The Beau & the Belle

by R.S. Grey

Beau Fortier starred in most of my cringe-worthy teenage fantasies.

I met him when I was a junior in high school, a time that revolved exclusively around bad hair, failed forays into flirting, and scientific inquiries into which brand of toilet paper worked best for stuffing bras.

That is, until Beau moved into the small guest house just beyond my bedroom window.

A 24-year-old law student at Tulane, Beau was as mysterious to me as second base (both in baseball and in the bedroom). He was older. Intimidating. Hot. Boys my age had chicken legs and chubby cheeks. Beau had calloused hands and a jaw cut from steel. Our interactions were scarce—mostly involving slight stalking on my end—and yet deep down, I desperately hoped he saw me as more of a potential lover than a lovesick loser.

Turns out, I was fooling myself. My fragile ego learned that lesson the hard way.

Now, ten years later, we’re both back in New Orleans, and guess who suddenly can’t take his eyes off little ol’ me.

My old friend, Mr. Fortier.

But things have changed. I’m older now—poised and confident. My ego wears a bulletproof vest. The butterflies that once filled my stomach have all perished.

When I was a teenager, Beau warned me to guard my heart.
Let’s hope he knows how to guard his.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Adult, Humor, Audiobook

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2018

About the author

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five romantic comedies. She loves books, chocolate, reality TV, and cold weather. She lives in Texas with her husband, two daughters, and dog. Visit her at rsgrey.com.

Instagram: @AuthorRSGrey

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/RSGrey/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author...

Reviews

[Katerina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 "the Queen of rom-coms delivers once more" stars!!

An extract of the dialogue that took place between my Brain and my Heart after I finished The Beau & the Belle is cited below. There might be some inconsistencies because I was still flushed from the sizzling chemistry between Lauren and Beau. You have been warned.



Brain: *cries in silence*
Heart: What is wrong, Brain? I thought we were happy.
Brain: Error 404.
Heart: What?
Brain: My cells cannot function properly. I think they're clouded from the scorching heat, and I can’t process what is happening.
Heart: It’s simple, really, we just fell in love.
Brain: Again? How is it possible? This is getting ridiculous, we can’t keep falling in love with R.S. Grey's male leads! Their numbers make up a football team!
Heart: Well this is a team that could easily make me love football! Go team hot dudes!

Brain: I wonder, though, how does she do it? She has never failed to create hot hot hot and hilarious and adorable couples that turn us into babbling mess-
Mouth: I second that, I’m stuck in a foolish grin and I can’t get rid of it!
Brain: Just remember we’ll never find someone like Beau Fortier.
Mouth:
Yeap, that worked.
Heart: Why are you such a wet blanket? Poor Mouth will never smile again.
Brain: We have to go back to reality. The Beau & the Belle was an uplifting, feel-good novel that turned me -
Heart: Us
Brain: - into a pile of goo, and made Stomach hurt from laughter, but you need to realize that things like that don’t happen. That way, growing old along with our cat collection will be easier.
Heart: But -
Brain: Let me finish! Do you plan on visiting New Orleans?
Heart: No but -
Brain: And tasting king cake? Attending fancy charity balls?
Heart: No, but we did finish law school and we almost burned the house when we tried to cook once, so there are some similarities.
Brain: Did we meet someone like Beau in law school?
Heart:*deflated* No, everyone was uptight in the not-so-sexy way, and we only drooled out of boredom, not because boys were delicious enough to make Mouth water like Beau.
Mouth: I second that!
Brain: Stop seconding and keep on consuming cookies! See Heart? You need to wake up!
Heart: Honestly, Brain, all I can hear is incoherent grumpy mumbling! I loved The Beau & the Belle, I loved the warmth that enveloped me and made me race whenever Beau and Lauren were close, and that giddy feeling I can’t shake off. And even you, smartass, can agree that the difference between the narration of teenage Lauren and adult Lauren was really well depicted, so thumbs up for that! My only complaint is that it ended rather abruptly, I wanted wedding bells and babies and a public rejection of Preston -
Brain: Dude I wanted the last one too!

Mouth: I sec-
Brain and Heart: Shut up Mouth!
Heart: And didn’t you enjoy the slow burn? I needed a fire extinguisher because my panties were on fire!
Brain: Classy, Heart, so classy.
Heart: But oh so true. Tell me, what’s your verdict then?
Brain: Fine, it’s one of those times I agree with you.
Heart: Halleluiah!
Brain: It’s R.S. Grey after all, an instant-buy author whenever in need for smile and detectable tension and feisty and adorkable heroines and male leads you want to bite -
Heart: Yum yum! *suddenly giggles*
Brain: What?
Heart: I just remember the instant messenger conversations! I wanted to die off second hand embarrassment!
Brain: *bursts into a fit of laughter*

If Brain and Heart agreeing on something didn't convince you to read The Beau & the Belle, what can? Puppies playing peek-a-boo?



*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Review also posted on BookNest!

[Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!



You can have all my money, Ms. Grey. Have it all. Even my soul. Your books feed it anyway; you might as well have it. Reading The Beau and the Belle brought butterflies to my stomach and a perma-smile on my face! The hero made me swoon, and the heroine made me laugh so much. Plus, it's set in New Orleans, a place I've always wanted to visit.

Remember when we were in high school and we daydreamed about crushes? The popular upperclassman, the best friend's older brother, the guy next door, all the seemingly unreachable men. How about when we made questionable decisions—decisions we cringe over when we're reminiscing about it—over those men?

Lauren LeBlanc was a senior in high school when Beau Fortier, a man in his last year of law school, rented the apartment in her family's property. She was previously focused on Preston, the most popular guy in her school's partner all-male school, but there was something so alluring about Beau. He was mature, hard-working, incredibly good-looking, and kind to her. It was inevitable she'd become infatuated with him.

While he felt a connection, Beau Fortier knew better than to encourage her feelings for him. He was eight years older, and he needed to focus on finishing law school so he could give his mother her dreams of restoring the Fortier family's prestige. Plus, he respected Lauren's parents too much.

When an event forced them to leave New Orleans and part ways, Lauren ended up with a broken heart. They didn't see each other again until ten years later when she came back to start a business and open an art gallery.

To Lauren's surprise, Beau wants her and is not subtle in wanting to pursue her. Now older, she is more cautious when it comes to Beau and won't give in easily. But Beau is nothing if not determined. He won't stop until he proves to her he's serious about her.

This is how I wanted to be touched all those years ago, and it's making me lightheaded to feel it now. Maybe's it's better this way. At 27, I can barely handle this feeling. At 17, I'd have gone comatose."

Before I wax poetic about Beau, let me just say that I adored Lauren and her POV! There was a subtle but significant change in her past to present POV that shows her growth. She's still the same in essence—funny, a little bit dorky, charming—but there's an air of maturity that didn't exist before. I also love her friendship with her best friend, Rose. Their conversations are hilarious yet so genuine and realistic; it feels like Rose is my best friend, too!

Now, off to Beau. My dear Beau. He's hard-working, thoughtful, a family man, and a complete gentleman. And he's perfected the art of slow seduction. His relationship with his mother is heartwarming, and you just know his feelings for Lauren are genuine. Gah, I love him!

R.S. Grey never fails to make me laugh out loud.I haven't read all of the author's works, but from all of the books I've read, this is her most slow-burn to date. No complaints from me. I'm a sucker for slow-burn romance!

The Beau and the Belle is a feel-good, slow-burn, second chance romance that will make you laugh and fall in love. What to expect from TB&TB: New Orleans. A gentleman hero who works hard, loves his mother, and has perfected the art of the slow seduction. A strong and relatable heroine. Sexual and non-sexual touching. Feels.

Tropes: Age Gap, Childhood Friends, Second Chance
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

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[Dilek VT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blurb misleading, plot execution weak :(

The plot:

Lauren and Beau first meet when Beau rents a room in their house. He is 24 whereas she is 17. Lauren practically throws herself at him at every chance but he acts in the most proper way, saying that she is too young for him.

He finds her beautiful but he never acts upon it and he never lets her seduce him even when she appears in his bedroom one night. He is a perfect guy in so many ways. Also, he respects her parents.

But of course, this rejection of his crashes Lauren’s silly teenage ego.

***

After a devastating hurricane, they move on with their lives in separate states with new conditions and they never have any contact for 10 years.

***

When they both come back to their hometown, they have no chance but meet again eventually.

***********************************************

Now now, if you read the blurb, there is a part that says:

But things have changed. I’m older now—poised and confident. My ego wears a bulletproof vest. The butterflies that once filled my stomach have all perished.

When I was a teenager, Beau warned me to guard my heart. Let’s hope he knows how to guard his.

This totally sounds like a sweet vengeance story, right?

If you ask me, the blurb is misleading because in the blurb, it feels like Beau was some as*hole back then, and now, 10 years later, it is time for Lauren's retaliation, her time to make him work for it, to make him grovel to win her heart or something like that.

Don’t you expect a vengeance story after reading the blurb? Is it just me?

Now that I have read the book, I feel as if I have been deceived.

First of all, Lauren acted stupidly when she was a teenager, and Beau was totally doing the right thing. He was no as*hole.

So no revenge necessary! (But it is still good to make a man work hard for you, so I would still have enjoyed it.)

***

However, 10 years later, Lauren is still none the wiser. She still acts foolishly. She still acts like she is 17. She doesn’t have any self-confidence.

In the blurb it says, “Now my ego wears a bulletproof vest.”

Ha ha, bulletproof vest, my as*!
(Sorry but I had to say it like this ... now I feel a bit relieved :)

Let me give an example of her stupidity.

Beau kisses her in his office and after some very hot moments, he stops and says she should go.

I thought he was on the verge of losing control and because he didn’t want to take it any further in the office, he had to send her away.

But Lauren didn’t know what to think, and she phoned her friend Rose, who pointed out that she must be a bad kisser and she believed her friend. Then for 2 weeks, she didn’t let Beau go further than shake hands while she was reading different articles on the internet about how to be a good kisser and how to be better at sex. She even prepared a dossier for different positions she felt she had to learn.

“I think you and I had better just stay friends, or maybe we should just put this on ice for another 10 years. That way I can stop worrying so much about how I’m not enough for you and I can go back to eating solid foods and sleeping through the night.”

***

“I’ve been researching sexual positions to get myself up to speed with what you’re probably accustomed to. No doubt you’ve spent the last few years with beautiful women who swing from the rafters like some sort of R-rated Cirque du Soleil shit. I don’t want to compete with that—my health insurance isn’t that good.”

***

“Every day for the last few weeks. I only take cold showers. I work out 30 minutes longer than I usually do. You haven’t let me kiss you in two weeks.”
She laughs. “Hilarious! I’m going to kill Rose.”
“Why?”
“She was the one to suggest that my kissing skills were to blame, that it might’ve clued you in to how inexperienced I am.”
“So if Rose hadn’t speculated that, you and I would have—”
She laughs and finally meets my gaze. Her hazel eyes are alight with humor. “Oh yeah, if she hadn’t broken my confidence, we’d have had sex ages ago—lots of it. We’d probably both need metal plates and screws in our pelvises by now.”

Ok, I see all this is supposed to be funny but I am just not the right person to take it as funny but annoying!



As Lauren is no one to take vengeance or to make Beau work hard for her no matter how much she wants to do it, she makes it hard for him by “acting stupidly!”

Causing fire while cooking a romantic dinner for him was the dumbest of all.

***********************************************

You know – what is worse than a woman who doesn’t want to make a man work hard to win her?

Well, if you ask me, it is a woman who wants to / intends to but fails to do it because she turns into mush when she sees his gorgeous self �� all logic gone in a moment.

***********************************************

My Criticisms about the Writing:

The first %30 of the book, (92 pages), is called PAST and is about these teenage years of Lauren.

The other two-thirds of the book is called PRESENT, and the book drags in both sections.

Also, I think flashbacks about the past mixed with the present happenings is a better writing style than chunks of chapters about past and then, present time events.

It just felt like a school essay to me, everything listed in time order, under proper titles with “PAST” & “PRESENT”.

Coincidental… or not?

What disturbed me most in this book is that it made me feel like the writer was trying to create another “Hating Game” couple, a fake “Lucy & Joshua”.

I cannot explain how I got that feeling, you need to read it to feel it but I can say that it was the way she talked and the way she loved him and the way she described how she loved him (the sweet and funny way of describing her crazy feelings about him).

E.g.
His camel coat is hanging near the back, the one I love, and I bet he has some hats I could pull down over my ears. Instead, I settle on wrapping a navy cashmere scarf around my neck so I can dip my head and inhale any time I want. It’s like I have him completely wrapped around me.

It may be totally coincidental… or not, I don’t know… I am just saying I had this feeling and it disturbed me. Also, Lauren was nowhere near LUCY. All the jokes she made about herself felt forced to me.

All in all, this book was a disappointment for me... Not recommended.

[Patty ~ Wrapped Up In Reading Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

*****FOUR STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}


This is the kiss I wanted 10 years ago. This is what I begged him for, and now that I have it, I don’t want to let it go.



THE BEAU AND THE BELLE is a sweet second chance romance between two people who couldn’t act on their feelings the first time they became a part of each other’s lives but ten years later things have changed and now it’s a battle of wills that stand in their way.




Beau Fortier was in his last year of law school at Tulane University when he met the sweet and beguiling Lauren LeBlanc. He answers an ad for a studio apartment in the home of one of New Orleans oldest and most influential families. Long ago, the Fortier's were just as esteemed and powerful as the LeBlanc's but during the 60s and 70s the family fell upon hard times and lost their fortune. Beau is determined to graduate from Tulane and to become a successful lawyer so that he can rebuild his family’s empire and provide the kind of lifestyle to his mother that she once grew up in.



When Beau and Lauren first meet, you can tell there’s a special chemistry there, BUT there’s an eight-year age gap between them. Lauren is seventeen and Beau is twenty-five. He knows that it would be highly improper for anything to happen romantically between them, but this doesn’t stop the lovesick and innocent teenager from hitting on Beau. While nothing happens between them during this team, deeply rooted feelings have developed. Then Hurricane Andrea steps in and ends up separating them for the next ten years.



Lauren went off to the east coast to finish out her senior year of high school and then ended up attending an ivy league university in Connecticut as well. After graduating from college, she secured a job on the art acquisitions team for Sotheby’s in NYC. Now, ten years after she left New Orleans, she’s returning home and about to open her own art gallery/coffee shop.




The years that separated Beau and Lauren have not managed to diminish the attraction they each felt for each other and when they cross paths at a formal ball held in Lauren’s honor, there is no denying that the chemistry is still very strong between them. Beau is determined to stake his claim but while Lauren may have blossomed into a stunning young woman, she’s still very much stuck in the past and the insecure seventeen-year-old girl seems to still be making all her decisions! Beau knows that Lauren is the only one for him and he’s on a mission to convince her that they belong together.





Here are my overall ratings on the book:

Heroes: 4.5
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4
Angst: 4
Steam: 3
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 4.5



THE BEAU AND THE BELLE releases on February 1st!


★AMAZON US: http://amzn.to/2DVSRNd
★AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079D852KG
★AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B079D852KG
★AMAZON AU: http://amzn.to/2DGRoqO

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars!



Beau and Lauren meet when Beau is 24 and Lauren in 17. Beau rents a room from her wealthy parents while he's finishing law school and Lauren has the biggest crush on him. You can tell they have some chemistry, but Beau can't go there. The two have a moment, but that's all it ever is. Fast forward 10 years later and they are in the same city again, and age appropriate. Beau has really made something of himself, just like we knew he would. And now that she's back, he has his sights set on Lauren. She doesn't make it easy for him, though. She was hurt from when she was a kid and he turned her away... 

The Beau and the Belle started off strong for me, it also ended strong for me. Somewhere in the middle though, it lost me a bit. I think it was the heroine. I had issues with some of her choices and I was bothered by the fact that she harbored a grudge for the hero for only doing the right thing when he was far older than her. She was still in high school, a kid for all purposes, and he would have, quite frankly been a creeper had he given in to her advances, no matter how attracted he was to her. I also didn't care for the whole Preston thing in the present, or the fact that Lauren was so insecure about her bedroom abilities when Beau did nothing to make her feel that way. I wanted more of a spark and connection with these two and was desperate for an epilogue. 

Overall, I did enjoy this book for the most part. I found the hero endearing and likable and another thing I loved was the atmosphere. It makes me want to take a trip to NOLA. It's not my favorite from this author, but still a decent read. I like the authors writing style and humor and I'll definitely be reading more from her in the future! 

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIVE AMAZON http://amzn.to/2DVSRNd

5 AMAZING STARS <3

There are no words to describe or express how amazing this story is!I have said it before and i will never stop saying that R.S. Grey is so talented! She really nailed this one!The Beau & the Belle has everything I wanted in a story and even more, slow burn,fun moments and a sweet romance!



I adored Lauren and Beau!Lauren is fun,strong and lovable.Beau is perfect, I loved him so much!They have an amazing chemistry and I simply couldn't get enough of these two!!They fit so perfect together, they have some really funny moments and they mostly make me swoon and melt over them!

Another amazing story from R.S. Grey!You must read this book it was simply amazing, I highly recommend it to everyone!If you are looking for a light story with a slow burn this is perfect for you!!

 

  

[Nissa | Of Pens and Pages Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review at Of Pens and Pages.

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
Story: 4.5 stars
Performance: 5 stars

STORY OVERVIEW AND REVIEW

The Beau and the Belle is a feel-good, slow-burn, second chance romance that will make you laugh and fall in love. What to expect from TB&TB: New Orleans. A gentleman hero who works hard, loves his mother and has perfected the art of the slow seduction. A strong and relatable heroine. Sexual and non-sexual touching. Feels.

The Beau & the Belle takes us back in time to when we had a crush on someone seemingly so unattainable and out of our league—say the cool upperclassman or the most popular guy in school. What would it be like to meet up years later with that old crush and suddenly have their undivided attention? Lauren LeBlanc is living that dream with her old crush, Beau Fortier, who was their family's law student tenant when she was in high school.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT THE AUDIOBOOK?

My favorite narrator tandem are back at it again with a wonderful performance of TB&TB! Luci Christian & Joe Arden are so energetic, so into their characters, that they've succeeded in bringing Lauren and Beau to life. Honestly, I've expected nothing less.

The feelings are palpable—the longing, adoration, the jealousy, and anger; it's all there. Since the story is divided into two parts—the past and present—it's great to hear the change in voice and tone of the actors as they grew up; Luci Christian especially. In Ms. Christian's portrayal of present-day Lauren, there's still that hint of youth in Lauren, but you can tell she's grown up. I really enjoyed that.

Going to New Orleans has always been on my bucket list, and listening to this gave me a major case of the wanderlust. I felt like I was walking around the French Quarter, the Garden District, Bourbon Street eating beignets and king cakes with Lauren and Beau.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS AUDIOBOOK TO A FRIEND? IF SO, WHY?

With great narrators and an enjoyable story, what's not to like? If you haven't listened to a Luci Christian-Joe Arden tandem audiobook, you're missing out. These two have spoiled me, I swear.

Tropes: Age Gap, Childhood Friends, Second Chance
POV: First Person, Dual POV
Standalone: Yes

*Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.

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[Ida · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. ⭐
It´s definitely a fun read, and R.S. Grey is with out a doubt an incredible author, I just expected something different from the blurb.



The blurb:

Beau Fortier starred in most of my cringe-worthy teenage fantasies.
I met him when I was a junior in high school, a time that revolved exclusively around bad hair, failed forays into flirting, and scientific inquiries into which brand of toilet paper worked best for stuffing bras.
That is, until Beau moved into the small guest house just beyond my bedroom window.
A 24-year-old law student at Tulane, Beau was as mysterious to me as second base (both in baseball and in the bedroom). He was older. Intimidating. Hot. Boys my age had chicken legs and chubby cheeks. Beau had calloused hands and a jaw cut from steel. Our interactions were scarce—mostly involving slight stalking on my end—and yet deep down, I desperately hoped he saw me as more of a potential lover than a lovesick loser.
Turns out, I was fooling myself. My fragile ego learned that lesson the hard way.
Now, ten years later, we’re both back in New Orleans, and guess who suddenly can’t take his eyes off little ol’ me.
My old friend, Mr. Fortier.
But things have changed. I’m older now—poised and confident. My ego wears a bulletproof vest. The butterflies that once filled my stomach have all perished.
When I was a teenager, Beau warned me to guard my heart.
Let’s hope he knows how to guard his.

I loved the blurb. I´m a sucker for second chance romances with strong, confident characters who learns from their mistakes, and a plot where you're, at some point, actually a bit unsure of how the story ends. This was not one of those books.
I knew from reading Angies review that I wouldn't be getting a douchebag turned hero, but I at least thought I would get the confident, snarky female lead that makes the supposed-to-be-alpha-douchbag work for it.

The story starts with 24 year old Beau moving in to the Fortiers pool house. From the moment we meet him, I like his character. He´s like Scott Eastwood from The longest ride, with his southern manners and killer looks.


Luren is the 17 year old insecure teenager who gets a major crush on Beau. Sure we´ve all had crushes in our teenage years, and some of us probably cringe while remembering some of the things we did back then, but Laurens crush is closer to an obsession. From the blurb it sounds like she'll go through this horrible rejection, but Beau is a totall gentleman the whole time.

Jump 10 years forward, and the confident heroine we are promised is still an insecure teenager at heart. Sure her inner monologue has become a little bit more funny
“I think I found a grey hair on my head this morning. I plucked it out and burned it on my stove to make an example of it to its compatriots.”
“My palms are sweating. My knees are weak. My arms are heavy. Eminem’s the only one who understands me right now.”
and I did like her personality a lot, but that didn't way up for the missing confidence and the nonexisitent quick and witty replies that we're told is her trademark.

Definitely a well written and fast paced story, but I didn't find it as funny or intriguing as I though I would. Combining that with my expectations from the misleading blurb made me a bit disappointed.

[Corina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped into this book blind, because at this point, whatever RS GREY writes I'll read. She is the author of one of my all time favorite novels SCORING WILDER and her books just work for me.

The Beau & The Belle was a fantastic novel, featuring one of the most endearing heroines. Lauren LeBlanc was engaging, funny, sweet, dorky, and all in all a truly unique and distinctive character. I would love to call her my best friend. She made me crack up. Her straight forwardness was refreshing and utterly addicting. I'm truly impressed by the author. She outdid herself by creating such an unique personality with Lauren. I was in love, and this time it wasn't a guy. :D

Now, let's not forget Beau. He was a darling. His personality was perfectly balanced. On one side he was a self made entrepreneur, hard working, dedicated with a clear goal in mind. A supportive son, and the perfect boyfriend for any daughter - except for a junior in high school. On the other hand, he was polished, sweet, restrained, and determined to do the right thing to Lauren's frustration.

Lauren and Beau's love story was BEAUTIFUL. And I was blown away by the story. I couldn't put it down, and I was mostly sitting there besotted and smiling like a lunatic.

With Lauren and Beau the author wrote a couple that was absolutely and adoringly perfect for each other. Those two stole each scene with heart and soul. I wanted to ooh and ah whenever they were together. They had chemistry that sizzled, banter that made me laugh out loud, and a romance that made me all gooey on the inside. Like I already mentioned, this book made me ludicrously happy.

I don't want to give anything away, just know, that this book was a DELIGHT!!!

Heartwarming, sweet, sexy and so GOOD!!! The author hit the perfect balance, kept it lighthearted, with a cast that was engaging as well as endearing. I just LOVED IT!!! 

There is really not much to say. I was grinning like a fool. Couldn't put it down, and loved the heroine above all else. It was a clear WINNER and should be on everyone's TBR list.

___________________________________
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[Chelsea *Slowly Catching Up* Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from Grey and it was so much fun! I'm trying to include more upbeat books in my line up, and also to be more whimsical in my choices without having such a rigid, set schedule. (Look at me being fun and living by the seat of my pants!) I found myself chuckling so hard at times that Mr. Humphrey had to rush down and make sure I wasn't descending the stairs again trying to make a blanket billow like a cape. Highly recommended folks!

[✰♊ Angie ♊✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I popped my R.S. Grey cherry on this one.



Yep... and I loved it!

This was a fun, contemporary, second chance romance.
I will admit, the blurb on this one is, IMO, misleading.



Well, I picked this up thinking I'd be getting an alphahole hero and a tough as nails badass heroine who as gonna teach alphahole hero a lesson. Yeah, sooo not that.



24-year-old Beau was actually a perfect gentleman when 17-year-old Lauren tries desperately to put the moves on him. Uh, duh... dude wasn't going to jail over the prep school girl. He rejects her and quite literally pushes her away.
So, he's not a douchbag... he's just a good guy doing the right thing.



It was definitely a good story, and I enjoyed reading it... I just wanted (and was expecting) an alphahole.
That being said... I am really glad I read this book because now I'm excited to read more from R.S. Grey.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Beau & The Belle 
Author: R.S. Grey
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: February 1st, 2018

This is it.
This is the moment I declare myself an R.S. Grey fan.
Alright, alright, alright... I see what all the hype is all about... I am a convert! I have joined the mass of R.S. Grey fans...

The Beau & The Belle is such a beautiful book! I am utterly besotted with these two characters and their love story. I think it won't be justifiable to JUST say that 'I couldn't put it down'... this was the "I-can't-stop-smiling-this-is-so-good!" type of book.

Lauren is a sweetheart and such a quirky character! She is the quintessential good girl with a hint of 'rebellious' sass. Love her!
Beau Fortier, Ladies and gentlemen, is what dreams are made of. He is smooth, suave, intelligent, hardworking and a true family man... Sigh... he is a dream.

The Beau & The Belle is the perfect book! It captures the awkwardness of growing up (I'm sure we've all faced them hahaha) and the phases of childhood crushes to the insane chemistry between these two characters.

I can't stress enough how good this book is! By the end of this book, I had the biggest smile of my face that I could not stop.

Here's the thing, I would consider the book a huge YES! if :
1> I can't put into words how much I loved it.
2> I actually stop to Google stuff(Places, food, music etc) written in the book (which I did... a lot!)
3> I cyber stalk the author (Guilty as charged...hey! atleast I admitted it hahaha)
4> Last but not the least, immediately go and buy more books written by this author.

Check mark on all of the above!

The Beau & The Belle is a fantastic book! Add it to your TBR list. Buy it. Read it.

Happy Reading!



For more ...
www.jemimajamir.com

[Geri Reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

*SPOILERS AHOY!

Sigh. This disappointed me greatly because the blurb has so much promise. I read the blurb and my mind just went I WANT! But it was disappointing.

First of all, the blurb totally overstated the nature of the conflict between a 17-year old teenage girl and a 24-year old adult. The blurb suggested that Beau did something horrible that crushed Lauren's teenage heart.

NOPE. It was just Beau doing the right thing by refusing a 17-year old girl's sexual advances. The way the thing played out made dislike Lauren immensely. She's a private school educated girl. She can't be that dense not to suspect the reason why Beau rejected her. But again, apparently not because she attributed his rejection to her not being desirable or good enough for him. So it became this endless boring drama and I was bored out of my mind with it.

I used to love this author's use of humor in her books but here it felt forced and unfunny. Nothing really worked for me. I liked Beau at first but then he bored me too.

[MELISSA *Mel Reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!



Lauren LeBlanc is a 17 yr. old junior in high school that comes from one of the oldest families in New Orleans. She grew up in New Orleans society as a debutante attending cotillions. She was sweet, innocent, & completely naive when it came to boys. Then a hot older guy moves in to the guest house apartment her family is renting. His name is Beau Fortier. He’s a 24 yr. old law student at Tulane with big dreams to build up his family name to what it once was. He comes from humble beginnings, but hopes to one day live up to the Fortier name his ancestors made prominent. Beau has completely stolen Lauren’s attention, & stars in most of her teenage fantasies. He’s all man & she has an all consuming crazy crush on him. She just wants him to see her as more than a young silly girl. They become good friends and Lauren is soon very attached to him. Then their lives go in different directions. Beau puts everything into his career, & Lauren finishes school and then moves to New York. She returns home after ten years, & crosses paths with the man she’s never been able to forget.



-I see the sparkle in her eyes that seems to whisper, The rules have changed. Back then, her beauty was irrelevant, like a delicate work of art tucked safely behind museum glass. The thought never entered my mind to cross the velvet rope.

-She might have grown up, but those damn eyes are just as communicative as they’ve always been.

-She’s a woman now, and she doesn’t have to try to be seductive. She just is.



Lauren is back in New Orleans, & Beau is ready to make his move. She was too young and off limits to him, but now she’s 27 and all grown up. There’s nothing stopping him from taking everything he’s always wanted. He’s always had feelings for Lauren & just couldn’t act on them because of her age. He never quit thinking of her, and wants to be with her. Lauren isn’t so easily convinced, & is fighting it, and holding a grudge. She beautiful and confident. She was in love with Beau ten years ago, & thinks he didn’t return her feelings. As far as she’s concerned he’d missed his chance. Except time hadn’t lessened her feelings, and he still made her feel like that same emotional teenage girl. Suddenly Beau is everywhere & she can’t escape him. She makes him work for it, and he doesn’t give up till she’s his.

Another fabulous book is this series I love! Can’t get enough of R.S. Grey’s stories!



-He’s here now and he’s so much more than I remember- more handsome, more sure of himself, more magnetic.

-At 27, I can barely handle this feeling. At 17, I’d have gone comatose.

-This is how I wanted to be touched all those years ago.

-I used to dream about him like this when I was a teenager. I used to wonder what it would be like to have him stare at me just the way he is right now.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how R.S. Grey manages to write hit after hit. She's has nailed her niche and I doubt she could write a bad book. Her stories never fail to make me laugh out loud, read through the entire day or night, and fall in love along with her characters. While I'm reading, I feel like I'm watching a Jen Aniston ROM-COM or something of the like. I want to crawl inside and stay in the happy little places she creates. One of the most impressive qualities of her books is how light and fun they continue to be while keeping my interest throughout. Most books need some level of drama or heartache and while The Beau & The Belle may have had a touch of these moments, it never seems to overwhelm the story or turn it into something predominately negative. Simply, I always know I'm going to have an enjoyable time while I'm reading an R.S. Grey book.

I have to tell you, I'm constantly jealous of Grey's wit. This was a trait I missed out on upon my creation, but one I wish I had. Every time I read her one-liners, I'm baffled, "how does she come up with this? She's freaking hilarious!" The line below almost had me spewing my tea.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Gorden-Levitt."

My favorite part of this novel were the past and present aspects of the story. The past was perfectly done, making me feel like I was back in high school again with the references to P!nk, Johnny Depp, and running home from school to sign onto Messenger, hoping the boy I liked would chat with me first. I graduated high school the same year as R.S. Grey, which made this a fun walk down memory lane. I actually longed for the innocence and ease of my teenage years again, something I never expected would happen ten years later! The main character's inexperience when it came to guys was endearing and relatable. Lauren's antics and insecurities reminded me of myself during that time in my own life. As someone who met my own (older) husband at 17 years old, I was definitely taken by the magnetism between Lauren and Beau. Their attraction to each other was all too familiar, along with the tension of being drawn to someone older.

When we catch up with the characters in the present day, I was excited to see the growth they experienced in ten years, especially Lauren's transformation into a headstrong woman. The push and pull between Beau and Lauren was perfect. I never experienced such a slow-burn in one of Grey's novels before this. I hope she employs this tactic in more of her future works because it had me flipping the pages at warp speed. I literally could not put this book down all day!

I've given all of this praise without even mentioning the setting of The Beau & The Belle! I visited New Orleans during my senior year of high school (again, with the high school nostalgia) and was enamored with the atmosphere of the city. It is one of the most unique cities I've ever been to and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to relive my short time there while reading. Many of the places mentioned are places I've been to myself, like Cafe Du Monde, Jackson Square, and Bourbon Street. 

With each book, R.S. Grey continues to move farther up my list of favorite authors. If you've yet to experience one of her books, you are sorely missing out on a feel-good story. Pick up this beauty today!!!

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Cake Flavored Stars.

Lauren is your regular 17 year old, high school girl, she has her friends, her crush, her normal interests. Enters Beau, a 24 year old guy on his last year of law school who rents Lauren’s parents rent guest apartment. And as a 17 year old girl that suddenly lives very close to a 24 year old sweet and handsome guy, her crushes change direction. But considering their age and lives difference it can never be more than a crush.
Fast forward 10 years… both of them living again in New Orleans and this times they are both adults. And this time Beau is the one with a crush.
Lauren’s 17 year old inner self just saw her wish come true, but can things work out after they became adults?



Again, this was a great romantic comedy by R. S. Grey. It was sweet, light, hilarious and heartwarming. I didn’t love the beginning (I felt Lauren’s teenage angst on having a crush on someone you shouldn’t.), but I definitely loved the reunion. Definitely a good choice if you need a good and fun romance book.



Rating: 4,5 Stars
Characters Development: I liked Lauren, she was witty, honest and smart. Yes, she probably did some things that were awkward when she was younger, but who didn’t at 17? She was a refreshing heroine to read. Beau was pretty much amazing and if his 24 year old version was nice, his 35 one is much, much better. He’s sweet, sexy and possessive and I loved him.
Steam: Some heat.
Triggers: Not really.
Love Triangle: No. Lauren went on a couple of dates with her high school ex-boyfriend in the beginning of the present book, but that had no real effect on the story line.
Cheating: No.
HEA: Yes, HFN. (For some reason the author doesn’t usually write epilogues. Which in my opinion, would have made this book 5 Stars.)

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK



I don't know why I kept putting this book off because it was brilliant. It's very rare for me to say this but I loved that the story was split into two parts, the past and the present. Getting to see Beau and Lauren when they were younger started that slow building chemistry they had and it made it all the more romantic when we then got to see how that connection was still between them in the present when they were older.

I also had many moments in the Past part that I was cracking up at Lauren because it had me remembering those days of Aim Instant Messenger when kids (yes, I mean a younger me) would rush home from school just to get on their slow dial up internet and message their friends the silliest things.

I thought the story had a really great pace in both the Past and the Present and I easily felt connected to both characters. The only complaint I really have is that I would have loved to see a little bit of their future and of how life turned out for them. I would certainly recommend this book if you're looking for a sweet tale of two people that are destined to be together.

[Warda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having so much fun with these books, it's ridiculous.

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grey returns to the romantic comedy genre with a deliciously fun, cute and sexy read. I was in stitches holding my side half the time and smiling like a loon the other.

The Beau and the Belle introduces us to Beau Fortier and Lauren LeBlanc. Ten years ago, Beau was a driven law student looking to finish school and a place to rent while Laruen was a junior in high school trying to figure out about boys and flirting. Beau was nothing like the guys her age. He was intriguing, mature, HOT! She wished he’d see her as more than a girl but he needed to focus on school, make something of himself and try his hardest to ignore his attraction to the underage beauty.

Time moves on, life happens and people grow up. He’s achieved the success he was after, she’s a confident business owner and there’s nothing holding them back.

I just love jumping into R.S. Grey books, they’re so much fun to read as I laugh and swoon over the characters antics. Both young and older version Lauren was a charming heroine. She’s a tad innocent and a lot sweet and funny while Beau was pretty much perfect. A loving son, respectful of the fact that Lauren was too young when they first met, and a determined man on a mission when they were older. They were pretty much perfect for each other with delicious chemistry, an engaging back and forth and a romance that had me glued to me eReader from start to finish.

Grey wonderfully fashions this sweet, sexy and lighthearted romance with the beauty and vibrancy of New Orleans as its backdrop. I must say I enjoyed reading the descriptions about its round-the-clock nightlife during Mardi Gras festive spirit almost as much as I enjoyed Lauren and Beau’s delicious romance.

The Beau and the Belle is standalone contemporary romance by R.S. Grey. T told from both points of view with a happy ending. A must read for any romantic comedy lover.

Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2DRjD65

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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[Maria... · Rating 3 out of 5]

”3 Stars”

This was a pretty good reading. I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. It was quite better than her last book “The Fortunate Ones” which I appreciated!



The cover is cute! The couple was lovely. The storyline was petty nice but for me there were parts that I felt something was missing. I mean don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it and they were some funny moments too, just I felt something was off from time to time. Maybe it’s just me wanting more from the authors I like every time they’re having a new book out! Am I weird or what?? Am I too demanding? Ohh screw that, I’m awesome but I still wanted more! 🤪😂✌️😉💁‍♀️

[Dianna ☾midnight reads☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 stars
➹ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review➷

This is one those novels where you just instantly know that you are going to fall in love with it no matter what happens.

The Beau and The Belle is a story about teenage crushes and second chances. It is everything I wanted in a rom-com novel and more. It's funny and fast-paced, witty and swoon-worthy.



Right from the prologue, I've fallen in love with Beau Fortier, the other half of our main characters. He's smart and determined, a family guy, and works hard for his dreams. I guess what made me like him more was the fact that he's an achiever like me when it comes to academics. He knows what he wants and knows how to get it. Definitely my type! (Rachel always knows how to get me!) #BeauTheBae 💖💖💖As for Lauren LeBlanc, my God, I'm in love with her too. That girl was a breath of fresh air for me, after reading some flop romance novels before diving into this one. She's funny and awkward, bright and innocent. And oh so adorable and cute. Not unicorn fluffy adorableness, more like she's a strong, independent, feminist woman who is still cute and everything.

Even though this novel features a couple with a seven-year age gap and started when Lauren was in Junior high and Beau in Law school, somehow it didn't feel uncomfortable at all. You know whenever a book has this older man trope, I'm kind of instantly expecting it to be somehow awkward. What made this book really good was how R.S. Grey handled the trope. Their relationship's dynamics was so so good. I cannot really explain it without messing up this review so please, go see it for yourselves.

Another thing that I absolutely loved about this book was that Rachel perfectly captured all the genuine awkwardness of growing up and puppy love. It was like looking at a mirror for me when I was reading about all of Lauren's crazy antics for Beau. I saw myself in her whenever I have a big crush on someone.

To be honest, I was kind of anxious to read this book after a friend of mine ranted about The Fortunate Ones which I have yet to read. I've loved R.S. Grey's works and has been an avid fan of hers since I've read Scoring Wilder. In my eyes, Rachel can never go wrong when it comes to romantic comedies and contemporary reads that's why she's one of my auto-buy authors. So I was kind of nervous to read The Beau and The Belle for I don't want this book to not be good because Rachel's stories have always been a great read for me.

Just imagine my relief when I finished this novel and I had this face-splitting grin on my face! It's everything I expect from Rachel and more. I laughed a lot of times and made this aaawww sound one too many times. It's just a really fun and sexy read. It has the right amount of cheesiness that's enough to be swoon-worthy and not at all cringey. The only reason why I cannot give it five stars is that I felt like the ending was rushed and I. JUST. WANT. MORE.

If you are like me who is such a sucker for romantic comedies then I highly, highly recommend this novel. This is now I think one of my top three faves from R.S. Grey and that's saying something because most of her novels are on my favorites list.

I feel like I cannot gush enough about this novel and my review probably did not do it any justice! lmao

[Angie - Angie's Dreamy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon, but I LOVED this one. So sweet and swoony and full of humor that makes you laugh out loud!

[Aisling Zena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Perfect for the lovelies who enjoy a good, slow-build romance. And New Orleans as background.

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I don’t think you’re here because you’re angry. I think you’re curious.”
“You know what, I’m not that curious. Want to know why? I’ve imagined it so many times that I doubt you’ll be able to stack up. You know: never fuck your heroes.”

Every single time R.S. Grey comes out with another absolutely DELIGHTFUL rom-com, it ends up jumping to the top of my list of FAVORITES for the year, and her latest, THE BEAU & THE BELLE is no different! This hilarious romantic comedy is full to the brim with a gorgeous and driven hero, a beautiful heroine who grows into her own during the span of the story, emotional, comedic, and sexy banter, and so much more! It’s EVERYTHING you could ever want, and not know that you need, in a solid 5 STAR romance read.

“That’s fine. You can keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Playing like you don’t want me to sweep everything off my desk and fulfill 10 years worth of your backlogged wishes.”

OMG! You guys! These two are so INTENSE, yet so HILARIOUS, I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the pages…not even for a single second. There was a point in the story that had me laughing hysterically for a solid 10 minutes straight. But that doesn’t surprise me with an R.S. Grey romance. She sticks little gems in her stories that just brings me to my knees. I cannot and will not EVER get enough of her brand of romantic comedy. It’s charming! It’s absolutely hysterical! It’s meaningful, full of so much heart and soul, that you can’t help but fall HARD for her characters. Beau and Lauren are two beautiful souls and the means of how they found their way back to one another, will fill your heart to the point of bursting!

THE BEAU & THE BELLE contains two parts. The first part is chock-full of teenage angst and drama. It’s about a young girl wanting so much more than she can handle. It’s also about a young man who’s driven, stubborn, and determined to bring back his family’s legacy. He knows the girl just down the way has a crush on him, and he knows he can’t do anything about it but drive her away and there is only one way to do that. A broken teenage heart and the storm of the century brings us to part two of their story. The heartbroken teenage girl has grown into her own and she is not about to fall back into old patterns. When she sets her sights on the handsome Beau Fortier, years later, she forces those flutters down deep, hoping she will have the strength to keep them hidden forever. The headstrong man who starred in every teenage fantasy of hers, is not about to let her go without a fight. Great timing, these two have!

Ugh! I could gush about this book and these characters forever! Just know that you are getting TOP QUALITY romantic comedy when you dive into an R.S. Grey romance. Nobody does it quite like her. She always brings something fresh and new to the table, even though this genre is booming right now. Every time I finish a story by Ms. Grey, I immediate thought: when can I get my hands on the next one! THE BEAU & THE BELLE was an easy pick for my TOP FAVORITE list! I have no doubt that it won’t be the last from this author!

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were definitely some questionable ethics in this one. It was pretty cute overall, but him having possessive feelings over her before she even turned 18 is really squiggin’ me out (and I usually enjoy ~taboo~ subjects).

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I wasn’t going to write a review but I needed to vent about a few things. This book started off strong IMO. I flew through almost the first 60% of the book, but then it fell really really flat.

I guess I was waiting for the hero to woo her or something. Instead he just shows up a few times. No passion whatsoever.

He references his past sexcapes as well at least once in front of the heroine and that pisses me off. He was a jerk to her before the hurricane drew them apart and he didn’t seem to change at all towards her. His character reference in the prologue was totally different than how he was actually portrayed.

There is a moment where I thought, oh wait, maybe I stand corrected! The heroine hears him talking to his mom. His mom was super sweet and loves Lauren. So they are talking about that and instead or professing his love for Lauren to his mom, he tells her not to get her hopes up because this is new wtf?! Some may argue that he was just “saying” this to his mom. But honestly? There is nowhere that makes it seem any different.

Don’t get me started on the ending. Once again, I thought I pegged him wrong only to have him joke about a marriage proposal during sex.

So this book started off with an amazing premise. I didn’t even care that I knew it wouldn’t be “safe” but it fell extremely flat for me.

I live in New Orleans so I really wanted to love this book. Sadly, that didn’t happen.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever a new RS Grey book comes out, I am always counting down the days until I can read it. All I knew about this book was that it took place in New Orleans and I couldn’t wait to dive in!

When Beau Fortier rents her parents’ guest house as he finishes up his last year of law school, Lauren doesn’t really think anything of it. Until she spends a little more time with Beau and starts growing a crush. Big time. But, being the naive awkward teenager she is, Lauren humiliates herself and learns the hard way to protect her heart. Ten years later, both Lauren and Beau are back in New Orleans and Beau doesn’t see Lauren as a too young teenager anymore. Lauren is nothing like the naive girl she used to be and Beau has no idea what he’s in for.

In the beginning of this book, a good chunk is spent on when Lauren is in high school and Beau is too old for her and living in her parents’ guest house. While I am outgrowing YA, it didn’t read like a YA at all, even though it was about a teenager. Lauren was so relatable and I really enjoyed how she actually had some cringe-worthy moments with boys while realizing she had a stirring crush on Beau. Beau’s character was so intriguing and I loved how he felt protective and a bit jealous when it came to Lauren, but he knew he was way too old and could do nothing about it. I will say, though, that I was dying to finally see them ten years older and see what exactly Lauren had in store for Beau as an experienced, confident woman.

When we finally jumped to ten years later, I LOVED Lauren’s character. While she was older, she was still the same girl as before and she was so determined to make her own business work after moving back to New Orleans. I was also swooning hardcore over Beau’s character. It was fun watching him really fall for Lauren and I loved how he became everything he had worked for when we saw him while he was still in law school. As always, there were so many fun moments mixed in with the serious and I didn’t want this book to end.

What more can I say? This was another hit from RS Grey that I couldn’t put down. While there was an age gap and I am super hesitant about those, the format of this book and having that development when they were younger had me fangirling over their relationship. If you’re a fan of RS Grey or fantastic romantic comedies, you have to pick this up!

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I was annoyed with the heroine 80% of the time.
She is the most insecure heroine I know.
H is older by 5-6 years and she was 17 when they met.
High school h was even worse, had zero self esteem obviously had a gorgeous best friend who was perfect in every way even when they got older.
The h and H had to split because of the circumstances.
She has a crummy sex life with only 1 ex lover who obviously is pathetic.
H had a normal life, not a manwhore but was not celibate. I was fine with that.
When they meet 10 years later she seriously had no self confidence, her best friend suggests she is a bad kisser and boom, her confidence disappears.
The romance to me was forced..
I did not laugh much..so not really a romantic comedy.
I can't really think of anything I enjoyed.
I want to say I would read another of r.s Grey's book but it doesn't seem likely.

2/5

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!! Lauren is one of my favorite heroines ever! She's quirky and hilarious. I loved high school Lauren and how unsure of herself she was. It brought me back to those moments of my first crush and all the embarrassing things that happened to me in front of him. Adult Lauren was more self assured but never lost her quirkiness and humor. She was successful and driven, fun and intelligent. Beau is everything a good book hero should be. Sweet, sexy, charming and a bit possessive - he was perfection! This story had me laughing out loud - I loved the mix of romance and humor. I would've loved an epilogue but even without it, this is a 5 star book for me and one of my favorite romantic comedies!!

[~Kristin~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars
Another delightful rom/com...a lot of fun!!

I just want to add, as much as I enjoyed this book, the ending was a bit frustrating. There was so much talk about NOLA, I would have loved to have been there for the soft opening and then later in the epilogue, to have known how it was doing. Then there was the house, I would have loved to see how the gift to his mother went. I just think there was so much talk about these things, I wanted a bit more at the end.