Beautiful Bastard Review

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. Discover the story that garnered more than two million reads online.

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He’s exacting, blunt, inconsiderate—and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family’s massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who’d been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative—completely infuriating—creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumours, he’s never been one for a workplace hook up. But Chloe’s so tempting he’s willing to bend the rules—or outright smash them—if it means he can have her. All over the office.

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they’re willing to lose in order to win each other. Originally only available online as The Office by tby789—and garnering over two million reads on fan fiction sites—Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.

I’m going to start by saying that this is a VERY adult book that contains explicit content so if that’s not your thing, look away now.   

Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren is sponsored by La Perla and Agent Provocateur...or at least it bloody well should be! Right then *takes a deep breath*, it’s no secret that Beautiful Bastard is basically Twilight fan fiction.  Originally published online as The Office, it has garnered millions of online hits and obviously has a guaranteed, ready-made audience that’s willing to part with their hard earned cash to see this book in print. Some people have an ethical problem with this kind of writing (because they see the writer as riding off the back of the originally successful author) but personally, I don’t...although I am guilty for getting annoyed at the amount of fan fiction stories being snapped up by publishers as it’s seen as the easy route to success/fame/wealth.  I’m also disappointed that people can’t come up with their own original ideas but you know what?  I have to admit that there is no HINT of Twilight in Beautiful Bastard, at least not one that I could find apart from the messy hair and the shitty attitude from Bennett at the beginning of the book.

Beautiful Bastard tells the story of Miss fancy pants Chloe Mills who apparently gets paid way too much money as an intern if she can afford to wear designer labels and buy her undies from La Perla and Agent Provocateur. She works as an intern for Ryan Media Group whilst simultaneously trying to get an MBA and she’s 4 months from succeeding.  Bennett Ryan, the son of the CEO returns from France (although we are never told why) and Chloe ends up being his assistant.  To put it mildly, he’s a bit of a prick but she gives back as good as she gets.  Even though they apparently don’t like each other one bit, there’s a ton of sexual chemistry between them and it’s clear that there’s an attraction there.  Apparently, they think they can just fuck each other into submission or at least until they get over it...or fall in love. 

This book can be summed up in two words – angry sex.  They couldn’t keep their hands off each other and were at it like rabbits every five minutes of the book.  I am thankful that the writers changed it up a bit though as it was never the same experience and never in the same location.  I’m also extremely grateful that the words “he touched my sex” and “you’re so tight” weren’t used as they are my biggest bug bears in this kind of writing.  The sex scenes are probably the strongest thing about the book and whilst I liked how the relationship between Chloe and Bennett developed, I felt like it was missing something – namely plot and characterisation.  All I know about Chloe is that she’s ambitious, smart, hard working and apparently has a nice ass.  But when you strip away her career, what’s left of her?  Who is she then?  And how is it that she is the only one who can hold her own with Bennett?  Bennett is the rich, good looking son of a CEO who is a bit of a bastard to everyone he comes into contact with but again, who is he really? And why does he feel the need to act that way?  Sadly, this is neither explored nor explained. 
 
Having said that there is no real plot and no real characterisation, I have to admit that it’s still a steamy read that you won’t be able to put down.  I kind of hate myself for liking it.  But I do.  If this book has taught me one thing however, it’s NEVER to buy designer underwear – if it rips THAT easily, then the quality must be rubbish ;) 

Beautiful Bastard is published on 12th February, 2013 in both the US and the UK.  To find out more about Christina Lauren (the two co authors), please click here to visit their website.