Sarah MacLean’s books never disappoint, and BOMBSHELL was no exception. Her books always push the limits of what historical romance can be, infusing them with characters that defy societal norms and scoff at period standards. They almost feel modern, despite the time period, and that’s one of my favorite aspects. I love a good typical regency romance, but sometimes typical is boring.

In this book, Sesily Talbot is unexpectedly shaken up when she once again sees Caleb Calhoun, the man who broke her heart 2 years ago. Caleb also has feelings for Sesily, though he tries to hide it, and has made a pact with himself to not get involved for…reasons. Much of this book is their back and forth and the will they or won’t they, and it was a lot of fun seeing Sesily chink away at his armor. I loved many of the side characters, mainly Sesily’s group of lady friends, and I adored the shenanigans they get up to. I read somewhere that this book/series is a spin-off of another of MacLean’s series, which gives the full backstory of Caleb and Sesily, and I’ll be moving right along to those books next.

All told, a unique and refreshing, almost modern-feeling regency romance with characters that you can’t help but love. I can’t wait to dive in to the rest of this series (and the main series) to meet the rest of the Talbot sisters. 5 stars.

“That kiss was so perfect, I could swear I heard thunder.”

This book reminded me of the Birds of Prey movie - if it had taken place in the 19th century and involved a scorching romance. It was cinematic and explosive and larger than life and witty and quick-paced and funny. Plus, kissing!
Sarah MacLean writes likes like she’s obsessed with romance novels just as much as we are and wants to spoil us with everything we love about it - which, I don’t know her personally, but I do listen to Fated Mates, so I’m pretty sure is accurate?
I loved Sesily and Caleb together, I loved the plot twists, I loved that there are many mysteries to be solved still. Sarah is SO GOOD at setting up future books; Tommy and the Duke of Clayborn made me actively sweat when they were on the page.
This wasn’t my #1 Sarah MacLean (Felicity and Devil + Ewan and Grace are tied for that) but I loved it so much!

I had a very hard time reading this book and I have no idea why. I usually love Sarah MacLean's books but I just couldn't get into this one. I'm going to say it probably has more to do with my mood reader brain than the actual book itself. I put it aside at 25% but bought a copy of the ebook so I can try to read this again further down the road in hopes that my mood reader brain will be a little more on board with the story.

This took me way longer to read than I want to admit. I’m a mood reader, so if I’m not in a certain mood, the vibes of a book may throw me off a little until I “feel” it. Again, I’m a little ashamed, because I am a big fan of Sara Maclean and this book was really great.

I loved the dynamic between the MCs was a delight. There were plenty of buried secrets to be unearthed for both characters, a couple I honestly did not see coming.

I loved how strong Sesily was and how much she cared about Caleb. I also loved her convictions and desires to be seen as more than just a beautifully scandalous woman, but also someone’s everything. Not to mention her very active work righting society’s wrongs in secret ways. That’s one thing I’ve absolutely loved while reading books like this. Usually it’s the men who are the spies or disrupters of society for the sake of justice, but this one it’s a group of badass women who want to make life easier for all women and children at all levels of society.

Caleb clearly loved his friends and family. It was a struggle to understand his spartan ways, physically, emotionally, and etc. When you learn why, it all makes sense. I loved how often he was magnetically dragged into Sesily’s late evening adventures, and how very much he cared for her when he let her see it. But it was also great to see a female MC turn around and fight for her desired partner.

This was a refreshing historical romance read and I’m very excited to finish reading the second installment in the Hell’s Belles series.

Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this review!

I have been waiting for this book since A Rogue Not Taken and I absolutely loved it. Caleb and Sesily were everything I hoped for and more. This series is going to own me, I know it already.

I will read a book by this author anytime anywhere. She is just that good! While this isn't my favorite series of hers, I would honestly read her shopping list if she wanted me to.

***I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

While not my favorite of MacLean‘s I have read, I still found myself looking for more household chores I could do to finish the book! Romance and danger and strong females kicking some butt…perfect combination. I also like Mary Jane Wells‘ narrations, so was happy to hear her reading this one.

No one writes a book quite like Sarah MacLean. Bombshell is a heavy hitter of a historical romance, and has all of the best MacLean hallmarks. Deeply broken characters who fit together like puzzle pieces, angst, steam and the best hard-won happily-ever-afters. This new series - Hell's Belles - promises to be such a wild adventure exploring London outside of Mayfair.

Sesily Talbot does what she wants without regard for Society's rules - after all, they've never worked for her. She doesn't care if she's labeled as scandalous, and doesn't let anything bother her - except, that is, Caleb Calhoun, her sister's business partner, who seems to want her, then runs away to America whenever she gets too close. Sesily and her friends, the Hell's Belles, make it a point to help women who have been wronged and serve up their own brand of justice, however their latest target is a little too close to Caleb's own secrets, and he has to try to keep Sesily from getting too close to danger (or so he thinks).

It's hard to understate just how thoroughly MacLean's books are able to grab your attention and keep you hooked. Bombshell is a wonderful novel, and I am so glad to have read it.

This is a great entry point into Sarah MacLean's books and you'd have no issues with grasping her style and voice, but at the same time there's lots of payoff for long time readers of hers, which is always nice to see. There's great tension and banter between the couple but my favorite thing was the group of friends, I'm always a sucker for that.

I am sad to say that this book didn't work well for me. I could not get into the story and couldn't warm up to the characters. I am hoping the next book in the series will be better.

I was so excited for this book (and the new series) and was a little disappointed, not like oh wow this was a let down. I mean I love a slow burn and reluctant to love, but honestly I wanted more heat, more fiery passion we got to see in Bareknuckle Bastards. We got it but not until half ways through the book. Do I still love this book? Yes. Will I read the entire series? Yes I will. Do I wish I was part of this girl gang? Yes, yes I do!

Bombshell is MacLeans’ finest work to date. A fierce, bold opening to a what seems to be a game-changing series.

Sesily Talbot is truly a feminist heroine, in a way you really don’t see in historical romance too much. She and Caleb had amazing chemistry and he was the perfect partner for her! So supportive towards her. I really loved this, a start to a great series!

Sesily is an unmarried woman, 30-years-old, and a total scandal. She has affairs and lives life how she wants to, but is in a way protected due to her friendships with a duchess as well as her sisters’ advantageous marriages (though they’ve had scandals of their own). But the only man she’s ever wanted, Caleb, will not have her. When he returns to London after having run away from it – and her – again, he keeps putting himself in her path, both protecting her and frustrating her through her various shenanigans. Sesily and her three best friends have formed an organization to take down some of the worst men in society in their own unique ways, from publicly embarrassing them to doing, well, whatever it takes to keep women safe and give them more agency. But Caleb’s secrets seem to have something to do with the group’s latest target, a disgusting viscount with a notorious, murderous past.

Bombshell certainly has a modern tone that I know not all historical romance readers like, but I enjoyed that. So much of historical romance is based in fantasy – there were certainly not that many hot, woke dukes in their 20’s and 30’s back in the day. Sesily was such a loveable character, though I wasn’t necessarily rooting for her to get together with Caleb, no matter how much she wanted him or how hot their moments together were. His constant need to protect her from his dangerous past annoyed me. Sesily carries a knife and can kick ass. She doesn’t require protection.

Nonetheless, this was a really fun, SPICY read, and I look forward to Heartbreaker, the next in the series.

I am fan of the author and Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is one of my favorites but I couldn't get into this story. The pacing was slow and the female lead was too modern for the time period not just with her actions but with the use of contemporary words. It didn't work for me.

Great start to a new series. Likeable couple and lots of banter. A cast of fun characters that will make you look forward to seeing them again in other books. Another win for MacLean.

DNF at 80%

I went into this expecting an easy read, and that was not what this was. It was a total slog, with bland characters and a nonexistent plot. I could say there was potential, but none of it was utilized. Not worth my time to continue

This was a captivating first novel in a new series by MacLean! The heroine is instantly enjoyable and the hero has just enough brooding without being too much. I look forward to reading about the next heroine in the Hell's Belles!

Sarah MacLean begins a new series, Hell’s Belle’s with a book about Sesily Talbot. If you have read other books by MacLean you will remember many of the background characters, even Sesily’s sisters have been matched in previous works. So long time reader’s will be thrilled to revisit their favorites. If you have not read any of the previous works by the author, never fear it isn’t necessary just be warned this book will have you going back and reading them all.

Sesily, nicknamed Sexily by the ton, is the only unmarried Talbot sister. At thirty she is firmly on the shelf and loving her single life. She has joined a group of women who protect others that evil mean have taken advantage of. They help women who have no where else to turn. However the one man that Sesily was ever interested in has returned to England from America. He is best friends with her sister and runs a business with her. Caleb has an annoying habit of turning up where Sesily doesn’t want him. Will he spoil the ladies plan to out a villain? Can Caleb and Sesily ever settle down together?

MacLean is a master of storytelling and world building. You must read all of her novels!

I absolutely adored this book. I’ve only read one Sarah MacLean novel previously, but I will definitely be reading more! This one focuses on a secret society of women who get vengeance on terrible people throughout London society, and it’s based on a real group of women criminals, which is incredibly cool. The romance is steamy and witty and an absolute blast to read. Can’t wait to check out the next Hell’s Belles!