Sarah MacLean (1) (1978–)

Romance novels aren't usually my first choice for leisure reading, but I heard a recommendation for Maclean's Rules of Scoundrels series from a source which I have never yet found to be wrong about what books are worth one's time, so I decided to give the first one a go.

This was mostly a delight. It is a straight-up romance, so there are some predicable tropes and a fair helping of (just shy of porno-) graphic sex. But the tropes are played out in mostly believable (and sometimes subverted) show more ways, the sex writing is smart, and (and this is a near-requirement for me to sit still for sex scenes that last for more than a sentence or so) the sex (the way of it, not just the fact of it) is important to characterization and plot. The story has some emotional depth; the heroine is (eventually) determined, independently minded, and unapologetic; the "rogue's" motivations arise believably from his history without existing only to make him a villianous, bad-boy romance hero; and there are a number of simply fun, fun scenes in which it's a joy to watch these characters get into scrapes, snipe at one another, and dole out comeuppances. The sentence-level writing is pretty clean, and the plotting reasonably tight. My only real complaint was the repetition of certain phrases and images almost verbatim, and while that was quite annoying, it didn't happen often enough to seriously diminish my opinion of the book. It's not got the complexity or dexterity of prose to approach the literary, but A Rogue by Any Other Name is the best kind of bubblegum read: fun, quick, and sometimes snappy. I imagine I'll be on to book two in the near future. show less

Hattie Sedley is about to turn 29 and she has decided that this will be the Year of Hattie. She's taking control of her life and finally getting what she wants, regardless of what society thinks of her. But as she prepares to head off on her first Year of Hattie task, she is alarmed to find an unconscious man bound in her carriage. The man that all of Covent Garden calls Beast is less than enthused by the situation himself but can't help but find himself charmed by the forthright Hattie. show more However, everything she wants is going to put her up against Beast and he never loses.

I really loved this entry in the Bareknuckle Bastards series. Both Hattie and Beast are compelling characters and the romance between them is quite steamy. I also am pleased to find a historical romance featuring a plus-sized heroine. There is one quirk of Sarah MacLean's writing style that started to wear on me (she really loves putting short phrases of her characters internal dialogue in italics as a standalone line and I can't figure out what she's trying to do with it) but it's a minor quibble that I can mostly ignore. Recommended for historical romance fans. show less

This book had everything I didn't know I needed in one book and I want to scream from the rooftops about how amazing it was. I'm slowly coming around to some historical romance thanks to Sarah MacLean and Julia Quinn. But Sarah is 100% my favorite.

Sophie is my now very favorite heroine from a historical romance novel and frankly, one of the best female MC's I've read lately period. She's intelligent, outspoken, funny and fiercely protective of her family. Frankly, she's everything you show more aren't "supposed" to be as a woman in her time. After standing up for her sister at a ball, Sophie ends up running away, yearning for the life she remembers before money became the end all be all of life.

Our hero, King, has quite the reputation for charming women and meets his match in Sophie. Full of witty banter, their relationship progresses, despite all odds and grows in to something neither one of them expected or wanted.

I had a smile on my face throughout much of the book and when I finished it, I was sad I would never read it again for the first time. If you've been on the fence about this one, I highly recommend you pick it up. I don't think you'll be sorry. show less

Malcolm Bevinstoke, Duke of Haven, was prepared for one last boring day in Parliament before he starts his search for his missing wife when she suddenly appears there to ask for a divorce. Seraphina left him almost three years ago, or he told her to get out, but he's never stopped loving her. In order to foil her divorce request, he convinces her it's her duty to find his new wife for him as he needs an heir.
The story is told with a great many flashbacks that explain why they are in this show more current mess. I read the previous book and I knew the Dangerous Daughters from that, but for some reason, I missed the first book in the series (I just purchased it because I need to know more about Sophie and King). Still, I don't think I missed much. Ms. MacLean establishes that Mal is the villain right at the beginning, so I was prepared to properly hate him. His redemption arc is so lovely that I read the book from start to end in one sitting. Sera also has some atonement and growing up to do. They are a wonderful couple, and the writing here is superb and lyrical. There are some funny moments too; a highlight is Sesily thrusting her cat at the Duke of Haven and then throwing up on his boots after a long coach ride.
I always enjoy Ms. MacLean's books and this one is one of my favorites. The best description I can come up with is poignant because this book will tear your heart out. show less