It made me smile. It made me cry. What a wonderful, wonderful book. I just adored Hattie for her strength and personality. Whit is a perfect match for her. I just adore the world of the Bareknuckle Bastards.

I’m so grateful to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC. Thank you!

This was another exceptionally well-written book by Sarah! I am OBSESSED with the heroine, the hero, and everything about this book. I will definitely be purchasing it for my library and recommending it to ANY and ALL historical romance lovers.

Having read Book One of the Bareknuckle Bastards series I was excited to have the opportunity to review this second book of the series. Beast was such a mysterious character in the first book that I eagerly awaited his story. It was an excellent plot full of action. I loved the heroine Hattie and her plan to have a year to set her life th way she wants so she can control her own destiny. Like most things that plan doesn't go as expected. Hattie and Beast were a perfect match. There chemistry was evident even at their first meeting. Both characters grew throughout the book to overcome emotional obstacles that held them back. It was an amazing read. I await for the third book.

I absolutely love Hattie and Whit, This book had it all: humor, romance, and heat ache. Sure you had to suspend a little bit of reality to make it work (like where is her father at the end) but as a pure escapism story it works. #YearofHattie

This is my first read by Sarah and I really enjoyed this one. Some of the plots that happened in here were different from a historical romance I have read before. So it was a nice surprise. I loved the main characters conversations, had a slight banter to them. I just think it was a tiny bit too long for me. Overall, I did like it and look forward to reading more of Sarah's work.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4 stars

From the moment I read the first page, I was hooked. This is my first read by Sarah MacLean and I can't believe that it has taken me this long to discover her wonderful historical romances. Henrietta, is determined that this is the year that she gets her heart's desire - the inheritance of her father's shipping company. At 29-years-old, she's firmly on the shelf, but her father still insists on giving the business to her less than competent brother. When said brother runs afoul of the notorious Bareknuckle Bastards, it's up to Hattie to clean up his mess once again.

The first meeting between Henrietta and Whit (aka Beast) is phenomenal. I love the entire carriage scene and the way that Hattie just pushes him out after kissing him. It's wonderful to read about strong heroines in historical romance instead of the insipid misses who are incredibly naive and woefully unprepared for the wider world. Henrietta seemed like the perfect heroine - that is, until the second half of the book.

It bothered me that once Henrietta and Whit started to fall for each other, her self-confidence dissolved to the point where she became the "I'm not beautiful heroine" that fished for compliments from the hero. Of course, Henrietta would never be considered a beauty with the standards of the ton, but she seemed to forget all of her brash take-charge nature once she was around Whit.

Instead of Henrietta carving her own destiny, winning the company on her own merit, finding a way to buy the house she dreamed of...it was Whit in the end that did all of those things. I'm not above having the hero lend a helping hand to the heroine - it just didn't sit right that Henrietta suddenly became incompetent and sort of whiny. And though I didn't read the first book in this series, there seems to be a pattern of life-or-death closing sequences which in which the h or H finally realizes how much they love the other. Just a little contrived, but not the end of the world.

Overall, I enjoyed MacLean's writing style and the whole operation that Whit, his brothers, and sisters created in the seedier side of London. I'm curious to see how Ewan could possibly be redeemed in the future.

This was a wonderful, sexy, dark and emotional romance - and I loved it! Loved seeing Devil and Felicity was great, too!

4.5 stars for another swoonworthy, steamy, terrific Sarah MacLean book. I loved it. As with most of her books, you have to suspend a certain level of disbelief and just accept that you are living in a universe where people fall in love instantly and super intensely, where heroines are strong/beautiful/respected/outspoken, and where heroes are honorable and tender under their tough exteriors. This is what makes it so good, people! Hattie was an awesome protagonist - spunky and vulnerable, strong and ambitious, curvy and attractive, invisible to everyone except Beast. Beast was fun - I loved the interplay b/t her chatter and his taciturnity, their chemistry, his stupid nobility. I'm a sucker for deathbed/confession of true love type scenes. I know the ending will be happy but I still cry my way through them, haha.

A few minor nits: Beast surely is a dumb name (as is Devil). His watch obsession and its explanation at the end felt too... much. The middle part of the book felt a little laggy. Hattie seemed to fairly easily divorce her feelings of betrayal from her feelings of attraction in a way I'm certain I wouldn't, though maybe that's just me? I also thought the resolution of the villain line felt a little easy after all the back-and-forthing throughout the book. That being said - these did not detract from my enjoyment of the story, which I truly enjoyed.

I cannot WAIT for the next installment!!! :)

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Ok, I'm ready to go through the pile of MacLean books I've been hoarding for years to re-read the whole bunch. Is it just me or is Sarah MacLean becoming even more sizzling in her writing? Brazen and The Beast is a character driven, hotter than hot historical romance featuring the Lady Henrietta Sedley and Whit, known as the Beast of Covent Garden. Lady Henrietta has decreed this, her 29th year, the Year of Hattie. Its the year she is planning on taking control of her life, her future and her body. Finding the Beast tied up and unconscious in her carriage is not helping her plans go smoothly but Hattie is nothing if not resourceful. Beast is drawn to her and awed by her intelligence and Amazonian beauty and its not long before the sparks start flying.

Sarah MacLean is one of the few historical romance writers who consistently manages to produce strong, interesting, fresh historical romances time after time, This one is no exception. The characters are compelling, both because of and in spite of their flaws. We all know there's going to be a happy ending - it's how she manages to get us there which really makes MacLean's novels a success. They are sharp, witty, complete and, so very much fun to read.

I am a big Sarah MacLean fan, so I was really looking forward to this, but it ultimately didn't appeal to me as much as the first Bareknuckle Bastards book, and I'm having a hard time putting my finger on why. Maybe because it seemed more plot- than character-driven? Or that I'm tired of stories hinging on the hero pushing the heroine away and keeping secrets from her in order to protect her? I don't know. I did enjoy MacLean's usual wit and nods to characters from previous books. I am also looking forward to what I assume is going to be the next installment in the series devoted to Ewan and Grace. That seems like a very interesting relationship dynamic to work with.

I was a bit disappointed in this book. It seemed rushed and the characters seemed too whiney. Likewise, the small plot lines added to the story where not really fleshed out. For instance, Hattie's gay friend seemed to be added for a marketability aspect and not truly add interest to the story.

Imagine finding a barely conscious and bound man on the floor of your vehicle. What’s a girl to do? Well, Hattie engages in a little conversation then throws him out of the moving carriage. And because he’s a Bareknuckle Bastard and he has the eyes and ears of the streets, it only takes him a hot minute to find her.

Hattie is strong, smart, and longs to be independent. He is strong, smart, and doesn’t think he is good enough for her. Tortured soul healed and made whole by the right woman - this is my favorite kind of story, but it has to be the right story and this one takes the cake.

Woa! A 4.5 stars for me.

Sarah MacLean returns with her second book in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. She continues the story of the three illegitimate brothers that were plucked out of their lives and pitted against each other by their father. This book focuses on the hero, Whit, who is found unconscious in the carriage of the heroine, Hattie. Hattie, is about to embark on the "Year of Hettie" and is none too happy that Whit is about to ruin her plans. From the beginning, sparks fly between these two in a big way!

I enjoyed Hattie's character immensely. She is bold and intelligent, and works to gain control of her father's company on her own merits.

I would recommend to anyone that likes historical romances, and, in particular, if you like stories set in and around the rookeries in the Victorian Era of England. If you like authors, such as Kelly Bowen, Lorraine Heath, and Shana Galen, among others, you will love this book.

Oh this world. 😍 I love this fictional historical romance world that Sarah MacLean has beautifully crafted. The Bareknuckle Bastards are every bit delightful, witty, and jarringly handsome. However, it is the ladies that are stealing the show. Hattie radiates from page to page. I think she might just be my favorite heroine yet. I love her strength and determination. She’s a feminist who matches Whit, the Beast, so perfectly. This story is wonderful & I can’t wait for book 3!

This book was FANTASTIC! Probably one of my top books by this author. I loved every character, especially the hero and heroine. Nora was also great! I can't wait for the next one!

I am writing this review from beyond the grave. Because Brazen and the Beast is so good that it killed me. I'm still marinating in my thoughts and feelings but I am very tempted to say that this book might be Sarah MacLean's best work yet.

The heroine of this book is simply phenomenal. Hattie is everything. There are some truly fabulous books of out there featuring strong, body-confident plus-sized heroines. And that's glorious. That's so needed. But let's be honest. We don't all feel that way. At least not all the time. We don't all have a healthy body image. We don't all love our size. Or our shape. And I don't think I've EVER related to a character in a romance as much I related to Hattie. Hattie has doubts about her worth and a complicated relationship with her body. She has doubts about her desirability. But she grows. She's brave and she ultimately recognizes her true value and refuses to settle. This world needs a million more Hatties.

And I haven't even gotten to Beast yet. Beeeeast. Whit. He's a heartbreakingly raw hero. He's quiet and complex and big and so protective.  He's just delicious.  I LOVED him. I also loved catching up with Devil and Felicity from Wicked and the Wallflower. 

I teared up multiple times for multiple reasons throughout this book. Brazen and the Beast is Sarah MacLean at her best. I could feel real, raw emotions poured into these pages and I can't recommend this book enough. I looooved it.

Brazen and the Beast is out this July but just do yourself a favor and preorder it now.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the chance to read an advanced copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this book! So, I inadvertently thought I had read the first book...oops. Imagine my surprise when I realized I hadn't. Needless to say, as soon as I finished this book I immediately went and read 8 (yes 8) Sarah MacLean books in row. So lets talk about Brazen and the Beast.

It's the year of Hattie, she is finally going to do what she wants with her life. No more will she be managed by men. She has a plan....until, things go a little awry and she stumble across a Barenuckle Bastard tied up in her carriage. Beast/Whit was a rough, tough character who was searching for answers that only Hattie has and he offers to make her a most inappropriate trade.

As the book progresses though, hearts start to get involved, the characters grow, and you start to get those feels. I really enjoyed this book so much!! Yes, Beast was an idiot at times. So was Hattie, but they both had baggage to overcome. Watching that was spectacular. This book was the right amount of story, love, and passion. I now know that I will pick anything up by Sarah MacLean....don't wait and pick up this book, you won't regret it!!

Hattie gave me mad Callie vibes (from Nine Rules), and I absolutely loved it.

Hattie is taking on the Year of Hattie, as she's tired of waiting for her father to wake up and hand the rightful person the shipping business. First up? Taking care of her virginity and the last barrier to full ownership of her own body and future. But things go horribly awry when her plans involve a man tied up in her carriage. One of the Bareknuckled Bastards.

These two had so much chemistry and charisma together. Hattie had me charmed, and Whit was the dark and dangerous man with a kind soul just beginning for love and care. The shenanigans had me laughing, the sexy ship scene was delightfully original and steamy, and the ties of friendship and romance blooming.

This historical is what dreams are made of. I recommend!

Sarah M. Just was added to my favorite author lost after reading this wonderful book. Great heroine. Great storyline. Fast paced and page turner. Even the book has 400 pages I did not feel it because the book was simply a delight to read! I loved it from beginning till end!

Yes, this is another gem from the brilliant Sarah MacLean. This book has 400 pages but I was turning pages at warp speed to find out what would happen next. Hattie is a woman whose ideas are ahead of her time but she is intelligent, feisty and determined that she will take over her father's business as opposed to her near-do-well brother. Beast is already in charge of his kingdom by the Themes along with his brother Devil. There are villains but an especially evil one who adds to the danger for both Beast and Hattie.

I can highly recommend this standalone book in the Bareknuckle Bastards Series. References are made to the previous book which whets my appetite to read that one, WICKED AND THE WALLFLOWER. Try this one, you're gonna love it.