Finally started this. Quick and saucy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Garrett is the tortured soul and Elizabeth is the daughter of a book seller. Garrett, growing up has a traumatic childhood, turns to book reading as an outlet. He strikes up a connections with Elizabeth when she recommends books to him. This is a great read, the characters are likeable and relatable and you really hope they make it in the end.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Garrett Maximilian, the Duke of Montrose, might have a reputation as a recluse with a tainted past, but as the main patron Miss Elizabeth Sharpe's family bookstore, they are more than happy for his presence. However, he has only ever worked with her father, and when he becomes ill, it falls on Elizabeth to ensure that the Duke gets his weekly book delivery, even if she has to go to his home. Garrett hates unexpected visitors, but when Elizabeth arrives on his doorstep, questioning his reading habits, and making him feel more alive than he has in months, even years, he's ready to make some changes in his life. The ton doesn't affect him, but she definitely does, and when it seems that he might be her only escape from her father's nefarious plans, he will do whatever it takes to protect her.

I loved the way this book had characters and a romance which mirrored Pride and Prejudice, but was not a simple retelling. Elizabeth and Garrett were polar opposites, but when they were together, and started talking, it was clear they were half to the whole that was their romance. Neither fell particularly quickly, but the friendship they formed was true, and made their romance even more sweeter. The machinations of Elizabeth's father were cruel, but Garrett definitely came through to save his love, and it was worth the angst for the happy ending they got!

This was a very ok book. It wasn't bad but it wasn't memorable either. Some plot points weren't explored enough and I would have liked to see more of the relationship and the chemistry between the main characters.

This was a fast read with a beauty and the beast theme. It was a great hitorical romance.. I loved every minute of it. WHat more could I want a bookseller and a duke, spun into a great story.

In this fun twist on a classic fairytale, Miss Elizabeth Sharpe's family bookshop depends on the Duke of Montrose, Garrett Maximillian's patronage. While Elizabeth finds herself trying to save the bookshop, her father (who has no interest in the shop and no interest in leaving it to Elizabeth) tries to tie her into an advantageous marriage. While Elizabeth and the Duke eventually end up together, it's a fascinating study of expected social norms, social classes and society's performance as a whole during the time.

This was short and sweet, filled with the kinds of characters I've come to expect from Eva Devon: strong-willed women and the aristocratic men who fall for them.

Clearly inspired by both Beauty & the Beast and Pride & Prejudice, it makes total sense that Elizabeth and Garrett bond over books and are surprisingly direct with each other when discussing books. Their chemistry is tangible, especially when they're reading together.

And then the big romantic gesture at the end... As if I needed any more proof that Eva Devon's historical romances are simply the best.

What a good book! I loved that Garrett and Elizabeth both had such a huge love of books and reading. Watching them bond over that, and learning that they could be more for each other was so sweet! I did want to shake him at some points though LOL

The Beast and the Bookseller is a delightful start to Eva Devon's new series-Once Upon a Wallflower. Devon's writing is charming, her pacing is well balanced, and her characters are interesting and well rounded. This quick read takes light inspiration from Beauty and the Beast and is a soft and sweet romance that has the feeling of a fairytale.

This novel is definitely the exploration of class difference and how two people from different worlds can find a common ground and respect for each other. These two may seem different at first glance but through interactions and conversation these two are able to build a friendship built on respect and common interest. I love that our hero's gruff exterior and demeanor does not scare away our heroine who is a smart and independent romantic. Their love of books and reading is the perfect foundation for them to set up their own private book club that gives them the freedom to get to know each other. They learn to understand and respect each other, and throughout the third act we see how this trust is able to pull them through to their happily ever after.

If you are looking for a quick historical romance that has a touch of whimsy, than look no further than this novel from Eva Devon. It is definitely worth the read and I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.

While I have enjoyed previous titles by Eva Devon, I unfortunately had to give up on this one. Some of it might be my own headspace, but I struggled to get through this. I was intrigued by the premise, but it was basically downhill from there. The writing feels undeveloped and (for lack of a better word) annoying. It's almost like it's getting published a few drafts too early. The characters (especially the 'beastly' duke) felt more like caricatures than fully developed people. The plot was uninspiring. I won't give up on Eva Devon because of this book, but another dud or two and I likely won't keep trying.

This is a fast paced and very cute historical romance. It was a little bit of Beauty and the Beast, and a little bit of Pride and Prejudice rolled into one.

Elizabeth is strong willed and striving to keep her family's bookshop running. Garrett is a Duke whose patronage is helping to keep the bookshop open. When she needs to start making book deliveries to the Duke in place of her father, Elizabeth doesn't expect to strike up an unlikely friendship.

I really love a good grumpy/sunshine book, and I enjoyed this one very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book was so cute! I love a grumpy sunshine romance and The Beast and the Bookseller checked all of the boxes for a successful historical romance. A lovable female main character, check. A gruff but sweet only to the female main character, love interest, check. A story that pulls you in and is difficult to put down, double-check.

The Beast and the Bookseller is the story of Elizabeth - the bookseller - and Garrett, the Duke of Montrose - the beast. Garrett is a patron of Elizabeth's father's bookshop and his patronage is very important as it's what's keeping their shop afloat. When her father neglects his duties, Elizabeth steps in and starts meeting Garrett.

This book had an interesting premise but the execution of it fell a bit short for me. Firstly, I didn't think Garrett was 'beast-like' at all, he was just a bit gruff. Secondly, I found Elizabeth to be sweet but she and Garrett lacked chemistry and I wasn't as invested in their relationship. I found the last quarter of the book underwhelming and thought Elizabeth deserved better- both from Garrett and her father.

Such an interesting retelling of beauty and the beast. I was captivated by the book. If you love retellings please take the time to read this book.

I really love this author! So I was excited to read another book from her! This one was a quick, great romance read! I enjoyed the dynamic of the MC’s and how this was a fun take on a Beauty & the Beast retelling! I highly recommend giving it a read!

Look out book loving Romance addicts. This
one is going to grab you and not let go! A bibliophile’s dream. I have the perfect historical Romance for you. This was the story I didn't know I needed. For me it is the perfect twist on beauty and the beast. You are going to be addicted to this one.
Let's start with Miss Elizabeth Sharpe who
is the definition of bibliophile, She has been trying to keep the family bookshop going while her Dad is hiding away dealing with other things. She knows everything about all the books they sell, Books are her passion.
Now, in walks the Duke of Montrose, Garrett Maximillian. A man who is thought of as a “gargoyle with a temper” and is never far from his home is now in her bookshop demanding answers, Elizabeth’s Dad was supposed to be
delivering books to him and has faild to do so. This was to be done every week & now the Duke has informed her that she must deliver then in her fathers place. She has no choice in order to keep the bookshop going she needs the backing of the Duke. Its up to her to find the perfect books to peak the interest of the Duke.
Soon they can't help but fall for each
other as the books bring them together and keeps them connected.Their shared passion for books creates a shared passion between them.
I knew I was hooked when Elizabeth describes why she "sees the books as living things in need of care” & details her favorite type of readers, especially the ones who keep “books close to them” & "understands (they) are meant to be surrounded by people and love.” How can you be a biplophile and not absolutely adore this book. They are the thoughts are those of every book lover, especially me!. Eva Devon writes with such attention to detail you will
feel the passion of this story. You will
imagine yourself there and want to be there. The characters are so true to life I feel like I know them personally.
I will be reading this adventure
over & over again, for sure. I read this story
as an ebook ARC but I definitely have to have this paperback in my Eva Devon collection. It deserves a thousand ⭐️ stars to me.
I cant stop raving about this story but I think you should discover this adventure on your own. Enjoy! 📚

I was enthralled by this book after only a few pages and the fact that it was the development of a very happy plutonic relationship that took almost the first half of the book was a pleasant surprise. The Duke becoming a bit more human and our heroine becoming comfortable around him through their shared love of literature was a wonderful story. As always they will become more than just friends and a few bumps in the road to a HEA just made this a great story and the only reason I withheld that 5th star was it felt like wasted pages toward the end and then the actual ending felt a bit rushed and no epilogue to give us a future view but it earned every one of the 4 Stars I gave it and a lovely story it was indeed. Highly recommended

This book will pull at your heartstrings as Garrett has only known heartache and loneliness. Having a cruel father and having his mother ripped from him when he was a young boy he turns to books as a friend and now the Duke of Montrose he very seldom leaving the safety of his home unless necessary. So when he does not receive his weekly shipment of books he is forced to go to the bookstore his family have bought books from for centuries and when he arrives at the bookstore he does not confront Mr. Sharpe but his daughter and instructs Elizabeth that instead of her father delivering his books every week he expects her to deliver them in order to keep his patronage, which she agrees to because she and her father cannot afford to loose it. However, when Elizabeth convinces Garrett to read something other than the dark books he has been reading she must prove to him that she is right, so they develope a friendship which becomes more as Elizabeth is making his days brighter. But they will both find that they can no longer fight the attraction and both need each other to fill the loneliness.

This is a great read and the author did a great job with her characters.

I don't think I'll ever pass up a historical beauty and the beast retelling and this one had hints of P+P.

I really liked Elizabeth. She's loyal and good and I loved the way she loved books. Garrett has potential and while he had strong hints of Mr. Darcy, he didn't warm up completely for me.

Plot wise, it was interesting and expected, yet still a bit different from what I've read in other historicals. I did want to junk punch a few people and maybe give Garrett's butler a hug for being so lovely.

Overall, this was a quick read with characters who were easy to root for. I haven't looked to see who the next book is about, but I'm hoping it's Lily and Essex.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a bit of a Beauty and the Beast themed story with Miss Elizabeth Sharpe running a small bookstore that has been in her family for centuries; but because there is no male heir, her father has been neglecting the business, falling into drink after the death of his wife, leaving Elizabeth to manage it. Part of their tradition is a contract with the Duchy of Montrose,where the owner of the store would personally curate books for the Duke. But this has been declining with Elizabeth's father's decline. This is vital to maintaining the bookstore, as it is small, and old, and cannot compete with the likes of Hatchards of Picadilly.

Finally, one day, after failing to receive his books, the Duke of Montrose, the reclusive Garrett Maxmilian, personally shows up at their store and demands that the contract be fulfilled or he will end the duchy's sponsorship of the store. Elizabeth ends up fulfilling the store's contract as her father is no fit state to do so. Despite their differences in status and personality, Elizabeth connects with Garrett through their love of books and she shows him a new world by introducing the taciturn and stern recluse to the joys of novels. Their growing connection becomes a sensual attraction that they both decide to act on.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth's father rouses from his drunken haze enough to realize the situation and twist it to his advantage, trying to prostitute his daughter to the Duke for his own gain, and forcing Garrett to save Elizabeth from her own father's manipulation of her. But despite making Elizabeth his duchess, he fails to treat her as she deserves, and is unable to open his heart and mind to the possibility of love and emotion and almost loses her through his beastly treatment of her.

I loved the connection that Elizabeth and Garrett shared over books, and how she opened his heart and world through her own warmth and enthusiasm. But I was quite aghast at how Elizabeth's father treated her, and failed to respect or appreciate her contributions or even her existence because she was not a male heir. While Garrett did the honorable thing and saved Elizabeth from her father's abhorrent plans for her, he did so begrudgingly and then also failed her by not valuing her and treating her as less than he should have. He was a hero with clay feet and almost lost his chance at love because of his behaviour. After what Elizabeth had to go through with her father and the emotional turmoil Garrett put her through, I felt that he needed to grovel more to win her back, ducal arrogance not withstanding.

3.5 stars out of 5

A sweet, short historical romance. Elizabeth runs the family bookshop. She meets Garrett Maximilian, the Duke of Montrose, the shop’s main patron, when he arrives at the bookshop demanding to see her father. It seems her father has not been delivering books to the Duke’s estate as agreed. Elizabeth agrees to take her father’s place in the weekly book selection and deliveries. The two begin to discuss books and the ensuing friendship turns into something more. Ms. Devon is a gifted writer who incorporates the history of the time by touching on many subjects of the time: gender inequity, alcoholism, division of social classes, treatment of the mentally impaired.

Joi them as they overcome their differences and find their HEA you won’t regret it.

Thank you NetGalley, Eva Devon and Entangled Publishing for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.