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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a fantastic start to the Bareknuckle Bastards series. I loved the dynamic between Felicity and Devil - emotionally mature woman with a talent for both literal and metaphorical lockpicking eviscerates hot-but-emotionally-constipated Covent Garden smuggler. There are so many moments that stand out - the whispering bench (HOT), the rooftop (SIGH), the hold (SOB). I am grateful to have read this alongside friends, because I would have missed the nods to Rumpelstiltskin (I'm not familiar enough with that story to catch the allusions but love that MacLean has woven these in for savvier readers). If you love high stakes, deathbed confessions, class difference and romances that buck the aristocracy, Wicked and the Wallflower delivers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Stalking, and Misogyny
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Rumpelstiltskin inspired love story of a spinster wallflower betrayed by friends and family and a criminal mastermind with a big secret.
After a chance meeting on the balcony of a duke’s Mayfair home, felicity and devil become tangled in each other’s secrets and make an arrangement that turns into love almost immediately.
He’s not good enough for her. She’s done with doing what’s expected. He’s experienced. She is not. He thrives in the darkness. Her favorite color is pink and she is his sunlight.
There are lessons, gifts, trellis climbs, a lot of meaningful lock picking, and a rooftop scene both emotional and smoking.
This book is way over the top. I love it.
After a chance meeting on the balcony of a duke’s Mayfair home, felicity and devil become tangled in each other’s secrets and make an arrangement that turns into love almost immediately.
He’s not good enough for her. She’s done with doing what’s expected. He’s experienced. She is not. He thrives in the darkness. Her favorite color is pink and she is his sunlight.
There are lessons, gifts, trellis climbs, a lot of meaningful lock picking, and a rooftop scene both emotional and smoking.
This book is way over the top. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
brianaisgoingplaces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Another day, another Briana reads a new romance author and learns she’s been missing out. This time Sarah MacLean comes through with Wicked and the Wallflower, which was a little different than my usual romance reads. While I tend to read super lighthearted, fun romance, this book had a hint of darkness.
Wicked and the Wallflower features the Devil and Felicity Faircloth, a woman who has the means to tame the beast (oh wait, I think I’m mixing up brothers). Both of these MCs have a little sprinkling of self-esteem issues, but luckily for their love story, they can’t seem to see the flaws in each other. They both pull each other toward themselves, finally revealing their secrets to each other.
This story felt like it progressed a bit slowly, but that’s a good thing. It felt like I got to know the characters, and everything was revealed in due time, not a moment before. I liked the supporting characters, especially Whit. As someone who probably talks to much, I’m excited to see the story of a man who lets his random grunts tell his story.
Some of the lines of this story were so perfectly written, I had to pause after reading to take them in. A couple lines (one too many “Felicity Faircloths”) made me roll my eyes a bit. I’m glad I’ve been inducted into the world of the Bareknuckle Bastards, and I’m curious to see what else this world has to reveal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
haley49's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love these characters and their story. Everything about their relationship felt earned and I really enjoyed it. Not perfect but this twist on regency romance where the hero is a crime lord was so interesting and the heroine complimented the story in a fun way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Trafficking
hilwithonel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sarah Maclean knows how to write obsession. As with all of her books, the love story was passionate and all consuming.
My small complaint was the pacing. Introducing Covent Garden was really interesting but at times diverted too much from the story being told in this one book. Since this is the first book in the series, I would have found it more enjoyable and felt less impatient at times if the story of Covent Garden was not such a focal point.
BUT KNOWING WHO THE COUPLE IS IN THE 3RD BOOK!!! I CANT WAIT!
My small complaint was the pacing. Introducing Covent Garden was really interesting but at times diverted too much from the story being told in this one book. Since this is the first book in the series, I would have found it more enjoyable and felt less impatient at times if the story of Covent Garden was not such a focal point.
BUT KNOWING WHO THE COUPLE IS IN THE 3RD BOOK!!! I CANT WAIT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
katrinaward's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, and Sexual assault
carbs666's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Once again I love Sarah MacLean. This book has such a perfect balance of internal and external conflict - its clear from the beginning why these two can't be together right now and what obstacles need to be overcome to get them there. I love that we had a role reversal at the end where the heroine saves the hero, and I enjoyed the way MacLean built on the couples' instant fascination with each other by letting them to get to know each other before they just decide they're in love.
I will say that I feel like I know a lot about Devil but not that much about Felicity. While her character is clear, we don't get a lot of info about the events in her life that shaped her character- like, how does she know how to pick locks??? When was the first time she did that, how did she develop this skill? I would like to know!
MacLean is a master at slowing the pace way down to accommodate a love scene and there a few truly hot and tender moments in here! Additionally, there's significant and believable tension between Devil and Felicity that is very gratifying to see.
There's still a fair amount of mystery surrounding the past of the Bareknuckle Bastards but I forgive the holes because I know they will be filed in in later books in the series. This book is overall exciting- there's a tenor running throughout of that feeling you get when you're doing something you're not supposed be doing and enjoying it the entire time, a wonder at being shown a side of life you didn't know existed.
I will say that I feel like I know a lot about Devil but not that much about Felicity. While her character is clear, we don't get a lot of info about the events in her life that shaped her character- like, how does she know how to pick locks??? When was the first time she did that, how did she develop this skill? I would like to know!
MacLean is a master at slowing the pace way down to accommodate a love scene and there a few truly hot and tender moments in here! Additionally, there's significant and believable tension between Devil and Felicity that is very gratifying to see.
There's still a fair amount of mystery surrounding the past of the Bareknuckle Bastards but I forgive the holes because I know they will be filed in in later books in the series. This book is overall exciting- there's a tenor running throughout of that feeling you get when you're doing something you're not supposed be doing and enjoying it the entire time, a wonder at being shown a side of life you didn't know existed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Child abuse
_savannahreads_'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, Gun violence, Classism, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
mcmizzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love a bad-boy and fat girl love story! This one was so swashbuckling and fun. I love MacLean’s ability to build a universe and I’m excited to see where the next two books in this series go!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Fatphobia and Pregnancy
weelasswithabook's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
CW discussion of suïcïde, child poverty, abusive childhood, toxic parental relationships
Historical perfection.
We have a hero and heroine of two different social classes coming together in a deal to help the heroine land a Duke, which is mutually beneficial for them both. One more nefarious than the other.
Over. The course of this book, the two fall in love with perfect pacing. Not insta love, not insta lust, but insta "something" that slowly burns over the course of the story. Conflict and resolution has perfect timing and a logical scenario for what's been happening. Especially since it doesn't break the heroine but makes her even more forthright and confident and I loved that 😭
Sarah seems to have this knack for writing these feisty heroines who know what they want and don't hesitate to deviate from what's expected of them in this time period where they're essentially traded like cattle for their family's financial benefit. And a strong heroine is an instant tick in the box for a 5⭐ read.
The secondary storyline with Devil and his siblings seems like it's going to unfold rather interestingly over the course of the series so I'm definitely looking forward to continuing.
Historical perfection.
We have a hero and heroine of two different social classes coming together in a deal to help the heroine land a Duke, which is mutually beneficial for them both. One more nefarious than the other.
Over. The course of this book, the two fall in love with perfect pacing. Not insta love, not insta lust, but insta "something" that slowly burns over the course of the story. Conflict and resolution has perfect timing and a logical scenario for what's been happening. Especially since it doesn't break the heroine but makes her even more forthright and confident and I loved that 😭
Sarah seems to have this knack for writing these feisty heroines who know what they want and don't hesitate to deviate from what's expected of them in this time period where they're essentially traded like cattle for their family's financial benefit. And a strong heroine is an instant tick in the box for a 5⭐ read.
The secondary storyline with Devil and his siblings seems like it's going to unfold rather interestingly over the course of the series so I'm definitely looking forward to continuing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, and Child abuse