Member Reviews
I have never read mafia romance so this was an entirely new experience for me. Something about the description of this book appealed to me so I decided to give this genre a try. I was pleasantly surprised by the author's skill in weaving a story and the nod to Beauty and the Beast was an interesting aspect within the story.
This book is well-written and has a good pace. The suspense throughout is quite good and the characters were fleshed out well. I enjoyed the internal struggles and changes each main character exhibited and the story line kept my attention. I love dark content and this was quite good, although it was not as dark as I expected. I'd recommend paying attention to the warning by the author if you are sensitive or are triggered by certain content, though.
The ending was a surprise to me - I won't ruin it for other readers but I was surprised, and that doesn't happen very often for me. I will say that some of the extra content and Russian folk stories within the book were fascinating and the author wove them quite well not only into the story but into the main characters' thought processes and character development.
This is an enjoyable read and I will be reading the next book when it is released. I recommend this book and author.
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023
While this book did start off slow for my liking it did pick up the pace quickly, I enjoyed the ideas and themes of this book and it was a wonderfully spicy book! I’m not usually a fan of mafia themed characters/books but I did enjoy this one. I very much enjoyed the twist on a classic tale and look forward to reading more from L.C. Moon in future
This book is dark, so be warned. I was here for all the dark and twisted turns this journey takes you on. It's memorable and it kept me entertained and reading.
I just reviewed A Bedtime Story (Beauty Meets the Beast) by L.C. Moon. #NetGalley
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#NetGalley
I was allowed to read this book in exchange for my honest review. Although I do see the inspiration of "Beauty and the Beast" that the author used throughout the novel, I feel like the male love interest has no redeeming qualities, making his character the "organized crime boss who becomes obsessed with the innocent main character" type. There is some triggering subjects being talked about throughout this novel (i.e. self harm, suicide attempts, mentions of SA.) So I would be careful to read this if you're sensitive to these topics.
There surely were some ups and downs with this book.
I enjoyed the writing style and some vibes. It was interesting and enjoyable. However, I didn’t like how he treated her most of the times. How he put her down, hurt her emotionally and physically (and I’m not talking about the bdsm part). I also didn’t like how one moment she “truly” hated him and cried because she was hurt by him then the next she’s kissing him. She was always running from him only to come back and ask for more.
I would’ve liked a bit more connection between them and more passion not hatred. Also the ending… 😶🫤 I refuse to believe it’s true and if it is I don’t even wanna think what that actually means. I can’t believe the next book will get released so late 😫😫
This was so exciting to read!
It was captivating and unpredictable and it had an interest cast of characters. I didn't want to put it down and I can't wait to read more by this author.
What. A. RIDE!!!! I finished it so quickly. I truly didn't think I was going to like it. There are so many Mafia books, but this one dwelled so deep. Every character was not who you expected, every relationship had so many layers. I hated and loved every character! I rooted for and against the same character! The internal battle that I went through reading this book consumed me.
What I loved, is the realistic human interactions between each characters. Every character was able to express their human flaw in their own way. And how their stories interlaced together was very well done.
It does end in a bitter sweet cliff hanger just FYI, and the next book doesn't come out until 2025 so i'm absolutely spiraling. Morally grey characters. Steamy. Hot and Cold vibes between the main love interest. No dull moments. Great story line. Plot is not only about the romance. Unexpected ending. Please read trigger warnings before reading.
This is more The Godfather than Beauty and the Beast.
I was expecting a dark fairy tale retelling, but while Moon delivered darkness in spades, the fairytale, not so much.
This story boils down to a woman who is kidnapped by the mob who want to find her brother, Then by luck the guy that kidnapped her takes a liking to her, so she escapes death, but then gets knee deep into mob politics as his wife instead.
The story itself is full of twists, turns and deceit around every corner. But be warned this might not be the story you'd expect from the cover or the synopsis.
This loose fairytale retelling is not for the faint of heart. It is a mob boss who stalks a lover and they have some very serious relations.
If you're a fan of rough spice, this book is for you. Although its billed as a bedtime story, they don't mean the kind that will lull you to sleep and give you cozy dreams. But some folks might not want that. ;). It is full of BDSM, Mobsters, some questionable consent, human trafficking and drugs. I'm giving this a 3 rating because I'm not into those things in my stories.
That said this is a story that is full with two very broken people who are trying to put themselves and thereby each other back together. It is sinister and dark and not much of a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, other than the names.
I did enjoy reading it, but because it stepped a little far out of my reading comfort zone I was uncomfortable reading some of it.
Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for a copy for my honest review!
A beautiful and captivating story that really draws its readers in for more! It was so well written and the plot really had depth. I wish it didn’t end on a cliffhanger because now I have to wait for the next book:(
Overall it was good and I’ll be looking forward to the next one when it’s released
Is it me am I the drama?
I wanted to love this I love dark romance I love a mafia hero who doesn't like a bit of bdsm thrown in but this book felt messy. It just felt like too many different things were trying to fit in a small amount of pages. It didn't seem anyone kept to their character just wafted from weak to strong over and over with no rhyme or reason
I also didn't like how awkward some scene were written like " I tried not to touch myself down there " like can we maybe use real adult words It felt very baby talk is. Let's bring Bambi to a sex club so she can just scream the person is being raped loudly and too many times to then be told nope not being raped she likes it I did it to her before..and then they share a kiss and she proceeds to have wet dreams about the kiss for 3 chapterz?! The lack of intimacy shared combined with a literally whore of a man who isn't faithful before, during or after being inside of you ...no protection no less..
It's a mess but maybe it's just a mess for me?
I enjoyed the story overall. It kept my attention the entire time. However, the ending was rushed. I am not upset with the outcome, but the delivery of it could've been better. I understand it sets things up for a sequel. Still, the readers only got a page of this super significant climax, a plot change crucial to Laura's character development, so the ending was anti-climatic because of that setup. I also was not a fan of the inconsistent POV changes. It felt like we never kept with a single line of thought and jumped around a lot. I appreciate the opportunity to read this story and can't wait to see where it goes.
I liked the premise of the story and characters but there were moments i had to stop reading as it was to much. I found the story degrading to females at some points. I reccomend for any hard core dominating/submitting BDSM lovers.
this book was ok, I had a really hard time getting into the book and staying interested. I love dark romance with mafia themes, but this will not be a go-to for me or recommending. It's a very spicy read with dark weaved through, the fmc gets tortured and kidnapped and basically develops Stockholm Syndrome and is falling in love with the man torturing her and trying to kill her brother.
It starts out very fast and stays that way, I feel like some more could have been added to the beginning before being hit by the freight train speed of this book.
I defiantly know who I would recommend this book to and I know many groups of readers who would enjoy this,
A Bedtime Story was any but that. It had spice, suspense, and heartbreak, everything you need for a dark read. The frustration I felt when reading this book blows my mind (in a good way). Things were definitely not what I expected and thats exactly what I love in a book, unpredictable. Just when you think Kayne would get some redemption, BAM! guess again. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a dark romance that gives you the unexpected.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me access to this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
« Kayne Malkin. Her captor and tormentor. Her guardian. Her lover. »
Rating: 2 ⭐️
Genre: Dark Romance
Format: ARC Ebook
Pages: 377
Spice: 1 🌶️
POV: Double third POV
S/S: Fairy Tales From the Underworld #1
Check trigger warnings for any book
This definitely isn’t a romance. Nor would I consider it a love story, as I did not find any love whatsoever.
The beginning of the book was promising. The plot was there, there was tension, motive, and growth within the relationships…
But then we hit the 30% mark, and nothing happened. We stayed in the same scenario of « she’s intrigued, he’s intrigued, they hurt each other but have sexy time and the cycle starts again ».
Even if we just studied the relationships mentally, there was nothing. What loyalty? What growth? What attachment?
No act of devotion, or « love » at any point.
As for the writing, whilst enjoyable, I think we can summarize the total dialogue to about 10 pages. It was purely description.
Very disappointing.
Favorite quotes (MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS):
« No, he hadn’t saved her out of mercy. He’d saved her so he could be the one to make her beg and cry. So he could be the one to break her and savor her broken parts in all the unholy ways he craved. »
« Laura loved books more than anything in the world. »
« So you like nice guys. » « Well… yes. That’s pretty normal. » « You’d be surprised. »
« He was surprised at how fast he had claimed her as his. »
« It’s a funny feeling being taken under the wing of a dragon. It’s warmer than you’d think. »
« He wanted to get inside her head and invade her every waking thought, leaving no space unconquered: within her body, mind, and soul. »
« I may be a monster. But I’d fight for you. I’d kill for you. Go to war for you. If only you knew.. what your Monster would do for you. »
« She could handle the burn. She’d been forged in fire. »
« His Laura. His purple butterfly. »
« For as long as I’m your Monster, I will always find you. »
Leena - Leena.reader review - @leena.reader on tiktok and instagram
This book was a bit much for me. That being said I know tons of people that this one would fit perfectly. It's got a good story and great writing.
Thank you for letting me read a copy of this book!
This was supposed to be a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was very dark to start off with and in mafia environment. I’ve read many retellings and I can say that something was missing for me.
There was a lack of consent, which wasn’t an issue for the MC and due to this, it could be quite unsettling for some peers when they read this book.
I haven’t noticed a trigger warning list anywhere in the book and I think it’s definitely needed due to the nature of the book.
Some peers might enjoy it a lot more and I might give it another read in the future.
Big thanks to LC moonand Netgalley for the eARCim in exchange for a review.
This was more of a mafia boss style book, and a little less beauty and the beast.
Consent was not always there but MC craved the lack of it.
It was pretty dark, with murder and betrayal.
In giving 3.5 stars. I think there was just too much 'is she, isn't she', 'will he won't he' that it took away from the plot.
This book is not your usual spicy and misunderstood character story. He is keeping her against her will with threats of harming her family. Their attachment is twisted and unhealthy but interesting to read. The surprising end seemed to come from no where but I look forward to the next book