Series: The Bareknuckle Bastards

I received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When Wicked Comes Calling...

When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She's seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won't accept a marriage without it.

The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain...

Bastard son of a duke and king of London's dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

For the Promise of Passion...

But there's nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she'd rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil's carefully laid plans are in chaos, and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted...and the only thing he's ever desired.

Sarah MacLean is one of my favorite romance authors and after finishing The Day of the Duchess. I was eagerly anticipating the start of a new series and some new characters to fall in love with. I think the best way to state my relationship to this book is that while I wasn’t as invested in the storyline of the two main characters, I was incredibly invested in the overarching plot of the series and the placement of this book within it. I LOVED the secondary characters and I am eagerly awaiting their stories in the future installments. 

SO. I didn’t love Wicked and the Wallflower but I am in love with the The Bareknuckle Bastards series?? The question marks at the end because I feel like that is a confusing statement and probably the only time I make that kind of statements is when it comes to romance series. 

Lady Felicity Faircloth is a spinster and has basically been shelved by society. Her family keeps pushing her to land various dukes so she can finally settle down and one night, after being pushed to her limits, she claims she is engaged to Duke of Marwick (who she has never had a conversation with.) In comes Devil, promising to help her win over Duke of Marwick and insuring that he doesn’t reject her statement. But you know, when the Devil comes calling, there is always a price. 

If you are a fan of multiple, complex layers of deceit, this book is probably going to be your thing and this series is going to be your catnip. There is so much GOING ON and its really why I fell in love with the series. I may have felt uninvested in Felicity Faircloth and Devil’s relationship but I was extremely invested in the actual plot and happenings.

Also keep in mind that I didn’t not like either of the character, I just, wasn’t as invested in their lives. I felt like there wasn’t as much character development to either of them and saw much more of that in secondary characters. I am, maybe, a little bit, trash for angst and the fact that there wasn’t that much angst between Devil and Felicity probably impacted my investment a little. THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS, though. MY GOD. YOU GUYS. ANYWAY. ALL CAPS because there are some people I am thinking of and I am going to die when I read their book. 

Should you read Wicked and the Wallflower? I am voting yes if you’re a fan of Sarah MacLean or a fan of complex & intricate levels of deceit + angst. You cannot just skip this book and read the next in the series. YOU NEED BACKSTORIES. SO read it. 

3.5 Hot Espressos