So when I grabbed it I was excited by the blurb, I mean anytime we have badass women brining bad men down I am going to be gun-ho about it. However, when I started to read it I was iffy, I was wondering why Sesily would let people think such horrible things about her (true some were earned) but not all, especially since she had this crush on Caleb and he was the one she wanted. Now I get that she wanted to help this cause, I got that but I think that there is a limit, now luckily I kept on reading and was glad that I did. Both Caleb and Sesily had secrets and these two had chemistry that they could not deny and were there for each other as needed..grab it and Enjoy!

Bombshell is part of the continued saga of the Sister’s S. (A family of many sister’s with their first names beginning with the letter ’s’.) I did not know that going into this story, and I definitely would have liked to know that as a lot of the romance and meeting between the two main characters, Sesily and Caleb, took place two years prior in Sesily’s sister’s book Day of the Duchess. A lot of the book was Caleb denying Sesily (and his own) feelings and it got very monotonous and annoying very early on. The added aspect of Sesily and her girl friends wreaking havoc on the abusive and evil members of their society was meant to give the reader a zeal of adventure and feel exited by females protecting their own, but it felt a little weird, random and impractical. There needed to be more romance between Caleb and Sesily and less time brooding and whimpering as to why it cannot be.

I received an ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars. There were parts of Bombshell that I loved -- especially the scenes where Sesily and her friends are carrying out their plots against evil and corrupt members of the aristocracy (more on that below) -- but unfortunately the main romance between Sesily and Caleb fell a little flat for me. I get the sense that a lot of their story was set up in Day of the Duchess, which I've started and DNFed a few times (I've heard there's epic groveling eventually there, but Haven's past conduct and the opening chapters of the book were too dark and angsty even for me). For readers who have the benefit of the full backstory, most of my issues likely are irrelevant. Bombshell jumps into their romance with their mutual feelings already established, but due to Caleb's misguided sense of honor and desire to protect Sesily (and others) from someone from his past, he has tried to stay away from her for most of the two years they have known each other. As a result, the romance feels like it's treading water for 75% of the story with Caleb's internal tug of war over whether he is willing to expose Sesily to the risks and dangers that follow him. This is particularly frustrating given that Sesily reminds him (through words and actions) many times over that's she's more than capable of taking care of herself and that she's willing to accept those risks to be with him. In the end, I felt like Caleb was dragging her down a bit instead of being the badass partner-in-crime that she deserves.

As noted, though, Bombshell has many excellent aspects that make it a promising start to the new series. The secondary characters, and future romantic pairings that were hinted at, were all so much fun to read. Imogen and her potential love interest have some strong Miss Scarlet & the Duke vibes going on, and their banter was great. Adelaide and her likely love interest have some sparks here, as well -- seeing them clash in future books will be entertaining. The Duchess's backstory will be particularly interesting, and I hope we get to read a lot more about how she founded the girl-gang at the center of the story. I would have loved some scenes showing Sesily's training and more about the group itself, which hopefully we'll get to see in the next books.

Another strong point of the book (like all of MacLean's romances) is the scorchingly hot love scenes. MacLean always does a great job building up the anticipation and then delivering on it (over many pages), and this is no exception.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Sarah MacLean can write rings around most HR authors and this start to a new series has plenty of good writing. In this first book we are introduced to the gang of four Hell's Belles; the Duchess, Adelaide, Imogen and Sesily. The Duchess has the money to fund this vigilante group, Sesily and Adelaide are the “muscle” and brains, Imogen is a scientific genius who can concoct all kinds of bombs and lethal mixes. Their mission is to rid the Ton of the evil abusers. The romance of Sesily and Caleb is fraught with dangerous secrets Some of the danger could have been mitigated by some honest conversation but then we wouldn't have all that suspense and action. Sesily is 30 years old and does not profess to be a virgin, she is really on a mission to seduce Caleb who she has loved for two years. Caleb appears to be attracted to Sesily but has his reasons for holding her at arms length. This is a very sexy romance with lots of violence and also lots of characters justifying lawless activity in the name of the greater good. This is an interesting story with terrific character development. I do look forward to future books featuring Adelaide and Imogen and the Duchess. I also find their moral ambiguity slightly disturbing. You be the judge.

(PUB 8.24)  Thank you to @netgalley and Avon for the early copy of BOMBSHELL. Safe to say it blew my mind (see what I did there?) 

Sesily is scandalous and strong.
Caleb is unabashedly smitten and is hiding a secret. 
Together they are explosive. Seriously- the steam was sizzling off the page. 
The banter, the tension, the story and their romance had me unable to put it down.

My favorite component was how Caleb not only saw, but celebrated the true nature of Sesily.  He sees her in a way that no one else does. Let me tell ya- all the feels.

What an explosive (you see what I did there?) start to Sarah MacLean's newest series, Hell's Belles! People have been waiting for Sesily's happily-ever-after for years, and I gotta say--the author doesn't disappoint.

This new novel has all the ingredients for a good historical romance--a fiery heroine, an angsty hero, and a passionate love story. MacLean has a way of using humor and snark in her novels in just the right amount. This is one of those novels that will make you laugh out loud, even when you're falling for the couple in the story. Sesily is an unmarried 30-year-old woman; one sister out of a group of five who are constantly scandalizing society in one form or another. Caleb Calhoun is a wealthy American who jointly owns a tavern in London with Sesily's sister, Seraphina. In previous books, we see the chemistry between these two, but they are just now getting their own novel. Without going into too much detail (no spoilers, I promise!), Sesily is one of four women who fight crime and bring justice to the wronged people of London. This is that origin story for her. Caleb, who is back in England after a year in America, is tasked by Seraphina to watch over Sesily (who Sera thinks is in trouble). Caleb is hesitant because, of course, he's head over heels in love with her. Which is convenient because she is head over heels in love with him. The majority of the book centers around Sesily's secret job and bringing our couple together despite many obstacles.

I adored Sesily and Caleb. Passionately in love from the very beginning of the story, the book mainly explores how they get to their HEA. And it is a FUN ride. Action, adventure, passion, love, humor--all of this can be found in this book. Sarah MacLean's writing is amazing. She understands the feminism that lies in stories like this, and she's really good at bringing it to the page.

There are only one real issue that I have with the book: I thought a lot of the main love story was very generic. Don't get me wrong--MacLean's writing is great. However, I thought the story lacked some originality. The major twist in the story was well done, but I felt like the majority of the book could be boiled down to this: "I love you so much and I must have you" coupled with "No, I can't be with you. You're in danger with me." This is a common romance trope, to be sure, but I sort of feel like I've read a number of the author's books with the same plot. Essentially, "You good. Me bad." To me, a lot of her heroines and heroes are so similar. Feisty woman, emotionally-constipated male. MacLean is such a wonderful writer, that it bums me a little when it feels like I'm reading the same couples again. Don't get me wrong--she does write some amazing original characters, but I feel like this book is sort of like her last few works: feisty female, emotionally withdrawn man. This is a good trope, to be sure. I just love her writing and would love to see some variety.

Overall, I adored this book and will be recommending it to my friends and social media followers, as well as Goodreads. MacLean is such a fun writer, and I look forward to the next novel in the series!

I struggled a little at the beginning trying to figure out the relationships of the many characters but once I got that I loved the rest. I have read about a half dozen historical romances by Sarah MacLean and she never disappoints. I particularly enjoyed the history of this book..based on a real life group of women in Victorian England who worked to help other women in bad situations. And the romance was really well written. This book is the first in a new series and I look forward to the stories of the other three principal characters.

Long story short: if you like historical romances, kick-ass women taking names and getting into trouble, and/or the Sarah MacLean universe, read this book.

About 2/3 of the way through Bombshell, all the pieces that MacLean has been working to set in motion start to come together. This includes:
- Introducing the Hell's Belles, a group of highborn women who bring special talents to problems affecting other women. Maybe the man you are being forced to marry is a rotter. Maybe your husband is abusive and likely killed his first two wives. Maybe you work for a shady aristocrat and you are looking for a way out. The Hell's Belles and their network of skilled women around London can help you. There is an early scene with them in action that is just so much fun.

- Reintroducing Sesily and Caleb. If you've read The Rogue Not Taken or The Day of the Duchess from a previous MacLean series, you have probably been waiting for them to finally get together. For readers, it's never been a matter of if but how. As characters, they have both been such charismatic scene-stealers in past books, and they remain so here. You'll want them to get together, but there are shortcuts taken and assumptions made about how informed readers are when they meet these two.

- Setting up the mystery of Caleb's past and the specific dilemma that this group collectively needs to address.

It's a lot, and given the payoff from all the threads coming together near the end, MacLean mostly pulls it off. This is an exciting romance, and the last 1/3 of the novel is truly a romp.

I almost want to stop there, but there may be readers like me who will wonder, at around the halfway mark, whether this is turning into the Bareknuckle Bastards series. That series--particularly, the Daring and the Duke--suffered in a few ways: the romances sometimes came second to the universe-building, and the final romance between Grace and Ewan was so predestined that it started at overwrought and got more intense from there. The good news is that readers of Bombshell who hang in will be rewarded by the end.

Once Sesily and Caleb were given something to do, they managed to redirect some of the melodramatic romantic energy that was building towards working together. This, really, is where the romance seems truest and earned within the pages of this book (versus a given that's set up in previous books). In some ways, it was a bit like the scene from Shakespeare in Love where Shakespeare has to tell his Romeo to tone down the emotion around Rosalind; if he's at a 10 when talking about his crush, then where can he go with his performance when he finally meets his true love, Juliet? Sesily and Caleb were starting perilously close to a 10, so as their relationship progresses over the course of the novel and they face new obstacles, there's not a lot of room for increased intensity for their emotions. Thankfully, this resolves itself by the end in a satisfying way.

Even though this is a new series, I'd recommend that new readers go back and pick up The Rogue Not Taken first, then The Day of the Duchess. Not only does this provide important backstory for Sesily, Caleb, and the Talbot sisters, but they are some of MacLean's best novels. In fact, The Day of the Duchess is one of the best historical romances in recent years, and really shows how yearning and intense, consuming love can play out well on the page.

I have high hopes for the rest of the series. MacLean has introduced two likely romantic pairings already, and future installments in the series will probably not wrestle with the weight of expectations and a long-running history the way that Sesily and Caleb's romance did.

The Hell's Belles are delightful, and the concept of this series is exciting. MacLean is phenomenal at world-building, perhaps better than any other historical/Victorian romance writer now. There's a moment in the book where faithful readers will delight at how she incorporates past characters, but truly, she weaves them all through this novel in such a seamless way.

Sesily is just such an outstanding character, and Caleb proves to be a capable, loving, supportive partner. What more could you want from a romance?

Gotta love a series about a group of women doing what they can to protect people no one else would listen to from those who would do them harm, cruel suitors, opportunistic bosses, or whatever brand of no-good villain that is need of a comeuppance. The fact it is by Sarah MacLean makes it all the sweeter because you can trust that she will do that storyline justice and then some.

Sesily is largely considered a lady in title only. She embraces her scandalous reputation and the freedom it gives her to carry out the work that makes her happy in secret. When her sister's friend and business partner, Caleb, returns to England and notices things he shouldn't about her movements it causes complications. Her friends need for her to make sure he trustworthy but that mean endangering her heart. Sesily is strong, smart, and more than capable of fighting her own battles. She does need any man to save but that does keep Caleb from really wanting to try. Sesily is a far more vibrant character but I really liked them together and the push and pull of their attraction as it conflicts with their secrets. I loved the Hell's Belles and could have read much more about their machinations which I hope I get the chance to in the future books.

This was an excellent start to a series and I am so looking forward to reading more about the Belles.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved returning to the Talbot sisters and all their scandals in this book! MacLean has crafted a beautiful love story with just the right amount of humor, angst, and romance, just like always!

I’m so glad to finally get Sesily and Caleb’s story! This new girl gang is fun, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the stories too. Imogen’s story is going to be fun based on what we saw in this book, and I have guesses about what’s going to happen in the Duchess’s story.

Look. You know any MacLean romance is going directly on my reading list. This one exceeded even those high expectations while undertaking the very challenging task of blending a well-developed romance with a properly constructed mystery/thriller element. Many authors try to make “Ocean’s Eight” with corsets, but MacLean pulls it off. I could write forever about all the amazing elements but to avoid spoilers, here are the key highlights: amazing protagonist, hot mysterious hero, smart independent women, humor, a bit of cross/double cross, a well-developed world that incorporates previous works and...let's call it “chemistry” that really hits the mark (if you get my drift). Put this one at the top of your summer reading list.

First of all, Sarah Maclean is amazing and I’ve never read anything bad written by her. Bombshell does not disappoint! First in a new series of strong women, I loved it. She is perfection as always. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

This book is a GLORIOUS historical romance! I am ecstatic that this is the beginning of what promises to be a legendary series, namely the Hell’s Belles series. This first book delivers so much sizzle and pop, and an absolute brilliant cast of amazing and intriguing women that I simply cannot wait to read more about in upcoming books.

But, no need to rush ahead of myself into the future because this story is exceptionally fulfilling. Sesily shines so brightly that she practically leaps off the page. Caleb compares her to Athena, and it doesn’t seem like hyperbole. If you relish a storyline that includes an underground network of brave and clever women who can literally fight “bad guys,” this is the book for you. The writing is perfection. You won’t be able to put it down.

I received an ARC of this book.

‘Bombshell’ is the epitome of a historical romance done so, so right. And, with this novel, author Sarah MacLean once again demonstrates why she is one of the best historical romance novelists writing today.

Lady Sesily Talbot is no stranger to scandal, and embraces it with outstretched arms. She, along with other women who’ve found themselves along the fringes of civilized society, has decided to take some matters into her own hands. Never has she deigned to allow a man to turn her head… until she meets the enigmatic American Caleb Calhoun. That feeling is short-lived, however, as the man literally leaves the county to avoid her. Caleb Calhoun has always been enamored by spirited Sesily Talbot, but he has his own reasons for keeping his distance. But when Caleb catches Sesily emerging from a scandalous situation, and finds himself in quite the pickle himself, he’ll find that he might not have the strength to stay away any longer.

This novel delivers action, chemistry, and strong female relationships in spades. Spades, I tell you! It’s wonderfully feminist and the dialogue is delightfully witty. There’s yearning and longing and a male protagonist that has to contend with his feelings; it’s all of the things that I love to read. To quote the author’s much-adored saying from her popular podcast, Fated Mates, “Put it in my veins.”

I’m abashed to admit that I’d never read a MacLean novel before this, and I am remedying that situation IMMEDIATELY. Even if historical romance isn’t your typical genre, this book just hits. I’m already adding it to my best reads of the year without any equivocation.

Fans of MacLean and new readers alike will absolutely be sucked into this new series. I, for one, cannot wait to read about the rest of the Hell’s Belles.

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow wow wow. what a great start to a new series. I love Sesily, I love Caleb, and I love them together. I loved the dynamics between not only the main couple, but also the sisters and the Hell's Belles. There were just so many different and wonderful relationships, and I want to read books for every character who doesn't have one yet! I loved how Sesily was independent and forging a different path than her sisters. The steamy scenes were well written and varied and *gasp* focused on female pleasure. I'm not even a big romantic suspense fan, but even those elements didn't bother me much. The only thing I don't necessarily love is when one character jumps to massive conclusions about the other and just assumes the worst. As a plot device, that frustrates me, especially when the characters know each other fairly well like Sesily and Caleb do.

Overall, I loved this. It was a delight to read and I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc. All opinions are my own.

Sesily is the most scandalous of the infamous Talbot sisters. She has embraced her role as the ton’s most talked about woman. She has joined a group of women who help to correct the wrongs committed by the most powerful members of society against the least powerful.

Caleb Calhoun is a self-made American tavern owner who happens to be business partners with Sesily’s sister. He is loyal and kind. He has been keeping an ocean between himself and Sesily to try to fight his feelings for her.

There is so much pining in this book. Sarah MacLean’s writing makes your heart yearn with them. The side characters are fully fleshed out and add so much to the story. This is a wonderful love story filled with hope, justice, and partnership. This is another great addition to the Sarah MacLean universe of books.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Lady Sesily Talbot is unapologetically herself, scandlous, brazen and ready for war.


I got up at 4 am to finish this book and it was worth it. I loved the women's friendship, the glimpses of sisterly love and the attraction between Caleb and Sesily. A romance filled with light moments, action and explosives.

" Aunt Sesily loves with her whole heart"

I can't wait for the continuation of this serie.

I recommend this book.

I have never read a historical like this before.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a ROMANCE like this before.

Bombshell rocked me to my very core with this action-packed, sensual, emotionally charged, Victorian era girl gang heist of a narrative.

Reading this felt like watching Wonder Woman kick ass for the first time on the big screen. I don’t know how Sarah MacLean is going to level up from here but I can’t freaking wait to see it when (not if, WHEN) it happens.

I really enjoyed this book, however it is best to read Sarah MacLean's previous series not the Bareknucke Bastards but the series before that.

I really loved Sesily and the lady gang on how they come together to bring down bad Dukes.

This was an enjoyable read.