Fun, modern fairytale romance
5 stars

This is the second book in Ava Ryan’s Fairy Tale Billionaire series, after The Billionaire’s Princess. Each book in this trilogy focuses on a different brother, and events of each book happens at the same time as each other, so you can read one or all and in any order you like.

It’s a surprise to no-one that this story is based on Beauty and the Beast - or as much as it can really be, I suppose. There’s no locking people up, singing candlesticks or enchanted roses, for example. But some of the little references and nods to the fairytale are quite cute and had me chuckling.

This is the story of the beastly Griffin and his feisty executive assistant, Bellamy. She apparently also goes by Bella - not that I recall anyone actually calling her that in the book. She’s a fun character - believable and likeable. On handing in her notice, she decides to finally go after what she wants. And despite his grumpy, surly nature - she wants Griffin. So it’s not really a story of Beauty tames the Beast - but more Beauty knows the Beast’s personality and and likes him anyway!

Ava Ryan can do no wrong with her heroes in my opinion. Make no bones about it, Griffin is a beast. Not just in work but in life, too. But as soon as he and Bellamy get together, he turns into this slightly obsessed, giant teddy bear. To see him smitten just gave me the happys.

Griffin and Bellamy’s relationship is not without its faults. In fact, other than their time in the Hamptons, most of the time they seem to be at odds with each other. Griffin had some real fears and insecurities about him and Bellamy - in fact, I just wanted to give him a big hug much of the time - so I can understand why there was friction…but I would have loved it more if we also got to see the pair when they were connecting, laughing and happy.

But they were both very happy during the sex scenes. And so was I.

It’s obviously early days but so far Ava Ryan just keeps getting better. Modern day fairytales with great characters and stories that’ll make you never want to put the book down. 5 stars for this book from me and I’m looking forward to reading Ryker’s story next in The Billionaire’s Cinderella. ( )