4.5 stars
I read and reviewed these separately.

Secret Beast
4.1 stars

One can never get enough retellings of Beauty and the Beast, at least that is what I keep telling myself. This was different than I was expecting, especially, since I have only known this author from her modernization of Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon stories. However, even though this is different than those stories, I really enjoyed myself.

It took me a little bit to figure out where I knew some of the side characters from, but once I did it made the story have that much more impact. It was dirty and decadent and I loved the depravity or characteristics of Leo. I found myself drawn to Leo as he interacted with Haley. I wasn't as sure about Haley because her character didn't have the oomph that Leo did but I am hoping that will change in the next book. I appreciated the intermingling of worlds and found that it made me want to either go read the other characters' books or do a reread if I had previously read them.

There were a few areas that I wished had been fleshed out more (mainly Caroline and how the book came to the pivotal ending. There is a whopper of a cliffhanger and had me muttering, "Oh, no she didn't" in regard to the last lines so I am looking forward to where she takes this book next.

Hidden Beauty
How did she make me fall in love even harder than I already was?

One of the hardest things to do is to make me love the second book more than I like the first. There is a tendency to have things slow down in the second book as it makes way to the climax of the story in a trilogy in my opinion. I can say without a doubt that it was not the case in this story. This book was even better than the first and had me devouring each word as if it was the very air I breathe.

I thought I loved Leo in the first book. However, that Leo has nothing on the Leo of this book. There was magic happening in this book as I not only experienced things that were happening from Haley's perspective but also from Leo's. It added depth to the story. The author's writing seemed even more poetic in how she crafted certain sentences and she kept me captivated throughout, even more so than normal.

Even though this technically is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, it is so much more than that, and in my opinion, I think that it is better than any of the other retellings that I have read. It is uniquely its own story and I love that. Strong characters, some of the HOTTEST (and I mean hotter than a Las Vegas sidewalk in August type of hot) smexy times (one scene in particular almost melted my kindle), and a great buildup of what is to come in the final book. I might have sworn when the end of the book happened and ended on a cliffhanger (by might, I TOTALLY did). All I can think about is how Leo is going to lose his ever-loving mind at how things ended in this book when he discovers it.

I love the little cameo of another favorite character of mine too. Highly recommend this book and author. She is one of my favorite discoveries of 2020.

Fallen Rose
4.7 stars

This was the conclusion that I was wanting when I started this series. This author has an innate ability to tell a story in a way that I, as the reader, get consumed by what is happening. This is one of the better retellings of Beauty and the Beast that I have read.

In each of the books, the characters have shown real growth and I live for that. They grew as the story grew. Both, Leo and Hayley managed to come into their own more in this last book, especially, Leo, and I have to say I was there for it. I liked watching him show his vulnerable side and getting in touch with his emotions. I understood that it was easier to be the villain, especially, when in the amount of pain that he was in, but seeing him soften was nice. It is not to say that he still isn't a beast of a man, because he is. However, Haley mellows him. She is like a soothing balm to his soul. Let me, also, not forget to mention the steam. The steam was HOT. Leo and his mouth. I shouldn't like it but sweet lord, I did. A LOT.

All of my previous questions were answered. I still hate Caroline with the fiery passion of 10,000 suns. Every book she has been in this Midnight Dynasty interconnected series has me wanting to reach through my kindle and shake her. That means the authors have done their job because there is nothing redeemable about her. NOTHING. There was also a cameo from one of my favorite guys. I liked that his appearance felt natural and like he should have been there. Especially, considering that they have something in common and ultimately was able to help Leo.

This book was almost perfect, except I wanted more of a resolution to Evil Queen Caroline as I wanted more payback. Still, this trilogy is dang good. One of my favorites of the Midnight Dynasty series and one of my favorites of 2021. ( )