The Beast's Bride by Eva Devon

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The Beast's Bride (The Bluestocking War #1) by Eva Devon, writing as Maire Claremont

The Beast's Bride is the first in a series called The Bluestocking War.

Beauty and the Beast Retelling

Setting:  Regency era, England

Genre:  Period Romance

Beauty is a thrifty spinster fighting to manage a dwindling bank account to keep her family afloat and her sisters in society to make decent matches.  But... when she unwittingly snags the Ton's most eligible bachelor, the Beast, Duke of Blacktower, to a loose thread, well, we'll just have to see if these two duty-driven souls can loosen up enough to find their happily-ever-after.

Spice:  I'm giving this a spice rating of 3 - steam with a few details (but steam in the sanctity of marriage, if that's important for you).

No magic or magical realism in this sweet tale.  Beast is a gruff Duke with a rep.  Beauty is a smart, capable lady with a conniving father.  Themes I caught in this one - the power of wealth, seeing beyond one's pride, and capabilities are more attractive than looks.


Here's why it's worth a spot on your TBR pile:

  • The Beast's Bride is Netflix's Bridgerton, Pride & Prejudice and Beauty and the Beast mash-up in a tidy, sweet tale.
  • It's a plane ride, weekend length book.  It's just under 300 pages and moved quickly.
  • Beauty quickly steps into owning her agency and realizes her power as a duchess can be used for societal improvements in Regency England.  
  • Beauty is a talented accountant and property manager.  Go STEM and go Girl Boss!
  • There's a fairy god-mother-type character who is a neat mentor to Beauty's sudden rise to wealth and station.

Enjoy fellow fairytale lovers.


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