BEAUTY FROM PAIN (Beauty #1) by GEORGIA CATES

Review by Jenny & Gitte

Gitte: So this was my first Georgia Cates and wow…how did I not know? Yes, I hang my head in shame?! I loved this story, it was fabulously written and the characters and premise of the story was fab.  But urgh…cliff-hanger!

“There is evil fuckery afoot here.” – Jack

Yeah there really was and I bloody enjoyed it!

Anyway, I loved the changing pov’s, we get to connect with both our male and female character as we hear and understand their inner thoughts, which ultimately lead to their respective actions. I have to say I was so hooked I read this in one sitting. I just couldn’t put down Jack and Laurelyn’s story and just as the characters became more and more involved so did I.

“He holds me and his embrace speaks without saying a word.”

What did you think Jenny?

Jenny: Agreed Gitte! How have we had this on our Kindles since Feb and yet not ventured into Georgia Cates territory until now! We headed straight into this Monday after being swamped with recommendations on our Blog and we weren’t disappointed!

First thought….Oh dear …..another cliffy! But I’m okay and will eagerly look forward to finding out what’s afoot in Jack land and just what is going on in that man’s mind!  There’s still so much I need answered that’s for sure.

The alternative POV’s in Beauty from Pain really did allow you to become invested in the story….to get inside both heads and feel what each was going through.  I have to say, George Cates really can tell a story.  I completely connected with the characters, I felt their confliction, I felt their pain and I laughed at their wit.

“Oh, double swoon. His lips are when mine were. Lucky glass” –  Laurelyn

And don’t get me started on the heat and chemistry between Jack “ thud, there goes my heart” Henry  and Laurelyn. Yep! They burned up the pages of this book and I loved it too!

Gitte: So we meet our heroine Laurelyn as she arrives in the Land Down Under, Wagga Wagga to be specific, with her best mate Addison. They are visiting Addison’s brother Ben (yuk, I didn’t like him at all) for three months as he is living there studying Wine and everything that comes with it at Uni.

Laurelyn has a lot of emotional baggage from her past and she’s an aspiring singer/songwriter which plays out through this story. She came across a tad cynical and “tired” of life but who can blame her really. That is until she gets a proposal thrown at her by a hot enigmatic millionaire who clocked her in the pub on her first night out. I have to say he freaked me out in the beginning. I thought he was going to be an evil stalker. Our Laurelyn isn’t convinced at first either as the offer consists of three months of nookie and apparently being wined and dined in between; with no strings attached. No identity reveal is allowed or demands made. Except for one.  Laurelyn, who is number thirteen to sign up for this, must never contact him again after her three months are up. Yeah I’d be a bit freaked out and sceptical too.  However, then her friend Addison comes out with this classic line and it’s all systems go:

“The best way to get over somebody is to get under someone else.”

Well, that’s true, and why not a gorgeous Aussie rich guy who makes you melt into a puddle on the floor? Their chemistry was hot….it was sensual and passionate and they can’t keep their hands off each other.

“This relationship isn’t romantic and won’t ever be. It is arranged and temporary. I’d do well to not forget that any time soon.” – Laurelyn

They fall into an almost instantaneous “relationship” because there is no pressure and they aren’t really trying to impress each other.

“This relationship…I get it now. I get why it works…..Because we have no pretences and clear expectations, I don’t feel pressured to be anything but me.” – Laurelyn

There is funny banter as well as passion which really broke up this story and made me connect more because it was not all about the nookie. There’s an age gap, daddy issues, music, secrets, mystery and suspense.

“I like being with you even when there’s no sex involved. That means you’re not a booty call.” – Jack

Oh and you know you are in the company of a hot alpha male when you hear:

“No one else touches you. Only me. Do you understand?…I won’t share you with anyone.” – Jack

Jack….not a creepy stalker that’s for sure. He was pretty bloody lush. He’s a man with a plan that’s bullet proof right? Ummm wrong.

“Say my real name…”

Both players knew the game but both players broke the rules and it made for one hell of a sexy, passionate and emotional ride…that ended….in a cliff-hanger!

“She makes me want to break down and tell her everything. It’s strange – I’ve never wanted to do that before. She makes me want to do lots of new things.” – Jack

“I don’t say it, but I definitely think it-we’ve both just experienced something that can never be topped.” – Laurelyn

So yes I really enjoyed it, my main issue resulting in why this isn’t a higher rating is that I had a problem with how long Jack’s identity was kept an enigma. This, in my opinion, was a bit unbelievable as Ben should have known who he was, after all…he is in the industry and as he has an axe to grind you’d think he would be right onto that one. Spoiling what Jack and Laurelyn has, taking what he wants. But….bring on Beauty from Surrender (Beauty #2), I can’t wait. At least we haven’t got long to go right Jenny?

Jenny:  Yay for not having to wait too long Gitte!  We follow Laurelyn as she arrives in Australia with her friend after taking some time out to get her head sorted after leaving baggage in the States and trying to figure out where her life is going.  Despite being confident, beautiful, sexy and funny, Laurelyn’s self-esteem has taken a bit of a battering over the years and she has issues to work through.

“Music is what feelings sound like out loud. I sing songs that speak from my heart. They tell my story, how I feel.” – Laurelyn

Gorgeous, sexy, alpha, independent Wine Magnet and multi-millionaire Jack doesn’t do relationships. Jack prefers his no strings attached “arrangements” – it’s better that way as he fiercely guards his privacy.  He maintains women for companionship and sex for a specific time then moves on to the next one.  His life doesn’t lend to relationships and he has no intention of starting one.

“Looks like we both have secrets.”

Jack meets Laurelyn at an open mic night and this American beauty immediately beguiles him.  And boy do these two have chemistry! They definitely have “it” between them…that something that sizzles and demands to be explored…and explore they do! The sex scenes were off the charts but never did  they overtake the guts of the story, just the opposite. It complimented it and took it up a notch.

“She has bewitched me. And I want her. She’s the one.” – Jack

Jack intends for Laurelyn to be his “number 13 arrangement” and promises her pleasure like she has never experienced and the best three months of her life if she agrees to it.

“If you say yes, I will pamper you every day like a princess.” – Jack

Seeing as  Laurelyn is only in Australia temporarily the arrangement seems perfect for both of them?  While spending time together, learning about one another and growing with each other, on thing they didn’t count on was their hearts entering into the equation. They both bring about a change in each other they didn’t expect and as a reader your heart is in your mouth as you face the inevitable with them.  The time when Laurelyn must leave and the arrangement has run its course.

“She’s showing me a new side of herself. It’s childlike and damaged.” Jack

When I was caught up in this book and being swept along with the story, the characters and emotion, I really did enjoy Beauty From Pain. In fact I loved it. So why am I only giving it 4 stars?

I had one negative with Beauty From Pain.  It is purely a personal one and I understand the majority of readers would not even find this an issue or pick up on it but I’m afraid I did.

Being Australian myself I have to say the use of the Australian vernacular was misrepresented in this book.  The use of  ‘Strine which is a  type of Australian slang  language wasn’t a correct representation of how Jack would converse and after a while I found it grated on me and at times this took me out of the story .  You see  ‘Strine is kind of ockerism as such and simply not the way Jack would converse. Not to mention there were words used that I have never heard fellow Aussies utter. The voice in my head, based on the vernacular used in Beauty From Pain did not match up with the Jack I pictured from the book and to me it was distracting.

Overall though I found  Beauty From Pain to be a well written, well paced, sexy, witty and enjoyable read. It was more than a millionaire meets beauty book. It had heart, heat and emotion and because of that I would absolutely recommend picking it up.

“She’s a magnet and I’m metal.”

Jack……And the cliffhanger….wow! Bring on Beauty From Surrender is all I can say! I need me some more Jack Henry!

 Gitte: 4 stars
Jenny: 4 stars

Purchase Beauty From Pain here
Beauty From Pain (Beauty Series #1)

UK Link to book

Beauty From Pain (Beauty Series #1)

Beauty From Surrender (Beauty Series #2)
releases 30th May

“How do you move on when he’s every song you sing?”