Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Rating: 5 Stars
Publication: August 23, 2022
Series: Hell’s Bells Book 2
Pages: 400

This series is turning out to be quite good. I especially like this second installment. It is the story of Adelaide Frampton who was taken out of the notorious streets of London and placed in Mayfair where she is quite invisible as a wallflower. She is the best nipper around and no one knows she is the Matchbreaker as she uses her unique skills as a thief to gather information to aid brides from making mistakes with intendeds prior to going down the alter.

Then there is the Duke of Clayborn, Henry who does not wish to marry and no time for the gossips of the ton. He has a reputation that seems perfection and the last think he needs is someone discovering his past secrets, especially Adelaide Frampton.

Adelaide is bent on ending a match between Henry’s brother, and Henry is bent on stopping her at every chance. Unfortunately, his brother’s intended is sought after by her dangerous father. Henry and Adelaide find themselves in adventure…one to stop an elopement and the other to make sure it goes through. In the process, both find themselves uncovering one another’s truths while throwing their hearts to the wind.

Oh, how I loved Henry and his acceptance of Adelaide despite her background and being in cohorts with some very intelligent and strong women. I loved the many tropes thrown into this story: one bed, enemies to lovers, dangerous heroines. Both characters were loveable and down right a good match for one another. The romance and intimacy were on point and the plot was well written and transitioned beautifully to the HEA. I’ve always liked Sarah MacLean as an author and she did not disappoint with this story. So far this was high on my list in this series, however I will have to wait to read Imogen’s story next to make a conclusion. Wonderful and highly recommend the read.

I consider this MacLean's strongest, most satisfying story she's written yet. Adelaide and Henry seem to be total opposites in background and personality. And yet, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that they share much, much more than meets the eye. Like the puzzle box that is a key component of the story there are hidden secrets to both of them that they, and the reader, slowly discover and cherish. Strong, well-developed characters, fast-paced action, and suspense that keeps the pages turning makes this a highly recommended book. I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment of the Hell's Belles series. (This is the second one following BOMBSHELL.)

Oh, I do love this series. The Hell's Belles are great, and this installment features some of the tropes that are catnip to me: road trips, only one bed, ladies who kick ass both literally and figuratively, and a pining hero who is dazzled by the heroine's competence.

Adelaide's superpower is that she is invisible; she honed that talent while a child cutpurse living in South London with her crime boss father, and she has since exploited it in her role as Matchbreaker and the Hell's Belles resident thief. Of course, there's one person to whom she has always been completely visible and arresting: Henry, the Duke of Clayborn. For reasons of their own, both Adelaide and Henry anticipate being alone forever, yet neither can deny their attraction when their paths cross during a robbery. Later, when in pursuit of Clayborn's eloping brother, Adelaide and Henry engage in a cat-and-mouse game that evolves into something more. They begin discover that their lust is closer to love, and that they may not be destined to be as alone as they think--as long as they can overcome the parts of their pasts that hold them back.

Henry is my favorite kind of hero, because he is marvels at Adelaide and sees her as few beyond her gang of bad-ass women do. He has no plans to pull her back or ask her to be less brave, daring, or clever; he just wants to know how he can support her in her endeavors, and wants to cherish and care for her as no one in her past has. Meanwhile, Adelaide is one of my favorite types of heroines: clever, skilled, methodical, yet still vulnerable. I loved the two of them together.

Highly recommend this installment of the Hell's Belles series, and I can't wait to read Imogen's story next!

This is what I wanted! This is the PASTELS! This book had everything I want from a modern day historical romance. What can I say, I love a girl boss moment. It can sometimes feel like these lady gangs are a bit far fetched, but I think the Hell's Belles are well written and definitely felt plausible. (Side note: I encourage everyone to read the acknowledgements, especially in historical romance when you think the idea is wild because 99.9% it is based in very interesting facts).

I absolutely adored both Adelaide and Henry. They felt like a genuinely good match and their HEA felt well earned. The actual romance of this book was off the charts and didn't suffer for the side plots. Also, 5 stars simply for them not keeping deep seated secrets until the very last minute and Adelaide actually getting a romantic proposal. I am so glad that I continued to give Sarah MacLean a chance as this is definitely my favorite book she's written yet. I can't wait to read Imogen's story next!

ARC generously provided by Avon and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review posted 7/2/22: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4741750657

The latest in Sarah MacLean’s Hell’s Belle’s series will leave readers with a smile on their face and book 3 added to their TBR! I loved Bombshell, the first book in the series, which I listened to on audiobook last summer, and again last week to prepare for Heartbreaker. Although initially Heartbreaker seems like it could be your typical wallflower meets a rich and handsome man who thinks she’s “not like other girls” and wants to marry her-- this book is completely different from page 1. Although Adelaide thinks she’s plain, she is very much not like other girls. Her rough upbringing taught her the skills she uses as an essential part of Hell’s Belles, the group of women who take down aristocratic men who use their power in harmful ways. In this action packed and multi-layered adventure, Adelaide and the Duke of Clayborn traverse across England, while fighting and falling in love. This is a story full of heart, humor, and steam that readers will binge in one sitting. I can’t wait for book 3! Thanks so much to Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

5 🌟’s | i was literally laying in bed in the same position screaming, laughing and squealing into my pillow as i read this in like one sitting. yes, that’s how good it was. returning to this series and the BRILLIANT HOT HILARIOUS POWERFUL ✨WOMEN✨ is a treat that we don’t deserve 😩✋🏽 but gosh am i so lucky to have gotten an ARC of this majestic book <3

this second book in the hell’s belles series follows our thieving heroine adelaide frampton and her “cold, arrogant” duke, mr. henry clayborn. as they race each other (or together??👀) across england to stop an elopement, the adventures they have at inns (a moment for our only one bed trope girlies), running across alleyways with spontaneous dress to trousers costume changes (a moment for our women in disguise trope girlies) and chef’s kiss nursing-back-to-health chapters (not scenes WHOLE CHAPTERS), this book never keeps you bored. NEVER. not for a second. the plot is fast-moving but slow when need be, the romance is UTTER SWOONINESS and the feminism is feminism-ing. it was GLORIOUS🤌🏽.

henry clayborn is going on the book bf list 100% friends. he is IT. the heroes of this series are so deeply head over heels in love with their women and I CANNOTTT physically or emotionally handle it😐 her insecurity of being called a “wallflower” or “plain” and never being noticed by anyone but then him being BAFFLED that she thinks that and says that he can’t help BUT notice her all the damn time UGH. and the fact that she is alone and has had no one to protect her except herself (which she can do perfectly fine ofc ofc) but then henry saying that she shouldn’t have to and just always wants to protect and be there for her LIKE GAHSHJF. i was GONE. just like he was for addy. 😭 it was so fucking romantic im crying.

bebe adelaide doesn’t think she’s worthy or deserving of love and protection but henry literally doesn’t stop until she realizes she does and i was here👏🏽 for 👏🏽it👏🏽. she’s a magnificent, brilliant, quick-witted, powerful woman (as are all her friends) and UGH. i just wanted to (much like henry) shake her and TELL HER HOW AMAZING SHE IS LIKE GURL. U. ARE. IT. anyways.

my friends. you are not READY for the steam in this book.. i was not ready. i still think and go back to re-read some of our lovely ✨scenes✨ because it was so mf HAWT OMGDJ. if you have a praise kink or love a dirty talker and are an avid “good girl” enjoyer, you are IN.FOR.IT. *throbbing*..and imma just leave it at that.

anywho, this was chef’s kiss. i adore these women and these lucky men that get to be their husbands. i am so mf excited for thomas/imogen romance next GAH. so so excited. loved this and can’t recommend this series enough people! and for returning readers, heartbreaker will not disappoint you, don’t you worry ;)

quotes i loved:
- I am a woman alive in the world, Your Grace. My existence is politics, whether I care for it to be or not.
- I think you shall be the kind of duchess who changes what duchesses might be.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the publishers Avon & Harper Voyager for the e-ARC via Netgalley. Releases August 23, 2022!

📝 tropes: class difference, wallflower/thief x duke, road trip, nursing-back-to-health, only one bed, forced proximity, fake engagement, anti-heroine
🌶 spice: 4/5
TW/CW: violence, grief/death of loved one

Was so happy to get an arc of Heartbreaker from NetGalley. This series so far (Hell's Belles) is a delightfully fantastical take on historical romance, centering a group of women who are immersed in high society and use their positions to take down various patriarchal villains, using their brains, feminine wiles, and sometimes literal explosives to get the job done. I think some might scoff at this kind of overtly “girl power feminist” plot line in a historical, but IMO it’s okay to want some escapism in one’s romance, and such storylines can offer a little catharsis as well. Sarah MacLean’s skill as a writer makes it easy enough to suspend disbelief for a few blissful hours, anyway. :)
I thought Heartbreaker was a bit more solid than the first installment in the series (Bombshell), and it’s just bursting with romance, intrigue, and fun action sequences. I’d recommend it to romance readers or anyone looking for a fun historical.

3.5 ⭐️ I liked the continuation of the story from the first book. However, I really wish there was more time dealing with the runaway couple, the evil dad, and her situation with the Bully Boys/her dad. Just want more fleshing out. Still a great love story.

A return to the Hell’s Bells series, Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean is a fun, romantic story that will leave you smiling and believing love will truly conquer all.

Known as the Matchbreaker, Adelaide Frampton is on the chase of an eloping couple. Although she doesn’t want to stop the wedding, she needs to get to them as fast as possible and protect the future bride. Henry, the Duke of Clairborne, doesn’t want Adelaide to stop the wedding. He wants his heir to marry so he doesn’t have to. This embarks on a fun but treacherous chase across the country that finds Adelaide and Henry finding that maybe they both deserve love too. If only their pasts will allow them.

I never thought I'd say this about a Sarah MacLean novel, but this book was too long. I enjoyed the travails of gutter-born matchbreaker Adelaide and perceptive duke Henry, as they race across England to stop (or save?) an eloping couple. But the middle started to feel repetitive.

It was fun to revisit the Hell's Belles, and I look forward to seeing what they get up to next. (I suspect it will be explosive! Literally.)

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This book pulls you in from the first second and manages to be a classic historical romance, a clever heist novel, dead sexy, and a feminist story all at the same time. Adelaide and Henry come from different worlds, but their stories tangle elegantly around difficult parents, complicated secrets and all the ways that found families can shape an experience. The characters are, as is always true for Ms. MacLean, well-developed, not always perfect and self-reflective enough to grow and change. The tropes are great- road trips, nursing back to health, only one bed…the whole show! As for the “romance,” no closed doors here and if you like your romantic heroes to be, shall we say, “bossy” then this will be a winning read. This second in the Helle’s Belles Series (including all the great characters we met in Bombshell) should be on your summer reading list for sure! Now I just have to wait patiently for what I hope will be Imogen’s story and the continuation of the phenomenal series.

Adelaide knows that she does not belong in Lambeth but nor does she belong in Mayfair, but rather she walks a fine line in between. Born to the King of the South Street Bullies, Adelaide trades that life for a new one amidst glittering ballrooms and evil minded peers. Using her knowledge from the streets of Lambeth, she hides in plain sight while collecting secrets for use in the service of the Hell’s Belles. When she stumbles across Henry, the Duke of Clayborn, during an escapade, they find themselves thrown together chasing a runaway couple. Clayborn is naturally wary of Adelaide - he knows that she is after his secrets. But is she after his heart as well?

Quick and enjoyable read - I find myself thoroughly entertained by the ladies of Hell’s Belles and I look forward to finding out more about this group. The romance and sexual tension is vivid between Adelaide and Clayborn and it was hard to put down!

Now this is a modern historical romance!

Sarah MacLean’s latest is (for us anyway) a love letter to many classic tropes while at the same time telling a new and exciting story.

Adelaide and Clayton are from two different worlds, brought together in adventure by the power of her father and the father of his brother’s true love.

The tropes you ask? The carriage ride and race bring to mind classic drives north to Scotland in Lisa Kleypas and her fan fave Devil in Winter (Sebastian!), Harper St. George and her epic kidnapping in The Lady Temps an Heir, and Tessa Dare and her Spindle Cove classic, A Week to be Wicked. We also have forced proximity because of course there’s eventually just one carriage and only one room at the inn! There’s class disparity, god awful parents (even if they have a few redeeming qualities), assumptions gone wrong, pining, and a group of friends you’re all going to want to be a part of.

The new? Well there’s lots of it. Since the book isn’t out for another two months we’re going to hold back on the spoilers. What we will tell you is that the sex is HOT, the consent is complete, and bodily autonomy is front and center. In what may be MacLean’s best sex scene yet the attention is all on the heroine and everything is her choice. It’s a pages long examination of respect and care.

A particularly timely (given the hellscape this country is at the moment) discussion goes as follows: “‘It’s not the politics but the politicians.’ He nodded. ‘You do not think we can make change.’ ‘I think large groups of powerful men have little reason to make change.’”

Plus, the adventure is epic and so fun! There’s also an amazing scene in which Adelaide unlocks a puzzle box, while really unlocking Henry and his love for her ❤️❤️

We love this latest addition to the MacLeaniverse (yes, you get glimpses of some old favorites 😀). If you like hot consensual sex, strong women fighting the patriarchy, uptight men who turn out not to be, and love stories, this book is right up your alley! We can’t wait to hear what you think!

I love a heroine with spectacles! Sarah MacLean’s is a must read for me and I rewarded myself with this book for getting my TBR pile under control. This is the second in the Hell’s Belles series. It can be read as a stand alone but it is much more fun as a series. And the other leading ladies are very much a part of this adventure. MacLean characters are well drawn and her plots are more detailed than typical Regency romances. I love that she details her research and inspirations at the end of her books.

Adelaide Frampton grows up rough as a pick pocket with a father who runs the underworld. She is rescued and is friends with four women that make up the Belles. They are in polite society, as the others are titled, but they have a separate mission. Together they discretely protect young women from unwanted matrimony. Adelaide is 26 and content to be a wall-flower, not planning to wed she's happy with her life plans.

Adelaide’s next mission is to stop a couple from eloping. She actually doesn’t care if they elope she is trying to protect the daughter from her corrupt father. The grooms brother is Henry the Duke of Clayborn. Henry feels responsible for his younger brother and decides to make a mad dash to follow the couple as well. Henry and Adelaide have crossed paths recently and he is transfixed by her. The race is fun and allows for them to spend time together.

MacLean’s heroines have a modern feel which I embrace. You get Henry’s thoughts and his pining for Adelaide is wonderful. His commitment to her is fierce even though they’ve only known each other a short time. Most of the book is spent away from society which fits Adelaide’s character as she is only welcome as a distant cousin of a duchess. This is delightful, steamy and full or strong women. It starts off slowly getting all of the action underway but it turns into a rip roaring fun adventure. Please put me on the list for Lady Imogen’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
(4.5 stars)

This book was so swoon worthy and fun! Equal parts historical romance and action packed heist- this book features a strong female lead who is also a theif extraordinaire. Great characters, well written and engaging. This book was a good time.

When Adelaide Frampton's path crosses with Henry (my FAVORITE historical name) Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn's, sparks fly faster than if Lady Imogen made the explosives. I love when the romance itself is what causes my heart to bottom out. Adelaide is a true warrior heroine who finds love with a person who wants to not only change her, but assist her in her fights (figuratively and literally).

Every single time I read a Sarah MacLean novel, it becomes my new favorite and I cannot speak to anyone for about a half hour after I am done because I'm just wandering my house in awe because she just does it again and again. The way she weaves together all of these characters and feminist ideals in such a beautiful way, just blows my mind.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC, I have now read every Sarah Maclean. Tto say she is one of my favorite authors would be an understatement. Her character development and the way her books connect and show such STRONG women make her books great reads.
This is the second Hells Bells and Adelaide and Henry are such terrific characters, each with deep secrets. They "meet cute" when Adelaide, a thief exemplar, and Henry, the Duke of Clayborne are caught in the office of the King of thieves, both wanting to steal something. From there the chase is on!!
And what a chase it turns out to be. Their banter is adorable and well written.
I could not put this book down, reading on my phone in the car even as it made me car sick. I needed to get to the end!! I was well rewarded . I highly recommend this book.

The second installment in the Hell's Belles series is an great combination of adventure and romance. Adelaide and the duke are both complex, well-drawn characters, more complicated than the usual Regency hero and heroine. The romance is still steamy and fun, though, and I look forward to reading Imogen's story next. (I hope!).

Hi I love everything about the Hell's Belles series, Sarah MacLean can do no wrong.

Adelaide and Henry's relationship is so romantic, and the book was a non-stop page turner. Henry was supposedly a grumpy, dull duke but he wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to Adelaide and I am HERE for it.

"What, you don't have remarkable fruit on the family tree?"
He watched her for a moment, and then said, "None so remarkable as you."

I mean, swoon.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review,

4.5/5

Heartbreaker marks the return of The Hell's Belles, caught up in a dangerous plot involving an eloping couple, and the vengeful family left behind. Matchbreaker Adelaide Frampton is on the hunt, and armed with the indifferent Duke of Clayborn, will embark on a cross-country chase entangled with highwaymen, inns, and the treacherous secrets of her past. Although it took me several chapters to fully immerse myself in this, Heartbreaker is an excellent follow-up to Bombshell, the first book in the series. Side character's delight, and angst takes the center stage in classic MacLean format. Honestly, Henry and Adelaide completely outsold in every single way. With the added Thomas Imogen tease chapter, I cannot wait to see where the series continues. Heartbreaker pulls all the stops, and Sarah Maclean has once again delivered an impeccable romance full of wit, charm, and staggering adventure.

My review is up on my Goodreads as of 6/27/22