This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
To Love A Beast is the first book in a newest series but still has the fairy tale theme to her other series. This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely was so satisfying and worth the wait on it. I really adore how this author writes fairy tale retelling, she really stays true to the original while at the same time putting her own twist on it and its utterly delightful. I am curious what the next fairy tale will be (kinda hoping for little mermaid next but we will see). To Love A Beast had all the heart, inspiration and heartwarming character that melt deep inside of you.

First Line
Everett Griffin strutted through the halls of the Union Club like a thoroughbred stallion on the auction block-for that's what he was.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Everett Griffin (The Beast)
The Heroine: Callista Rosenfeld (Our Belle)

Summary
To Love a Beast started our with Everett Griffin, who was one of the most eligible bachelors in New York City, he had everything at his fingertips until one of the woman he was courting showed her true color and attacked him when he turned her down. He became disfigured and a beast to all who saw him. He settled in Texas, in a small community and built a massive manor that was full of gloom and doom. Then enters our heroine, Callista, who is the daughter of a book binder and when he becomes injured, she takes over. When Everett request his services, Callista goes in his stead. Callista never expected a man to be so rude but she was determined to let it not get to her, to remain steady through it all. Soon her steady patient nature, will bring out the real man that is hidden beneath the beastly exterior, but will he be able to win her heart and affection?

What I Loved
This story really showcases what real love is ALL about. I loved the fierce way in which we see their love blossom. The patience of it, the way they give so much to each other and are willing to sacrifice for one another's happiness. Its shows the true nature of love and what we should all strive towards. What I love about Inspirational romance is how it truly inspires you to be a better person and Karen Witemeyer truly takes it to another level.

To Love A Beast had so many fun connections to the original. The father being an quirky character. The heroine knowing his trade just as much as he does. The hero living in a glooming manor like castle (even has gargoyles on it lol ), then we have Mrs Potts (The cook and housekeeper) who is like a mother hen. The valet and the butler who have this fun banter going at it. One likes to play around with clocks and the other is all about fashion. We have a beautiful library room. And the epic dance. And seeing the change and growth in our characters and seeing them fight for one another. I think the heroine could have been willing to do a bit more sacrificing for the hero, but it makes sense as to why she doesn't. So I didn't hold it against her. I did love seeing the change in Everett especially. He literally was traumatized by a she devil (literally she was insane and had to be put in a mental institution type of insane) We do have a jealous villain. And how it all plays out was just perfection. I didn't want to put their story down. But what made this book even better was the love that blossoms between them so deeply. Seeing how selfless they are for each other in the effort to make one another better and to not think about the self in the process was beyond beautiful. I just wanted to stay in this book and their moments forever!!!

What I Struggled With
Nothing much, I think in the end I kinda wish the heroine had fought for the hero a bit more but she is also a devoted daughter so you can feel how torn she is on it.

Narration
I really have adored the narration that this author has for her books, and this one was wonderful. Not the best narration, some of the tones of some of the characters were kinda strange, but loved the ones for the main characters.

Overall View
To Love A Beast was a fascinating retelling that swept me up in the magic and selfless love of the tale while reinforcing a bold connection to God at the same time. It was timeless and truly magical!

Favorite Quote(s)
She longed to know this man, deeply and personally, not simply to feed the attraction she felt towards him. But because she sense if he opened the door to her he could open the door to others. It would give him the freedom to face the world as himself, and not as a man cloaked in mystery and scandal. She took her courage in hand and opened the gate and praying he wouldn't throw it in her face.


Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance, Inspirational Romance
Character Types: Softer FMC, Tortured Hero, Protector
Themes: Small Town, Danger/Suspense, Beauty and the Beast
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Fairy Tale Retelling

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Mary Connealy
Anita Stansfield
Jody Hedlund

Song This Book Inspires
If I Can't Love Her-Kane Alexander

Recommendation For Reading Order
Standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.

Narrators:
Cara Firestone