Wicked And The Wallflower (Bareknuckle Bastards, #1)

by Sarah MacLean

[stacey_is_sassy]

Are we there yet...?

I liked Wicked and the Wallflower but to be honest, it dragged for me. It took me way too long to get through this story and I normally devour anything Sarah MacLean writes. I think my biggest problem was that I never really connected with the characters. I thought the heroine was a ninny, the hero not as tough/strong/intimidating as I was told, and the villain a little insipid. Harsh, I know, but I needed more from them. I just didn't feel part of this story and never felt a desperate need to keep going.

She's a plain spinster, her name is in tatters and her family is desperate for her to marry. The only way she can improve her situation is to marry well and by well, I mean financially well. When the Duke of Marwick aka The Mad Duke, comes to town, it seems like the perfect answer to her problems.

He's on a mission of revenge and she's the instrument to cause the most destruction. What better way to seek his revenge than laying a trap for the Duke to fall for Lady Lockpick. He wants the Duke to suffer and at first, he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his revenge.

Neither knew that what they wished for wasn't all that they desired.

There was definitely chemistry between the characters but I wasn't completely convinced in their love story. I'm going to put in spoilers my biggest problem with the story and where it took my rating from a 4 star to a 3 star. I'm not a fan of the...Just one night of pleasure... storyline. If you love someone, why would you settle for just one night? Someone is only offering you one night, why would you settle for scraps? You know you'll be ruined, why risk it on someone who won't have your back? Sure, I get in the heat of the moment passion, but when you've consciously decided to sell yourself short, it seems silly. Honestly, it drives me bonkers and makes me roll my eyes.

You can't win them all. Don't go by my review alone as a lot of others enjoyed Wicked and the Wallflower. I'm not writing the series off as I enjoyed meeting Devil, Whit, Grace, Nik and Evan. I think Evan's hiding something...maybe even protecting them from a truth? Oh well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.