The Monster in the Manor: A Contemporary Beauty & the Beast Retelling

by Lyonne Riley

A delicious and steamy twist on a classic tale, where the monster stays a monster.

Peony Austin has just left her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend, seeking a new life for herself. But it’s hard to achieve independence when all she has is ten dollars to her name. Sleeping in her car, Peony takes a job as a housekeeper for the reclusive billionaire, Mr. Edgewood.

Rupert Edgewood has good reasons for hiding. In exchange for his fortune, he lives as a monster, destined to never find true happiness. After driving away everyone with his temper and discerning taste for food, the winds of change come when Peony arrives and cooks him meals straight out of a fine dining restaurant.

As Rupert starts to fall for his new housekeeper, they still have never met. Will Rupert at last reveal himself despite his curse?

This is a full-length monster romance novel about a grumpy monster and the sunshine human who changes his whole world. It's sweet and cozy with a sprinkle of thrill. You can expect a slow burn, size difference, and lots of tasty meals.

Genres: Romance, Monster Romance

306 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 20, 2026

About the author

Lyonne Riley writes super steamy monster romance, fantasy romance, and sci-fi romance. She lives in the middle of nowhere with her spouse and two dogs, writing spicy fairy tales.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah man, I love a good monster romance, and this one definitely did not disappoint. There’s just something about monster stories that pull me in every time, and this book delivered the perfect mix of intrigue, romance, and just the right amount of heat.

Peony was such an interesting character to follow. She’s coming from a really difficult situation and is clearly looking for a fresh start and a chance to rebuild her life somewhere new. When the opportunity for a job comes through a relative, it feels like the perfect escape and a way for her to start over. I really enjoyed seeing her take that leap and try to create something better for herself.

And then we meet Rupert—the monster. His presence immediately adds this mysterious and slightly dangerous element to the story that makes it even more compelling. The dynamic between Peony and Rupert was one of my favorite parts of the book. Their interactions had tension, curiosity, and a growing attraction that made their scenes together really engaging.

Yes, the romance moved a bit quickly at times, but it still worked well within the story. Their connection felt fun and exciting to read, and the chemistry between Peony and Rupert was definitely spicy and full of energy. The author did a great job balancing the unusual monster element with the emotional and romantic aspects of the story.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable monster romance with a strong premise and a fun storyline. If you enjoy monster love interests, a heroine looking for a fresh start, and a romance with plenty of chemistry, this is definitely a book worth picking up.

[PJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, Id like to thank the author for allowing me to be apart of the ARC team for this incredible novel
~Spoilers ahead~
I've ready quit a few Beauty and the beast retellings, and sure, ive enjoyed them. But this, this was truly the masterpiece you salivate all weel thinking about having at an upscale restaurant. The way Peony and Rupert stole my heart so quickly was whiplash fast. Though not to say our faithful butler didnt do the same with his quick remarks and no nonsense attitude.

I enjoyed the war that Rupert found within himself on his appearance and "curse" and it not ending with him becoming a man again!? Chefs kiss phenomenal, monster lovers (and fuckers) forever!!!

Peony was a breath of fresh air, our little survivor trying so hard to be independent and be her best self after that trash of an ex was amazing. She stood up for herself and others! Took no nonsense and knew just when to call Rupert out for his bullshit. We love to see it!

I so desperately need more retellings like this, where the monster stays a monster and we all love and lust after him for it.

Thank you, so much for letting us fall in love with them and for giving us several courses of delicious monster loving >:3

[Lex Margot]

I really enjoyed this interpretation of Beauty and the Beast!

**ARC Recieved**

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Spice: 3/5🌶️
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*

The Catalog: F/M, beauty and the beast retelling, reclusive monster MMC, FMC hired as his housekeeper, slow burn, friends to lovers, food as a love language, tail play, grabbing him by the horns, characters with trauma, magical curse, communication through notes

CWs: domestic abuse (historical), parental abandonment, assault, kidnapping, gun violence

Kink: DP, tail play, cock warming

Synopsis:
Living out of her ex’s stollen vehicle was never in the plans, so when Peony’s aunt suggests she interview for a housekeeping position for a rich recluse, she jumps at the opportunity. Mr. Edgewood is a mysterious as his home, and although Peony wishes she could meet her employer, it’s hard to complain when she’s payed handsomely and found a friend in the manor’s other employer. Yet, that desire to meet him becomes overwhelming after they start a rather flirtatious friendship via notes.

Thoughts:
This romance is for all of us that desperately wanted Beast to stay a monster 😏

It’s no secret that I am a huge Lyonne Riley fan, in fact, I’d probably read her grocery list with glee at this point. So I was super excited to see she’d written a monstrous beauty and the beast retelling!

The best part of this romance, aside from the monster staying a beast, was their slow burn friends to lovers arc facilitated by flirty notes left for Peony. I super duper love the “food as a love langue” trope, and this was such a cute way to elevate it!!

Peony is a strong woman rebuilding after escaping an abusive relationship. I absolutely loved that she held fast to her dreams of being a chef, continued to find joy in the things she loved, and gave herself permission to want the monster. Rupert is a sweet monster with a bit of an animalistic side that was frankly, delicious. He’s such a caring softie, and even though he’s scared and doesn’t always make the right decisions, he has a huge heart.

Lastly, although the overall feel of this book is sweet and soft, the ending had me on the edge of my seat!!

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ARC Review⭐️
I really loved this book. It is a Beauty & the Beast retelling, modernized. Peony is trying to restart her life after escaping a toxic relationship when she is employed by billionaire recluse Rupert. It doesn’t take long for her to capture the hearts of the men in the house with her cuisine, and have Rupert coming out of his shell.
“Just your presence lifts my spirits.”

Though she has been taken advantage of in the past, Peony has a backbone. She may have also inspired some creative retribution for a scorned woman.
“Two slices of bread. A big dollop of mayo that I don’t bother to spread around. A piece of ham and a piece of cheese, all of it slapped onto a plate.”

I loved seeing Rupert & Peony grow and each other along the way. They really did bring out the best in each other.

[D🩸🔪✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars to be exact.

E-ARC read and review!

I enjoyed this much more than I anticipated! I’m not normally one for monster romance but I was truly down bad for this.

Beauty and the Beast retelling but make it SPICY🥵.
Rupert is a hell of a man (monster?) you get what I mean. The sweetest, tortured soul who just wants to love and be loved in the same way. That’s probably literally why Peony was put on this earth, to make him happy.

Peony has tried so hard to move on from what her ex put her through, so when her aunt lands her a job to clean and cook for a reclusive billionaire, how could she say no? She’s good at cleaning, and extraordinary in a kitchen.

Peony and Rupert melted away whatever reservations I had about monster romance very quickly. The spicy scenes were SPICY. The sweet and tender moments of vulnerability were perfect. I was so engulfed in this story. I cannot wait to read it again.

[Miltsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is exactly what I've come to expect from Lyonne Riley. It is so sweet and the romance and characters are adorable. But this is also super spicy! The sweet romance and spicy scenes balance each other very nicely.
This book also has a nice plot and good character development so it wasn't boring to read. It was beautiful to see how the two main characters found who they are really by being together.

[Purple S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so beyond excited to receive this ARC! Not only do I adore Lyonne Riley, but the fact that this was a Beauty and the Beast retelling 😘.

Peony Austin was finally free-ish, fleeing her abusive ex with just a few clothes, blanket, pillow and her old beat up car. She could finally get on with her life. She just needed a job and finding one was nearly impossible with quite a long gap on her resume, and no one left from her life before her ex to go to for help. It was just pure luck, that her great aunt had heard that she'd gotten out and while the rich old woman wouldn't offer any financial help she did say she could Peony a job.

That's how Peony finds herself at Edgewood manor, home to reclusive billionaire Rupert Edgewood, interviewing for the housekeeper position. Cooking and cleaning? Definitely something she could do.

Rupert Edgewood has been a recluse since he was changed into what he is now, hiding away in his manor so no one would ever see him. So he wouldn't have to experience their reactions to what his own greed had resulted in. He rarely comes out of his chambers, never to meet new staff and he's been quite hard on previous housekeepers. Yet everything seems to change when Peony arrives, her dishes are culinary masterpieces, she cleans the house beyond efficiently, and there's just something about her he can't put his finger on. After finding her sleeping in her car, it's insisted she reside in the manor and here's where our friends to lovers arc truly begins.

I love how drawn to Peony Rupert is. Irregardless of his own distaste for himself and interactions with others, Peony fills Ruperts every thought from the moment he arrives. I really love how entwined Rupert's past is with what's happening in the story between Rupert and Peony, how much Rupert has to overcome and work through to allow himself the happiness with Peony. Peony is the perfect person to be at his side, she's incredibly kind, understanding and terrifyingly stubborn (i.e. Ham and Cheese sandwiches 👀).

There's also some of the absolute spiciest scenes and a looot of them, and I'm certainly not complaining. The spice happened at the perfect moments and was just incredibly hot 🥵. I without a doubt recommend reading The Monster in the Manor when it comes out March 20th!!

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️/ 5🌶️

*Thank you to Lyonne Riley for providing me and ARC of this book.

*Check content warnings before reading.

Sometimes you just wanna read about a monster falling in love, and Lyonne Riley does that with her latest story, “The Monster in the Manor”. Peony was looking to start fresh after leaving her abusive ex boyfriend, and when she found the opportunity to work for the reclusive billionaire, Rupert Edgewood, it was her saving grace. For Rupert, he needed a new maid/cook for his home, and he didn’t expect to find himself intrigued with the lovely Peony.

I really liked this story more than I initially expected due to Peony’s sweet personality, and Rupert’s grumpiness giving way to him falling for Peony, and being so obsessed with her. Plus, when working for a grumpy, reclusive billionaire, I mean there’s gotta be something intriguing happening right? Plenty of fun things occurred as Peony worked for Rupert from getting the chance to live her life as she saw fit, and unexpectedly falling for her boss!

Plenty of spice happened in this story, and GIRL IT WAS HOT, DIRTY, AND ALL KINDS OF SPICE THAT WENT DOWN IN THIS BOOK! Never did I think something such as…A TAIL WOULD BE USED IN THE WAY THAT IT WAS USED IN THIS BOOK BETWEEN PEONY AND RUPERT. As well as other kinds of spicy kinds of things that Peony and Rupert did that had me like, “OMG THATS HOT!” Needless to say, this hit the spot in terms of spice, likeable characters, and a subplot of danger.

This was a fairly fast read for me, and the type of book you can easily just read for fun and get PLENTY OF FLITHY, HOT, SPICY SPICE, romance, and once again SPICE! I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a monster romance. Lyonne did a good job writing Peony and Rupert’s story, had a fun time, and it was an entertaining read so yeah I really liked it.

[LaHobbitCurvy_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

#lahobbitcurvyconsiglia The Monster in the Manor 👩‍🍳🐾🌹

“«[…] Because I want to share everything in life with you. And I want to know that you’ll always be mine.»
«Always,» Peony says, nuzzling my nose with hers. «Just like you’ll always be mine.»”

Peony ha appena lasciato un ex fidanzato tossico e, con soli dieci dollari in tasca, dorme in macchina. Così, per sopravvivere, accetta un lavoro come domestica per il solitario miliardario Rupert Edgewood. Rupert si nasconde dal mondo: in cambio della sua fortuna, vive come un mostro, convinto di non poter trovare mai la felicità. Dopo aver allontanato tutti con il suo carattere difficile, qualcosa cambia quando Peony arriva e inizia a cucinargli pasti degni di un ristorante stellato. Rupert comincia a innamorarsi di lei, eppure non si sono mai visti di persona. Riuscirà finalmente a mostrarsi, nonostante la sua maledizione?

Ringrazio l’autrice per avermi inviato l’ARC ❤️

Voi già sapete quanto io ami i retelling di cose Disneyane, sapete anche che Belle è una delle mie principesse preferite (ma non la mia preferita, quel posto spetta a Rapunzel). Lyonne Riley did it again e ha scritto proprio una piccola perla zozzerella ❤️ è sempre una tale as old as time, ma questa volta LA BESTIA RESTA BESTIA. Sì, una delle mie regine del monster romance ha esaudito il mio desiderio più recondito da quando ho visto il film Disney e nel vedere Adam umano ci sono rimasta di cacca 💩
BANDO ALLE CIANCE, questo libro resta una perla, l’ho AMATO e spero che la Riley ne scriva di più di retelling così. Ah, e comunque con The Monster in The Manor avrete fame. DI CIBO, GIURO (anche se comunque Rupert…🥵).
Quindi, come disse il saggio una volta… BE OUR GUEST ✨

[Kelly Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy cozy monster romance this book absolutely serves. A modern day Beauty and the Beast, with a twist. I had such fun reading it.

This story follows a grumpy monster and the sunshine human who slowly turns his whole world upside down. The dynamic between them is so soft and satisfying, with a slow burn romance, size difference, and plenty of cozy domestic moments (and by that I mean so much food). I swear I was hungry for most of this book.

Our FMC isn’t a Belle-type heroine, she has seen some s*it. She’s a survivor of domestic violence who’s trying to rebuild her life, and I loved her so much for that. Despite everything she’s been through, she still has this warm, sunshine personality and such a genuine passion for cooking and feeding people. Watching her slowly carve out a safe space for herself was incredibly heartwarming.

And the sandwich scenes… if you know, you know. I was absolutely here for it.

Our Beast was equally wonderful, cursed but look, we all make mistakes. The grumpy exterior hides a character with real depth, and I loved the personal growth we see from him throughout the story. He truly becomes the hero she deserves.

This was such an easy, cozy read...with just a hint of danger to keep things interesting. It’s my second time reading a monster romance by Lyonne Riley, and it definitely won’t be my last.

And the spice? Perfectly done. They’re both a little unsure (vanilla), at first, but once things start heating up… oh boy. Let’s just say his tail nearly deserves its own character credit.

Thank you to the author for sending me an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Daijhanna Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5*

The Monster in the Manor is a really fun Beauty and the Beast retelling with characters that have depth and issues that make a lot of sense a modern world.

First of all, the food in this story was constantly making me hungry!! It was described with such detail that I was waiting for my serving to appear (lol). I also thought that cooking was a really fun way for the MCs to get to know each other, and allowed them to communicate even in the early stages where Rupert was full hermit.

I think Peony escaping an abusive relationship was handled well, and there was some real consideration (on both sides) about her entering a new relationship so close to the last one, which I appreciated. If that wasn’t there I think the story would lose some of its realism (lol), but the choice to be together was considered carefully by both Peony and Rupert.

I feel like this was slightly less spicy than I’ve read from Riley before, but the spice that was there was GOOD. In a similar vein, this also felt a touch longer than previous works I’ve read. There is a whole final arc that was definitely necessary for wrapping up the story, but also made it feel a bit long. It didn’t *drag*, but I definitely noticed that it hadn’t wrapped up where I thought it would (does that makes sense???).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! If you’re looking for a grumpy x sunshine Beauty and the Beast retelling with lots of mouthwatering food descriptions and a beast that stays beastly, this is the book for you!!

Thank you to Lyonne Riley and team for providing an arc for me to read!! ❤️

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Lyonne Riley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've enjoyed every book by this author that I've read before, so when the opportunity to read an ARC came up, I jumped on it.

I'm disappointed to say this one didn't quite work for me.

Something just felt off the entire time. I think it's that everything felt very rushed. Very fast. You only get thirty or so pages in before the love interest, Rupert, is extremely possessive of Peony, a woman he's hired but has never met face to face. And then they're together before the halfway mark, when they've only spent maybe two scenes together. It just felt very fast for how slow their development was.

And then there's the actual romance of it all. Love scenes do not bother me in the slightest, but even I felt annoyed when they kept happening over and over again. I counted them - there are nine full love scenes and two that are blip one-paragraph mentions. That's excessive, even for the monster romance genre. And I wish the employer/employee dynamic had actually been discussed and resolved beyond a single argument where he goes 'you don't have to work anymore' and she replies 'but I like working and I don't want handouts just because I'm sleeping with you'. That dynamic and how it obviously needs to change after they become a couple wasn't explored enough for me.

I also think the cover needs another pass because how Rupert is described in the book does not match the character design on the cover.

[Rhiley Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS FANTASTIC! OH. MY. GOD.
The romance was real and raw. The smut was scrumptious. Rupert was such a realistic main male character for all that he'd gone through. And Peony was absolutely splendid, such a delight of a character.
I adored Kellen and his boyfriend, and at the end of the book we get to meet (not really a spoiler) Peony's dad and Rupert's mom and I loved them too. Some side characters I wanted to punch in the nose, but the rest were lovely.
Andy though? Nuh-uh. Nope. I don't have any words for the hatred I feel towards Andy. I cannot speak his name right now without becoming enraged.
Peony and Rupert's romance started out beautiful because it was real. An afraid monster terrified that a beautiful woman wouldn't love him because of the way he looked so he hid from her until the moment he couldn't. But Peony loved ALL of him. His looks, his personality, his big heart. She did not care that he was a monster, she found it quite attractive actually, but what she cared about most was how kind and caring he was towards her from the moment she stepped into his manor.
I truly loved this book and have already put the paperback copy in my cart to preorder today! If you love super romantic, smutty, monster love stories with high stakes towards the end-PICK THIS UP AS SOON AS IT COMES OUT!

Thank you so, so much to the author for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!Lyonne Riley

[Michelle Brashars · Rating 5 out of 5]

an adorable beauty and the beast retelling where our boy STAYS a beast!!! Peony is down on her luck, living in her car since she fled her abusive ex, and finds herself as a housekeeper to a reclusive billionaire. Rupert Edgewood was cursed and now he doesn’t dare show the world his new form. Only two people know what he looks like. He watches his new housekeeper come and go through the window, and feels protective and attracted to her. He’s obsessed with her cooking and quickly becomes enamored with her so when he finds out she’s living in her car, he acts quickly to give her a room in his manor so she’s safe. Now that she lives in his house it’s even harder to stay away from Peony!! These two are seriously so cute. I love how their relationship blossomed over notes!! Rupert’s butler Kellen was such a great side character and I loved him being the go between especially since he genuinely likes them both. He was a great friend! Peony and Rupert really bond over food, first the food she cooks and then the two cooking and baking together. So so sweet!! I loved their cooking scenes. Every scene between these two was precious honestly-the cooking, the walks, their relationship bloomed so naturally in these intimate moments. Not to mention the spice in this book was HOT, monster lovers are gonna love this one 🥵 I love beauty and the beast retellings where he doesn’t turn back to human and this one was great!!!

[Ecem · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****First of all, I would like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I have always loved stories inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and Lyonne Riley definitely did not disappoint me with this one. To be honest, I was not surprised. I rarely feel disappointed by Lyonne Riley’s books, and she is usually the first author I check when I am looking for a good monster romance.

From this point on, there will be spoilers.

In the traditional Beauty and the Beast story, the moment when the Beast turns into a human has always broken my heart a little. Because of that, I absolutely loved that Rupert did not transform. It felt like we were reading a fairy tale that belonged only to these characters.

What I also enjoyed was that the story was not just a straightforward romance. The confusion, inner thoughts, and struggles the characters experience along the way were written in a way that felt very real. The relationship develops without frustrating misunderstandings, which made the reading experience even more enjoyable for me.

Peony and Rupert sharing a love for cooking and building their connection through it was especially delightful. Watching their friendship grow alongside the romance added a lot of warmth to the story.

Lyonne Riley once again delivered a very memorable monster romance.

[Alessa Biblioteca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as ARC- This book was precious and loving and the perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling. You have Peony- a girl leaving an abusive relationship, down on her luck, looking for a new job, sleeping in her car, not a dime to her name- who gets a new job working for a “monster” in a large manor cleaning his house and cooking meals for him. The only thing is, she has never seen him. The only glimpses she gets of him are the notes he leaves her on his empty dinner plates complimenting her cooking. She devises a plan with the butler to finally get a glimpse of Rupert by cooking him dinner but that all goes to shit when she accidentally runs into him one night. But Peony isn’t afraid of him…after finally sitting down to dinner with him she ends up falling for Rupert. These two go on to fall for each other but it ain’t easy. He’s a recluse to keeps to himself and never leaves the house and she longs for friends and life outside the manor. Will they be able to make it work? I loved the angsty moments between these two just as much as the loving mushy moments and hot spicy moments. It wasn’t easy for them but I’m glad they found what worked for them in the end. I enjoyed reading this very much and loved Rupert and even loved Kellen the butler. He was a great secondary character. I recommend this to all who enjoy monster/human romances.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An anxious and self-conscious reclusive man-turned-beast meets an understanding woman with a pure but guarded heart. This was truly one of the best Beauty & the Beast retellings I’ve ever read!

Rupert feels no one can ever truly accept him, not now that he’s a beast. But Peony is the exact bit of sunshine he needs - she is a woman who knows that the real beasts of the world don’t have horns and claws. Rupert has a kind soul and that’s what truly matters more than anything. It doesn’t hurt though that his fur is so soft…and those monstrous features are really starting to appeal to her.

The slow build of strangers to lovers, bridged together by a mutual love for fine cuisine was a beautiful approach. The romance between these two did not feel forced, and it was a great representation of love meaning having the ability to embrace your similarities as well as your differences.

While it is a slow burn….once that spice kicked in, it was SCORCHING! The wait was definitely worth it and the chemistry between these two is off the charts.

These two both have had difficult pasts, but those paths ultimately led them to each other and I am so grateful I was able to read along and witness their HEA.

If you loved Beauty and the Beast, but wished the beast didn’t turn back into a human, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything and more for a retelling! This was a wonderfully written cozy monster Romance. Our big scaley, furry, cinnamon roll, fluff king was cursed for his greed and is shameful at what he's become. Our sweet, cutie patootie, spice queen is running from her past, and doesn't know what it's like to be truly loved...

AND THE FOOD!

This book made me so unbelievably hungry. The amount of food that gets mentioned in this book could, in fact, be enough to run a full restaurant. Our main FMC gets a job at this monster man's house cooking and cleaning, and he is very much impressed with her dishes.

It's a super awkward meeting with lots of misunderstandings, but it blooms into a magical love. This book had an intense story with high stake scenes and spice sprinkled out. The spice itself was done at a good pace, and didn't feel forced to fit the puzzle.

It had a sweet and satisfying ending and I overall loved this one. I'll have to check out some other books from this author.

I received this book as an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate it greatly. Thank you for the fun read!

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was captivating from start to finish. Peony is exactly the FMC I love—resilient and strong despite a dark past. I wanted to throat-punch her rich aunt for the “backhanded” help, but it ended up being the perfect setup to meet the monster.

Rupert is “The Monster” for a reason, beyond just his grumpy, hermit attitude. He’s the one we secretly like better as a monster than as a human. That definitely holds true here, especially with some unique peen and tail play in action! But also, his concern and protectiveness for Peony just melted my heart.

I loved seeing Peony find her footing and use her passion for cooking to melt his icy demeanor. It was heartwarming to watch how their love for each other helped them both overcome inner turmoil. With his issues about never leaving the manor and Peony’s desire to be social, I wondered how they’d reconcile this... Well, because DRAMA! The way the story unfolds and how much the characters grow was chef’s kiss. It wasn’t just a straight line to an HEA, and that made me stay hooked all the way to the happy ending.

Thank you Lyonne Riley for trusting me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the main characters. This book gave me butterflies from the start. This is a spicy one fore sure but I was a bit more invested in the relationship which I would have loved to see move of personally. The many conflicts between the couple were valid from both sides.

Rupert is a likable beast and his concerns are valid but I’m glad he found someone to get him out of his head and home but I feel like he was more infatuated with Peony than anything else. He hasn’t had a decent interaction with a woman in a long time so I was a bit skeptical.

They both needed therapy for sure love and money won’t solve everything.

Peony my beloved. I love her and her love for cooking. She loves Rupert with all her heart. I didn’t like that she didn’t defend Rupert at one point cause that wasn’t his fault at all.

Rupert’s every concern was invalidated a bit. In a perfect world people would accept him but from how he was treated and still is I understand why he didn’t want to be out.

Both characters need better friends asap. Giancarlo and grocery story lady I despise.

Some parts were quite predictable but that’s probably expected.

[Camryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fairytale retelling was beautiful, sweet, and spicy! Rupert has a grumpy attitude that Peony knows how to fix in a split second because she is his weakness. The emotional depth of Rupert and Peony's relationship had me coming back for more... I may have had two nights full of "just one more chapter" moments that ended at 4 am 📖💤. Rupert and Peony literally fit together like puzzle pieces. She is fierce enough to fight both of their battles when necessary just for Rupert to reciprocate by protecting Peony at any cost. The book ended in such a heart warming way that made me feel complete.

Additionally, the blend of sweet romantic moments and smutty spicy scenes was perfect. There was essentially 20 pages of straight spice and steam in the middle---which I would like to personally thank Lyonne Riley for.
Spice rating: 4.5/5 🌶️🔥🥵

Lastly, I need more of Kellen and Ignacio! I feel like there is more to their story... maybe;)
Thank you so much to Lyonne Riley, the author, for providing me with an early copy of The Monster in the Manor to enjoy and cherish ♥️

Lyonne Riley

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holiday life is hectic so I soothed my fried brain with this Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Because it’s Lyonne Riley, you know it’s going to be a spicy good time. I’m on her email list and she hinted at the spicy art that was available with the Patreon edition. I caved. The regular version is available from Bezos Mart in March. Rupert’s beast mode is unique so I appreciated having a visual reference to build the picture in my head.

Peony is fleeing an abusive relationship when she finds herself in Rupert Edgewood’s employ. It’s dual POV which is necessary since the characters don’t meet face to face for quite a while. When they do, it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly. I do enjoy it when monster romance gets creative with anatomy.

I have minor quibbles with how readily Peony was fine with Rupert in beast mode and him being the only one. The wizard didn’t do this to anyone else? Really? I was hoping to see more people similarly afflicted.
Overall, I had fun and would recommend this to my fellow mobster romance fans.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a wonderful Beauty and the Beast reimagining where the beast stays a beast and everyone gets a HEA.

Human FMC Peony is down on her luck after leaving a dangerous relationship. She finds a job working for the reclusive, eccentric MMC Rupert in his opulent mansion, cooking and cleaning. It’s going well, except she’s never actually met him and doesn’t understand why he hides from her. He adores her cooking and sends her notes, which she quickly begins to cherish. They of course eventually meet face to fuzzy face.

I adored this book. The first half was so sweet and endearing I was kicking my feet and giggling. Then of course their relationship changes when they finally start spending time together, and things eventually get extra spicy. I loved the adaptation of the traditional story, removing the Stockholm elements and giving the FMC her own goals and aspirations.

A fantastic read! I would love to see more retellings like this from Riley in the future.

Spice 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5

*** I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Shreya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from the author. All thoughts are my own!

First of all, thank you to Lyonne Riley for this book!

I absolutely adore monster romance, and having a monster stay a monster? Yes please! Peony had such an interesting character and I loved her relationship with Rupert. However, I felt like on Rupert's side it was more of an obsession than love, because he very quickly fell for her. Maybe later it became love, but for me, I found Peony's character more authentic than Rupert.

I noticed someone else mention this as well, but I also wish the employer/employee relationship was explored more. It felt like a cop-out to just have Peony argue once with Rupert that she still wanted to work, because that line is so overused. I wished it would have somehow connected maybe to Rupert's identity as a monster or as just a homeowner. I just felt it didn't quite do justice to Peony's character.

Overall, though, I loved this book! The spice was spicy, the heart was there, and although it felt rushed, I genuinely enjoyed it!

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Lyonne Riley always manages to take ferocious, cursed beasts and makes me see them as whimsical, lovable, if-he-was-real-I’d-do I mean date him-book boyfriends. Rupert is refined, an excellent cook, and becomes completely smitten with his new human housekeeper slash cook, Peony—before he has even met her in person. Peony, loves her new position working for the elusive Rupert. The more notes are exchanged, the greater Peony’s interest is piqued. She discovers Rupert is different. Very. Soon she discovers how different … and here is where their story truly is birthed. Together they face challenges, as well as, achieve triumphs. They suffer heartache, as well as great joy. This is a fantastic story from page one. *** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Rupert
FMC:
✨Peony
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Tropes:
👉monster romance
👉he falls first
👉secret identity
👉cursed
👉psycho ex boyfriend
👉dual POV
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex, bottom play, tail play,
💥profanity
💥violence, abusive ex
💥kidnapping, immuring, hostage situation
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
✨MF

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauty and the Beast type retelling, but the monster stays a monster. Yay, love that!

This was a slow burn, friends to lovers book. It was sweet, and I enjoyed them getting to know each other slowly. I liked the notes Rupert passed to Peony when she cooked him meals. Food and cooking really played a big part in this book, and they bonded over their shared love of food and cooking. Personally the constant description of the food got a little old to me. But that’s just me, it didn’t take away from the book or cause me to give less stars because of it.

I liked it. I thought it was cool that even though Rupert was revealed to be a monster to the outside world, people kind of took it in stride and weren’t super alarmed. I feel like some parts were super slow and some parts were super rushed. Honestly not my favourite Lyonne Riley book, but it was still good.

I got an ARC of this book and this is all my honest opinion. If you like a slow burn Beauty and the Beast retelling where the monster stays a monster, I’d recommend it.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all grew up reading fairytales, this one is just a spicier version!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received an opportunity to read The Monster in the Manor by Lyonne Riley and let me tell you I was not disappointed! This book had the perfect balance of sweet and spice. (Literally, the recipes and food descriptions in this book had my mouth watering) This beauty in the beast retelling happens in modern day as our main FMC is trying to rebuild her life. She freshly out of an abusive relationship, on the run, and out of money. She acquires a house keeping/ chef job with an elusive billionaire that seems to have a taste for only her. The only problem is he seems to never want to meet her even if he does admire her cooking and cleaning skills. No matter her culinary skills, she knows this is a recipe for disaster. Did she outrun one monster just to fall into bed with another? Read The Monster in the Manor out March 20, 2026!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I would have finished this in one sitting but I ended up falling asleep in the middle of reading this book.

Seriously I couldn’t put it down! First off I love me a good retelling, this has beauty and beast vibes but make is SPICY heheh.

Peony is fleeing from an abusive bf when her aunt sets her up with a job, she gets to work but never gets to meet the man of the house, he’s secretive and never leaves the manor..

That is until one night she spots him and nothing from that day is the same!!

Ugh I loved Rupert, I loved how sweet and honestly broken he was he was lonely and thought he was cursed! Ugh he was perfection, sweet, possessive, attentive and honestly followed her around like a lil puppy dog was just so good.

Peony is smart, killer cook and over was an amazing character, she was sweet and so open!

I loved the story, I loved the character, and highly recommend 🖤

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peony and Rupert retelling as beauty and the beast was amazing. I liked how it wasn’t the typical retelling and had its own plot and twist to it. I truly didn’t except to cry during this book but Lyonne got me. When Peony was so excited to make the three course meal and meet Rupert for the first time, I was delighted. Just for it to be crushed and in tears a few pages later because he didn’t show up. The emotions were written well and did their job. I had a feeling that Andy would come back but holy cow, I didn’t except all of that to go down. That was an incredible plot twist to the story line and Rupert really got his redemption after that. In the end, I was happy to read that both of them reconnected with their parents. I was so happy to find out that they did get married and he became an amazing husband!! Buying and Supporting Peony new restaurant was wholesome. The spice in the book definitely did its part and was chefs kiss. 😘