Beauty and the Thorns

Beauty and the Rose #2

by Lee Savino, Stasia Black

I never thought I’d see him again.
My first love, back from the grave.
My captor and tormentor.
He holds my past, present and future in his scarred hands.
He owns me.
No matter how far I run, my path leads me back to that lonely castle.
Back into the arms of the Beast.

Genres: Romance, Dark, BDSM, Dark Romance, Erotica, Audiobook, Contemporary

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2020

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Reviews

[Bookadmirer]

D. N. F

The first book was okay but this book just wasn't for me.

I couldn't find the emotional depth between the protagonists. It was all rough sex. Totally No for me.

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first book but this one I did not like. I just thought the authors were rewriting a backstory and try to make us care but I didn't. I also get bored with bdsm.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We pick up where we left off from book one, “Beauty’s Beast.” Hopefully you read that one. Daphne was surprised by Adam on the proposal. Now the Beast is really PO’d. He sees it as a betrayal. He plans to teach her a lesson for her lies. But it’s his anger that is getting in the way. His revenge is clouding everything not to mention the love that he has for Daphne. I was screaming at the end of the first book. Now with the second, you are riding a roller coaster in the dark, unsure of the track and the twist that is to come. I have to say I was on the edge of my seat reading this installment. I was able to remain calm. I thought I would be screaming at my kindle (ok, I did scream at some scenes and laugh at others). I KNEW there was something going on with evil Adam and “you know who.” My heart broke for her father getting weaker and then the wrench was twisted. I had a feeling it was coming up it still was hard to read. Now I await the final book.
Note: I do LOVE seeing Cora and Marcus in the book. I hope they are able to be of help in the third book.

[Jeon Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS.

I liked the first book, however this one didn’t really do it for me. Daphne can’t seem to make up her mind about who to trust, especially when all logic points towards Logan. She loves him, see’s his pain, yet is unwilling to feel it. And I get it, no girl wants to look badly upon her father but to be played with and continued to be played with, that’s beyond naivety. She ends her engagement with Adam in a civilized matter, he drugs her, she still treats him as a friend, despite knowing deep down what he did to Logan and thinks Logan is just going to get over that?! Call me whatever but for someone who’s supposed to be smart, she really is stupid. Had I not already liked Logan’s character I would’ve stopped reading then and there.

[Jackie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one as much as the first! I can't wait for the last book and to find out what happens. The ending on this one is a killer! But the book is so worth the read!

I love where the authors take you in this book. Logan just keeps jumping to conclusions. Some right, but mostly he is wrong. And Daphne just wants to be where she belongs. Which is with Logan. He makes her feel so free and simplifies things for her. Which is something she doesn't realize at first she needs. She has fought constantly to be what everyone else wants her to be. And she finally starts realizing she wants to make herself happy. Not everyone else. I love the journey she takes in the book to finally start realizing this!

Of course you still have to have the bad guy. Adam Archer is definitely that! I want to hurt him and he isn't even REAL! Lol Like I said before I can't wait to see what is next!

[Elle Arce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uff...

Mi culpa, lo siento, me apresuré al dar un adelanto de lo que creí que sería esta 2 parte, y sí, no me equivoqué, no del todo... Excepto que por la mitad , la trama cobra vida, emerge entre la cenizas y se hace presente para reclamarles a los personajes por ser estúpidos, los abofetea y les hace ver que esta ahí, parada como una diosa.
Vamos por partes. En principio, todo el primer tercio fue más de los mismo, en un encendido y apagado intermitente donde ella y él, son unos estúpidos que pasan de actuar de una forma a otra sin ninguna razón que justifique el cambio, estaba molesta con ese tira y afloja entre querer someterse a él y "renegar por hacerlo", porque simplemente no concordaba con lo que pensaba el personaje. Y luego él de tontos sin escuchar y luego arrepentido y bla... Pero luego, llegamos a la mitad del libro, a la que yo he nombrado: el comienzo de la paliza, para los personajes. Parece, en un inicio, que los personajes seguirán en su rol mal hecho, pero no, porque la trama los envuelve y zaz, les hace ver la realidad, su realidad. Y sí, comienza el real clímax de la novela, y va todo en creciendo, como una bella opera, o como mi pieza favorita de Edvard Grieg "Peer Gynt". En la música clásica hay una forma de llamarle a esto, seguro los experimentados podrán decirlo, aunque yo no pertenezco a, grupo. Pues bueno, para cuando estas en el último tercio del libro, no puedes parar de leer y ahí, frente a tus ojos, pasa la cosa más hermosa que puede tener un libro dark: tener un punto mensaje, sí, un mensaje un libro que quiere despertar el morbo, que no le importa la moralidad de los actos, que se refugia en personajes deficientes. Un Punto mensaje. No obstante, eso no es lo mejor, no. Lo mejor es EL mensaje, el mensaje que se busca de un libro que habla sobre bdsm, simple y hermoso: La sumisión/dominación no es lo mismo que maltratar, el goce del bdsm no reside en lo que nos han hecho creer, y el libro te lo grita con la voz de la protagonista, en un claro mensaje fuerte que te hace decir: ¡Sí, carajos! Era hora que alguien lo dijera.
En fin, que como todo clímax, los nervios se suavizan y todo llega a su fin. No sé qué depara en el tercer libro, pero este me ha puesto una sonrisa dulce en los labios.

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beauty and the Thorns start right where the first book Beauty's Beast ended. So you will have to read that book first before starting this one. This second book is twisted, dirty, and wonderful to read. I could not put it down. I am totally in love with this story and obsessed with Logan and Daphne.

There will be a third book (which surprised me or I just wasn't paying attention) with this storyline. I am hoping we get to see Logan and Daphne get revenge and find a cure for the disease. I am hoping of course for their love and the sex we have come to love and enjoy. But I want the revenge that Logan has been wanting for so long!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too much jumping between past and present but otherwise a great continuation of Logan and Daphne's story. It's hot and erotic and emotional; and just when it looks like Daphne and Logan might have a chance to get their happy ending, another shocking and heartbreaking reveal ends this book in a cliffhanger. I really care about these characters and am waiting anxiously for the villains to get what's coming to them and for Logan and Daphne to get their HEA. Great writing and storytelling by these authors. 4.5 stars.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.

[3m Lop · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ver TRIPLEHPTA todo el rato estas chingue y chingue que te cae mal este tipo porque es un traicionero y te jugó sucio pero a la mínima que le pasa a la prota ya le gritas y no confías y es una z*rra traicionera y más. Además de que estoy cansada de que todo sea fácil de perdonar para aquellas protagonistas que fueron insultada y denigradas, pero no sea al revés que a ella le tocó aguantar severo castigo porque al CHUCHA este le valió madres escucharla medio libro.
*Inserte voz de mimada* "El pobre tuvo problemas con su mamá drogadicta y además la familia de ella lo convirtió en monstruo" Me vale una MIERDAAAAA, si quieres ganarte su confianza llamándola de todo no lo conseguirás. Estuve con una puta mínima esperanza que se quedara con el único personaje sano que vi, pero fue imposible.

En fin si algo salvó a este libro de una estrella es que este año he leído peores y además el final te atrae lo suficiente para preguntarte ¿Qué pasará?

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ “Well, in for a patent, in for a pound.” ★

—>>> There are challenges, trials, and tribulations in more ways than one, involving trust and betrayal. Daphne’s continued naïveté really gets her into hot water, and she remains a pawn for all others’ uses. We get a few windows into the time of their pasts, which contrast sharply with Logan’s vendetta repositioned even more foremost on his mind. The cliffhanger will definitely leave you wanting to read the final installment of this series!

[Dana zamora]

Ohhhhh my freaking God

You two leave me hanging in the wind, Logan and Daphne their happily ever after I truly hope comes for them, and someone beats the SHIT out of Adam, the turmoil Daphne has been put through because of her dad and Adam, to finally find love with Logan again to having it ripped away because she's now got the same disease her mom died from, I voluntarily read this complimentary book ARC, thank you so very much, I can't wait for the next book, Dana

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd part of Daphne's and Logan's romance heats up, and gets even more intense. New Olympus has a new power couple, and what they learn together will change everything that they know. I loved this book, and didn't want to put it down to go back to reality.

[Ronda Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this 2nd book. Gives you more back story. Can't wait for the next book to see how this is all going to end! 💕💕

[Tabatha Reed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe one day I’ll learn. That day was not today though. It seems like it happens every time. I get pleasantly surprised intrigued by a book ending, give it a higher rating than I was leaning and the next book crashes and burns.

Logan is still Mr. One Dimensional Character. It’s very underwhelming. She’s like crazy for him and aside from exposing her to BDSM without safe words, I don’t understand her devotion to him.

I hate flashbacks. Hate. Them. Especially in the specific format they are presented in at the start of this book. Every. Other. Chapter. Present. Past. Present. Past. I don’t know what this is supposed to accomplish exactly but let me tell you what it does. This back and forth format breaks the flow of the narrative. A chapter ends, you turn the page anxious to see what happens next. Nope. You are in the past. Ugh. Well, whatever - let’s see where we are headed. The chapter ends, turn the page what happens next. Not yet. You are back in the present to find out what happened before you got sidetracked with the fucking flashback. And so on and so forth.

I’m going to be brutally honest here. The punishment scene doled out in the beginning of the book was sickening. This book is pure fantasy so let’s completely ignore the whole lack of safe words, not a big deal in fiction to me. This is not a how to guide. She obviously doesn’t protest this punishment. She even likes it, mostly. The problem? First, he punished her in anger. AGAIN. Second, his behavior post punishment is more damaging than any of the punishments she willingly submitted to in this series. He stomps off, returning to toss a jar of salve at her from across the room and throws her out. The lack of aftercare here made me heartsick for her, for the 2 whole seconds she was upset.

Being a submissive doesn’t mean being a total doormat. Unless you are the heroine in this book, of course. There is apparently nothing she can’t forgive him for and no line he’s not allowed to cross.

Twice he believes the worst possible thing about her without even giving her a chance to explain. Then despite how he’s treated her she ain’t even mad at him. Literally zero grovel. I get it. We see him realize what a complete and total unequivocal moron he is and he’s all “how can I make it up to you, give me another chance.”

To which she responds. “It’s all good, please continue to treat me like I’m absolutely worthless. I like it. Makes me super wet to be treated like garbage and that is definitely the most important thing here.”

[Morgan (youarethelibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is hard to put down. There’s one more book in the series, and I am anxiously waiting for its release. But Logan is a pigheaded, prideful, selfish piece of work. He does not listen to Daphne, even when she has gone above and beyond to gain his trust. So what, Logan has a traumatic childhood? A lot of people do, and that’s not an excuse to hurt those you claim to love. I wanted to slap some sense into him, and frankly I would not have given him a pass like Daphne does. No, Logan isn’t the villain of the story, but he’s got a long way to go in being worthy of Daphne’s love.

I hope Adam Archer and his accomplice both get what they deserve in the next book.

And yes, while I’m at it, the fact that Daphne has her doctorate and is supposed to be a genius, and yet she can’t figure out who drugged her? It’s unbelievable and incredibly naive of her.

[Kailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like both of these authors together, this story felt like filler. Logan takes far too much time to realize he's been a jackass and it concerns me that he doesn't listen when Daphne tries to tell him important things. I'm still going to read the conclusion, but this installment felt like a bridge between the first and last book.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malifica81 - per RFS
.
Bentornate Fenici!

In questo nuovo libro, secondo di una trilogia, abbiamo una storia diversa, un amore oscuro tra una donna che deve trovare la sua libertà e un miliardario.

Però, c’è molto di più: ci troviamo di fronte a un retelling di “La bella e la Bestia” condito con una buona dose di BDSM, dietro al quale c’è una storia d’amore tormentata.

Infatti, ci racconta di Daphne, una ricercatrice, che ha intrecciato una relazione con Logan, suo primo amore, il quale è diventato “la Bestia”.

Lui è un personaggio molto sfaccettato, che quando fa il Padrone è dispotico, ma sa anche avere attimi di dolcezza, perché l’amore che prova per Daphne è più forte di qualsiasi cosa.

Lei, invece, è fragile perché ha sempre creduto che il padre non apprezzasse quello che faceva per la famiglia e per trovare una cura per la malattia ereditaria della madre.

La domanda che uno si pone per tutto il libro è: “Chi è la vera Bestia?”. E ciò è dovuto alla presenza di un terzo incomodo, che darà del filo da torcere alla nostra coppia.

La storia mi è piaciuta, l’ho trovata diversa dai soliti BDSM che ho letto e, se come me amate il genere e riuscite a entrare nella giusta ottica, non vi darà fastidio questa sua caratteristica, perché è scorrevole e mai noiosa. Ora però sono curiosa di leggere il primo e l’ultimo volume per capire come va a finire.

Mal approva.

Alla prossima, un saluto dalla vostra Mal.

[Amanda Divine · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review of the first book already pointed out my frustration with Daphne. That only grew with the second installment. She was too trusting and blind to everyone around her, but the one person she could trust – Logan. It was a bit hard to swallow that Daphne wants Logan to trust her after she has put herself in positions that led to her being drugged twice and nude photos to be published . I would have a hard time trusting someone that naive with terrible instincts!

I loved the dark, steamy scenes between Daphne and Logan as you could feel the trust and emotions growing the more time they spent together. This was the saving grace of the series. I will finish the series and hope that the characters and story are redeemed in the end.

[Mrs. Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me ha pasado lo mismo que con el primer libro. La historia está bien, es entretenida. En este caso me ha gustado un poco más porque el libro salta de pasado a presente a lo largo de la narración y conocemos más de la historia anterior de los personajes. Algunas partes se me han hecho un poco pesadas, incluso he llegado a saltarme párrafos o leer por encima en algún momento. Aunque un poco mejor, también había bastantes fallos en la traducción. Eso sí, al igual que el primero, se queda súper interesante y con ganas de ver qué pasa a continuación.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan And Daphne's Story Begins Dark And Steamy, But The Story Becomes Plot-Driven When Daphne Needs To Return To New Olympus.

This is book two of the Beauty and the Rose series, which is a steamy modern spin on Beauty and the Beast. While it follows book one, Beauty's Beast, and is best read in sequence, it is possible to read it without having first read book one. The only significant points not clarified in this book are the missing seven years of Logan's life and how he earned his wealth during that time (which doesn't play an important factor in this story), and the full picture of the power struggle within Belladonna.

For fans, characters in other books by the authors make brief cameos in the story. Marcus and Cora from the Innocence trilogy make an appearance. 

The story takes place in New Olympus. It revolves around Belladonna, a research company that was once headed by Dr. Piers Laurel. The company's mission was to find a cure for Battleman's disease, the illness that Dr. Laurel's wife fought. When she died seven years ago, the doctor was overcome by his failure to save his wife and was lost to his depression. The board fell under the influence of conniving Adam Archer, heir to Archer Industries, a billion dollar empire. Adam, along with Logan Wulfe, had conducted research at Belladonna under Dr. Laurel. Adam wanted to shift the company's focus from diseases to cosmetics. 

Logan Wulfe, at twenty-seven, had always been rough around the edges. His parents were into drugs more than parenting and he was orphaned at age twelve. He grew up never having felt the love of a family. He did eventually find a mentor, and Dr. Laurel became a surrogate father figure once he began research at Belladonna. He worked diligently towards finding the cure Dr. Laurel sought. 

Daphne Laurel, at nineteen, didn't have much of a childhood. Her mother was often sick and her father's sole focus was on finding a cure for his wife. To please her father and help her mother, Daphne devoted herself to her studies. At eighteen, she was nearly finished with her PhD. She spent long hours studying at the lab. It was then that she quietly tried to get noticed by Logan, her first crush.

Logan became aware that Daphne was no longer a child, and as tempted as he was by her, he knew she was yet too young for him. But they spent long hours together in the lab, so they developed a close friendship over the course of a year. But Logan's life took a devastating turn when he discovered Adam's scheme to take over the company shortly after Daphne's mother passed. Logan ended up hospitalized and disfigured, eventually disappearing from the hospital and New Olympus. 

As the story opens seven years later, Dr. Laurel's daughter Daphne is CEO and her father is in the hospital. Belladonna is struggling. Daphne has just left Logan's castle to check on her father after promising Logan to return to him afterward. She had been held by him for two weeks as part of a mad plot for revenge, but by the time she left they had developed real feelings for one another. Daphne is intercepted by Adam while en route to her father and proposed to amidst a crowd of reporters. Though she never actually accepts, she is incapable of forcefully speaking for herself. She knows immediately how deeply the news will hurt Logan and accepts that he will take it out on her when she returns. Logan owns Belladonna's patents, so she must face him to try to get them back and save Belladonna. 

Logan is devastated by Daphne's betrayal. That she accepted Adam's proposal, his enemy, makes it worse. He isn't sure how many times he can break and still go on. So when Daphne shows up at the castle asking for him to return the Belladonna patents, he plans to make her burn for them. He is the Master, the Beast, and she is his slave. Daphne plans to take the punishment. She hopes the anger will burn out and they can return to being Logan and Daphne. 

Logan and Daphne's story begins dark and steamy as Logan dishes out Daphne's punishment. They are lost in erotica as they work through their trust issues. But just as they begin to reconcile, Daphne needs to return to New Olympus and the real world. The story becomes plot-driven at this point. The couple's fragile truce is once again tested. They nearly achieve a happy ending, but the story ends with a sad twist that leads to book three in the series, Beauty and the Rose.

Logan and Daphne's story is a mix of erotica and complex storylines. It is nicely written. The plot is complex (in the latter half). The characters are well-defined. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Logan and Daphne. I rate this book four stars. 

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

[B. Koe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensuously dark and STEAMY, and astoundingly full of intrigue, A TOTAL MUST-READ!!
BEAUTY AND THE THORNS is the second part of the AMAZING triumvirate by the equally OUTSTANDING authors Stasia Black and Lee Savino. EVERYTHING I raved about in the first part of this three-part episodic series is found in BEAUTY AND THE THORNS as well. BEAUTY AND THE THORNS is sensuously dark, erotic and breathtaking. It is darker than BEAUTY’S BEAST, so readers 18 and over only. Yet BEAUTY AND THE THORNS is also so full of action and intrigue readers won’t be able to put it down! With bated breath and pins and needles, I waited for BEAUTY AND THE THORNS to be released! Now, after reading it, I have to say the experience has been totally worth the wait. In fact, the reading of BEAUTY AND THE THORNS exceeded my expectations, because nothing happened as I supposed it should and though thoroughly surprised, I understood why events couldn’t have progressed any other way! These authors are truly talented and offer twists and turns so totally unexpected, realistic yet ever-developing characters, and prose so descriptive this reader felt like that proverbial fly on the wall. Again, I am struggling to find the words worthy to express the sheer dichotomy of emotion, both abhorrence and elation, I am feeling after reading this most remarkable novel. The main characters of Daphne and Logan continue to be well-written, but within BEAUTY AND THE THORNS, Daphne becomes the woman I have always longed to be. However, I cannot tell you more about that without risking a spoiler, so know that I voluntarily read a copy of BEAUTY AND THE THORNS and it is everything and more than I expected it would be. BEAUTY AND THE THORNS will be placed in the FAVORITES collection on my Kindle to be read and re-read to my heart’s content. I am now voluntarily rendering my honest 5+STAR recommendation wishing with every breath I could give BEAUTY AND THE THORNS more stars! It is for mature audiences as BEAUTY AND THE THORNS includes explicit sexual scenes which are typical of BDSM/sadomasochism. Beyond those scenes is a sensuous romance and a seductive mystery concerning the quest to treat the rare but fictional disease called “Battleman’s,” the control of a company called Belladonna, and the sale of many patents developed at/by Belladonna. So, again I await the third and final part of this series with bated breath. There are so many loose ends to tie up; I can hardly wait to see what happens!! I STRONGLY suggest that you purchase your copy of BEAUTY AND THE THORNS today! Happy pages! 😉

[Lizeth Navarrete · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bueno bueno. A este libro le doy 2 y media de estrellas y la verdad es porque este libro no fue muy bueno. Llegué a pensar en dejar de leer este libro en algún momento. La verdad solo era sexo y sexo y malos entendidos y mala comunicación. Que si pasaron cosas más emociones ya como en un 70% del libro. Fue cuando comenzó un poco mejor la historia. Pero del comienzo del libro a llegar a ese 70% me costó bastante. Sentía una gran exasperación en mi vida. Es que Logan de verdad es muy muy terco. Que entiendo que lo que vivió de pequeño con su mamá fue muy feo y por eso tiene problemas de confianza pero Dios mío! Quería jalarle los pelos. Era demasiado terco! Y Daphne ay pobrecita era muy bruta en veces. Que según muy lista. Que diplomas por acá, que la mejor de la clase. Pero para manejar su vida era muy muy burra. Este libro toca mucho más el tema de amo/sumisa. La verdad lo único que yo he leído de BDSM fue 50 sombras de Grey y pues creo que este libro fue un poco más fuerte. No me gustan las palabras que a veces usaba Logan para referirse a Daphne. El usaba la palabra “mascota” horrible y denigrante. Todavía “sumisa” esta bien pero mascota. Dios eso era horrible. Y luego Logan decía frases como: Responde tan bien a su señor. Ay no Dios mío. Eso no me gustó nada nada. Luego Daphne usaba frases como: Gracias por marcarme. Ay no Dios. No soporté no soporté.
Lo único bueno que tuvo este libro fue el final. Vaya final! Te deja con ansias de leer el tercer libro para saber que va a pasar porque ese final me dejó con la boca abierta. Si me lo esperaba pero a la vez pensaba que no iba a pasar eso. Pero bueno, solo por ese final es que voy a leer el tercero que si no, yo aquí hubiera dejado de leer esta trilogía. Pero bueno haber que tal está el libro que sigue.

[Candace N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare for a hurricane on an open ocean, sending the reader tossing and rolling through the changing story line; occasionally grabbing something solid before getting pitched over again. Ms. Savino and Ms. Black continue to lead readers through the stormy depths of torment surrounding the characters in the second installment of this dark Trilogy. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

When I start feeling strong animosity toward Logan, I know these ladies continue to weave an engaging rendition of the folk tale. Readers will truly feel conflicted about the lead male as he struggles to trust his feelings toward Daphne. I was compelled to both hate and root for Logan simultaneously. I enjoy discovering the complexities of this character.

As Daphne expresses doubt about her love for Logan, she also radiates strength and courage in the midst of his drastic downturn. In this book, she continues to be hope personified as she tries to understand how Logan needs to be loved. Readers will move through the story never quite sure if Daphne can help find the man Logan was in his youth. Her struggle is equal parts harrowing and engrossing.

Without doubt, readers will experience an emotional journey through Logan’s past and more challenges for the couple as they try to explore if they can be together. However, as a warning, there are several possible triggers some readers may find hard to read. Although some rough scenes were difficult to read; the understanding gained about these dynamic characters is totally worth the cringe inducing moments.

*I received an ARC version of the story for my honest review of this tale.*

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Daphne and Logan's story continues, the stakes are raised, the tension is ever increasing, turmoil is a constantly simmering entity that lurks on every page and what trust has been earned is severely damaged. This is book two of this series and you must read book one first. This book is a much more of an emotional roller coaster as the fallout from the final events from book one become some major stressors for this couple. I really enjoyed this book and I'm loving this series. Logan is a really great character that I loved. He is very complex and fits his role as "Beast" quite well. Scarred outside and wounded on the inside, this guy has some anger and trust issues (and rightfully so). I found him very easy to feel for. As for Daphne, although in general I liked her and I felt she fit the role of "Beauty" quite well, I hated her extreme lack of spunkiness and overall cluelessness. Then when she finally begins to find a spine, she chooses to take the most annoying stand she can take. So, she is OK but I've got issues with her. Also, I was a bit on the fence over the back and forth time jumps in this book. While I did like delving deeper into these characters history, I did feel that this sometimes negatively affected the flow of the story a bit. In the end though, that was simply a petty annoyance and overall this was a an enjoyable and intense read that keeps you invested in seeing this couple get a HEA by overcoming the past and defeating their enemies. Fair warning: there is another whopper of a cliffhanger at the end of this book and a wait for book three. I can't wait to see how it all ends! I am posting an elective, candid review.

[Linda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this steamy partial retelling of Beauty & the Beast BUT it’s a trilogy. Tell me it ain’t so…
Yes, this story was wonderful, but I thought this was the second book of a duet. Now I find out it is a trilogy! Still another book to the conclusion. I’m a little miffed to be honest.
Daphne’s naivety abounds. She gets roped into an engagement with the news media everywhere and she can’t find her big girl panties to say NO. She doesn’t expect the worse of people she should worry about. She sees what Logan does as infringing on her autonomy instead of his trying to help her and keep her safe. I spent so much of the book shaking my head at her inability to sense what was happening “between the lines.”
As this is the second book in the trilogy, we see the struggles Daphne goes through trying to justify her feelings for Logan and the way he makes her feel in the dungeon. There are flashbacks to complete the story and to explain why characters may do what they do. The third book hopefully allows revenge for things done in this book and the last and maybe a breakthrough. Fingers crossed…I’m left with this question: Who is the REAL beast in this story?
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book and it comes recommended for those who like GREAT stories enough to read three of them to get to the end. I give it 4.5 stars not the 5++ it might have had.

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Control, empowerment, freedom
Beauty and the Thorns (Beauty Triology Book 2) by Stasia Black and Lee Savino is a wonderfully well written dark romance full of dark dominance and a journey of finding oneself.
Logan and Daphne begin tumultuously. There’s so much anger and defiance as these two collide and separate. Logan, is really struggling to maintain control and cannot bring himself to trust. It is something easy to understand based on what happened to him in the recent past, but in this book we learn even more about his youth which makes his ability to trust nearly impossible. Daphne has been manipulated all her life, the love for her mother, the need to please her father has emotionally controlled her every decision to the point she wonders if anything she’s done so far is really anything she really wanted at all.
Overall, this dark romance brings Daphne out of her shell; her submission became her empowerment to go after what she wants and Logan was the Master behind it all. All is not coming up Roses just yet though, Daphne and Logan have a sort of happy for now at the end, but a major, terrifying cliffhanger has me anxiously awaiting book three. If any characters in this series deserves a HEA it’s Logan and Daphne and I can’t wait to see how these two authors make that magic happen!
I read an ARC of this book and voluntarily share my review.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and the Thorns is the second book in the Beauty and the Rose trilogy and I suggest you read these books in order. Daphne and Logan have forged their relationship with secrets, pleasure, and pain, but will Logan’s beastly actions force Daphne to his rival?

Okay, I wasn’t sure what to think about this book, based on how the last book ended, and I feel like I have emotional whiplash from this book. There’s flashbacks from their childhoods, flashbacks from when Logan and Daphne first got to know each other better, and then all of the craziness that’s happening currently in their lives. I was both deeply intrigued by this storyline and wanted to know what would happen next, but I also wanted to throttle both of the main characters. Logan has some serious trust issues, understandably, but refuses to give any more softness to Daphne. When she’s with Logan, Daphne is so strong and revels in her submission, but as soon as she tries to stand on her own, she is easily steamrolled. I want to love their connection, but their relationship just seems volatile more often than steady and they had no communication. There’s so much passion and angst and chemistry, I really struggled with reading this story. I do look forward to reading book three and seeing how this relationship and all of their drama fully plays out.

[SumFire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Their love story wasn't ’t perfect, but it was thiers!


Dark, Streamy and very twisted!

This installment we got weird.

We got a little more background on Daphne and her parents'
relationship 🤦🏾‍♀️.

Just when I thought Logan was crazy before, now that he thinks Daphne has crossed him, he is even more of a beast. And whats worst? She let's him!!

It's been a running theme her entire life:
* Her parents only had her to help cure her mother.
*How father raised her to help take care of the mother and ultimately find a cure for the mother's illness and then run the business.
*Now she's a meek mouse and doormat for Logan.

UGHH!!

So, while she's playing submissive and being abused in the name of love, duty and redemption, the world🌎 is still worlding .

And the little girl who no one loved somehow ends up great, even less

I am sorry, unfortunately I don't think I have it in me. Let's a read a third book . Kudos to you, if you choose to continue the journey!

I think these two authors spent too much time writing of sex scenes, and too little time, thinking up a plausible plot.


📚Genre: Dark Romance / Trilogy
🎭Trope: Kidnapped/ FTL
🔥Spice Level: 5
⚠️Possible Triggers: Bondage, BDSM, Suicide
🤧 2

I said what I said and as always: don't take my word for it. Read the book, form your own opinions, and support your authors! 🫶🏿📖👏🏾

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Beauty and the Rose series and it is not a standalone. Picking up from where the first book left off, Daphne has unwillingly succumbed to a marriage proposal from Adam that she never agreed to leaving Logan feeling betrayed and, on a mission, to punish. Logan has been through the ringer and this gives readers his back story to see why he is the way he is and what is truly driving him. Adam is still “the golden boy” but there are cracks coming through and his true nature is going to show. Daphne is coming into her own as a woman but how long will she put up with Logan’s lack of faith in her to choose him. This is one wild ride with Daphne and Logan as the two twist and turn bleeding pleasure and pain into a new path that they can travel together. The question is will it be enough or will the unthinkable transpire and cause a wedge between these two that they will not be able to recover from? Ending in one heck of a cliffhanger, one cannot help but feel for these two and what they have endured. It will leave anyone gutted and eagerly awaiting the next book to see where this journey leads. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picks off right where the first one left. Daphne was shocked when Adam proposed to her. He is not the one she wants, but Logan will not believe her. He wants to punish her for what he thinks she did. You do see more of what happened in their past, when she was eighteen years old. The beasts aren’t always those who look like them, they are usually the ones who seem perfect and nice. This is a dark romance and erotic. The connection that Daphne and Logan have becomes stronger, but it is fragile due to the hurt Logan has in his past. The chemistry between them is explosively hot. While Logan is a beast and a monster, he is all Daphne’s. There are times that he shows that softness and kindness. I love Daphne and the beast’s story and can’t wait to see them get their full revenge on all that have betrayed them. You need to read Beauty’s Beast before reading this. I will be eagerly waiting for the final book. I love this series and the characters, and you get to see a couple familiar faces from the first series.