Hell in a Hand Basket

Devilish Debutantes, Book 2

By: Annabelle Anders

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Sophia Babineaux has landed a husband! And a good one at that! Lord Harold, the second son of a duke, is kind, gentle, undemanding. Perhaps a little too undemanding? Because after one chance encounter with skilled rake, Captain Devlin Brooks, it is glaringly obvious that something is missing between Lord Harold and herself...passion...sizzle...well...everything. And marriage is forever! Will her parents allow her to reconsider? 

Absolutely not. 

War hero Devlin Brookes is ready to marry and thinks Sophia Babineaux might be the one. One itsy bitsy problem: She's engaged to his cousin, Harold. But Devlin knows his cousin! And damned if Harold hasn't been coerced into this betrothal by the Duke of Prescott, his father. 

Devlin, Sophia, and Harold conspire to thwart the duke's wishes but fail to consider a few vital, unintended consequences. Once set in motion, matters quickly spiral out of control! Caught up in tragedy, regret, and deceit, Sophia and Devlin's love becomes tainted. If they cannot cope with their choices, they may never find their way back once embarking on their journey...to Hell in a Hand Basket....

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Annabelle Anders (P)2019 Tantor

Loved it

This was a good story and then the bonus novella really was a wonderful wrap up to the main book. Awesome narration!!! Mary Sarah is the best regency narrator!!!

Melodramatic

Narration by Mary Sarah was on point.

This is not a easy care free listen. It comes across as heavy and dark at times. The characters are very over emotional and melodramatic. It works for the story but it was a bit too much. The plot was interesting and not common. Mild steam with some romance. There is a 2 hour stretch where you want to slap both main characters. Their frenzied antics were unjustified and eye rolling. Their emotions didn't match what you know as the listener. The ending seemed abrupt to me. The story was not depressing but I felt drained by the end. With all that said, it was a good story. This is not a book that I think anyone could listen to multiple times.

The novella at the end gave away some facts about the next books. (Audible has the novella listed as unavailable book 5) It was a casual quick listen. It was a continuation of the primary story with different lead characters. It was about a year and a half in the future.

The author has talent. She unfortunately dives deeper into melodramatic in the next 2 books. Both are good stories but she relies purely on self doubt. It makes the characters seem brainless. If there was a library category of self doubt and obviously ignoring the blatant correct decisions, books 2, 3, and 4 would be the highlight.

Good book

The characters was good. It was a lot of twists and turns, although it was tragic they still persevered through, and I think it was a well written novel. I did speed up, then our way up because she was a little bit dragging to me and depressing but overall I enjoy the book.

Like father, like son

What a great story. Loved the whole idea of the storyline. Good characters, tastefully done subject matter. Loved the follow up novella about the Duchess and Cecily's father. Great to read about older, more mature adults finding love.

Good story, particularly the bonus novella at the end

While I enjoyed the main story. The bonus novella at the end was particularly wonderful.

Another Delicious Tale From Annabelle

Along with Hell Hath No Fury this story is all I want in a great, engaging tale. Wiith twists and turns and a novella at the end which I absolutely loved! Love abounds!

Unexpected! ♥️

Omgoodness what story unexpectedly secrets with a combination of: deep love, tragedy, acceptance, courage, and more….

There are two stories: a novel and a novella

And both are well written.

The novel was terrific and I enjoyed these people a lot. Dev, the hero, is an especially well written character; an ex-soldier who has had enough of war and just wants to buy some land and cogitate about life with or without a life partner although the life partner sounds pretty damn good. Hinting he hasn’t always been this way he now shows a warm, accepting personality which now wants to concentrate on his family even if he doesn’t always approve of what they say and do. Sophia, our heroine, is not my favorite character. She faces life with too much fear and not an understanding of who she is. She’s so afraid of making someone angry with her. Forced into a marriage she questions, she will have to grow up fast to find happiness. The novel is fairly well written although it can get bogged down periodically in details. I set the speed to 1.1 because the narrator just took too long to perform the book. It really helped. Otherwise I’m not sure I would have finished it … which would have been too bad because I would have missed the novella. The novella told the story of one of the minor characters in the novel and it was delightful. We finally get a story about an older woman, a women in her late 40’s/ early 50’s. It’s about time! Older women have emotions and needs too. I enjoyed both.

I Loved It

This is the very first book I have read from this author. Surprisingly subject that can be related to today.

The continuation of a lovely family tale

I liked the entire family tale and the fact that it was a continuation of that tale. The love of parents for their children, the love between partners and the love between friends.