Right from the initial pages of this book, I had begun to tear up. The trials and tribulations that Ophelia and Connor have gone through life to survive just made my heart bleed. Both the characters are beautifully layered and intricate with an emotionally charged romance and really sexy chemistry. But more than anything, the story in this novel might be my favorite in this series as of now. Towards the end of the novel, I was fairly sobbing, especially after reading the legend of Lagertha. This is book two in the Wicked Wallflowers series and I highly recommend reading this series even though the book can be read as a standalone.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

The Vixen is Ophelia and Conner's story, 2nd in the Wicked Wallflower Series. This is a standalone, HEA Historical Romance with lots of sizzle.
Christi Caldwell is one of my favorite Historical Romance authors. She is a mastermind when it comes to “torturing” her characters and her reader. With her ability to paint a picture with words, she pulls you into the story and keeps you there. Twist and turns in the plot keep you on the edge of your seat. The building romance is believable, heart wrenching (it made me cry) and steamy. This story is, at times, dark and intense, delving into the harsh realities of life that some are not aware of or have blinded themselves to. A great read, I can hardly wait to read the next in the series.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review through NetGalley.

Second book in the Wicked Wallflowers is Ophelia’s story. Ms. Caldwell brings Connor O’Roarke/Steele together in an emotional journey with flashback moments for both of them. Their long history is of the brief times in which their paths crossed in St. Giles while both were just trying to survive. Now as adults, Connor is investigating the disappearance from years earlier of a Marquess’s son. Ophelia’s mission is to remove vulnerable children off the streets to work in her family’s club where they can be safe. Connor believes she may be taking the children for nefarious reasons. Ironically, one night Ophelia follows him because she believes that is what he is doing. Both have placed the other in the role of villain.

Mixed into all of their lack of trust is Ophelia’s brother’s insistence she marry a peer. She must go live with her sister, Cleo, of The Hellion (book 1) and her new husband, also a peer. Ophelia goes with a bit of a fight. Once there, Ophelia sees Connor with a beautiful, widowed duchess at an evening event. She quickly sees a familiarity between them. Ophelia is herself considered a beauty but finds she is jealous of the duchess and her obvious relationship with Connor.

Returning to the flashback moments, we learn of how difficult, and even at times, horrible Ophelia and Connor’s younger lives were in St. Giles. There is a secret between them that Ophelia worries will completely break their tenuous new friendship if Connor discovers it. Yet, it is due to Ophelia that Connor was able to leave St. Giles without her knowing that she had in all actuality helped him.

One of the underlying issues between these somewhat star crossed lovers is Ophelia is a Killoran. Her father was the leader of ruffians in St. Giles. He is dead now, but when alive he was brutal to pretty much everyone, especially the children of whom he took control. His evilness causes a lot of Ophelia and Connor’s mistrust of others. Ophelia was raised believe the ‘nobs’ of the ‘ton’ are the evil ones. The whole Killoran ‘family’ distrusts peers. With Connor being taken from St. Giles by a peer, he was given opportunities of which Ophelia was deprived.

The secondary characters are strong in personality, especially her family. Even Connor’s father and friends are strong in what they believe to be their place in life. Ironically, his father and his connections are the most manipulative of people. The duchess may have been one of those manipulators, but at heart she has a heart. (She may be just the woman for Broderick).

The Vixen is heart-wrenching even as it journeys to Ophelia and Connor HEA. This is a great Caldwell book and enjoyable second in the series. I look forward to seeing what happens to the next member of the Killoran family. There are several from which to choose for the next book in the series.

Set apart by her ethereal beauty and fearless demeanour, Ophelia Killoran has always been a mystery to those around her No one would guess that she spends her nights protecting the street urchins of St. Giles. Ophelia knows what horrors these children face. As a young girl, she faced those horrors herself, and she would have died if not for the orphan boy who saved her life.
A notorious investigator, Connor Steele never expected to encounter Ophelia Killoran on his latest case. It has been years since he sacrificed himself for her. Now, she hires orphans from the street to work in her brother’s gaming hell. Ophelia and Connor are at odds. After all, Connor now serves the nobility, and that is a class of people Ophelia knows firsthand not to trust.
Another engrossing, enthralling read which flows effortlessly & takes you from the gutters of St Giles to Mayfair & beyond. The characters are superbly drawn, Connor & Ophelia are both haunted by their past & are perfect for each other. I was taken on a gamut of emotions & by the last 15% I was in bits. I usually like a book to have an epilogue but this book didn’t need one. I hope a certain widow has her story, she certainly deserves one

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

An enjoyable, fast moving story that engages the reader. Far-fetched with characters speaking in atrocious cockney and yet strangely compelling. Once I was into the story I couldn’t put it down until it was finished even though that was the early hours of the morning! I’ve not read the previous book in this series and assume that is why I was lost on how a family of pickpockets came to be educated, given elocution lessons, wear fine silks, run a gaming hell, be semi-accepted in the ton and yet be living in a dangerous area of London. I would therefore recommend reading book 1 before this.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christ Caldwell outdid herself with The Vixen. I'm was an emotional wreck (in the best way) at the end of this book! This novel is such a realistic, heartbreaking portrayal into the lives of the people who live outside of English society.

The Wallflower takes us inside the dangerous and unsavory streets of St. Giles. It follows children forgotten, abandoned or born to the streets of London. forced to do anything and everything to survive. The Killoran family was able to rise above their meager beginnings but their childhood left them scares that won't seem to heal.

Ophelia and Connor where children forced in a life a crime and suffered daily abuses from their master. Their lives were controlled by one, who only ever wanted personal gain and didn't care about using children to accomplish their goals. Connor was the lucky one, who was able to escape from the streets to lead a different life, with a little help from Ophelia who was forced to endure years of hell before she found her freedom.

Ophelia is such a beautifully broken person. While the streets took from Ophelia, she refuses to allow it to take from another child. While she can't save anyone, she does what she can to to ensure no child will endure what she did. However, Ophelia fights alone and she hold her secrets of her past close. She often feels alone even surrounded by her family.

Connor was lucky to escape into a world of privilege but he never forgot where he came from, nor would the society he now worked for. He uses his resources and connections to help ensure children will not suffer the same fate he suffered. While Connor loves what he does and believes he has found a family, he still feels like an outsider as those in society could never really understand his greatest pain.

When Connor and Ophelia paths cross again its explosive. neither trust each other, but they can't help be drawn together. It's natural for these to to be weary of each other, as the streets don't allow for blind trust, but they can't stay away as they finally found a person that really understand the pain and heartbreak in their lives.

Connor and Ophelia relationship is as beautiful as it is painful. Secrets could destroy them before they start and forces conspire against them. These two will be forced to suffer and hurt once again in order to be together. Their road is to happiness is more dangerous and full of betrayal that will test their love and limits.

*******author provided a review copy*********

Ophelia Killoran, once a pick pocket/palm reader in the infamous area of St. Giles, now lives with her family in the Devil’s Den, a place of gambling and vice. The Killoran’s have money, lots of money, and they want to use it to buy Ophelia a titled husband which will in turn bring some prosperity to their family name. Ophelia is not thrilled at finding a husband among the upper class but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, at least for her family. Causing trouble in all this is Connor Steele, a former street child himself, now turned investigator. His latest job, tracking down missing and homeless kids in her neighborhood, brings him straight to Ophelia. However, it is not the first time they have crossed paths (cue the childhood flashback scenes), so there is some mistrust between the two of them. Connor’s investigation is bringing too many curious eyes on the Killoran’s, thus bringing down Ophelia’s chances of making a marriage match. She has no chance but to help Connor out so he will leave her families business alone. But it isn’t easy to find a husband when you can’t do anything but think about the hunky investigator, especially when you run into him everywhere you go. Coincidence? Definitely not! This book had a few twists, that some might find predictable but I quite enjoyed it. There were a few plot points that didn’t quite work and the end was a tad abrupt for me, but overall I enjoyed the book and even shed a few tears! I’m looking forward to reading the rest in the series. I received a free copy from the publisher for my honest review, and here it is! Get it, read it, shed a tear a two but end up smiling, look forward to rest in series, like it!

Man, I love Christi Caldwell! This book was dark and gritty; i don't think I've cried so much at this author's books before. The fact that it was the heroine his had the difficult, tortured life as a welcome change and I as so pleased to see that Broderick is actually a man with feelings who loves his sisters, despite coming across as an arse for most of this series so far. The prison scenes between both Ophelia & Connor and Ophelia & Broderick were beautifully written and so heart wrenching. I am so excited for the next book in this series and am keeping everything crossed that Gertrude's hero is the mad marquess!

I am not sure how many of Christi Caldwell’s books around those two gambling hells I have read but this is the 2nd of the “Wicked Wallflowers” series. First of all – the cover of the book is horrible, really, really horrible. It’s the worst photoshop work I have seen in a long time.
But that’s the only horrible thing about the book.
It’s the story of two unusual people – Ophelia Killoran, the daughter of one of the most dangerous gambling hell owners – who was a street urchin like so many others, a child of St. Giles. She’s a beauty and the protector of her “sisters”.
Connor Steele, now a well-known investigator, has been a kid of St. Giles too before Ophelia rescued him one night. Or did he rescue her? It’s a matter of perspective.
Ophelia’s brother wants a titled man for her, that she has a season, a debut, everything – everything she doesn’t want. She wants to stay where she is because she has a secret on her own. Connor, now the adopted son of a noble man, knows about his past in St. Giles and the time before he was a street urchin. He remembers. He remembers what happened to him and now he is asked by a recluse of society to find his son – a son that might have been stolen from him the night his wife and unborn child died in a fire.
This time it really took me some time to get into this story because I was not sure if I could ever like Ophelia. Connor is easy on the eye and easy to like. Ophelia is cold, calculating and not really appealing. But that’s the part of her she wants people to see.
But the further you get sucked into the story the more you like and love them all.
A very good and quickly read book!

*I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I am really loving this series and this unconventional family. Loved Cleo in the Hellion, and loved Ophelia in th Vixen. Can't wait to read about the others

The Vixen by Christi Caldwell is now one of my favorite books. Caldwell’s writing style, and her ability to tap into every emotion known to a woman, which let’s be honest is a lot, is a wonderful gift to her readers. At one point, I found myself sobbing, and a few chapters later, I had a grin spread from ear to ear. This isn’t a book that you want to speed read through. This is a book that you need to take your time and savor every word and every emotion that Caldwell invokes. These characters are so well written and are so real that you become a part of their journey. One thing that I love about the Caldwell universe is that there are no perfect characters. They have all had life experiences and are flawed as a result.

The Vixen is book 2 in the Wicked Wallflowers series and brings us back to the Killoran family. Ophelia Killoran is a beautiful spitfire, whose experiences of being born to Mac Diggory and growing up on the streets have left her deeply scarred. Her experiences with the nobility have also left her with a deep resentment and hatred toward the nobility. Connor O’Roarke was able to escape Diggory and the streets and now lives among the nobility as a respected investigator. Connor and Ophelia knew each other as children and find themselves face to face as adults when Connor shows up at the Devil’s Den investigating a missing child from the nobility. Let’s just say when these two meet again as adults, sparks fly. Once Killoran forces Ophelia to enter the ton to find a titled husband, she and Connor discover that there may be more to their relationship than their childhood. You don’t want to miss the journey that Caldwell takes these two on to teach them that the world is not always black and white.

If this book isn’t already on your to-read list, I recommend you add it and move it straight to the top. You won’t be disappointed.

This is another great original story by Christi. Ophelia Killoran was born a bastard of the evil sadistic crime lord Mac Diggory and has lived most of her life as a pickpocket on the streets of St Giles. You do what Mac tells you or you die. Now that Mac is dead her brother is running the gaming hell and any children who work for the Killorans are fed and taken care of. There are no more criminal activities and Ophelia dedicates herself to helping as many children off the streets and into the families enterprises. Her sister Gertrude teaches them to read and write so they can eventually support themselves.

The book opens when Ophelia as a child is caught picking a Gentleman's pocket. Connor O'Roarke is living on the streets after his mother and father were killed, but he refuses to do Mac Diggory's bidding and escapes into the black heart of St. Giles. Ophelia and Connor have run into each other before and if Mac finds out that she saw him and didn't tell her punishment would be painful and savage. Ophelia still carries the guilt of when she let Connor slip away and Mac beat and blinded her sister Gertrude. Now as the constable is ready to take her to Newgate, Connor steps in and picks her pocket and gives himself up as the one who stole the gentleman's pocket.

Years later Ophelia has no idea that Connor has survived until she is summoned by her brother Broderick to his office to talk to an Investigator who is looking for a child. She is shocked and speechless. She still doesn't trust him and refuses to help him. She is afraid that he is looking to turn the children she has saved into the law. She adamantly refuses to help him find the child of a Lord who murdered his wife. She has no love for the nobility. She was attacked and almost raped by one.

Connor was saved by a Lord. Instead of sending him to Newgate the gentleman took him home and made Connor his adopted son. He never had to steal again. He had food, comfort and an education fit for a gentleman. He never forgot Ophelia Killoran. There was a connection that they both felt for each other that will test everything that they have achieved and who they are.

Christi's writing talent is undisputed in the Historical Romance Community and her prolific library of books speaks for itself. Her characters are wonderfully flawed, which gives them the ability to change and grow in their stories. There is always mystery, danger, humor, passion and most of all love in her stories. This is one of my favorites. Ophelia deserves her happiness after what she has been through in her young life and Connor is the perfect match for her.

I recommend her books highly and they are certainly keepers to be read again.

When I am given an ARC to read and review it is with a promise to give a fair and honest review. I think I have read every one of the stories in this series. They are such stirring tales of hardship, privilege, despair and love. Christi Caldwell tells the story of families intwined. All have been so immersive but this one had me in tears. Read them all, IN ORDER and you will find what I have. Love them all.

“The Vixen” is about a couple who had a history on the streets of London as children. They are reunited as adults; Connor was rescued by an Earl and adopted, Ophelia the daughter of a gang leader grew up on the streets, and later working in a gaming hell. While I enjoyed the romance between the two, I was often struck with the improbability of Ophelia being invited into homes of the ton for events. I gave this book 4 stars.

Wow, just wow!!! Another great book by Christi Caldwell! I thought the first book in this series was great. This was even better.
What I love about this series is that it doesn't take place in the ton. These are 2 kids from St Giles, Ophelia and Connor, whose lives end up going in different directions. But they come together again years later.
The storyline, the character development and the emotions this book brought forth, make it a must read book.
Can't wait for Gertrudes story.

What an amazing story. Christi Caldwell has done another amazing job in storytelling. This is one of my new favorites. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed the book.

Christi Caldwell continues to amaze!

Ophelia Killoran – the tough street rat with a will to survive and no love for the peerage.

Connor Steele – the orphan who got away from the streets and given a better life.

Their lives took different paths, but fate has thrown them together again.

Ms. Caldwell puts a depth to her characters that is unparalleled. The Vixen is no exception. As she peeled away the layers of Ophelia and opened Connor’s eyes to reality, my heart ached. And the prison palm reading….I BAWLED! I don’t think a scene has ever affected me as much as this one. Throw in a few surprises, extraordinary secondary characters and you have a 5+ read.
I can’t wait to see how Ms. Caldwell tops this one.

Only one other book has affected me so strongly, and that too was written by this author. Christi Caldwell puts her heart and soul into the world and characters she creates. The emotion is real, the characters believable, and her stories fresh and unique. As you read her words, it’s so easy to visualize the scenes playing out before you, and you are drawn into their world, hearing their voices, and feeling each and every emotion. And in “The Vixen”, so much emotion!

Connor Steele and Ophelia Killoran are like no other couple. As children they struggled through their fears on the streets of St. Giles, their paths crossing briefly, and each time one reaching out in a single gesture rescuing the other. The final time, his sacrifice, saving her. And then... “he was there, always, buried in her mind”.

They meet again as adults, each carrying with them hidden memories of the monsters and secrets of their past. Connor, rescued by the Earl of Mar and now one of London’s top investigators, is determined to rid London of the evil and brutality he has known and seen. Ophelia, a child of the evil Mac Diggory, has survived the fear and pain of living under his power, and now a strong, beautiful woman, she strives to save other children from the streets. They’re alike in many ways due to what they experienced in their young lives. Upon meeting again and as the bond grows, they will need to overcome guilt they carry, doubts of who they’ve become, and learn to trust each other.

Ophelia and Connor’s story was heart wrenching and beautiful. A story of love between a man and a woman, as well as a strong powerful love of family, I can’t put into words how exceptional this book is, and highly recommend it. Brilliant!

This was such a beautiful, emotional read. My heart broke over and over for Ophelia. She is such a strong heroine with a good heart, but her life has been anything short of easy. Despite the things she goes through, she continues to rise above it. Connor is the perfect compliment to her and vice versa. They understand each other because of their upbringings and it makes the chemistry between them so beautiful. This is such a sensual, angsty story that will certainly pull at your heart strings.

Normally, I zip right through the books that I love – quite often finishing them in one sitting. I couldn’t do that with this one. The story is so intensely emotional that I had to keep taking breaks from reading and toward the end – I had to be sure the tissues were near. The book is excellently written, well plotted and the characters will just rip your heart out and then reassemble it for you – but it won’t be quite the same when they are through with you.

Ophelia Killoran didn’t even have a name for many of her years. She was just – Girl. She was the Devil’s daughter. Her father was Diggory, who raped, murdered, pillaged, stole children from parents – if it was nasty and vile, he was responsible for it. Now, Diggory is dead and she and her siblings are trying to make a life for themselves as owners of the Devil’s Den gaming hell. Ophelia is obsessed with saving children who are in the same desperate situation she and her siblings were in, so she trolls St. Giles – often dressed as a man – and rescues the children she finds. She sends them to the Devil’s Den where she then provides them with work and an education.

Ophelia’s brother, Broderick, was determined to marry one of his sisters into the aristocracy. He sees it as a way to cement their safety. They have money, but it can all disappear, so a tie to the aristocracy would help protect them. In the last book, Broderick sent his sister Cleo out to have a season and marry into the aristocracy and that didn’t work out too well. She ended up married to his biggest rival. So, now he is trying it with Ophelia. Ophelia is not a happy camper!

Connor O’Rourke was a young boy who had been forced into Diggory’s gang but had no intention of staying. So, he escaped and Diggory had everyone in the gang looking for him. He was saved – more than once – by a young girl from the gang. Then, he sacrificed himself to save her. Except, that sacrifice actually saved him much more than her.

Connor is now an investigator and his name is Connor Steele. He doesn’t have to work – as a matter of fact, his aristocratic foster father doesn’t want him to work. But Connor just has to and he has made his own fortune.

When Connor accepts a case from a Marquess who is generally accepted as mad, it brings Connor back into St. Giles and into the world of Ophelia Killoran. It turns out, Ophelia is the girl who saved him. He wants her help with his case, locating the ‘lost’ son of the mad Marquess. Ophelia doesn’t trust him and refuses to help him or to give him access to those children she has working at the club.

Connor and Ophelia are thrown together during her season and they get to know and trust each other more and more. Still – she can’t marry him because he doesn’t have a title – and he can’t marry her because he is expected to marry his foster father’s goddaughter.

When you see the betrayal and heartache in his book you’ll understand why I had to keep taking breaks from reading. Some tolerant and open-minded people are not nearly as tolerant and open-minded as they think they are.

I highly recommend the read – but – be sure to read something lighthearted and funny before this and probably afterward as well.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."