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Beastly
Some scars run deep. Others are made more apparent for all to see.
Scarred and cursed with horns, Grace has made peace with living a life alone. When a handsome contractor shows up at her door to make repairs on her manor, she's taken back with the attraction she feels toward him. Resigned to be cloaked in his presence, Grace can't afford to let anyone see her scars or into her fragile heart. But Adam has a way of breaking down all her walls. His charming smile, carefree attitude, and caring nature, not to mention his muscular physique leave Grace lusting after something she's convinced she can't have. But this contractor is keeping secrets of his own. Will the mysteries that surround them be revealed or will they be shrouded in the shadows forever?
The thing about beasts are, they thrive in darkness.
**Standalone book, HEA, steamy scenes not suitable for younger audiences, no cliffhanger.
Scarred and cursed with horns, Grace has made peace with living a life alone. When a handsome contractor shows up at her door to make repairs on her manor, she's taken back with the attraction she feels toward him. Resigned to be cloaked in his presence, Grace can't afford to let anyone see her scars or into her fragile heart. But Adam has a way of breaking down all her walls. His charming smile, carefree attitude, and caring nature, not to mention his muscular physique leave Grace lusting after something she's convinced she can't have. But this contractor is keeping secrets of his own. Will the mysteries that surround them be revealed or will they be shrouded in the shadows forever?
The thing about beasts are, they thrive in darkness.
**Standalone book, HEA, steamy scenes not suitable for younger audiences, no cliffhanger.
ebook
Published October 18, 2019
About the author
Nicky Fox
27 books454 followersNicky lives in Texas with her two dogs Hooper and May. She has a passion for all genres of romance. It doesn't matter if it's Contemporary, Sci-fi, or Paranormal. She reads, writes and dreams it. An introvert at heart, she's willing to talk romance books anytime.
Check out more of Nicky's work on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 31, 2025
Um. Honestly, I am so surprised by this. It was actually an ok read up until the middle of it, I did enjoy it, felt for the heroine, had my hopes up for the main pair. Their relationship was slowly evolving and I was feeling comfortable with that book, even though it would be a 3-star read.
Up until I wasn't at all any longer comfortable with this book which happened about the middle of this story. By that time, everything went downhill really fast.
Many things happening right after another, such as the heroine's house having just burned down in the middle of the night but the hero chooses to throw a temper tantrum and silent treatment at her because she wasn't thrilled enough to jump to mutual admission of deep feelings. It's almost like he expected her to jump at the first opportunity to move in with him no matter the circumstances right on the same night as her own home which had been her only shelter for the past 7 years had just burned down, probably lit. I was astonished at the lack of serious confrontation he should have got for this behaviour.
The heroine was under deep psychological distress and shock but the hero used that opportunity, not giving her any time to process what had just happened to her life, and basically burdened her with his sexual requests until she agreed to sleep with him on the same night. She was completely disoriented.
At which point, a whole lot of Christian values and misconceptions are being shoveled down the reader's throat, such as the purity myth aka saving oneself and the hero thanking the heroine for it, all the while his past sexual experiences or the lack of it weren't under scrutiny.
And then even more religious ideas displayed, as the hero actually having the audacity to act angry at the heroine because why-oh-why previously not discussed unprotected intercourse would be any issue for her. All the while when he could have been the only one who should have bought the protection, as it was not as if she could have gone out shopping or would have had a reason to stack condoms around her house while isolating for years. She had just lost her house to a fire and therefore, the responsbility fell to his shoulders which he didn't care to bother himself with.
This disregard of the heroine's sexual rights and emotional state under the overall arch of caring-for-my-mate (who wasn't even sure about her feelings yet) reads like emotional exploitation bordering on harrassment. Not to mention all the other problematic, religious tropes and several uncritical gender stereotypes and normatives utilised in the plot.
I made it until the 13th chapter after the witch is killed and the deal with Grace's father and the witch's motives was revealsed. I had enough by then and dnfed.
I'm still at an awe because I was so positive about this book up until the middle of it. Usually, by that time, one can tell if the story is a match or not but not with this story.
The hero changes in the middle, revealing his true colours, dragon or not. He goes from caring and gentle to possessive and acting like an entitled child, throwing tantrums and using manipulation (silent treatment). All his talk of love towards the herone isn't being shown in actions, namely isn't being reflected in terms of guaranteeing the heroine her right to free, unpressured consent and respect towards her emotional boundaries. The hero's behaviour is mostly just tolerated which is deeply infuriating.
It's a no for me.
Up until I wasn't at all any longer comfortable with this book which happened about the middle of this story. By that time, everything went downhill really fast.
Many things happening right after another, such as the heroine's house having just burned down in the middle of the night but the hero chooses to throw a temper tantrum and silent treatment at her because she wasn't thrilled enough to jump to mutual admission of deep feelings. It's almost like he expected her to jump at the first opportunity to move in with him no matter the circumstances right on the same night as her own home which had been her only shelter for the past 7 years had just burned down, probably lit. I was astonished at the lack of serious confrontation he should have got for this behaviour.
The heroine was under deep psychological distress and shock but the hero used that opportunity, not giving her any time to process what had just happened to her life, and basically burdened her with his sexual requests until she agreed to sleep with him on the same night. She was completely disoriented.
At which point, a whole lot of Christian values and misconceptions are being shoveled down the reader's throat, such as the purity myth aka saving oneself and the hero thanking the heroine for it, all the while his past sexual experiences or the lack of it weren't under scrutiny.
And then even more religious ideas displayed, as the hero actually having the audacity to act angry at the heroine because why-oh-why previously not discussed unprotected intercourse would be any issue for her. All the while when he could have been the only one who should have bought the protection, as it was not as if she could have gone out shopping or would have had a reason to stack condoms around her house while isolating for years. She had just lost her house to a fire and therefore, the responsbility fell to his shoulders which he didn't care to bother himself with.
This disregard of the heroine's sexual rights and emotional state under the overall arch of caring-for-my-mate (who wasn't even sure about her feelings yet) reads like emotional exploitation bordering on harrassment. Not to mention all the other problematic, religious tropes and several uncritical gender stereotypes and normatives utilised in the plot.
I made it until the 13th chapter after the witch is killed and the deal with Grace's father and the witch's motives was revealsed. I had enough by then and dnfed.
I'm still at an awe because I was so positive about this book up until the middle of it. Usually, by that time, one can tell if the story is a match or not but not with this story.
The hero changes in the middle, revealing his true colours, dragon or not. He goes from caring and gentle to possessive and acting like an entitled child, throwing tantrums and using manipulation (silent treatment). All his talk of love towards the herone isn't being shown in actions, namely isn't being reflected in terms of guaranteeing the heroine her right to free, unpressured consent and respect towards her emotional boundaries. The hero's behaviour is mostly just tolerated which is deeply infuriating.
It's a no for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2019
Since I received an advanced copy of this book via book sprout, it's only right to leave a review.
*WARNING* contains explicit sexual situations
Grace has been a recluse since the car accident that killed her parents. Grace accepts her loss, and her deformities as a curse because she was an awful person before the accident.
Adam is a dragon shifter handyman. Most dragon shifters are solitary, but not Adam. Adam likes to be social. When Adam starts work for the lady in the dark cloak, he learns pretty quickly that she is his mate.
This is a bit of a reverse beauty and the beast. It is a sweet love story. The part I like most us the morals in the story. First is even the meanest person can change. Second, guilt can be like a physical weight on any person and once it's released, you'll feel able to live lighter.
There were some twists to throw us off. I thought I had Grace's "condition" all figured out until then end when I was total wrong, it was a nice surprise. RECOMMENDED
*WARNING* contains explicit sexual situations
Grace has been a recluse since the car accident that killed her parents. Grace accepts her loss, and her deformities as a curse because she was an awful person before the accident.
Adam is a dragon shifter handyman. Most dragon shifters are solitary, but not Adam. Adam likes to be social. When Adam starts work for the lady in the dark cloak, he learns pretty quickly that she is his mate.
This is a bit of a reverse beauty and the beast. It is a sweet love story. The part I like most us the morals in the story. First is even the meanest person can change. Second, guilt can be like a physical weight on any person and once it's released, you'll feel able to live lighter.
There were some twists to throw us off. I thought I had Grace's "condition" all figured out until then end when I was total wrong, it was a nice surprise. RECOMMENDED
October 18, 2019
Since I received an advanced copy of this book via book sprout, it's only right to leave a review.
*WARNING* contains explicit sexual situations
Grace has been a recluse since the car accident that killed her parents. Grace accepts her loss, and her deformities as a curse because she was an awful person before the accident.
Adam is a dragon shifter handyman. Most dragon shifters are solitary, but not Adam. Adam likes to be social. When Adam starts work for the lady in the dark cloak, he learns pretty quickly that she is his mate.
This is a bit of a reverse beauty and the beast. It is a sweet love story. The part I like most us the morals in the story. First is even the meanest person can change. Second, guilt can be like a physical weight on any person and once it's released, you'll feel able to live lighter.
There were some twists to throw us off. I thought I had Grace's "condition" all figured out until then end when I was total wrong, it was a nice surprise. RECOMMENDED
*WARNING* contains explicit sexual situations
Grace has been a recluse since the car accident that killed her parents. Grace accepts her loss, and her deformities as a curse because she was an awful person before the accident.
Adam is a dragon shifter handyman. Most dragon shifters are solitary, but not Adam. Adam likes to be social. When Adam starts work for the lady in the dark cloak, he learns pretty quickly that she is his mate.
This is a bit of a reverse beauty and the beast. It is a sweet love story. The part I like most us the morals in the story. First is even the meanest person can change. Second, guilt can be like a physical weight on any person and once it's released, you'll feel able to live lighter.
There were some twists to throw us off. I thought I had Grace's "condition" all figured out until then end when I was total wrong, it was a nice surprise. RECOMMENDED
December 17, 2019
Wow this is a touching book. She is so scared to show here scars and she thinks she could never be loved. But here comes the handyman to show some love.
October 11, 2019
Sweet Love Story!
This was a sweet love story to read! Both of the main characters were well matched. I loved that this story kind of also touched on some good moral points like people can change and do not always stay the same. Also that holding guilt can hurt you if you don't forgive yourself and let it go. Good love story as well. I loved it all!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a sweet love story to read! Both of the main characters were well matched. I loved that this story kind of also touched on some good moral points like people can change and do not always stay the same. Also that holding guilt can hurt you if you don't forgive yourself and let it go. Good love story as well. I loved it all!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2019
Recluse Grace (FMC) lives a quiet, lonely life away from ridicule and hiding her scars that are both on the inside and outside. That is until she has to confront them when Adam (a handyman and carpenter) starts work in her house. He gets her to open up to him in some unconventional ways. Beastly is a modern retake on the Beauty and the Beast story. Its just a sweet and good book. I really enjoyed reading it
October 18, 2019
“Beastly” is an amazing tale of self-love and forgiveness. Grace and Adam earned the right to happiness in this tale. Learning of Grace’s personal journey made me cry in sadness and then in happiness. Adam was everything she needed in a friend and mate. They worked as a team against the witch for their HEA. This is a short but very well-written tale that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
November 27, 2019
A cute twist of Beauty and the Beast, this is a quick and satisfying read that revisits an old story in a fresh, new way! You've read the original, but I really enjoyed this modern retelling that included dragons! Grace is a sad and lonely girl until her friend Cyn sets her up with a contractor. The changes to the original story are extensive but the intrinsic message is the same. It's a lovely, romantic story that you will enjoy reading too!
October 18, 2019
4.5 stars
What a feel-good, sexy paranormal romance this story was! I enjoyed the twists made in the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I probably enjoyed the slow burn and subsequent sex scenes more though. ;)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a feel-good, sexy paranormal romance this story was! I enjoyed the twists made in the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I probably enjoyed the slow burn and subsequent sex scenes more though. ;)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2019
Grace and Adam were wonderful in this book. They really complimented and needed each other. This was really a reverse retelling of the fairytale. I loved Adam and his persistence. This was a sweet emotional tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 25, 2019
This is quite a new retelling of the classic fairytale Beauty and the Beast. Our heroine Grace adds a whole new spin as the Beast of the story and the hero Adam is a hottie dragon shifter. A steamy tale for the adult 18+ readers, so be aware and enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2019
This is a good book, it's a twist on beauty and the beast. This is a fast read and you will enjoy Grace and Adam's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2019
Adam and Grace were such sweeties and I enjoyed reading how their relationship developed. Adorable story and there were a few twists I didn't see coming. Looking forward to reading other books by this author.
October 21, 2019
Such a great take on a classic!
It’s Beauty and the Beast but reversed but not! I loved this one, these retellings are so cute and I absolutely love them!! Grace and Adam’s story sure was lovely!
It’s Beauty and the Beast but reversed but not! I loved this one, these retellings are so cute and I absolutely love them!! Grace and Adam’s story sure was lovely!
October 22, 2019
A short quick story to read by an Author I have not read before, it is well written with a very good storyline. I enjoyed reading Grace and Adam's story and finding out why Grace had horns. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2021
I love this💜
I feel horrible it has taken me forever and a day to get to. But it was so worth staying up till 2 am reading it!!! Nicky has done such a wonderful job with this book and the few others I've read. I'm excited to read the next one!!!
I feel horrible it has taken me forever and a day to get to. But it was so worth staying up till 2 am reading it!!! Nicky has done such a wonderful job with this book and the few others I've read. I'm excited to read the next one!!!
October 18, 2019
This was sweet, sexy, funny and romantic
October 30, 2019
Phenomenal book!!!
I love Nicky’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I love Nicky’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
October 30, 2019
Phenomenal book!!!
I love Nicky’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
I love Nicky’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
December 18, 2019
Beautiful.
This is a beautiful turn on the world of magic and shifters. This sweet and sublime story was very touching and precious.
This is a beautiful turn on the world of magic and shifters. This sweet and sublime story was very touching and precious.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews