Title: A Beauty So Cruel
Series: Beauty & The Beast #1
Author: Beena Khan
Genre: Mafia Romance
Release Date: February 14, 2021
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from Give Me Books Promotions and the authors. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".
BLURB:
I was a beauty, a stray orphan until the beast took me as his hostage.
Once upon a time...
A Don by the name of Vlad Vitalli ruled New York. He's a mafia man. The leader of one of the ruling families, La Cosa Nostra. He's a monster. A trained killer and a cold-blooded murderer. Tall, mysterious, with icy gray eyes, and he rarely smiles. His smile was made to fool any girl. He's ruthless, cold, dangerous, and wants to kill me.
I was the wrong person at the wrong time.
Just an innocent at the masquerade ball. The mafia has rules: no witnesses left behind. To save my life, I made a deal with the beast. I handed myself to the cruelest man in the kingdom.
For him, It was supposed to be an easy kill. I'm an orphan raised in poverty. No one would have missed me. Just as the Don Vlad was about to order the hit, I threw off my masquerade mask, revealing my face, and offered myself to him. One look and I was doomed. He took me as his hostage. His captive. He didn't know by taking me, Dahlia Hadid, he sealed his own fate.
Welcome to New York's Underworld.
Loosely based on the fairytale.
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My Thoughts:
Author posts a trigger warning.
Vlad is a man who commands attention and expects those under him to follow. He’s a man of mystery. Can’t decide if he’s going to show his true self or not. Dahlia was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now her life is about to change. She seems to be timid but maybe she’s also hiding something.
There’s a creapiness here that the author does a good job in getting that feeling across. She does an interesting job at mashing up a popular fairy tale with a popular trope. In some ways you’ll pick up the times when the fairy tale makes its appearance but then you’ll forget about it when the mafia trope takes over. Is this good versus evil? Is this bad man meets good woman? Is this alpha male protects the softer woman?
I was surprised to find that this author has written a few books yet this was the first time I have heard about her. One good thing about finding new authors is that you may decide to continue reading their work. And you know that’s true when you are left wanting more when you get to a book’s ending.
EXCERPT:
“Are you afraid of me?”
It was kind of hard not be, in front of a mafia don.
I didn’t answer and stayed still. Hopefully, he would stop asking me.
“I’ve said it before Dahlia, I don’t like repeating myself. I should have put you down already. You’re lucky you are still alive.” His voice was stern and aloof. It was the first time he’d spoken my name out loud. I tried not to like how it came out of his mouth.
“I’m not telling you,” I replied in defiance.
I looked up and a small smirk played on his lips.
“All I asked was for you to beg me.”
“And I said no,” I whispered, my breath landing on his lips.
He became still, looking deep into my eyes. I wished he would look away. It was hypnotic. His breathing was heavier and soon we were breathing the same air.
“How hard is it to say the word, please?” he murmured.
Oh. That’s what he wanted?
“Please Vlad,” I said softly.
It was the first time I’d spoken his name.
“You’re so pretty when you beg.”
My eyes widened.
Then, something changed.
He dropped his arms and stepped away from me.
COMING SOON:
Releasing April 15
AUTHOR BIO:
Beena Khan writes edgy, sometimes sweet contemporary romance that makes you think. She 27 years old and lives in New York. She currently holds a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology. She enjoys reading, writing, and netflixing.
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