“MacLean crafts a masterpiece.” – The New York Times on Daring and the Duke New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean returns with the much-anticipated final book in her Bareknuckle Bastards series, featuring a scoundrel duke and the powerful woman who brings him to his knees.Grace Condry has spent a lifetime running from her past. Betrayed as a child by her only love and raised on the … a child by her only love and raised on the streets, she now hides in plain sight as queen of London’s darkest corners. Grace has a sharp mind and a powerful right hook and has never met an enemy she could not best…until the man she once loved returns.
Single-minded and ruthless, Ewan, Duke of Marwick, has spent a decade searching for the woman he never stopped loving. A long-ago gamble may have lost her forever, but Ewan will go to any lengths to win Grace back…and make her his duchess.
Reconciliation is the last thing Grace desires. Unable to forgive the past, she vows to take her revenge. But revenge requires keeping Ewan close, and soon her enemy seems to be something else altogether–something she can’t resist, even as he threatens the world she’s built, the life she’s claimed…and the heart she swore he’d never steal again.
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This book was 100% worth the wait. I never thought Sarah could turn Ewan–who has been vilified in the previous Bareknuckle Bastards books–into a proper romance hero.
But she did it.
Within pages, I was #TeamEwan. I love him. I think he’s my favorite MacLean hero ever, and that is saying A LOT because her heroes are always the best kind of growly alphas who deserve to be brought low. Ewan is no exception. I don’t want to put spoilers for DARING in here, but Ewan has walked through fire, survived a hellish existence…only to learn the love of his life–literally–was not kept safe by his brothers. And London will BURN because of it.
I am here for every bit of it.
For her part, Grace has built an empire all on her own. She doesn’t need Ewan, doesn’t want to forgive him. It’s a long journey for these two and, in typical MacLean style, she makes Ewan WORK FOR IT.
This is a tremendous redemption story that is not to be missed.
Twenty years ago Grace Condry felt the sting of betrayal and heartbreak as her childhood love, Ewan took up the mantle as the Duke of Marwick. Grace fled with her found family and they survived on the streets in Convent Garden, working their way up and making a name for themselves as The Bareknuckle Bastards. But still Grace can’t run from her past, and it doesn’t help that Ewan has been making trouble for them the past few months (and trouble is just a nice way of putting it). Seems Ewan is really living up to the Mad Marwick moniker others of the ton have taken to calling him. But Grace has been hiding for twenty years and it’s proved futile. If she truly wants to move on, it might just be time to face the past and mend a broken heart.
Daring and the Duke is absolute perfection. I feel like HEA’s that are normally built up in the background over the course of a series and finally coming to a head in the final installment frequently don’t live up to the expectations that I unavoidably set. I think Daring and the Duke is the first time I’ve ever been 100% satisfied with the way a romance has proceeded.
It pulls together a truly heartbreaking redemption arc and second-chance romance. Sarah MacLean knew when to bring the ebb and flow of Grace and Ewan together over the course of the story and when to give them space.
There’s so much history between these two, and honestly, I was skeptical that Sarah MacLean could satisfactorily redeem Ewan based on his actions in the previous two books. But I felt like he was redeemed and I felt like readers finally got to get the full story of what happened in Dev, Whit, Grace, and Ewan’s childhoods all those years ago. While it doesn’t excuse his actions and many of the decisions he made, there’s still a sense of growth that shows that he is not the person they believe him to be, that he can change, that he will do better.
For her part, Grace has to decide if she can trust and with that trust comes sharing the life she’s built, but with understanding that it’s not to stifle who she’s become, but to, hopefully, make her stronger.
I loved each interaction between Grace and Ewan and as stated before, Sarah MacLean cleverly paces them throughout the book, just teases readers enough to want more, but not so much that it feels repetitive or like it’s dragging on too long. In fact, the only thing I could quibble about is not wanting the story to end quite so quickly.
I appreciated that the focus is on Grace and Ewan but that doesn’t preclude Dev and Whit from getting to put in their two cents as well, and I just love the bond between them and Grace, and hope it’s one day there for Ewan as well.
I’m going to be honest, this book gave me the best book coma, and while I’m excited to see what Sarah MacLean has for readers next, I honestly can’t imagine moving on from this series too quickly. Methinks a re-read is already in order. If you haven’t read this series, you can certainly read each book on its own, but I feel in this case, Grace and Ewan’s story is stronger for having been built up throughout the other two books. It packs more of a punch and leaves you even more satisfied. It definitely goes on my so far best of list for the year!
This isn’t the first time I’ve lauded Sarah Maclean’s remarkable stories, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Pick any series—because they’re all wonderful. They hit all the emotions, filled with characters who make your heart ache and inspire you, who make you feel all the feels via stories that are larger than life, dramatic and fun and featuring flawed people whom you won’t forget. I picked this one because it’s so very poignant and deeply romantic, but I adore this entire series every bit as much as I loved the Rule of Scoundrels series, with men who make you sigh and women who are fascinating and strong and inspiring. She’s a one of a kind talent I look to for not only new work but for the pleasure of re-reading the past lovelies.
I was so excited to finally read Daring and the Duke, and Sarah MacLean did not disappoint me in the slightest. This story was everything I’d hoped for and more. I loved the way Grace and Ewan’s romance unfolded. There was adventure and history and so much wonderful angst. And, as the author so aptly puts it, there was hope. This series has secured a top spot in my list of favourite romances, and I know this story will stay with me for a long time. Just brilliant.
I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book since I’d enjoyed the other titles in this series so much – and I can honestly say, this one did *not* disappoint.
As in the others, the bond between the Bareknuckle Bastards remains unconditional – and I found it particularly well-done here, in Grace and Ewan’s story. Since Grace is the only female of the group, conditions were ripe for her siblings to charge in and take control of the situation…but the beauty of this story is that Sarah MacLean’s books are essentially a primer for how men should treat women. Not only did Devil and Whit restrain themselves from taking over – but Ewan did, too. Ewan, who has been so desperate to be reunited with Grace that it has literally made him crazy at points. Ewan, who had more to lose than any of them.
Instead of the usual “men know best” rigmarole, each of these characters gave Grace the room to decide what she wanted, and how she wanted it. To a man, they refrained from telling her what she thought, what she should do, or how she should do it. Instead, they respected that Grace knew her own mind, had the right to determine her own destiny, and was perfectly capable of mapping her own course. They didn’t question her, but they did support her in helpful ways – and they made it look easy and natural. It is impossible to overstate how rare and refreshing it was to see healthy, balanced relationships like these on the page (or in real life, amiright).
Devil and Whit supported Grace, even when it was clear she was going to choose Ewan, their seemingly irredeemable enemy. There is nothing I love better than when a romance author pulls that rabbit out of their hat – managing to successfully transform a villain into a hero. MacLean does not go easy on Ewan, to be sure. He must willingly recognize his own misdeeds and undertake his penance (in addition to accepting what Grace dishes out), but he also gets a backstory that explains many of his actions. It’s definitely an agonizing one, and much as it did for Grace and her brothers, it will make you wonder why you never saw it coming.
To me, this book wasn’t just the crown jewel of a terrific series – it felt like a tour de force. Daring and the Duke highlights complex, multi-layered characters overcoming trauma, a powerful woman who earns the life she deserves, and an equally powerful man righting his wrongs with persistence, humility, and fortitude. I absolutely loved it.
I love Sarah MacLean’s historical romances and the Bareknuckled Bastards trilogy was fabulous!
Excellent! Truly wonderful read. A redemption story at it’s best. Tragic. Heart-pounding. A smashing end to a really exceptional series.
A fantastic addition to this series. Just when you thought this hero could not possibly be redeemed, MacLean superbly makes it work.
This was such a satisfying ending to the Bareknuckle Bastards series! Best grovel ever. Talk about a hero who’ll walk through fire for his beloved! MacLean excels at bad-ass heroines with tough-but-tender hearts. Wonderful world-building too.
I was dying for this book and knew I would love it but OMG it got me so good. It hit me right in the feels and it hit hard. I loved this series so dang much.
The conclusion of the Bareknuckle Bastards series and terrific second chance romance. After reading the first two books, I wasn’t sure how Ewan would be redeemed. I suspected that there must be good in him or Grace would not have loved him the way she did, but he was going to have to work at it.
Parts of the history of Ewan and the Bastards were revealed in the previous books, but I always felt that there was more to the story. Their childhoods were miserable thanks to the cruelty of the old duke. The things he put them through were beyond cruel, but they had each others’ backs whenever possible. Though Grace was close to Whit and Dev, the connection between her and Ewan was much different. When the old duke played his final hand with them, what they saw as Ewan’s betrayal cut extra deep. Whit, Dev, and Grace ran for their lives and made new ones in London. Now they are wealthy, powerful, and the undisputed rulers of Covent Garden.
When the old duke died, Ewan went looking for Grace and the others. Still furious at his betrayal, Whit and Dev told Ewan that Grace was dead. In his grief, Ewan swore vengeance on them for not keeping her safe. The things he did in the first two books showed that he had learned well from the old duke. It made it very hard to believe that he was redeemable.
As this story opens, Grace has rescued Ewan from the explosion he caused. Stunned to realize that she is alive, he quickly discovers that Grace is not the same girl he loved all those years ago. She is independent, strong, and the queen of her world. Their confrontation is heartbreaking as Grace makes sure Ewan knows her feelings about what he has done. I ached for them both as she drove him away.
A year later, Ewan returns to London, a changed man. He overcame the cold, calculating, revenge-driven man he had been, determined to become someone that Grace could love. Grace is determined to protect her heart from him, knowing she wouldn’t survive another betrayal. I loved Ewan’s patience as he worked to regain her trust and love. Some of their talks were heart-wrenching as they shared what their lives were like in the years they were apart. In the end, Ewan knew it had to be Grace’s choice whether to give him a chance. I loved the twist to the ending that gave them the future they both wanted.
One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the world that Grace created for herself. In a time when men had all of the power, she carved out a place where women could show their strengths. I loved the club that she runs and seeing what the women could do when they were out from under the thumbs of their men. I liked hearing about their intelligence and talents and how they put them to use to make a difference. It gives new life to the saying, “Behind every successful man there stands a woman.”
Sarah MacLean’s Daring And the Duke is final saga about Ewan, Duke of Marwick and Grace Condry in this Bareknuckle Bastards series. Ewan is portrayed in MacLean’s two previous books: Wicked And The Flower and Brazen And The Beast as a single-minded and ruthless man who would stop at nothing to reclaim the woman he never stopped loving. Grace has spent her youth hiding in plain sight in the streets of London. Betrayed by Ewan years ago, reconciliation is the last thing she desires, but revenge requires keeping Ewan close by. Daring And the Duke takes the readers into the darkest corners of London and on an intense emotional ride with Ewan and Grace as they fight their attraction toward each other and the haunted memories of their joint past, but their love is unbreakable. Sarah MacLean has created a brilliant ending for this incredible series.
This series has a very special place in my heart. The characters are so loveable, engaging, and mischievously fun together. I absolutely love Grace and Ewan. They are perfect soulmates. They are each other’s other half. They share a love that sizzles. This story is sweet and everything you fall in love with.
The mad duke is dead. Ewan sacrificed everything for his family. He’s a hardworking and beautiful man that deserves all the happiness in the world. He’s the glue that kept them all safe and together.
I’m sad to say goodbye to this fantastic series. I highly recommend the Bareknuckle Bastards.
Yes!!!!! This book knocked me out of a reading slump. I love a redemption arc and was NOT disappointed. 10/10 would recommend. Great on audio too!
I have read all of this series and i loved the first two. I am honestly not sure if I liked the hero in this book. He did some things that am struggling with. Although I did love the book which is odd for me when I normally don’t like books if I don’t like one of the main characters.
Loved this series! Each of the trio is tough, vulnerable, and funny as all get out. It was a pleasure seeing them get their HEA.
The Turmoil of Heartbreak and Betrayal
This book was heart-wrenchingly romantic, dramatic, and at times humorous. It was just a tad too heavy on the steamy side and often redundant.
This was my first read from this series but heard a lot of great things about this author and I wanted to dive in. Even though I had the egalley, I grabbed the audio as well.
With second chance romances, I was immediately sucked in since it’s one of my favorite tropes to read from. But my goodness, 20 years have passed by and that’s a bit mind-blowing. With that being said, I was ready for all the emotions towards a very much needed reunion.
The first half of the book was great, I couldn’t stop reading and then the story started to lose me a bit. And I found myself leaving the story every now and then.
Since it has been so long, I was expecting a long process of forgiveness to happen but was surprised when that didn’t happen. And as you make it towards the end, it felt like it took a really long time to make-up. It seemed to have gone on much longer than I anticipated.
For the most part, it was enjoyable, but not quite my favorite.,
This is book 3 in a series. I started with this one and was a little lost following the plot, but it was one of the most poignant books I have ever read. (It made a lot more sense when I went back and read the first two, and of course had to re-read this one. Even more perfect the second time around.) Their interaction was tragically beautiful. It hits all the feels for a forever love, regardless of what has to be done for the hero to redeem himself. It makes your heart hurt in a good way to see how much they love each other. Highly recommend.
No plot. Terrible.