by Sarah MacLean
Series: The Bareknuckle Bastards #1
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
When Wicked Comes Calling...
When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She's seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won't accept a marriage without it.
The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain...
Bastard son of a duke and king of London's dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.
For the Promise of Passion...
But there's nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she'd rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil's carefully laid plans are in chaos, and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted...and the only thing he's ever desired.
Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean is the book in her new Bareknuckle Bastards series. Set in Covent Garden, this series will feature three siblings who run businesses in the darker parts of London. For fans, you’ll also see characters from her previous series. You’ll even get to visit such fine establishments as the Fallen Angel and Singing Sparrow! This story introduces the Bareknuckle Bastards as the Devil meets his match.
The Mad Duke has come to London, to claim a wife and produce an heir… something the Bareknuckle Bastards cannot allow. When Devil accidentally discovers the spinster Felicity Faircloth, he thinks her the perfect wallflower to set a trap for the Duke. The tale that unfolds delivers wicked banter, snark, passion and a suspenseful dark thread that has me eager to learn more.
MacLean brought us perhaps one of my favorite heroines of hers to date. Lady Felicity Faircloth is funny, feisty, forward-thinking, outspoken and so brilliant. For fans, you will remember Felicity from a summer house party meant to find a Duke a new wife. Poor Felicity finds herself on the outside of the circle and not at all pleased. When one of her former friends makes fun of her, Felicity says the first thing that pops into her head and announces herself engaged to the Mad Duke himself.
The Devil and Felicity soon come to an arrangement. He offers to help her become engaged to the Duke in return for a boon. His actual plan will destroy her, but a necessary evil. I loved the setup and poor Devil; Felicity is no wallflower despite societies opinions. I laughed, got mad, shed a tear and swooned as events unfolded.
The Devil and Felicity were so well matched. Scarred, he carries the baggage of his youth, but he is far better man than most. He may not be titled, but he has the respect, loyalty, and admiration of those who live and work in the gardens. Felicity longs to be a part of the inner circle, but sometimes we don’t truly undersand what it is we desire until we stumble upon it. I loved how MacLean peeled back her layers, allowed for growth and showed us the warrior within. These two sparred perfectly, and the chemistry was off the charts. One would think I would think the Devil a cad for his plan, but the author made me love the fool.
The overall arc has dark edges and left me with more questions than answers, but in all honesty, I am thrilled and cannot wait for it all to be revealed. Wicked and the Wallflower was delightful from beginning to the end. It will delight fans of MacLean.
Wicked banter, passion, and suspense await you in Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean. The first in her new Bareknuckle Bastards series #NewRelease #mustread #romance Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Stefanie
I cannot remember if I had read any of her books before *insert thinking emoticon*. I”ll check out this book for sure. I like how you described the main female character.
Kimberly
Her female characters are among my favorites.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
I’m looking forward to reading this one, too! I’m a little wary of that plotline and the way Devil seems willing to use and destroy Felicity initially, but I’m trusting MacLean to pull it off, and it sounds like for you, she did.
Lily
I still have yet to try her books 🙁 I own a couple of paperbacks, but they are mass market with small print which is hard for me to read. This looks so good, will have to buy some for kindle.
Debbie Haupt - The Reading Frenzy
Oh I love that cover and the title too. Thanks Kim. I do have to start reading historical romance again. I will, I will
Anne @ The Reading Life
Wow, this book seems interesting. I am actually interested in reading this book, but I first want to confirm that it seems like this book have a seems-bad-and-unapproachable-but-actually-good romance interset? Because I LOVE THAT and if this book has that, I am definitely adding it to my TBR list, but I want to confirm first.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I just love that this is a Historical Romance and has comedy in it. I have to get it. You know how much I LOVE when I can LOL and people look at me like what is she reading? =) Great review!
Mary
Samantha
I’m reading this now and really enjoying it!
Crystal @ Lost in Storyland
Lady Felicity Faircloth sounds like an outrageously fun protagonist. She and Devil sound like a good match!
Renee
Sounds good! I don’t do many historical Romances. I have read a few.
Angela Adams
“Bareknuckle Bastards” — what a great, fun name for a series. Thanks for the post.
blodeuedd
Lol, sounds great, I love that you can laugh, shed adn tear and just enjoy the heck out of it
Melliane
It’s an author I still need to try as I heard a lot about her books!
Angela
Very nice review. I pick up so few HR it’s not my preferred genre, but the blurb and your review has made me think that this might be a fun one to try out.
kindlemom1
Sounds like this was fun and I love that past characters from other series are in it as well, it’s fun and nice when authors give you that glimpse back into old favorites.
Nadene
Felicity sounds like a strong heroine.. I need to check this one out. It has been awhile since i read a historical this looks like the perfect book to get me back into the genre. Great review
Christy LoveOfBooks
Gosh dang it, I still need to read her books. I have one from a different series (forgot the title). Felicity definitely sounds like the type of heroine I love, especially in this genre.
Kathryn Trask
Couldn’t resist clicking over to see what you thought of this one. For me it was my first read of this author and I adored it. Especially Felicity and her ability to pick locks. I look forward to the next one in this series and in the meantime I have some backtracking to do!!