What do you think?
Rate this book
Hell's Belles #2
Η πριγκίπισσα των κλεφτών
Ένα ελκυστικό προσωπείο
Μεγαλωμένη ανάμεσα στους πιο διαβόητους εγκληματίες του Λονδίνου, σε ένα γύρισμα της ζωής η Αδελαΐδα Φράμπτον θα βρεθεί στις λαμπερές αίθουσες χορού του Μέιφερ.
Δίνοντας την εντύπωση πως πρόκειται για μια γυναίκα ασήμαντη και αδιάφορη και χρησιμοποιώντας τις ιδιαίτερες δεξιότητές της, θα βοηθήσει απρόθυμες νύφες να αποφύγουν τον γάμο, κρύβοντας ταυτόχρονα έτσι και το δικό της σκοτεινό παρελθόν.
Ένας ισχυρός δούκας
Ο Χένρι Κάρινγκτον, δούκας του Κλέιμπορν, είναι η προσωποποίηση της τελειότητας και σίγουρα δεν έχει χρόνο για τα σκάνδαλα που προκύπτουν κάθε φορά από την Αδελαΐδα.
Η φήμη του είναι άψογη και το τελευταίο πράγμα που χρειάζεται είναι μια ενοχλητική γυναίκα να ανακαλύψει την αλήθεια του παρελθόντος του ή τα μυστικά που κρατά μόνο για τον εαυτό του.
Ο τέλειος συνδυασμός
Οι δυο τους θα ξεκινήσουν ένα περιπετειώδες ταξίδι στη Βρετανία για να σταματήσουν έναν γάμο.
Ο δούκας δεν έχει άλλη επιλογή από το να την ακολουθήσει, παρά όλους τους κακούς οιωνούς.
Η Αδελαΐδα σύντομα θα συνειδητοποιήσει πως τα φιλιά του μπορούν να κλέψουν μέχρι και τη δική της καρδιά, ενώ εκείνος είναι ικανός για τα πάντα.
Μεγαλωμένη ανάμεσα στους πιο διαβόητους εγκληματίες του Λονδίνου, σε ένα γύρισμα της ζωής η Αδελαΐδα Φράμπτον θα βρεθεί στις λαμπερές αίθουσες χορού του Μέιφερ.
Δίνοντας την εντύπωση πως πρόκειται για μια γυναίκα ασήμαντη και αδιάφορη και χρησιμοποιώντας τις ιδιαίτερες δεξιότητές της, θα βοηθήσει απρόθυμες νύφες να αποφύγουν τον γάμο, κρύβοντας ταυτόχρονα έτσι και το δικό της σκοτεινό παρελθόν.
Ένας ισχυρός δούκας
Ο Χένρι Κάρινγκτον, δούκας του Κλέιμπορν, είναι η προσωποποίηση της τελειότητας και σίγουρα δεν έχει χρόνο για τα σκάνδαλα που προκύπτουν κάθε φορά από την Αδελαΐδα.
Η φήμη του είναι άψογη και το τελευταίο πράγμα που χρειάζεται είναι μια ενοχλητική γυναίκα να ανακαλύψει την αλήθεια του παρελθόντος του ή τα μυστικά που κρατά μόνο για τον εαυτό του.
Ο τέλειος συνδυασμός
Οι δυο τους θα ξεκινήσουν ένα περιπετειώδες ταξίδι στη Βρετανία για να σταματήσουν έναν γάμο.
Ο δούκας δεν έχει άλλη επιλογή από το να την ακολουθήσει, παρά όλους τους κακούς οιωνούς.
Η Αδελαΐδα σύντομα θα συνειδητοποιήσει πως τα φιλιά του μπορούν να κλέψουν μέχρι και τη δική της καρδιά, ενώ εκείνος είναι ικανός για τα πάντα.
536 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2022
766 people are currently reading
12136 people want to read
About the author
Sarah MacLean
37 books14.8k followersNew York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels. Translated into more than twenty-five languages, the books that make up “The MacLeaniverse” are beloved by readers worldwide.
In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. A Rhode Island native, Sarah now lives in New York City.
In addition to her novels, Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place as a feminist text and a cultural bellwether. A columnist for the New York Times, the Washington Post and Bustle, she is the co-host of the weekly romance podcast, Fated Mates. A Rhode Island native, Sarah now lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,394 reviews
June 22, 2022
This one's a heartbreaker all right.
Sarah MacLean is one of my all-time favorites. I wasn't wild about Bombshell, but I figured that was a fluke. There was still plenty to like about the book, and besides, I've read plenty of great romance series where the first book was a little iffy.
This was not a little iffy. This was rough. And it's looking like the whole Hell's Belles series is gonna be this way.
The Hell's Belles series follows an early Victorian girl gang of talented, scandalous women on the fringes of good society. None of them are looking for marriage, but it seems all four will need to squeeze in a romance somewhere in their busy schedule of... sabotaging the patriarchy? Or something? They have a whole system set up for taking down aristocrats abusing their power and protecting women caught in the crossfire. It involves disguises and seductions and explosions and heists and a vast network of spies. The operation is complex and extensive but we don't hear very much about the details. I honestly have no idea how this thing works. I think it's like the Baby-Sitter's Club, but instead of babies it's terrible men and instead of sitting it's orchestrating arrest. Their goals? Unclear. Their methods? Batshit insane. Their wardrobes? Fabulous.
Look, the execution is messy, but I love the idea of this set-up. So fun! This is a logical progression from MacLean's previous books, and it takes advantage of the passage of time. In the Sarah MacLean expanded universe (TM), the start of this series coincides with the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign. Things are feeling unstable in London--nobody knows if Victoria is gonna stick, and nobody is sure what having a reigning queen will mean for women. Some feel excited and emboldened, but the backlash has been immediate and violent. This is a great backdrop for romance! Characters are being forced to confront their expectations about gender roles and class distinction. Plus, we get to have heroines running amok, leading double lives in steampunk outfits.
Some reviewers that didn't like Bombshell simply don't want this setting, and generally don't like the way MacLean's books have been spending less time in ballrooms and more time in various dens of sin. (Side note: a number of reviewers were bent out of shape that the heroine was not a virgin, which is deeply embarrassing. Go home. I'm embarrassed for you.) This isn't my issue at all.
Is the Hell's Belles set-up a little much? Perhaps... too much? Sure! But the Bareknuckle Bastards series was also "too much," and I adored it. The over-the-top details (all the heroes were born the same day? really?) perfectly cued me, as a reader, to expect higher drama. The writing style matched the content. Characters' tragic backstories were given a poetic treatment. Their tales felt mythological. I felt free to indulge in sweeping, shameless angst. All that drama and danger was ultimately in the service of the romance. The stakes were higher, but so was the intensity of the relationship. Always, the focus was on the characters. I was immersed in their relationships every step of the way, because these were books about feelings, dangit.
Heartbreaker isn't a book about feelings. It fulfills the requirements of being a romance novel in a perfunctory, disinterested way. What do these characters love about each other? I have no idea. The book doesn't care. I know that they are impressed with each other. I suppose they're attracted to each other, but only in the vaguest way. I couldn't name anything in particular that one finds attractive about the other. I certainly couldn't explain when or how they came to fall in love.
Come to think of it, I couldn't tell you much about the characters as separate individuals either. Each presents a public face to society that hides their true histories, but there's no emotional tension associated with living a lie. We barely see them in their normal lives.
The hero, Henry, is supposedly a serious stuffy Duke with a hidden gooey center, but his center isn't actually that hidden. His feelings are on his sleeve. He campaigns for labor reform in Parliament and doesn't actually seem that committed to propriety. Why is he so passionate about child labor specifically? No reason! Will his relationship with Adelaide endanger his political goals? Doesn't matter! What will it take for him to overcome his Secret Pain From His Past? Nothing, he's already past it!
Our heroine, Adelaide, has like three different alter egos, each of which individually sounds like the makings of a fun heroine, but we barely see them in use. I have zero sense of what her everyday life is like. What are her goals? What is she missing in her life? Who cares, she's too busy being a badass to have a coherent inner world.
Adelaide and Henry even know each other from society events--they even once had a public confrontation--but none of this is seen on-page, even in flashbacks!
There isn't really space in the book for this relationship to develop. Heartbreaker is mostly action. There's no time to get to know Henry as a person--we need to see him throw another punch. The couple has no reason to be in love, but perhaps another sequence of danger will simulate authentic feelings. Again, chases and kidnappings and such can be a great catalyst for romance... but you need to get around to the romance at some point.
If this story were a girl band music video, I would love it. I'm picturing something in the vein of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood-- women in fabulous corsets breaking and entering, punching bad guys, creating explosions. But on the page, it's just silly. The many fight scenes felt forced and shallow, with no real sense of danger and no reason to care.
The cover copy pitches Hell's Belles as "unapologetically feminist," and Sarah MacLean seems desperate to prove it. I want to know who told her that her previous books weren't feminist. They were! And they were also romances. Who told MacLean that these characters had to be stripped of flaws, nuance, and emotion in order to be empowering? What is this Strong Female Character (TM) doing in 2022?
Thank you, Avon, for the arc copy, which I was so excited to receive! No thanks for the broken heart.
Sarah MacLean is one of my all-time favorites. I wasn't wild about Bombshell, but I figured that was a fluke. There was still plenty to like about the book, and besides, I've read plenty of great romance series where the first book was a little iffy.
This was not a little iffy. This was rough. And it's looking like the whole Hell's Belles series is gonna be this way.
The Hell's Belles series follows an early Victorian girl gang of talented, scandalous women on the fringes of good society. None of them are looking for marriage, but it seems all four will need to squeeze in a romance somewhere in their busy schedule of... sabotaging the patriarchy? Or something? They have a whole system set up for taking down aristocrats abusing their power and protecting women caught in the crossfire. It involves disguises and seductions and explosions and heists and a vast network of spies. The operation is complex and extensive but we don't hear very much about the details. I honestly have no idea how this thing works. I think it's like the Baby-Sitter's Club, but instead of babies it's terrible men and instead of sitting it's orchestrating arrest. Their goals? Unclear. Their methods? Batshit insane. Their wardrobes? Fabulous.
Look, the execution is messy, but I love the idea of this set-up. So fun! This is a logical progression from MacLean's previous books, and it takes advantage of the passage of time. In the Sarah MacLean expanded universe (TM), the start of this series coincides with the beginning of Queen Victoria's reign. Things are feeling unstable in London--nobody knows if Victoria is gonna stick, and nobody is sure what having a reigning queen will mean for women. Some feel excited and emboldened, but the backlash has been immediate and violent. This is a great backdrop for romance! Characters are being forced to confront their expectations about gender roles and class distinction. Plus, we get to have heroines running amok, leading double lives in steampunk outfits.
Some reviewers that didn't like Bombshell simply don't want this setting, and generally don't like the way MacLean's books have been spending less time in ballrooms and more time in various dens of sin. (Side note: a number of reviewers were bent out of shape that the heroine was not a virgin, which is deeply embarrassing. Go home. I'm embarrassed for you.) This isn't my issue at all.
Is the Hell's Belles set-up a little much? Perhaps... too much? Sure! But the Bareknuckle Bastards series was also "too much," and I adored it. The over-the-top details (all the heroes were born the same day? really?) perfectly cued me, as a reader, to expect higher drama. The writing style matched the content. Characters' tragic backstories were given a poetic treatment. Their tales felt mythological. I felt free to indulge in sweeping, shameless angst. All that drama and danger was ultimately in the service of the romance. The stakes were higher, but so was the intensity of the relationship. Always, the focus was on the characters. I was immersed in their relationships every step of the way, because these were books about feelings, dangit.
Heartbreaker isn't a book about feelings. It fulfills the requirements of being a romance novel in a perfunctory, disinterested way. What do these characters love about each other? I have no idea. The book doesn't care. I know that they are impressed with each other. I suppose they're attracted to each other, but only in the vaguest way. I couldn't name anything in particular that one finds attractive about the other. I certainly couldn't explain when or how they came to fall in love.
Come to think of it, I couldn't tell you much about the characters as separate individuals either. Each presents a public face to society that hides their true histories, but there's no emotional tension associated with living a lie. We barely see them in their normal lives.
The hero, Henry, is supposedly a serious stuffy Duke with a hidden gooey center, but his center isn't actually that hidden. His feelings are on his sleeve. He campaigns for labor reform in Parliament and doesn't actually seem that committed to propriety. Why is he so passionate about child labor specifically? No reason! Will his relationship with Adelaide endanger his political goals? Doesn't matter! What will it take for him to overcome his Secret Pain From His Past? Nothing, he's already past it!
Our heroine, Adelaide, has like three different alter egos, each of which individually sounds like the makings of a fun heroine, but we barely see them in use. I have zero sense of what her everyday life is like. What are her goals? What is she missing in her life? Who cares, she's too busy being a badass to have a coherent inner world.
Adelaide and Henry even know each other from society events--they even once had a public confrontation--but none of this is seen on-page, even in flashbacks!
There isn't really space in the book for this relationship to develop. Heartbreaker is mostly action. There's no time to get to know Henry as a person--we need to see him throw another punch. The couple has no reason to be in love, but perhaps another sequence of danger will simulate authentic feelings. Again, chases and kidnappings and such can be a great catalyst for romance... but you need to get around to the romance at some point.
If this story were a girl band music video, I would love it. I'm picturing something in the vein of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood-- women in fabulous corsets breaking and entering, punching bad guys, creating explosions. But on the page, it's just silly. The many fight scenes felt forced and shallow, with no real sense of danger and no reason to care.
The cover copy pitches Hell's Belles as "unapologetically feminist," and Sarah MacLean seems desperate to prove it. I want to know who told her that her previous books weren't feminist. They were! And they were also romances. Who told MacLean that these characters had to be stripped of flaws, nuance, and emotion in order to be empowering? What is this Strong Female Character (TM) doing in 2022?
Thank you, Avon, for the arc copy, which I was so excited to receive! No thanks for the broken heart.
January 19, 2024
✨Sarah said ❤️praise❤️ and face sitting✨
I’ve been aware of this book for SO long. Seeing positive after positive review come in sets the bar very high. Having people tag me in “good girl” quotes? A great way for me to absolutely lose my mind. So when I was lucky enough to secure an eARC, I knew this was going to be A Moment. And many A Moments it was.
My favorite A Moments:
- Excellent sick scene—this man woke up after being knocked out absolutely distraught because “BUT SHE’S THE ONE BLEEDING”
- His whole reason for not wanting to get married seemed very typical at the surface but LORD I was sobbing—I love how it deviated here
- When characters try to make terrible decisions and the other character is like shhhh stop shhhhh stop it that’s foolish I won’t let you let’s just love each other instead >>>
- PAGES worth of sex scenes
- “Good girl” employed TWICE in two different A Moments, one of which being A Moment: The Face Sitting Edition
✨
The best way I can describe this book is capital R Romantic. It just felt very classic. Very “I intend to sweep you off your feet and take your breath away, while absolutely railing you into next Tuesday.” But a very romantic railing. The sex scene vocabulary consisted of “slow,” “deep,” “full,” “that’s it,” “take it,” “such a good girl.”
Clayborn is the literary equivalent of rolled-up sleeves and a proper Mayfair accent doing very dirty things with very intense eye contact.
- Also when my ears get ahold of Mary Jane Wells providing his “hmms” I will need many A Moments for myself. *heavy breathing*
✨
Heartbreaker is definitely a character driven book and they each hold their own. If you’re not a fan of seriously solid, good, dependable heroes who are absolutely gone from page one, then I wouldn’t read this… but the man crashes a carriage because he saw her hair so I would also just read it anyways.
The story itself took a bit for me to get invested in, but once the two were together, everything made sense. There wasn’t really a breakup and it turned out to be so heartfelt between the two. I’m greedy and think one final sex scene (even brief) would’ve rounded out the ending perfectly. They were still having sex but it was summed up and left me a little bereft.
I do think you should read book one first, as there’s a scene between Clayborn and Adelaide that really sets the tone for their dynamic. My kingdom for a cold and emotionally reserved hero who loses his mind for the sharp-tongued and totally disinterested heroine. My favorite part was how the fiercely independent Adelaide allowed Clayborn to take care of her (cue the Praise). Their relationship also felt very balanced and equal. Adelaide wasn’t afraid to give it all right back to Clayborn. Am I talking about oral sex? Of course I’m talking about oral sex.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Thanks to the publisher (and publicist!) for my eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.
I’ve been aware of this book for SO long. Seeing positive after positive review come in sets the bar very high. Having people tag me in “good girl” quotes? A great way for me to absolutely lose my mind. So when I was lucky enough to secure an eARC, I knew this was going to be A Moment. And many A Moments it was.
My favorite A Moments:
- Excellent sick scene—this man woke up after being knocked out absolutely distraught because “BUT SHE’S THE ONE BLEEDING”
- His whole reason for not wanting to get married seemed very typical at the surface but LORD I was sobbing—I love how it deviated here
- When characters try to make terrible decisions and the other character is like shhhh stop shhhhh stop it that’s foolish I won’t let you let’s just love each other instead >>>
- PAGES worth of sex scenes
- “Good girl” employed TWICE in two different A Moments, one of which being A Moment: The Face Sitting Edition
✨
The best way I can describe this book is capital R Romantic. It just felt very classic. Very “I intend to sweep you off your feet and take your breath away, while absolutely railing you into next Tuesday.” But a very romantic railing. The sex scene vocabulary consisted of “slow,” “deep,” “full,” “that’s it,” “take it,” “such a good girl.”
Clayborn is the literary equivalent of rolled-up sleeves and a proper Mayfair accent doing very dirty things with very intense eye contact.
- Also when my ears get ahold of Mary Jane Wells providing his “hmms” I will need many A Moments for myself. *heavy breathing*
✨
Heartbreaker is definitely a character driven book and they each hold their own. If you’re not a fan of seriously solid, good, dependable heroes who are absolutely gone from page one, then I wouldn’t read this… but the man crashes a carriage because he saw her hair so I would also just read it anyways.
The story itself took a bit for me to get invested in, but once the two were together, everything made sense. There wasn’t really a breakup and it turned out to be so heartfelt between the two. I’m greedy and think one final sex scene (even brief) would’ve rounded out the ending perfectly. They were still having sex but it was summed up and left me a little bereft.
I do think you should read book one first, as there’s a scene between Clayborn and Adelaide that really sets the tone for their dynamic. My kingdom for a cold and emotionally reserved hero who loses his mind for the sharp-tongued and totally disinterested heroine. My favorite part was how the fiercely independent Adelaide allowed Clayborn to take care of her (cue the Praise). Their relationship also felt very balanced and equal. Adelaide wasn’t afraid to give it all right back to Clayborn. Am I talking about oral sex? Of course I’m talking about oral sex.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.5/5
Thanks to the publisher (and publicist!) for my eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.
September 9, 2022
I finished Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean last night and all I can say is it soothed my soul and is the most romantic romance she's ever written.
And the way the banter is between Clayborn and Adelaide?? The Mary Jane Wells narration is going to light your pants on fire.
I highlighted so many swoony passages and I'll restrain myself until closer to pub date to share my favorite parts.
What I liked best was how close this was, especially for a MacLean romance. We are in one room with the couple a whole lot of the story and I ADORED THAT so much. As I mentioned, THE ROMANCE is real here.
thank you to Avon for the early copy.
Updated for review of audiobook narrated by Mary Jane Wells; this narrator + story combo is a match made heaven. This story is simply full of romantic and sexy dialogue, and there's no better narrator for the task than Wells. All the stars, cannot recommend enough. See full audio review in Library Journal soon!
And the way the banter is between Clayborn and Adelaide?? The Mary Jane Wells narration is going to light your pants on fire.
I highlighted so many swoony passages and I'll restrain myself until closer to pub date to share my favorite parts.
What I liked best was how close this was, especially for a MacLean romance. We are in one room with the couple a whole lot of the story and I ADORED THAT so much. As I mentioned, THE ROMANCE is real here.
thank you to Avon for the early copy.
Updated for review of audiobook narrated by Mary Jane Wells; this narrator + story combo is a match made heaven. This story is simply full of romantic and sexy dialogue, and there's no better narrator for the task than Wells. All the stars, cannot recommend enough. See full audio review in Library Journal soon!
August 26, 2022
6/5 stars, absolute perfection in every way. I am a huge fan of Sarah MacLean and even still I was amazed at how much this exceeded my expectations. The chemistry and tension between Addie and the Duke was out of this world, next level. The SWOON FACTOR?! 11/10. This is one of her most romantic for sure. I can not get over how this hero WORSHIPPED the heroine.
Only one bed, frenemies to lovers, a fantastic caretaking scene, and intimacy that shows a tentative trust that feels fragile but also bravely extended.
I adored this with my whole heart and soul.
I received an ARC for review.
Only one bed, frenemies to lovers, a fantastic caretaking scene, and intimacy that shows a tentative trust that feels fragile but also bravely extended.
I adored this with my whole heart and soul.
I received an ARC for review.
May 30, 2022
↠ 4.5 stars
Heartbreaker marks the return of The Hell's Belles, caught up in a dangerous plot involving an eloping couple, and the vengeful family left behind. Matchbreaker Adelaide Frampton is on the hunt, and armed with the indifferent Duke of Clayborn, will embark on a cross-country chase entangled with highwaymen, inns, and the treacherous secrets of her past. Although it took me several chapters to fully immerse myself in this, Heartbreaker is an excellent follow-up to Bombshell, the first book in the series. Side character's delight, and angst takes the center stage in classic MacLean format. Honestly, Henry and Adelaide completely outsold in every single way. With the added Thomas Imogen tease chapter, I cannot wait to see where the series continues. Heartbreaker pulls all the stops, and Sarah Maclean has once again delivered an impeccable romance full of wit, charm, and staggering adventure.
Thank you to Edelweiss for providing the arc
Trigger warnings: death, violence
Heartbreaker marks the return of The Hell's Belles, caught up in a dangerous plot involving an eloping couple, and the vengeful family left behind. Matchbreaker Adelaide Frampton is on the hunt, and armed with the indifferent Duke of Clayborn, will embark on a cross-country chase entangled with highwaymen, inns, and the treacherous secrets of her past. Although it took me several chapters to fully immerse myself in this, Heartbreaker is an excellent follow-up to Bombshell, the first book in the series. Side character's delight, and angst takes the center stage in classic MacLean format. Honestly, Henry and Adelaide completely outsold in every single way. With the added Thomas Imogen tease chapter, I cannot wait to see where the series continues. Heartbreaker pulls all the stops, and Sarah Maclean has once again delivered an impeccable romance full of wit, charm, and staggering adventure.
Thank you to Edelweiss for providing the arc
Trigger warnings: death, violence
no-nope-not-reading-no-way
July 22, 2022And this is one of the main reasons I don't read her books anymore. It may not bother some, which is fine, but it drives me batty.
From a three star review. Quoting her....
"As for what didn’t work for me: the historical inaccuracies in this series can be a bit distracting. There’s a bit of anachronistic Bridgerton energy here, the world reading as an over-the-top feminist utopia with occasional virtue signaling that can be a bit much at times. The pacing of this book is also a little off, with a high inner monologue-to-action/dialogue ratio and lots of repetitive phrasing (“licking into [one another’s] mouths,” sentence fragments, etc.), " What many have been espousing recently.
AND then there is this. Another good review and has some great points about SM books lately.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
From a three star review. Quoting her....
"As for what didn’t work for me: the historical inaccuracies in this series can be a bit distracting. There’s a bit of anachronistic Bridgerton energy here, the world reading as an over-the-top feminist utopia with occasional virtue signaling that can be a bit much at times. The pacing of this book is also a little off, with a high inner monologue-to-action/dialogue ratio and lots of repetitive phrasing (“licking into [one another’s] mouths,” sentence fragments, etc.), " What many have been espousing recently.
AND then there is this. Another good review and has some great points about SM books lately.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 28, 2023
Not bad but not very memorable either. Adalaide and her Duke of Clayborn were sweet. The last 30% really dragged for me in typical MacLean fashion. I had the same problem with the first book where it really feels like the author is stalling for time and padding the book just to drag out the resolution with endless repetitive passages and characters saying the same thing over and over and over again. It took forever to get to the final showdown brawl for reasons I didn't understand. If I had a nickel every time we are reminded how the heroine is from Lambeth the South side and grew up a thief and can't have the hero a Duke from the North side I'd be rich. When MacLean runs out of tension for her couple she pads the book liberally with repetition. It's her tell every time. Run out of tangible obstacles then start having your couple repeat themselves to death for why they can't be together.
To be honest I was originally going to skip this one but I decided to bite the bullet because I was worried I might miss something before Imogene and Thomas's book. That's honestly all I'm here for. Do you miss future couple development if you plan to skip this one? Nope. Would I have felt bad skipping this anyways? No again. I personally felt more invested in Sesily and Caleb's romance journey and their connection than these two. But I know I'm in the minority in that regard. Nothing wrong with Adalaide and Henry, they had a quite a few adorable endearing moments here. Just overall wasn't swept away by them either. I also felt Henry kind of morphed into a 2 dimensional caricature in the last 20% with how flowery he got. The endless "you are everything, you are my queen, you are a warrior" just made me check out the more it went on. I wanted the story wrap up at that point honestly. He went from 3 dimensional dynamic hero to a flat two dimensional character who just kept spitting out declarations to the insecure heroine who wants to save the day and doesn't believe he could possibly love her. While I absolutely loved the praise kink and a hero who verbally expresses his feelings to a woman who's never had anyone choose her, Adalaide's martyr savior complex irritated me at the end. I love declarations as much as the next girl but the more it's heaped on for 50 pages endlessly, the less special it feels. I sound so jaded. lol
I admire SM as a person and how vocal and passionate she is about women's rights and giving voices to those who need it. You can definitely see the passion in her pen. But as a romance reader that's where our paths diverge and I'm no longer the right audience for her work. I'm not a fan of her laborious approach with how she tackles feminist progressive themes. It's as subtle as a two-by-four in the face. And some of it (while good intentioned) comes out really lopsided and cringe. And just seriously WTF.
Like this:
Girl ...what? Oh......darling, sweetie, honey, beloved, no.
Women who are stuck in miserable marriages or have abusive male relatives need to "make up" for their "sinning" of unfortunate connections by helping out a girl gang taking men in power down? Nevermind the fact that it's 1839 and women have below zero say over their awful familial/marital connections but what about women in poor circumstances? Much less why does a woman need to "make up" for something that is entirely OUT OF THEIR CONTROL? What in the hell kind of message is that Sarah MacLean? It's very much an "Us vs Them" narrative. I'll always be Girls Rule camp. And men can be flaming fools but treating all of them as useless idiots cause they have titles or power and born with dicks just left something to be desired for me. It's not empowering to me. It's definitely the hardest role to be a woman in a world run by men, in the 1800s especially, but it's all about delivery and MacLean's style of delivery is not my cuppa. It's just the overall talking down to tone that I just don't care for. For example and this may seem silly to others but given how much it's emphasized and dragged out for laughs I'm using it as an example: when our "toff" hero has to constantly prove to the heroine and her friends that he can handle his own in a physical fight because they keep making jokes at his expense throughout the book and believe he can't hold is own because he's a Duke. He fought for 6 years in a fight club and Adelaide and her gang don't believe him even after he knocks out 2 bruisers in the opening of the book and can beat ass in a brawl. It's cute at first cause she's hung up on his straight nose but the more it went on the less funny it became. The condescending "oh you poor thing" attitude overall I really didn't love.
This kind of energy isn't cute. If roles were reversed and the guy was laughing at a woman and not believing she can hold her own would it still be funny? How is this any different?
Just saying. And why does it always need to be an either or situation whenever it comes to these more modern turned out HR books? Like a woman can be passionate about her work and fall in love, no? That is a thing. A woman doesn't need to treat men how men treat women to prove a point or get ahead (unless they completely deserve it of course). The whole nose in the air thing is just counterproductive and what I never understand about feminism when written in this way. For me it's very much treating my partner as an equal and vice versa, and you do get that here...in the end. But it's the overall journey, the narrative, the tone and bullhorn blaring preaching MacLean does that feels very disingenuous. And it really shouldn't because this couple is sweet and adorable on their own. It's all the added noise MacLean shoves in that feels tiring and you really feel it in the second half. Adelaide not trusting a Duke to be more than his privileged title makes complete sense given her backstory but someone like the Duchess who is rich, titled and married to a husband living on another island and access to all his money but hates men is a conundrum to me. This wealthy woman using women from all walks of life for her secret society with the jaw grinding "yeah yeah fine you can fall in love and bring a man into our mix but don't get distracted from the overall goal here" just feels joyless instead of joyful. *Whispers out of the side of her mouth*: and kind of hypocritical.
But that's just me.
Anyways, I think SM fans will love this entry. I'm not in that camp obviously so my feelings are probably in the minority. There were some great moments I did enjoy between hero and heroine just the ending didn't really stick the landing. Here's to hoping my favorite grumpy Detective Peck and Imogene Loveless get something I can sink my teeth into all the way through.
To be honest I was originally going to skip this one but I decided to bite the bullet because I was worried I might miss something before Imogene and Thomas's book. That's honestly all I'm here for. Do you miss future couple development if you plan to skip this one? Nope. Would I have felt bad skipping this anyways? No again. I personally felt more invested in Sesily and Caleb's romance journey and their connection than these two. But I know I'm in the minority in that regard. Nothing wrong with Adalaide and Henry, they had a quite a few adorable endearing moments here. Just overall wasn't swept away by them either. I also felt Henry kind of morphed into a 2 dimensional caricature in the last 20% with how flowery he got. The endless "you are everything, you are my queen, you are a warrior" just made me check out the more it went on. I wanted the story wrap up at that point honestly. He went from 3 dimensional dynamic hero to a flat two dimensional character who just kept spitting out declarations to the insecure heroine who wants to save the day and doesn't believe he could possibly love her. While I absolutely loved the praise kink and a hero who verbally expresses his feelings to a woman who's never had anyone choose her, Adalaide's martyr savior complex irritated me at the end. I love declarations as much as the next girl but the more it's heaped on for 50 pages endlessly, the less special it feels. I sound so jaded. lol
I am a woman alive in the world, Your Grace. My existence is politics, whether I care for it to be or not. It is not the politics, but the politicians"
I admire SM as a person and how vocal and passionate she is about women's rights and giving voices to those who need it. You can definitely see the passion in her pen. But as a romance reader that's where our paths diverge and I'm no longer the right audience for her work. I'm not a fan of her laborious approach with how she tackles feminist progressive themes. It's as subtle as a two-by-four in the face. And some of it (while good intentioned) comes out really lopsided and cringe. And just seriously WTF.
Like this:
Few ever noticed the true strategy of the Matchbreaker. On the surface, she seemed to choose her clients without thought—available for all circumstances, all scandals being equal. But scandals were not equal, and neither were the homes she accessed. Instead, she chose the scandals most impacting the ton’s most powerful families, led by powerful men with too much to lose. Through her work, she could access a network of wives and daughters and sisters, who always knew more than men imagined, and often wished to share it, to atone for the ultimate sin . . . connection to a bad man. The Belles were there to help them atone. And to bring the worst of those men down.
Girl ...what? Oh......darling, sweetie, honey, beloved, no.
Women who are stuck in miserable marriages or have abusive male relatives need to "make up" for their "sinning" of unfortunate connections by helping out a girl gang taking men in power down? Nevermind the fact that it's 1839 and women have below zero say over their awful familial/marital connections but what about women in poor circumstances? Much less why does a woman need to "make up" for something that is entirely OUT OF THEIR CONTROL? What in the hell kind of message is that Sarah MacLean? It's very much an "Us vs Them" narrative. I'll always be Girls Rule camp. And men can be flaming fools but treating all of them as useless idiots cause they have titles or power and born with dicks just left something to be desired for me. It's not empowering to me. It's definitely the hardest role to be a woman in a world run by men, in the 1800s especially, but it's all about delivery and MacLean's style of delivery is not my cuppa. It's just the overall talking down to tone that I just don't care for. For example and this may seem silly to others but given how much it's emphasized and dragged out for laughs I'm using it as an example: when our "toff" hero has to constantly prove to the heroine and her friends that he can handle his own in a physical fight because they keep making jokes at his expense throughout the book and believe he can't hold is own because he's a Duke. He fought for 6 years in a fight club and Adelaide and her gang don't believe him even after he knocks out 2 bruisers in the opening of the book and can beat ass in a brawl. It's cute at first cause she's hung up on his straight nose but the more it went on the less funny it became. The condescending "oh you poor thing" attitude overall I really didn't love.
“I boxed for six years at school.”
“You don’t say?” Lucia tilted her head.
“Six years of school boxing?” Adelaide’s lips twitched.
“And such a straight nose to show for it!”
Clayborn slid her a look. “Perhaps I’ve a straight nose because I didn’t make a habit of losing.” “More like no one was willing to let fly with a duke, but whatever gives you comfort at night, Your Grace.”
This kind of energy isn't cute. If roles were reversed and the guy was laughing at a woman and not believing she can hold her own would it still be funny? How is this any different?
Just saying. And why does it always need to be an either or situation whenever it comes to these more modern turned out HR books? Like a woman can be passionate about her work and fall in love, no? That is a thing. A woman doesn't need to treat men how men treat women to prove a point or get ahead (unless they completely deserve it of course). The whole nose in the air thing is just counterproductive and what I never understand about feminism when written in this way. For me it's very much treating my partner as an equal and vice versa, and you do get that here...in the end. But it's the overall journey, the narrative, the tone and bullhorn blaring preaching MacLean does that feels very disingenuous. And it really shouldn't because this couple is sweet and adorable on their own. It's all the added noise MacLean shoves in that feels tiring and you really feel it in the second half. Adelaide not trusting a Duke to be more than his privileged title makes complete sense given her backstory but someone like the Duchess who is rich, titled and married to a husband living on another island and access to all his money but hates men is a conundrum to me. This wealthy woman using women from all walks of life for her secret society with the jaw grinding "yeah yeah fine you can fall in love and bring a man into our mix but don't get distracted from the overall goal here" just feels joyless instead of joyful. *Whispers out of the side of her mouth*: and kind of hypocritical.
But that's just me.
Anyways, I think SM fans will love this entry. I'm not in that camp obviously so my feelings are probably in the minority. There were some great moments I did enjoy between hero and heroine just the ending didn't really stick the landing. Here's to hoping my favorite grumpy Detective Peck and Imogene Loveless get something I can sink my teeth into all the way through.
August 23, 2022
3.5 stars. Heartbreaker is the second book in Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belles series. I adore this author and have read all of her series now, while this Hell’s Belles series hasn’t really been my favorite, I did enjoy this addition more than I did the first book Bombshell.
Basically, the Belles are on a mission to keep a certain lady safe. The heroine Adelaide is an important part of the mission and when said lady elopes to Gretna Green with her betrothed, Adelaide follows. The lady’s betrothed is the brother of Henry, the Duke of Clayborn, and he gets involved as well to ensure his brother is okay. Eventually Clayborn and Adelaide join forces to work together.
Adelaide is the 26-year-old daughter of Alfie Trumbull, her father built himself a small empire and is the head of the Bulls, a gang of thugs and thieves. Growing up Adelaide learned the ways as well and became the “princess of thieves”. Her father tried to marry her off 5 years ago but her wedding turned into a turf war instead and Adelaide used that time to escape. She’s been working with the Duchess and the rest of the Belles ever since. Adelaide has always thought herself unremarkable and uninteresting, which has helped with her thieving and sneaking about since she’s able to go unnoticed.
MacLean always delivers on very feminist historical romances, the girl power is strong with the Belles. I adored the close proximity we get in this romance, Henry and Adelaide spend SOO much time together alone and I always eat that up. We also get a roadtrip, sharing a room, only 1 bed, action, adventure, the hero falling first, caretaking/nursing back to health, banter, crashes, a highwaywoman, a puzzle box, a letter, secret identities, family secrets, and so much more! I do think the beginning was excellent, I lost a little bit of interest in the middle, but then I was back on board towards the end! I did enjoy the romance in this one, more so than I like all the action and Belles time. The setup for the next couple though already sounds like a blast.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. Heartbreaker has a publish date of August 23, 2022.
Basically, the Belles are on a mission to keep a certain lady safe. The heroine Adelaide is an important part of the mission and when said lady elopes to Gretna Green with her betrothed, Adelaide follows. The lady’s betrothed is the brother of Henry, the Duke of Clayborn, and he gets involved as well to ensure his brother is okay. Eventually Clayborn and Adelaide join forces to work together.
Adelaide is the 26-year-old daughter of Alfie Trumbull, her father built himself a small empire and is the head of the Bulls, a gang of thugs and thieves. Growing up Adelaide learned the ways as well and became the “princess of thieves”. Her father tried to marry her off 5 years ago but her wedding turned into a turf war instead and Adelaide used that time to escape. She’s been working with the Duchess and the rest of the Belles ever since. Adelaide has always thought herself unremarkable and uninteresting, which has helped with her thieving and sneaking about since she’s able to go unnoticed.
MacLean always delivers on very feminist historical romances, the girl power is strong with the Belles. I adored the close proximity we get in this romance, Henry and Adelaide spend SOO much time together alone and I always eat that up. We also get a roadtrip, sharing a room, only 1 bed, action, adventure, the hero falling first, caretaking/nursing back to health, banter, crashes, a highwaywoman, a puzzle box, a letter, secret identities, family secrets, and so much more! I do think the beginning was excellent, I lost a little bit of interest in the middle, but then I was back on board towards the end! I did enjoy the romance in this one, more so than I like all the action and Belles time. The setup for the next couple though already sounds like a blast.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. Heartbreaker has a publish date of August 23, 2022.
September 2, 2022
This book is SO MUCH FUN! Adelaide is a legend to the women of London. To the upper crust of Mayfair, she's the anonymous Matchbreaker, who investigates marriage prospects on behalf of women and their families and then (as you can guess) spoils the engagement, one way or another. For the criminal class, she's the crime princess who got away. They don't know exactly where she is or what she's doing, but they know she's not used as a pawn in her kingpin father's games any longer.
The book is action-packed, starting with a chase through the slums of London (Adelaide is both hindered and aided by a "mysterious" man she recognizes immediately, the Duke of Clayborn) that ends with a kiss. Almost immediately after, Adelaide and Henry are off on another chase that soon turns into a road trip romance, complete with only one bed, highwaymen, and a dash of hurt/comfort.
This is totally a romance, but it comes with a side of found family, women helping women, and a touch of mafia royalty. It's a fun ride that will hit every button for the right reader.
8-Word Summaries:
Laine: Harder to infiltrate; his box or her heart?
Meg: Road trip to Only-One-Bed town with some hurt/comfort.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
The book is action-packed, starting with a chase through the slums of London (Adelaide is both hindered and aided by a "mysterious" man she recognizes immediately, the Duke of Clayborn) that ends with a kiss. Almost immediately after, Adelaide and Henry are off on another chase that soon turns into a road trip romance, complete with only one bed, highwaymen, and a dash of hurt/comfort.
This is totally a romance, but it comes with a side of found family, women helping women, and a touch of mafia royalty. It's a fun ride that will hit every button for the right reader.
8-Word Summaries:
Laine: Harder to infiltrate; his box or her heart?
Meg: Road trip to Only-One-Bed town with some hurt/comfort.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
July 8, 2023
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It has a likable, strong and capable female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, engaging banter, wit, an improbable, heartwarming romance, sizzling chemistry, and a happily ever after ending. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Mary Jane Wells, is truly talented. This is the second entry in Ms. MacLean's outstanding Hell's Belles series, and can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. I am looking forward to reading Imogen's story with great anticipation.
maybe-read
April 14, 2022Dare I read this after the disaster that was Bombshell .
September 8, 2022
2.5 but I'll round it up to 3 stars.
I could be wrong but I think this book took place over one week and the two of them A few things were repetitive and that got exhausting. Around the 70% mark, the book started to drag and I paid less attention to the audiobook. The narrator is Mary Jane Wells and this was not her best performance. I suppose I didn't like the voice she chose for the heroine.
Chapter 25 (the chapter before the epilogue) was dedicated to Lady Imogen (explosive extraordinaire) and Detective Thomas Peck. I look forward to their book. 😊
I could be wrong but I think this book took place over one week and the two of them A few things were repetitive and that got exhausting. Around the 70% mark, the book started to drag and I paid less attention to the audiobook. The narrator is Mary Jane Wells and this was not her best performance. I suppose I didn't like the voice she chose for the heroine.
Chapter 25 (the chapter before the epilogue) was dedicated to Lady Imogen (explosive extraordinaire) and Detective Thomas Peck. I look forward to their book. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2023
4 Stars
I ended my review of Bombshell with "I hope the next one sucks less." And what do you know, it did suck less, not just that, but Heartbreaker did not suck at all. It sucked nothing. It gave. It gave happiness, it gave joy, and it gave an amazing romantic experience.
This, this is the Sarah MacLean I know, love and adore reading!
I would have devoured this book in one sitting, but alas, I picked it up in what turned out to be the busiest week of my life. On the plus side, I got to savour it when I would have gorged on it. I had a chance to re-read a few pages before I continued. I got to experience the magic and let it sink in for six days instead of six hours!
If it wasn't clear, I am trying to say I loved this romance!
And now, I must write some form of review, right? So here it is...
- The phenomenal, philosophical, metaphorically romantic writing blew me away.
- Dyaaaaam, this Henry. Hell, I want him. I just plain want him. Every word that came out of his mouth was freaking perfect. Every action of his invoked a sigh. I wanted to giggle and jump on him at the same time. Ummmm, yum!
- The romance had a great depth, tenderness, fire, longing, angst, secrets, love, loss and gain. It was everything.
- I liked Adelaide, loved her fight, her struggles and her insecurities. I just wish she had resisted less, especially after showing such clarity with Henry.
- That, unfortunately, brings me to the reason this was not a hands-down five-starer. Try as I might, I just cannot buy into the Lady Vigilante group (despite the Forty Elephants reference, yes, I read the Author's note). This Victorian Sex and the City premise is still difficult to digest.
- Urrrgh, Sexily, again. That word gets on my nerves.
- And finally, it needed just one more flame. Just one more bloody intimate scene to make it perfect. Henry & Adelaide were so primed for the sexual tension that one more scene would have set off the bloody fireworks.
- To round it off on a high note, I am now really looking forward to Imogen's story.
My Recommendation
Welcome back, Ms MacLean. I have missed you.
I ended my review of Bombshell with "I hope the next one sucks less." And what do you know, it did suck less, not just that, but Heartbreaker did not suck at all. It sucked nothing. It gave. It gave happiness, it gave joy, and it gave an amazing romantic experience.
This, this is the Sarah MacLean I know, love and adore reading!
I would have devoured this book in one sitting, but alas, I picked it up in what turned out to be the busiest week of my life. On the plus side, I got to savour it when I would have gorged on it. I had a chance to re-read a few pages before I continued. I got to experience the magic and let it sink in for six days instead of six hours!
If it wasn't clear, I am trying to say I loved this romance!
And now, I must write some form of review, right? So here it is...
- The phenomenal, philosophical, metaphorically romantic writing blew me away.
- Dyaaaaam, this Henry. Hell, I want him. I just plain want him. Every word that came out of his mouth was freaking perfect. Every action of his invoked a sigh. I wanted to giggle and jump on him at the same time. Ummmm, yum!
- The romance had a great depth, tenderness, fire, longing, angst, secrets, love, loss and gain. It was everything.
- I liked Adelaide, loved her fight, her struggles and her insecurities. I just wish she had resisted less, especially after showing such clarity with Henry.
- That, unfortunately, brings me to the reason this was not a hands-down five-starer. Try as I might, I just cannot buy into the Lady Vigilante group (despite the Forty Elephants reference, yes, I read the Author's note). This Victorian Sex and the City premise is still difficult to digest.
- Urrrgh, Sexily, again. That word gets on my nerves.
- And finally, it needed just one more flame. Just one more bloody intimate scene to make it perfect. Henry & Adelaide were so primed for the sexual tension that one more scene would have set off the bloody fireworks.
- To round it off on a high note, I am now really looking forward to Imogen's story.
My Recommendation
Welcome back, Ms MacLean. I have missed you.
August 23, 2022
Adelaide's book? With a certain "dull" duke? Dukes are NEVER boring. They are @ssholes, old guys, or heroes. We'll see 😉 (I'll be updating with new information)
EDIT 1: Sarah confirmed at her podcast, that it is Adelaide and the Duke of Clayborne. Get ready for a grumpy/sunshine.. 😍😍
EDIT 2 (25/10/21) from Sarah's newsletter, it's a road trip! Will we also have "one bed" at some point?
EDIT 3 (01/12/21/after reading the synopsis): PUT IT IN MY VEINS!! 🤣🤣 Seriously though...
EDIT 4 (23/08/22): I read it in one sitting! It was sooo good! From the moment they shared at Bombshell, I knew I would love it! There was indeed one bed (there wasn't enough bed across England, imagine that 🤣), the Duke was sooooo dreamy and protective. Addie, I felt so connected to her, about how she felt about her place in the world and how others saw her. I would have loved some more time with the other Belles, but we did get some great scenes and some explosions 🤣🤣
It's one of my favorite MacLean books, maybe it wins even 9 rules (I'll have to process that thought 🤣) It's definitely top 3 of 2022. Looking forward for Imogen and Tommy 😍
EDIT 1: Sarah confirmed at her podcast, that it is Adelaide and the Duke of Clayborne. Get ready for a grumpy/sunshine.. 😍😍
EDIT 2 (25/10/21) from Sarah's newsletter, it's a road trip! Will we also have "one bed" at some point?
EDIT 3 (01/12/21/after reading the synopsis): PUT IT IN MY VEINS!! 🤣🤣 Seriously though...
EDIT 4 (23/08/22): I read it in one sitting! It was sooo good! From the moment they shared at Bombshell, I knew I would love it! There was indeed one bed (there wasn't enough bed across England, imagine that 🤣), the Duke was sooooo dreamy and protective. Addie, I felt so connected to her, about how she felt about her place in the world and how others saw her. I would have loved some more time with the other Belles, but we did get some great scenes and some explosions 🤣🤣
It's one of my favorite MacLean books, maybe it wins even 9 rules (I'll have to process that thought 🤣) It's definitely top 3 of 2022. Looking forward for Imogen and Tommy 😍
August 14, 2022
I loved Bombshell and couldn't wait to get my hands on Heartbreaker. It truly did not disappoint! Adelaide and Henry's tender and sexy story was everything my heart wanted. Though the book can be read as a standalone, it would be most enjoyed if read in order since it introduces and gives more backstory to all of the characters.
Things to look forward to:
- Tropes like: enemies to lovers, only one bed, road trip romance, caretaker, who did this to you?, praise (the "good girl" was used so well *fans self*), slow burn, and stern brunch daddy.
- Henry. He was so gone for Adelaide (even if he didn't quite realize it right away) and I loved how he always saw her. He was so honorable, steadfast, and protective. I'm not normally a fan of the overprotective main characters, but it 100% worked for Henry because he knew she could take care of herself, but that she didn't need to. He accepted her exactly as she was and he's definitely going into my book boyfriend hall of fame.
- Adelaide. She's so strong, intelligent, and loyal. My heart broke for her again and again as her past was revealed, but her character arc was so satisfying. She's just as fiercely protective of her loved ones as Henry and their chemistry and banter was off the charts! The shift from enemies to lovers was really well done and I loved how things slowly became more between them.
- The spice. Holy moly the spice! Sarah MacLean teased and made us work for it, but boy were we rewarded for our patience! The praise! The face sitting! The chapters of goodness! Yup, chapters. ;)
- I really liked that there wasn't some forced 3rd act conflict. These two love each other (even if they are slow to feel worthy of it) and it's this love that guides their actions and decisions. Yes, there's a bit of mayhem as everything comes together at the end, but there's never any doubt that these two are meant to be.
- All of the Hell's Belles! I love this crew so much and seeing them all standing together and supporting each other was the best. I can't wait for Imogen's book next!
I both read and listened to Heartbreaker and it pains me to say that the audio was kind of a miss for me. I love Mary Jane Wells and have enjoyed so many of her performances, but the way that she voiced Adelaide really turned me off from the audiobook. Every other character was voiced wonderfully, but for some reason Adelaide was high pitched, shrill, and sounded like a child. It was very distracting and I found myself reading the book more than listening. Mary Jane Wells still conveyed so much emotion in her performance and her comedic timing was perfect, but sadly the audiobook wasn't the wonderful experience it normally is.
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 5 stars
CW: kidnapping, violence - fighting, stabbing/knife wounds, pickpocketing/robbery, death of parents (past), parental neglect (past), family tensions
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
Things to look forward to:
- Tropes like: enemies to lovers, only one bed, road trip romance, caretaker, who did this to you?, praise (the "good girl" was used so well *fans self*), slow burn, and stern brunch daddy.
- Henry. He was so gone for Adelaide (even if he didn't quite realize it right away) and I loved how he always saw her. He was so honorable, steadfast, and protective. I'm not normally a fan of the overprotective main characters, but it 100% worked for Henry because he knew she could take care of herself, but that she didn't need to. He accepted her exactly as she was and he's definitely going into my book boyfriend hall of fame.
- Adelaide. She's so strong, intelligent, and loyal. My heart broke for her again and again as her past was revealed, but her character arc was so satisfying. She's just as fiercely protective of her loved ones as Henry and their chemistry and banter was off the charts! The shift from enemies to lovers was really well done and I loved how things slowly became more between them.
- The spice. Holy moly the spice! Sarah MacLean teased and made us work for it, but boy were we rewarded for our patience! The praise! The face sitting! The chapters of goodness! Yup, chapters. ;)
- I really liked that there wasn't some forced 3rd act conflict. These two love each other (even if they are slow to feel worthy of it) and it's this love that guides their actions and decisions. Yes, there's a bit of mayhem as everything comes together at the end, but there's never any doubt that these two are meant to be.
- All of the Hell's Belles! I love this crew so much and seeing them all standing together and supporting each other was the best. I can't wait for Imogen's book next!
I both read and listened to Heartbreaker and it pains me to say that the audio was kind of a miss for me. I love Mary Jane Wells and have enjoyed so many of her performances, but the way that she voiced Adelaide really turned me off from the audiobook. Every other character was voiced wonderfully, but for some reason Adelaide was high pitched, shrill, and sounded like a child. It was very distracting and I found myself reading the book more than listening. Mary Jane Wells still conveyed so much emotion in her performance and her comedic timing was perfect, but sadly the audiobook wasn't the wonderful experience it normally is.
Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 4 stars
Story 5 stars
CW: kidnapping, violence - fighting, stabbing/knife wounds, pickpocketing/robbery, death of parents (past), parental neglect (past), family tensions
*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*
September 2, 2022
I regret to say the title is foretelling of the book experience.
Sarah MacLean used to be one of my top HR authors. Her 'Love by Numbers' and 'The Rules of Scoundrels' series include some of my favorite characters & are repeat reads from my HR bookshelf. Something has changed tho. I don't know if it's to do with me? or her? All I know is her writing has definitely lost its edge and the spark is gone. Someone please help me. Tell me I'm not the only one feeling this way??
When it takes me three days to read a historical romance, there's definitely a problem. I normally stay up half the night reading from start to finish & with 'Heartbreaker' I forced myself to the end. The characters didn't inspire me at all; the dialogue was flat and the romance/chemistry was downright yawn worthy. It almost felt like Ms MacLean has resorted to rote writing. I think I'm going to have to pick up another HR just to get to the happy place I expect from this genre.
I'm sorry to say the rest of the 'Hell's Belles' series will be a hard pass from me (based on the first two books) and definitely no more automatic preorders from this author unless/until she gets her magic back.
Sarah MacLean used to be one of my top HR authors. Her 'Love by Numbers' and 'The Rules of Scoundrels' series include some of my favorite characters & are repeat reads from my HR bookshelf. Something has changed tho. I don't know if it's to do with me? or her? All I know is her writing has definitely lost its edge and the spark is gone. Someone please help me. Tell me I'm not the only one feeling this way??
When it takes me three days to read a historical romance, there's definitely a problem. I normally stay up half the night reading from start to finish & with 'Heartbreaker' I forced myself to the end. The characters didn't inspire me at all; the dialogue was flat and the romance/chemistry was downright yawn worthy. It almost felt like Ms MacLean has resorted to rote writing. I think I'm going to have to pick up another HR just to get to the happy place I expect from this genre.
I'm sorry to say the rest of the 'Hell's Belles' series will be a hard pass from me (based on the first two books) and definitely no more automatic preorders from this author unless/until she gets her magic back.
September 18, 2022
9/18/22
wow this is my favorite Sarah MacLean by FAR. I absolutely adored this. First of all, everyone loves a road trip romance and an only one bed trope, so this already started off great. Second of all, the Duke of Clayborn is ABSOLUTELY everything!! He is protective and so freaking caring. All I want in this world is for someone to care for me the way that Clayborn cares for Adelaide. Wow. Highly recommend this one.
i screamed when i got this arc!!!! i can’t wait
wow this is my favorite Sarah MacLean by FAR. I absolutely adored this. First of all, everyone loves a road trip romance and an only one bed trope, so this already started off great. Second of all, the Duke of Clayborn is ABSOLUTELY everything!! He is protective and so freaking caring. All I want in this world is for someone to care for me the way that Clayborn cares for Adelaide. Wow. Highly recommend this one.
i screamed when i got this arc!!!! i can’t wait
August 26, 2022
Heartbreaker was a load of fun! A gruff but soft duke and the strong-willed lady thief he can't stop noticing end up on a rollicking road trip together for dangerous reasons. There is loads of forced proximity, sizzling chemistry, some quite sexy scenes, and a fun, fast-paced plot. Among my favorites of the Sarah MacLean books I've read.
August 25, 2022
Romance tropes: forbidden love, orphan, forced proximity
Well, that was great. There’s a bit too much dithering about making noble sacrifices on Adelaide’s part and deus ex machina to get out of some improbable situations in the end, but overall this will be a delight to fans of MacLean’s previous work.
—
Original Review:
*fingers crossed* Please be Thomas and Imogen, please be Thomas and Imogen, please be Thomas and Imogen
I need to hear more about them thighsss
Well, that was great. There’s a bit too much dithering about making noble sacrifices on Adelaide’s part and deus ex machina to get out of some improbable situations in the end, but overall this will be a delight to fans of MacLean’s previous work.
—
Original Review:
*fingers crossed* Please be Thomas and Imogen, please be Thomas and Imogen, please be Thomas and Imogen
I need to hear more about them thighsss
September 11, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
Romance, adventure, chemistry, passion, danger, intense steal-your-breath true love, secrets and villains, oh my. Simply fabulous storytelling!
I was a little disappointed in the last few chapters; it was overblown and over the top, and I wish the book would have wrapped up differently. Still, though, a very worthwhile read.
In the year since she’d begun noticing him, she’d never seen him looking anything but a duke. At least, not until that afternoon. Bearded and throwing punches like a docklands prizefighter and kissing like one, too.
***
They lay in silence, the low rumble of the tavern below having given way to quiet so impossibly still that she could now hear nothing but her heart. Or was it his, beating in a steady rhythm beneath her ear, slowing as the rise and fall of his chest grew heavy and even, and he fell asleep, holding her in his arms. Adelaide was still for an age—minutes, maybe hours—marveling at the feel of his body against hers. Of his warm skin and the rich scent of sun-warmed leather that mixed with the rosemary from his bath. She’d never noticed a man’s scent before. Never reveled in her mark on it. Never felt the keen pleasure that came with the knowledge that he was, for however fleeting a moment, hers. Never wondered if there might be a way to keep it close. To hold it tight. It was the wildness of the experience—the absolute madness of it—that made her whisper to the darkness, “Mine.”
She caught her breath as the thoughts took shape. Adelaide Frampton, who had spent a lifetime alone, facing down pain and danger and loneliness, who had made a place for herself in the world as a woman with a wicked sense of justice, and a willingness to do anything to mete it out—found herself undone in those moments, in the dark . . . by hope.
Romance, adventure, chemistry, passion, danger, intense steal-your-breath true love, secrets and villains, oh my. Simply fabulous storytelling!
I was a little disappointed in the last few chapters; it was overblown and over the top, and I wish the book would have wrapped up differently. Still, though, a very worthwhile read.
In the year since she’d begun noticing him, she’d never seen him looking anything but a duke. At least, not until that afternoon. Bearded and throwing punches like a docklands prizefighter and kissing like one, too.
***
They lay in silence, the low rumble of the tavern below having given way to quiet so impossibly still that she could now hear nothing but her heart. Or was it his, beating in a steady rhythm beneath her ear, slowing as the rise and fall of his chest grew heavy and even, and he fell asleep, holding her in his arms. Adelaide was still for an age—minutes, maybe hours—marveling at the feel of his body against hers. Of his warm skin and the rich scent of sun-warmed leather that mixed with the rosemary from his bath. She’d never noticed a man’s scent before. Never reveled in her mark on it. Never felt the keen pleasure that came with the knowledge that he was, for however fleeting a moment, hers. Never wondered if there might be a way to keep it close. To hold it tight. It was the wildness of the experience—the absolute madness of it—that made her whisper to the darkness, “Mine.”
She caught her breath as the thoughts took shape. Adelaide Frampton, who had spent a lifetime alone, facing down pain and danger and loneliness, who had made a place for herself in the world as a woman with a wicked sense of justice, and a willingness to do anything to mete it out—found herself undone in those moments, in the dark . . . by hope.
August 21, 2022
The Matchmaker—“How could anyone fail to notice her?”
From the depths of London’s South Bank to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Adelaide Trumbull has become a woman wth a mission. Daughter of the leader of the cutthroat gang, the Bully Boys, with tentacles throughout London, the ‘Princess of Thieves’ becomes Adelaide Frampton, invisible cousin and secretary to the Duchess of Trevescan.
She belongs to a group of women who are dedicated to helping others in situations of abuse, standing against lords who tyrannize their families, employ child labourers, everything, the worst of the worst a… “mysterious quartet of women who meted out justice to men who were too powerful for regular channels.”
Currently they’re trying to protect a young woman who witnessed her father murdering another Lord.
Adelaide is known as The Matchmaker. She compiles files on persons of interest for the group.
This time her plans are disturbed by Henry Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn, a man who really sees her, when others’ eyes pass her by. A man with his own secrets, secrets she’s about to uncover, even as she races against time to rescue Lady Helene, daughter of the Marquess of Havistock and it seems, Clayborn’s brother, Jack.
There’s definitely sizzling situations and heated moments as these two jostle for supremacy, but when they’re together, having to face down a common enemy, all that changes!
A wild read that just keeps on getting wilder!
An Avon and Harper Voyager ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
From the depths of London’s South Bank to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Adelaide Trumbull has become a woman wth a mission. Daughter of the leader of the cutthroat gang, the Bully Boys, with tentacles throughout London, the ‘Princess of Thieves’ becomes Adelaide Frampton, invisible cousin and secretary to the Duchess of Trevescan.
She belongs to a group of women who are dedicated to helping others in situations of abuse, standing against lords who tyrannize their families, employ child labourers, everything, the worst of the worst a… “mysterious quartet of women who meted out justice to men who were too powerful for regular channels.”
Currently they’re trying to protect a young woman who witnessed her father murdering another Lord.
Adelaide is known as The Matchmaker. She compiles files on persons of interest for the group.
This time her plans are disturbed by Henry Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn, a man who really sees her, when others’ eyes pass her by. A man with his own secrets, secrets she’s about to uncover, even as she races against time to rescue Lady Helene, daughter of the Marquess of Havistock and it seems, Clayborn’s brother, Jack.
There’s definitely sizzling situations and heated moments as these two jostle for supremacy, but when they’re together, having to face down a common enemy, all that changes!
A wild read that just keeps on getting wilder!
An Avon and Harper Voyager ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
May 5, 2023
3 🌟 Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2023/...
Mejor que el primero, pero no llega a lo que estoy acostumbrada con la autora. No sé si porque el humor se pierde en la traducción (los otros los leí en inglés) o porque está escrito durante la pandemia
Es una libro muy ameno de leer con una historia entretenida, un viaje lleno de aventuras (algunas que se repiten) en la que el romance parece provenir de antes (y nos lo hemos perdido) y se juega demasiado a la mujer independiente que queda embelesada por el caballero que no para de defenderla.
Me ha fustado la forma en la que comienza la historia, después se ralentiza y termina con un final que queda algo soso y precipitado.
La idea de la pareja es bonita, pero me ha faltado ese romance que parece que viene de algún momento anterior, al menos por parte de él.
Al final se queda en entretenido, esperemos que esta serie vaya a más.
Con ganas de leer a Imogen y Thomas ♥
Mejor que el primero, pero no llega a lo que estoy acostumbrada con la autora. No sé si porque el humor se pierde en la traducción (los otros los leí en inglés) o porque está escrito durante la pandemia
Es una libro muy ameno de leer con una historia entretenida, un viaje lleno de aventuras (algunas que se repiten) en la que el romance parece provenir de antes (y nos lo hemos perdido) y se juega demasiado a la mujer independiente que queda embelesada por el caballero que no para de defenderla.
Me ha fustado la forma en la que comienza la historia, después se ralentiza y termina con un final que queda algo soso y precipitado.
La idea de la pareja es bonita, pero me ha faltado ese romance que parece que viene de algún momento anterior, al menos por parte de él.
Al final se queda en entretenido, esperemos que esta serie vaya a más.
Con ganas de leer a Imogen y Thomas ♥
September 8, 2022
The thief and the duke and only one bed 🎉👏🏻
This book is the second book in the Hell’s Belles series with The Duchess, Sesily, Imogen, and Adelaide striking out against men who suck and blowing things up and keeping secrets and saving the day.
But somehow with all that excitement, this took me awhile to get into. It might be the fact that I haven’t read a Sarah MacLean in awhile and it took me a minute to get I to the vigilante aspect of the story and understand what exactly the mission was. Maybe it’s because I don’t remember Bombshell very well? 🤔
Anyway. Once we get past the beginning (and Addie constantly calling the hero Duke like a curse and insisting she will never ever ever need his help or any man’s help) and get to the adventure part!!! I was into it! So many secrets and trust issues and omggggg I looooove a good sick bed. Yummy. All characters should get stabbed if the result is some forced emotional vulnerability and yeah, some great love scenes!!
All of this book happens very quickly. Like. A matter of two weeks or something, which is a very hard sell for me on romance books, but what the heck, I’ll buy into Addie and Henry’s eternal love.
The ending was verrrrryyyy…idk, Scooby Doo comes to mind. Idk. Maybe I just don’t like mysteries or suspenses or whatever you wanna call it that end with a bunch of fighting and monologuing bad guys. I mean they absolutely *have* to end that way and I get it. If it all happened off page that would be worse or God forbid, no crescendo at all, but it’s still super cringe for me to read for some reason.
I’m happy for Adelaide and Henry and the way their little hearts had to open up and believe in love and I’m loling at the last chapter with Tommy and Imogen. Oh man. That guy doesn’t even know what’s gonna hit him.
This book is the second book in the Hell’s Belles series with The Duchess, Sesily, Imogen, and Adelaide striking out against men who suck and blowing things up and keeping secrets and saving the day.
But somehow with all that excitement, this took me awhile to get into. It might be the fact that I haven’t read a Sarah MacLean in awhile and it took me a minute to get I to the vigilante aspect of the story and understand what exactly the mission was. Maybe it’s because I don’t remember Bombshell very well? 🤔
Anyway. Once we get past the beginning (and Addie constantly calling the hero Duke like a curse and insisting she will never ever ever need his help or any man’s help) and get to the adventure part!!! I was into it! So many secrets and trust issues and omggggg I looooove a good sick bed. Yummy. All characters should get stabbed if the result is some forced emotional vulnerability and yeah, some great love scenes!!
All of this book happens very quickly. Like. A matter of two weeks or something, which is a very hard sell for me on romance books, but what the heck, I’ll buy into Addie and Henry’s eternal love.
The ending was verrrrryyyy…idk, Scooby Doo comes to mind. Idk. Maybe I just don’t like mysteries or suspenses or whatever you wanna call it that end with a bunch of fighting and monologuing bad guys. I mean they absolutely *have* to end that way and I get it. If it all happened off page that would be worse or God forbid, no crescendo at all, but it’s still super cringe for me to read for some reason.
I’m happy for Adelaide and Henry and the way their little hearts had to open up and believe in love and I’m loling at the last chapter with Tommy and Imogen. Oh man. That guy doesn’t even know what’s gonna hit him.
September 2, 2022
Too long. Too boring. Chapter after chapter of nothing happening other than both characters lamenting their woes.
June 12, 2022
“‘He’ll regret it. In the end.’
‘Why, because you were born one thing and became another?… Is that not the story of everyone worth loving?’
‘He’s a duke and I’m a thief’
‘All that tells me is that one of you has had to work for what you have, and the other was born with the world in his grasp.’”
Here’s the pitch: a haughty Duke who’s sworn never to marry to pass the title to his brother, and a former princess of London’s criminal underworld who disdains men meet mid-heist when both plan to steal from the same man. They meet again under different circumstances—her in a different role—and find themselves aligned. A road-trip/race caper ensues.
Adelaide joined the Hell’s Belles five years ago when The Duchess rescued her from a waylaid wedding turned riot. She now fills many roles in the group, including that of The Matchbreaker, creating dossiers of information to allow women to break engagements to unsuitable men. Henry, the Duke of Clayborn meets Adelaide for the second time because she has been hired to break the engagement between Clayborn’s younger brother and the daughter of somewhat of a rival. It turns out the lovebirds have eloped, which sets off the race to Scotland to catch them.
Both Adelaide and Henry have secrets, and find it difficult to trust anyone, but find it difficult to leave one another’s orbit. As their attraction and relationship grows and deepens, and they begin to want to trust the other—if not outright being able to do so—each of them realize their inability has more to do with themselves. Adelaide knows she will never be good enough for a Duke, and Henry is steadfast in his vow to never marry—the crux of which is revealed at the 75% mark, and beautifully done.
This relationship aspect of this, the emotional and romantic journey that we go through in this novel is incredible. Both Adelaide and Henry struggle with some level of imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence in their roles in this world. This comes to a crux late in the novel, and I found the last two scenes in the climax to be a little clunky. I mentioned in my initial thoughts that the ‘Hell’s Belles’ aspect of this story was a little too girlboss-y for my tastes. That aspect of the story was much smaller in this novel than the first, so I still greatly enjoyed the majority of this. I’ve put some quotes below that were some of my favorites.
“When the kiss ended, he stroked a hand over her long body, loving the way she arched into his touch, and said ‘You trust me here/‘ He didn’t wait for her reply, instead pausing at the place just above her bodice, where her heart pounded. ‘But not here.’ Wrapping his fingers around the back of her neck, he pulled her close and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, whispering there, ‘And not here, either.’
“After all this time, Adelaide had found a good man. And she would take a moment with him over a lifetime without him, without hesitation. She would be with him for as long as he’d have her, and count herself lucky to inhabit even a small, secret corner of his life. And when the time came, she would let him go, free and clear, and ignore the hole in her chest where her heart used to be.”
“He didn’t want secrets. Or a mistress, or a secret lover, or whatever half-light she’d offered him. He wanted her. With him. Now. Forever.
And he would do whatever it took to get it.
The words from his father’s letter whispered through him—You may have all that is mine if only you wish it.
All I wish is a future that we might together call ours.
Whatever she wanted. He would give it to her.”
________________________________
After not really loving Bombshell, the first in this series, I was shocked by how much I really enjoyed this. The 'Hell's Belles' aspect of it is a little too 'Girlboss', MCU grl pwr scene, 'girls get it done', on the nose for my tastes, but the emotional/romantic aspects of this really tugged at my heartstring.
Tentative 4.5, rounded down for now! Full rtc, you know the drill.
June 9, 2022
Adelaide escapes a deadly battle between rival gangs to become part of the Hell’s Belles, a group of strong women who right the wrongs of bad men. While on a mission for the Belles, she comes encounters the Duke of Clayborn, who is after a stolen treasure. Sparks fly and they discover they have something else in common. His brother and the witness in a murder have eloped to Greta Green. Clayborn wants to see his brother happily married, while Adelaide must protect the woman so that she will live to give her testimony.
Both Adelaide and the Duke put others needs before their own, and when she finally made him a priority, bad things happened. My favorite elements of the story included the puzzle box which held his secret, the journey to catch the young couple (and the characters encountered along the way), and the Shield Maiden painting at one of the inns.
The scorching chemistry between Adelaide and the Duke made the book a page turner. Seeing more of the Belle’s network was a nice treat. The Belle’s are shown together in a few scenes, but the romance is the focus and thus the bulk of the book involves Adelaide and the Duke. Weddings are a reoccurring theme from various weddings that take place, the Duke’s feelings about getting married, and Adelaide’s role as the Matchbreaker. Even though I figured out the Duke’s secret early, I was no less delighted in the wonderful way it was revealed.
The next book, which features Detective Inspector Thomas Peck and Lady Imogen Loveless, is nicely set up via a chapter in Peck’s perspective at the end.
In the acknowledgments, the author talks about how the romance genre provides a source of hope which provides a light in dark times.
For me, HEARTBREAKER is a 4.5 star read, rounded up to 5.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
Both Adelaide and the Duke put others needs before their own, and when she finally made him a priority, bad things happened. My favorite elements of the story included the puzzle box which held his secret, the journey to catch the young couple (and the characters encountered along the way), and the Shield Maiden painting at one of the inns.
The scorching chemistry between Adelaide and the Duke made the book a page turner. Seeing more of the Belle’s network was a nice treat. The Belle’s are shown together in a few scenes, but the romance is the focus and thus the bulk of the book involves Adelaide and the Duke. Weddings are a reoccurring theme from various weddings that take place, the Duke’s feelings about getting married, and Adelaide’s role as the Matchbreaker. Even though I figured out the Duke’s secret early, I was no less delighted in the wonderful way it was revealed.
The next book, which features Detective Inspector Thomas Peck and Lady Imogen Loveless, is nicely set up via a chapter in Peck’s perspective at the end.
In the acknowledgments, the author talks about how the romance genre provides a source of hope which provides a light in dark times.
For me, HEARTBREAKER is a 4.5 star read, rounded up to 5.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
August 27, 2022
Book #2 in the Hell’s Belles series. Enemies to lovers, opposites attract, found family and forced proximity tropes.
This 2nd book features the Duke of Clayborn and Adelaide Frampton.
What a horrible life our heroine Adelaide lived being the daughter of a notorious gang boss. Her father Alfie Trumbull 👺 is a violent brute among criminals of the highest core. Enforced by her father, Adelaide at age six 👧 was the finest nipper 🪙🤏 in London.. and by age twenty-one 👩🦰 the greatest thief London never saw! 🙈 But now after escaping him and becoming a member of the Hell’s Belles 💋, she’s the notorious “Matchbreaker” using her skills to help brides avoid the alter.
Lord Clayborn is the complete opposite. Born to nobility 🇬🇧🏰🎩.. he’s an honest, rule abiding, defender of those less fortunate 👨⚖️, glass is half-full 🥃 type man.
Believe it when I say they make the perfect match.. only Adelaide doesn’t believe she’s good enough for a duke.. AND Clayborn is so gone over Adelaide it’s freaking adorable!!! 🫶🏻 These two get in all sorts of sticky situations while trying to race cross country to his brothers elopement in Scotland. Y’all this is one FUN 🎉, rip roaring hilarious 😂, happily ever after!!! 💕💒💐👫 A must read for sure.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. 8/23/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This 2nd book features the Duke of Clayborn and Adelaide Frampton.
What a horrible life our heroine Adelaide lived being the daughter of a notorious gang boss. Her father Alfie Trumbull 👺 is a violent brute among criminals of the highest core. Enforced by her father, Adelaide at age six 👧 was the finest nipper 🪙🤏 in London.. and by age twenty-one 👩🦰 the greatest thief London never saw! 🙈 But now after escaping him and becoming a member of the Hell’s Belles 💋, she’s the notorious “Matchbreaker” using her skills to help brides avoid the alter.
Lord Clayborn is the complete opposite. Born to nobility 🇬🇧🏰🎩.. he’s an honest, rule abiding, defender of those less fortunate 👨⚖️, glass is half-full 🥃 type man.
Believe it when I say they make the perfect match.. only Adelaide doesn’t believe she’s good enough for a duke.. AND Clayborn is so gone over Adelaide it’s freaking adorable!!! 🫶🏻 These two get in all sorts of sticky situations while trying to race cross country to his brothers elopement in Scotland. Y’all this is one FUN 🎉, rip roaring hilarious 😂, happily ever after!!! 💕💒💐👫 A must read for sure.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. 8/23/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2022
A twist of fate has taken Adelaide Frampton from London's slums to ton society. Her public wallflower persona keeps her plain and unassuming so that no one realizes she’s the one called "Matchbreaker." Adelaide may not be who she seems, but Henry, Duke of Clayborn definitely notices her! The two race to catch his eloping brother, while dangerous foes give chase and strong feelings emerge.
This is the second book in the Hell's Belles series. I think it's helpful to read book one, as it establishes the female "gang" and this story picks up with events related to the end of the last one.
Heartbreaker was just a heck of a lot of fun! Adelaide and Henry were great characters, and I loved the "catch me if you can" vibe. The plot was woven in well with the character development, peeling back layers of vulnerability while still letting each be tough (physically and emotionally). Their banter and chemistry were wonderful…and, of course, there was only one bed for a good portion of the journey.
Tropes: Anti-Heroine, Class Difference, Opposites Attract, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, Nursed to Health
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Heartbreaker #NetGalley
This is the second book in the Hell's Belles series. I think it's helpful to read book one, as it establishes the female "gang" and this story picks up with events related to the end of the last one.
Heartbreaker was just a heck of a lot of fun! Adelaide and Henry were great characters, and I loved the "catch me if you can" vibe. The plot was woven in well with the character development, peeling back layers of vulnerability while still letting each be tough (physically and emotionally). Their banter and chemistry were wonderful…and, of course, there was only one bed for a good portion of the journey.
Tropes: Anti-Heroine, Class Difference, Opposites Attract, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, Nursed to Health
Steam: 3
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Heartbreaker #NetGalley
September 10, 2022
I don't know if it was the fact that I got stuck at fifty percent for a week or what but I feel like this started well and took a nosedrive pretty quickly when things shifted into the romance vs the chase.
Always love a girl gang but the ensemble just felt a little cheese and there was a very big overwrought confession/climax scene that just.. wow, I could not stand.
But maybe it's just me.
The little tease to set up the next couple could be fun, though. Guess we'll see!
Always love a girl gang but the ensemble just felt a little cheese and there was a very big overwrought confession/climax scene that just.. wow, I could not stand.
But maybe it's just me.
The little tease to set up the next couple could be fun, though. Guess we'll see!
June 10, 2022
Well, I don't think it's a secret that I love all things Sarah MacLean, so I dropped everything to get to this one when I was approved.
I love love loved Adelaide and Henry. They're both smart, capable, and loyal people. Together they have loads of chemistry, loads of secrets, and loads of honest conversation. I was rooting for them from the very first scene and just couldn't get enough of them. The scenes with all four Belles are some of my favorites. I truly love how these four women work together and offer unwavering love and support...and then throw Henry in the mix too.
Plot wise, it was fantastic. There are carriage races and highwaymen and highwaywomen and fights and kissing and stabbings and explosions and more kissing and banter and did I mention kissing? The story starts off with a bang and doesn't let go until the very end. I woke up thinking about this story and even read some of the last chapters again because I needed more more more.
Overall, this was everything I could have wanted and it delivered. If you've stood still long enough, I've probably told you that Wicked and the Wallflower is my favorite Sarah book and an all time favorite...well, this one is tied with Wicked because it's impossible for me to love it more.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love loved Adelaide and Henry. They're both smart, capable, and loyal people. Together they have loads of chemistry, loads of secrets, and loads of honest conversation. I was rooting for them from the very first scene and just couldn't get enough of them. The scenes with all four Belles are some of my favorites. I truly love how these four women work together and offer unwavering love and support...and then throw Henry in the mix too.
Plot wise, it was fantastic. There are carriage races and highwaymen and highwaywomen and fights and kissing and stabbings and explosions and more kissing and banter and did I mention kissing? The story starts off with a bang and doesn't let go until the very end. I woke up thinking about this story and even read some of the last chapters again because I needed more more more.
Overall, this was everything I could have wanted and it delivered. If you've stood still long enough, I've probably told you that Wicked and the Wallflower is my favorite Sarah book and an all time favorite...well, this one is tied with Wicked because it's impossible for me to love it more.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,394 reviews