While I generally am happy to read more about other characters, I kept thinking … when is this story going to progress. Perhaps this flaw wouldn’t have been so obvious if the book doesn’t also stuff in updates from prior series as well. In this book, the introduction of new characters detracted from the main romance. Their stories were intriguing, but like many first books in the series, too much time was taken up with developing these new characters. I did enjoy the introduction of the other significant women who will appear in the series. Unfortunately, that reason ends up not being satisfying and seemed really contrived. Instead, the story relies on Caleb two years ago having pulled away from his growing attraction to Sesily because of “something”. Because Sesily is not constrained by the “proper” woman behavior of her day and Caleb is an American who doesn’t seem to adhere to societal restraints himself, there really isn’t an external conflict keeping these apart. We are teased with the idea that there is some huge reason why two single people who clearly have the hots for one another don’t get together. The first problem with this book is that there really isn’t any reason for these two to be apart. It took me a long time to write this review because it was almost impossible to be interested enough to get through the book and then to have to write such a bad review for an author that I have loved for about a decade. It feels like a collection of “choose your own adventure” romance tropes and sayings rather than a well-constructed story. The American has his own secrets that keep him away from the frustratingly attractive woman who he can’t forget. Caleb has spent years trying to avoid the sister of his best friend and business partner. THE STORY: Two years ago Lady Sesily Talbot was rejected by Caleb Calhoun, but she also gained the friendship of a group of women who have mysterious intentions (no spoilers!) Sesily’s scandalous activities have a purpose. I hope she gets back to what made her books magical. MacLean has been a disappointment for her last several books.

The book was a slog to get through and there was no chemistry between the hero and heroine unlike in the prior series where they appeared.

This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.īombshell (Hell's Belles, #1) by Sarah MacLeanįINAL DECISION: An incredible disappointment. I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review.

Bombshell by Sarah MacLean