Great entry in a good series. ( )

This book is as bad as period cramps. ( )

Much like the first book in the series, this was fantastic. It wasn't without issues but I did really enjoy it. Hattie was smart and daring and determined to take control of her future and it made for a vibrant character. My only complaint with Hattie was that her self esteem sucked when it came to her looks. I would've liked her to have a bit more confidence. But she's got less issues than Beast who's had a hard upbringing and been left conflicted about well, everything. I felt a bit of deja vu reading, the conflict and emotional distress felt very similar to the first book and I still just wanted to slap them both upside the head to get them to figure their shit out. The deja vu didn't bother me too much though, I adored the first book, it wasn't hard to read a similar one - especially since it's been long enough since I read the first one the details are slightly fuzzy.

Hattie and Beast together were on fire once they could both get over their issues. It wasn't as action packed as the first, the plot was rather tame in that respect focusing more on emotional drama. Frankly I would've liked to see a lot more of their smuggling business and way more interaction between them and Devil and Felicity and Nora and Nik (and OMG Nik and Nora!!! I want there book! Maybe a novella Sarah Maclean?) but obviously as a romance it's not about secondary characters. But minor issues.

Regardless of the drama it was just a fun, steamy read with strong characters and an interesting world. 4 stars. ( )

Well, I finally stopped. DNF, bailed less than 20% in. Minor connection with the heroine, (though the hole in her logic was annoying), but nearly none with the hero. (There are only so many times I can read about his conquering poverty and his protectiveness of his men before I need less brooding and more action.)

The one almost-sex scene was very good, the banter was great. His responding to her 'no' is outstanding. No issues there. However... I think ultimately there are very few people who can write this kind of historical who hit the sweet spots for me, and they're nearly always m/m writers -- because then I'm not bludgeoned with the sexism of the time. ( )

Hattie Sedley is about to turn 29 and she has decided that this will be the Year of Hattie. She's taking control of her life and finally getting what she wants, regardless of what society thinks of her. But as she prepares to head off on her first Year of Hattie task, she is alarmed to find an unconscious man bound in her carriage. The man that all of Covent Garden calls Beast is less than enthused by the situation himself but can't help but find himself charmed by the forthright Hattie. However, everything she wants is going to put her up against Beast and he never loses.

I really loved this entry in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. Both Hattie and Beast are compelling characters and the romance between them is quite steamy. I also am pleased to find a historical romance featuring a plus-sized heroine. There is one quirk of Sarah MacLean's writing style that started to wear on me (she really loves putting short phrases of her characters internal dialogue in italics as a standalone line and I can't figure out what she's trying to do with it) but it's a minor quibble that I can mostly ignore. Recommended for historical romance fans. ( )