Okay I genuinely think that this was one of the most interesting series that I’ve read in a really long while. I thoroughly enjoyed both of them (Charming Devil more though). Now when I started the first book(Beautiful Villain) I wasn’t really into the whole gatsby retelling but as I started reading I actually enjoyed it. That story is basically the great gatsby but a modern vampire version where he’s a cinnamon roll still but a little dark. It also took me a hot minute not to picture Jay Gatsby as Leonardo DiCaprio but we finally got past that. As for Daisy, it’s told in her POV and she’s actually like lowkey a badass. I was a little hesitant to start the second book. But I eventually picked it up and I 100% thought it was a continuation of the 1st story. But it was a retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray which I’ve never read but even going into it blind I LOVED it so much!!!! I feel like almost every character in these two books are some sort of morally grey and they all have their flaws. Charming Devil had me hooked from the very first page and I’m SO HAPPY that the two stories connected with each other in the end. I went from hating Dorian Gray and wondering how I would ever love the character to balling over him. Lol

I’m not sure if there will be any more books to come but I’m so glad I picked them up !!

I. Preobabky in the minority but I didn’t like this book. I got bored.

I think maybe retellings aren’t for me

I hadn't heard about this book (nor this series) before I saw it on NetGalley, abut I was quite curious about the idea of a Dorian Gray retelling.
Honestly, I had a good time. It was an interesting take on the story, though it does stray away from the real story. I would probably present more as being inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, and it worked for me because I do enjoy these kinds of books, where you can see that certain things are taken from the original story, but it is mixed in with other supernatural elements, and romance.
Overall, it was a fun read, and I will definitely have to read Beautiful Villain (which is the first book in the Gilded Monsters series). I already bought the ebooks, so I will definitely visit Kenney's version of Jay Gatsby.

for a retelling this does a poor job. i really love dorian gray and this was so disappointing!! i was expecting something deep but this was idk with all the monsters and mentions of his sex life it was so frustrating. also why is dorian gray blond✋🏻 i know it doesn’t have to be same but i hate itttt

This is my second book by this author and the second in this series and I have to say I am loving the classic retellings! I always liked the story of Dorian Gray and this is no exception.....I enjoyed the magic and the unique story the author used to bring this classic to life but also make it something new and enjoyable .

Charming Devil by Rebecca Kenney is a seductive, fast-paced romance with a perfect blend of dark allure and playful banter. The story follows a fiery, determined heroine and a charismatic, devilishly handsome hero whose chemistry sizzles on every page. Kenney’s skillful writing brings their push-and-pull dynamic to life, making their romance both thrilling and addictive.

The plot is packed with tension, secrets, and unexpected twists, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Kenney’s vivid descriptions and well-crafted world-building create a rich backdrop for the story’s drama and passion. While some character motivations could have been explored in more depth, the emotional stakes remain high throughout.

For fans of dark, enemies-to-lovers romances with complex characters and plenty of heat, Charming Devil is a wickedly entertaining read that will leave you wanting more.

What a fantastic retelling !! The banter, the push and pull. The spicy ! The side characters are a story all on their own. I ate this up! Well done! This was my first Dorian Gray retelling and I had no idea where this would go…. And it went straight to a binge read!

I'm currently reading "The Picture of Dorian Gray", and I am absolutely loving it. "Charming Devil" is a retelling of this classic. Last month I read a retelling of "Wuthering Heights", but I didn't enjoy it. Sadly, this title was not it for me either. I guess I am not a huge fan of retellings in a modern setting. Those who like supernatural/dark romances will probably like "Charming Devil".

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

❤ Spicy Modern Dorian Gray Retelling
❤ New Adult
❤ Bi/Pan Rep
❤ Celtic Folklore
❤ Southern Gothic Atmosphere
❤ Dangerous Powers
❤ Luxury and Glamour

Dorian Gray is running out of time. He's been flawlessly immortal for centuries, thanks to his magical portrait that absorbs all the wickedness and pain that has been dealt to his body. But the portrait is starting to decay and eventually he will too. To save himself, he has to convince a girl with magical powers and a descendant of the original painter to create a new portrait. But Baz isn't so sure Dorian is worthy of his so-called immortality.

I love retellings of classics and this one is no different! Dorian Gray is selfish, hedonistic, and powerful yet is brought to his knees by the one person who can save him. Baz. She wants him to be a better person capable of caring about others instead of him continuing with his self-indulging ways. Their push and pull dynamic was fun to witness and I greatly enjoyed their whole relationship! They are complete opposites yet compliment each other so well. I was also intrigued with the Celtic folklore aspect of the plot and thought it gave the story a unique twist!

Charming Devil is the second book in the Gilded Monsters series and can be read as a standalone, although the timeline runs parallel to the first book. There are some mentions of Gatsby and Daisy from the first book in this one.

Also loved that this book takes place in Charleston (one of my fave towns) and mentions Columbia, SC quite a bit (I use to live in Columbia).

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the arc! ❤

Rebecca’s twisted takes on the classics always pull me in, and this one was no different. The supernatural vibe was chef’s kiss, the action kept me on edge, and the character dynamics were so intense in the best way.

The dark, mysterious plot mixed with a complicated romance had me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved the folklore elements and the cameos from other literary characters—it made the world feel so rich, and now I need more stories in this universe.

I had a love-hate relationship with both Baz and Dorian. Dorian is exactly who you’d expect him to be—arrogant, charming, and a total mess. Baz, on the other hand, frustrated me at times. She refuses to let anyone control her choices, but she also has a habit of pushing her own beliefs onto others. Still, watching both of them struggle with their pasts while getting tangled up in each other’s lives was so compelling.

As for the romance the attraction was there from the start, but what really got me was how their emotional baggage played into their connection. It wasn’t just lust—it was messy, complicated, and full of tension, which made it so much more interesting.

I really enjoyed this one. A few character moments annoyed me, but the haunting atmosphere, the depth of the story, and the chemistry between the leads more than made up for it. If you love gothic retellings with a supernatural twist, this is definitely worth a read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. Yes, this was a good Dorian Grey retelling! I'm very glad, that despite the mf pairing the book stays true to Dorian Grey's queerness and the intended queer themes of that work because I'm tired of the straight washing happening in art atm. The way that this book also leans into the elements of how harmful eugenic thinking is, is well done too. It's spice I loved too.

I absolutely adored this book! I never read the classic so I didn’t know what to expect, and to be honest I want to go back and read it to see what inspired this nov! The first book I did enjoy because I read the Great Gatsby but this one took everything from the first back and magnified it! I’m so excited to see if there are any other classic novels that this other is going to reimagine and bring to life!!!

The themes were so complex and dark, but the author truly made them into something beautiful. I am soooo grateful I got the opportunity to read this ahead of time!

This book was fantastic—right from the start, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. As a retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray, I appreciated how Rebecca reimagined these characters. Baz (Basil) is an independent, ambitious woman carving out her place in the art world, while Dorian is the alluring man with a soul in decay. I especially loved Dorian’s POV—his attempt to seem detached and indifferent crumbles so easily around Baz, adding layers to his character. When they weren’t caught up in their romance, they were being pursued by sinister creatures, keeping the pace fast and thrilling throughout.

However, this wasn’t quite a 5-star read for me. The story’s climax and resolution felt rushed, unfolding in the last 10% of the book, even though there were subtle clues throughout. Still, it was an exciting and engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rebecca Kenney is the queen of retelling and this picture of Dorian Grey retelling was phenomenal!! As always Rebecca is an instant read author for me she never disappoints

As always check your trigger warnings before starting this book (like any other )

*fantasy
*duel pov
*mythical monsters
*powers
*Dorian grey retelling
*touch her and die

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I've read by Rebecca. She writes incredible, dark, and immersive stories that I will always recommend. You can't go wrong with her work.

I’ve always loved “the Picture od Dorian Gray” so i cannot read. This! I loved all from the first to the last page: the pacing is fast, the writing is engaging ,the characters made me swoon and i loved how the author has blended the original book with the modern setting!

This was good. I think the concept behind this book and the series as a whole is well done, though the execution isn’t necessarily my favourite. The characters are just a little roughly shaped I feel, I just struggled to connect with them on any level. I do think the plot of this was solid in general, I’m not familiar with The Picture of Dorian Gray so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the character or anything though. Overall this was nice, I’m interested in continuing this series as the next one sounds good!

What to Expect:
🖤 Dorian Gray Retelling
❤️ Luxury x Glamor
🖤 Morality Chain
❤️ Sleeping Gods
🖤 Dangerous Powers
❤️ Mythical Monsters

Charming Devil puts a fresh, contemporary spin on The Picture of Dorian Gray, blending gothic allure with modern mysticism. The supernatural elements seamlessly weave into the everyday world, adding an extra layer of intrigue. Fun fact: I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until after I finished it, but no worries! It stands strong on its own with a distinct storyline and fresh characters.

Dorian is arrogant, dangerously charming, and utterly irresistible (even when you know better). Baz, on the other hand, is a force of nature, fiercely independent and an enigmatic presence in the art world. Their chemistry? Instant, electric, and crackling with tension.

The premise is undeniably creative, and the description alone had me hooked. That said, connecting with the characters took some time. Dorian’s vanity is as frustrating as it is fascinating, while Baz’s inner conflict, though compelling, feels repetitive at times. The story occasionally loses sight of its main plot, and I struggled to fully relate to Baz, which added to that sense of disconnect. The pacing slows in the middle as their emotional tug-of-war takes center stage, but once the magical stakes rise, the intrigue follows, leading to an intense and satisfying climax.

Having never read The Picture of Dorian Gray, I had no preconceived notions about how Dorian should look, act, or speak, my only reference being The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. That might’ve worked in my favor, as I was able to enjoy this fresh take without any expectations.

If you love morally gray characters, reimagined classics, and slow-burn dark romance, this one’s for you!

Thank you to Rebecca Kenney, the author, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

I loved this book! The imagery and tone were perfect. I actually really enjoyed the morally gray aspects of both main characters. It made them feel that much more real, because we all have our moments when we are not our best selves.
The connection to the first book in the series is minimal enough to not be missing out if you haven’t read it, but adds to the enjoyment if you have.
I will happily recommend this book to anyone who loves the author’s other work, retellings and morally gray MMCs.

I really love the Picture of Dorian Gray and so this is a really fun take, almost like a sequel to what would happen to Dorian if he fell in love. It was a quick read with spice and I enjoyed the diversity of characters. Not sure if it was my favorite take, but it was interesting.