A Disappointing Experience

I was intrigued by the premise of Captured Beauty by Tay Mo’Nae. The Beauty and the Beast – trope can be a fascinating exploration of complex characters and emotional growth, but unfortunately, this audiobook fell short for me in several critical areas.

Him
She was only supposed to be the holder for an unpaid debt.
When I laid eyes on her, I never expected her to become my sweetest obsession

Her
When I was taken I didn't think I would fall for my captor
He's a beast to everyone else, but to me he's so much more.

What they both learn is it takes a real beauty to fall for a beast.

First and foremost, the writing style didn’t resonate with me. It was bumpy and stiff, making it hard to get into the story. Sentences often felt disjointed, lacking the fluidity that allows a reader (or listener) to lose themselves in the narrative. Instead of being immersed in the world or the characters’ emotions, I found myself repeatedly pulled out of the story by awkward phrasing or abrupt transitions. This was particularly disappointing because the premise had the potential for a much deeper and more engaging execution.

The characters themselves were another significant weak point. They felt vaguely developed, with little depth or nuance. As a result, I struggled to connect with them or care about their journey. The heroine’s transformation from captive to someone who falls for her captor felt rushed and unconvincing, and the hero’s supposed duality — a beast to others but tender to her — never fully came through in a meaningful way. Without a strong emotional anchor, the story lacked the impact it seemed to aim for.

The dynamic between the two main characters, which should have been the heart of the story, felt forced rather than natural. Their interactions lacked the organic development that makes a romance compelling. Instead of a gradual build-up of tension and affection, their relationship seemed to jump from one stage to another without sufficient groundwork. This left me feeling more frustrated than invested in their love story.

The narrators did their best to bring the story to life, and I could tell they put effort into their performances. However, even a talented narrator can only do so much when the writing lacks some polish and flow. Despite their efforts, the stiff writing style made it hard for them to elevate the material.

Overall, Captured Beauty had potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired. A more polished writing style, deeper character development, and a more natural relationship dynamic could have turned this into a gripping and emotional tale. Instead, it fell flat, leaving me disappointed and unengaged. I gave it two stars because the narrators tried their best and the premise was intriguing, but this wasn’t the experience I was hoping for

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

this review was also published at:

Captured Beauty

I was intrigued by the premise of Captured Beauty by Tay Mo’Nae, but unfortunately, this audiobook fell short for me in several critical areas.

– RoXXie

Characters

Atmoshere (Setting)

Writing

Plot

Intrigue

Logic

Enjoyment

Summary

Overall, Captured Beauty had potential, but the execution left a lot to be desired.

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