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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
This was a book-slump-inducing-book that I wanted to start from the beginning immediately after finishing. I am NOT typically sold on Beauty and the Beast retellings, but this just worked so beautifully for me. I appreciated the progressive interpersonal conflict - first aiming to resolve her lack of confidence in herself and then aiming to resolve their power imbalance and childhood trauma to achieve the happily-ever-after. The push-pull between love and protection was well-done, and neither our Beauty nor our Beast ever felt one-dimensional. The opening scene was a riot, the brothel innuendo had me giddy (while also peeking around a corner for exceedingly-thorough-Nelson), the post-coital conflict had me shrieking with stress and the {redacted} mast scene had me fist pumping and crying in equal measure. This is a HIGH-HEAT MacLean where the intimacy is essential to relational development. I just loved it. The final act was perfect and delivered some of my all-time favorite historical romance beats - sickbed confessions, caretaking, protective women - I just? New favorite MacLean.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Child abuse
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
5.0
I know we call this a beauty and the beast retelling but it’s so much more than that. She’s gorgeous, yes. He’s a “Beast” with a library and spectacles.
But also, Hattie is fierce, sexy, smart, and such a good friend. Whit is loyal, strong, serious, and obsessed with Hattie. Who isn’t? Honestly.
Brazen and the Beast has class differences, purposeful ruination, a full figured FMC, fights, revenge, hot hot sex (the mast moment lives rent free in my head), and is so romantic.
Plus you get to see lots of past and future secondary and main characters from the MacLeaniverse.
But also, Hattie is fierce, sexy, smart, and such a good friend. Whit is loyal, strong, serious, and obsessed with Hattie. Who isn’t? Honestly.
Brazen and the Beast has class differences, purposeful ruination, a full figured FMC, fights, revenge, hot hot sex (the mast moment lives rent free in my head), and is so romantic.
Plus you get to see lots of past and future secondary and main characters from the MacLeaniverse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
vezza's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
kyeruhh's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Hattie was a super fun character and Whit was the perfect amount of sad without it being annoying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Child abuse
haley49's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Was any of this realistic?
No.
Was it an entertaining read and a believable romance?
Yes, and that’s exactly what I wanted.
I liked this one even more than the last. Interpersonal relationships were explored, everyone felt well developed and the chemistry was real. I will read the next book asap.
No.
Was it an entertaining read and a believable romance?
Yes, and that’s exactly what I wanted.
I liked this one even more than the last. Interpersonal relationships were explored, everyone felt well developed and the chemistry was real. I will read the next book asap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Violence
livruther's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
this was INCREDIBLE
she👏saves👏him👏right👏back
nik + nora = <3333
i LOVE whit. he is SO. PRECIOUS.
this is easily my fav sarah maclean so far
one thing i love SO. MUCH. is long emotional speeches & conversations, and this FREAKING DELIVERED !!!!!!!
also the shoutout to jen in the acknowledgments🥺🥺🥺
she👏saves👏him👏right👏back
nik + nora = <3333
i LOVE whit. he is SO. PRECIOUS.
this is easily my fav sarah maclean so far
one thing i love SO. MUCH. is long emotional speeches & conversations, and this FREAKING DELIVERED !!!!!!!
also the shoutout to jen in the acknowledgments🥺🥺🥺
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
thatfabchick's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a fun book, I liked it. There were times that things did not make sense which made the book go down to four stars. I did like the heroine and the hero.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
my favorite MacLean so far??? Idk this was fun and this series in general feels very comforting to me for some reason. Yes, the pacing in the third act is a little off, and I wish we'd been a little more direct about Hattie and Whit's individual vulnerabilities, BUT I'm okay with it overall.
If I had a nickel for everytime MacLean used the word "pleasure" though...
If I had a nickel for everytime MacLean used the word "pleasure" though...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Death of parent
sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
I enjoyed this historical romance a lot. There was my first Sarah Maclean book and it will not be my last.
The FMC is strong and wants to determine her own fate and sets up to have the Year of Hattie where she loses her virginity, runs her family shipyard and becomes her own powerhouse.
Beast is one of the Barenuckle Bastards and agrees to help Hattie with her virginity. Beast is a dirty talker!
4.25 ⭐️
2.5 🌶
TW: fire, violence, sexual content, injury
The FMC is strong and wants to determine her own fate and sets up to have the Year of Hattie where she loses her virginity, runs her family shipyard and becomes her own powerhouse.
Beast is one of the Barenuckle Bastards and agrees to help Hattie with her virginity. Beast is a dirty talker!
4.25 ⭐️
2.5 🌶
TW: fire, violence, sexual content, injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Violence, and Medical content
carbs666's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Another solid romance by Sarah MacLean!
I've stated many times before that I am a sucker for the heroine who can't see how special she is and hardened hero who melts in her presence combo, and this book turns it up the 11.
Who could fail to love Hattie? She smart and daring and determined and independent, a truly dashing character. I love how the book is laid upon the foundation of the Year of Hattie, a year where she is dedicated to getting what she wants. Beast/Whit is a truly perfect foil for her - his loyalty and determination are just what Hattie needs, and their instant fascination with each other makes complete sense.
I love the contrast between a heroine who never stops talking and a hero who never talks at all (except for when he's talking dirty 😈). As always with MacLean, the sex is supremely sexy and the balance of internal and external conflict is 👌. Best book of the trilogy!!
I've stated many times before that I am a sucker for the heroine who can't see how special she is and hardened hero who melts in her presence combo, and this book turns it up the 11.
Who could fail to love Hattie? She smart and daring and determined and independent, a truly dashing character. I love how the book is laid upon the foundation of the Year of Hattie, a year where she is dedicated to getting what she wants. Beast/Whit is a truly perfect foil for her - his loyalty and determination are just what Hattie needs, and their instant fascination with each other makes complete sense.
I love the contrast between a heroine who never stops talking and a hero who never talks at all (except for when he's talking dirty 😈). As always with MacLean, the sex is supremely sexy and the balance of internal and external conflict is 👌. Best book of the trilogy!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence