Wow - this one, well, Sarah didn't mess around with 'Bombshell'

The long-awaited love story of Sesily Talbot, and the American who broke her heart, Caleb Calhoun. Oh my gosh this HEA felt hard fought and incredibly well-earned. I was rooting for these two from the day they met and Bombshell absolutely DELIVERS. I found myself wanting to shake both Sesily & Caleb in a very "NOW KISS & DO IT ALREADY" sort of way. I loved, absolutely ADORED the cast of characters in this, the Hell's Belles. Sesily has an already well-known lovely family full of loud and beautiful and loving sisters. But what we get in this book is the story of her found family. And I for one, absolutely LOVE a found family.

Sarah set the future stories up so beautifully, while managing to keep the focus on Sesily and Caleb. Holy smokes. I don't believe it's a secret to anyone who knows me personally, that I adore Sarah MacLean and her writing. I had no idea what to expect going into this book and I was so fulfilled and happy. I cried happy tears at the end. This book has everything you could possibly want: Smart & clever women fighting injustice, wielding their own skills to bring down abusive and awful people of the aristocracy, but not letting any of that get in the way of living their lives the way they want to. Boldly, powerfully, and full of love.

This is a great one, and I for one can't wait to read it again, and to see what she does next with our Belles

I knew before opening the cover I was going to love this because, well, it's Sarah MacLean. And I did. There were a few issues I had with it but there were also some things I absolutely loved that made up for it.

I really wasn't terribly interested in Sesily's story before and boy was I wrong. This is quite possibly my favorite one yet, and I am so hyped for the ones that will follow. Especially Imogen's story XD.

Previously she has written about groups of (mostly) men and the women they fall in love with. Which is great, but this is so much better. A group of women this time, and at that a group of women who have a greater purpose and, I expect, will dominate the storyline.

There are many things that are very familiar from her previous novels: the slightly overwritten writing, the perhaps-too-frequent sex scenes (but you can't skip them because they also advance the plot) that are dominated by oral sex, and most importantly, the man who falls in love despite himself and fights it every step of the way despite the woman spending the entire novel trying to show him that he *doesn't have to.* That part does grow a bit old, even though she consistently brings the heartwrenching scene of despair and the joyful reuinion and plays my emotions perfectly every time.

But there were new things too, and I'm *so exicted* about them. I adore the Hell's Belles. It's a terribly clever name, but mostly it's a group of women who work together in the shadows to bring down corrupt and evil men when society chooses to look away and ignore their crimes. And then men just sort of flail in their wake.

I can't wait to read Adelaide's story, for it is sure to be fabulous, but I *really* can't wait for Imogen's. She'll have him wrapped around her finger before he knows what's hit him. Possibly literally.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for providing an e-arc for review.

I have a love/hate relationship with this author. I am currently on hate. I want to love her work but this overly feminist plot did not work for me. I should have know to quit as soon as one of the characters used the word "awesome", in 1836. Nope. If I want to read about a sexually promiscuous 30-year old who does not want kids I could pick up any contemporary romance. When I read HR I want the feeling of the time period. I want the innocence of the woman and I like reading about her growing sensuality when she meets the right man.

I think HR is going in the wrong direction and it's authors like this who are going to turn away readers who want to escape modern times.

I really really wanted to like this book 😫 - it had all the elements I usually love:

✅ kickass heroine
✅ well-written
✅unique characters
✅they-long-for-each-other-secretly-but-cannot-be-together-trope

but sadly the romance between Sesily & Caleb fell flat for me and seemed a little disjointed and forced. I was mostly bored and it took me sooo long to finish just because I couldn’t get into it! I haven’t read The Day of the Duchess so maybe I’ve missed an epic buildup to the H&h getting their HEA 🤷🏽‍♀️

Sesily is part of a newly formed vigilante girl gang that targets men of the aristocracy who use their wealth, power, and privilege to get away with despicable acts. During one of her assignments, she runs into Caleb Calhoun, her sister’s American business partner whom she has been longing for two long years.
Caleb Calhoun has returned from across the pond after two long years (mainly to put some distance beween himself and Sesily) but Godfather duties beckons him back into England. Running into Sesily at a ball, Caleb is tempted like never before and it seems distance only makes the heart fonder.

Bombshell is the first book in a new series celebrating strong, intelligent & unique women & there is a modern outlook within the Victorian era. The last of the ‘Soiled Ss’ to settle down, Sesily is a brave, mature and intelligent heroine and she definitely goes after what she wants. I do appreciate where Sarah MacLean is going with Sesily and the rest of the Hell’s Belles heroines, however there were times I had to lower my eyebrows as Sesily’s adventures did sometimes feel unrealistic and unbelievable.

Bombshell also seems like a romance that has been a long time coming, so I think for those that have been waiting, don’t let my opinion hold you back as I do feel like I will be in the minority anyway.

I will be reading more of the Hell’s Belles as this was a great introduction to the rest of the heroines and Sarah MacLean’s writing style is definitely up my alley!

• Thank you Sarah MacLean, Netgalley & Avon for the ARC.

Sarah MacLean truly does not miss when it comes to steamy scenes. And the cover is absolutely stunning. That said, this one was solid but wasn't my favourite. I'm glad that I happened to have read "The Day of the Duchess" earlier this year, because it had been nearly 5 years before that since I'd read one of the books with this group of characters. So I at least had some familiarity that I think - like with many romance "series" - is helpful but not essential. I just never really clicked with Sesily and Caleb as a couple. I found myself more curious about Imogen and Peck (truly can't wait) and the escapades of the other Belles than any of the drama with the two of them, which is not a great sign in a romance. I do think this is probably down to personal preference though, because I'm not a person who really enjoys a ton of angst and Caleb especially is nothing but. And I know it's an historical romance and expectations around chivalry and safety and whatnot were different, but I just couldn't get over Caleb never, not once, actually listening to Sesily and truly hearing her. (Okay, maybe in the last 5% of the book...) There were a few things that felt a little artless that I was surprised by because it's not really a problem I typically have with MacLean's books, specifically the CONSTANT calling Caleb an "American." It made the "reveal" not very reveal-y to me because I kept thinking, "This is really annoying, obviously there's a reason people call him the American more than his name, or that wouldn't be happening."

Overall, I think this is going to be a good option for folks who either are super familiar with the previous and related series OR people who are more into the angstier tropes. Still an enjoyable time!

This was my first Sarah MacLean book and it was an absolute delight! The set up of a girl gang called Hell's Bells who go around exacting revenge against the men who deserve it is incredible.

In this book we follow Sesily, who I'm told has made appearances in previous works by MacLean. While her sisters have all settled down with marriage and kids and their own businesses, she has joined up with this girl gang run by an influential Duchess and has made this her life's work. She's a head strong woman who knows what she wants and doesn't settle for less and I really enjoyed having her as our heroine in this book.

Our male hero, Caleb, has also appeared in previous MacLean books I think (again this is my first so I can't confirm that). He has been a goner for Sesily since the beginning but has his reasons for keeping his distance and not pursuing her, despite the turmoil it puts his heart through. He is fiercely loyal to those who matter to him and will go to the ends of the earth to protect Sesily from the danger she keeps putting herself in.

Overall I found their romance to be full of spice and chemistry. I was instantly drawn in to them and was rooting from the right from their first on page interaction. Was definitely a big fan of this couple.

I did find the middle part of the book lost a little bit of the spark of the beginning and end and it took me a little longer than I had expected to read through that chunk. But overall I did enjoy the plot. There was more mystery and suspense than I had expected (though maybe I should have given the nature of the Hell's Belles work). I am definitely excited to pick up the next book when it comes out (fingers crossed it's Imogen and Thomas's book). And I will definitely be picking up more of MacLean's backlist!

MacLean fans have been asking for Sesily’s book and MacLean delivers the story we have all been waiting for! Sesily has carved out her place in society, making friends with a group of women who have taken it upon themselves to take down the men who deserve it. When Caleb witnesses Sesily’s takedown of a prominent earl, he knows she has found trouble. Her sister tasks Caleb to watch out for Sesily, putting him in her path regularly, which is something he has avoided. The chemistry between them becomes undeniable after two years of denial!

Bombshell is passionate, sexy, and thrilling to read! I think it is brilliant that MacLean started a brand new series with a well-loved secondary character from the magnificent world she has created. The longing between Caleb and Sesily will make your heart ache and the delivery of their happy ending after years of yearning is perfection. Sarah MacLean is a wordsmith and crafts sentences that can only be described as art throughout the book (it is SO romantic).

There is nothing better than reading a book set in a world you want to be a part of and my only question is: where do I sign up to be a member of the Hell’s Belles? The female friendship in this book is outstanding and what we all wish to have! If you are a fan of kick ass women, who are capable of managing themselves in societal games AND bar brawls, look no further, this is the book for you!

This book is feminist as hell and I love it for that!!!

Sesily was the star of this show and Caleb complimented her so well. They had fantastic banter and I felt the chemistry from the very beginning. This is definitely one of the most unique books I've read in a while. It has a clever and engaging plot that keeps women at the front of the story.

The middle slowed down a little and I think that could be because of a bit of an excessive inner monologue and narrative. I wish that the middle had that same spark that the beginning and end did.

I want to go back now and read her other books so that I see the rest of Sesily's sisters' stories. I already can't wait for the next book in the series.

Whew! Whew! JUST WHEW!!!! Slow burn, buildup to a sizzzzzzzzling romance that is hotter than the temperatures outside!!!! I love a "in love with your friends sibling" book. It's just tooooo good!! I haven't read any of Sarah MacLean's books before this but now that is going to change!!

This is an explosive start to what promises to be a phenomenal new series. Sesily is exactly the kind of heroine I love in a historical romance — brash, unapologetic, and confident, but not afraid to be vulnerable either. And don't even get me started on the chemistry between her and Caleb, gah! That third act dark moment almost made weep, it was so lovely and angsty. This was a book I wanted to devour but almost forced myself to take my time in getting through it because I didn't want it to be over either. And I remain continually delighted by how often characters from previous series are tied into new ones, which makes it all interconnected in a wonderful sort of way; this is the Sarah MacLean Cinematic Universe if I've ever read one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a huge fan of Sarah MacLean’s books. I enjoy them so much, I couldn’t wait to read the first book in a new series, Bombshell.

This was a great start to the series with the sexy couple Caleb and Sesily. Lady Sesily is a bold and unapologetic heroine who stands up for others. Caleb is a man with a mysterious past who is trying to fight his attraction to Sesily. Alas, their chemistry is off the charts and the results are inevitable!

All in all, an excellent start to the Hells Belles series! I can’t wait or Adelaide’s story which is up next.

Sarah has been a favorite author for a while and Bombshell delivered in spades.

Some of my favorite banter, sexual tension and story. I can not wait for the next hells belle's book!

I honestly was not sure walking into this one following the last Talbot sister in Victorian times? As soon as we got the tension on page between Sesily and Caleb though I was sold. It was un putdownable. Definitely a favorite of the year.

Sarah MacLean is tied with Courtney Milan as my favorite historical romance author, and Bombshell is a shining example of why. It is full of complex, fully realized women fighting for a place in an oppressive society, lots of romantic tension, and an absolute firecracker of a lead. Sesily is exquisite, bold, strong willed, and as her sister observes, loves with her whole heart.

This is a spin-off of one of Sarah’s other series that i haven’t read yet, but it didn’t ruin the book for me. I don’t mind knowing that her sisters are all happily settled because they are romances, so it’s not like I will be going into those books wondering if they get their happily ever afters. That being said, I’m sure reading the other series first would make this even more lovely as we spend small amounts of time with Sesily’s sisters and SOs.



Highlights:

Sesily is absolutely uninterested in falling into line in society, and instead uses her beauty, wit, wealth and independence to live exactly as she pleases, which delightfully means she spends her time with the rest of the Hell’s Belle’s taking down the worst of the powerful men in their circles.

Caleb and Sesily have incredible chemistry, and watching Sesily try to snare Caleb over and over until he finally gives in is delicious. Just incredibly romantic, sexy, and fun.

Caleb has a secret, and it creates a lot of great tension between our leads, as he fights to stay away from Sesily to keep her safe, and she tries to show him she doesn’t care, and absolutely schemes around him in circles.

The Belle’s are fantastic, and I can’t wait to see the rest of them get their HEA’s. A wallflower thief, an heiress obsessed with explosives, and a Duchess who does what she pleases with her absent husband’s resources, all work with Sesily to right as many small wrongs as they can for the women in their sphere of influence.

Overall, I not only loved this book, it makes me hungry to finish reading Sarah’s backlist and then starting over at the beginning. So, so great.

I’m a big Sarah MacLean fan and I really loved this book. I loved the relationship between all the women and how they worked together to take down powerful men, and I really loved the central love story between Sesily and Caleb. They were great together and I really enjoyed their bangsr and back and forth.

Even though I haven’t read the companion series for these characters, there’s no way I’m going to pass up a new Sarah MacLean book and this one was fantastic.

I love love loved Sesily. She’s clever and knows her worth and so full of heart. Caleb is stand off-ish and stern and absolutely smitten. Together they’re all sorts of flirting disguised as banter-jabs and so much longing, it was delicious. Oh, and I am loving this new set of ladies.

Plot wise, it was great. There are a few layers and threads, but it’s such a great set up for the other books. I loved that Sesily spoke her mind and stood up for what she wanted and while Caleb tried to protect her, he realized she didn’t need it.

Overall, I devoured this story and loved these characters and hate that there’s going to be year until the next one.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I knew, I just KNEW, when we first met Sesily Talbot that we were going to be gifted with the perfect Sarah MacLean story, and I was👏🏻not👏🏻disappointed 👏🏻.

We first met Sesily Talbot in the Scandal & Scoundrel series where she makes an appearance in all three books. While a reader could enjoy this new novel/series without reading those books, it would be a disservice to the character development. You should at least read book 3 of the prior set (The Day of the Duchess) for your initial introduction to Sesily & Caleb, but do yourself a favor and read all three—I promise you won’t regret it 😘

As for Bombshell, we are introduced to quite the merry band of aristocratic marauders Sesily has become a part of, with the mission of bringing down the villains of the ton, be it abusive husbands, lecherous employers, or anyone else who’s power lets them escape the rest of society’s judgment. As we watch this group of women in action, Sesily’s path keeps crossing with Caleb Calhoun, the bar owner that only ~seems~ like he is immune to her charms. But as Caleb begins digging in to Sesily’s secrets, she brings uncovering his secrets as well…

I adored this book. Sesily is a firecracker, and there was just the right amount of angst between these will-they-or-won’t-they-lovers, but what made it even more exciting was the entire group Ms. Maclean has built—my only complaints that I don’t have the patience to wait for the rest of the books in this series!

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

I loved this book! I actually haven't read many Sarah MacLean books, but this definitely made me want to read more of her work. Sesily Talbot is a kickass woman protecting other women with her group of other powerful and smart women. I loved the other women in the group and I'm really looking forward to reading their stories. Feminists galore! It's a slow burn romance with a honorable and respectable hero. I loved their banter and the mutual pinning. Highly recommend!

Sarah MacLean is an autobuy author for me and with the first book in the Hells Bells series she knocked it out of the park!!
I absolutely love Siselly Talbot! She is a take no prisoners, knife weilding, kick ass women who doesn't want to let people who are abusing their powers win.. Siselly and her tight knit group of friends are working in the shadows, and thats how they like it.. They are protecting women, when no one else can or will step up... When during one of their plans, things go slightly sideways when Caleb Calhoun, see her wander off and knowing that she gets herself into trouble constantly decides hes going to follow. Caleb and Siscelly have a bit of a complicated history, they both think the other arent interested but they both have some strong feelings for each other which has led to some miscommunications. It doesn't help that Caleb has a few secrets of his own, and spends most of his time in Boston.

Siscelly is the one that saves the day, while she wants someone.. namely Caleb.. to standby her side, she can absolutely take care of herself.. In fact the only time she gets into some tight spots is when she is worried about him. I could feel the chemistry between them jumping off the page, and was rooting for Caleb to get his head out of his butt, and let himself love Siscelly.

The ending was great, Siscelly and her friends are masterminds at what they do and it absolutley shows.. I absolutely can't wait for more books in this series..

Perfect for fans of Evie Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women series! Hell's Belles is not just a fun new series from historical romance master Sarah MacLean, it's a fun new patriarchy-smashing Victorian girl-gang series that picks up where the Scandal & Scoundrel series left off. For those of you who can't remember — me, always me — or haven't picked them up yet, the Scandal & Scoundrel series tells the story of Sophie, the youngest, and Seraphina, the oldest, of the five scandalous Talbot sisters, known to Society as the Soiled S's. Because Society is awful like that.

Society is no less awful in "Bombshell," but it eventually will be if Sesily Talbot, the most scandalous of the Talbot sisters, and her group friends/vigilantes have their way. Sesily is unapologetically bold, sexy, independent, and handy with a knife. She's also inconveniently, ill-advisedly attracted to her sister Seraphina's American business partner, Caleb. The feeling is mutual — except the undeniable attraction on Caleb's side is a little more than just ill-advised and inconvenient. It's perilous and impossible. Will Sesily jeopardize her pursuit for justice to pursue the affections of the only person who has ever really seen and understood her? Will Caleb jeopardize everything he's worked his entire life to protect to be with the only person who has ever felt like home?

This is a slow-burn, mutual-yearning romance with a strong female lead and an honorable love interest. I felt like the yearning got in the way of the story and chemistry at times, but Sesily's banter is <chef's kiss>, the sex scenes are <fans self>, the action adventure is <eats popcorn, riveted>, and the cast of characters set up for the rest of the series is <add to cart>.

[Note from an indie bookseller's perspective: I do wish this series (and more feminist historical romances in general) were being made available as trade paperback originals. We sell a lot of romance, historical and contemporary, but our customers are far less likely to pick up mass market paperbacks with classic clinch covers.]

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Avon for a digital ARC.

It seems like I've been waiting for this story forever but it was all worth it. It's finally Sesily Talbot, the last of the unmarried Talbot sisters. Their father won his baron title in a card game with Prinny & the ton barely tolerates the family, The daughters are labeled The Soiled S's or The Dangerous Daughters - lock up your bachelors the girls want titles. Throughout the previous sisters books Sesily has been the one with the wicked sense of humor and devil may care attitude. At the ripe old age of 30 she's grown into her own, society be damned. I love this lady, she's a liberated thinker and has the cash to go with it. Her friends are set to be the next HEA's in the Hell's Belles series. Determined to make a difference in the world is a brave path to take even with skilled and loyal friends.

Her love interest is Caleb Calhoun who we first met in Day of the Duchess. He's a stoic American & actually leaves the country to get away from our girl. Ouch. Caleb's inner dialog was driving me crazy, he thinks about his secrets, mulls them over, but never gives us a clue what's what. He's a complicated man but in truth he and Sesily are kindred spirits and I like their HEA. There's a wonderful, crazy lead up to the actual HEA, it was so much fun. I read this book in one day, now I'll have to twiddle my thumbs until the next one comes along.

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.

#Hell'sBelles #Bombshell #SarahMacLean #AvonBooks #HarperCollins #historicalromance #Netgalley