Champion MMA fighter Adam Littrell is preparing for the biggest fight of his career. If he wins, he’ll add another proverbial notch to his record-breaking title reign. If he loses, he’s on the fast track for retirement. But when he opens the door to a distraction in the form of the nerdy and awkward Bo Wilkins, staying focused becomes a struggle. Aware of his new employer’s surly reputation, Bo … Bo expects to earn the generous salary his position as Adam’s live-in personal assistant offers. However, as chemistry sizzles beneath the guise of an unexpected friendship, Bo discovers the Beast hardly lives up to his name. And when a shared love of books leads them to study for their GEDs together, the possibilities for their future take on a much rosier hue. But just as their relationship finally finds its footing, an emergency with his sister pulls Bo away and he drops everything. Including Adam. Until now, Adam believed the most significant fight of his life would be a physical one. But with the defense of his title hanging in the balance and Bo no longer by his side, he makes a grim realization. His greatest prize can’t be won in the octagon.
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A modern twist on the classic fairytale, Beauregard Wilkins aka Bo has spent most of his life looking after his younger sister but now she’s started College he’s found a job as a PA that includes housing, he’s not sure what to expect as his new boss is The Beast, MMA champion fighter Adam Littrell. Bo needs the job to work out as he needs to help finance his sister’s college expenses. Friendship soon follows but is there more?
MM romance, Age gap, fun read with some angst, guaranteed HEA.
After reading Cinderellis I was looking forward the Beauregard and the Beast. It did not disappoint. Another good reworking of Beauty and the Beast. I would recommend this book for a nerd meets the ultimate alpha.
I was giving an ARC copy of this book by Gay Romance Reviews for an honest review.
I’ve read quite a few adaptations of Beauty and the Beast but I never expected to get one where the Beast was an MMA fighter with a secret love of books. What a wonderful story this was with wonderful characters. Bo is such a sweetheart and the set up for why he takes the job with Adam makes total sense. That’s the wonderful thing about this author’s take on the story. You know it is a “fairy tale” so you will get the HEA, but the premise and the way all the characters behave is totally realistic and believable. A great mix of magic and realism.
The main reason I wanted to read this was because I love to see what authors come up with to had their own spin on the old classic fairytales. And while MMA fighters aren’t my favorite to read about it totally worked for me here. In fact I couldn’t imagine any better fit for Adam and the the depth of emotions we feel. I can’t wait to see more from this author as they go through their writing journey. I have a feeling we are in for some real good treats.
This was a fresh, cute take off of The Beauty and the Beast. I loved the total opposites that had more in common that they thought. I was sucked down the rabbit hole and didn’t come up for air until I turned the last page. Loved it!! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
This book was just the sweetest. I loved every second of Bo and Beast’s story. Their journey, from boss and employee, to friends, and finally, to lovers. It was just beautiful.
Bo has such a sweet and pure soul. He’s attentive, protective and sensitive, acts like a mother hen sometimes, but that just adds to his amazing character, he’s such a sweetheart.
Beast isn’t used to being pampered and cared for, he gives of this big, dangerous and rude vibe, but in reality, he’s just a big teddy bear that’s gentle, sweet and has such a big heart. I absolutely loved his character.
I loved their story, it warmed my heart and was just amazing. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s work
Read this book together with Cinderellis and loved them both!
Beauregard and the Beast, and Cinderellis are such great, unique ideas – a re-telling of a classic, romantic fairy tale but in current times and with a same-sex couple. Neither book disappoints.
Beauregard and the Beast – the first in Evie Drae’s Once Upon A Vegas Night series, and if possible, I think I liked that story even more than Cinderellis! Bo is the sweet, young personal assistant to MMA champion fighter Adam – otherwise known as “The Beast”. The characters seemed to be on more equal footing from the start in this story as compared to Cinderellis. Both have their hangups – but they seemed like a more realistic couple. I also just LOVED the fact that part of the story involved them studying for their GEDs together.
Cinderellis, on the other hand, is the story of “Prince Of Pop” Henry “Cinder” Cinderford and Ellis Tremaine, a talented audio engineer who is still dealing with the effects of being abused by his stepfather – abuse that continues to the present.
A few chapters in, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it – I was having trouble connecting to the characters – but it turned around quickly, and I ended up just loving the story! I did find it frustrating that Ellis was so reluctant to push back on his evil, manipulative stepfather, but – luckily – I don’t have the experience of growing up in an abusive household – and I’m sure learning to push back on your adult caretakers under those circumstances is un-imaginably hard.
I loved how Cinder was so sure of his feelings from the get-go – something about Ellis called to something within him. While he was absolutely in love with Ellis, he was smart enough to not push him too hard; Ellis had to figure things out on his own. The two fairy godmothers in the story are hilarious – Kumiko and Lizbeth – Cinder’s best friends and tour managers, they play a big part in getting the couple back on track after things go off the rails.
Both these books are well worth it if you’re looking for a fun escape. Cinderellis is a little more angsty, but nothing off the chart and the happily ever after is worth the wait! I’m not sure whether there are more books planned in this series, but if so, sign me up to read them!
Independent reviewer for GAy Romance Reviews, I was gfted my copy of this book.
Fairy tale retells have been a bit hit and miss for me, but this one?? I really REALLY enjoyed this one!
Bo needs a job to fund his sister’s college place. Adam needs an assistant. They are put together by a well meaning agent who has a bit of an agenda, but sparks fly! Neither man wants what the other can give, so they agree to be friends. However, that proves harder than they thought, and then Bo has an emergency with his sister and pushes Adam away. Adam now faces the biggest fight of his life, bot in and OUT of the ring.
Adam is prepping for a title fight, probably his last. Bo comes along to get him where he needs to be when he needs to be, Bo makes sure Adam has the right food, cooks and cleans. Adam begins to seek Bo out more, and the two become firm friends once they’ve decided not to act on their mutual attraction. What follows is a beautifully written love story!
The attraction between the guys burns hot at the start, but denying themselves? Makes it burn brighter, and hotter and so much more comes along with that attraction. They learn about each other, in a way that you can literally see them falling in love, way WAY before they get to the main event and I don’t mean Adam’s fight!
It’s told from both Adam and Bo’s point of view, in the third person. Both voices are clear and different, and you get a good connection to them. I loved them, I really did! It’s emotional in places, so funny in others. Painful reading sometimes, but so so smexy too!
This is the first I’ve read of this author, and I cannot WAIT to see what comes next!
Can’t quite stretch to the full 5 stars, but . . .
4 great solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This book was a delightful surprise. It’s a very loose beauty and the beast retelling, so I’m not quite sure you should pick it up if that’s what you’re looking for, but you should still definitely pick it up. It’s sweet and charming, and just one of those quick reads that made me smile. A wonderful opposites attract tale that will have you rooting for the MCs from start to finish.
Delightful retelling of Beauty and the Beast fairy tale! I read this when it first came out, about a year ago and was just delighted with it. I loved how the author took the caricature of the fairy tale and crafted loveable characters that were complex and touchable for this story. Adam really needs someone to be his PA and keep him on schedule and on track. Bo is just the person to help Adam and they develop a real friendship and try to deny the attraction that simmers between them. I loved how they found their own ways of accepting and loving each other.
Adam is nearing the end of his MMA fighting career and he is trying to find what he will do next with his life, fighting is all he knows. Bo has spent his life taking care of his little sister and needs a good income to keep her in college and taken care of. Both men have had the focus on a goal and neither have taken time for themselves. Adam and Bo are just wonderful together and I really enjoyed the slow-burn of their relationship and the low angst of the story.
i also love how the book gave us a nice picture into the future with a beautiful epilogue that just gives you warm and fuzzy feelings. This book is definitely on my re-read list.
This is book one of the Once Upon a Vegas Night series and I am looking forward to what this author will do next.
Bo starts his new job as an assistant to a MMA fighter nicknamed the Beast. Hard to get along with, reportedly gruff, and a meathead. What Bo gets is a drool worthy, fairly polite man.
Adam, realizing his manager had handpicked Bo didn’t change his feelings about the shy, awkward, sexy little twink, glasses, and an over abundance of cute, with a great butt. Nope, Bo wasn’t going to derail his plans, no way. The string bean and the beast, yup, not going to happen.
Cute story, well written with entertaining main characters. Slow burn with a lot of fun times.
All that said I never really felt the connection between Bo and Adam. Separately they were really good character but for some reason they just didn’t gel with me. Based on other reviews I’m definitely in the minority (looking at reviews) so to the reader I would recommend reading and making your own choice.
Just when he needed to concentrate only on a future important fight, Adam found himself living with the most delicious, enticing man under his roof: his new personal assistant Bo. It wasn’t just Adam, Bo too slowly discovered that his employer was the most amazing, generous man possible… too bad they found each other in the wrong circumstances and at the wrong time.
Adam and Bo were so utterly charming I couldn’t get enough of them. Neither capable to hide the attraction between them but trying to stay only friends. They influenced and helped each other, they shared so many interests and it was, of course, just a matter of time before they couldn’t resist having at least a taste of one another, and then more and more.
The natural progression of their relationship was fun, sweet and a delight to witness, keeping a smile on my face from beginning to the end. Absolutely recommended.
Adam and Bo story was an interesting and sweet retelling of Beauty and the beast. I loved the plot, the intricacies and the twists and turns of the story. It shows us that even the most stubborn ones can find their happiness with the help of a well meaning sister.
It was entertaining to see how their love blooms, how despite all things they end up together and how they achieve their happiness and happily ever after.
Bo and Adam had a sweet friends to lovers romance. Granted their friendship was a total of two months but still, Bo working as Adam’s PA, they became close quickly. Adam was incredibly sweet beneath his Beast persona and was nothing but patient with Bo. This was an adorable but steamy read with a perfect happily ever after.
An adorable modern fairy tale! What a sweet, sorta goofy, odd couple. Beau is the nervous, bookish, and earnest young neophyte who easily sweeps the world-weary ‘Beast’ off his feet. Meanwhile, Adam, who the MMA world knows in his professional persona as ‘The Beast’, is secretly this kind-hearted diva who loves musicals and shopping. There’s no way this can work, right? Especially not with all the troubles thrown their way by family and work considerations. And, even though you know there will be a happy ever after, (it is a fairytale after all), this pair is so adorable you’ll want to keep reading so you can celebrate that ending with them. Definitely recommend.
This book was fresh, fun, and extremely enjoyable.
I was quickly invested in the characters, and found them all extremely likeable. The sex scenes were well executed (not an easy task) and I felt a genuine connection between the characters. I picked this book up when I was in a bit of a reading dry spell and it certainly helped me get going again.
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/review-beauregard-and-the-beast-by-evie-drae/
I swear that my resolution of not starting new sagas until ending the ones I’m currently reading is an honest one. For some reason, I had this book in my stand-alone pending list; so learning that it is actually the first one of a saga came as a surprise. I guess I could have changed my plans and read another book, but I hate that. When I pick one to read is because I feel like reading it. In six months I may be in another mindset and the book could be ignored. That would have been a shame. Let’s warm up and face this story in the octagon!
In Las Vegas, Adam is known as the Beast. The infamous MMA champion has a reputation of being a tough guy who eats puppies for breakfast. The cuter, the better. He may be the King at his job, but he is just very clumsy dealing with the rest of his life. So he needs an assistant to take care of his needs while he trains. There enters Beauregard, Bo from now on because that is what he prefers to be called and it is something I can actually write without checking ten times if it is OK, the brand new assistant! He is obviously intimidated by the Beast reputation, so the prospect of living with him makes him nervous. But he needs the money badly to pay for his sister’s education, so he is ready to face anything. Little he knew that Adam’s secret weapon is not a deadly combo with his fists (not a fisting joke, I swear!!!)…
I’ve been disarmed by this book! I wasn’t prepared for what I have found inside its pages. Judging it by the cover and the blurb suggested this was going to be the classic fast love, hard sex and extremely happy ending. But nothing further from reality. The first half of the book is a rather sweet story with a slow romance that made me giggle more than once like a silly teenager. Actually, the dynamics between the characters during those moments are rather similar to the ones you can find in a story written by Anyta Sunday. If you like that author, I think you could enjoy this story, too.
When I say is sweet and slow the first half, that is because the story changes rather abruptly. That hard sex I was expecting from the beginning makes a sounding debut and it doesn’t leave until the end. Well, maybe I’m taking that too far. They take a breath now and then. Even though the slow is removed from the equation, the sweet is always present; which makes the deal more special and it is what sets it appart from other similar stories. All that said, I’m not really happy with how the change happen. Both characters wanted to be professionals and not mixing job with love, so I’m not sure what happened to make them change their minds so fast and without any hint of getting there. One moment they are listing over and over again why getting the other naked was a terrible the idea, the next they are getting naked… Some development there would have been nice, but I won’t complain too much taking into account that the author manages to write a beautiful romance (slow or fast).
My loyalties are pretty clear in the characters department. I do not dislike Bo, but I can’t force myself to say I like him. There is nothing noteworthy that has made me less sympathetic towards that character. It’s his general way of being that made me frown now and then. Or it could be just jealousy from my part. Never discard that, my faithful readers! What possible reason I could have to be jealous, you may ask? Well, Adam the Beast is a fine piece of character. When I grabbed the book I tought he was going to be the classic grumpy guy, who barks orders to anyone he considers inferior (about 98% of the global population). Always frowning. Master at using monosyllabic words. The kind of guy who has banned the word nice from his life. Buuut it is just the opposite in all fronts. He is easy to talk to, polite, charming, good friend, concerned citizen… Bo was expecting a Beast, but he found Prince Charming, instead. And if you are also wondering if he is as sexy in the outside as he is in the inside, let me tell you in this book you will find some of the most exagerated descriptions of male hunkiness I have ever read. It is a bit over the top, but it clears any doubt. With a guy like that, you may understand why he has been added to my book boyfriend list, so… move along! Nothing for you here!!
Apart from the sudden changes of direction during the plot, there is also something else I’m not happy about. This story spins around the subject of money almost all the time. Sometimes it felt that Adam was buying Bo affection, always dropping insane amounts of dollars to help the poor guy. I know the situation granted for that, but it plays dangerously in the limit of my comfort.
This book was really great. I really loved it and when I got to the end a realized it was the author’s debut book, I was like, she did a marvelous job. She got me as a fan. I really loved Adam, the Beast character. His persona as a grumpy “eat humans for breakfast” type wasn’t really him and it made this story all the more real. It’s a shame that you can’t be the real you in certain circumstances. When he met Bo, I was glad he could let his “diva” personality shine. Bo was so sweet and geeky. He had me worried there at the beginning because he was so shy and clumsy but once him and Adam got to know each other, he let his real personality show…very caring and sweet. He took care of Adam so well and Adam did the same to him. They really were opposites if you look from the outside but their differences is what made these two wonderful people work. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend readers of m/m romance to give it a shot. It will keep you entertained and put a smile on your face.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a cute story. I loved the characters especially the Beast and his love of (…nope, no spoilers, lol). Thse two ar eperfect for each other and I was happy to see their happily ever after. Enjoy.
***I decided to review an ARC of this book.***
I loved Beauregard and the Beast. It was a sweet story. I loved the way the author painted the story with her words. You see the MCs in your mind. I love the interaction between Adam and Bo. Both were quirky and funny in their own way and as their relationship evolved so did, they; finding what they needed in each other. Good job.