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Once Upon a Time-Travel #2
The Beast's Bride
When an unfortunate crash down the stairs takes Pippa’s life, her fairy godmother steps in and offers her an otherworldly task. If she can convince the Beast of another magical reality to marry his Beauty, Pippa will have a new life and won’t spend eternity haunting a parking garage. Sounds easy, right?
Of course, any task assigned by fairy godmother Muffin has its challenges. Belle’s kind of a dunce, and the Beast isn’t exactly the cute and cuddly Beast of the movies. But the more time Pippa spends with him? The more she sees that maybe he’s not so beastly on the inside…
How’s Pippa supposed to convince Belle to marry the Beast when she wants him for herself?
This fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast contains a fairy godmother named Muffin, a beast in an enchanted castle, some sexy chess games, and a stepsister who’s wicked in all the right ways.
Of course, any task assigned by fairy godmother Muffin has its challenges. Belle’s kind of a dunce, and the Beast isn’t exactly the cute and cuddly Beast of the movies. But the more time Pippa spends with him? The more she sees that maybe he’s not so beastly on the inside…
How’s Pippa supposed to convince Belle to marry the Beast when she wants him for herself?
This fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast contains a fairy godmother named Muffin, a beast in an enchanted castle, some sexy chess games, and a stepsister who’s wicked in all the right ways.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Jill Myles
41 books1,661 followersJILL MYLES writes as Jessica Clare and Jessica Sims.
A NOTE ABOUT FRIENDING: I will happily friend you back if you friend me! Goodreads is, after all, about discussing books we both love. I will NEVER self-promote my books to you. And if you self-promote your books to me, no matter how nicely, I'm deleting you off my list. Sorry. Goodreads is about fun, not spam.
A NOTE ABOUT MY REVIEWS: Hey, look at that! Most of my reviews are really positive! This is not me kissing ass - It's because at heart, I am a lazy reader. If I'm not enjoying a book, I don't finish it. I don't review anything I didn't finish, ergo, most of the reviews I put up here are pretty much positive across the board because I finished them and was happy with the story. Makes sense, right?
A NOTE ABOUT FRIENDING: I will happily friend you back if you friend me! Goodreads is, after all, about discussing books we both love. I will NEVER self-promote my books to you. And if you self-promote your books to me, no matter how nicely, I'm deleting you off my list. Sorry. Goodreads is about fun, not spam.
A NOTE ABOUT MY REVIEWS: Hey, look at that! Most of my reviews are really positive! This is not me kissing ass - It's because at heart, I am a lazy reader. If I'm not enjoying a book, I don't finish it. I don't review anything I didn't finish, ergo, most of the reviews I put up here are pretty much positive across the board because I finished them and was happy with the story. Makes sense, right?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 21, 2017
2.5 stars
December 31, 2015
Well, I wrote a nice review and lost my edits- and don't feel up to fighting with my fire keyboard to reproduce it - so, here's the bottom line... I liked this twist on Beauty and the Beast, once the obligatory setup with the annoying fairy godmother, Muffin, is finished - can't stand her.
The relationship with the Beast is well done from simple kindness to friendship to more and is by turns sweet, steamy, sad and satisfying. The fact that the Beast doesn't always get a HEA in his fairytale plays a definite part in the story. As a warning, there are intimate moments for the Beast when he's furry, I mention it because it does put some people off.
So, I liked this enough that I am tempted to give Myle's Little Mermaid twist another chance and hope that the ending of that one makes me happy too, since I liked her Scarecrow King too.
The relationship with the Beast is well done from simple kindness to friendship to more and is by turns sweet, steamy, sad and satisfying. The fact that the Beast doesn't always get a HEA in his fairytale plays a definite part in the story. As a warning, there are intimate moments for the Beast when he's furry, I mention it because it does put some people off.
So, I liked this enough that I am tempted to give Myle's Little Mermaid twist another chance and hope that the ending of that one makes me happy too, since I liked her Scarecrow King too.
February 5, 2016
I'm a big fan of Beauty and the Beast adult fairy tales, but this time/dimension travel version just wasn't my favorite. Pippa is crass and casual, and I just couldn't connect with her or the relationship between her and the Beast (Duncan). The twist is that to avoid eternity as a ghost, Pippa is supposed to facilitate a relationship between gorgeous airhead Belle and furry and furious beast Duncan. She is aided in this venture by the extremely annoying fairy godmother, Muffin. Anytime Muffin was on the page, I skimmed.
We're told Pippa and Duncan grow closer over time, but the evolving relationship had an unreal, narrating quality to it, and this keeps the reader feeling distant from the couple except when they are macking on one another. (Macking is a word Pippa would have used). Sadly, we don't even get to see Duncan act like a hero except one time scaring off some giant rats. Pippa is wordly and experienced next to the virgin prince, but he has nice woo. Of course they fall in love, and the tension builds as to how Pippa will manage to accomplish her mission without leaving all parties heartbroken. Myles kept me turning the pages because I wasn't sure how she was going to accomplish a HEA, and as you know, many traditional fairy tales end far from happily.
We're told Pippa and Duncan grow closer over time, but the evolving relationship had an unreal, narrating quality to it, and this keeps the reader feeling distant from the couple except when they are macking on one another. (Macking is a word Pippa would have used). Sadly, we don't even get to see Duncan act like a hero except one time scaring off some giant rats. Pippa is wordly and experienced next to the virgin prince, but he has nice woo. Of course they fall in love, and the tension builds as to how Pippa will manage to accomplish her mission without leaving all parties heartbroken. Myles kept me turning the pages because I wasn't sure how she was going to accomplish a HEA, and as you know, many traditional fairy tales end far from happily.
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
February 23, 2017Note to self: Trusted friend stated heroine is annoying and ruined the book.
January 19, 2015
Such a sweet and beautiful story.
January 8, 2015
Such a fun read and good way to kick off 2015!
February 1, 2015
This is not your average beauty and the beast story witch was a plus but with some small negative for me. I'll love retellings of this story and I try to read as many different versions as I can to help other like me try to find a good quality version. Please note my review will probably spoilers.
What drew my attention to this book was the fact that I saw the set up as completely original and quiet brilliant, in the first chapter we learn that our heroin (Pippa) is dead and not only that but if she does not solve a fairy tale case by the end of the month, she will spend all eternity haunting a parking garage. I found myself feeling bad for Pippa because not only is she staring at herself dead on the floor but people are walking over her corpse or admiring her underwear.
She takes the case and discovers she most take over the role as the wicked stepsister of the beautiful but stubborn air headed Belle, who has a warm personality but is a total brat. I love this sort of Belle because I have never seen this side of before and I hope to see one day see it again because you either love her or you don't.
This book as mentions the Disney version of this story often which I find hilarious and ironic. this is due to the fact that it reminds me how often I have read version of the same characters based on that movie, which this not. at least for the most part.
I will leave the rest up to you to read because I want you to read it but here is some warning that I completely missed and I want you to know so you want be as shocked and uncomfortable as I was. I thought this was a teen lite, this is definitely not. I nearly took of stars due to this but I realized that, that would be unfair due to fact their were signs but I was to excited to read it to notices It can be quite graphic and detailed, I guess you can say, in a few scene especially the night before the wedding due to me feeling uncomfortable about reading these due to my age and uncomfortablness over the issue Ignored it and continued reading were it left off because the book is good and cheap on the kindle. I'm I angry or disappointed in those scenes because I feel that should not be added, no because it is a romance novel and I'm okay with the authors choice due to the fact that I am okay with skipping a chapter or two because I can still get the story. Do I recommend this under the age of 18, no just because I know that it should be read with caution due to those scenes. Will I probably read more of her books in the future yes because now I know what to expect and I can avoid certain scenes.
In the end the wrighting is good and the characters can be funny and creative and if you don't want to take my word for it read it yourself and form your own opinions about it.
What drew my attention to this book was the fact that I saw the set up as completely original and quiet brilliant, in the first chapter we learn that our heroin (Pippa) is dead and not only that but if she does not solve a fairy tale case by the end of the month, she will spend all eternity haunting a parking garage. I found myself feeling bad for Pippa because not only is she staring at herself dead on the floor but people are walking over her corpse or admiring her underwear.
She takes the case and discovers she most take over the role as the wicked stepsister of the beautiful but stubborn air headed Belle, who has a warm personality but is a total brat. I love this sort of Belle because I have never seen this side of before and I hope to see one day see it again because you either love her or you don't.
This book as mentions the Disney version of this story often which I find hilarious and ironic. this is due to the fact that it reminds me how often I have read version of the same characters based on that movie, which this not. at least for the most part.
I will leave the rest up to you to read because I want you to read it but here is some warning that I completely missed and I want you to know so you want be as shocked and uncomfortable as I was. I thought this was a teen lite, this is definitely not. I nearly took of stars due to this but I realized that, that would be unfair due to fact their were signs but I was to excited to read it to notices It can be quite graphic and detailed, I guess you can say, in a few scene especially the night before the wedding due to me feeling uncomfortable about reading these due to my age and uncomfortablness over the issue Ignored it and continued reading were it left off because the book is good and cheap on the kindle. I'm I angry or disappointed in those scenes because I feel that should not be added, no because it is a romance novel and I'm okay with the authors choice due to the fact that I am okay with skipping a chapter or two because I can still get the story. Do I recommend this under the age of 18, no just because I know that it should be read with caution due to those scenes. Will I probably read more of her books in the future yes because now I know what to expect and I can avoid certain scenes.
In the end the wrighting is good and the characters can be funny and creative and if you don't want to take my word for it read it yourself and form your own opinions about it.
August 28, 2014
A quirky twist to the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. It was fun, a bit different, and very sexy.
When Pippas life comes to an early and unexpected end, her Fairy Godmother, Muffin, gives her a choice; stay a ghost and haunt the Volvos in the parking garage, or take an active role in seeing a fairy tale to its happily ever after conclusion. She has thirty day to get Belle to marry the Beast and break his curse. Sounds like a no brainier, right? Little did she know she would be stuck with a Belle who is beautiful, but also bit dim-witted, very conceited, and self centered. And a beast that is straight out of a nightmare. This is definitely not Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
This was a very quick read. Funny and sexy.
When Pippas life comes to an early and unexpected end, her Fairy Godmother, Muffin, gives her a choice; stay a ghost and haunt the Volvos in the parking garage, or take an active role in seeing a fairy tale to its happily ever after conclusion. She has thirty day to get Belle to marry the Beast and break his curse. Sounds like a no brainier, right? Little did she know she would be stuck with a Belle who is beautiful, but also bit dim-witted, very conceited, and self centered. And a beast that is straight out of a nightmare. This is definitely not Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
This was a very quick read. Funny and sexy.
July 5, 2015
I gotta bow down for Jill Myles for this one.
Sick of the stepsister got the end of the stick?
Well then, you won't be disapointed reading this one!
Pippa was one wicked stepsister who saw the Beast for what he was. A lonely man rather than the voracious beast who ate raw meat. He was also liked chess and always beat her ass on that game.
I've cheered for this pair since the beginning, and I was really sad because I wished the story was longer. When I finished reading it,I was like...Hell Nawwwww!!
This is what a good book should be.
Sick of the stepsister got the end of the stick?
Well then, you won't be disapointed reading this one!
Pippa was one wicked stepsister who saw the Beast for what he was. A lonely man rather than the voracious beast who ate raw meat. He was also liked chess and always beat her ass on that game.
I've cheered for this pair since the beginning, and I was really sad because I wished the story was longer. When I finished reading it,I was like...Hell Nawwwww!!
This is what a good book should be.
June 16, 2013
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale so when Jill Myles did a re-write of the fairy tale, I had to read it. The Beast's Bride is a quick read and I enjoyed it, but it is not Jill's best work. I do, however, recommend the book for anyone who loves happily ever after books or Beauty and the Beast. I truly believe you will enjoy the read.
July 8, 2013
3.75 stars. I was a grossed out that she had sexual feelings for him. I thought that would come later after he was not a beast. I've read beauty and the beast adaptations before so thought maybe he'd be scarred or would have a 'beastly' attitude. nope, he's a beast. Other than that the book was funny and interesting.
July 18, 2015
For readers of P.C. Cast you really need to give this series a shot. This is book 2 in the once upon a time series. This one takes on the tale of beauty and the beast. The main character Pippa was kind of awesome. I really could not stand Belle at all but this was a great take on one of my favorite fairy tales. Looking forward to the next one!
May 4, 2013
Cute easy read. It's not like you didn't know where it was going to go. There were some editing flaws that kept me from giving it 4 stars but I would definitely look up a few of the other books in the series the next time I'm looking for something fun on the weekend.
December 11, 2014
The "Beauty and the Beast" fairy-tale trope is one I always enjoy and this is definitely a unique take on it.
Sexy, funny and very cute, this is by far my favorite of the fluffy 'Once Upon a Time-Travel' series.
Sexy, funny and very cute, this is by far my favorite of the fluffy 'Once Upon a Time-Travel' series.
January 17, 2016
Really liked :)
January 25, 2019
The Beast's Bride is the second book in the Once Upon a Time Travel series and can be read as a standalone book.
Pippa takes a fall down the parking ramp stairs in her high heels and ends up dead. Muffin, her fairy godmother, comes along and tells her she can remain a ghost in the parking garage, or she can go be Belle's "ugly, wicked step-sister" in the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. If she can get the lovebirds to marry, she will get a chance at a new life.
What she doesn't tell Pippa is that while Belle is a beautiful, curvy blonde, she is also dim-witted, self centered and stubborn. The Beast, Duncan, has been so long without socializing that he has no manners at all. He eats raw, bloody meat at their first meal together and tries to kiss a frightened Belle. They have a long way to go to end up together.
Meanwhile, Pippa tries to talk Duncan up to Belle and coach Duncan on his wooing techniques. Over games of chess and practice wooing, Pippa and Duncan form a bond. Now what? If Belle and Duncan don't marry she'll become ghost Pippa of the parking ramp. Somehow, it all became so complicated. Will anyone get their happily ever after?
Pippa takes a fall down the parking ramp stairs in her high heels and ends up dead. Muffin, her fairy godmother, comes along and tells her she can remain a ghost in the parking garage, or she can go be Belle's "ugly, wicked step-sister" in the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. If she can get the lovebirds to marry, she will get a chance at a new life.
What she doesn't tell Pippa is that while Belle is a beautiful, curvy blonde, she is also dim-witted, self centered and stubborn. The Beast, Duncan, has been so long without socializing that he has no manners at all. He eats raw, bloody meat at their first meal together and tries to kiss a frightened Belle. They have a long way to go to end up together.
Meanwhile, Pippa tries to talk Duncan up to Belle and coach Duncan on his wooing techniques. Over games of chess and practice wooing, Pippa and Duncan form a bond. Now what? If Belle and Duncan don't marry she'll become ghost Pippa of the parking ramp. Somehow, it all became so complicated. Will anyone get their happily ever after?
July 23, 2020
2.75
This is a case of lil' whingey me looking for a nice easy/fluffy/shallow read and then complaining that the story is too easy/fluffy/shallow.
The low rating is not a case of it being badly written or crappy, it just did not work for me. Had trouble in staying in the story, didn't really care about any of the characters much. On top of it, I had heard really good comments about a really humorous authorial voice but sadly, the humor didn't click with me much at all. I was just kinda bored and started skimming in the second half of the novella.
This is a case of lil' whingey me looking for a nice easy/fluffy/shallow read and then complaining that the story is too easy/fluffy/shallow.
The low rating is not a case of it being badly written or crappy, it just did not work for me. Had trouble in staying in the story, didn't really care about any of the characters much. On top of it, I had heard really good comments about a really humorous authorial voice but sadly, the humor didn't click with me much at all. I was just kinda bored and started skimming in the second half of the novella.
January 18, 2024
Third person, single pov
Ok... possibly the sexiest B&tB retelling I have ever read. Loved it. Loved the longing, loved the development. Would have eaten this up as a longer book. The character harping about not being able to do things was.... meh. And slow. The mermaid one was actually structured better. But the love scenes in this were hot. I liked how the author wrote the curse as an "overlay" on the beast. I feel as if I have heard of this before in another BatB retelling but I don't remember which one.
And it was kinda creative.
Ok... possibly the sexiest B&tB retelling I have ever read. Loved it. Loved the longing, loved the development. Would have eaten this up as a longer book. The character harping about not being able to do things was.... meh. And slow. The mermaid one was actually structured better. But the love scenes in this were hot. I liked how the author wrote the curse as an "overlay" on the beast. I feel as if I have heard of this before in another BatB retelling but I don't remember which one.
And it was kinda creative.
April 26, 2024
If you love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling you might really enjoy this.
Pippa dies and is transported to an alternative reality by her fairy god-mother. She is assigned the task of helping Belle fall for the Beast. Unfortunately, Belle doesn't like the Beast but it turns out Pippa does.
This book has a lot of fun Disney references.
This book is a little messy and over the top and if you think about it too hard it probably doesn't make sense but it was a fun popcorn type book to me and I had a nice time with it and would read other books in this series.
Pippa dies and is transported to an alternative reality by her fairy god-mother. She is assigned the task of helping Belle fall for the Beast. Unfortunately, Belle doesn't like the Beast but it turns out Pippa does.
This book has a lot of fun Disney references.
This book is a little messy and over the top and if you think about it too hard it probably doesn't make sense but it was a fun popcorn type book to me and I had a nice time with it and would read other books in this series.
January 28, 2019
3.5 stars.
I liked this better than the mermaid book, but I think the ending sucks. It was all a good read up until then. To be fair, I don’t like the ending of the Disney movie either, it’s always my least favourite part lol but I didn’t like the end of the mermaid book either, so I think it might just be how these are wrapped up in general that I dislike and not just because he turns back into a human etc.
I liked this better than the mermaid book, but I think the ending sucks. It was all a good read up until then. To be fair, I don’t like the ending of the Disney movie either, it’s always my least favourite part lol but I didn’t like the end of the mermaid book either, so I think it might just be how these are wrapped up in general that I dislike and not just because he turns back into a human etc.
April 27, 2018
3.5
I did enjoy this book,but i really like the mermaid's knight more. I didn't like that Belle was not the main character, but i did get over it and liked Pippa after a while . Their was some bestiality what was uncomfortable to me. It also felt like she changed up the plot of the series. Like some of the rules about what happens when they die. I dont want to get to much onto it because spoliers. Over all it is a light story and a quick read.
I did enjoy this book,but i really like the mermaid's knight more. I didn't like that Belle was not the main character, but i did get over it and liked Pippa after a while . Their was some bestiality what was uncomfortable to me. It also felt like she changed up the plot of the series. Like some of the rules about what happens when they die. I dont want to get to much onto it because spoliers. Over all it is a light story and a quick read.
August 15, 2022
A SOLID 2.5 STARS!
I'm afraid I'm being too harsh with this one but, given that I'm a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast, and this one barely scratches the surface of roiling emotions...I wasn't too sure if I liked it. This doesn't in any way mean it wasn't enjoyable, but it certainly didn't make me feel much about it.
I'm afraid I'm being too harsh with this one but, given that I'm a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast, and this one barely scratches the surface of roiling emotions...I wasn't too sure if I liked it. This doesn't in any way mean it wasn't enjoyable, but it certainly didn't make me feel much about it.
May 16, 2023
It was a decent take on Beauty and the Beast. The interesting hook here was the heroine was NOT Belle and I enjoyed how that was interpreted. However I felt the relationship was mostly glossed over (stating they talked but not going in depth). The only in depth scenes we get are them arguing and making out and then some.
May 16, 2023
Okay, I fundamentally don't understand the Beast's curse. He looks like a Beast: he has fur, a mane, claws, etc. But when she kisses him, he feels... human. Sometimes she feels fur and sometimes he feels human? A deeply puzzling sex scene, lol.
June 11, 2023
I love a good monster romance and Jill Myles can write retellings with the best of them! I especially love the fairy godmother and all her shenanigans in the series! The spicy scenes were hot and I almost didn't want him turning back into a man!
January 15, 2024
upending fairytale with sass
Didn't love it, ended up skimming last half.
The plot development was cute but I was aggravated by the fairy Godmother again.
kind of a blah for me altho beast spice factor pretty hot.
Didn't love it, ended up skimming last half.
The plot development was cute but I was aggravated by the fairy Godmother again.
kind of a blah for me altho beast spice factor pretty hot.
July 3, 2017
3.8 Stars!
December 31, 2017
Easy, fast read with a different spin to the beauty and the beast tale.
May 8, 2018
I enjoyed this re-telling of Beauty and Beast. Pippa was a fun, likable character.
October 8, 2019
Beast's Bride
A little different take on the beauty and the beast tale. I enjoyed this take on the story and a steamy ending.
A little different take on the beauty and the beast tale. I enjoyed this take on the story and a steamy ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews