Becoming Beauty
by Sarah E. Boucher
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
November 11th 2014
by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
My Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Description: Claws. Long, filthy, and dangerously sharp.
They’re the first thing Bella sees after what’s been the worst day of her life. If Bella were the quintessential Beauty—gorgeous, kindhearted, and self-sacrificing—she might have a chance at transforming this monster into a man, but she’s never been the toad-kissing kind. Obsessed with landing a wealthy nobleman and escaping her humdrum life, Bella will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Which is precisely what landed her here, at the mercy of the Beast.
In this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Bella's sense of entitlement strains both her family's finances and patience. As punishment for her selfishness, she's sent into the Beast's service where she must choose whether to follow the path she's always dreamed of—or risk it all for something even greater.
They’re the first thing Bella sees after what’s been the worst day of her life. If Bella were the quintessential Beauty—gorgeous, kindhearted, and self-sacrificing—she might have a chance at transforming this monster into a man, but she’s never been the toad-kissing kind. Obsessed with landing a wealthy nobleman and escaping her humdrum life, Bella will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Which is precisely what landed her here, at the mercy of the Beast.
In this imaginative retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Bella's sense of entitlement strains both her family's finances and patience. As punishment for her selfishness, she's sent into the Beast's service where she must choose whether to follow the path she's always dreamed of—or risk it all for something even greater.
My Review: One of my very favorite fairy tales is Beauty and the Beast. I love the messages that you can't always judge someone by the way they look and you don't always know why someone acts the way they do--there is usually a reason. This is a fantastic, twisted version of a favorite!
Bella is a spoiled rotten girl with a vicious streak of entitlement. She's not as pretty as her sister, nor is she as hard-working as her brother. When her demands end up causing her father to be put in a scary situation that leaves him sick, her siblings come up with a good consequence--she can take the place of her father and become a servant to the Beast.
I loved that Bella isn't a perfect girl. I loved that she had many, many lessons to learn and that life wasn't easy for her. It made her easy to relate to, in that way. I enjoyed the flashback/dream aspect that happened to her. The Beast was great! Of course, his journey had a few twists in it as well. I loved that there were similarities to the original story, yet there were fun differences. I didn't see the ending coming!
I thought the story flowed quite well, with a good mix of characters and events. I can't wait to read more by this author!
Content: there are a few moments of peril and some romantic moments. Clean!
Nominated for a Swoony Award
About the Author:
Sarah E. Boucher spends her days instilling young children with the same love of literature she has known since childhood. After hours, she pens her own stories and nurses an unhealthy obsession for handbags, high heels, baking, and British television. Sarah is a graduate of Brigham Young University. She lives and teaches in Ogden, Utah. Becoming Beauty is her first novel.
So, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the lovely review & for the Swoony nomination ��
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome! I can't wait to read more, so I hope you keep writing. :)
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