I'm a Christi Caldwell fan and I was super excited when I saw that this was Adair's story. I wasn't always the biggest fan of Adair, but he grew on me in this story. Cleo also grew on me as well. She was too rough/tough in the beginning but the romance between Cleo and Adair helped to soften them for me. I like steamy romances and this story definitely had some passion and heat. I liked catching up on the other characters from the Hell and Sin and liked that Ryker, Calum, and Niall were all included in this book. All in all, this was a great start to the new series and I can't wait for future releases!

For those that have read Christi Caldwell's Sinfull brides series, this is actually a continuation of that series. It's interesting that she has titles it as the first in a new Wicked Wallflowers series but maybe that'll be the start for the Killoran women. Adair who is the lead in this though is one of the gaming hell owners, and last to be still a bachelor, from Sinful Brides Series. In the prior book, the Black family, who own a gaming hell, had promised the Killoran family to introduce one of the Killoran sisters to society for a season in exchange for their help on another matter. In this book, the Killoran's have come to collect on that debt and they are to introduce Cleopatra to society in the hopes that they can connect themselves with a titled lord. There is a lot of mistrust between the Black family and the Killoran family. As such, Adair has been assigned to keep an eye on Cleopatra. Through her season, Adair and Cleopatra come to know each other better. The characters in the story were well written and engaging. It was great to see how their feels slowly changed and they were able to become more open minded. It was easy to really feel for Adair and want to root for him. He seems like such a tough guy on the outside but through this story he becomes so much more human when we see his past and thoughts and feelings. Loved the book and can't wait to see more from this new series from Christi Caldwell!

Adair and Cleo. I loved them! I've been waiting for their story and wasn't disappointed. I appreciate that neither of them liked each other in the beginning but then he started to change his opinion of her. I think that messed her up as well. The suspense was just enough to make you catch your breath. I think my favorite part would be a spoiler though so I'll leave it out of the review lol.

The book is a fabulous start to a new series, Wicked Wallflowers, and it is a ‘spin off’ of the Sinful Brides series from this author. It is a stand alone, but some characters are from the Sinful Brides series and show up in this story.
In this story, Cleopatra Killoran is the sister of Adair Thorne’s worst enemy. The very man that Adair believes burned his and his best friends’ livelihood to the ground. Despite this unproven belief, Adair and his friends have made a pact with Cleopatra’s brother, to give her one London season, so she can find a titled husband, and now it’s time that they make good on that deal.
Cleopatra is not exactly excited about being part of this at all. In fact she is only participating as a way to protect her siblings as she would do anything for them. “Cleo” is not a typical London debutante and doesn’t mince words with or show fear to anyone. But she has carried a secret for years and it’s not one she wishes for anyone to discover. She does seem to gain particular pleasure in baiting Adair any time she gets the chance, which is highly entertaining. The two of them begin like oil and water- oil burning on top of water! Adair is convinced Cleo is no good and she is certain he is of the same design, yet they both are drawn to each other.
The story has an interesting plot with well developed characters, and plenty of sharp, witty banter. There is intrigue, longing, and a mystery to solve that holds until nearly the end of the book. The heat between Cleopatra and Adair builds to a crescendo and is perfect for these two.
I enjoyed both the H and h, as each had strong personalities and were stubborn but basically good people. It had a wonderful ending as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am certain readers of historical romance will too!

This series continues from the "Sinful Brides" series. I have read several of Ms. Caldwell's novels and I enjoyed this one as well. You do not need to read the "Sinful Brides" series, but it does provide some background to the main characters in this novel as well as characters that appeared in that series.
Cleopatra Killoran has grown up is St. Giles and helps her brother with his gaming hell. She is stubborn and speaks her mind. Her family means everything to her. Adair Thorne grew up in St. Giles but was able to escape the evils with his "brothers" and have a successful gaming hell until someone burned it to the ground. He blames the Killorans, their enemies. Adair is a good man, but set in his beliefs about the Killorans. He does not trust them, but they owe them a debt and they will host one of the Killoran girls for a London season. This happens to be Cleo, who Adair calls a hellion. Both do not like each other, but it due to the circumstances of them growing up as orphans and under someone's control. They did what was necessary to survive, but they prejudged each other. As they get to know each other, they see other sides to the other. You cannot judge someone through others or be biased, but judge them by their actions As Adair gets to know Cleo, he realizes he misjudged her. He even takes her suggestions about how to make his club more profitable. Adair and Cleo begin to fall in love with each other, but Cleo needs to marry into nobility to protect her sisters. Cleo has a secret and she believes if Adair ever found out, he would hate her. However, someone still tries to ruin Adair' club. Will this hatred and mistrust from both sides doom the relationship before it begins?

Christi Caldwell does not merely pen stories, she creates worlds. Saying that I got sucked into this book would be an understatement. I got yanked into this world. Closing the book at the end was like a punch in the gut. It jarred me back to the present, and made me long for the next book in this series so that I could return.

Cleopatra is one of my absolute favorite regency heroines to date. She is bold, daring, completely refreshing and unpredictable. I absolutely loved her. Cleo is no shy retiring debutante. She is strong, yet vulnerable.

Adair! *swoon*. I felt so heartbroken for Adair. I know what it is to feel all of your friends moving onto new stages of life. Christi does such an awesome job of conveying emotion. I felt his loneliness. It was so fun to see his character evolve.

Christi has done a fantastic job with the conversations in this work. Adair, Cleo and all of their respective siblings easily slip back into a heavy cockney accent when they are alone or stuck by intense emotions, but practice the cultured enunciation of the Ton when in company. In many ways they use their speech patterns as a shield. When done poorly, writing accents into books annoys me very much. Fortunately, Christi has done it extremely well. In The Hellion, the language is as much a part of the characters and plot as anything else.

It was so fun to see the cameos by heroes and heroines past in this story. Especially Penelope, who it feels as though I've known since she was a child. It feels like reuniting with old friends!

One last note, Mac Diggory is the vilest of reprobates and his death (a few books ago) was too kind. May he burn in the fires of hell forever. The end.

Dark, dangerous determined Adair Thorne is a man who will do any thing to protect what it his. life on the streets taught him to trust no one except his brothers and sister.

Sarcastic, protective, angry Cleopatra Killoran will do whatever it takes to ensure her sisters safety and lives. No Matter What.

Adair has always been one of my favorites and I was excited to see how his story played out. Christi gave him exactly what he needed. A reality check. This is story of loss and fear, of new beginnings and explosive endings. Superbly written to show that not every thing is as it seems on the surface but much deeper underneath. It brings in mind the old saying "Never judge a book by its cover" or name in this particular instance. The main characters are deep and emotional even when they try to hide it. They show a facade of strength and courage as well as bravery and the inability to care what any one else thinks but in reality they care deeply, feel strongly and hurt agonizingly. The secondary characters are all ones from previous stories and they are just as lively and cold and protective now as they were then. The plot line is complex but simple. it is well written, heartwrenching and touching all at the same time.

The author once again finds a way to draw the reader with the first page and she holds steadfast to the readers attention to the very last page and word. She is descriptive and allows the reader to see and feel what the characters do. Once again Christi Caldwell writes a winner, a captaviting romance that will leave you satisfied as well as emotional. I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next.