Wicked and the Wallflower: Bareknuckle Bastards Book 1

This was one of the worst romance novels I've read. Where the heck did Sarah MacLean go? I found this book tedious and melodramatic. I hate it when so much of the plot hangs on unknowns ... the author thinks they are being mysterious but really, unless it's a mystery, we just want to know what's going on. All of the references to the mysterious pasts of both the H and h are extremely annoying - the author finally clues you in, but by that point, I didn't really care. The romance was really unbelievable - on the H's part, it was completely insta-love with no real reasons behind it. The h was immature and naive. Worst of all, the angsty, melodramatic writing. It's in the style of Julia Quinn, but completely over the top. I was cringing every other page, and just really wish the author would be more straightforward.I hated this book so much, I thought, "Is this really the same author that wrote one of my favorite novels ever?" So I pulled up Nine Rules to Break When Landing a Rake (which I bought a long time ago and have re-read many times) ... and the authors seem completely different. The writing style, the characters, the character development ... it's hard to believe it's the same author. I'm actually re-reading the Rules series and will move on the rules of scoundrels next.Please, Sarah, go back to your old way of writing! It's what made you so amazing!

I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, but of course, Amazon doesn't allow that. So I rounded up to 4, just because Sarah MacLean is a good writer. The execution was good. The pacing was fine. Descriptions were decent. The idea was fun.Then I wrote this review and remembered all the annoyances, and I rounded down to 3 stars.What left me wanting were the characters and the ridiculous manipulations of the author.First, the names. Felicity Faircloth? Seriously? I didn't get it wrong, as H (for some strange reason) used her first and last name almost every time he addressed her. And I don't know if it was the Earl or the Marquess, but... of Grout? Of Bumble? Why, oh why, oh why? And then our main character, Devil. And his brother, Beast. It's hard reading an entire book about Devil and Beast, trying not to roll ones eyes. Not to mention the number of times they "grunted" and "growled" a word or entire sentence. I've honestly never heard someone do that, and it pulled me out of the story every time, trying to imagine a farm animal talking.Second, I didn't find our H & h particularly likable or special in any way. I mean, at the beginning of the story, Felicity was a true wallflower, described as plain and uninteresting. By the end, she was ravishing and beloved by all. What happened? Did I miss something? Okay, she knows how to pick a lock. But nothing else that I could see. Likewise, Devil had no depth or character development to speak of. And he wasn't particularly... devilish. The only thing bad about him was his language, which got a bit tiresome.And finally.... What is the flippin' deal with every latest romance needing to be "wicked" and "dark" and "sinful?" Does anyone know how to tally on a Kindle, the number of times a word appears in a story? Because the word "sin" and "sinful" showed up on pretty much every page. (And honestly, there really wasn't much sinful about any of it. Not any more so than any other HR, anyway.) So much talk about Felicity's "sunlight" crossing over to the "darkness" of Devil. Good grief. Also, to call themselves the "Bareknuckle Bastards?" Sigh!I see what the author intended and the point she was trying to make. But it can't be made with character names and silly, descriptive words. Ms. MacLean truly is a good writer, and I'm wondering if she simply wrote this one too quickly.I've read books by Sarah MacLean that I really liked. This trite, one-dimensional story wasn't one of them.

This was an entertaining historical romance. Lady Felicity Faircloth is a wallflower who has fallen from the center of the popular people in the ton and wants her place back. Devil is a man with revenge on his mind who has clawed himself out of the gutter to become a very rich man. Their paths collide when Devil decides to use her to get revenge on the Duke of Marwick - his estranged half-brother.I liked Felicity who sees herself as plain and uninteresting but has a quick wit and a major skill with lockpicking. Devil is also an interesting character who has his life upturned by Felicity.The setting weaving between the upper class homes of the rich and the poor area of Covent Garden was well done. I loved the relationship between Felicity and Devil who both had to make major changes in their expectations before they could fall in love.Since this is the first in a series, there are still many questions to be answered. There was a fair amount of background information given too but it didn't slow down the fast-paced plot.

MacLean's books are among my favorite historical romances. Each story is well written, with fully rounded characters. Like Lisa Kleypas, each story throws a few surprises from unconventional heroes/heroines to little known historical facts. Her books are fun AND I often learn something. I wish the physical quality of the book matched the quality of the writing. I purchased the hardcover edition since MacLean has a reserved spot on my keeper shelf. Unfortunately, I had to glue both the front piece and back piece prior to reading. This is the second hardcover I have purchased in the last few months that has been improperly assembled. In both cases, the culprit is too little glue being used. Each case was a different publisher. I hope this is not the result of further cost cutting measures. I've noticed the quality of the paper is not constant. I will be forced to reconsider the purchase of hardcovers if the quality of the workmanship continues to suffer. I prefer hardcovers for my favorites but I am not going to spend the money to get an edition that I have to fix before I even read it.

Dieses Buch ist sicher nicht das Beste von Sarah MacLean. Es dauert bis es in Schwung kommt und der Konflikt ist ein bisschen künstlich angelegt. Ich hatte zeitweise den Eindruck, dass hier mehr auf die historischen Eigenheiten (Flüsterbank, unknackbare Schlösser etc.) Wert gelegt wird, als auf die Story. Außerdem werden in diesem Buch sehr viele Personen eingeführt, die wohl in der Reihe als nächstes drankommen. Diese Personen haben zudem eine Vergangenheit, was alles noch komplizierter macht. Das alles geht auf Kosten der eigentlichen Geschichte. ich werde trotzdem den nächsten teil der Serie lesen, weil ich hoffe, dass dann diese Anfangsthemen vermieden werden.

I've read a lot of good regency romances, but this one compelled me to write a review - it was that good. Most books I read, tend to follow a similar character sketch for the ladies. They're smart mouthed or intelligent, but lack substance where it matters. I loved Felicity Faircloth for defying those stereotypes. She was smart and strong. She didn't crap from anyone and did whatever she wanted, propriety be damned.I also liked reading about thieves and smugglers rather than boring dukes and earls. Devil was great. The chemistry was amazing.I also can't wait to read more about Grace, we was a badass.There were certainly a few inconsistencies in the plot where Devil's and Ewan's rivalry was concerned. I guess I may have to read the other books to find out.All in all, the book was great. It would normally have been a 4 star story-wise, but Felicity deserves the fifth star all to herself.

At this point, I'm plain mush and happiness glued to my seat.My first Sarah MacLean books as The Season, which was meant for younger readers and at the time I was--a younger reader, I mean. When I saw that cover and the synopsis of the book on the shelf I literally pounced on that book and held it up to the faces of my parents--who, bless them, knew never to come between me and a book.I dived into that book and when I finished it, I decided I knew what kind of books really drew me. Until then, I don't think I knew what my genre was. Romance was my baby. However, after that, when I looked up Sarah MacLean, perhaps I realized that was her only YA book? I can't remember, because I rerouted to other YA romance books and now I'm back!The Wicked and the Wallflower reminded me of all things that I loved about Sarah MacLean. Her characters, the rhythm of her script, the dance that is conversation between the protagonists and the mad obsession called love that she portrays in the characters and creates within us.I think everyone who reads can connect to Felicity Faircloth, because we'll all felt plain in some parts of our lives. Plain looking, or plain singing, or plain drawing...we'll all been plain somewhere and found beauty in that. Because there is beauty in plain. There is something special about being plain, something innocent and wonderful and heart-warming. And in your love for your plainness and your acceptance of it is where you will connect to the Devil. The man who sees the beauty in plainness and falls head over cane for it. Lord knows he tugs at the heart and draws at our breath. Sure did I want to shake him up and toss something at his head? Frequently. But did that take away how much I liked his character? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Hell no.I loved Wicked and the Wallflower and while Ewan's book is what has me all but falling over myself in anticipation because of the mystery and build up of it, I'm still super excited for the Brazen and the Beast after that little teaser at the end of Wicked and the Wallflower.Five stars!! I recommend to all those who'd love to see stacked odds in life come stumbling down in the face of daring and love.

This book was so much fun! The story felt like a soap opera in the best way possible. The historical setting was amazingly done, and I fell in love with all the characters. But still, my main issue with romance remains, the resolution happened too fast.

Gosto desta escritora mas não gostei deste romance.O enredo não evolui e confesso que tive que me esforçar para terminar.Outros livros desta autora são muito, muito melhores!