This is my first book by Mary, and I have to say that I was not disappointed. This was a twistedly delicious take on a classic fairy tale. I was a little worried when starting this because I didn’t think I’d be a fan of this type of book. I tend to like my fairy tales just as they were in my childhood. But after reading this I’ve most definitely garnered a different opinion on that. This book was the perfect balance of dark and decadent with wisps of the fairy tale I’ve loved since infancy.“Frankie,”he said pointedly. He rolled my name over his tongue as if he were licking it."Beast is utterly delicious. He is not the hero in stories that is going to make you swoon while getting the heroine to fall in love with him with his sweet words and loving actions. He is dark, mean, twisted and the antithesis of the usual “book boyfriend” type. Beast is very deeply layered you must work a little harder at getting to his heart, but it is most assuredly there. He is the epitome of rough around the edges, but as the story progresses you see him start to slowly change. His broken jagged pieces are slowly softening the longer he is around Frankie. His character is deeply depraved and at times incredibly harsh, which makes the parts in the story where he softens towards Frankie that much more rewarding."She had a soul of steel, something he had yet only encountered among fighters, those grown up swaddled in blood instead of blankets."Frankie, damn this girl has an iron will that seems as if it can’t be broken. She’s strong and capable with an unflappable self-control. She’s been through a lot in her short life, so she has built walls surrounding herself to keep emotions as bay. She doesn’t stand by and let Beast roll over her. She has a fighter’s will and that’s what she does fight. Even thrown into an impossible position she works not to let it destroy her. And as Beast slowly breaks down her barriers, she comes to embrace the darkness in her that matches the darkness in Beast. Once she does this it starts to change her and mold her into a fiercer and more determine version of herself. I can’t wait to see how she’s changed in the conclusion of their story.“It’s not fair that the man who ruined me is the only one to ever know me.”If you’re looking for a sweet romantic take on Beauty and the Beast this is not it. But if you want something with an entirely knew feel to the story that brings out more of the darkness than don’t look any further this is it. I loved the depth’s that this story delved into and the chances that Mary took when bringing this story to life. This is a highly addictive dark read that will have your emotions running rampant as you navigate through this story. I highly recommend this book.