Bombshell
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Buy Now for $26.99
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Narrated by:
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Mary Jane Wells
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By:
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Sarah MacLean
About this listen
New York Times best-selling 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.
Sometimes the best gentleman for the job is a lady.
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 realises 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 realising that Sesily isn't for forgetting...she's forever. And forever isn't something he can risk.
©2021 Sarah Trabucchi (P)2021 Hachette Audio UKCritic Reviews
"I loved it." (Eloisa James)
"For a smart, witty and passionate historical romance, I recommend anything by Sarah MacLean." (Lisa Kleypas)
"Smart, sexy and always romantic." (Julia Quinn)
I also recommend giving the Bareknuckled bastards series a read as well.
Great first book in the Series
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Overall, it’s still a good story with a great concept, and interesting characters whom I expect will get their own moments to shine within this series.
Good
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Girl Power!
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Always a pleasure
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Firstly, there is so much pining! The FL and ML spend almost the entire book desperate for each other but believing they can't have each other. It's romantic at first but by the end of the book I just wanted them to quit moaning and get together.
Secondly, for a historical novel it really feels like a modern one. I usually love a good feminist "girl power" story, but this one felt a bit too unrealistic for the time period. Rather than 1800s feminism, it was much more like 2020s feminism, which threw off the immersion a bit. There were also other modern phrases/concepts sprinkled throughout, like characters talking about "loving out loud" or "living their truth".
Most of all, the feminism edges a little close to misandry in places - comments generalising how universally evil men are etc. For some of the side characters I understand where this comes from, but none of the main female characters actually talk about any negative experiences of their own. In fact they all seem quite empowered (considering the time period) and surrounded by both male and female support.
Nor does the FL's stance against male oppression keep her from falling for a man who is quite irritatingly overbearing at times. He constantly tries to "protect" her (usually putting her in more danger as a result), scolds her for her actions, commands her behaviour, refuses to be honest with her about his own baggage, decides their future on their own without her input, etc etc.
To give the FL credit she does call him out on these things, but honestly I would have liked the book to do less *talking* about how awful men are and more actual positive examples of men who respect women. It seems ironic that the hero of this novel continually undermines the FL's agency and intelligence, while paying lip service to thinking she's a "goddess" and a "queen".
Overall I felt somewhat irritated and was relieved when the silly pair finally sorted through their drama.
I've read better historical novels, better romance novels, and better feminist novels. I didn't feel this book hit the mark on any of the three aspects.
Didn't hit the mark for me
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Terrible
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