Audio Review: Brazen and the Beast by Sarah McLean

Audiobook, Unabridged 11 h 25 min

Published July 30th 2019 by HarperAudio

Series: The Bareknuckle Bastards #2

Historical romance

In exchange for an honest review

My Thoughts

Oh the horror, she is 29! Not even a spinster anymore, just forgotten. But Hattie did not care, she wanted to live her own life and make her own rules. You go Hattie!

Hattie wants to rid herself of her virginity and the road she aims to take, well her rules. She also wants to take over her dad's business as her brother does not know a ship from a rowing boat.

Beast is a crime lord in Covent Garden, he and his brother and sister rule that place, but they are "nice" criminals, so they have some rules. He is also the bastard son of this evil Duke that pitted his kids against each other. And now I have to talk about his evil brother the Duke, that guy is getting his own book, but that guy is so evil? Not sure there, but then we do not get all the details.

Hattie and the Beast meets. He thinks she is plotting with his evil brother and wants to take her down. She is upset cos he is ruining her plans. At times I felt all omg Hattie, take care of yourself! But then I quickly realised that she could. She is his equal.

I enjoyed this book and these two main characters. They had such great chemistry. I also liked the side characters like her bestie Nora.

Fun times

Narrator

Justine Eyre! I just can't grown tired of her historical romance narrations, I truly enjoy her voices 

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. 

Audio: How the Dukes stole Christmas - Anthology

A Holiday Romance Anthology

By: Tessa Dare, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, Joanna Shupe

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Historical romance

Release date: 12-04-18

• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Thank you Harper for this review copy!

My Thoughts

"Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa Dare

Louisa Ward needs a Christmas miracle. Unless she catches a wealthy husband at the ball tonight, the horrid, heartless Duke of Thorndale will evict her family from their beloved Mayfair home. But when her friend begs to switch dance cards, Louisa finds herself waltzing with the enemy: the horrid, heartless--and unexpectedly handsome--Thorndale himself. Now the duke's holding her future in his hands...and he's not letting go.

This takes place under a rather magical night. Louisa meets her bitter enemy and shares a dance. And then they are sort of stuck with each other and get to know each other better. He is no ogre after all. No, James is a hardworking man who never wanted to be Duke. And Louisa just wants to save her family. 

It was a fun little story and I knew a little drama was coming but they handled it well.

"The Duke of Christmas Present" by Sarah MacLean

Rich and ruthless, Eben, Duke of Allryd, has no time for holidays. Holidays are for whimsy and charm--the only two things his money cannot buy. Lady Jacqueline Mosby is full of both, even now, twelve years after she left to see the world. When Jacqueline returns for a single Christmas, Eben can't resist the woman he never stopped loving...or the future that had once been in reach. It will take a miracle to convince her to stay...but if ever there were a time for miracles, it's Christmas.

I was not that keen on this one. It was rather depressing for a Christmas story. Eben is lonely and does nothing else but work. Once upon a time he wanted to marry Jaqueline, but he was busy saving his Dukedom to be worthy of her so he forgot her. I mean idiot much!

Jack loved him for the 12 years she was away and now she is back.

It just left me with the feeling that if he forgot about her once he will do so again. Rather depressing yes.

Heiress Alone by Sophie Jordan 

When Annis Bannister's family leaves her behind in the rush to escape an impending snowstorm, she finds herself stranded in the Highlands, left to fend off brigands terrorizing the countryside, robbing homes locked up for winter. Her only hope falls on her neighbor, a surly hermit duke who unravels her with a look, then a kiss ... until she fears the danger to her heart outweighs the danger of brigands and snowstorms. 

I liked this one. The Duke is so grumpy, and Annis is well normal! She wants some peace and quiet to read and garden. Her family gives me Pride and Prejudice vibes. Mum wants to marry off the daughters and they are so loud ;)

Then it becomes Home alone and she is left behind and there are bandits. Luckily for her a grumpy Duke is nearby and sparks fly as they spar and fall in love.

Of course I would have ADORED an epilogue when her mum comes back and is all omg wasn't it great we forgot you so you could catch a Duke. All loud and such.

Christmas in Central Park by Joanna Shupe. 

Women all over America devour Mrs. Walker's weekly column for recipes and advice. No one knows Rose, the column's author, can't even boil water. When the paper's owner, Duke Havemeyer, insists she host a Christmas party, Rose must scramble to find a husband, an empty mansion, and a cook. But Duke is not a man easily fooled and she fears her perfect plan is failing--especially when Duke's attentions make her feel anything but professional. To save her career will she give up her chance at love?

What? No real Duke, just a guy named Duke? Blasphemy!

Wow, the theme really is that all these Dukes are grinches. This one works works and works some more.'

In romance, all romance is plausible. But here it did stretch a bit, they had not spoken a lot. They fell in love, but really it was just lust since he thought she was married after all. But hey love is love and then they lived happily ever after.

Conclusion.

A nice little anthology with Dukes who are grinches for different reasons and need a bit of Christmas joy and a beautiful woman to get all merry with it.

Narrator

Justine Eyre

I do like her stuff! She is great fun as a narrator! She make her characters come alive.

Audio: The Season - Sarah MacLean

Audio CD, 9 pages

Narrator: Gabrielle Baker

Published August 24th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published March 1st 2009)

YA Historical romance 

For review

My thoughts:

I remember seeing this one long ago, and wanting to read it. Mostly cos it was a YA his rom.

Alex is a smart young woman filled with opinions. Not a good thing when you are about to have your first season. She is headstrong. Has 3 annoying brothers and 2 besties. What more can a girl want.

The two best friends Ella and Vivi sadly do not get enough room in the book. It did feel like this was a novel that should have had follow ups. You know, when Ella and Vivi finds love too. But I say they found it with Alex's brothers...what? I want HEAs since there are no more books ;)

There is also Gavin, the next door neighbor who suddenly is a man, and no longer that 4th pretend brother.

Balls, dresses and drama. Someone is after Gavin (and not to marry him). Of course I still say they should have told their fathers and let it be, but hey, I did say she was headstrong.

I get that it was YA, but she did roll her eyes a bit too much. It felt too teen, too modern, too disrespectful.

Conclusion:
But it was a fun tale and it would have worked just as well as a adult his rom. Just then insert more passion and less eye rolling ;)

Narrator

I do like Baker's voice. She is cheerful! And perfect for YA

Blurb:

Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued; in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold her own. Not the best makings for an aristocratic lady in Regency London. Yet her mother still dreams of marrying Alex off to someone safe, respectable, and wealthy. But between ball gown fittings, dances, and dinner parties, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get herself into what may be her biggest scrape yet.

When the Earl of Blackmoor is mysteriously killed, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. But will Alex's heart be stolen in the process? In an adventure brimming with espionage, murder, and other clandestine affairs, who could possibly have time to worry about finding a husband? Romance abounds as this year's season begins!

A rogue by any other name - Sarah MacLean and Book Blog Walkers: Weekly Check-in Oct 17 2014

This challenge is organized by Felicia over at the Geeky Blogger's Book Blog

Saturday 7 km bike and 30 min walk
Sunday 40 min walk, 7 km bike
Monday 5 km bike and 45 min zumba toning
Tuesday 5 km bike,  30 min walk
Wednesday 10 km bike, and 1 hour zumba
Thursday 5 km bike 
Friday 5 km bike, 1 hour yoga and 1 hour walk

Sigh, ever since the Fall of Antibiotics my health has been crappy, so this was the week of pink eye and now my sinuses are acting up (surely that sore throat from earlier spread). I should take it easier but then I would never get anything done.

-------------------------

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them... even her heart.

My thoughts:

Ok a review of thoughts coming up. So that means SPOILERS because I am gonna talk about what I feel...what happens...

spoilers darling, spoilers

I am at page 100 now and wtf, I hate this guy. I freaking hate this guy! He kidnaps her, he manages to seduce her and then he says mean things and leaves her when she is most vulnerable. And then they have to marry because these were fucked up times. I hate him. All he cares about is his land, well you know what, I hope you get castrated. 

200

He is still being a d¤ck. There was another sex scene and it made me uncomfortable. She was into it, he just kept thinking about his revenge.

280

Can this guy stop whining?! Boo I lost everything, boohoo me. Poor me. I hate everything and everyone. I shall have my revenge. Be a MAN.

On a plus side, still being a total asshole, he does suddenly feel something for his bride. *eyeroll* You mean your best friend from childhood who you kidnapped so you could have your precious land? Whatever man, whatever.

The end

So am I supposed to be happy that he FINALLY saw the light and gave up his revenge to be happy with the woman he loved. That stupid idiotic woman who kept loving him. He did not deserve her. This could have been an old school romance, the only thing missing was actually hitting and abusing her.

Conclusion:

But, MacLean is a good writer, I will give her that. I just hated the story. So it was ok because good writing, terrible story. Of course I really want to just rate, hated it.

Cover

Ok

Mass Market Paperback, 386 pages
Published February 28th 2012 by Avon
The Rules of Scoundrels #1
Historical romance
Own

Review: Nine Rules to break when romancing a rake - Sarah MacLean

A lady does not smoke cheroot. She does not ride astride. She does not fence or attend duels. She does not fire a pistol, and she never gambles at a gentlemen's club.

Lady Calpurnia Hartwell has always followed the rules, rules that have left her unmarried—and more than a little unsatisfied. And so she's vowed to break the rules and live the life of pleasure she's been missing.

But to dance every dance, to steal a midnight kiss—to do those things, Callie will need a willing partner. Someone who knows everything about rule-breaking. Someone like Gabriel St. John, the Marquess of Ralston—charming and devastatingly handsome, his wicked reputation matched only by his sinful smile.

If she's not careful, she'll break the most important rule of all—the one that says that pleasure-seekers should never fall hopelessly, desperately in love.

My thoughts:

I am trying to come up with something to say, I really should not write a review when I am all stressed out and annoyed but I will do my best. Perhaps do it in a different format.

Nine Reasons why this was a fun book to read

1. Callie is a woman, a true woman. A spinster with breasts too big too be fashionable, and too wide hips. And it all makes me like her more. Sure she has given up but now she takes the bull by the horns and decides to live and I admired her for that.

2. Ralston, he never saw her coming. He tried to be all smart by it, but his heart fell. It took a while for him to get it, and there will be heartache and drama but he falls. And I love him more for it.

3. "A kiss should not leave you satisfied..It should leave you wanting more."

Now how do you say no to a quote like that? ;)

4. The whole vibe of the book was fun and light.

5. Lots of temptation, and stolen kisses and embraces.

6. I have already mentioned them on their own but together they were great. I got why she liked him and I truly could see him fall.

7. Side characters. Nick, oh yes, I should read his book. I have already read Juliana's book and enjoyed that one too.

8. The pages flew by. That is sooo cliche but well they did.

9. The rules. To see Callie try all these things was fun to read about and she just did them. Even if she was a bit scared.

That was it. I enjoyed the book.

Cover snark:

I do want to see her head too

Series: Love by Numbers #1
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 422
Published: 2010 by Avon
Source: My own

Early review: Eleven scandals to start to win a Duke's heart - Sarah MacLean

Series: Love by numbers 3
Genre: Historical romance
Pages: ebook, 384
Publication: April 26th 2011, Harper Collins

She lives for passion.
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

My thoughts:

I do confess to believing one thing when I read the blurb but the truth was something else. Juliana’s mother left her husband and twins and fled to Italy. Where she married a merchant and had Juliana, she later also left these two.  Juliana is tainted by relation and she does not want to cause scandal or have people think of her like that. But what she does do is involuntarily cause scandals. May it be falling into a bush or something else. She does it by mistake. She also thinks the English are stuffy and that they only care about their stupid reputations. She is not afraid to speak he mind and one has to like her.

The hero of the book is Simon, the Duke of Leighton. He is proper and does everything by the book. He is also looking for a perfect well-bred, gentle wife that will do what wives should do and nothing else. I did have my moments where I thought about him as Mr Darcy, because he was all pride and stood above everything else. This couple was totally different from each other, but there was this passion there, simmering beneath the surface. Juliana wants him, but she knows her reputation is too bad for him. Simon wants her also, but he knows that she is a common and too much of a scandal.

There were moments where I wanted to shout his name and tell him too loose control. Who cares about the ton! He is a duke; he could win them over again. He made some mistakes, and yes I might have wanted to smack him over the head, but I also learnt the truth about some things. Not to mention that he wanted to do the right things. Perhaps it was Juliana I should have shouted at, but then I understand her too. Love is about trust, and mutual love. That is something to want.

Conclusion:

The book was humorous in ways and all thanks to Juliana, that woman has a habit of landing into trouble. Her family was great, and if this book hadn’t made me want to read the previous two books then her brothers would have made me. Going by this fun book, then the two books about her brothers finding love must be just as good. And at the end I was hoping that perhaps Simon’s sister will get a book of her own, now that would be fun.

A fun book with a couple surrounded by scandals, romance to root for, and some great witty writing.

Rating:

Amusing

Cover:

Meh

Source: Netgalley