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 … 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.
more
Love anything Sarah writes and this one is no different. Devil is easy to fall in love with right along with the heroine. LOVED the lockpicking?
“Wicked and the Wallflower” Bareknuckle Bastards Series, Book 1
by Sarah MacLean, narrator Justine Eyre
audio book from NH state Library. 12+ hour book
Really liked the story.. a few scene a bit explicit,, but… a Regency romance with some rough edges showing. Got this 12+ hour audio book as a download from my state library.
This one had a darker hero, one that doesn’t hesitate to use the female protagonist for his own agenda. Like his namesake, Devil struck a bargain with Felicity, the wallflower of the novel. He will make sure she gets what she wants, for a price to be mentioned once the deal is met. What she is unaware of is, she’s just a pawn in the Devil’s own revenge filled agenda. I really loved this since this is still a romance, therefore, a happy ending is a given. How you get from a point of ultimate betrayal to a love whose fundamental premise is trust is something to definitely look forward to. Most of all I loved the progression of Felicity Faircloth, a princess who did not know her own worth until she met Devil and realized that what she thought would make her life perfect is so much more than acceptance from society but rather an acceptance of her worth as a female, who is valuable in every way. Wicked and the Wallflower is a marvelous romance but for a woman to finally realize her worth despite what society wants her to believe is the best story ever. Hence Wicked and the Wallflower is definitely worth the read.
An aristocratic lockpick meets a lord of the criminal underworld and begins to wonder if reclaiming her place in the ton is what she really desires. Fabulous characters and a gorgeous romance!
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
The first installment in a brand new series, Wicked and the Wallflower was scrumptious deliciousness.
Felicity is unconventional, refusing to conform to the rules of the ton while simultaneously wishing for their approval. She’s torn, thinking the rules are merely in place to keep the upper crust in power, yet realizes how breaking free is empowering, because the rules themselves stifle everyone. Her only purpose in life is to marry to improve the lifestyle of her parents and twin brother’s family, yet no one cares how this will affect her life.
Devon ‘Devil’ has one heck of a backstory. As one of three bastards to a Duke and one legitimate daughter born within marriage but not of their blood, all born on the same day, Devil takes keeping secrets and taking vows seriously. He’s dark and broody, skirting the line between alphahole and a wounded man women long to tame.
Felicity brings a heart out of the Devil, and Devil lends Felicity strength and courage. Together, they empower one another, making each other better people. The sparks fly. The banter is witty deliciousness. The tension is explosive. The romance is organic and realistic. Gut-punch angst abounds.
The ton doesn’t respect one of its own, but the underbelly not only welcomes a lady, they protect her, respect her, and find her worthy as one of their own. Felicity finds empowerment and a life in a place many fear to set foot, let alone dwell.
There’s a reason Sarah MacLean is my all-time favorite historical romance novelist, and Wicked and the Wallflower is proof. I read the novel feverishly in one sitting, clicking to see what happens next.
Not only were Devil and Felicity original, the side cast of characters were beyond intriguing. I cannot wait to read about Whit, Ewan, Grace, and even the Bareknuckle Bastards’ righthand woman, knowing each story will be unique and intriguing. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next books in the series. In fact, I wish I had the entire series to binge-read.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards #1) by Sarah MacLean to read and review.
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!
There is just so much sexual tension between Devil and Felicity:
“You’d be surprised by what sort I can be, Felicity Faircloth.” She smirked. “You’re currently bathing in front of me.”
He scowled. “You didn’t have to come in.”
“You didn’t have to invite me.”
Devil just can’t deny his woman, “her lips curled in a magnificent smile. “Yes, please.” Far be it from him to deny a lady. Returning his hands to her waist, he pulled her closer, putting his lips to her jaw…” I liked this book, I loved the back and forth that went on between Felicity and Devil.
My favorite Sarah MacLean book has always been “Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake” (Love by the Numbers, Book 1) until now. Sarah has written a story of what it is like to live in the darkness all your life until the light enters your world and it changes forever. A story of the lives of two people who should never cross paths in their lifetimes. An old scandal that leaves two men and one woman in a world of danger and darkness and a young lady who has become an outcast in her world and is looking for answers in a place where she doesn’t belong. This story will take you to the depths of the deepest pit and the bright light that brings love to life. Sarah has always been a go-to author for me. She has a remarkable talent for pulling you into a story and keeping you there experiencing fear, hate, love and everything in between. Felicity and Devil will go on a journey that will reveal a world that they never knew existed. They are both extraordinary strong and stubborn and convinced that what they know is right and it will take a life-threatening encounter to bring them together.
Felicity Faircloth is a twenty-seven-year-old spinster with a problem. She isn’t attracting the attention of eligible Gentleman anymore and for some reason, her family is pushing her to marry anyone who will have her. She knows that they don’t need the money so why are they pushing so hard? She is really tired of it all and one night she escapes a ball to get some fresh air on a balcony and doesn’t realize that her life is going to change in ways that she could never have believed possible.
Devil is a man bent on revenge. He will do anything to stop the Duke of Marwick from marrying and begetting heirs. A painful tortuous past connects him to the Duke. Devil will do whatever it takes to make him suffer. He comes up with a plan that involves a young lady of quality that he will use to set a trap. Only he doesn’t count on the young lady fascinating him so much that he wants her for himself. Of course, that can never happen, he must stick with his plan even though it will destroy her too.
Do not miss this one, I cannot wait for the next one in this Series!