I really wanted to like this retelling because of the gender-swapped roles but something about it did not hit the mark for me. I was struggling to get through this one. The premise was interesting but Beau and Arabella were meh characters and the pacing was hard to get through. I'm sure this would be perfect for other YA fantasy retelling fans but it wasn't for me!

Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley, Scholastic, Scholastic Press!

BEASTLY BEAUTY is Jennifer Donnelly’s gender-switched retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and it is everything you would expect in a novel written by Ms. Donnelly. While the castle’s occupants aren’t furniture or other household items, they are as much a part of the curse as Arabella is. Unlike the Disney version, the castle occupants do not see Beau as the answer to the curse but rather another failure waiting to happen. There are other stark differences as well. Beau and Arabella both have some major trauma in their past, and both must work to overcome that trauma before either can obtain peace and happiness. Also, unlike most fairy tales, true love’s kiss is not the key here. There is another form of love Ms. Donnelly deems more important than true love, and it is the one thing I most appreciate about BEASTLY BEAUTY. While it is still a fairy tale and it follows the fairy tale formula, the “rescue” comes in a completely different form - one better suited for the modern reader. My only complaint with BEASTLY BEAUTY is that it happens too fast. Ms. Donnelly’s world is so lush, and all of her characters are larger than life. I wanted more time with them all, especially because Ms. Donnelly does not publish novels as frequently as some of her contemporaries, and I know it will be another few years before we get our next novel from her. Still, all of her novels are worth the wait, and BEASTLY BEAUTY Is no different in that regard!

"Beastly Beauty" by Jennifer Donnelly tells the captivating story of Arabella, a debutante struggling to conform to society's expectations while battling the fire within her. When her attempts to suppress her emotions lead to tragedy, Arabella is cursed and trapped in a castle with her loved ones. The only way to break the curse is to find true love, but Arabella believes she is unlovable. When a thief named Beau enters the castle, hope blooms among the servants, but Beau is wary. As they navigate the castle's mysteries and confront their own fears, Arabella and Beau must learn to trust their hearts and break free from the prisons they've created for themselves.

Beastly Beauty is a reimagined take on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. This retelling manages to be both a twist and traditional at the same time with some modern themes inspired by old-fashioned notions. From the traditionalist seat, although the time is vague, it is a European setting with 18th/19th century-feel complete with a castle in the woods; the heroine is constrained by the narrowly defined roles of women in society. From the twist seat, the roles are swapped (girl = beast and boy = beauty) and the author takes the opportunity to explore more modern themes like self-acceptance, self-understanding, and breaking role stereotypes. The male love interest is quite modern in his supportive role of women; it was sweet to see him cheering on and appreciating the unconventional (for the time period) interests, ambitions, and talents of Arabella. Beau and Arabella actually share a common struggle with their self-perception and self-image.

Fans of the original Beauty and the Beast or of fairytale retellings will enjoy this newest version which is both classic and fresh at the same time.

This was a masterpiece of storytelling! Jennifer Donnelly's writing style suits me so well, as I never felt like there was too much description or not enough world-building. While it was styled as a gender bent Beauty and the Beast retelling, it ended up being so much more than that. Really, the author created her own fairy tale that feels like it should be one we all heard growing up. There were so many layers to the heroine's history - why she was cursed, how the curse affected others, why she was nervous around the hero. Each time we learned something new, I became even more enchanted. While I don't want to give away too much, since that would ruin the magic, pay close attention to her court of ladies. Once I realized what was going on, it was one of my favorite pieces of the puzzle. It also speaks to the power of our mind and how our own emotions can hold us back. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemy. So many learning lessons in this tale!

The heroine, Arabella, was at once old and young, given that she had been locked away for a century. She had learned over a dozen languages, and yet, she found delight in having the hero teach her how to pick a lock. She still found delight in little things, and her youth came out when she had the opportunity to feel young again with the hero, Beau. He had such a tragic past, and due to being judged based on his pretty face, it took him some time to realize that he had more to offer than that. Arabella saw him differently and helped him see himself differently as well. It was certainly a slow burn, with a strong enemies to lovers element as Beau felt that Arabella trapped him in her home on purpose. Their love was subtle, growing stronger as they learned more about each other. Arabella was drawn to Beau and he to her, but both had to fight their own demons to find each other. And Beau had family on the outside he had to get back to, which Arabella knew could mean her doom if she helped him leave. As in the fairy tale which inspired this book, the Beast lets Beauty go in spite of the impact it would have on their future together. Beau's journey to get back to Arabella brought tears to my eyes, and their reunion was one of the most beautiful scenes.

I definitely need to read more by this author soon! Her way with words - especially in the in-between chapters where she handed out nuggets of wisdom - had me starting and finishing this book all in the same day. I could not put it down.

The story between Beau and Arabella was one I struggled to like. I did not feel like the characters were developed as well as they could have which I think played into my feelings. I didn't hate the story but I didn't love it.

Post-heist, Beau and a band of thieves come across a castle in the woods. The group decides to loot the castle, trying to take a clock with them. As they’re leaving, the bridge falls apart and Beau is left behind. Trapped, he is thrown into a room in the tower by the castle servants. They tell him that he will meet Arabella and her court. Desperate to get back to his bedridden brother, Beau longs to escape. Previously Arabella’s emotions upset a mysterious figure, who cursed and trapped her within the castle along with everyone in it. Her only hope is to find true love. Will the two fall in love? Will they break the curse?

The plot is engaging and is an interesting twist on the classic tale. It is well written and does a good job of reversing gender roles. The characters are authentic, well developed, enjoyable, and independent. World building is creative and well-drawn. Fans of Beauty and the Beast retellings, fantasy, romance, and Disney tales will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 4 stars, Gr 7 and up

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

I really love Jennifer Donnelly's writing. She always has a way of writing lyrical prose but in a way that's very attainable and understandable, especially in how she redesigns fairytales. While sometimes the exact messaging gets a little muddled, that's easily overlooked by how beautifully everything is described and how clear it is that Donnelly has many different thoughts about fairytales and their messaging. I especially loved one passage where she talks about Cinderella and the happily-ever-after that she seemingly gets. I'll read a thousand fairytale retellings by Donnelly, however many she decides to write next.

Arabella and Beau have a really fantastic romance here and I loved seeing them both break down their walls to begin to love each other. I loved that Beau was a character who felt entirely boxed in by his looks and the choices he made when getting by on those looks. I also loved that Arabella was allowed to be difficult and rude and everything that a lady was not raised to be. She's a great beast and no spoilers but the "changes" that she had to make were well done.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for letting me read this arc for an honest review.
This was a different Disney version of beauty and the beast. Felt more modern, and reimagined fairy tale story.
It took me a bit to finish, but I could not put it down. It’s one of those type of books that once you open it and before you know it, you’re done reading.
Thank you again, for this opportunity.

“All the fairytale princesses are liars!”

My favorite quote in the book. This is a gender swap retell of beauty and the beast. It’s definitely YA, probably 10 and up read. I like more adult themes but it was still a fun book and a fast read. The way the other writes is similar to “Red Queen” but even more YA.

This book offers you a neurotic Disney experience and I loved that roller coaster ride. And by the way, the princess who is the biggest liar of all, I never liked her anyway 😂

Thank you Netgallery and the author for letting me review this book!

Beauty and The Beast is one of most classic, well known and rewritten fairytales that exists. Its been told over and over again in so many different forms, sometimes in stories that we don't even realize can coincide with the fairytale. In #BeastlyBeauty by #JenniferDonnelly this classic story is told once more but with a genderbent form.

Arabella has been cursed after a tragidy that befell a Prince in fact her bethrothed on the day of a hunt. Since that day everything for Arabella and those within the castle changed.
Beau is a thief who uses his looks to get in close with the ladies of the house and to slip into their beds and away the next morning with their jewels. He dreams of leaving Raphael and his crew behind so he can go to his brother Matti and be together once again. What he thinks will be his last job turns into something else entirely when the womans husband comes home sooner than planned and the crew has to run. They find thmselves in the cold trying to out run the dogs. In the distance they see a bridge with a Castle on the other side.
Within the Castle walls the dining hall is laid out wth the most marvelous dishes and the fire is kept stoked as though someone was waiting for them. However when Raphael sees the true treasure within the Castle, a great golden clock he decides to tear it apart to melt down and sell. That sadly is his mistake for out of the dark comes barrelling a ferocious animal ready to rip them limb from limb.
The bridge falls apart before Beau gets a chance to make it back across and he realizes he is trapped.
Servants find him and usher him inside tossing him in a room in the tower and locking him in. He is not to leave under any circumstance.
He will meet the Lady Arabella and the disturbing women of her court and somehow he must find a way to get himself out of the Castle and back to his brother.

I love this book soooo much. I am a huge fan of #JenniferDonnelly's writing as it is so this of course I knew would also be fantastic. I love the way she worked in the Ladies of the Court and how important it was for Arabella to love herself. I highly recommend #BeastlyBeauty to anyone who loves fairytales or ya know books in general.

this took me a while to finish, because i was even having difficulty to get through it in the first place. and yes, i got through it but, past 40%, i mostly just skimmed the book. i’m not sure why. maybe i wasn’t in the mood for this book, but i just wasn’t feeling it even since i first picked it up. i was really excited to read one of donnelly’s books though, especially to be reading a reverse batb retelling (one of my favorite disney movies and belle’s my favorite disney princess). maybe i’ll reread this later or read one of her other books in the future and end up loving it.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC <3

Donnelly gas written another delightful tale. Arabella is not a typical sweet young lady. Her parents want to squash her spirit and marry her off. An accident kills her fiance and Arabella blames herself and this starts the curse of 100 years. Looking for love but hopelessly lost. Will the thief break the curse?

Beastly Beauty is a beautifully written and unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Arabella has always been different. She's never been one to abide by society's rules. Instead, she is ambitious and passionate and not focused on marriage and appeasing her husband. Unfortunately, her outgoing personality and her desire to see justice served results in her being cursed. Now, a century later, Beau, a small-town thief who is trying to find a way back to his bed-ridden brother, stumbles upon Arabella, her castle, and her curse.

This book truly is beautifully written and easily one of my favorite retellings of a classic tale. I loved both Arabella and Beau. They are well-developed, strong, and independent characters. Yet, they need to trust and work with each other to solve the curse. I loved the creativeness of Arabella's "court". The names of the ladies were very fun. I also really enjoyed the shorter chapters that were either poems or were focused on the various ways to understand fairy tales or our favorite heroes/heroines. Overall, Beastly Beauty was a thoroughly enjoyable creative and unique retelling of a classic. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, retellings, and/or charming fairy tales.

In this Beauty and the Beast retelling the genders are swapped, both characters are outcasts, and it will change how you feel about stereotypical gender norms.

We have two great main characters in this story that both receive brilliantly written character arcs.

First we have Beau - an orphan who joined a group of thieves to support himself and his brother. He uses his charm and good looks to seduce and trick women so he can distract them so the rest of the men can steal their valuables.

Then we have Arabella - she is smart and creative and all her parents want her to do is act more like a lady and marry well. Defying her parents comes at a cost and now she and those she loves are paying the cost.

I love a good retelling and I think the author did a wonderful job with this story. It’s really nice when an author can do a retelling and make it their own. There is a ton of symbolism in this book and a lot of depth to the characters - in the supporting characters as well.

If I’m being totally honest I only requested this book because I bought a bunch of used books last year from someone and there was a Jennifer Donnelly series in it and I hadn’t read anything by her yet and when I saw this book on NetGalley and that it was a retelling I knew I needed to check it out and I’m so glad I did.

Thank you, NetGalley and Scholastic Press for this arc in return for an honest review.

If you've enjoyed any of Donnelly's other fairy tale retellings, this one is another great read. It takes the familiar story of Beauty and the Beast, and doesn't just gender swap the main characters, but adds more unique twists and turns to the story. Like her other fairy tale retellings, this one can get a bit dark

Jennifer Donnelly has such a talent for reimagining fairy tales and making them so much more than you thought possible. Beastly Beauty is another win to go along with Stepsisters and Poisoner.
I loved the gender-flipped beauty and the beast tale. More than anything this story is an allegory. One about our inner demons, our need for love, acceptance, and the grace we need to give ourselves. I also liked how Arabella isn’t cursed for being a horrible person like the beast usually is. I won’t spoil the twists, but they were well done. They were easy to figure out, but I definitely feel like we were meant to figure them out to see how long it took the characters to catch up.
I loved Beau too, plus all the servants in the castle. I definitely got emotional and teared up several times.
This tale is so poignant and beautifully told, and I highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Although I love Jennifer Donnelly, this book was just meh for me. I suppose I’ve read so many retellings of the tale and this one blended. Love the cover and I hope my students, who have a fresher perspective, enjoy it.

This was okay. The description had me really excited but I feel like it fell flat. The dialogue between any of the characters was almost always really immature. There was a decent twist a little before halfway through, but otherwise it just felt kind of boring.

This book was such a great one. I enjoyed the characters and the plot very much. Thank you for giving me such a good read!