2.5 stars

This is a standalone clean romance.

The idea was intriguing, but the writing was a little immature.

You'd really think that I've seen it all, being the Beauty and the Beast addict that I am, reading all retellings I can find and what not, but this story is actually pretty original. This beast is different and he actually has some very interesting powers and an unusual way of dealing with his guilt.

The plot does change considerably and, even though you do expect the happy ending, where the beast turns into a "normal" guy and lives with the girl happily ever after, the way the story develops is a little bit different.

This beast is actually a human man, with a body covered with scars, and secrets that he doesn't want to share. But when Aribelle starts working for him, he begins to open up and we start to see this other side of him.

We also have the jerk who wants to get the girl and slay the beast, and oh boy is he annoying. Thank God we don't get to see him much.

And I was glad that Thadeus and Aribelle spent so much time together, we don't get that many pages where they're apart. But I was surprised to see how fast everything happened, I thought they were going a bit too fast, they were already hugging very soon in the story (yeah, ok, maybe hugging is not that much big of a deal), but hey, she was working for the guy. A hug can be a huge deal. It was the beginning of something here.

I also loved how this is a very realistic story, but still has a bit of fantasy and magic in it. It was very well done :)

This was probably the most mediocre, bland ,and juvenile BATB retellings I have ever read. The book was blander than having chicken with no season on it.

Aribelle is alone in the world. Her father passed away a few months prior and her current circumstances are anything but taken care of. She gave up school and a future to take care of her dying father and now she is need of money. The only thing she is able to find through a temp agency is a housekeeper position. She doesn’t fit the physical qualifications for the positions but she knows she pleaded for a trail run. For the next week she works for the brute and aloof Mr. Thaddeus Walker.

Thaddeus hasn’t had the easiest life and he allowed himself to be a self-sacrificing martyr that helps keep his beastliness in check. He purposely keeps people far away from him and has given up dreaming of a new life. Thaddeus was not happy when he laid eyes on Aribelle. She was young and pretty, which made it very difficult to keep his emotions in check with her. He kept pushing her away, but had a need to keep her safe. (Something like an Edward Collen and Bella Swan).

When Aribelle begins to discover there is something not all right with Mr. Walker she starts to pry into his nightly outings. It is strange to her that he comes home every morning more bruised and beaten then the day before, yet miraculously heals. Once Aribelle begins chipping Mr. Walker, now Thaddeus’s harden exterior, she discovers a man that seeks redemption for his mistakes. Their desperate emotional and physical bond continues and thus the romance blossoms.

The book was actually surprisingly good. I mean it captivated my attention, and I wanted to know more about Aribelle and Thaddeus. The beauty and the beast concepts were there, however Aribelle wasn’t a physical prisoner. She needed the job and wouldn’t give up of quit. 

Thaddeus’s situation sucked, but however it showed his desire to become a better person and to learn how to control himself. His devotion to Aribelle helped him become a better man. I give the overall story 4 hearts. Let’s be honest folks this review isn’t everything it should be. I read it a few weeks ago and I thought I had the review already written. Well needless to say I couldn’t find it, so this is my review based off what I remember from reading it.

Book Review- Falling for the Beast by Victorine E. Lieske

Aribelle Cox just lost her father and is putting her classes on hold. She needs the money. She approaches an employment agency to find a job. They agree to place her as a housekeeper for Thaddeus Walker on a trial basis. She doesn’t meet the age requirement but they can’t find anyone else. Aribelle takes the position and wants to do well.
Thaddeus surprises her. He doesn’t want her in his house. She promises to do whatever he tells her. She really needs the job. At first she thinks he is a grumpy old man. She is shocked to find how young he is and what he does at night.
Thaddeus has been cursed to become a beast but he can also heal those injured by taking on the injuries himself. He goes out at night looking to save others to keep the beast inside calm and under control. Unfortunately Aribelle is a major temptation that he is fighting. However he must protect her from Gavin. Her life changes after he saves her and she learns his secret.
This book was a cool spin-off story of Beauty and the Beast. I like the modern plot with a paranormal twist. Aribelle is desperate enough to take the job in the first place. I love her determination and refuses to let him scare her off. Her strength grows as her courage is revealed.
Thaddeus is shocked over her actions. I love reading his reactions. He fights his intrigue with her. Of course you know he eventually gives in. It was fascinating to see what the author came up with. All the characters are present and parallel the original story. It was fun to read and compare guessing what may happen next following the original.
I like the part Gavin plays in the storyline. He is a good villain. His personality is as big as his ego. His bullying ways fit well in the modern version. It was a great story and a modern take on the Beauty and the Beast story. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Cannot stand paranormal books! I find them extremely offensive. I don't recommend. Thanks!
carolintallahassee 👒

At first I wasnt sure if i would like this modern beauty and the beast twist. After all every author is doing one. I was sucked in from the first page. Drawn into a world of supernatural and longing.
Okay first off, I hated Bella. She was so completely stupid to the real world. She was so self obsessed it was hard for her to see past her own nose. She did however grow the tiniest bit on me. The way the author added other books and characters was annoying. I would have loved more of her OWN stuff and things that werent taken from bits and pieces from other books. Her descriptions left me breathless and able to 'see'the scene playing out.

What a charming, easy read! This is a modern telling of Beauty and the Beast, and the main characters of Aribelle, Thaddeus, and Gavin are all well developed and have a complete story arc. I usually don't enjoy re-imaginings of fairy tales, but this one was engaging and left me with a smile on my face.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reading Copy

I normally don't reach for this type of books - contemporary paranormal romance - but I'm in a fairytale mood and decided to give it a try. It didn't blow me out of the water - it was a little cheesy in many places, but it was a gently read none-the-less and a pleasant diversion. A few things bothered me:

1. the "beast" isn't really a beast - the plot twist made him a hero who is only beastly because he has bad temper when he's healing (who doesn't?)
2. Aribelle is a sad character - she's a loser in every respect - what person has never had a job before ever? And she can't cook anything beyond a can of soup yet cared for her ailing father for 9 years.
3. The beast is also a bit of a loser. He's independently wealthy, but holes up in his house and still pays for a cleaner to come in to clean and cook - wouldn't they have discovered his secret immediately when they have to do his bloody laundry every day?
4. They live near a small city yet no one is curious about him - no gossip even though he's in town every night healing strangers.
5. How many accidents can happen in a small town? It's kind of ridiculous, and it sounds like this town is post-apocalyptic with the way people treat one-another and go shooting/stabbing/raping every night. He should move!
6. How has Aribelle not been beaten senseless by now by marauders? Or even her douchebag neighbor Gaston/Gavin whatever.
7. There is waaaay too much time devoted to food and the preparation of food in this book. It really drags.
8. I don't feel the building romance - it's just kind of weird and cheesy.

Yet, despite all this nonsense and so much more, I couldn't help but enjoy it just a little. So I gave it 3 stars, because someone out there will really enjoy it and I'll recommend it to patrons who enjoy gentle paranormal - I didn't know gentle paranormal could exist, but it does, so I'm glad I know about it.

Victorine E. Lieske wrote Beauty and the Beast retelling in a modern setting perfectly. When I first read the synopsis I was wondering how Lieske would pull this off. I love Beauty and the Beast retelling, but not everyone can do them well. I'm happy to say I was excited to read this book all the way to the end in one day.

*ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange if an honest review*

https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Beast-modern-day-Beauty-retelling-ebook/dp/B06XJGWJFP/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495479332&sr=8-1&keywords=Falling+for+the+Beast+Victorine+E.+Lieske

In this retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Thaddeus Walker is a recluse who hires Aribelle on a temporary basis to clean his house. For some reason, she is drawn to helping him when he’s hurt and wants to get down to the bottom of where he goes at night.
This was an ok story. It started out good, but I didn’t agree with how quickly Aribelle got nosy, so it diverted my attention a bit. I would like to try something original from this author in the future.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This was a solid 3, maybe 3.5. I enjoyed the elements of the story that were modernized, and how they fell for each other. I enjoyed Aribelle's determination and her ability to see beyond Thaddeus, the 'Beast's' gruff exterior. Seeing his heart open to Belle was a lovely gradual transformation. Belle definitely falls in the good, honest, kind heart category and she brought 'Beast' back into the real world that way by softening his heart. Cute, fun read, with some magical elements. Loved the twist with the modernization and what the 'Beast' can do as his magical power, and a clever retelling. I just wanted a bit more from the characters, maybe just seeing inside them more?? There was just a slight lack of immersion in the story for me that makes for a 4 star read.
Thank you for a fun read though! Definitely worth a diversion.

I'm a huge fan of Beast books and this one did not disappoint. Angsty Romance is my weakness! 5 solid stars!

A new twist on an old favorite. I liked this modern-day Beauty and the Beast. The story was fast paced with lots of drama. The characters really bring the story to life which made me want to know all of their secrets. An entertaining read.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast in Modern times was a great read, I couldn't put the book down and read it in one day, Victorine has written both Aribella and Thaddeus really well, I love how she retold the love that developed between Beauty and the Beast in this story. I can't wait for more stories like this.

I found the story be good with an interesting plot and characters. Good over all writing.

Falling for the Beast is a modern day Beauty and the Beast. I loved it!

Aribelle is searching for a job and gets one cleaning and cooking for Thaddeus Walker. She is not the profile he requested but she is insistent so he lets he come in and clean for him. Thaddeus has been cursed and he works hard to protect his secret. He only hires women who are his mother's age with poor eyesight. When he sees the good work Aribelle can do he is impressed. Aribelle is able to look at Thaddeus and really see him. She looks past all of the scars and injuries and gets to know the real him. He begins to share his secret with her. He has the ability to heal people but he takes on the pain they have suffered. Aribelle takes care of him when he is injured. Thaddeus begins to believe he could really have someone in his life that loves him. As Aribelle and Thaddeus get to know one another, they fall in love. But there is much to overcome for them to be together including a disturbed suitor that Aribelle has that won't give up.

This book is romantic and hopeful. I just loved it. Great for adults and Young Adults as well. Very well written.

Falling For The Beast By Victorine E Lieske was a very pleasurable read.
It was the first book I have tried by this Author and it was definitely a positive experience for me.
This was a refreshingly modern clean take on that old classic fairy tale we all love Beauty And The Beast.
I have got to admit this Disney story is my overall favourite, It's just such a romantic Yarn and gives me the warm fuzzies inside.
Falling For The Beast really does its namesake justice and it's one of those reads that is for me a real pleasure to discover all over again.
In this modern take, we have Aribelle going to work for Mr Thaddeus Walker a grumpy scarred individual who always seems to be injured.
Thaddeus has been cursed by a witch for his life choices resulting in him becoming a beast when he loses his temper. There is also a second part to this curse, the ability to heal others, but it comes at a terrible price, Thaddeus takes the injury and pain into himself leaving him with awful scars.
Until Belle, Thaddeus had no hope that anyone could see beyond this and love him for himself.
Falling For The Beast follows the narrative of the original tale very closely and it's a fabulous portrayal that was greatly enjoyable.
The story is told superbly and flows beautifully and in my opinion is well worth a read.
I received a free E-Copy of Falling for The Beast and this is my own honest opinion.

I can't resist retellings of Beauty and the Beast. This one is great, I couldn't put it down, totally recommended.