REVIEW: These Summer Storms by Sarah Maclean

 

OUR REVIEW:

Sarah Maclean is one of my favorite historical romance writers and I've read one short work that of hers that was contemporary, so when I saw this novel of hers on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. As with her historical romances, These Summer Storms is intense and detailed and while it felt more women's fiction than romance, in places, it does end with the HEA. 

These Summer Storms centers on Alice Storm and her very dysfunctional family. The novel begins with Alice returning to her family home (on a private island) upon news that her father has died. We learn that she's been estranged from the billionaire family for years, working and living independently from the wealth that she was brought up with, and almost immediately her family reminds her that she's going to have to work her way back into the fold. As the first day home progresses, it becomes clear that the patriarch of the family had plans in mind, upon his death, and those plans appeared to include pushing on the insecurities and wounds that each sibling and his wife had. And as the week progresses, we learn how Alice's one night stand factors in to all of this, as well as why the siblings do what they do and how they feel about what is happening. 

The Summer Storms asks us to imagine what it must be like to live in a family where everyone is jockeying for position, thirsty for the love and attention of their parents, never quite getting what they want, and therefore always feeling a little out of sorts, a little unsatisfied, even when they think they're getting what they want/deserve. It plunges us into a world of refinement, not feelings, and how that philosophy can go terribly awry, resulting in a sibling dynamic that's better for the messiness. And while this novel could've let us cold and bitter, the ending is quite the opposite--warm and satisfactory.

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SYNOPSIS: 

Alice Storm hasn’t been welcome at her family’s magnificent private island off the Rhode Island coast in five years—not since she was cast out and built her life beyond the Storm name, influence, and untold billions. But the shocking death of her larger-than-life father changes everything.

Alice plans to keep her head down, pay her final respects (such as they are), and leave the minute the funeral is over. Unfortunately, her father had other plans. The eccentric, manipulative patriarch left his family a final challenge—an inheritance game designed to upend their world. The rules are clear: spend one week on the island, complete their assigned tasks, and receive the inheritance.

But a whole week on Storm Island is no easy task for Alice. Every corner of the sprawling old house is bursting with chaos: Her older sister’s secret love affair. Her brother’s unyielding arrogance. Her younger sister’s constant analysis of the vibes. Her mother’s cold judgment. And all under the stern, watchful gaze of Jack Dean, her father’s intriguing and too-handsome second-in-command. It will be a miracle if Alice manages to escape unscathed.

A smart and tender story about the transformative power of grief, love, and family, this luscious novel explores past secrets, present truths, and futures forged in the wake of wild summer storms.

REVIEW: Knockout: A Hell's Belles Novel by Sarah MacLean

 

OUR REVIEW:

Oh how I adore the Hell's Belles. They're nothing but a delight to read and even though I want to stretch out the reading, I know that I'm going to speed through because I just can't help myself. I've been waiting and waiting for Imogen and Tommy's story for a long time and it was just as fun as I hoped it would be. She's sleuthing and exploding and he's sleuthing and brooding at how she seems to beat him to every case he's investigating, which means that there's lots of banter and fun happening between these two. While they're both racing to figure out who is destroying businesses, Imogen is secretly pining for Tommy and Tommy is busy denying that they could ever be a thing. When will the men get with the program and capitulate? Probably never, which makes all of these love stories so much fun to read. The push and pull, the insecurities, the falling in love....all of it makes for an entertaining 5 out of 5 stars read. 

Sarah MacLean being the queen of my historical romance heart has me dying for the next book in this series and once you read the last few pages of this novel, you'll see why. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3ZnWdQs

SYNOPSIS:

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with the next Hell’s Belles novel about a chaotic bluestocking and the buttoned-up detective enlisted to keep her out of trouble (spoiler: She is the trouble).

With her headful of wild curls and wilder ideas and an unabashed love of experiments and explosives, society has labeled Lady Imogen Loveless peculiar…and doesn’t know she’s one of the Hell’s Belles—a group of vigilantes operating outside the notice of most of London.

Thomas Peck is not most of London. The brilliant detective fought his way off the streets and into a promising career through sheer force of will and a keen ability to see things others miss, like the fact that Imogen isn’t peculiar…she’s pandemonium. If you ask him, she requires a keeper. When her powerful family discovers her late-night activities, they couldn’t agree more…and they know just the man for the task.

Thomas wants nothing to do with guarding Imogen. He is a grown man with a proper job and no time for the lady’s incendiary chaos, no matter how lushly it is packaged. But some assignments are too explosive to pass up, and the gruff detective is soon caught up in Imogen’s world, full of her bold smiles and burning secrets…and a fiery passion that threatens to consume them both.

REVIEW: Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean

 

OUR REVIEW:

I am completely in love with the Hell's Belle's and every book in this series just gets better and better. In Hearbreaker we get to know more about Adelaide, the best pickpocket in all of London. She comes from a ne'er-do-well father--'king' of a dangerous street gang--but had the chance to escape and become part of the gang of 4 women who are out to right wrongs and uplift other women. 

In Heartbreaker, Adelaide is working with her counterparts to help protect a woman from her evil father. Mixed up in this mission is a certain Duke--the Duke of Clayborn--because of his brother's interest in marrying the young woman who desperately needs to go into hiding; he's also been mixed into this because he also poses a threat to the evil father, as we find out after Adelaide thieves some things from her father, including a box belonging to the Duke. Complicating all of this, both Addie and Henry (the Duke) find themselves in her dad's office both trying to steal something important to them. Increasing the complication? The Duke almost gets them caught.

As the plot progresses we learn that both Addie and Henry have been watching each other for a while. Addie finds him intolerable and Henry finds her intriguing. When they race to find and protect Henry's brother and his love, he learns that Addie is more than capable of handling herself, much to his surprise and delight and she learns that he's not quite the entitled toff that she imagined him to be. Over the course of a couple of weeks, their being thrown together reveals more and more and their mutual affection blossoms. This was part of my pure enjoyment of this novel--their discovering each other--their secrets and who they really are--and how they were more alike than I think either suspected. I love a good reveal and when people are forced to admit, despite their grumpy resistance, that they really actually like the person standing in front of them.  

Equally delightful is seeing and learning more about the Hell's Belles. They are pure joy--they made me smile and laugh and I could read their interactions and shenanigans all day long and not ever be bored with them--I cannot wait to read Imogene's book! Additionally, seeing how their 'network' worked filled me with admiration. 

I cannot recommend this series enough--it's a great mix of romance, chemistry, humor, and plot and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. 

BUY IT HERE.

BLURB: 

New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean follows her highly acclaimed Bombshell with Heartbreaker, featuring a fierce, fearless heroine on a mission to steal a duke’s secrets…and his heart. 

HEARTBREAKER Hell’s Belles, Book 2

A Princess of Thieves

Raised among London’s most notorious criminals, a twist of fate landed Adelaide Frampton in the bright ballrooms of Mayfair, where she masquerades as a quiet wallflower—so plain and unassuming that no one realizes she’s the Matchbreaker…using her superior skills as a thief to help brides avoid the altar.

A King of Reputation

Henry, Duke of Clayborn, has spent a lifetime living in perfection. He has no time for the salacious gossip that arises every time the Matchbreaker ends another groom. His own reputation is impeccable—and the last thing he needs is a frustrating, fascinating woman discovering the truth of his past, or the secrets he holds close.

A Royal Match

When the two find themselves on a breakneck journey across Britain to stop a wedding, it’s impossible for Clayborn to resist this woman who both frustrates and fascinates him. But late-night carriage rides make for delicious danger…and soon Adelaide is uncovering Clayborn’s truths, throwing his well-laid plans into chaos…and threatening to steal his heavily guarded heart.

NEW REVIEW: Bombshell by Sarah MacLean

Honestly one of the best things I did in the recent past was regain an interest in historical romance, read my first Sarah MacLean novel, and find a whole bunch of novels and new to me writers. One thing I know for certain, is that if I'm ever in a reading slump, Sarah MacLean has got my back. 

OUR REVIEW:

If you're new to historical romance, Bombshell is a great novel to read: it's the first in a series and you'll find yourself consumed within pages. As with all of Sarah MacLean novels (that I've read), the heroine, Sesily, is ahhhhmazing. She's interesting, clever, funny, strong, and stubborn as hell. She has the best taste in friends (so excited to know all of the sisterhood in this series) and the things they get into are absolutely insane and incredibly laudable. I love these ladies!! The hero in this novel, Caleb, is also very MacLean-esque in that he needs to get his mind right before he'll be right for Sesily. Like her, he's stubborn, clever, kind, and loyal but his secrets and disappearing acts are not doing him any favors when it comes to his love life...and really his life, in general. Even with his flaws, you can't help but like him and as you get to know him better, you can't help but hope he gets his act together because she deserves better than he's giving her and you just KNOW he wants her!

Absolutely fun read complete with hijinks, great banter, fantastic secondary characters, and steamy romance. Loved Bombshell and am so eager for the next novels in this series.

SIDE NOTE: Since I haven't read all of MacLean's novels, I don't know for sure, but it *seems* like some of these characters may have been in other novels/series? Does anyone know? I'd love to read them. It just seems like Sesily's sisters may have novels? Help!

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SYNOPSIS:

New York Times bestselling 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.

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 realizes 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 realizing that Sesily isn’t for forgetting…she’s forever. And forever isn’t something he can risk.

REVIEW: Brazen and the Beast by Sarah Maclean

OUR REVIEW:

You know what? Every time I read a historical romance I love it and immediately wonder why I don't read more, more often. I definitely need to broaden my horizons and read more in this genre because it is such a delicious escape from the trials and troubles of the modern world. 

Brazen and the Beast was a wonderful escape into the world of Covent Garden and the escapes of Hattie and her bestie and Whit and his comrades. I loved how bold and independent both of these characters were --they definitely smashed the mold of what I normally think of when I think of historical romance. I also loved how they clashed and sparked on the page. Their interactions had me smiling and wanting more. 

I loved everything about this novel and look forward to reading more of the series!

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SYNOPSIS:

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.