An original take on one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast has always been the tale that spoke to me, taught me the lessons it was supposed to, made me look at what's inside of a person's heart rather than what they look like, and made me think of others before myself.

I went into this book thinking I knew everything about these characters, but this book, made me look at every character I thought I knew differently and it was such a roller coaster of emotions.

We all think we know the story, of Beauty being torn from her family to pay the price of a stolen rose, but what if Beauty made that choice for herself, to escape a life filled with terror, to save herself?

Beauty Reborn tells many tales spanning the best and the worst of humanity, with moments that make you remember that some people can be so much worse than Beasts while others can be kind for no reason other than kindness and it reminds us that what's on the inside is really what's important.


I have to say I found Beauty's love of music to be something that made me look at her in a completely different way, it just gave her more depth and made her a more complex character.

The letters, reading poetry, the interactions between Beauty and Beast, there were moments of such tenderness that I found myself wanting them to find love in this situation, it had started in desperation for both of them and I wanted them to have their own happily ever after.

On the other hand, we have Stephan, oh Stephan how could you be such an evil evil man and yet fool everyone, even Beauty's sisters had stars in their eyes where he was concerned if only Beauty had listened to her brother.

As the story goes on and you see what drove Beauty to make her decisions, what Stephan had done, some moments will be triggering to some but explain so many of the moments we have in this book.

It's a lovely example of visceral storytelling, I could picture the castle, I could sense the wonder of the magic, and I began to feel for almost all of our characters while being enveloped in this familiar story that's just different enough to keep me wondering what would happen next.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy of this e-book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story is a reimagined version of beauty and the beast. While, this is one of my favorite fairytales, I wondered, how many retelling can I read? I was pleasantly surprised at the similarities, and yet quite different view, the author portrayed. Beauty was raised in an affluent home. She, being the youngest in the family consisting of an older brother and two older sisters, she was surprised that the son of a baron was interested in her. He asked her multiple times to marry him, but her answer was always no. Each time she refused him. He became more aggressive and more angry. When her father lost his business and livelihood, she thought her suitor would leave her alone. But he was determined to make her his, to the point where he went to her sick bed and defiled her. I appreciated the author using discretion and handling the situation tactfully. Beauty did not tell anyone what had happened. One day her father came home, after a bad storm, telling tales of a mysterious castle and the beast inside. Her father had clipped a golden rose as he left, and the beast said he had to pay his debt. When beauty heard of this, she took the opportunity to run from her demons, not caring what happened to her as long as she could pay her father’s debt. I truly enjoyed the characters in the story. They were well defined, and I found the story quite charming. It is a fairly short book and yet I thought it was packed with a lot of depth. I believe this is the first book from this author. I am quite intrigued to read more from her. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Beauty and the Beast retelling, where Beauty isn't there to save her father, but in hopes of being eaten.

She is suffering from a secret traumatic event and ends up sticking around an enchanted castle and talking to a beast who won't let her see him.

She may find healing and he may find the solution to his curse? Read it!

Beauty reborn

It took me a while to decide what to rate this one, but in the end, I've gone with 3 stars. Please check the content warnings. A big part of this book is the main characters trauma following a sexual assault. I will say I think it was dealt with in a sensitive manner, and the actual assault is not described.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, Elizabeth Lowham, and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book.

I wound up really liking the book, who doesn't love a magic castle that can provide an entire library for you. The journey the main characters go in together towards healing themselves and each other was nice to read. Especially her teaching him to read and him helping her see thay she can allow herself to relax and feel safe even if it's just for a little while. Beauty's character development is very well summed up in this quote
"There is a piece of me, I said, taken by force. That is yours. Content yourself with it. My hope is that it will become a fire, and on your lowest night, it will turn on you and scorch your conscience. "

It took me a while to connect with the main character. The overuse of the word whimsy was definitely a contributor to this issue. We get it you're not like the other girls, but it just detracted from the other aspect of her that i did like. I also wish the character wasn't just named beauty, I found that quite off-putting for some reason.

I think the book could maybe have benefitted from being slightly longer. It would have given more time for romance and maybe even the beasts point of view. It would have been interesting to see what was going on in his head.

I liked this different take on Beauty and the Beast, which is famously my favorite Disney Princess movie and has made me slave to retellings. Beauty goes to the castle of her own volition, and Beast doesn't have the usual arrogance/anger issues seen in other retellings. I thought it was very cozy and enjoyable.

That said, I felt like the author gave too much away too soon. Right on the first page we find out that Beauty was raped (though not in so many words), and I felt it would've been better storytelling to withhold that information for later. If we had just been told that something happened between Beauty and Stephan to end their relationship, I would've been more curious and more inclined to keep reading to find out what it was. I do appreciate, though, that the author never goes into explicit detail about what happened, but tells the reader just enough that we know what happened.

Overall, I was expecting a bit more from this, but I'm not disappointed with what it ended up being.

I was thrilled when I found another retelling of Beauty and the Beast. In my opinion there is never enough of them. However I like for them to have a special sort of twist something to really hook me. I'm not sure that this book had that. It just seemed more of a typical retelling of the story. It wasn't terrible but it isn't the best either. It is a quick read though which sometimes is just what you need.

Thank you to #Netgalley for sending an eArc in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars
This cover is so pretty! So, I was excited to try out this book but it was a little harder for me to read. Beauty Reborn is written by Elizabeth Lowham and it is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast
Beauty was an interesting character, she got on my nerves a bit. However I grew to understand her as I read the book. I loved how Beauty was herself but she also grew throughout the book. Beast was a sweetheart and I loved getting to know him. He was different from other beasts and he seemed kind.
The storyline was interesting and it was an intriguing twist on Beauty and the Beast. It did take me harder to get into this book but I did end up enjoying it. I am excited to see if there will be more books in the series. The side characters were honestly a bit annoying and had some growing up to do. However I would still recommend this book. I would recommend Beauty Reborn to those who enjoy fairy tale retelling but are ready for a heavier sort of book.

Content warnings: sexual assault and the repercussions of it

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

“For all the thorns I’d faced, at last I’d found the roses.”

Fairytale retellings are definitely a favorite genre so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Beauty Reborn is a creative if darker twist on the much beloved Beauty and the Beast fairytale. It’s a story of the deepest hurts and struggles combined with second chances and hope.

The story begins much like several retellings. For me it most closely resembled Beauty by Robin McKinley and the Disney cartoon version. However, for all the similarities like the father picking the rose and Beauty taking his place, the magical castle, Beauty’s love of reading, and of course the Beast himself, there are compelling differences which drew me into the story. It’s a little confusing in the beginning because Beauty’s story switches back and forth between the past and her present circumstances, but I was soon drawn into the narrative and found I couldn’t put it down.

At first, Beauty comes off as somewhat unlikable. She’s the youngest of three sisters and thrives on her intellect. She’s often described as whimsical. But, what makes her unlikable is her personality when she becomes enamored with Stephan. All too quickly, she learns that he’s not what he seems. He leaves her so broken that she revels at the chance of going to Beast’s castle to be eaten by him. Little by little my attitude about Beauty changed as she reveals more of what happened to her. I soon understood her fears, melancholy, and distrust of not only Beast, but all men.

I absolutely loved Beast. His reason for being a beast is different than any previous retelling I’m aware of and I enjoyed the way his story is revealed through the stories Beauty reads to him. He’s extremely sensitive to Beauty’s needs and infinitely patient with her. I enjoyed the way the author portrayed Beauty’s healing process as she helps the Beast learn to read and write. I also enjoyed their play acting scenes. The ending was fast paced and I’m hoping that we’ll get Beauty’s nasty sister Astra’s story and that she’ll learn her lesson much like the Beast.

This author is definitely one to watch out for. I enjoyed her writing style and was impressed by the depth of emotion she put into the book. Just a word of warning, this book deals with some deep topics like sexual assault and the aftermath, including suicidal ideation. While the author handles this very sensitively and nothing is described in detail, I’d still recommend it for older, mature teens. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

I’m always interested to see how people reimagine fairytales, so this retelling of Beauty and the Beast caught my eye as I was browsing on NetGalley.

I like the juxtaposition of the handsome man who is a monster on the inside versus the man who is outwardly a beast, but inwardly gentle and self-contained. It’s a more extreme version of that idea than I’ve seen done in other stories, and it also allows the story to focus on what it is like as a sexual assault survivor to face a new opportunity for relationship.

I liked the pacing of the story, too. The relationship between Beauty and the Beast gently builds, showing the progression of the friendship and deepening affection between them. I also really liked the way the story shows Beauty processing what happened to her and her journey of healing.

BEAUTY REBORN is a shorter book at under 200 pages, so it was a really quick read. Parts of it reminded me of Robin KcKinley’s BEAUTY, but new elements and twists kept the story fresh and me engaged. All in all, I think this is one fans of the original fairytale do not want to miss.

I loved this book! Beautifully written, Beauty is a clever, witty, and a strong female lead. This retelling has intriguing twists on the original tale, without losing any of the original enchantment. I loved the witty banter throughout the book. The conflict between the siblings had me angry and frustrated along with the characters. The story had a buildup that left me on the edge of my seat at the end, despite already knowing the ending to beauty and the beast, I felt desperate for a happy ending, and curious to how it would come along. I look forward to reading this book again and highly recommend it.

"I'm still afraid of the unknown, and afraid of the past too. But you're worth the risk"

I am honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Beauty Reborn takes a unique twist on the classic beauty and the beast story focusing more on healing, regret and self-discovery. I thought the author did well on plotting the story and writing the characters. I loved reading about Beauty and the Beasts interactions, how they were so gentle with each other, it was such a sweet romance. I also loved how Beauty really discovered herself throughout the book. The family were still a prominent part of the book although not as deeply explored as I would've expected them to be.

I loved the castle! Like the way the author described everything was just amazing! Their conversations were so interesting too! I loved how the author included a little bit of philosophy and took the time to explain the wishes and all the regret that came with them. Beauty herself was an interesting characters, the author did write her trauma well however as a fantasy reader I would've liked more stakes, maybe Stephen being a little more threatening at the end but this is just a personal preference. The authors writing style is something I can only, ironically, call whimsical. It was like soft, if that makes sense and i thought it matched the tones of the story really well, however it did take me a bit to get used to.

The ending was just perfect and the epilogue just wrapped everything up in a pretty little ribbon. It was a good read and I swear after reading this quote gave me goosebumps, I just loved how it tied into the story and really portrayed beauty's change.

"Perhaps the next time a girl went running out at night, crying and hoping to be eaten, she would instead find a sword to lift."

Overall I think this was definitely a solid read! Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and the author for providing me with an eArc, all of these thoughts are my honest opinions.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Romance
Spice Level: Low (kissing but has references to assault)

BEAUTY REBORN is such an unusual take on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. I really loved it! There's something about this story that is interesting for our time period with the obsession of surface beauty (think influencers and social media) and what that means as we find ourselves. This is a coming-of-age, a romance, how to navigate family relationships, and finding joy type of story.

There is family friction! Yay! It's so much more realistic. Not everyone thinks Beauty is the bomb—in fact, her sisters and her rub each other the wrong way. Beauty is seen as frivolous, never series, and a host of other descriptions.

Beauty doesn't see herself as beautiful—and even though this is a common trope, in this novel, I thought it worked because of her inner-demons. And she really does have reasons to run away from her life and the danger there.

In this story, Beast is very, very hesitant. Each word is measured. This added a depth to his character that I didn't expect. Oh, and the magical cursing! It's also not what I expected—and it was fresh and new and relatable!

Beauty Reborn is a great title for this book because the main character, Beauty, must figure out who she is and what she's worth. In essence, she is reborn. It helps that Beast sees her differently than she sees herself, but it is her arc and because of herself that she overcomes the trauma of the past.

This is a fantastic book for YA or adults. The themes are handled with sensitivity and could even open up a dialogue about how we treat others and personal worth over what society might believe.

Absolutely fabulous!

Yes! I highly recommend this book!

Happy reading!

In the first chapter I felt like I was jumping in in the middle of the story, but as you read Beauty slowly reveals more of the story. This book is an interesting take on the story of Beauty and the Beast. I really like how the author wove in how the books Beauty and the Beast read together helped Beauty figure out how to break the spell and kept her from making a similar mistake with the fairy. It was an enchanting tale!

Oh wow! This was a beautiful Beauty and the Beast Retelling! Such a pleasure to read this achingly poignant story for those who need it and for those who need to understand. It really opened my eyes to the struggle of life when you are hurting, the running away and turning to face your fears! I loved this re-invention! You don’t want to miss it!

I was first drawn to this book because the cover is so striking. Also Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my most favorite fairy tales.
This version, while similar, is different, with compelling aspects added to it.
It does include a library and a beast and another nasty beast who never gets his comeuppance.
I got a bit attached to the annoying little fairy.
Astra got exactly what she deserved.

I must apologize to my family for nearly completely ignoring them yesterday, because I was completely involved in this story and didn't want to stop reading. And yes, it was a one-dayer. I generally enjoy fairy tale retellings, so I was excited to read this book. The prologue kind of threw me off though, because it was very vague and made me worried that the entire story would be like that. I always get annoyed when past issues are hinted at, but never fully explained in a story. Thankfully, this book did not end up being that way. The full story did come out, just not all at once.

Before I started reading the book, I was unaware that this deals with sexual assault. I think the author handles that part of the story in the perfect way, and does a very good job of showing the reader how much that can affect the victim's entire life.

Having Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" running through my head while reading this book, I kept comparing the two. There are a lot of differences, but I liked them and felt that they worked well for this retelling. If you plan on reading this - and you really should - just plan on hanging out on your couch all day, because you won't want to put it down.

Beauty has already encountered a beast – a man who knows nothing of love and takes what he wants. Even her family’s loss of fortune doesn’t put her far enough out of his reach for her to feel safe.

When her father returns from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose and reports of a beast, Beauty sees her chance to escape the monster that haunts her. After all, her life has already been stolen from her.

What she finds in the magic castle is nothing like she expected. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll heal enough to love again.

The narrative is of a diary style – at times overly descriptive while at others whole sections are brushed over with a single sentence. As the story progresses, we get a more fluid storytelling, as if the author was impatient to get through the beginning.

Parts of the story are told in flashbacks as we learn the full truth of all Beauty endured at the hands of her tormentor.

Beauty Reborn is a beautiful tale of growth and recovery after assault. But Beauty’s growth is not just in healing from what happened to her. In the beginning, she’s thoughtless, often maliciously cruel to her older sister, and thinks she’s smarter than everyone else.

By the end, she has learned kindness – from a beast no less. She’s learned to put others before herself and to consider their wants and needs. And she’s become open-minded.

Beast’s character could have benefitted from a little more development. While their romance was very sweet to watch, he was a little one dimensional.

Overall, Beauty Reborn is an enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast that sticks closely to the traditional narrative.

4.5 Roses
No swearing
Minor mention of blood, but no descriptive injuries.
I’m giving intimacy a 3, but only because of the topic of assault. I think it’s handled well, but it is a topic readers should be aware of before reading.

(Thank you to Shadow Mountain Press and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.)

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This was beautifully written. It was close enough to the Beauty and the Beast story to recognize it, but removed from it enough to enjoy the novelty of this world and its characters.

The topic of sexual abuse was treated in a gentle way. It was mentioned, the feelings that it brings up were detailed, but the act itself was not. No matter what the sexual abuse looked like, not matter the act, no matter the details, it is sexual abuse, it is wrong and terrible. Because it was so well thought out and written, the details didn’t matter, the concept and feelings on the page were more than enough to be heard.

It was a beautiful story. I will looking up the author and read her other works!

Beauty and the Beast retelling, anyone? This was an interesting read for me. I enjoyed it, but it had a different vibe compared to my usual choice of books.

There are a lot of flashbacks so you get little snippets of the past slowly throughout the story as Beauty interacts with Beast. Their relationship was really sweet and I liked how they both helped each other grow.

Beast was my favorite with his quiet and steady personality. He was a gem.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

CW: Mentions of rape and sexual assault.

Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham is a YA fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Our main protagonist Beauty lives a life of fairy tales, being the youngest daughter she never expected to rise above her station and find love in those with a bit more money. But everything changes when the noble baron Stephan kisses her hand during a dance, and proclaims his love for her. And she gives him all her love back, until she denies him and he forcefully takes it anyway. Then her father emerges from the forest with a stolen rose and the tale of a ferocious beast. And Beauty takes it as a chance to get as far away from Stephan as possible.

I couldn't pass up this being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but it wasn't the best one I've read. I loved Beauty and her headstrong attitude, it was refreshing detail to the many damsels that end up in these types of stories. The plot however, was a little lack luster. The writing style was a lot of telling and not showing, which ended up being just a drivel of information with no real creation of tension.