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Spellbound Lies
The prince has been in a constant battle with the beast lurking beneath his skin. Not a creature to be slayed, but a man crafted from the darkest evils. The two shift between the body they share, threatening to unleash a destruction that would change their realm forever.
When Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovers more than she bargained for. To keep Prince Nikolaus’s curse a secret, she is imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken.
Trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn is caught in a war of good versus evil.
The prince versus his beast.
And a heart that betrays her.
A twisted retelling where Jekyll & Hyde meets Beauty & the Beast.
When Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovers more than she bargained for. To keep Prince Nikolaus’s curse a secret, she is imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken.
Trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn is caught in a war of good versus evil.
The prince versus his beast.
And a heart that betrays her.
A twisted retelling where Jekyll & Hyde meets Beauty & the Beast.
650 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2022
7 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Downen
11 books179 followersCatherine Downen is the author of The Markings series. She recently graduated from Bradley University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She has always had a love for writing and a passion for telling stories. Currently, Catherine is working as a Sustaining Engineer in St. Louis MO by day, while continuing to write on the side.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 16, 2022
WHEW. I DID IT. 650 PAGES.
This is one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings with a splash of jekyll and Hyde.
This is a delightful young adult fairytale. The characters really made this a million times better. Finn deserves a novella!!! I loved him way more than the prince.
While I loved the storyline, I did have to remind myself I was reading YA at times when Jessamyn was giving not like other girls vibes lol and the Beast was super childish at first.
I did guess all of the twists but I fell in love with the characters and wanted to see how it played out. I made a joke about what I thought was going to happen so when it did I was so shook 🤣 BETRAYED AND DISMAYED. It's okay though because no one liked them anyway.
BUT GIRL WHY IS IT SO LONG?!! Anyways that was cute and I loved it, for fans of the Disney Twisted Tales!
thank you to NetGalley and Catherine Downen for this ARC it is available now 😊
This is one of my favorite Beauty and the Beast retellings with a splash of jekyll and Hyde.
This is a delightful young adult fairytale. The characters really made this a million times better. Finn deserves a novella!!! I loved him way more than the prince.
While I loved the storyline, I did have to remind myself I was reading YA at times when Jessamyn was giving not like other girls vibes lol and the Beast was super childish at first.
I did guess all of the twists but I fell in love with the characters and wanted to see how it played out. I made a joke about what I thought was going to happen so when it did I was so shook 🤣 BETRAYED AND DISMAYED. It's okay though because no one liked them anyway.
BUT GIRL WHY IS IT SO LONG?!! Anyways that was cute and I loved it, for fans of the Disney Twisted Tales!
thank you to NetGalley and Catherine Downen for this ARC it is available now 😊
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July 22, 2022I had the immense privilege of beta reading this lovely book. Review and rating to come closer to release date when details of the book are more concrete.
October 4, 2022
I received an ARC of this book and I’m leaving an honest review.
The writing in the beginning felt a little awkward and I feel like those first few chapters maybe could have still needed a little work, but it does get better as the story continues.
The prince has some serious mood swings. Because I already knew that it's Beauty and the Beast meets Jekyll & Hyde I imagined there would be two princes, or at least two sides of him, but it’s literally just “charming prince” vs “guy who acts like a 10 years old” (and then suddenly at some point they switch personalities). Not exactly what I was expecting. They keep calling him “beast” but in the end all he’s doing is being childish. He’s not cruel nor violent, just acting immature.
And Jessamyn... she really has ZERO judgmental skills. Is getting your main character to constantly do stupid shit the only way to move the plot?
Considering the book is around 600 pages long I wasn’t expecting him to tell her he was cursed just a couple chapters in. The pace is way faster than I expected it to be (not a bad thing, I was just surprised).
Overall, I rate this 3.75 stars (rounding it up to 4 for goodreads), because despite all the things I mentioned I never felt the need to put down the book and I never felt bored, which is definitely a positive thing considering how long the book is. The fact that it was fast paced probably helped.
The writing in the beginning felt a little awkward and I feel like those first few chapters maybe could have still needed a little work, but it does get better as the story continues.
The prince has some serious mood swings. Because I already knew that it's Beauty and the Beast meets Jekyll & Hyde I imagined there would be two princes, or at least two sides of him, but it’s literally just “charming prince” vs “guy who acts like a 10 years old” (and then suddenly at some point they switch personalities). Not exactly what I was expecting. They keep calling him “beast” but in the end all he’s doing is being childish. He’s not cruel nor violent, just acting immature.
And Jessamyn... she really has ZERO judgmental skills. Is getting your main character to constantly do stupid shit the only way to move the plot?
Considering the book is around 600 pages long I wasn’t expecting him to tell her he was cursed just a couple chapters in. The pace is way faster than I expected it to be (not a bad thing, I was just surprised).
Overall, I rate this 3.75 stars (rounding it up to 4 for goodreads), because despite all the things I mentioned I never felt the need to put down the book and I never felt bored, which is definitely a positive thing considering how long the book is. The fact that it was fast paced probably helped.
November 16, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars, rounded up to 4 for GoodReads. Thank you, Catherine Downen for an ARC of your book, Spellbound Lies, in exchange for my honest review!
Spellbound Lies is a YA twisty Beauty and the Beast retelling with a hint of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Jessamyn is a baker, who is asked to caterer an event at the castle. She loses her ring, a family heirloom, during the event. When she goes back, she runs into the Beast - a cruel version of the charming prince she met earlier that day. Since she knows his secret now, she's a prisoner, stuck until they break the curse.
I wanted to love this book SO badly as I've always loved Beauty and the Beast. This retelling was so unique with several plot twists. I loved the plus sized representation in the FMC and I loved her journey of coming into herself. And you can't beat a classic enemies to lovers trope. I will absolutely read the next book when it comes out.
I did have some issues though with the pacing of the book, it felt drawn out when it could have been condensed. The beginning was a little slow. It's marketed as a YA and I would say it's closer to young than adult. Some of the writing felt a little juvenile. The characters were all very immature. My biggest complaint is the inconsistencies with the time period - all the characters wore jeans, the FMC wore a tank top and denim shorts- but also ballgowns with corsets. I could look past all of this though and enjoy the story so don't let that stop you from picking it up and reading it.
Spellbound Lies is a YA twisty Beauty and the Beast retelling with a hint of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Jessamyn is a baker, who is asked to caterer an event at the castle. She loses her ring, a family heirloom, during the event. When she goes back, she runs into the Beast - a cruel version of the charming prince she met earlier that day. Since she knows his secret now, she's a prisoner, stuck until they break the curse.
I wanted to love this book SO badly as I've always loved Beauty and the Beast. This retelling was so unique with several plot twists. I loved the plus sized representation in the FMC and I loved her journey of coming into herself. And you can't beat a classic enemies to lovers trope. I will absolutely read the next book when it comes out.
I did have some issues though with the pacing of the book, it felt drawn out when it could have been condensed. The beginning was a little slow. It's marketed as a YA and I would say it's closer to young than adult. Some of the writing felt a little juvenile. The characters were all very immature. My biggest complaint is the inconsistencies with the time period - all the characters wore jeans, the FMC wore a tank top and denim shorts- but also ballgowns with corsets. I could look past all of this though and enjoy the story so don't let that stop you from picking it up and reading it.
June 11, 2025
3.5 rounded to 4 stars. A dual retelling that beckons the reader to really look at a person rather than letting first glimpses decieve.
A prince with a curse, a girl trapped by the knowledge of it, and a kingdom on the brink of war. What could go wrong?
The characters were well written, but I feel like this novel could have been much shorter and packed as big of a punch. The final chapters wrap up everything oddly quickly and quietly after grand reveals which left me feeling clunky. I know there is a sequel, however do I need to read it when everything is already wrapped in a bow?
While I enjoyed the story, it was just too long for me personally, however it does deserve the 3.5 stars it earned. If you're looking for a fresh take on all the retellings look no further than Spellbound Lies. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A prince with a curse, a girl trapped by the knowledge of it, and a kingdom on the brink of war. What could go wrong?
The characters were well written, but I feel like this novel could have been much shorter and packed as big of a punch. The final chapters wrap up everything oddly quickly and quietly after grand reveals which left me feeling clunky. I know there is a sequel, however do I need to read it when everything is already wrapped in a bow?
While I enjoyed the story, it was just too long for me personally, however it does deserve the 3.5 stars it earned. If you're looking for a fresh take on all the retellings look no further than Spellbound Lies. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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September 18, 2022Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy!
tl;dr
A fairy tale romance with a great twist on the Beauty and the Beast formula. MC can be frustrating at times.
About
All Jessamyn Elisdream wants is to keep her family's bakery running. The latest job catering for the prince seems like an amazing opportunity until she loses a family heirloom and has to sneak back into the palace to retrieve it. The prince she meets that night seems an entirely different person - because he is. He's been cursed by a witch to become the most evil version of himself when night falls. Jessamyn is now imprisoned in the castle to keep the prince's secret, but the longer she stays, the more she finds herself torn between the prince's two forms.
Thoughts
I love a fairy tale retelling, especially the kind that dig a little deeper into gray morality, so I enjoyed this book's exploration of Prince Nikolaus vs. the version of himself that he most feared becoming. The use of a Jekyll/Hyde transformation was really effective. His character arc is really nicely paced, and I found myself rooting for the romance the entire time. I have mixed feelings about Jessamyn. First off, hooray for curvy girl rep, hooray for someone who isn't a doormat, and I always love a character who bakes. But she often blurs the line between "I don't feel like I fit in," and "I'm not like other girls," which was kind of a letdown. She also doesn't seem great about considering consequences for her actions, which is fine for an individual, and not a good idea if the entire kingdom is going to be rocked because of a single choice. The final major character Finn is a very rare, and very appreciated, male friend who isn't there to make a love triangle happen. He is easily my favorite character in the entire thing, and I appreciated the emotional foundation that he brought to the story. I worried early on that he was going to wind up not nearly as cool as he seemed, but he is, in fact, as cool as he seems.
The romantic aspects are direct from a fairy tale, with messages to follow your heart and lines about being the most beautiful girl in the whole kingdom. Romance is largely spice-free. Readers will find a lot of cute interactions and banter along with some passionate kisses and .
Extra thoughts that I couldn't fit anywhere else:
-The book includes several small sketched illustrations which are absolutely lovely. I found myself looking forward to them.
-I'm having trouble placing the (imagined) time period. Characters live in a castle, ride horses, and the best weapons tech are swords and bows (and magic). But indoor electricity exists (albeit, it's rare), and characters of all genders regularly wear jeans, sweaters, and tank tops.
tl;dr
A fairy tale romance with a great twist on the Beauty and the Beast formula. MC can be frustrating at times.
About
All Jessamyn Elisdream wants is to keep her family's bakery running. The latest job catering for the prince seems like an amazing opportunity until she loses a family heirloom and has to sneak back into the palace to retrieve it. The prince she meets that night seems an entirely different person - because he is. He's been cursed by a witch to become the most evil version of himself when night falls. Jessamyn is now imprisoned in the castle to keep the prince's secret, but the longer she stays, the more she finds herself torn between the prince's two forms.
Thoughts
I love a fairy tale retelling, especially the kind that dig a little deeper into gray morality, so I enjoyed this book's exploration of Prince Nikolaus vs. the version of himself that he most feared becoming. The use of a Jekyll/Hyde transformation was really effective. His character arc is really nicely paced, and I found myself rooting for the romance the entire time. I have mixed feelings about Jessamyn. First off, hooray for curvy girl rep, hooray for someone who isn't a doormat, and I always love a character who bakes. But she often blurs the line between "I don't feel like I fit in," and "I'm not like other girls," which was kind of a letdown. She also doesn't seem great about considering consequences for her actions, which is fine for an individual, and not a good idea if the entire kingdom is going to be rocked because of a single choice. The final major character Finn is a very rare, and very appreciated, male friend who isn't there to make a love triangle happen. He is easily my favorite character in the entire thing, and I appreciated the emotional foundation that he brought to the story. I worried early on that he was going to wind up not nearly as cool as he seemed, but he is, in fact, as cool as he seems.
The romantic aspects are direct from a fairy tale, with messages to follow your heart and lines about being the most beautiful girl in the whole kingdom. Romance is largely spice-free. Readers will find a lot of cute interactions and banter along with some passionate kisses and .
Extra thoughts that I couldn't fit anywhere else:
-The book includes several small sketched illustrations which are absolutely lovely. I found myself looking forward to them.
-I'm having trouble placing the (imagined) time period. Characters live in a castle, ride horses, and the best weapons tech are swords and bows (and magic). But indoor electricity exists (albeit, it's rare), and characters of all genders regularly wear jeans, sweaters, and tank tops.
October 11, 2022
Spellbound Lies is a twisted retelling where Jekyll & Hyde meets Beauty & the Beast according to it's tagline. I have a thing for good retellings, and this book just caught my attention. The cover is like a mysterious fairytale, but it is really clear that this book will be a Beauty & the Beast story. What will Catherine Downen in store for the readers?
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
Find out in my review on my blog Boekensteeg
October 30, 2022
This was SO good! I need the sequel right this minute!
October 1, 2022
IMPORTANT:
✨SPELLBOUND LIES RELEASES OCTOBER 11, 2022!!!!✨
ARC review:
First, a HUGE THANK YOU to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an arc!!! I've never been fortunate enough to receive an arc before so this was very exciting to say the least!!
All thoughts and comments are my PERSONAL OPINION.
Spellbound Lies:
Two words... 💥FORBIDDEN ROMANCE💥
I'm such a sucker for all things spice, angst, drama, and this book has it ALL!!
Not gonna lie I was worried if I was going to have time to read and enjoy this book like it deserves... (page count is roughly 600 something pages). Starting a new job recently left me with little to no time to read yet, I found myself making time to read this book! Literally any free time I had my nose was in this book because I had to know what was gonna happen next.
As far as characters go, I’m the type of person who will always root for the underdog. the misunderstood. the “villain.” (I mean depending on the character’s true nature of course…) bottom line is I LOVE a good REDEMPTION arc and that’s exactly what Nik aka the big bad “beast” undergoes throughout the story in his own way. I don’t want to give too much away but personally he is the character I resonated with most.
Nik and Jessamyn’s romance is one that legitimately tugged at my heart strings. OH THE ANGST. BUT OH THE LOVE. Can’t wait to see how their relationship progresses in the future installments.
One thing I will say is that some plot twists were easy to infer early on… but I’ll just chalk that up to me having good reader’s intuition 🤪 haha but that’s not a bad thing! It personally makes me feel smart when I figure plot twists out. However, even so the book was still a page turner.
I really do recommend giving this book a read for those of you like me who love a good dark fantasy romance!!
Also, THANK YOU Catherine. I’m so glad Tiktok brought us together. Keep doing great things sis!💓
✨SPELLBOUND LIES RELEASES OCTOBER 11, 2022!!!!✨
ARC review:
First, a HUGE THANK YOU to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an arc!!! I've never been fortunate enough to receive an arc before so this was very exciting to say the least!!
All thoughts and comments are my PERSONAL OPINION.
Spellbound Lies:
Two words... 💥FORBIDDEN ROMANCE💥
I'm such a sucker for all things spice, angst, drama, and this book has it ALL!!
Not gonna lie I was worried if I was going to have time to read and enjoy this book like it deserves... (page count is roughly 600 something pages). Starting a new job recently left me with little to no time to read yet, I found myself making time to read this book! Literally any free time I had my nose was in this book because I had to know what was gonna happen next.
As far as characters go, I’m the type of person who will always root for the underdog. the misunderstood. the “villain.” (I mean depending on the character’s true nature of course…) bottom line is I LOVE a good REDEMPTION arc and that’s exactly what Nik aka the big bad “beast” undergoes throughout the story in his own way. I don’t want to give too much away but personally he is the character I resonated with most.
Nik and Jessamyn’s romance is one that legitimately tugged at my heart strings. OH THE ANGST. BUT OH THE LOVE. Can’t wait to see how their relationship progresses in the future installments.
One thing I will say is that some plot twists were easy to infer early on… but I’ll just chalk that up to me having good reader’s intuition 🤪 haha but that’s not a bad thing! It personally makes me feel smart when I figure plot twists out. However, even so the book was still a page turner.
I really do recommend giving this book a read for those of you like me who love a good dark fantasy romance!!
Also, THANK YOU Catherine. I’m so glad Tiktok brought us together. Keep doing great things sis!💓
December 8, 2022
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spellbound Lies releases October 11, 2022
Stop what you’re doing and pre-order this!!
Spellbound Lies is a YA Jekyll & Hyde x Beauty & The Beast retelling, and the first in a series. This does not leave off on a cliffhanger.
I’ll be transparent in saying that the page count on this was intimidating for me initially, ranging between six and seven hundred pages — but I can confidently say that it was well worth it and I don’t think it would have been able to translate as well in anything less. The writing was so fluid and it really did fly by.
The added illustrations throughout were amazing and added such a nice touch to this fantasy story. I wish more books of this genre did this!
I always tend to gravitate towards a villain in any story - so it was no surprise that early on I was rooting for “the beast”. A misunderstood character, who underneath all of the cunning smirks and remarks, was such a thoughtful person.
You’ll read about two characters that find solace and companionship with each other, in an otherwise lonely situation. Confidence will be found, happiness sought out, and above all else, balancing the lines between what or who is good and evil.
I really don’t want to give away much, but the pacing and plot twists were so good.
I had my suspicions about a few things. Whether you figure out every twist or not, it will get explained in a satisfying way in the end!
Can’t wait to see how the Prince of Pulvium and Jessamyn evolve from here with their new fates and discoveries!!
Read if you like:
- a baker and a prince
- retellings
- good vs evil
- a curvy fmc
- forbidden love
- passing notes through a dumbwaiter
- board games similar to chess
- witches and curses
- bonds
“To break the curse means someone knows you past the skin on your bones. Let your worst nightmare come out while you slumber and destroy everything in your unknown.”
“Jessamyn Elisdream, you have been the only light I’ve seen in the last two years.”
“I’m sorry he ruined this for you.”
“Why do you care?”
“Because I don’t want you to feel like you are worthless.”
“Our two fireworks entangle themselves and it hits me like their powerful explosion that I am not the only one who was pulled into the curse. I am not as alone as I sometimes feel because there is someone out there, standing right next to me, that is as much a prisoner as I am. To the people of Strize, the red and pink explosions look like fireworks, but to me, they look like flares. Like signals of distress calling out for someone to save them.”
“You’re missing the fireworks,” I tease him.
“I am already looking at the most beautiful sight in all of Pulvium.”
Thank you to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spellbound Lies releases October 11, 2022
Stop what you’re doing and pre-order this!!
Spellbound Lies is a YA Jekyll & Hyde x Beauty & The Beast retelling, and the first in a series. This does not leave off on a cliffhanger.
I’ll be transparent in saying that the page count on this was intimidating for me initially, ranging between six and seven hundred pages — but I can confidently say that it was well worth it and I don’t think it would have been able to translate as well in anything less. The writing was so fluid and it really did fly by.
The added illustrations throughout were amazing and added such a nice touch to this fantasy story. I wish more books of this genre did this!
I always tend to gravitate towards a villain in any story - so it was no surprise that early on I was rooting for “the beast”. A misunderstood character, who underneath all of the cunning smirks and remarks, was such a thoughtful person.
You’ll read about two characters that find solace and companionship with each other, in an otherwise lonely situation. Confidence will be found, happiness sought out, and above all else, balancing the lines between what or who is good and evil.
I really don’t want to give away much, but the pacing and plot twists were so good.
I had my suspicions about a few things. Whether you figure out every twist or not, it will get explained in a satisfying way in the end!
Can’t wait to see how the Prince of Pulvium and Jessamyn evolve from here with their new fates and discoveries!!
Read if you like:
- a baker and a prince
- retellings
- good vs evil
- a curvy fmc
- forbidden love
- passing notes through a dumbwaiter
- board games similar to chess
- witches and curses
- bonds
“To break the curse means someone knows you past the skin on your bones. Let your worst nightmare come out while you slumber and destroy everything in your unknown.”
“Jessamyn Elisdream, you have been the only light I’ve seen in the last two years.”
“I’m sorry he ruined this for you.”
“Why do you care?”
“Because I don’t want you to feel like you are worthless.”
“Our two fireworks entangle themselves and it hits me like their powerful explosion that I am not the only one who was pulled into the curse. I am not as alone as I sometimes feel because there is someone out there, standing right next to me, that is as much a prisoner as I am. To the people of Strize, the red and pink explosions look like fireworks, but to me, they look like flares. Like signals of distress calling out for someone to save them.”
“You’re missing the fireworks,” I tease him.
“I am already looking at the most beautiful sight in all of Pulvium.”
September 10, 2022
This was a bit difficult to get through as it was long and read like a middle grade novel, rather than a young adult one. While there were some unique aspects that I appreciated in the Beauty and the Beast retelling, such as incorporating a sort of Jekyll and Hyde aspect into the prince/beast character, I foud that instead of being a man "crafted from the darkest evils", he seemed to just have the temper of a tumultuous toddler,with Jessamyn not being much better. I wish I could say the tory sucked me in, but I struggled to get through it and remain interested.
*I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own*
*I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own*
February 4, 2024
I completely devoured this. So much better than I was expecting it to be.
I read a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings, so it takes a lot for one to impress me, but this one did. It was such a creative twist on the story, and even though it was predictable, I loved reading it so much.
My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, especially after all the build-up. I wanted a little more of a glimpse at the other side of the curse.
Also, wasn't a huge fan of the anachronistic details like characters wearing jeans. It didn't happen too often, so it didn't bother me too much, but every time it did, I was pulled out of the story and wondered why the characters couldn't wear things other than jeans and tank tops.
Content: language, fade-to-black
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
I read a lot of Beauty and the Beast retellings, so it takes a lot for one to impress me, but this one did. It was such a creative twist on the story, and even though it was predictable, I loved reading it so much.
My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, especially after all the build-up. I wanted a little more of a glimpse at the other side of the curse.
Also, wasn't a huge fan of the anachronistic details like characters wearing jeans. It didn't happen too often, so it didn't bother me too much, but every time it did, I was pulled out of the story and wondered why the characters couldn't wear things other than jeans and tank tops.
Content: language, fade-to-black
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
September 23, 2022
*****5 Stars!
“Beast or not, my heart beats because of you.”
First I would like to thank Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.
Spellbound Lies is the story about a prince trapped in a constant battle with the beast lurking beneath his skin. The beast is not a creature to be slayed, but a man crafted from the darkest evils. The two shift between the body they share, threatening to unleash a destruction that would change their realm forever. It is only when a young baker, Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovered far more than she bargained for.
She must now keep Prince Nikolaus’s secret and becomes imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken. Now trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn becomes caught in a war of good and evil. The prince versus the beast and a heart that betrays her.
This was such a creative Beauty and the Beast retelling with a clever Jekyll and Hyde twist to it! I was hooked from the first moment I started the book and I couldn’t seem to put it down after that. At the end of each chapter I was left with the need to know more and ended up devouring the book quicker than I expected. Throughout the entirely of the book I found myself collecting little details and storing them in the back of my mind for later, trying to solve the curse before the story reached its conclusion. The pacing of the story was very well done making the story flow smoothly and very easy to read and lose yourself within the pages. I also really enjoyed the magic system in the story, I found it all to be very interesting!
I absolutely loved the author’s way with words, her descriptions were beautiful and the gorgeous illustrations only further helped in immersing me deeper into the story! The banter and the romantic tension between Jessamyn and Nik was one of my favorite things about this book; the slow burn between them was so romantic and swoon worthy. I found myself eager to reach their interactions in the story. Jessamyn was a character that I also found very relatable. I loved the way the author brought the character’s insecurities to the surface, only to see them smoothed over by Nik who accepted her for all that she was.
The twist and turns within the story were perfect! Right when I thought I had it all figured out, there would be a twist and I’d be seconding guessing my original thoughts. I really enjoyed how engaged this book kept me throughout the story. It was so easy to lose myself in this world and the characters; Spellbound Lies was by far one of my top favorite reads this year!
If you’re a lover of Beauty and the Beast retellings with a creative twist and a swoon worthy romance, then this is a book that I would highly recommend! I absolutely can’t wait to read more from this author! I cannot wait for the sequel!
“Beast or not, my heart beats because of you.”
First I would like to thank Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.
Spellbound Lies is the story about a prince trapped in a constant battle with the beast lurking beneath his skin. The beast is not a creature to be slayed, but a man crafted from the darkest evils. The two shift between the body they share, threatening to unleash a destruction that would change their realm forever. It is only when a young baker, Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovered far more than she bargained for.
She must now keep Prince Nikolaus’s secret and becomes imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken. Now trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn becomes caught in a war of good and evil. The prince versus the beast and a heart that betrays her.
This was such a creative Beauty and the Beast retelling with a clever Jekyll and Hyde twist to it! I was hooked from the first moment I started the book and I couldn’t seem to put it down after that. At the end of each chapter I was left with the need to know more and ended up devouring the book quicker than I expected. Throughout the entirely of the book I found myself collecting little details and storing them in the back of my mind for later, trying to solve the curse before the story reached its conclusion. The pacing of the story was very well done making the story flow smoothly and very easy to read and lose yourself within the pages. I also really enjoyed the magic system in the story, I found it all to be very interesting!
I absolutely loved the author’s way with words, her descriptions were beautiful and the gorgeous illustrations only further helped in immersing me deeper into the story! The banter and the romantic tension between Jessamyn and Nik was one of my favorite things about this book; the slow burn between them was so romantic and swoon worthy. I found myself eager to reach their interactions in the story. Jessamyn was a character that I also found very relatable. I loved the way the author brought the character’s insecurities to the surface, only to see them smoothed over by Nik who accepted her for all that she was.
The twist and turns within the story were perfect! Right when I thought I had it all figured out, there would be a twist and I’d be seconding guessing my original thoughts. I really enjoyed how engaged this book kept me throughout the story. It was so easy to lose myself in this world and the characters; Spellbound Lies was by far one of my top favorite reads this year!
If you’re a lover of Beauty and the Beast retellings with a creative twist and a swoon worthy romance, then this is a book that I would highly recommend! I absolutely can’t wait to read more from this author! I cannot wait for the sequel!
October 11, 2022
While this book has a lot of themes in common with Beauty and the Beast and Jekyll and Hide that it all that it has in common. This is a unique story that has quite a few twists and turns, some expected others not. It truly draws the reader in and brings them into a beautiful world where for only a couple hours a day does the beast get to take hold of the prince’s body. Jessamyn’s character has a beautiful growth to it. She goes from looking at herself one way to being able to see her through the Beast’s eyes. I also love that she learns to trust her instincts where others question what she is doing, she holds fast in her beliefs. Nik is a fun character too, though to call him a beast does seem a stretch. He only has a few actions that anyone could possibly call being beastly, and honestly even those could be dismissed as being just in a bad mood. That being said, I do love him. I love how he challenges Jessamyn and tells her to continue the path she is on even when it might cause him harm. Overall, this is just a lovely book, one that readers of all ages are going to love. I do secretly hope that there is a second book in this series as I would love to see what is in store for Nik and Jassamyn.
Thank you so much to Catherine Downen and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you so much to Catherine Downen and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
September 2, 2022
I am so grateful to have received an advanced copy of Spellbound Lies! I devoured this book and loved every second of it.
Downen wove an incredible romantasy tale. I was hooked from the first page. These characters and this story was so rich. All the descriptions were so vivid and through Jessamyn’s eyes, I really felt like I was there.
Jessamyn and Nik were such a wonderful couple. I loved seeing this forbidden romance and all the angst that came with it. I just had to know what would happen with them. I loved Jessamyn’s character growth so much and can’t wait to see how it continues in the next book.
The plot twists in this novel were amazing. I did not expect what happened and it blew me off my feet. It was such an incredible ending and I can’t wait for book 2. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance and A Curse so Dark and Lonely, this is a book for you!
Downen wove an incredible romantasy tale. I was hooked from the first page. These characters and this story was so rich. All the descriptions were so vivid and through Jessamyn’s eyes, I really felt like I was there.
Jessamyn and Nik were such a wonderful couple. I loved seeing this forbidden romance and all the angst that came with it. I just had to know what would happen with them. I loved Jessamyn’s character growth so much and can’t wait to see how it continues in the next book.
The plot twists in this novel were amazing. I did not expect what happened and it blew me off my feet. It was such an incredible ending and I can’t wait for book 2. If you’re a fan of fantasy romance and A Curse so Dark and Lonely, this is a book for you!
September 19, 2022
I love it! It was like a mix between Beauty & The Beast but also Jekyll & Hyde with (a lot of) angst and plus-sized heroine with strong personality! The middle part feels a little slow, but other than that I adore this book. Have a sense of how it's going to go since the "curse" revealed, and I'm glad to see how it plays out in the end! Team Beast-Nik from the very very start!! Finn is a dear tho, and we don't have to talk about Jessamyn because she is AMAZING.
January 10, 2023
As a fan of Jekyll & Hyde and Beauty & the beast, I thought this was an interesting combination/retelling. The 660 pages went by in a flash! My only critique is that the pacing felt a little inconsistent in places. Other than that, I greatly enjoyed this book! The twists at the end caught me soooo off guard in the best way :)
October 17, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
This had a great story behind it, but I feel the writing and the characters were a bit to young for my taste, even for a YA. There was a lot of detail into smaller things (im going to the castle, going on a carriage ride etc) that really distracted me from the story overall.
Like I said, there is a great story behind it, but I would go into knowing the writing is younger.
2.75/5✨️
This had a great story behind it, but I feel the writing and the characters were a bit to young for my taste, even for a YA. There was a lot of detail into smaller things (im going to the castle, going on a carriage ride etc) that really distracted me from the story overall.
Like I said, there is a great story behind it, but I would go into knowing the writing is younger.
2.75/5✨️
October 22, 2022
This unique retelling of Beauty and the Beast had me enchanted from the very first page. I fell as much in love with Nik as Jess did, but never once thought the the plot would develop like it did. Such a thrilling and romantic adventure - highly recommend!
October 12, 2022
I really did not know what to expect with this Beauty and the Beast meets Jekyll & Hyde retelling. I found the character choice to merge Beast and Jekyll together to be an interesting twist though! I definitely felt that the “mood swings” were pretty on par at least with the Disney interpretation of the classic story. Overall I felt though that this had a few pacing issues, it was fast! That wasn’t so bad though in terms of readability. And I did enjoy the book.
October 11, 2022
Thank you @catherinedownen for the ARC of Spellbound Lies.
___
Blurp: The prince has been in a constant battle with the beast lurking beneath his skin. Not a creature to be slayed, but a man crafted from the darkest evils. The two shift between the body they share, threatening to unleash a destruction that would change the realm forever. When Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovers more than she bargained for. To keep Prince Nikolaus’s curse a secret, she is imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken. Trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn is caught in a war of good versus evil. The prince versus his beast. And a heart that betrayed her. A twisted retelling where Jekyll & Hyde meets Beauty & the Beast.
___
The cover and title are absolutely stunning and I probably would have bought the book just because of that. The writing style is easily understandable and the plot pulls the reader into the story.
The protagonist Jessamyn Elisdream is written in depth and you can easily put yourself into her shoes. I laughed with her and I felt her heartbreak. The other main characters, Finn Silver, Prince Nikolaus and the beast are well written as well.
I was hooked right at the start and liked the characters from the start as well. The search for a solution to break the curse kept me pretty entertained. I guessed right about one plot twist but only seconds before it happened and it was written beautifully.
This book was amazing! I was hooked from the start and it totally convinced me. I’m already looking forward to the sequel!
5✨ from me!
___
Blurp: The prince has been in a constant battle with the beast lurking beneath his skin. Not a creature to be slayed, but a man crafted from the darkest evils. The two shift between the body they share, threatening to unleash a destruction that would change the realm forever. When Jessamyn Elisdream sneaks into the palace in search of a lost family heirloom, she uncovers more than she bargained for. To keep Prince Nikolaus’s curse a secret, she is imprisoned in the palace until the witch’s spell can be broken. Trapped inside the palace with the prince’s two changing forms, Jessamyn is caught in a war of good versus evil. The prince versus his beast. And a heart that betrayed her. A twisted retelling where Jekyll & Hyde meets Beauty & the Beast.
___
The cover and title are absolutely stunning and I probably would have bought the book just because of that. The writing style is easily understandable and the plot pulls the reader into the story.
The protagonist Jessamyn Elisdream is written in depth and you can easily put yourself into her shoes. I laughed with her and I felt her heartbreak. The other main characters, Finn Silver, Prince Nikolaus and the beast are well written as well.
I was hooked right at the start and liked the characters from the start as well. The search for a solution to break the curse kept me pretty entertained. I guessed right about one plot twist but only seconds before it happened and it was written beautifully.
This book was amazing! I was hooked from the start and it totally convinced me. I’m already looking forward to the sequel!
5✨ from me!
October 11, 2022
Thank you so much to Catherine Downen and Rockstar Book Tours for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m pretty sure I first became aware of this book through TikTok which surprisingly, has not let me down with the recommendations I’ve decided to pick up because of videos on the app. Naturally, I was intrigued by the stunning cover and the fact that it was not only a Beauty and the Beast inspired book but also a Jekyll and Hyde inspired? Color me confused but also sign me up because I absolutely love Beauty and the Beast! So when I saw the opportunity to join the blog tour and actually read the book early, I jumped and crossed my fingers. At over 600 pages, Spellbound Lies is a stunning reimagining of two classic stories that merge together to create a fantastic tale that will leave you breathless and completely spellbound. Okay, I know that was cheesy but I couldn’t resist the opportunity!
We all read books for different reasons, right? Some to escape reality, others to maybe learn more about a certain topic. Fantasy books are always a safe pick when it comes to wanting to leave the real world behind for a bit and travel to a fantastic land where you can be the hero, if only for a few moments. When I was younger, I never really understood how important the ability to escape into a story was. Now, after dealing with a plethora of medical issues and a roller coaster of life in general, books are more important to me than ever. Spellbound Lies came into my life at the perfect time and I didn’t even realize how special it would become to me when I first picked it up. It has allowed me to be someone else for a while as I followed Jessamyn and the Prince’s story and for that, I’m so very grateful to the author. Life has been rough for us lately, but this book gave me a beautiful escape.
A 600+ page book may sound daunting, but Spellbound Lies made every single page count. I can’t even begin to describe how absolutely beautiful this book is! Catherine Downen has a way of weaving words together and genuinely capturing your attention. You’re brought into the story and begin to care about these characters and their world so fast, almost without realizing that it’s happened. The story influences of Beauty and the Beast and Jekyll and Hyde are definitely present, and it’s fun when you notice bits and pieces of each while you’re reading, but it’s also a unique book all on its own! I love how the author took those story influences and turned them into this magical book about love, family, friendship, and finding yourself. Honestly? I could easily read another 600 pages if it meant I got to stay in this world with these characters for a longer period of time!
I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure about Jessamyn at first. I couldn’t help but picture and continue to compare her to Belle (who is one of my favorite Disney Princesses of all time) who is this strong and independent character from the very beginning of the story. It’s clear with Jessamyn that she doesn’t know who she is or where she’s going in her life, outside of what she assumes she’ll be doing because of her family business. She’s not comfortable in her own skin and while she does absolutely have her moments of sass, she just feels…lost at the beginning. But oh my gosh the more I continued to read, the more I saw her grow as a character and I loved it so much. She went from lost about her identity to being this amazingly strong and wonderful character and it’s probably one of my favorite character growth arcs that I’ve ever read. I had my doubts but I was happily surprised and proven so very wrong! And I think that’s the sign of a wonderful writer that you can show so much growth and change in a character throughout your book and have your readers fall absolutely in love with a character they were previously unsure of. I can also say that Prince Nikolaus/ Nik was fantastic and also had a great character arc, but I was already on his team from the start because, well, you’ll understand when you read the book!
The writing in Spellbound Lies is probably some of the most descriptive and beautiful writing I’ve read in a long time. I enjoyed how well thought out the world was because it allowed me to really dive in and feel like I was roaming the castle halls with Jessamyn or causing mischief with Nik. I love big fantasy worlds with a lot of history, especially when I find it so easy to get lost within the world. And the descriptions of the treats that Jessamyn bakes are unreal, oh my gosh. I would love a recipe for some of those delicious sweets! I’m just so excited to have found a fantasy book with writing that’s easy to get lost in for hours.
If you’re looking for a nice long fantasy book to cozy up with this Fall season, this is the one you want to pick up! With beautiful writing, characters that you’ll fall in love with, and a world that you’ll want to dive into, Spellbound Lies is the ultimate cozy read you don’t want to miss!
I’m pretty sure I first became aware of this book through TikTok which surprisingly, has not let me down with the recommendations I’ve decided to pick up because of videos on the app. Naturally, I was intrigued by the stunning cover and the fact that it was not only a Beauty and the Beast inspired book but also a Jekyll and Hyde inspired? Color me confused but also sign me up because I absolutely love Beauty and the Beast! So when I saw the opportunity to join the blog tour and actually read the book early, I jumped and crossed my fingers. At over 600 pages, Spellbound Lies is a stunning reimagining of two classic stories that merge together to create a fantastic tale that will leave you breathless and completely spellbound. Okay, I know that was cheesy but I couldn’t resist the opportunity!
We all read books for different reasons, right? Some to escape reality, others to maybe learn more about a certain topic. Fantasy books are always a safe pick when it comes to wanting to leave the real world behind for a bit and travel to a fantastic land where you can be the hero, if only for a few moments. When I was younger, I never really understood how important the ability to escape into a story was. Now, after dealing with a plethora of medical issues and a roller coaster of life in general, books are more important to me than ever. Spellbound Lies came into my life at the perfect time and I didn’t even realize how special it would become to me when I first picked it up. It has allowed me to be someone else for a while as I followed Jessamyn and the Prince’s story and for that, I’m so very grateful to the author. Life has been rough for us lately, but this book gave me a beautiful escape.
A 600+ page book may sound daunting, but Spellbound Lies made every single page count. I can’t even begin to describe how absolutely beautiful this book is! Catherine Downen has a way of weaving words together and genuinely capturing your attention. You’re brought into the story and begin to care about these characters and their world so fast, almost without realizing that it’s happened. The story influences of Beauty and the Beast and Jekyll and Hyde are definitely present, and it’s fun when you notice bits and pieces of each while you’re reading, but it’s also a unique book all on its own! I love how the author took those story influences and turned them into this magical book about love, family, friendship, and finding yourself. Honestly? I could easily read another 600 pages if it meant I got to stay in this world with these characters for a longer period of time!
I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure about Jessamyn at first. I couldn’t help but picture and continue to compare her to Belle (who is one of my favorite Disney Princesses of all time) who is this strong and independent character from the very beginning of the story. It’s clear with Jessamyn that she doesn’t know who she is or where she’s going in her life, outside of what she assumes she’ll be doing because of her family business. She’s not comfortable in her own skin and while she does absolutely have her moments of sass, she just feels…lost at the beginning. But oh my gosh the more I continued to read, the more I saw her grow as a character and I loved it so much. She went from lost about her identity to being this amazingly strong and wonderful character and it’s probably one of my favorite character growth arcs that I’ve ever read. I had my doubts but I was happily surprised and proven so very wrong! And I think that’s the sign of a wonderful writer that you can show so much growth and change in a character throughout your book and have your readers fall absolutely in love with a character they were previously unsure of. I can also say that Prince Nikolaus/ Nik was fantastic and also had a great character arc, but I was already on his team from the start because, well, you’ll understand when you read the book!
The writing in Spellbound Lies is probably some of the most descriptive and beautiful writing I’ve read in a long time. I enjoyed how well thought out the world was because it allowed me to really dive in and feel like I was roaming the castle halls with Jessamyn or causing mischief with Nik. I love big fantasy worlds with a lot of history, especially when I find it so easy to get lost within the world. And the descriptions of the treats that Jessamyn bakes are unreal, oh my gosh. I would love a recipe for some of those delicious sweets! I’m just so excited to have found a fantasy book with writing that’s easy to get lost in for hours.
If you’re looking for a nice long fantasy book to cozy up with this Fall season, this is the one you want to pick up! With beautiful writing, characters that you’ll fall in love with, and a world that you’ll want to dive into, Spellbound Lies is the ultimate cozy read you don’t want to miss!
September 25, 2022
And the best YA fantasy of 2022 goes to...
[arc review]
I would first like to extend my thanks to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review! Spellbound Lies is out October 11th!!
I'm struggling to articulate how incredible this book was. I encourage everyone who is even slightly interested in the Young Adult, fantasy, and/or romance genres to pre-order this book.
Spellbound Lies follows Jessamyn, Commander Finn Silver, and Prince Nikolaus in their quest to break a curse that causes the Prince of Pulvium to turn into a beast named Nik from the hours of 9pm to 3am every night.
I could not put down all 600+ pages of this masterpiece of a novel. The pacing was perfect, there were a plethora of attention-grabbing quotes, and the writing style of this author was one of the best I've seen in years.
And don't even get me started on how this book includes illustrations of some of the more prominent scenes!!
Aside from the pacing and plot, the characters of this book were unforgettable. Jessamyn is the female protagonist I've been begging for years for. She has agency, follows her heart just as much as her mind, and has a strong moral compass. Jessamyn is also plus-sized, and the way Downen wrote about Jessamyn's body/her feelings about her body were some of the best plus-sized representation I've seen.
If any of this statements apply to you, you shoulddefinitely buy this book :
⭑ You thought the archery scene between Mia and Nicholas in The Princess Diaries 2 was swoon-worthy
⭑ You love Six of Crows's Nina
⭑ You fall for the villain/angsty love-interest
⭑ You want more plus-size representation in your books
⭑ You want a book where you can't predict what will happen next
⭑ You're looking for a Fall read that has witches and curses
⭑ You loved books such as A Court of Thorns and Roses or A Curse so Dark and Lonely
⭑ You love scenes where the female m/c is talking about how beautiful the scenery is and the love interest agrees but is looking at her
I'm going to go buy a physical copy now.
[arc review]
I would first like to extend my thanks to NetGalley, Catherine Downen, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review! Spellbound Lies is out October 11th!!
I'm struggling to articulate how incredible this book was. I encourage everyone who is even slightly interested in the Young Adult, fantasy, and/or romance genres to pre-order this book.
Spellbound Lies follows Jessamyn, Commander Finn Silver, and Prince Nikolaus in their quest to break a curse that causes the Prince of Pulvium to turn into a beast named Nik from the hours of 9pm to 3am every night.
I could not put down all 600+ pages of this masterpiece of a novel. The pacing was perfect, there were a plethora of attention-grabbing quotes, and the writing style of this author was one of the best I've seen in years.
And don't even get me started on how this book includes illustrations of some of the more prominent scenes!!
Aside from the pacing and plot, the characters of this book were unforgettable. Jessamyn is the female protagonist I've been begging for years for. She has agency, follows her heart just as much as her mind, and has a strong moral compass. Jessamyn is also plus-sized, and the way Downen wrote about Jessamyn's body/her feelings about her body were some of the best plus-sized representation I've seen.
If any of this statements apply to you, you should
⭑ You thought the archery scene between Mia and Nicholas in The Princess Diaries 2 was swoon-worthy
⭑ You love Six of Crows's Nina
⭑ You fall for the villain/angsty love-interest
⭑ You want more plus-size representation in your books
⭑ You want a book where you can't predict what will happen next
⭑ You're looking for a Fall read that has witches and curses
⭑ You loved books such as A Court of Thorns and Roses or A Curse so Dark and Lonely
⭑ You love scenes where the female m/c is talking about how beautiful the scenery is and the love interest agrees but is looking at her
I'm going to go buy a physical copy now.
October 12, 2022
**THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS**
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***
***
Wow. Catherine blew me away with this storyline. I've been a Beta Reader for Catherine for a few of her books and when she told me about her ideas for this one I just KNEW I had to read it. It's the perfect blend of love and conflict, with plenty of twists along the way. If you've read her previous works, you'll notice her worldbuilding skills have only gotten better and better with each book.
Now...the good stuff...
***MAY BE SPOILERS***
So, when we first met Jessamyn, I wasn't too sure if she'd be a character I'd be able to relate to on first impression. However, as the story went on, even in the first few chapters, we pick up on small things about Jessamyn that include her insecurities about her physical appearance, as well as her feelings of invisibility as well as undertones of inadequacies. She's a bakers daughter (very talented!) who gets selected to cater the Prince's latest courting ceremony. While there, she watches the other girls and has a small amount of longing in her description of the event and its attendees. She seems like a character who is relatable also in her more humble, yet strong, opinions of self. She describes herself as more athletically built, thicker thighs and a wider middle than most - immediately hooked me as relatable.
Enter Prince Nikolaus - I'm always skeptical of royal characters. Lol. I'll just come out and say it. But Nikolaus was a much more complex character who I just couldn't quite figure out initially. Dealing with his inner demon, "The Beast" (or as we later learn "Nik"), made Nikolaus appear to be the character we were supposed to feel the worst for. We were supposed to feel sad, torn, and frustrated for him that he was having to deal with running the kingdom since **SPOILER** his parents and the royal guard were captured, as well as dealing with keeping "Nik" a secret from all of Pulvium. However...Catherine does a great job in building her characters to entrance you and lead you one way and then surprise you at the end - she is a master at the smoke and mirrors game of deception and plot twists in her stories. So much so, that readers will easily find themselves longing for the Nik and Jessamyn romance that we are able to finally get.
This was by far my favorite story of Catherine's, followed up in close second by "Don't Read the Last Page". I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a light read with mystery, romance, and adventure. Beauty and the Beast / Jekyll and Hyde fans will really enjoy this retelling of two great tales in literature.
***
***
***
Wow. Catherine blew me away with this storyline. I've been a Beta Reader for Catherine for a few of her books and when she told me about her ideas for this one I just KNEW I had to read it. It's the perfect blend of love and conflict, with plenty of twists along the way. If you've read her previous works, you'll notice her worldbuilding skills have only gotten better and better with each book.
Now...the good stuff...
***MAY BE SPOILERS***
So, when we first met Jessamyn, I wasn't too sure if she'd be a character I'd be able to relate to on first impression. However, as the story went on, even in the first few chapters, we pick up on small things about Jessamyn that include her insecurities about her physical appearance, as well as her feelings of invisibility as well as undertones of inadequacies. She's a bakers daughter (very talented!) who gets selected to cater the Prince's latest courting ceremony. While there, she watches the other girls and has a small amount of longing in her description of the event and its attendees. She seems like a character who is relatable also in her more humble, yet strong, opinions of self. She describes herself as more athletically built, thicker thighs and a wider middle than most - immediately hooked me as relatable.
Enter Prince Nikolaus - I'm always skeptical of royal characters. Lol. I'll just come out and say it. But Nikolaus was a much more complex character who I just couldn't quite figure out initially. Dealing with his inner demon, "The Beast" (or as we later learn "Nik"), made Nikolaus appear to be the character we were supposed to feel the worst for. We were supposed to feel sad, torn, and frustrated for him that he was having to deal with running the kingdom since **SPOILER** his parents and the royal guard were captured, as well as dealing with keeping "Nik" a secret from all of Pulvium. However...Catherine does a great job in building her characters to entrance you and lead you one way and then surprise you at the end - she is a master at the smoke and mirrors game of deception and plot twists in her stories. So much so, that readers will easily find themselves longing for the Nik and Jessamyn romance that we are able to finally get.
This was by far my favorite story of Catherine's, followed up in close second by "Don't Read the Last Page". I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a light read with mystery, romance, and adventure. Beauty and the Beast / Jekyll and Hyde fans will really enjoy this retelling of two great tales in literature.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2022
[ arc review ]
RATING : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
First of all, thank you Netgalley and Catherine Downen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Second of all, Spellbound Lies is an Epic. It's beautifully written, page turning, touching, well paced and what not?
It's a perfect treat for all those fans who are very much interested in Beauty and Beast x Jekyll and Hyde Retelling! With a bit of witches, spells, a curse to break, a curvy female MC. And ofcourse Enemies to Lovers trope! It had me hooked from the very first chapter.. Also to my surprise I completed the whole book in less than 24 hours! ( My first October read and it’s already a 5 star read)
The plot, the storyline, the characters, everything about this book is so freaking perfect.. *happy tears*
Okay, so this plot starts with Jessamyn ( a young baker) who eventually gets the opportunity to cater her country’s Prince’s Courting Ceremony. Everything was perfect until she found out she missed her family ring somewhere in the castle during the ceremony . She goes back to the castle (though its stupid to venture into the castle in the midnight) to search for her ring. But? To her surprise everything was open.. No guards.. No one.. Why? So she pushes herself into the ballroom to search for it.. And she finds Prince there? But he wasn’t the same prince and there was something different in him. That's where the commander catches her off guard! Making her into their prisoner and saying she has seen something she shouldn’t! Something suspicious isn’t it? Eventually the commander says about the curse that's been haunting the prince, castle and all of them, and that night she met the beast ( the effect of the curse - not going to spoil more) So, she joined along with the prince and commander in breaking the curse!
Speaking about the character, Nik (you’ll get to know) has one of the best character development. This man has my HEART! Jess aka Jessamyn - she’s just awesome!! Also about Finn ( our commander) - sunshine he is... The ending was so freaking awesome. In one word, this book is AMAZING!
Also those illustrations are so pretty and I loved them!
Highly recommended
RATING : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
First of all, thank you Netgalley and Catherine Downen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Second of all, Spellbound Lies is an Epic. It's beautifully written, page turning, touching, well paced and what not?
It's a perfect treat for all those fans who are very much interested in Beauty and Beast x Jekyll and Hyde Retelling! With a bit of witches, spells, a curse to break, a curvy female MC. And ofcourse Enemies to Lovers trope! It had me hooked from the very first chapter.. Also to my surprise I completed the whole book in less than 24 hours! ( My first October read and it’s already a 5 star read)
The plot, the storyline, the characters, everything about this book is so freaking perfect.. *happy tears*
Okay, so this plot starts with Jessamyn ( a young baker) who eventually gets the opportunity to cater her country’s Prince’s Courting Ceremony. Everything was perfect until she found out she missed her family ring somewhere in the castle during the ceremony . She goes back to the castle (though its stupid to venture into the castle in the midnight) to search for her ring. But? To her surprise everything was open.. No guards.. No one.. Why? So she pushes herself into the ballroom to search for it.. And she finds Prince there? But he wasn’t the same prince and there was something different in him. That's where the commander catches her off guard! Making her into their prisoner and saying she has seen something she shouldn’t! Something suspicious isn’t it? Eventually the commander says about the curse that's been haunting the prince, castle and all of them, and that night she met the beast ( the effect of the curse - not going to spoil more) So, she joined along with the prince and commander in breaking the curse!
Speaking about the character, Nik (you’ll get to know) has one of the best character development. This man has my HEART! Jess aka Jessamyn - she’s just awesome!! Also about Finn ( our commander) - sunshine he is... The ending was so freaking awesome. In one word, this book is AMAZING!
Also those illustrations are so pretty and I loved them!
Highly recommended
October 15, 2022
What an interesting story, with a Beauty & Beast plus Jekyll & Hyde retelling mixed in this first book of the series. No cliffy, so you can jump to read without hesitation, it starts a bit slow but picks up quickly, well besides it being a big book, so if you love those then this is up your alley. Jessamyn is a great plus size heroine, while Prince Nik is a character you will enjoy. The story has a good pacing, you will love the world-building and the development of each character. Catherine Downen did a great writing with this book, as it will hook you from the start and you just keep on reading through it without even acknowledging the page count, it's very entertaining and definitely a story you would like to read for sure. Can't wait to find out what's coming next.
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October 9, 2022
Oh my goodness, this was everything I had hoped it would be and more!! Calling all Beauty and the Beast fans immediately!
At first, I was worried that this book would be too slow because of how long it is, but it definitely flew by for me! It was perfectly paced and nothing ever felt like "filler." It was all purposeful and left me wanting more. Which I found myself wanting nothing but more from the moment I started it. It was so immersive and kept me needing to know what would happen more and more the further I got into it.
I absolutely love the way that the story weaves two familiar tales together into something that feels completely unique. It felt safe and familiar but it also had just enough new to keep me on my toes and create an air of mystery.
The romance is absolutely adorable! I had such pre-conceived notions going into this, and I won't say anything else about that to avoid spoilers! It was so well done that I never questioned myself until the last moment, and that made the reveal all the better. It really subverts society's way of thinking and plays with the reader's mind. I also loved the way that it challenges society's ways of thinking about social standing and body image. I definitely saw myself in that part of the story, and it made me connect with it all the more.
As someone who often gets bored of description, I also want to add that the descriptions in this book only helped to immerse me in the story and make me feel as though I was a fly on the wall. I loved the way things flowed so effortlessly and it never felt like I was slogging through description or action or dialogue.
I can't get over how cute the illustrations were and how they added to the story right when I found myself smiling or my heartrate picking up from the words I was reading. I can't express how much I enjoyed the experience that this book was and I cannot recommend it more highly!
If you're a fantasy lover, you will not want to miss out on this amazing story!
At first, I was worried that this book would be too slow because of how long it is, but it definitely flew by for me! It was perfectly paced and nothing ever felt like "filler." It was all purposeful and left me wanting more. Which I found myself wanting nothing but more from the moment I started it. It was so immersive and kept me needing to know what would happen more and more the further I got into it.
I absolutely love the way that the story weaves two familiar tales together into something that feels completely unique. It felt safe and familiar but it also had just enough new to keep me on my toes and create an air of mystery.
The romance is absolutely adorable! I had such pre-conceived notions going into this, and I won't say anything else about that to avoid spoilers! It was so well done that I never questioned myself until the last moment, and that made the reveal all the better. It really subverts society's way of thinking and plays with the reader's mind. I also loved the way that it challenges society's ways of thinking about social standing and body image. I definitely saw myself in that part of the story, and it made me connect with it all the more.
As someone who often gets bored of description, I also want to add that the descriptions in this book only helped to immerse me in the story and make me feel as though I was a fly on the wall. I loved the way things flowed so effortlessly and it never felt like I was slogging through description or action or dialogue.
I can't get over how cute the illustrations were and how they added to the story right when I found myself smiling or my heartrate picking up from the words I was reading. I can't express how much I enjoyed the experience that this book was and I cannot recommend it more highly!
If you're a fantasy lover, you will not want to miss out on this amazing story!
October 7, 2022
*Big thanks to NetGalley and Catherine Downen for providing me an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4.5 (originally was a 4 but I felt a book hangover after this so I’m leveling it up)
I was NOT expecting to end up liking this book as much as I did! The writing in the first few chapters was kinda awkward and choppy, and it took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I loved it.
This is the first beauty and the beast retelling I’ve read where the romance actually isn’t toxic and is indeed quite wholesome. (At first I was afraid this would be similar to A Curse So Dark and Lonely, which I didn’t really like, but this was pleasantly surprising and way better!)I loved the Jekyll/Hyde take on the story and Nik is the cutest.
Like I said, the first few chapters almost led me to dnf this book because I wasn’t feeling any of the characters and the writing was meh, but it REALLY improved throughout the story and once I got into it, I was hooked. There were a lot of pets in the first 30% of the book that dragged on and definitely could have been cut out, though.
The world building was something I struggled with, because I had trouble picturing it all and wish we’d learned more of it (but also I don’t care too much ‘cause I’m just here for the romance 💀) Also the fashion threw me off because I thought it was fantasy vibes but the jeans and stuff ruined my brain image lmao.
I loved the drawings scattered throughout the story!! I was always pleasantly surprised when one turned up. It made this feel more like reading a fairy tale.
I have many more thoughts but they are spoiler-ey so I must refrain from sharing. Overall, though, I ended up loving this and I hope it gets its deserved popularity!
Read this if you like:
- forbidden love
- (kinda) enemies to lovers
- fairy tale vibes
- plus sized mc rep
- slowburn
- cinnamon roll hero
4.5 (originally was a 4 but I felt a book hangover after this so I’m leveling it up)
I was NOT expecting to end up liking this book as much as I did! The writing in the first few chapters was kinda awkward and choppy, and it took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I loved it.
This is the first beauty and the beast retelling I’ve read where the romance actually isn’t toxic and is indeed quite wholesome. (At first I was afraid this would be similar to A Curse So Dark and Lonely, which I didn’t really like, but this was pleasantly surprising and way better!)I loved the Jekyll/Hyde take on the story and Nik is the cutest.
Like I said, the first few chapters almost led me to dnf this book because I wasn’t feeling any of the characters and the writing was meh, but it REALLY improved throughout the story and once I got into it, I was hooked. There were a lot of pets in the first 30% of the book that dragged on and definitely could have been cut out, though.
The world building was something I struggled with, because I had trouble picturing it all and wish we’d learned more of it (but also I don’t care too much ‘cause I’m just here for the romance 💀) Also the fashion threw me off because I thought it was fantasy vibes but the jeans and stuff ruined my brain image lmao.
I loved the drawings scattered throughout the story!! I was always pleasantly surprised when one turned up. It made this feel more like reading a fairy tale.
I have many more thoughts but they are spoiler-ey so I must refrain from sharing. Overall, though, I ended up loving this and I hope it gets its deserved popularity!
Read this if you like:
- forbidden love
- (kinda) enemies to lovers
- fairy tale vibes
- plus sized mc rep
- slowburn
- cinnamon roll hero
September 16, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read Spellbound Lies by Catherine Downen before publishing.
All thoughts spoken are my own.
GR rating: 5 ⭐'s
My rating: 5 ⭐' s
Spellbound Lies is a Jeykll & Hyde/Beauty and the beast retelling with a twist. Jessamyn is your average bakers daughter, working towards taking over her mothers bakery when a chance encounter with the Prince of Pulviam after am event catered by her turns her world upside down. Secrets are learned about a brutal curse and Jessamyn is now a prisoner of the castle. As she works to not only break the curse to secure her freedom, she's caught up in the palace with Nikolaus's ever changing form. Prince by day, and a beast by night.
I will not lie, the initial page count made me nervous. It was much longer than I expected. Since finishing, I would not have changed a single thing. The story translated beautifully, and the length was needed to tell the story. Catherine has a way with words that hooked me from the beginning, and time seemed to just fly by (as each night it was suddenly 1am). The illustrations mixed in were such a great touch!
The banter and tension between Jessamyn and Nik was so well done I couldn't wait for their scenes together. I have a major soft spot for the "bad boys" (who doesn't) and Nik did not disappoint. The slow burn was beautifully done, and had me hook line and sinker.
Overall I struggled to put the book down. It was such a good, fun read! Some of the twists I figured out half way through, but sole left me guessing until close to the end.
I can't wait to see what Catherine has in store for the sequel!
Releasing October 11th 2022
*review posted to Goodreads. Will also be posted to my instagram upon release day.
All thoughts spoken are my own.
GR rating: 5 ⭐'s
My rating: 5 ⭐' s
Spellbound Lies is a Jeykll & Hyde/Beauty and the beast retelling with a twist. Jessamyn is your average bakers daughter, working towards taking over her mothers bakery when a chance encounter with the Prince of Pulviam after am event catered by her turns her world upside down. Secrets are learned about a brutal curse and Jessamyn is now a prisoner of the castle. As she works to not only break the curse to secure her freedom, she's caught up in the palace with Nikolaus's ever changing form. Prince by day, and a beast by night.
I will not lie, the initial page count made me nervous. It was much longer than I expected. Since finishing, I would not have changed a single thing. The story translated beautifully, and the length was needed to tell the story. Catherine has a way with words that hooked me from the beginning, and time seemed to just fly by (as each night it was suddenly 1am). The illustrations mixed in were such a great touch!
The banter and tension between Jessamyn and Nik was so well done I couldn't wait for their scenes together. I have a major soft spot for the "bad boys" (who doesn't) and Nik did not disappoint. The slow burn was beautifully done, and had me hook line and sinker.
Overall I struggled to put the book down. It was such a good, fun read! Some of the twists I figured out half way through, but sole left me guessing until close to the end.
I can't wait to see what Catherine has in store for the sequel!
Releasing October 11th 2022
*review posted to Goodreads. Will also be posted to my instagram upon release day.
November 11, 2022
ARC from NetGalley
I have a few things I want to say right off the bat, first, this shit is way too fucking long. Second, this cover is a travesty compared to the artwork found within. The sketches are absolutely lovely. I can't find any credit give to the artist, but whoever you are, you done good.
I would have rated this book higher if not for a few issues:
It's way too long for the amount of story we get. We don't learn much of anything at all about the witches, the royal family, the town, or even the main characters really.
There are too many convenient plot points, and there were times when the characters behaved in a manner that wasn't congruent to their personas simply to move the plot forward.
There were a few times when, in retrospect, the author was trying to foreshadow, but at the time it just seemed like bad writing to me, like the story didn't really add up. With the word count, foreshadowing should have been easily achievable, but I don't feel that it was pulled off very well.
Though the time period was never explicitly stated, there was some anachronistic language with the MC wearing jeans, tank tops, and ballet flats etc. which just didn't jive with the horse-drawn carriage vibe.
The whole situation is highly unbelievable to start with. An entire castle, the whole garrison, all the royals, servants, etc, everyone is gone but 2 teenage boys, and somehow they are able to keep this a secret for 2 years. No. The amount of foot traffic, movement of money and goods, etc. that would normally transpire makes this completely unfeasible.
Still, the writing wasn't unpleasant to read. I definitely found myself enjoying parts of it despite the many flaws.
I have a few things I want to say right off the bat, first, this shit is way too fucking long. Second, this cover is a travesty compared to the artwork found within. The sketches are absolutely lovely. I can't find any credit give to the artist, but whoever you are, you done good.
I would have rated this book higher if not for a few issues:
It's way too long for the amount of story we get. We don't learn much of anything at all about the witches, the royal family, the town, or even the main characters really.
There are too many convenient plot points, and there were times when the characters behaved in a manner that wasn't congruent to their personas simply to move the plot forward.
There were a few times when, in retrospect, the author was trying to foreshadow, but at the time it just seemed like bad writing to me, like the story didn't really add up. With the word count, foreshadowing should have been easily achievable, but I don't feel that it was pulled off very well.
Though the time period was never explicitly stated, there was some anachronistic language with the MC wearing jeans, tank tops, and ballet flats etc. which just didn't jive with the horse-drawn carriage vibe.
The whole situation is highly unbelievable to start with. An entire castle, the whole garrison, all the royals, servants, etc, everyone is gone but 2 teenage boys, and somehow they are able to keep this a secret for 2 years. No. The amount of foot traffic, movement of money and goods, etc. that would normally transpire makes this completely unfeasible.
Still, the writing wasn't unpleasant to read. I definitely found myself enjoying parts of it despite the many flaws.
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