Category: historical romance

Bombshell by. Sarah MacLean | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Title: Bombshell (Hell’s Belles, #1)

Author: Sarah MacLean

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 385

Publication Date: 8/24/21

Publisher: Avon Books

Categories: Historical Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Avon Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with a blazingly sexy, unapologetically feminist new series, Hell’s Belles, beginning with a bold, bombshell of a heroine, able to dispose of a scoundrel—or seduce one—in a single night.

After years of living as London’s brightest scandal, Lady Sesily Talbot has embraced the reputation and the freedom that comes with the title. No one looks twice when she lures a gentleman into the dark gardens beyond a Mayfair ballroom…and no one realizes those trysts are not what they seem.

No one, that is, but Caleb Calhoun, who has spent years trying not to notice his best friend’s beautiful, brash, brilliant sister. If you ask him, he’s been a saint about it, considering the way she looks at him…and the way she talks to him…and the way she’d felt in his arms during their one ill-advised kiss.

Except someone has to keep Sesily from tumbling into trouble during her dangerous late-night escapades, and maybe close proximity is exactly what Caleb needs to get this infuriating, outrageous woman out of his system. But now Caleb is the one in trouble, because he’s fast realizing that Sesily isn’t for forgetting…she’s forever. And forever isn’t something he can risk. 

In classic Sarah MacLean fashion, we have a woman who has a mind of her own and in this instance, a lot of bravery. Lady Sesily Talbot has found a group of woman that are like-minded. They are done with men trying to keep them down and have decided to do something about it.

Caleb Calhoun is an American who is trying to stay away from Sesily but then promises her older sister to watch her. Their attraction is undeniable and when they are together, it is steamy. Sesily is not a blushing virgin, she’s already thirty years old and knows what she likes and Caleb is there to give it to her (with some resistance at first, of course). But Calen and Sesily have a little history and they’ve been pining for one another since they met.

Sesily is fantastic. She fights, she’s a fantastic aunt (and she doesn’t want kids and is happy with that), she is smart and charming, and sexy as hell since Caleb can’t seem to resist her. I love that she was open to her friends about everything.

I think this is a great start to a new series about strong women who go after what they want! I liked that there was even a Samoan character, which was such a nice surprise.

Triggers: violence

It will be fun to learn more about the other women in Sesily’s crew. I love how they were all different, smart, brave and each with their own talents.

I’m sure I read the book where Sesily and Caleb met but it was so long ago and for the life of me, I cannot remember what happened in it. But I don’t think you need to necessarily read it to know these two want each other badly.

I think this is a great start to a new series about feminist women in a historical romance setting. I love Sesily and Caleb’s chemistry, they are amazing when they stop fighting one another. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

📚~ Yolanda

The Importance of Being Wanton by. Christi Caldwell | ARC Review

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

Title: The Importance of Being Wanton

Author: Christi Caldwell

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 335

Publication Date: 6/29/21

Publisher: Montlake

Categories: Historical Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Emma Gately and the Earl of Scarsdale were betrothed as children—less a vow of future happiness than an obligation. Seventeen years later, the independent miss severs the contract with the now notorious libertine in an unprecedented act of independence. And Emma cofounds the Mismatch Society, where like-minded ladies are free of the constraints and inevitable broken hearts that men bring. But Emma’s rejection sparks in her intended a new consideration of the spirited woman he took for granted—and a determination to win her back.

Despite his wicked reputation, misguided and suddenly lovestruck, Charles Hayden is on a mission to gain Emma’s respect, and he has just the idea—one that the daringly unconventional Emma is sure to appreciate. But as Charles takes bold steps and sets tongues wagging, he makes himself an accidental opponent of his former betrothed. Soon a rivalry is born that has the whole ton abuzz.

Emma never anticipated that with every fiery test of wills, passion would surge. Passion that’s impossible to ignore. In going toe-to-toe with Charles, she risks her heart and pride by falling in love with the one man she vowed to scorn.

  • I always enjoy an enemies to lovers story. In Emma and Charles’ case, they are betrothed as children and as such children grow up, they change. Emma decides she doesn’t want to be married to Charles and end their engagement. Of course their paths are always crossing since both their fathers are good friends, so it’s inevitable they run into each other. The enemies comes one sided because it’s Emma who ends the engagement on bases of rumors about Charles.
  • After the end of their engagement is when Charles starts seeing Emma for who she is and falling for her. Charles does something thinking it would earn Emma’s respect but instead it’s the opposite. But Emma also learns the truth about Charles and so they are basically learn about each other without being engaged. It was nice watching them interact and of course see the attraction growing.
  • There is a lot of woman empowerment in this book which was nice.
  • Heat level of this one is not too high, there is a very steamy scene but it was sweet. I think it needed more steamy scenes or just more of them seducing one another.
  • I wasn’t connecting to this story as much as I was hoping too.

For me, this one didn’t hold my attention like the author’s past books. I still think if you like historical romance with an enemies to lovers trope and strong ladies who strive to be independent, then you might enjoy this one.

📚 ~ Yolanda