How Beauty Loved the Beast by Jax Garren

How Beauty Loved the Beast
Author: Jax Garren
Series: Tales of the Underlight #3
Published by: Carina Press
Publication Date: May 13, 2013
Format: eARC
Pages: 141
Source: Publisher

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…

Well, it’s over. No more Hauk and Jolie. I’m going to miss them. How Beauty Loved the Beast is the final book in the Tales of the Underlight novella trilogy, and it was the steamiest of all!

This book picks up a couple weeks after the last one left off. Hauk and Jolie are finally together, but Hauk is still struggling with letting Jolie see him in all of his scarred and disfigured glory. But if anyone can get Hauk to shed his clothes, it’s Jolie. It’s no easy feat, though. I really like that the story mainly revolve around Hauk an Jolie’s relationship. Yes, the whole Order of Ananke vs. the Underlight story line is great too, but I love when what’s going on between Jauk (Holie?) is the focus.

I think this was the longest of the three books, and for good reason. Like I said, it’s also the steamiest. I love that Hauk knows Jolie can handle herself. Even though all he wants to do is protect her, he knows she’s not some helpless chick and will crack a few skulls when need be. Hauk is the kind of bad boy I like. He has tattoos, piercings, and can take on ten thugs without breaking a sweat, but he’s such a kind soul and would do anything for Jolie. And of course I love Jolie and her fearlessness. Also, what I really like is that Jolie is confident with Hauk regardless of his looks, and that she hates when people assume that a girl like her wouldn’t be with him just because he’s ugly.

 The use of Norse gods and goddesses was a major plus. We got a glimpse of how they play into the story before, but they are a lot more prevalent in this book. I really liked the mix of fairytale and mythology. Going into a fairytale retelling you pretty must know how the gist of the story plays out, but the author kept me wondering about certain things all the way through.

Overall, I enjoyed How Beauty Loved the Beast a lot and thought it was a great end to the trilogy. I will definitely read whatever Jax Garren writes next.