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livsliterarynook 's review for:
The Beast of Beswick
by Amalie Howard
The Beast of Beswick is probably one of my favourite Beauty and the Beast style retellings and historical-fiction romance books I've read. The premise is that Astrid and Isobel, who after the death of their parents, are under the guardianship of their uncle. Only their uncle is greedy and seeking a marriage for the young 16-year-old Isobel to a horrid Lord Beaumont. Astrid as the older sister, only four months away from her majority and controlling her inheritance is desperate to save her sister and seeks out the Duke of Beswick. The Duke Of Beswick is known as 'The Beast' after his fighting during the war left him hideously scarred. The Duke is of significant peerage to help her overturn her uncle and the devious Lord Beaumont's plans and save her sister.
Obviously the focus of the novel is on the relationship between Astrid and the Duke of Beswick, Thane. However, Astrid absolutely stole my heart. She was fun, she was intelligent, she was witty, she was sarcastic and she was courageous. This book was incredibly feminist for the setting as Astrid challenged gender stereotypes, challenged Thane on his beliefs and was driven by her love of her sister. I also found that Thane was an incredibly forward-thinking Duke and supported all of Astrid's feminist ideals. There were obvious instances of him as the Duke and her husband telling her not to do things, but Astrid never bowed to his demands and he respected her for that.
I absolutely adored the development of their relationship which was a slow burner to begin with and then was absolutely electric. It made my tummy feel all tingly as there was a definite spark between the two which I really felt from reading it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this retelling and this will firmly be a favourite historical romance. I look forward to the next instalment, which is not a retelling, but follows the marriage of Astrid's sister Isobel. I will definitely be looking to read more by Amalie Howard, although I do feel like this one had a special place in my heart because of my love for Beauty and the Beast.
Obviously the focus of the novel is on the relationship between Astrid and the Duke of Beswick, Thane. However, Astrid absolutely stole my heart. She was fun, she was intelligent, she was witty, she was sarcastic and she was courageous. This book was incredibly feminist for the setting as Astrid challenged gender stereotypes, challenged Thane on his beliefs and was driven by her love of her sister. I also found that Thane was an incredibly forward-thinking Duke and supported all of Astrid's feminist ideals. There were obvious instances of him as the Duke and her husband telling her not to do things, but Astrid never bowed to his demands and he respected her for that.
I absolutely adored the development of their relationship which was a slow burner to begin with and then was absolutely electric. It made my tummy feel all tingly as there was a definite spark between the two which I really felt from reading it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this retelling and this will firmly be a favourite historical romance. I look forward to the next instalment, which is not a retelling, but follows the marriage of Astrid's sister Isobel. I will definitely be looking to read more by Amalie Howard, although I do feel like this one had a special place in my heart because of my love for Beauty and the Beast.