"Beautiful Beloved" (a Beautiful Bastard series novella)
Written by Christina Lauren
Series Background
There are several books in the Beautiful Bastard series, and though I highly recommend reading them all (because they really are that good), the only one that you really need to read before this novella is "Beautiful Stranger". This is because this novella picks up where the story of Max and Sara Stella left off in the novel, so it assumes that the reader knows what is going on in the story universe before this novella picks up.
A Bit of Background
I had planned on writing reviews of the previous books in the Beautiful Bastard series, but really have not had much time to be able to do so. Honestly, I don't really have the time to be writing this review right now, either, but considering how I absolutely devoured this novella, I thought it would be the book reviewer equivalent of sacrelige if I didn't write something.
I'm a little bit in love with the way that Christina Lauren writes... I didn't realize that there were two separate people writing until I read an interview with both of them, well into my journey with the Beautiful Bastard series. I've been obsessed with picking up everything that they've written since I first laid eyes on Bennett and Chloe.
The Story
We readers fell in love with international hotshot playboy Max Stella, and finance genius Sara Dillon, and the way that the unlikely pair seemed to fall together, and fall in love. In Stranger, we went through their wild and fast love affair, and enjoyed as they pushed their boundaries together, exploring their special brand of exhibiting their love. In more ways than one.
Beautiful Beloved picks up right where Max and Sara's story left off, when their lives are changed forever by the birth of their baby girl, Annabelle.
The novella follows the couple through their struggle to reconcile their fragile, new, happy little family, and their insatiable need for each other, and the "wild side" that they both aren't quite prepared to put away, even now that they have an infant daughter.
My Thoughts
Firstly, I'd like to get this though out there... All the other characters from the series make their reappearance in this novella, as well, and seeing them is like welcoming back old friends we haven't seen in a while. We are also introduced to Max's gorgeous brother, Niall Stella, who we later learn will be the focus of the next novel in the series, the forthcoming Beautiful Secret, and I absolutely can not wait to learn more about this man. Secret also appears to be a crossover between the Beautiful series and Christina Lauren's Wild Seasons series, with the character of Lorelai making an appearance in both of them.
Back to the novella, though. I really enjoyed reading this, and quite honestly, my only complaint with it is that it took so long to come out, and that it's a novella and not a novel unto itself. I can never seem to get enough of Christina Lauren's characters -- they're realistic, intelligent, funny, and the kinds of people that I wish I would meet in real life and become friends with.
I guess that in a way, the novella is not an important or essential part of the series (actually, none of the novellas really are). The story of Max and Sara would have been perfectly fine if it had ended where Stranger left off... but I'm really glad that Beloved was written. Precisely because I can't get enough.
What I enjoyed in this story was seeing how Max and Sara had changed and developed while we, the readers, were apart from them. Struggling with them to try to find the balance among being responsible new parents, and loving spouses who attended to each other's needs, and the absolutely red hot exhibitionist side that they both have.
I think it's partly adorable that Max has changed so much, and is now so unsure of himself... and partly really sexy that he wants to be gentle with his wife and daughter, because he's feeeling so protective of them both. I think it's also really hot that Sara keeps asking him for what she really wants (and what she knows he needs, too), but find it so endearing that she is so patient with him and his prolonged realization that he's not going to break her -- or that she actually wants him to.
I think it's wonderful that there's a lot of emphasis given to Sara's newfound curvaceousness here. In the world of romance and erotica, where such a great deal of importance is given to women with tight, fit, little bodies, it's refreshing to read a piece where someone with curves is absolutely adored and worshipped... because that's how it is in real life, too -- women come in all shapes and sizes, and the men who love them, love them just the way that they are.
I love that George was given some importance here. Ditto the continuing development of the relationship between Will and Hanna, in particular, Will's transition from player extraordinaire to totally whipped boyfriend. hahaha! The absolute star here, though (aside from Max and Sara) is Annabelle, who everyone seems to have trouble with in figuring out how to make her cooperate with them, but they are all absolutely smitten with just the same. It really shows the difference in the lives of the characters now that a beautiful baby has been thrown into the mix, and it makes me wonder how they're going to continue to develop and change as time goes on.
Unsurprisingly, my favorite development here is the introduction of Max's newly single brother, Niall Stella. I'm absolutely dying to know more about this guy... and waiting to fall in love with him. The preview at the back of the novella for the forthcoming Beautiful Secret had me squeaking and squealing like a silly little fangirl... which is exactly what I am.
Overall Rating
5 big shiny stars
Very highly recommended!!! (Please note that you MUST read "Beautiful Stranger" before this novella!)
Where to Find This Book
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Beloved-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00LD1OHD6
Barnes & Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beautiful-beloved-christina-lauren/1119883913?ean=9781476791654
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