Thank you to Rebecca for the advanced copy!
A well done, modernized retelling of the classic, The Great Gatsby, with a vampiric twist. The author definitely is familiar with the source material. It feels like she took some of original Nick's musings and gave them to Daisy, which makes for a more complex character and preserved some of the original flavor. The FMC is stronger, and doesn't come across as ethereal or soft and quiet. Still, very likeable.
Definitely for people who like a possessive MMC and organized crime vibes. Totally worth a read if you're Great Gatsby obsessed!

3.75 ⭐️ / 2.5 🌶️

I really love Rebecca Kenney’s ability to twist around classic stories and make them into spicy and bizarre tales. This book is less spicy than some of her other books I’ve read, but the story is still delightfully unsettling and entertaining.

I think my main gripe with this book, which doesn't impact my rating but is more a PSA to other readers, is this story in a modern setting with, like, Taylor Swift references.

This at times kind of reads silly, but it is truly just a quick and lighthearted love story with an HEA for anyone worried about a Gatsby retelling. There still is some heavier themes of death and addiction. Please check triggers.

Kenney does a phenomenal job of twisting vampirism and perfectly blends it into the classic story of 'The Great Gatsby'. The story dazzles the reader with the glitz and glam of Gatsby's extravagant parties, all the while romance blooms between Jay and Daisy. Their love is given a breath of fresh air as Daisy is a strong willed character that steps into her own in this book and Jay goes to war for the woman he loves. The secondary characters were just as flushed out at the main characters which made the story seamless and really gives it a lot of heart. This is a fantastic book that swells with love for the classic story of Gatsby and is further elevated by Kenney's masterful romance writing.

I really wanted to love this. Spicy, vampire retelling of the Great Gatsby? But the main character (our re-vamped Daisy, no pun intended) has no personality. Light work, no reaction, to the dungeon?! It was so poorly written and I DNF-d at 50%.

I debated on whether I should review this book or not because I LOVE RFK but I didn’t love this book 😔

Beautiful Villain was so different from the previous RFK books that I have read. It is set in current day, and is told in one POV: the FMC. This book is considered fantasy but It’s the perfect blend of fantasy and an element of reality where I could see myself in the main character and storylines. RFK was very descriptive with this world and I think readers are going to find the story easy to imagine while reading or listening.

Another difference from other RFK books is the 🌶️SPICE🌶️. In a lot of RFK books, each couple has specific “thing”
(BDSM, MMMF, MMF, ~tentacles~, etc.). In Beautiful Villan, there wasn’t really a thing, just super romantic spice and built up tension from years of being apart. I think when it comes to RFK books, it is expected that there will be high fantasy with descriptive, imaginative and DIRTY sex scenes. Beautiful Villain is NOT that. I think a portion of her readers may be disappointed but I really enjoyed reading something completely different.

I found the characters very likable. Daisy and Nick were relatable characters. I loved how RFK wrote Nick to be gay; she always includes fun LGBTQ+ characters. Tom and Myrtle were written to be perfectly hateable. In the beginning, Jay was a bit off putting. His secrecy created a barrier preventing the reader from getting to know him. (Which may be what RFK wanted by helping add to the mystery of Jay.) I think RFK did a great job reimagining the characters while not completely rewriting them.

The side stories were excellent. One tragedy happened after another and I was constantly thinking what could possibly happen next. Truly I was in awe of each situation that happened with George, Tom, Myrtle, and Cody. These side stories led me to expect that the resolution of the main conflict was going to be mind-blowing. Unfortunately, I found it to be extraordinarily disappointing. There was so much buildup and tension and drama and fear and the actual battle was just not written proportionately. Maybe the pacing was rushed and if another chapter or two was added it would be better? Maybe if there was another element like kidnapping or major death of a main character? There just could’ve been more.

Overall, I gave this book 3.5 stars. I loved how differently written this book was from her previous series. The world building and story line was so good, I just thought the ending could’ve been paced better. I certainly will still read the subsequent books in this series. I would read anything by RFK. If an audiobook is released, I’d give it another chance and would listen to it.

Gatsby, but with vampires? YES PLEASE.

As a someone who reads The Great Gatsby every year, I absolutely loved how true Kenny stayed to the original plot and characters. She incorporates a ton of original quotes and iconic lines from Gatsby, including "You always look so cool," which is a personal favorite of mine.

I also appreciated how the story is modernized and expanded upon to allow for spicy scenes, paranormal plot points, and a HEA.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next retelling in the Gilded Monsters series! Thank you to Rebecca Kenney and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an ARC of Beautiful Villain!

I adore this author! All of her books are always so good. I started reading this one super excited for it and honestly I’m a bit disappointed. While yes, it was an enjoyable read it just wasn’t phenomenal to me. It was a bit slow and then when it started to pick up it felt like things were rushed. Like there was so much build up to find out some things and then it was rushed the reveal of them. I was expecting a bit more dark aspects with him being a vampire but I got golden retriever vibes from him instead. And I don’t hate that but I was just disappointed. I was expecting one thing and got another. So the mix of that and things being a bit rushed is why I’m only giving this 3 stars.

“Beautiful Villain” is an immersive retelling of a classic. This story will appeal to those interested in a New Adult, Contemporary Fantasy version of “The Great Gatsby.” It was fun to see Kennedy’s reimagining of these beloved characters and the enticing plot.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jay Gatsby is a monster- literally.
And from the time I got this ARC into my possession, he has been my whole obsession.
Just like all of Rebecca Kenney's characters, both Jay and Daisy jump off the page,
I could not put it down, the way she brings her characters to life, and sucks you into the world she's created is unlike anything else.
This book is a refreshing take on a beloved classic, with lots of spice, and a magical twist!

Wow wow wow! Great Gatsby has always been my absolute favorite book of all time and I absolutely loved this retelling. I'm so happy that Rebecca did this classic justice with her retelling and it's easily by second favorite (right behind the original!) This author always has a way with her words and story telling and this novel is no different! The Beautiful Villian is in my top 10 books of the year! Standing ovation!!!!

This is the third book I’ve read by Rebecca and I have to say this was my favorite. One of my issues with her past books was too much spice but I felt like that wasn’t the case in this book. Do not get me wrong this book is still quite spicy.

I loved this take on Gatsby. The supernatural twist made the story more fun and mysterious.

I was confused by Daisy. I felt she acted very young. I also feel like all of the characters were missing a certain depth but idk how to explain it. Just like they weren’t fully developed.

Overall it was a good read for me and I recommend giving it a try if you’re a Gatsby fan. 3.5 stars. 3.5 chilli peppers.

Loved this retelling! The luxury and decadence of Gatsby but modernized and with a supernatural element. Super quotable moments and loved the vampires.

Loved this book! She did it yet again to deliver both smut and a good story. I have been in a reading slump and this book was the perfect balance of sexy, exciting, and good substance.

As someone who loves a good re-telling with a bit of fantasy and a whole lot of fire, Rebecca F. Kenney is one of my go to authors. She is a master in this space and so I was excited to hear about her upcoming first traditionally published novel, Beautiful Villain. It is a Great Gatsby retelling set in the modern day South with a good dose of the supernatural and quite the twist on Fitzgerald's original tragic love story.

In Beautiful Villain, we are introduced to Daisy, who is struggling not only to figure out what she wants to do with her life after college but also with how to keep up the carefully carefree facade she's built after a devastating breakup with her ex. Kenney's Daisy is a complex combination of painful insecurities and fantastic female strength. Daisy spends her days with her fabulous and exuberant cousin Nick and her daredevil high school friend Jordan. Amidst her journey to find greater purpose, Daisy is haunted by the memories of a young love lost and the boy who saw in her all that was wondrous and good.

Soon enough, word is spreading in Daisy's town of a rich young billionaire who throws lavish parties and whose business ventures are veiled in a shroud of mystery. Daisy and her friends can't help but be drawn into the extravagant festivities. Daisy gets more than she bargained for when she discovers that the sexy and successful man is none other than Jay Gatsby, the tenderhearted first love that she had to leave behind when her family moved many years ago.

However, this Gatsby is not the innocent and sweet boy that Daisy remembers. He is powerful, confident with an air of danger and he has his sights set on one thing....Daisy. Daisy begins to suspect that there is more to Gatsby's world than he's letting on. What exactly has Gatbsy sacrificed to gain his success today and will it bring danger into Daisy's life and those she most cares about? Kenney's Gatsby is a wonderful dichotomy of devoted cinnamon roll and feral, fierce predator. I really appreciated that she didn't shy away from the more painful pieces of Jay and Daisy's story. Their history and the pain that they caused each other is something that they must grapple with if they are ever to have the possibility of a happier future.

Of course, this would not be a Rebecca F. Kenney book if there wasn't some fantastic romance and spine tingling passion. The attraction between Gatsby and Daisy is electric and the magnetic pull between these two characters just leaps off the page. It's a glorious dance to watch as each takes their turn in a game of who is the hunter and who is the prey. That garden maze scene.....phewwww!

The dark, rich and luscious backdrop that Kenney creates of a vampire underworld is a perfect setting for this retelling. As the danger and threats from unknown enemies mounts, both Jay and Daisy are forced to decide what secrets they are willing to bare to each other. In the end, it just may be that Daisy is the solution to the very problem Jay has been trying to solve. However, will they be able to work through everything before their world is shattered? You are just going to have to go grab this book to find out! It's another fantastic read from Kenney.

I've read and enjoyed several of Rebecca Kenney's books, so I jumped at the chance to read her first traditionally published book. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me, and it all boils down to the fact it feels too dated. The narrator constantly mentions TikTok, current pop stars and actors, and technology like VR. Things like this always take me out of a book, regardless of the plot, but especially so when this is a retelling of a classic WITH vampires--two things that are, for the most part, meant to be timeless. The characters also felt flat and their dialogue didn't feel believable; I think I'll stick to Kenney's other books that are set in fantasy worlds to avoid running into the same issues.

Beautiful Villain is a wonderful retelling of one of my favorite books of all time, The Great Gatsby if that wasn't enough mix that with Rebecca Kenney and her wonderful style of writing. I was SOLD. Beautiful Villain was truly beautiful. Ms.Kenney did a wonderful job with slipping in references of the original throughout the book in a way that made me laugh and reminisce. This book was a fun and fresh take on the relationships in the Great Gatsby and Ms.Kenney does a wonderful job, in my opinion, developing Daisy’s character with modern resources while not completely changing her. Daisy is not as timid and is able to learn the lesson she needed to from her and Tom’s toxic relationship while also portraying the stubbornness/wariness she did in the original book. We are able to see a Daisy who grows and comes out stronger than her original fate both personality wise and physically. And Gatsby, my old sport Gatsby. Don’t worry Gatsby is still the fiercely loving and ever romantic Gatsby as we know him and while his work is still secretive we love to know that he still has a good heart. In this book Ms.Kenney has taken change to some of the characters' relations and relationships but I feel that she manages to keep the core of the characters personality well perceived and makes the changes in the relations make sense rather than just being there to be different. We also have our wondrous stunt devil Jordan Baker who has all the sass we know she did in the original and we get to see more of her and Daisy’s version of friendship. Overall I really enjoyed the new deep dives we are to get into in Beautiful Villain, as well as Ms.Kenney’s seamless inclusion of modern technology.
Oh and if that isn't enough- There's mythical creatures, Gatsby doesn't die and it's a HEA.
How They Met VS How They Ended :

“My shoulder bumps someone, and I laugh an apology. “No worries,” a male voice responds, pitched low to be heard under the music. “Are you having a good time?”

“We’re going to live a long time, you and I,” I tell him, through the warm rain streaming down my face, soaking my hair. “Bad things are going to happen to us sometimes. But we’re always going to move past them. That’s what we do. We heal, and we try again. Now come on, Jay Gatsby. You haven’t used this pool all summer.”….“Fine.”

Favorite Quotes :
”I’ve always loved the soft, mysterious shine of a full moon, maybe even more than I love the bright cheer of the sun. I once knew a boy who loved the moon just as much as I do…who claimed he’d sipped moonlight. When I asked him what it tasted like, he said, “Your smile.”
“We aren’t individual people anymore—we are a great pulsing heartbeat, throbbing faster and faster, reaching for that something at the crest of the music because maybe if we dance hard enough, fast enough, our souls will float out of our bodies and we won’t have to worry about careers and ambitions and if the effort will even be worthwhile.”
“He’s still a hopeless romantic, if that’s what you mean. An impossible idealist. And he’s worth more than the whole bloody bunch downstairs, that’s for sure.”
“Fine. You want it straight up? I’m your damn slave, Daisy. And that’s not going to change. It wouldn’t change, even if you stayed human and got old and soft and whiskery and white-haired. You’d still be beautiful to me. It wouldn’t change even if the hottest woman on earth strutted in front of me naked and begged me to sleep with her—I’d say no, and I’d go find you instead. No one else will ever be to me what you are. No matter how sick or sad or mad you get, no matter how bad you mess up or where you go, it’s only you, and that’s it. You never, ever have to be afraid that I’ll stop loving you. Okay?””
“You might think you’re a wolf, but honey, I’m your alpha.”
”As we transform each other into the creatures of power and passion we were always meant to be.”
“Impulsively I take his hand, and he looks down at me, delighted. Such a simple thing, holding hands. Walking together. But after eight years apart, neither of us takes it for granted.”
“That’s exactly what makes all of this so dangerous, and vital, and beautiful. We are moths, feathery and fragile, dipping ourselves in titanium and gold to survive a decaying world. And by some miracle, we can still fly.”

This is a soft DNF for me at 51%. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the book, I am just not vibing with it at this time so I am tabling it for now.

It is a loose Gatsby retelling (same character names, same vibe of excess, parties, etc), but with a paranormal twist. It has an overall somber atmosphere - which does remind me of the original, like nothing is really happening, but you know something is ABOUT to happen?

This is a second chance romance, but I haven’t really gotten far enough into it to tell much more. It was basically all set up and Daisy JUST finding out the big secret.

It might just be that this book is not a good fit for you, but I wouldn’t necessarily turn anyone away from it who is intrigued by the blurb.

No star rating
A hint of possible spice to come.

Another 5 star read from my absolute favorite author! I don't know how she does it, but she has a way with words that make me absolutely love every one of her books, even a retelling an old book that I wasn't to fond of before. This is a contemporary fantasy retelling loosly based on the Great Gatsby. But maybe that is what the original needed, a dash of fantasy! It is a second chance love between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Finnigan, except something is different about Jay 8 years later, something not quite normal. Will this affect their romance or will they find common ground? Read and find out!

And I related to Daisy so much, the way she described how you start seeing all the things you missed in a past relationship until you are out of it and reflecting on it, chef's kiss! It was perfect, so if you are one of those girls who felt like that, this is a good book for you feel seen and heard. And I hope all you find your Jay Gatsby, I know I did :)

Possible spoilers past here. But very minimal. Just trigger warnings.

Spice rating: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Read if you like:
Friends to lovers
Vampires
Contemporary setting with fantasy
Healing journey from past abuse/trauma

Trigger warnings:
Traumatic death and healing from it
Past relationship with mental/emotional abuse

Note: this was an ARC I recieved for free and I am leaving a voluntary review

This was such a fun read. I loved the drama, the longing, the spice. Constantly wanted to bite my husband throughout reading this book lol. I didn’t feel I could strongly relate to the FMC, which is the only reason I gave this a 4 rather than a 5.

This was a fun, modern, paranormal take on The Great Gatsby. The writing style and length makes this is a fast and captivating story. The descriptions are very vivid and it's easy to picture the opulent parties. I haven't read TGG since high school, so I read a summary as a refresher to see what Beautiful Villain borrowed from the original. I really like how Rebecca Kenney incorporated elements from the original story but still very much made this her own. And it was certainly a fresh take on the lore of vampires.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for this digital ARC.