BEAST

By: Measha Stone

Narrated by: Smokey St. Clair

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Wouldn't you give up everything for the one you love?

When Ellie's father is taken by a group of thugs planning to take his life in exchange for his debts, it's no surprise she goes running straight into the beast's lair. After all, Ellie Stevens has been her father's keeper for as long as she can remember.

However, Ashland Titon isn't a man of mercy. If you owe, you pay. End of story. His unrelenting control has built his empire, and he's not going to give over that power now. But when Ellie charges into his life with her demands and possibilities of sweet surrender, her offer proves too tempting to pass up.

Yet there's more at play here than just working off a debt. There are secrets buried in the shadows and dangerous desires to be explored. While the two of them dance to a sensual beat, outside forces threaten Ashland's empire, and Ellie must decide where her heart truly lies - and what she's truly willing to risk for love.

©2018 Michele Blackstone (P)2018 Michele Blackstone

Great Retelling of Beauty and the BEAST

This is the first book I have read by Measha Stone, I have gotten a taste of her work before in the BLACK LIGHT Anthologies but this is the first standalone and WOW what a one to start with. This book had everything I hope for in a darker read and the narration really pulled me into the story.

We start off with Ellie's father being beaten and taken away to be dealt with after borrowing money and not paying it back, you see Ellie's father has a bad gambling habit and she is constantly bailing him out only this time he might just pay with his life. But here's the kicker Ellie decides to go straight to the source "The Beast" and talk to Ashland Titon himself, after all he's the one her father owes the money too. Only he owes so much that Ellie has no choice but to sacrifice her life for her fathers, and boy oh boy do things get interesting from here.

Ash is someone many people fear but Ellie has no issue standing up to him which his men find amusing and so did I. This book has some very spicy scenes which I loved but overall I really enjoyed the story of Ellie and Ash finding their way together and overcoming various obstacles that were in their way. The secondary Characters were great as well and Peter's story is up next in a Rapunzel retelling in Tower which I am really looking forward to reading.

If you enjoy Fairy Tale Retelling, Darker Reads, BDSM Romances, or Organized Crime Romances I would recommend this book to you. I would also recommend the audiobook version of this book because the narrator, Smokey St. Clair, did a FANTASTIC job with making me feel as if I was right there as things were unfolding like I was a fly on the wall watching everything happen.

Happy Reading!!!

***While I OWN a Kindle Version of this book I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Measha Stone. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.***

HORRIBLE!

Is everyone just hard up for BDSM in the comments section? They must be, because thats all this is. I know the male character is suppose to be a beast, but the beast is suppose to be at least likable in the end. I only tried this one because Smokey St. Clair is like the perfect all around narrator always, but even he couldn't fix the actual story. The entire mid of the story is non-stop BDSM, so much so, there's no story behind it. Meaning if your not looking to solely get your "BDSM only" rocks off for 3-4 hours, you could just watch the first hour hours, skip the entire middle and continue at last 2 hours AND NOT MISS OUT ON ANYTHING. Not worth the credit or time. Also, of course this fairytale retelling is so not original by any means, there are so many others that are just as sexy and has an actual interestingly dark spin on Beauty and the Beast without the overly harsh BDSM additions. I mean, 50 shades of Grey was good because it was sexy not cringe worthy and I'm not even close to being a prude. Returned.

Waste of time

Unless what you like are books degrading and being cruel to women, then you could just skip this one. Wish I had.

3.5 Stars

An interesting take on Beauty and the Beast. I enjoyed the mafia and retelling bits, and the overall storyline, but could have done without the BDSM and trafficking-adjacent bits. But that is just personal preference. I listened to the audio version and quite enjoyed it, even if the book was done in 3rd person.

Snooze fest

I am all for dark romance, but this was not that. It was so dreadfully boring that I had to skip most of it. The narrator’s voice was just okay.. but after listening for about an hour, his voice really started grating on my nerves. He showed almost no emotion and was extremely bland. Overall, this was just terrible. Don’t waste your time or money. So disappointing

Not worth my money!

I had a hard time finishing this book and that is rare for me. The writing sounded like that of someone still in high school (extremely juvenile). I hate to be so negative but it was pretty bad. Even the narrator was a bad pick for this book. He didn't help make it any better so all in all, it was a rough one to get through.

Beast - 5 Stars!

Ash and Ellie, Beauty and the Beast. I loved their story. It was captivating and I can’t wait to see what happens with Peter and hopefully Daniel.

Excellent steamy retelling

I !over this book. its an excellent modern retelling with a ton of chemistry and bdsm elements. as part of a series of retelling by this author that are peripherally related it was,an excellent start. the narrator was excellent and made the book very enjoyable. looking forward to listening to more of the series on audio. definitely recommend.

OMG!

This is the first of three books. I have already downloaded the next two. If they are anything like this book...I will die of contentment...with a smile on my face. This was one of the best books I have listened to in a long while. It was so good, I could not put it down. Sad when it ended. Narration was a dream. Get this one asap. Thanks for the writing of this love story with heat.

Will Ellie choose to stay with her beast?

Beast is the first book in the Ever After series and is an adult and darker retelling of Beauty and the Beast. When Ellie finds out that her father has been taken for the debts he can’t repay, she rushes to exchange her life for his. What she doesn’t expect is Ash, and soon she’s in over her head, drowning in passion, pain, and secrets. But when the truth is revealed, will Ellie choose to stay with Ash to find their own version of happily ever after?

Oh man, I haven’t devoured an audiobook this quickly in a long time. I was trying to sneak in listening time all day, and even though I’ve read this book before, I couldn’t stop listening! I was completely enthralled by Mr. St. Clair’s reading of Ellie and Ash and I loved how easily he brought the characters to life, especially Ash with his deep and growly voice! Ellie is the perfect blend between being sweet and innocent with sensual and a protector in her own ways. She looks out for those within her circle, and she’s easily willing to trade her life for theirs. Through it all, she still believes in her dreams and her heart remains true, even if she does get a little tarnished here and there. Ash never pretends to be anything other than a beast, and he’s just as possessive and protective as you can imagine! I love their passion, I love the darkness that this book gives the classic fairy tale, without it being too dark. I loved the twists and turns that I didn’t expect and I love the connection you can feel between Ellie and Ash. I adore this book and was completely swept away by the audio version!

Invigorating

A great story, that you wouldn't believe is happening. The woman is tenacious and funny and defiant which I love. The man is hard, relentless, yet loving. A must read. an interesting insight into a peculiar world!