In this quirky romantic comedy “Beauty and the Beast” retelling featuring a trio of girlfriends who due to financial constraints decide to open a business doing exotic dancing at parties, Belle finds herself kicked out of her house by her father for wanting to have friends, and her job at the library is in jeopardy. When “Beast” the bouncer at Charming discovers she’s been sleeping on the library floor, he offers her his spare room. Funny rom com voice and a spoof on many of the Disney characters, for fans of fairy tales. I’m always on the hunt for fun fairy tale retellings, and this was a hoot!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
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OK I literally am Belle - or just obsessed with the story in general. Beast was a hoot - hello brooder - and Ariel and Cindy are such good pals still in the story that I just couldn't get over the entertainment - predictable, but I'm not mad about that - 90% of romance books are - I cant wait for Ariels book there's enough of a back story that I need to know more. Also - can I just say Belle's father evolved so much through the book - I could picture his giddy bouncing self all through the last portions of the book. ( )

Once upon a time... three Beautiful women lived on or near Fairytale Lane. The first book in the series tells us how the group came together and is the story of Cynthia (Cindy Ella) and how she finds her Prince Charming. This book is about Isabelle, aka Belle. The shy librarian lives in her father's basement, uses every cent she makes to buy books and falls in love with The Beast, aka Vincent, who is the bouncer at Charmings Nightclub. When Belle decides to stand up to her father, he throws her out of the house. After spending several nights sleeping on the floor of the library, Vincent suggests an alternate living arrangement. She also wants to start doing parties for the Naughty Princess Club so has to shake off her shyness and naivety to dance at Charmings.

Belle is a hoot. This shy librarian can really let someone have it when she gets angry. When her sexy side is let loose, her and Beast have some interesting meetings, one taking place in her library. Ariel and Cindy are also a part of this story, but Belle takes center stage. We also get to know a bit more about her father in this story. I just love how Tara Sivec comes up with these ideas and makes them both hilarious and sexy. I actually enjoyed Belle's story more than Cindy's so I am looking forward to reading the next/last book in this series to see what she comes up with. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

This book was okay. I haven't read book one and while this was fine without, there were a lot of events carried over from the previous book. This was a completely fine (if unrealistic) contemporary romance. The little fairy tale odds and ends got a bit annoying as the story proceeded, only because they weren't needed and it was just a gimmick i felt that fell a little flat as the book progressed. ( )

This is the first book I have read in this series but it won't be the last. In fact, I plan to go back and read book one while I wait for book three. Belle and her two friends, Cindy and Ariel are great. Cindy and Ariel are the best type of girlfriends you can have. Although, I would say that I liked Ariel a bit more. She is more outspoken and should sass. Yet, Belle is no wallflower, even if what she thinks is an appropriate date outfit...maxi dress. Per Ariel's standards, a maxi dress is not acceptable. Back to Belle. She showed plenty of sass herself. My favorite moments were when she would get flustered and start rambling facts.

Vincent "Beast" has brooding down to an art. He pulled it off with just the right amount of sexiness and compassion as well. For example, when he decorated a room for Belle only to tell Belle he does not do "crying" and rushes from the room upon receiving compliments. Vincent and Belle sure could steam up a room with their attraction.

I really enjoyed this modern twist on a classic. The characters had personality but it was the humor that kept me hanging on and wanting more. ( )