As first impressions go, it’s not looking good for this Beastly Billionaire Boss.
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Our disastrous first encounter left me cursing him six ways to Sunday—and stuck between two mechanized bookstacks in the archives at the university library. His monstrous impatience infuriated me and ruined my only chance to help my father.
Finding out this beast of a man is my new boss is bad enough. Being required to work on-site at his upstate New York mansion might destroy my last hope at saving my father’s business.
The more time we spend together, the more he reveals a side I never expected. I’ve spent my life hiding behind the pages, yet he opens my eyes to a world outside of books. I never allowed myself to dream of letting someone else take care of me—until him.
But I’m hiding a secret that could set fire to my carefully-crafted world, and he could be the spark that ignites the flame.
Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance will devour this Beauty and the Beast retelling
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Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast is a dual POV steamy romance filled with lust, language, and love with a guaranteed happily-ever-after. It is part of the fairy tale inspired Curvy Ever After series and can be read as a standalone.
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Author Notes:
An afraid to commit billionaire, opposites attract, forced proximity romance with a brooding, grumpy seemingly self-absorbed professor with a heart of gold has given up on love and a curvy bookworm afraid to trust. This one has all the feels and enough steam to fog up your windows.
The books in the Curvy Ever After series are all standalone novels and can be read in any order. But if you love family drama and the subtle build of future romances, I suggest you read them in order, starting with Fake Dating Mr. Prince.
Okay listen. There were some cute scenes in the book. The build up to the romantic relationship was solid enough. There are some solid "Beauty and the Beast" references or callbacks (although a few are too on the nose...Beast talks about being "like the beast he's named after" and such which is too much for me). I'm not passionate about any of the characters, but none of them annoyed me, which I'm actually pretty happy about because usually there's at least 1 character in a book like this that pisses me off. I wouldn't read this again necessarily, but I absolutely wouldn't hold it against someone if they did really enjoy this book. However, a few things. So many authors are listed in that one library scene- there are better ways to shoutout authors you like without an annoyingly long insert within the book. The miscommunication during the fight felt a little forced to me. Small things mostly, other than how Lily begins with talking about her "larger than average body" and how she's a legitimate genius with 7 degrees and counting (but people judge her for that and she doesn't know why??? Like girl, I'M judging you, that's so many and for what??). Then later it talks about how she's happy being curvy and loves her body- part of me wants to say why does it matter so much you have to bring it up so many times but this is a curvy romance, so I'll let it slide. BUT. Then Lily always brings up how smaaaaaaall Beast makes her feel and how she loves feeling smallllllllll. Great that he's strong and large, great that she loves that. Isn't it a little counterintuitive for a book like this to tout being so small as a great thing? Additionally, my anti-epilogue tirade continues. It didn't need to be there. Liked it well enough, didn't love it, hence my 3 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a story that's loosely based on Beauty and the Beast.
Pros: The writing is fairly solid. It's a tad slow in places, but overall, the pacing is good. Many of the characters are pretty 3 dimensional, even as secondary players. The basic plot, which is rooted in academia and book preservation, is somewhat unique. The dialogue is fairly solid, although it does drag at times. The relationship building between the leads is awkward as the author is trying to stick to that Beauty and Beast trope. Eventually, their path is a little smoother. The sex is very hot.
Cons: the miscommunication/secrets trope was way, way, way overdone. And the major blowup was quite frankly stupid. It could have been resolved many times and far sooner in the story. It was ridiculously overdone and made the ending less satisfying. The male lead had a compelling backstory intended to support his rudeness and temper, but I didn't feel it justified his behaviors. The grumpy trope is horribly overdone, and this story is a strong example of that because it's over the top. Also, the villains are equally overdone and are cardboard. They're basically mustache-twirling 1 dimensional characters and uninteresting.
One last annoyance is the overbearing parents angle. I have never heard or read IRL about parents who control adult offspring to the degree seen here. It's ridiculous and unbelievable to write about people who decide marriages and lifestyles of "children" who are in their 30s. That's totally a showstopper for me.
So, while there are some interesting parts to this story, it wasn't my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was an enemies to lovers contemporary Beauty and the Beast retelling.
I absolutely loved this story! Beauty and the Beast is my all time favorite fairy tale. This story was funny, steamy and had all the feels. Highly recommend!
Lily LeBeau has 8 more months to finish her doctorate degree. By day she is a student and works in her friend's bookstore. By night she cares for her father who has Alzheimer's and works on restoration projects he is contracted to do. She has seven college degrees mostly in foreign languages and occasionally contracts to do translations for the university. She is a curvy gal with no time for dating.
Jaxon Beast is a professor of literature for the university. He found a rare copy of a poetry book his grandparents owned when involved in rare book acquisition work for the university and needs the book restored and translated. Lilly's father is contracted to do the restoration and she for the translation but it has to be done at Jaxson's estate.
Their first "meeting" was in the rate books section of the library when he accidentally got her stuck in the revolving book shelves and as a result she missed a very important doctor appointment for her father. After she goes to his estate to work they have another blow up. They slowly work on getting to know each other, but not without more issues making it a bumpy raod. The eventually act on the wild attraction for each other and get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by Stephanie Harrell I have read and boy, have I been missing out! Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast is a brilliantly-written, engaging, modern-day reimagining of Beauty and the Beast - and deliciously steamier than the original fairytale! An enemies-to-lovers romance, after a fabulously imaginative meet-cute, Dr. Jaxon Beast and Lily LeBeau find themselves despising one another - then thrust into one another's orbit as she takes on a book restoration project (unknowingly) for him on behalf of her ailing father. In close quarters, the simmering chemistry between them cannot help but explode as they discover more about one another - and with the help of some wonderfully endearing supporting characters like Ms Ketill, Paul, Dean, Cece, Jess, and the adorable Patches.
This novel is engrossing and engaging from first page to last, and a steamy romance to boot. I highly recommend Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast. But be warned: you may never walk into a library again without blushing ;)
I cannot wait to read another title by Stephanie Harrell!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ll give the author credit, the book started out very strong. I thought it’s was super cute in the beginning, I could really get behind the characters. It was about when I got to 50% through the book that it lost what it had in the beginning. The transition from grumpy Dr. Beast to cute and misunderstood Dr. Beast really wasn’t there. It was a 100% character change that just didn’t flow or match the character the author portrayed. Personally I was disappointed, because she started so well! It was a great book if you wanted cute, corny cliché, and would not hold it against someone who really enjoyed this book, it just wasn’t for me.
I really enjoy the stories that take a fairy tale and twist it around a little to come up with an amazing modern story. This was is based on Beauty & the Beast.
Dr Jaxon Beast is a professor who needs an expert to restore a book he purchased. The book may have been his grandfather’s, so it has high value to him. Unfortunately, Lily LeBeau’s father, who has a contract with the University for this type of intricate job, is succumbing to Alzheimers and is not capable of taking on this project. Lily is trying to cover for him and has the skills, so she accepts the job for him so the University won’t find out and fire him. But Jaxon wants Dr. LeBeau to work on-site at his mansion so it may be difficult for Lily to maneuver under his watch.
Dr. Beast and Lily LeBeau already don’t seem to get along, and he is not pleased to see her show up for his project. She explains that she can do the prep work for her father so that he will let her get started. As they are around each other, she sees a softer side to him and their hidden attraction begins to sizzle. Will the truth come out about her father? How will Jaxon react? Is she prepared for the sacrifice he is willing to make, or won’t she ever know of it?
While reading this book I felt the connection personally to the h. I could definitely see the similarities between this book and beauty and the beast, but it was a cute spin on the tale. Overall this was a great quick read, and if your looking for a quick read with a quirky h, grumpy H and the best friend who is saying what you are thinking while reading this book. This is most definitely it!!! Well done!
Loved this book! It's a modern take on Beauty & the Beast. Dr Jaxon Beast is a professor at a university & wants to get a book he brought for the University restored, which he thinks was his Grandfathers. Dr Lily LeBeau is doing the restoring jobs her Dad get from the University because he is ill & she doesn't want the University to find out. Jaxon wants Dr LeBeau to do restore at his house & stay, so Lily goes instead!
Book: Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast (Curvy Ever After, #3) Author: Stephanie Harrell My Rating: 5 Stars Reviewed by: Tammy - Book Nook Nuts
REVIEW Swoon-worthy indeed! My heart broke for what Lily had to endure... Her father is world known for his skills and now his mind doesn't work. She has one goal-get him all the help he needs... until someone makes her late and ruins everything.
Jaxon is a grumpy guy who doesn't let many into his life. So when a female shows up to restore something that means more to him than most things in his life he is Shocked...
Picture Beauty & The Beast... A hot as heck beast, a very mouthy Belle, and a beautiful library... Oh yeah me, please! Can this Belle/Lily calm the roaring beast? I have enjoyed all the books so far in this series and I must say this is now my favorite!
Firstly, who comes up with the names of some of these books? I got this one free on stuff your kindle day back in September and needed a light read after my last book (Honeysuckles, if anyone is interested). Hopefully this is what I’m after
First impressions of Mr. Beast aren’t great, he comes off as an arrogant rich boy who thinks his time and opinion are worth more than everyone else. Even after seeing his reasoning for why he was such a 🔔🔚 I don’t feel makes it better. He was clearly blasé enough when he walked in the meeting only a few minutes late and while I understand the sentimental aspect of wanting the book physically, I still don’t understand the reason that keeping rights to the translation is so important.
I get it, Lily is a genius. This seems to be repeated over and over particularly with the brag of having seven degrees and being almost through with an eighth, a doctorate in book restoration. I’m not sure how realistic that is considering she is only 28 on top of her and her father having financial difficulties. At this point I’m not seeing much in the way of personality from Lily. I’m hoping this will rectify itself when she goes to live with Dr. Beast
In just two brief appearances I’m getting stalker vibes from Gavin. Prediction 🔮: Gavin will find out about Lily’s situation with her father and blackmail her into dating him or worse.
So far (23%) there’s not a lot to say that is nice about Dr. Beast. He’s rude and arrogant and his only saving grace is that he is tall dark and handsome. Lily’s personality is starting to show through more now though.
“You’d rather stay in this room hungry than eat with me?” I straightened my spine, not letting my gaze waiver from his. “Yes.” He dropped his arms, clenching his hands into fists at his side. With a deep growl that reverberated through my room, he said. “Fine. Then don’t eat at all.” I’ve got to be honest I rolled my eyes hard at this.
Ms. Ketill is my favourite character so far. She’s finally brought out a different side of Jaxon.
I finally started warming up to Jaxon but it turns out he’s engaged. It’s a sham engagement with his friend to protect her from an arranged marriage she didn’t want.
Another creepy cameo by Gavin.
I definitely started to like Jaxon more as the book progressed. The relationship blossoming between them is lovely until you are reminded of the fiancée again and the fact that he is wilfully keeping it from Lily. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense, he’s helping a friend out so I can’t understand why he’s lying about it.
The lie eventually comes back to bite him as they always do. Rather than a simple conversation, Lily overhears about the engagement at the same time she is given bad news about her father resulting in her running again.
Ding! Ding! Ding! I was on the money about Gavin what an utter 🔔🔚. I’m glad she stuck to her guns and told him to get lost.
As expected everything is resolved quickly and all works out well for the couple. With a wedding taking place off page before the epilogue.
Overall I got the light and easy read I was after. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it also wasn’t the worst. Perfect for when you need something low angst that isn’t too fluffy.
The first meeting between Jaxon and Lily was a disaster that left her stuck between two mechanized book stacks in the archives at the university library. Even though they hadn't actually seen each other in person, Lily knew she'd never forget his voice. Getting stuck caused her to miss an important doctor's appointment that would have greatly benefited her father's rapidly increasing Alzheimers disease and left her furious at the unknown man.
When Lily takes a new job helping to restore an old book, she finds out the beast of a man she encountered in the library is her new boss. Being required to work on-site at his mansion is a real problem. Her father is the one who was actually hired to do the job and she was only to assist. Lily told them her father had the flu and would be joining her later. Lily is trying to cover his sickness in order to keep his insurance and his good name. She is afraid if the University finds out it might destroy her last hope of saving her father’s good name and his business.
The more time they spend together, the more she sees Dr. Beast may not be as bad as she originally thought. They grow closer and begin a relationship with lots of secrets on both sides. What happens when their secrets start being revealed? Will Jaxon forgive her for deceiving him about her father? Will Lily be able to forgive Jaxon when she learns he has a fiancee he forgot to mention? How can they ever overcome these secrets and be together? This was a great book. I highly recommend it to others. It was full of drama, suspense, and hot, steamy romance. Grab a copy today. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars. My final offer, take it or leave it. Now I won’t spoil it, but this falls into the mid category.
The plot - umm so it’s an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, forbidden romance, grumpy X sunshine romance book. It’s great with all the tropes, got a hella smart heroine and a grumpy broody hero. All the amkings of a great book complete with a HEA (in a series of interconnected standalones, of course). It’s got smut, 1/5 on the spice scale honestly nothing to write home about. It had the premise to be a great book! Okay but we can’t ignore the mildly incestuous/creepy as all hell friend/relationship between the MMC and his friend Jess, all would be well. BUT WHAT THE FUCK?? Secret looks and jibes? Intimate moments between lovers that are actually friends? Fuck aaaaaall the way off with that shit. The whole vibes of this book felt off. From start to finish.
The MC - Lily couldn’t have been a bigger dickhead if she tried. I mean HONESTLY. Going on about trust issues that just flat out didn’t exist, insecurities she bad one minute and then didn’t the next?? Fully disliked her and had she been hit by a car, I probably wouldn’t have mourned her death too much.
The male counterpart - Jaxon wasn’t much better? What is it with men saying “oh, this SUPER important thing that I’ve been keeping from my lady that I’ve just said can’t wait, can definitely wait another minute/hour/day/week.” ?!?!?! Dumbasses. The lot of them. Fuck off with your issues too you creepy fuck.
Beauty and the beast style mixed in with misunderstandings, little lies and lack of trust. Lily is covering up for her father's illness so they can afford the treatment and care he desperately needs. When he is needed for a book restoration, Lily manages to insert herself into that position with the very grumpy Dr Beast. Underneath that harsh exterior is a soft and kind heart that has had to adapt because of his vile parents. Living within the same residence makes these two form a close connection and understand each other better. Both have secrets that will test their fragile relationship.
I enjoyed this story and the feeling it had to it.. I patiently waited for the parts that had my eyes stuck to the page but once you are stuck.. that is it. I loved that his temper is a force to be reckoned with but Lily seems to have the power to smother the flames. This was emotional and thank god for rational characters. I was almost weeping myself in areas especially to do with Morris. A read that will nip at your heart with its fang teeth and make you bleed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this romance story with all of the characters. The main characters were Lily LeBeau and Dr. Jaxon Beast.
Lily LeBeau lives with her father. Her father has been working at the University. But when he finds out he has a medical issues that prevents him from doing his job his daughter try to help him so that they don't get the medical benefits taking away from the University. But when the University calls about a job to restore a book that her father has to go to the place that the book at. She not sure how this is going to work.
Dr. Jaxon Beast want a book that he found to be restored. He found this book while being at the University. So technically it the University book. So if he wants it restored he with have to follow what they want. The University has decided that Dr. Morris LeBeau will restore it. But when his daughter show up instead he is surprised.
This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and drama. It also had a few surprises to. It had a few laughs or giggling throughout.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinions.
I didn’t get the Beauty and the Beast vibe as strongly as I hoped, nevertheless it was a great grumpy-sunshine romance with plenty of steam, twists and turns topped off by a feel-good HEA. Lily was a strong character, doggedly determined to protect her father’s reputation after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and although a bit of an introvert, she was not afraid to stand up for herself and her initial meeting with Jaxon, aka Dr. Beast, is a prime example. Although initially a bit of an a..hole, it is soon evident Jaxon’s bark is worse than his bite and it’s hard not to love him as his insecurities are revealed. With one misunderstanding after another (mostly on Jaxon’s part), it was delightful to watch the relationship unfold. Trivia night at the local pub was one of my favorite scenes. I loved some of the side characters too, like Ms. Kitell and CeCe, and would have like to know what happened to Gavin. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dr. Jaxon Beast finds a rare book that he believes was his grandfathers. Who he had looked up to. His family believes that this book will bring to soul mates together (That is how his grandfather and grandmother met). He had been working for the University when he found it. So technically its theirs. The university commissions Dr. Morris LeBeau to restore the copy. Some medical issues prevent him from doing them. But he doesn’t want the University to find out. So, his daughter Lily will be doing the actual restoring. Unbeknown to Dr. Beast. The more time Lily and Jaxon spend together their attraction grows. This was a great book. I liked this modern version of Beauty and the Beast. It has an Enemies to Lovers feel to it. Plus, the steamy scenes. Equals a must read. This is my first book by the author. But it won’t be my last.
Jaxon found a rare book while reviewing books for the university he works at and, for reasons unbeknownst at the beginning, he is paying a fortune to get the book back. But this book is severely damaged as it's so old and so he hires Dr. LeBeau for restoration. And requires he stay at his cottage until it's complete.
Well Dr. LeBrau arrives, but it's Dr. Lily LeBeau instead of her father. He's I'll, but she can't let the university know until he can retire gracefully, so she handles his work when he can't on the down low. Jaxon is furious, as can be expected, but Lily is not going to take it. What happens next is fireworks… will either of them make it?
Oh Jaxon… he's so growly, but it's all on the outside. Him and Lily have a great dynamic and Lily just knows how to handle him. Love this story. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily providing my review.
It takes a special kind of woman to tame a special kind of Beast...
This enchanting interpretation of Beauty and The Beast is heartfelt. Dr. Jaxon Beast and Lily LeBeau meet under unusual circumstances. I found it quite humorous and very entertaining. Due to her father's declining health, Lily takes on a book restoration assignment to ease his burden and also to save his job.
Jaxon and Lily are thrust together in his home and things get complicated quickly. Their attraction is immediate. Lily knows Jaxon is not all what he appears. He has a sensitive and vulnerable side that he keeps locked away. This Enemies to Lovers romance is touching, moving and steamy. This series just gets better and better.
Jaxon is a professor at the university and he wants an old book restored, one he thinks belonged to his grandfather. Lily has been assisting her father over the years in a repair and rebinding business. She shows up for the job, to protect her father and his business from his illness issues. The two start off at odds, but being in the same locale starts to change their minds. The characters are well developed, with great backstories, banter and strength. The storyline has drama, so many secrets, protectiveness, romance, lots of books and much more. Loved their chemistry once they started to open up. Lots of unexpected entertaining situations. Great ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3.5 stars rounded to 4. This book is a modern day retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale, probably my top favorite of all time (think about that library!). Lily Belle Le Beau has been secretly helping her father restore books to keep his contract with the university. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and it's anyone's guess what kind of day he'll have. If anyone finds out, her dad will not only lose his contract but Lily will be kicked out of her doctoral program. When Dr. Jaxon Beast needs a family heirloom restored, Lily concocts a believable story about why her father isn't there, but that she can do the prep work. Like the original fairytale, Dr. Beast goes through a gradual transformation and Lily does whatever she can to help and protect her father.
I enjoyed this modern day retelling. I thought I wouldn't like this retelling but I ended up liking the story and the characters.
I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.
I'm a sucker for the Beauty and the Beast trope, and I loved the similarities between this steamy story and the fairy tale. I love any books having to do with books, and the scenes about book restoration were really interesting. It was really sweet to see Lily step into her father's career when he couldn't handle it anymore. With a dog, a library, a bookstore, body positivity, lots of snark, and LOTS of sexy times, really what more could you ask for. The side characters are a lot of fun and endearing. You can't help but want to keep reading to see what happens to EVERYBODY. I loved Dr Jaxon Beast!
I love a beauty and the beast retelling and this is one of the best. I loved all the references to the original and how they were worked into a modern tale, especially the library scene Lily and Jaxon didn’t get off to the best start but when she ends up working for him at his home they become closer. I loved seeing the grumpy arrogant beast slowly turn into the generous, loving man. I just could not put this book down. Each book in this series get better and better, but I am a bit bias when it comes to beauty and beast. I received a free copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily.
A whirlwind of adrenaline and will-they-won’t-they! I really wasn’t sure how to take Jaxon’s rugged manor, but Lily wasn’t a doormat and gave it as good as she got. I loved their banter as much as I loved watching them fall in love. There were a few predictable things, but they had slight twists to them. I’m a little curious about some aftermath, but maybe it’ll be mentioned in the next book, which I’m excited to dive into.
Student, professor, college, teacher, beauty and the beast, hate to love, books, intelligent, genius, BookSirens, ARC for voluntary and honest review, fairytale, retelling, grumpy sunshine, alphahole, curvy, awesome heroine
This was a well written book that hooked me after the first science where Dr. Beast leaves Lily trapped in the library stacks. Lily’s character is lovable and her determination to help her father is sweet. Jaxon on the other hand is a little rough around the edges but really is a softie towards those he cares about.
The ending of the story was great but a little bittersweet because I didn’t want it to end. Overall it was a great book with some great spice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was poorly constructed. She diminished herself as a Dr. By letting a colleague call her by her name rather than doctor. Then she kept trying to make it personal by wanting him to like her & asking him why he hated her. They were colleagues for eff sake, that shouldn't even be on their minds. & to do so all a that get go of them meeting truly was annoying. Would have preferred a little more formality between them before they became informal. It just kept reading a lack of respect on her part as a doctor & a professional, which dulled the entire experience for me. Bummer.
This just might be my favorite of this series. Not only is it a loosely based retelling of Beauty and the Beast but there is reference to Mr. Darcy, Pemberley, and Pride & Prejudice!!!!!
I did feel the spice level was a little low. However, I enjoyed the story as well as the characters: Lily, Jaxon, Paul and the bestest Ms. Ketill. I wish the story went passed where it ended and closer to the timeline of the Epilogue but that is the case with most books that I enjoy.
Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast is a Grumpy-Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers STEAMY Romance. This is the third book of the Curvy Ever After series. Based on components of Beauty and the Beast, and filled with hilarious pokes at the traditional fairytale, this book is as heartwarming as it is hilarious.
I absolutely enjoyed and would recommend this book to anyone 18+.
Oh my god I loved this book so much I couldn’t put it down all day! The Beauty and the Beast was always one of my favorites fairytales. This book is about Jaxon and Lily. The entire storyline is fire! From the very beginning you are drawn into this story and you absolutely fall in love with these characters. I’m am obsessed with this series and am onto the next book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taming Grumpy Dr. Beast: A Grumpy-Sunshine, Enemies to Lovers Romance Book 3 of Curvy Ever After
by Stephanie Harrell
Jaxon and Lily are beautifully matched characters. They have chemistry to the max. The storyline is great. This was a very enjoyable read and I recommend reading it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.