical thinking and reality while reading this story. It really is a Beauty and the Beast or even Phantom of the Opera retelling and that is where you need to keep it. If you really dwell to much in the details you might miss the whole point of the book, at least the point I took from it, love can even find its way through madness.

Happy Reading!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gizel Alvarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 because it had so much potential

I liked the story in the beginning I was fully captured by the situation these characters are in. And at least to me felt a little like the fairy tale, (Beauty & the Beast) but there where some area's where it repeated it's self. Placing that aside the ending didn't quite resolve the issues either, giving the feeling of being rushed and anticlimactic. I am not saying there's a magical cure but maybe an epilogue to show progress on their situation.

I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading however I would say to the author to come back because this story could easily get all the stars if some other details would go in and the ending gave more.

[Caroline Doig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leena is married to Dallas she is in love with him but she knows that he doesn’t love her, Dallas stays locked away wanting nothing to do with the world all he is happy about is making music. Leena doesn’t know why she married him he was in love with her best friend Hannah, for years he had loved her but a tragic accident took Hannah away and Dallas fell apart. Leena had done everything for him she even agreed to a marriage of convenience thinking that he would eventually fall in love with her but he didn’t. They had a nasty argument which got Leena into tears she fled the house turned around but didn’t see the car coming, but Dallas did and the last thing he thought before he blacked out was that he had caused Leena’s death. Wow what a heartbreaking story I could feel the pain that both of them were holding in, this is one amazing story and I know it will be a big hit. This is the best story I’ve read of Lindsey Hart’s so far and you can tell that she has put her whole heart and soul into this story. An amazing read so full of emotion I had a lump in my throat, a 5 plus +++++ ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Dallas Armstead and Leena Armstead. In this book we meet two people with hangups that feel that the only way the will be viewed in the right light is to appear married on paper. To bad that all goes up in smoke when Leena ends up in a horrible accident. She doesn't remember many parts of her life but she knows she loves her husband. She wonders how this can be when she hardly sees him. Can these two find a HEA or will the ghosts that stand between them be to much to overcome?

This is an amazing book that shows you what the power of love can do. There are ups and downs I really want to tell you about. However I don't want to ruin anything for any other readers. I will say this book will have you hooked from the first page to the very end. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[PW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This take on the fairytale Beauty and the Beast is fantastic. Dallas is a tortured soul with debilitating issues that keep him from leaving the house. He is imprisoned in his head with music, regret, and depression. Leena has her own issues that don't come to the light until after an almost catastrophic accident kills her but what does happen forces Dallas to make some changes and admit what he had taken for granted.
This is one of the best books that I have read this year. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Enjoy!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a departure from what I was expecting from a romance. That is not a bad thing. Leena and Dallas are wonderfully complex individuals.While it may seem unrealistic, I can imagine Leena's sacrifice to be with Dallas; not necessarily healthy. The plot was well developed and made for a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[aqsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

update: NVM its trash lmfao

__________________________

PLEASE BE GOOD. god that cover is so sexy

[Kyle Hakim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I keep on reading because I was hoping something redeeming will goes to the pathetic heroine. Sigh... til the end it was her sacrificng her heart over and over again for the dumb mentally sick hero. Huhu

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest and completely voluntary review for this ARC.

When you live in the shadow of your best friend, it can be hard. To have to live in the shadow of your best friend’s ghost, with your husband is more than exhausting, it is painful and bitter. But that bitterness is not from the one living in the shadows.

Since a small child Leena has been interested in music. When she meets a fellow music student, Hannah and Leena become best friends. It is Hannah who eventually starts music lessons with the very talented and sought after musical genius Dallas Armstrong. Because Hannah is frightened by Dallas, Leena accompanies her to her lessons. All the while, Dallas falls in love with Hannah, Hannah has no interest in Dallas, and Leena has been learning from Dallas in the shadows. Then a car accident takes Hannah, Dallas is broken, Leena is still in the shadows.

In time Leena and Dallas marry, but for convenience purposes only. She has full access to his finances, and he has full access to staying the musical genius. Dallas is a broken man who has manic episodes. It is always back to Hannah. Dallas hears music all the time, but when Hannah emerges into his thoughts, it becomes unbearable. During all this time, from the time Leena was learning from Dallas, when it was supposed to be Hannah. Leena is the one who has been with Dallas through the accident, his heartbreak, his manic moments. He is oblivious to her love, and she knows he will never feel this way for her.

An argument starts about Dallas firing an understudy, Leena questions him about it. At the height of the argument, Leena states what has been lying there the whole time. The words “you wish it was me” were spoken. He doesn’t even acknowledge this. Another car accident happens, this time Dallas witnesses it, and still cannot bring himself to leave the house, even to rescue her. Amesia leave Leena not remembering much, but she senses things between Dallas and herself. It takes Leena walking into his rooms, and talking while resting her hand on his shoulder to make Dallas notice…HER. She never felt sorry for him, never looked at him with disregard or bitterness, or pity….only love. He agrees to do the play/musical that he and Leena wrote together, for her.

During one rehearsal Dallas feels the glue that has been binding up his brokenness….it is Leena. He rushes her away after the final scene, and he learns something about Leena he never knew (because he never took the time to know before) she was still a virgin. She waited for Dallas….she never even dated. He is stunned, and the dark feeling between them is lifted and they truly become man and wife. It is deep, true and strong. Leena tells Dallas that she loves him, although he feels it he is unable to say it. In their afterglow they both open up and talk about Hannah and how her shadow has plagued their lives. But from the moment they became intimate that shadow is completely gone.

Opening night for the musical finds Leena having to go find Dallas in his rooms. She asks him how he truly feels about her. He starts to say with a pause, a misunderstanding causes her to run away again, only this time the person outside coming to help her is Dallas himself. He was outside, he didn’t even think about it, he just needed to get to Leena to tell her what he really meant to say. Once inside he not only tells her, he shows her. They continue to tell and show each other how they feel from that day forward.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dallas Armstead was moody and never left his house. For Leena Armstead, loving her husband deeply, the worst part of marriage was knowing that Dallas could never love her back. Their marriage was purely a business arrangement, a marriage of convenience so that she could manage his accounts. The large common area in their house was shared by them for composing, writing and playing in their renovated theatre and arts center.

Now Leena was confronting him about why he fired the best male performer for their latest musical production without even consulting her. He angrily snarled that the man was “all over her” in the rehearsal and he would not be embarrassed like that. She reminded him that everyone knew their marriage was not real, so it really wouldn’t matter, even if it was true, which it wasn’t. He wrote the production; he knew the outcome.

But there was no competing with the ghost of his past. He would never love her. He had fallen in love with her friend, Hannah. When Hannah died in an accident, he never got over it. He was a genius, but his crippling anxiety made him shut himself off from the world. He wrote music in spurts, then hid away again, not taking care of the basic necessities. Only when Leena has a horrible accident does Dallas finally need to change. Without her memories, she is unable to navigate alone.

This is an intense book that immerses the reader into the dark reality of severe anxiety and relentless love. The pain is palpable and it reveals the characters more than just descriptive words could do. What direction will the characters go? Is Dallas so deeply within himself that he can’t reach out to help Leena? Will Leena’s memory loss drive her deeper inside herself? The book is well written yet I think it’s worthwhile to experience the deep emotion. It will definitely touch you.

[Robyn Powley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in the afternoon. It is not a morning kind of story. Dallas, who is borderline crazy, is a musical genius, who totally depends on Leena for everything, including the basics of life. The cover doesn't do the character of Dallas justice, as it paints him as a "normal" guy. This character may be the farthest from normal that I've ever met in a book, and for me, he wouldn't qualify for a book boyfriend. However, some of the great love stories center around the passions of genius, which can subsume all in orbit around them. Because Leena is a gifted musician herself, her devotion to Dallas is understandable.

*Mild Spoiler Alert*
My biggest complaint with the story is one of logic. If Dallas forgets to eat, bathe, shave, or sleep because he is consumed with his compositions, then how does he remember to work out to keep his body in such good shape. It's not realistic but rather a contrivance so that there is some element of physical attraction to Dallas on Leena's part.

This is not an easy, light-hearted read, but the story is rather fascinating in the way that one can't look away from a swaying cobra. I do think this is a fabulously original love story; in fact, I think it should have been lengthened, and more details of Leena's life given at the beginning. It should have been an epic tome that took a week to read like Doctor Zhivago.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This story is about Dallas and Leena. Dallas is a genius and composes music, he is also afraid to leave their home, often neglecting eating and bathing when he is consumed with his music. Leena is his wife and looks after him, they married in an arrangement where they have a partnership in a theatre and produce shows. Leena is in love with Dallas, but she knows he doesn't love her, he loves her best friend who died in a car accident. Dallas has never gotten over the loss and when they have a fight, Leena leaves and is hit by a car. When Leena wakes in the hospital, she has no memory of her life, but knows Dallas is important to her. The more Leena spends time with Dallas preparing for a show they wrote, the more she realizes she loves him. Dallas also begins to question his feelings for Leena. i liked this book, it deals with mental illness and the effects it has on others. Dallas suffers from phobias about leaving the house and being around people. Leena cares for Dallas and the way she looks after him is really heartbreaking at times. I think Dallas loved Leena, but he was scared to let go of the past. I think they were good together and they both really wanted Dallas to try and get better. Good one.

[MJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to pull at your heart strings. Lindsey Hart has written the most delicious story for us here about Leena and Dallas. He is a musical genius but sadly suffers from severe anxiety and agoraphobia. Leena loves him but never even lets herself think for a moment that he could love her. They have a marriage of convenience working together and her helping him cope with his difficulties. This was written with such sensitivity and compassion. When Leena has an accident and loses her memory things change between them as he couldn't even bring himself to go to hospital for her as he was so stricken. When she returns and finds him distraught she cuddles up to him and this is the beginning. Dallas never knew that she had feelings for him, but as his feelings for her deepen there will be changes in their relationship. So beautifully written. I'm not going to give any spoilers as there is no way that I can write the way Lindsey can and I'd just spoil it - which I don't want to do. But I will say that if you want a heartfelt story with passion covering a sensitive storyline then this is the book for you. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Get yourself a copy and ENJOY!!!!!!!!

[Joyce Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tortured soul personifies the main male character in this story. This reader found it hard to totally understand or sympathize with this man's obvious plight. To some degree, it felt like he was rather selfish as well as being self-absorbed. For the majority of the story it seemed hopeless that the main male and female characters could have a normal married relationship. Their situation did not begin in the usual love match, romance way. The main female character was a strong character and had a well of love, devotion and compassion for the main male character. She doted on him. He was completely oblivious at times to her depth of caring and ambivalent about life in general. There were a couple of turning points in their relationship that set a spark of light into the possibility of growth for the main male character. This is an unusual read in the romance genre, however, no doubt there are souls in the world who are like the main male and female characters.

An exceedingly poignant read.

I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation with this author.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very difficult to review, But I’ll try to explain what I’m feeling, I thought this was a very brave story to write, Leena came over over as a totally selfless, strong, loyal young woman who loved completely and always put her self second to Dallas’s needs, Dallas was a bit more tricky to understand, to me he at times came over as a man with autism (some personal experience here with my own family) his way of thinking, obsessiveness, lack of social skills and needing everything his way, and I thought this made this story so different to anything else I have read, Dallas comes over because of his ways, (maybe autism? high anxiety?) but he comes across as a very selfish, hard to live with man, and Leena because she loves him so deeply and maybe obsessively herself, pulls this story from what could have been a depressing difficult, sad book into a book about love and hope, that there is someone for everyone and everyone deserves that someone who will fight their corner for them, I wish there had been another later chapter but regardless it was still a really lovely hopeful story to read 😊

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the emotional story of Leena and Dallas. She's a woman who has devoted herself to a man who barely sees her, who she knows doesn't love her. Her love is all encompassing even though his words are often careless and cruel. Dallas is a tortured soul, a prisoner of his own mind. He can't let go of his lost love and lives only for the music in his head. He can barely function in any other capacity until an accident leaves Leena without her memory and full of questions. Leena's not the only one effected. For Dallas, it's like he's suddenly waking up and really seeing Leena for the first time. He is beginning to understand what she means to him but are the ties to reality strong enough to hold him or will he slip away again? This story is equally heartbreaking and hopeful. Lindsey Hart is a wonderful writer and her stories are captivating. A Husband for Beauty really touched me. 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

RELENTLESS!!!
This is one gut wretching, heartbreaking, soul searing, page turning tale that will bring you to your knees. A truly moving, smooth flowing, maddening, saddest storyline I've read in years and it takes everything in me to keep flipping page after page. I don't know where Lindsey got the inspiration or the strength it had to take to pull this little guy together. She has to have had nerves of steel. The on point, pivotal characteristics that Lindseys male lead portrayed in this tale are multi-layer and as complex as they come. The main female takes a beating and just keeps giving everything she has for the man she loves. A love that deep and a woman who quite literally walks through hell for this guy is astounding. I don't believe any other author could have made this read as heart felt and bittersweet or as strong as Lindsey to pull this bad boy off. Lindsey you've done the unthinkable, you took a hard hitting tale and wove it in a way that somehow makes it real in a way no one else could have. Incredible job, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.

[De Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intertwined Hearts

Leena fell in love with Dallas at first sight. Dallas also fell in love at first sight, unfortunately it was with Leena best friend. This begins the intertwined lives of these two.
Leena was a remarkable character who loved her friends to a fault. First her friend Hannah and then Dallas. Her love for Dallas lead her to her current marriage of convenience that leads to her amnesia.
Dallas was a tortured soul with music in his head and his love for the deceased Hannah in his heart.
My heart bled for Hannah with such sorrow but she turns out to be quite a strong woman with great determination. It was a little harder to feel for Dallas but in the end he was able to redeem himself in my eyes.
Pick up this book for a truly unique story of two intertwined lives and hearts you will be glad you did.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dallas is a recluse who was in love with a woman but she got killed. He has stayed in his house and is depressed but he has times that he is a composer/musician. He at times forgets to eat, shave, bath or sleep. He has a wife Leena for fifteen years that he verbally and emotionally abuses. They married so that she could take care of him and his house plus take over his financial business. But she also loves him. They are co owners of a playhouse that they do his work and she acts in. He fires an actor because he’s jealous but will not admit it. He and Chloe hav a hugh fight and she runs out and gets hit by a car. She’s hurt and loses her memory and now he realizes that he will have to help her finally and not think of himself. Will they have a happy ending?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephany Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man. This one was intense. Not in a bad way. It was just so much deeper than I expected which, I actually loved! I think the best way to describe the story of Dallas & Leena would be ‘painfully beautiful’. I read an advanced copy from the author and I was so impressed with her ability to really draw me (a person that doesn’t act or sing or even hold a particular interest in the arts) in to this world where those things are the center of every breath & heartbeat. The main characters were so well fleshed out that I felt like I knew them. And, I won’t give anything away but, that ending? Perfection - or at least perfectly fitting for them. I appreciated that Hart didn’t try to force her characters in to the box of a traditional “happily ever after” and allowed the ending to stay true to who they are.

[Silje · Rating 4 out of 5]

*SPOILERS*

This was a story filled with emotional pain, longing and, selflessness. It is about how easy it is to take someone for granted and not realize how much you care about them until they're gone.

Dallas is living in his own personal "hell", the musical version, and doesn't see how an important part Leena has in his life until she is gone. It is only after that scare and her changed behavior, he allows himself to acknowledge that his feelings for his first love has faded and new ones have grown forth where Leena is concerned.

Leena, on the other hand, has the personality of a saint. She is calm, caring and, infinitely patient. I don't think anyone in real life would have spent 15 years(!) of their prime time waiting for a guy to realize she loves him, especially the sex part.

[CS · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love amnesia romance and I love Beauty and the Beast retellings! This story had both and I really enjoyed it.

While the Beast (Dallas) is mourning his late wife, he is a tormented and damaged genius of a man. Leena has loved him since she was sixteen and is now a Virgin at thirty satisfied to be near him. Their platonic marriage is no longer enough for her but Dallas is unable and unwilling to give more of himself.

Her accident and subsequent amnesia is the catalyst that helps Dallas break out of his abnormal behavior and start feeling attraction to Leena.

A story full of angst with moments of sweet tenderness as Dallas and Leena find solace in each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sewanee Kracalik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: Kindle Edition
I received this dark romance as an ARC. I absolutely loved it and could not put it down until the very last page! It’s been a marriage of convenience. Dallas is in love with a dead memory and who can compete with that! He’s a musical genius who never leaves his apartment and Leena makes this easy by taking care of finances and basically everything else including him when he can’t even cope with his own genius! That’s all fine and dandy with him, never mind what he’s doing to her. But then she looses her memory, everything is turned sideways. What will happen to their arrangement. That’s what makes this such a heart wrenching love story. I cannot wait to become a Lindsey Hart follower. I’m gladly volunteering to give this review.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leena and Dallas have an arrangement. She's secretly loved him for years, but he's never noticed. It takes an accident and her to temporarily losing her memory to break down his walls and let her in.

This is a quick cute read. I finished it in one afternoon. For a short story, I think the characters are relatable. While I personally wouldn't wait as long as Leena did to be with Dallas, I can understand how she became settled living in his world of darkness. I do wish the story was a little longer and provide a little more background into how they came to this type of arrangement and some of the struggles along the way. It would've made the triumph at the end a little more sweeter.

[Myrna Richmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

The couple in this story to my mind are very irritating but that is my own opinion. Love is blind and so is this couple again to my mind. I think to best enjoy this story you need to be very open to understanding the complexity of anxiety and its effects not only on the sufferer but those who have to deal with it daily. Also I think you need to accept that some people love to such an extent that they are willing to sacrifice their whole existence for a person who may never love them back. Sad but true and why I am irritated, my personal opinion. If your mind is polar opposite to mine you will love this story finding it so romantic and beautiful and I see where you are coming from. Enjoy!

[Nicole ReadingBetweenTheSheets · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an accident takes Leena's memory from her, she cannot remember all the darkness in her life and in her marriage.
Dallas is a brilliant musician and playwrite, and is married to Leena, but cannot leave the house.

This book written by Lindsey Hart, is a very deep, dark book, dealing with anxiety and a loveless marriage. It is an amazingly well written story that dives deep down into Dallas' darkness and struggles and the struggles that Leena overcomes to stay in the marriage. I cried during the on-stage scene between Leena and Dallas. This was such a wonderful book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! This story broke my heart. It is full of drama, deep, and a roller coaster of so many sad emotions … my heart broke for Dallas (a really broken man) and empathized with Leena. I had to admire her years of patience, understanding, support, and love she gave to Dallas. An emotionally deep and beautiful read that is well written with a well-developed, consistent and relatable plot. This story grabs your attention from the start and keeps it until the end. Be warned … you will definitely tear up. Definitely recommended! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing story. I think it probably deserve 5+ stars. The book was well written, flowed smoothly and followed a logical sequence. The storyline was intense and unique. The characters were likeable and realistic. They were able to grow and develop throughout the story. The author, Lindsey Hart wrote in a manner that had me fully immersed in the story. I could feel the pain, frustration and anger experienced by the characters. This is not always comfortable to read, but is well worth the effort and understanding gained.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a man who suffers from multiple mental ailments but finds love with a woman who is beyond reasonable, who accepts the genius for who he is. Dallas is a brilliant musician, but insanity and genius often go hand and hand. Leena is the woman to help him deal with his mental illness. Dallas eventually succumbs to the love that Leena offers him and he eventually recognizes that he loves this woman who has cared for him over the years. A beautiful story of life, love, suffering and recovery!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.