Review: Beauty and the Beast ***4 1/2 Stars***
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 31, 2013
This novel is loosely based on the fairytale, Beauty and the Beast....although we are told that the heroine is not a "beauty," at least not according to society's standards.  The plot of this book is somewhat unique, in that the h and H choose to marry each other purely because they desire to do so......the heroine is not pressured into marrying the hero, neither does she need to marry him, or he her.  What made this story very poignant is the major inferiority complex suffered by both characters.Agatha is super smart and intelligent, but a bit on the plain side, while the hero, Magnus, was horribly scarred in a fire.  Magnus and Agatha literally run into each other at a ball.  Their encounter, although brief, is significant and changes the course of their lives forever.  Magnus cannot stop thinking about Agatha, so much so that he ends up making her an offer of marriage, which she accepts.  At the conclusion of the marriage ceremony, Agatha becomes nervous because she knows that Magnus is about to kiss her.  It's her first kiss and she is afraid she will embarrass herself and Magnus.Unfortunately, Magnus misinterprets her trembling as fear, and so instead of giving Agatha a "proper" kiss, he merely kisses her on the forehead.  This results in Agatha believing that Magnus does not find her physically attractive.  This misunderstanding between the two sets the tone for the beginning of their marriage.  Matters are not helped by the fact that Magnus refuses to consummate the marriage because he is too ashamed of the severe scars on his body (although Agatha does not know that that is his reason for refusing to do so).The story that unfolds is a beautiful one about two people who learn to overcome their insecurities, risk their hearts, and discover a love that is beautiful and timeless.There is also a bit of intrigue as someone is trying to kill Agatha.  Humor is added to the plot in the guise of Lord Crittenden, Magnus' best friend, whose mother is so desperate to marry him off that she literally follows him around with a host of potential brides.  LOL  The story held my interest from the very beginning, and stirred true emotion within me, laughter, sorrow, and anger.  I even became exasperated with Crittenden's mother because of the way she hounded the poor man!I loved the characters, especially Agatha and Magnus.....well all except the villain, of course.  Agatha is a wonderful heroine, smart, intelligent, determined, and brave.  And Magnus is absolutely wonderful!  The poor man suffered so much about his appearance that it broke my heart.  He thought himself a monster.  Although a bit gruff and aloof, he was always so terribly sweet with Agatha.  The reader gets to see these two wonderful people fall in love.  And to top it off, the villain gets his in a very satisfactory way and there's even an epilogue!  I love epilogues.  LOL