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Beast Business by Ilona Andrews Series: Hidden Legacy #6.5
on January 29, 2026
Genres: Fantasy Romance, Mystery, Novella, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 212
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Purchase Links: Amazon*Kobo*B&N
Goodreads
A thrilling novella by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews, set in the spellbinding Hidden Legacy World.
Show as little as possible. Make them think that illusion is all you have. Your life depends on it.
Augustine Montgomery is an Illusion Prime, the highest rank of magic user. The people who have seen his real face can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The people who've witnessed the full extent of his power are dead. Illusion isn’t just his brand of magic. It’s become his lifestyle.
One day Diana Harrison walks into the office of Augustine’s premier PI corporation. Diana is also a Prime, a mage who bonds with animals through her magic and prefers their company to humans. Something precious has been stolen from House Harrison. Something Diana must recover at all costs before it perishes.
Augustine is cold, rational, and calculating. He doesn’t get emotionally involved, but something about Diana disturbs the careful balance of Augustine’s inner world. She asks for his help, and he can’t refuse.
Neither Augustine nor Diana are who they appear to be. Both would die to keep their secrets. But the enemy they face is unimaginably powerful, and saving the life at risk will demand the ultimate price, one neither ever expected to pay – complete honesty.
Also in this series: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire, Sapphire Flames, Emerald Blaze
** SPOLIER FREE **
What a ride! Beast Business takes us back to the Hidden Legacy world as Augustine (Illusion Prime) and Diana Harrison (Animal Prime) team up for a quick, chaotic quest to find a stray Tigrionex.
This novella is a fantastic story, likely tucked somewhere within the Catalan trilogy timeline. It finally pulls back the curtain on two of the series’ most enigmatic figures: the mysterious Augustine and the elusive Diana Harrison.
As they hunt for the missing Tigrionex, the mission forces them to reveal the deeper layers of their magic—and their hearts. Watching their powers interact was a total treat, but the real highlight is the electric chemistry between them: Augustine confused and Diana knowing.
In true Ilona Andrews fashion, the tension is dialed to eleven and the stakes become life-or-death before the dust finally settles. Beast Business delivers a high-octane finale that doesn’t just resolve the mystery—it leaves the door wide open for future adventures and romance; between Augustine and Diana.
The “Amazing Extras” are the perfect cherry on top of this novella! The book kicks off with a fantastic lore recap that gets you right back into the world. Then, we’re treated to Arabella Saves the Day, a wonderful glimpse into Arabella’s future plans. Finally, the collection of shorts—including A Misunderstanding, The Cool Aunt, Marty, and then the Inn Talks with Arabella Baylor and Augustine Montgomery—makes this such a generous package for longtime fans. I absolutely loved every single one!
Rated: 5 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)
About Ilona Andrews
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.
They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial. For complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at Ilona-andrews.com.
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Hello , I liked how you balanced action and relationship development in your review. The added bonus perspectives from Arabella also made it more interesting.
Yours faithfully Keziah
This was such an engaging and well-articulated review! I really appreciated how you highlighted the dynamic between Augustine and Diana—two characters who have always felt intriguing from the sidelines, and it’s exciting to see them explored in greater depth here. Your point about their chemistry being both intense and slightly unbalanced (with Augustine unsettled and Diana more self-assured) perfectly captures what makes their interaction so compelling.
Just read Anne’s review of this and it sounds like a winner for everyone so far! Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/02/17/e-galley-review-and-now-back-to-you-heartstrings-2-by-b-k-borison/
Thanks for the support, Lisa! I had a blast with this one. You just can’t go wrong with an Ilona Andrews book!
This was a fabulous surprise to get more of the Hidden Legacy world and Augustine’s background and story.
I completely agree, Sophia! It was such a fabulous surprise to dive back into the Hidden Legacy world. Getting that extra insight into Augustine’s background and seeing his magic in action was definitely a highlight for me. Thanks so much for stopping by!
This one was a lot of fun. But it makes me want more!
I’m so glad we’re on the same page—I am crossing my fingers for more Augustine and Diana! Returning to Ilona Andrews’ world is always a treat. Thanks for the support and for visiting the Nook!
yes I love this Hidden Legacy world.
Me too. I caught your review as well. Thanks for visiting!