Full disclosure: I love Sarah MacLean's writing. Does it always fit with the perception of historical romance? No. Does that bug me? Again no. Because Sarah has a way of using those 26 letters of the alphabet to weave a story where it's about people and relationships and their hopes for the future and the details are fun and gritty.
I was going through a bit of a rough spot when I read this and Hattie inspired me to have my own year where I went after what I wanted. And ultimately, isn't that what a great story should do?

So good! I'm tempted to say that I enjoyed this even more than Wicked and the Wallflower - and I liked that book a lot too. Something about Whit/Beast and his protective nature and the way he was instantly attracted to Hattie and her bold strength won me over so hard. I also love how fierce Hattie is and how that is balanced by her realistic and relatable insecurities. I'll admit, there were several times when she discussed the "Year of Hattie" and her goals when I was like, "girl, do you REALLY think that's going to work out for you like that?" But her audacity to dream so big and so far outside of what is expected of women in that time is one of my favorite things about her, this book, and the love story that her ambition and passionate nature sparked. I'm very much looking forward to Daring and the Duke and finally getting Ewan and Grace's story, as well as devouring Sarah Maclean's back catalogue! 4.5 out 5 wine glasses.

The second book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. Spinster Hattie only wants to take over her father’s shipping business and have an adventure, When she finds a man unconscious and tied up in her coach things get complicated. ARC from NetGalley.

I've honestly been impressed with every Sarah MacLean book I've read. And I've read all of them. She is truly a gifted writer who really evokes emotion with her work. Brazen and the Beast is the second book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. Maclean is a master of backstory and a lot of it begins in the previous book, Wicked and the Wallflower, so I do recommend the books be read in order. The premise for the Bareknuckle Bastards is incredibly interesting and creative. A Duke with three illegitimate sons all born the same say to three different women, and he makes them complete to be his heir. Brazen and the Beast tells the story of one of the losers, Beast and Hattie.
As always I was very quickly pulled in by this author's writing and I read the book in a day. I literally didn't want to put it down. MacLean always includes a good bit of humor in her books and this was no exception. I loved the friendship between Hattie and Nora and the jokes they shared. And as always, this book packed an emotional wallop. I love a good damaged hero and Beast was definitely that. Hattie was a great heroine. She was so confident in her intelligence and her ability to run a business while still having self doubt about her physical appearance. I think it was very well done. She was never one of those woe is me, too stupid to live heroines. Instead she stood up for herself and fought for what she wanted. I actually shed some tears while reading this one. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can't wait to read the next book.

The Year of Hattie is beginning!!! Lady Henrietta Sedley is taking control of her life. She has been planning for years. The first item on the list Body, means ruining herself at 72 Shelton Street so her dowry becomes her own. Finding an unconscious man tied up in her carriage was NOT part of the plan. What to do with the handsome stranger? Kissing him and dumping him from a moving carriage may not have been the best idea, especially when the man is known as Beast.

Hattie thinks she is ready for ruination when she gets to Shelton Street but Beast has found her and he wants answers, who is she and who knocked him out and stole his goods. Hattie tries to strike a deal and sparks fly between the two in a battle of wills. This Bareknuckle Bastard may have met his match.

MacLean has always been one of my favorite romance writers, but this one just doesn't do it for me. As much as I loved the heroine Hattie and her determination to make this the year of Hattie, fulfilling her desires, I wasn't as interested in the hero. However, Hattie made this book worth it for me, and it was a joy to see her become more assured of herself and empowered.

Sarah MacLean is a fantastic writer! She introduced me to the world of bodice rippers! The Brazen and the Beast is a fun steamy romance full wit and a battle of wills!!

It's the Year of Hattie! This book contains the perfect amount of feminism, romance, suspense, and brooding Beast. This is probably Sarah MacLean's best work yet!

You get yours, Henrietta! Take no prisoners, if a man can do it, you can do it better, girl power! I like in historical romance when the female heroine has a job or passion or actually is doing something with her life and this had that in spades.

Fun and fabulous female character with an interesting plot line, well written characters, and some absolutely laugh out loud moments to help break the tension.

Loved it! We covered this book on the STORY BITES PODCAST with pleasure. It was a full-length episode and we raved. Thank you!

I am loving this series!!

Beast was a fun character to read about. He’s very protective of those he loves, even if it means sending them away. Hearing his full backstory made my heart squeeze. Hattie was definitely made for him. She knew what he needed and how to care for him.

Hattie was the strongest girl ever. I loved her determination although I was saddened by her self esteem at times. She made me wanna reach in and hug her. She gave up on dreams and resigned to being alone so she created this outer shell of strength, but we could see straight through to the hurt. Beast was definitely the guy to crack that shell and show her that she’s perfect just the way she is.

I am so flipping excited for the next book, I almost can’t stand it. Ewan was so bad, but at the same time you could tell he was just broken. I need Grace and his story like RIGHT NOW. So now I wait....

Sarah MacLean's Barenaked Bastards is my current favorite series. I really love how the current crop of romance author's can make such standout characters while still holding in the traditional settings. Hattie is big and loud and such a terrific mix of low self-esteem and full of confidence. She knows she's as smart and as capable as any man in her world, while still feeling unattractive. Whit is also a nice contradiction between needs to save everyone and needs to push everyone away. This book was SO good. I absolutely can't wait for the last book in the series.

“The Year of Hattie.”

This book started out with a bang! Hattie has plans for her birthday. Plans for her future. Not one of them involves a bound and unconscious man in her carriage. So she kicks him out. This scene is probably one of my favorites in the entire book.

Beast is knocked unconscious and stuffed in a carriage. And he is not happy. But waking up to a woman who is good with knots and lets him go only to…literally kick him out of her carriage because she has plans bemused him. Women don’t usually kick him out of their carriages. It was just beautiful.

He follows her to figure out what these oh so important plans are. And he’s shocked.

Hattie is beginning the Year of Hattie in a brothel. But she’s looking for a specific type of man. One who ticks all her criteria. And while she’s waiting, Beast walks in. He’s not who she ordered, but he’s who she needs. And these two are awesome together.

Hattie’s father owns a shipyard, and she’s been dreaming her whole life of taking over from him. Lord knows her brother can’t do it. He’s a useless mess. But as Hattie begins to see that her father would never let her take over, Beast takes the decision out of anyone’s hands.

How can Hattie reconcile the love she has for this man with the dashing of her lifelong dream at his hands?

And how can Beast ever come back from that?

In true Sarah MacLean fashion, Hattie is a goddess and Beast wants only to see her safe. Happy. Whole. In a twist, it takes Hattie’s bold and brazen personality to push him past his limits. And they earn their happy ending. I loved it. I love Ms. MacLean’s writing and voice, and with this particular story, she reminded me of that fact. With her lush words, and delicious prose, she’s able to take this reader places other authors can’t.

I can’t wait for the next book. I need Grace’s story! The Bareknuckle Bastards of Covent Garden aren’t all men, after all.

***Review copy courtesy of Avon Books via netgalley

LOVE this one. Love Sarah MacLean & this series is a standout. Hattie is one of my all-time favorite heroines and I just adore Whit. The two are just fantastic together. If you haven't read Sarah, you must. She's one of my go to's because she is consistently amazing! I can't wait for the next one!

I really enjoyed a great many things about this book. Characters were fleshed out and the plot was well spaced. Some of the secondary storylines could've used a bit more page space but all in all an enjoyable read!

I Love the Bare Knuckle Bastards!! This is my new Favorite series from Sarah MacLean! If you love Historical Romance this book is the one to read!!

I absolutely love your books and sit on pins and needles waiting for the next one! As always, you have wonderful characters!

One of the better historical romances I've read in a long while. Hattie is a determined, strong, smart, and curvy heroine that feels like a real person. Whit aka Beast is just as strong, mostly communicates in grunts, but is also bookish and a match for Hattie.

This book and this series are both amazing. I am intrigued by the Covent Garden underworld setting occupied by the hero, which is contrasted with the London society and business world occupied by the heroine. Hattie is not a typical female, being intelligent and curvy (read plump), but neither is Whit a typical male, since he falls in love with everything about her. I am so looking forward to the next entry!