The Vixen and the Vet (A Modern Fairytale #1) by Katy Regnery

"……………...why me?"

"…………because you said yes."

After finishing Never Let You Go (release date June 12th, 2015) which is a gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, joyously hopefilled thing of beauty, I was left desperately wanting more by Ms. Regnery. And because I’m a fan of fairytales that have been given a modern twist, I decided to read The Vixen and the Vet - a Beauty and the Beast tale, retold.

From the start I fell in love with the physically ruined and emotionally scarred Asher Lee. Beast. Head over heels, I have it bad for this war hero who has secluded himself away, unable to bear the fear in children’s eyes or the way grown men and women cringe and turn away from what’s left of his face after an IED explodes while he’s making his way to save a wounded soldier. Bogeyman. He’s grown accustomed to his life of solitude, finding his escape through reading anything and everything he can get his hands on. Day in, day out, he’s on his own except for Miss Potts, his housekeeper, and his visits to his doctors. He’s accepted his fate and is making the best of his miserable existence. Recluse.

Enter Savannah Carmichael, formerly one of the top investigative reporters in the country. She had it all – the job of her dreams, money, status…everything she’d ever wanted. Until a “reliable” source fed her a bunch of false information and she found herself not only jobless, but persona-non-grata in the world of journalism. Pariah. She had pretty much given up on ever finding work as a reporter again, when a phone call from someone she had helped years earlier gives her a chance at redemption; all she has to do is convince Asher Lee to let her tell his story, and she’ll be back in the game. Ambitious. But what starts out as merely a chance to rebuild her reputation becomes something far more when she finds herself helplessly drawn to the subject of her article, finding Asher Lee not at all the nightmare the people of Danvers make him out to be. He’s lonely, damaged, and the most beautiful man she’s ever met. Changed.

The Vixen and the Vet doesn't have the level of angst Never Let You Go has, but this is a story I will enjoy reading again and again. I can't even begin to tell you how romantic, how charming, how passionate, and how touching this story is. Asher and Savannah are perfect for each other, and their happily ever after is a thing of beauty!

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a sighworthy hero in need of healing.

A HUGE thank you to Lisa who answered my shout-out for a Kindle Lend! I adore this story and appreciate your kindness in lending it to me!!!!!!

When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

Just what the doctor ordered!

I’m a big fan of historical romance novels, but admittedly the genre can become a bit tedious due to storylines and characters who are confined to the particular roles and behaviors of their era. I’ve read just about every kind of historical romance, from those of the light and fluffy variety to those that leave my emotions in a tattered mess. Well, I’m happy to say that When Beauty Tamed the Beast struck a perfect balance of both, and was an absolute pleasure to read. It wasn’t an angsty story at all, and I found myself constantly smiling and frequently even laughing out loud at their ridiculous banter. The dialog throughout the book was priceless with such sarcasm and dry humor that I just couldn’t wait for the next confrontation to take place. And while it was a very funny read, my heart ached for both Piers and Linnet and the internal battles they both fought.

At first, I couldn’t put my finger on what it was that was so appealing about our hero, Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant. He’s a gruff, offensive, belligerent doctor whose bedside manner could leave one contemplating the upside of death. Add to this that he’s not known for being stunningly handsome and I have to ask myself why I was so drawn to him. His no nonsense approach at telling patients they were going to die seemed so callous, and yet, oddly funny. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but I just couldn’t quite decide what that was. Then one of my Goodreads friends asked me if I recognized the similarities between Piers and Dr. Gregory House of the popular television show, House, who I happen to adore. Of course! Why didn’t I recognize it? Maybe it was because I haven’t watched the last couple seasons of the show because Dr. House, as a character, seemed to move away from the man I had come to adore in the earlier seasons. Piers, on the other hand, is exactly what had me falling in love with Gregory House in the first place.

Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a beauty who hasn’t been ruined by it. It’s odd, because she knows she’s beautiful because everyone says she is, but it doesn’t seem to matter much to her. Well, not until she faces the possibility of losing her looks. I really enjoyed her as a heroine, and she’s the perfect match for Piers, who needs someone he can’t trample with his cutting words and offensive manners. She’s strong, independent, and every bit as smart as Dr. House’s counterpart, Dr. Lisa Cuddy. Yes indeed, Piers and Linnet are a perfect match!

Now, before you get all offended that Ms. James might try to secretly copy this popular television show, there’s something you need to know; she didn’t do it secretly at all. There’s an author’s note at the end of the book in which she comes right out and states that the character, Dr. Gregory House and the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital greatly influenced her story. But all that said, Ms. James did an incredible job of making Piers unique. In fact, maybe he really did exist and Dr. House developed his technique based on Piers’ work! ;)

When Beauty Tamed the Beast is a great second installment to the fairy tale inspired Happily Ever Afters series, and yes, was just what the doctor ordered! It was fresh, passionate, funny, sexy as all get-out and an absolute delight to read!

5 of 5 stars.