The Hellion is my first Christi Caldwell book and I was amazingly surprised at how good it is. The Hellion, as Cleopatra is named, is a fitting name by the life she has lived with her courage, loyalty and honor. Her family is accused of setting a fire to Adair’s club and she is sure they did not. He is sure they did. Their two family’s a feud to rival the Hatfield and McCoy families, except the Kiloran and Black families are feuding with current day rivalries.

Due to a debt determined in a previous book, the Thorne family must assist a Kiloran in marrying into the ton to a peer of the realm. Enough is shared in this book that you are not left wondering what happened in the previous book. Members of Adair’s have married ladies of the ton to give them the possibility of assisting Cleo in marriage. Adair and family feel as if they have taken a viper into their midst and struggle with trusting Cleopatra. The wives, on the other hand, believe the debt must be paid and are willing to trust and befriend Cleo.

Adair and Cleopatra have a very volatile relationship at best. They struggle with hating each other even as they are drawn together. They cannot seem to stop kissing each other, so decide it best to avoid each other. Even that is not working because Adair is supposed to be ‘guarding’ Cleo. Cleo, innocently, helps Adair with the plans to rebuild the club helping to win him over somewhat. Their relationship slowly begins to build a trust that is tenuous, but real. The whole of their time together, Cleo contends her family did not start the destroying fire, a constant argument.

Once things come to light, they both learn a lot about what is important. This is really a great book, but it is not light-hearted, nor is it really dark. There is the over hanging pall of a cruel man with whom both families were connected. And, their life in the darker parts of London have helped to mold them, too.

The Hellion (Wicked Wallflowers, #1) by Christi Caldwell. Ah, I love Regency, and this was a perfect natural progression to the Sinful Brides. I was hopeful that Adair would have his tale told and what a great match with the saucy Cleopatra Killoran. The author showed us the flip side of Regency with it’s not so polite society and gaming hell establishments. This was an entertaining read and the series is off to a great start. Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for providing a copy to review. I recommend reading the Sinful Brides Series to gain more insight and background on the characters and their sordid history but it isn’t completely necessary.

I really enjoyed this new book from Christi Caldwell. I hope to read more of her works in the future.

Adair Thorne and Cleopatra Killoran
From enemies to friends, friends to lovers...

This is one of my tropes and this book didn't disappoint. Christi starts this new spin off series from Sinful Brides with a bang.

Adair Thorne is the last unmatched "brother". All Adair wants is to reestablish the Hell and Sin club as one of the best in London. Since, his brothers married nobility patron ship has gone and Adair is willing to do anything to salvage the only security he has had since being an orphan on the streets.

Cleopatra Killoran is the sister of the owner of the Devil's Den, rival to the Hell and Sin, and hates the nobility. She has seen them throw money away, beggar children, on the streets, and beat the whores at their club and wants no part of it. After saving Lady Diana (Adair's brother's wife) a month's prior she is allowed a return in favor. Now she is to be sponsored a season with the ton, expected to make a good match, and all while Adair is acting as her guard.

This book is like popcorn. It slow to start and then just takes off until the end. It was nice being reunited with prior characters, finally meeting a before mentioned rogue, and having the back and forth banter between Adair and Cleo. Cleo is my type of heroine. She is sometimes naive, but she is tough, intelligent, knows how to use her words, has a fierce dedication towards her family, and always like carrying a weapon on her. Adair was an amazing counter-balance. While a bit abrasive, he was quick to see that their was more to Cleo than the show she put on for others.

I can't wait to read more in this new series and learn more about Ophelia, Gertrude, Broderick, and Reggie.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

While the other men in this linked series wood ton women, this bachelor is smitten with the daughter of a rival gambling den gang, making it part pygmalion, part west side story, although with a quickly resolved solution.

I normally like this author and I had high hopes but this book was all over the place, I mean all over. There were just to many character and to much chaos that I totally lost interest..I could not go on..sorry folks just didn't do it for me..

It’s a different kind of story and very gripping in places, Adair and Cleopatra destined to be together and both fighting it. Also being from the seedier side of London making it a change from Lords and Dukes getting their own way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next in the series....

The Hellion is the first in the Wicked Wallflowers series by Christi Caldwell.. The series feels like a continuation of the Sinful Brides except the focus is now on the Killoran family. After hearing so much about the Killoran family I was very excited to see this different point of view!

The story begins with the burning of the Hell and Sin club. Adair Thorne and his brothers immediately suspect that the Killoran family is behind this destructive act. Seeking understanding and potentially retribution they decide to pay them a visit. What ensues is deal to bring one of Broderick Killoran's sisters out into society. No one, least of all Cleopatra Killoran, truly wants this and all it entails. Unfortunately, Broderick Killoran cannot be swayed and so Cleopatra decides to spare her sisters and take this endeavor on herself.

Cleo she has absolutely no desire to go into society, find a titled gentlemen and marry - but she will because that is what her brother expects. Born to the streets and saved by Broderick - she will do anything for him and her family including this. I really liked and admired Cleo. She is smart, ambitious, and caring. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and those she loves - no easy feet during her time.

Put into each other's path repeatedly due to the circumstances, Adair and Cleo begin to see each other in a different light. What they had believed isn't what reality is turning out to be. The chemistry between her and Adair is palpable! They are truly a match of the minds and souls. While slowing moving from mortal enemies to friends to partners you can feel the love and respect growing between them. I appreciated that Adair could see that Cleo had great insight into the design of a gaming hell and was willing to take her advice. And Cleo could see there was much more to Adair then being a part owner of Hell and Sin.

I found this to be a well developed story between two people who grew up in similar circumstances but had to open up to each other to understand how much they had in common.

Christi Caldwell has created another wonderful read. It was fantastic to revisit old friends and get to meet new ones. I would highly recommend this book and look quite forward to the next one in the series!

The Hellion is the first book I’ve read by Christi Caldwell and I must admit I was completely overwhelmed in the beginning. This is the first book in the Wicked Wallflowers series, but I felt as though I came into the story somewhere during Act II, missing pertinent information about the supporting characters and past events which have led to the current truce between the Black and Killoran families. Per the terms of the truce, the Black family will host one of the Killoran sisters for a London season to see her well married into a noble family which will bring respectability to the notorious St Giles gaming hell family. But when sister Cleopatra Killoran, who sacrifices herself to the Season in order to protect her siblings, locks eyes with Adair Thorne of the Black family, the rules of the game begin to change. Not to mention, Cleopatra is hiding a family secret that could destroy the truce holding the two families together. And when disaster strikes, Cleopatra and Adair must make the ultimate decision to choose love.
There is a reason Enemies to Lovers works well in stories and this one is no exception. The story arc between Cleopatra and Adair is slow burn at its best, alternating between tense and tender moments. While lost a bit at the start, I found my way and am intrigued by the story to the point that I want to read the author’s backlist regarding these characters.

I received this advanced reader copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Romance .for providing me with a copy of this book.. This story was interesting and very slow paced. There were lot of characters mentioned that were a bit confusing. Also the constant verbal insults between the Adair and Cleo left me quite bewildered as to how a romance would eventually develop. I mean they acted like they hated each other with a vengeance.

I love enemies to lovers stories, but usually there is always an instant attraction, sometimes disguised as hatred, between the couple. Over half of this book just felt like genuine hatred between the two.

Then quite suddenly Adair starts to trust Cleo and so the romance develops. I did enjoy the romance, even if the story about the families being constant sworn enemies was tiring.
Overall a good story.

This is the first book in a series, but it didn't feel like it. It felt as if I was reading a book in the middle of a series. I'll confess it was hard to orient myself because there are so many characters and there's so much history between the two rival families. I was lost in the beginning and it took me a while to get a strong grasp on who was who. Even after I was able to clearly put together the families and the husbands and wives, I started getting even more confused as Penelope later on talked about her family. It kind of felt like an information overload and an advertisement to read about Penelope's siblings' stories.

The story itself was a little slow, but I did like Cleopatra and Adair together. I found the whole sacrifice-for-my-sisters thing a little tiring and repetitive. The distrust between the hero and heroine and how that slowly transformed into love and trust was well-written and I enjoyed the journey getting there. Like I said, I liked the couple, but I was not wholly entranced with the plot itself nor did I really care so much about the families. I am curious about the other Killorans though and I suspect that <spoiler>Reggie and Broderick will end up together</spoiler>.

I absolutely love the cover! It's clean, pretty and simple. The model looks exactly like Cleopatra.

Finally, I really wish the author had written an epilogue!

The Hellion is a splendid blend of historical and romance. Adair is in for a rude awakening when he meets Cleopatra. She vexs him and intrigues him. But Cleo has a secret that could disrupt not only her life but Adair's as well. Good solid writing. Enjoyed greatly.

„The Hellion“ by Christi Caldwell is the first novel in the „Wicked Wallflowers“ series. It isn’t my first Caldwell book and it will not be my last one. I also enjoyed the „Heart of a Duke“and „The Sinful Brides“ series.

„The Hellion“ is a book which kind of took me like eternity to get into it. I knew the previous one, I knew the people Cald well was writing about, the gaming hells, the parts of London but in the beginning I was like in a different kind of movie. Somehow you need to know the stories from the other books to paint the picture you need to get through this book. I cannot imagine how it may work if you don’t know about the hells, Digory etc.

I really enjoyed the book, though I never felt any connection to the leads. Cleopatra was too abstract for me. Adair not the hero I imagined he’d be.

A good book, well written but kind of … hard to get into.

I was so excited to get to read my first Christi Caldwell book and after reading the blurb I thought that this would be just up my street but unfortunately for me this was nothing like I was expecting. I really had high hopes for this book but what I found was that it was very hard and slow to get into with too many characters in the first few chapters that caused me a lot of confusion. As this is the first in a series it felt like that I was missing out on something and that I'd started in the middle of a series that are not standalone.
I did keep reading thinking that maybe as im new to this author's writing style that it would get better and it did, but I was around halfway through the book before I was comfortable with what I was reading. The story was ok in the sense that I wanted to finish it to see what happened but it was far from the excitement that the title lead me to believe would be contained within the story. I didn't ever really feel a connection to either of the main characters of Adair Thorne and Cleopatra Killoran. In fact they drove me nuts with their sniping and distrust of each other, to go from being so venomous toward each other to then suddenly change to be so intensely over protective of each other in no time at all was utterly ridiculous. I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers but this just didn't tick the boxes for me at all.
I do hope to try another book by this author in the future as every book can't be a big hit and suit everyone ones tastes.

Adair Thorne has lost one of the only things that matters to him besides his family, his club. He has his suspicions that their enemies, the Killorans had something to do with the fire that burnt his gaming hell to the ground. Unfortunately, a deal had been struck between the Killorans and Adair's family and they must see it through since they lack the evidence to prove they were behind the crime. Adair must tolerate the enemy's company until then.

Cleopatra's brother wants one of her siblings to marry nobility to bring their family up in the world. She hates the idea, but if anyone is going to be offered as the sacrificial lamb, then it must be her. Cleopatra is forced to stay with her enemies, Adair and his family, in order to be introduced to society. She loathes every second of it, except the brief moments she shares with Adair. Still, she best be on guard, if she doesn't want to lose her heart to the wrong man.

Review courtesy of NetGalley. I recently discovered author Christi Caldwell and it has been a delight. I have read two books of her SINFUL BRIDES series which is tied to this one, the WICKED WALLFLOWERS, and I cannot wait to read more. I am always a sucker for romances about children who had no choice but to survive in the only ways they can, most of them becoming thieves. Author Christi Caldwell is a wonderful storyteller. Her first installment in the WICKED WALLFLOWERS, THE HELLION, is one of my fave books I've read this year, maybe to date. Cleopatra and Adair don't realize it from the beginning, although us readers sure do, but they are a lot alike. Both have overcome a lot to get to where they are today, and become a better person for their struggles. Christi Caldwell is definitely rising up the ranks in the historical romance genre. If you're looking for an all-consuming read, look no further. Author Christi Caldwell's THE HELLION, will satisfy your cravings!

I truly liked this author when I first discovered her. The stories were interesting, heartbreaking and entertaining, but she’s gotten so bogged down in the gaming hell stories of late. I really looked forward to seeing how the Killoran family would develop, but it really was just so so.. Fortunately, she didn’t overuse the cockney accent, it really makes the story harder to read. But the story wasn’t as compelling as her earlier Work, and the other members of this family have just become annoying, rather than charming friends you’re happy to see again. I really think she may need to develop the story more thoroughly rather than trying to write a book so quickly. Nevertheless, I’ll probably read the books.

The Hellion (Wicked Wallflower #1)

Adair Thorne is not a man to be messed with. When his club The Hell and Sin is totally destroyed by fire he looks to his enemy the Killoran as responsible for the deed. When the two families meeet, Broderick Killoran is able to convince Adair and his brothers they are not guilty, and have not broken the truce that the families have enforced.

Cleopatra Killoran attends the meeting and proves to be an outspoken hellion. She is outspoken and no one can make her do anything. Part of the Killoran truce is for there rivals to give one of his sisters a season to find a rich Lord.

Cleo steps forward to save her sisters from this marriage. It is while she is under Ryker Black home being guarded by Adair the two cross sword and them become tolerable friends.

As you find yourself reading this story, you pick up the crumbs of hidden information about each character which only Ms Caldwell can leave you hungry to grasp.

She excels as a master in her art form. This is an excellent read.

I really like Christians Caldwell books. This is a little different than her normal stories but sweet nevertheless. Adair and Cleopatra come from rivals families and grew up in the streets of London. Cleopatra's family is suspected of setting fire to Adair's family club although the families have a truce. The Blacks will introduce Cleo to the ton for her to get married to a Lord. However a friendship develops between Adair and Cleo even though both sides are still suspicious. Eventually the arsonist is discovered but there were a couple of things left open. I was curious what role Brookhurst played in the fire if any. I also wonder a little bit more why a ton marriage was encouraged. Would it really bring that many benefits? Thanks for a good story.

Thanks to NetGalley And Montlake Romance for a copy of this book, the most recent in the series. An enjoyable read and not the normal Lord/Lady romance, but yet another variation in the Wicked Wallflowers tales. This book can be read as part of the series or standalone although having read the previous books perhaps gives more enjoyment through knowing the back stories of many of the minor characters in this book. Eagerly await the next book.

The Hellion (Wicked Wallflowers, #1)
by Christi Caldwell
Anna Swedenmom's review Jan 25, 2018 · edit

Superb! This author goes from great to greater with each book she writes. The worlds, the characters, the imagination in each on just keeps getting better. It is unreal how these stories are so fantastic. Each one of her writings is one to read and enjoy. This one was fantastic. I loved the elements she brought into it. The adventure, the romance, the passion. I loved the characters and the way she brought them together and also the growth of each through the story. One down side to reading this book is that it ends. I just wanted to keep reading. From good to great, I must say I shall keep watching out for this author for she brings enjoyment and life into the world with her creativity and imagination in her writing. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Regards, Anna