Tag: Why Choose Romance

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a dark, fantasy retelling of Beauty and Beast/Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Why Choose Edition. The main character is nonbinary. Some days are Evan days, where they feel masculine; some days are Eve days, where they feel feminine; and some days are neither and they go by their name given at birth, Evangeline, in which these days are just meh days. The townspeople are not receptive to their trying to live their life as a man some days, and they have difficulty just getting through the days. Eventually, they get offered up in the monthly Offering given to The Deadwood to be eaten by the demons in the forest. These demons, as you may guess, are the “Four Horsemen” in this story.

I was immediately sucked into this book. It is very well written. It is so many things all in one: it includes monsters, magic/paranormal aspects, action, loose fairytale retelling of Beauty and the Beast, reverse harem/why choose, MM action between side characters (but spicy scenes are only of the main character and their harem) and more. One thing I always complain about is how some books are split into multi book series, when one or two books would suffice. Well, Beauty’s Beasts is all one book, so no cliffhangers. It is a happily ever after, but doesn’t mean I didn’t sob through the last couple chapters because I FORGOT it was HEA.

I like how inclusive the story is. I have never read a book that the main character is nonbinary/gender fluid, but it was easy to follow along mostly. There were times where I was confused because “Evangeline” was used a lot and only a few times after the bracelets were given to them did they actually correct anyone. So I felt like they had a lot of days that were Evangeline days.

I like that the story had a steady flow. The MC built a relationship with each of the “demons” (Gryxen, not sure if I spelled that right). Each mating happened before the next pairing really started. Each Gryxen had their own personalities and abilities. They were pretty well thought out characters. The reader easily falls in love with each one of them. I do feel the last mating, with Drixus, could have used a little more. I was starting to stress out around 77% into the book when it hadn’t happened yet. The main fight scene happened very quickly. Finally, I liked Will’s perspective for the Epilogue, but really would have liked one from the main character as well. I liked Will’s character, and I liked they were best friend’s with the main character, but I feel like him and Jacob were not as present or had a significant role other than being Evan/Eve/Evangeline’s best friend. Once Will and Jacob were in The Deadwood, you see them some, but its mostly focused on Evan/Eve/Evangline’s relationships and matings with the Gryxen.

This book is indicated as not being a part of a series, but I really hope there is more following these characters. I could not get enough. There is a good amount of spice as well. Much like each Gryxen has a unique character sketch, their spice follows along with that. I was extremely happy for the primal play, and am always very excited when I see it in there.

Before reading the book, make sure you check the trigger warnings!