Monster Among the Roses

Fairy Tale Quartet, Book 1

De: Linda Kage

Narrado por: Blake Richard

“Do you know how to get to the rose garden?”
“No, you can’t go there. A monster lives there.”

Shaw Hollander is desperate.
Broke, unemployed, and determined to help his ailing mother, he falls on the good graces of a wealthy benefactor who is willing to give Shaw a job at his mansion in order to pay off his mother’s debts. Suddenly finding himself surrounded by lavish riches, he has no idea what his duties truly entail until he’s sent to the rose garden and meets the tragically mutilated Isobel.

This Beauty and the Beast story holds true to the core of the fable while shaking off the element of fantasy and dragging it into present-day reality. Shaw and Isobel are ready to let you climb into their four-wheel-drive pickup and take a ride with them into their version of happily ever after, but only if you first dare to gaze upon the monster among the roses.

©2022 Linda Kage (P)2023 Bryant Street Publishing

Unique love story

I never write reviews, but it saddened me to realize no one else had reviewed this wonderful book yet. I was so happy to see Linda Kage finally made audio books. I devoured the available Forbidden Men books in a couple of days and started looking through the other books she has. Unlike the Forbidden series, I hadn't read this book already. I decided to give it a try and I wasn't disappointed. It's different than anything I've listened to in a long time.

Heartbreaking at times, but the strength Isobel has and unrealized optimism Shaw has makes you root for them all the way through. The final conflict would seem childish under other circumstances, but considering the life Isobel has led, It's easy to understand how it happened. It was nice to read a book where both main characters are genuinely good people from the start and they both had kind, loving parents. It's quite rare to see in books today and while I love those types of books too, this was a nice change of pace. It was slightly slow moving and I would have liked a little more excitement, though.

The male narrator was pleasant to listen to. However, he didn't do a good job with the cooks' voice. She sounded like an old man. It would have been better to use the same voice as Isobel. That said, it's still definitely worth buying. Thank you, Linda!