Thursday 21 June 2018

Review: Wicked and the Wallflower (Bareknuckle Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean

I adore Sarah MacLean's historical romances. Her writing style just seems to have a sparkle about it that other novels lack. While set firmly in the past, her strong-minded heroines, and the smart, sassy dialogue between her characters, give her stories a modern twist. And the way she puts those poor characters through the emotional wringer means one can never be quite sure if they are going to have a happy ending! Predictable she isn't!

Felicity Faircloth's family is teetering on the edge of financial ruin and it is up to her to land a rich, titled husband. She's already failed to land one duke and now she's announced her engagement to another before she's even met him. So when a strange man turns up in her bedroom and offers to help make her fake engagement become a reality, she quickly agrees. But maybe she shouldn't make deals with the devil...

I loved this book because of the characters and the way Sarah MacLean turns a familiar trope inside out and upside down. The hero, who reminded me a little of Rumpelstiltskin,  makes all the running in the beginning. But soon Felicity is turning up unannounced on his territory, questioning his motives and breaking into his warehouse - her particular skill is picking locks - and completely mucking up his carefully laid plans.

Negatives? Well, perhaps there is a little bit too much information about the hero's smuggling operation in the middle of the story, but the end is thoroughly nail-biting. I can't say anymore without giving away spoilers, but I am really looking forward to the rest of the series!

Recommended, particularly for fans of authors who write historical romance with a slightly darker edge, such as Elizabeth Hoyt.
  

Related Post:

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean

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