This is not a sweet little bedtime story, but a dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Sadly, I don't recall much of that story so I felt like I was going into this book a little blind, also due to not remembering exactly what I signed up to review. It is dark and there are trigger warnings so check those before reading. That being said, it works for the storyline and really gives the sense of desperation and wanting to belong somewhere, anywhere that the main female character experiences.

Laura is intriguing as she has to learned to adapt to the circumstances thrown her way in order to survive. Her brother is the only family she has and he is in trouble with the wrong people leaving her very much on her own and vulnerable. It was interesting to see how she dealt with her new situation and handled the various roadblocks that arose as she started falling for her captor, Kayne Malkin.

Kayne is not my cup of tea, but he comes to really care for Laura, although his way of showing it seems to be hidden behind his own demons and defenses. She does manage to find her way in, but at what cost?

The ending was quite a surprise and by that time I was invested in the changes Laura underwent to become Mrs. Malkin and I need to know what happens next and where this plot is headed.