Librarian's Note: This is an alternate title and cover edition for ASIN B07V5M437B
For him, love isn’t an option. Years ago, Gaston Dufort made a deal with a wizard. In exchange for good looks and a charming personality, he gave up the ability to fall in love. To him, love isn’t important. Love makes you weak. There’s no room for love in his life. That’s why he didn’t hesitate to give it up in order to gain something more important. Now that he’s the most handsome man in town, he wants the most beautiful woman by his side, Belle. When she chooses a beast over him, Gaston becomes enraged. No matter how hard he tries, he’s unable to defeat the beast who stole Belle from him. However, a second chance comes to him in the form of a witch by the name of Celeste Dubois. Celeste says a spell that rewinds time and grants him another chance to claim the female he wants and defeat the beast. Unfortunately, his plans go awry when he runs into a devious witch by the name of Addasyn Grimm.
With her, comes chaos. Addasyn Grimm is nothing like his Belle. For starters, she wants him dead. Plus, she’s a wild beauty who doesn’t follow the rules of society. Worse, she sees past his façade. She can see the real him. The side of him he hates and tries to hide from everyone. Addasyn sees it and she’s not put off by it. She prefers it over the charming, handsome side everyone else sees. But, there’s nothing gentle about Addasyn. She’s not a damsel in distress who needs him to save and protect her. Yet, Gaston finds himself wanting to do all those things for her, while all she wants to do is right the timeline and end his existence. Though he tries to fight it, he can’t help falling in love with the witch who hates him.
He only has one chance to get things right. Only one chance to live the life he’s always wanted. Will he pursue Belle and get his revenge against the Beast? Or will he break his deal with the wizard and become a beast to be with Addasyn?
Collect all ten tales in the Once Upon A Villain series. Each tale is a standalone and this series does not have to be read in order.
Hi, my name is Siren Allen. I’m a writer and lover of all things erotic and romantic. I reside in southern Mississippi where I write steamy romances that are guaranteed to make you blush. When I’m not listening to the characters in my head and jotting down their adventures, I am busy working as a Clinical Laboratory Technician.
I love to travel, preferably with my husband, so he can do all of the driving. I enjoy time with my family, who are just as silly as I am. I have no children…yet, wish me luck! My hobbies are reading, writing and shopping, though I hate trying on clothing. If I wasn’t a writer or a Laboratory Professional, I would probably be a Secret Agent. But that’s the beauty of being a writer; you can create your own world and be whoever you want to be. In my imaginary world, I am Queen and my siblings are my minions.
First of all, let me just give a shout out to Siren Allen for this genius idea of writing villains as antiheroes! I love Beauty and the Beast, but I always wondered what was up with Gaston. Even in the cartoon, he never seemed to love Belle. He just wanted her because she was the prettiest girl in town.
Well, after reading Siren’s depiction of Gaston, I now understand him and kinda like him, a lot! Okay, Gaston is the man! There I said it. Turning him into a wolf shifter who was unloved for who he was made all the difference. Excuse me, make that an Alpha Wolf Shifter. There’s a difference.
The story of a Grimm princess looking for freedom from an overbearing family and a shifter who didn’t even know what he was looking for, was on point. The way the story weaved their past into their present kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
Let me tell you, I didn’t expect half of what happened, to take place. Now, there was a little foretelling in the storyline, but most of it was unpredictable. I loved every minute of it. The ending was great and I am looking forward to the next story in the next year, involving Addie’s aunt and the land of Oz!
What a cute story. I occasionally like reading fantasy interracial romance books and when I do, my go-to author of choice is the great Siren Allen. Gaston and Addie's story ties in characters from fairytales we all know like Beauty and the Beast and The Wizard of Oz and well as the Brothers Grimm. Put that together with characters like fairies, shapeshifters, grimms, wizards, spirits, witches and you've got a fun book. I love these two together and Siren likes to throw in a good old-fashioned alpha in all her books and this is no exception. Enjoy!
I started out a little doubtful with this because it is a retelling of Gaston & I've NEVER liked him. Nonetheless, I ended really really liking this book. It had it's cute moments that made me smile & it's hot moments that made me blush. I did appreciate that there was an entire plot & build up to the sex & it wasn't something that was just slapped in the beginning & all throughout the book. The best way to describe it is that it's wholesome smut on a way lol. I really loved the characters & the band of misfits. I feel like everyone got the right amount of exposure & the main characters gradually grew, which I loved. I would hands down reccomended even if you're not into sex scenes because it was modestly placed.
This book was just the paranormal palate cleanser I didn’t know I needed!
I have always been a fan of retellings and this one hit the mark. Author, Siren Allen delivered in this remake of Beauty as the Beast with a twist from a POV outside of the traditional couple. This was a charming side story of dare I say it, the character of Gaston? 🤔
Nevertheless, I loved Addasyn and Grant. The miscommunication trope was used in a clever, humorous way that made me laugh multiple times throughout the story.
If you want a sweet, satisfying read with lots of creatures and magic, this story will definitely do the trick and leave you wanting more! I loved it and highly recommend it!
I loved Addie and Grant's story. Everyone has a story and there is always a reason why a villain is a villain. Villains are made not born and LOVE conquers all. This was a great read. I'm ready for book two. I think I have found another series to love. Please read this book. I highly recommend it. You will laugh and laugh and cry just a little bit mostly you'll laugh.
In the “original” version, I don’t like the MMC, but a la Wicked, he’s given a sympathetic origin story and a new, happily-ever after ending. The characters are well-developed, there is humor and wit, and some slightly steamy scenes. This version of “him”, I can like.
I struggled with this book for about the first 2-3 chapters. It was just so repetitive. But, after those chapters, it did pick up and I ended up enjoying it. There were spelling error through out the book, that were kind of annoying. Other than that, the book was really cute.
The concept was interesting and the relationship was sweet.
However, it was really redundant in the beginning, a lot of telling and retelling of the background and lore. Thankfully, at a certain point it stopped.
Loved this "fairytale.". Grant and Sexy are too cut. I was beginning to wonder when Grant was going to figure out who and what Ed/Addy wad? Do happy for them.
I loved this story ! I love the beauty and beast reference and how pretty much he was Gaston . How did this story make Gaston likable ??? I hope Isabella story is told soon .
When love comes, it comes in the strangest of situations and packages. Regardless of how others try to keep one from your fated mate, it can not be stopped. That is what the Grimm King found out first hand, even though he was dead set on revenge. His grieving mind would not allow him to accept what was true. His daughter Addaysn Grimm and Gaston Dufort had a past that could not stop their future. This was a story twist I did not see coming.
Both Addasyn and Gaston were dead set against love. Addaysn had to prove to her father that she was up to the task of being a grimm and not just a princess. Gaston was so set on Belle as his wife, he bent easily to the dealings of a wizard/ trickster. That trickster/ wizard convinced Gaston that the only way the glamor spell to work was if he never fell in love. But neither Addie nor Gaston knew that there were underhanded powers that be in the works. Those underhanded powers that be were no match for the power of the fated mates. All it took was for Gaston's wolf to scent their fated mate no matter what kind of package that mate presented itself as. All Addasyn had to do was just be in Gaston's presence to be sent in a tizzy. Even though she was sent to snatch his soul, he was now her mate, who got a second chance at life through the kindness of a witch, Celeste DuBois. Now he and Addasyn can be their HEA villains together.
A lovely extension of the Beauty and the Beast story. Gaston Dufort was Belle's unrequited love, who believed Belle was all he needed to complete his world. Addasyn Grimm who is sent to collect his soul upon his imminent death throws Gaston's world off it's axis. Gaston and Addasyn find that strange feelings emerge for both of them that they don't understand and can not deny. Once they are forced to acknowledge their feelings, Gaston's death becomes one of many obstacles they will have to over come in order to be together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First off, Siren did the darn thing writing this book. Homegirl came with the laughter, suspense, tragedy and love. I could not put it down because I was anxious to know what would happen every chapter. The main characters are perfect for each other. The people in their lives all balance each other out and I look forward to knowing more about them. Great job Siren Allen! I'm ready to read more happily ever after villain stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Great story from beginning to end! Addasyn and Gaston are endearing characters and perfect for each other! Fantastic world building and with every magical creature from the pixies to the soul reapers, it was such a delight! When someone loves you for who you are, it is the best feeling in the world. Gaston was ready to give that up just to be something he was not. I love the way the author, Ms. Allen, connected their stories. I look forward to reading more!
What a fun and spunky spin on the proverbial 'bad guy.'
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was pure entertainment heaven for me. Mythical creatures, true love, shifters, ghosts and spirits were featured in this tale. For the most part, it was a very lighthearted and engaging read. Some parts were more serious than others, but those were the parts that made me fall in love with Gaston.
Cool story. I'll be reading this one again whenever I need a little pick-me-up.
I loved watching Gaston transform from a unhappy shifter to the loving shifter all because of Addasyn who came to snatch his soul. Addasyn couldn’t figure out why she was drawn to Gaston. Little by little things gave away so they could come together. I had to skip over the sex scenes, but it was a good story
I loved this story! I love how Gaston was a shifter with a glamour spell. I loved how Addie was a Grimm coming to claim his soul so she could finally get out from under her father's thumb. I just loved everything about this book. I officially love Paranormal books and this kinda makes me like villains.
So far I've read three of the Once Upon Villain tales and I must admit I'm kinda loving the villains can't wait to finish the series, awesome collaboration from the authors . Keep up the good work 🙌😄😊
I loved how she has reimagined all the characters of mythology and fairy tales and weaved them into believable stories. I don’t know why more people aren’t talking about this author. I’ve yet to read a story I didn’t like.
Really enjoyed it but all supernatural stories need a backstory especially since so many diff sups are introduced. More supernatural elements needed for context.