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Wicked Villains #4
The Beast
Once upon a time, I fell in love with two men. Their feelings for me were matched only by their hatred for each other.Gaeton, with his brash charm and casual cruelty. Beast, his lust equal to his penchant for violence.Being with them was sinful and perfect in different ways. In the end, I couldn’t choose, and I lost them both. Now, my sisters have tasked me with securing our power base, no matter the cost. I will do anything for my family—even if it means agreeing to the terms set by Gaeton and Beast. The three of us. Together. But only for as long as it takes me to choose one of them once and for all. When playing games of power, happily ever after isn’t a priority. Not even for me. Especially not for me.Content Contains the aftermath of a death of a parent by cancer.
282 pages, Paperback
First published April 6, 2020
1096 people are currently reading
34384 people want to read
About the author
Katee Robert
170 books36.5k followersKatee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of spicy romance. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over two million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,998 reviews
November 18, 2020
This was my first time reading a Katee Robert book via audiobook and WOW WAS I BLUSHING LIKE MAD FOR 90% OF IT. This was (unsurprisingly) naughty as heck and just FANTASTIC.
April 10, 2021
Okay this was a serve, katee robert really snapped with this one
August 7, 2022
I started this book over 3 months ago and told myself
“Madita finish it today or dnf”
So I sat down and read the last 30 pages.
All I have to say is that I am just not a big fan of Gaston. I understand this is the villain series but to me Gaston will just never be appealing at all.
And I also just think that I am over too much smvt.
“Madita finish it today or dnf”
So I sat down and read the last 30 pages.
All I have to say is that I am just not a big fan of Gaston. I understand this is the villain series but to me Gaston will just never be appealing at all.
And I also just think that I am over too much smvt.
July 31, 2022
And this is how you write a throuple!!
I loved the kinky aspect in this one, the way they explored what they were into together was so good. And there’s something in a degradation kink well done that just gets to me.
I love how everyone in this series is bisexual and polyamorous. Seeing these established relationships still enjoying sex with other people in a healthy and consensual way is so rare to see in books, and I couldn’t be more into it 🥵 And all the ff scenes are so friking hot, too. I’m thinking of Isabelle and Aurora in particular. That was 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I started this series thinking this would be probably all smut but these books are surprising me by how well interconnected and thought out everything is.
For example, Cohen, Beast’s ex lover, is one of the brothers from the Sabine Valley Series also by Katee Robert.
🤯🤯🤯
So I’m assuming she created this universe where there’s Sabine Valley, Olympus and Carver City. And each has its own series and characters but the three are interconnected by plot and characters. And my mind is blown. I just love a well done world building and this one is excellent.
I loved the kinky aspect in this one, the way they explored what they were into together was so good. And there’s something in a degradation kink well done that just gets to me.
I love how everyone in this series is bisexual and polyamorous. Seeing these established relationships still enjoying sex with other people in a healthy and consensual way is so rare to see in books, and I couldn’t be more into it 🥵 And all the ff scenes are so friking hot, too. I’m thinking of Isabelle and Aurora in particular. That was 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I started this series thinking this would be probably all smut but these books are surprising me by how well interconnected and thought out everything is.
For example, Cohen, Beast’s ex lover, is one of the brothers from the Sabine Valley Series also by Katee Robert.
🤯🤯🤯
So I’m assuming she created this universe where there’s Sabine Valley, Olympus and Carver City. And each has its own series and characters but the three are interconnected by plot and characters. And my mind is blown. I just love a well done world building and this one is excellent.
June 8, 2022
Okay! I can see why this is everyone’s favorite! There was a little more to the plot development and character development in this one that I don’t think I necessarily saw in the previous books. It’s loosely based on Beauty and the Beast but features an MMF romance. One thing that I noticed while reading this one is that I began to appreciate the interconnectedness of the world. It was great seeing all of the characters and how they interacted with each other especially the close friendship that Tink has with Gaeton. The highlight of this particular story wasn’t necessarily the relationship that Isabelle had with Gaeton and Beast, but the relationship that Gaeton and Beast had together. They haven’t particularly gotten along well as denoted by descriptions in previous books, but here we get to see them figure that out. And while they both had their doubts, I found it to be charming. They didn’t realize how much they cared about each other past all of their pent up aggression. And while it was nice to see them work together to work out their relationship with Isabelle, I loved seeing the two of them together especially through the eyes of Gaeton who doesn’t always see himself as loveable. There were some really spicy scenes in here especially one where Aurora steps into the picture. I think that this one overall was paced better than the previous books and captures the growth of the characters in the best way. It also sets up a nice transition into the next book. Overall, this is probably my favorite book in the series although Desperate Measures is a close second.
May 15, 2023
4.25
I love this book even more now that I've read the first one.
This book was amazingly entertaining! I ate it up in one sitting. I enjoyed it WAY more than I thought.
The ending was a little sudden though, maybe there could've been a bit more before the closure.
Anyway, it's a pretty easy, fun read!
I love this book even more now that I've read the first one.
This book was amazingly entertaining! I ate it up in one sitting. I enjoyed it WAY more than I thought.
The ending was a little sudden though, maybe there could've been a bit more before the closure.
Anyway, it's a pretty easy, fun read!
March 31, 2020
Genre: Erotic Romance
Type: Standalone Book 4 from Wicked Villains series
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:
(3.75 Stars)
Gaeton and Beast were two formidable generals of their territory. But their unconventional relationship with the daughter of the territory leader Isabelle Belmonte drove them away. She was desperate for them to come back for more than one reason, and they had no problem using the opportunity to make her crawl on her knees to get back to her.
I liked the author’s take on this reimagined of Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Beast and Gaeton had their own appeal that was perfect when combined. I didn’t exactly warm up to Isabelle due to her “dilemma”.
The story focused predominantly on their relationship. There were external influences but they barely scratched the surface. It would have been nice if those were expanded for added depth especially with the actions taken by the characters. I love multiple POVs but there were a few times I had a problem distinguishing between them.
As usual, the author’s sex scenes were scorching. There were plenty of varieties in the dynamics to satisfy every need. I loved how the characters didn’t put any boundaries on what they want to indulge in.
The Beast is a story of finding the right balance in wants and needs. It would appeal to readers looking for a kinky, erotic read.
Books in the series:
🍺🥀🍺 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🍺🥀🍺
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
Type: Standalone Book 4 from Wicked Villains series
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:
(3.75 Stars)Gaeton and Beast were two formidable generals of their territory. But their unconventional relationship with the daughter of the territory leader Isabelle Belmonte drove them away. She was desperate for them to come back for more than one reason, and they had no problem using the opportunity to make her crawl on her knees to get back to her.
I liked the author’s take on this reimagined of Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Beast and Gaeton had their own appeal that was perfect when combined. I didn’t exactly warm up to Isabelle due to her “dilemma”.
I know he’s riling me up. I know he’s playing us both. But I have a naked, quivering Isabelle nearly in my lap. I’m playing this through to the end.
The story focused predominantly on their relationship. There were external influences but they barely scratched the surface. It would have been nice if those were expanded for added depth especially with the actions taken by the characters. I love multiple POVs but there were a few times I had a problem distinguishing between them.
It’s so good, I could die. And then it gets better, because Beast starts moving, fucking my ass in a nearly perfect mimic of Isabelle riding my cock.
As usual, the author’s sex scenes were scorching. There were plenty of varieties in the dynamics to satisfy every need. I loved how the characters didn’t put any boundaries on what they want to indulge in.
The Beast is a story of finding the right balance in wants and needs. It would appeal to readers looking for a kinky, erotic read.
Books in the series:
🍺🥀🍺 . . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . 🍺🥀🍺
For more reviews/interviews/promo visit:
March 17, 2022
2.25⭐️
way better than the rest but the writing is still horrible and i still find the smut dry :) kinda questioning if i'm even gonna read the rest :) because i thought i would get used to it but the f/f one better deliver omg.
way better than the rest but the writing is still horrible and i still find the smut dry :) kinda questioning if i'm even gonna read the rest :) because i thought i would get used to it but the f/f one better deliver omg.
April 14, 2021
Uh. So this was a huge dud for me.
It turns out I’m not super into reading humiliation/degradation/shame kink involving people who have a lot anger and hurt towards the person who is being humiliated/degraded/shamed (it blurs lines that I’m not convinced can be blurred when it comes to that kind of kink). I’m also not super into reading about sex pacts if they feel incompatible with the kink that’s in this book, especially given the details of the sex pact setup, the feelings of the folks involved, how little they knew about each other when it came to their kink preferences, and how quickly the pact was made. For me, a lot more was needed when it came to communicating wants and needs because it felt way more coercion-y as opposed to wonderfully consent-y like the previous books in the series. It’s simply not enough to have characters say they’re okay about shit without putting in the work to show why they’re okay about shit.
I think what didn’t help were the characterisations (or lack there of, if we’re going to be honest about things). Gaeton fared best which makes sense seeing as he’s had more page time prior to this book (though I wonder how he comes across if this is your first time meeting him). But the Beast? So blah. He’s a poor-man’s Hades but minus the ability to make you swoon over the way he adores the people he loves. I have loved ALL the women is this series so fiercely but omfg. Isabelle. To (mis)quote Anna Shay from Bling Empire: “There ain’t no vagina that good.” The interactions with her sisters were the only times I felt Isabelle was more than a magical vagina wandering around. For people who have the history Isabelle, Beast, and Gaeton do, I felt an alarming lack of anything relating to warmth and intimacy when it came to them and their relationship. It wasn’t very romantic, is what I’m saying.
I also want to say that sex things between Beast and Gaeton felt eerily like being back in 2014/2015 and reading books by [REDACTED]—WHICH IS NOT A COMPLIMENT OKAY. For a series that has been consistently excellent when it comes to its queer men, this felt like a massive backwards step.
Grumbles aside, the default setting of Everybody Is Queer continues to be delightful. As is everyone having safe words relating to the original Disney films. And the cameos of Meg, Tink, & Hook were EVERYTHING.
This wasn’t a terrible book, by all means. But ultimately all the things I loved in the first three books weren’t done half as well here. *sad trombone*
It turns out I’m not super into reading humiliation/degradation/shame kink involving people who have a lot anger and hurt towards the person who is being humiliated/degraded/shamed (it blurs lines that I’m not convinced can be blurred when it comes to that kind of kink). I’m also not super into reading about sex pacts if they feel incompatible with the kink that’s in this book, especially given the details of the sex pact setup, the feelings of the folks involved, how little they knew about each other when it came to their kink preferences, and how quickly the pact was made. For me, a lot more was needed when it came to communicating wants and needs because it felt way more coercion-y as opposed to wonderfully consent-y like the previous books in the series. It’s simply not enough to have characters say they’re okay about shit without putting in the work to show why they’re okay about shit.
I think what didn’t help were the characterisations (or lack there of, if we’re going to be honest about things). Gaeton fared best which makes sense seeing as he’s had more page time prior to this book (though I wonder how he comes across if this is your first time meeting him). But the Beast? So blah. He’s a poor-man’s Hades but minus the ability to make you swoon over the way he adores the people he loves. I have loved ALL the women is this series so fiercely but omfg. Isabelle. To (mis)quote Anna Shay from Bling Empire: “There ain’t no vagina that good.” The interactions with her sisters were the only times I felt Isabelle was more than a magical vagina wandering around. For people who have the history Isabelle, Beast, and Gaeton do, I felt an alarming lack of anything relating to warmth and intimacy when it came to them and their relationship. It wasn’t very romantic, is what I’m saying.
I also want to say that sex things between Beast and Gaeton felt eerily like being back in 2014/2015 and reading books by [REDACTED]—WHICH IS NOT A COMPLIMENT OKAY. For a series that has been consistently excellent when it comes to its queer men, this felt like a massive backwards step.
Grumbles aside, the default setting of Everybody Is Queer continues to be delightful. As is everyone having safe words relating to the original Disney films. And the cameos of Meg, Tink, & Hook were EVERYTHING.
This wasn’t a terrible book, by all means. But ultimately all the things I loved in the first three books weren’t done half as well here. *sad trombone*
July 5, 2022
4.75 out of 5 stars.
This book is (very) loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast. It’s basically a steamy, polyamorous, queer take on that classic tale. The Beast honestly has more steam than plot, but I was perfectly fine with that lmao
Objectively, it wasn't exactly a five star read — but I truly loved the sh*t out of this book so it would be a disservice to give it anything less than five stars. I just had a really great time reading it :’)
Also, I really love the emphasis on consent in Katee Robert’s books!! Truly chef’s kiss.
╔═══════════════╗
this book's premise sounds fun!! i hope i'll enjoy it as much as the dark olympus series hehe
❝I want you. I want both of you. That never changed, even if everything else did.❞
This book is (very) loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast. It’s basically a steamy, polyamorous, queer take on that classic tale. The Beast honestly has more steam than plot, but I was perfectly fine with that lmao
Objectively, it wasn't exactly a five star read — but I truly loved the sh*t out of this book so it would be a disservice to give it anything less than five stars. I just had a really great time reading it :’)
Also, I really love the emphasis on consent in Katee Robert’s books!! Truly chef’s kiss.
❝Consent is the only rule, Isabelle. Everything else is up for negotiation. Even shame. Especially shame.❞
╔═══════════════╗
pre-review╚═══════════════╝
this book's premise sounds fun!! i hope i'll enjoy it as much as the dark olympus series hehe
June 7, 2020
This one was actually sort of sweet. This was second chance romance between Gaeton, Beast, and Isabelle. Like beauty and the beast, but flip the switch. ANYWAY. I thought this one was good, MMF and of course some other coupling kink play when they are in the Underworld. For some reason I did think this one would be more angsty or it would include way more raw angry fucking, but that wasn’t really the case in my opinion. I know that the author is really doing the work to make the kink play very clearly consensual, but it did feel a bit clinical in this installment because Beast and Gaeton were repeatedly asking her her safe word. Maybe because she’s new to it. It just felt like with all of the feelings from the past there would be a deeper rawness between them, but I never truly felt that. Maybe it’s just me.
ALL IN ALL (my crutch phrase) this was entertaining, and I’m excited for the next book. Hopefully it will have more of the power play dynamics of the territories that this one sort if danced around. The threat in this book was just white noise. In the other books there felt like there was more of a suspenseful subplot.
ALL IN ALL (my crutch phrase) this was entertaining, and I’m excited for the next book. Hopefully it will have more of the power play dynamics of the territories that this one sort if danced around. The threat in this book was just white noise. In the other books there felt like there was more of a suspenseful subplot.
August 6, 2020
This entire series is a hit.
The love dynamic between these three was heartbreakingly beautiful. I adore this relationship so much!
The love dynamic between these three was heartbreakingly beautiful. I adore this relationship so much!
April 1, 2020
3.75 ★
With delineated territories in Carver City, the Belmonte family must defend their claim after their patriarch died. As a threat is detected, Isabelle Belmonte is tasked with securing two generals capable of maintaining her family’s position. For Isabelle, that means confronting the two men she’s loved and lost. But Beast and Gaeton have their own demands that must be met before they will return to their posts.
Told in multiple POV, the plot unfolds with these characters needing to be truthful as to what they want. With all still holding longstanding feelings for each other, their kinky playtime is intense and hot. Soon, they realize what they’ve been seeking isn’t a conventional relationship and all boundaries are removed.
What I liked about this story was the filthy hot times and all the possibilities that came to fruition. Beast and Gaeton are so different but are quite complimentary and I liked the balance of competition versus friendship. As for Isabelle, she is a lucky girl, but I wanted to know more about her family and the pending threat that was treated as more of a secondary plot point.
The Beast is an erotic story about defining relationships and getting a second chance to make it right. This book would appeal to those who want a dirty fairytale retelling.
Wicked Villains series:
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
With delineated territories in Carver City, the Belmonte family must defend their claim after their patriarch died. As a threat is detected, Isabelle Belmonte is tasked with securing two generals capable of maintaining her family’s position. For Isabelle, that means confronting the two men she’s loved and lost. But Beast and Gaeton have their own demands that must be met before they will return to their posts.
“Maybe mean is exactly what you want, Isabelle. Someone to put you in your place and fuck you dirty just like you need it.”
Told in multiple POV, the plot unfolds with these characters needing to be truthful as to what they want. With all still holding longstanding feelings for each other, their kinky playtime is intense and hot. Soon, they realize what they’ve been seeking isn’t a conventional relationship and all boundaries are removed.
“It’s so good, I could die. And then it gets better, because Beast starts moving, fucking my ass in a nearly perfect mimic of Isabelle riding my cock.”
What I liked about this story was the filthy hot times and all the possibilities that came to fruition. Beast and Gaeton are so different but are quite complimentary and I liked the balance of competition versus friendship. As for Isabelle, she is a lucky girl, but I wanted to know more about her family and the pending threat that was treated as more of a secondary plot point.
The Beast is an erotic story about defining relationships and getting a second chance to make it right. This book would appeal to those who want a dirty fairytale retelling.
Wicked Villains series:
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!*
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
February 11, 2021
I really enjoyed this book for what it is. Now, these books are super unconventional and you need to not have super high expectations for having lots of deep emotional depth to the story. It has that element, but the primary focus is the smexy times and boy are they HOT. But I love seeing the unique take on the fairy tales and twisting them in such a unique way. I found that I really adore The Beast in some interesting ways and while it's not my favorite of the series, I really got a kick out of seeing this menage like love really work itself out. I am not really for the extra scenes of other players becoming involved in the "scenes" so that I think is the main issue I do have with this series. I am a reader who really needs exclusivity in the relationship and even though its all consensual (consent plays a big role in these books and I highly appreciate that from this author) I really found that I got such a kick out of seeing Beast, Belle, and Gaeton work out their issues and see the importance of transparency within the relationship. And as a plus, it gives the reader a teaser for the next book "The Sea Witch" which is a retelling of one of my favorites that we rarely see so it should prove interesting to see how that all plays out in the end.
June 20, 2021
This is basically smut. It is good smut.
It tries to add plot and politics. The smut was better.
It tries to add plot and politics. The smut was better.
April 5, 2022
Lol, so today I have no shame.
A BDSM novel gets 5 stars from me for the first time in my life.
I've only just started to try smut out and I've been using smutty books to actually escape and recharge from the deep, hard-hitting, intense and emotional story lines that I've been enjoying in more vanilla fiction BUT THIS BOOK GAVE ME BOTH EMOTIONAL INTENSITY AND SMUT?! WHAT THE HECK!
I think I'm giving it a high rating because of how well structured the conflict between all three character was. No character in the triad is more innocent or guilty than the other. The emotions hit hard because the communication between them all was not clear. I know everyone stands somewhere differently in terms of BDSM and kinks and if you're more the Vanilla romance type of reader, this book won't be for you as I feel it might be hard for you to empathise and reason with the choices of the triad in this book, however it works for their relationship dynamic and the point of the story was about communicating what each of them desire without feeling ashamed about it.
I could feel each of their hurt and intense emotions but I could also feel their love and compassion toward one another and I reckon that out of all the Wicked Villains books, Katee Robert absolutely nailed this one and are now going to be an auto-buy author for me.
Also, Beauty and The Beast has always been my favourite fairytale and I think this just proves it even more.
A BDSM novel gets 5 stars from me for the first time in my life.
I've only just started to try smut out and I've been using smutty books to actually escape and recharge from the deep, hard-hitting, intense and emotional story lines that I've been enjoying in more vanilla fiction BUT THIS BOOK GAVE ME BOTH EMOTIONAL INTENSITY AND SMUT?! WHAT THE HECK!
I think I'm giving it a high rating because of how well structured the conflict between all three character was. No character in the triad is more innocent or guilty than the other. The emotions hit hard because the communication between them all was not clear. I know everyone stands somewhere differently in terms of BDSM and kinks and if you're more the Vanilla romance type of reader, this book won't be for you as I feel it might be hard for you to empathise and reason with the choices of the triad in this book, however it works for their relationship dynamic and the point of the story was about communicating what each of them desire without feeling ashamed about it.
I could feel each of their hurt and intense emotions but I could also feel their love and compassion toward one another and I reckon that out of all the Wicked Villains books, Katee Robert absolutely nailed this one and are now going to be an auto-buy author for me.
Also, Beauty and The Beast has always been my favourite fairytale and I think this just proves it even more.
July 4, 2021
Katee Robert really knows how to write smut. I never thought I would’ve wanted to read a story about Belle, The Beast, and Gaston all getting it on, but here we are.
It was fun to see how she took the characters we know from Disney and changed them up to exist in this world of crime and BDSM clubs. The characters have excellent chemistry with one another and the scenes that they constructed were amazingly steamy.
I do think that things got a bit too rushed near the end. The relationship progressed too quickly and the external plot felt shoehorned in. But overall this was a really fun read. I’m probably going to go back and read some of the earlier books in the series now.
It was fun to see how she took the characters we know from Disney and changed them up to exist in this world of crime and BDSM clubs. The characters have excellent chemistry with one another and the scenes that they constructed were amazingly steamy.
I do think that things got a bit too rushed near the end. The relationship progressed too quickly and the external plot felt shoehorned in. But overall this was a really fun read. I’m probably going to go back and read some of the earlier books in the series now.
November 21, 2022
the way katee robert writes poly romances is just … ugh *chefs kiss* 🤌🏻😚😚 i swear she can do no wrong when it comes to this kinda dynamic
March 11, 2024
The Beast as other books in this series is delivered hot. A lot of BDSM. There is a glintch of plot but barely. This is MMF dark romance. Do I like it? Not really.
I am not a fan of Miss Robert books to be honest. This book I can tolerance a bit.
3 stars
I am not a fan of Miss Robert books to be honest. This book I can tolerance a bit.
3 stars
October 29, 2021
October 2020 reread (in audio)
Well DAMN🥵 knew I loved this book, and in audio it’s so fucking stunning. I LOVE KATEE!!!!!!
Premise: When Isabelle Belmonte’s father dies, it shakes the foundations of their territory in Carver City. Despite her oldest sister taking on his mantle, their territory is threatened after her fathers’ top lieutenants walk away, leaving them weakened. Beast and Gaeton have every reason to refuse the woman who broke their hearts, but Belle will do whatever it takes to bring them back- even barter away her freedom to the two men who left when she couldn’t choose between them.
.
Pluses: OH MY GOD YOU GUYS THIS BOOK!!! I have absolutely *loved* this entire series, and in every book Katee continues to level up. Beast, Gaeton and Belle have so much relational baggage (to the point that it has bled into previous books a bit!) a lot of work to do to reach their HEA. It was honestly incredible how much growth they undergo in this book, and its done with such a deft hand! You’re with them every step of the way, hearing their fears, their desires, and watching them slowly learn to let their guard down and love each other is really incredible. Also, it’s *obscenely* hot!! Maybe the hottest of Katee’s books?
.
There’s two other big things I love about this series, and this book in particular. The first is the incredible found family. The people in this series love fiercely, and go to incredible lengths in order to protect their friends. I mean, every time I finish one of these books I wish they were my friends!! .
The other thing I really love about these books is that they are absolutely shameless. While Belle has a bit of a shame kink (and I think I might now?? Maybe? Thanks Katee lol) the world they live in is one where they are fully authentic and fuck anyone who doesn’t like it. The fearlessness that comes from rejecting social scripts you have no use for is heady, and every book I read in this series makes me want to live without shame.
.
Wishes: Honestly there’s nothing I would change about this book. Its arguably perfect.
.
Verdict: 5🌟 READ THIS!!!
Well DAMN🥵 knew I loved this book, and in audio it’s so fucking stunning. I LOVE KATEE!!!!!!
Premise: When Isabelle Belmonte’s father dies, it shakes the foundations of their territory in Carver City. Despite her oldest sister taking on his mantle, their territory is threatened after her fathers’ top lieutenants walk away, leaving them weakened. Beast and Gaeton have every reason to refuse the woman who broke their hearts, but Belle will do whatever it takes to bring them back- even barter away her freedom to the two men who left when she couldn’t choose between them.
.
Pluses: OH MY GOD YOU GUYS THIS BOOK!!! I have absolutely *loved* this entire series, and in every book Katee continues to level up. Beast, Gaeton and Belle have so much relational baggage (to the point that it has bled into previous books a bit!) a lot of work to do to reach their HEA. It was honestly incredible how much growth they undergo in this book, and its done with such a deft hand! You’re with them every step of the way, hearing their fears, their desires, and watching them slowly learn to let their guard down and love each other is really incredible. Also, it’s *obscenely* hot!! Maybe the hottest of Katee’s books?
.
There’s two other big things I love about this series, and this book in particular. The first is the incredible found family. The people in this series love fiercely, and go to incredible lengths in order to protect their friends. I mean, every time I finish one of these books I wish they were my friends!! .
The other thing I really love about these books is that they are absolutely shameless. While Belle has a bit of a shame kink (and I think I might now?? Maybe? Thanks Katee lol) the world they live in is one where they are fully authentic and fuck anyone who doesn’t like it. The fearlessness that comes from rejecting social scripts you have no use for is heady, and every book I read in this series makes me want to live without shame.
.
Wishes: Honestly there’s nothing I would change about this book. Its arguably perfect.
.
Verdict: 5🌟 READ THIS!!!
February 19, 2024
“There’s going to be no living with you if I tell you that I love you, too.” He kisses me again. “I fuck harder when I’m smug. You’ll learn to enjoy it.”
I stopped reading this series because it’s not a retelling of the fairy tales as everyone says, including myself I guess since I marked it as a retelling. It’s really not. It’s more of non canon fanfiction. All the names are borrowed and each movie setting is a different mafia turf. Yes, you read that correctly. Mafia romance. But this one was so good. I might go back and read the rest.
Meet Isabelle Belmonte, youngest daughter of recently deceased mafia boss Orsino Belmonte. Who was sent by her older sisters to retrieve their father’s most priced generals and right hands. Gaeton and Beast lost the man they loved like a father and don’t have a reason to stay. But Omgoodness there’s more to that story!!! Much, much more. They want revenge on Isabelle for not choosing one to marry. This story is crazy spicy. Like from beginning to end and I could not believe some of the things that happened but good for her. Seriously, it made me want to go back and read the rest of the books.
2023 is already proving to be a huge surprise and I can’t wait to see what else it brings. Happy New Years everyone!!
I stopped reading this series because it’s not a retelling of the fairy tales as everyone says, including myself I guess since I marked it as a retelling. It’s really not. It’s more of non canon fanfiction. All the names are borrowed and each movie setting is a different mafia turf. Yes, you read that correctly. Mafia romance. But this one was so good. I might go back and read the rest.
Meet Isabelle Belmonte, youngest daughter of recently deceased mafia boss Orsino Belmonte. Who was sent by her older sisters to retrieve their father’s most priced generals and right hands. Gaeton and Beast lost the man they loved like a father and don’t have a reason to stay. But Omgoodness there’s more to that story!!! Much, much more. They want revenge on Isabelle for not choosing one to marry. This story is crazy spicy. Like from beginning to end and I could not believe some of the things that happened but good for her. Seriously, it made me want to go back and read the rest of the books.
2023 is already proving to be a huge surprise and I can’t wait to see what else it brings. Happy New Years everyone!!
January 6, 2022
I enjoyed parts of this more then others but overall I liked the twist on well known fairy tales. I have tried another audiobook by her but couldn't get invested into it as I felt it was way to smutty. Maybe I was just in the right mood this time. But intrigued to read others in the series. Although I don't think I'll do them in order, rather pick which fairy tale I'm mostly interested in at that time
March 31, 2021
3.7 stars
May 30, 2022
I read this one because of the Book Riot When in Romance podcast doing a book club on it in June 2022. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that it's in the same universe as the author's Dark Olympus series which I've been enjoying.
Very hot and steamy menage BDSM romance with two men and a woman. One of the best written mostly-erotica novels I've read and definitely a step up of that element from the other books I've read from the author.
Very hot and steamy menage BDSM romance with two men and a woman. One of the best written mostly-erotica novels I've read and definitely a step up of that element from the other books I've read from the author.
January 30, 2023
2.5 stars. So much wasted potential… ended up skimming toward the end. Also wasn’t feeling the open relationship vibes
January 30, 2025
The plot, if you can even call it that, is virtually nonexistent. It’s essentially just scene after scene of sex with no real story to hold it together. While erotic books can absolutely be compelling when balanced with character depth and plot development, this one sacrificed everything for the spice.
What disappointed me most was how interchangeable everything felt. You could swap out the character names for any Disney princess, and it wouldn’t change a thing. The previous books in the series still maintained a sense of the characters they were inspired by, but here, they’re reduced to nothing more than names slapped onto a generic erotic storyline.
What disappointed me most was how interchangeable everything felt. You could swap out the character names for any Disney princess, and it wouldn’t change a thing. The previous books in the series still maintained a sense of the characters they were inspired by, but here, they’re reduced to nothing more than names slapped onto a generic erotic storyline.
May 1, 2021
Hot. As. Fuck. Goddamn.
January 20, 2023
I mean Isabella was extremly whiny and bitchy. Beast and Gaeton was hot as heck. Honestly? I would`ve liked to see them two together, instead of all three. I said what i said.
February 12, 2021
I am new to Katee's books and I feel like I picked the wrong one to start with.
I only got six chapters in before I decided that it really didn't sit right with me.
I am not here to kinkshame, if anything humiliation/shame kinks are some of my favourite stories but this felt more like a dubious non-con to me. It felt much like coercion much like OP said.
It almost borderlined on emotional abuse/manipulation for me. Perhaps I am being too sensitive but to use someone's old nickname, one that used to mean so much to you and them, as a safe word, a word to get you out of an uncomfortable or unsafe situation, felt like an unnecessary punch to the gut.
The whole tone felt as though it was more along the lines of 'I am hurt and I am angry at you therefore I am going to get my revenge and use kink to cover up the emotional abuse.'
Sometimes it felt they were dangling her safe word in front of her and saying it's there but I dare you to use it. There are moments she should have used her safe word but they manipulated her into thinking she didn't need it. The majority of that manipulation coming from Beast.
Okay, I haven't read any of her other books but it feels like she has plucked a few popular Disney names and used them in a way that bore no resemblance, none in the slightest, to the Disney character's we know and love. Yes, I get that this is inspired by and not supposed to be linked to the Disney characters but... Why use them then?
Finally, it's the random use of skin colour like OP mentioned. It gives more of that vibe where a character is made to be a POC to make a point that the author is trying to include people of other races and cultures without actually making any real effort to give these characters any defining characteristics other than the fact that they are black. It feels very forced, if not forced then lazy.
It's a shame as I had such high hopes for the book.
I only got six chapters in before I decided that it really didn't sit right with me.
I am not here to kinkshame, if anything humiliation/shame kinks are some of my favourite stories but this felt more like a dubious non-con to me. It felt much like coercion much like OP said.
It almost borderlined on emotional abuse/manipulation for me. Perhaps I am being too sensitive but to use someone's old nickname, one that used to mean so much to you and them, as a safe word, a word to get you out of an uncomfortable or unsafe situation, felt like an unnecessary punch to the gut.
The whole tone felt as though it was more along the lines of 'I am hurt and I am angry at you therefore I am going to get my revenge and use kink to cover up the emotional abuse.'
Sometimes it felt they were dangling her safe word in front of her and saying it's there but I dare you to use it. There are moments she should have used her safe word but they manipulated her into thinking she didn't need it. The majority of that manipulation coming from Beast.
Okay, I haven't read any of her other books but it feels like she has plucked a few popular Disney names and used them in a way that bore no resemblance, none in the slightest, to the Disney character's we know and love. Yes, I get that this is inspired by and not supposed to be linked to the Disney characters but... Why use them then?
Finally, it's the random use of skin colour like OP mentioned. It gives more of that vibe where a character is made to be a POC to make a point that the author is trying to include people of other races and cultures without actually making any real effort to give these characters any defining characteristics other than the fact that they are black. It feels very forced, if not forced then lazy.
It's a shame as I had such high hopes for the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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