We shared one dance, the Beast and I. I can still feel his huge hands on my body. When I saw something suspicious, I had to investigate. I found out just what a beast he is. He punished me in the back alley for spying... Leaving my lips swollen and my skin burning.
I should steer clear, never see him again. But something out of my control binds the two of us. He takes me captive, dragging me to his castle.
I want to resist him... But my body demands I give into his wicked ways. He leaves me filled with shame and desire for more.
I know exactly how much danger I'm in, but does he?
Beast
Did she really think I wouldn't catch her? I used her for my pleasure, putting her on her knees. After that, I couldn't stop thinking about her.
She wants nothing to do with me. Too bad. It's out of her hands now.
I will take her to my house. I will keep her there. I will make her mine.
I'll do everything I can to protect her but Beasts don't fall in love.
Shanna Handel is an Internationally Bestselling author of high-heat romantic suspense. If you like plot-heavy page turners with lots of heat and an HEA with found family, this author is for you.
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Surprise, Surprise! From the synopsis, I was expecting a much naughtier Bachman story. Instead, I got one that was pretty sweet! The many discipline scenes I thought I'd get turned out to be not so many and were mostly a mild prelude to sexcapades.
Beast (Nikolaos) turned out to be not a beast at all (except for his size). He had a thing for several years widowed Charlie since the first time he saw her and danced with her at another Bachman wedding.
He pursues her, but Charlie, fearing she's cursed having had first a fiance, then a husband (on her honeymoon) die on her, wants nothing to do with him...she thinks she's keeping him safe by staying away from him. But Nikolaos is not a quitter and when Charlie's caught nosing around business that doesn't concern her, he takes advantage using her discipline as a way to seduce her. Nikolaos, doesn't shy away from his growing feelings for her and he's not going to give up until she's his. But first he has to convince her she's not cursed
This really is a sweet story with a sweet beast.....and Charlie knows what calling him sweet gets her.....4.5 stars
The story is a great addition to the Bachman sagas. This story takes place in America and will bring the widow, Charlie Bachman, and Nikolaos ‘Beast’ Bachman together. From the time they danced at another event, it seems that they can’t get the other off their mind. But Charlie isn’t looking for a relationship, believing she is cursed and is not willing to take the chance.
“This Beauty has no business getting tangled up with a Beast like him.”
The Bachman men may be mafia, but they do more good than anything questionable. And when it comes to the Beauties, they are protected women—even after they are widowed. When Nikolaos catches Charlie spying on him at a party, he decides it is time to take her to task.
The chemistry is explosive between them, but she still holds back, not wanting to have a relationship. Things will change, Nikolaos will bring her to Dark Island, and Charlie’s penchant for being nosey will have her learning secrets that could be dangerous for her—as well as others. What will happen between these two? Caught between passion and desire, and duty plays a vital role in their lives.
“He orchestrates every single moment of our sexcapades. He’s in control and I’m powerless and that’s the way he likes it. If I’m being honest, it’s the way I like it too. I’m beginning to crave his dominance.”
The story has plenty of angst and passion. The chemistry between them oozes off the pages. It is always fun to see how the Bachmans handle whatever comes their way. It was fun seeing the private Bachman ceremony. While the story is part of an ongoing saga, it will read well as a stand-alone. There is power exchange with discipline and explicit scenes. The story has moments of life and death danger, secrets, revelations, passion, and new beginnings. While it does not end on a cliffhanger, it does have a setup for one of the characters in this tale, in the next story.
Nikolaos is a Beast and has a little thing for the Beauty, Charlie. Charlie has a little thing for Nikolaos but she also thinks she's cursed in love so she has no interest and starting anything romantic with the Beast. They have a little tryst and eventually she winds quasi kidnapped by him and brought to his private island. They fall in love, of course, amid a little bit of mystery. But then Charlie has to leave the island and decides that they should stay friends due to the curse on her. Neither one of them is going to accept that outcome, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I feel like I am forever saying who doesn’t love a Bachman? The hold they have on me is strong. Shanna once again does not disappoint. Every time I get a book, I read the whole thing in one sitting and then I’m upset cause I read it so fast, lol. This book was no different. I was hooked from page one. Charlie and Nikolaos have quite the connection and the angst between them is so strong. She think she’s cursed and he’s out to prove her wrong. What happens when feelings start to blur the lines of things and they both start to want things they did not expect? I loved Nikolaos and his rough exterior along with his sweetness only for Charlie. The perfect Beast for his Beauty. Throw in some secrets about the past, danger, suspense and steam? Perfect read. Already count down the days for the next book!
Another wonderful read from the Bachman brothers and their Beauties and all hat this involved.
The Beast had become quite the conversation piece between the Beauties who all thought that the Greek brother was simply amazing in a physical sense and all wanted to know if the title “Beast” would actually apply to all of him.
Charlie had always been the Beautie that everyone came to when they needed help, a shoulder to cry on or a simple word of wisdom, she had been through so much having lost one Fiancé that had been an attempted murderer, he had been killed instead. Also there then had been her husband that had been killed whilst diving on their honeymoon, leaving her a widow once again.
Ten years later and she has never dated another man believing herself cursed but the one man that has broken through her reserve is Nikolaos and he is very taken with Charlie, she moves him into his protect and care mode and he is able to recognise the kindness of her nature and soul, always the first of offer fresh cookies or a fresh baked casserole to welcome visitors to care for the Bachman family.
After a major occurrence Charlie had been taken with the Greek Beast and had actually gone with him to his home on Dark Island, it was a wonderful castle and Charlie had been blown away by the delightful style of Nikolaos and the staff had all fallen in love with her, she was such a delightful individual it was impossible for any of them not to have fallen in love with her personality.
This is a wonderful read and I guarantee that you will love every moment of this book and will like me be left looking forward to the next book in this simply amazing series…… I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read. I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
Charlie finally gets her happy ever after in this amazing love story! As always Shanna Handel has my praise with yet another amazingly written Bachman story! This had a cute little twist in it as it is a nice little retelling of beauty and the beast. I absolutely enjoyed reading about the Beast, Nikolaos Bachman, as he was seen in the previous book and he was definitely a topic being talked about by the beauties. Might I add we were all making bets about how big the beast truly is, if you catch my drift lol! 😏 I felt like the spice was turned up in this and it was a 5/5 🌶 for me! Charlie, after being widowed not once but twice, really had some trust issues and I could not blame her. But truthfully the amazing connecting her and the Beast had, it was too hard for her to resist him. I enjoyed that Charlie was able to overcome her "curse" and I enjoyed reading the Beast having patience with her and proving her wrong in this "curse" she thought she had on her. Every Bachman book I read I fall deeper in love with the Bachman men! If you have not read the Bachman series yet I suggest you pick it up and fall head over heels in love with these men!
This is the story of Charlie and Nikolaus. Charlie has been a widow for 7 years of a former Bachman brother. He was killed diving on their honeymoon. She feels as if she’s cursed. Nikolaus and Charlie shared a dance at a wedding and he’s now obsessed with her. When he’s in town at an event trying to conduct business, she’s spying on him. He catches her and that’s where the story gets hot! She continues to reject him but when he finds out a secret she’s been hiding he knows he has to see her. From there Nikolaus “kidnaps” her and takes her to his home on the dark island. He’s running a covert operation for the brotherhood that Charlie is not supposed to find out about. However, she is not one to be kept in the dark. Will they find their happily ever after? Read it and find out! As usual, Shanna takes you right into the setting of the landscapes that you can visualize and imagine being there. Bachman men are always hot and if their ladies don’t behave there will be discipline. This is another great story of the Bachman family. It does not disappoint.
Charlie has been a widow for seven years now, but the Bachman family always takes care of their own, widowed or not. After a shared dance and some side eyeing, Nikolaus decides to force her to acknowledge the chemistry they have, despite her thinking she is cursed. But when it takes her back to Dark Island, she learns secrets that she probably shouldn't have, all while igniting some explosive chemistry with the Beast.
I had gotten so sick of mafia romances, because they were all turning out to be the same. I greatly appreciated that this author changed it up and gave us a beauty and the beast retelling that didn't quite fit into the generic mafia trope. Charlie and Nikolaus have intense chemistry that make their scenes together explosive, and while their romance isn't quite normal, it fits them really well.
The plot itself could have used a little more excitement. I loved the retelling, but there wasn't as much exciting scenes or plot points to keep me 100% invested from start to finish.
What a wonderful little play on the Beauty and the Beast story. This time though, it is the Beast’s job to save the Beauty. The Beast is a Bachman, Nikolaos by name, and the Beauty is Charlie, who is also a Bachman, a widowed one. For those who have not read a Bachman story yet, they are a Mafia family and every so often Ms. Handel reminds us that, as with all mafia families, violence and death happen. The Bachmans are the Robin Hood of mafias, taking from other rich and/or criminal mafias to help the less fortunate. Unfortunately this sometimes results in reprisals that results in violence and death to members of the family. Charlie has been twice bitten by deaths and she fears she is cursed. Nikolaos does not believe in curses and is determined to overcome her relationship reluctance. This is a beautiful love story woven into a clandestine intrigue on a private island featuring a castle. The visuals that Ms. Handel writes into the reader’s mind are absolutely breathtaking. I can never get her next book soon enough as I know it will complete entertain me, on all levels, just as this one did. A truly sensational read. 5 Stars I received and advance copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This book was a good one in the series especially when Charlie believes that her life has been cursed because of past relationships. Nicholas has fell madly in love with Charlie from the first moment that he saw her the only problem is every time he tries to get a date with her she always cancels on him ,because she believes that she is cursed ,and she believes that saying no all the time she can keep him safe . This book does have a cute sense to it being kind of like the Disney movie of Beauty and the beast all I think missing is the talking teapot. I can't wait to read the next on in this series of a heart ❤ wrenching series of novels that has written.This book overturning within the first few pages of it to and will not let you go until the very last page.In the end you can tell that Charlie and Nicholas will always be the beauty and the beast even with a few extra Twist and turns that the Disney movie did .
I have liked Charlie since she was introduced in the first book and Nikolas (The Beast) may have been the size of a beast but he was so soft or should I say sweet with Charlie. I know the auttsays these are standalone books but if you read out of order you won’t get who everyone is as the stories flow after each book. I would suggest reading in order for you to meet the characters as they are introduced. Charlie & Nikolas are so good together and I liked the backstory of him and the women on his island. It’s just a shame we didn’t see more of that and of who hurt Nikolas it’s like that was just forgotten about. He knew the man who hurt him so why was there no follow up?? I have to say this book had the most mafia action and it wasn’t even for one chapter to be fair, these books are more about the couples and growing their relationship rather than mafia action. Let’s see what the final book is like in this series.
First of all the cover for this book is hot, I could imagine this man as Nickoloas, the beast! Second I am glad that Charlie got such a great story and such a fantastic man and finally got over her "curse". Charlie is at a party and is not expecting to see Beast but when she does, she does a little snooping, such a no-no when your a Beauty in the Bachman world. Of course she gets caught and the Beast is ready to punish her, what a punishment it is 🔥. Months pass and the Beast continues to call Charlie and ask her out and she continues to tell him no. He finds out something about her and there is no more no for her as he whisks her off to his island - we get steamy times, heartbreak, indecision, all the feels and a good story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not quite, but enough Disney references you get a chuckle. Charlie finally gets her HEA. You'll be shocked to find out she's been here all along. It's a little unsettling to find out what's happened to her but you've already fell in love with her as she helped Beauties all over the Bachman series'. How does someone who is surrounded by death, who feels like death follows her, is uniquely attracted to her, how do you not develop a complex like you're cursed? Of course that's a perfectly reasonable understandable conclusion you draw about yourself. I'm so glad these two eventually push past it but my goodness one or the other of them giving up for the good of the other one.. geez... I was going out of my mind. Lovely HEA for Beauty Charlie & her Nikoloas Beast!
Nikolaus Bachman is known as Beast because of his size. He has a sweet spot for Charlie, falling in love with her the first time he dances with her at a wedding. Charlie believes she is cursed, having buried a fiance and a husband. She has no intention of marrying again, or even dating. Beast has no intention of letting her get away.
Charlie's hard-won HEA is a beautiful story. Nikolaus is a tender giant who wants Charlie like he has never wanted another woman. She is his soul mate. Like I said, it's a beautiful story. Well-crafted, and with characters that come to life off the page, it is absolutely worth the one click. This is not to be missed.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Charlie has finally found her soulmate and the love of her life.
Nicholoas saw Charlie at Cannon and Kylie’s wedding and asked her to dance with him. Even though she was smiling she seemed sad. Charlie had lost her finance who turned out to be the Bachman and Bronson killed him when he tried to kill him. She married one of the kindest Bachman brothers who wanted to take care of her and her was killed during a diving accident on their honeymoon. Charlie felt she was cursed and wouldn’t give the Beast as the call him the time of day. Mafia Beast is just as good as all the Bachman stories by Snanna. I am looking forward to the next book. Can’t wait. If you want to read a Mafia book with a lot of spice, add this book to your collection.
We finally get the most anticipated story...at least for me!
Charlie Bachman has had such a tough go. She's been single for seven years since she thinks she's cursed. Losing not one but two men will do that to you. Until the Beast shows up.
Nikolaos Bachman is the kind of man I wouldn't mind locking me up. He's caring, loyal, dedicated and so big I'd climb him like a tree.
A beautiful castle, private island and a worthy cause, add in some steamy smexy times and some heartbreaking moments...this is a book you need to grab! And the fact is, it's the Bachman's so why wouldn't you read it!
As expected from Shanna Handel, this was another wonderful Bachman tale. I felt for her so much, given what she had been through, but the Bachman she stumbled upon was the Beast for her - and her curiosity really did get her into trouble. It took her a while to admit to what was in her heart, but when he finally figured out what the problem was, he moved heaven and Earth to help her, even taking a step back from something important to both him and the family, but something she would not understand. I cannot wait for the next book, and the one that follows after that, and the next... I just love this series!
I never wanted a story to end as much as I didn’t want this one to end. I loved every second of this story. I loved how Charlie got a second or third chance at finding forever love. She tried to stay away from Nikolaos aka The Beast but their connection chased all the warnings in her mind away. He has an important mission for the brotherhood that must be kept secret but the men forgot about how curious women can be. Nikolaos would do anything for her. Will they be able to get to their happily ever after?
I received an ARC from the author/publisher for an honest review.
‘’Beauty dancing with her Beast” This is how one dance long ago still lingers in the mind of two people. I loved Charlie and Nikolaos’ story. Beautiful sweet Charlie thinks she’s cursed and not destined for a happily ever after. Gorgeous Nikolaos is determined to rid her that belief. Charlie and her Beast have hot chemistry between them. It’s sexy and passionate. And absolutely explosive! Along with the lust and steam, It’s action packed and filled with suspense. There are secrets ready to be revealed and danger around the corner. Plenty blend of steam and anguish.
That was a journey filled with emotions. Some close calls that had me paralyzed with fear and worrying what's next. Nickoloas wormed his way into my heart and stayed there. What's not to love about a Baughman man??? Nothing!!!! It's all memorable and so good. It was good to see Charlie overcome some fears and find her happy ever after. They made an amazing couple. The teaser for the next book has me on edge and wanting it now!!
I really liked this story. It rounds out the life of the family. Life and Death. I liked Charley and was happy that she found Nikolaos. They both work hard for the family. There is some violence in this book. Also lots of hot erotic sexy scenes. This has a full and interesting storyline. All the characters are well done. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and I recommend it. This is an interesting story that needs tissues.
I've been excited to read Charlie's story and it was fantastic. Charlie feels like she is cursed and destined to die alone. The beast has different ideas for her. I like the dynamic of two people who are already Bachmans and entrenched in the family falling in love. The descriptions of the Beast's castle make me want to visit. This book is full of intrigue and secrets. Charlie and the Beast is a beautiful love story. Another great Bachman story!
Different from "Beauty And The Beast ", yet very captivating still. I love the Different version of my favorite fairy tale. The characters were absolutely perfect. Not too sure if mafia really fit, but loved it all the same. I love 6'5" solid muscle with a heart of gold. SMH, yum! Good book, very good book! Nikolaos and Charlie . . . Beast and Beauty. I'm ready for the next book.
Charlie thinks she's cursed! After loosing every man she's loved, she's convinced she should never love again! But the Bachman Beast won't take no for an answer. When circumstances threatened Charlie's wellbeing, the Beast will take matters into his own hands. Love love love every single Bachman book! Those Beauties are lucky gals!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Charlie doesn't have good luck with men in her life but when Nikolaos sees her, that's it for him. What follows is a wonderful story of him trying to convince her she's everything to him. I loved their connection and even when things get dicey, he doesn't leave her. Can he convince her that she is someone who deserves all the love he can give her? I love these Bachman guys and their ladies!!!
Absolutely loved this book! Charlie and her beast, my heart honestly. The way he wanted her and knew it from the first moment he saw her. I think this is one of my favourite books of Shanna's. As always our brilliant author draws you straight into the story. You just feel so connected and commited to the characters. I highly recommend this book you will love it ❤
What a journey and finding your place where you belong and just letting go. I loved Nikolaos and yes his teddy bear ways. He showed Charlie all of himself and how worthy she is to be loved and belong. The emotions are high in this one, trust and of course hotttt, always from these Bachman guys. I love this world it just comes to life with so much respect for their women.
The author has created a world that is simply captivating. This book continues the trend with revisiting a beloved character and providing her with another wonderfully engaging and emotionally satisfying read. I loved it! I loved his determination. I loved his dominance. I loved her growth and strength. The revelations were heartbreaking yet fitting for this emotional drama.