Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 7/19/2020 + 2620 more book reviews

The conclusion of the Bareknuckle Bastards series and terrific second chance romance. After reading the first two books, I wasn't sure how Ewan would be redeemed. I suspected that there must be good in him or Grace would not have loved him the way she did, but he was going to have to work at it.

Parts of the history of Ewan and the Bastards were revealed in the previous books, but I always felt that there was more to the story. Their childhoods were miserable thanks to the cruelty of the old duke. The things he put them through were beyond cruel, but they had each others' backs whenever possible. Though Grace was close to Whit and Dev, the connection between her and Ewan was much different. When the old duke played his final hand with them, what they saw as Ewan's betrayal cut extra deep. Whit, Dev, and Grace ran for their lives and made new ones in London. Now they are wealthy, powerful, and the undisputed rulers of Covent Garden.

When the old duke died, Ewan went looking for Grace and the others. Still furious at his betrayal, Whit and Dev told Ewan that Grace was dead. In his grief, Ewan swore vengeance on them for not keeping her safe. The things he did in the first two books showed that he had learned well from the old duke. It made it very hard to believe that he was redeemable.

As this story opens, Grace has rescued Ewan from the explosion he caused. Stunned to realize that she is alive, he quickly discovers that Grace is not the same girl he loved all those years ago. She is independent, strong, and the queen of her world. Their confrontation is heartbreaking as Grace makes sure Ewan knows her feelings about what he has done. I ached for them both as she drove him away.

A year later, Ewan returns to London, a changed man. He overcame the cold, calculating, revenge-driven man he had been, determined to become someone that Grace could love. Grace is determined to protect her heart from him, knowing she wouldn't survive another betrayal. I loved Ewan's patience as he worked to regain her trust and love. Some of their talks were heart-wrenching as they shared what their lives were like in the years they were apart. In the end, Ewan knew it had to be Grace's choice whether to give him a chance. I loved the twist to the ending that gave them the future they both wanted.

One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the world that Grace created for herself. In a time when men had all of the power, she carved out a place where women could show their strengths. I loved the club that she runs and seeing what the women could do when they were out from under the thumbs of their men. I liked hearing about their intelligence and talents and how they put them to use to make a difference. It gives new life to the saying, "Behind every successful man there stands a woman."

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