Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast (2014)

Title: Beauty and the Beast

Length: 1h 52m

Released: 2014

Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Thriller, Historical Fantasy
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Watched at friend's house (I think it was Hulu)

SUMMARY:

An unexpected romance blooms after the the youngest daughter of a merchant who has fallen on hard times offers herself to the mysterious beast to which her father has become indebted.

Trailer

REVIEW:

My friend suggested this as we were having a girl's night. Love B&B so yesssss. Plus made by the French? Okaaaayyyyy!

The story is as old as time, but with some different twists and turns. The youngest daughter of a indebted merchant sacrifices herself to the beast in order to spare her father. There is magic and mystery and Belle is determined to solve it. Little does she know she will fall in love with the beast. 

I would love to go back and re-watch this in the original French. We did the dubbed version and it was fine, but I really do prefer watching foreign films in the original language. But yes, the dubbed was fine. 

The twists and changes to the story were...great. I loved it. The "witch" is not at all what you think. I won't spoil anything because it is the big reveal on how and why he was turned into a beast. I honestly teared up. He wasn't a horrible man, but I get why he and his friends got got. 

OMG the little creature things were adorable!!!! I won't spoil what they are. BUT THOSE BIG OL' EYES! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

My only real issue was the lack of romance. She hated him and hated him and there was barely any warmth or even friendship. And then suddenly she is in love? The beast and I were both shocked at her declaration of love. Oh? Really? Could've fooled me. 

I hate Belle's siblings especially her one dumb brother. Idiot. BUT they really did get what they deserved and it helped them get better. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to change your ways. Look at the beast. Tale as old as time for sure. 

This was a gorgeous movie. Fun changes and I loved the ending. It was so very sweet. I wished we had some more warm moments from Belle though. She was just so mean and cold for so long.

I'll give this 4 stars. Def worth the watch. I want to watch this again in French though.

Audiobook Review: Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Narrator: Nina Yndis, Maxim Reston

Title: Hot for Slayer

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Short Story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: September 23, 2025

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

When a vampire slayer loses all his memories, the only person who can help him is the vampire he’s tried to kill for centuries in this unforgettable short story by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ali Hazelwood.

When Aethelthryth—“Ethel” to her modern-day Manhattan neighbors—finds her sworn nemesis Lazlo Enyedi with no memory of who or what they are, an ancient hunt becomes an unexpected chance at forbidden passion. He’s crashing on her couch, solving her sudoku puzzles, and looking at her like she’s his eternal flame (minus the whole bursting-into-ashes part). As his memories slowly return, Ethel realizes she might be in danger of losing more than just her head…

Review:

I seen this and immediately added it to my library. That cover. That summary. WEEEEE perfect for Spooky Season. 

Okay...so we have Ethel who is a vampire. She has been hunted by Lazlo forever. His job is to slay her. However, he loses his memory and Ethel takes pity and takes care of him. Ethel has a very good chance of losing her heart or more possibly her head if he kills her. 

This was super entertaining!!! I was hooked from page 1. A vamp and a slayer? PAH-LEASE that is what my brain was wired for from a young age (*finger guns at childhood memories of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer*). This time we have a lady Vamp and a male Slayer. The chemistry was off the charts right from the gecko. 

Ethel is a sweet bean who just wants a quiet life. She only drinks the blood of bad corporate folk. Good for her. 

Lazlo has had a lot of chances to take her out, but...something always "saves" her. Mmm sus. 

I loved that Ethel took in Lazlo after he had an accident and lost all his memories. She could've just left him or killed him, BUT she has a big moral compass and she took him in. Adorbs. 

I loved watching them talk and then more. Cuties. 

The reveal was adorable. 

The narrators did a great job. Their American accents were.....alright. Not their cup of tea I don't think, but it was passable and didn't ruin the story for me. 

I'll give this 5 stars. Just soooo adorable. 

Favorite Character(s): Ethel

Least Favorite Character(s): The bad vamp

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #47

Audiobook Review: A Warning to the Curious by MR James

Author: MR James

Narrator: David Suchet

Title: A Warning to the Curious

Genre: Horror, Paranormal, Classic, Short story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: January 1, 1925

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

The story of Paxton, an antiquarian and archaeologist who holidays in "Seaburgh" and inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia, which legendarily protect the country from invasion.

Review:

Weeee love some spooky shorts in October. This is my 2nd MR James and I really should do more. He is good. 

This is the story of Paxton who is an antiquarian and archaeologist. He is on holiday in Seaburgh. He inadvertently stumbles across one of the lost crowns of Anglia. The crown is told to protect the country from invasions, but take it...if you dare. 

Spoooooooky. The narrator really added a chill to this one. 

You can guess what is going to happen. But the scenes at the end? Oof. So good.

This was short and sweet, but it didn't need any more. It was the perfect length and it will make you think twice about grabbing old stuff. 

5 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #46

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Wind that Sweeps the Stars by Greg Keyes

By: Greg Keyes

Narrated by: Gary Bennett

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Release date: 10-07-25 by Tantor Media

Fantasy/to review

This book takes place during one night of chaos and blood. There are flashbacks, and more to tell about the world and how these two came to be.

Yash is a barbarian princess sent to marry prince Chej to save her kingdom. But he is not all he seemed to be. Lowest of them all, and does he even like women?

But promises are broken. This kingdom never meant to respect borders. And Yash is not the princess she seems to be either. She can become male, and in her country gender and whom people love does not matter. Mostly she is an assassin. She is meant to kill the masters of the towers and set free the spirits they have imprisoned so save her homeland.

So...blood, lots of blood, lots of killing, chaos. Darkness, and she does not give up. While her new husband is the quiet kind sort, he steps up.

It is a lot, that I confess. But it is only 1 book so a lot has to happen for everything to come to an conclusion. And I liked it

Good narration. I mean there are talking bugs, monsters, lots of different people. It all works well

ALONE AGAINST AN EMPIRE.

When Yash of Zeltah arrives in the fortress city of Honaq, she is greeted as a barbarian, a simple pawn. Her marriage to prince Chej has been arranged, they say, to avert war. Yet she knows the truth, for the armies already ravage the land.

A skilled and deadly assassin, there is more to Yash than any might suspect. Before another day can pass, she must defeat the masters of the nine towers—the plagues, magics, and monsters they control, the soldiers they command. Without raising an alarm, she must kill all who oppose her—even the immortal emperor. The lives and souls of Zeltah, the people and the land upon which they live, all depend on it.

2-in-1 Review: Worst Wingman Ever and The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Andi Arndt, Zachary Webber

Title: Worst Wingman Ever

Series: Valentine's Day #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: January 23, 2024

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?

Review:

Accidently started book 2 first, but I stopped my roll and went and got this one. I knowwww the couple order doesn't truly matter, but I'm glad I did. 

Here we follow Holly and John. Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandma and still recovering from a bad breakup. She needs a break, but life is not fair. On Valentine's Day, Holly receives a Valentine's Day card on her windshield. It wasn't meant for her. The sender put it on the wrong car. And that sender was John. He was doing a favor for a friend, but he got it all wrong. The worst wingman ever. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. 

Simply adorable. So very unlikely, but I loved how this love blossomed so slowly. They both had bad breakups and life hasn't been kind to either of them. They help each other through it with these kind notes left on her windshield. 

When they finally meet me heart jumped! Awwww they are sooooooooooo cute!!!!

This was a slow-burn and it worked for them. 

The narrators are familiar and I love their voices. Perfect. 

Perfect novella. I loved every second of it. Plus her grandma's secret? I didn't see THAT coming. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): All of them

Least Favorite Character(s): Not the exes

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #44

Author: Abby Jimenez

Narrator: Julia Whelan, Connor Crais

Title: The Fall Risk

Series: Valentine's Day #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: Audiobook 

Published: March 1, 2025

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love.

Review:

Seen this and it was free on Audible...so I gobbled it up! This author is so good. 

Here we follow Charlotte and Seth. It is Valentine's Day weekend and they are not looking for love. Charlotte is in a self-imposed isolation and on guard because of a stalker the cops can't find. Seth is a recently divorced arborist and has a hurt ankle. The two live in the same apartment building and are trapped when the stairs are removed. During this entrapment, they start talking and start getting closer and are in danger of falling........in love. 

This one for sure has some triggers, so be aware. 

Oh Charlotte....you sweet bean. 

Seth...you are an angel. 

I loved this couple. They have a lot to work through because Charlotte has some trauma. I loved how they dealt with it. Seth never pushed or rushed things. They took it slow. 

This had some humor in it too! Those old ladies were a hoot. I was howling. 

The ending was.......too clean. It was too easily remedied for the seriousness of the crime. 

I also was on the fence with our little side romance. I hope she treats him well.

The narrators were lovely and fit well. 

I'll give this 4 stars. The ending was just.....too easy. 

Favorite Character(s): All of them

Least Favorite Character(s): The exes

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #45

Book Review: Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Author: Kristen Ciccarelli

Title: Heartless Hunter

Series: The Crimson Moth #1

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA

Format: ebook

Pages: 411

Published: February 20, 2024

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

On the night Rune’s life changed forever, blood ran in the streets. Now, in the aftermath of a devastating revolution, witches have been diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic, and Rune must hide what she is.

Spending her days pretending to be nothing more than a vapid young socialite, Rune spends her nights as the Crimson Moth, a witch vigilante who rescues her kind from being purged. When a rescue goes wrong, she decides to throw the witch hunters off her scent and gain the intel she desperately needs by courting the handsome Gideon Sharpe - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter loyal to the revolution - who she can't help but find herself falling for.

Gideon loathes the decadence and superficiality Rune represents, but when he learns the Crimson Moth has been using Rune’s merchant ships to smuggle renegade witches out of the republic, he inserts himself into her social circles by pretending to court her right back. He soon realizes that beneath her beauty and shallow façade, is someone fiercely intelligent and tender who feels like his perfect match. Except, what if she’s the very villain he’s been hunting?

Review:

This is the next pick for book club! 

Here we follow Rune and Gideon. Everyone's lives changed dramatically after the revolution. The witches have been removed from power and have been turned into hunted outcasts. Rune must hide who she is and what she does so she can stay alive and save as many witches as she can from being executed. She spends her days as a spoiled and vapid socialite. She needs intel and the best way to do that is by courting Gideon who is the country's best witch hunter and her best friend's brother. After learning that Rune's own ship had witches it on it, Gideon suspects her of being a witch so he starts courting her back to investigate.

I LOVED the concept of this one. So very French Revolution-like. Very fresh and cool. I also loved the concept of the witches in this world. 

As much as I enjoyed the concept of the story, I struggled a bit with this one. Mainly for the fact I hated Gideon and Rune. I ended up adoring Alex though and thought she'd be better off with him, but who am I?

Gideon is an ass. Sure he has his whole reason for wanting witches dead. I get it, but damn that one scene! Grrrr.

Rune...she was an idiot. How did she survive this long? And she was a meanie. 

Alex was a sweet bean! He didn't deserve a mean friend like Rune and a mean brother like Gideon. 

There was a glimmer of hope when Gideon and Rune seemed to get along and had that one scene together. BUT it was quickly and utterly destroyed. The romance wasn't strong at all. All hate. I feel like we needed more scenes with them being in love. 

And that ending? Sure I am a touch curious to see what happens next but I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO mad right now so we'll have to see. GAH! *goes to chuck book but then realizes it is an ebook and is on my cell phone and my poor cell phone doesn't deserve being chucked*

Honestly, I think if this was just a fantasy and not labeled as a romance I would've liked it better. I was expecting more romancing in this booked labeled as a romance. Yes, yes, this is a enemies-to-lovers but there was no real "TO". The moment they are both in love with each other was just a blink. And how do we come back from an ending like the ending that just happened?

I am super curious to see how the others of book club liked this book.

On one hand, I loved the story and the concept and the world. Super cool and fresh. On the other hand, though, the romance was a hard fail for me. The characters are assholes (not sweet Alex) and how on Earth do they find love after the conclusion of the this story? I might read book 2 someday. 

Rating? Oh lordie I have been dreading this moment..................................................I'll be nice and give it a 3. ONLY for the fact that if I pretend this isn't a romance it was a fun story. I loved the world and the witches. Plus Alex was a gem and deserved better. 

Favorite Character(s): Alex

Least Favorite Character(s): everyone else

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #27

Re-Listen: A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: A Dragon of a Different Color

Series: Heartstrikers #4

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: July 28, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

To save his family from his tyrannical mother, Julius had to step on a lot of tails. That doesn’t win a Nice Dragon many friends, but just when he thinks he’s starting to make progress, a new threat arrives.

Turns out, things can get worse. Heartstriker hasn’t begun to pay for its secrets, and the dragons of China are here to collect. When the Golden Emperor demands his surrender, Julius will have to choose between loyalty to the sister who's always watched over him and preserving the clan he gave everything to protect.

Review:

This series is just SOOOOOOOOOOO good. I am so happy to be re-reading it!!!!

We pick up where we left off. Julius is grieving, but he has to keep going. There is a new threat to his clan and the world. There are more secrets from the past that could ruin everything he dreamed of. 

The first half of this book broke my heart again. Poor Julius. Poor Marci. I KNOW what happens at the end but it still killed me. I get WHY it had to happen, buuuuuut still...my poor heart. 

I think Julius found a nice balance of being "nice" and being a dragon. Love his character growth through these books. 

Chelsea is bae. 

Amelia!!!!

Oh Bob. 

We didn't get to see my boo Justin as much, but he's recovering. 

There is a LOT of talking here. Politics, unraveling secrets, fixing relationships, magic....and etc. It seemed like a lot last time, but I think I actually enjoyed it more this time! Maybe I was overwhelmed last time? There were things said that I didn't remember so I'm glad I got to re-read and catch the little things. Things made more sense this read through. 

And the narrator? Flawless of course. 

The first time I read this I had given it a 4. I'm bumping this up to a 5!!!!

Favorite Character(s): Chelsea and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): The Empress (*hiss*)

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #43

Best of September

Here are the best of the bests for September!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

"This was the best book this month."

Carole -  No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished by Rachel Aaron

"No 5 stars for September. But I've been re-reading this series! Loved this one."

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023)

"Such a fun movie. I feel like they did a great job being true to the book. Loved it."

Blodeuedd - The Wrong Paris (2025)

"I watched The wrong Paris...I mean srsly, people TALK to each other. But it was fun."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - My Life with the Walter Boys (s2)

"I watched s2 of My life with the Walter boys, and it was the exact same script as s1?"

Carole - Bob's Burgers (s15)

"S15!!! Finally got a chance to watch all of it. So funny and heartwarming. I loved the very last episode so much."

Best Cover of the Month:

C's pick: Def the best for Sept!

B's pick: Best cover, and you have to look closely!

Reading Challenges Update (July - end of September)

Happy October!!!

Let's do an update from July to today. Oct-Dec is our last push to finish our goals! 

Goodreads -  Read 100 out of 140 books. Fell a wee bit behind because of my vacations this summer/spring. But we'll catch up. The holidays are always great reading times!

Romance Reading Bingo - Only 4 boxes left to check! 

2025 Library Love Challenge - Summer Semester (May 1st - Aug 31st). 14/12 books. Went over! Yayy! Per the math we saved $140.40. 

- Autumn Semester (Sept. 1st – Dec. 31st). 2/12. Doing alright. 

2025 #Audiobook Challenge - 42/75+ books. Eeeee. Not sure if I'll be able to beat this goal. This was an ambitious goal for sure, but I wanted to try! Might have to shove in some short stories to help get to at least 75. 

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge - 26/16-25 books. Yayy! went over the total. Next year I may go up a level.

Here is the bonus book...#26 ;) 

2025 #TBRChallenge - Do the monthly prompts! So far 9 for 9. On track!