How Beauty Loved the Beast by Jax Garren

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 ...

Release Date 13th May 2013

After the events in How Beauty Saved the Beast, Hauk is recuperating but gets better just in time to save Jolie from a group of Ananke's people. They discover a plot is underway involving the people of the Underlight (just as they're about to get sexy time with one another) so they have to figure out WHAT the plot is and how to foil it, all at the same time as starting a relationship with one another. Hauk find he's unable to get comfortable enough with Jolie to let her see the real him ... but Jolie has fun showing him how he can trust her. Just as he finally gets comfortable with her, the Ananke peeps decide to launch their plan and try to ruin all the fun.

I really, really liked this series, and I say like 'cos I can only assume that this is the last? It kinda seems that way with the ending but don't quote me on it.

I loved Hauk as the hero - he's different from the usual sexy, long haired and perfect body hero that you get in a lot of romances. He's scarred - physically and emotionally - and has a lot of issues to work through if he wants a proper relationship with Jolie. As for Jolie, she's a "meh" type of heroine - I like her but there are times where I don't like her as well but those things work in making her a good heroine, 'cos you can't always have a leading character that the reader will instantly love. A bit of love/hate makes for a better reading experience.

Like I said, I believe this is the last in the series. If you haven't read any of them, pick them up - the first is How Beauty Met the Beast, 2nd is How Beauty Saved the Beast and this is the 3rd. They're a nice quick read with a little mythology mixed in and a wee twist on Beauty and the Beast.


Amazon UK: How Beauty Loved the Beast

How Beauty Saved The Beast by Jax Garren

Jolie Benoit left her old life behind to become an agent of the Underlight. Training under Sergeant Wesley Haukon, she's honing her combat skills, all the while coping with the intense sexual attraction she feels for Hauk. She keeps their friendship casual, but when his high school sweetheart transfers into their division, Jolie finds herself grappling with jealousy.

The Underlight gave Hauk a purpose, but he can't escape his past completely. The physical and emotional scars from the fire that killed seven fellow Army Rangers will mark him forever. Jolie sends his protective instincts into overdrive, but he's convinced he'll never be worthy of her love.

Hauk is determined to keep Jolie from harm. But when the Order of Ananke ambushes them with a new weapon that neutralises Hauk, making him vulnerable, it's Jolie who must tap into her hidden strengths to rescue him — or risk losing him forever ...

Release Date 11th February 2013

Hauk and Jolie are getting closer ... as friends, Hauk's training Jolie for when she goes out on missions with the Underlight. They both like each other but refuse to admit it or believe the other one feels the same way then Hauk's ex comes onto the scene and ruins everything. They discover the Order of Ananke has a secret that stops Hauk's rages in their tracks ... but they don't know why (or how) they have it. Or why they've been watching Hauk and why they want him ...

I really enjoyed the first in this series so I was looking forward to reading this one. I loved it! Even though it did fall into that annoyingly popular trope of they-both-have-feelings-for-each-other-but-won't-talk-about-it that I'm really starting to hate. Why don't people in these books just talk to one another?! Or read basic body language?! Or even just realise that someone kissing you and meaning it, isn't just doing it from pity or because they're thinking of someone else?!

But, the annoyance of that wasn't enough to put me off. I will be reading the rest of this series and I'm certain I will enjoy it!


Amazon UK: How Beauty Saved the Beast (Tales of the Underlight)

How Beauty Met the Beast by Jax Garren

The Beast

Scarred. Damaged. Living with a terrible secret. Agent of the Underlight Wesley "Hauk" Haukon has nothing left but the fight for liberty against the oppressive Order of Ananke. He's starting to lose hope ... and then he sees her.

The Beauty

Despite her night job as a burlesque dancer, grad student Jolie Benoit has always played the mostly good girl. That all changes following a scorching sexual encounter with a stranger whose face she doesn't see. After she's kidnapped by thugs and rescued by a man with a very familiar voice, Jolie becomes a pawn in a struggle she never knew existed.

Hauk knows he cannot have her, and resolves to protect his heart and his secrets. But as they work together and grow closer, he finds new reason to keep fighting. Dare he risk hope in a new life, one where Jolie can see past his ravaged face and where their friendship can grow into something more?

Release Date 19th November 2012

Hauk takes refuge in a friends burlesque club after being chased by some police-y type people, while there he sees Jolie dance and is instantly entranced. He catches her backstage and they have a steamy moment while a sheet separates them, she never sees his face. Later on he rescues her from kidnappers but she doesn't know it's him, he takes her back to his place and she discovers the Underlight - an underground anarchy group. As she gets to know Hauk, his appearance means nothing to her and she finds that she actually likes him - even more so when she discovers that he's her secret backstage seducer.

I actually really enjoyed this wee story, I liked Jolie - her being a burlesque dancer helped - and I loved Hauk, it's so refreshing to have a leading male that's not drop-dead gorgeous.

Hauk is used to hiding from the public eye, he can do without the stares, so I think he's kind of freaked out by someone who's just met him not being bothered by his looks, not to mention the fact that he wants to get in her pants - that makes things a bit awkward!

Definitely a recommendation from me and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.


Amazon UK: How Beauty Met the Beast