Book Review: Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean

Entertaining read – check! Excellent heroine – check! A new series I loved – check! Wicked and the Wallflower was a winner!

Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean

When Wicked Comes Calling...

When a mysterious stranger finds his way into her bedchamber and offers his help in landing a duke, Lady Felicity Faircloth agrees—on one condition. She's seen enough of the world to believe in passion, and won't accept a marriage without it.

The Wallflower Makes a Dangerous Bargain...

Bastard son of a duke and king of London's dark streets, Devil has spent a lifetime wielding power and seizing opportunity, and the spinster wallflower is everything he needs to exact a revenge years in the making. All he must do is turn the plain little mouse into an irresistible temptress, set his trap, and destroy his enemy.

For the Promise of Passion...

But there's nothing plain about Felicity Faircloth, who quickly decides she'd rather have Devil than another. Soon, Devil's carefully laid plans are in chaos, and he must choose between everything he's ever wanted...and the only thing he's ever desired.

4 out of 5 stars

This was so wonderful. It was filled with all these amazing and rich details and really great characters. I loved Felicity and Devil both but I have to say, the heroine rocked my world!

The push and pull between Felicity and Devil was great. I loved all the building details as they open up, things are shared and histories are learned. Felicity was seriously awesome. She was feisty and bold and finding her way, I adored watching her come into her own. She was challenging and exasperating and I loved the animosity those traits created with Devil. Everything about Devil and his past I ate up. I felt for him and rooted for him. Several times I was mad at him and the choices he was making but it was those choices and dilemmas that helped make for great drama. I loved him and Felicity together. Him fighting his feelings and her being bold and going after what she wants. It made for a lot of entertaining moments that had me smiling. They had great dialogue happening and I found it to be very witty. It was awesome!

This was a great story. I liked the language and the flow. There was really great imagery and details. There was a wonderful cast of characters as well. It took me a second in the beginning to remember who was who but once I understood the dynamics it was on point. I love the world that was introduced and I'm excited to see where it all will go. A great series starter for sure.

This was a truly great read. I loved the simmering passion as Felicity and Devil opened up and got closer. I love the family dynamic involved and the drama it brought. I loved the feeling this gave me and how I was really invested in the world. This is a new to me author and I'm so glad I decided to give her a shot. Awesome read!

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

A life-long romance reader, Sarah MacLean wrote her first romance novel on a dare, and never looked back. She is the New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author of historical romances, and the author of a monthly column at The Washington Post celebrating the best of the romance genre. She lives in New York City.