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I'll be honest with you - I don't love western romances.

At first, I thought I didn't relate to the core themes of a typical western: responsibility and protection, close-knit community, self-reliance and independence, strong connection to family and place and cowboy hats aplenty.

But the more I think about it, I realize that's not true - I appreciate many of these themes across other genres. I think it's a simple preference. It's the setting. I don't relate to the rural, ranching, farming, rodeo settings. I grew up in Texas, so you'd think I'd be all in - but I'm just not. Give me an enchanted castle over a ranch any day.

My quest to explore Beauty and the Beast influences across genres stretches me to reach for books I wouldn't normally pick up. In this case, I'm loving this BATB mash-up. Western romance + Beauty and the Beast fairytales - yup. It works.

I shouldn't be surprised, really. Western romances often feature isolated heroes or scarred men who don't think they are worthy of love and heroines who are persistent and see beyond appearances. That's already half a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Tell you more? Of course! Pull up a chair.

Why Beauty and the Beast Works So Well in Western Romance

I have 3 Beauty and the Beast + western mash-up retellings to share with you. Each uses Beauty and the Beast elements as a foundation for sweet, hopeful romances.

But first, real quick, let's compare common plot threads authors often borrow from Beauty and the Beast and how they appear in a BATB-inspired western romance. Then, promise, we'll get to a recommendation of three books.

Classic BATB	Western BATB
Life-for-life bargain, usually instigated by Beauty's father	Beauty is down on her luck; she's in need of a second chance
Magical curse	Physical scars, injury, disfigurement, emotional wounds
Isolated Beast in an enchanted castle	Isolated MMC (main male character) in an isolated ranch
Beast is more than his appearance	Beauty is persistent to see beyond appearances
Beauty leaves the Beast mid-story	Fallout of some kind between MMC and Beauty
Beauty's agency to choose the Beast	Beauty accepts MMC as he is
Beauty defined by character over beauty	Beauty is more than beautiful, she's smart, resourceful and has depth

I don't know about you, but I dig these common threads. Notice what changes and what stays the same. Castle becomes a ranch. The curse isn't magical - it's metaphorical with the scars and emotional isolation. BATB elements are applied to a modern setting, but pose the same question: Can someone see beyond appearances and actively choose love.

I just love how authors keep the key components of a BATB story but bring it to modern readers in a way that resonates. The moral and underlying encouragement of the original fairytale are preserved and applied to current culture.

So let's get to it - tell me about these three books, you say?! Let's do it.

Three Beauty and the Beast Inspired Western Romances

🌹The Cowboy's Beauty

The Cowboy's Beauty (Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance Book 3) by Jessie Gussman is a gentle, hopeful and tender retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in North Dakota. The Beast character was physically disabled by a farming accident during youth and pointedly keeps a low profile. Beauty is a supermodel whose career takes a hit because she's unwilling to compromise her values. They bond under the stars, growing first a friendship and then a sweet romance. You'll find most BATB threads pulling the story forward. This retelling is low spice and reflects the Christian faith.

🌹 The Cowboy and His Beauty

The Cowboy and His Beauty (WalkerLake, Texas Book 1) by Kaci M. Rose is a sweet, second chance contemporary western romance set in a small town in East Texas. Beauty is back in town after losing her job in the big city and runs into her high school flame. But after a military tour, he's scarred and changed and she doesn't recognize him. Still, sparks fly. The big question: Can they reconnect and start again? This retelling moves quickly - it's under 200 pages, is medium spice and the plot is straightforward.

🌹May's Cowboy Roman

May's Cowboy Roman by Eve London is my favorite of the trio. It's novella length but covers a lot of character development in those pages. It's set in a contemporary ranching community - think Montana-ish (at least I did). Beauty is a journalist looking for a redeeming story and Beast is a horse whisperer with just such a story. What worked for me is Beauty's character in this retelling - she's forthright, observant and not deterred or intimidated by challenge. And not just the challenge of creating trust with the MMC - it's her steady, calm, observant response to any negative commentary or challenge. She was relatable and strong. In this retelling, relationship builds quickly between Beauty and Beast with steam and spice, and it's believable.

This wasn't casual. I knew it. He knew it. Neither of us had said it, and that was fine. Some things didn't need words to be true. - May's Cowboy Roman, Eve London

My One Complaint About Western Beauty and the Beast Covers

Have you noticed the covers in these and most BATB-inspired romances? They do not represent the actual state of the MMCs - where are the eye patches, visible scars or strategically lowered cowboy hats? A little shadow, a little secrecy never hurt a burgeoning romance. Let's be authentic!

Clearly, I need more research material for this genre of Beauty and the Beast retellings.

Have you read a Beauty and the Beast western romance? Or do you have a favorite scarred cowboy hero? I'd love recommendations for my ever-growing list.

Cheers, y'all.