Title: Loving an Ugly Beast
Series: Fairy Tales & Ever Afters
Author: Danielle Monsch
Read copy: eBook (Kindle)
Published: February 13, 2013
Publisher: Romantic Geek Publishing
ASIN: B00BFKBB3Y
Once upon a Time, in a Kingdom that was just a little twisted (oh yeah, and kinda far away), Fairy Godmothers Rule! Elf Kings drool, and two people were pondering the question—What makes a Beauty, and what makes a Beast?
Too bad they didn't bother to share their answers with each other...
Known as Beast in his village for both his hulking size and multitude of scars, Benton long ago resigned himself to a life without love. He was content with his solitary existence—that is, until Nissa entered his life, and suddenly this beast wanted to become a beauty.
Plain and plain-spoken, Nissa came to the village three years ago looking for a fresh start and a quiet life. She had both until the day her friend Benton disappears and a new man arrives at the village—handsome, charming, and intent on courting her. Which is very strange, because since when does a beauty want a beast?
A Fairy Godmother comes a'callin and grants Benton his wish. Now the Beastly Benton is the Beautiful Byron, and our B intends to use this new identity to make Nissa fall in love with him. However, scars don't have to be visible to exist. Will Nissa's past destroy any chance of their Happily Ever After?
My rating:
They call him the beast for his hulking figure and his many scars, but his taciturn, solitary nature hides a big heart that beats for one woman only; his friend, the only one who doesn't look at him with disgust or pity, Nissa. She might be plain, but she's prefect to him, yet he knows she'll never love him. So he quickly jumps at the opportunity to be different in order to woo her.
Fairy Godmother Sara grants him his wish and turns him into beautiful Byron, a man women fight over...Except Nissa, who misses the man she came to love, the only man who never cared what she looked like—Benton.
I liked the premise, the little twist on the well-known fairy tale that had yet another surprising twist to it toward the end. Didn't see that one coming, but it was interesting, if a little heart-breaking.
Unfortunately, the story didn't quite work for me. I liked the two protagonists, although I found the heroine, Nissa, a little offputting in her aversion and prejudice toward beauty, and her inability or unwillingness to see her self-worth beyond her exterior. The same could be said about Benton, but the guy at least realized there's something to be said about his true looks compared to his puny new exterior.
Also, the many plot elements made the story come across as a little convoluted; there was just too much going on with the two wishes being granted, and I didn't really feel the romantic connection between them. The two were more like best friends exploring the possibility of benefits than a couple in love.
3 stars, Danielle Monsch, historical, historical romance, paranormal, paranormal romance, short story/novella
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