The Beast of Bewswick is a fun Regency romance retelling of the classic fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast”. I was in the mood for a nice bit of romance and this hit the spot perfectly. I really enjoyed the way the fairy tale was integrated into the polite society of 19th century England. Amalie Howard gives readers a glimpse into the world of the ton and introduces several strong female characters who seek to move beyond the constraints of their stations. Astrid and Duchess Mabel, Thane's dramatic aunt, are amazing examples of female empowerment and the latter provides more than her fair share of comedic moments bolstered by her unapologetic lust for life and other things. Thane and Astrid's strong personalities create a riveting push and pull relationship that keeps the reader invested and their passion is off the charts!