by Karen Witemeyer
Publisher: Hope & Light Publishing
Series: Once Upon a Time in Texas
ISBN: 979-8992420517
I enjoy fairytale retellings, and I've read the first three Karen wrote before To Love a Beast. She was kind enough to send me a digital copy of the story, but of course, you know I'll be getting a print copy to go along with all of her other books on my shelf!
Summary:
Beauty & the Beast in 1800's Texas.
Once known among New York's elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.
When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin's staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor's remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.
Once known among New York's elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.
When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin's staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor's remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.
My Review:
I thought To Love a Beast stayed very true to the Beauty and the Beast story that I know. I've never read the original classic, but this is everything I hoped it would be and more. The roles were switched this time, which gave it its own twist.
I really enjoyed Callista's tenacity in a time when women didn't handle business matters, but also that she wasn't going to let her family's business be lost because someone won't work with her! Her first interaction with the "beast" would've scared me off, but Callista wasn't having it! I think any of us could imagine how we'd feel or think if we'd been scarred like Everett. Hiding away, where no one can see him, certainly closed him down to the rest of the world.
There were some amusing moments, especially when it came to the staff at Manticore Manor. Good thing they knew what was best for their master! Their interaction with Everett (especially Lightfoot) had me chuckling quite a bit! I think these moments were some of my favorite in the story. I also appreciated how Callista & Everett's relationship grew naturally over their time spent together. It was so sweet to watch them work their way to each other in their hearts.
Mr. Batton, who Callista meets on her way to Everett's manor, is a piece of work from the moment we meet him. He fits a southern Gaston to a T! Let's just say he's insufferable. There's also a bit of suspense/mystery once we hit the halfway mark.
As always, I'm thankful the author weaves faith into her stories! Such a great reminder that in Christ we are a new creation (and, ahem, we don't have to be a beast any more). I always love the "found family" trope one that touches my heart.
I'm really looking forward to more stories in this series!
About the Author:
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
