Adelaide Trumbull alias Frampton was born in the filth of Lambeth, daughter of one of London’s gang leaders. She was recruited into another, more secret gang, however, the Hell’s Belles, dedicated to undoing the myriad wrongs committed by powerful men. She hides in plain sight as a poor relation, a wallflower no one notices while she steals the information that helps the Belles bring them down. Their latest case is a young woman who has witnessed a murder, and she and the other Belles have vowed to keep her safe until she can testify to what she’s seen.

Henry Carrington, Duke of Clayborn is a man with one enormous secret and unflinching morality. He runs afoul of Adelaide as he attempts to retrieve property stolen by her father, which she, herself, takes instead. Along with the information she had come for. But he’s been noticing the wallflower for some time. And when she impulsively kisses him after he gives chase to retrieve his stolen property, he won’t stop until he gets her to see him as well.

It turns out the young woman Adelaide is protecting is the sweetheart of Henry’s younger brother, Jack, and the two of them embark on a race to find the couple, who have eloped to Scotland. Their competition quickly turns to allyship when men hired by the murderer threaten the young woman under Adelaide’s protection and Henry’s brother.

This book starts with a bang and doesn’t let up for a minute until the end. It’s loaded with plot and a heartfelt romance between two extraordinary people who both find themselves unworthy but the other person exceptional. It’s exciting. There’s a bit of a mystery. And you really like the characters. The entire thing is great fun from beginning to end. You should read it and I won’t put much more in here to spoil the ride. I will rec this to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.

Tropes/Themes:
-MF historical romance
-Frenemies to lovers
-Road trip
-Forced proximity / only one bed
-Caretaking / nurse back to health
-Light mafia princess vibes
-Feminist backdrop
-2nd book in a standalone series

This was so SO good!!! I’m a huge fan of Sarah MacLean, but to be honest I was a little skeptical going into this one after not loving book one in the series. This story follows Adelaide (the next members of the badass feminist Helles Belles group and former Mafia princess) and Henry (Duke of Clayborn). Hands down, Henry is one of my new favorite book boyfriends. I loved how he completely worshipped the ground Adelaide walked on and would do absolutely anything to keep her in his life. He was desperately pining for her from the moment they first met and wasn’t afraid to let her know it. I also really liked that he respected and was infatuated with the fact that she was so strong, fierce, and independent. There were moments when he wanted to protect her and keep her safe but only because he wanted to, not because she couldn’t protect herself. No fragile masculinity here!! I also loved how he would be horrified anytime that Adelaide did or said anything that indicated she felt anything less than perfect. He just couldn’t wrap his head around the idea of everyone not immediately seeing her appeal and worth. The banter and chemistry between Adelaide and Henry was OFF THE CHARTS. After their first interaction at the very start of the book, I was immediately invested in their relationship and needed to see where things went. The icing on the cake was the top tier caretaking scene in the middle of the book after Henry gets injured during an altercation. I ended up rating this 4 and not 5 stars solely because the pacing in the middle of the book dipped a little bit for me, but the beginning and ending more than made up for it. This installment just really really worked for me, and I can now confidently say I can’t wait to continue on in the series.

Story: 4/5
Audiobook: 5/5
Length 12h 16min

Digging this series and author, but I did have a harder time getting into this second title compared to the first but to be honest, I think that reflects more on my stress level lately than the book. I want to reread when I'm more relaxed. Would definitely still recommend for fans of historical romance - and even those who aren't as familiar with the genre. This series is a good entry into historical.

HOT HOT HOT HOT.
This book was the perfect definition of it. I love these two main characters so much, especially Adelaide. She’s so relatable, sassy and feisty.. and there’s no wonder she had the duke wrapped up into her lil pinky finger lol. I am so pumped, and can’t wait enough to read the next instalment already.

The second in the series and I loved this one as much as the first in the Hell's Belles series. This one is quite a spicey romance but it suits the main characters. Get ready for a hot and feisty romance! Highly recommend!

First thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager books for an e-arc of Heartbreaker!

Well... I loved it! I'm a sucker for a well done historical romance - especially ones like this series and Sarah MacLean has done it again! Adelaide is scrappy and doesn't need anyone, except for her close group of ladies who know many of the tons darkest secrets, which they use to bring down the worst of the aristocracy.

She has crossed paths with the Duke of Clayborn before and didn't care for it. So what makes her change her tune? Well you'll have to read to find out! Just kidding, if you've read any historical romance you can probably guess what happens. Look I don't read historical romance for giant plot twists, and sometimes they are predictable, but I'm totally ok with that. Like we all know where the end leads... to a HEA and that's what I'm here for! I loved getting to know a little more of the Hell's Belles in this book and I'll be impatiently waiting for the next one to drop as well so I can see Imogen fluster Detective Peck even more.

If you like historical romance with a crew of wonderful women taking down the evil that lurks in society - then you'll want to read this! Adelaide and Henry were an absolute delight!

Always a joy to read MacLean books and this was no exception. Lots of fun mischief and playful fighting between the two MCs. This was actully spicier and more graphic than most historical romances. Great story and plot! Would love to read more Hell's Bellea stories!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book and the series. I recommend Sarah MacLean to anyone and this book had me invested from page one. Adelaide and Clayborn may be my new favorites from this series...I'll just have to do a re-read of all of them to confirm.

If you haven't started this series yet, definitely fix that and quickly. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and truly anything else MacLean wants to publish.

This is an interesting romance. The heroine is different than your typical heroine. I loved the banter between the two characters. However, the pacing of the book was a little strange. The book started out fast paced, but about halfway in it started to drag. In the end I liked Clayborn more than Adelaide. If you're a fan of McClean writing, you should love this book!

I really enjoyed Heartbreaker by Sarah Maclean. Heartbreaker is the 2nd book in her Hell's Belle's series, following Adelaide and Clayborn's love story. I enjoyed the angst and chase, I tend to lose interest when the characters fall for each other but Heartbreaker kept my interest the entire time. I really loved Adelaide and Clayborn's banter. Clayborn was a favorite for sure. Looking forward to book 3!

Rating: 4.5/5*

Adelaide is the Princess of Thieves turned Mayfair wallflower; she’s made a career out of going unnoticed—until Henry, duke of Clayborn.

This book is everything I could’ve hoped for in a historical romance! Heartbreaker is my first Sarah MacLean book, and I can absolutely see why she comes so highly recommended within the genre. There’s steam and intrigue, adventure and romance, with fun characters, a strong heroine, and a dreamy hero. Honestly, I was shocked by how much I enjoyed this book.

Something I really loved was the way the author twists some of the standard HR tropes. Henry is protective and possessive, a knight in shining armor, without it ever compromising Addie’s own strength. She’s someone who can take care of herself, and Henry recognizes this even if he pushes back against it. It’s not a story about Addie learning to let someone else protect her, but a story about her realizing she doesn’t have to face the world alone.

This would be a solid five stars, if it weren’t for some parts towards the middle and start of the third act that felt a bit slow and repetitive. Regardless, I definitely highly recommend this for anyone who likes the historical romance genre or wants to get into it, and I will absolutely be reading more Sarah MacLean!

Too long...I liked the characters and love a road trip trope, but some scenes needed to be cut by a couple of pages to avoid repetition and convoluted emoting that felt too dramatic for the level headed hero and heroine. Maybe I would have enjoyed the audio more.

I've received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon. Thank you Netgalley and Avon.

So full disclosure I didn't read the first book but I had to go back and read it after reading this book.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Adelaide is not your typical debutante she was admitted into society and has no true notion of getting married or swept away. Adelaide has a secret and she is good at getting material to hold the bad men of London accountable for their actions. Working with a band of women, Adelaide works on saving the women of London from bad fates.

This is a story I recommend any Julia Quinn reader. You will love this story.


A story filled with mystery, adventure, swoon worthy love

Adelaide Frampton is many things - a cutpurse, a stealer of secrets, a society darling, a princess of thieves, a Hell's Belle - but she certainly isn't the type to go kissing men along the Thames as she tries to outrun her father's henchmen. And she certainly isn't the type to enjoy said kiss and lose her heart to a man who should make her blood boil in anger and not...whatever it is that she is feeling.

Henry, Duke of Clayborn is an upstanding member of Parliament. An upstanding man within a corrupt House of Lords who is fighting to make the world a better place. He certainly isn't the type to risk scandal by falling for the impetuous, infuriating, and utterly beguiling Ms Frampton...or is he?

Hearbreaker, the second in the Hell's Belles series, is yet more proof that we should all bow at Sarah MacLean's feet. Maclean writes strong women who buck the societal system from within and I cannot get enough of it! The characters are well thought out, each one bringing a unique personality and history to the mix. The chemistry between the leads is electrifying and the sexy times are *chef's kiss* perfection!

Sarah MacLean does it again. I still don't know how I feel about this new series, having Bareknuckle Bastards being my favorite, I was excited to see MacLean go down a more "edger" path with her characters. Heartbreaker was good, a little meh at some points but overall I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the rest of the girls!

THE HEROINE
Adelaide Frampton was born in the East End London and raised by her father, the King of the Bully Boys. She was raised to pick pocket and that she was simply a monetary commodity to her fathers empire. When she is forced to marry a horrible man to forge an alliance with another gang, chaos breaks out and she is saved by the Duchess and brought into the Hell's Belles.


THE HERO
Henry, Duke of Clayborn is an upstanding Duke and a outspoken advocate for those without a voice, mainly women and children. But he has a secret that he will take to the grave and which forces him to live alone, never to marry, so he does everything he can to ensure his younger brothers future and him producing the next heir to the dukedom.

THE PLOT

Henry and Addie have been watching each other across ballrooms in Mayfair for years before their paths cross while stealing from Addies father. Thus ensues a chaotic race and a connection they never expected. I really don’t want to say much more about the plot or even the characters because this is the type of story that has so many twists and turns. To say something maybe saying to much!

But, READ THIS BOOK! I thoroughly enjoyed the first in the series, but, good heavens, this one is even better! I drowned myself in their story and finished it in less than 24 hours! I just couldn’t put it down! I think I like the plot where the heroine doesn’t need protection, in fact insists on it, but the hero refuses to NOT protect her! That forced tug of war and the heroine finally allowing someone to take care of her (usually for the first time ever), is pure magic!

TROPES
Dresses as Male Heroine, independent heroine, knife wielding heroine, Class Difference, Gamma Hero, titled hero, pugilist/fighter hero, Cinderella trope, enemies to lovers. East End London, damaged/tortured hero, damaged/tortured heroine, experienced heroine, unworthy heroine, aggressive heroine, criminal heroine, Five Star, Three Flame

I'd read this one last month and I loved it so much!❣️ I've always loved her HR books so it wasn't a surprise that I enjoyed this one as well, but I did end up loving Henry more than I thought I would(idk why I thought he was going to be a bit boring, but he was anything but that lol😂).⁣
⁣
Adelaide might be invisible in the eyes of the ton, but she hides many secrets beneath her plain facade. She's a thief, the Matchbreaker and a part of the Hell's Belles😆. Unexpectedly, Henry - the Duke of Clayborn, has always noticed her and a run-in while she steals certain things has him discovering her other abilities too, just as she takes away a box that belongs to him. 🤣⁣
It doesn't stop there. Adelaide as the Matchbreaker is hired to investigate Henry's brother who ends up eloping with Lady Helene. And they need to track them to ensure their safety - though, Adelaide has her own reasons for doing this. So, it makes for a fun road trip romance as these two also try to unravel each other's secrets!⁣
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I loved how these two were so into each other from the start! And mixed in with the banter and games as they tried to figure out each other's secrets - it was really good! Adelaide was so talented and strong while Henry has so much more to him, though he might appear stuffy from the outside. He saw her for who she is and is head over heels for her. And don't get me started on the steam 🔥 Some of the best! 'Good girl' was all that I needed 😇⁣
The camaraderie between Adelaide and her group of friends was amazing(reminded me of the Bareknuckle Bastards!). The next one is going to be Imogen's story which I'm so excited for! At the same time, I'm very very curious about the Duchess. I have a feeling there's a huge backstory there. 😆⁣

*I was provided with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I love love love Sarah MacLean. This series takes place away from London society which I like. The story is inventive and took turns I didn't expect. I felt invested in the characters' relationship. The adventure doesn't take a backset when the romance develops. I can't wait for book three.

Nobody writes bold women like Sarah MacLean, and Adelaide is no acception. If you're looking for developed, interesting characters that have a real story to tell, you must pick up this Book. Adelaide and Henry both have their own secrets their pasts catch up with them in ways that entangle their present. The question is, do they want to keep it that way.

HEARTBREAKER is the second in the Hell's Belle's series by Sarah MacLean. The story managed to be sweet and tender while also injecting some action. The banter and chemistry between Henry and Adelaide was spot on, and overall this was just such a lovely story. It also gave us a peek at the next book and I can tell that Imogen is going to be such a fun heroine.

One small pet-peeve I have (which did not impact my overall enjoyment or rating) is that the heroine is frequently described as having spectacles, yet the cover model is shown without glasses.

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars