I would give The Rose Kiss by Esme Rome a three star review because, the story was short, it started out slow but as I kept going it got longer. But what I really liked was how the two lovers grown to love each other through their literature which I love though I do wish there was a little more character development. ( )

I initially did not care for Lana, the main character. She seemed selfish, buying costly books (12 at a time) consistently, knowing her father, who is supporting her, is in dire financial straits, to the point that he desires her to get married quickly-- to just about any nobleman that would ask her, and the eligible canidates are getting very few as she has turned down so many already. After the latest suitor has fallen ill by what appears to be poison, Lana is running for her life, hunted by the law. A castle of refuge magically appears out of the forest where she knew nothing but ruins existed, and it is a strange castle indeed. Music seems to come from the walls, candles light themselves, noone is to be seen but notes are left for her, telling her to just ask for what she wants. When she finally meets Hadrian and he is revealed as the beast in the fairy tale, the story got quite a bit more enoyable. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review-- thank you ( )