I really enjoyed this. I'd liked the hero since he first showed up in the first book and liked him more with each small interaction in all the following books. The heroine wasn't too bad either though. A couple things felt a tad contrived, but nothing that took away any significant enjoyment. I cared about these two, and a couple parts were genuinely touching. There were nice cameos from all the previous characters, but I think it gives you everything you'd need even if you haven't read the previous books, so it can be read as a stand alone. I would say it has above average steam. ( )

Althea's father was accused of treason and the family lost everything. Now Althea must work as she is no longer a member of the aristocracy. She finds a job at a tavern where she serves Beast. He knows something is not right and gives her a chance to leave the tavern and work for him teaching his "ladies" etiquette and refinement so they can find better positions. She wants him to teach her also so she can return to society. Now they must battle their feelings for each other so Althea can attain her wish.

I loved this book. I love books that show the story from both points-of-view. Althea and Beast are made for each other though they try to deny their feelings. The Trewlove family is great. They are so supportive of each other. I enjoy seeing that.

This is the first time I have read Lorraine Heath but it will not be the last. I will be reading the rest of this series. ( )

Honestly not my favorite series. It's not mean enough between the main characters! ( )

Brilliant series conclusion. Lorraine Heath nails it again!

I found myself with a somewhat sloppy grin plastered all over my face quite a few times during the reading of this rousing tale--when I wasn't indignant or blushing. Needless to say I loved this last offering in the Sins for All Seasons series.
Althea Stanwick needs to find her way back into London society after being dropped by the denizens of the ton. She's even been given the cut direct by her awful fiancé when her father was proven to be caught up in acts of treason. From a ton 'princess' to Cinderella was a huge fall from grace for her, and her two brothers. Althea decides that power is the key to survival. How does a woman like her find power? By attaching herself to a powerful man. To do that she needs to become practiced in the art of seduction.
Althea turns to Benedict Trewlove, owner of a brothel, and known as the Beast. She chooses this man who walks on the dark side of life in the underbelly of Whitechaple London to be her teacher. What a shock for him! Don't we just love his soft heart!
As matters proceed we see how fiercely he is torn between his desire for this startling woman and the need to protect her. The tale hastens towards its climax, with Benedict's secret past and lost antecedents being revealed, adding yet another layer of fascination and mystery.
Lorraine Heath has once again produced a well tuned read set in the 1870's! I loved it and my sloppy grin grew even more pronounced, punctuated with the occasional Ooh and Aah!
I'm must add that I'm pleased to see Althea's brothers will have their own stories. Yay!

A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through Edelweiss+. All opinions are my own. Beauty Tempts The Beast by Lorraine Heath is the sixth book in her delightful Sins for All Seasons series. It’s a great series, and I highly recommend reading them all, but yes, you could, if you wished read this one as a standalone. Althea Stanwick has gone from top of the trees down to the lowest basement. When her father, the Duke Wollfford, was found guilty of treason and hanged, Althea and her brothers were forced to vacate their home with little more than the clothes on their backs. Althea found employment at the Mermaid and Unicorn, a tavern owned by Benedict Trewlove’s sister. When Benedict, aka Beast, sees Althea working in the tavern, he instantly knows that she doesn’t belong and concerned for her safety, he offers her a position teaching the women in a brothel he owns, skills that they can use to find alternative employment. Althea thrives in her new role and she and Benedict become lovers but secrets from his past when revealed may mean that they cannot be together. I enjoyed reading this book very much and look forward to reading the stories of Althea’s brothers. Medium Steam. Publishing Date: September 29, 2020. #BeautyTemptsTheBeast #LorraineHeath #HistoricalRomance #FriendsToLovers #AvonRomance #HarperCollinsCanada #bookstagram #bookstagrammer ( )