I've always thought Judith Ivory is the missing link between literary fiction and romance novels. I like lending her books to highly literate, otherwise intelligent people who tell me they hate "bodice rippers" and "tacky romance novels" (without ever having read any of them, of course). This one plays with the old tale of "Beauty and the Beast." The first half takes place on an enormous, luxurious turn of the century ocean liner. The other half takes place in a mansion in the South of France. The heroine's so beautiful, a little boy on the cruise ship asks her if she's a goddess. The hero's a French prince, who limps and got a forceps in the eye when he was delivered. He's a perfume maker and a dandy who's fond of good clothing and fine walking sticks. They are a fascinating couple, but you will enjoy them better if you like complex, slightly flawed characters. Not your stereotypical perfect couple.

I couldn't get into the story plot on this one. She seemed like a long winded or wordy author with more babble than I need to read. The idea of the story was good, I just couldn't read her writing style.

This book remeinds me of an old fashion romance in the sense that the hero is easily aroused, or there is no real challenge. The boat ride is mostly sex scenes with no real substance, and even though the heroine is written to be intelligent, she doesn't really have much proof.

Honestly, I have been reading romances for about ten years, and some are memorable. I will probably forget this story within a week.

An excellent writer. The end bogged down a little.

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This is probably my favorite romance novel to date. Highly recommended if you're tired of the typical hero & heroine.

A diferent and enjoyable story.

Described as a fairy tale for grownups. This book,set in the 1890's, tells the story of an American heiress who travels to England to marry an aristocrat abroad.

I enjoyed the storyline even though I would have liked to see the characters developed a little more...pretty good read.

An exquisite American heiress is beautiful, brilliant and bored --which is why she has agreed to a daring adventure: to travel across the ocean to marry an aristocrat abroad. Rumor has it her intended is hideous -- a grim prospect that propels her into a a passionate, reckless relationship with a compelling stranger she never sees in the light of day.
Though scarred by a childhood illness, Charles d'Harcourt has successfully wooed Europe's most sophisticated beauties. For a lark, he contrived to travel incognito on his own fiancee's ship -- and seduce the young chit in utter darness. The the rake's prank backfired. It was he who was smitten--while the hot-tempered Lulu, now his wife, loves only her shipboard lover, unaware it was d'Harcourt all the time! And Charles will never have her heart--unless he can open her eyes to the price who hides within.

ivory is a wonderful writer, but this one disappointed me slightly.

Book Description

An exquisite American heiress, Louise Vandermeer is beautiful, brilliant. . . and bored-which is why she has agreed to a daring adventure: to travel across the ocean to marry an aristocrat abroad. Rumor has it her intended is a hideous cad-a grim prospect that propels her into a passionate, reckless affair with a compelling stranger she never sees in the light of day.

THE BEAST
Though scarred by a childhood illness, Charles d'Harcourt has successfully wooed Europe's most sophisticated beauties. For a lark, he contrived to travel incognito on his own fiancee's ship-and seduce the young chit in utter darkness. But the rake's prank backfired. It was he who was smitten-while the hot-tempered Lulu, now his wife, loves only her shipboard lover, unaware it was d'Harcourt all the time! And Charles will never have her heart-unless he can open her eyes to the prince who hides within.

A really good story by Ivory. This book got me started reading her.

Read All Book Reviews of "Beast Avon Romantic Treasure"