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linwood's review against another edition
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
imreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
jenn_alwaysreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
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
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.
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Child abuse
distilledreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is the second book in The Bareknuckle Bastards series and it is slightly inspired by Beauty and the Beast so it is again obvious that I was going to love this book. There were a few continuity errors that I noticed from reading this book immediately after the first book. However that wasn’t enough to impact my overall enjoyment of the book with the characters. I loved Beast and Hattie.
emomixtape's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
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.
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia