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jkpiowa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The first half of this had me giggling and riveted and absolutely obsessed. However the second half dragged, the plot took a back seat, and the main focus was the physical chemistry and sex scenes between the MCs. 400 pages is a lot for a romance, and I think 50-100 pages of smut and repeated dialogue could have been cut out without losing anything from the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
m_pines_pnw's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
distilledreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Sarah MacLean is quickly becoming one of my favourite romance authors which is great, but also not great because I’ve already read through most of her back catalogue. I was so excited for Tommy and Imogen’s story and already I want the fourth Hell’s Belles novel. I adore these ladies and I love the hell they raise, and the men they have by their sides.
Another thing I noticed in this installment was how MacLean describes the colour of everyone’s skin, not just POC, so that white isn’t the “default” colour of someone’s skin. This would be refreshing in any novel, but is especially so in a historical romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
maidmarianlib's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I always love MacLean's feisty heroines, and the historical context of this one is interesting, note there is content that may not be suitable for all readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
heatherv_89's review
4.5
Knockout is a perfect name for this book! I LOVED Imogen. She’s such a well developed, fun main character and her love interest, Tommy, works well against her personality and is endearing! Love the explosives and gunpowder stuff. The plot is also complex and interesting for this kind of novel which I enjoyed!
Highly recommend this one if you want just one to read of the series and are looking for something fun and lighthearted between heavier reads.
Highly recommend this one if you want just one to read of the series and are looking for something fun and lighthearted between heavier reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
livlamentloathe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
purplepenning's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Ah, Imogen — "a vigilante with a penchant for chemistry and explosives… Perhaps she'd get herself a dog to carry about in her carpetbag. She could call it something delightful. Like Pyroglycerine."
Love these characters but the story was a little slow, repetitive, and predictable for me.
Love these characters but the story was a little slow, repetitive, and predictable for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Police brutality, Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Death of parent
stitching up wound andsydapel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
While this didn't hit every note perfectly for me, it's easily Sarah MacLean at her best. Imogen is a character so filled with life and passion and take no shit & ask questions later, it would be hard to find a match for her that didn't feel like just a backdrop, but Thomas Peck manages to do it. I really appreciated the anti police themes in this as well, especially as it pertains to Tommy unlearning his thoughts towards how justice is found for poor communities. Parts of it do drag, but overall super super enjoyable (and easy to jump into without reading the first two)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Kidnapping
intensej's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I've read Bombshell (Hell's Belles #1), but I have only read about 25% of Heartbreaker (Hell's Belles #2). Although this book can be read as a standalone, I missed out on some important scenes between Lady Imogen and Thomas Peck in the previous book. I thought that Imogen was very likable, realistic, and clever. I wasn't that impressed with Thomas Peck's character, and the twist at the end of the book was a bit too obvious. The constant "You're too good for me" from Thomas got old fast. Fans of Evie Dunmore's historical romances will enjoy this book. Both series have heroines that focus on women's rights and suffrage. I am looking forward to reading Duchess' book next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
carbs666's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The unbeatable Sarah MacLean does it again. Is there anything better than a chaos demon × control freak pairing? No!!! There is not!!
The way I've been WAITING for Tommy and Imogen's book for literal ages. They have an undeniable chemistry that MacLean has expertly built over the past two book in the series, and I love how badly these two are crushing on each other. I love how Imogen knows what she wants and gets it, and her unshakable confidence despite never "fitting in" is really refreshing.
As usual, the internal and external conflict was expertly balanced - the stakes were clear and the cause was noble. I also appreciated that MacLean did the only possible thing you can do when an MC is a cop, which is make him not a cop anymore so he can truly be on the side of justice. Also, the sex was hot fire flames 🔥
The way I've been WAITING for Tommy and Imogen's book for literal ages. They have an undeniable chemistry that MacLean has expertly built over the past two book in the series, and I love how badly these two are crushing on each other. I love how Imogen knows what she wants and gets it, and her unshakable confidence despite never "fitting in" is really refreshing.
As usual, the internal and external conflict was expertly balanced - the stakes were clear and the cause was noble. I also appreciated that MacLean did the only possible thing you can do when an MC is a cop, which is make him not a cop anymore so he can truly be on the side of justice. Also, the sex was hot fire flames 🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury