Bunny's Reviews: Beauty and the Blade Review Spotlight

We are so excited to share Beauty and the Blade with you this week! Read on for more details!

Beauty and the Blade is the first book in S.C. Grayson's The Talented series, and this book...OMG! It's a must-read for readers who enjoy "enemies-to-lovers" books with the sweetest of romances that blooms over time and with understanding. Yes, this book rates on the "swoon-o-meter" while withholding the steamy. It works, and we loved it.

Beauty and the Blade is going to capture reader's attention first with it's gorgeous cover. A young woman "inside" a chess piece on a beautiful black and red background. Captivating, right? It draws you in a piques your interest as to what exactly this story could hold inside. Go ahead and grab a copy, because this story is one that will captivate you and sweep you away.

Beauty and the Blade details the story of Contessa as she embarks on a quest for revenge. In a time of political upheaval, her world has been rocked. Her father, was once the protector of the king...until the king was murdered by someone with a Talent for invisibility and the king was thereby murdered. Now, Contessa's father has led a campaign to bring them all, the Talented, or as he calls them now...the Cursed to justice.

Bitterness is a hell of a poison and one, that in this case of Contessa's father, runs deep. He lost everything, yes, but did it have to burrow so deep into him that it left no room for anything else in his life? Unfortunately...that appears to be the case. But it makes perfect fuel for this story that's for sure!

Author S.C. Grayson writes a captivating story that will draw you in deeper and deeper with each turn of the page. Contessa is getting married to the man accused of murdering her mother. He took one look at her and asked for her hand in marriage. Cue jaw-drop from shock. No conversations, no getting to know her...none of it. Bizarre, right?! Well, wait for it because the reason will be revealed in due time.

Contessa's story unfolds in the most engaging manner. This book follows a true to form "enemies-to-lovers" paths. Contessa marries Nate aka the Beast. She hates it for what she believes to be true, but little by little she begins to see that there is more to him than meets the eye. Could it be that he's not as awful and evil as he's portrayed to be?

One thing is for sure, Beauty and the Blade is going to give you all the feels. Shock, dismay, joy, excitement, heart flutters and more. Yeah, there are specific scenes in this book that you're absolutely going to melt into a puddle over with a smile on your face. Others - you're going to get that "ah yes, romance" flutter." LOL!

Wondering where the "fantasy" element comes in? Well, it's in the Talented. People who have special unique abilities that sets them apart from the rest of the populace. It's a subtle fantasy element, but it works. It makes its appearance when it is necessary for it to do so. This is not necessarily a "flashy" fantasy story, but it gives you just enough to be satisfying at the end of the day.

Beauty and the Blade has twists, surprises, and drama that keeps you coming back for more. Author Grayson really did a great job writing this story and if you aren't already a fan of this author you will be by the end of the book!

We can't wait to read what this author comes up with next. Readers who love light fantasy novels, with a nice dose of "enemies-to-lovers" and a really nice ending...this is the book to grab!

5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, S.C. Grayson, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. We look forward to what comes next!

Beauty and the Blade (The Talented Fairy Tales Book 1)

Publication Date: January 5, 2024

Genre: Gaslamp Fantasy/ Fairy Tale Fantasy

"Bridgerton Meets Peaky Blinders"

🌹Enemies-to-Lovers
♟️Slow-Burn
🌹Arranged Marriage
♟️Found Family
🌹Magical Street Gangs
♟️Who Did this to You?

Most London socialites dream of marrying for love or status, but Contessa’s wedding is about justice—and revenge.

Nathanial Woodrow is known on the streets of London as the Beast, leader of the fearsome Lion gang who mark their victims with three slashes on their face. Since her mother was found dead with the signature slashes years ago, Contessa has wanted nothing more than to see her murderer brought to justice. However, the Beast has been impeccable at maintaining his façade as the high society Mr. Nathanial Woodrow, and nobody has been able to gather enough evidence to convict him. When the Beast unexpectedly asks Contessa’s father, the Chief of the Royal Police, for her hand in marriage, Contessa and her father hatch a plan to bring him down from the inside.

As Contessa enters the lion’s den in search of evidence to convict the Beast, she finds that not everything is as she once thought. Her father’s work, hunting down Talented that use their magic to rule the criminal underworld, is thrown into question with each glimpse of the kind-hearted man beneath the mask of a hardened gang leader. As Contessa navigates her search for justice, she finds herself questioning what side she’s really on, and why she finds herself drawn to a man she’s supposed to hate.

Available on Amazon