Bombshell: A Hell's Belles Novel

All of the women in the Hells Belles series are spectacular characters! I dare you to choose your favorite, because each one is EXTRAORDINARY!

I have read every one of MacLean’s books and enjoyed all of them. Her latest, Bombshell, is no exception.The best part of this novel was, in my opinion, the relationship between Lady Sesily Talbot, notorious scandal, and secretive tavern owning American Caleb Calhoun. Sesily is my kind of heroine. She’s intelligent, confident, strong, independent, and in touch with her sexuality. But what I loved about her even more was that she wasn’t reduced to her sexuality in this book. While other characters see her only in regard to her sexual appeal, Caleb doesn’t (and neither does the author). Sesily’s sexuality is an important part of her character, but it isn’t THE defining factor. Caleb loves Sesily because she is unabashedly herself, and we see him admire Sesily being fierce and fearless in a variety of ways throughout the book including in her sexual confidence. He doesn’t inhibit her, and when he doubts her, he promptly admits he was wrong to do so. Caleb isn’t quite as compelling to me as Sesily, but, again, the reason I really rooted for them is because he is wholly rooting for her. She doesn’t have to sacrifice any of her core values to be with him, and that’s the way he wants it.The dialogue between Sesily and Caleb is fast-paced, witty, and truly delightful! The plot itself wasn’t as engrossing to me as some of MacLean’s other books, but the narrative arc was compelling enough and the relationship between Sesily and Caleb (and the steamy and well-written love scenes) kept me thoroughly engaged!I’m very excited for the continuation of this series. Other reviewers have noted that the introduction of the rest of the Hell’s Belles girl gang and their prospective love interests was clunky or more obvious. Maybe it could’ve been done more with subtlety, but frankly, I don’t think the story suffered from their overt introduction. The other Belles were fascinating, and I really look forward to reading their stories. If anything, knowing their love interests now just has me more excited for their stories!While I didn’t like Bombshell as much as I did the first novel in Rules of Scoundrels (my absolute fave series of MacLean’s), the Hell’s Belles gang gives me similar vibes to the Fallen Angel crew, and that has me very much looking forward to the rest of the Belles’s books! Overall, Bombshell is a truly wonderful addition to MacLean’s oeuvre. You can read it on its own, but without reading The Day of the Duchess first (where Sesily and Caleb meet), I think you miss important backstory that makes Sesily and Caleb’s story more compelling and their love more believable! Hats off to MacLean for writing another winner!

This is my first Sarah MacLean novel and all I can say is WOW! I loved Sisely’s boldness and abundant beauty. Caleb is a girls dream come true. There is humor, danger, 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and of course love. I recommend reading this book to anyone who likes a little danger with their HEA. Can’t wait to read Heartbreaker!

*possible slight spoilers*I am a huge fan of the Macleaniverse. The Scoundrels & the Bareknuckle Bastards are some of my all time favourites. I’ll admit, I went in with some reservations. I’ve never been the biggest Sesily fan, but I loved the set up between her & Caleb, so I was willing to give it a go. After all, I’d forgiven Ewan 😉Overall, there were some cool moments. Caleb was as gruff & misunderstood as I had hoped. The scenes between him, Mal & Sera were witty & well written. I liked the overall preface of the Hell’s Belles. The ladies were interesting, unique & appropriately badass. Ironically, I felt that the other Belles overshadowed Sesily. I found I wasn’t really interested in her story, I was far more interested in knowing them more. Especially the Duchess.I think, ultimately, there was just a lot going on in this book. I didn’t really care about Sesily & I definitely could have done without the constant “sexily” moniker which felt forced & unrealistic for the time period (& I happily suspended a lot of belief in this story) I guess, I just needed more of Sesily’s motive in the story, I didn’t really get her as part of the Belles. Im not sure I believed she had the skill set for all the things she did. Other than being “fearless”.Im not entirely sure that the Caleb backstory was necessary or fitting given the earlier Talbot sister stories. The villain also felt a bit convenient. At times I didn’t understand why certain events & scenes were given as much space/time as they were. Some scenes felt quite misplaced or unclear. I had to re-read to make sense of why I should care about that moment (& I’m not always convinced I got my reason)Overall, I felt underwhelmed. I look forward to the rest of the series (even if they were super obviously set up in this novel, there’s little question over who most of the Belles will end up with. A set up/style that felt decidedly un-Maclean). I can’t wait for Thomas Peck’s story especially.I definitely enjoyed the steam factor, the scenes were wonderfully written, & I felt their relationship & attraction was real. But all in all I walked away thinking “meh”. Unlike most other Macleans I own, I’m not sure I’ll read it again.

I love Sarah MacLean's romance books. I was a little disappointed (okay MAJORLY) with her last book, but Bombshell has turned it around. It's a different series, after all, so I didn't have to worry about seeing the characters from the Bastards series. (They are REFERENCED only.) Sesily and Caleb are a fun will-they-won't-they sort of couple, constantly teasing and arguing with one another. Sesily is extremely independent and it exasperates Caleb to no end. The love scenes are hot, and the lead up to them even hotter. I'll definitely pick up the next book in the Hell's Belles series.

All Sarah McLean books are delightful. This one tips over from witty to hilarious! Exceptional fun with bodies and explosions! Loved it!

bonne lecture j'aime bien l'auteure

I enjoyed this one.Some bits were a bit convoluted - but I had looked forward to Sesily’s story and wasn’t disappointed

Finalmente o livro da Sesily e do Caleb. Gostei muito da ideia das Belles, achei a Sesily uma personagem interessante, mas ainda quero a união das personagens da MacLean num projeto em comum, tipo os Vingadores desse universo que ela criou.

I love Sarah MacLean books and maybe that’s why I’m tougher on my scoring here. Really enjoyed the book and read it quickly. Loved the leading ladies strong women friends and the passion between the leads. However I felt that the leading characters relationship could have been explored further to really feel the personality attraction rather than all physical. There was just something lacking which is why I couldn’t give a 5 rating.

Fierce, passionate, all encompassing. This is easily 5 stars.Get ready for a ride, as this page turner is a feminist dream.