Review: Brazen and the Beast

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Brazen and the Beast Brazen and the Beast by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love stories about strong women who know what they want and go after it, no matter what era they live in. Hattie may be an earl's daughter but she grew up near the docks (her father's title was a late-in-life reward) and will never be part of the ton. She's too big, too loud, too assertive...too much. So at age 29 she's ready to live life in The Year of Hattie, where she goes after what she wants, starting with a night with a paid companion.

Beast and his brother Devil didn't fight their way to the top of their massive smuggling business by playing nice, and when he awakens tied up in Hattie's carriage, his first thought is to get even with whomever put him in this position.

Clearly, these two are made for each other and they figure that part out pretty quickly. The drama that's thrown into the mix comes from Hattie's family's involvement with Beast's troubles, and the enemy who haunts Beast's life.

I loved how it was Hattie who wasn't willing to settle, and who schemed and connived her way to her goals, and how Beast recognized this as a strength and an attraction. It's a delightful story that had me coming back for more, and I also loved seeing the secondary characters both old and new add to the tale. Another winner from an outstanding author of historical romance!

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