Beautiful Creatures

by Lulu Taylor

Everyone has heard of the Beaufort twins, but few have ever seen them…

On the eve of their 21st birthday, at one of the most lavish parties society has ever seen, Octavia and Flora Beaufort are launched into the world.

For Octavia, it is one of the most thrilling nights of her life, an evening glittering with the promise of her future. But Flora shrinks from the limelight, fearful of what lies beyond the walls of her over-protective aunt’s house.

As Octavia is swept into a whirlwind of lavish spending and fashionable society, she grasps eagerly at whatever she wants: clothes, houses, men… even a department store. But Flora yearns for security – and when she is rescued from harm by a kind stranger, she seems to have found the love and protection she craves. Prey to all kinds of dangers, the twins soon realise that without each other, they run the risk of losing everything. But is it already too late...?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Womens Fiction

672 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2011

About the author

Lulu was brought up in the Oxfordshire countryside, attended a girls’ school and then went to Oxford University, where she read English Literature. After university, she worked in publishing for several years, before becoming a novelist.

Lulu says of her books: ‘I’ve always adored stories of the rich and reckless at play, everything from The Great Gatsby to the brilliant blockbuster novels of the 80s. It’s fantastic escapism, and I’ve always loved creating my own stories of adventure, romance and luxury. My heroines are often very privileged and blessed with great looks and good health – but that doesn’t mean their lives are simple – far from it. They go through plenty of drama and suffering before everything is finally resolved.

‘Sex, love, beauty and money have always entranced us, and one way or another are the basis for just about every story ever written. There’s plenty of all of that in my novels, along with high fashion, which I love. What’s more, writing about fashion means I can go virtual shopping, dressing my heroines in all the wonderful clothes I adore – the racks of Marchesa ball gowns, the shelves of Louboutins, mountains of Chanel bags and acres of Dior dresses... it’s lots of fun. The stories can also get quite racy at times. It’s all about entertaining and amusing the reader, and enjoying being inside my characters’ glamorous, rarefied existence. ‘I’m always thrilled when someone enjoys reading my book as much I enjoyed writing it.’

Lulu now lives in West Dorset near the Somerset border, with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took a while to get into this novel, which was a slow burner, with a lot of descriptions of high class fashions, designer clothes, the way the upper class behave (or misbehave). Octavia and Flora are the two beautiful creatures in the title and have an unusual background. Though identical twins, they are very different in many ways, in their personalities, Flora being more introverted and Octavia the extrovert of the pair.

Then the story came to life, and it was easy to become involved with the various adventures Flora and Octavia became involved in. Their love lives become nothing short of traumatic and controversial. The twins had been overprotected as children, under the care of the guardian, Aunt Frances, because they retained a childlike innocence. They were ill prepared for all that life threw at them. However throughout the narrative, our sympathies are with the twins. Their hearts are in the right place and they are easy to empathize with. I couldn't wait to see how they would develop and grow.

This is a book that is worth sticking with. The the reader will soon grow to admire Octavia and Flora and hope that it will be okay for them, it could go either way, I had to read the whole novel and found the experience quite riveting, a real page turner.

I can recommend this to anyone who enjoys Lulu Taylor's work and for anyone new to her writing, but who enjoys a drama, a love story and a story of family tensions.

[Mandie]

Gave up reading after about 100 pages - just couldn't get into it :(

[Jane Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another early book from Lulu Taylor. The premise was a bit odd, twin girls who had been forced to lead a very sheltered life until they came of age and money at 21. They then became millionaires with several thousand millions and left home for London. Octavia got mixed up with a wild set and splurged on clothes and drink, etc while Flora was anxious and unable to look after herself. The first half of the book seemed a bit strange as it seemed unreal but then in the second half things took a grim turn. I have to say Lulu didn’t hesitate to give her main characters a very hard time and the pace increased accordingly. Some quite shocking things happened and it was a real page turner. Lots of fashion and some sex scenes as well so all in all quite a read!

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like a throwback to the good old days of the bonkbuster, what with the naif fair-haired heiresses; the Gothic castle; the kidnapping by a mad, evil German (fake) baron; bigamy; incest; and Nick Falcon, PI and sharpshooter. It was wild. A lot of fun, in a lot of ways, but I'm not sure I'd want to read it again. I do appreciate this author always twisting the mean girl trope so all the women become friends/coworkers, girlbossing all the way to the sun.

[Tara Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

So bad in so many ways. I cannot believe I read all 700 pages. First off why do I keep reading books that end up with incest story lines?? Why do I feel like the author wanted us to root for the half siblings love story like wtf no. Also the constant reminders about all the characters being skinny and white like we get it… ? so weird… save yourself the time do not read this garbage book

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt very retro reading this. It had been on my shelf 6 years
Old school dialogue and style of writing. A world away from my life with multi million pound lives full of opulence I really enjoyed this
Very twee…. Every one ends up happily ever after but I enjoyed it.
Octavia and Flora lived a sheltered life until their 21st birthdays when they are introduced to society. And they land with a bang. Octavia absolutely loves her life but Flora struggles. This story follows their ups and crabs landings

[Ariella · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know why I finished this book nor why I even thought I would like it. Totally trashy. Not in a bad way if you like that kind of stuff but not usually what I am in to. I guess it's nice to give a book one star and really mean it. It doesn't happen often because I usually don't read the whole book if I don't like it.

[Andie Coppock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think anything could top Midnight Girls but this one did it. I didn't expect the story to be so sad but in parts it was very upsetting. Excellently written and I developed a fondness for both characters. Think I read this in a day.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all three of Lulu Taylors books and really did enjoy them all - this took a little longer to get into but glad I kept going...great read!!

[Glampuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! My sort of book, enjoyed every page.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Beautiful Creatures by Lulu Taylor in a charity shop because the style of the cover reminded my of the Penny Vincenzi books I've been devouring for the last few months. Then, it turned out, I've read one of her before - The Winter Secret - which I mostly enjoyed.

This one took my by surprised because the cover picture and the blurb on the back made me think it was going to be historical - and then it was set in 2008. It's about twin sisters, Octavia and Flora, who have been kept away from the world until receiving their obscenely huge inheritance at 21 - and are then launched into society at a very lavish party. It then follows them each trying to find their way in the world, and the various trials and tribulations they face as young women with little experience and vast amounts of money.

It's largely a fun ride. I liked Flora immediately, though Octavia fluctuated in my estimations throughout the book, since her character and actions were less easily likeable. It was all very ridiculous and over-the-top, given their status, wealth and the opportunities (and pitfalls) open to them because of that.

Things took a very dark turn just after the halfway mark, but very much picked up again by the end, though I wasn't wholly satisfied by the ending. It felt like both sisters got into trouble because they entrusted their affairs entirely to various men, and then it looked like they were both going to solve all of their problems by entrusting their affairs entirely to various men... However, they did take control of their own destinies to a certain extent (and had active help from several other awesome women along the way), so it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. Things did seem to get wrapped up rather easily, though, and I wished they'd explored their independence a bit more, rather than leaping into more romance.

Still, a very enjoyable read overall.

[Kathleen Anne Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a couple of other books by Lulu Taylor which were much better than this. The storyline is, to say the least, rather far-fetched. I very nearly gave up on it but did actually want to see what the ending was although that turned out to be, sadly, very predictable. I found the unnecessary semi-pornography a bit difficult to take and was totally fed-up to the back teeth with the constant references to (presumably) designer labels. Being an old fogie who metaphorically lives in a box, I have never heard of 99% of them so I was completely unimpressed. Not one I shall keep on my Kindle!

[Helen C · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a small South Carolina town, where it seems little has changed since the Civil War, sixteen-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.

[Paula L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first part the most, after that there appart from a few scenes here and there there wasn't much in it for me. I do have to say that I couldn't stop reading as I wanted to know how things would end up for Flora and Octavia.

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle, easy read

[Victoria]

I did not enjoy this book

[Richard Pierce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do like to distract myself by reading fluffy books. But getting through this was a trial. Ok, the denouement is ok, but the rest... I'm being generous giving it 2 stars. Sorry.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, full of glamour but a really good story behind it. Not the kind of thing I would read all the time but a great Inbetweener .

[Jan Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracker of a book from Lulu Taylor. An early one that I hadn’t read but enjoyed it nevertheless.

[Hsiau Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all books by Lulu Taylor and really like her writing style. In fact, i have been waiting for this ebook version for so long and remember how ecstatic i am when i realised that i can buy the ebook from Kobo. ;) I recalled the dramatic elements in each of her books and this book is not exempted from its conflicts and dramatic elements.

The story is about a pair of twins who set to inherit hundred of millions inheritance from their father, found themselves faces with a world that they have no idea about. Olivia, the older twin who have a strong personality found herself to be able to adapt to the strange environment and is excited to explore and experience such an adventures which totally different from the environment where they lived before. Flora on the other hand, have a very fragile personality. She is timid and find it extremely hard to adapt to the new environment. Being lived and guarded all their lives, they are now on their own to live the life they want yet they have no idea how to. Being extremely rich, they soon find themselves being crowded with strangers who want to befriend them and vying for their attention which have lead to disaster and lesson that they will not forget.

I can hardly put down my ereader especially when i reached the Third part of the book ( there are three parts) where i think is the peak of the climax where Octavia rescued Flora from her husband, Otto (a maniac) and at the same time, found her boyfriend, Ethan have been siphoned her money out of the company where both of them have shared. The story plot move very fast, so fast that i almost breathless just by chasing after it :) Overall, this book is by far the best book by the author and i am really hoping for the latest book scheduled to be publish in May is as good as this book!

[Electra Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

662 pages, 90 chapters of catching drama, exquisite description of the slightest details, and satisfying writing style introducing different languages other than English, and some really useful information especially in fashion, style, law and management.. The characters were attractive and inspiring, I related to them more than once while depicting their acts and thoughts and reactions. It is a mixture of an erotica, a thriller and a fashion/travelling blog.. all of these categories were combined under the word "Fiction" written on the back discretely so that the reader forgets that it's all a work of imagination and engage with the events. Nice work Lulu! I thought Octavia & Flora are 2 faces of my personality.. the wild and the vulnerable; and their names quite suited them. But they were the stereotypical image of twins: there is always that one dominant twin who imposes his ideas and opinions and protects/controls the other passive submissive twin. I found the ending cheesy and stereotypical as well.. good thing that the epilogue fixed it a little! The book, though it may seem as a Harlequin light novel, is worth reading and I don't regret the time spent consuming it on the expanse of other "more worthy" books. I shall admit that my English has improved after reading it; I learned new vocabulary and better ways of expression thanks to it. What can I say.. bravo! I suggest making a movie or a series out of it. It'll be a success!

[Shannen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone has heard of the Beaufort twins, but few have ever seen them…

On the eve of their 21st birthday, at one of the most lavish parties society has ever seen, Octavia and Flora Beaufort are launched into the world.

For Octavia, it is one of the most thrilling nights of her life, an evening glittering with the promise of her future. But Flora shrinks from the limelight, fearful of what lies beyond the walls of her over-protective aunt’s house.

As Octavia is swept into a whirlwind of lavish spending and fashionable society, she grasps eagerly at whatever she wants: clothes, houses, men… even a department store. But Flora yearns for security – and when she is rescued from harm by a kind stranger, she seems to have found the love and protection she craves. Prey to all kinds of dangers, the twins soon realise that without each other, they run the risk of losing everything. But is it already too late...?

[Francel Anne Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really pretty good. I had a good laugh and cry at the same time and I think it was wonderful because it gave great effect on me. Although some parts (the-you-know-what) weren't suitable for me yet though I have read a lot more and intense than that. And from all of that pages, it weren't enough. I hate it when it's just going to end right there. I mean, I want more you know.

Iseult being dead? Not acceptable. She was stunning, why does she have to die? Plus, it caused Roddy to be more drowned with his work like alcohol. What a misfortune.

I'd like to also see how Amanda and Octavia going to work with each other. Especially they have both different kinds of attitude, so there must have a great clash between of them. And also if Flora's going to continue her painting-thingy.

Nick and Max. Gahd. Amazing guys. <3

Beautiful Creatures was perfectly beautiful. Lulu Taylor certainly created very beautiful creatures. Thumbs-up!

[Leen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one was extremely boring as it was filled with endless, very very descriptive, useless details. The novel however, improved when I approached part two of the story. The ending was not bad, I was not disappointed.

[Salena Moffat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grand, sweeping, soap opera (think Dynasty, not Days) that is a fantastic escape read. Pretty well written, with attention to detail that is at first annoying, but you gradually realize that those details are in fact necessary bits of sparkle. A very good book.

[Janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit silly and slow for the first 2 parts

[Rana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd rather spend the rest of my life reading twilight and fifty shades of grey than touch this book again! 700 pages of crap.

[Kezza22 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just couldn't get into it didn't like the characters!

[Bethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Improved by part 3 but not a great read.

[Simran Soni · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny; but too long. its also poignant in parts