This one focused on Clara, the ex-madam turned business partner with Reggie Killoran. Her dream of owning a music hall is in peril from the stodgy and prudish political aristocrats and she goes head to head with one of the ringleaders, the Earl of Waterson. He is perfect for her. Stodgy, prudish, proper, and doesn’t know how to have fun of any kind or act irresponsibly. Who better to shake up his world than Clara and she knocks him on his arse, literally, when he jeopardizes her dreams. She saved him months ago on the streets of St. Giles and when he leaves, she never expects to see him again. Their interactions from the moment she shows up at his home and punches him were entertaining, priceless, beautiful, and passionate. I very much enjoyed their story. I hope Henry’s sister Lila gets her own book, she deserves happiness too.

Christi Caldwell is a master storyteller. Clara is a courtesan seeking a new path on life. She wants independence and to be free of what she sees as the vagaries of men. One act of kindness will forever change her life. Henry is a pompous Lord and MP focused on his goals. He has left no time in his life for a relationship or marriage. In his time of need he is saved by an Angel and his worldview is upended.

This author loves to write about the ordinary man or woman who is struggling to change their circumstances. This story brings together two people who are completely different backgrounds but hold the power to make each other change for the better. Clara is fierce and fiery. She is passionate in everything she does. Henry doesn’t stand a Chance in her presence. Despite all the forces working against their union they still fight for true love.

The Spitfire is the fifth and last installment of Christ Caldwell's Wicked Wallflowers series. The last one?! Say it ain't so! This is one of my favorite series and I don't want it to end! ***Pouts*** Anyway, if you haven't read any of the previous books (and just why haven't you?!), this one stands just fine on its own.

Henry March, Earl of Waterson, is doing all he can as a Member of Parliament to establish a police force in London. One of his sisters was severely damaged at the Peterloo Massacre, and he wants to prevent something like that from happening again. While visiting the East End after a meeting, Henry is stabbed, beaten and about to be murdered when Clara Winters comes upon the scene on her way home. No wilting flower, she fights off his attackers and drags him to her home to heal. Clara, a former courtesan and madam, is building a music hall for the masses; she wants to be independent, get past her old life and not have to rely on any man. Though from totally different worlds, Clara and "Lord Proper" are strongly attracted to each other. Will Henry's political compromise for his police force tear him away from Clara?

Clara is one kick-ass heroine! Not only does she save Henry's life, but she is turning not only her own life around but also the lives of those who live in London's East End. She stands up for her principles and will not be cowed. Though Henry is all about being proper and stodgy in an effort to get his police force - he feels guilty for his sister's tragedy though it's no fault of his own - he is drawn to Clara and her way of seeing the world. When they are together, sparks ignite into a fiery blaze. Neither of these people are perfect (I did want to shake sense into Henry a time of two), but they may just be perfect for each other. A stunning conclusion to a wonderfully compelling series!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell
Wicked Wallflowers #5

Grabbed me...yes it did...right from the first page I was hooked and could not put this book down!

Henry March, Earl of Waterson has a very bad disastrous evening and barely escapes with his life...and he would not have escaped if Clara Winters had not happened along. Getting him home to her place and beginning to patch him was something Clara did not believe was the smartest thing to do but she did it anyway. Then...he disappeared back to his world of lords and ladies and she returned to the Seven Dials music house she and her friend Reggie are creating.

This book was a romance that had flawed people who managed to find a way to be together even though there was so much against t hem. Watching this couple was a delight. There were some surprises I did not see coming and that increased my interest in the story. I loved the growth in Henry and the realizations that Clara made before the end of the book. I loved the supporting cast of characters and now wonder if perhaps Henry’s sisters will find true love in future books. I hope they will because I would love to read their stories.

I was amazed to realize I have only read one other book in this series and that makes me sad. I hope to find the other three books at some point as I am sure they are just as good as this one was.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I just finished reading The Spitfire, and it was fantastic. You'll know the heroine already as Clara Winters was a featured character in The Governess. In The Spitfire she gets to shine on her own. Clara, as you may recall, was opening a song hall (The Muses) with Reggie Spark. Their dream is almost fully realized - The Muses is almost open.

In this book, she finds a gentleman, broken and bloodied, and about to be dead in the gutter in St. Giles. She rescues him from his attackers and nurses him back to health. She just couldn't leave him to die. Who is he? Eventually, she finds out he's the Earl of Waterson - Henry March. Henry is a bit of a prig/stuffed shirt who does everything by the book. Now imagine his suprise when he not only accepts that he was nearly killed, and then rescued by this woman, who he's fallen for,.. but that he's willing to upend his perfectly ordered world to keep her. Henry will do anything to protect his family - especially after what happened to his sister Lila at the Peterloo Massacre.

There were a couple of times where I was a little worried about the HEA - first with the violence Clara perpetrates on Henry when she receives notice that he's responsible for ruining something and then where Henry does something horrible to Clara (to help his recluse sister Lila by ensuring passage of the bill for a country-wide Police Force) that I was honestly a wondering where the "line" was in my own estimation - where could the hero or heroine go from there to make me root for them? But as usual, Christi Caldwell more than pulled it off. Clara is a very strong woman. Henry is a lovely beta-hero, who is noble and strong in his own right.

The heat index between the two was off the chart. They're combustible together. Ermergerd! ::fans self:: There was a nice surprise toward the end. Good going, Henry. Lovely HEA after all is said and done, as well. Well worth the ride. Buy the book.

Christi Caldwell is one of my favor authors. I honestly don't know how she does it but, each and every book is fabulous, each new one is better than the last! In my 30+ years of reading romance I can't think of one, other than Ms. Caldwell, who hasn't had at least one dud book....and I don't think, at the rate she's going, that I'm ever going to read a dud from her.
The Spitfire, latest in the Wicked Wallflower series, blew me away from the very beginning. The depth of the story and the feeling she, Ms Caldwell, pulls from these two characters, Henry and Clara, is astounding. Each from very different worlds, the author manages to realistically bring them together and keep bringing them together, as she does with all her characters, until they reach their HEA.
The Spitfire is well written with an easy flow that keeps the story from moving from one scene to another flawlessly. The characters, both primary and minor, are well fleshed out and given a depth that makes them feel real. You also get to revisit some of the other characters from the series (#1 The Hellion, #2 The Vixen, #3 The Governess & #4 The Bluestocking) and as an added bonus you get to catch up with Waverly and Jane from To Love A Lord (#5 in the Heart of a Duke series). I do have to say that The Spitfire can be read as a stand alone book because the story is strong enough but, in my opinion, if you find you want to get lost in the world of Christi Caldwell, it's so much better to read them all.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great romance told by a phenomenal writer/storyteller that , when you finish a book, has you smiling and wishing it could go on forever.

CW: mild content related to PTSD

Ah Clara and Henry! I love this couple and could not put this one down.

Clara is a former courtesan, determined to build her own business and employ people who society has thrown away. Against her better judgement, she saves a man from attack and then learns he's an Earl. Henry is not the judgmental noble she anticipates but she still holds him at arms length. Clara is not what Henry expects either, but he knows he needs to get back to his family and disappears from Clara's flat. It is months later when their work unexpectedly brings them together again, but neither has forgotten the other.

The slow burn attraction between these two is immediate and perfectly done. Both are fighting the push-pull of their attraction. They both have preconceived notions about each other's worlds but somehow still see each other. They fight their chemistry until the finally know they cannot. Caldwell does a great job of building them up, letting them learn about each other, and then finally coming together.

I also really loved the theme of not seeing people only as labels. Henry doesn't want Clara defining herself only by circumstances or as a courtesan. Clara recognizes that while Henry is nobility, he's not asserting privilege and looking down on anyone. His pompous behavior was a thing of the past, his behavior before his attack something that changes after meeting Clara. Both Clara and Henry see each other. Sometimes they need a little help from side characters, but they get there. We put a lot of labels and roles on, and we really should see past them. Caldwell deals with the roles of the sexes, the differences between the working class and nobility, the preconceived notions based on professions, among others, all deftly threaded throughout the story. Well done!

Thematically Caldwell also works in discussion of some of the dirtiness of politics, the buying and selling of votes, when someone sells to get what they want. If you make a deal with the devil, aren't you the devil, too?. Clara understands this immediately, perhaps because of the course her life took prior to this story. When Clara refused to give in to one man's demands, he tried to break her down and stole her money. But she' has fought her way back. Henry was wrapped in his roles as family protector and member of parliament to such an extent, he stopped seeing people. He comes to learn the reality of what he thought was normal politics, and the costs associated. This is a very timely topic. It is well utilized to create the conflict Clara and Henry have to overcome on their way to HEA.

Historical romance fans and fans of Caldwell will love this one. This worked great as a stand alone story. Sexy times are on the page, with one very hot scene. Highly recommend.

4.5 Stars
Clara Winters was an actress until an unscrupulous slaver wanted her & when she refused he made sure all theatre doors were closed to her so she became a courtesan & then a madam. Now she’s into her thirties & is moving far from the sinful life to a more reputable and fulfilling endeavour a music hall for the masses. One night, when she sees a man injured on the streets of East London, she rushes to his aid and brings him home. It’s then that she discovers he’s Henry March, Earl of Waterson, and a member of Parliament. When Henry rouses to meet his saviour in blonde curls, he is dazzled. This smart and loving spitfire challenges his every notion of the lower classes and every moment together is a thrill. But after Henry returns to his well-ordered existence, he strikes a political compromise that has unintended consequences.
A truly lovely read that I was loathe to put down. I loved how Clara wasn’t bitter & how she had risen from the low points in her life. I didn't warm to Henry to begin with as he was a pompous, blinkered lord but as the book progressed he gradually changed & I did warm to him. I loved how their relationship developed & grew. This is the final book in the series & whilst there was much introspection there wasn't much angst so I wasn't pulled through the mill. The pace was good & flowed so well. I did feel the ending was rushed & would have loved for Lord Peerson to have gotten his comeuppance as well as learning what happened to Lowery a slow, slow boat to the Antipodes would have been just. I would also have loved an epilogue that tied up this wonderful series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This wonderful book is the story about Henry March, the Earl of Waterson and Clara Winters who is a former Courtesan. March is a very proper, stuffy gentlemen, who one night was stabbed and beaten. Clara found him and saved him. Clara wants to open a Music Hall, and Henry is on a committee that wants to stop Clara’s Music Hall from being opened, sparks fly between them. There is one scene in the book, which I will not tell you what happens because I do not want to give away anything, but I thought to myself Clara really is a Spitfire. It was nice reading about an older couple, in their 30’s – 40’s.
I was a little disappointed the story ended, I wanted to know more about their lives and their future.

Christi Caldwell writing style is so good, she always has me hooked on her books, I do not know where the time goes.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Another winner from Christi Caldwell, a standalone but it is enhanced by the beginning novels in the series.
I love how Ms. Caldwell brings secondary characters to life in their own novel. Clara is an obscure character who gradually makes her presence known in succeeding novels. And now we get her own HEA.

Clara and her dear friend, Regina Killoran, have joined together to open a music hall in a very dicey neighborhood. Henry's life is saved by Clara in the streets of London and they are thrown together again when Henry's parliamentary work threatens Clara's music hall. There is plenty of action and suspense as well as a slow burn romance.

I love to read these books as well as listen to Tim Campbell narrate them on audio. I highly recommend this novel as well as the entire Wicked Wallflowers Series.

This is the first book by Christi Caldwell I’ve read but it certainly won’t be my last. I love the direction many historical romance novels are going in lately, particularly with women working hard and making a name for themselves in business. Clara and Henry having to overcome obstacles such as their different classes is the kind of conflict I’m very interested in.

I loved Clara and how she doesn’t put up with people’s bullshit. It took me a little bit longer to warm up to Henry but I eventually did. I will definitely be reading more from this author for sure.

Carla Winters is a reformed madam trying to make an honest living for herself and other women with limited options. Along with her one friend, she has created the music hall, The Muses. Sadly, if Carla has any luck in life, it seems to be bad! While, walking home from he Muses a few weeks before opening, she comes across a lord being beaten and near death. Ever the softie, she pulls out her pistoling to rescue the hapless lord. Now, on top of readying her music hall to open its doors, it appears she will be playing nurse too. What has she gotten herself into!?

In attempt to research the the very streets he is attempting to make safer, Lord Waterson finds himself on the verge of his own death… Ever proper and vigilant to the political cases to improve the safety of British citizens, Henry March, Earl of Waterson did not see this as the way he would go. And it appears it will not be, when he is rescued by the saucy and very improper Miss Winters… Will he ever be able to repay her for saving his life?

This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the fact that the characters had been around the block a bit, so to speak. Not being “straight out of the schoolroom” these characters felt more rounded and their goals ambitions and goals more relatable. The characters were well written and the plot moves at a good pace.

The fifth book in the Wicked Wallflowers series, The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell is due to release September 17th, 2019.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheSpitfire #ChristiCaldwell #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

First I have the same complaint with this book that I had with most of the others in the series, no follow-up, it is like "Please marry me" she says "Yes" next page THE END ....WTF??

The story was great, almost horribly brutal in its telling of the first chapter but the developing relationship between Clara and Henry was an enjoyment to watch. Theirs is not an easy romance on several fronts but the ending of that was great EXCEPT, where was the revenge for the evil people that harmed them, where was the look into the future to see if they really lived happily ever after since so many people hated their relationship.

Great story but the poor completion seemed like she was in a hurry to be rid of it and several things were left untold IMHO so I almost gave it 3 Stars but I did love Clara and Henry so much I had to give it 4.

An uptight virgin and a unshockable actress meet on a street. This is not the usual scenario in regency romance books. The heroine, Clara, saves the hero, Henry. I thought the story of a forty year old Earl finding his love of his life with a woman from the slums and welcoming her into his home a bit of a stretch. I received an ARC form NetGalley for my honest review.

How can you not love a Christi Caldwell novel and The Spitfire (Book 5 in the Wicked Wildflowers series), is no exception. I was so thrilled to read another book in the series and have loved every one of them. But getting to the latest addition, and this can be read as a stand-alone book (but why would you not read more).
The book begins with an engaging start with Henry Marsh, the Earl of Waterson, lying in a pool of blood, lamenting the loss of his life and all that he had failed to achieve. However, it soon becomes apparent to the reader, and to Henry, that he has been attacked but is not dead, and will soon be saved by Clara Winters. Clara, a former courtesan and madam, trying to build a music hall in a seedy area of London, has seen it all but still finds it in herself to save another person from danger. Saving Henry from his attackers, she drags him to her home and tends his wounds, whilst worrying that he will die in her bed. When he finally recovers enough to leave, he then returns to thank Clara properly, only to find her gone from her home. As it turns out, Clara has returned to a gaming den, in an attempt to save money to finish her music hall. She only meets Henry again, when he signs the paperwork to shut down her hall. From this encounter onwards, Henry and Clara find themselves secretly fascinated by the other but struggling to overcome the many hurdles that face them.
Both characters were quite different from the norm, with Clara’s insecurities always bubbling aware at the surface, despite her hard exterior. Henry, whilst considered driven and conservative, begins to display his emotions and appears quite relaxed with it all. The romance between them is electric and yet well restrained. I also found Henry’s two sisters quite interesting and hope to see more about them in the future. This was a delightful story and I look forward to more books in this series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say I loved this book. I’ve read and liked several of this author’s books. I like that I was made to slow down to savor the story. The writing style is very descriptive which drew me into the story even more. This couple had some incredible odds to overcome. It kinda broke my heart to hear the heroine repeatedly refer to herself as a whore but this was historically appropriate given her circumstances. It was a sweet slow burn romance. There is some intimacy but it is tastefully done. I plan to go back and read the series from the start. Thank you for allowing me to review an advanced copy.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

The Spitfire is book #5 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Even though it's a departure from the Killoran family featured in the first four books, and wasn't in Caldwell's original plans for the series, this is the best book of the five.

Clara Winters has left behind the life as a courtesan and madam to become a self-made woman by opening a respectable music hall to be enjoyed by the masses. Henry March is an earl living a tightly-ordered life, obsessed with creating law and order across London. A late-night attack in Clara's neighborhood leaves Henry nearly dead and Clara as his rescuer and nurse. Despite the provoking thoughts and interesting banter the two have, can their new-found friendship survive Henry's return to politics?

This story didn't have an insta-love situation and instead, Clara and Henry grow to know and love each other over many weeks. Both characters changed a lot from their involvement in each other's lives. Clara grew beyond the shell of a woman who was burdened by her past and Henry emerged as a person who learned to love and appreciate who was around him, not just what he could accomplish.

The plot was engaging and moved quickly. Neither Clara nor Henry are perfect, and their flaws play well into the story. The first chapter kicks off so unconventionally that you can't help but be hooked.

Henry's sister, Lila, was a great supporting character in this story. She has her own demons and they won't be easy to conquer. I'm hoping that she gets her own book someday, as her story is bound to be compelling.

This book was nearly a five-star review from me, which is rare. The reason it lost half a star is a sad but increasingly recent trend in historical romances: there is no epilogue. The final chapter did bring the main plot to a satisfying conclusion. But I want a look at the "ever after" part of happily ever after. I'm left wondering too much⁠—will they actually get married, will society cause problems, will they ever have children, and much more. Does all of that need answered? No. But without any of it, this story ends with a happily for now.

The Spitfire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Christi Caldwell

Clara Winters wanted a business of her own. A business that would be run and owned by a woman. She has led her a horrific life forced into prostitution both as a Madame and a courtesan.
She is more than familiar with gaming hells and noble man. She has begun a journey to open a musical right in the Dials.

She lives on the east end in that area and it is while she’s going home she finds a nobleman Henry March being beaten and stabbed by ruffians. She comes to his aid bringing him back to her apartment and nurses him. This is the beginning of her change and his change. He is a 42-year-old man never married no children, devoted to his family. Henry is so remarkably impressed by her she challenges him at every twist and turn.

This is quite an intense story both characters have suffered in their own way. It is only through this author that you could understand their dilemmas. Some people may not like a character like Clara but she truly was dealt a bad hand. Even Henry he too has suffered and so has his family.

I believe this is the final book of the series by Miss Caldwell and I must say I have enjoyed the series totally. If you love romance you will love the series.

Clara Winters is finally able to move beyond her life as a courtesan and madam and back to her love of theatre. She and her only friend in the world, Regina Killoran, are opening a respectable, vice free music hall. But when Clara rescues an injured man from the streets of St. Giles and brings him home, she quickly discovers him to be Henry March, the Earl of Waterson, and realizes no good can come of her nursing a powerful nobleman.

Henry is dazzled by his angelic savior and the challenges she throws at his views about the lower classes. Henry soon returns to his staid, dutiful existence only to discover, two months after his rescue, that a political bargain he's entered into has unforeseen consequences for Clara and her livelihood. Now Henry must decide if his dreams of establishing a unified police force are worth the harm their realization will bring to Clara, especially when her music instruction begins to breathe new life into Henry's reclusive, traumatized sister.

Poor Henry was a good man, looking out for the well-being of others in most all of his doings, but he was utterly clueless. I've never been a huge fan of Clara as a secondary character in other books, but I was still looking forward to her story. I didn't much care for her brash manner, but it did make sense given her past and her current motivations. All that also made her character development, as well as Henry's, all the more enjoyable. It was great to see them both change their perceptions of the world and each other and choose each other despite all the factors that could keep them apart. This was a slower burn than I've grown accustomed to in this series, but it worked for these characters. Christi has done it again and I wound up loving it. Also, I now need Lila to have her own book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Leaving behind her life as a courtesan and madam, Clara Winters is moving far from the sinful life to which she was accustomed in the gaming hell the Devil’s Den. Her more reputable and fulfilling endeavor is a music hall for the masses. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Christi Caldwell is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book.