Beast (Popov Boys Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

Beast by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beast is Book Five in the Popov Boys Series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. This was a beautifully written story about two scarred souls who form a friendship that builds into a romance. Adrik has earned the name Beast because his face is badly scarred from having been attacked by a dog when he was a child. He feels that he has no hopes of ever finding love because of how he looks. Annika is a mafia princess who Adrik has been assigned to protect after she was attacked so viciously in the past that she was temporarily in a wheelchair. When her attacker resurfaces and threatens to finish the job Annika is put under the watch of Adrik and one other bodyguard and kept in a safe location. Adrik and Annika begin to grow close as they spend time together sharing painful secrets and confiding in one another about feeling like outcasts. When Annika’s attacker seeks to follow through with his threats, Adrik vows to protect Annika at all costs.

The storyline of two scarred individuals forging a friendship that turns into more over time is what grabbed my attention. The characters were wonderfully written and lovable. Beast/Adrik’s past is painful as he comes from an abusive home. He vowed to become something and has worked hard over the years to work his way up in the Popov Crime Family as their interrogator and thug. Having been viciously attacked by a dog as a child has scarred him on the inside as well as on the outside and he feels as though he is a monster that is unworthy of love. He has always admired Annika from afar, but she has been off limits to him because it is his boss’ daughter. What he does not realize is that Annika has always been curious about him, and she also does not feel like she belongs. Annika is not a spoiled princess but is kind, compassionate, empathetic, and loving. As they spend time together Adrik realizes that this beautiful woman can see past his scars. This book was wonderful with action, suspense, mystery, drama, friendship, forbidden romance, passion, and a few twists and turns to keep you reading.

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