Monstrous Beauty by Carol E. Keen – Review

Once in a while, I run across a book I’m not quite sure what to do with. There are so many great books out there that a book that leaves me in the “eh” zone after reading it is a bit of an anomaly.

In My Opinion…

A Beauty and the Beast/Cinderella mashup that was a mixed bag of good and bad for me.

While there are a couple of topics ripe for exploration, the author fails to develop them, which in turn causes the story to lack some much-needed depth. I can acknowledge that a lower novella word count probably played into this decision, but I would have preferred some other scenes get cut out instead. Plus the ending had me scratching my head a little bit. The author gives a broad overview of what happened but leaves the details to the readers’ imaginations. This case of telling rather than showing occurs a few times during this story.

Annabelle is a likable character and I sympathized with her throughout the book. Ethan is a wounded hero with some secrets he is ashamed of, but his imperfections and his desire to care for and protect Annabelle reveal his tender side. There’s enough happening within this story—secrets, a dubious scheme against Annabelle, two people learning about each other, and more—that I never got bored with the story. Monstrous Beauty is a fast read.

If you’re looking for a light read with action, a bit of mystery, and romance, this one might fit the bill.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About the Book

A damaged man. A strange young woman. Secrets that can bring them together, or tear them apart. 

“This is perfect for girls of all ages. There are valuable lessons throughout the story and the author makes sure to point the readers towards God.”

Ethan’s father did a number on him, to say the least. In his passing, he left Ethan a wealthy man, but a severely damaged one. More than one person has considered him to be “beastly”. Annabelle is unique and could be his only chance at love, but she has secrets of her own. Can they achieve true forgiveness before their world collapses? 

Amazon // Goodreads

About the Author

Carol E. Keen enjoys fresh coffee, hot tea, and a good book. She was published for several years in FAMA magazine (Freshwater And Marine Aquarium) as a contributing editor. She published her first book on CD, called Simply Seahorses. She is the author of The Beauty Series and The Corandira Station, to name a few of her works. She currently resides in the South with her husband and family and spends her time writing, reading, working in photography, and being with her much loved critters.