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Beautiful Monster
Playboy. Socialite. Frivolous and Wicked.
Alexander Caldwell needs to settle down.
Hence the giant white house he just bought in the suburbs.
The one that backs up to the house filled with three single women living in it.
They all have their sights set on him...but it’s her he can’t get out of his head.
Alexander has absolutely no place getting involved with a teenage girl with the world in her eyes.
But he does.
Tortured. Lonely. Desperate to run.
Sunny Thorn needs to get out of her mother’s house.
To do that, she needs money.
Hence taking the job painting a mural in Alexander Caldwell’s pool house.
The man whose eyes follow her. The man with the sculpted jaw and commanding presence. The man who is way too old for her.
When Sunny has the chance to get out of Pineridge and start a future of her own, he should let her go.
But he doesn’t.
Beautiful Monster is a standalone age-gap forbidden romance from the author of the Wicked Hearts series.
Alexander Caldwell needs to settle down.
Hence the giant white house he just bought in the suburbs.
The one that backs up to the house filled with three single women living in it.
They all have their sights set on him...but it’s her he can’t get out of his head.
Alexander has absolutely no place getting involved with a teenage girl with the world in her eyes.
But he does.
Tortured. Lonely. Desperate to run.
Sunny Thorn needs to get out of her mother’s house.
To do that, she needs money.
Hence taking the job painting a mural in Alexander Caldwell’s pool house.
The man whose eyes follow her. The man with the sculpted jaw and commanding presence. The man who is way too old for her.
When Sunny has the chance to get out of Pineridge and start a future of her own, he should let her go.
But he doesn’t.
Beautiful Monster is a standalone age-gap forbidden romance from the author of the Wicked Hearts series.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
About the author
Sara Cate
39 books13.8k followersSara Cate is a USA Today best-selling author of steamy romance and sexy book boyfriends. Although she writes a wide range of tropes, Sara is best known for her age gap and taboo romances. One thing you can expect from her entire collection is heaps of steam and plenty of angst.
Living in Arizona with her husband and kids, Sara spends most of her time reading, writing, or baking.
Find out more at: www.saracatebooks.com
Living in Arizona with her husband and kids, Sara spends most of her time reading, writing, or baking.
Find out more at: www.saracatebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 679 reviews
June 23, 2022
2 Meh Stars
This dragged quite a bit and was also just...super messy.
The h and H had really weak chemistry (which is almost always a guarantee of a three star or less rating from me) and inconsistent characterizations to boot. I didn’t really connect or care for either of them. Or of this book, really.
This dragged quite a bit and was also just...super messy.
The h and H had really weak chemistry (which is almost always a guarantee of a three star or less rating from me) and inconsistent characterizations to boot. I didn’t really connect or care for either of them. Or of this book, really.
August 10, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The character development was splendid. This was definitely not a traditional age gap romance. It was deeper and more emotional, in my opinion.
I liked that Sunny had a passion (art) that helped to round her out, although I wish Alex had something like that too. He was a little one dimensional even if he changed through the book.
I liked the drama with the sister and mom and I liked that they were not one sided, good or bad. They were quite realistic actually as people. I enjoyed that the dad was a dead beat but not in the traditional sense.
Overall, would recommend, especially if you want a unique age gap romance.
The character development was splendid. This was definitely not a traditional age gap romance. It was deeper and more emotional, in my opinion.
I liked that Sunny had a passion (art) that helped to round her out, although I wish Alex had something like that too. He was a little one dimensional even if he changed through the book.
I liked the drama with the sister and mom and I liked that they were not one sided, good or bad. They were quite realistic actually as people. I enjoyed that the dad was a dead beat but not in the traditional sense.
Overall, would recommend, especially if you want a unique age gap romance.
December 3, 2020
This is my first read by Miss Cate. Forbidden romance is sometimes hit and miss with me. Beautiful Monster have forbidden age gap romance. I was expecting more angst/ drama/ twist on the story. Instead I got so so story.
The forbidden romance seems to stop being the center of the story around 30% into the book. The chemistry between Alex and Sunny.... well, seems cold to me. Just a lot of sexual attraction withoug emotional/ vulnerable connection.
Well... overall this is a so so story.
3 stars
The forbidden romance seems to stop being the center of the story around 30% into the book. The chemistry between Alex and Sunny.... well, seems cold to me. Just a lot of sexual attraction withoug emotional/ vulnerable connection.
Well... overall this is a so so story.
3 stars
June 19, 2023
Re-read Audio Style 6/11-6/14/23
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧
The audio version simply reminded why I love this book so much. From the first page to the very last it had my strict attention. It’s so easy to get lost in their friendship and how much he fights the inevitable. Angsty and perfect!
Aaron Shedlock was sheer perfection, his voice is understated and sexy. Virginia Rose was good too but her voice sounded way too old for Sunny so it took away a little from my listening enjoyment which is why I gave 4🎧 instead of 5.
Original Review 11/22-11/23/22
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great character development, phenomenal relationship building, emotionally entrancing and captured my fucking heart in an instant and never let that fucker go.
I know from a mile away that certain things happen in this that will piss readers off but it’s all for the greater good.
Alexander is a monster, at least that’s what he tells himself every time he looks in the mirror. But really he’s just so fucking broken. It’s pretty easy to make mistake after mistake when you have no responsibilities and no one to hold you accountable.
Sunny is broken too but in a completely different way. She’s drowning in her need to hold a sinking ship together with toothpicks and rubber bands. Meanwhile she herself is drowning and nobody knows or cares.
Have you ever heard of a poem called Not Waving But Drowning by Stevie Smith? It’s short and simplistic but teeming with meaning. But that doesn’t take away from how goddam beautiful it is. I read that poem when I was 16 and it’s stuck with me for over two decades.
Not only does this story remind me of that poem because of the subject manner but the simplicity and the beauty that it made me feel.
Two broken people desperately trying to heal each other and find the love they so desperately need. Love shouldn’t be easy, you should have to work for it to fully appreciate it. And do they work for it and I loved every second that it broke me before putting me back together.
“We don’t get to love people because they are perfect or because they’ve made every right decision. Love is not a reward for good behavior. Love is unconditional because the strongest love endures the hottest fire.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎧🎧🎧🎧
The audio version simply reminded why I love this book so much. From the first page to the very last it had my strict attention. It’s so easy to get lost in their friendship and how much he fights the inevitable. Angsty and perfect!
Aaron Shedlock was sheer perfection, his voice is understated and sexy. Virginia Rose was good too but her voice sounded way too old for Sunny so it took away a little from my listening enjoyment which is why I gave 4🎧 instead of 5.
Original Review 11/22-11/23/22
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great character development, phenomenal relationship building, emotionally entrancing and captured my fucking heart in an instant and never let that fucker go.
I know from a mile away that certain things happen in this that will piss readers off but it’s all for the greater good.
Alexander is a monster, at least that’s what he tells himself every time he looks in the mirror. But really he’s just so fucking broken. It’s pretty easy to make mistake after mistake when you have no responsibilities and no one to hold you accountable.
Sunny is broken too but in a completely different way. She’s drowning in her need to hold a sinking ship together with toothpicks and rubber bands. Meanwhile she herself is drowning and nobody knows or cares.
Have you ever heard of a poem called Not Waving But Drowning by Stevie Smith? It’s short and simplistic but teeming with meaning. But that doesn’t take away from how goddam beautiful it is. I read that poem when I was 16 and it’s stuck with me for over two decades.
Not only does this story remind me of that poem because of the subject manner but the simplicity and the beauty that it made me feel.
Two broken people desperately trying to heal each other and find the love they so desperately need. Love shouldn’t be easy, you should have to work for it to fully appreciate it. And do they work for it and I loved every second that it broke me before putting me back together.
“We don’t get to love people because they are perfect or because they’ve made every right decision. Love is not a reward for good behavior. Love is unconditional because the strongest love endures the hottest fire.”
June 16, 2021
five rain cloud stars
ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ✯✯✯✯✯
ʜᴇʀᴏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ✯✯✯✯✯
ʜᴇʀᴏɪɴᴇ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ✯✯✯✯✯
ᴀɴɢsᴛ: ʜɪɢʜ ғᴏᴄᴜs
ᴄʜᴀʀᴄᴛᴇʀs ᴄʜᴇᴍɪsᴛᴇʏ: ʜɪɢʜ ғᴏᴄᴜs
ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄʜᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴠᴇʟᴏᴘᴍᴇɴᴛ: ʜɪɢʜ ғᴏᴄᴜs
sᴛᴇᴀᴍʏ sᴄᴇɴᴇs: ᴍᴏᴅᴇʀᴀᴛᴇ ғᴏᴄᴜs
ᴘʟᴏᴛ ᴛᴡɪsᴛs: ʟᴏᴡ ғᴏᴄᴜs
📖 review 📖
Beautiful Monster is the best age-gap I’ve read this year and let me tell you, I have really high expectations when it comes to age-gap and this book ticked all the boxes for me.The way it’s written is so beautiful and it never got boring.Sara explored the younger woman-older man trope so magnificently and I’m happy I stumbled upon this book at first place.
Let’s talk about the hero, Alexander.This man is not in any way a Prince Charming and he has no problems admitting that.After spending most of his life going through it like he’s gonna live forever and doing everything he can to chase that high, he finally decides to buy a big house and move to the suburbs.He wants a different start after the chaos he left behind and everything seems to be fine except the nineteen year old girl from the house next to his with sadness and longing in her eyes.Alex promises himself he won’t fuck up this time and start anything with the teenager next door.
The heroine, Sunny or as Alex’s nickname for her,rain cloud, was probably my favorite part of the book.I found we had so much more in common than just our age and desire for older guys.Sunny’s been dealing with forming strong emotional bonds with her family,doesn’t know what she’s doing with college and these are all weighing her down, but somehow the guy next door can make it all better with a playful smile thrown her way.
The romance was exceptionally good and not cliché.Sunny and Alex had a volatile road to get their HEA.It was raw and at times ugly and frustrating but that’s what makes this book worth the read.There were so many times where they were both doubting what they’d started but at the end they got the most beautiful romance they could’ve ever had.
April 25, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story 2 Stars
Story 2 Stars
Shelved as 'dnf-nope'
June 11, 2020He is absolutely a jerk, a 40 years old jerk, only a kid could be that idiot honestly, she at 19 is better than him. I liked anyway how it started, how they slowly get to be "friends" and fighting their attraction.. even if that kind of didn't make sense because she was at least legal..
anyway i draw the line when the jerk kissed her sister just BECAUSE , knowing well he will hurt her, she even saw the kiss, he knew she is suffering when he had been with OW too , but that move with her sister was totally a di*k move. Yes they weren't involved at least not intimately but they knew full well that they like each others ,so yeah, if it was OW i could get pass that, but not her sister. NOPE. that was at 40% mark, DNF.
anyway i draw the line when the jerk kissed her sister just BECAUSE , knowing well he will hurt her, she even saw the kiss, he knew she is suffering when he had been with OW too , but that move with her sister was totally a di*k move. Yes they weren't involved at least not intimately but they knew full well that they like each others ,so yeah, if it was OW i could get pass that, but not her sister. NOPE. that was at 40% mark, DNF.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2021
3.5*
I don’t normally reach for age gap romances, but the blurb of this one sort of drew me in and I’m glad it did because it was a pretty good read. There were some things I didn’t love about it, but overall it was a good story and in my opinion a different take on the age gap. If you’re looking for a big gap, that’s still forbidden, but honestly feels like they are really slowly falling for each other without age gap being the kink then you’ll enjoy this.
If you loathe age gap, I doubt you’ll enjoy this. No matter the circumstances he’s still 20 years older than her, but if you don’t hate it and it’s just not your preference then you may like this one. I did!
I don’t normally reach for age gap romances, but the blurb of this one sort of drew me in and I’m glad it did because it was a pretty good read. There were some things I didn’t love about it, but overall it was a good story and in my opinion a different take on the age gap. If you’re looking for a big gap, that’s still forbidden, but honestly feels like they are really slowly falling for each other without age gap being the kink then you’ll enjoy this.
If you loathe age gap, I doubt you’ll enjoy this. No matter the circumstances he’s still 20 years older than her, but if you don’t hate it and it’s just not your preference then you may like this one. I did!
June 23, 2021
Beautiful Monster is an age gap, next door neighbors, new adult romance. Alexander is a playboy who’s trying to reform. Sunny is an art school dropout living at home with a less-than-ideal family life. Alexander hires her to do a mural in his pool house, and, of course, both of them find it difficult to stay professional…
This book is angsty, despite the stakes not being particularly high. It’s not quite a taboo relationship, despite the author trying to make it seem like it is. Most of the angst comes from Alexander. This book is told in dual POV, but we don’t find out much about Alexander’s apparently sordid past until nearly the end of the book. We do know that he’s extremely self-destructive, and he is constantly damaging any kind of relationship that he and Sunny could have. He’s worried that he’ll hurt her, but in the process, all he ever does is hurt her.
Maybe it’s because I’ve read similar plotlines with other age-gap books and also with MC/mafia romances, but in this one the hero’s self-sabotage just kind of falls flat. He’s a forty-year-old playboy, and his self-loathing is a little anticlimactic and seemingly unfounded.
All that said, his character development does pick up a bit towards the end of the book. It’s Sunny’s personal growth that makes up for Alexander’s. She grows into herself quite nicely by the end of the book.
There are a few subplots that weren’t resolved to my liking--including one with...
This book is angsty, despite the stakes not being particularly high. It’s not quite a taboo relationship, despite the author trying to make it seem like it is. Most of the angst comes from Alexander. This book is told in dual POV, but we don’t find out much about Alexander’s apparently sordid past until nearly the end of the book. We do know that he’s extremely self-destructive, and he is constantly damaging any kind of relationship that he and Sunny could have. He’s worried that he’ll hurt her, but in the process, all he ever does is hurt her.
Maybe it’s because I’ve read similar plotlines with other age-gap books and also with MC/mafia romances, but in this one the hero’s self-sabotage just kind of falls flat. He’s a forty-year-old playboy, and his self-loathing is a little anticlimactic and seemingly unfounded.
All that said, his character development does pick up a bit towards the end of the book. It’s Sunny’s personal growth that makes up for Alexander’s. She grows into herself quite nicely by the end of the book.
There are a few subplots that weren’t resolved to my liking--including one with...
December 13, 2021
Sunny sees the loser H kissing her sister. H knows she is watching them and does this on purpose:
“The hand holding the paintbrush freezes over the palette as I watch them talk on the pool deck. I have to make myself dip the brush into the paint, mix it until I find the right shade, focus on what I’m doing and not on what they're talking about or how she’s touching his arm.”
She’s standing with her back to me, her butt up against the kitchen counter, and he’s standing close to her, most of his body hidden except for his hands which are firmly on the counter framing her in.
Her hands are on his face, tilted at an angle so I know their lips are locked. He pulls away from her face
When she notices him stopping, she turns her head to see what he’s looking at, and I wait for her to see me watching him, but he grabs her face and kisses her before she catches me.”
Now his reason for being ahole.
“The truth is that I kissed her hoping I would feel something, as if my overwhelming attraction to Sunny was genetic, and I could feel something like that for her sister. I was wrong. Of course.”
See great guy here.
Ahole H and spineless h:
Digging my hands into her hair, I pull her close and whisper, my mouth only inches away from her ear, like a secret. “You’re mad that I kissed her because you want me to kiss you.”
Again his reason for hurting her and breaking her heart:
“I care about you too much to kiss you. What I did the other night when I was drunk was uncalled for, and I’m toeing this line of insanity with you, Sunny. What I want and what I can have are two different things, and it’ll drive me insane, but I won’t give in because I am a stain, Sunny. You don’t want what I would do to you. To me, you are perfect, pure, spotless.”
So he had to kiss her sister? Why not anyone other woman? He should have known if she liked him it would have hurt her equally bad but nooo... he had to go and kiss her sister in front of her. What a douche. What if he had felt something for the sister too? what then, huh? Would he had left h for her sister?
Then after all his talk about his so called maturity he goes and does this after a few pages:
“Suddenly his hands are exploring my body, cupping my breasts through my dress and swimsuit, squeezing and kneading them in a way that I'm sure he thinks feels good.” What a great guy, giving not mixed to a 19 y/o hormonal girl ( que the sarcasm).
Let’s not forget he had an affair with ow and H knew h knows about it and it hurts her. So why would this 40+ mature guy care about 19 years old girls feelings. Didn’t we see his maturity and how he handles his problems or dilemmas above. Also he attended his ex party.
Now, why would I want to read all this unnecessary angst and crap when I have better books to read. I wouldn’t read it even if I had no other books to read.
“The hand holding the paintbrush freezes over the palette as I watch them talk on the pool deck. I have to make myself dip the brush into the paint, mix it until I find the right shade, focus on what I’m doing and not on what they're talking about or how she’s touching his arm.”
She’s standing with her back to me, her butt up against the kitchen counter, and he’s standing close to her, most of his body hidden except for his hands which are firmly on the counter framing her in.
Her hands are on his face, tilted at an angle so I know their lips are locked. He pulls away from her face
When she notices him stopping, she turns her head to see what he’s looking at, and I wait for her to see me watching him, but he grabs her face and kisses her before she catches me.”
Now his reason for being ahole.
“The truth is that I kissed her hoping I would feel something, as if my overwhelming attraction to Sunny was genetic, and I could feel something like that for her sister. I was wrong. Of course.”
See great guy here.
Ahole H and spineless h:
Digging my hands into her hair, I pull her close and whisper, my mouth only inches away from her ear, like a secret. “You’re mad that I kissed her because you want me to kiss you.”
Again his reason for hurting her and breaking her heart:
“I care about you too much to kiss you. What I did the other night when I was drunk was uncalled for, and I’m toeing this line of insanity with you, Sunny. What I want and what I can have are two different things, and it’ll drive me insane, but I won’t give in because I am a stain, Sunny. You don’t want what I would do to you. To me, you are perfect, pure, spotless.”
So he had to kiss her sister? Why not anyone other woman? He should have known if she liked him it would have hurt her equally bad but nooo... he had to go and kiss her sister in front of her. What a douche. What if he had felt something for the sister too? what then, huh? Would he had left h for her sister?
Then after all his talk about his so called maturity he goes and does this after a few pages:
“Suddenly his hands are exploring my body, cupping my breasts through my dress and swimsuit, squeezing and kneading them in a way that I'm sure he thinks feels good.” What a great guy, giving not mixed to a 19 y/o hormonal girl ( que the sarcasm).
Let’s not forget he had an affair with ow and H knew h knows about it and it hurts her. So why would this 40+ mature guy care about 19 years old girls feelings. Didn’t we see his maturity and how he handles his problems or dilemmas above. Also he attended his ex party.
Now, why would I want to read all this unnecessary angst and crap when I have better books to read. I wouldn’t read it even if I had no other books to read.
June 20, 2023
I found this very disappointing when comparing it with the other books I've read by this author.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 28, 2021DNF - the H is a 40year old man acting like a child - he kisses the h’s sister like a drunken moron at a frat party. I’m out. If he were a younger character it wouldn’t be so bad, but I expect a grown man to act like one. Not. Alpha.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2022
4⭐️ Cute and hot perfect mix 😍
~ age gap
~ roommates, he lets her live with him (well more like insists)
~ friends to lovers
THE TENSION moooooaaaaaannnn 😫
~ age gap
~ roommates, he lets her live with him (well more like insists)
~ friends to lovers
THE TENSION moooooaaaaaannnn 😫
June 9, 2021
DNF at 38% ....I'm just not connecting with this. I love age gap romances but I'm not getting the right vibes from these characters
Shelved as 'avoid'
August 11, 2022Self note biggest pet peeve.
H kissed h sister.🤢
H kissed h sister.🤢
June 1, 2020
Give me a forbidden story and I’m happy, I love them! I devoured this book in hours and it most definitely hit the spot; the angst and denial were just delicious. The characters, plot, emotions and their love had me carrying my kindle everywhere to get a moment to read more!
Sunny is a kind of Cinderella character to start with; very low self-esteem, unloved and unwanted by her parents, very lonely, but as the story grew, so did she. I loved her from page one.
Alex is a god. He really struggled with his feelings for Sunny; she is twenty years his junior! My heart broke for him and I was willing him on to live his life and accept the love Sunny was offering... we all know men though... nothing can be straight forward.
The emotional turmoil gripped me and kept my complete attention. You need to read Alex and Sunny’s story ASAP.
Sunny is a kind of Cinderella character to start with; very low self-esteem, unloved and unwanted by her parents, very lonely, but as the story grew, so did she. I loved her from page one.
Alex is a god. He really struggled with his feelings for Sunny; she is twenty years his junior! My heart broke for him and I was willing him on to live his life and accept the love Sunny was offering... we all know men though... nothing can be straight forward.
The emotional turmoil gripped me and kept my complete attention. You need to read Alex and Sunny’s story ASAP.
August 18, 2020
2.5 stars
Alexander: 40 years old
Sunny: 19/20 years old
Alex acted more like her parent than her partner in certain scenes.
I am not sure I believe in this couple’s HEA especially when he went to one of his This happened towards the end.
There is just too much baggage.
Sunny has daddy issues.
2.5 stars
Alexander: 40 years old
Sunny: 19/20 years old
Alex acted more like her parent than her partner in certain scenes.
I am not sure I believe in this couple’s HEA especially when he went to one of his This happened towards the end.
There is just too much baggage.
Sunny has daddy issues.
2.5 stars
August 31, 2021
DNF 48%
What I thought I was getting into: A cute, possibly angsty age gap romance with steam and sass.
What I got: A manho who sleeps with and makes out with multiple women - including the heroine's sister - of all the crap I read up to the halfway point, that was the most egregious.
I'm out.
What I thought I was getting into: A cute, possibly angsty age gap romance with steam and sass.
What I got: A manho who sleeps with and makes out with multiple women - including the heroine's sister - of all the crap I read up to the halfway point, that was the most egregious.
I'm out.
June 8, 2020
Sara Cate - Beautiful Monster
𝑨𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
Unputdownable.
This was my first taste of Sara Cates work. Beautiful Monster is exactly the type of book I love to read. Filled with heart wrench and conflict. I was so engrossed with the story that before I knew it I've read the whole book in one sitting.
I loved the authors way of writing; the portrayal of emotions, world building and character development. This will definetly not be the last book I read by this author.
We don't get to love people because they are perfect or because they've made every right decision. Love is not a reward for good behaviour. Love is unconditional because the strongest love endures the hottest fire.
Sunny is mature beyond her years. Unique thought process of the heroine helped gain an understanding of the characters point of view from an artistic eye. The way she saw her life. I love her mind and her heart.
Alexander is no saint and has alot of demons to overcome. He has experienced life but not fully matured. I liked that the hero wasnt all put together at his age. He has issues of his own to deal with and doesnt have his life in order. It was unique to other age gap romances I've read in the past.
He treats me like an equal. Even when he takes care of me, protects me, like he sees my worth even when I don't.
Their love was a special type of slow burn that had to be handled delicately. I loved how both characters interacted, they fit together like two puzzle pieces, and were good for each other. I enjoyed seeing how the characters developed into healthier individuals, together and by themselves, in order for their relationship to grow.
Bonus epilogue was beautiful. I love seeing how couples are getting on in the future. It felt realistic and true to the story.
Beautiful monster reminds me of the book, When August Ends. The older man, caring, guardian type and the coming of age heroine. Would recommend reading it if you enjoyed this book.
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Imagine Dragons – Demons
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𝑨𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
Unputdownable.
This was my first taste of Sara Cates work. Beautiful Monster is exactly the type of book I love to read. Filled with heart wrench and conflict. I was so engrossed with the story that before I knew it I've read the whole book in one sitting.
I loved the authors way of writing; the portrayal of emotions, world building and character development. This will definetly not be the last book I read by this author.
We don't get to love people because they are perfect or because they've made every right decision. Love is not a reward for good behaviour. Love is unconditional because the strongest love endures the hottest fire.
Sunny is mature beyond her years. Unique thought process of the heroine helped gain an understanding of the characters point of view from an artistic eye. The way she saw her life. I love her mind and her heart.
Alexander is no saint and has alot of demons to overcome. He has experienced life but not fully matured. I liked that the hero wasnt all put together at his age. He has issues of his own to deal with and doesnt have his life in order. It was unique to other age gap romances I've read in the past.
He treats me like an equal. Even when he takes care of me, protects me, like he sees my worth even when I don't.
Their love was a special type of slow burn that had to be handled delicately. I loved how both characters interacted, they fit together like two puzzle pieces, and were good for each other. I enjoyed seeing how the characters developed into healthier individuals, together and by themselves, in order for their relationship to grow.
Bonus epilogue was beautiful. I love seeing how couples are getting on in the future. It felt realistic and true to the story.
Beautiful monster reminds me of the book, When August Ends. The older man, caring, guardian type and the coming of age heroine. Would recommend reading it if you enjoyed this book.
Playlist:
Halsey - Colors
Imagine Dragons – Demons
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March 18, 2021
I was engaged enough to want to know how this would end
the h is too young in so many ways
she's also one of those gross ones who intimately touches and kisses the drunk-passed out hero - eww - distasteful, to put it mildly
he is brutally honest with her from the get go
he's been a self confessed womanizer for years; doesn't hide a thing about his past
he’s remorseful now, embarrassed and sickened by his douche behaviour and trying hard to change
she knows he's trouble because she's been told and she's read about him
they're the typical virgin heroine / sexually experienced hero couple
he's a tortured soul who falls for a too-young-for-him girl
he has too many issues to be playing house with her
makes a valiant effort to not give in to their attraction
but of course the sexual pull is stronger than his good intentions
even so...up until the end he's not convinced that he's good enough for her
but as long as she wants him they'll make it
there's a follow-up novella of them years down the line and he's STILL having sleepless nights (literally) about being too old for her etc, but they'll be okay.
the h is too young in so many ways
she's also one of those gross ones who intimately touches and kisses the drunk-passed out hero - eww - distasteful, to put it mildly
he is brutally honest with her from the get go
he's been a self confessed womanizer for years; doesn't hide a thing about his past
he’s remorseful now, embarrassed and sickened by his douche behaviour and trying hard to change
she knows he's trouble because she's been told and she's read about him
they're the typical virgin heroine / sexually experienced hero couple
he's a tortured soul who falls for a too-young-for-him girl
he has too many issues to be playing house with her
makes a valiant effort to not give in to their attraction
but of course the sexual pull is stronger than his good intentions
even so...up until the end he's not convinced that he's good enough for her
but as long as she wants him they'll make it
there's a follow-up novella of them years down the line and he's STILL having sleepless nights (literally) about being too old for her etc, but they'll be okay.
August 18, 2021
Enjoyable May to December romance.
I wondered from the blurb if it would be a little creepy but it wasn’t. We get to know both character faults and all. The ending and bonus chapter (you have to sign up to mailing list) were lovely.
I wondered from the blurb if it would be a little creepy but it wasn’t. We get to know both character faults and all. The ending and bonus chapter (you have to sign up to mailing list) were lovely.
June 10, 2020
I was so incredibly curious about this book. From the blurbs in the newsletters to the cover reveals, I really wanted to read it. I was really excited when I was able to score an advanced reader copy! But, this just isn't a book for me. Sunny and Alex could have been so much more, but Alex's "Monster" tendencies keep messing up their relationship. They started to feel more and more like an excuse to be a horrible human being. There were so many little moments that made me root for them and want to read the HEA, but then he made a really stupid decision that hurt her and she almost instantly forgave him. Then I couldn't.
I saw other people saying she acts more mature for her age. No, she doesn't. She acts like a 19 going on 15 year old and that's okay because she is young and is dealing with a lot. But emotionally mature people would call their loved ones on their crap and wouldn't be a door mat to a man child. I didn't make it past 32% because I got tired of the same of dance, just livened up with different music. I was more interested in how she escapes her toxic home life, but that started to be pushed to the wayside so she could focus her attention on her obsession with Alex. There were a couple of continuity things, like saying the weather wasn't usually that hot to acting like its always that way and little things like that. So yeah, this wasn't a bad book, just not a book for me.
I saw other people saying she acts more mature for her age. No, she doesn't. She acts like a 19 going on 15 year old and that's okay because she is young and is dealing with a lot. But emotionally mature people would call their loved ones on their crap and wouldn't be a door mat to a man child. I didn't make it past 32% because I got tired of the same of dance, just livened up with different music. I was more interested in how she escapes her toxic home life, but that started to be pushed to the wayside so she could focus her attention on her obsession with Alex. There were a couple of continuity things, like saying the weather wasn't usually that hot to acting like its always that way and little things like that. So yeah, this wasn't a bad book, just not a book for me.
June 9, 2020
Beautiful Monster was a great story. The plot was strong, it was written well. The story was filled with many emotions. Sara Cate did a great job on it.
Alexander and Sunny's journey had many ups and downs, their journey was a rollercoaster but they were drawn to each other. Their connection was strong and their chemistry was steamy. They were great together.
I enjoyed this story, it was great.
Thank you, Sara Cate. Great work :)
Alexander and Sunny's journey had many ups and downs, their journey was a rollercoaster but they were drawn to each other. Their connection was strong and their chemistry was steamy. They were great together.
I enjoyed this story, it was great.
Thank you, Sara Cate. Great work :)
June 7, 2020
Oh man, if there's one thing I love it's a good age gap romance! Beautiful Monster was EVERYTHING I needed in a good angsty age gap. Love that taboo feeling you get when the older man tries to stay away but just can't. The pull between these two had me hooked from the very beginning. With Alexander moves into his new house to try to prove to everyone he is changing, he finds it hard to resist the teenager next door and is determined to stay away to show he isn't the same man he used to be. Sunny wants him. She doesn't hide it, and trying to pull him to her is more difficult than she expected. Battling with wanting him to let go, but not wanting him to feel like he's just being his old player self, she tries to find a way to make him come to her. I could not put this book down and I have become a forever Sara Cate fan! I can't wait to dive into more of her books!
June 7, 2021
Cute and different age-gap story.
I absolutely loved the guy, he was every inch the delectable playboy 😊 the girl on the other hand was very much a child. When you feel the need to point out “I’m not a child,” ever so often, maybe ones actions should change to match the statement 😅
I absolutely loved the guy, he was every inch the delectable playboy 😊 the girl on the other hand was very much a child. When you feel the need to point out “I’m not a child,” ever so often, maybe ones actions should change to match the statement 😅
February 2, 2024
2 stars you say? Well it does stand for "it was ok", and it was.
I did have a hard time believing the H was in his 40s because his behaviour did not match up.
I kept thinking he was an immature 20 yr old.
Anyhoo, do I regret reading it, heck no!
I did have a hard time believing the H was in his 40s because his behaviour did not match up.
I kept thinking he was an immature 20 yr old.
Anyhoo, do I regret reading it, heck no!
June 6, 2022
Nada como un boludo de 40 años actuando cual adolescente/pibito de facultad.
July 11, 2021
It was a good overall book, I liked Sunny but she was a little too needy for me.
I liked Alex and the chemistry between he and Sunny was great.
I felt like he was more her savior then her equal because of what was going on in her house.
The ending was the best part, and the narration the narration was fantastic.
I liked Alex and the chemistry between he and Sunny was great.
I felt like he was more her savior then her equal because of what was going on in her house.
The ending was the best part, and the narration the narration was fantastic.
June 28, 2023
“I wonder if he ever feels this thing between us as intensely as I do. When my heart felt so empty, he was there, not to fill it with his own love, but to teach me how to fill it with my own.”
4.5 ⭐️
Wow this book definitely got me out of my slump!
Alex and Sunny are definitely one of my favorite book couples EVER!
4.5 ⭐️
Wow this book definitely got me out of my slump!
Alex and Sunny are definitely one of my favorite book couples EVER!
August 14, 2022
4⭐️ very smutty with very little plot lol! Quick and spicy read! This is type of book to help you out of reading slump Sara Cate never misses 🫡
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