Recommended readers:

If you’re a fan of Historical Romance
If you like Lorraine Heath
And if you like a fast-reading romance
Here’s my Rankings:

4/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4/5 overall

REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Althea Stanwick has fallen from society – and living in the dark side of London, working in a pub and strapping by, when she meets Benedict Trewlove. Benedict was orphaned and raised with his other siblings, all now influential in their own way (check out the other Lorraine Heath books in the series), while Benedict makes it his point to help others and comes up with a plan to get back into society her own way.

It’s easy to escape into the final novel of the Sins for All Seasons series, as the final Trewlove sibling struggles through love. Building passion, surprises from Benedict’s past and interpersonal struggles combine to make this a fast-reading, Victorian historical romance. If you love anything from Lorraine Heath, this is another winner. You may even want to add the other books in the series to your list.


Available now: Beauty Tempts the Beast

Starring Miss Althea “Thea” Stanwick and Mr Benedict “Beast” Trewlove.

Trope(s): Beauty and the Beast re-telling... Anti-Hero.

“When she laughs, my world is brighter. When she smiles, it is more colorful.” ~Beast

Omigosh I am bawling... this book was beyond beautiful!! I am so in love with Althea and Benedict. I was so giddy with all the wonderful feely-feels for these two. This is going down as one of my favorite versions of Beauty and the Beast... they even got a library scene. I know, right?!

Such strong hero and heroine. Althea and Benedict truly complimented each other. She was polished, he’s a little rough around the edges. Together they are the perfect blend. Althea and Benedict are one of my favorite book couples of 2020. I could not get enough of these two!!

This is book #6 in the Sins for All Seasons Series. I didn’t read the previous books, but now I’m going to run to Amazon and 1-clicking all of them!! I have no doubt that the previous stories will be as amazing!!

Lorraine Heath is one of my all time fave authors. She is an emotionally charge writer and her stories are wonderful masterpieces for the soul. I love her!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily review it and the comments are 100% my own.

My star rating: 5 stars
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be re-reading this story over and over and over again!!

This book is so good! I am a huge Lorraine Heath Fan. She writes amazing characters. They are so complex. This is a yummy book to read. Althea and Benedict (Beast) are so loving together. I so love this story. I can't wait for the next one.

Romance novels are filled with tropes for a reason, because they're comforting and fun and easy. So was this. It's nothing outrageously new but in a chaotic time yes, I wanted something comforting, fun, and easy.

This is my first by Lorraine Heath and now I have to read more by her, especially the rest of this series. This can completely be read as a standalone but now I want to know more about Beast's siblings! It is such a sweet supportive family.

I adored Beast and kind hero that he was. It can sometimes be annoying when characters act "Selfless" and leave so the other can live the life they are supposed to live. Both characters do this and it is annoying when they both do it BUT it adds to the realness of Beast's and Althea's lack of self confidence. Althea is the typical spoiled lady cast aside by society. We see her realize that life outside of the ton is much more difficult but also different. Her journey to self realization was welcome, especially the parts that included Beast <3.

Beast is not your typical hero and has his own demons but he is kind, caring, and his nickname is for such a different reason then you might assume!

Dark and intriguing mixed with sexual tension and of course a HEA.

A lovely ending to an enjoyable series. I think the best part was the ending. Congratulations on one of the best endings/ epilogue that I’ve read in a long time. The book was a 4 star read until then, now it’s a 5.

This book really didn't capture my interest. I couldn't get into the main characters at all. I couldn't finish this book.

Absolutely incredible historical romance by Lorraine Heath! Beauty Tempts the Beast was sweet, tearjerker romance. I love a Beauty and the Beast retelling and she absolutely nailed it. The chemistry between B and the B was captivating, the love scenes were hot, and the story will bring tears to your eyes!

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 — Beast and Beauty work together to solve each others problems in this surprisingly sweet story.

See more on my <a href="http://instagram.com/historyandharlots/">Instagram</a> & <a href="https://historyandharlots.blogspot.com/">blog</a>

—

Picture this: me, in August 2020, reading books 1-5 in the Sins for All Seasons series and then needing to wait <i>a month and a half</i> for the last one. Me, on September 26, three days before it releases, walking through the grocery store and finding it on the shelf! And then me, that same afternoon, reading it in one sitting and accidentally creasing the spine.

This book was a satisfying end to the SFAS series. It's difficult to create a series - especially a family series - that 1) can have standalone stories that make sense and are compelling, 2) don't feature character assassination when couples cameo in later books, and 3) quality doesn't taper off in later books. This book was doubly difficult, because as the last in the series on the Trewlove's, it had to tie things up in a satisfying way as well.

Also: I just realized <i>today</i> that their last name is Trewlove. I thought it was Trewlo<b>w</b>e. I need to go back to all my other reviews and see if I misspelled their last names.

—

Benedict "Beast" Trewlove was not what I expected. We saw so little of him in the other books... we know he's a huge man physically, we know he avoided the weddings and balls of his siblings because he didn't want to interact with the ton, we knew he had some kind of physical abnormality as he referenced it in book 2, and that in Fancy's book he brought two prostitutes to her reading classes. And still, I had assumptions about him that weren't true. I assumed he would be a typical "scarred hero" in a beauty/beast trope - angry, closed off, no friends. That's not to say I was disappointed, because I like him as a character, it just wasn't what I was expecting but worked within the story.

Althea Stanwick was the daughter of a lord, until a scandal made her family penniless and scorned. She's moved from Mayfair to Whitechapel and at the start of the novel, she's working in Gillie's pub as a serving girl. She wants power and security, and believes the only way to get it is as a courtesan or mistress to a lord, since no lord would think her worthy of marriage. She goes to Ben for lessons in seduction. I don't think I can say much more about her without giving away the reason she's wound up in Mayfair or how she and Benedict interact... so I will hide all of that below in the spoilers.

<b>Overall, like I said: this was an enjoyable book.</b> I read it in one sitting, forcing my dogs to have a later dinner because I was almost done. This series is definitely one I would recommend to anyone who's a fan of historical romances (or romances in general), though if people have time I'll always recommend to read them in order because it's more satisfying that way. But I do think this would work as a standalone.

I'm going to hide the rest of the review for spoilers as I go in depth with thoughts.

—

<spoiler>The scenario put forth for the character of Althea was good, as it forced her into the world of Whitechapel, introduced her brothers (who will be leading a new series, I believe), and provided conflict for Beast's inevitable comeuppance into the aristocracy. I admit, I had a hunch something like that would happen. When in book 2 Beast comments he would have been abandoned/unloved even if he hadn't been a bastard (because of his physical abnormality), I knew it had to not be the case... and when I read the prologue (previewed at the end of book 5), I figured some circumstance kept the woman away after she promised to come back. Althea being unwilling to return to the ton sealed it.

I actually really liked that twist, because it gave some irony that one of the Trewlove's should wind up <i>as</i> a lord after all the others married into the world. I wish the transition and impact on his family would have been explored more but it happened so late, there wasn't really time.

I thought the set up between Benedict and Althea was clever. As he is the (property) owner of a brothel with six women he wants to transition into different careers, it makes sense that the person who would best be able to give the girls manners and polish is a woman who was raised as a lady. I also thought Althea's request to be a temptress was realistic... she knows that no lord in polite society would marry her without her reputation restored, and she moves on to acknowledging she could be a courtesan or mistress. There are a lot of down on their luck heroines who say they'll never do this, "debase" themselves, but I thought her reasoning was frank and made sense for the position she was in at the time.

The only complaint I have on these pieces is, we really didn't see anything from either. I think we got one full lesson (the first) of Althea and the girls, and then the rest was just recounted in passing. With Benedict, I think they only had one real "lesson" (that he called a lesson), so I wouldn't put this under a "lessons in seduction" trope. That could have been fun, but I understand why they didn't do that because of Beast's moral complex on it.

I said previously that Benedict didn't wind up being how I imagined. I think in most BATB inspired stories the man winds up being closed off and angry. Beast truly wasn't. He was engaging and loved his family, had friends, had good relationships with the women in the brothel and dined with them daily. With Althea, there was truly little to no brooding. They described a nice friendship that grew between the two of them from long conversations in his study after dinner, just talking and laughing. He was always forthcoming with his past and what he thought.

I didn't understand what Beast's physical abnormality was. And I keep calling it that because I'm not sure what else to call it, or if there's a better word for it. He's missing his right ear. For some reason I assumed (since he was called Beast and this would be a BATB inspired story) he had something on his face, and when it hadn't been mentioned like 60% in I was like, "HOW has this not been brought up? Has he been hiding half his face behind his hair the whole book and so she's never seen his full face?" After he allowed her to see he didn't have an ear, it made more sense - he just kept his hair long.

I thought certain pieces of the book were underdeveloped. The bits about Sally Thorne always felt kind of out of place - like at the graveyard, it felt a bit like an info dump. And I feel strange that Benedict would say "I killed her"... when clearly, the man who beat her was the one who killed her... and had she been a prostitute on the street with no warmth or protection she would face violence with regularity - as Jewel later told him. The lessons (both in being a lady and in seduction) were undeveloped and underwhelming. While the girls getting hired elsewhere was covered, all of them were summarized within a page so we jumped from the first lesson to briefly mentioning it to "they're all moving on."

This book had a lot of cute moments, too. Like... Aidan giving them miniatures of each other? I screamed. Benedict offering to trade and her saying no, she wanted to keep the one of him. Him keeping her miniature in his timepiece and her putting his in a locket... AH. I immediately thought of Steve Rogers in Captain America when he has the picture of Peggy in his.

All in all, I felt it fit with the series and provided good closure.</spoiler>

Such a great story!!! The characters are so amazing and the plot flows effortlessly. I hope I can read more books of Ms Heath!

*contains spoilers*
4 stars
I can't say enough good things about this book. I loved it, and loved the chemistry between Thea and Ben. The MC share a love that runs truly deep, and is very genuine. Makes me wonder, is there real men out there that is this sweet? They meet in a bar where she is a barmaid, and he is a patron. Automatically and instantly he knows she's a lady, and asked her to tutor the woman at the brothel where he lives and own. In return she wants lessons on how to be a seductress, and wants to be a mistress one day. Thats how their story begins. Along the way they fall in love with each other.

Thea was born into nobility but falls from grace. Not from her doing but of her father's. Her father was a Duke accused of scheming to kill the queen, and was hung. Shorty after that her mother and family is scorned, casted out, and stripped of their titles, belongings, and money.

Ben was born an illegitimate and raised on the dark side of London. His biological mother gave him up as baby in order to protect him from his father's father. He was raised by the woman who took him in. 33 years after his birth, his biological parents find him. He his now a scottish earl, and the heir to Dukedom. His world spins upside down.

Boths thiers fates were reversed. She lost everything while he gained everything. Because of that she turns down his proposal, and loved him so much that she is willing to let him go. In her mind she thinks that if he accepts her he would lose everything.

He fights hard for her love but she is truly stubborn and declines to return it. She fears that society will not accept him because she is a daughter of a traitor.

Then she realizes nothing can stop him from loving her, so she accepts his proposal and they marry.

I personally loved Ben's character from the start to the end. He is a big teddy bear and protective of all woman. Everything he does is for the better. While I loved Ben, I only liked Thea. In my eyes she was selfish in her fears, and gave up too easily on their love. But I'm so happy for the both of them.

This book was given to me as a arc from netgalley in return for a honest review. These are my thoughts and my thoughts alone. Thanks you netgalley for giving the opportunity to review this lovely book.

I have loved this whole series but this was the crowning achievement for the series and it was without a doubt the best. The relationship between Thea and Ben (the Beast of our story) was wonderful and heartwarming on a human level, the romance was a bit more complicated and between him trying to be honorable and her trying to be something she would never be it was entertaining, passionate and a great ending to the story although it seemed the author left her brothers in limbo but that was a small thing and maybe a hook for a spinoff but this was great and while a great series ending story I will miss these people. Always the sign of a great series.

4.5 steamy beauty and the beast retelling stars

It's been awhile since I have had the chance to read a Lorraine Heath book, and boy have I missed them! She almost always includes all the elements of a historical romance that I love: fast-moving story line, swoony-worthy H's, relatable/likeable h's, a twist or two along the way, and STEAMY GOODNESS GALORE!

Benedict Trewlove (know as "Beast" in Whitechapel) is one of the several bastard children placed in the care of Mrs. Trewlove when he was an infant. His birth mother was desperate to protect her son, and though she swore she would return for him as soon as possible, 33 years later, Beast has found his own path as a businessman with the makeshift family that he loves. He has also inadvertently taken on the role of protector for several ladies of the night... a situation that came about because of his significant size and his kind nature. When he visits his sister's pub for a scotch, he can't help but notice a new barmaid who is definitely out of place in this part of London. Though he isn't sure why, Beast finds himself drawn to her and wanting to help her --- and he knows just how. As a lady, she can help the women who work for him learn the ways of polite society and assist them in honing their other skills so that they can find respectable employment, and he can get out of the protector/brothel business he never intended to be involved in.

Althea Stanwick was the daughter of a nobleman who was accused of and hung for treason; thus, she and her two older brothers have had all of their titles, properties, entailments, and belongings stripped from them. Her mother died of the heartbreak and shame, and her fiancee, an earl, immediately cut her from his life. She has tried a few jobs, but has yet to find one that she is good at and that she can make enough money to support herself. Her latest barmaid gig has resulted in her receiving way too many inappropriate proposals, suggestive comments, and even the occasional bottom pinching... She's had it. So when the man at the back of the bar says he has a proposition for her, she is NOT INTERESTED and firmly lets him know.

But Althea can't help but feel drawn to Beast, and he to her, so when she finally actually asks what the proposition is and learns that it is not only respectable but could also be very lucrative, she accepts. She has a counteroffer though... Beast must teach her how to be a temptress so that she can attract a wealthy protector and have both means and control over her life once again. But what will happen when the "lessons" reveal a deeper connection between them that they cannot ignore? Can Althea abandon her dreams of re-entering the nobility as a sought after courtesan? Will Beast realize that his birth status doesn't matter to the woman who truly loves him for who he is? And what will happen when the secrets of Beast's past are revealed?

What I liked:
--- Beast was definitely the kind of H I like: tough but gentle, smart but not condescending; stronger despite his lot in life; and tall, dark, & handsome! Althea was a likeable h who was taking control of her life instead of wringing her hands or throwing herself at the mercy of a desperate wealthy creep to save her, she gets a job and comes up with a plan
--- Chemistry between the two was very apparent and very enjoyable -- I like that their relationship developed over time that they actually got to know each other vs just falling on each other and going from there
--- Beast's family dynamics were fun to see even though I had not read the books specifically about the other "siblings," but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of their involvement in the story
--- STEAMY GOODNESS

What I didn't like as much:
--- I usually like a little more action/adventure/intrigue in my stories, and while this had a little bit of that with Beast's story coming to light, it wasn't as much as I typically enjoy
--- I don't like angst once the couples have agreed to be together; I get the reasons, though

Overall, an engaging and fast-paced plot with likeable H/h couple, steamy goodness, and (of course) the HEA the readers were rooting for! The plight of Althea's brothers grabbed my attention, so I am hoping to get my hands on their stories next!

Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- some (f word)
POV --- 3rd

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

There wasn't anything *wrong* with this book - it just felt tired and done before. It seems to be a trend that historicals feature sex workers as characters, which seems great on the surface - sex work positive romance? Yes, please! However, it feels like the inclusion of sex workers as background characters feels like using sex positivity as window dressing. It's trendy and adds to the cover appeal of a book, no matter how superficial and meaningless of an addition it actually is. Here, it just like cashing in on a trending trope, without it adding anything at all to the story.

The plot felt disjointed and choppy, and then in the last quarter of the book, several hurdles were added to artificially add in a conflict.

Benedict and Thea are sweet together, but the rest of the story didn't offer enough for this to stand out for me.

Beast being the background player in the series it was exciting to finally get to his story... First off I love the stories of the trewloves, Benedict especially.

I loved the romance between Althea and beast. Him seeing right through her was given. They had their ups and downs in the relationship but what book doesn't have their own twists and turns.

I loved finding out the background to both of them especially benedict and where he came from.

I love how the series was tied up and the epilogue made the whole book...

Romance wasn't rushed which I also enjoyed because I find some books rush a romance. However there is still as most books romance than its crushed than its back at it again so don't second think that won't happen lol.

At times I couldn't stand Thea, she just isn't my favorite and well from other books you just adore benedict so it makes it hard at times because you think he deserves better. She warms up to you but it'll take alot to have that happen . That's my only down fall of the book .. she's not hated but she isn't my favorite.

Overall the excitement of the book the romance and the story is well written. I honestly can say read the whole series this was a perfect end to it. The trewloves family is funny caring and loving and well you fall in love with them. Highly recommend ..

As I stated in my note to the publisher, I enjoyed the book. I was surprised and didn’t really expect how much the life of Beast/Benedict changed. I would like to know what happened with the brothers of Altheaand what exactly they were doing when they left Althea.

4.5 stars

Althea Stanwick, as the daughter of a duke, had every privilege and was engaged to an earl. Her world fell apart when her father was found to be a traitor and executed, leaving Althea and her two brothers homeless, penniless, and outcasts from society. Althea now works as a server in a tavern, living in a rundown set of rooms with one brother, who now has become a dockworker. Her oldest brother, the former heir, is now undercover, trying to find out who his late father’s accomplices are. Since her former fiancé jilted her, Althea begins to think that she’ll become a courtesan. If she’s not respectable enough to marry, at least she’ll be provided for on her own terms.

Benedict Trewlove is known as Beast because of his large size and a very unique physical imperfection. Ben was left with Lottie Trewlove shortly after his birth by his mother, who promised to return for him soon. As Ben is now thirty-three, that never happened. Ben has never known about his birth family, but grew up with plenty of love from his adopted mother and siblings. Ben has always been protective of women, and somehow came to be responsible for a brothel he never wanted. His goal has been to have the women trained for respectable careers, and now there are just six ladies left for him to place. When Ben sees Thea at the tavern, he immediately can tell that she’s “quality” and doesn’t belong working as a barmaid. He offers her a position of teaching his remaining women how to behave more like proper ladies, at a salary too good for Thea to resist. However, she has her own request – she wants Ben to teach her about seduction, so that she’s prepared for her own future career.

Ben is reluctant because he believes that Thea can still make a good match. However, he didn’t see her fiancé give her the cut direct, or the snubs from all her former friends. Ben finally agrees, but won’t take the final step of taking her innocence, believing that Thea may still change her mind. As you can imagine, the more Thea observes the kind of man Ben is, the more infatuated she becomes. Ben has already been intrigued with Thea from the first time he saw her. Their seductive encounters soon become much more, and this couple falls in love. Ben proposes, and Thea joyfully accepts. Happy ever after? Not so fast! Ben’s about to learn of his birth family, and the story is shocking, so much so, that Thea says she can no longer marry Ben.

Ben is truly like a knight, protecting the defenseless, and trying to make life better for those he cares for. He’s so intelligent and strong and loving, yet he’s crushed when he and Thea part. While I didn’t applaud Thea’s original choice for her future, I did appreciate that she picked herself up and forged ahead. She felt that leaving Ben was in his own best interest, though her heart was breaking, as well. Thank goodness that it turns out there is a way for them to rescue each other. BEAUTY TEMPTS THE BEAST is another emotional story from Lorraine Heath, something she does so well. Ben and Thea’s passionate journey is guaranteed to tug at your heartstrings and have you rooting for this couple to find a way to build a future together. A beautifully written epilogue, which goes far into the future, wraps up this series absolutely perfectly.

I feel like I have been waiting forever for Beast to get his book in this series and I am happy to say, it delivered. I always love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling, and this isn't really that, but I liked it all the same.

Beast is a big guy, but a good looking one. (He does have a physical impairment, but I won't spoil the reveal in the book.) As the story begins, he owns a building that's used as a brothel... not because he's a pimp, but to give the ladies a safe place to live and work. But now, he wants to be rid of the place and help the women find other ways to support themselves in society.

Enter Athlea. She grew up in Mayfair, but when her father was hanged as a traitor she lost all of her social standing. Now she works in the bar run by Beast's sister... until he gets the idea to hire her as a tutor for the brothel employees. Of course, sparks fly, and it's only a matter of time until these two are unable to keep their hands off each other.

I really appreciated the fact that Althea never put on airs or looked down on the people in her new life. So many former "ladies" in HR still think themselves above others even after their own circumstances change. Althea is pragmatic... and even more, she sees value in the women she tutors, and of course, falls in love with the good man who hires her.

There's an interesting twist to make the black moment in this one, and I liked the way it turned everything on its ear. A great epilogue too.

Very satisfying.

I love Lorraine's books and this one was no exception. I enjoyed the take on Beauty and the Beast and found Ben to be a wonderful hero. Kind, strong and sexy, I was enthralled from the first page. And I can't wait to read the spinoff books!

A lovely romance between two people from different worlds coming together to make their own. Althea Stanwick's father was a duke who plotted to assassinate the queen, sentencing him to death and his children to be thrown out onto the streets. Althea has been trying to learn how to survive the streets of Whitechapel and to discover who she is if she isn't a member of Society. No friends, no support, no help. Until Benedict "Beast" Trewlove hires her to teach refinement to a group of ladies of the night hoping for more genteel employment. But it's what Althea and Beast teach each other that is the biggest discovery of all. Each tells themselves not to get attached, but the connection between them is so magnetic it's almost magical.

Lorraine Heath does a beautiful job creating her world and characters- from the glittering balls of Mayfair to the shadowy alleys of Whitechapel. The emotions jump from the page and draw you in so that you laugh and cry and love alongside Beast and Althea. "Beauty Tempts the Beast" is not only a lovely take on a classic fairy tale, it is a beautiful story of two people discovering who they are and what really matters in life.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review