But that beard. That cover… kept killing it for me. The “hairy face” was just too much and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to develop my crush on this much-loved book boyfriend.
BUT *swoooooooon* I did.
Rae: Just Finished J T Geisinger Beautifully Cruel. Slow, Slowly and then K’CHING! Liam Black GAH! 5 stars from me.
Mony: Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger. Just finished it as part of a group read…couldn’t stop…read it all at once.
A delicious scrumptious read… 5 stars for me…grumpy hot mysterious alpha, sassy chick, hot chemistry, slow burn, some steamy scenes, …sadly I also like that he’s wealthy – lol Just my kind of book!Corey: Just read this. It was terrific
Amber: This is one of my all time fave authors!! Her books are all phenomenal!! I’m diving into this one next!
Mary Ann: He had me at “Hullo” even if he is grumpy. It was a 5
for me. It gave me a few chuckles specially the part when Truvy talked to her Mom. They have so many similarities yet so different in depths.
Shara: Just finished Beautifully Cruel. I devoured it. I’m in love with Liam. He is definitely my new book boyfriend. We just moved last week so life has been chaotic. This is the first book I’ve been able to read in a while. Definitely 5 stars!
Joy: Hi everyone! Maryse, I’m reading Beautifully Cruel and am into it soooooo hard! I’m picturing Stuart Reardon as Liam! He’s all sorts of yumminess, has loads of tats and I think he’s of Irish descent. I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
Liam is the ultimate brooding alpha. And our heroine is crushing on him BIG TIME. Even though they have yet to speak or really even interact, he’s consistent and persistent in showing up at her booth and her booth only. Only she is to serve him. Everyone notices.
Carla scoffs. “He’s been sitting at the same table in your section for a year, Tru.”
Eleven months. But who’s counting?
“If it’s your day off when he comes in, he leaves. He’s shot down every other waitress who’s tried to flirt with him—including me, and these boobs never fail—and he damn sure doesn’t come here for the food.”
He’s quietly… INTENSE and so she dubs him “her wolf” (in private) to her crew.
I grab a mug from the shelf over the coffee machine and head toward the wolf’s table.
He’s waiting.
Watching me.
Unsmiling as always, with burning dark eyes and the kind of focus and stillness I’ve only ever seen in documentaries of big cats as they lie in wait in tall grasses for a gazelle to pass.
This is always how he looks at me: in hunger and silence. But unlike an African cat on the prowl, the wolf’s gaze holds something wary underneath. A kind of enforced restraint.
OMG ALL OF YOU WERE RIGHT!! Screw the cover! That story, the writing, the slow burn, and the eventual romance-angst (ohhhh the pain!!!!) was all consuming.
This wolf wants me.
More troublesome is that I want him, too, and I know I shouldn’t. Wolves might mate for life, but they’re still dangerous wild animals.
I’m as likely to get bitten as kissed.
And it was when his protector-side came out and then the reaction of some in her entourage when they realized exactly who he was (even though she still didn’t know)… that was when I was ALLLLLL IN!!!! OMG everyone was FREAKING OUT. Nobody questions him. Nobody crosses him.
Maryse: 45% into Beautifully Cruel and it is SO. MUCH. FUN! The ultimate alpha & I still have no clue… It’s the incredible slow hard burn tension. No sex yet, but boy will it be crazy explosive. I’m on edge!!!!!
Rae: my favourite author Maryse. Great story.
Kristi: I just started this today…
Maryse: Kristi… this bring me back to my old school indie feels. The ultimate of ultimate bossy, mysterious, alpha-male no nonsense heroes
Maryse: Ohhhhh it just became clear and OMG HIS RESPONSE to the reveal was smoking hot!!!! Maybe a tad bit… a lot… stalkerish.
But I mean… he’s just trying to protect her, right?
Kristi: finished. I loved it.
Jennifer: Loved Liam but wait until you meet Kage
Mony: Finished Cruel Paradise (Beautifully Cruel, #2) by Geissinger. My reading group got into a hot debate about which duet book they preferred! This one or Beautifully Cruel #1? We were split down the middle but agreed these 2 books were fantastic & had amazing banter! 4-5★
Kristen: I just read this in 2 hours couldn’t not put it down!
Darlene: Oh it was good.
Shawn: I just started! I hope it keeps me pulled in like it is! My daughter and I are loving it so far!
Gabby: I just finished Beautifully Cruel by J.T. Geissinger! I loved it, thanks for the recommendation!
HE IS THE ULTIMATE BAD-ASS my friends. And he’s completed obsessed with her, despite it being against his lifestyle and his current situation, but he can’t help coming to her diner, just to catch a glimpse. He’s silent, not flirty, completely composed, and he has her attention, BIG TIME. And he had mine, too! 😀
So what’s it about?
I’m going to keep this short and sweet, because everything is slowly revealed (along with the developing feelings that he insists mustn’t become “anything serious“) and there are a few incredible twists that had me gasping with glee!! 😉
His voice thoughtful, he says, “We’re not going to have a relationship.”
She works at a diner, he’s the strong silent alpha that keeps showing up at her table. She doesn’t know why… but when she’s attacked one night behind the diner, he saves her and OMG everything goes haywire from there. Everyone seems to revere him, and some think he’s stalking her. And she can’t figure him out at all.
“Don’t mistake me for something I’m not, Tru.”
“Like what?”
“A good man.”
I get the feeling he wants to scare me, but he doesn’t. Even if I wanted to be afraid of him, I’m not. I stare up into his burning eyes and say softly, “You saved my life.”
And honestly, he can’t figure her out either (and that had me grinning). 😀 She’s not afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. Not. At. All.
My wolf. My deadly protector, dark knight in Armani armor ripping to shreds those who dare to harm me.
*swooooooon*
“When I take you home, that will be the end of it. Understood?”
By “it” he means “us.” Not that there is an us, but he’s obviously determined it’s not even an option.
I don’t want to feel hurt by that, but I do.
And I’ll let you uncover the rest from there. 😉
4.5 STARS of amazing, old-school indie romance feels. The pining, the brooding, the “love-resisting” is in full force my friends! You will feel every single moment of this one. The initial tingles of anticipation, the intrigue, the crush, the heat, the need for more… and the pain when no promises are made. Well, you get the picture.
➔➔➔ Looking for more of my must-read recommendations? Browse my 5 star and 4.5 star and 4 star reviews. 😀
➔➔➔ Love this author? Check out more of my J.T. Geissinger features and reviews on my blog!
This just got bumped up my list
I know Maryse I don’t like the beard either. But I loved his character and I loved the book so I just decided that when he walked into my life I would ask him to shave the beard. Wouldn’t have to everyday because I like a little scruff. And if he is as wonderful in person as he is in the book he wouldn’t mind shaving at all to make me happy.
I like your way of thinking, JulieO!!! ☺️
Seen this recommendation and glad I did! I listened to the audible version and I really enjoyed it!!! Liked it so much I had to listen to another by the same author!!