Tag: hell's belles

historical romance

Knockout by Sarah MacLean

crystalsbookishlife

6 stars

This was a perfect romance for me. I am a huge, HUGE, Sarah MacLean fan. In my eyes, every single one of her books is worth reading.

I love how REAL her stories feel, the tension, the wanting, the yearrrrnnniiiiing, is all drawn out just the perfect amount to get and keep you invested in this couple.

From the moment I first read Tommy and Imogen’s first on page scene, I have been waiting for this book, and it did not disappoint in any way!

Listen, if you are looking for a hero who only has eyes for the heroine, who adores and admires everything about her that she is slightly insecure about, who literally will break down a door, run in front of a carriage, AND carry her from a burning building all while feeling like she deserves better than him, Tommy is your man.

He worships Imogen, and she so clearly takes every moment to build him up, praise him when she knows he needs it, and best of all, never doubts his most ardent feelings for her.

The background plot was very well done as well, but if I’m being serious, I was so invested in Tommy and Imogen’s romance that it could have been a mystery looking for a missing piece of cake and I wouldn’t have minded a bit.

But in all seriousness, the background plot was exceptionally well done, and I’m always a huge fan of how Sarah incorporates modern world issues into her historicals. She has something to say, and I’m here for it.

Without a doubt, one of the BEST romances published in 2023. Absolutely perfect.

I received an ARC for review.

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Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

crystalsbookishlife

Five star review! Publication date August 24, 2021

Bite size review: Clever, sizzling, achingly romantic perfection. FINALLY Caleb and Sesily’s story. A slow burning, tightly woven plot culminating in a powerful and epic HEA. I loved it. Full review below!

Lady Sesily Talbot is used to living a life of scandal and honestly embraces the attention it gives her. She is a woman embracing her appeal in an era that tells her not to.  Caleb Calhoun, an American who has pined for her for years, sees her sneaking into a dark garden with a strange man one night and follows her, finding out what appeared to be a midnight tryst was anything but.

Worried about what Sesily has gotten herself into and coaxed by her sister and his friend, the Duchess of Haven, Caleb behind following Sesily to keep her safe and hopefully out of trouble. But Sesily is not the only one keeping secrets, and the attraction and pull they have felt and fought for each other for two long years can only be denied for so long.

This book was another impressive work by MacLean, it is full of all of the things we love about her work. Strong heroines with autonomy and agency, a fiercely loyal girl gang, a world set in a time we’ve never experienced but that feels so vivid and real to us, and of course heroes who are out of their minds in love with the heroine.

This book had a bit of a slow start for me, which makes sense considering it is the start of a new series and Sarah is really laying the groundwork for an intricate plot for future books. But the pay off for that slow build was incredible and one of the most satisfying reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.

The heat between Caleb and Sesily was so palpable it felt like my eReader might start on fire. And the bedroom scenes were absolutely sizzling. But what I loved the very most was how satisfying that ending was, how every bit of groundwork and plot threads paid off and how I was left thinking, WOW, now this is how you do modern historical romance.

There was also great banter, some laugh out loud humor, MANY Easter Eggs of past characters MacLeaniverse fans will enjoy, and ultimately a hero to applaud and add to my list of best book boyfriends.

I loved this book and can’t wait for the next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.