Of Beast and Beauty - Stacey Jay

I got this as an Audiobook during one of the SYNCs (these provide some audiobooks for free for a limited period of time), and I don't know why but this was the second Beauty and the Beast retelling I got to listen to in this way.

While I like retellings, it is always a little bit problematic because you already know where the story is going. And when things start to feel rushed or forced, as was the romance in this case, I don't really like it. Isra, who lives by the well-being of a set of enchanted roses, had a lot of angst and was very passive, even though she was supposed to be ruling the city. I liked the setting, but had more hopes for the execution of the story.