Couldn't get into the story, wasn't my cup of tea!

It pains me to write this review because Jackie Ashenden is one of my all time favourite authors.
I couldn't finish this book - I had to stop at 76%.
There's a line between dominant Alpha and aggressive, probable domestic violence perpetrator. The key behaviours displayed by the male lead read like a domestic violence public service announcement - moody and aggressive, controlling, covertly watching the heroine's every move on hidden cameras. There is A LOT of the characters' internal dialogue included in the text - which I found a little tedious- and this does explain the troubled behavior TO AN EXTENT... However, it really troubled me that the heroine had absolutely no way of knowing this. She was relying on some "sixth sense" to know that he was ok.... and that really wasn't ok with me.

I loved this book, then again I pretty much love anything from Jackie. She writes a brooding alpha male like no other but shows their vulnerabilities which I believe really resonates with readers. I can't wait for her next book!👍

With Ashenden you pretty much know what you are going to get. She has a penchant for breaking her heroes. The harder and tougher they are, the more she likes to bring them down.

Nero has a pretty obvious problem. He doesn't go out, ever. For reasons. Phoebe is prepared for problems because Nero has a rep for sending his personal assistants running. Money is her motivation. She needs it for her fiancé's medical bills.

It's only a matter of time for these two to explode. Phoebe has years of passion bottled up and Nero, well he is a man of experience, of everything except emotion.

The ending was kind of predictable (this is romance after all) but the journey was edge of the seat. It made me all emotional so it earned the fifth star.

Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. I mean he gives her a library - best book ever! So I am always very hesitate when writers take on this beloved classic. However, I loved this version by Ashenden. It felt like reading the classic, but it was so completely different that it was easy to get into the story. Her characters are well written with real life issues. I highly recommend this book.

Note, I did receive an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone read. This book was intense and emotional from the beginning. You will definitely need the tissues at the ready with this book. The characters were fantastic and you will fall in love with them as you read the book. The more I read from this author the better the books gets and the author never disappoints one bit with each story. I cant wait to read more from this author in the future. Highly recommended voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I can't begin to express how much I loved this book...it's just so darn good.
Such an angsty romance, with so much personal pain..I cried, huge ugly tears. Feels galore...anger, pain, lust, hurt, tears and on top of those a strong storyline with a happy ending

I liked this tale of Beauty and The Beast. I admit Nero was a bit hard to warm up to. However, the characters are interesting and the story is entertaining. I really liked it.

OMG MS Ashenden has done it again what a fabulous story so powerfully emotional beautifully written and a must read, to see this “Damaged Bastard Beast” Nero de Santis come to life at the hands of and with the help of the prim and proper British assistant Phoebe Taylor was a real page turner.

Phoebe needs this job badly and the huge salary that comes with it you see she has been caring for her fiancé who is in a coma for the last two years and her savings are running out but when she arrives for her interview she meets a beast and cruel beast who demands her time and her soul but the ever caring and hard -working Phoebe takes on the challenge and sees through him and is determined to find out why he is the way he is.

Nero has not left his house for 10 years and when you find out why have tissues at the ready. Everything the billionaire needs comes to him he is demanding and forceful and always gets what he wants and he is in desperate need of a new assistant he has been through so many in the past few months surely there is someone who can do the job. And finally it looks like that person has arrived.

Phoebe and Nero are the perfect fit they are made for each other in my opinion, this story has everything Nero is so demanding and Phoebe cannot deny the pull between them he brings out the best in her sexually and she is such a caring person and what she does for Nero and what he does for her had me crying truly this is a gorgeous story of strength, emotion, courage and a sizzling romance that will make your hair curl. Do yourself a favour and sit back comfortably with this one because you are not going to want to put it down thank you so much MS Ashenden I loved it, Nero is to die for.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one... I really enjoyed the first book in this series but Nero sounded like a real ***hole and Phoebe was engaged to someone else - which is a big no-no for me.

However, the story won me over once I got into it. We learn why Nero is such a jerk and you kinda start to feel compassion for him.

Looking forward to book 3!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's.

***4 ‘Give Me the Words’ Stars***

I decided to give this one a go simple because of the fact that it was based on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, which hands down is my favorite of them all. I hadn’t read the first book in the series, nor anything by the author, so I went in blind and was hooked from the first page and found that I had very difficult time putting it down. I was absolutely intrigued by both Nero and Phoebe and enjoyed watching as they got under each others skins, stripped each other bare and forced the other to take a good, hard look at what their truths really were.

The description of Nero in the synopsis is perfect Damaged. Bastard. Beast. and I absolutely adored the bastard that Nero was. I did. I know most hated him instantly, but not me. Nope. That was the hook. I loved how he owned the asshat he was and didn’t apologize for it. But I also loved watching as his well construction kevlar armor started to crumble and revealed the heart that he so desperately wanted to believe was dead, only to find that it wasn’t as black as he thought it was. And to find out what formed him into the beast was heartbreaking.


Phoebe Uptight. Misunderstood. Engaged and all three descriptions were of her own making. This is how she describes herself and yet there is so much more to her. I loved how controlled she was, the facade she presented to the world was amazing. Her strength of will was insane, some may have seen a doormat, I didn’t. I saw a woman who had a goal and worked it. But the fire that lay underneath, once unleashed, only made her that much stronger and I loved how she embraced it.

Nero and Phoebe’s journey was erotic romance with a bit of dark rolled in it and it just worked for me because they were so evenly matched. While Nero was big, bold and in your face, Phoebe was slow, subtle and a hit you when you least expected it. The force of their personalities made it so neither one could be ignored and that lead to so many truths being exposed and dealt with, sometimes painfully, but dealt with.
This can be read as a standalone since it’s a character driven story and while there are references to Nero’s family, they don’t play a major role in anything that happens. This retelling was a fun, quick and smexy read that hooked me from the start and I found the ending more than satisfying.

Overall, I thought this was a good take on Beauty & the Beast.

“It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. She was fire and she burned him alive and yet it was like he craved the pain. It was like he needed it.”

Nero de Santis’ childhood has left lasting damage on him as an adult. He suffers from a crippling ailment that has held him hostage in his own home for ten years. He is alpha, domineering, demanding, ruthless, and surly. He has the world at his fingertips, and he pays people to do his bidding. He believes that everyone has a price – that anyone can be bought. Unfortunately, he has a real issue with keeping personal assistants because they can’t cope with his, often unreasonable, demands 24/7. The new candidate intrigues him. Her stillness and impassivity draws him - challenges him.

“He would have been insufferable if she hadn’t found the energy he threw off so completely exciting.”

Phoebe Taylor needs money – a lot of money. This job seems too good to be true. And, she’s right. However, she needs money to keep on top of her prime obligation. She has a soft heart and is a natural people-pleaser. She’s spent her whole life being the dependable one, and pandering to other people’s needs, that she’s almost forgotten her own needs. She’s always been there for people, but no one seems to truly see her. Prim, proper and in control of her emotions, she presents a challenge to Nero. He’s a giant beast of a man, brimming with energy and power, yet her heart breaks for him when she realises his weakness. He, in turn, wants to push her buttons. He wants to own her. Most of all, he SEES her.

“What have you done to me, Phoebe? What the fuck have you done?”

Their initial mutual attraction both repels and pulls Phoebe. Her obligations and her guilt keeps her pushing Nero away, but he is determined to have her. His obsession for her fuels his passion, but also pushes him out of his considerable comfort zone.

I thought this was a great story. I liked the overarching storyline and I must say that the conclusion was pretty emotional. Nero is a broken man living in denial. Phoebe is existing and not really living. I loved the sexual tension between them. I enjoyed Phoebe’s soft approach to taming the beast, who carried his pain deep inside. They brought each other to life and gave the other a reason to truly live.

At first, you want to whack Nero upside the head for being such an ass. But just like Phoebe, you begin to see behind the snarling beastly facade that he had constructed around himself as the story unfolds.
No that is no excuse for him to be such a douche but you begin to sympathize with the crap that he's been through and the circumstances that have lead up him being the way he is.

In spite of that, he is the only one that doesn't let Phoebe get away with hiding her true self and her desires. Which leads her to discover a whole new bolder, confident and sensual side to herself. And now the new and improved Phoebe has the ability to see Nero for who he really is and can help him overcome his demons, but only if can accept that he needs her just as much as she needs him. Beauty and the Beast, Ashenden style

The Billionaire Beast is a modern-day retelling of a favorite fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. It’s the second novel in Jackie Ashenden’s Billionaire Fairytales. The hero of this story, Nero de Santis, is definitely a beastly boss, difficult, demanding, arrogant and domineering. No one wants to work for this reclusive billionaire and computer genius. True to form, this character is intriguing, but his attitude is completely over-the-top.

Phoebe Taylor needs money and accepts the well-paid job of Nero’s personal assistant. Despite Nero’s tendency to push her and test her limits, Phoebe is a worthy opponent he can’t defeat. She is the calm behind Nero’s storm. Phoebe is sensitive to people who are broken and need help, and she sees through Nero’s mask. He is a prisoner in his own house, stuck in his painful past, insecure and vulnerable. He has no one but her and his butler.

Phoebe and Nero share the same loneliness and their chemistry was palpable. When he accepts to let his guard down, Nero has the ability to uncover the passionate woman hiding beneath her demure attitude. But to be worthy of Phoebe, he has to acknowledge his pain. His intense desire to change was touching and his healing journey was deeply emotional.

This story was pacy, addictive, sexy and well-written. If, like me, you’re a sucker for modern retellings of classic tales with a few new twists and turns and some dark elements, then this series is not to be missed. The Billionaire Beast can be read as a standalone and is told in dual point-of-view.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

I totally loved this book. OMG, Nero. He was fantastically broken, gruff, and sexy. Phoebe was perfect for him. She was able to stand up to his demands. She was broken, too. You will have to read the story to find out just how broken these two are. But even broken, they helped each other discover what both of them actually needed. There was some hard, sad issues going on with both of them. But in the end It was a wonderful love story. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy.

This book is so amazing in terms of the hero’s characterization - indirect, coherent, cohesive, with plenty of showing – that I’ve delayed the reading, instead of reading it in one sitting.
It’s not that I love the hero – billionaire alphas are not my type – but Jackie Ashenden does a great job showing us why he is such a cold and insensitive jerk. What I found most compelling was watching the hero’s always genuine perplexity and lack of understanding of clues to feelings, emotions and appropriate social behavior (emotions and people for him are “texts” he can’t neither translate nor interpret). And the heroine’s ability of learning to “read” him (“He didn’t know. He really didn’t know. Not only was he blind to her feelings, he was blind to his own, too”).
As someone who loves to read and to interpret I found this hero – Nero, as the Roman emperor - that is so unskilled and clumsy reading himself and the others a compelling and unforgettable character. The depiction of his mental functioning, of his arrogance and his vulnerabilities, is striking! And his physical size and strength contrast with his emotional and psychological frailty.
I think that besides the condition identified in the novel Nero might suffer from another condition and I’m glad there was no miraculous solution for his problems.

I actually didn't read the synopsis for The Billionaire Beast, but nevertheless, I was excited to read it! I was because one of my best book friends loved the first book, The Billionaire's Virgin, and couldn't wait to read this one, so I knew it had to be good, but even without my friend's eagerness, I still would have wanted to read it as I'm always up for a Beauty and the Beast retelling. And what a retelling it was! It was absolutely fantastic and I can't wait to read not only the next book, but also the first one.

Phoebe is all calm, cool, and collected for the most part, but Nero sure knows how to bring out her fiery, passionate, wild side out too. I loved seeing her fire, but I loved her soft, sweet, compassionate side more. Phoebe is just the kind of person who you would want to be your friend. She's nice, supportive, and she will always be there for you when you need her and help you however she can. Phoebe is truly a gem and I just positively loved her.

Wow - Nero, is a lot to take in at first. I mean, he's an a*shole, a real grade A one too and yeah, you're going to want to probably slap or shake him, but I promise you, he does get better. His gruffiness is not all bad though, he's determined and he makes Phoebe face things she doesn't necessarily want to and he makes it okay for her to allow herself to open up. Nero listens to her, he comforts her, and he sees her and that's what I loved most about him. It was a rocky start, but I definitely fell for this Billionaire Beast!

The Billionaire Beast was one tale that kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat. It made me gasp in shock, disbelief, and outrage, it got my blood boiling a few times, it brought tears to my eyes and quite a lot of smiles to my face. It was heartbreaking, heart stopping, and heartwarming - The Billionaire Beast was just all heart and I completely, totally loved it!

The Billionaire Beast is the second book in the Billionaire Fairy Tales series, but it can be read as a standalone. It's told from Nero and Phoebe's POV and the ending will leave you feeling all warm and gooey inside.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

I will forever be a fan of Jackie. I love the way she writes, she makes me believe these could be real people no matter how weird and outlandish the plot. That being said the plot in this story was just okay. Nero is a recluse billionaire who wants the world to come to him and Phoebe is the "damsel in distress" in this proverbial world. I did enjoy the romance between the two even though both of them got annoying at times. The comatose boyfriend was a bit of a hiccup as well, I understood how he played into the story but I just thought it could have been something other than that bringing Phoebe into Nero's life. I'm not a big fan of heroines who have huge burdens of their past lovers or can't seem to let their past go (I get he was in a coma, but I always get freaked out they will magically wake up and it will become a weird love triangle). I just felt like the story dragged on a little bit. But Jackie never disappoints with those steamy scenes.

Recommendation: Not a bad read, especially if you want to try a more sexy retelling of a classic story.

I voluntarily read the advanced review copy of this book

I honestly loved this book. By the end of it I was bawling because of the raw and honest emotion and romance.

This couple was stripped bare emotionally and seeing every step of them breaking down and telling things to each other that they have never uttered to another soul was simply beautiful. This book may be the second book in the series but it has stolen my heart and connected with me in a way that blows my mind.

Great book and great job Jackie Ashenden, thank you for not being afraid to go where many authors are afraid to go and draw your readers into subjects that others pretend don't exist!