Playboy. Socialite. Frivolous and Wicked. Alexander Caldwell needs to settle down. Hence the giant white house he just bought in the suburbs.The one that backs up to the house filled with three single women living in it.They all have their sights set on him…but it’s her he can’t get out of his head.Alexander has absolutely no place getting involved with a teenage girl with the world in her eyes. a teenage girl with the world in her eyes.
But he does.
Tortured. Lonely. Desperate to run.
Sunny Thorn needs to get out of her mother’s house.
To do that, she needs money.
Hence taking the job painting a mural in Alexander Caldwell’s pool house.
The man whose eyes follow her. The man with the sculpted jaw and commanding presence. The man who is way too old for her.
When Sunny has the chance to get out of Pineridge and start a future of her own, he should let her go.
But he doesn’t.
Beautiful Monster is a standalone age-gap forbidden romance from the author of the Wicked Hearts series.
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Alexander is a famous playboy and buys a house behind where Sunny, her mother and sister live. When he sees Sunny he can’t seem to get her out of his mind even though he is twice her age so he hires her to paint a mural in his pool house. This exciting and intriguing romance had serious family and self esteem issues for Sunny to overcome as well as issues that Alexander had to overcome before their HEA could be fulfilled. Good read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve been craving a good age gap romance. Beautiful Monster popped up on an Amazon search and after reading 4 other age gaps this week, finally THIS ONE hit the mark!
Alexander moves to the suburb to escape the wild life he has led in hopes to not only heal but also hopefully find someone that he can commit to. Moving into the house behind a family of 3 women might not have been the best idea; especially since the one that caught his eye is only nineteen. But hey, heart can’t help what it wants and apparently Sunny is exactly what Alex’s heart has its sights set on….okay his eyes too obviously.
My heart went out immediately to Sunny, despite being a bright and talented young lady; her everyday life with her parents & sibling is the worst. Having toxic parents will have it’s effects on any child; no matter their age. Luckily Sunny was old enough that she could make her own decisions without having to consult her parents. So when her new neighbor hires her to paint a mural in his pool house for a sweet amount of money…the kind of money that can get her out of her moms house pronto; this girl snatches it up so fast!
The very first time that Sunny met Alexander you could feel where time almost stood still. That immediate pull for each one of them. I love that even though there was an intense physical connection there, it was not acted on right away and rather these two broken souls first formed an emotional connection that helped heal each other in a way that no one else ever could. Alex’s intense need to protect Sunny had me swooning. Of course there were also times I wanted to punch him! However, seeing how broken he was, how he felt like he didn’t deserve anything good in life made me want to wrap my arms around him and protect him from himself.
Main reasons why I loved Alex and Sunny:
– the almost immediate physical & emotional connection.
– that support that each person deserves to have from another.
– the struggles they helped each other overcome.
– their intense need to protect each other.
– the intensity of the physical connection between these two.
Alex needed someone to teach him how to stop being selfish and stop treating women badly; to find something that he loves and work for it and also find someone who loves and supports him unconditionally. Sunny needed someone to show her that she wasn’t just her parents daughter; to help her boost her self worth, to see that she could and should accomplish all her heart desires regardless of the costs.
I love the books where broken souls find broken souls; because the healing that happens in those books is unworldly compared to the books where just one person is broken. I love that they both wanted the other to heal regardless of what the cost was to themselves. Beautiful Monster is one of the best age gaps I’ve read all year.
Firstly I read this book after Beautiful Sinner! Thankfully it wasn’t that bad but I would definitely recommend reading them in the correct order!
I really loved this story of Sunny and Alex. She was so quiet, young, inexperienced and unassuming and Alex was older, very experienced and thought of himself as a monster.
I found the relationship between Sunny and her Mum really hard to read at times, it was heartbreaking knowing how alcohol changes people and their actions.
The intensity of feelings between Sunny and Alex was very clear. I enjoyed how Alex held back knowing he was wrong for her, but I so wanted them to get together. This is low angst but good on the steam!
Sara wrote this story with lots of compassion in my opinion. I felt all her words and the story really did hold my attention.
This is my first book by Sara and it won’t be my last. Age is only a number and never let it get in the way of your heart. Alexander is a troubled man and wants to heal but protecting Sunny turns into his new obsession. Bow he can’t just protect her he has to protect his heart. The more time they spend together the more she works her way into his heart and mind. This is an amazing story to prove to never give up on yourself or someone you love.
Excellent age gap romance!
Sunny is a beautiful, talented, almost twenty year old living with her alcoholic mother and party focused sister. When things become unbearable at home Sunny’s new neighbor, Alexander, hires her to paint a mural in his pool house and offers her room and board. Sunny happily accepts the position working for the handsome bad boy, uh man. After all Alex is twenty years her senior.
As these two lonely people live in the same house they’re drawn together even though Sunny can’t believe he’d be interested in anyone like her and Alex berates himself as a monster for being drawn to the young, innocent teenager in his employ.
This all makes for an intense, angsty, sexy read. I highly recommend Sara Cate’s Beautiful Monster!
Superb
A beautiful emotionally immersive story that will will keep you glued to the pages as you loose yourself in the lives of the characters.
Sunny is a 19, soon to be 20, year old artist is not in the best home situation. When a millionaire bachelor and playboy moves into the house behind them she starts to take an interest in him.
Alexander is a 40-year-old business entrepreneur and is just honestly lonely after over two decades alcohol and sex. Taking immediate notice of Not only sunny, but her home life, he starts to try and keep her safe and help her out. His first step was to hire her to paint a mural on the wall and his pool house, effectively keeping her away from her abusive mother andvthe leering, handsy guy friends of her sisters.
After months of living together they truly do make each other happy and start falling in love. However he starts to feel that he is holding her back from her true potential as an artist.
Their characters were lovingly and painstakingly written in both their POVs. Two pained souls finding comfort with each other helping the other bloom.
I won this book . At first I was a little skeptical about reading if because of it being a age gap. I’ve only read a few and I wasnt sure if I was gonna like it. I’m so glad I started it because let me tell you I had a really hard time putting it down to go to bed. This book had just the right amount of drama in it to keep you interested. I like that sunny and Alex started out as friends and that they tryed to fight the attraction for each other . They both knew they had there own problems but didnt let that stop them from falling in love. It may not have been easy and they had to work at them selves but in the end they figured things out. Alex didn’t let her quit he dreams to be together and I feel that makes them even stronger. I would Definitely recommend this book to someone that enjoys age gap. Even if you aren’t sure if you like them take a chance and read it
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A Gripping & Heartfelt Story! Outstanding Listen
Beautiful Monster
A Standalone Age-Gap Romance
By: Sara Cate
Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Virginia Rose
This is a terrific age-gap romance, the story grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it the entire time. The characters are developed nicely, they are easy to relate to and connect with. Alexander “Alex” Caldwell’s life was out of control, too much partying, too many women including ones that are taken. He decides he needs a lifestyle change, moves out of city into a house in the suburbs. Unfortunately for him his next door neighbors are a newly divorced woman and her two daughters. They all have their eyes on him, the mother, who is a real piece of work, who starts to get a conniving idea in her f’d up head. But it is the youngest daughter who catches his eye, something about her calls to him. Sunny Thorn is not a happy go lucky 19 year old, her family situation is crap, her mother over drinks and her sister is always partying, not only telling her what she should NOT be doing but showing her as well. Sunny feels stuck in her life and she wants out. Alex is drawn to her and sees something in her, he also sees she is too young for him and he tries to do the right thing. After finding out her love for art and her talent he wants to hire her to paint a mural. She sees this as an opportunity to earn some money so she could move out and get away from the madness she calls home. The two of them get along great, but at half his age she is forbidden fruit. She does not agree and starts to develop feelings for him. I loved how everything plays out in this book, the push and pull, the struggle between right and wrong, plus all the emotions each deals with and topping it off is the chemistry between them. This book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride, the story is beautifully written. Sara Cate thank you for this wonderful story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Aaron Shedlock and Virginia Rose are the perfect cast to bring these characters to life. Their portrayal of the characters was spot on, they took each role and made it their own. Aaron Shedlock’s take on Alex was perfection, he grasped his persona, allowed you to hear all his emotions as he battled his inner demons and conflicts. Virginia Rose was the perfect Sunny, youthful with a maturity beyond her years. Both are talented voice artists and entertaining storytellers who are a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen
Beautiful Monster
A Standalone Age-Gap Romance
By: Sara Cate
Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Virginia Rose
When Alex buys his house in the suburbs, he has one intention.Settle down. It’s time to clean up his reputation. The house he has bought is next door to a woman and her two daughters, and one he just cannot get out of his head. Sunny is half his age, but she has caught his eye. Now he has hired her to paint a mural in his pool house. As he gets to know her, there is more to her than just that initial beauty. But will their age difference get in the way? Will he be able to resist her? Sara Cate gives us a beautiful love story. Alex has demons, and he is learning to deal with them. Sunny’s adult life is just beginning. And Cate melds these two lives together in such a way that your heart follows their emotions. From hesitancy, letting go and love, we get to take their journey, understand their choices and fall in love.
Finding a team that can do the age gap and sound realistic is not an easy task. Virginia Rose is a gem when it comes to voices and she picks the perfect new adult voice for Sunny. At times a little bratty, but mature for her age, Rose creates the character of Sunny flawlessly. Aaron Shedlock, with his incredible voice for Alex, adds that uneasiness that Alex has, the indecision with the burning passion he feels all comes across tugging at your heart. This team is superbly cast and makes for hours of pleasurable listening.
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Sara Cate – Beautiful Monster
.
Unputdownable.
This was my first taste of Sara Cates work. Beautiful Monster is exactly the type of book I love to read. Filled with heart wrench and conflict. I was so engrossed with the story that before I knew it I’ve read the whole book in one sitting.
I loved the authors way of writing; the portrayal of emotions, world building and character development. This will definetly not be the last book I read by this author.
We don’t get to love people because they are perfect or because they’ve made every right decision. Love is not a reward for good behaviour. Love is unconditional because the strongest love endures the hottest fire.
Sunny is mature beyond her years. Unique thought process of the heroine helped gain an understanding of the characters point of view from an artistic eye. The way she saw her life. I love her mind and her heart.
Alexander is no saint and has alot of demons to overcome. He has experienced life but not fully matured. I liked that the hero wasnt all put together at his age. He has issues of his own to deal with and doesnt have his life in order. It was unique to other age gap romances I’ve read in the past.
He treats me like an equal. Even when he takes care of me, protects me, like he sees my worth even when I don’t.
Their love was a special type of slow burn that had to be handled delicately. I loved how both characters interacted, they fit together like two puzzle pieces, and were good for each other. I enjoyed seeing how the characters developed into healthier individuals, together and by themselves, in order for their relationship to grow.
Bonus epilogue was beautiful. I love seeing how couples are getting on in the future. It felt realistic and true to the story.
Beautiful monster reminds me of the book, When August Ends. The older man, caring, guardian type and the coming of age heroine. Would recommend reading it if you enjoyed this book.
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Beautiful Monster features Alexander Caldwell, an older socialite and player, is interested in Sunny Thorn, a 19 year old, who is painting a murial in his pool house to obtain money to leave her home town. This is the first book I have read by Sara Carte and found it to be well written with wonderful characters, an intriguing plot, and sizzling romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An angsty age-gap romance. Sara did amazing with this. Highly recommend.
A totally original age-gap romance! Debra @janise’s Jivin’ Book Blog
As a reader of many types of romance I have to say this age-gap was totally original and really a great read.
The attraction/chemistry is definitely there from the beginning but Alexander is trying to make a change and his fight for that has just begun when he meets Sunny. She makes him really feel and that is a new thing for him.
Sunny lives with her mom and sister. They drink and party all the time and she wants out. When she meets Alexander and he offers her a job to paint a mural in his pool house it will change her world in a way she never expected.
He helps her to become stronger and more self confident and she helps him with his own demons. It is not always easy and it’s honestly one of the most raw open books I have read in a while that involved age-gap. Sometimes growing up isn’t just for younger people.
Beautifully written and totally edge of your seat read
A good story that surprised me by some of the actions of the characters. I had trouble understanding the mother’s point of view and her actions especially given her attitude at the end. It didn’t connect for me. I liked their relationship. It was believable and sweet and tender yet intense. I liked how the story played out though I would have liked more of their characters after the ending.
Taboo tale of the sexy bachelor neighbor right next door
—>>> A taboo tale of the sexy bachelor neighbor right next door, who is actually much too interested but trying to do the right thing by staying straight. But it is so tempting for a man like him, used to getting what he wants, to not respond to something so real, so innocent, so talented. Enticing journey with the characters as they grew and developed into the people they were meant to be, with each other.
I loved Beautiful Monster. This age gap, angsty romance gave me all the feels. The relationship between Sunny and Alex was raw and real and I loved how great they were together. They pushed each other to be better and reach for more in life. Great romance book overall.
Alex and his rain cloud
Ah the pure angst of an age-gap romance. Twenty years between Sunny and Alex and yet they fit together so well. I really enjoyed their story even if they both frustrates the hell out of me at times. Definitely recommend to those who like a little forbidden love
Such a beautiful story showing age is but a number in the grand shame of life. Alex has his on Sunny the young woman from next door. The characters are well written and engaging and the instant connection is undeniable throughout the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alexander moves to the suburbs to start over and reinvent himself from his partying ways that has cost him every relationship he has. What he doesn’t expect is the family next door – a single mother and her two daughters. He is inexplicably drawn to the youngest daughter, Sunny. Sunny is looking for a way out of her mother’s house and her abuse. When Alex hires her to paint a mural in his pool house it opens so many things for her – a career in art and her desire for a man. Can the 19 year old troubled artist and the 40 year old partying tom cat overcome their issues and past to make a relationship together work?
I struggled with how to rate this book. I really enjoyed a lot of aspects of it but there were three instances of Alex hooking up with other girls. Don’t care that it happened because it was all before he gave in and started something with Sunny but I DETEST reading intimate details about the main characters hooking up with secondary and tertiary characters. I almost quit reading. I respect that the hook ups were needed to illustrate just how messed up Alex was but please don’t give me the gory details. I don’t want to see that unless it is with the mains. That being said, I did finish the book and even though I couldn’t forgive Alex for some of the things that he did, I pushed it in the back of my mind and enjoyed the book. I really loved that Alex was able to save Sunny and how she flourished when she opened up with him. And Sunny called Alex on all his BS and helped him to become a better man. They were both able to grow and thrive and find their true home with each other. If it wasn’t for the hookups I would have given this a 4 star. My first book by Sara Cate and I am going to check out her other books.