Helpful Score: 1
I normally really like Sarah MacLean & believe me, I'm no prude, but the generous use of the F word practically every other page was so off putting that I gave up on the book after about 100 pages. I get the picture, these brothers grew up in the slums but it was completely overdone. Hope her next one is better.
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed Brazen and the Beast (Bareknuckle Bastards, Bk 2) on + 1713 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a awesome book two in the series! I absolutely love the storyline, Covent Gardens, the shipping docks and the well matched ladies that take no crap and fight for what they want. Fun engaging dialogue with Beast and Hattie, so real you could hear them! Fun, fast paced and so enjoyable.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Lady Henrietta Sedley has given up on the idea of marriage and is making plans for her life. She wants to inherit her father's business which her brother has run into the ground. Hattie, a confirmed spinster, also intends to treat herself to a night of passion. After a blow to his head, Whit (also known as Beast) wakes up in Hattie's carriage. As she frees him from his bonds, Whit discovers that she is on her way to his turf, Covent Gardens. Figuring that she may know something about who is looting his ships, Whit makes a deal with Hattie to give her a night of pleasure for information about the attacks on him and his ships.
This is the second book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. I thought much of the story was a copy of the first book in the series. I was hoping for a little more storyline originality. This time we already knew the backstory about Whit, Devil, and Ewan, so we didn't have to spend as much time on it. Hattie was a bold, confident heroine who ends up being a business rival to Whit. But each time he would touch her, she would just forget about their business problems. Whit was the typical hero who has pulled himself out of the gutter and believes he is not good enough for Hattie. That is a trope that I am really bored with.
The interesting part of this story was the rivalry and hatred of Ewan, Duke of Marwick. He was devastated when he was told that his only love, Grace, was dead. Now he is seeking revenge against his brothers who he considers responsible for her death. I look forward to the last book in the trilogy when Ewan finds out that Grace is still alive and well. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is the second book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. I thought much of the story was a copy of the first book in the series. I was hoping for a little more storyline originality. This time we already knew the backstory about Whit, Devil, and Ewan, so we didn't have to spend as much time on it. Hattie was a bold, confident heroine who ends up being a business rival to Whit. But each time he would touch her, she would just forget about their business problems. Whit was the typical hero who has pulled himself out of the gutter and believes he is not good enough for Hattie. That is a trope that I am really bored with.
The interesting part of this story was the rivalry and hatred of Ewan, Duke of Marwick. He was devastated when he was told that his only love, Grace, was dead. Now he is seeking revenge against his brothers who he considers responsible for her death. I look forward to the last book in the trilogy when Ewan finds out that Grace is still alive and well. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
This was a terrific addition to the series. I love the fact that, like the first book, this takes place mainly outside the usual setting of ballrooms and house parties. Instead, we see the world of the London docks and the poor of Covent Garden.
Hattie is the daughter of a man who, through his successful shipping business, earned the title of Earl. Intelligent and feisty, Hattie has turned her back on society and wants to run her father's shipping business. Unfortunately for her, her father doesn't agree and wants her married. She plans to take control of her life by first making herself unmarriageable, then actively pursuing her dreams. Her plans hit a snag when she finds a breathtaking man unconscious and tied up in her carriage.
Whit, also known as Beast, is one of the Bareknuckle Bastards who run the underworld of Covent Garden. He's convinced that Hattie knows something about how he came to be in her carriage and is determined to discover what it is. He is also intrigued by Hattie herself, especially when he discovers her plans for the night.
The first encounter between Whit and Hattie sucked me right into the book. Whit is not accustomed to being at a disadvantage, and he does not take it well. Hattie, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys having the upper hand. The back and forth between these two was awesome, right up to when he kisses her - right before she shoves him out of the moving carriage. Undeterred, Whit manages to escape his bonds and follow Hattie to her destination. He intrudes on her plans, determined to get the answers he seeks, and ends up striking a bargain with the unintimidated Hattie.
I loved both Hattie and Whit. Hattie is bold and determined, brazen in her actions, though her outward confidence covers up some deep-seated insecurities. She has reached the ripe age of twenty-nine with no suitors because she does not match up with Society's requirements. She is tall, outspoken, and a bit on the plump side, and is completely convinced that no man will find her attractive. Whit is gorgeous to the extreme, powerful and intimidating. He is also protective of those he cares for, and that includes the denizens of Covent Garden. Some sweet scenes show just how much he cares. I especially loved the ones with the children. He also has some baggage of his own, thanks to the events of the past, baggage that makes him believe that he isn't good enough for her.
The development of the relationship between Hattie and Whit was great. They are well-matched from the beginning, and the sparks between them are intense. It was fun to watch Hattie stand up to Whit and blow all of his expectations out of the water. There's nothing like rushing to the defense of a woman only to discover that she has her attacker well in hand. Their "business" arrangement of him helping her with her plans while she arranges for the return of what was stolen quickly falls by the wayside as the attraction between them burns hotter. I enjoyed seeing Whit's growing respect for Hattie and her abilities and how his attitude helps her overcome her doubts about herself. There are some obstacles, not the least of which are threats against Hattie from a ducal nemesis of the Bastards, which leads Whit into actions that he thinks will protect Hattie. I laughed out loud at her reaction to this, as she shows herself to be Whit's equal in deviousness. There's an emotional and heart-wrenching scene as Hattie makes it clear that she will accept nothing less than what she deserves from Whit. It takes a near tragedy for Whit to realize the truth about his feelings for her, and I ached for him as he feared for her life. His big moment at the end was awesome, and the epilogue was a perfect ending.
The continuing storyline of the feud with brother Ewan provided some interesting moments. His encounter with Whit was intense and showed a man who was on the edge of desperation. But his scene with Hattie had a twist I didn't expect. I can't wait for the next book to see how the author redeems him.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Devil and Felicity make several appearances. I especially enjoyed Devil's advice to Whit regarding his revenge plans. Hattie's friend Nora was terrific. I loved her "take no prisoners" support of Hattie. It was also interesting to see her attitude toward Society. There's a story there, and I'd like to see more of it. Once again, the brothers' coworker, Nik, has some interesting input into events.
Hattie is the daughter of a man who, through his successful shipping business, earned the title of Earl. Intelligent and feisty, Hattie has turned her back on society and wants to run her father's shipping business. Unfortunately for her, her father doesn't agree and wants her married. She plans to take control of her life by first making herself unmarriageable, then actively pursuing her dreams. Her plans hit a snag when she finds a breathtaking man unconscious and tied up in her carriage.
Whit, also known as Beast, is one of the Bareknuckle Bastards who run the underworld of Covent Garden. He's convinced that Hattie knows something about how he came to be in her carriage and is determined to discover what it is. He is also intrigued by Hattie herself, especially when he discovers her plans for the night.
The first encounter between Whit and Hattie sucked me right into the book. Whit is not accustomed to being at a disadvantage, and he does not take it well. Hattie, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoys having the upper hand. The back and forth between these two was awesome, right up to when he kisses her - right before she shoves him out of the moving carriage. Undeterred, Whit manages to escape his bonds and follow Hattie to her destination. He intrudes on her plans, determined to get the answers he seeks, and ends up striking a bargain with the unintimidated Hattie.
I loved both Hattie and Whit. Hattie is bold and determined, brazen in her actions, though her outward confidence covers up some deep-seated insecurities. She has reached the ripe age of twenty-nine with no suitors because she does not match up with Society's requirements. She is tall, outspoken, and a bit on the plump side, and is completely convinced that no man will find her attractive. Whit is gorgeous to the extreme, powerful and intimidating. He is also protective of those he cares for, and that includes the denizens of Covent Garden. Some sweet scenes show just how much he cares. I especially loved the ones with the children. He also has some baggage of his own, thanks to the events of the past, baggage that makes him believe that he isn't good enough for her.
The development of the relationship between Hattie and Whit was great. They are well-matched from the beginning, and the sparks between them are intense. It was fun to watch Hattie stand up to Whit and blow all of his expectations out of the water. There's nothing like rushing to the defense of a woman only to discover that she has her attacker well in hand. Their "business" arrangement of him helping her with her plans while she arranges for the return of what was stolen quickly falls by the wayside as the attraction between them burns hotter. I enjoyed seeing Whit's growing respect for Hattie and her abilities and how his attitude helps her overcome her doubts about herself. There are some obstacles, not the least of which are threats against Hattie from a ducal nemesis of the Bastards, which leads Whit into actions that he thinks will protect Hattie. I laughed out loud at her reaction to this, as she shows herself to be Whit's equal in deviousness. There's an emotional and heart-wrenching scene as Hattie makes it clear that she will accept nothing less than what she deserves from Whit. It takes a near tragedy for Whit to realize the truth about his feelings for her, and I ached for him as he feared for her life. His big moment at the end was awesome, and the epilogue was a perfect ending.
The continuing storyline of the feud with brother Ewan provided some interesting moments. His encounter with Whit was intense and showed a man who was on the edge of desperation. But his scene with Hattie had a twist I didn't expect. I can't wait for the next book to see how the author redeems him.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters. Devil and Felicity make several appearances. I especially enjoyed Devil's advice to Whit regarding his revenge plans. Hattie's friend Nora was terrific. I loved her "take no prisoners" support of Hattie. It was also interesting to see her attitude toward Society. There's a story there, and I'd like to see more of it. Once again, the brothers' coworker, Nik, has some interesting input into events.
