A fresh twist on the classic story of Beauty and the Beast, Bellamy and the Brute proves true love really is blind.When Bellamy McGuire is offered a summer job babysitting for the wealthy Baldwin family, she’s reluctant to accept. After all, everyone in town knows about the mysterious happenings at the mansion on the hill—including the sudden disappearance of the Baldwin’s eldest son, Tate. The … son, Tate. The former football star and golden boy of Wellhollow Springs became a hermit at the age of sixteen, and no one has seen or heard from him since. Rumors abound as to why, with whisperings about a strange illness—one that causes deformity and turned him into a real-life monster. Bellamy wants to dismiss these rumors as gossip, but when she’s told that if she takes the job, she must promise to never, ever visit the third floor of the mansion, she begins to wonder if there really is some dark truth hidden there.
Tate’s condition may not be the only secret being kept at Baldwin House. There are gaps in the family’s financial history that don’t add up, and surprising connections with unscrupulous characters. At night there are strange noises, unexplained cold drafts, and the electricity cuts out. And then there are the rose petals on the staircase. The rose petals that no one but Bellamy seems to be able to see. The rose petals that form a trail leading right up to the 3 rd floor, past the portrait of a handsome young man, and down a dark hallway where she promised she would never, ever go…
As Bellamy works to unravel the mysteries of Baldwin House and uncover the truth about Tate, she realizes that she is in way over her head… in more ways than one. Can her bravery and determination help to right the wrongs of the past and free the young man whose story has captured her heart?
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Great character development.
Loved it! Great twist on a fairy tale!
This book continues into 2 more books so not a true ending.
Beauty and the beast with ghosts and a mystery. The very loose beauty and the beast theme is great. I loved the characters and plot twists. Get ready because there are a lot of them. It’s a great story. The characters are awesome. Second chances, the value of apologising, taking responsibility for your actions, and just kindness are the running themes. It would make my “must read the whole series” list except for the swearing and sex. Not a lot of swearing, a couple of f-bombs. More than i prefer. Teens having sex is also getting a pass from me.
I was expecting a fairy tail retold in modern times.
But it was actually more of a paranormal mystery.
Great twist on beauty & the beast located in GA It was definitely suited for high school age but interesting enough for adults
A nice twist on the standard one. A fast read.
I couldn’t put this book down! I loved the development of the characters and I love Bellamy’s strength and self-confidence!
i liked it a lot.
This book is fantastic! Great premise and the ghosts are totally creepy!
Better for a reader in their early teens
i enjoyed this book and thought it was a fun read. It is a new take on the beauty and the beast story.
I liked this book, but it was not really a book that I would normally read. I really liked the romance that blossomed for Bellamy, but I think that Bellamy was too nice and was quick to forgive. Her character occasionally got mad, but I did not always understand why. This was a romance, ameuter sleuth/detective, and ghost story mixed into one. The ghost aspect was interesting, and unique, but it started to get a little repetitive at the end when they met a new ghost that they would have to help. I would recommend reading this book because it had a good storyline and lots of action, but the switch personality/ actions that two of the characters experienced made them feel like different characters. When “the beast”, who is really just a boy, is a senior/junior he humiliates a girl and then changes his ways. Then at the end of the book strings are tied up and she forgives him. Some of the female characters are just too forgiving, and some of the male characters behave surprisingly. For example, the father suddenly changed his ways, and becomes an entirely different person when his secret is outed and his son is put in danger. Then everything is alright again. I am being a little too critical. I loved this book and could not put it down, but I wish that the female characters were a little stronger. Although, I would definitely read this. I recommend!!
First, I love that the heroine is a girl of color and the hero is not. Her race is not mentioned and then forgotten but nicely situated in the experiences she encounters (e.g., wanting to go to Spelman like her mother). I loved Bellamy’s strength and character.
However, I will say that the pages flew by and the story was at its best when Bellamy and Nate were in scenes together. At times the narrative was a bit long-winded and I needed more dialogue. I also think the mystery was creative but at times I thought their investigation was reaching.
However, this is all based off of a fairytale so you have to keep this in mind while you are reading it.
The story was fine. I just didn’t like the lying and the nonchalant way the characters treated sex.
A wonderful modern twist on the original Beauty and The Beast!!
I sincerely loved this book!!!
Original take on Beauty and the Beast, but steamier than I’d like for my 14 y.o. daughter to read. Could’ve done without the condom/hotel room scene.
I like this book . It’s a different twist on beauty and the beast. A surprising twist to the story..
Even though this book is classified as a YA book, I really liked the story. Great characters and an interesting set of circumstances. Fun book.