Bookish and the Beast (Once Upon A Con)

Rosie Thorne is a bookworm who recently lost her mother. Her only solace is her mother’s book collection. Vance Reigns is a playboy actor who can’t do anything right according to his parents, which is how he ended up in Nowheresville. Rosie must work to help her father with the bills. Vance should not work right now and instead keep his head beneath the radar of the paparazzi. When Rosie ruins a priceless novel, she must work off her debt, with Vance’s help, by organizing and cataloging the library at his hideaway from the world. Maybe some spent time together will show him the beauty beneath her pain exterior and show her the beast trying to find something real in his bubble of false people and places.

This retelling of a favorite fairy tale follows Disney’s approach more than that of the classic French story. Characters from previous books by Poston make an appearance in this one, much to fans’ delight. References to favorite Beauty and the Beast movies and books are sprinkled throughout the story like glitter, a surprise find while reading. This well-developed story is for anyone who loves a good angsty and fun modern-day fairy tale.