This book definitely exceeded my expectations. I thought it was going to be another retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it sort of is but not your G rated Disney version. The Beast of Beswick is full of women's rights, Victorian England, arranged marriages, greed and erotica. Very great details of both Thane and Astrid along with the estates that they lived. I can't even fathom living in a society where women weren't given their own rights to live a normal right. Being bargained as property with dowrys to the man with the highest rank. This book is very detailed oriented and not just the details of the characters and the buildings. I loved the passion and erotic writing as well. Great book. I will look for more books by Amalie Howard.