Penny, The Review Group's reviewer Penny for Your ThoughtsThe Review Group
Series ✓ Reviewed

A Dark Beauty

Clarissa Wilstead · 2021
82/100
👍 Worth It

Clarissa Kae's Victorian Beauty and the Beast retelling earns its clean romance label honestly — the heat stays at glimpses and kisses throughout, making it fully appropriate for faith-conscious readers who still want a satisfying romance. The Victorian setting adds genuine freshness to the familiar fairy-tale frame, and Georgiana's gift for repairing machines gives her agency and a distinctive identity beyond the typical heroine. The thoughtful treatment of disability and ableism through Lord Pichon adds real thematic texture. The honest caveats are a catalog note — the author publishes as Clarissa Kae, not Clarissa Wilstead — and the fact that the political intrigue subplot feels somewhat underdeveloped alongside the romance. For readers seeking clean historical romance with a fairy-tale heart, this delivers what it promises.

📚 Buy the book 📱 Read on Kindle 🎧 Listen on Audible affiliate links · support the site, never the verdict
As an Amazon Associate and Audible affiliate, Penny earns from qualifying purchases. This never affects the verdict — see our affiliate disclosure.
Show the math
Verdict receipt0–100
Public sentiment (amazon.com)100%84
Penny’s verdict82
Worth your time next
W
✓ Penny Approved creator
Why the Book Wins (Laura Jay)
A whole channel built on book-vs-movie/TV adaptation comparisons. Family-safe, mainstream titles.
✓ Vetted · education, not advice
Cross-pollinate