Isabelle and the Beast by Marie Soleil: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

It was supposed to be a quick meeting.

I’ve been trying to break into acting for years, and now I’m FINALLY up for a lead role in a romcom movie. It’s a huge step up from barista #3, especially considering who’s supposed to play my love interest—Adam Stone.

Sure, he’s known as the “Hollywood Hothead” and disappeared from the public eye eight months ago after he punched fellow actor Tristan Jackson on the red carpet. But I’m willing to endure some personality issues for the sake of my big break.

When he asks me to come meet him at his family estate to make sure we can work together, I figure it’ll just be a couple hours. Maybe dinner.

But then it starts snowing.

In May.

In Southern California.

Now I’m stranded with Adam for who knows how long. He’s rude, gruff, and I KNOW he’s keeping some crazy secrets. I’m 99% sure it’s not a dead body but…you never know.

The longer I stay, the more determined I am to find out the truth…and the more I realize that Adam has scars below the surface, too.

Maybe things aren’t always what they appear.

Isabelle and the Beast is a closed-door, romantic comedy retelling of Beauty and the Beast with no spice and swoony kisses only! The stories in the Once Upon a Rom-Com series follow the siblings of the Stone family as they find their happily ever afters. The stories are standalone, but if you like continuous stories, I recommend reading them in order.

The Author

Marie writes heart-warming, sweet and clean romantic stories with big life lessons and character growth. She won the Swoony Award in 2022 for Best Debut Author. When she's not writing, she can be found watching The Office, playing the piano, sewing a dress, or reading a book (while consuming copious amounts of chocolate). She lives in sunny Southern California with her husband of 16 years, four children, and their chickens.

Book Review

Isabelle and the Beast is the second book in the Once Upon a RomCom series. While I definitely think this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well, I do think that readers might get the most out of it by reading in order, as there are references to the first book as well as hints as to what is to come. 

Like so many romance readers, Beauty and the Beast is one of my very favorite fairy tales, so I was very excited for it to be the next retelling in this series... and having gotten a little peek at Adam and Isabelle's story at the end of Cinder Luna, there was definitely a lot of anticipation built up for this one. And it absolutely did not disappoint! Right from the start, I was drawn into the story and these characters--- wondering what had happened to turn Adam into the recluse he had become. Like the first book in the series, I love how beautifully those classic elements and nods to the story we all love were weaved in--- while still feeling completely fresh and new--- a unique story all its own that I absolutely couldn't get enough of! As much as I loved the first book, I think I loved this one even more--- and I absolutely cannot wait to see what's going to happen next!! 

Isabelle and the Beast is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4gF0BCa