Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean

New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah MacLean returns with the next book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series about three brothers bound by a secret that they cannot escape—and the women who bring them to their knees.

The Lady’s Plan

When Lady Henrietta Sedley declares her twenty-ninth year her own, she has plans to inherit her father’s business, to make her own fortune, and to live her own life. But first, she intends to experience a taste of the pleasure she’ll forgo as a confirmed spinster. Everything is going perfectly… until she discovers the most beautiful man she’s ever seen tied up in her carriage and threatening to ruin the Year of Hattie before it’s even begun.

The Bastard’s Proposal

When he wakes in a carriage at Hattie’s feet, Whit, a king of Covent Garden known to all the world as Beast, can’t help but wonder about the strange woman who frees him—especially when he discovers she’s headed for a night of pleasure... on his turf. He is more than happy to offer Hattie all she desires… for a price.

An Unexpected Passion

Soon, Hattie and Whit find themselves rivals in business and pleasure. She won’t give up her plans; he won’t give up his power... and neither of them sees that if they’re not careful, they’ll have no choice but to give up everything... including their hearts.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 Banterific Stars

First, I'll preface this review by stating that I'm a Sarah MacLean fanatic. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this novel. At the end, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next novel. With that being said, I'll also admit it was definitely worth the yearlong wait, as will be the next in the series. It was that good.

It's the year of Hattie.

On the cusp of being twenty-nine, Hattie is ready to take life into her own hands, the natural romantic accepting that marriage and babies are not in the cards for her. Her father was made an earl due to his business savvy, but it's a life legacy, where the title dies with him. Which is for the best, because Hattie's brother, Augie, isn't smart enough to rub two sticks together, always getting up to some mischief that causes Hattie problems.

Curvy and far too cerebral, Hattie is the son her father wished he had, with the only issue that she is a woman. In this era, with women treated as second-class citizens, their future contingent on whether or not a man wishes to marry her. Hattie's business smarts in the shipping trade are contingent on her father humoring her and her brother's disinterest in working.

The frustrated woman declares it's the Year of Hattie, with the helpful assistance of her zanny, brave bestie, Nora.

The Beast of the Bareknuckle Bastards, Whit wakes bound and tied in a moving carriage, while being poked and prodded by a curvy lady. No doubt it's one of the most original meetings both of them have had, especially when he's shoved out the door of a moving carriage.

Four Bastards, one title. Whit was the runt of the litter, grown large and imposing, with a will to survive and revenge fueling his mission. The Devil is married to Felicity. The Beast has been humiliated by bumbling idiots. Grace is on the run, hiding from the one with the title. The false duke is out for his own revenge, never allowing his three siblings any peace.

To the backdrop of the continuing plot (make sure you read Wicked and the Wallflower), Whit and Hattie spar, using banter and biting barbs to fuel sexual tension, while ignoring their very real connection. With a slight love-hate, enemies-to-lovers vibe, this couple was a decadent treat I couldn't seem to get enough of. Page after page, I wanted more of their humorous, blush-inducing interactions.

Hattie was an independent, frustrated heroine, who represented a little shown faction of us plus-sized ladies. There was so much there for Hattie to resonate with most of the readers, truly rooting for her to have the best Year of Hattie, and a happily ever after.

The Beast, our Whit, there is something in all of us who wishes to heal the broken little boy within strong, grown men, and Whit manages to trip all of those triggers, in both Hattie and the readers. There's an infectious quality that sticks its claws in us and doesn't let go.

Then there is reckless Nora, who I was thrilled to see has a taste for ladies, which I hope we will get to see more of her budding relationship.

But then there is Grace and Ewan, the past two novels seeded with their destiny, to the point where I am quite ravenous to find out what happens next, but not too quickly, as I never want it to end.

Also Available in the Bareknuckle Bastards Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Wicked and the Wallflower post.

Sarah MacLean grew up in Rhode Island, obsessed with historical romance and bemoaning the fact that she was born far too late for her own season. Her love of all things historical helped to earn her degrees from Smith College and Harvard University before she finally set pen to paper and wrote her first book.

Sarah now lives in New York City with her husband, baby daughter, their dog, and a ridiculously large collection of romance novels. She loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Sarah

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Brazen and the Beast (Bareknuckle Bastards #2) by Sarah MacLean to read and review.