Book Review: How Beauty Loved the Beast by Jax Garren

Goodreads Summary: It’s all been leading to this.

Jolie Benoit has become a skilled agent of the Underlight, relying on her savvy to complete assignments while Sergeant Wesley Haukon was out of commission. But an unexpected clue to the Order of Ananke’s diabolical scheme rattles Jolie, and she turns to Hauk for comfort.

It’s been years since Hauk took comfort from the touch of another person, though his love for Jolie is deep and powerful. Uncomfortable in his skin, scarred by a terrible fire, he is unable to give in to the pleasures that Jolie so desperately wants to grant him.

Meanwhile, the Order is lurking in the shadows—and when they strike, the blow is swift and terrible. Hauk and Jolie scramble to fight for their community, but with the future of the Underlight threatened, no one is safe. And Hauk will never be the same…

Title: How Beauty Loved the Beast
Series: Tales of the Underlight #3
Author: Jax Garren
Publisher: Carina Press
Release Date: 13th May 2013
Genre: Adult Steampunk Urban Fantasy Romance
Format: eGalley
Source: via Publisher from NetGalley

**Please note: there will be spoilers for How Beauty Met the Beast and How Beauty Saved the Beast**

Well, what a fabulous conclusion to Tales of the Underlight. I have really loved this series and hope to read more from the characters within in another series. The characters are all lovable, but Hauk is my favourite. He is such an insecure guy, but shows such strength when it comes down to the crunch and boy, all that muscle! Jolie is a wonderful character as well, with her loyalty, determination and patience with Hauk; and she is so passionate, love her. Jax Garren’s writing style has drawn me in and I couldn’t put How Beauty Loved the Beast down, as with the other two books in the series.

After saving Wesley Haukon (Hauk) in the last instalment, Jolie Benoit is determined to have her way with Hauk and draw him out to show his skin. But first Hauk needs to recover from his injuries. Jolie seems to find trouble where ever she goes and during a secret mission while Hauk is in hospital, this is no exception to the rule.

Hauk and Jolie are a part of the Underlight, a secret society that is determined to stop The Order of Ananke (these are the baddies, trying to rule the world). Everywhere they go, Hands of Atropos (the army for The Order) seem to be around and trying to inject their members with some secret serum. It doesn’t seem to do anything at this stage, but they are all worried about what is to come.

While they are trying to work out what is coming, Jolie and Hauk are trying to take their relationship to a new level and Jolie is determined to help Hauk deal with his scars. She wants to show him they don’t affect her that she just wants all of him. After some intense romance, it appears that Jolie has her work cut out for her. Hauk just has too many scars, internal and external; he has promised that one day he will reveal himself fully to her, but right now he can’t. Jolie is heartbroken that Hauk cannot trust her, if he loves her, why can’t he show it?

There appears to be something happening and the members of the Underlight are changing into zombies (so to speak). They are not acting like themselves and trying to head to the surface. Does this have something to do with the injections everybody is being stabbed with?

Can Jolie and Hauk work out what the Order is trying to achieve? Can a reversal be made for the injection everybody is being stabbed with? Can Hauk overcome his insecurities and let Jolie love him completely? Will Jolie finally admit her true feelings to Hauk?

This is one fantastic adventure with Jolie and Hauk. The romantic scenes are both frantic and intense, but then soft and sweet; just like the characters themselves. There are so many variables in this world that has the potential for another great series. I just love Ms Garren’s intense, but fun atmosphere and Jolie with her no bull attitude. I highly recommend this series to all adult romance readers, it is highly enjoyable.

5 FANTASTIC HAUKON BOOKS

About the Author

Jax Garren is descended from Valkyries and Vikings (she’s part Swedish) but was raised a small town girl in the Texas Hill Country. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in English and a minor in Latin and stayed in Austin to teach high school. During her eight years in public education she was in a riot, broke up fights, had cops storm her class with guns drawn…and met the most amazing young people who taught her more about life and hope than she taught them about any school subject.

Jax believes in happily ever afters. She married her real life hero, a handsome engineer who is saving the world through clean energy technology. Her heroine is Marion Ravenwood from Raiders of the Lost Ark, the perfect blend of tough and feminine. Jax blames Marion for her dream of traveling to Nepal to experience Himalayan palaces and monasteries and to drink yak butter tea.

Jax loves meeting new people, so if you see her out and about say hello! She’s always happy to raise a glass with her readers (or anyone else) in a toast to courage, adventure, and love.

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