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A review by spicycronereads
Hellbent by Maggie Maren
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was lovely to return to Pine Bluff for Dane and Maisie’s story! 🌲💕🌲💕 You don’t have to have read the prior two novels to read this one, but the experience is definitely enriched if you do.
We have met both characters before, in both Stormbound and Feverburn. Dane is the wise-cracking bad boy mechanic that has a reputation for providing *hospitality* for the women visitors to Pine Bluff, Maine. Maisie is the sarcastic, silly, and fiercely loyal BFF of Kaylee, the protagonist of Book 1. And Dane is best friends with Harley, the MMC of book 1. He owns a body shop. She owns an adult boutique.
When Maisie visits Pine Bluff for Kaylee and Harley’s rehearsal dinner, there are instant sparks, but not all the good kind.
These characters are so much fun. And they have so much depth and heart. They both have past traumas that are causing roadblocks. The way that the author writes their process of dealing with those and learning to find each other is so beautiful. Not to mention funny and spicy too! 💕
There are some great moments with secondary characters and the womxn’s friendships in Maggie Maren‘s work are always top-notch.
As previously mentioned, the spice is excellent. The author places a lot of emphasis on communication and consent in all of her books. That is still here and there are some other really progressive things that happen around the spice that just make me so happy to read. We don’t have to set ourselves back 50 years in order to enjoy a spicy romance. I am giving this one five peppers because there is one scene that I think about constantly. And I learned something new! 😂 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
In terms of diversity, some of the secondary characters are women of color and Maisie herself is multi racial with a Latinx father and white mother. There are also queer characters in the Pinebluff universe though they remain among the secondary characters. In thinking about diversity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge just how progressive and justice oriented. Maggie’s works are. While these aren’t necessarily factors in diverse representation, I think it’s still important that she casts a critical eye on patriarchy and oppressive social institutions and creates characters who are empowered to challenge those institutions. Her work is a joy to read and I never feel like a bad human for enjoying it. 😂
Overall, I really loved the story. Even though book 2, remains at the top spot in my heart, these two characters charmed me they made me cry, they made me laugh, and they made me swoon. OK, and they also made me squirm in my seat a little. 🥵
I gave this book 5 stars and five chili peppers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
We have met both characters before, in both Stormbound and Feverburn. Dane is the wise-cracking bad boy mechanic that has a reputation for providing *hospitality* for the women visitors to Pine Bluff, Maine. Maisie is the sarcastic, silly, and fiercely loyal BFF of Kaylee, the protagonist of Book 1. And Dane is best friends with Harley, the MMC of book 1. He owns a body shop. She owns an adult boutique.
When Maisie visits Pine Bluff for Kaylee and Harley’s rehearsal dinner, there are instant sparks, but not all the good kind.
These characters are so much fun. And they have so much depth and heart. They both have past traumas that are causing roadblocks. The way that the author writes their process of dealing with those and learning to find each other is so beautiful. Not to mention funny and spicy too! 💕
There are some great moments with secondary characters and the womxn’s friendships in Maggie Maren‘s work are always top-notch.
As previously mentioned, the spice is excellent. The author places a lot of emphasis on communication and consent in all of her books. That is still here and there are some other really progressive things that happen around the spice that just make me so happy to read. We don’t have to set ourselves back 50 years in order to enjoy a spicy romance. I am giving this one five peppers because there is one scene that I think about constantly. And I learned something new! 😂 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
In terms of diversity, some of the secondary characters are women of color and Maisie herself is multi racial with a Latinx father and white mother. There are also queer characters in the Pinebluff universe though they remain among the secondary characters. In thinking about diversity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge just how progressive and justice oriented. Maggie’s works are. While these aren’t necessarily factors in diverse representation, I think it’s still important that she casts a critical eye on patriarchy and oppressive social institutions and creates characters who are empowered to challenge those institutions. Her work is a joy to read and I never feel like a bad human for enjoying it. 😂
Overall, I really loved the story. Even though book 2, remains at the top spot in my heart, these two characters charmed me they made me cry, they made me laugh, and they made me swoon. OK, and they also made me squirm in my seat a little. 🥵
I gave this book 5 stars and five chili peppers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Death of parent