A retelling of a fairy tale is one of my favorite tropes. Especially a beauty and the beast story. It just always makes me feel like true love makes you see only the good and beautiful in a person, even when they don't see it in themselves.
HERO~ Silas was scarred, both physically and mentally. Who wouldn't be after enduring the childhood he had. He walked a fine line in his professional life, often straddling both sides of the law. He wasn't the boy next door, good guy. He showed no fear, no mercy except when it came to Olivia.
HEROINE~Olivia was young when she first met Silas. It was brief and he stayed away, not letting her see him well. He was in the shadows, watching her from afar and keeping her safe from her stepfather's associates. She was very soft hearted for growing up the way she did. Her mother's influence before she died clearly had a lasting impact on her behavior. She was so forgiving and trusting. She didn't see Silas for his scars.
SEXUAL HISTORY~ Dual virgins
OM/OW DRAMA ~ zero
STEAM Not very steamy at all. They don't actually become a couple until about the last 10 pages or so of the book.
VIOLENCE None of a sexual nature.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS Not many secondary characters. I'm curious as to whether Silas's partner, Kyle, will have a story told.
SAFETY Safe - neither are with others after they meet. She is 15 when they first meet. Aside from Silas providing her with food and safety, he has next to no interaction with her until she turns 18. He doesn't think he would ever be able to have her in a romantic way because of his scars.
ENDING~ Epilogue 3 years ou
Merged review:
Beauty and the beast
A retelling of a fairy tale is one of my favorite tropes. Especially a beauty and the beast story. It just always makes me feel like true love makes you see only the good and beautiful in a person, even when they don't see it in themselves.
HERO~ Silas was scarred, both physically and mentally. Who wouldn't be after enduring the childhood he had. He walked a fine line in his professional life, often straddling both sides of the law. He wasn't the boy next door, good guy. He showed no fear, no mercy except when it came to Olivia.
HEROINE~Olivia was young when she first met Silas. It was brief and he stayed away, not letting her see him well. He was in the shadows, watching her from afar and keeping her safe from her stepfather's associates. She was very soft hearted for growing up the way she did. Her mother's influence before she died clearly had a lasting impact on her behavior. She was so forgiving and trusting. She didn't see Silas for his scars.
SEXUAL HISTORY~ Dual virgins
OM/OW DRAMA ~ zero
STEAM Not very steamy at all. They don't actually become a couple until about the last 10 pages or so of the book.
VIOLENCE None of a sexual nature.
SECONDARY CHARACTERS Not many secondary characters. I'm curious as to whether Silas's partner, Kyle, will have a story told.
SAFETY Safe - neither are with others after they meet. She is 15 when they first meet. Aside from Silas providing her with food and safety, he has next to no interaction with her until she turns 18. He doesn't think he would ever be able to have her in a romantic way because of his scars.
Why oh why authors continue putting the word “owning” in their book’s titles? Is the heroine a cow? Piece of furniture? A house? You think a woman is supposed to be owned? This seriously sickens me. I feel very sorry for any woman who thinks she can be owned. Starting with authors who named their books like this.
From the moment that Silas sees Olivia in the run down bar, he knows that he will do everything in his power to make sure that she is safe from any harm. Over the next three years that is exactly what he does. Staying in the shadows and protecting her from afar until the day that payment is finally due and Olivia will finally be his. Olivia has always seen Silas but he always stayed in the shadows. She thought that he was different from all the other men that came into the bar, but the day that he comes to collect payment from her dad is that day that she sees the real man that he is. Can she get over what he has done that day? Will she see that everything that he has done has been for her and her alone to make sure that she was protected? Can he get over his insecurities and past to give her and him the life that they both desperately deserve?
-safe read -double virgins -no om/ow drama -epilogue 3 years out
Silas is a monster, at least that's how he believes everyone views him, his scars, build, and job lending to that. He keeps to himself aside from his best friend, Kyle, and Kyle's mom, Annie. She raised him, took him in when he had nothing and no one, his own mom - the cause of his scars - not wanting him. In the years since, he and Kyle have created their own business, hunting down the worst of the worst, and that's how Olivia came into his life. Not that she's one of them, she's everything pure and light in his eyes, but her stepdad is another matter altogether. Silas bails the man out, but if he doesn't fulfill the "contract," Olivia is his.
Olivia misses her mom everyday, and though she never knew her dad, the one that has filled that role for the majority of her life, Paul, has changed and Olivia is scared at the consequences of that fact. She's aware of Silas, knows he's been watching out for her though he keeps his distance, and wishes he didn't feel the need to hide. And it seems as if she'll get that wish when Paul doesn't follow through on the terms of his agreement with Silas, and that means when Silas does come out of the shadows, she'll be going with him.
Silas doesn't feel as if he deserves Olivia, yet he can't deny the connection, the love, he has for her. Olivia is his only weakness and that makes him vulnerable where she's concerned, even so far as it makes him doubt taking a chance on being with her. But Olivia is done waiting and is determined to show Silas how SHE sees him and that they're meant to be.
One-click now and follow along as beast gets his beauty. Also, I need Kyle's book. I can't wait to learn more about him and meet his heroine.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Gotta admit I almost DNF'd this one. The premise pulled me in and I had seen it rec’d on another site. I was excited to get a hardcore alpha misunderstood bad guy story. Instead, this was so bogged down with these characters introspections and very little in the way of an actual plot that I found myself skimming most of it. Of course, that was after the first part confused me with timelines and locations. Had this had a good editor I would have probably really enjoyed it.
I loved this romance. Mila outdid herself. Silas has scars that run deep and yet he can't help the feelings he has for Olivia. She doesn't know what to think of the surly, scarred man who shows his gentle side only to her.
This author is seriously becoming one of my go to authors, her stories are always a pick me up after a bad day. And who doesn’t love a modern day take on beauty and the beast.
Silas takes one look at Olivia and knows that she needs his protection especially after knowing her drug addicted stepfather. Knowing her stepfather is in debt to a lot of people he offers him a deal he will lend him the money to pay off his debts and if payment in full isn’t received then he gets to keep Olivia. Silas hides in the shadows and watches everything from afar never leaving her unprotected, he knows that he loves her but he sees himself as a monster due to the scars he received as a child. Could she be the one to look past the surface and see who he is or will she turn away from him forever?
Olivia has only her stepfather in her life after the death of her mother she has done her best to keep things going and help her stepfather run the rundown bikers bar. The only time she ever feels safe is when Silas is there, she feels like nothing can touch her when he is around but is he only protecting his investment and with the three year agreement nearly at an end will he really claim her? She sees how he looks at her and her feelings for him have grown over the past three years could he really want her or is she just payment for a debt owed?
Very cute and sweet read a few parts could be described as unsafe but they are only barely mentioned. Very enjoyable read.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of the book. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I read and enjoyed Claiming Holly late last year, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read more from Mila Crawford. Owning Olivia is a modern, Beauty and the Beast retelling that deal's with some fairly serious issues (drug abuse, child abuse, and assault). Here's the thing: it's hard for me to rate the book because Silas and Olivia's story has such potential and I could see where the author was going and I totally get it. Both characters have abandonment and trust issues so reconciling those problems in order to get to HEA is bound to be hard fought. The problem is that the book, in its unedited state (as I received it) is a bit rambley, repetitive, and confusing at parts. The story is told in dual first person narrative (which I generally love and appreciate), but the way we go back and forth between Silas and Olivia's POV's can be whiplash inducing. But the story and plot truly have merit and value. So... 2.75/3 wine glasses? I'll totally continue to read from Mila Crawford (I think I'll look into her back catalogue and see if the issues I'm having here are rectified or replicated in her final products), so I won't say that Owning Olivia is bad - it could just do with a little bit of editing/revising.
This author already has a book on my top 20 favs, Stoking Her Fire, and here she goes again putting another one on the list. It's no secret I'm a sucker for double virgin stories but one where the H is also scarred inside and out and kind of broken but still alpha and possessive as hell towards the h? Oh hell...sign me right up. This story brought out the feels in me. It's been awhile since a book has made me cry, but the hurting and self doubt from the H, Silas and thinking he's not good enough for the h, Olivia had me tearing up a little. I liked Olivia's character too. She, like Silas also has a past that's not the greatest, which to me, makes the two perfect for each other. The story was wonderfully told. I really felt the emotions from the H/h. -dual virgins -dual POV -alpha/possessive H -no cheating -some talk of abuse towards the H when he was younger (mental and physical but not sexual) -great epilogue at 3 years Looking forward to more by this fantastic author. I just love her brain!
Beautiful and the Beast, but with drug addict parents and a bounty hunter "beast".
The heroine was too meek and quiet at the beginning. But I understood her a little more as the story progressed.
The hero's push and pull was annoying. They both could've been together years ago if it wasn't for his refusal to interact with Livie in any way other than just stalking her. Livie may have been the one in constant danger, but Silas was definitely the one that needed to get his shit together.
Dual virgins.
The book was a little hard to follow at the beginning, but it's a quick read.
The whole writing style was not really for me. The first chapter was from Silas point of view and pretty boring, too much explanations. Olivia was a virgin living and working in her stepfathers' s bar, who is a junkie, was treated like shit but still defendet him. All in all the story wasn't bad, just the constant reminder that he had scars. I mean I got it, he had scars, but isn't it be a bit shallow. At the end I was glad, that Silas got his HEA and found love. But I would not read this book again. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance free Reader Copy of this book
This was a great version of beauty and the beast. Silas is very complex and has been through terrible things in his life. Olivia has had her own horrors. Together they make a great couple. Theirs was not any easy road to HEA, but it was told so well.
Silas is a bounty hunter that had a rough childhood. Olivia has a pos step dad, that makes a deal with Silas, for Olivia if he can’t pay Silas back. I know. I know, doesn’t seem romantic...but it totally is. Silas would do anything for Olivia and trust me when I say that he is saving her. This is a bit of a darker read, since Silas has a few issues from his childhood, but he has a good heart.
This was a safe read, no om or ow drama. This one had dual virgins with some baby batter. An epilogue and an hea. Glad these two got their happily ever after.
Virgin scarred hero in a beauty and the beast trope is my favorite. However, I find when the heroine is a virgin too, the focus is on her experience more than his. That is true here. Also, he did not resist very much. He was sweet to her for the most part. I like a little more angst and resistance. But if that is not your preference, this book is short and sweet. You may like it.
Virgin rating: Innocence of virgin hero:4/5 Innocence in losing it: 2/5 Build up to losing it: 2/5 Hotness of losing it: 4/5 Busted touching himself: no
OWNING OLIVIA by Mila Crawford is an intense sexy romance novel with a Beauty and the Beast vibe. Beautifully written! I adored Silas, and how fiercely protective he was of Olivia, loving her from afar until finally deciding that the long wait was over. Loved this book!
I have received and read an advanced copy of this book and this is a fair and honest review and recommendation voluntarily shared.
DNF @ 24% This was all over the place. I was so confused. Events and character's thoughts didn't make any sense. Did 3 years pass or 1 year? Is her father in jail or not? What does the hero want to do with the heroine? He says one thing, then does something else, then suddenly something third happens.
A fast paced, adrenaline inducing, erotic romance with a fairytale twist that took my breath away! I LOVED this version of Beauty and the Beast. It was intense and smoldering with sensuality and chemistry. The characters were amazing and the story was all consuming and powerful. I want more!
This story was so very sweet. Silas, a man who thinks is not good enough for sweet and innocent Olivia, does his best to protect her and he always will. As I said..Sweet.
A captivating, page-turner emotionally retelling of 'Beauty and The Beast' romance story. Well, described characters. A well-written book, I enjoyed reading. It was a pleasure to review.
I always wait for my favorite author's books and Mila Crawford is one that is always great. He stories always have characters with beautiful hearts but struggle in their lives, and Silas is one who has struggled the most since he was a child. The abuse from his drugged up mother makes him think he is useless and doesn't want Olivia to feel unprotected. His love for her is real but he doesn't feel he is good for her that he is a beast with his scars. I highly recommend this. It is more romance with steadiness at the end. I wish more epilogues had been added because I didn't want it to end.
Silas is a broken and scarred man, damaged from years of abuse. He has cultivated a reputation as a beast because that’s how he sees himself. He has cut himself off from vulnerability or love because he believes himself unworthy. But when he sees Olivia, unprotected, at the mercy of her drug addicted father, he knows he has to protect her
This story made me cry and smile with joy. It’s truly one of redemption and the power of love to heal even the most broken of hearts.
Olivia and Silas ( beauty and the beast) when I read this l keep thinking, Silas has horrific scars, but I couldn't visualize him with them. I guess because I was seeing him through Olivia' s eyes. Which to me is pretty cool. When an author can make you use your imagination that way. This is a really good story. My heart went out to both of them. Silas this fierce man who would do anything for Olivia. There connection is pure perfection. Awesome!!!!
The story was good, let's get that out first. I love the whole beauty and beast take. for me though it felt overly angsty and the internal dialog seemed to go on forever. Could just be me though, but once they got out of their heads and started actually talking things went at light speed.
I thought this was a good read. Some of the reviews I didn’t understand but every body is due their own opinion. Silas knew pain, hurt and scars. He fell in love with Olivia watching her from afar. He saw how her life resembled his and he wanted to spare her hurt that he had witness with a parent on drugs. This was good 👍🏾