A Dark Beauty by Clarissa Kae

My edition: Kindle Unlimited
Pages: 216
Series: Victorian Retelling #1
Genre: Historical, Victorian, Romance, Fairy-tale retelling
Published: March 7, 2021
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

A Victorian Twist on Beauty And The Beast

Bold and brilliant, Georgiana has a gift for fixing machines—from clocks to carriages—while her father has a penchant for finding trouble. In an accidental fire, Georgiana and her father scar the once handsome face of Lord Pichon, cousin to the queen.

Rumors of Georgiana’s gift raise her family’s status. Her incomparable beauty captures the eye of many gentlemen and the wrath of Lord Pichon. Abandoned by his peers and alone in his cold castle, Lord Pichon is determined to enact revenge.

When Georgiana’s father makes a terrible mistake, she sacrifices herself to pay his debt—as a lowly maid in Lord Pichon’s castle.

Her wit and warmth begin to thaw Lord Pichon’s estate, making him question his version of the past. Will her kindness break the beastly lord or will he hold her family hostage forever?

Review:

I liked this more than I thought I would. I had two dull books before this (one DNF and a one-star) so my hopes weren’t entirely high. But I soldiered on to find out that I actually really like this.

Both MCs, Dominic and Georgiana, are scarred. They were harmed in a fire that took the life of Georgiana’s sister. In this retelling though, the father is so not worth the daughter’s sacrifice. He’s non-existent in her life. He so does not deserve her loyalty.

I love the mystery aspect of this as well. This also goes into the next book which is a Cinderella retelling who has a heroine that has a stutter. I’m looking forward to that.