Search - When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Happily Ever Afters..., Bk 2)

Story: 5 stars
Romance: 5 stars

Just added to my Keeper List!

I absolutely LOVED the main characters. Beauty figured out so quickly that Beast was acting as a bully on purpose--so she gives back as good as he dishes. The dialogue was witty and I was charmed even though it was obvious the inspiration was television's Dr. House.

The growing sexual tension between H/h was just about perfect and the pace at which their relationship evolved was as you would expect from James. I should have (but didn't) anticipate the crisis which brought them back together and I ALWAYS love to be surprised by an author.

My very favorite part was probably the epilogue--which provided a very nice cherry-on-top conclusion.

Highly recommended!

My favorite author has unfortunately disappointed with this one. This was truly some thin reading.

Not to give the plot away, but I spent the majority of the book thinking the hero was eerily reminiscent of another crusty-but-lovable (to some) character. Truth be told, I wasn't surprised to find in the Author's Notes that she did exactly that and drew Piers from this irascible fellow. Too bad, for his was the face I saw throughout the majority of the book ... and that had the story drifting towards old Blackadder episodes in my mind as I read. Egad. Piers and Percy.

Works on the libido like a wave of cold Welsh sea water, doesn't it?

Eloisa James has been a long-time favorite of mine, but I haven't enjoyed (or haven't finished and sometimes even bypassed entirely) the last handful of books she's put out. I finally realized why: she's far too chatty for me. Just like the others, WBTTB was filled with constant conversation. Our Beast tried so hard to be sarcastic and biting most of the time, and Beauty's family is constantly nattering on about something too. All that chatter, while sometimes funny enough for me to laugh out loud, was just plain silly, and had me reading paragraphs without me even being aware of what I'd just read. Not a good sign. I liked the main characters: Beauty, Beast, Beast's parents; and I wanted to stick around to see everyone forgive each other and make happy. But I just couldn't do it. I love Beauty/Beast-themed stories, but this one wasn't exciting. It's hard for me to set aside favorite authors, and I'm not entirely sure I want to give up the ghost on James just yet. I've still got her on my wishlist but I'm not sure for how much longer. I made it halfway through the book and still give it only 2 stars.

I'm putting this one in the "like, but not love" pile.

I have read the others of this series so far (totally out of order- which doesn't effect plots and character mixes) and enjoyed them, but this one was hard to get through. I was a devoted fan of Fox's TV show House, M.D. From start to finish, I never missed an episode and have memorized several. Naturally I would see Ms. James inspiration for the "beast" in this story to be Dr. Gregory House (which she freely admits in the back of the book) right away. I couldn't pull myself away from the fact this character was based off him but only loosely. The attitude of the character was 100% what I would expect from House. I felt like Dr. Chase was looped in as Sebastian, our hero's cousin, too. So when the characters stepped away from Dr. House I felt like shouting, "No, not believable! He would not do that!" I see the TV show and the book as two similar, but not the same, characters. It spoiled the book for me.

However, I do believe if you weren't as obsessed with House, M.D. as I was you may have better luck at separating and would enjoy the book more than I did.

There are definitely things I really enjoyed about this book. The first and foremost is the dialogue. It's sarcastic and funny. The characters are great (but too much like "The Duke Is Mine" down to the little dog). I especially like that beauty had lessons to learn as well, not just the beast.

Great, fun read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Facing social ruin because the Ton believe she is pregnant, Linnet Thrynne agrees to a quick engagement to Piers Yelverton, the Earl of Marchant, and travels with his father to meet him. When she arrives in Wales, she discovers Piers is a doctor with a terrible temper who hasn't seen his father in over two decades. Linnet and Piers discuss her situation and agree they won't suit...but neither of them calls off the engagement. Linnet believes the Earl will fall in love with her like every other man she knows. But Linnet is the one who ends up head over heels in love with Piers.

I checked out the reviews for this book before I read it. It seems to be one of those books you either love or hate. Well, I have to say I loved it. The characters in this story are wonderful. Piers has been hurt in the past and doesn't want to open himself up to more pain. He covers his insecurities with his sarcastic wit and sometimes childish behavior. Linnet is a beauty who expects men to drop at her feet. When Piers doesn't respond like any other man, she's intrigued. This leads to many interesting conversations between the two of them and a wonderful romance. My rating: 5 Stars.