A Ruin of Roses

Deliciously Dark Fairytales, Book 1

By: K.F. Breene

Narrated by: Tillie Hooper

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

I could save him, but he would ruin me.

The beast.

The creature that stalks the forbidden wood.

The dragon prince.

He has suffered a fate worse than death. We all have. A curse put upon us by the mad king.

We are a kingdom locked in time. Shifters unable to feel our animals. Stuck here by a deal between the late king and a demon who seeks our destruction.

The only one keeping this kingdom alive is Nyfain, the golden prince to a stolen throne. The last dragon shifter.

He's our hope.

He's my nightmare.

When he catches me trespassing in the forbidden wood, he doesn't punish me with death, as he's entitled.

He takes me, instead. Forces me back to the castle as his prisoner. Seeks to use me.

Apparently, I can save him. I can save the whole forgotten kingdom, locked away by the demon king's power.

But it would mean taming the monster beneath his skin. It would mean giving myself to him.

It would mean my ruin.

This is a dark and spicy Beauty and the Beast retelling featuring an anti-hero, a strong heroine, and a humorous supporting cast. This is an enemies-to-lovers and possible fated mates story suitable for 18+. It's the first of a trilogy, ending on a cliffhanger.

©2021 Hazy Dawn Press, Inc (P)2021 Hazy Dawn Press, Inc

Deliciously Dirty Beauty/Beast Twist

THIS BOOK IS NC17 – If you’re a Young Adult genre fan – move on. If you’re looking for something dirtier than the standard vanilla romance books, get this book. Don’t forget to pack your pearls – Breene’s new dark fantasy series will lead you through her kingdom of loyalty, darkness, and steam. Just watch out for that kinky dungeon party along the way.
I hated twists of established fairy tales/characters/movies. Until KF Breene wrote one. And I’m sure it’s now ruined me retellings from other authors. I also had not read erotica books but naturally Breene’s great at that too. Then again, I’d read a eulogy if she wrote one, but that’s beside the point. I always enjoyed her sex scenes from her other series’ but never realized how most of them were “vanilla” till now. This book is perfect for those looking to experience a little more kink without being TOO erotically adventurous. Yet. But be prepared, I hear the rest of the series will test those boundaries. I loved how the main character, Finley, had never really been adventurous either but given the opportunity, chooses where she might be interested in pushing her line. It’s a powerful “broadening your horizons” story without being overbearing. Don’t get me wrong though. There are plenty of crazy kinky scenes in the castle that she stumbles across. And I’m told we have even more to look forward to in the sequel.

When it comes to the retelling of B&tB, the very basic concepts are there, but are faint enough that it isn’t distracting. You fall into the unique & dark story to find small breadcrumb reminders; but get quickly distracted by the next twist. I really cannot quit raving at how well done AROR is. It’s NOTHING like the original. Which makes it that much more enjoyable. And drives you mad wanting to see/read what could happen next. Fkng masterful is the only way I can describe it. In the best, most erotic way possible.

What stood out to me the most though was how fast and deep (haha pun intended) the plot was developed. Even with all the sexual angst & situations that pepper the story from cover to cover. It really was amazingly done. Nothing felt incomplete plot-wise because of all the time spent on sex, but rather left you wanting more. Although I will say I felt like I needed a shower to wash all the deliciously dirty scenes away from my mind. Possibly after reading them one more time for the road…

The narration is wonderfully done! I love Tillie Hooper (and her non-romance pen name) so I was so excited to hear she is narrating this series!

Lastly, I was so lost in the developments toward the end of the book that I had no clue I was rapidly approaching the end. I MAY have cursed colorfully aloud when I reached what I realized was the final line in the book. Forget wanting the next book. I need the entire SERIES. NOW.

Amazing adult retelling with different twists

Those worried about triggers; Dark does not mean forced, there is none of that here. Just different kinks, some characters do refer shame sex, though it is all consensual.
A more mild KF Breene is Magical Midlife series, more spicy, but not as much is The Darkness series.
Happy Reading!

Beauty and the Beast meets a porn film

Geez, how did this book ever get these positive reviews?? Decent narration but each chapter is centered around a sex scene. Every character is so hyped on hormones it’s laughable. Seriously. Terrible.

stalker rape fetish trash

complete and total filth. tried to read this because my wife recommended it. a stalker who keeps a girl prisoner and doped up on date rape magic is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard of. this is the kind of trash I expect to see on the news and the stalker would be sent to prison. you need psychological help if this is what you like. I'm seriously questioning my wife's sanity now. I've never been so offended by a book in my life. complete trash.

Amazing!!

YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS!! Whoever’s reading this, stop what you’re doing & listen/read this immediately! You will not regret it! I love this world & cannot wait until the next!

Nah, just not for me

I scoop up every book Breene writes but this...just wasn't for me. There's technically nothing wrong with the book. I just wanted it to be over. The hot scenes weren't hot, just uncomfortable. Again, this is a personal preference. The author's writing is still top-notch. This book just made me queasy and I like smut.

I’ve never laughed so hard

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, K. F. Breene is the most talented and hilarious author. She is one of the few authors to ever make me laugh out loud to the point of tears and then actually make me cry shortly after.

Her ability to write such strong and complex characters in unsurpassed. I’ve also never relate more to a character than I do to Hadriel. I’m not sure what that says about me as a person… but… here we are.

And Tillie Hooper is the freaking bow on top of the this gift of a story. She brought these characters to life in such an amazing way. Her performance of drunken Hadriel in a purple monster costume had me ROLLING!

Naughty Beauty and the Beast

This is such a twisted and naughty take on my favorite fairy tale!! Well written and steamy in the best ways. I thought the dirty talk was a bit much. But otherwise it’s perfect!! Cannot wait to see what happens next for this fantastic world!

Flaming hot garbage

Listen. I love me some smut. I love some filth. Like I love it.
This…. This is trash. Literally I feel like 14 year old boy wrote this or worse I feel like an adult male virgin wrote this. It was as if the author had never been inside of a woman’s mind. The way that she cursed was so embarrassingly cringey.
The dirty talk made me want to hide. Like I’ve never been more turned off. It was so cringey.
I’ll repeat: I love SMUT. This just wasn’t it.
Also the character development was weak. World building non existent. I have never not finished a book but I have an hour left and I’m just like, “is it worth it?” Because it’s so lame.
I would stick with it if the sex scenes were good but they’re just bad. Just cringe… take a shot every time I say cringe..
also everyone on Tik tok who told me to read this needs to explain to me what you see in this?

The negative reviews were right

The negative reviews say it all. There was potential for a really good book but eh don’t waste your credit because I did.

Warning: Unnecessary, Heavy Bad Language

I’m writing this because I wish it had been written for me.
If you don’t like swear words in books, (F-words and C-words in every other sentence) you’ll probably want to skip this one.
I’m a Beauty and the Beast enthusiast so I was really looking forward to sinking my teeth in to this, but unfortunately couldn’t make it past Chapter 1 before having to return the book.
I’m not sure why authors feel the need to use so many profanities in their writing. One or two are expected in this day and age but when a novel is full to the brim with them at the first, it really detracts from the reading/listening, (in my personal opinion).
It’s an element that wasn’t needed and it ‘ruined’ the experience of ‘A Ruin of Roses’ for me.

Sex scenes written in juvenile crudity

Loved the story but the sex scenes were written in a surprisingly crude, clumsy fifth form toilet wall genre rather than adult eroticism. Very disappointing given KF Breene'S usual standard.

trying to hard to be "sexy"

The story is obviously beauty and the beast but in a over sexualized twist. I liked the personality of the main character and the story but unfortunately I felt like the author tried to much to make it "sexy". Many times i felt like it came across as trying to be sexy with vulgar language and "bold actions" but unfortunately I felt like it took away the excitement and made the characters shallow and fake.

Great start 👏

Great start and concept to a well-known brand. these twist on a fairytale is brilliant. can't wait for the second in the series already pre ordered the book.

Get Ready to get Tangled in the Thornes

Captivating, Dark and Steamy! This Tale has a very Beauty and The beast feeling... well if the Beast lived in a Castle full of Lusty demons that is!! Regardless, of its similarity to the classic tale, it still had a unique feel to it and I found that I couldn't put this one down. The Narrator and Audio quality was excellent only adding to the enjoyment. my only disappointment was that I have to wait fir the next book to find out what happens next!!

Loved it!!

I have to admit the book was much better than I thought. After seeing mixed reviews I wasn’t sure even though I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve listened to by Miss Breene. It’s the first time I’ve listen to a book that is narrated by Tillie Hooper and I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next book. 5 ⭐️ from me 😁

could have been good but wasn't

If Beauty and the Beast were in a cheap x rated movie, this would be it. Listen to the comments, don't waste your time.

Great

It was a great listen.
Nice job with narration and good story. Strong characters. Great 1st book.

absolutely fantastic listening whilst traveling

loved it listened whilst working from home buying next book in the series great

Something just doesn’t add up despite the components being good.

For me this book just didn’t gel. It might have been different had I read it rather than listening to it. Tillie Hooper does a very good job but despite the explicit steam, there’s something unsexy and flippantly superficial about it. Is it her voice? There’s too much -telling-without the story -showing -or -feeling. Nyfain’s praise of the female lead seems incongruous. Shortly after sort of insulting her. This can work, but it just didn’t work here in my opinion. The sexual intimacy feels out of place in the shallowness of the characters. The premise of the story seems great, the writing is good and still it just didn’t gel for me. The side characters were humorously written, but maybe it’s the delivery.. Having everything read by one female voice. Nyfain just sounded like a woman using a scratchy barely audible voice to embody a sexy brute. He just never got there. Re-reading this it sounds like I’m being really scathing and I don’t mean to be. It has great elements. I think I would have preferred if it had felt more historical. Despite princes and castles, the characters are completely modern and at one point sweat pants are mentioned. Just didn’t gel for me. It was incongruous.