THE BOOKWORM AND

THE BEAST

by

Charlee James

✮✮✮ 4.5 STARS ✮✮✮

When quiet, bookish Izzy Simon accepts a two-week assignment as an assistant for an author of children’s books, it seems like the perfect way for her to make some much-needed extra money, but the grumpy author claims he doesn’t want or need her services. He might be as handsome as a storybook prince, but his prickly personality and resistance to all things Christmas are sure to make for a chilly holiday season.

Derek Croft never agreed to the cheery temp his staff arranges for him while they’re on vacation. Izzy is his polar opposite, but Derek soon realizes she could be the perfect solution to his interfering family…if he can get her to agree to pretend to be his live-in girlfriend. Before long Izzy’s sweet disposition and unflappable optimism has him decorating a tree and looking forward to late night hot cocoa, but he’s all too aware their time together can’t last.

I love a fairytale retelling. They’re a guilty pleasure and this was pretty much all I could have wished for as Charlee James has created a story filled with Christmas sparkle, romance and feeling.

A worm and a porcupine. We make quite a pair.”

I fell head over heels for these characters within pages. From the moment sweet, stubborn librarian Izzy knocks on reclusive author Derek’s door having being employed by his meddling staff as his temporary PA over the holidays, I was hooked. And it’s no secret that a brooding arse of a man, and one who loves his dog at that, can render me a puddle on the floor.

People weren’t always what they seemed, including the ones you loved most.”

Characters like Derek are proof that I don’t need my literary men to be a brute in the bedroom to steal my heart because he stole mine without displaying an ab or an appendage: it was his brain, his words and his actions which totally stole my heart. And when you mix that with a heroine who brings fun, fight and light, then you won’t go far wrong with me.

I’m not ready for this to be over.”

This would have been a solid 5 for me had the ending not felt rushed, but nevertheless, Charlee James has created an enchanting modern day fairytale perfect for this time of year. And with a lovely writing style, I can’t wait to read more from her in the future.