Every Sarah MacLean book I read is better than the last and this is certainly no exception.

Heartbreaker is book two of the Hell's Belles series, which follows four women that are considered social outcasts in high society, who have made it their mission to bring down cruel men and protect women unable to protect themselves. In this book we follow Adelaide Frampton, who goes in disguise as the "Matchbreaker"; working to make sure women do not end up being matched with unsuitable men. Her work relies on her ability to blend in, a skill learned in her past growing up among some of London's most notorious criminals, and she is the best of the best at remaining invisible in plain sight, that is until a job causes her to cross paths with the Duke of Clayborn, the only man who seems to notice her.

I could go on and on about the incredible tension and banter in this book between Adelaide and Henry. This rivals to lovers story had me absolutely swooning and staying up until 3am to finish. One thing I always love in MacLean's work is the complete respect the love interests have for each other all while they try so hard to resist the undeniable chemistry they have. The characters are beautifully fleshed out and we get to see some wonderful moments of vulnerability that they slowly reveal to each other piece by piece as they begin to trust the other.

I also am loving how with each of Sarah MacLean's books, things become more and more high stakes. This one especially is incredibly action packed that is perfectly balanced out with those quiet intimate moments between our couple, making the book well paced and impossible to put down.

I also absolutely LOVED the female friendships in this book between the Belles. Their protectiveness of each other and ability to call each other out when needed made their relationship feel so real. The glimpses we got of our past couple, Sesily and Caleb, and our potential future couples were super fun. I am already obsessed with Imogen and Tommy and I cannot wait to see what kind of trouble the Hell's Belles get into next!

Heartbreaker was my first foray into the Hell’s Belles series. Though it contains a common trope – riffraff falls in love with aristocrat – the characters and plot do well to ensure that this novel won’t fade easily into the background.

Henry, the hero of this story, is a duke with a secret – one that makes him feel unworthy of his place in the world. Adelaide, the heroine, likewise feels unworthy given her origins as a thief and daughter of a crime lord.

The sweetest thing about this story is the way Henry and Adelaide slowly convince each other that they are deserving of happiness and love. In the process, they also manage to take down a few villains with the help of Adelaide’s friends, the Hell’s Belles (the most interesting of which in my opinion was Imogen).

I will admit, this book for me was a bit of a slow read. I’m not sure if it was because the action seemed to fizzle at points, or if it was the heavy-handed feminist trope. I do appreciate the strength of all the female characters in this universe, however, I found it frustrating that the women were so often hesitant to accept help from men, and in fact seemed to love to belittle them.

I would have liked a better balance of strength/determination and softheartedness. That being said, this book is still a good, solid read. I find myself looking forward to Imogen’s book, so I will be sure to check back in with the series!

So I loved Bombshell, it had been on my TBR since Christmas and when I was done reading it I thought man why did I wait so long to read it.
I immediately started reading the next book in the series Heartbreaker and dang it it didn’t blow me away! I think I loved it more than the first. That’s a lie I know I loved it more than the first.
The drama was just excellent! There was a few “touch her and die moments” and Henry Carrington, Duke of Clayborn, can praise me anytime 😏
Adelaide Frampton, isn’t who she seems but her besties and the ladies that make up Hell’s Belles don’t care what her last name is or where she came from or who her daddy is. They love her for who she is now and the work she does for their team. She is skilled, brilliant and fearless. She also goes completely unnoticed in Mayfair. Well almost unnoticed.
Enter my new book boyfriend, Clayborn, who has been watching Adelaide for years (but not in a creepy way. More of a no one else notices you but I do because I’m smitten way.)
Now Adelaide is trying to get to Clayborn’s brother and soon to be wife before disaster strikes. This was so good! I loved the adventure, the drama, the sexy bits!
Here are my favorite quotes:

“I assure you, Adelaide, if you were to make advances, I would not hesitate.” - Clayborn

“He had waited a lifetime for this woman, and he would take the pieces she gave him, every hint of her secrets, and he would put them with his own.”- Clayborn

“You are the most remarkable person I’ve ever known. Strong and brilliant and with more courage than I’ve ever seen in another. And more beautiful than anyone person has caused to be. I have no interest in being freed from your clutches.“ - Clayborn

“I will tear this place apart before I let you stay here, do you understand?”-Clayborn

“ I don’t want any of it if it ends with me loving you from afar.” - Clayborn

This is a poignant story filled with salacious gossip and masquerading women.
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.
Sarah MacLean has written a very good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and received voluntarily.

This was wonderful. I’m really loving the new feminist & diverse lens Sarah is taking with this new series. Unlike her earlier series we’re no longer getting the whole overbearing “alpha male” trope thing & are now instead getting empowered women & men who appreciate that empowerment. This is the direction I’m hopeful to see more historical romance writers move in.

Sarah also is fleshing out the world so that side characters are no longer all white, straight, & cisgendered, which is great but I hope she’ll also move to giving those characters starring roles in their own stories too. So far this current series does seem projected to only feature white, straight, cisgendered heroines & heroes. But still it’s nice to see the start of some diverse representation starting to be included. Hopefully soon those characters will be centered too.

4.75 stars

Are you a sucker for a road trip/forced proximity historical romance where the heroine knows how to fight and wears pants, and the hero is super stern but also completely gone for the heroine? Well, you’re in luck, because Sarah MacLean’s ‘Heartbreaker’ is all of that and more.

Adelaide Frampton is used to blending into the scenery. After a chance encounter places her in the ballrooms of Mayfair instead of the streets she was raised in, Adelaide uses her skills to help brides avoid the altar. When perennial perfectionist Henry, Duke of Clayborn, keeper of some pretty hardcore secrets, crosses her path, neither will ever be the same. Especially not when they’re thrown together in a race across Britain to stop a wedding.

Every time I crave an entertaining and emotionally satisfying read, I inevitably find my way to Sarah MacLean. Why, you ask? Because she is a master at her craft. The ways in which MacLean builds worlds and conflicts are as adept as they are rewarding. And the interactions and slow burning chemistry between Adelaide and Henry in this novel are pitch perfect. ‘Heartbreaker’ has all of the elements that I like, and even more that I didn’t even know I needed.

If you want to go on a reading adventure, pick up ‘Heartbreaker.’ And, if you haven’t done so already, start at the beginning of the Hell’s Belles series and read ‘Bombshell’ as well. (You can thank me later.)

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions presented in this review are my own.

I feel like most of my 5 star reviews start with profanity and Heartbreaker is no exception. Hot damn. I can honestly say I have never been so undone by a regency romance.

Read if you like:
💔 Ladies righting wrongs
💔Dukes who are gone for their girl
💔High spice
💔Light fingered red heads
💔Thieves
💔Secrets!
💔"No I'll save you first"
💔So. Much. Swoon.

I cannot tell you how many times I looked at the words Sarah MacLean wrote and thought. "How did she write something so beautiful?" Quickly followed by "good lord, is it hot in here? I need a cold shower." The spice and the swoon swirl effortlessly together to sweep you off your feet. Sarah MacLean has crafted a truly beautiful book.

Did I mention that it was spicy?! Hands down the spiciest historical romance I have ever read. I squirmed. Which just says how great of a writer Sarah MacLean is because a lot of it was foreplay and I didn't even mind. She left me 100% satisfied 🤣

I read a review of the book that said this had too much plot and not enough romance, and I want to respond by saying WHAT?! Henry and Adelaide spend so much making heart eyes at each other, I almost wonder if we read the same book. YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK, Y'ALL.

Sarah MacLean writes the best heroes and heroines! These two are smoking! I loved the adventure in this story, but mostly I loved the main characters together.

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I think Sarah MacLean isn't for me. I read Bombshell after requesting this one so I could read both together, and I didn't enjoy that one. I hoped I could enjoy this one better, but it wasn't the case, so I think the problem is me, and not the books.

DNF at 20%.

Thanks to Avon and Negalley for my ARC. I'm sure other people will enjoy this one as much as the other books by the author!

When I saw MacLean on NetGalley I knew I had to request her next installment of Hell's Belles. And once again, she did not disappoint. MacLean is known for building out such fun heroines in her stories, the perfect amount of steam and the best love interests.. Heartbreaker features the always invisible, Adelaide the Princess of of Thieves. and the only man to ever not only notice her but steal her heart, Duke Clayborn. They both embark on a mission to save the Duke's brother and his lady and somehow make it a competition LOL. MacLean did a great job keeping you engaged and wanting more and those scenes WHOA HOT!! As usual I loved this book and sing this author's praises whenever I can. Def check this out, you will not regret it! I'm ready and eager for Lady Imogen's book!

The second book in the Hells Belles series continues to prove this one of Sarah Maclean’s best series! I love the gang of women working to right the wrongs! I love the way previous series and characters are woven into the current story.
Adelaide and Henry are adorable together. They are both so similar and each hiding their own secrets. The journey they take to trusting each other with the worst and best of themselves is romance at it’s best!
Can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins Publishing, and Sarah MacLean for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Any new Sarah MacLean is basically an auto-read for me, and Heartbreaker was no exception. It's a showcase in what she does so well as an author: fiery heroines and the men who love them, exciting plots, and a great cast of secondary characters who keep things fun and interesting.

Adelaide and Henry have a fun game of cat and mouse going throughout the first part of the book, and that, combined with the specter of Adelaide's past, provided plenty of tension. The kind of tension that kept me reading and made it all the more satisfying when they eventually got together. Plus, MacLean really doesn't hold back on there being only one bed - not to mention a little fake relationship thrown in - which only adds to the fun. I will say that Adelaide felt far more fleshed out and went through a much more satisfying emotional arc. Henry, while lovable, came off as a bit flat, and even his choice to set aside his concerns and allow himself to fall in love didn't have as much weight as it might have if he'd felt more rounded out.

That said, this book is a delight. Adelaide's father made for an entertaining villain; I didn't entirely feel like his choices made sense, but he hammed everything up enough to be fun enough that it didn't even matter. And the cameos by the rest of the Hell's Belles were a blast (pun intended). I'm so excited for Imogen's upcoming book - which will of course also be an auto-read.

4.25/5

The pacing is what did this book in for me. Very fast paced then it just dwindled in the middle and that was it. Also the relationship between Adelaide and Henry just wasn't there for me. Yes to physical but, emotional was no where to be scene. The character development was lackluster also. But I am excited for Imogen's book though!

I love this series.

I love the feminist attitudes of this group of women, and their drive to right the wrongs that large portions of society quietly let go during that time.

I love the interaction between Henry and Adelaide as they try to acheive their separate agendas, not realizing they're mostly on the same side!

How refreshing to see relationships that are equal. I certainly HOPE this was the case back then for some lucky couples, although I have my doubts. It is wonderful to consider that possibility though.

All in all a good second book in this series! Can't wait to read the next!

From the first few pages, I was enchanted with the characters and the love story of Adelaide and Henry. I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! Wow, I loved this book. Sarah MacLean is a master of historical romance, and this book was in my opinion, one of her best. Adelaide grew up on the South side of London, learning to pick pockets and fend for herself. After a series of events, she ends up in Mayfair with a group of women fighting against injustices and the patriarchy. Henry (the Duke of Clayborn) grew up rich, speaks in parliament, and is all around different from Adelaide. But the two find themselves thrown together on an adventure or escapade to help Henry’s brother and love interest. MacLean knows how to write a romance, but this book really hit every mark of perfection for me. Longing and angst? CHECK. Steam and love? CHECK. Fun and great writing? CHECK. I cannot think of a thing this book did that I didn’t like. Henry and Adelaide are just perfect together, in the bedroom, with the banter, and with their sweet love story. Henry might be one of my favorite romance heroes of all time. This book just radiated charm, I think I had a smile on my face the entire book. Also I love all the women in this series, and I love that MacLean is not just focusing on aristocratic women and stories, but on different classes and social issues of the 1800s in London. I highly, highly, highly recommend this book for fans of historical romance, steam, and great, well written love stories.

I would still recommend other Sarah MacLean series over this one, but this was an improvement to me over the previous one in the series and I doo feel like the 3rd she has been teasing could be the MacLean magic I have been missing.

4 stars

Adelaide Frampton, South London's best pickpocket meets North London's Duke of Clayborn. This romance takes us on an whirlwind adventure of brawls, secrets, and love.

I absolutely ADORED Adelaide and Clayborn. Their chemistry sizzles through the pages, making you want more. And let's face it, no one can resist a Duke. Clayborn makes you swoon between his sweet interior and tough exterior. Adelaide, born out of muck and thievery, makes for a great story - something I haven't seen before!

If you are looking for a book with steamy scenes about a highborn Duke and a low class thief, this is it!!! Thanks to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this free arc for my honest review.

I believe this is the first Sarah MacLean book I've ever read. I went in with some expectations and I was not disappointed!
The relationship of Henry and Adelaide is steamy and full of promise. Both characters have an inner monolog going that really adds to the story. The love that blossoms between the two of them is amazing. This story is full of adventure and deep friendships. The Hell's Bells are featured prominently but this book can definitely be read as a standalone. The conversation is witty, sometimes humorous and always a joy to read. I actually got misty eyed a few times. I completely empathized when one of Adelaide's friends said that she would marry Henry herself if Adelaide wouldn't!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A beautifully delicious novel - capturing all the best parts of "Regency" novels that we love with a new twist through the relationship between Adelaide and Henry, I couldn't put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!