Beauty & the Fae: A Beauty & the Beast Retelling

by Cara E. Ruegg

As king, he made the only choice he could—sending Ella away to protect his throne. But now he’s dying, cursed by an ancient affliction that no fae can heal. Only Ella, the halfling he cast aside, can touch his wounds without burning.

Summoned back to Glacialis, Ella has no choice but to care for the ice prince who broke her heart. Their only hope lies in a perilous quest to find a cure before the curse claims him forever. But as old feelings ignite and secrets unravel, the cost of saving Lysander might be war itself.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2025

About the author

Cara Ruegg is an artist who lives a happy life with her husband and children. Her days consist of bringing stories to life often while curled up in bed nursing her little one, baking and making endless messes with her toddler, lots of pretend play, and even more hugs and kisses! She is a Catholic convert and this can, she hopes, be reflected in some of her works. She hopes you enjoy her books! She writes mysteries as Eliza Floretta.

Reviews

[★*☆♪Ev★*☆♪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT TO READ THIS JUST AFTER IT CAME OUT! ANOTHER BOOK BY CARA RUEGG THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES! IF YOU HAVENT READ ONE OF HER BOOKS YET, *GASP* GO AND PICK ONE UP! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. REALLY ENJOYED IT AND MIGHT GO AND READ IT AGAIN! 😁 🤣

[✨Ruthie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it... though still considering this a DNF because I just skipped to the end. I'm sorry again, the writing style, I just couldn't. I was cringing way more than I should have. However, some of the prose.. absolutely beautiful!!

[Alesa Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel to Fae of Cinders, Beauty and the Fae picks up a few months after Fae of Cinders leaves off. Ella and Lysander are living separate lives when they are forced back together again.

I absolutely loved this book!

[sissi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was very well-written.

[Ejatu Bah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how this retelling is connected to the same world as the Cinderella retelling. I also liked the length of the story.

[Mic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Cara E. Ruegg for this eARC!

Beauty & The Fae is an engrossing fantasy novel that blends magic, mythology, and transformation with a strong emotional core. From the first pages the story pulls you into a world where the fae are not just magical beings, but deeply intertwined with human lives, desires, and dangers. The author builds a vivid setting where you can feel both the wonder of faerie realms and the risks of their darker edges.

The protagonist is compelling and multi-dimensional. They navigate complicated relationships with allies and enemies, face internal conflicts (fear, identity, power), and grow through their struggles. The character’s arc feels earned because their decisions and setbacks are believable. The supporting cast adds richness: friends, rivals, and magical beings each bring challenges and surprises that keep the plot moving and emotionally engaging.

The pacing of Beauty The Fae generally works well. Moments of wonder and discovery are balanced with tension and threat so the narrative never feels too slow or too chaotic. Magic scenes and worldbuilding are especially strong, making the fantasy elements feel immersive. If there is something that could be stronger it might be in clarity of some plot threads or deeper time spent with certain secondary characters. Overall this is a magical and satisfying read for anyone who loves fantasy, fae lore, and stories about transformation and courage.