Beautiful
4 Stars

Workaholic Jensen Bergstrom is in dire need of a vacation. Thus, when his sister encourages him to join her and their friends on a road trip, he takes the opportunity to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, the plan hits a snag when he realizes that Pippa Cox, the slightly deranged woman he met on the flight from London, is one of his traveling companions. The only singles in a group of couples, Pippa and Jensen are soon thrown together and what ensues is a delightful and oft-times hilarious romance.

This is the final installment in the series and it is a huge improvement on Ruby and Niall's debacle in the previous book. Pippa is a breath of fresh air who urges Jensen to put aside his stoicism and let his inner rebel out. Their interactions are sexy and fun.

As with all of the books in the series, there is a section of angst where Jensen and Pippa come to terms with what they want for the future. Thankfully, this is not overly lengthy, dramatic, or irritating.

The short series of prologues at the end catching up on the various couples in the series is a sweet and satisfying bonus. ( )

I really want to read this since I've "absorbed" quite a few of the Beautiful Bastard series and found them unlike anything else I've read. However, it is a hard slog on the audiobook because I am so sick of the narrator! Grace Grant. She narrates in other Beautiful books, or somewhere I'm very familiar with, and I became invested in those characters, and it is too jarring to put her into the body of yet another of Christina Lauren's heroines - as if they were all one and the same! She's a great reader, but distinctive, and I would have put her into just one of the books to delineate/create the persona of that particular woman.

Jensen and Pippa are a touching couple. An unexpected couple, as Jensen says frequently. In all the previous couples Ive found some element annoying - but this couple - can I say they seem more sensitive, and willing to reach for happiness, than previous Christina Lauren protagonists. ( )

I really enjoyed "Beautiful" by Christina Lauren. This is the final book in the Beautiful Bastard series by this awesome writing duo. I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the characters and watch all their stories unfold with each book and novella along the way. The final two characters in this book, had an immediate impact on me and quickly rose to the top of my favorites in the series. Great finish and wrap up at the end. I look forward to what you come up with for a new series, hopefully soon!
Happy Reading...Enjoy!

Great end to an amazing series. Pippa and Jensen had the most different relationship of all of them, but not without the sexy, love and little bit of angst in there. Loved all of the different epilogues, though I have to confess that Bennett and Chloe will forever be my favorites. ( )

4.5 "Opposites Attract Ending in a Beautiful Conclusion" Stars for the story and 5 Stars for the narration!

Lovers of the Christina Lauren writer duo's splendid brand of romantic comedy will not want to miss this final installment in the Beautiful Bastard (BB) Series! Not only is the primary couple fun to watch--from the awkward and comical beginnings to their undeniable connection later in the book--but you also get a glimpse and some closure as to all the fabulous couples that have been featured in this series, not only throughout the book but also with each prior couple's very own Epilogue!

Pippa Bay Cox (Ruby's friend from Beautiful Secret) is not having much luck with men or work for that matter. Having terminated her last relationship after she found her boyfriend in her bed with another woman, she decides she desperately needs a "Holiday" (British speak for a vacation). So she boards a plane bound to Boston to visit with friends and do a road trip. On that plane, she decides to decompress with a little (well maybe more than a little) alcohol which leads to further loosening of this quirky heroine's tongue leading to some rather animated interactions with the decidedly hot guy sitting next her. Unfortunately the hot guy, the straight-laced, type A lawyer, Jensen Bergstrom (Hanna's brother from Beautiful Player), isn't quite as amused by her behavior as the listener.

So imagine Jensen's surprise when he finds out that not only is Pippa friends with his friends but they are actually all going together on a vacation road trip (one which Jensen's sister practically had to beg him to take as she is worried that all he does is work). How can he possibly survive 2 weeks on a road trip with the loud, quirky Pippa (and the tons of alcohol that is likely to be available on a wine tour)? However, as life's daily grind goes by the wayside, and the two start showing who they truly are down deep, they find that their glaring differences are actually quite complementary. But can their possibly be a future for the outlandish Pippa who lives in London (and sometimes dyes her hair pink!) and the straight-laced, Jensen who works at a big law firm in Boston?

Rounding out a splendid romance is the great narrator cast of Grace Grant and Sebastian York (along with cameos in the other couples' Epilogues from Jonathan Cole and Jeremy York). It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Sebastian York's, who is absolutely perfect for any sexy, romantic comedy. From Mr. York's timing on the delivery of the funny lines to his baritone voice which drips sex appeal, he makes listening to just about any type of romance effortless. Perhaps what I loved the most about this narration, however, was Grace Grant's rendition of Pippa which was absolutely spot-on! I loved her British accent and could easily envision the quirky, say whatever comes to your mouth, Pippa merely by Ms. Grant's voicing of Pippa.

All in all, Beautiful is a must listen for fans of the BB Series. However, due to the heavy influence of the prior characters, I highly suggest that you listen to this book only after reading or listening to at least most of the prior books in the series. For those of you that have, I'm sure that the addition of Pippa and Jensen to this series' cast of couples will have you in stitches and warming your heart.

Source: Review copy provided for review purposes. ( )