Taming the Beast

By: Andrew Grey

Narrated by: Jack Wesley

Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The suspicious death of Dante Bartholomew’s wife changed him, especially in the eyes of the residents of St. Giles. They no longer see a successful businessman, only a monster they believe was involved. Dante’s horrific reputation eclipses the truth to the point that he sees no choice but to isolate himself and his heart.

The plan backfires when he meets counselor Beau Clarity and the children he works with. Beau and the kids see beyond the beastly reputation to the beautiful soul inside Dante, and Dante’s cold heart begins to thaw as they slip past his defenses. The warmth and hope Beau brings to Dante’s life help him see his entire existence—his trials and sorrows—in a brighter light.

But Dante’s secrets could rip happiness from their grasp… especially since someone isn’t above hurting those Dante has grown to love in order to bring him down.

©2017 Andrew Grey (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Great narration!

Dante Bartholomew is known as The Beast of St. Giles. The town blames Dante for the death of his wife, Allison and because it's convenient to believe the worst of him, even though his foundation and business are what keeps the town going. It's this attitude that has Dante avoiding the town as much as possible.

The only time Dante goes into town is for business and one night when he's forced to attend a town function for business he meets Beau Clarity.

Beau, who heads a small mental health clinic for families of addicts and alcoholics, is instantly smitten the moment he lays eyes on Dante, and being relatively new to town, he hasn't been tainted by the gossip surrounding Dante. The Dante he meets and gets to know is different from the man the townspeople try to warn him away from and Beau is determined to get to know Dante better.

Both Dante and Beau have scars from their pasts and it will take a fight to make it through to their HEA together.

This is my second audiobook narrated by Jack Wesley and I continue to be impressed with just how smoothly he performs. His character voices are unique and easy to follow, and his pacing and timing are great. Wesley made Taming the Beast a pleasure to listen to.

The story has a fairytale-esque theme with some hurt/comfort and focuses on forgiveness, letting go of guilt, and healing. While the history of Dante wife's death, and his guilt, got old fast for me, I liked Beau, especially how he stood up to, and for, Dante.

On the whole, the story didn't really resonate for me, but it had a nice thread of hurt/comfort, and I really enjoyed the narration.

A fabulous spin on a classic fairy tale

The town keeps their distance from Dante calling him them beast. Rumors and Myths abound about the death of his wife, all painting him as a monster and using his power to get out of her murder.But if he is all evil why is his staff so devoted?

Beau a smaller, milder, kindhearted man, that runs the local mental counseling and community center, sees through the facade Dante has hidden behind. But can the beauty tame the beast?

Oh My! The romance-aholic took hold of me on this one. The little girl in me still loves the old classics and any chance to read a new take I am like gimme gimme! Andrew Grey spun his usual magic and created two fabulous characters ( and several more because Dante's servant Roberts melted my heart as well as the housekeeper and many others. But I could just imagine the big, brooding Dante and the smaller sweeter Beau! Though opposite,(another thing I like) they went together like a moth to a flame!. Beau wasn't without his scars as well.
SO if you like retold fairy tales, opposites attract, a fabulous romance and some hot man-love I highly highly recommend this.
Now add in Jack Wesley's wonderful narration and make it even better. now you can listen while you work and make a menial task go so much faster!

I forgot that I had read this book before

it's still very preachy and so unrealistic, so I am done .
No one I know starts to spill their life secrets after like one date . Half of the book reads like a self help book instead of a story .
... gets off soap box....