I LOVED this book. The introduction immediately grabbed my interest, and I did not want to put this book down until I have finished the entire story. I really appreciated the deliberate choices that Sarah MacLean has made in staying true to the historical period while still fleshing out the quartet of women with such vibrant detail. Their wants and need in their lives and in society felt very timely while also appropriate for the setting. The chemistry between the Adelaide and Henry was scorching while also heartwarming. I would highly recommend this book to romance readers who enjoy a story with added substance.

The Hell’s Belles series is swoony, action-packed, and just so much damn fun. The Belles themselves have a wonderful found family vibe, and I love when my historical fiction has an abundance of brash women who fight back against an oppressive society. A group of women silently and skillfully taking down the powerful men who have wronged so many? Take my money now.

Adelaide fascinated me as the group’s resident pickpocket in the previous novel, Bombshell, and she completely captured me as a lead. She’s quietly bold, willful, stubborn, and brave, and I loved watching her come to terms with the idea that even when she assumed she was invisible, Henry noticed everything about her. Women in fiction rarely get to be the scrappy character, but Maclean has created a female thief with a heart of gold and a strong moral compass, who uses her skills for good. And I loved Adelaide so much for it.

For his part, Henry doesn’t jump off the page the same way, but it felt intentional. Where Adelaide is constant action, Henry is the steady, dependable heartbeat of the novel. Adelaide constantly notes just how good he is, and she’s not wrong. He staid and serious, and he needs Adelaide to push him out of his comfort zone. Much like with her heroine, Maclean flips the gender norm and creates a lovely, compassionate, well-behaved man who needs a hellion to shake his foundations.

And he gets extra points for actually having a plausible reason for insisting he’ll never marry and have children. That’s so rare in a romance novel.

Was the book perfect? No. Was my reading experience perfect? Pretty darn close. This book took the series to another level. I loved it, both the leads completely wormed their way into my heart, and I can’t wait to read Imogen’s book next.

Sarah MacLean has done it again with Heartbreaker. And by done it again, I mean, written a completely swoon worthy romance that kept me engaged from page one. I love the Hell’s Belles and Adelaide’s story was an absolute delight. I loved how smart and capable Adelaide was and the way the relationship she has with her past melds with her present.

MacLean is such a good writer and I think the strength in this book comes from the romance (unsurprisingly of course). Every moment Adelaide and Henry (the Duke of Clayborn) share on the page sizzles with chemistry and heat and the dialogue in this book is some of the most romantic, beautiful prose I’ve ever read. Like…total swoon. Henry is adorable and I feel like I read a lot of books with very over protective men in them and this is no different. However, Adelaide is just as feral over Henry and the way the two of them battle over who gets to save the other one is wonderful.

The story plays out as a race across the country as Adelaide and Henry are after the same goal with different motivations. I found myself rooting for both of them but also rooting for them to kiss, like, all the time. Adelaide thinks no one notices her but Henry has, even before the events of this book. There’s just something so delectable about one person seeing the other person for who they are at their core, through the good and bad.

I’m so excited for Imogen’s book. The set up was so good.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heartbreaker is the latest book by author Sarah MacLean. It is the story of Adelaide Trumbull, a girl who was rescued from her life of crime by the Duchess of Trevescan and she is transported to Mayfair where she becomes a part of a secretive group of women who use their various skills to right the wrongs done by the rich and powerful men of the Ton. Adelaide meets Henry Carrington, the duke of Clayborn when they both break into her father's warehouse. Soon after, they are on a race to follow Henry's brother and fiance to prevent their elopement. As they travel to Scotland, challenging each other as to who will reach the betrothed couple first, they encounter many difficulties along their journey. The story is exciting, romantic and adventurous

I received the book as an ARC from NetGalley. I am voluntarily leaving a review

Heartbreaker is the second book in Sarah MacLean's Hell's Belles series. I haven't read book one yet, but I wanted to go ahead with this one because I have loved everything I've ever read by Ms. MacLean. It stands alone perfectly fine, but now I'm jonesing to read book one! I adored all the Belles who made an appearance here, and I want to learn more about the couple in the first volume. If you love your steamy romance with a side of action, this series is one for you.

As the daughter of the leader of The Bully Boys gang, Adelaide Frampton grew up on the streets and honed her craft as a cutpurse. An intervention by The Duchess lands Adelaide among the upper crust in Mayfair, disguised as a wallflower. However, she's actually the Matchbreaker, and uses her skills as a pickpocket to steal the secrets of bad men to help their intended avoid getting married. Henry Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn, has an excellent reputation, and he intends to keep it that way; he cannot afford for his own secret to get out. But after a run-in with Adelaide as he attempts to retrieve an item stolen from him, he ends up racing across the country with her, attempting to stop a marriage. Being from different worlds doesn't stop the heat between total opposites, however!

This historical romance had it all: A road trip, opposites attract, humor, tears, and more heat than Southwest Georgia in mid-August! Both leads were captivating, especially Henry. (More on him in a bit!) Adelaide had a horrid childhood growing up as the daughter of a gang leader. She wasn't treated as a beloved daughter; no, she was expected to earn her keep and marry someone who would consolidate power with her father. Luckily she escaped the parson's noose with the help of The Duchess, and now she helps other brides-to-be avoid horrible matches. She is a member of "Hell's Belle's", a group of women determined to right the wrongs done to women and children. Then there's Henry. ~Sigh~ Henry is my newest book boyfriend! He spent his life attempting to do everything right; in Parliament he fights against cruelty to children and he takes care of his trouble-prone younger brother. He has his own secrets, however, and runs into Adelaide when he attempts to retrieve his stolen property. The attraction between the two is combustible. Henry cannot believe that Adelaide considers herself a wallflower, as he has always noticed her in ballrooms. That made me love him right off the bat. Adelaide can totally take care of herself; the knife strapped to her thigh is proof of that. Yet Henry does everything he can to protect her, no matter the danger in which he places himself. He was beyond romantic, and he simply made my heart melt. The bantering between Adelaide and Henry was amusing and made me smile. The heat between them, however, just about caused my Kindle to overheat! The love scenes weren't smutty, however; they were explicit but also quite emotional. I loved the appearance of the other Hell's Belles, especially Lady Imogen and her explosives and other tools she has at her disposal. Her book is next, and I simply hate that I have to wait a year to read it!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I can't say enough to express how much I loved Heartbreaker by Sarah Maclean. A five star, home-run read that will pick you up out of any reading slump. From the first page we are thrown into action with Adelaide Frampton from Hell's Bells and Henry, Duke of Clayborn. Immediately competing, immediately romantic and faced with only one carriage, only one room, only one bed and only one chair. I loved so many of my favorite tropes in this novel... and some are my favorite because Maclean wrote them. This is the most delightful historical romance of the year that will fill you with humor, warmth and passion. Can't wait for more in the Hell's Bells series!

Thanks to #Netgalley #AVON #HARPERVOYAGER for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

Listen, I loved this second book in the Hell's Belles series! I loved our lovestruck hero, I loved our independent and sassy cutpurse-turned-lady heroine, and I loved their race through the countryside to Gretna Green. Did I feel like there was a little too much standing around at the very end of the book, when I expected a little more action? Yes. But it was so good. I cackled out loud so many times. Well worth a read if this is your genre of choice. This whole series is *chef's kiss* and I ABSOLUTELY cannot wait for Tommy and everyone's favorite chemist.

This was an interesting read. I will admit that I have not read the first book in this series, so I think I would enjoy this more if I had read the previous book in the series. I enjoyed the women that are a part of this gang and I really enjoy that they represent fierce women in there time period. Once you reach the midpoint the pacing was a little off, which made the story less appealing. I loved the couple and the situations that they were in, and overall it was a fun read. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book made my heart grow two whole sizes. I also have a marriage proposal out to the Duke of Clayborn so we’ll see how that goes 😉 On a serious note, I really loved this book. Sarah MacLean’s writing has such a magical quality to it. You can tell she pours lots of love into her characters because you fall in love with them too.

Case in point, Adelaide. She’s badass, the best pickpocket in London, and part of the coolest girl gang in historical romance. But more than that, she’s a woman who is as uncertain about her place in the world as she is amazing at being invisible. Her struggle to see herself for more than her upbringing hit me so hard. My heart truly broke for her. We all know what it’s like to feel unsure of ourselves and I couldn’t help but put myself in her shoes. Thank god for her amazing group of friends and all-around good guy Henry Carrignton, Duke of Clayborn.

Henry Henry Henry (since I do have that proposal out there with him I do feel entitled to call him by his given name 😉) Henry is dreamy and is the cherry on top of this story that’s packed full of women supporting women and Adelaide’s personal triumphs — he truly sees Adelaide for all of her worth. His love, his words, and his actions are almost entirely pure and sweet and supportive from the beginning of the book. While I love me a villain hero…I’m making some room for this very good boy.

Henry and Adelaide are all banter and fireworks from the get go and I loved how their journey evolved. They truly grew together as a couple and their support for each other was just as hot as their love making.

I just enjoyed this book so much and I can’t wait for Imogen’s book — it’s going to be explosive 😜 Also, is it just me or does this entire series give Mad Woman by Taylor Swift vibes? Because I am beyond here for it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the e-ARC!

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of Sarah MacLean. She is one of those must purchase authors for me. This is the second book in the Hell's Belles series. This book featured Adelaide Frampton, former notorious criminal, now quiet/observant wallflower and perfectionist Henry, Duke of Clayborn. This was an entertaining romp through Britain. The pair team up to stop a wedding. The book features steamy love scenes and fantastic dialogue. The only problem with receiving an ARC of the book is having even longer to wait for the next book in the series.

I highly recommend this book and any book by Sarah MacLean.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review of the material.

Sarah MacLean does it again! I really enjoyed this thrilling tale of Addie and Henry. From the rough part of London to MayFair is a rousing adventure filled with some brawling, street fighting and a romance…

I tried sooooooo hard to like this book. Sarah Maclean is almost solely responsible for my love of historical romance. I adore that all of her series are interconnected. But I just could not get into this one. I didn't care about the characters or what was going on. I don't think there was anything wrong with the story per se, I just don't think I was in the mood for it. At all. Like, I literally don't remember any details after reading it because I was just so uninterested. This is one that I am going to have to come back to and reread at another time because I think it deserves a second chance.

When I read Bombshell, I thought it would be my favorite historical romance ever. Then I read Heartbreaker and I think I’ll just have to crown this series as my favorite. Henry, Duke of Clayborn, and Adelaide Frampton, famed pickpocket and keeper of secrets, are the swooniest couple in recent memory.

This book hit some of my favorite chords in romance novels including hilarious road trip hijinks, the *best* sick bed/care taking scene, and some serious steam. The chemistry between Henry and Addie is off the charts. He worships her from the beginning and doesn’t sway for even one minute. We also get to spend time with the Helles Belles, which is always a blast.

Content warnings: Memories of dead parents, Addie’s father is a gang leader so there are a few violent scenes.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Sarah MacLean does it again! Heartbreaker was everything I hoped that it would be and more. This is the second book in the Hell’s Belles series and finds Adelaide and the Duke of Clayborn attempting to rob Adelaide’s father on the same night and narrowly escaping capture. The two are then sent on a race to the north following Clayborn’s brother who is eloping. The pair have each always found the other fascinating but all their encounters lead to verbal sparring. While on their journey their attraction cannot be denied especially when it's a matter of life and death.

I adored both Adelaide and Clayborn. I loved that Clayborn saw Adelaide when she was invisible. I loved that Adelaide was constantly running circles around the Duke and two steps ahead of him and he loved her for it. I loved that neither cared where the other came from. I loved that the two were constantly defending each other to the world while still sparring with the other. I just loved everything about them.

I love Sarah’s way of writing complicated and deeply feminist characters in a world that is trying its best to tear women apart. A couple of my favorite quotes were, “I think you’ll find it takes more than the collective opinion of mediocre men to upset me…” and “You should not underestimate the power of woman’s fury, Duke.” While I’m of the strong opinion that Romance is by definition feminist, there is just something so empowering in having heroines who know their worth and are actively fighting for the betterment of their place in society. I don’t have the words to properly explain how much I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I give Heartbreaker 4/5 stars.

Heartbreaker is my first Sarah MacLean book, and I have to say I was satisfied. The chemistry was on fire, and the action moved the plot along at a good pace. While you did have to suspend belief that society worked the way it did in the book.Heartbreaker was a fun read and well worth the time.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an ARC to review.

McLean knocked it out pf the park with Heartbreaker!
This book was fantastic from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down.
I loved that Adelaide was a princess of thieves. It made her story so exciting, fun and different.
This books is filled with non-stop action too. There's adventure, highwaywomen, crashes, puzzle boxes, secret letters and secret identities. In addition to the adventure, we also get much beloved tropes of forced proximity, only one bed, caretaking/nursing back to health (both hero & heroine!) and the hero falling first.
The relationship's foundation is Henry and Adelaide spending a lot of time together and boy do they! It made their intimate moments that much more delicious.
The Hell's Belles series has been so much fun that I can't wait to read the next one.

Do I love historical romance? I didn’t think so until Sarah Maclean and the Hell’s Belles entered my orbit. Heartbreaker is lush in its descriptions, action packed, and Adelaide and her Duke bring plenty of spice and swoon to the story. 4.5 stars! Thanks to HarperCollins/ Avon for my gifted ARC!

This book is SO MUCH FUN! Adelaide is a legend to the women of London. To the upper crust of Mayfair, she's the anonymous Matchbreaker, who investigates marriage prospects on behalf of women and their families and then (as you can guess) spoils the engagement, one way or another. For the criminal class, she's the crime princess who got away. They don't know exactly where she is or what she's doing, but they know she's not used as a pawn in her kingpin father's games any longer.

The book is action-packed, starting with a chase through the slums of London (Adelaide is both hindered and aided by a "mysterious" man she recognizes immediately, the Duke of Clayborn) that ends with a kiss. Almost immediately after, Adelaide and Henry are off on another chase that soon turns into a road trip romance, complete with only one bed, highwaymen, and a dash of hurt/comfort.

This is totally a romance, but it comes with a side of found family, women helping women, and a touch of mafia royalty. It's a fun ride that will hit every button for the right reader.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I really enjoyed this book about Adelaide and Henry. Adelaide is part of a group of friends that protect women from undesirable marriages. She pretends to be a quiet wallflower while scanning ballrooms looking to save women from marriages with the wrong man. She ends up following a couple because they are in danger. Henry, Duke of Clayborn follows along as he would like to stop the wedding as well. They begin a madcap journey across Britain where they are thrown together. Adelaide believes this uptight Duke, who tried to live a life of perfection, would even look at her as she was raised among notorious criminals. As they travel together and realize feelings are growing, they have to come clean with secrets and feelings they have for each other. I will be reading the rest of the Hells Belles books as I enjoyed this very much and Sarah MacLeans writing is spot on. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Avon. All opinions are my own. Thank you

The Matchmaker—“How could anyone fail to notice her?”

From the depths of London’s South Bank to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Adelaide Trumbull has become a woman wth a mission. Daughter of the leader of the cutthroat gang, the Bully Boys, with tentacles throughout London, the ‘Princess of Thieves’ becomes Adelaide Frampton, invisible cousin and secretary to the Duchess of Trevescan.
She belongs to a group of women who are dedicated to helping others in situations of abuse, standing against lords who tyrannize their families, employ child labourers, everything, the worst of the worst a… “mysterious quartet of women who meted out justice to men who were too powerful for regular channels.”
Currently they’re trying to protect a young woman who witnessed her father murdering another Lord.
Adelaide is known as The Matchmaker. She compiles files on persons of interest for the group.
This time her plans are disturbed by Henry Carrington, the Duke of Clayborn, a man who really sees her, when others’ eyes pass her by. A man with his own secrets, secrets she’s about to uncover, even as she races against time to rescue Lady Helene, daughter of the Marquess of Havistock and it seems, Clayborn’s brother, Jack.
There’s definitely sizzling situations and heated moments as these two jostle for supremacy, but when they’re together, having to face down a common enemy, all that changes!
A wild read that just keeps on getting wilder!

An Avon and Harper Voyager ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)