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Tales of the Underlight #2
How Beauty Saved the Beast
Jolie Benoit left her old life behind to become an agent of the Underlight. Training under Sergeant Wesley Haukon, she's honing her combat skills, all the while coping with the intense sexual attraction she feels for Hauk. She keeps their friendship casual, but when his high school sweetheart transfers into their division, Jolie finds herself grappling with jealousy.
The Underlight gave Hauk a purpose, but he can't escape his past completely. The physical and emotional scars from the fire that killed seven fellow Army Rangers will mark him forever. Jolie sends his protective instincts into overdrive, but he's convinced he'll never be worthy of her love.
Hauk is determined to keep Jolie from harm. But when the Order of Ananke ambushes them with a new weapon that neutralizes Hauk, making him vulnerable, it's Jolie who must tap into her hidden strengths to rescue him--or risk losing him forever...
The Underlight gave Hauk a purpose, but he can't escape his past completely. The physical and emotional scars from the fire that killed seven fellow Army Rangers will mark him forever. Jolie sends his protective instincts into overdrive, but he's convinced he'll never be worthy of her love.
Hauk is determined to keep Jolie from harm. But when the Order of Ananke ambushes them with a new weapon that neutralizes Hauk, making him vulnerable, it's Jolie who must tap into her hidden strengths to rescue him--or risk losing him forever...
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2013
8 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Jax Garren
19 books220 followersJax Garren is the author of hot, urban paranormal romance like the Austin Immortals and the Tales of the Underlight. Though descended from Valkyries and Vikings (she’s part Swedish), Jax was raised a small town girl in the Texas Hill Country. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in English and a minor in Latin then found her own Happily Ever After with a handsome engineer who is saving the world through clean energy technology. Jax can be found at jaxgarren.com, at facebook.com/JaxGarren or on Twitter as @JCGarren. She loves meeting new people, so online or in person, make sure to give her a Viking “Hail!” adventure, and love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
March 17, 2013
**Find this and other reviews at The Demon Librarian**.
Before I get started with my review, I must give a quick shout-out to the cover artist. Whoever you are, you deserve a bazillion gold stars. I adore the covers for this series. They are absolutely gorgeous and totally eye-catching. Job well done!
What's behind the cover is pretty darn good too. All the characters I fell in love with in How Beauty Met The Beast (check out my review of book 1 here) are back and in fine form, making me laugh and sigh and cheer, and completely catching me up in their lives and adventures.
Some things have changed since the last book. Jolie is still performing at the Pussy Will-Oh! but she's also training to become a full agent for the Underlight. Her friendship with the scarred and very swoon-worthy Wesley Haukon (Hauk) is slowly but surely heating up, and of course, the Order of Ananke remains the bane of all their existences. Only this time, the Order is targeting Hauk specifically, and it's up to Jolie and company to figure out what the heck is going on and how to stop it. If they don't, they could lose Hauk for good.
There's a lot of page time devoted to Hauk and Jolie's budding relationship. They are a classic case of opposites attract, with Jolie's spunky, outgoing personality a direct contrast to Hauk's quieter nature and his ingrained wariness. Yet despite their obvious differences, they are drawn to each other like magnets. But can they, should they, take things to the next level? Will it ruin their friendship? Doubts and insecurities abound, and the sudden appearance of someone from Hauk's past doesn't help matters any.
Certain aspects of the plot are too predictable, and I did grow a little frustrated with all the romantic drama, mostly because I am impatient for Hauk and Jolie to get together. I've been rooting for them from the get-go, and I am more than ready for them to make the leap into coupledom. So sue me, lol.
What I love best about this book (and the entire series) is its enchanting cast of main and supporting characters. I just plain like these people. Well, everyone except those Ananke bastards, lol. I am not at all ashamed to admit that I growled like a grumpy dog when I reached the end of How Beauty Saved The Beast, because it meant my Hauk and Jolie time was over until the next book.
This is a wonderful series, folks, and I really can't recommend it enough. The third and final installment, How Beauty Loved The Beast, releases in a few short months (May 2013) so you've got plenty of time to catch up and read the first two books before then. Get on it!
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Before I get started with my review, I must give a quick shout-out to the cover artist. Whoever you are, you deserve a bazillion gold stars. I adore the covers for this series. They are absolutely gorgeous and totally eye-catching. Job well done!
What's behind the cover is pretty darn good too. All the characters I fell in love with in How Beauty Met The Beast (check out my review of book 1 here) are back and in fine form, making me laugh and sigh and cheer, and completely catching me up in their lives and adventures.
Some things have changed since the last book. Jolie is still performing at the Pussy Will-Oh! but she's also training to become a full agent for the Underlight. Her friendship with the scarred and very swoon-worthy Wesley Haukon (Hauk) is slowly but surely heating up, and of course, the Order of Ananke remains the bane of all their existences. Only this time, the Order is targeting Hauk specifically, and it's up to Jolie and company to figure out what the heck is going on and how to stop it. If they don't, they could lose Hauk for good.
There's a lot of page time devoted to Hauk and Jolie's budding relationship. They are a classic case of opposites attract, with Jolie's spunky, outgoing personality a direct contrast to Hauk's quieter nature and his ingrained wariness. Yet despite their obvious differences, they are drawn to each other like magnets. But can they, should they, take things to the next level? Will it ruin their friendship? Doubts and insecurities abound, and the sudden appearance of someone from Hauk's past doesn't help matters any.
Certain aspects of the plot are too predictable, and I did grow a little frustrated with all the romantic drama, mostly because I am impatient for Hauk and Jolie to get together. I've been rooting for them from the get-go, and I am more than ready for them to make the leap into coupledom. So sue me, lol.
What I love best about this book (and the entire series) is its enchanting cast of main and supporting characters. I just plain like these people. Well, everyone except those Ananke bastards, lol. I am not at all ashamed to admit that I growled like a grumpy dog when I reached the end of How Beauty Saved The Beast, because it meant my Hauk and Jolie time was over until the next book.
This is a wonderful series, folks, and I really can't recommend it enough. The third and final installment, How Beauty Loved The Beast, releases in a few short months (May 2013) so you've got plenty of time to catch up and read the first two books before then. Get on it!
3.5 Stars ★★★1/2
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2013
No lie, I was ridiculously enraptured by book 1. The world, the characters, the damage that Hauk has had to live with... all of it caught me up in its orbit and wouldn't let go. Book 2 is light on the sexy times (no worries, guys, there's plenty of tension and a few hotty hotty hot hot kisses.) but it was still a heavy hitter in the overall world and the build-up of Hauk and Jolie's eventual relationship.
As long as I'm talking about their relationship... I really, really dig how they're both circling how badly they want one another. Jolie's "we're just friends" is hilarious because, yeah, they are but there's so much more there, too. And Hauk? I just want to cry for him and the way he tries to be so stoic about his scars and how he looks while you could practically feels him shriveling up inside whenever someone flinched away from him.
I loathed Ashley for throwing a wrench in the Hauk/Jolie dynamic from her first appearance, loved some of the answers we're getting about Hauk and his rages, and want to see how these two crazy kids are going to defeat the bad guys and get their HEA. MORE, PLEASE!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
As long as I'm talking about their relationship... I really, really dig how they're both circling how badly they want one another. Jolie's "we're just friends" is hilarious because, yeah, they are but there's so much more there, too. And Hauk? I just want to cry for him and the way he tries to be so stoic about his scars and how he looks while you could practically feels him shriveling up inside whenever someone flinched away from him.
I loathed Ashley for throwing a wrench in the Hauk/Jolie dynamic from her first appearance, loved some of the answers we're getting about Hauk and his rages, and want to see how these two crazy kids are going to defeat the bad guys and get their HEA. MORE, PLEASE!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
February 20, 2013
Five stars easily awarded to this book, I loved it.
What did I love you ask, the writing flowed so well, the characthers Jolie was strong and colourful, Hauk omg hauk, our scarred hero but so damn hot and caring and soft at same time. I have to say I hate Ashley with a passion (the ex). The background characthers were very interesting too. The story was exciting, filled with emotion, attraction and lusty feelings (this is not an erotic book), also magic but that's not overdone and secret society's.
If I had book 3 to read now I would start it straight away! I have to point out this is book 2 of 3, and I did not read book 1 but picked up enough in the story, but as I enjoyed it so much, how much better would it have been if I'd read book 1 first........
I haven't really told you about the story, and I don't want to, you'll have to read it yourself.
**i received this book from the publisher via netgalley for an honest review**
March 4, 2013
This is just SO GOOD. The relationship stuff was EXCELLENT and there was really cool plot progression, too.
WANT MORE NOW NOW NOW!
Edit: I got too excited to talk about this! But! I think this book is a really good demonstration of how to write misunderstandings. They're not really misunderstandings, but misinterpretations. Both characters are unsure of themselves--you know, like normal human beings are!--so sometimes they jump to the wrong conclusions. It's just very real. And they're smoothed out quickly, so it never gets annoying.
WANT MORE NOW NOW NOW!
Edit: I got too excited to talk about this! But! I think this book is a really good demonstration of how to write misunderstandings. They're not really misunderstandings, but misinterpretations. Both characters are unsure of themselves--you know, like normal human beings are!--so sometimes they jump to the wrong conclusions. It's just very real. And they're smoothed out quickly, so it never gets annoying.
July 29, 2016
Well, at least I am almost satisfied with how much Jolie suffered when Hauk's ex showed up. I really didn't like her in the first book. Yes, we know he is scarred! Yes, we know she is beautiful!
I think how she felt is well deserved. Hauk is a great guy and I am rating this a bit higher because of Jolie's sister. I hope I will like the third more.
I think how she felt is well deserved. Hauk is a great guy and I am rating this a bit higher because of Jolie's sister. I hope I will like the third more.
December 20, 2018
Guess who signed up for a free trial of Audible’s Romance package?
Me. It’s me. *dances with her headphones on*
Looks like I’m ending 2018 by overindulging in smutty-sweet stories. calorie-free, guilt-free guilty pleasures, here I come.
As far as this story’s concerned? I’m enjoying the series. I’m sort of a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, so ...
Me. It’s me. *dances with her headphones on*
Looks like I’m ending 2018 by overindulging in smutty-sweet stories. calorie-free, guilt-free guilty pleasures, here I come.
As far as this story’s concerned? I’m enjoying the series. I’m sort of a sucker for Beauty and the Beast retellings, so ...
January 22, 2013
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
There are many authors releasing books I want to read this year, but the list of books I am watching, eagerly anticipating, forcing myself to sit patiently for is remarkably short. On that list was Jax Garren's sophomore release, How Beauty Saved the Beast. The second installment of the Tales of the Underlight Series and follow-up to last year's How Beauty Met the Beast. I dropped every other book I was reading when I received this book from Netgalley, downloading it on my lunch break and working my way through the first few chapters before going back to work.
I am not above admitting the opening made me baulk a little as I expected a smoother transition from book one to two, but other than that I have no complaints. Garren set the bar high with her debut and easily matched my expectations with its sequel, continuing to develop Hauk, Jolie and their relationship against the backdrop of war between the Underlight and the mysterious Order of Ananke.
I gushed about the leads in my previous review. This time around I want to draw attention to a particularly notable member of the supporting cast: Catrina. I rarely come across transvestites in my literary wanderings and when I do I find them rather comically depicted. Perhaps other authors allow their perceptions to dictate the nature of their characters or perhaps they find the material awkward and/or intimidating. Garren struggles with neither, creating strength where others show weakness, sophistication and confidence where I usually see simplicity and levity.
Another thing I love about this book is how it makes you think. Ashley's journey in particular highlights the question of how we define good from evil and how that question is not always as clear cut as we like to imagine.
Finally I want to touch on how the author treats magic. Traditionally it requires no definition or explanation, it simply is. Here again Garren takes initiative and offers the reader something more than expected, incorporating Norse mythology into her work, seamlessly weaving the legend of the einherjar with the steampunk urban fantasy she created under the streets of Austin.
Garren's imaginative story is matched only by the brilliance of her pen. How Beauty Saved the Beast is a most satisfying follow-up to its predecessor, an absolute must read.
There are many authors releasing books I want to read this year, but the list of books I am watching, eagerly anticipating, forcing myself to sit patiently for is remarkably short. On that list was Jax Garren's sophomore release, How Beauty Saved the Beast. The second installment of the Tales of the Underlight Series and follow-up to last year's How Beauty Met the Beast. I dropped every other book I was reading when I received this book from Netgalley, downloading it on my lunch break and working my way through the first few chapters before going back to work.
I am not above admitting the opening made me baulk a little as I expected a smoother transition from book one to two, but other than that I have no complaints. Garren set the bar high with her debut and easily matched my expectations with its sequel, continuing to develop Hauk, Jolie and their relationship against the backdrop of war between the Underlight and the mysterious Order of Ananke.
I gushed about the leads in my previous review. This time around I want to draw attention to a particularly notable member of the supporting cast: Catrina. I rarely come across transvestites in my literary wanderings and when I do I find them rather comically depicted. Perhaps other authors allow their perceptions to dictate the nature of their characters or perhaps they find the material awkward and/or intimidating. Garren struggles with neither, creating strength where others show weakness, sophistication and confidence where I usually see simplicity and levity.
Another thing I love about this book is how it makes you think. Ashley's journey in particular highlights the question of how we define good from evil and how that question is not always as clear cut as we like to imagine.
Finally I want to touch on how the author treats magic. Traditionally it requires no definition or explanation, it simply is. Here again Garren takes initiative and offers the reader something more than expected, incorporating Norse mythology into her work, seamlessly weaving the legend of the einherjar with the steampunk urban fantasy she created under the streets of Austin.
Garren's imaginative story is matched only by the brilliance of her pen. How Beauty Saved the Beast is a most satisfying follow-up to its predecessor, an absolute must read.
May 11, 2013
Book 2 of the Tales of the Underlight is even better than Book 1. Jolie is now a member of the Underlight and she had been training under Hauk in order to prepare herself for mission. But don't worry she still works as a Burlesque dancer! That woman is seriously hot and spunky. I'm glad whiny brat Whitney is no longer in the picture, I can't stand that kid. This time Travis, who we knew from Book 1 that worked as Jolie's apartment valet, become a more prominent character. Together with Brayden, Christin, Mercy and LaRoche, we had a whole cast of Underlight members who are truly loyal and great friends of Hauk.
From the ending of Book 1, Jolie and Hauk had formed a tight friendship during their mission of saving Whitney. She admire his bravery and strength and know that behind his severely scarred body, is a good man. While, Hauk still had a big crush on this girl, he is happy enough to be her best friend. In Book 2, we had some generic couple drama, the appearance of ex. Although it might be a tad generic and overdone in the old days, I'm totally soaking it up. Ashley, Hauk's ex-fiancee appearance at the Underlight really causes some serious jealousy problem and make Jolie realize her feelings for Hauk. Meanwhile, Paul, the rock star and also Jolie's ex-lover also came to add in more conflict. I wanted to pull away both Ashley and Paul and ask them to get the hell away. I kept twisting my Kindle while reading this train-wreck scenario and keep shouting 'talk to him/her already' in my mind. The tension build up is heart palpating. And when the words is finally out, I breathe a big sigh of relief.
We know that our Hauk can turned into a Hulk when he is in rage, minus the green body. After the rage, he will end up in a dead sleep and wake up with no knowledge of what had happen. The evil Ananke had finally found a magical weapon that can weaken Hauk fighting ability and they wanted to capture him for scientific study. Meanwhile, the truth of the fire that causes Hauk to be in current condition with his comrades all dead is starting to sneak out. It starting to resemble a plot of conspiracy theory to me. Everything is not what it seems.
There isn't any cliffhanger here, but of course many things are still unresolved pertaining the Ananke's evil scheme. I'm happy with how things ended Jolie and Hauk though. The third and final book 'When Beauty Loved the Beast' will be out on May 13.
From the ending of Book 1, Jolie and Hauk had formed a tight friendship during their mission of saving Whitney. She admire his bravery and strength and know that behind his severely scarred body, is a good man. While, Hauk still had a big crush on this girl, he is happy enough to be her best friend. In Book 2, we had some generic couple drama, the appearance of ex. Although it might be a tad generic and overdone in the old days, I'm totally soaking it up. Ashley, Hauk's ex-fiancee appearance at the Underlight really causes some serious jealousy problem and make Jolie realize her feelings for Hauk. Meanwhile, Paul, the rock star and also Jolie's ex-lover also came to add in more conflict. I wanted to pull away both Ashley and Paul and ask them to get the hell away. I kept twisting my Kindle while reading this train-wreck scenario and keep shouting 'talk to him/her already' in my mind. The tension build up is heart palpating. And when the words is finally out, I breathe a big sigh of relief.
We know that our Hauk can turned into a Hulk when he is in rage, minus the green body. After the rage, he will end up in a dead sleep and wake up with no knowledge of what had happen. The evil Ananke had finally found a magical weapon that can weaken Hauk fighting ability and they wanted to capture him for scientific study. Meanwhile, the truth of the fire that causes Hauk to be in current condition with his comrades all dead is starting to sneak out. It starting to resemble a plot of conspiracy theory to me. Everything is not what it seems.
There isn't any cliffhanger here, but of course many things are still unresolved pertaining the Ananke's evil scheme. I'm happy with how things ended Jolie and Hauk though. The third and final book 'When Beauty Loved the Beast' will be out on May 13.
March 25, 2013
Although I wasn't as impressed as two of my friends (Katie and Nadine) with book #1, I was willing to try the sequel because they both said that it was better. Well, it WAS...
What I loved the most about this novella was the progress of the romance. The story in here happened two months after the event in book #1. However, Jolie and Hauk weren't "there" yet; in a relationship, I mean. And what happened with them, in the romance department, felt fresh...
I loved it that Jolie was the one being adorably jealous when Hauk's ex came (she called her "munchkin", petite little Saint-Ashley, MEE-OWWW indeed!). It was too often for me to read the hero being all possessive Alpha, so I approved of this. Jolie wasn't bitchy though, she was jealous, but she also quite level-headed with her jealousy. That was why it was adorable to read.
I knew that Hauk's worries about his scars was the one stopping him from going out with Jolie. But I also loved the fact that he didn't, well, all emo/lingered over it. He still determined to ask Jolie out because he knew that Jolie was different. So angst level was low, and again, I approved.
The one with Ashley was slightly predictable. But I was happy that Ms. Garren decided that there was more story to it (). In fact, it would be cute if Brayden ended up with the munchkin, wouldn't it?
I wasn't into the magic thing, though ... one particular clue () just got lost on me. Maybe I wasn't paying that good of attention.
So yes, I already loved both characters, but I thought with this line over here, I must say that "Hauk, you were bloody awesome!!"
“So? A pretty woman is a pretty woman, and sue us, we like to look. I don’t care how Jolie dresses or what she does for fun. She’s going to get stared at, and I’m okay with that. The important part, the part I want, is that she comes home with me.” (Hauk, Chapter 6)
What I loved the most about this novella was the progress of the romance. The story in here happened two months after the event in book #1. However, Jolie and Hauk weren't "there" yet; in a relationship, I mean. And what happened with them, in the romance department, felt fresh...
I loved it that Jolie was the one being adorably jealous when Hauk's ex came (she called her "munchkin", petite little Saint-Ashley, MEE-OWWW indeed!). It was too often for me to read the hero being all possessive Alpha, so I approved of this. Jolie wasn't bitchy though, she was jealous, but she also quite level-headed with her jealousy. That was why it was adorable to read.
I knew that Hauk's worries about his scars was the one stopping him from going out with Jolie. But I also loved the fact that he didn't, well, all emo/lingered over it. He still determined to ask Jolie out because he knew that Jolie was different. So angst level was low, and again, I approved.
The one with Ashley was slightly predictable. But I was happy that Ms. Garren decided that there was more story to it (). In fact, it would be cute if Brayden ended up with the munchkin, wouldn't it?
I wasn't into the magic thing, though ... one particular clue () just got lost on me. Maybe I wasn't paying that good of attention.
So yes, I already loved both characters, but I thought with this line over here, I must say that "Hauk, you were bloody awesome!!"
“So? A pretty woman is a pretty woman, and sue us, we like to look. I don’t care how Jolie dresses or what she does for fun. She’s going to get stared at, and I’m okay with that. The important part, the part I want, is that she comes home with me.” (Hauk, Chapter 6)
February 10, 2013
4.5 Stars
These novellas are like little pieces of crack. They entice me, they consume me, then when I am soaring on the high it gives me... it's over... and I'm left fiending for my next hit. Which doesn't come for five long months. I'm already getting the shakes.
First of all, if you haven't read How Beauty Met the Beast, start there. You're lucky. You can read these two back-to-back. For returning readers, this one picks up a couple months from where the last book left off. Jolie has been training with Hauk and is now embarking on her first mission with the Underlight. A near-death incident throws the two of them into an embrace that almost leads to more. From there, their relationship begins to evolve from friendship into something more.
Basically, this installment is all about how Jolie's feelings are changing and how Hauk copes with it. Yes, there is still action and violence, betrayals, magic, and secret cults. But let's be real, people. This is about Hauk and Jolie. I want to see these two together so bad it hurts!!
Jax Garren has created this amazing, wounded, powerful, vulnerable hero with Hauk. She doesn't pull any punches with his appearance though. He is horribly disfigured and she paints such a stark picture of his looks, there is no fooling yourself about how bad it really is. Which makes it all the more poignant. It makes you adore Jolie because she sees the man, not the scars, the piercings, and the tattoos. We'd all like to believe we could do the same, but could we? If we really could, the story wouldn't have the same kind of impact.
It's not perfect. I had a hard time with the misunderstandings on both sides. But then I remind myself what a short period of time passed in these pages. I just want them together, and I want it now! (*whimpers*) And May is so far away....
I couldn't put it down.
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
These novellas are like little pieces of crack. They entice me, they consume me, then when I am soaring on the high it gives me... it's over... and I'm left fiending for my next hit. Which doesn't come for five long months. I'm already getting the shakes.
First of all, if you haven't read How Beauty Met the Beast, start there. You're lucky. You can read these two back-to-back. For returning readers, this one picks up a couple months from where the last book left off. Jolie has been training with Hauk and is now embarking on her first mission with the Underlight. A near-death incident throws the two of them into an embrace that almost leads to more. From there, their relationship begins to evolve from friendship into something more.
Basically, this installment is all about how Jolie's feelings are changing and how Hauk copes with it. Yes, there is still action and violence, betrayals, magic, and secret cults. But let's be real, people. This is about Hauk and Jolie. I want to see these two together so bad it hurts!!
Jax Garren has created this amazing, wounded, powerful, vulnerable hero with Hauk. She doesn't pull any punches with his appearance though. He is horribly disfigured and she paints such a stark picture of his looks, there is no fooling yourself about how bad it really is. Which makes it all the more poignant. It makes you adore Jolie because she sees the man, not the scars, the piercings, and the tattoos. We'd all like to believe we could do the same, but could we? If we really could, the story wouldn't have the same kind of impact.
It's not perfect. I had a hard time with the misunderstandings on both sides. But then I remind myself what a short period of time passed in these pages. I just want them together, and I want it now! (*whimpers*) And May is so far away....
I couldn't put it down.
Rating: B+
*ARC Provided by Carina Press via NetGalley
January 17, 2013
Jolie Benoit has now joined the Underlight. The Underlight is a secret organization, its main goal is to neutralize the Ananke. The Ananke is a goddess worshipping group of magical users that is intent on world domination and control at any cost.
Wesley Haukon, Hauk, is her trainer. An ex-military sergeant, Hauk was badly disfigured by fire. The circumstances around the accident that killed his squad and destroyed his appearance are questionable at best, but Hauk has been tried and found guilty for the death and murder of his squad and is now hiding in the Underlight.
Hauk and Jolie have some serious communication issues but one thing is for certain, the sexual attraction between them is combustible. Hauk wants to protect Jolie from any harm and Jolie just wants to be one of the team.
The Ananke is once again after Hauk and Jolie must rely on her inner strength and new found friendships to save her friend.
There is just something about Jax Garren’s writing the pulls me in. I get completely riveted to her story telling. The twist on Beauty and the Beast and not what you would expect and I am definitely thrilled with her adaptation. Jolie is from a rich family, who has deep ties in the Ananke’s ranks. Hauk is from a poorer upbringing, with an mysterious super human ability. I loved watching these two wonderful characters develop and their relationship grow. Now that I’ve read 2 books in this series its official, I’m a full fledge fan!
This ARC copy of How Beauty Saved the Beast was given to me by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date February 11, 2013.
Wesley Haukon, Hauk, is her trainer. An ex-military sergeant, Hauk was badly disfigured by fire. The circumstances around the accident that killed his squad and destroyed his appearance are questionable at best, but Hauk has been tried and found guilty for the death and murder of his squad and is now hiding in the Underlight.
Hauk and Jolie have some serious communication issues but one thing is for certain, the sexual attraction between them is combustible. Hauk wants to protect Jolie from any harm and Jolie just wants to be one of the team.
The Ananke is once again after Hauk and Jolie must rely on her inner strength and new found friendships to save her friend.
There is just something about Jax Garren’s writing the pulls me in. I get completely riveted to her story telling. The twist on Beauty and the Beast and not what you would expect and I am definitely thrilled with her adaptation. Jolie is from a rich family, who has deep ties in the Ananke’s ranks. Hauk is from a poorer upbringing, with an mysterious super human ability. I loved watching these two wonderful characters develop and their relationship grow. Now that I’ve read 2 books in this series its official, I’m a full fledge fan!
This ARC copy of How Beauty Saved the Beast was given to me by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. Publish Date February 11, 2013.
April 10, 2014
It gets better and better ;d
September 30, 2018
Actual Rating: 4.25
This was an enjoyable read. This one was better than the first book in my opinion. I like the fact that Jolie is now an agent of the Underlight. Also, I thought the chemistry between Hauk and herself was really great. There was action, and some twists and turns in the story. I thought the ending was fantastic. I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book, How Beauty Loved the Beast. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. This one was better than the first book in my opinion. I like the fact that Jolie is now an agent of the Underlight. Also, I thought the chemistry between Hauk and herself was really great. There was action, and some twists and turns in the story. I thought the ending was fantastic. I cannot wait to see what happens in the last book, How Beauty Loved the Beast. Overall, a great read.
February 7, 2013
*ARC provided by Netgalley
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-how-be...
I reviewed How Beauty Met the Beast , book one in the Tales of the Underlight series, back in November and have waited, somewhat grumpily, for the next installment to arrive to find out what happens with Jolie and Hauk. I say grumpily because I wasn’t a huge fan of the almost novella sized books being split up into three installments over six months. However, I really enjoyed this new urban fantasy take on Beauty and the Beast and have been anticipating returning to this world.
If the first book was about Jolie and Hauk meeting and forming a friendship, How Beauty Saved the Beast is all about them figuring out if friendship is how they want to define their relationship or if they want more from each other. There is an intense attraction for one another, even if neither one knows how to go about moving to the next level. Since we last saw her, Jolie has joined the Underlight as an agent and is now training under Hauk. Not sure why she’s been “training” under Hauk since Jolie is kind of a bad ass… a limber, high-flying, smart mouthed, loyal, intelligent bad ass. My favorite kind of a heroine. Hauk has been working with her on her fighting skills and teaching her what to do in sticky situations. She doesn’t always listen being more of a take charge kind of girl when Hauk would rather her stay back in the car and keep safe. These situations create a sexual tension between them that has them dancing around each other and their feelings.
Hauk’s past catches up with him when an old girlfriend transfers to the Austin chapter of the Underlight and Jolie’s reaction to her cracked me up:
Between her jealousy over his old girlfriend and his insecurity over how he expects her to react to his looks there’s a whole lot of misunderstanding going on and not many sexy times, but I’d like to think of this as foreplay for the next book.
The Order of the Ananke make an appearance and we get to learn more about Hauk’s background both with them and what happened in his accident. Hauk is still a wonderful beast, strong yet insecure, gentle yet capable of berserker like rages when his girl is threatened. He and Jolie have such a wonderful chemistry, they snap at and argue with each other, joke back and forth, but always seem to keep each other in their thoughts first. Even when new information comes to light regarding Hauk and his accident that makes him look guilty, Jolie doesn’t think twice about going after him when he needs to be saved.
I ended up enjoying this one much more than the first, and have no idea how I’m going to wait until May for How Beauty Loved the Beast. Final Grade: B-
Favorite Quote:
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-how-be...
I reviewed How Beauty Met the Beast , book one in the Tales of the Underlight series, back in November and have waited, somewhat grumpily, for the next installment to arrive to find out what happens with Jolie and Hauk. I say grumpily because I wasn’t a huge fan of the almost novella sized books being split up into three installments over six months. However, I really enjoyed this new urban fantasy take on Beauty and the Beast and have been anticipating returning to this world.
If the first book was about Jolie and Hauk meeting and forming a friendship, How Beauty Saved the Beast is all about them figuring out if friendship is how they want to define their relationship or if they want more from each other. There is an intense attraction for one another, even if neither one knows how to go about moving to the next level. Since we last saw her, Jolie has joined the Underlight as an agent and is now training under Hauk. Not sure why she’s been “training” under Hauk since Jolie is kind of a bad ass… a limber, high-flying, smart mouthed, loyal, intelligent bad ass. My favorite kind of a heroine. Hauk has been working with her on her fighting skills and teaching her what to do in sticky situations. She doesn’t always listen being more of a take charge kind of girl when Hauk would rather her stay back in the car and keep safe. These situations create a sexual tension between them that has them dancing around each other and their feelings.
Hauk’s past catches up with him when an old girlfriend transfers to the Austin chapter of the Underlight and Jolie’s reaction to her cracked me up:
“She’s like a midget compared to him. No, that’s rude. Like a leprechaun.”
Catrina, the manager of the Pussy Will-Oh! Burlesque, nodded sagely and applied glue to the second lash for her.
Jolie took it with a huff and bent back to the mirror. “Wait ’til you see them together. It’s ridiculous. How did they even dance at prom? Did she wear stilts? So sure, Hauk’s taller than me, but at least he can reach my shoulders without doing a full squat.”
Between her jealousy over his old girlfriend and his insecurity over how he expects her to react to his looks there’s a whole lot of misunderstanding going on and not many sexy times, but I’d like to think of this as foreplay for the next book.
The Order of the Ananke make an appearance and we get to learn more about Hauk’s background both with them and what happened in his accident. Hauk is still a wonderful beast, strong yet insecure, gentle yet capable of berserker like rages when his girl is threatened. He and Jolie have such a wonderful chemistry, they snap at and argue with each other, joke back and forth, but always seem to keep each other in their thoughts first. Even when new information comes to light regarding Hauk and his accident that makes him look guilty, Jolie doesn’t think twice about going after him when he needs to be saved.
I ended up enjoying this one much more than the first, and have no idea how I’m going to wait until May for How Beauty Loved the Beast. Final Grade: B-
Favorite Quote:
“– I realized it had to be you.” She leaned over him until her cheek barely brushed his, and her lips were right next to his ear. “Your hands. Your mouth. You.”
February 7, 2013
Book 2 in the Tales of the Underlight series, How Beauty Saved the Beast was a fantastic sequel and I enjoyed this book more than the first. The first was an introduction to the Underlight and how Hauk and Jolie first met. This book was had more action, more romantic tension and more mystery. It just had more and I loved it all. This is a fast paced action adventure with romance and Ms Garren’s writing style is so addictive that I couldn’t stop turning the pages just to see if Hauk and Jolie finally get together.
Jolie is a Burlesque dancer from a family that is extremely wealthy and is in high political standing. But Jolie’s Father is head of the Order of Ananke, a cult that is trying to take over the world. Jolie had no idea growing up that her Father was involved and only found out two months ago.
Hauk is ex-military, a fugitive and the best defence that The Underlight has against the Order of Ananke. Hauk was severely hurt during his last stint in Afghanistan, with burns covering most of his body and also losing most of a leg. Hauk is scarred horribly and when he is in a fight, goes into a “RAGE” where he actually blacks out, but the beast emerges and Hauk is unstoppable. He doesn’t seem to feel pain and has super healing abilities, but doesn’t know friend from foe, except for Jolie. He knows to protect her at all costs.
Jolie has come to terms with Hauk’s scars and doesn’t even notice them anymore. She knows the man inside is the most warm hearted and caring person she has ever met and is trying to work out where her feelings for Haul are. Hauk can only think about Jolie, every day and every night Jolie is always on his mind. He is determined to have her for himself and is trying to work up the courage to ask her out. But can he overcome his own fears of letting Jolie touch his scars, trusting her fully and realising she likes him for the man inside?
Hauk’s childhood sweetheart, Ashley gets a transfer to the Austin Underlight branch, Jolie is extremely jealous and realises she does have feelings for Hauk, but is not certain what kind of relationship Hauk and Ashley have. Ashley is everything Jolie isn’t and that angers her even more.
The Order of Ananke has been trying to capture Hauk and turn him into a baddie. They are experimenting on Hauk to try and get him out of his rages; they have no idea how to stop him. Jolie has been training with Hauk so she is able to help him and she has to find the strength within herself and overcome her fears in order to do so.
Follow along with Jolie and Hauk as they decide where their feeling lie and if they can overcome their own fears. Can Jolie rescue Hauk from himself and the Order of Ananke? Who will betray them all and discover how to stop Hauk’s rages? Will Jolie and Hauk finally get together and stop all the tension between them? Watch as they both discover their own strength for loyalty and what it means to be a friend. This was a fantastic sequel and I cannot wait for book 3, How Beauty Loved the Beast that is due out in May 2013.
Jolie is a Burlesque dancer from a family that is extremely wealthy and is in high political standing. But Jolie’s Father is head of the Order of Ananke, a cult that is trying to take over the world. Jolie had no idea growing up that her Father was involved and only found out two months ago.
Hauk is ex-military, a fugitive and the best defence that The Underlight has against the Order of Ananke. Hauk was severely hurt during his last stint in Afghanistan, with burns covering most of his body and also losing most of a leg. Hauk is scarred horribly and when he is in a fight, goes into a “RAGE” where he actually blacks out, but the beast emerges and Hauk is unstoppable. He doesn’t seem to feel pain and has super healing abilities, but doesn’t know friend from foe, except for Jolie. He knows to protect her at all costs.
Jolie has come to terms with Hauk’s scars and doesn’t even notice them anymore. She knows the man inside is the most warm hearted and caring person she has ever met and is trying to work out where her feelings for Haul are. Hauk can only think about Jolie, every day and every night Jolie is always on his mind. He is determined to have her for himself and is trying to work up the courage to ask her out. But can he overcome his own fears of letting Jolie touch his scars, trusting her fully and realising she likes him for the man inside?
Hauk’s childhood sweetheart, Ashley gets a transfer to the Austin Underlight branch, Jolie is extremely jealous and realises she does have feelings for Hauk, but is not certain what kind of relationship Hauk and Ashley have. Ashley is everything Jolie isn’t and that angers her even more.
The Order of Ananke has been trying to capture Hauk and turn him into a baddie. They are experimenting on Hauk to try and get him out of his rages; they have no idea how to stop him. Jolie has been training with Hauk so she is able to help him and she has to find the strength within herself and overcome her fears in order to do so.
Follow along with Jolie and Hauk as they decide where their feeling lie and if they can overcome their own fears. Can Jolie rescue Hauk from himself and the Order of Ananke? Who will betray them all and discover how to stop Hauk’s rages? Will Jolie and Hauk finally get together and stop all the tension between them? Watch as they both discover their own strength for loyalty and what it means to be a friend. This was a fantastic sequel and I cannot wait for book 3, How Beauty Loved the Beast that is due out in May 2013.
January 26, 2013
The story picks up 2 months after How Beauty Met the Beast. Jolie's joined the Underlight and Hauk is training her to handle herself in the field. They are still in the friend territory but there is still that spark there between the two. However, Jolie feels threatened when Hauk's ex transfers to their location. It's obvious that these two were really close and Hauk seems really excited to have Ashley around. But there's not much time for Jolie to stress about it too much because the enemy has set their sites on capturing Hauk.
When it comes to a series, I generally love the first book and then lose interest as the series continues. But I wound up liking this one MORE than the last. I loved the sexual tension between Jolie and Hauk. I loved how close that they'd become in the 2 months time since we last saw them. And I LOVE that we finally get answers as to why Hauk blacks out and goes crazy when he's fighting.
The magical world that Jax creates is awesome. I love how her hero is not this drop dead gorgeous guy but yet has the biggest heart and by far the best character of everyone combined.
"He was a behemoth of a man with scars striping and pockmarking most of his body - he'd been in a fire in Afghanistan that had destroyed more than three-quarters of his skin-and had reclaimed his damaged exterior with tribal tattoos and metal piercings."
My one complaint about the entire book doesn't even involve the story itself but the cover. Like I said, the majority of Hauk's body is burned. So burned, to the point that the cartilage of his nose and one of his ears were completely burned off along with all of his hair. He has piercings in the place of his eyebrows and tattoos all over his burns. So why does the cover model look untouched? Granted, I probably would've hated it more had they tried to photoshop some tacky scars in but I loved the last cover where Hauk was in the background and was not easily seen.
Cover aside, this is an amazing continuation of the story. You can't just jump into the storyline with this one though. You've got to start from the beginning otherwise you may be a bit lost with somethings that take place. But if you're a huge fan of paranormal romance with an urban twist, this is a MUST. I mean you get magic, burlesque, transgenders, a wounded hero and a mythical mystery all wrapped into one awesome romance. I can't wait to see where Jax takes this story next but I'll be impatiently waiting for the next book to come out.
Favorite quote...
"I guess that's how people grow old together. You don't see wrinkles and receding hairlines. You just see what made you care to begin with-the beautiful things they have on the inside."
When it comes to a series, I generally love the first book and then lose interest as the series continues. But I wound up liking this one MORE than the last. I loved the sexual tension between Jolie and Hauk. I loved how close that they'd become in the 2 months time since we last saw them. And I LOVE that we finally get answers as to why Hauk blacks out and goes crazy when he's fighting.
The magical world that Jax creates is awesome. I love how her hero is not this drop dead gorgeous guy but yet has the biggest heart and by far the best character of everyone combined.
"He was a behemoth of a man with scars striping and pockmarking most of his body - he'd been in a fire in Afghanistan that had destroyed more than three-quarters of his skin-and had reclaimed his damaged exterior with tribal tattoos and metal piercings."
My one complaint about the entire book doesn't even involve the story itself but the cover. Like I said, the majority of Hauk's body is burned. So burned, to the point that the cartilage of his nose and one of his ears were completely burned off along with all of his hair. He has piercings in the place of his eyebrows and tattoos all over his burns. So why does the cover model look untouched? Granted, I probably would've hated it more had they tried to photoshop some tacky scars in but I loved the last cover where Hauk was in the background and was not easily seen.
Cover aside, this is an amazing continuation of the story. You can't just jump into the storyline with this one though. You've got to start from the beginning otherwise you may be a bit lost with somethings that take place. But if you're a huge fan of paranormal romance with an urban twist, this is a MUST. I mean you get magic, burlesque, transgenders, a wounded hero and a mythical mystery all wrapped into one awesome romance. I can't wait to see where Jax takes this story next but I'll be impatiently waiting for the next book to come out.
Favorite quote...
"I guess that's how people grow old together. You don't see wrinkles and receding hairlines. You just see what made you care to begin with-the beautiful things they have on the inside."
December 15, 2014
This is my third time with this book, and I think I may have loved it more this go-round... mostly because I read it immediately after reading HBMTH, and I've already read HBLTB. I know the whole story, so this was like revisiting a favorite vacation spot, or rewatching your wedding video. You remember everything, you refeel all the feels, you replay all of the greatest moments that brought you to the ending.
Jax is so talented, and her trilogy is so beautiful. I am just totally in love with everything about this series!
And Therese is a wonderful reader. She did a marvelous job, no doubt.
I want to say - and pretend I don't sound like a tool when I do - that I find this trilogy to be magical. Not because it has elements of magic in it, to point... but because it truly encompasses human struggle, love, hate, pride, lust, thoughtfulness, pain, agony, elation, and every other emotion in between.
And if my stupid prose didn't do it enough, let me convey my feelings about this book in gif formation...
Jax is so talented, and her trilogy is so beautiful. I am just totally in love with everything about this series!
And Therese is a wonderful reader. She did a marvelous job, no doubt.
I want to say - and pretend I don't sound like a tool when I do - that I find this trilogy to be magical. Not because it has elements of magic in it, to point... but because it truly encompasses human struggle, love, hate, pride, lust, thoughtfulness, pain, agony, elation, and every other emotion in between.
And if my stupid prose didn't do it enough, let me convey my feelings about this book in gif formation...
January 9, 2013
This light urban fantasy has a sort of “Stripperella” meets “Beastly” feel to it. Though ultimately, readers may find the world-building a bit unsatisfying, if not confusing.
The prose is strong, distinct, and the overall piece is well edited. Unfortunately, 1/3rd of the way in readers are beaten over the head with some version of “open-mindedness,” which comes across as stereotypical and heavy-handed enough to detract from the overall story—all while infusing an air of predictability. Spoiler alert: Though the plot offers no surprises, the relational aspect is unusual in that, while there is plenty of talk about sex, there isn't actually sex in this book. (Being it's the 2nd in a 3-book series, I would guess this to be a gamble in terms of delayed reader gratification.)
The hero, Hauk, is an interesting and well fleshed out character—whose background and thought processes felt both authentic and endearing. Jolie, on the other hand, was a difficult character to enjoy sharing headspace with. Her caustic force of personality came off as tiring and depth-less rather than admirable.
While this reader is a dedicated fan of the “Beauty and the Beast” premise, I'm sorry to say this book just didn't do it for me. For a short, near-novella read, it took a long time to get through it. Hefty insertions of backstory slowed the pacing and left the story arch with nagging sense of incompletion. Sparse physical descriptions/characterization leave a lot of the side characters running together, and varied viewpoints outside of the hero and heroine seemed to rabbit trail rather than serve the story.
The prose is strong, distinct, and the overall piece is well edited. Unfortunately, 1/3rd of the way in readers are beaten over the head with some version of “open-mindedness,” which comes across as stereotypical and heavy-handed enough to detract from the overall story—all while infusing an air of predictability. Spoiler alert: Though the plot offers no surprises, the relational aspect is unusual in that, while there is plenty of talk about sex, there isn't actually sex in this book. (Being it's the 2nd in a 3-book series, I would guess this to be a gamble in terms of delayed reader gratification.)
The hero, Hauk, is an interesting and well fleshed out character—whose background and thought processes felt both authentic and endearing. Jolie, on the other hand, was a difficult character to enjoy sharing headspace with. Her caustic force of personality came off as tiring and depth-less rather than admirable.
While this reader is a dedicated fan of the “Beauty and the Beast” premise, I'm sorry to say this book just didn't do it for me. For a short, near-novella read, it took a long time to get through it. Hefty insertions of backstory slowed the pacing and left the story arch with nagging sense of incompletion. Sparse physical descriptions/characterization leave a lot of the side characters running together, and varied viewpoints outside of the hero and heroine seemed to rabbit trail rather than serve the story.
February 12, 2013
This series just keeps getting better. Sometimes you'll see a cover that will just make you stand up and take notice. That's how it was with the first book in the series, How Beauty Met the Beast. It's a gorgeous cover, this one is nice too. But I'll admit, I'm like a dragon with a jewel. Blingy stuff sings to me. I've been burned buying books just off cover alone, but this is not one of those times.
I'm loving Jax Garren's world. I LOVE that Hauk is truly beastly. He ain't pretty. He's all blown up to heck, part cyborg, part human, very hideous. Beauty is exactly what you'd expect. She's gorgeous. But she's more than that. She's tough, willing to fight for what she believes in.
This book deals more with her coming to gripes with the fact that she's actually in love with Hauk. She's been resistant to it, not because of how he looks, but because if it's not the real deal she doesn't want to hurt him more than he's been in the past by others.
But when an ex-girlfriend comes into the picture, it makes her confront the facts. She loves him and she's insanely jealous. There's no sex in this book, but that doesn't mean there's no heat. It scorches and I can't wait for the third book that comes out in May.
Great new writer!
I'm loving Jax Garren's world. I LOVE that Hauk is truly beastly. He ain't pretty. He's all blown up to heck, part cyborg, part human, very hideous. Beauty is exactly what you'd expect. She's gorgeous. But she's more than that. She's tough, willing to fight for what she believes in.
This book deals more with her coming to gripes with the fact that she's actually in love with Hauk. She's been resistant to it, not because of how he looks, but because if it's not the real deal she doesn't want to hurt him more than he's been in the past by others.
But when an ex-girlfriend comes into the picture, it makes her confront the facts. She loves him and she's insanely jealous. There's no sex in this book, but that doesn't mean there's no heat. It scorches and I can't wait for the third book that comes out in May.
Great new writer!
February 14, 2013
I must rave about this series. I loved part one How Beauty Met the Beast, and I devoured part two How Beauty Saved the Beast last night. Cannot wait for part three *bounces with excitement* in May. Both Jolie and Hauk are great characters. Hot romance, cool Underlight world-building with both an evil organization (the House of Ananke) and a touch of magic (we find out what's up with Hauk's rages).
Quibble: A bit coincidental that both their exes show up the same evening.
Quibble: A bit coincidental that both their exes show up the same evening.
January 26, 2013
I really liked this one even more than the first!
Now that Jolie is a real part of the Underlight world she get to spend more time with Hauk but it isn't all plain sailing as Hauk's ex-girlfriend has just joined the group and Jolie is having a case of the green eyed monster! But the ex-girlfriend may not be all that she seems, and Hauk maybe suffering from a case of the green eyed monster himself!
An action packed, roller coaster ride of a read!
Bring on the next one!!
Now that Jolie is a real part of the Underlight world she get to spend more time with Hauk but it isn't all plain sailing as Hauk's ex-girlfriend has just joined the group and Jolie is having a case of the green eyed monster! But the ex-girlfriend may not be all that she seems, and Hauk maybe suffering from a case of the green eyed monster himself!
An action packed, roller coaster ride of a read!
Bring on the next one!!
March 13, 2013
4.5 stars
I liked this one even more than the first book. I really REALLY liked how the relationship between Jolie and Hauk developed. Because there actually WAS a developement and things weren't stalled unnecessarely long. Sure,there are some misunderstandings and some angst but minus a few moments that bothered me a bit,it's all done pretty well IMO.
I liked this one even more than the first book. I really REALLY liked how the relationship between Jolie and Hauk developed. Because there actually WAS a developement and things weren't stalled unnecessarely long. Sure,there are some misunderstandings and some angst but minus a few moments that bothered me a bit,it's all done pretty well IMO.
October 21, 2015
I liked this much better than the first one - the same characters I liked, but a lot more of the organization they're in and what's going on with that. But still not enough! Maybe I'm just used to books that detail all the other stuff more? Maybe book three will help?
November 7, 2012
This is Adult Romance that is mind blowing breath taking and beautiful. I don't want to give a lot of details but amazing does not discribe this.
November 9, 2015
I was a bit annoyed how Jolie and Hauk just didn't talk for most of the book and the main plot was over in a flash. They better get a HEA in the next one.
January 31, 2016
3.5 stars - Not fond of misinterpretation, so that bumped this down a notch for me from the last book but beauty still rocks and Hauk is still such a dangerous sweetie beneath the scarred exterior
October 24, 2016
Neni to zadny vybuch predstavivosti, ale je to cute... vzhledem k tomu, ze miluju predelavky pohadek ^^
July 6, 2018
The Laughing Listener
July 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Therese Plummer
Length: 5 hours & 57 minutes
Story Rating: 3 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Another super fast listen!
At this rate, I’ll get through this entire series in a couple days, but it’s kind of nice reading something so short. I’m so used to books being over 400 pages. Just like the last one, this was a super fun audiobook. I definitely get the feeling listening to it is the way to go and I don’t think I’d like this as much actually reading it. But Therese Plummer does an excellent job and I love that her voice has so much personality.
The story is super cute too! This one is a tad more tame than the last one, but there was more action, so I didn’t even really mind. Jolie is kind of an idiot too. More than once I was like, “Girl WHAT are you DOING??” But I love that she’s quick to own up to her mistakes and apologize. And don’t even get me started on Ashley.
Can’t say I’m surprised about how her storyline turned out *Rolls eyes* but I was definitely shocked at the twist in Hauk’s. Color me surprised. Of all the possibilities I thought up, that definitely didn’t enter my mind...
FINAL WORD
Another quick and breezy, fun romance with a little action! If you liked the first one, you’ll definitely like this one too. Gotta love a sassy, smart heroine!!
August 21, 2013
freaking finally...
(you get both reviews together, because they work well together... deal)
Reviewers note: I love a lot of books, but when I start buying the books randomly for my friends who I think might like the title, that���s when you know I���m enamored. Mainly because I���m a miser.
I had three ARCs to read that were being released today, all of which are fantastical in nature and by Carina Press. Normally this would���ve been tops for me, but after reading Final Resort and��� err��� some other titles (don���t look at my Goodreads please) I really just wanted to read some contemporary romance.
So I pouted.
Then I grumbled because I actually had an ARC for ���How Beauty Saved the Beast��� which was book two and a direct sequel to ���How Beauty Met the Beast��� and I was going to be lost but effe it, it���s only 100 pages so I���ll just buy that and read it first and��� seriously, I just wanted something light and fluffy where the biggest problem is that a dog puked in her shoes and then he caught her talking to her ex.
*grumblepants pouty-face*
And then I started reading.
HOLY CANNOLIS GUYS! THIS SERIES IS AWESOME.
I���m telling you, right now, that you are going to want books 1 and 2. I mean, they���re both separate and unique stories, but I would���ve been a might bit ticked off with the way things wrapped up for Jolie and Hauk if I didn���t have another 200 pages already waiting for me.
Now let���s get down to the actual reviews. (200ish words in, that���s actually not bad for me.)
How Beauty Met the Beast:
The book starts off with a motorcycle chase AND a burlesque show. Now I have mixed feelings about burlesque, but that���s probably better left for another time. For now, let me just give you this public service announcement:
Burlesque is not stripping��� not really, but it also isn���t innately feminist and empowering. Like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it.
Okay, now that we���ve gotten that out of the way���
*the more you know*
And that as well���
Okay��� NOW that we���ve gotten all of that out of the way��� no more clever jingles or allusions? Good.
Basically the book starts off with a bang. And I don���t mean the chase or the dancing. (That���s an orgasm joke. And it makes me giggle because I���m a 13 year old boy apparently.) Jolie gets almost kidnapped and raped, but Hauk senses the attack (because he has pain-dar which might be the best super power ever, if only for the name) and comes to her rescue.
It was at this point that I fell madly in love with this book.
See, Hauk blacks out before he Hulks out, and at that point I realized a fact that���s not spelled out until near the end of book two. But that���s neither here nor there, because after Jolie passes out and Hauk blacks out and then tears the attackers and their van to shreds, he picks up the girl and absconds with her to his underground lair. Where they have the most awkward morning after ever.
So delicious.
But Jolie wasn���t the only intended target, and despite loads of mistrust and some incredibly complicated feelings, she and Hauk end up working together to save the day.
5 stars. Straight up. It���s a sweet, funny story with a rich cast of characters that I desperately wanted more of and hey I���m in luck because I���ve got���
How Beauty Saved the Beast:
As much as I enjoyed Met, Saved is just that much more. Well except for the cover. I mean, come on, Haul doesn���t even like taking off his sweatshirt around Jolie, who he gave a screaming O once upon a time, is he really going to walk around mostly topless?
But I digress.
Which should be the name of my auto-biography, note to self.
Oh Jolie and Hauk. My poor precious darlings. Anything that can go wrong, does go wrong for these two who are obviously so right for each other, and yet still can���t manage to��� you know��� bump and grind. I MEAN ADMIT THEY HAVE FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER! Not anything less classy. Because really these are two classy��� okay I meant bump nasties.
I know you don���t believe me when I say everything gets in their way, but seriously, the only thing that did not happen was Jolie waking up with a penis. Like to the point where Jax Garren got several ���ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS��� messages on Facebook. She���s a lovely lady by the way. Except, you know, when she laughed at my pain.
I can say even less about the plot of this book than I could about ���Met��� but that���s okay. The story was solid. As solid as Hauk in fact. And the cast of characters is still awesome. Except for Ashley. Who I immediately dislike because of my natural dislike of ex-girlfriends. You can blame my husband���s string of shitty ass ex-girlfriend���s for that Ashley and Jax.
I think I was going somewhere with the above paragraph, but instead I sent a bag of flaming dog poop to my least favorite ex���
5 stars. Again.
To sum up: Monsters, magic, PTSD, burlesque, an unlikely hero, an even more unlikely villain, and the Greek pantheon versus the Norse. Fuck yes.
READ THIS SERIES.
(you get both reviews together, because they work well together... deal)
Reviewers note: I love a lot of books, but when I start buying the books randomly for my friends who I think might like the title, that���s when you know I���m enamored. Mainly because I���m a miser.
I had three ARCs to read that were being released today, all of which are fantastical in nature and by Carina Press. Normally this would���ve been tops for me, but after reading Final Resort and��� err��� some other titles (don���t look at my Goodreads please) I really just wanted to read some contemporary romance.
So I pouted.
Then I grumbled because I actually had an ARC for ���How Beauty Saved the Beast��� which was book two and a direct sequel to ���How Beauty Met the Beast��� and I was going to be lost but effe it, it���s only 100 pages so I���ll just buy that and read it first and��� seriously, I just wanted something light and fluffy where the biggest problem is that a dog puked in her shoes and then he caught her talking to her ex.
*grumblepants pouty-face*
And then I started reading.
HOLY CANNOLIS GUYS! THIS SERIES IS AWESOME.
I���m telling you, right now, that you are going to want books 1 and 2. I mean, they���re both separate and unique stories, but I would���ve been a might bit ticked off with the way things wrapped up for Jolie and Hauk if I didn���t have another 200 pages already waiting for me.
Now let���s get down to the actual reviews. (200ish words in, that���s actually not bad for me.)
How Beauty Met the Beast:
The book starts off with a motorcycle chase AND a burlesque show. Now I have mixed feelings about burlesque, but that���s probably better left for another time. For now, let me just give you this public service announcement:
Burlesque is not stripping��� not really, but it also isn���t innately feminist and empowering. Like everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it.
Okay, now that we���ve gotten that out of the way���
*the more you know*
And that as well���
Okay��� NOW that we���ve gotten all of that out of the way��� no more clever jingles or allusions? Good.
Basically the book starts off with a bang. And I don���t mean the chase or the dancing. (That���s an orgasm joke. And it makes me giggle because I���m a 13 year old boy apparently.) Jolie gets almost kidnapped and raped, but Hauk senses the attack (because he has pain-dar which might be the best super power ever, if only for the name) and comes to her rescue.
It was at this point that I fell madly in love with this book.
See, Hauk blacks out before he Hulks out, and at that point I realized a fact that���s not spelled out until near the end of book two. But that���s neither here nor there, because after Jolie passes out and Hauk blacks out and then tears the attackers and their van to shreds, he picks up the girl and absconds with her to his underground lair. Where they have the most awkward morning after ever.
So delicious.
But Jolie wasn���t the only intended target, and despite loads of mistrust and some incredibly complicated feelings, she and Hauk end up working together to save the day.
5 stars. Straight up. It���s a sweet, funny story with a rich cast of characters that I desperately wanted more of and hey I���m in luck because I���ve got���
How Beauty Saved the Beast:
As much as I enjoyed Met, Saved is just that much more. Well except for the cover. I mean, come on, Haul doesn���t even like taking off his sweatshirt around Jolie, who he gave a screaming O once upon a time, is he really going to walk around mostly topless?
But I digress.
Which should be the name of my auto-biography, note to self.
Oh Jolie and Hauk. My poor precious darlings. Anything that can go wrong, does go wrong for these two who are obviously so right for each other, and yet still can���t manage to��� you know��� bump and grind. I MEAN ADMIT THEY HAVE FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER! Not anything less classy. Because really these are two classy��� okay I meant bump nasties.
I know you don���t believe me when I say everything gets in their way, but seriously, the only thing that did not happen was Jolie waking up with a penis. Like to the point where Jax Garren got several ���ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS��� messages on Facebook. She���s a lovely lady by the way. Except, you know, when she laughed at my pain.
I can say even less about the plot of this book than I could about ���Met��� but that���s okay. The story was solid. As solid as Hauk in fact. And the cast of characters is still awesome. Except for Ashley. Who I immediately dislike because of my natural dislike of ex-girlfriends. You can blame my husband���s string of shitty ass ex-girlfriend���s for that Ashley and Jax.
I think I was going somewhere with the above paragraph, but instead I sent a bag of flaming dog poop to my least favorite ex���
5 stars. Again.
To sum up: Monsters, magic, PTSD, burlesque, an unlikely hero, an even more unlikely villain, and the Greek pantheon versus the Norse. Fuck yes.
READ THIS SERIES.
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