I have always been a sucker for the Beauty and the Beast story, whether it is told as a classic fairy tale in a book or through my absolute favorite Disney movie ever. So I was interested to see how Eloisa James would weave this story into this second story in her fairy tale romance series. Because this was already a familiar story there I wondered how successful a re-telling in a period romance would be. I was very happy with the results.
The 'beauty' of this story is Linnet, a remarkably beautiful young woman who finds herself in a terrible bind when her reputation is ruined by a prince, making this once most eligible lady now a social nobody to the London ton. Unfair and untrue rumors fly through the social circles of London, ultimately landing on the unfair rumor that she is carrying the prince's child. With her prospects for marriage or even friendship ruined, her aunt and father set on a plan to ensure her welfare. They propose that Linnet go to the Earl of Marchant to become his wife. He is rumored to be a horribly difficult-to-get-along-with man with a quick temper.
Piers Yelverton lives on an estate in Wales where he spends his time fighting against established medical traditions as he and his cousin treat difficult medical cases in his home which serves as a sort of hospital. This man is almost an exact clone of House MD. He has a horribly painful leg condition that leaves him grumpier than normal as he fights against any urges to fight the pain with drugs. He has an eager group of young doctors who follow him around, making wrong diagnoses, who are then put in their place in a horribly rude way. He speaks his mind to patients and doctors, servants and guests, with no regard for any feelings. The rumor is that he will never take a wife, but his father is desperate for him to find a wife who can bear an heir to their title. Piers gives his father an impossible list of qualifications, believing that his father will never find anyone to fit the bill. But his father arrives in Wales with Linnet in tow.
Linnet makes a perfect match to Piers. She is a strong lead character who is intelligent and witty. She doesn't back down from Piers, even when he treats her very rudely at first. She is a strong woman who speaks her mind as well. Although she does arrive at the earl's estate as a prospective fiancee, she has no real romantic views about marriage. The whole idea of marriage and relationships with men is distasteful to her. After a day of bickering between them, both decide that the 'don't suit' each other and should not marry. However, their ability to truly communicate with one another keeps them coming back to one another over and over. Linnet doesn't back away from Piers's 'beastly' personality, and Piers approaches Linnet in a way that seems more real than what she has had to put up with while navigating through the English ton. It is a bumpy path as it seems to be required in novels of this type, but eventually as it is in all fairy tales, they find their happily ever after.
Overall this was a very well-written story. The romance was paced well. I never felt frustrated with the interactions between Linnet and Piers. Their banter was fun and engaging and very smart. Because Piers could be so blunt about his feelings, leading Linnet to do the same, I never felt as if I was reading a story of people trying to reveal the layers of their feelings in order to get to the true nature of their thoughts and desires. I don't think that either Linnet or Piers was playing a game with their feelings. That was refreshing to read. The games that are often played in these stories can be tiring at times. So for that reason I felt as if this particular story rose about the norm. I also enjoyed the discussion about medicinal practices of the time. It was very interesting and well researched. The book also has a great twist at the end where Linnet has to examine whether her beauty is the most important thing to her in her relationships with others. That was an interesting point to ponder.
Overall I say that this book was a wonderful addition to my period romance library. The story isn't an original one, but James uses the well-known story and creates her own story that is engaging, fun, and wonderfully romantic. I really enjoyed it!
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When the beauty, Linnet Thrynne, wears a new ballgown with an unfortunately placed ruffle, she is forced into an engagement to prevent her ruin from a non-existent baby.Earl of Marchant, Piers Yelverton, is a beast. He lives in a secluded castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses, patients included.Because of an injury he received in the past, he is believed to be unable to produce an heir, so his father brings him a bride who supposedly has a fix to that problem 😉I believe this to be one of my all time favorite historical romance stories. The characters are well designed and function well as a couple. Linnet does not stand for Piers temper tantrums, and he makes her laugh.I feel like the story as a whole makes sense, they both have a past that has to the people they are today. There is a fun mix of side characters, as well as some touching family moments.
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Top reviews from other countries
Eleanor
Beauty and the Beast retold by House in Victorian Times
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 4, 2016
Jackie
As a light enjoyable romantic story this deserves four stars.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 22, 2019
