Beauty and the Beast

Rating:
Summary: Beauty and the Beast
Review: I would give this a 3 and a half if I could. The characters are likeable and engaging. The story is good, but it lacks a certain suspense. There's no real feeling of urgency to pick it up and nothing that really stops you from putting it down.
Gytha is immediately drawn to him and is soon in love with him. The same is true for him. She won't tell him of her love because she fears he won't believe her. He won't tell her because he's afraid she can never love him.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific historical romance
Review: This book features something new (at least to me): a hero who isn't drop dead gorgeous and is insecure because of it.

Thayer thought he was about to attend his cousin William's wedding & soon discovers he is the bridegroom of the beautiful Gytha (ugh, what a name) due to a twist of fate. Thayer is appalled at this news. Years earlier his heart was severely broken by a beautiful but heartless well-bred woman and he promised himself he would never become that vulnerable again. Gytha slowly breaks through the barriers he's constructed around his heart with her innocence and loving ways. But deep down Thayer still isn't convinced she is as pure as she seems and dreads the day when he will find her in bed with another man. Because of Thayer's mistrust, a greedy uncle & Thayer's ex-love Elizabeth (who decides she wants him back in her bed) he and Gytha have a very rocky road ahead of them.

I really enjoyed this delightful Beauty & The Beast retelling! It was refreshing to read about a heroine who had no care for looks and although she was physically perfect she didn't feel it was an important part of who she was. This book was very funny in parts, while still being emotionally intense and the chemistry between the h/h was smoldering. This one teared me up & had me smiling at the same time. I hated to see their story come to an end. Track this book down & move it to top of the TBR [to be read] pile.