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Wither: A Beauty and the Beast-inspired MM Novella Kindle Edition

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

Desperate for a change, librarian Zane Beaumont gets the chance of a lifetime to work for literary sensation Gerulf Prince. People say you should never meet your heroes—and for good reason. The fact that no one has seen the mysterious author in two years and that his lawyer is willing to pay so much for a job people would normally clamor to do for free are giant red flags that sail over Zane’s head.

But with an offer he can’t refuse and the deadline for Gerulf’s latest project fast approaching, Zane takes the job and moves into the famous author’s mansion. After all, it’s only six months. How bad can it be?

WITHER is a “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired MM novella about a librarian searching for a new life, an award-winning author who hates the world, and plenty of grumpy/sunshine moments. The original version of this story was published in the Because of You anthology and has been expanded prior to its rerelease. It is intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list of triggers can be found in the front matter of the book and at my website under Tropes & Triggers.


From the Publisher

when a quiet librarian falls for
a reclusive author with a temper
it's a tale as old as... you know

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C8WB36C5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fox Hollow Books (August 14, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 14, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 138 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1955211205
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

About the author

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Ashlyn Drewek
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International best-selling and award-winning author Ashlyn Drewek has always been fascinated by "weird" things like Edgar Allan Poe, Halloween, and witchcraft. Not necessarily in that order. But she's also a hopeless romantic who lives for stories about true love conquering all. Since variety is indeed the spice of life, she writes a mix of MM tropes and subgenres to satisfy her rapidly changing whims.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
108 global ratings

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I absolutely loved this❣️🥀
5 out of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this❣️🥀
Oh my heart! So many beautiful quotes! What Gerulf went through was heartbreaking, as men can be victims of domestic abuse. I loved how Zane and Gerulf both got their Happily Ever After! 🥀Beauty and the Beast is my favorite theme and Ashlyn’s inspired retelling is one of my favorites! I absolutely love my signed paperback and read it in one sitting❣️
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
    Zane, a young librarian takes a job with great pay and benefits working with a famous author. Gerulf was in a terrible accident two years before that left him disabled and badly scared. He owes his publisher a new book but he cannot write anymore. His lawyer hires Zane as an assistant to Gerulf to get him back to writing. Gerulf doesn't want Zane and has no interest in writing or anything else. The reader knows where this is going but the joy is in the journey. There is love but also an ugly unexpected twist. This is a well written story and a great HEA. Highly recommended
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
    Though this is marketed as a <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> modern retelling, the story itself only slightly resembles that story. We have a quiet librarian, Zane, that is offered an opportunity of a lifetime to be the personal assistant of a famous but reclusive author, Gerulf, including room and board at Gerulf's isolated mansion. Gerulf has a small but loyal staff and Zane is mostly free to come and go as he pleases, but must put up with Gerulf's horrible attitude and work ethic in order to fulfil his contract and get the money he sorely needs to help his father who is dying in hospital.
    Gerulf is so reclusive and angry because of a car accident that completely disfigured half of his body and face. He needs Zane to help with most things he used to be able to do completely on his own including being inspired to write the latest book he's contractually obligated to release.

    Overall, I enjoyed the story but felt that some elements could have been completely left out. The woman that was literally sexually assaulting and stalking Zane during the first chapter was a odd entry into the story when she didn't have much influence on the story, and was never seen again once Zane was in Gerulf's house. I'm assuming this is the "Gaston" character but she never shows up again unlike Gaston so doesn't have quite the same impact and, honestly, was less charming and more smarmy than Gaston ever was. Also, the random old woman immediately after who gives Zane some advice but then mystically disappears was a weird choice. Maybe this is a character inspired more by the original fairy tale that I have not read - so I would definitely miss any more subtle references. I'm only familiar with the Disney movie which is probably not much like the original.

    There is a lot packed into this shorter novel and if you're already a fan of Drewek you'll be sure to enjoy this, though don't expect as dark a story as she usually writes. There's no dark magic or supernatural elements here, despite there being both in <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2023
    This is not your Disney “Beauty and the Beast,” but a dark, MM version. Although it does end in a HEA. Gerulf pushes everyone away d/t his disfigurement, but he has garnered loyalty from his staff and his lawyer. When Zane is hired as his personal assistant he resists and actively tries to make him leave. Zane wears his resistance down through his sunny disposition and his willingness to disregard his outer visage. Zane sees the man underneath the scars. Gerulf finally realizes he wants Zane to stay, past the terms of his contract, but doesn’t know how to go about that. It seems as if everything will blow up in his face when his ugly past rears it’s abusive, nasty head. However, Zane just buckles up for the ride and supports him; wholeheartedly and with love. Gerulf tried his best to push those closest to him away, but ultimately it’s his staff that knew what he needed and proved to be the best allies. And with that his past has no power over him and the two men are finally free to live their own HEA.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2023
    I'm a huge Beauty and the Beast fan, because Belle actually has a back bone and fights for her freedom, her co-habitation limits, her lover.

    And this had exactly that without veering into OTT drama. Gerulf isn't an easy man to like but getting to know him through Zane's eyes, with them snarking at each other, we got to see another side of him, a side he kept hidden and protected.

    So if you like retellings, and I haven't found many that worked for me, give this a try!
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2023
    I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick read but it had everything I liked in a book that keeps me reading.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2023
    I sure do love my grumpy characters and Gerulf? Yeah he was as grumpy as they come. After an accident leaving him scared not just physically but also mentally he withdrew from everyone. He was a very difficult person to please, working with him had many difficult times where patience was a must.
    Zane is a librarian who gets a job as PA for none author than Gerulf a famous author and nothing would have prepared him for the job. As he is working he is also going through personal matters and it amazes me how is gentle, kind, and happy he is nothing deterred him from giving his all in brightening someone's day. His life story in this novella made me feel so much!
    As Gerulf saw more of Zane he couldn't help but feel something for him. His radiant smile and overall energy made him want to be close to him more and more.
    This novella even though short speaks about many important topics and Ashlyn Drewek blew my mind with how she wrote them. I really enjoyed this inspired Beauty and the Beast novella. Seeing Gerulf open up slowly to new possibilities and Zane being the sunshine he is reassuring his love and care for Gerulf is forever was beautiful.
    If you have read from this author before you know her books do tent to be in the darker side so this novella does have TWs. Overall I highly recommend this novella! Gosh did I wish it was longer these characters were perfect.🥰
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • V. R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars a refreshing beauty and the beast-inspired MM romance
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 12, 2023
    Ashlyn Drewek is one of my favorite authors and this story showed why. It's a novella but we got everything covered perfectly.

    It was a refreshing take on beauty and the beast, and the way it approached domestic violence was not only fitting but needed. More stories that talk about this are needed, and here the trauma and pain was NOT used as a tool to sell because it's not graphic and it's not detailed, we just know enough to understand what happened, to remind ourselves that it happens.

    Appart from the heavy side of the story we have a fun opposites attack trope that's very entertaining, sweet moments, and a lot of details book worms will love... glad the library ladder made an appearance!
  • Daniela | @daniela_endless_tbr
    4.0 out of 5 stars 🖤 Gerulf & Zane 🖤
    Reviewed in Germany on October 8, 2023
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/6.
    🌶️.5/5.

    I loved the take the author took in this story. It's the first book I read where male physical/psychological abuse is done by the female partner and this is definitely something that happens in real life and needs to be talked about. It made me think of Depp v Heard in many ways, not just the nature of that case but also how the woman in this story was which seemed to me very reminiscent of Heard.

    Gerulf is a famous renowned author but what the people don't know is that because of an accident cause by his evil fiance at the time, he was disfigured by it and his inspiration to write his next novel was gone so he needs help from someone who can write for him because he can't do various things due to his injuries so a librarian applies to the job of being Gerulf's assistant without knowing who this author was and what the job entailed.
    Zane doesn't like people (hello, that's me) but especially a certain woman that assaults him discreetly where he works despite knowing he is gay and not interested at all. He is done with this and it comes to his attention that some author is looking for help and he goes for it without looking back.
    When Zane & gerulf first meet, Zane realizes the job he has ahead of him and that Gerulf is a grumpy bear and he sorely needs some tough love. Of course Zane goes about it in a softer way but he handles the beast of his boss in a very good way. Zane won't let Gerulf fire him and he does everything so that doesn't happen.
    I loved how they formed their friendship that soon turned into more.
    I liked that Zane interrupted the assault the evil woman was doing on Gerulf and ultimately how everyone in the household had the means and evidence to put this woman where she needed to be. Although Gerulf didn't want to report her to the police because he was very famous and he didn't want people to know about what he went through with her, he was also done with her and with the support of others he finally did what he needed to.
    I enjoyed this story very much but I especially appreciated the theme of it. I can't wait to read more books by this author.
  • Julie🕊️Books.and.chocolat3📚
    4.0 out of 5 stars Looooooved it
    Reviewed in France on August 16, 2023
    I loved it and devoured it in one sitting..
    so addicting… beauty and the beast is my favorite kind of retelling.. and I’m already a big fan of Ashlyn , so I knew it would be an amazing read for me.

    And it was … our MMCs were perfect, I fell for Gerulf , scarred , broken , grumpy .. how could I not love him ? And his Zane was perfect for me ..
    in a short book , she managed to create a solid plot , with a very interesting plot twist I didn’t see coming and one I’ve never see in a book, so I was pleasantly surprised with the moral ..

    It’s a slow burn , with a hot sex scene that was well written .
    My only complaint is that it’s too short (for me) i needed more pages and read more tension while they fell in love .. the end was a little rushed , at least another epilogue with a bigger time jump to read their futur would have been welcomed ..
    But I really recommend it …
  • SarH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty and the Beast but make it MM
    Reviewed in Australia on August 15, 2023
    I love a retelling. Ashlyn has done an amazing job creating this world with Zane and Gerulf. It is such a great and quick novella to read highlighting some heavy topics. Definitely recommend.

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