A Gentle Hope: A Beauty and the Beast retelling by Sarah Carlisle (Hope Ever After Book 2)

Iara has spent her life isolated from her mother’s family, and with her father’s failing health, she feels even more cut off from anyone who cares about her. When her father passes away, leaving the house to the one person Iara can’t stand, she takes it as a sign to go find her family. But she barely starts on her journey before she’s whisked away to the castle refuge of the Beast – a prince whose behavior made everyone loathe him.

Aleixo has spent the last few years locked away in an isolated castle. But he’s found a way around the curse’s limitations… and a way to atone for his past mistakes. When his fairy godmother brings the newest refugee, he can’t fathom why. It’s clear from Iara’s constant attempts to escape that she doesn’t want to be there.

Will they learn to see each other for who they truly are or will they remain locked away forever?

“Perhaps hope now only clung to a thin thread, but if it had not been for her, there would have been no hope at all.”

~ Sarah Carlisle, A Gentle Hope

I adored this book! It was so beautifully written, and the themes of hope, love, and forgiveness are so well done!

There’s only a very light touch of magic, but it gives all the sweeping romantic vibes of the Beauty and the Beast movie. I loved watching Iara and Aleixo grow together. All the characters were so vivid and real. My favorite was a certain glitter-spewing fairy godmother.

This was definitely one of my top reads so far this year, and I’m so excited to see that there are more books in this world coming soon!

No violence. Some threats and controlling attempts from the villain.
No swearing
A couple sweet kisses and almost kisses