Beauty IS the Beast

Modern Fairy Tales #3

by Jenni James

When Arabella Mercedes Monroe first learns she's won Senior State Representative for the state of Colorado, she's ecstatic. She'll be attending swanky events all over the state, doing press releases and news interviews. What's not to love? Until she finds out she has to share the limelight with major nerd Brockton Davis. How will she ever survive being shackled with him the whole year?

Brockton Davis can't stand preppy princesses who think they're better than everyone. He’ll guarantee Arabella gets knocked down a peg or two, and learn a few choice life lessons about being nice to others--even if it kills him. And being with her all year just might.

Beauty and the Beast meets Taming of the Shrew in this modern heartfelt clean teen retelling. This is book three of the Jenni James Modern Fairy Tales, followed by bestselling Not Cinderella's Type and Sleeping Beauty: Back to Reality.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Retellings, Contemporary, Young Adult Contemporary, Fairy Tale Retellings, Fairy Tales

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2017

About the author

CLEAN ROMANCE FOR TEENS:

*The Jane Austen Diaries*
Pride & Popularity (Aug 2011)
Persuaded (Aug. 2012)
Emmalee (Jan 2013)
Mansfield Ranch (Dec 2013)
Northanger Alibi (Feb. 2012)
Sensible & Sensational (July 2015)
Sand & Sun (2016)
The Wilsons
Queen Sydney

*Jenni James Faerie Tale Collection*
Beauty and the Beast
Sleeping Beauty
Rumplestiltskin
Cinderella
Hansel and Gretel
Jack and the Beanstalk
Snow White
The Frog Prince
Twelve Dancing Princesses
Rapunzel
The Little Mermaid
Peter Pan
Return to Neverland
The Forgotten Princess
The Princess With the Golden Touch
Little Red Riding Hood
(and more...)

MIDDLE GRADE READERS:
Prince Tennyson (May 2012)

EARLY READERS:

*Andy & Annie Collection*
A Ghost Story
Greeny Meany

WOMEN'S FICTION:

*Revitalizing Jane Series*
Drowning
Swimming
Crawling
Walking
Running
Soaring


CLEAN ROMANCE FOR ADULTS:

*Eternal Realm Series*
Eternity
Destiny
Divinity

Reviews

[Jenni James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated with the concept of redemption. I truly believe that the purpose of life is to change for the better--to grow, to come out of yourself and into who you could be. So, when I tackled this concept of Beauty IS the Beast, I couldn't wait to see how Arabella grows and develops. My very early beta readers were saying things like--"If I'm supposed to like Arabella right now, um... it's not working." Haha! Which is, of course, exactly how I needed them to react.

Arabella is a beast, but I love her journey--and I love Brockton too!

Actually, what surprised me most about this modern retelling was how comical it was. There are some super cute fun scenes that had me chuckling again and again through the edits too. I hope you love this book as much as I did writing it.

Enjoy. Book three of my modern fairy tales.
Jenni

[Teya Teya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of the twist in the fairy tale. I had a whiplash from it though. I mean I know it's short so you have to pack a punch in a few page, however, the kiss in the middle of not being able to stand someone. Yikes. Even Belle didn't kiss the beast until he rescued her. So after he rescues her or she rescues him maybe then a kiss but it was completely unrealistic when he kissed her first. I sat there thinking but you just said you couldn't stand her, what? It ended up being really cute. I could be the rescue was his challenge but still that was later. The first kiss should have been after those things. It was a great idea and twist though.

[Kacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awwww this book is the most adorable book ever. Still cheesy. Just like the other ones. But i loved it! I almost cried a lot. And my heart hurt for these two also. Definitely my favorite of the three books in the series.

[Tenille Berezay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story, but I wish all the books in this series were longer. I'd like to see characters who are more flushed out, more tried, and who struggle more in overcoming their problems. It almost seems too easy, too much of a fairy tale.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Arabella and Brockton!

I loved seeing the way Arabella evolved in this book! When the title says Beauty IS the Beast that is what literally means! And I have a crush on Brockton! What an admirable and downright wonderful hero! I was rooting for them all the way! A super sweet read suitable for young and old alike:) Highly recommended!

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute modern twist on the Beauty and Beast trope. Arabella is popular, beautiful and ready to take the world by a storm. When she wins state high school representative for Colorado, she is sure all her dreams are about to come true. Until she realizes she can’t bring her popular, good looking boyfriend around as her plus one to all the events she has to attend. She must pair up with Brockton, the boy’s state representative who is a little nerdy and comes from a poor background. So begins their mutual hate relationship. He thinks she’s stuck on herself. She thinks he isn’t good enough for her.

This is a fun YA story that teaches a great lesson about changing and looking beneath the skin to the true person underneath all the masks we like to wear. It was fast-paced and very captivating. Great book!

[Starri Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Beauty and the Beast meets Taming of the Shrew.” Beauty is the Beast is a new take on beauty and the beast. Instead of the guy being the beast the beautiful girl is really the beast. She doesn’t even know she is being a terrible person until she is put in her place and she is taken aback and makes some life changes. Arabella shouldn’t want Brockton but the more time the spend together and after that one kiss she is not sure what these feelings are she’s feeling. She went from being jealous and upset having to share the “spotlight” with someone to needing and wanting Brockton. Arabella is the exact girl Brockton shouldn’t want or care about, but the more time they spend together the more he realizes she needs him as much as he needs her. Such a fun and lighthearted take on Beauty and the Beast. I love that it isn’t your typical retelling. This story is worth the read!

[Rickey Sanasac · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEETEST book ever!!! L

This book was a super good!! At the beginning I was a little confused that the book was about Arabella being mean to everyone. Then I thought Brockton didn't like Arabella. But as I kept reading I saw the miraculous change both characters were undergoing. This book is perfect for 13 and 14 year olds.

[Vibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it's a cute premise anyway

Unfortunately, the fleshing out of the story just has too much cringe for my comfort level, and I closed the book at the point where Arabella tanks at the hospital benefit luncheon, & Brockton makes up an over-the-top story about her aversion to blood to help her cover for it.

Arabella's not a particularly believable character, either. Her narcissistic characteristics are, but not the way she lives them out. Brockton is more believable - a bit too saintly, but his thinking & motivations are pretty much psychologically true to life.

I was hoping this would be a funny or at least amusing story, but it's been nothing but cringeworthy, so as rare as this is for me, this one's a DNF.

[Datele · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can never go wrong with Ms. James! Once again she gives us a cute couple, only this time she flips the table at the "nerd girl - popular boy" and "hideous and rude man - gorgeous and kind woman" tropes. And once again, the cover is gorgeous!

In this story, Arabella is a beautiful, popular, top-successful high school student, but also arrogant, self-absorbed and manipulative of her friends, professors and parents. Although her parents have taught her good manners and kind social behavior, she likes attention and believes herself to be above all other students. Brockton on the other hand is a nerd from a poor background, but has a golden heart. He is smart, funny, takes care of his grandmother and other people in need and also top high school student.

This pair seems so odd and mismatched when they first meet. Their tempers, their personalities and wits clash with each other, yet soon after this clash a lot of sparks appear! Their chemistry is off the charts, from the moment they quarrel until they kiss, and from a simple tease to a serious conversation. Brockton will help Arabella transform from her ugly self to a sweet girl. He will take her out of her "ice castle" into the real world of kindness and happiness of giving. Arabella will help him in return with his grandmother and even teach him to forgive and give a second chance to fallen people who want to become better. Their journey of redemption and self-discovery has its obstacles and emotional moments, but the happy ending is very satisfying and heart-warming.

I totally recommend it to everyone in search of a sweet, clean, short, and light contemporary story with deeper morals and a happy ending. Thank you Ms. James for giving us one more amazing couple!

[Heather Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick, cute read

This was a fun Beauty and the Beast retelling with a twist where the female mc is the beast. Its theme, of course, was looking outside yourself to find your true self. Most convincing, least cringey dialogue of all the books in the series. My only hang up with it (the entire series, really) was the awkward first kiss with someone you barely know. All three books had it and I have to wonder why. The characters acted as if they weren't in control of themselves when they did it. No meaning behind it. No reason for it. Also the love declaration felt really premature. They don't even know each other really and already the proverbial light bulb turns on and they realize they are in love and have been looking their whole lives for each other. I don't buy it. Clean. Young teens would like it.

[Morghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different version of Beauty and the Beast..actually it reminded me of the movie Geek Charming, which I loved. Maybe this is why I adore Jenni James so much...her tone is reminiscent of some of my favorite Disney Channel movies. Jenni James really nailed the redemption plot in this story. I love that you can really see the progression of the heroine. You fall in love with her while the hero is doing the same. Very lovely story.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic retelling

Arabella is the beauty and the beast. She's snobby princess -type who believes the world centers around her. When she is called into the principal's office to inform her she is now Colorado's High School senior State Rep, she believes the world will now bow to her. Then she learns she has to share the stage with a someone.

Her tale is one of changing for the better. It's done well. :)

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I rarely find a book I love like this. It’s not perfect but it draws you in and captures your attention. It’s like another world playing out in your mind, where you see all that is happening as if you are there and not hiding from the real world. Jenni James has a way of touching on real life and making it a fairytale! I can’t wait to read more of her stories!!

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love all of Jenni James's fairy tale books, but this one seemed to follow sort of a different pattern. It was a quick, delightful read, and, although I'm a great-grandmother and loved it, I would like to see teen-agers read it. There are lessons to be learned about how to really find happiness.

[Amel Armeliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished in a short time and I loved it. Love the idea, that the beauty is actuality the beast herself and only a nerd but kind boy who could break the ugliness in her.
And where can I get the bonus chapter? I need more Brockton and Arabella.

[Leya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discivered this auther after watch a movie for her other book. So this a a different take on Beauty and the beast with Beauty being the beast.. quite interesting. Have not read YA books befor so this was good. really enjoyed the charactors. i think for a teen book they where well written.

[Andie N · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s so bad...I wanted to DNF it almost instantly, and I definitely wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, but since a friend of mine likes the author she told me I should read it. I did and I won’t be reading any of her other books. I went in expecting nothing and still was disappointed.

[Sharon Hogenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars Beauty IS the Beast was a fairly good read until the end. It's a YA fiction, which I usually quite enjoy, but the end was a bit cheesy, even for a YA book. Lost half a star there, or on this site a complete star.

[Danielle Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn’t enough character development for my liking. I just finished the second one before reading this one, and I noticed that the guys have literally no flaws. You shouldn’t only have a flawed female character and then no development for the male.

[Angélica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetest story I've read this year. It was simple, deep, real, meaningful and cute.
A perfect book to read in a rainy afternoon (or at bedtime, like me)

[Karijean31 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was crying when Arabella was getting bullied. Even though she was mean before, no one deserves unkindness. I loved the happy ending. Great book!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, quick read about the power to change and the joy of service.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really liked this modern, fairy tale retelling, young adult novel. The characters were well written and felt 'real.'

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on modern mashup of Beauty and the Beast and The Taming of the Shrew!

[Zoë Ann Book Queen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 magical little stars

[Rmsooon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ive read " beauty is the beast " ,, the idea is so good but the book wasnt good ,, i enjoyed the idea but its not well done ,, i gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars

[Nayely Tineo]

i love this book

[Kirsten Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

-Nice Guy Meets Mean Girl

Aw, man! This was such a beautiful story! I loved it. The hero was an average-looking guy, nothing special, but he had such a heart of gold! A true gentleman. Kind, generous, sweet, thoughtful... And, ironically, he starts to fall for the mean, rich, self-centred, snobby girl - and then he helps her become a much better person.
-"And then she sat down on the chair in her room and cried big ugly tears of relief. She was loved. She’d actually made it from monster to girl, and nothing had ever felt better."-
I really like these modern fairy-tale-with-a-twist series of books that this author is writing. They are all so well-written and inspirational, always with a great moral lesson, without being preachy. Highly recommended for teens and young adults alike (and more "mature" adults like me who enjoy them too!). 5 stars!