The Bachelor Bargain

THE BACHELOR BARGAIN BY MADDISON MICHAELS

Secrets, Scandals & Spies #1

The Synopsis

He wants justice
Underestimating Marcus Black is the last thing his enemies ever do. After all, the respected Earl of Westwood is a deadly threat… when her Majesty needs him to be. And his only goal is to avenge his brother’s murder. Which would be much easier if the viciously-skilled Lady Kaitlyn Montrose wouldn’t swoop in, knee him in the bollocks, and then run off with his only lead…

She wants revenge
Kat is determined to avenge her beloved uncle’s murder and nothing will stop her. Especially not the devastatingly handsome, and equally lethal Marcus Black. The fact that he’s after the same target is a complication she hadn’t planned on. And as much as she enjoys taunting him, she has a job to do—one that doesn’t include sparring with the infuriating man at every turn. Except Kat has a new plan… one that Marcus will just hate.

Now they’ll have to work together… if they don’t kill each other first
Individually, Marcus and Kat are deadly. If they worked together, they could be unstoppable. But when attraction gets in the way of vengeance, it’s more than hearts on the line. And only one person can win...

The Plot

Three friends vow to expose the man who seduced and killed their friend by starting a gossip paper but, in order to fund it, Olivia asks Sebastian, the Bastard of Baker Street to invest. He reluctantly agrees if Olivia can get her Aunt to sponsor his sister for the season. A rival gang has it out for Sebastian and Olivia gets caught in the middle all while she puts herself in danger trying to track down her best friends killer.

I thought the plot was pretty original. Both Olivia and Sebastian have emotional, as well as, physical scars that hold them back, but they are both determined and confident in what they want. The adventure/mystery part helped keep the storyline moving even though there wasn’t a lot of steam parts…I was still hooked and finished it in a day!

The Heroine

Lady Olivia Haliford is an on-the-shelf spinster who has to walk with a cane because of an accident in which her mother died. She blames herself for the death and harbors a lot of emotional baggage. She is whitty and funny, but confidently naive! I also appreciated that she wasn’t stupid and gullible as some heroines are…she didn’t believe everything everyone said to her; she used her head.

The Hero

Sebastian Colver is the king of the underground and doesn’t trust anyone or let them get to close. His mother was murdered by someone trying to get to Sebastian so he has a lot of baggage as well. He puts on a front to everyone that he is this terrible man, but Olivia learns that he is a kind man who is loyal and takes care of people without recognition.

The Steam

There is definite sexual energy felt between Sebastian and Olivia throughout the book but only kissing until the end with a steamy bedroom scene.

Stand Out Moment

If we are talking steam, then the bedroom scene, but the scene when he saves her at the end is amazing and not what I expected!

Who Would Like This

If you like regency romance with a bit of mystery mixed in, then you’ll love this one! I guessed the ending wrong!

Final Thoughts

I loved Sebastian and Olivia’s romance and there was just enough mystery/action that neither storyline overpowered the other! I am excited to follow up with the other characters in the next book!

Tropes

Spinster, Ton Society, Virgin heroine, Class Difference, Forbidden Love, Trauma, Emotional Scars, Murder Mystery