BEAUTY & THE BEAST RETELLINGS
A Ruin of Roses by K.F Breene
Plot
The story takes place in a cursed, forgotten kingdom locked in time, where shifters are cut off from their animal forms due to a deal with a demon king. When a young woman is caught trespassing in the forbidden wood, she is captured by the kingdom's last dragon shifter. Instead of executing her, he holds her prisoner in his castle because she possesses the unique power to break the curse. To save the kingdom, she must tame the monster within him and risk her own ruin.
Tropes
Beauty and the Beast Retelling
Enemies to Lovers
Captive / Prisoner Romance
Fated Mates
Grumpy vs. Sunshine (with a highly sarcastic, unhinged heroine
MCs
MMC - Nyfain
the last dragon shifter and the brooding, golden prince to a stolen throne.
FMC - Finley
a fierce, filthy-mouthed, and defiant woman with secret magical capabilities.
Spice
High
4/5
Formats
Book #1/4 + 2 spin-off novellas
KU
Audible - single female narration
Paperback and hardcover 386 pages
Special Editions available on K.F. Breene Swag Shop
Bonded by Thorns by Elizebeth Helen
Plot
Rosie’s father accidentally wanders into the Enchanted Vale (the fae realm) and is captured. Rosie bargains to take his place. Trapped in an enchanted castle, she discovers her captors are four seasonal fae princes under a curse that transforms them into beastly wolves at night. To gain her freedom, she must help them find their fated mates—only to realize she might be the mate for all of them.
Tropes
Beauty and the Beast Retelling
Enemies to Lovers
Captive / Prisoner Romance
Fated Mates
Grumpy vs. Sunshine (with a highly sarcastic, unhinged heroine)
MCs
MMC - Four cursed, seasonal fae princes:
Keldarion (Kel): The brooding, dangerous Winter Prince who struggles heavily with his inner beast.
Farron: The smart, gentle Autumn Prince who bonds with Rosie over books.
Dayton: The flirty, confident Summer Prince.
Ezryn: The Spring Prince that is a literal knight in shining armor
FMC - Rosalina "Rosie" O'Connell
An awkward human bookworm who loves fairy tales and romance novels that sacrifices herself to save her father and ends up with the fae princes.
Spice
High, 4/5
M/M + M/F
Formats
Book #1/7 + prequel novella
KU
Audible - Duet narration
Paperback and hardcover 381 pages
Special Editions
A Curse of Shadow and Ice by Catharina Maura
Plot
Princess Arabella is forced into a political marriage with Felix Osiris, the dreaded Shadow Emperor, to save her kingdom from annihilation. She arrives at his court only to find his entire empire trapped in a monstrous curse of darkness and ice. They strike a deal: she will help mitigate the curse using her secret magic, and in exchange, he will set her free. However, forced proximity transforms their mutual hatred into a consuming passion
Tropes
Arranged marriage, Beauty and the Beast retelling, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, dark fantasy, and "touch her and die."
MCs
MMC - Felix Osiris
the broody, mysterious, and powerful Shadow Emperor
FMC - Princess Arabella of Althea
a kind yet resilient heroine possessing volatile, forbidden magic
Spice
Moderate, 3/5
Formats
Book #1/4 shadowbound series
KU
Audible -duet narration
Paperback and hardcover 320 pages
Special Editions
Cursed King by Julie Saman
Plot
When Bellamy’s father, who suffers from dementia, accidentally wanders into the restricted grounds of the royal palace of Messalina, she sneaks in to save him. After getting caught and accidentally shattering a priceless royal heirloom, she is confronted by the cold, reclusive, widowed King Sebastian. He hands her a harsh ultimatum: become the live-in nanny to his three young children or her father goes to prison. Forced into his world, she uncovers the deep love he hides for his kids and a dark, dangerous threat looming over the kingdom.
Tropes
Modern "Beauty and the Beast" retelling (no magic/paranormal), single dad/royal nanny, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, age gap, boss x employee, and billionaire/royalty dark romance
MCs
FMC - Bellamy
A resilient, heart-strong American English teacher trying to protect her sick father
MMCs - King Sebastian
The brooding, frosty, and fiercely protective widowed ruler of Messalina.
Spice
High, 4/5
Formats
Book #1/4 interconnected series once upon ever after book 2 cursed queen
KU
Audible - Dual Narration - Sean Masters and Desiree Ketchum
Paperback and hardcover 310 pages
Special Editions
Beauty’s Beast by Lee Savino and Stasia Black
Plot
Daphne is a sheltered, innocent young woman unaware of her own beauty. Years ago, her father committed the ultimate sin by stealing from a dangerous, powerful billionaire. Seeking total retribution, this brutal man abducts Daphne and locks her away in his isolated, modern-day castle. To settle her family's massive debt, he demands her complete submission. Trapped in his tower, Daphne is forced to survive his dark, overwhelming obsession and psychological control
Tropes
Dark Contemporary Fairy Tale Retelling (Beauty and the Beast)
Abduction Seduction / Captive & Captor
Revenge Romance
Forced Proximity
Debt Payment / Forced Submission
Billionaire / Dark Mafia Elements
MCs
FMC - Daphne
an innocent, sheltered "wallflower" who is taken to atone for her father's crimes.
MMCs - Logan
a cold, brutally possessive, and vengeful billionaire who 1 acts as the "Beast" in his
Spice
Extremely High
5/5
Formats
Book #1/3
KU
Audible - Duet Narration - Brian Meslar and Kelsey-Ann O’Dowd
Paperback and hardcover 224 pages
Tainted Saints by Rosa Lee
Plot
Aspen Buckinghamshire, the daughter of a sadistic British Ambassador near Washington D.C., suffers severe domestic abuse at home. Her life transforms after a minor arrest lands her in a jail cell with three enigmatic, protective young men. Calling themselves the "Tainted Saints," they discover her father’s depraved underground mafia operations, igniting a dangerous, bloody game of survival and liberation
Tropes
Why Choose
Dark Mafia Romance
Hurt / Comfort
Found Family
Protective Heroes
"Who Hurt You?
MCs
FMC - Alexandra "Alex" Kincade
A strong-willed descendant of Alice who possesses dormant, realm-saving magic.
MMCs - Landon, Blaine, and Forest
three dangerous, captivating young men with criminal mafia ties who step in to protect Aspen
Spice
Extremely High
5/5
Formats
Book #1/4 + 2 spin-off novellas
KU
Audible - Duet Narration
Paperback and hardcover 358 pages
Of Beast and Beauty by Chanda Hahn
Plot
Raised by the vengeful witch Lady Eville, Rosalie is used as a weapon to destroy the magic-loathing Kingdom of Baist. Forced into a hostile, arranged marriage with the crown prince, she must navigate a dangerous court. However, when a terrifying beast begins slaughtering citizens in the woods, the newlyweds must hunt the creature together, forcing them to confront their mutual biases
Tropes
Arranged marriage
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity
Dark fairytale retelling (Beauty and the Beast)
Secret identity
Found family
Flawed/cruel hero
MCs
FMC - Rosalie
a resilient, independent, and fiercely protective young witch who hides behind a veil and uses disguise magic to navigate her husband's hostile castle.
MMCs - Prince Xander
a deeply narcissistic, arrogant, and controlling royal who harbors an intense prejudice against magic and witches
Spice
Low
Closed Door
2/5
Formats
Book #1/7 of Daughters of Eville series
KU
Audible - Single Female Narration
Paperback and hardcover 310 pages
Beauty and the Beast by Vivienne Savage
Plot
Princess Anastasia Rose is a royal dreaming of pursuing higher education. Her plans are derailed when war erupts between her father’s kingdom and a nearby mountain castle. After the king's men trespass to steal a rare flower from the mountain territory, the beastly lord—a cursed dragon prince named Alistair—retaliates by capturing Anastasia. He must win her true love to break his curse and regain his human form
Tropes
Paranormal romance
Royalty
Dragon shifters
Forced proximity
Enemies-to-lovers
Classic fairytale retelling
MCs
MMC - Prince Alistair
a fierce but cursed dragon shifter
FMC - Princess Anastasia Rose
an independent, scholarly princess
Spice
Low
2/5
Formats
Book #1/4
KU
Audible - Single Narration
Paperback 270 pages
The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare
Plot
Emma Gladstone, a destitute vicar's daughter turned seamstress, demands payment from the brooding Duke of Ashbury for a non-refundable wedding dress left behind by his ex-fiancée. Needing an heir to secure his lineage, the battle-scarred Duke impulsively offers her a transactional marriage of convenience instead of cash
Tropes
Horror
Romance
Dark Fantasy
Fated mates
Portal
Beauty and the beast
Grumpy x sunshine
MCs
MMC - The Duke of Ashbury (Ash)
A cynical, fiercely defensive war veteran covered in severe burn scars who isolated himself from London high society
FMC - Emma Gladstone
A resilient, practical, and highly sharp-witted seamstress with a scandalous past who refuses to be intimidated by the Duke's harsh exterior
Spice
Very High
4/5
Formats
Book #1/4
Audible - Single Narration
Paperback and hardcover 284 pages
Entreat Me by Grace Draven
Plot
A vengeful dying wife curses her husband and son to slowly transform into beasts. The curse locks their castle in a localized time loop. Centuries later, the son returns with a beautiful woman, hoping she can break the curse. However, her fierce older sister follows to save her from ruin, forcing a confrontation with the deeply embittered, disfigured warlord.
Tropes
Retelling
Enemies-to-lovers
Age gap
Forced proximity
Protective older sister
Slow burn
Curse breaking
Gothic fantasy
Independent widow heroine
MCs
MMC - Ballard of Ketach Tor
He is a proud, physically altered warlord. He takes the brunt of the family curse to shield his young son
FMC - Louvaen Duenda
She is a pragmatic, sharp-tongued, protective young widow who fiercely guards her family.
Spice
Moderate
3/5
Formats
Standalone
KU
Audible - Single Narration - Stacey Holmes
Paperback 360 pages
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
Plot
To save her family from a looming societal scandal, stunning London debutante Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne agrees to marry a reclusive Welsh aristocrat. Her groom-to-be is Piers Yelverton, the Earl of Marchant, a brilliant but notoriously foul-tempered physician who walks with a severe limp. Confident in her charms, Linnet boldly bets that she can make the abrasive "Beast" fall madly in love with her within just two weeks. However, as the two clash and connect over sharp wit and mutual respect, Linnet finds her own heart in unexpected danger.
Tropes
Fairy Tale Retelling (Beauty and the Beast)
Arranged Marriage / Marriage of Convenience
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Medical Romance (Hero is a dedicated doctor)
Enemies-to-Lovers
MCs
MMC - Piers Yelverton
The Earl of Marchant. He is highly intelligent, brutally honest, physically scarred, and heavily inspired by the television character Gregory House from HOUSE
FMC - Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne
She is an exquisite society beauty who is highly pragmatic, fiercely intelligent, sharp-witted, and refuses to be intimidated by Piers's outbursts
Spice
High
4/5
Formats
Book #2/5
Audible - Single Female Narration - Susan Duerdan
Paperback 352 pages
Happily Ever Maybe by Hailey Shore
Plot
To protect her family’s local lobster company from a debt they cannot repay, Jolie agrees to a forced-proximity arrangement. She moves directly into the mansion of the reclusive billionaire Malcolm Bettencourt to serve as his live-in housekeeper and cook. Despite his abrasive attitude, physical scars, and heavy emotional baggage, an intense connection and deep mutual appreciation quickly spark between the two opposites
Tropes
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Billionaire/Working Class
Virgin Heroine
Beauty and the Beast retelling.
MCs
MMC - Malcolm Bettencourt
a deeply brooding, scarred, reclusive billionaire tech genius
FMC - Jolie
A witty, confident, muscular, sunshine-natured local lobster fisherwoman
Spice
High
4/5
Formats
Book #1/4
Calico Cove Series
KU
Audible - Dual Narration by Wayne Mitchell and Samantha Brentmoor
Paperback 334 pages
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
Plot
Set in a post-apocalyptic, demon-infested world, human villages survive by offering a live sacrifice to a terrifying monster called a Duskwalker every ten years. Reia, a shunned outcast unfairly blamed for her family's death, is chosen as the next tribute. Instead of consuming her, the skull-faced monster, Orpheus, takes her to his realm. He seeks a lifelong human companion to alleviate his deep, immortal loneliness
Tropes
Monster Romance
Beauty and the Beast retelling
Forced Proximity / Captor-Captive
He Falls First
Cinnamon Roll MMC (despite his terrifying look)
Size Difference & Primal Play
"Touch Her and Die"
MCs
MMC - Orpheus
An ancient Duskwalker with a giant, imposing body, glowing eyes, and a literal animal skull for a head
FMC - Reia
a resilient, independent human woman who was treated as an omen of bad luck by her village
Spice
Extremely High
5/5
Formats
Book #1/8
KU
Audible - Dual Narration by Wolfgang Milliken and Elise Hoffman
Paperback 515-542 pages
Hardcover
Opus Collection Special Edition
Redesigned Covers
Bend Her by Cassie Alexander
Plot
Lisane is bartered to the cruel beast mage, Rhaim, by her own father in exchange for his military alliance in an upcoming war. Rhaim keeps her isolated, allowing her to believe she has been kidnapped. He accepts the trade because his magical "Ascension vision" foretold that Lisane is the exact woman destined to kill him. He must protect her, teach her magic, and face his fate while fighting off an underworld threat known as the Deathless
Tropes
Dark Beauty and the Beast retelling
Enemies-to-lovers
Forced proximity / Captive princess
Mentor / Apprentice (magic training through submission)
Doomed prophecy / Fate vs. free will
Dual POVs
MCs
MMC - Rhaim the All-Beast
A powerful, feared, and ruthless beast mage who is fated to die by Lisane's hands
FMC - Princess Lisane (also referred to as Lisandra or Lausanne)
The sheltered "Princess of Tears" who enters a brutal magic apprenticeship to win back her freedom
Spice
Mild - Moderate, 2.5/5
Formats
Book #1/3
Complete Trilogy - Transformation Trilogy
KU
Audible - Dual Narration
Paperback 384 pages
Hardcover 360 pages
Special Edition available through the authors store
Collection Set One omnibus 446 pages
Beast in Shining Armor by Cassandra Gannon
Plot
Eight months after a bookstore owner leads a successful coup to imprison an arrogant royal tyrant, he escapes. To determine the true ruler of the kingdom, the bitter lifelong rivals are cast into an uncharted, lethal labyrinth made of stone and ice. They must combine forces to survive the deadly trials and earn the crown
Tropes
Fated Mates
Enemies to Lovers
Childhood Rivals
Forced Proximity
Bully/Pining Dynamic
MCs
MMC - Prince Avenan
an arrogant, handsome royal who has a dark beast hidden within him. He has been biologically branded as "Bad" since childhood and acts out to match his villainous reputation
FMC - Rosabella Ashman, Belle
a sharp-tongued bookstore owner who has proudly opposed Avenant's bullying since kindergarten
Spice
Moderate
3/5
Formats
Book #2/7
KU
Audible - Dual Narration by Erin Mallon and Joe Arden
Paperback 281 pages