this was such a good read! tommy is such a simp for imogen and i absolutely loved it!! they had so much tension, trying to not give into the chemistry… and when they finally gave in… BOOM.

thank you so much for the e-arc, sarah maclean & goodreads! all opinions are my own.

Sarah MacLean never disappoints! Third in the Hell's Belles series, this is Lady Imogen Loveless and Detective Inspector Tommy Peck's story. Imogen knows science and more about explosives than your average society lady, while Tommy came from the slums to forge a successful Scotland Yard career. Their attraction is off the charts, although it takes Tommy awhile to see that there just might be a possible future for them. Highly recommended.

If you like books featuring…
Feisty Victorian Feminists
A gang of Robin Hood heroes
Found family

Great for fans of…
Spicy Victorian romance
Bridgerton
Evie Dunmore

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. I've read it twice already and I still don't have the words. Putting this aside for a longer review later, but if you're reading this...buy this book.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Lady Imogen Loveless doesn’t exactly fit in with London high society. She has a passion for chemistry and a talent for explosions which has seen her labeled as odd. But that doesn’t matter to Imogen as long as her chaos is accepted by her friends, the Hell’s Belles, a group of vigilantes working right under the nose of most of London.

Detective Inspector Thomas Peck is excellent at his job, however, and he knows immediately that Imogen is pure chaos, not an oddity. He thinks she needs someone to keep her safe, and when her brother discovers more about what she’s been up to, he wholeheartedly agrees.

Thomas is determined to keep Imogen safe, all the while struggling to contain his attraction to the woman he sees as miles above him. Imogen has no such qualms, however, and soon the connection between them threatens them both just as much as their enemies.

This book may just be my favorite ever from this author. She has been very hit or miss for me and this series in particular has been a bit disappointing for me, but this book has changed that for the better. For a while there, I feared we were about to go right down the same old road full of misandry, but thankfully that thread changed direction quickly. Tommy was noble even to a fault and I loved that Imogen appreciated this about him yet also saw how it could make him vulnerable. They each protected the other and I loved that, especially when she finally confided in him, and they began to work together as a team. I just wish that had come sooner in the book, rather than them only getting things together nearer the end. I did really appreciate that they had quite a few conversations that were deep and serious, sometimes uncomfortable, but they never resorted to sniping at one another like petulant children. This often seems to be the modus operandi for the currently fashionable ‘strong heroine’ and I am thoroughly sick of reading it. Anyway, Tommy definitely had moments where he needed to take a second and listen, setting aside his strict adhesion to nobility, but it didn’t take him long to realize when he’d gone too far with it and Imogen wasn’t afraid to point it out either. I did want maybe one more chapter after everything was worked out, or perhaps a scene with Imogen and Tommy and her brother just to make everything feel more complete, but overall, I was surprised by how much I really liked these two together and now I have some hope for Duchess’ story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chemistry between two MCs is sizzling. Oh, the pining! Relieved that Charles gets a redemption arc, because it's a positive for Imogen.

Explosive! Having the groundwork set for our leading lovers made their interacts already electric! Getting a closer view in their families, personal lives, thoughts, and complicated feelings about their situations and each other was so rich and engaging! Can't wait to see what's in store for these two!

Sarah MacLean is my top author for a reason and once again she proves her top spot. Knockout might be my favorite in this series so far, and I didn't think anything would top Heartbreaker. The banter in this book is * chefs kiss *. I seriously couldn't get enough of it. Imogen and Tommy are one of my favorite couples and I was rooting for them from the start. I can not wait for the last book. I absolutely love this series and author.

You know how they tell us to learn history so we don’t repeat the mistakes of our ancestors and people still repeat them anyway? MacLean’s Hell’s belles is one series that holds a perfect mirror to today’s world while staying true to its Victorian setting. It’s fiction sure, but Ms MacLean has receipts for all of her historical inspo, and yes boss arse bishes have always been a thing. They walked so we could fly. And these Belles sure did walk the walk, they’re the alphas we are so used to seeing the hero of the movie (or the book, as it were) be. And the heroes are also alphas. I love this for us.

Imogen is the odd one in a collection of odd females, an explosives expert, or a kaboom aficionado, and a riot of color and life herself. What society has termed an oddity, Tommy correctly recognized as brilliance, and thus begins their months long foreplay, I mean attraction, until this book, and kaboom 💥 Tommy is big and burly and Protector Incarnate TM, so much so that he’s trying to protect Im from himself too. No sir, get the hint, and the girl. Once the dear foolish man gets the hint though, it is on.

As always in a belles installment, revolutions are started and patriarchy is smashed, and a grand old time is had by all. Until the ending, which in classic MacLean fashion before the last book of the series, is a mind blowing, jaw dropping, gasp inducing lady dog of a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to be swept up by the tidal wave of madness that’s sure to be Duchess’s story.

The anticipation I had for this book! This series (this title can be enjoyed as a standalone) continues to be a lot of fun but feels just too modern for me to get really into it. I absolutely adored Tommy. Overall, "Knockout" was an easy read and an enjoyable escape, but not exceptionally memorable.

I think my favorite part was the teaser for the Duchess' story!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The third entry in the Hell's Belles series follows Lady Imogen Loveless and Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Thomas (Tommy) Peck. Imogen's love of explosives has gotten her and her team out of some scrapes, and, in this book, she uses that knowledge to investigate a series of bombings across East London. On her heels is Tommy Peck, who is investigating the same bombings for Scotland Yard. These two have squabbled since the first book in the series, leaving in their wake some slow burn romantic tension. I loved Imogen's fearlessness, and the way Tommy falls for her was a joy to watch. Looking forward to the final book in the series.

Sarah MacLean kills me again! She writes the perfect hero. It was Imogen who really shines in this book. I cannot get over how well connected this book is in the Hell's Bells series, but with some ties back to the Bareknuckle Bastards series?! This book is beyond steamy. When I am in doubt what to read I will return to this title. This lady may be the most powerful heroine I have ever read.

Lady Imogen is chaos. Some people think her too much. Too big, too bold, too loud. She's an explosives expert and part of the Hell's Belles, a group of women vigilantes digging up dirt on wealthy aristocrats who are preying on the less fortunate. When a series of bombs destroy buildings housing businesses with secondary purposes, a place for women to strategize, get healthcare, etc., Imogen and the Belles investigate. These investigations annoy Detective Inspector Thomas Peck, or Tommy as Imogen calls him. He is sure Imogen knows more about the explosions than she is telling. To stay close to her, he makes on offer to her brother to be her bodyguard. He finds her more and more fascinating but is convinced a Peeler from the slums can never marry a Lady. It's full of explosive excitement and swoony romance as they investigate corruption at the highest levels in government. A shoutout to the beautiful cover art and having a model exactly fit the description of the character.

The last few years (4 to be exact) it hasn't been August if I'm not looking forward to getting, receiving, and then reading a new Sarah MacLean novel. Each time I open the pages of a new book from her, it's like coming home. There's something about MacLean's writing that as a long time reader feels like a warm comfortable hug. This is emphasized by the fact that her newest novel, KNOCKOUT, is the third book in her latest series, The Hell's Belles. We have previously met Tommy, Imogen, and her friends in the previous two books.

There have been many comparisons of the interactions between Tommy and Imogen to the television series, Miss Scarlet and the Duke. Rightly so. The way that Tommy is stern and narrow, trying to do as much as he can within the confines of the law and what is proper. Then we've got Imogen, and her band of friends, that seek to find justice for everyone, using any means necessary. Then, when the two are on page together, fabulous. Whether it's the mild flirting, or conversations laced with sexual tension, the dialogue between these two, it's like a chef's kiss.

However, I would like to bring forth that this book is also inspired by Batman - unlike Batman, Tommy eats - specifically the 1960s television series. We've got a band of vigilante heroines, who don't directly fight crime, but they do aid the police in bringing a few criminals to justice. And then all the noises/sounds in this book. There are so many fun sounds/noises in this novel - boom, frizzle, bang, kaboom. It reminds me of how when Batman and Robin got in fights with the criminals, words such as pow, bam, kapow would appear on the screen.

Both Tommy and Imogen have been attracted to each other from the start, but Tommy goes through a lot of "I don't deserve her/she deserves more/better than I can offer" feelings, as he's but a detective inspector from a poor family, and she's the daughter of, and sister of an earl. When he finally stops being exasperated man with feelings, and the two finally get together, it's great.

As with the other two books in this series, my favorite part in the book is when Tommy tells Imogen how he sees that she uses her skills to hide in plain sight. How even through all that, he sees her. How he's always seen her. Just swoon.

Quick note on what was revealed in the epilogue - I need book 4 now. There was no doubt that I was going to get the book (again, long time Sarah MacLean fan), but she's got us hooked. Similar to the end of No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This is just a fun historical romance series. I just loved Imogene and Thomas's banter. They were so fun to watch together and definitely had sparks. Loved the straight-laced Detective really opening up to Imogene.

Once again Sarah MacLean knocks it out of the park with Knock Out. I have loved all of her books I have read, and this is my third one. I love the strength of the FMC 's in her books. I love that they have big interests, and Imogen's interest in explosives and chemistry I found to be interesting. Tommy isn't my ideal hero, I'm not much for the broody/you can do better than me type, but I did really enjoy him. I loved that way he saw Imogen like no one in her life saw her. I think there are many women who like Imogen feel like they are often too much or too odd for societal ideals, but Tommy was all for celebrating the parts of Imogen most people thought were too much, whether it was her curves or her penchant for danger or her way she was unapologetically herself.
I will not be going back to read the whole Hell's Belles series because I need to know more about this wonderful band of vigilante women.

I have been waiting for this book since the first book in the series and I was not disappointed. I love this couple separately and together. This book had all the things I love - found family, competence porn, emotion and action.

Another Lady from the Hells Bells as they try to take down the patriarchy from the inside. Just love the couples that have already been formed in the prior books making appearances. And wow Lady Imogen and Inspector Detective Peck or "Tommy" as she would call him. I just couldn't unsee the thick thighs she kept oogling and his impressive height with muscles. They were both pretty gaga for each other. Though he wasn't a peer and she wasn't a typical Lady so he was pushing her away. She was quite brilliant and with her investigating the bombs and her labs she was quite intimidating.
I wasn't expecting that ending or who the culprit ended up being. But seriously it will always come down to controlling women and their autonomy. So much has to be done in secret still and definitely in that time to protect their own bodies and lives.
These two had definite chemistry and it was slow burn until she just pushed him too far. Loved!
Def check out the whole series!

Thank you avonbooks for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

The title says it all, Knockout. What a fun, steamy and action packed adventure. Lady Imogen Loveless is not your typical girl. For starters she has a passion for explosives and following danger. Thomas Peck is a London detective with a name for himself and being a head detective with great skill. The two of them try to avoid each other yet keep getting into the same situations and the same places. When they are together the tension is overwhelming. When they have to work together they can’t help but let the passion take over.
Sarah MacLean wowed me with this passion filled story. Strong characters and a great plot with the perfect amount of twists they made you never want the story to end. One of those books you can’t put down. You are going to love this adventure.

Are there words that can be used to describe this wonderful book? If there are, I can't think of anything that comes close to how incredible this story is.

This book is hot. This book is amazing. This book was extremely well written. I did not want to put this book down, but at the same time never wanted it to end. I LOVED Imogen and Tommy's story so much. It was so brilliantly done. This might be my new favorite in this series. And I am even more excited to read the next book!

I'm going to stop trying to come up with something that accurately describes my feels for this book because I am not a writer. However, Sarah MacLean is brilliant and amazing, so you should read this one.