clairetrellahill's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good, I just wish I clicked a little more with MacLean’s stories. There’s nothing wrong with them, it’s just a me thing. This series has a really fun premise though so I will definitely read more of them!
jmonrel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mjabbott47's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
<spoilers>
The whole plot: dumb boy does dumb boy thing and makes things worse, then acts like a martyr
The whole plot: dumb boy does dumb boy thing and makes things worse, then acts like a martyr
jotropes's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
livruther's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i love caleb so much!!!! i just wasnt as invested in the story as i could have been
impalalove's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
ericawrites's review against another edition
3.0
This was a middle-of-the-road romance for me.
I enjoyed:
- The friends and family group around the MCs. (Though all the sisters with the S names essentially blended together except our heroine and Sera.)
- The world-building, which I'm okay with when historical novels have anachronisms, and I imagine Americanism in the UK-based ones.
- The ending part, where we see the Hell's Bells come together and use their skills for justice, worked very well and was entertaining.
What I didn't enjoy:
- Our hero Caleb's stakes were too hidden from the reader, not just from the heroine.
- Our heroine Sesily had the motive to believe this man didn't want her and was eager to leave her at first, but at some point, there should've been an earlier part where she stopped believing Caleb was leaving her because of her.
- Too much quippy banter that was exhausting. Part of a romance is often our MCs removing their masks to expose their true selves to each other, which means turning down the banter as banter is a mask.
- Related, Bombshell was about 50 pages or so too long.
I don't know if I will continue this series, but I have two other MacLean books on my to-read bookshelves.
I enjoyed:
- The friends and family group around the MCs. (Though all the sisters with the S names essentially blended together except our heroine and Sera.)
- The world-building, which I'm okay with when historical novels have anachronisms, and I imagine Americanism in the UK-based ones.
- The ending part, where we see the Hell's Bells come together and use their skills for justice, worked very well and was entertaining.
What I didn't enjoy:
- Our hero Caleb's stakes were too hidden from the reader, not just from the heroine.
- Our heroine Sesily had the motive to believe this man didn't want her and was eager to leave her at first, but at some point, there should've been an earlier part where she stopped believing Caleb was leaving her because of her.
- Too much quippy banter that was exhausting. Part of a romance is often our MCs removing their masks to expose their true selves to each other, which means turning down the banter as banter is a mask.
- Related, Bombshell was about 50 pages or so too long.
I don't know if I will continue this series, but I have two other MacLean books on my to-read bookshelves.
kristaann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drpig's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jessieylynn's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by Sarah MacLean and I’m so glad I picked it up! It’s a fun, enjoyable story - definitely a contemporary spin on a historical romance but that was half of the fun. I loved Sesily’s independence and strength and convictions and I loved getting to see them in this historical setting.
Take the time to read the author’s note! The real life inspiration was pretty fascinating.
All in all, would definitely recommend for a fun weekend read!
Take the time to read the author’s note! The real life inspiration was pretty fascinating.
All in all, would definitely recommend for a fun weekend read!