I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was more than a little over-the-top and somewhat anachronistic, but it was FUN. At the end of the book, the author's note indicates that the real Forty Elephants gang of women inspired the Hell's Belles. Other things have their roots in history also, so the women and events aren't entirely unbelievable. The author's note is worth reading, and I wish I had read it before the book.
Sesily Talbot is one of five sisters and the only one left unmarried. The daughters of a coal merchant who earned a title, Society never truly accepted them. The sisters didn't care, and therefore did things their way. Sesily is the most brazen of the bunch, and at thirty years old, independent, and rich, she revels in her reputation. Two years earlier, after the man she wanted rejected her, Sesily took her heartbreak and joined others like herself, helping rescue abused women from all walks of life.
Caleb Calhoun, American, owns multiple taverns in Boston and co-owns one in London with Sesily's sister Sera, who is also his best friend. That makes Sesily off-limits to him. After a passion-filled kiss, Caleb knew the only way to protect Sesily from him was to put an ocean between them. That didn't help much, and when Caleb returns to London at Sera's request, he's sucked back into Sesily's orbit.
The book starts with a bang as Sesily and her three friends prepare to rescue a young lady from being betrothed to one of the more notorious abusers. Unknown to Sesily, Caleb observes the preparations, follows her, and nearly ruins everything. I enjoyed watching her blast him and reminding him that she doesn't need him. An honorable man, Caleb worries that these intrepid women will land in deep trouble. He takes it upon himself to keep an eye on them, finding plenty of trouble for himself. I loved some of the scenes Caleb encounters and enjoyed seeing his eyes opened to the talents of these women and their friends. I laughed out loud at the fight scene in the tavern and Caleb's shock at Sesily's actions. And that is only the beginning. Surprising himself, Caleb soon accepts and appreciates Sesily's unusual abilities, supporting her with minimal interference.
I loved the development of the relationship between Caleb and Sesily. They've known each other for two years and have a love-hate relationship. Sesily delights in stirring Caleb up with her actions as a way to make him pay attention to her. He is the one man in London who appears to be immune to her charms and advances. She has no idea how much he wants her, too. But the more time they spend together, the more his resistance begins to fail. I loved the push-and-pull of their banter, from teasing to flirty, and how it fueled the flames of their attraction.
When a rain-soaked kiss turns into more, Sesily's hopes for the future reawaken, only to be dashed when Caleb walks away. For Caleb, the secret of his past keeps him from offering Sesily what she wants. After one of the Hell's Belles' actions leads to the exposure of Caleb's secret, Sesily becomes the catalyst for revenge. Caleb will do anything to keep her safe, even turn himself in to Scotland Yard. Sesily, of course, won't accept his sacrifice and comes up with her own plan. In a hilarious scene, Sesily, aided by the other Belles, assembles a cast of dozens to save him. An unexpected twist adds to the danger, but the final confrontation shows what can happen when Caleb and Sesily work together. The Belles give the Yard's detective inspector a bonus that puts the icing on the cake.
I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters of the other Belles. Each of them has unique talents. The Duchess is their leader, with contacts and organizational acumen. Adelaide excels at being unnoticed, practically invisible to those around her, making her perfect for spying or slipping away for searches. Her one drawback presents when she witnesses abuse that sets off her formidable temper. Imogen is the group's scientist, with a particular penchant for explosives. I can't wait to read their stories.
Sesily Talbot is one of five sisters and the only one left unmarried. The daughters of a coal merchant who earned a title, Society never truly accepted them. The sisters didn't care, and therefore did things their way. Sesily is the most brazen of the bunch, and at thirty years old, independent, and rich, she revels in her reputation. Two years earlier, after the man she wanted rejected her, Sesily took her heartbreak and joined others like herself, helping rescue abused women from all walks of life.
Caleb Calhoun, American, owns multiple taverns in Boston and co-owns one in London with Sesily's sister Sera, who is also his best friend. That makes Sesily off-limits to him. After a passion-filled kiss, Caleb knew the only way to protect Sesily from him was to put an ocean between them. That didn't help much, and when Caleb returns to London at Sera's request, he's sucked back into Sesily's orbit.
The book starts with a bang as Sesily and her three friends prepare to rescue a young lady from being betrothed to one of the more notorious abusers. Unknown to Sesily, Caleb observes the preparations, follows her, and nearly ruins everything. I enjoyed watching her blast him and reminding him that she doesn't need him. An honorable man, Caleb worries that these intrepid women will land in deep trouble. He takes it upon himself to keep an eye on them, finding plenty of trouble for himself. I loved some of the scenes Caleb encounters and enjoyed seeing his eyes opened to the talents of these women and their friends. I laughed out loud at the fight scene in the tavern and Caleb's shock at Sesily's actions. And that is only the beginning. Surprising himself, Caleb soon accepts and appreciates Sesily's unusual abilities, supporting her with minimal interference.
I loved the development of the relationship between Caleb and Sesily. They've known each other for two years and have a love-hate relationship. Sesily delights in stirring Caleb up with her actions as a way to make him pay attention to her. He is the one man in London who appears to be immune to her charms and advances. She has no idea how much he wants her, too. But the more time they spend together, the more his resistance begins to fail. I loved the push-and-pull of their banter, from teasing to flirty, and how it fueled the flames of their attraction.
When a rain-soaked kiss turns into more, Sesily's hopes for the future reawaken, only to be dashed when Caleb walks away. For Caleb, the secret of his past keeps him from offering Sesily what she wants. After one of the Hell's Belles' actions leads to the exposure of Caleb's secret, Sesily becomes the catalyst for revenge. Caleb will do anything to keep her safe, even turn himself in to Scotland Yard. Sesily, of course, won't accept his sacrifice and comes up with her own plan. In a hilarious scene, Sesily, aided by the other Belles, assembles a cast of dozens to save him. An unexpected twist adds to the danger, but the final confrontation shows what can happen when Caleb and Sesily work together. The Belles give the Yard's detective inspector a bonus that puts the icing on the cake.
I thoroughly enjoyed the secondary characters of the other Belles. Each of them has unique talents. The Duchess is their leader, with contacts and organizational acumen. Adelaide excels at being unnoticed, practically invisible to those around her, making her perfect for spying or slipping away for searches. Her one drawback presents when she witnesses abuse that sets off her formidable temper. Imogen is the group's scientist, with a particular penchant for explosives. I can't wait to read their stories.
