REVIEW: Beauty and the Brooding CEO by Juliette Hyland

Beauty and the Brooding CEO by Juliette Hyland: Cora St.Stevens drives a treacherous mountain road to get to Snow Peak Estate. She was on her way to fulfill a contract her late father had made to catalog and restore the artwork owned by the Winthrope family. She also wanted to look for a painting called The Ringlet Lady that her father had been obsessed with.

After her harrowing journey she doesn’t get a warm welcome. In fact, Everett Winthrope tells her that his assistant was supposed to cancel her contract and she needed to leave. Of course, with the weather outside that may not be possible for a couple weeks, Everett leaves Cora on her own to find where to sleep for the night. She ends up cold and upset. Fortunately, Everett’s assistant sorts her accommodations out and things improve. Everett thaws a little and lets her get to work on the art collection. Her job is supposed to be for three months, but Cora fears that won’t be enough time.

Everett became a recluse after a car accident left his father dead and he has visible scars on his face and elsewhere. Cora is not put off by appearance and sees how he is still wounded by his father’s final words. Everett is also keeping a secret about some of his previous art.

Cora is good at being a conservator, but her true passion is to have her own art in a gallery she owns. Could Everett’s position in the world help her make her dream come true? Could she and Everett have a future or will she be just be considered part of his staff?

This novel has many of the elements of the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast”. Everett has hidden away in an estate . Cora is the beauty who can accept as who he is. It’s only fitting that they both deserve happiness.

Although I don’t know very much about art. the descriptions of some of the Winthrope art work and Cora’s painting sound stunning. The setting of the isolated estate give a sort of gothic vibe to this story.

If you enjoy modern fairy tales with romance, this book is perfect for you.

Book Info:

Publication: December 24, 2024 | Harlequin Romance | If the Fairy Tale Fits

When an art conservationist finds herself at a reclusive billionaire’s grand estate, she’s swept into a fairy-tale romance. But will they embrace their happily-ever-after? Find out in the latest If the Fairy Tale Fits…story by Juliette

Tale as old as time…

Trekking through snow to a billionaire’s secluded mountainous estate isn’t what art conservationist Cora expected when she took the job. However, the chance to review Everett Winthrope’s private collection — fulfilling her father’s final wish — is far too tempting… And, despite his scars, the brooding CEO is even more so! As her boss, he’s completely off-limits, but that doesn’t stop Cora’s pulse from racing. Yet it’s clear Everett’s fortress hides more than just himself. Could unveiling who he really is help him step out of the shadows…and into a future with Cora?