Sarah Maclean is a bestselling author known for her romance and young adult novels. Since her debut in 2010, she’s gained many awards and has had her works translated into over 20 languages.
Recognizing the contribution of feminism to the romance genre, many of her books showcase women with prominent personalities who aren’t afraid of breaking traditional gender roles. Aside from her writing, she also co-hosts the Fated Mates podcast, where she and fellow host Jen Prokop discuss the romance genre in depth.
Best Sarah Maclean Books
If you like fun books about strong women and happy endings, Sarah Maclean’s books are perfect. Check them out below.
1. The Rogue Not Taken
When Sophie Talbot finds her brother-in-law fooling around with someone else other than her sister, she flips him into a pond—in front of a whole crowd too. But her following tirade is poorly received and she becomes the target of aristocratic scorn.
Rather than endure the snobbery, she makes the rash decision to stow away in the only available carriage. She’s in for quite the ride as she finds herself riding with London’s most notorious rogue.
2. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
There are things society imposes as lady-like behavior that Calpurnia Hartwell has followed most of her life. In return, it’s led her to steer clear from much of life’s excitements.
Unnoticed and unsatisfied, she finally breaks the rules, entering a world far bolder than her old one. Realizing that a taste isn’t enough, she must find herself a partner-in-crime. But the one she finds, Gabriel St. John, si dangerously charming, with a much too wicked smile.
3. No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
William Harrow is the Killer Duke, accused of killing his father’s fiance, Mara, twelve years ago. Exiled from his aristocratic life, he has since ruled The Fallen Angel, one of London’s darker abodes where money flowed like wine.
In reality, Mara ran away, refusing to marry a man who was old enough to be her father. Now she’s back, offering him a deal that will prove to the world that he is no killer.
4. The Season
Seventeen-year-old Alexandra lives in a home full of older brothers and their friends—and she’s learned to be just as strong-willed and smart-mouthed as them. Not the best features in a lady, but her mother still dreams of marrying her off to someone with wealth and a good reputation.
When the Earl of Blackmoor is suddenly murdered, she takes it upon herself to help the son, Gavin, uncover the truth. But solving the case gets distracting when all she sometimes notices is him and everything that he is.
5. A Scot in the Dark
Falling for an artist’s sweet promises, Lillian Hargrove agrees to pose nude for a portrait meant for him and him alone. But when the relationship sours, he threatens to release it to the public.
Desperate, she turns to her new guardian, a Scotsman who hates everything English. And though he’s only interested in marrying her off quickly, he might find one thing in England that he likes too much.
6. Never Judge A Lady By Her Cover
Lady Georgiana Pearson was only sixteen when she gave herself to a man that abandoned her while she’s pregnant. Now she’s ruined in the eyes of society, a shameful story to gossip about.
But she’s secretly reinvented herself as the most powerful woman in London. Seeking to re-enter society for her daughter’s sake, she reluctantly searches for a husband. But what man can handle her reputation, much less her secrets?
7. Bombshell
There’s freedom in not following the strict rules that make a lady and Sesily Talbot has fully embraced her reputation as a “wild” woman. No one looks at ther twice, much less care about the things she does.
No one except her brother’s best friend that is. For years, Caleb Calhoun has tried to ignore the beautiful and brash woman. But when he finally realizes what he truly feels, he’ll have to risk everything to not lose it.
8. Wicked and the Wallflower
Lady Felicity Faircloth is a spinster. Pushed too far by her so-called friends, she publicly claims to be engaged with a duke she’s never met. And her situation will only get worse once the truth comes out.
When a mysterious stranger offers his help, she thinks her problems solved. But a deal with the Devil always has a catch.
Where should I start with Sarah Maclean?
A lot of Sarah Maclean’s books are interconnected, so you can definitely pick what catches your attention and simply start reading.
As you progress through her novels, you’ll encounter recurring characters and familiar settings. This makes every subsequent book a much more immersive read.
Each book tackles gender issues in different degrees. A common element though, are women who refuse to be shaped by society’s limited image of a woman. Since Maclean sets her stories during the Regency (where certain expectations are expected of a lady), this makes her characters’ development much more prominent.
What’s your favorite Sarah Maclean book? Share your reading experience in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
