Heartbreaker by Sarah MacLean
Hell’s Belles #3
Historical Romance
Published August 23, 2022 by Avon
ARC
Review by Angela
Hurray for the return of The Hell’s Belles! This second book in the series takes readers on a journey with Adelaide Frampton, Hell’s Belle and the Matchbreaker, and her nemesis/love interest Henry, The Duke of Claybourn as they trek across England to try and track down a couple eloping to Gretna Green. Let me just say that those of you that enjoy the “Oh, no! There’s only one bed!” trope will love this installment.
Having met these characters in the first book in the series, Bombshell, and seeing the spark in their interactions I was SO EXCITED that the second book would feature them as the main protagonists. Heartbreaker starts out with a bang, introducing Adeliade’s backstory and giving readers a glimpse into how she became a vigilante for good and then immediately dropping her back into her old stomping ground where the notorious thief plans to break into her father’s warehouse to uncover information for the Belles. Along the way she encounters none other than Claybourne, who is there to recover something stolen from his family. Their race through Lambeth, evading Alfie’s men was an exhilarating way to start this romance.
It doesn’t take them too long to realize that they are chasing after the same couple. Adelaide has her sights on the bride, who needs protection and Claybourne is determined to help his brother marry the woman he loves. These two are adversaries, racing through the countryside, trading barbed banter and sly glances… until they fall into that lone bed and trade confessions about their past.
I think this book is one of the most romantic books that Sarah MacLean has written to date. These are two characters with complicated backstories, Adelaide’s is revealed early, but Claybourne’s is wrapped up in the mysterious puzzle box recovered from Alfie’s warehouse. But once they finally begin to trust each other and those secrets start to reveal themselves the chemistry between them quickly turns into intimacy and affection. Claybourne is definitely the protective sort, even though Adelaide has shown that she can more than take care of herself. There is even a sick bed scene where Claybourne is more worried about the bleeding Adelaide than his grievous wounds. *swoon*
I think what I loved the most was Claybourne’s unwavering belief in Adelaide, and that he accepted every part of her right from the beginning and wasn’t afraid to tell her over and over how dazzling and special he saw her. Oh, she tries to “save” him from her less than respectable past, but he will have none of it and reminds her that no matter what she’s all that he wants and he’ll take her in whatever way she decides. They have a swoony romance from beginning to end.
The rest of the Belles make appearances, and they are wonderfully supportive and loyal as always. But this book really does focus on the main couple with just minor appearances by the supporting cast. All signs point to Imogen and a certain detective inspector being the next couple featured in the series and I am 100% here for it.
I loved this sexy, charming romance and look forward to my next adventure with The Hell’s Belles.
Grade- A
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