McKAYI wasn’t the one who broke her but I played my part.She came to us when she was ten. I raised her. I loved her. I taught her how to survive in a world of evil men. But it wasn’t enough.ADAMI wasn’t the one who saved her but I did my best.She needed me as much as I needed her. Bought and paid for on the auction block. But not for the reasons you think. She was my weapon.DONOVANI wasn’t the … not for the reasons you think. She was my weapon.
DONOVAN
I wasn’t the one who lied to her but I hid her truth. She was broken before I got there. Wild and angry. Defiant and bratty. But she trusted me most. She loved me best.
So I set her free.
Indie Anna Accorsi is a woman lost in her past.
A pretty little nightmare.
A gorgeous piece of misery.
A mess of lovely darkness.
She is creeping beautiful.
And now we want her back.
more
Rating:
Original and so very compelling!
The first half of this book is told in the form of flashbacks in order toe tell the backstory of the main characters there are three men that have been part of “The Company” since birth. The Company is an organization of Powerful families and individuals that will do anything it takes to get what they want. They purchase women to use as breeders, and put their children into assassin training programs then put them out on teams to clean up problems (i.e. kill people that get in their way).
Adam’s father purchased McKay from his father who was a Company Arms dealer, as a sort of replacement for Adam when he was supposed to join one of the teams, but at the last minute Adam’s father got Adam out of the Program. Adam and McKay became best friends and five years after Adam’s Father and many of the Company’s top Team leaders were taken out at a wedding, Adam got bored with nothing to do and so much money to burn so he decided to start up a team.
He goes to an auction and purchases a ten year old girl named Indie Anna Accorsi. Indie has also been brought up by The Company and although Adam is interested in purchasing her, he is talked into it even more by another guy named Donovan who, like Adam is an untouchable. Which means he comes from a Company founding family. Though Donovan is only fifteen, he is a genius who has graduated college and is starting medical school and agrees to help Adam and McKay in training Indie. He will take care of her psychological well-being.
The three of them each fall in love with Indie as she grows into adulthood and it isn’t weird because all of them, including Indie have never really been children with the way they grew up and also because hey are respectful of her as a child. Though there were some times when Adam and McKay were able to play as kids when they were best friends together when they were young and for Indie as well, while she is growing up between jobs. They live on a Louisiana bayou plantation she is best friends with their only neighbor, Nathan whom she spends all her time with when she isn’t training or on missions.
Nathan is her first love and her first kiss. The description of that first kiss is the best I have ever read, bar none! But she also loves Adam, because he is always there to save her, McKay because he takes care of her and Donovan because he is always interested in what she has to say. I can see how someone could love more than one person.
The relationships are really complex in this book, but also so beautiful and deep because they are based off of great friendships and the kinds of bonds that you make with people that may not be your actual family by blood, but that you choose to be family with.
“If the way I feel about Indie is love, then the way I feel about McKay is… obsession.”
I don’t want to give anything more about the plot, but to reiterate that it is original, completely unpredictable and I couldn’t put it down from start to finish! And it is soooo good!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 Beautiful Stars
Getting words down to describe this story has been nearly impossible and it’s just the first book! I can’t imagine how amazing the following books are going to be and how even more impossible it would be to get my thoughts/feelings down. Even now, a few hours after finishing Creeping Beautiful, my thoughts are still all over the place with how much I loved it. Bravo JA Huss, a massive bravo to how phenomenal this story was and how much your words just dragged me in and took hold.
The anticipation for this book was unreal. After reading the blurb and getting hyped up about the book for some time, I delayed reading it as much as I could because I just knew I wouldn’t want it to end (and I didn’t want it to end!). But the suspense of knowing I had it sitting all pretty on my kindle, I just had to dive right in and miss a couple days of sleep (who needs sleep anyway with such a great book in your hands?!). Knowing this book is a part of the Company, there was no doubt in my mind that it would blow me away. And this story was no different as it did not disappoint one bit, I loved every page.
I loved being back with the Company. There were so many twists, turns and secrets that I needed to stop reading at times just so I could take in all the new twisted information.
I loved how the book was written, with the flashbacks to when Indie first came along with Adam and the life she had growing up with the guys. I especially loved the scene
when Adam first had a look at Indie on the island (goosebumps moment right there!).
I absolutely loved these characters and the journey they have all been through/are still going through. I loved meeting Indie in a previous JA Huss book, Bossy Brothers: Johnny. I knew she’d be a spitfire of a character and I loved everything about her especially when she was with Nate, McKay, Adam and Donovan. I loved seeing the different sides she reveals with each of them.
That ending/epilogue! Hot. Damn. That had me reeling with a huge gasp at the information and some secrets revealed. I can’t wait for more secrets and revelations in the next book.
This will be a 100% spoiler free review because you absolutely need to experience every moment of this tale for yourself.
Rarely does a book leave me speechless… I had to take some time to compose my thoughts before I could even think about how to right a review for this one that would do this story justice.
A truly gifted author is someone who can take a group of people that, given their stories, you would not normally like and turn them into people that you love. This is the case with this story. The plot moves at the perfect pace and the author takes the time to develop each character over the years. Just when you think you know what they are about, BAM, you’re wrong. Then you find yourself pulled in even deeper just waiting for the next twist.
This book is storytelling at it’s best. It has just the right amount of twists and turns, passion and heartbreak that all come together and make a recipe for a great story. I found myself wanting to put everything else in my life on hold so I could stay in their world and see what happened next.
It has been awhile since I have read a story that left me feeling the way this one did. Fans of JA Huss know she is a master writer but with this one she really knocks it out of the park. I am in love with these characters and I cannot wait to see what is in store for them next.
My thoughts:
POV: switches between McKay, Indie, Adam and Donovan
Quick hook or slow starter? 5 (I was hooked from the first chapter)
Character development: 5
Level of Romance between characters: 5
Passion/Heat level: 5 (Not a lot of sex in this one, I know, its a shocker, but what there is was well done and fits with the story)
Angst/Heartbreak: 5 (This is a rollercoaster ride from start to finish)
Cliffhanger?: Not really a cliffhanger but the story is far from over!
I said it above and I will say it again, I loved this book. Do not wait, get your copy today and get ready to have your mind blown in the best way possible!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I literally feel like I cannot breathe. I’m writing this review after just finishing Creeping Beautiful and I feel like I have just gotten the wind knocked out of me! What a mind f@$&! I just want to say more words expressing how awestruck I am. I keep typing and putting my phone down because my mind has just been left so stupefied that I don’t even know what do from here.
Read. This. Book. Read it. This book is really more than any review can do justice. The 5 stars I’m giving it are just not worthy, it deserves more stars than I am allowed to give. Exponential stars to Creeping Beautiful!
As you can always expect from JA Huss, you are quickly swept off of your feet into the world she has created. I have never seen fireflies so vividly until she described them — and that’s fireflies, so just imagine everything else. I have lived where Indie lived, I have loved what she loved, and fell asleep on her favorite swing.
The suspense was so intense that while I was reading, at one point my screen door slammed shut and I felt like someone from The Company was here to assassinate me. That is how deep this book sucked me in.
The suspense, the mystery, the thrill, the love, and honestly — the epilogue. There may have never been a better written epilogue! I hope JA Huss puts my out of my new found misery and releases the next book soon!
Read this book but for safety, please keep your inhaler, brown paper bag, or defibrillator near by for the ending — it literally took my breath away.
Mind blown! To say reading a JA Huss book is easy would be like saying trigonometry is as easy as addition and subtraction. She uses her words to dig into your head and really flips everything around!
Now I have a lot catching up to do. lol
I have read a lot of her stories and none of them come close to jacking with my head like this one. And you know what? I freaking loved it! I love that I now also have to backtrack and really get to know all of these other ‘mentioned’ people. My bad, but also my good. More of Julie scrambling my brain. So, win! If you have read all of those books prior to this then you are way ahead of the game.
I have to say that while I mostly get the characters, I am glad there are more books coming so we can dig deeper into them all. And before that time comes I will be reading up on the others.
If you like your books to the point and with a HEA, then move on. But if you like the idea of more depth, more angst and more to the story then you really want this book.
I won’t call it action Packed but you are holding your breath and on the edge of your seat a lot!
Just wow! This book kept me up way into the night. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next, and I was always surprised. The characters were a hot mess and yet you can’t help but love them and their unpredictable behavior — oh, and did I mention you never knew where the story was going to take you next? I don’t think there was one thing I didn’t love about this book. Well done!
My honest opinion? One of the BEST stories J.A. Huss has ever written!!!
Indie is just 10 years old when Adam buys her. Or rescues her, you decide.
Adam buys a ten year old girl at an auction, but not for the filthy reasons the others are buying their little girls for. Indie will be his weapon.
Donovan is studying to become a plastic surgeon and live the high life in Beverly Hills. Yes, but no. That will be his cover. He will be Indie’s friend and her therapist. He will keep her sane enough so she doesn’t lose her mind and do something that they will not be able to fix.
McKay is her buddy and care taker. He will feed her, bath her, makes sure she eats her vegetables, lover her. And also train her to be the perfect killing machine.
In true Julie fashion, this book is very dark. Just when you think you know what is going to happen, it’s something worse. You will hear about many other past characters from her other books that were involved with “The Company”
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!!!
I loved this twisted world where nothing and definitely no one is what it seems. Or are they? See, you won’t really know. Each answer comes with a new question and it’s awesome! Three men and one girl/woman with an incredible bond but so many secrets have stared a journey I can’t wait to continue on with them.
What an interesting story and plot. I had not realized how intertwined all of Ms. Huss’s novels were as I’ve read some earlier chapters and thoroughly enjoyed them and this one was no exception. When you read the “trailer”, you get an overview but you don’t really see what it means until three quarters of the way into the book, which makes it a super, super read. All the characters are deeply intertwined but they only show what they want to each other. You don’t see this as a reader until the very end, and that’s what Ms. Huss wants. Talk about twists and turns, she’s the queen. After finishing I want to go back and read it again, knowing how it ends and I will appreciate it more, knowing where the author is coming from. I am definitely hooked cause there are so many different ways the next chapter/book can go and I do so very much want to be a participant in all of their journeys. Not sure who I liked/hated the most, Nate, McKay, Donovan or Adam. It’s like Indie said, “it’s all of you or none of you”.
I received this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
JA Huss has penned an erotic, menage romance wrapped up in psychological suspenseful novel. There are so many twists and turns that it’s sometimes hard to keep track. Huss plays it beautifully though. She drops enough hints, clues and innuendos to keep you turning the pages because you need to know what would happen next or did you guess the outcome correctly.
Indie Anna Accorsi has nothing but men in her life. Her overseer/owner, Adam Boucher; her trainer, Core McKay; and her pseudo shrink, Donovan Couture.These men were her family, her team from the time she was nine years old. Before that though she belonged and was trained by the Company. Who knows what minefields they planted in her brain before Adam brought her home. She is trained and guided by these three men to become a child assassin. They support her through growing pains, teenage angst, moodiness and brattiness. Keeping her focused and well prepared to perform her job depends on what each man brings to the table. She needs all of them equally because navigating minefields incorrectly can have deadly consequences.
I don’t want to give anything away, so I’m not going to. What I am going to do is just say like, Oh My Goodness.
This story has everything I always loved about JA Huss. My favorites of hers have been the Rook and Ronin/Company/321 type stories. This book ties into that world but can totally be read all on its lonesome.
There’s a girl. There are 3 guys. She loves them all. They all love her. They all care for her in different ways. But she’s not an ordinary girl. And these aren’t average guys. They are the Company.
I loved loved loved this book. There are so many secrets and JA Huss is mastermind at secret telling. I kept thinking there couldn’t be another surprise, but I was wrong! Right up through the epilogue, she was dropping bombs on me. I cannot wait for more!!
WOW!! This was a whole lot of what if, what can, what will and what did happen!! This story lays some great ground for the next book and can’t wait to see what happens next!!
Wow! Creeping Beautiful may be the best JA Huss book yet! Seriously, I like every story I’ve read by her and she often has stories that blow my mind, but this one takes the cake! My attention was grabbed from page one and held until the very last page. It’s full of suspense. I love suspense with my romance. I took more notes and hi lighted more parts in this book than I ever have. I know I’m going to need it to help me piece all the parts together when book two comes out. I have all kinds of ideas and scenarios going through my mind. I can’t wait to see if I’m right about anything. I’m definitely recommending this book to everyone who enjoys a good mind f***!
If you are a fan of JA Huss you are going to LOVE this book. You don’t just read a Huss book, you live it, you feel it, you emerge yourself in it. It takes you forever to get over the book hangover. Is it worth it? So worth it!
This is a very dark and twisted book but filled with love and hopefulness as well. You get the light and the dark, the good and the bad. It all has a balance. Which makes this book such an entertaining read.
You won’t see the surprises coming. They will just jump right out of the book and smack you in the face. This sounds bad, but it isn’t. If you love great suspense with so many twists and turns that you don’t think you’ll ever reach the other side, then this is the book for you.
I love that JA Huss uses words that would normally be off-putting. Nightmare, misery, and darkness. You might think this is horrible or tragic and then JA Huss, in her brilliance, makes the darkness beautiful. A pretty little nightmare. A gorgeous piece of misery. A mess of lovely darkness. She takes the broken characters and makes them beautiful in their own way.
As you can tell, I am not writing a book report for you. You can read the blurb and get an idea of what the story is about. What I am telling you is how this book made me feel and how amazing the writing is. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Creeping Beautiful was beautiful creepy. The book was very well detailed. Definitely a book that you need to pay attention to. I enjoyed every second of it. Julie will blow you mind and leave you wanting more.
Wow, Book to Brain overload…
14 years and one giant organization covered in one read. No, we don’t have all or even many answers yet, but what we do know has my mind swimming with possibilities. I admit I started reading Huss after the Company, so I don’t have previous knowledge of all of these characters. I did read the Misters and Bossy series, that tells me this is going to be one twisted mind blowing ride. Adam, McKay, Donovan, Indie, they all make their way into your heart and it’s a good thing because then you can overlook or at least forgive their flaws. And they all have them. Lies, secrets, misconceptions, jealousy contrast the loving care, devotion, fun, and even a few sexy times this crew live through and I felt it all. I cannot wait for the next installment, but after the revelations at the end I am also going to have to read portions of this one again.
Creeping Beautiful
Creeping Beautiful is set in the Company world. You DO NOT need to have read the other Company novels to absolutely fall in love with this book but for those of us who have read the Company novels, this is a hugely nostalgic read and it felt like coming home!
Julie’s writing style is so unique and her talent for dark is unrivalled, truly. Creeping Beautiful is a story that hooks you from page one and does not let go, staying with you far beyond the final words and leaving you waiting with baited breath for more.
Our new leading characters, Indie, Adam, McKay and Donovan bring to the table a mixture of insanity, intense emotions and each of them have a whole backstory full of dangerous secrets that will come back to haunt them.
This story is told from multiple points of view going backwards and forwards in time, always leaving a veil over the most important information so you are left wondering which puzzle pieces are missing.
I absolutely urge anyone and everyone to read this incredible start to the new series and wait (not so) patiently for what comes next in Pretty Nightmare.
WOW……. Just…WOW!!!
J.A Huss has outdone herself with Creeping Beautiful, The Queen of mind blowing is back with a vengeance with this angst filled story of intrigue, suspense and mind bending twists that it will make you lose sleep wanting to devour this story without stopping.
I was hooked from the very first chapter and when I thought that I KNEW what was going to happen or what the outcome of a certain aspect was I get thrown for loop after loop with another plot twist and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!
This story is such and emotional rollercoaster I didn’t know if I wanted to cheer, yell, cry and throw my kindle across the room and throw a tantrum myself… AND I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!
I have a feeling this is just the beginning for Indie Anna Accorsi, McKay, Donavan and Adam and I cant wait to see how everything else will unfold.
Whew….this book, I liked, no loved, it from the beginning. There are twists, turns, lies, secrets, and more. I was reading so fast I was afraid I was missing words! I love how this is written and that while other people from other books are mentioned, you absolutely do not need to read those to read this. It is perfection. I want to jump in the mind that is the genius of this author.
This has been one intense and hell of a ride that left me in all kinds of shambles. I was downright addicted to this complicated story.
You will certainly get all the feels from these characters and will leave you gasping for air when you’re done, wishing it could keep going, which it will but you just wish the book could keep going without a pause.
JA Hauss is definitely a unique writer who can totally captivate you and take you into a world that you would never want to leave with all the intensity, drama, lies and suspense she unravels in this story.
You will sit at edge of your seat the whole time not knowing what to expect next because it definitely was one mind blowing story.
I am definitely smitten and hooked with these characters and can’t wait to continue this saga.