Much like the other books in the League of Scoundrels series, this was so much fun to read. Henry was great. His stubborn insistence that he was totally over Georgiana and his eventual capitulation were perfect. Georgiana, though. She's amazing. Her strength of will and dedication to doing what she believes is right. I adore her. That's not to say she doesn't make some awfully stupid choices here and there or that she's without flaw. But, like Emily Sullivan's other characters, her flaws make her believable and human.
The mystery woven into the plot was less mysterious than I expected. Do I read too many of these books? Maybe. The "villain" was scented a mile away, but it--in no way whatsoever--detracted from my enjoyment. Also..seeing Sylvie and Rafe again was a delight. Can't wait to see what comes next from this brilliant author!

Y'all this book might be one of my favourites of 2022 and it's only March! I was SO thrilled to be approved for Emily's latest in her League of Scoundrels series. A Rogue to Remember and The Rebel and the Rake were both delightful 5 star reads in 2021, so I absolutely expected that I would love this one just as much.

And, wow was I right. This is a high angst, high pining, sweeping second chance love story that held onto my heart from the first chapter and just refused to let go. Henry and Georgiana fell in love in their first seasons but a hastily accepted proposal from an aging and wealthy Viscount drove them apart. Briefly reunited during TR&TR, Georgie learns of her cruel husbands death, to which Henry assumes she is devastated.

The Hellion and the Hero picks up a year later and finds our two estranged but still very much in love with one another main characters trying to move forward with their lives. Georgie has taken up the mantel of factory reformist and champion for working women's rights, and has made some deadly enemies. Her family, concerned with her well being enlists Henry to keep watch over her.

Okay now, historical bodyguard romance?!? I loved this one. The angst was palpable, the fear of sharing their long held back feelings made my heart ache. But trust Emily Sullivan to torture us (and her love interests) a little bit before helping us all find a happily ever after.

I cannot say enough good things about this book, and can't wait to re-read it couple more times before its published. Georgie and Henry are the perfect pairing to wrap up a brilliant trilogy of swoon-worthy, suspenseful and deeply romantic historical stories. Fans of books 1 and 2 will adore the cameo's from early book couples. Perfect for fans of Sarah MacClean, Tessa Dare and Lorraine Heath.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the review copy—all opinions are my own!

Having thoroughly enjoyed the two previous installments in Emily Sullivan‘s League of Scoundrels series, I was delighted to return to this world of feisty heroines and strong yet soft heroes who navigate the world of espionage and government service. Captain Harris’ and Lady Arlington’s second chance romance gave me the angsty longing I expect from the trope, and the suspense generated by the threat to Georgie was just enough to keep me on my toes. Add in Henry’s friendship with Rafe, Sylvia and Georgie’s friendship too, and a staycation in Monte Carlo that turns into a “just while we’re here let’s work this out of our systems” nights of passionate trysts, and I got a delightful, entertaining read that left me swooning, satisfied, and smiling.

*A wonderful 4.5 stars*

This was such a lovely read... I'm not usually able to read something in one sitting, but I was with this book, so that was just great!

I just loved the chemistry between Lady Georgiana and Captain Harris. Despite the little bit of confusion I had with keeping up with all the different characters, I absolutely ADORED the steam in this one, and the dialogue during their steamy encounters was absolute perfection!!! If you loved A Rogue to Remember (#1) and The Rebel and the Rake (#2), you will not be disappointed with The Hellion and the Hero!

I can't wait to read what Emily Sullivan publishes next! And my wallet is ready for whenever another one of her excellent books is published!!! <3

This book was fantastic! It has a bridgerton vibe to it which was perfect for me considering the second season just came out and I was in desperate need of some historical romances. The relationship between our hellion and the hero was amazing I loved them together and their chemistry was great! I also loved how this book had a little bit of a mystery aspect to it as well and honestly I just really loved this book. I would definitely recommend and I know that I will definitely be checking out any other works that this author might have out. Make sure to check the tws before reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

First, thank you so so so much Forever Publishing for letting me read this book early as an eARC. All opinions are that of my own.

Y’all this book. My heart. I cannot. I feel as if Emily Sullivan wrote this book with me in mind and added all of my favorite things. There is no explanation for how absolutely perfect it was. I even went through and highlighted sections because my heart couldn’t take it. I never do this, but I couldn’t help myself with all the sweetness.

Let me just do a quick recap of why you need to read this before getting into more details: THE PINING, uptight mmc who is the sorta bodyguard, government secrets/spying, longing, badass widowed fmc, “doing the right thing is not to be applauded,” repression, Monte Carlo with a fabulous bed scene (iykyk) and a bath scene, sorta enemies-to-lovers with the pent up emotions of second chance romance.

Obviously, I know I am missing things but this book has everything and the emotional depth it goes to. I do not know how Sullivan does this, but it does not matter. I will be shoving this into every single person’s hands that I can. Everyone must enjoy this book.

CW: infertility, PTSD, panic attacks, and discussion of previous emotional abuse.

Loves:

Captain Henry Harris captured my heart from the first chapter. He's an incredibly starchy, uptight man with a haunted past. Just how I like them. I loved watching how Henry grappled with his emotions and overcame the feelings over the past to live in the present. Plus he is so smitten even when he doesn’t want to be.

Georgiana is one of those characters you’d probably hate in real life because they appear to be so perfect. But she’s not. She’s been hurt and taken advantage of on multiple occasions. Her transformation was lovely. I especially loved the scenes with her family as they were so important. Georgiana is strong willed and honestly deserves the world. I love her.

The dual POV of the story is what really pulls it off. If I had access to only one of their minds I’d probably dislike the book because there’s so much hidden between these two characters. While there’s some “miscommunication” (idk if I’d even call it that because it’s more pride not letting you speak/hurt), it feels natural to the story and not a thrown in plot device.

The settings of the book were also phenomenal. You spend the first half of the book in London setting things up and creating the ghosts of their pasts, but when you get to Monte Carlo things take off and it becomes a completely different story in the best way. I loved the previous characters from Sullivan’s earlier novels coming back. The mood that Monte Carlo set was excellent with the change in the characters. Everything was so balanced.

Because I am only human I will say that the steamier scenes in the book hit just right. I love when historical romance gets a little *ahem* steamier than normal. Like I said there is a fabulous bed scene that is everything, carriage action, a bath scene, and another traveling scene. But the moments of intimacy outside of the physical are what really get me. That ending was *chef’s kiss* amazing.

Meh:

It ended? I really don’t know. I think that some might have problems with the beginning as it is a little drawn out to set the tone for everything and give snippets of the past. However, I feel without those slower moments you’d lose necessary characterization.

Long Story Short:

Do I recommend this book? Yes. A thousand times yes. I’ve reread it too many times to say and I’ve only just gotten it. So freaking sweet. Honestly I felt like Sullivan had sat down with me and asked for my preferences in a romance novel then wrote this book. If you want a historical romance with good steam, solid voice, traces of modernity that feel true, and perfect second chance romance this book is for you. I will be suggesting (totally not shoving) this book to everyone I know.

If you like Elizabeth Everette’s The Secret Scientists of London series or Harper St. George’s The Gilded Age Heiresses series then this book would be absolutely perfect for you! This book feels like a combination of all 5 of those books.

This wrapped up too neatly. The kidnapping plot and the love interests prior history was presented as too very separate things and it was difficult when they ended up being related. I liked the first and second book in this series much better, there wasn’t as much heat or spark btn the two.

This started slow but I ended up really liking it! I didn't love it quite as much as the second in the series (The Rebel and the Rake, which I LOVED), but I did quite enjoy it.

In a lot of ways, this feels like an old school romance upgraded with modern day feminism and consent. It's a Victorian second chance, bodyguard romance with a wounded warrior hero (he has a chronic knee injury and uses a cane), a kidnapping, some blackmail, a widow heroine, and some travel by boat. It's tight and sexy an though it took me some time to get invested in these, I found the arc of their story really romantic.

The ending cinched the 4 stars from me. The conclusion of the romance and the mystery were just so satisfying and tied up really nicely.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC.

CW: kidnapping, infertility, war, PTSD, torture (past), death of a husband