Goodness! My facial muscles got a real workout with this book! I think I pulled a muscle in my jaw from gasping in surprise so many times. And the back and forth motion of smiling, sobbing, and clenching my teeth in anger surely tightened something up. The Vixen, #2 in Christi Caldwell’s Wicked Wallflowers series will definitely shake up your emotions. If you’ve read Ms. Caldwell before, you know she has the uncanny ability to make the reader feel everything the characters are feeling. And this one has all the feels. What a beautiful story of dark secrets, betrayal, pain, perseverance, survival, and the healing power of love. This story is absolutely bewitching!
Connor and Ophelia’s story shook me to my core. I think seeing them first as children and knowing what they’d experienced made me even more absorbed in their story. Connor hadn’t been born on the streets, but that’s where he’d ended up after the murder of his parents. He’d lived on his own, dodging Mac Diggory. Ophelia had saved him from Diggory on more than one occasion. In return, he’d risked his life for hers. Thanks to the Earl of Mar, he’d been saved himself that day and escaped a life of misery on the streets. But he’d never forgotten where he came from and was determined to make the streets safer. Ophelia had only known the streets of St. Giles. She knew the dangers that lurked there. That’s why she put herself at risk to save children there. She’d hated Connor for escaping and at the same time cheered for the freedom he’d found. Though they’d not been enemies, neither had they been friends. When they meet years later, that hadn’t changed. There was still distrust there. But their desire to aid the children of St. Giles was one thing they had in common. And that need to keep the children safe was how they came to learn so much about each other and themselves. They both learned that their own view of the world wasn’t an accurate view. Everything isn’t black and white. There are shades of gray. Regardless of your station in life, there are good and bad people. And even people who fall somewhere in between. That was an especially hard lesson for Ophelia. She’d only known darkness. She trusted no one, especially not the nobility and especially not men. She knew first- hand the treachery lords were capable of.
Connor had lived in both worlds. As Ophelia made her much unwanted entrance into society, he knew what it was to be new, to have to ignore the looks and insults. They had a kindred connection there, both moving among society yet haunted by the past. I think I fell in love with them during their first waltz. The way they mouthed messages across the room charmed me. They both hated ton events but each other’s presence lessened the tension of enduring them. A friendship formed and it didn’t take long before that friendship became more. But there were so many obstacles between them. The closer they grew, the greater the distance between them and their families seemed to grow. And there were still secrets between them. I have to admit, I was so blown away by the twists, turns, and revelations toward the end that I truly didn’t think they’d make it.
This story left me reeling. Like Connor and Ophelia, I misjudged a lot of characters. There were characters I admired at the beginning of the story and despised at the end. Likewise, characters I thought were not to be trusted at first, I respected by the end. And I wasn’t prepared at all for the depth of emotion in this story. Be prepared to cry. A lot. It may be a cry of joy, a cry of empathy, or a cry of terror at the impossible cruelty of people, but you will cry.
One of my favorite things about this book, other than Ophelia and Connor’s love story, was the Killoran family. I learned so much more about them in this book. I can’t wait for Gertrude’s story. She’s made of sterner stuff than people give her credit for. I worry for Stephen. There’s so much distrust and anger in him. And Broderick. No matter how angry he made me, I guarantee you’ll forgive him for all at the end of this story. I am in awe of how much he cares for his “family” and, though they may not realize it, the choices he makes are to secure a better future for them all. I don’t care whose story is next, I just want it now. These characters have captivated me and I can’t get enough of this heartbreaking, emotional, inspiring series. A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection

It is not often that I sit and cry while reading a "romance" story. Well, Christi Caldwell pulled out all the bells and whistles in The Vixen. We have Connor, a street boy who was rescued by Ophelia when they were children, and then years later he returned the favor to Ophelia. Connor was adopted by a nob after offering himself up to save the young girl from Newgate. Ophelia never forgot him! She was the daughter of the meanest, most brutal man ever. She suffered mental and physical abuse, she was broken.

This story is about how these two people meet again years later. What is incredible about this particular story is the abject pain and suffering these people live through. Their childhood haunts them. Connor deals with his pain by investigating situations for the rich. Ophelia by saving youngsters from the street...but it isn't until they are both faced with the very worst that life can hand them that they are both saved. This is a story of depravity, loss, forgiveness and pure love. I believe this book is a cut above all others. A read that will tear you up a bit as you suffer along with these characters, and then bring you joy as they find happiness.

I didn't think I'd like Ophelia, but it turns out I loved her! She wasn't as brash with everyone as I expected her to be, she was softened by her love and protection of children. Her brother, Broderick, as usual is still trying to force a connection to nobility. (Hoping we'll find out soon why!) He's seeking the protection for his family, and they're slowly getting it, just not in the ways he wants! Conner is the "One who got away". I loved his character but watching Ophelia grow and finally become comfortable with herself was the best part of the book. I will admit to sobbing at 2am as I was reading near the end, but the book and the ending were well worth it! I don't remember reading a book who's character changes and becomes an actual heroine like this one. Thank you for the Advanced Readers Copy, I don't think I could wait until it came out to read!

FINAL DECISION: Enjoyable historical romance with interesting characters. This story has been done before but the characters make this a lively story. I wish there was more emotional connection between the characters early on because the last twenty-five percent of the book was wonderful.

THE STORY: Investigator Connor Steele is hunting for a child who might have been kidnapped. His work takes him back to St. Giles from from which Connor escaped. But St. Giles cannot be rubbed off so easily and his investigation reunites him with Ophelia Killoran. As children, each had saved one another. Now Ophelia has taken onto herself the job of protecting the children, but Connor's investigation brings into question exactly what Ophelia is doing and where are the children coming from. The two share a past and are suspicious of one another in the present.

OPINION: I liked this book, but I never got emotionally engaged enough to love it. The story is well constructed and the characters are interesting.

Both Connor and Ophelia struggle with the line between the criminal and poor elements and the aristocracy. Ophelia's brother wants to marry her off to an aristocrat to help drag their family from the lower classes. Connor was adopted by an aristocrat but still has the muck of his past with him.

The characters have a good journey, but -- for me - there was something missing. Intensity or emotional connection. Something that would pull me through the pages, pull at my heart and make me love the book.

Fans of Caldwell will find much to love here. The class conflicts are better developed here than in the last book. I enjoyed these characters together. The reading was easy and not particularly deep until the last quarter of the book.

The last quarter of the book was amazing. The intensity, the connection, the passion was wonderful. The rest of the book felt like a setup for the end, but the end definitely paid off.

WORTH MENTIONING: Trigger warning: sexual assault.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE VIXEN is the second book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. The book can be read as a standalone although the characters are overlapping between the books.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

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

The second book that follows the Killoran gang focuses on Ophelia. Her brother is up to his antics again to marry a sister off to a nobleman in order to create connections. Ophelia is stubborn and scarred from a past she hasn’t shared with anyone, including her family, but when her brother says either she or Gertrude will marry well, she sacrifices herself to protect her sister.

Connor Steele was once saved from a life on the streets when he stepped in to protect Ophelia. He thought he was sacrificing his life, but fortune shined on him and he instead was adopted and given a life of privilege. He is now an investigator that comes knocking on the Devil’s Den in order to hunt down a lost nobleman’s son.  Ophelia and he bump heads from the start, both keeping their shared past a secret, but when they keep bumping into each other at social events their nemesis/friendship is rekindled. 

The story was enjoyable, it was slow at times, but at the point near the end where her past comes back to haunt her, the plot and conflict get really good.  I enjoyed their interactions throughout the book. Ophelia was such a strong, yet stubborn, woman who found it really hard to trust Connor or his intentions.  Overall, I enjoyed it, though I wish the plot pace was a little stronger.

A heartbreaking tale that really got to me. The loving and caring of Ophelia, and in fact her whole family, is portrayed wonderfully in this story. And Connor, he is just as sincere in his caring about the injustices done to these children. I sobbed a good bit at the end of the story, just warning you, it will get to you also. I am reminded of A Tale of Two Cities “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done…” (Charles Dickens). A beautiful love story.

I love Christi Caldwell books, they never disappoint. Ophelia Killoran is a beautiful woman that protects the children of St. Giles. Her family runs a notorious gaming club and her brother seeks to match her with man of noble blood. Ophelia has no interest past saving the unfortunate orphans that remind her of herself and her siblings. Along comes Connor Steele another former street rat turned investigator. Connor is looking to find the lost son of a nobleman. They are at odds from the beginning as both know each other from their previous life on the streets. She trusts no one affiliate with nobility based on her past treatment by noblemen he doesn't trust her family. They end up working together to solve a mystery of a lost son. This story was amazing. I loved the complexity of the characters. Both have suffered great trauma but are able to find love and trust in the end. This story shows the major differences in the treatment of classes during this time period. I definitely recommend reading this book. It is the second of the series. I cannot wait to see if Ms. Caldwell writes a book with Brotherick Killoran as the lead character. I received an ARC from Net Galley for this book.

I’m going to start off with the truth: I’m not a huge fan of historical romances. I’ve read a ton (ha ha pun not intended) of them and just got sick of the “ton.” So when I saw Christi Caldwell’s newest book, THE VIXEN, didn’t have a hero that was a duke, or earl, or viscount, I was thrilled. Even more so when I found out her heroine was basically a “street rat.”

I loved, loved, loved this story.

Great characters in Ophelia Killoran and Connor Steele. Strong, driven, flawed, independent humans who have had to live on the wrong side of the “moral line” to survive, but still had more morals than those who should have been leading the charge. It’s been awhile since a story has made me cry, and the black moment (no spoilers) really got to me.

I’m just going to say, read the book. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and I’ll be reading more by this author…a lot more.

Wow.. another fantastic book from Christi Caldwell. I've followed this author for a while now and I've read a few of her novels and this one is just sublime. Each one gets better and better. She's taken a chance by detouring from the ton and nobility and moving into the Seven Dials and St Giles. And it's paying off. The characters have new depth, different backgrounds and darker stories, but it's refreshing, original and so wonderfully done.
In this one, she treats us to the story of Ophelian Killoran, the second sister from the Killoran family that is supposed to make a good match. But Ophelia has other ideas and her path takes her to Connor, a long time acquaintance from the dials that now is investigating a case.

Things I loved about this book:
- how the thread weaves into the previous stories and continues exploring a world we've come to love from the Sinful Brides series and how the author is able to present us with a different side from the Killorans than what we knew from their rivalry with the Blacks
- Connor and Ophelia as well rounded, scarred characters that have been shaped by their past and managed to survive it at the same time
- the angst and the longing of two people meant to be that are being pulled apart

Things I wished were different:
I needed more!! So much more, I could have read 100 pages more about these two. I also would love to have seen a resolution to Stephen's situation, but I'm sure this will be featured in the upcoming books in the series.

I look forward to continuing with these series and I eagerly await the next one!

*I was given an ARC in NetGalley*

Christi keeps you on your toes and makes you feel like you're embedded in the story. The mysteriousness and grittiness of Ophelia and Connor make you cheer for them from the start.

I have enjoyed Christi Caldwell's books for a long time - especially the first one in this new series, The Hellion. After finishing that one, I have been eagerly awaiting The Vixen. I am appreciating Having just completed it, I am appreciating the well developed the characters are and the complicated relationship dynamics they have. And while this book didn't capture me like the Hellion I still enjoyed it and cannot wait to read the next in the series. Thank you Ms. Caldwell for continuing to write smart romances that are lead by independent, intelligent women.

I received an e-arc via NetGalley from Montlake Romance and while I appreciate the opportunity and thoughts and opinions are my own.

I liked the style of writing and I felt that the characters were good but I just couldn't get enthusiastic about the lead characters' story. I felt like I had to force myself to carry on and I kept stopping and starting. This book is a nice read but the character development felt slow and at times I couldnt quite get my head around where I was in the story. I had to keep flipping back and forth between pages to see where certain conversations were taking place and I had to concentrate quite a bit as I felt the descriptions weren't as well defined as they could have been but I managed it and will probably return to this book as it is a good book for whiling away the time. Pleasant read.

Christi stuns again with a fantastic story of love and triumph.

The best part of Christi Caldwell’s stories is that they are written about characters who feel real. They struggle, they love, they hate, they emote right off the pages. Never have I ever read one of Christi’s books and thought “That’s ridiculous. No real person would act that way.” And I have to say, I have thought that a lot about many excellent books. This couple, more than others, deserve their hard won happily ever after.

This book, just like all of Christi’s, forces characters (who have been through every miserable thing that a child could possibly suffer through) into even more awful situations. I enjoyed this one more than the entire Sinful Brides series. I’m here to say, these Wicked Wallflowers are worth the anticipation.

This begins as a story of a girl, Ophelia, and a boy, Connor, both “street rats” in in the seediest parts of London, England. He escapes from their gang and its dreaded leader, while she could not. Years later, as adults, after having lead separate and completely different lifestyles, the two meet again. Ophelia and Connor are on opposite sides of a situation which draws them together as each remembers their mutual childhood contact while they navigate a mystery that Connor, now a respected investigator, is working to solve.
It is during this time the two develop an understanding of each other that turns into a heated need. But Ophelia hasn’t told Connor things that could affect his feelings for her: deep, dark, ugly things. She fears that in doing so she will lose him to another.
This is a stand alone book that is part of a series and it’s terrific! It’s one that once its begun, plan on a long afternoon or evening of perfect romance complete with a cast of entertaining characters and intrigue, because you won’t be able to put it down. I loved it and am looking forward to the next.

The Vixen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Christi Caldwell

Ophelia Killoran as a child and adult is well aware of the horrors of St. Giles. She had on occasion observed Connor Roarke but when he save her life as a pickpocket and took the fall for her she was indebted to him.

Years later their paths crossed he survived and was adopted by an Earl and changed his name to Conner Steels. The name change never erased his cruel childhood and he still fought for the children of St. Giles.

This story of Connor and Ophelia will touch your heart as only Ms Caldwell can do. Her depth into the characters is heart wrenching and so believable sending you into the time it occurs. I sometimes wonder if Ms Caldwell isn’t a time traveler as she is a master of this historical era.

Christi Caldwell never disappoints. She pulls you in and the tosses one’s emotions all over the place! Ophelia and Connor’story is no different. They knew each other as children living in the streets. Connor took Opheia’s Place when she was nabbed for pickpocketing. And that is when Connor’s life changed because a lonely lord took him in and raised him as his son.
The climax of the book will rip your heart to shreds. I cried and didn’t see how things would be resolved. But in a twist, they are and we get our HEA. Christi remains one of my favorite authors.
I read this as an ARC. I will reread it when it is published as I had already preordered.

The Vixen by Christi Caldwell is book two in the Wicked Wallflowers series. This is the story of Ophelia Killoran and Connor O'Roarke/Steel.
Ophelia lived on the streets as was many of the kids that were taken by Mac Diggory gang that were kidnapped and hurt badly if they didn't steal or earn money for Diggory. No one ever got away but Connor had with the help of Ophelia and later as a kid he paid her back by taking a fall for a bad pick pocket attempt.
But now all these years later Connor is now a famous investigator hired to find a child that was thought to be dead but it been rumored that Diggory took him. Connor went to confront the new owner asking about the kids that have been hired or taken. This leads him to meet the sister who is none other than Ophelia his childhood 'friend'.
This was another page turned that I couldn't put down of Ms. Caldwell's. I always end up reading her books into the night and their is always an emotional cry with them that leads to the book hangover. I did go proactive and take a PM headache pill before starting the book but it was just to good to sleep.
I can't wait for the next installment in this series!!

I’ve been a fan of Caldwell for a while, but was disappointed in the last few books I read, and felt the gaming hell series was entirely too overdone, having been the subject of numerous books. This book was much better than the last two, the couple was more likeable and the writing just seemed better overall. This story again involves a sister to the proprietor od a gaming hell, but the H is a former street urchin, orphaned and taken by a criminal gang leader. He escapes the life, adopted by an Earl, and the girl remains behind. Their paths cross as adults, and the attraction is immediate., though, of course, both initially deny it. He is also involved in the search for a son of a marquis, possibly kidnapped during a fire many years earlier. She assists in his quest. There’s much more to this story, and I was pleased to find Caldwell seems to have gotten her mojo back.

I am a big fan of Christi Caldwell's and was excited to read the next book in her series. I was not disappointed! I loved both of the main characters, Connor and Ophelia. I liked the fact that they had a childhood backstory together and understood each other's upbringing in ways others never could. Connor and Ophelia have great chemistry and their path to an HEA was interesting and was hard wrought. I would definitely recommend this book!
Possible spoiler: Possible trigger alert in that the book has an attempted rape scene.

Sigh !!! what a beautiful book from Christi ...it was heart breaking & at the same time heart touching.
I just loved it ... " The Vixen " is the 2nd book in the wicked wallflowers series & can be read as a standalone...After reading this book i am surely going to read the 1st book in this series which i missed. This book was so realistic ,it presented a rather clear picture of hypocrisy , injustice , of the Nobilty in Regency England ...the trials,tribulations ,sorrows, pitfalls, faced by the lower strata of the society ...

This book presents the story of Ophelia Killoran the illegimate child of Mac diggory who as a child has experienced the horrors of life in the street ,hence she spends her nights protecting the street urchins of St. Giles. A notorious investigator, Connor Steele saved Ophelia years ago and was adopted by a nobleman.He needs Ophelia's help on a case he is working on, but she is stubborn and distrustful of the nobility due to terrible experiences faced dealt by the Noble peers at some time or the other in her life...

Both of them fight there differences,bias,beliefs and come together to solve a case Connor is investigating ... The climax is mind blowing , the betrayal , the courage ,the triumph , survival, so many twists & turns faced by the characters superbly presented by Christi .... It was a story that touches u emotionally ,,i cried reading some scenes ... Christi has done a marvellous Job wherein she has entwined reality & fiction brilliantly ... Kuddos to her to maintain the synch throught out the story telling...

I would definitely Recommend the book ...Pls dont miss out ..a excellent book from Christi Cladwell ..The impact of her work will strike u only wen u read the book ... She delivers more than your expectations ..








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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37516269-the-vixen" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Vixen (Wicked Wallflowers, #2)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520403951m/37516269.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37516269-the-vixen">The Vixen</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5297089.Christi_Caldwell">Christi Caldwell</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2427726570">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Sigh !!! what a beautiful book from Christi ...it was heart breaking & at the same time heart touching.<br />I just loved it ... " The Vixen " is the 2nd book in the wicked wallflowers series & can be read as a standalone...After reading this book i am surely going to read the 1st book in this series which i missed. This book was so realistic ,it presented a rather clear picture of hypocrisy , injustice , of the Nobilty in Regency England ...the trials,tribulations ,sorrows, pitfalls, faced by the lower strata of the society ...<br /><br />This book presents the story of Ophelia Killoran the illegimate child of Mac diggory who as a child has experienced the horrors of life in the street ,hence she spends her nights protecting the street urchins of St. Giles. A notorious investigator, Connor Steele saved Ophelia years ago and was adopted by a nobleman.He needs Ophelia's help on a case he is working on, but she is stubborn and distrustful of the nobility due to terrible experiences faced dealt by the Noble peers at some time or the other in her life...<br /><br />Both of them fight there differences,bias,beliefs and come together to solve a case Connor is investigating ... The climax is mind blowing , the betrayal , the courage ,the triumph , survival, so many twists & turns faced by the characters superbly presented by Christi .... It was a story that touches u emotionally ,,i cried reading some scenes ... Christi has done a marvellous Job wherein she has entwined reality & fiction brilliantly ... Kuddos to her to maintain the synch throught out the story telling...<br /><br />I would definitely Recommend the book ...Pls dont miss out ..a excellent book from Christi Cladwell ..The impact of her work will strike u only wen u read the book ... She delivers more than your expectations ..<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/47006562-vaneeta-naik">View all my reviews</a>