The long-awaited story of secret munitions expert Imogen and the put-upon detective Thomas who has to clean up her literal and figurative messes. Poor Thomas is hired/coerced by Imogen's family into keeping an eye on the infuriating lady. If only their chemistry weren't also explosive.

This was a lot of fun. All of the Hell's Belles are delightfully unhinged, but for a good cause.

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

This is actually my favorite of the series (so far????). I love Imogen and Tommy together and separately, which is the only way I can enjoy a book. Tommy was a good man and Imogen was SO COOL. Them together was a delightful romp. I can't wait for the next one!

The way that I went absolutely feral over this book and I did not expect to. I thought it was just going to be your average historical romance, but nope, it made my brain explode. The chemistry between Imogen and Tommy was top tier, I loved the mystery of it all even if it was predictable, and I always love the FMC of a historical getting shit done.

I absolutely loved reading this book.
I've read several of sarah macleans books before, and enjoyed them immensely, and this was no different.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romances.

This is book 3 of the Hell's Belles series, which includes a group of women who are trying to solve mysteries around London. In this book, Imogen is an explosives expert who in trying to help a group of women, ends up spending lots of time with a police inspector, Thomas Peck.

Thomas gets Imogen's father to have him protect her until she gets married (she tells her father she finally wants to get married in order to figure out who might be the culprit) so while Imogen is out investigating, Thomas is following her around London.

Though I've read many Sarah MacLean books and enjoyed all of them save for one, I just never got into this storyline.

I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.

I found Knockout to be quite enjoyable, but with this novel, I'm starting to feel as if MacLean's 21st century politics are taking over the books a little too much. I share her viewpoints, but it's starting to feel inauthentic to the period and a little distracting, where the Hell's Belles share all the same priorities as her 21st century feminist readers. I would love to see a bit more of the ways that these concerns were situated in the Victorian era, rather than the neat transposition that took place in this book.

I think this problem was made worse by the fact that the tension between Imogen and Tommy often felt perfunctory. We know these two are going to end up together, but it was always SO evident as to lessen the novel's stakes.

I have really enjoyed this series, as well as the rest of MacLean's work, and I know she's written about having trouble writing Knockout in particular. I'm looking forward to the next novel, particularly after the cliffhanger in the epilogue!

"Knockout" by Sarah MacLean is the third in her Hell's Belles series. I was so-so on the first and LOVED the second. The bits we'd gotten of Imogen in the previous two had me really eager to learn more about her and see her story. I think "Knockout" had the perfect storm of things working against it, as far as my enjoyment went. It was the first book I picked up after giving birth to my daughter so I was definitely still in a bit of a brain fog and looking for a bit of mental escape. I also had been really looking forward to it on its own merit, so I think my hopes were just a bit high and I was left feeling a bit disappointed.

However, there were definitely some fun elements and I remain a big fan of MacLean's stories. I'm very eagerly awaiting news on Duchess' book!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had been waiting for these two to get together, and it was so satisfying when they finally did. I absolutely loved Imogen’s character, but Tommy didn’t reach his full potential for me. I still adored their story and can’t wait for more by this author.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Well this was just an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT! I love Sarah MacLean and though this is the 3rd book in her Hell's Belles series, it was my first. I must say I cannot wait to read the rest.

We've got a bold and funny heroine who is obsessed with explosives and uses that passion to contribute to a group of vigilante ladies, solving crimes all around London. And even though our hero is a cop/detective, he's gruff and protective and matches the chaos of Lady Imogen really well.

If you are looking for an adventurous romance with explosions, both in the bedroom and out of it, I highly highly recommend picking up Knockout!

I always feel conflicted about historical fiction that also has a mystery component. Mainly because I’m here for the romance and vibes, not to solve a case lol.

I accidentally started in the middle of this series but it didn’t matter! I was here for all the Hell’s Belles and will go back for the other ladies’ stories.

Give me all the sassy STEM women!!

Imogen and Tommy might be my favorite couple of this whole series! I loved the dynamic between the couple but also watching their relationships with the rest of the Bells and their partners was great. The plot was fun and interesting enough to keep the story moving when the relationship would hit plateaus. Loved this!

First things first, I AM NOT A HISTORICAL FICTION ROMANCE GIRLIE. I loooove romance, I love fiction... but historical genres... not so much.

BUT whatever Sarah MacLean put into this Hell's Belles series - I am eating it UP!

Every single one of these books I am cackling out loud, giggling, and screaming - kicking my feet all the while. Sarah is absolutely hilarious, and the concept of the series is phenomonal.

The Hell's Belles is a group of vigilante women, who secretly take it upon themselves to take down the white collar criminals of their area. The men who have power and the resources to get away with it. Each woman posesses their own special set of skills, to aid their team, whether it be knowledge of explosives, or her feminine wiles.

In this book in particular, the Scotland Yard detective is onto their *ahem* behavior... but he also can't deny his attraction for one of the women. I'll leave it there, keeping it spoiler free - but 10/10 5/5 recommend. Love, love, love.

DISCLAIMER: I recommend buying the e-book, not the physical copy - because the mass market paperbacks of these series fall completely apart while reading, even if gently reading. I didn't lower my ranking because of this happening - but wanted to mention it.

[Physical copy gifted by Avon Books & Sarah MacLean, and ebook by Avon/Netgalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.]

This is the third book in the Hell’s Belles series by Sarah MacLean. I have loved all of them, so I feel like I already went into this book biased :) This book is about Imogen Loveless, an explosives expert, who is called to the scene of a bombing in London. Imogen and her friends are called into investigate things that usually happen to women. Something the male detectives have failed to do. However, in this case, Inspector Peck is also called to the scene. The Hell’s Belles have had some run-ins with him in the past and they are all suspicious of each other.

Part of the fun of this series is that it is a sexy historical romance that weaves more modern ideals into the story, but keeps the great settings, romantic gowns and fancy tailcoats. There is a lot of fun to be had with Imogen being an explosives expert and the romance that begins to spark between her and Thomas. They have sharp witted dialogue and they keep testing each other in that flirty way. There are definitely some spicy scenes. The book is packed with romance, action, mystery, subterfuge and fun! The cover artist once again knocks it out of the park (it’s beautiful). If you have not read this series, I definitely recommend it. This 3rd book came out in August. It would make a great gift for the historical romance lovers in your life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy of this book.

Another "Knockout" (sorry) story in this incredible series. Highly recommend all of them.

MacLean's newest Hell's Belle's novel is sexy, smart, and full of great feminism that is rarely seen in other romance novels.
Imogen Loveless may be considered peculiar, but few people know she's part of a vigilante group of women who take down corrupt men in the aristocracy. Thomas Peck is a straightlaced detective inspector for Whitehall who will do anything for justice.
When Thomas is charged with guarding Imogen for her own safety, sparks fly between the two as they work to take on the Hell's Belle's biggest foe yet.
Readers will want to snatch this one up.

Hell’s Belles #3 finally brings Lady Imogen and peeler Thomas Peck together. Imogen is great with explosions but not so great with romance. Tommy knows he’s reaching far above his station. Somehow the pair manages to get together and overcome all the obstacles to their romance. Decidedly farfetched yet satisfying brain candy.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

I love Sarah MacLean's salty heroines and paramours up for the challenge. Free of instalove, this third installment is another satisfying tale of a self-aware woman blazing her way past the status quo and still finding the partner that fits.

In the last couple of years, romance books have completely stolen my heart. We can thank Covid for that, but if I were being honest, I’ve always loved romance. For most of my life, the ridiculous stigma surrounding romance novels and those who read them fully hindered me from even picking one up. But, no more! I have gone all in, and I can’t wait to share the third novel in a series that has captivated me this year.
Sarah MacLean’s “Hell’s Belles” series is a love letter to every woman who has had to fight for a place in this world–both in the past and the present. The “Belles” are a quartet of brilliant women in Victorian England who use their power and influence to bring down corrupt men and help those who cannot help themselves. These women are the Duchess of Trevescan, Lady Sesily (heroine of the first novel), the Duchess of Clayborne (heroine of the second), and Lady Imogen Loveless, the heroine of the third in the series and today’s focus.
Knockout, released in August of this year from Avon Books, is an explosive romance… not solely because our Lady Imogen loves to blow things up. I have been looking forward to Imogen’s and Detective Thomas Peck’s story since the first book, and it did not disappoint. While all three books so far combine romance, some humor, and a good deal of tension and action, I thought Knockout was the most tense of the three so far. As the aristocratic men in the highest echelons of society and politics increase their explosive attacks on businesses run by, and supportive of, women, the Belles find themselves increasingly at risk of discovery. Imogen’s fondness and knowledge of explosives put her even more at risk, so much so that the handsome Detective Peck of Scotland Yard feels he has no choice but to guard her…to Imogen’s delight.
I love Imogen and Tommy. Their banter has been one of my favorite things throughout the series, and the way Tommy sees through her put-on chaos gives me all of the warm fuzzies. Be aware–this book gets steamy with on-the-page sex, so if that’s not your thing, this might be one to avoid!
If you love historical romances with badass women, truly swoon-worthy men, adventure, and steam, then you should pick this one ASAP. Please note, however, that while you can technically read these as standalones, it is so much nicer to read them in order: Bombshell, Heart Breaker, and then Knockout. PS, Knockout has an epilogue that gives us a hint into the Duchess of Trevescan’s book and it literally made me scream.

So happy to finally get Imogen and Tommy! The Hell’s Belles are so easy to obsess over. The vigilante work has me in all the feels. Can’t wait to continue with the series. The cliffhanger at the end with Duchess. 👏

The Hell's Belles are at it again and this time we get Imogene's story! Knockout does not disappoint as we are treated to Imogene and Tommy's love story. This couple is, probably, my favorite of all the Belles so far! But let's wait and see what tales the Duchess has for us.