Wednesday, April 10

Audiobook Review: The Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean

Wicked and the Wallflower (The Bareknuckle Bastards, #1)Author: Sarah MacLean 
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Title: Wicked and the Wallflower
(The Bareknuckle Bastards #1)
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: Audiobook
Published: June 19th 2018 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



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. 

I had read a couple of reviews about this so I was super curious to check it out. My library didn't have and then it popped up on my audible, so why not? 

The story follows a wallflower named Felicity and a Duke's bastard son Devil/Devon.  Felicity was marked as a spinster and lost all of her shallow friends. She meets Devil and he offers her a Duke and her place back in society. Like dealing with a real devil there is always a price, however, Felicity doesn't care because she wants back in. 

I liked Felicity from the start. She was an intriguing character. She was a dummy though sometimes, but she just wants to be loved. Now, Devil? It took me a while to warm up to him. I hated the fact that he wanted to use Felicity in his revenge plan against his half-brother who is now Duke. It rubbed me the wrong way. Granted he does change his mind because of loooovvvveeee, but still. WTH man? 

The story was really fun and unique. It was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed seeing both sides of London. Society and the slums. It really gave the story dynamic!

In all honesty, I did get annoyed with all the times the word "flame/moth", "light/dark" was used. WE GET IT!!! We do. I promise. It was killing me near the end there. 

Now...that ending was good. I had NO idea how everything was going to be fixed. By this time I liked Devil, but he needed a kick in the romp. I was worried, but it is an HR so you know they end up together, but it seemed so impossible. I am curious to read book 2 now. 

The narrator was amazing. I had listened to an audio by her in the past and she was just as good. She really brings the story and characters to life. 

All-in-all, I really did like this book. The repeating of some words annoyed me, but other than that I liked the story. It takes a bit to forgive stupid Devil, but he does make it up. I'll stamp this with 4 stars. 





6 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Oh oh like a moth to a flame

Did I forget to say, like a moth to a flame?

Flame and a moth, hahahaha

Carol said...

I don't know if I can read a book where one of the main character's name, even if it's a nickname, is Devil.

Melliane said...

I have a book by this author but I haven't tried it yet

Carole Rae said...

B, hahaha those moths and flames!

Carol, it is a weird nickname for sure.

Melliane, you must!

Sophia Rose said...

I really love the Lady Hardcastle mysteries, but there is serious overuse of a few phrases that get to me.

Revenge plots are ticklish when one wants to use the other one though there is a change of heart. Glad the overall story ended up pretty good stuff.

I love Justine Eyre's narration work.

Carole Rae said...

Sophia, I want to read more. But I do worry about those. And ugh yes, revenge plots can be hard.