The Beauty's Beast: Sequel to The Beast's Beauty (The Beauty and the Beast) Paperback – June 27, 2019

It was amazing. I wasn’t expecting to like it this much. I knew it had some kitty play and pet play is just not my thing. It made me think it was going to be hard for me to read it, but it was just so amazing, I just couldn’t put it down.I think the things that make it such a good book, was the ability so portray the character’s emotions. It was so easy to feel what they feel. The pain, the despair, even the love, it was all so easy to feel. It was a little sweeter than the previous book, but it kept some of the elements that I loved from it.I loved Ryder. He was a great character, his emotions were the easiest to get in touch with. I didn’t get to care as much for Griffin but I think he might get the sympathy of most readers. The plot was really good but only consider it as a whole thing, because it definitely won’t work as a standalone.Overall this was great. I had an amazing time reading and I had fall absolutely in love with Ryder’s defiant attitude. He was a beautiful character. Definitely a recommend it book for reader who enjoy romance with a dark touch on it.

While this was a good addition to the series, it just wasn't as good as the first. Maybe it's because I'm not really into pet play stuff (yes, I knew this was what it was about, but I devour each and every book R. Phoenix writes), or maybe it's because compared to her other books, this was was really, really tame. I liked the ending, but it really wasn't what I expected. I'd go into it more, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. It is worth the read, it really is, it's just not the ending I was expecting from the series.

As broken as Toby seems to be, it turns out he's only bent, and going from puppy to kitten is a journey in its own. Especially when a kitten have claws, and it's difficult to know who likes the shift more. The lines becomes blurry and things aren't as straight forward as they seemed.I know I had certain expectations when I continued their story and it took me for a loop, and I found myself enjoying it as much as I had thought I would.This one isn't as difficult to handle as the first one, the darkness isn't pitch black and more midnight blue, I'm sure anyone will like reading the continuing of their story.Not a stranger to the books of R. Phoenix I can say she never disappoints and knows how to take your emotions on a roller coaster.

An author was born and she was destined to write the most mind blowing books, taking the reader on epic journeys into the minds of her characters they could never imagine. Her name is R. Phoenix and this is what happens every time I read her books including The Beast's Beauty and The Beauty's Beast. I just finished these two books and my mind has been officially blown. Every time I think I've read every type of book there is, Raissa comes along and writes a book that I've never encountered before, ripping every emotion out of me, taking me to another level. I don't know how she does it but I hope she never stops. I can't get enough. Thank you Raissa for gifting us with the talent that has been bestowed upon you as a writer.

These books are so much softer than anything else that I've read from R. Phoenix. Griffin really does have a heart of gold, and his past heroics were the true measure of his character. I loved how insidious the change from Ryder to Toby was in his own head - and even the chapter headings reflected it nicely. It seems that Griffin probably choose his victim because he saw something of himself in Toby.Ultimately, I loved that Toby was given his choice and learned that what he thought he wanted may not have been what he needed. Though I think that it could have been nice if Toby had been able to allow the love of his birth family into his life with Griffin.

In the follow up to The Beast’s Beauty, Griffin and Ryder are still both trying to figure out how to control and shape their relationship. Griffin wants Ryder to be the perfect puppy and Ryder wants freedom. In a bid to gain control over the situation, Ryder rejects acting like a puppy and starts acting like a kitten. At first, Griffin is upset, but he adjusts to the transformation of his puppy into a kitten, at the same time Griffin goes through a transformation himself. At the end of the book, both Griffin and Ryder have to make hard choices on what they want out of their relationship and future and how that’s going to look going forward.Overall Rating: 3 Stars. The writing was fine, but there still wasn’t enough sex scenes for my taste. The main reason I’m reading this series is for the BDSM and kink sex scenes. This book was much better than the first book, but that’s because it felt complete, which the first book did not. I still think both of these books should be combined to make one book in order to make the story flow better. There’s a few inconsistencies between the two books, but those were easily ignored.

I'd already loved the previous book but this one is just almost perfect and delivers a wonderful (and kinky) version of the "Beauty and the Beast" story and a perfect example of how something that should be dark may be turned into something beautiful.

That was a twist I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed reading it though. Definitely wouldn’t mind more from this author in this universe.

Even though this was a Kidnapping book like the Gilded/Tarnished Cage series, I found it much more tolerable. I couldn't finish Tarnished Cage and found myself rooting for the MC to get the F out of there. But this one the "Master" had more humanity, even while he was breaking Ryder down bit by bit.

The second book has an unexpected kitten play factor and I loved it. When Ryder started to try and gain some sort of upper hand and decided he’s going for a kitten instead for a puppy it was a surprise. I feared it would not be well accepted by Griffin but he eventually did accept it.Absolutely loved the turn of the events. Was sad when it was done.

After that almighty cliffhanger in book 1 I was relieved I didn’t have to wait long for the sequel. It’s not nearly as twisted as the first book, nor does it have its levity, in fact it’s almost tender, often poignant and downright heartbreaking, as at its core is a very slow-burn, hurt-comfort tale which I happen to love. That said, the leads’ long periods of introspection might not be for everyone as it does somewhat monopolise the story, although I personally felt this made sense considering the unique circumstances and their tenuous relationship. To have fast-forwarded the brooding and over-analysing and rushed to an emotional and/or physical connection would’ve been unrealistic and in turn weakened the narrative. Instead it’s a long and arduous path to their epiphany that ranges from fear, mistrust and punishment, to communication, compromise and kindness, and later even separation – which is integral in helping them understand the depth of their feelings.Griffin may’ve held the cards initially, but I loved witnessing Ryder/Toby take back his sense of pride and self, and not only when he communicates his preference to be a kitten rather than a puppy [which…yay…cos I’m a total cat lover], but more prominently at around two thirds of the way into the story. No major spoilers, but what happens here is a game changer that strips the former of his power and could’ve so easily turned the latter into a vindictive individual gunning for revenge, yet it only showcased what a beautifully caring and compassionate human being he is. It’s my favourite scene of the series, it was just so touching.The mark of a successful Stockholm Syndrome tale is when an author manages to make me care for the captor – although I tend to have a soft spot for the crazies anyway, lol. In book 1 I often felt Griffin behaved like an erratic man-child, and truthfully, I was worried I wouldn’t ever sympathise with him. I did a one-eighty here. We see a little more of his pain, and of just how broken and thoroughly touch-starved he is, and while it doesn’t excuse what he did, it goes a long way in helping me understand the depths of his despair and desperation for human contact.There’s little sex to speak of in this book, and apart from the very occasional bits that are dub-con(ish) in tone, the only real moment of intimacy between the guys is near the very end, and even then it’s pretty non-explicit, and to me, it felt so much more about healing and demonstrating trust, rather than merely slaking their lust, and imo, it was perfectly in-keeping with the story.This isn’t a play-play read, although there are elements of puppy and kitty play involved, but it’s primarily thrust upon Ryder which is a no-no in a true pet-play relationship. It’s a Stockholm Syndrome tale at heart, although it’s light in comparison to most I’ve read, and luckily for these guys, the old adage *if you love something, set it free* ultimately proves there’s so much more than mere capture-bonding between them.Alas, a well-written and beautifully poignant read with a satisfying conclusion – although I wouldn’t say no to a catch-up tale featuring these guys?? – and please don’t be put off by the slightly darker narrative if it’s not your usual kind of read, as you’ll be missing out on a real gem.

What do the characters of "Beauty and the Beast" have in common with this series?All and nothing.Everything, because that is the basic plot; nothing, because it highlights how the conventional world is often so little preferable to an unconventional one, where monsters are not so monstrous and do not wear angels masks to cheat others. The author has cleared the story's molasses by transforming it into a story of awareness and acceptance, passing through a sensual and cruel baptism of fire made up of coercion and kinks and regrets and remorse. Recommended.

Usually, these types of stories feature a lot more physical punishment. I am glad this story focuses more on the psychological aspect. However, I do believe this should have just been one book instead of a story split in two.I know I should be angry and say I hated it, but I kind of loved the happy ending? I would have liked to see what happened if they went public, though.