How Beauty Met the Beast

Book One of Tales of the Underlight

By: Jax Garren

Narrated by: Therese Plummer

Length: 4 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope... and then he sees her.

The Beauty

Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

The trilogy continues in How Beauty Saved the Beast.

©2012 Jax Garren (P)2012 Audible, Inc

When Beauty left the Beast wanting more.

Story was not what I expected. More a political battle between two communes/ cult that supposedly have big clout over the world. The chemistry between the two started off hot but there was no other action. The sparks were there, but I like more action between the sheets. The writing was good the story original but too short, I believe the story could have been extended for a better book. I didn't realize it was the beginning of a series until after I had listened to it, so I will be getting the rest. Narration was good. Defiantly worth the price.

Don't Believe the Cover

I picked up this book based on the steampunk vibe from the cover and description. As well as I'm a big fan of Beauty and the Beast. Although the story was enjoyable and moved quickly it's more "Mole People" then steampunk. Beauty is a rich girl struggling against her family's wishes. Beast is a wanted military vet with a dark background and damaged body and rolling blackouts that result is Beauty being fireman carried to the mole people's den multiple times. Together they navigate the struggle of trusting each other and fighting a Big Bad while rescuing Beauty's niece. The ending is nice but directs the reader to the second book for more relationship drama. A slow burning romance with one episode of heavy petting this story keeps it PG to PG-13 throughout which was kinda a disappointment. Therese Plummer did a great job with the narration and it was easy to get lost in the characters. I enjoyed the book but felt a little swindled by the cover and description. But if you go in thinking its a contemporary story of how beauty met the beast in the sewers of Egypt you won't be disappointed.

This was short

This was more of a short story than a full book. I am hooked enough to keep going on to the next book,

Left me wanting more...

Great start to this story, but this is book one of three. I have read all three and this was my favorite. The book is too short, but if you are looking for something quick to fill a few hours then this is perfect. And if you like it you there are two more books which are out now so you won't have to wait for the like I did.

I really enjoyed it!

I loved the relationship that is developing between Jolie and Hawk. Jolie's sauciness was so entertaining. I can't wait to see how the rest of the series develops. Hawk is a wonderful hero!
Jax Garren’s world is very interesting and Therese Plummer’s voices are distinct and very recognizable. TP is a very talented narrator.

Over all I believe it’s going to be a good series. I have already downloaded the 2nd and 3rd books!

Cool serie

This is one of my fav serie of books.
The characters is well writtin, and the narrator makes them alive.
Worth your time, money or Credit

A quick and fun listen.

This was a fun story! I’m pleasantly surprised. Admittedly I set the bar pretty low when it comes to romances, but I liked this one. And I loved how short it was! At four and a half hours, I listened to this in one sitting and it was so nice listening to something short and easy for once. Plus, Therese Palmer did a stellar job narrating and made this a much more enjoyable experience than if I had simply read the book.

I really loved Jolie! She’s such an awesome, kick ass character and I love that she’s a smart, sassy dancer. And Hauk is an absolute sweetie and I love watching their relationship grow. The characters in this book are really what make it. Plus, the world building is pretty interesting and I was super intrigued by the whole Underlight thing.

My only gripe was Whitney. Oh my god, she never shuts up.

FINAL WORD
A quick and easy romance that was pretty fun to listen to with some nice characters. I’ll definitely continue the series to see what happens next!

Dancer Beauty met disfigured hero

This is a beauty and the beast retelling. Jolie Benoit was a daughter of a politician who balked at the family tradition and became a burlesque dancer. One day after work, she was attacked but rescued by a fan named Wesley Hawkins "Hawk" who was dishonorably discharged after his team was massacred in Afghanistan allegedly by Hawk. Hawk was horribly disfigured by the explosion, so he tried to keep himself hidden from view.

This book had a lot of things for such short one. A lot of action and good dialogue. Of course Therese Plummer was fabulous as the narrator. It wasn't cheesy or overly romantic. The author has a very interesting plot with likable characters. I really enjoyed this one.

Beastly Amazing!

Be careful...the cover really implies that this is supposed to be a retold version of Beauty and the Beast Steampunk, Urban Fantasy style. While I agree to the Urban Fantasy, I wouldn’t exactly say this is Steampunk. That being said this is an Adult Romance that is mind blowing breath taking and beautiful. I don't want to give a lot of details but amazing does not describe this book! The writing isgreat and the plot is well planned and executed. I loved both Jolie and Hauk. They were both well-developed characters. There were several secondary characters that added to the book.

There was not HEA for this Beauty and this Beast but maybe in the next book....I had to keep that in mind when rating this book since this was a good start to a new series, but my only criticism was that I was left wanting...wanting to know more of the mystery about Hauk and wanting more of the relationship between Jolie and Hauk. I can only hope as I wait for the next books in the series.

Expected publication of How Beauty Saved the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #2): February 2013; Followed up shortly by How Beauty Loved the Beast (Tales of the Underlight #3) : May 2013.

Very pleasant surprise!

Would you listen to How Beauty Met the Beast again? Why?

Definitely. A fresh take on an old classic. Well written with living breathing characters that it didn't take long to like. I'm hoping the ride won't stop here. Looking forward to more from this author and these characters! I originally bought it thinking it was short and inexpensive and I couldn't loose. Well I didn't! Thanks Jax!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Wesley...he is just heartbreaking and so deserving of more and has hope. I also love that he doesn't have a drop of self pity.

What about Therese Plummer’s performance did you like?

She did an excellent job with the voicing. I could easily tell one character from another and she is one of those women that can do male voices well also.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Buckle up Buttercup!

Any additional comments?

I bought this instead of using a credit, just because it was inexpensive and I save credits for more expensive books. Credit or cash...it's a good listen.