Veena’s review of Brazen and the Beast (Bareknuckle Bastards, Book 2) by Sarah MacLean
Historical Romance published by Avon 30 Jul 19
Is there a good time to find a man bound and unconscious in one’s carriage? There certainly is a bad time, as Hattie would attest, especially when she has places to be and a birthday to celebrate. It’s the year of Hattie, and Whit is raining on Hattie’s parade with his impeccable sense of timing. What an unexpected and charming start to the story.Hattie has a solid plan to win in the man’s world she lives in. Meeting the stranger in her carriage gives her momentary pause, but soon she’s given him a shove out of her carriage and is proceeding with the rest of her evening – except, even as she’s having second choices on her preferences, Whit shows up. Soon it seems Hattie can’t make a move without running into him. So she takes the bull by its horns and invades his turf, dangerous as it might be.
Whit and his brother are hunting down the person who’s out to hurt their business, only Hattie’s brother has put her square in the sights of the Bareknuckle Bastards. I really enjoyed the cut and thrust between the two protagonists as they both vied to win, even as they fall in love. I definitely applauded when Hattie routs Whit by demonstrating her power at the docks, when he challenges her by buying her father’s business from under her feet.
This is a solid middle book in the trilogy, setting the stage for the final book, though I’m not sure how it will come about; but I can assure you, given the way this trilogy has been so far, it will be women’s ingenuity and love that will win the day. Can’t wait to see it play out.
Grade: B+
Summary:
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.
Other books in this series:
