What can go wrong while harnessing an explosive secret as well as living with and being attracted to the enemy?

This story, told in dual POV, reeled me in from the very beginning. It is written extremely well and the flow is perfect. This book was exciting and engaging. The battle between Adair and Cleo was entertaining.

I loved how Cleopatra, all but five feet tall, got under Adair’s skin so easily. She may have a petite stature, but her presence more than makes up for it. She is strong, fearless, brazen and opinionated. She stands up for her family and would do anything to keep them from harm.

I felt for Adair, he had so much tragedy in his life and had nothing permanent or lasting. The way he slowly wins over Cleo with small steps is beautiful.

There is no insta-love here, these characters have to work for what they want. And what they come to want and need is stability, trust, constancy and love. They find this together against all odds.

The only problem I had was it seemed both Adair and Cleo were classist. Although I understand and agree with their distrust for the Ton, I would have like to see the characters come to terms with this and move on from their hatred and distrust.

Christi definitely won me over with this book. It’s a touching and heartfelt read. I would recommend this to those who love fun and engaging verbal sparring between their main characters as well as a wonderfully written historical romance.

The Hellion is the first book in the new Wicked Wallflowers series by Christi Caldwell, and I was so excited to get my hands on this book, I looked like a kid at Christmas. 

Now, I want to say that although The Hellion is apart of a new series, it actually has a lots of characters from the Sinful Brides series, and while I will say it's not essential to read that series, I would recommend it, as it give you a deeper knowledge of the characters.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book, the interwoven story line, and the chemistry between Adair and Cleo is electric! And though I could sit here and list every single thing I love about each character, what struck me first was Cleo's no-nonsense attitude to people, that had me cheering happily.

These books are not simple and sweet romances, but gritty, fight for everything you have romances, that seem to steal your heart, especially when Cleo is willing to help Adair build a club, despite crossing family lines, and Adair fighting for the one he loves.
In my humble opinion, The Hellion is an amazing start to a new series, and I cannot wait for the next book!

I give The Hellion 5 stars.

This is Christi’s first book in her new Wicked Wallflowers series. The Hellion is the story of Adair and Cleopatra. They are sworn enemies who learn to love and trust each other. If you have read any of Christi’s other works you know she is amazing at redeeming villains and in this book we see that again. I enjoyed this book and am ready to read the rest of this series.

I was gifted this book by NetGalley for an honest review.

This was an enthralling read. Adair and Cleopatra both come from the wrong side of London but their families are enemies. After initial hostile reaction to each other they begin to develop feelings for each other. However, they are aware that this would not please either of their families. There is also the mystery of who set the gambling hell on fire and what impact that may have on their relationship. This story reinforces how strong their family ties are and strengthened by the horrors of their childhood.
I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christi Caldwell has done it again! With her first book in the Wicked Wallflowers (you know it's going to good with that title) series, she starts off with a winner.
Cleopatra is a true hellion. Her brother wants her proper entry into the Ton. She is not interested but goes along with his wishes. Adair's soul is burdened and he is not interested in helping anyone, especially the enemy's sister, join society.
The story drew me in with the very first words. I could imagine each character and scene as they explained so completely. The story developed at a wonderful pace, slowly weaving a tale that had me unable to put the book down. It was an emotional journey.
The book is pure magic and is Christi Caldwell at her best.

FINAL DECISION: This story was serviceable and solid, but I wanted more from the romance. There could have been more angst or more sexy romance. Instead, I just ended up wanting more from a decent book.

THE STORY: Cleopatra Killoran has agreed to sacrifice herself to a marriage to a man of the ton in order to protect her family. She has even agreed to be sponsored by her family's enemies in order to find a husband who is willing to accept a woman of questionable background who can bring only a fortune. Adair Thorne doesn't trust this woman who is one of his family's enemies. He intends to watch her closely while she is embedded with his family. But soon her finds himself watching this complicated woman for other reasons, but a reason for which might bring betrayal down on his family.

OPINION: This was an enjoyable read, but lacked something in its drama and intensity based on the way the story developed. I liked the book, but wanted more.

Adair is a hero that I wanted to know more about. Although we get his story recited, I never felt connected with him on a emotional basis. His inner life remains a mystery in this story and thus I felt the story lacked some of the intense connection between him and Cleo that the story really wanted.

I loved the setup. I loved that Cleo is a woman who was raised on the streets and has become strong and a dangerous character in her own right. Too much of the book, however, explains rather than engaging the reader in the deep emotions between these characters. This might have been an extraordinary book rather than just a good read.

What is here, however, is good. I enjoyed the story and the potential of this story was immense. The characters are interesting in concept and the story has some great possibilities from the beginning.

It is a compliment to the potential of this book that I wanted more intensity and emotion from the story than I got. I enjoyed the book and it is an essential part of the Sinful Brides world.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book sets up the series which now focuses on the Killoran family.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE HELLION is the first book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. This series is, however, connected with the Sinful Brides series. There are overlapping characters, especially in this book which operates as a bridge between the two series as both these characters appeared in the Sinful Brides series. I think this book fits better as part of the prior series in order that all the relationships can be understood.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

The Hellion
Although this is the start of a series by Christi, it is really the end of an era. The Hell & Sin is lost to fire and our last hero gets his lady. As always the hero & heroine are strong, determined fighters who life has damaged along the way. You cannot help but fall in love with Adair, we has grown to know him from Christi’s previous books but we get to see another side to him when the formidable Cleo is thrust into his path. We learn that life has been harsh and difficult for them both, making them suspicious and distrustful of each other, but as they spend time together they realise they have more in common than each thought. As Adair fights to hold onto the Hell and Sin and ultimately discover who started the fire, Cleo helps him see life in a new light, which leads her down a different path. Tragedy brings them together even when family tries to keep them apart. Love eventually wins out for them both. Another beautifully written book by the queen of Regency Christi, you cannot help but fall in love with her characters. Through her words they come alive and you root for them to find heir HEA, damaged characters are more real and believable. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Christi Caldwell is my go to, for Historical/Regency. And she didn't disappoint with, the return to the Hell and Sin and Devils Den Clubs with Adair Thorne and Cleopatra "Cleo' Killoran's story.
Yet again, Ms. Caldwell takes me on a tumult of emotions. And not wanting to put this book down.
I loved that their was animosity and hatred (their family's being enemies), in the beginning. Instead of the usual insta love you often find in romances.
I adored Adair. And loved Cleopatra. out of all of Ms. Caldwell's Heroine's, I think I want to be Cleo, if I had to pick a Christi Caldwell heroine to be. Loved how Bad@@@ she was for that time period. I felt for both of them, with their childhood's. And the ending! GAH! OMG! One of the best! Ms. Caldwell had me crying again. In a good way!!! Just LOVED this book!

The Hell and Sin Club has burned to the ground. Adair Thorne, last brother of the H&S dynasty to remain unmarried, is given charge of the ruins, and the mandate to rebuild. He also is given charge of Cleopatra Killoran, sister of the brothers’ arch-enemy Broderick Killoran. This is not a match made in heaven. Cleopatra and Adair have a lifetime of family enmity to overcome. With the “fall” of Adair, its clearly time for a new family to pick up the romance thread, and it looks like Christie Caldwell has chosen the subjects for her next series!

A five-star read.

This new series kicks off to a burning start with Adair Thorne's gaming-hell dream vanished into an inferno. His gut tells him that his competitors, the Killorans set his business ablaze .

Cleopatra, sister to Broderick Killoran, is a termagant who ignites desire and anger in Thorne in equal measures. And they are sponsoring her for a season to land a titled husband!

Thorne and Cleo are passionate creatures who love their respective families with passion and would do anything for them.

Both families agreed on being civil but their truce is so precarious and could break once Cleo's secret is made known.

Christi Caldwell has created a cornucopia of interesting characters in the underbelly of Regency London. These fierce, sensual characters are recurring in her past, present and undoubtedly future novels. Ms Caldwell is definitely getting better and better every time.

This is my honest review of the eGalley I voluntarily read.

The Hellion by Christi Caldwell is the First book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. This is the story of Adair Thorne and Cleopatra Killoran.
Although this is the first book in a new series this does tie in with the Sinful Brides series. Most of the main characters from the previous books are in this one. But this still can easily be a standalone book, I just wanted to mention that in case you would like to continue catching up with that series.
This book opens to following through with the agreement of the truce that everyone agreed too. Cleopatra goes forward to be the one that is sponsored by the rival group to introduce her into society.
Adair is devastated after his gambling club The Hell and Sin Club is burnt to a crisp. Adair firmly believes its the Killorna's group who caused the deviation, but they deny it. Adair and Cleopatra but heads left and right but Adair starts to learn who the real Cleopatra is.
This was another emotional page turner from Ms. Caldwell. Absolutely loved this story!

The Hellion is an age old tale of love, lust and danger encased in a long standing rivalry. The question is who holds the cards to this ongoing war. The neverending revelations lead to a powerful love affair that could destroy everything in it's path or heal a lifetime of damage that spans generations. Tempestuous, climatic, emotional romance.

I want to begin this review by saying, “Wow! What a powerhouse of a heroine!” I adore her spunk and courage. It was such a pleasure to read this beautiful love story where she finally meets her match. Some of the scenes in the initial chapters had me tearing up. They were heartrending and touched my soul. I loved Adair’s character and hearing about his back story. This author always gets me to love her books and this one is utterly thrilling and captivating romance. This is the first book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. I would highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the rest of the series.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I want to start this review by stating that I requested this book because it was touted as the first book in a new series. I would disagree - I did not read the previous Sinful Brides series, but every single person in this book (save one very minor character) is a character from that series - the hero in this book is a "brother" to the previous series heroes and the heroine is the "sister" to the villain in that series. I am all about authors bringing back previous characters for cameos - but this was more like a continuation of that series, so many references are made to prior events that I really didn't understand the significance of in this book - that said, it is not a bad book - but if you haven't read Sinful Brides, be prepared to feel a little lost.

Adair Thorne has lost everything to fire twice, first his family when he was a boy and now as he watches the Hell and Sin Club burn. He is filled with rage, the club is everything to him and now it is gone and he knows exactly who is to blame - the Killoran Family. He and his brothers had formed a truce with them and even promised to sponsor one of his sisters for the season - but after this, there is no way they will honor that promise.

Adair and his brothers will rebuild, but first they need to deal with Broderick Killoran. Broderick, his guard and his sister Cleopatra are summoned for a meeting. Thinking it is make arrangements for the season, they willing attend. They are floored that they are being accused of arson and vehemently deny any part in the fire and without proof to back up their accusations, Broderick demands they honor the agreement. Ryker's wife concurs and plans are made.

Cleopatra aka Cleo, thinks Broderick's dream of having his sisters marry nobility is stupid, but rather than make one of her sisters sacrifice themselves, she insists on being the one sent.

Adair is assigned to "watch" her and doesn't trust her at all. This is reiterated over and over and over. Finally he begins to lighten up a bit and the two form a friendship of sorts - she sees the plans for the new club and offers suggestions, which at first he scoffs at, but then begins to see the merits of her suggestions.

When her season starts, she is not interested in any of the Lords paraded before her and she is largely ignored. Adair is the only bright spot in any of the events she attends. She makes a wager with him and they end up alone in the host's billiard room, they are kissing when Adair hears someone approaching, he goes out the window and the door opens before she can follow him. This is when she meets the Marquess of Landon. He flirts with her and then asks her to dance with him. She is a bit disappointed, she has been waiting to dance for weeks and was hoping Adair would be her first dance. Adair watches from the side of the dance floor and is filled with jealousy.

Later, they meet in his office and dance and then he takes her to the club. They make love and she knows she loves him. She feels the need to honest with him and shares a secret that could destroy any hope of a HEA. Adair is stunned by her revelation and she flees.

Belatedly, he comes to his senses and goes after her, but she is gone. He returns home to find out that she is there and has a caller, Lord Landon. He finds out that Landon asked her to marry him and tells her he loves her and asks her to marry him instead, but before she can answer, Ryder comes in and has information that obliterates any hope of them being together.

This was a well written book, but the first two-thirds of the story dragged and was repetitious, but once she actually starts her "season" the story takes off and is fantastic. It also ends a little abruptly with no setup for the next book in the series - which is another reason this felt more like an installment of the Sinful Brides instead of new series. The love scenes were on the warm side, the ending was dramatic and I really believed the love between Adair and Cleopatra. I would say if you read the Sinful Brides, you will definitely want to read this book and will enjoy it. But speaking for those readers who haven't read that series, this was not the easiest book to follow, it felt like I was reading a book in the middle of a series and didn't know the characters.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

Adair Thorne was reliving his nightmare! Once again his life was going up in flames. Luckily none of his family would be dying this day but his gaming-hell dream was simply being turned into ashes. Problem was he was certain he knew the rival gaming hell owner and family, the Killorans, were behind it. His hatred, fury and passion for the Killorans was palatable, but when he met Cleopatra Killoran, a tart mouthed vixen who has made it her priority to ridicule him at every opportunity. If she were anyone else but a Killoran, Adair would unleash at the passion that devours him each time he looks at her.

No one can make Cleopatra do anything she doesn’t want to, but if it means protecting her siblings she would do it at a cost to her own happiness. A peace accord had been reached whereby the Black family would sponsor Cleopatra for a season in order to land a noble husband. But her heart seems to have a mind of it’s own Cleo cannot allow her head to be turned by the infuriating and darkly handsome Adair Thorne.

*** What a terrific read, and what great characterizations! Can’t help but fall in love with Cleopatra - tough gal with an even tenderer heart she tries to hide from the world. But little by little Adair, who really didn’t want to give an inch started to see her through different eyes and acknowledged that her ideas for the design of his new gaming-hell were both smart and sensible. And though she was a slight ‘bit of a thing’ and not his usual type of round and buxom - Cleo was looking mighty fine.

Only one thing that threatens the rules of this game: Cleopatra has a secret! One that could unravel the families’ tenuous truce and shatter the unpredictably sinful romance mounting between the hellion…and a scoundrel who could pass for the devil himself. But Romance being romance you’ll love the ending just as much as I did!

Marilyn Rondeau

Series: Wicked Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 4/3/18

I love Christi Caldwell’s writing and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. That said, I really believe that this book should have been the final book in the Sinful Brides series rather than the first book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. It wraps up all of the loose ends for the previous series – including the final unmarried brother and it introduces the characters for the Wicked Wallflowers series. The characters from the Sinful Brides are heavily (almost exclusively) featured in this book – they are dynamic, interesting and you will quickly care about all of them. I believe the characters from the Wicked Wallflowers series will quickly become just as endearing.

Both of the series feature rivals on the streets of St. Giles. They are bitter enemies, but they are victims of the same monster – Diggory. The men from the Sinful Brides series managed to escape from Diggory’s control, but Diggory was a hateful and dirty fighter and he declared war on Ryder Black and his ‘family’. The ladies featured in the Wicked Wallflowers weren’t lucky enough to escape Diggory’s cruelty – until he was killed by a member of Ryder Black’s family. Now, they are the Killoran’s and still enemies with the Black’s, just because it has always been that way.

At the end of the previous series, the two groups declared a truce after the Killoran’s agreed to lead the Black’s to where one of the Black’s was being held hostage. Besides the truce, the agreement also called for the Black’s (who all married into the aristocracy) to sponsor one of the Killoran sisters for a season. They still don’t like or trust each other, but they are both honoring the truce – until . . .

Shock, despair, anger, bitterness all pass through Adair Thorne’s heart, mind, and soul as he observes the burned out husk of The Hell and Sin Club. The Killoran’s, he just knows they are the ones who did it. They burned his home, his heart. He has no proof, but he knows it in his gut.

Since the Black’s can’t prove that the Killoran’s started the fire, they are honor bound to sponsor one of the Killoran sisters for the season. Broderick Killoran wants to ensure the safety and future of his ‘sisters’ by cultivating a tie with the aristocracy and to him, that means marrying one of the sisters to an aristocrat.

Cleopatra is the chosen sister – well – she actually volunteers because she is the protector of her sisters and would never wish that fate on them. Cleopatra is a true heroine – she is strong, smart and sassy and you’ll love the way she shows up at the Black’s townhouse – with a satchel full of weapons. For Cleopatra, it is like entering a war zone – Ryder Black and his brothers don’t trust her out of their sight – or even within their sight. Everything she does is suspect. She will not have a pleasant time living with them. The only friendly member of the family is Ryder’s wife Penelope.

Adair and Cleopatra are drawn to each other and they each hate themselves for that weakness. However, the more Adair is around Cleopatra, the more he discovers how smart and giving she is. They have been at war with each other their entire lives, so how can they become friends or begin to care for each other? Adair sees Cleopatra as a willing participant in all of Diggory’s schemes and crimes – after all – if she didn’t agree she would have left like he and his ‘brothers’ did. Can they ever come to the realization that they were both victims of the same villain?

I loved both Adair and Cleopatra and their stories are compelling. Their journey to an HEA is a wonderful experience and you will learn to admire both of them. The arsonist will surprise you (or not). One thing that bothered me was that there was no punishment for the arsonist. I agree that the arsonist should not have gone to prison, etc. but there were livelihoods lost, people were injured, etc. because of what that arsonist did – some punishment would have been appropriate.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

I don’t know why but it took me so long to get into this book, I kept starting it then giving up for a week and then going back to it again. Until today when I read it in one sitting because once it got started, I couldn’t put it down! Every time I finish a Christi Caldwell book, I always think ‘this is it, her best hero yet’ and then she writes another!
There were so many things I loved about this book that I can’t even begin to explain!
I always feel that a sign of awesome writing is when, even though I KNOW that there will be a happy ending, I’m bawling my eyes out when things look bleak. I am SO excited for the next book in this new series and beyond glad that we got Adair’s story! 4 stars.

4.75 Stars
Adair Thorne has just watched his gaming-hell dream disappear into a blaze of fire and ash, and he’s certain that his competitors, the Killorans, are behind it. His fury and passion burn even hotter when he meets Cleopatra Killoran, a tart-mouthed vixen who mocks him at every turn. If she were anyone else but the enemy, she’d ignite a desire in him that would be impossible to control.
No one can make Cleopatra do anything. That said, she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her siblings even if that means being sponsored by their rivals for a season in order to land a noble husband.
I love the author’s books & had been waiting for Adair’s story. I found the story to be slow to begin with but by the end I was in pieces. I’ve liked Adair from his appearances in the Sinful Brides series. Cleopatra is a tough, determined young woman, when the pair meet sparks fly but there is also an attraction that grows as they come to know each other but the greatest barrier is trust. Another well written lovely novel that had me laughing and crying.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is book one in Christi's new series and is Adair and Cleopatra's story. It is a wonderful romance story, but it is also so much more. This author put emotion, drama, suspense and humor into her story that it came alive in a wonderful way.

It is a very well-written and complex story that moves at a good pace with colorful characters that you will love. It is a story that will pull you in and keep your interest right up until the last page. Highly recommended!

Anytime, I can get my hands on a star-crossed lovers book, I am one happy lady, so when I had the chance to read Christi Caldwell’s The Hellion, I was ecstatic. From reading previous Caldwell books, I had very high expectations, and let’s just say that Caldwell blew my expectations out of the water. Cleopatra and Adair as far as I am concerned are the new “it” couple in the Caldwell universe.

The Hellion is her first book in the Wicked Wallflowers Series and continues the story of the owners of the Hell and Sin club from her Sinful Brides series. Adair is our last owner to get a story, and all I can say is it was worth the wait. I devoured this book soaking in every emotion Caldwell invokes with her writing, and boy can she pull emotions out of you that you didn’t even know you had.

When you throw Adair and Cleopatra together, there wasn’t any doubt with them coming from rival gaming hells that you were going to see some fireworks. What was surprising was even with the mistrust for each other still unresolved, the passion that came to the forefront in their encounters was just as explosive. Caldwell continuously tries to teach these two characters that they have more in common with each other than they think, but they fight her tooth and nail to hold on to their grudges and misinformation of their past. But even with their resistance, she takes these two on a path to friendship and love. But, let’s just say along that path Caldwell proves with every page of the Hellion that there is a thin line between love and hate.

Cleopatra was a character that I could identify with and therefore she has become a favorite of mine. She is a petite woman who loves her family and is loyal to them at all costs. She is tough from growing up on the streets, but to me her strength lies more in the sacrifices she is willing to make for her sisters than her ability to fight. I loved the fact that even with her doubts about Adair, she still managed to see the good in him.

Adair has physical strength from growing up on the streets and rising up to own a successful gaming hell, but on the inside, he isn’t as strong. He has fears of losing everything and going back to nothing, so when his gaming hell burns down, those fears he feels are close to becoming a reality. He embraces the hatred he feels for the Killoran’s, and blames them for his loss, so he wants nothing to do with Cleopatra. He has probably been one of my favorites to see brought to their knees with love. As his sister and each brother fell in love, he balked at that sentiment, but I knew if any author could do it that Caldwell could take a gruff character like Adair and find his sensitive side and soulmate.

If you haven’t picked up a Caldwell book yet, this is a great one to start with. Take my word that Christi Caldwell has become the leading lady in historical romance.

I was gifted this title as an ARC. This review represents my honest opinion.