Insta-love makes no sense in this case given that she was his captive and he was never actually nice to her beyond buying her stuff and telling her she was not too fat (which we get reminded of every 3 seconds). Highly dysfunctional (even more so than normal for the genre) relationship.

BOT, Very cute romantic comedy.

2.5 stars
The premise: The superstitious townspeople sacrifice their only virgin female to the Dragon of Castle Weyrcraig. Once inside, Gwendolyn learns the truth about the town's illustrious history and its "Dragon".

Miscellaneous notes: At first, I just read this like a fairy tale, not taking it very seriously. I was truly enjoying it. But then it just disintegrated into a cliché Historical Romance and I grew bored. And I have to say, nothing quells a romance to me than a man leaving a woman because he doesn't want to "hurt her" (or vice versa). Bleccccchhhhh!

***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Another hilarious read from Teresa Medeiros. I'm lucky that Medeiros has intriguing cover images because if she didn't I probably wouldn't have ever picked it out of the large box of books I got it from. If I hadn't I would have missed out on a delightful read.

Gwendolyn Wilder has lived with a lifelong crush, since before the age of nine she has wanted no one other than Bernard MacCullough when she believed him dead the year she turned nine, she was devastated and never really moved on. She hid her nose inside books, covered her body in drab clothes and let the world criticize her weight. She even believed they were right and that she in some way deserved their insults while her beautiful, thin, promiscuous sisters deserved their attention. She was the smart reliable sister, who took care of their addled and aging father and did what needed to be done.

When the town becomes plagued by what the residents believe is a real life fire breathing dragon making demands upon their village it is Gwendolyn they turn to read his demand notes. And it is Gwendolyn they decide to offer as a virgin sacrifice when they are unable to meet his hefty demands.

Bernard MacCullough had his life stolen from him at the age of fifteen when his clan betrayed their laird, his father for one thousand pounds in gold. Since that day when he saw his parents slaughtered by the English before his eyes for offering sanctuary to the Bonnie Prince, while the clan they led cowered in fear, locked away safe in their homes he has wanted naught but revenge. Taken prisoner and forced into service for the Royal Navy he's made his own lot in the world without even his name to guard him.

Fifteen years after that fateful day when his dreams burned before him, Bernard is back and he will have his revenge on the town who betrayed his family. He will learn who traded his parents lives for a mere thousand pounds in gold. What he didn't plan on was the beautiful virgin sacrifice that was left on his doorstep as an offering when the traitor in their midst wouldn't give up his gold to save his town. She had the power to ruin everything for only she knew he was not a beast, but a man and only she had the power to unlock his heart.

The interplay of these two stubborn characters is not one to be missed as you join them on their journey of letting go of the past to embrace the future, and opening their hearts to fall in love. He gives her the confidence to see the beauty she's hidden away and she gives him the light he's hidden from for fifteen years. She gives him a person he can trust which is something he's not had for fifteen years. They argue and thwart each other at every turn, keeping a reader turning the pages and laughing at their antics.

It's a definite must read.

Buckle up, this is going to be a wild ride.

Genre: Historical romance set around Jacobian Scotland, a non-magical retelling of Beauty and the Beast with some sex scenes and a lot of nonsensical plot choices.

Spoiler

Main pairing: Gwen/Dragon (Bernard)
Favourite character: Dragon (Bernard)
Villain(s) The whole bloody village.

Character rating: 4/10
Plot rating: 1/10
Setting rating: 1/10
Overall rating: 2/10

Pros: This is a beauty and the beast retelling, and what was interesting about this interpretation is that it didn't end where most versions do - the second half of the book is set after the "prince" returns and supposedly has his happily ever after.

Bernard, despite being out for revenge and consumed by anger, is a likeable, relatable character whose motivations are understandable and whose background is well formed. He is the only reason the character rating isn't 1/10.

Gwen is a plus size heroine, which I appreciate for the sake of diversity.

HOWEVER...

Cons: I have two. A4. pages. of complaints. I will endeavour to choose the most egregious. Spoilers abound in this section so read with caution.

Yes, the heroine is plus size. But the way the author treats her is appalling. When Gwendolyn doesn’t dive straight into one meal the author describes it as “the first time in her life that food failed to hold her interest.” I mean, really?

Throughout the book there is a pretty clear message that having sex is bad; which while you might expect some expression of that in a historical fiction, you would generally not expect the author to declare that one of the characters has had enough sex that she “has given herself away until there’s nothing left of who she might have been.” Combine that with Gwen being essentially "the only virgin in the village" and the whole thing had me wincing.

Everyone seems to be ok with the village not defending the laird they are sworn to fight for; intentionally leaving a young girl to die; and then when she survives and reappears, planning to burn her at the stake. Because those are things normal townspeople definitely do.

There is a disturbing little comment at one point that 15 year old Bernard “didn’t know whether [Gwen] needed to be spanked or kissed,” when she was 9 and fell out of a tree onto him.

So it’s been revealed that Gwen believed herself responsible for the death of Bernard’s family, her father actually IS responsible for the death of Bernard’s family. And Bernard has never actually mistreated Gwen or been cruel to her. He grants mercy to her father. And she responds to the suggestion she marry him by saying “how could you ask such a thing of me? He’s a cold-hearted, unforgiving ogre without an ounce of mercy or compassion in his arrogant soul!”

One of the wonderful townspeople who are paragons of virtue decides that Gwen and Bernard’s wedding is the perfect opportunity to go and dig up Gwen’s mother’s grave that has £1,000 of gold in. Nobody really cares.

Oh and to make sure she is taken care of, he has kindly arranged the grave robbing of her mother’s tomb so she can have the blood money her father got for betraying Bernard’s family.
So she goes to London, tells him she wants a divorce, sleeps with him, leaves him while he sleeps to return to Scotland leaving him a note saying if he ever wants to spend the night with her again it’ll cost more than £1000 and then has the GALL to sit in Scotland panicking because he hadn’t come running after her.

Final opinion: There are so many moments that made me throw my hands up in despair at this novel, and I really only finished it out of spite and because I refuse to be beaten by this book. Which is such a shame, because I was genuinely excited to read this one, and I can overlook a lot of faults in literature I enjoy... but not in this book. Good luck.

I really enjoyed this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale. I literally read this in half a day because I couldn't put it down. I loved the prologue (though I hated how mean people were to Gwen), and how she was 'saved' by her "hero", and then proceeded to mouth off to him (for good reason, of course!)

Tup cracked me up and he was so besotted with one of Gwen's sisters. It was really cute. And he also brought humor when it was needed. The only downsides I saw, was that (1) I had really wished that Ross got punched in the throat. And (2) I didn't understand (at first) why Bernard did what he did. It was explained later, but still, it kind of broke my heart a little. And I was not happy with him, at all! Though this negative was balanced by Gwen taking control and doing what she had to and then of course, the wonderful ending. *sighs*

As for who the traitor was--it was someone I hadn't suspected until more than halfway through. And then I kept thinking "no way. It couldn't be. No, no, no NOOOOOO!" So when it was revealed I was all, "HOLY HELL I WAS RIGHT! NOOOOOOO! I DON'T WANNA BE RIGHT!" cause it was just sad. But I also loved this twist at the same time because I thought it was pretty ballsy for the author to do that.

Also, the Dragon and the imagery that was woven throughout the book regarding the dragon, I thought, was magnificently done. This author took this image and held it steady throughout the entirety of the book. This is not easy to do and yet, she did it without it becoming overdone and repetitive. I loved how each of the main characters had use of "the Dragon" and its imagery to advance their character development. Nicely done! :D

One last thing: Gwen does mention how she doesn't like herself or think she's pretty, a lot. However, I wouldn't let this stop anyone from reading it. Gwen grew up her entire life as the "fat" one, the ugly one, the one no one wanted. So I got that she wasn't confident when it came to her looks and how she felt about herself. And hearing a man say it a few times, well, it doesn't make her entire childhood and adult hood of being harassed and bullied go away. Like, "Oh, he loves me; he likes my curves! I can let go of all the doubt and bad self esteem I've had to deal with for years and years of bullying." It doesn't work like that. Not in real life and not in fiction. it takes time and patience and I liked the fact that Gwen didn't just magically get over her insecurities.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying this series and can't wait to check out more from this author in the very near future!