I read a lot in 2024 - just five shy of 100 books according to my Goodreads profile. I've realized I don't love reading goals - they muck with the quality of what I'm reading. Sometimes a quick and easy book is just the thing; sometimes I'm eager for a 1,000 page tome. I'm an achiever by nature and if a goal is set, I'll strive towards it. But reading is a passion and I don't want to muck with that, so I'm skipping a reading goal in 2025.

All in all, it was a great reading year with some really excellent books. I discovered Kate Quinn with The Rose Code. I enjoyed Violet and Xaden's dramatic fling in Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, and I re-read the first five of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Gabriel de León in Empire of the Damned is one of my favorite not-so-heroes. And both the Ilona Andrews Clean Sweep series and Spellslinger series by Sebastien de Castell were super fun. What about Bride by Ali Hazelwood and The Q by Beth Brower, a local author I picked up at a bookstore in Park City, Utah? There are just too many good books from 2024 to name in this post.

What about Beauty and the Beast retellings?

11 Beauty and the Beast Retellings

But of course I read Beauty and the Beast inspired tales! Plus, a literary analysis of the Beauty and the Beast myth that I enjoyed immensely. Few of the Beauty and the Beast selections in 2024 were the fairytale fantasy type. Most were gritty, racy and featured a contemporary approach - but all with fairytale Happily Ever Afters.

I hope one of these makes it to your TBR list. If not, here's a growing list of Beauty and the Beast retellings and fan fiction - I'm sure you'll find something to tickle your fancy.

The Silver Arm: A Science Fiction Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Ariele Sieling is part one of a sci fi Beauty and the Beast inspired tale. Beauty is a hard-working mechanic, taking care of her sisters while plagued by a pushy suitor - you know the type. She discovers her dad's been kidnapped and sets off on a rescue mission. But… she learns that her dad's captor is not just an angry Viking-style cyborg and mishaps are afoot in Rove City. Love blooms in this tale, but it's just the beginning. As far as I can remember, this one is clean.

In the magical tale, Roses & Thorns: Beauty and the Beast Retold by Chris Anne Wolfe, Beauty is sold off to cover significant debts by her father to The Liege, a mysterious character cursed by dark magic. The style and prose of this tale is lovely. It's a sapphic twist that worked nicely. The love between Beauty and her mystic "Beast" developed slowly and intentionally.

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti is a Beauty and the Beast retelling with a twist that was kinda futuristic, kinda contemporary, kinda dark and kinda magical. A social media + precious gem combo drives the power differentials between ruling families in Beauty's world, and Beauty's father is determined to strengthen their position with an arranged marriage. But the Beast has different plans. He's a stalker, obsessed with Beauty. This tale is racy and Beast likes to dominate. Beauty falls right into it, and of course, like all the alpha males we like, he's a big softie for Beauty. Never fear, Beauty saves the day, her company and the Beast's coded curse.

“You don’t want me for an enemy.” I’m deadly serious but have no idea how I’m going to back that up.
“Call yourself whatever you want.” He takes my arm, his touch electric and firm. “I’m calling you mine.”
― Rebecca Zanetti, One Cursed Rose

Outfoxed: A Beauty and the Beasts Tail by Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel is pure fantasy featuring badass sentient rose bushes, wolf shifters and a love triangle. Dear old Dad sold Beauty out, keeping her involved in the family theft business. She escapes to Mynt, a mystical, peaceful realm and brings trouble with her. It's a tale of working through right and wrong, and is influenced loosely by Beauty and the Beast.

Secret Beast: Beast of Bishop's Landing #1
Beautiful Beast: Beast of Bishop's Landing #2
Fallen Rose: Beast of Bishop's Landing #3
This trio by Amelia Ward is a dark, ultra-racy, mafia-style retelling of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Beauty is a demure, kind-hearted college student who trades a month with Beast to save her father from financial ruin. True love ensues, and Beauty and her Beast fight through a bitter family rivalry for their happily ever after. Beast is dark, edgy and likes sexual domination in this retelling. Really, if you don't like dark, super spicy BDSM, skip this series.

Neva Altaj has created enticing Beauty and the Beast characters in this mafia retelling, Beautiful Beast (Perfectly Imperfect: Mafia Legacy #1). Beauty is a smarty-pants, techie underappreciated by her father. She is kidnapped by the Beast, a scarred, Sicilian mob boss, after she hacks into his system just because she can. Sparks fly in this super racy tale set in morally gray mafia-ville. The dialogue and growing relationship between Beauty and her Beast are fun.

“You are so beautiful, that every time I’m with you, I have the urge to pinch myself to prove you’re real.” He pulls my face closer to his. “And you’re pretty on the outside, too.”
― Neva Altaj, Beautiful Beast

Broken Whispers (Perfectly Imperfect #2) by Neva Altaj is a short, quick Beauty and the Beast mafia romance featuring an arranged marriage between a Beauty, a retired ballerina, and her fierce, tender-hearted Beast. Beast is a scarred, morally gray hero with an obsessive, overprotective streak about his daughter and bride. Beauty wins his heart and convinces him true love still wins. High spice in this one.

Beauty is a quiet, librarian with facial scars in The Beauty in Scars: A Beauty and the Beast Mafia Romance (Fractured Ever Afters) by M.L. Philpitt. The Beast, a member of the Corsetti mafia, is drawn to Beauty and determined to uncover why her father was killed and her background is a blank slate. The romance is spicy, spicy as Beast introduces Beauty to voyeurism. Also, mafia, so morally gray. Please keep it in mind.

Bound by Briar by Morgan Waad is not a typical Beauty and the Beast tale; more inspired by elements of both the OG and Disney's versions. In this love triangle, the Beast learns that true love isn't always straight-forward and you find best friends where you least expect it. Roses and libraries play a strong role in this tale, along with ghosts, evil fey and a strong-hearted Beauty who discovers her own intrinsic powers. Consider this one a clean fantasy.

Finally, the last book to include in the list is The Meanings of Beauty and the Beast: A Handbook by Jerry Griswold. This was one of my favorite books of 2024. I enjoyed Griswold's arguments about the influence Beauty and the Beast tales have on culture, literature, movies and the like. If you're interested, I share more in this post, Digging into a Literary Analysis of Beauty and the Beast. Griswold has an easy and informative writing style. If you're a lover of fairytales, I think you'll enjoy this one as much as I did.

Beauty and the Beast Retelling Intentions for 2025

In 2025, I'm setting an intention to read one Beauty and the Beast retelling or inspired tale monthly. I enjoyed stretching beyond the typical fantasy genre in 2024, so I'll see what other twists we find in Beauty and the Beast inspired works this year. I'd love your recommendations.

Cheers!