Finding Beauty

Love, Beauty & Soul #2

by Ann Penny

Sometimes, the greatest love stories begin with a second chance.

Starting over in New York City is Melanie Warren’s chance to prove she doesn’t need her parents’ wealth, high-society status, or her ex-fiancé, Grayson. Determined to stand on her own, she refuses to look back, until her new job brings her face-to-face with the one man she swore never to forgive.

Scott Blackwood is no longer the reckless boy with a troubled past. Now, he’s wealthy, powerful, and everything he once dreamed of becoming. But to Melanie, he’s still the man who shattered her seventeen year old heart and never looked back.

Their chemistry is undeniable, their past impossible to forget. As old wounds resurface and the lines between them blur, Melanie is faced with a choice: hold on to her heartbreak or risk everything for a second chance at love. Because the biggest secret of all? She never stopped loving him.

Genres: Second Chance, Second Chance Romance, Audiobook, Forbidden Romance, Friends To Lovers, Billionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance

Unknown Binding

About the author

Ann Penny is a contemporary romance author from Melbourne, Australia, known for her emotionally rich storytelling that resonate with readers drawn to tales of passion, resilience, and hope. A two-time finalist for the prestigious Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) Romance Book of the Year Award, Ann Penny is quickly gaining recognition in the romance genre for the exceptional depth and heart in her stories.

When Ann Penny isn’t writing, she enjoys having a laugh with her husband and sons, cuddling her fur babies, and immersing herself in anything creative. Penny is always striving to craft something beautiful and unexpected while endeavouring to harness her hyperactive mind.

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so beautifullll

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-read

i loved book 1 in this series, and i'm a bit hesitant to start melanie's story, especially after everything she's done. but depression rep and second chance is always something i'm looking for. i have a feeling this will rip me into pieces 😭

↪ started nov 26
↪ finished nov 26

[Jenny’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

To describe this book would be another episode of gossip girl where the scholar guy falls for the rich girl but when the scholarship guy works he’s way up to that world apparently he will still not be enough while the rich girl leaves everything behind because she can’t keep up with the mother’s expectations.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how I could like Melanie after book 1 but Ann pulled it off because I fell in love with Melanie. Her struggles with her mom were really relatable for me. I felt so awful for her and all the things she went through. She redeemed herself and more. Don’t get me started on Scott. HE WAS PERFECTION!

[Brianna Higdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Capturing Love I was apprehensive about reading Finding Beauty because of how Melanie was portrayed in the book. A good portion of the start of this book focuses on the start of Melanie and Scott's relationship when they were teenagers and I'm so glad it did because it made me love them as a couple and root for their second chance at love. Melanie and Scott had difficult upbringings is very different ways. I love seeing them as adults and breaking away from their past to thrive on their own and together. I loved this book and rate it a 4/5 stars. I would recommend this book to lovers of second chance, forbidden love, and billionaire romances.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Book 1, Capturing Love, I continued to read the prologue and was surprised to find that Melanie’s story would be next in Finding Love. Her character developed into a likable one as the story progressed, delving deeper into the heavy role her family played in shaping her. In turn, she became increasingly dependent on Grayson. I liked how the author redeemed her character, and Melanie ultimately got her happy ending.

Thank you to Arndell and Author Ann Penny for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tarynrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars✨️

I'm realising that I love a second chance romance😌

Melanie and Scott went through so much, but watching them heal was so heartwarming. The growth from both our characters was amazing.

This was such a captivating read! I finished it in two days (which has been difficult for me to do recently).

This one has made me even more excited for Adams book!

Thank you, Arndell and Ann Penny, for the ARC copy🩷

[Natalie Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!!!

After finishing the first book I was sceptic if I was going to like Melanie as the main character cause she did some pretty shitty things in the first book. But I was dead wrong!!!

This book is pretty much in 2 parts. The first half is a flash back of Melanie and Scott falling in love in high school. We really get to see why Melanie acted the way she did in the first book.

Part 2 is present day where Melanie and Scott reconnect and have a second chance romance. And it was amazing!! The tension and groveling and longing, it was everything I needed.

Melanie and Scott deserve all the happiness

[Amy Elste · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Absolutely adored Melanie & Scott's story!

This is a second chance romance that will hit you with every feeling. The yearning, the tension, holy moly! I cried, I giggled, this book had me in my feels and I stayed up to finish it in one day!

I didn't think Mel would be able to redeem herself, but this is redemption story, and you cannot tell me her and Scott don't deserve it!

Melanie & Scott where high school sweethearts. One eventful night, Scott vanishes without a trace (or so Melanie thought). They reunite after years have gone by, and well, you should read it to find out what happens next 💕

Thank you to Arndell for the gifted copy 🫶

[Sarah Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

No notes. This audio was perfection. Heart breaking and so sweet all at the same time.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Beauty, book 2, features Melanie Warren, who is Grayson's ex and Scott Blackwood, Melanie's childhood sweetheart. Melanie was a bit of a villian in book 1, so it was actually really nice to get her redemption story. Part 1 of the book takes us through their high school years, whereas part 2 takes place in present day and whether the two can rekindle what they lost when they were kids.

Finding Beauty is narrated by Willa James. I enjoyed the narrator but as an Aussie, the fake Australian accent was so bad 🙈 lucky it was only for parts when Josie spoke, not the whole book

[rosie (jason todd's version)]

── .✦ pre-read

not Keeperton/Arndell blessing me with a free ebook of this omg?! this sounds so cute, and the cover is SO PRETTY!! super eager to get into this hehe 😛

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book had me in my feels. Both main characters had tragic stories. I really felt for them both.

Melanie is coming out of rehab and is ready to start her new life outside of the influence of her parent's wealth. We jump back 11 years when Melanie is in her senior year of high school where she meets Scott. Melanie puts on that she's some ice queen but in reality she cares deeply. We find that Scott is able to peel back the mask and we get to see a side of her most don't. Unfortunately after an incident at prom Scott disappears and her mother puts her in an impossible situation. Fast forward Scott and Melanie meet again and past hurts come ahead.

A great read by Ann! Thank you arndell for the gifted ebook.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ALC Review**
Finding Beauty by Ann Penny
Release date: Nov 11th
Narrated by Willa Jaymes ft. Sean Masters epilogue

I immediately loved the vibe of this book. It gave me The Notebook vibes (w/o the sad ending.) The first half of the story, we go back to high school for Melanie, Greyson, & Scott’s MUCH NEEDED backstory.
Melanie Warren and Scott Blackwood are from vastly different worlds. She's the extremely rich heiress to the Warren fortune, and he's from a poor working class family and attending their prep school on a scholarship. Until he left town and Melanie never saw or spoke to him again.
Scott was an “unacceptable” match, so he went off & made something of himself! But Melanie has since learned not to no longer be wowed by the fancy things. They have a lot to work out and many hidden secrets, but did fate bring them back together after all this time for a reason?

I loved Scott, and Melanie was redeemed in my eyes by the end, which honestly surprised me after reading book one!

The narrator did an excellent job portraying the emotions of these characters.

4.5⭐ 2🌶️

I was provided advanced copies of this series and this is my honest review. Thank you to Arndell Books and author Ann Penny for the ALCs!

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I wasn't kidding when I said I absolutely ATE this series UP! After devouring the first book, Capturing Love, in one sitting, I went on to read Melanie's, the only heiress to her manipulative parents' multi-billion conglomerate, Warren Media, story and OMG, it was as good as Grayson & Josie's journey. She wasn't someone I initially pictured her to be, the blonde bombshell who didn't have a brain and was a spoiled brat through and through. Instead, she had always been this kind-hearted L.A. girl who had brilliant taste in art and knew exactly what she wanted...if only she could escape from her terribly superficial parents' control.

We caught a glimpse of her life and her story with Grayson in the first book, and now, I was more than excited to read about her redemption after cutting herself out of her parents' life and finally learnt to live independently. The best part? Her childhood first love, Scott Blackwood, had always loved her even after their nasty fallout eleven years ago. It broke me to see what happened to Lanie and what kind of lie and its consequences she had to endure throughout the years, but in the meanwhile, knowing Scott was back in her life to piece back all those broken shards of her heart, mine was mended as well. <3

All in all, Finding Beauty was yet another amazing read from Ann, and I couldn't wait to continue this journey with Adam and Cassidy's story in the final installment, Saving Soul! Needless to say, I'd HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book/series to everyone!!

***Massive thanks to the author and Arndell for kindly providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[Hayley 〰 Hayley's Next Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

- second chance romance
- dual timelines
- past: opposites attract & forbidden/secret romance
- present: billionaire & he's her client
- 🌶️🌶️/5
- single pov

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you'll enjoy Finding Beauty. It carries the same level of emotion and complexity, but this time, we dive into Melanie’s story.

The first half is set in the past when Melanie is best friends with Grayson in high school and falls for Scott, the off-limits scholarship student at their prestigious school. We watch them fight their feelings, give in, fall in love, and then get torn apart in a tragic and heartbreaking way.

The second half picks up where Capturing Love ends, with Melanie leaving rehab and starting over in New York City. Her new art gallery job brings Scott back into her orbit. Once Melanie reappears in his life, Scott refuses to let her slip away again, even though she's understandably guarded. He stands by her while she finally learns how to stand on her own two feet and claim the independence she has always wanted.

They're surrounded by a strong supporting cast, including Josie and Grayson from book one, familiar faces from their past who reappear in unexpected ways, and Scott’s younger brother. There's also a late plot twist that completely caught me off guard. It fits the story and sets up book three perfectly, though.

So, if you like your second chance romances full of family drama, emotion, and just the right amount of messiness, I recommend Finding Beauty.

[its_just_christin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book more than I thought I would at the beginning. I was a little torn about Melanie after Capturing Beauty and wasn’t sure there was anyway I could like her. I was so wrong. Melanie has a redemption arc like no other. She’s a broken, complicated person that wants to do better and be better and I love her for it.

Melanie’s first love Scott comes from a completely different world. She’s from a very wealthy powerful family and he has a scholarship to their school, works and takes care of his little brother because his father is a waste of space. Melanie’s parents are against her seeing Scott and are determined for her to marry Grayson so their companies can merge and make them all more wealthy and powerful.

When Scott disappears after getting into some trouble that Melanie’s father helps him get out of it Melanie is devastated. So when Scott comes back in the picture years later she wants nothing to do with him. Reading their story and watching them grow and come back together was beautiful. They had so much to work through but they did it and were all the stronger because of it.

I listened to an ALC of this book narrated by Willa Jame with epilogue by Sean Masters. I enjoyed her narration and found it very easy to listen to. Thank you, Arndell and Ann Penny, for providing this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Beauty by Ann Penny absolutely surprised me in the best way. When I realized Book 2 was centered on Melanie (basically the villain of Book 1) I actually groaned. How on earth was she going to redeem herself for an entire book?

Well…she did. And not only that, I think I ended up loving her story even more than Josie’s. Getting a real look into Melanie’s past made all the difference; it doesn’t excuse her actions, but it does shows just how few options and how little support she truly had. I really felt for her, and could see how she got to be the person she was in book 1.

Her second chance romance with Scott, her high school love, was everything I want in that trope...heartfelt, believable, and blissfully free of dragged out drama or miscommunication. Their HEA felt so earned, so deserved, and the epilogue wrapped it all up perfectly.

And Willa James as the narrator? Flawless. I could listen to her all day.

A fantastic follow up that completely changed my mind about a character I thought I couldn’t root for!!

[MissPetiteBrunetteBookBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.8 Stars)
Melanie Warren is now single after her fiancé called off their wedding and fresh out of rehab ready to begin again. Scott Blackwood was someone she cared for as a teen but her anxiety got the best of her back then and they never saw each other again until as adults, he shows up at an art event she is working. Can they put their issues aside and rekindle what they had a teens? An emotional second chance romance that does delve into some serious topics o he aware. This gives you the full picture of who Melanie & Scott are as the first half is told from the past tense when they are all teenagers then switches to the present. It helps you understand what both went through making them the people they are today. You will remember Melanie’s ex-fiancé from book one, capturing love, so it helps to read book one. Told in first person and Melanie’s POV

[Mo ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟
Forget my last review for the first book, I ABSOLUTELY adored the FMC.
I enjoyed this SO MUCH more then the first book, I didn't really have any thoughts about the MMC to be honest. BUT I loved the FMC and her journey. She redeemed herself in this book, her actions in the first book made so much more sense in this book after reading about her life. I would've given it a higher rating if I liked the MMC much but like I said, I had NO thoughts about him. I feel like he should've tried much harder to get back with the FMC, too bloody weak for me. Just like the other MMC from the first book. I don't know what's up with all these beta males in this series. BUT IM HOPING the third book is better then this, Adam the MMC for that book is giving alpha vibes but let's see. I hope he doesn't disappoint me like the men have so far. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Other then that, loved it. 💓🫶

[My Reading Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott and Melanie share a history that began back in high school. Circumstances pulled them apart, but neither ever truly forgot the other. Years later, fate brings them back together as adults, each carrying lingering questions and old wounds from their past. Their reunion isn’t an easy one but both must confront the choices and misunderstandings that shaped their lives.

Willa James beautifully captures their story, bringing raw emotion and tension to every scene. Scott and Melanie’s journey feels authentic, heartfelt, and deeply moving. This is a story that will warm your heart, but not before taking you on an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a must listen that absolutely deserves a place on your TBR!

Thank you, Ann Penny and Arndell Books for the ARC/ALC.

[Hannah Dailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one nearly lost me in the first half.

HOWEVER - I loved the turnaround and the second half. Reading this made me think back to the negative messaging everywhere growing up about not being enough, not standing up for myself and letting others dictate the dreams I wanted to chase.

When you have everything, how can it feel impossible to enjoy life? Well, for Mel or Lanie as she was so brilliantly nicknamed, it was just that. Life was lived but not enjoyed and she paid the price for it.

I enjoyed the banter, the self-discovery and the reconnection amongst lifelong friends. What started out as a book that made me think about my own past, ended up being everything I love about romance books.

If you are a fan of second chance romance, pick this one up for sure!

[MHT Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me an interconnected stand alone, and Finding Beauty gives us Melanie’s story. We get a glimpse of Melanie. FMC) in Chasing Love and let me tell you that getting her full backstory was ridiculously eye opening. This book was crazy emotional as we watched the lows and cheered for the highs she fought so hard for. Scott (MMC)was a broken kid from the wrong side of the tracks who just loved Melanie. Of course things are never easy and seeing them both struggle was hard. Willa James did an amazing job bring Finding Beauty to life and giving us such an amazing portrayal of Melanie. Sean Masters once again performed the epilogue which was amazing. I loved, loved, loved Finding Beauty.

[Misty • booksplusplants · Rating 4 out of 5]

After book one, I was so ready for Melanie’s story. I needed her to stand up for herself and find herself. Happy to say she does both of those things, and I loved listening to her journey.

This was pretty angsty and emotional. There were so many secrets, betrayals, and lies. It was a messy story, but had a lovely meaning. To do what you want with your life, do what makes you happy, have confidence in yourself and your choices.

I literally hated Melanie’s mom. Not sure if I’ve ever hated a book parent like I hate this woman.

ALC review

🎧Single narration
🎙️Narrator: Willa Jaymes
& epilogue by Sean Masters

🩷Dual timeline
🧡Second chance
🩷From different worlds
🧡Secrets

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely swept me off my feet and left me wanting even more. Thank you so much Arndell for sending me a copy of this book, it probably never would have crossed my radar otherwise, and this ended up being one of my favorite romance reads ever. This book was packed full of emotional depth, angst, tension, heartbreak, and second chances. I picked it up on a whim and several hours and a severe neck cramp later, I came up for air once I had finished. There was no putting this book down. I can’t wait to read more books from Ann. She’s secured her place as an autobuy author for me with this one.

[Taylor Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ann Penny’s first story in this series, ‘Capturing Love’, but I think I enjoyed this one more. There’s angst, serious themes and so much love between the main characters. The tragedy of what happened appeals to my tastes and made the story so binge-worthy, I had to force myself to stop reading and actually go to work (such an inconvenience!). The characters are well developed and their dialogue engaging. There is just the right balance of steam, romance and self-development in this story, and it definitely has me wanting to read the next one in the series. Thank you for letting me read your wonderful book, Ann Penny!

[Julia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the second book in Ann Penny's Love, Beauty and Soul series as I absolutely adored Capturing Love and when I found out that Finding Beauty is Melanie's story, I knew straight away that I had to read it.

Although Melanie comes from one of the wealthiest families, she definitely hasn't had the easiest of paths in life. She may have all the material possessions that anyone could ever dream or ask for, but has a challenging relationship with her parents.

Then she meets Scott during highschool. Scott is a scholarship student, from the opposite side of town with a rough background, but they find that they can be their true selves with each other only to be separated before heading off to college.

Later in life, when Melanie and Scott happen to meet, sparks fly, but has too much happened in her past for her to let Scott back in?

Melanie was not the most likeable character in Capturing Love, but I knew from the first time I met her, that there had to be some background story as to why she was the way she was and this is perfectly captured in Finding Beauty.

Melanie is a complex character with all of the things that she had to deal with in her life and I enjoyed watching her character grow and develop throughout the pages in this book. The dual timelines in this book really added to the depth of the story and understanding both characters.

Scott is such a swoonworthy character and I found that I was cheering for him from the first time that he enters the book. I now have Saving Saul downloaded on my kindle and can't wait to read the last book in this Trilogy, although I will be very sad to say goodbye to these characters.

[Bárbara Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review 🥹

I honestly didn’t expect to love this as much as I did, but it’s sooo good 😍
It absolutely broke my heart with the chapters that happen in the past but then it put it back together and it was lovely.
I loathe both their parents so much it’s not even funny and I’m so glad they found their way back to each other in the end, and the resolution was really beautiful, as was the writing 🥹
Veryyyy excited to read/listen to the last one🙂‍↕️

4,5🫖

[Reading with Randa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've read book 1 of this series, Capturing Love, you'd understand why you have to read book 2. I got a glimpse of Melanie in book 1, and thought I knew her and had mixed feelings about her. Finding Beauty goes into why Melanie is the way she is. She has layers, good and bad with many experiences that shaped her as a person. Even though she is wealthy, she has trauma to overcome. I couldn't help but root for her throughout this book and hoped she would get her happily ever after.

[Joaime ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but can we talk about character growth for a sec 😭

I really did not like Mel in book 1… like at all. But UGH she actually redeemed herself and I wasn’t expecting to come around the way I did!!

And the ending?? Not your typical, perfectly wrapped up happy ending, but honestly… it felt like the right one for Lanie. Like it just fit her story so well 🥺

If you love a good second chance romance, truly you can’t go wrong with this one!!

[What.Nikki.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
redemption for Melanie 👏🏼👏🏼

full rtc