Beautiful Villain is a reimagining of Gatsby and Daisy’s story (character from The Great Gatsby) in a modern and vampiric light, with just a sprinkling of spice.  A second chance romance at its heart, we watch these two childhood sweethearts cross paths again and reconnect despite the, ahem, paranormal changes to their lives. And while this had so much promise, it fell just a few inches too short of great.

Jay isn’t your classic, over the top, possessive vampire love interest. Despite being turned, he’s still the same age as Daisy? I found this slightly confusing, given typical vampire lore. And the few scientific explanations that we’re given didn’t really shed much light on things unfortunately. The way things are explained and certain phrases are stressed, it almost seems like the only benefit to vampirism is heightened reflexes and an enhanced invulnerability, not total immortality. Aside from the confusing logistics of his age and the lore, his personality felt juvenile and possessive in a childish way. Daisy on the other hand, begins our story vulnerable and healing after a bad breakup at the start of this novel, and while I understand that her connection with Jay had a deep history, I got a little whiplash with how quickly she got over her trust issues with Tom for a man that became obsessed with the idea of her over her for years with little regard for her as an actual person.

I’m all for the incredible and fantastical and even the outrageous in my stories. Don’t get me wrong. But this just lacked a believability and clarity to it. It may have helped if the characters and their friends were likable, but unfortunately you spend such little time with Jordan, Nick, and Cory that it’s impossible to form those connections. Overall this was an average read and could have benefited from more time nursing Gatsby and Daisy’s rekindling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rebecca Kenney for providing an ARC of this book for me to give my honest review.