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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Daring and the Duke
2 Stars
Unfortunately, the final installment in The Bareknuckle Bastards does not live up to its potential. Strangely enough, it is not even Ewan, whose behavior is so egregious in the first two books, who fails to resonate, but rather Grace who come across as truly selfish and unlikable.
While MacLean does manage to successfully redeem Ewan's character, the actual explanation for his actions 20 years earlier is so obvious as to be completely trite. Neverthless, his clear contrition, determined desire to make amends and willingness to work hard for forgiveness go a long way toward his redemption. Thus, he is ultimately a worthy hero.
The same, however, cannot be said of Grace. The mysterious, powerful and fiercely independent Dahlia is nothing more than a superficial facade for an immature, self-absorbed and capricious woman who constantly draws the hero in only to reject him time and time again. Her eventual realization that she can retain her position as Queen of Covent Garden and also have the man who loves her beyond reason only serves to highlight her condescension.
The powerful chemistry between Ewan and Grace hinted at in the previous books devolves into a serious of mechanical sex scenes lacking true intimacy and affection. Moreover, the repetitious phrasing and rehashing of plot points slows the pacing and makes it difficult to care about the characters eventual HEA. Finally, the attempt at social criticism with regard to the treatment of the poor, in general, and women, in particular, is perfunctory and utterly meaningless.
Overall, a disappointing end to an OK series. Book #2 is definitely the best of the three.
2 Stars
Unfortunately, the final installment in The Bareknuckle Bastards does not live up to its potential. Strangely enough, it is not even Ewan, whose behavior is so egregious in the first two books, who fails to resonate, but rather Grace who come across as truly selfish and unlikable.
While MacLean does manage to successfully redeem Ewan's character, the actual explanation for his actions 20 years earlier is so obvious as to be completely trite. Neverthless, his clear contrition, determined desire to make amends and willingness to work hard for forgiveness go a long way toward his redemption. Thus, he is ultimately a worthy hero.
The same, however, cannot be said of Grace. The mysterious, powerful and fiercely independent Dahlia is nothing more than a superficial facade for an immature, self-absorbed and capricious woman who constantly draws the hero in only to reject him time and time again. Her eventual realization that she can retain her position as Queen of Covent Garden and also have the man who loves her beyond reason only serves to highlight her condescension.
The powerful chemistry between Ewan and Grace hinted at in the previous books devolves into a serious of mechanical sex scenes lacking true intimacy and affection. Moreover, the repetitious phrasing and rehashing of plot points slows the pacing and makes it difficult to care about the characters eventual HEA. Finally, the attempt at social criticism with regard to the treatment of the poor, in general, and women, in particular, is perfunctory and utterly meaningless.
Overall, a disappointing end to an OK series. Book #2 is definitely the best of the three.
emotional
lighthearted
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:
No
Steamy, searing, sexy, and utterly emotional and unrelentingly feminist. This might be my favorite book of 2020 so far.
I honestly don't even know where to start with this review. I am still processing the emotional toll of this story and the growth that MacLean masterfully wrote. It is honestly unbelievable. I had never seen such a character evolution on both their parts. The level of pining, groveling, and epic speeches deserve awards alone. The side characters are - as always - an absolute treat. (Nik and Nora are legit the cutest.) The family dynamics and support network makes my heart happy. (Seeing the past Bareknuckle Bastards characters gives this a whole new level of awesome.)
Grace is a legit queen and her court is the entirety of Covent Gardens and the cost of that is being rather alone - and watching her deal and maneuver chess pieces is just awesome. But also searingly hard to watch her struggle with the past, her independence and the idea that maybe she deserves some modicum of pleasure in her life too. Ewan is a Man. He grows up, he takes his penance and he changes so that he is worthy of Grace and I am here for it. I adored everything about this and cried more than once. The groveling and pining in this book are beyond anything I have ever seen and as far as grand gestures go - this book takes the cake.
I honestly don't even know where to start with this review. I am still processing the emotional toll of this story and the growth that MacLean masterfully wrote. It is honestly unbelievable. I had never seen such a character evolution on both their parts. The level of pining, groveling, and epic speeches deserve awards alone. The side characters are - as always - an absolute treat. (Nik and Nora are legit the cutest.) The family dynamics and support network makes my heart happy. (Seeing the past Bareknuckle Bastards characters gives this a whole new level of awesome.)
Grace is a legit queen and her court is the entirety of Covent Gardens and the cost of that is being rather alone - and watching her deal and maneuver chess pieces is just awesome. But also searingly hard to watch her struggle with the past, her independence and the idea that maybe she deserves some modicum of pleasure in her life too. Ewan is a Man. He grows up, he takes his penance and he changes so that he is worthy of Grace and I am here for it. I adored everything about this and cried more than once. The groveling and pining in this book are beyond anything I have ever seen and as far as grand gestures go - this book takes the cake.
Christ! Move over, Haven, lord. This felt so nostalgic like a story I expected but still couldn’t quite grasp. Ewan’s motivations have always felt obvious to me regardless of the fact he did still make massive mistakes. I can’t quite wrap my head around all of it yet. Suffice to say, I’m blown away and also pretty sure Sesily Talbot is making her debut in Hell’s Bells !!!!!!!!!!!!!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
It’s a solid book but relies on a traumatic miscommunication that they don’t discuss until wayyy too late in the book. I understand the conflict but with the first two books laying the ground work, it was a bit too long. I enjoyed the characters and setting though. The found family aspect was super cute per usual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Stalking, Abortion
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated