Beauty and the Beast meets Taming of the Shrew in this laugh-out-loud and heartfelt Regency romance.
Lord Nathaniel Harte, the disagreeable Duke of Beswick, spends his days smashing porcelain, antagonizing his servants, and snarling at anyone who gets too close. With a ruined face like his, it’s hard to like much about the world. Especially smart-mouthed harpies—with lips better suited to … harpies—with lips better suited to kissing than speaking—who brave his castle with indecent proposals.
But Lady Astrid Everleigh will stop at nothing to see her younger sister safe from a notorious scoundrel, even if it means offering herself up on a silver platter to the forbidding Beast of Beswick himself. And by offer, she means what no highborn lady of sound and sensible mind would ever dream of—a tender of marriage with her as his bride.
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I am a sucker for Beauty and the Beast stories so naturally this one was highly anticipated. I loved Thane. He was acerbic just the way I like my tortured heroes. His injuries were so outrageous it is hard to comprehend what he was going through. His and Astrid’s smart and intelligent arguments/discussions were the highlight of the story. Now as for Astrid, I thought she was a little too perfect. Yes, she loved Thane but come on, you don’t have to be perfect to his beast to get that across. Overall, I thought the story was good.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
This book was so good 🙂 I have to say I loved it so much ! I couldn’t put it down as soon as I started reading it I knew this book was my cup of tea ! It kinda of reminded me of the beauty and the beast but different all at the same time 🙂 ! Thane , Duke of Beswick was attacked Bayonets during a battle so he has secluded himself in his ducal estate . After lady Astrids reputation was stained for years she refused to let that happen to her dear sister so she seeks protection of duke so she Chooses to marry him I mean all thought she doesn’t want to I mean who would wanna marry a beast but she does bc she wants to protect her sister and if this is how she has to do that is to marry this snare of a beast then that she will do 🙂 ! Loved this book ! Definitely a 5 star !
I loved this sweet and hot historical romance. It is well written and both main characters are amazing.
Lady Astrid Everleigh has no other option but to seek help from Lord Nathaniel Harte. Normally, she wouldn’t imagine herself asking something like this from a man who is practically a stranger but she must save her sister. So, she asks him to marry her but his reaction wasn’t what she hoped for. Will she be able to change his mind or should she plan something else?
Thane can’t believe it when Lady Astrid strode into his house and demands that he speaks to her. He hates meeting new people because he hates the stares and the whispers. But Astrid is unlike anyone he has ever met and for a moment he is tempted to consider her offer. Then he realizes how absurd that is. After all, marriage and happiness aren’t in the cards for the Beast of Beswick. or is he wrong about that?
I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a pageturner historical fiction with a strong heroine and brooding/moody hero.
A fiery and tempestuous story. Brilliantly written with great characters. Beauty tames the beast as Astrid marches in and takes over Thane’s home. Astrid was desperate to save her younger sister from a horrible suitor. Thane wanted to be left alone with his wounds. From the moment they set eyes on each other sparks fly. I loved the fierce arguments they had that was always subtly coached in their need for each other. They are both compassionate characters hiding away from being hurt. As the push and pull continues they must fight and make themselves vulnerable to accept love. A sure fire page turner that will keep you engrossed.
All the stars go to Thane and Astrid!!
“Give me a dark abbey and a grumpy beast any day.”
Oh my goodness, what a book! So much snarky dialogue, so many smoldering, steam-filled looks, so many twist and turns, and so much heartwarming love in this delicious story!
Astrid needs to rescue her sister from a fate worse than death, but the only legal means she has is to transfer guardianship of herself and her sister to a husband. Thane, the reclusive, growly, volatile Beast of Beswick is the only man she knows who could possibly stand up to her grasping uncle and his mercenary plans. But Thane has sworn off women, society, marriage, and even basic civility in his efforts to block out the emotional and physical trauma of living with his war-ravaged, painfully-scarred body. These two have a complicated path to the altar first, then an even more complicated path to their HEA.
I absolutely loved the rollicking fun of this book. Of course there’s no end of folks acting in a manner inconsistent with the Regency time period, but that’s the fun part of fiction. Wishful thinking gets to play a part in character development. Only the most die-hard historical purists will be distracted by that issue; the rest of us can enjoy this couple’s delicious tension, intelligent banter, crushing verbal blows, and triumphantly scathing victories over the worst of the villains.
The secondary characters are just divine, including Thane’s audacious aunt, his long-suffering yet outspoken servants, Astrid’s brave and maturing sister, and even the delightful modiste. Every layer of this book is insightful, intriguing, and impossible to resist. I highly recommend this wonderful romance. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I adored the characters of Astrid and Thane, and that’s why I gave the book four stars. If you are looking for a true Regency, this is not it. There are sooo many things in this book that go against the rules of Regency, so just know that going in and the reason I wouldn’t give a higher than four stars. There is a great deal of back and forth, building angst but it went a bit too far for my liking.
Wow! Talk about an incredible book, this is it! Witty, romantic, sensual, dramatic, but mostly, spellbinding. I could not put it down. It is the story of Astrid, a beautiful young lady who will do anything to protect her sister, even marry the Beast of Beswick. Thane, the Beast of Beswick, is an ex-soldier who is severely scarred both inside and out. He is known for being a beast but Astrid will face him to protect her sister. The chemistry between these two is incredible. I loved all of the supporting characters in the book. If you love a good romance with some heat to it, definitely read this book! But not if you have to go to work the next day!
This is a wonderful romance about a man, severely scarred by the war, and the woman who eventually made him realize that he was worthy of love, especially hers. Thane has hid himself away from the world because of his scars and then Astrid shows up seeking protection for herself and her sister. Women at this time had no say about the path their lives would take and were entirely dependent upon the males in their lived. There are many ups and downs in their early marriage almost to the point of divorce but Thane had underestimated Astrid and her determination to stay in his life. Their story is well written and keeps you wondering what will happen next until there is a HEA. I loved their story and would highly recommend it as a great read.
Astrid Everleigh knows of only one man who can help her, the Beast of Beswick. Offering to catalog his Chinese porcelain collection to sale at auction isn’t the only thing she offers. Marriage to Thane, Duke of Beswick would protect Astrid and her sister if she can convince him to agree. Badly scared from his wounds in the war, Thane is the beast of dark moods with little love for himself. He’s definitely attracted to Astrid. She stands up to him and makes him laugh. But it is the sexual heat between them that starts to breakdown his barriers and gives Astrid hope. Spicy humor and hope for a dark Duke, set the stage for a very entertaining romance. I must admit the sexual banter was outstanding. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
The Beast of Beswick
Amalie Howard
https://www.facebook.com/AmalieHowardAuthor/
Release date 11/26/2019
Publisher Entangled Amara
Blurb :
Beauty and the Beast meets Taming of the Shrew in this laugh-out-loud and heartfelt Regency romance.
Lord Nathaniel Harte, the disagreeable Duke of Beswick, spends his days smashing porcelain, antagonizing his servants, and snarling at anyone who gets too close. With a ruined face like his, it’s hard to like much about the world. Especially smart-mouthed harpies—with lips better suited to kissing than speaking—who brave his castle with indecent proposals.
But Lady Astrid Everleigh will stop at nothing to see her younger sister safe from a notorious scoundrel, even if it means offering herself up on a silver platter to the forbidding Beast of Beswick himself. And by offer, she means what no highborn lady of sound and sensible mind would ever dream of—a tender of marriage with her as his bride.
My review :
To save her sister from a dreadful future, a woman is willing to marry a man renowned as a monster if necessary…
As Beauty and Beast is one of my favorite trope, I could not pass on this one book.
This is my second read of Mrs Amalie Howard’s work but my first as a single author as I have read one of her two voices stories with Angie Morgan.
My first feeling after finishing my reading is how it was such an angsty story. Each one of the main characters refuse ms to let the past go, they hold on their old grudge. While I could relate with Thane’s pain, I do think Astrid held for too long on her old grudge.
After it is this stubbornness which helps her to never give up on Thane, and she will have to be resilient as at every turn he pushes her away.
They spend most of their time sparing with words and when it is often caustic and witty, it is also painful at time when with barbs they wound one another.
Hanna is a very modern woman, her family gave her so much freedom, she was more raising like a boy than a girl, yet her younger self had dreams which were crushed because she refused to bend to her betrothed’s will. From this moment, she has decided she will never be under the thumb of a man, yet she forget in which period she lives.
Thane is a survivor but since he is also a ghost of his own self, he has retreated from all social life, as society is very unfair to those whom reminds it of its amnesia for those who risked their life and its inconstancies at accepting their wounded soldiers back.
Why he finally rejects everyone around him, unable to believe someone could see past his scars and love the man hiding behind.
And once they meet, it is only quarrel after verbal tussle, it is only in the bedroom they find a common ground and some peace. Still once the sun rises, they are back to their old way and struggle with their feelings.
It was an entertaining read, on the steamy side with two people unable to express their sentiments and hurting the other in the process.
4 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher but prior to it, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/497666767489166?d=n&sfns=mo
Wow! The Beast Of Beswick is a phenomenal historical romance by Amalie Howard. Ms. Howard has provided readers with a well-written book populated with a stellar cast of characters. I especially loved Aunt Mabel. Astrid was ruined during her first season by a man spreading lies about her because she turned him down. The same man now is back and after her younger sister. Thane, Duke of Beswick, horribly scarred from the war has no plans to ever marry or have children. Thane and Astrid’s story is loaded with drama, humor, steamy sex, action and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Amalie Howard in the future. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.