I love,love, love this book and series. Such a great cast of characters. Reggie is great. Love Stephen. I highly recommend this book

The Governess is the third book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. This was a great story! So different to ones I have been reading, since this takes place in the gritty world of London.
I enjoyed reading the story of Broderick and Reggie. These two are a great pair of characters who really got to know each other when Broderick discovers that Reggie is opening her own business. He believes that she will be a competitor and taking half of his staff. It is this misunderstanding that sets the story off. I liked how Reggie always stood up to him, even if each harsh word he said to her, because he was hurt, was like a knife to the heart. I suffered along with her. I admired how leaving his employ meant leaving her heart behind she still had the courage to do it. Even if he fought and played dirty every step of the way. I did like how he redeemed himself after learning the truth of her past and her reasons for opening a music hall.
Since I had not read the previous two books in the series I felt a little lost at the beginning. We do get to see the characters of the previous books in this one. They also play a role in bringing Broderick and Reggie together.
I look forwards to going back and reading the previous two and to Gertrude's story.

This is book 3 of the Wicked Wallflowers series, it is best to read the books in order, in fact this story seemed to end without many things resolved, hence you will have to read the next book which is Gertrude’s story. The heroine, Reggie was saved by Broderick from a life on the streets. She has worked for him for years and has loved him. While the romance is resolved many other things are not. 3 stars.

My goodness, this is my first Christi Caldwell book and I am amazed at how fast I was drawn in!! It is full of so much angst and awesome drama that my heart twisted and I bit my nails to the very end! Now, before you angsty-phobes out there brush this aside, let me assure you, it is not your typical whiny drama-type. It is serious destroy your life kind of drama that is brutally real while totally un-put-downable!

Broderick is such an anti-hero that one is not sure whether to love or hate him. His full-on loyalty to those he cares about, however, tips the scales in a big way. Regina is also a very strong character but in a much more subtle way. She doesn't yell and scream, she just quietly stands her ground.

That strong plus is also the story's biggest weakness, however. SO much of what happened could have been avoided if Regina would just have explained herself! It didn't even have to be a love declaration type - she could have told Broderick her plans for her new business and how much it would help people. OR, she could have explained at least a bit about her reasons for not wanting to go into London's society as a chaperone. It would not have taken a full confession, just some explanation so he could understand her feelings on these subjects! This non-communication is the only thing (yet is was a big thing) that stood in the way of a big five stars for me.

Everything else was pure historical yumminess!

I couldn't wait for this book to come out and it definitely didn't disappoint. Reggie and Broderick's story was wonderful. It have all the elements I was looking for in a great romance. I had read the previous books and I just love this family! I so hope Ms. Caldwell plans to give Gertrude and Stephen their own respective stories as well.

This is the story of Broderick Killoran, the owner of the gaming hell called “The Devil’s Den” and Miss Regina Spark. Both are very complex characters. Everyone has always assumed that Broderick craved approval from the Ton and that is why he wanted his sisters to make an advantageous match with someone from that world. What he was really looking for was a way to give them security. While Broderick was very rich he knew his world was a dangerous one. Broderick was a man who saved people. Regina Spark was one of the people that he saved. For 10 years she has secretly been in love with Broderick. He felt very strongly that he should never be involved with an employee so Regina or Reggie as he called her was off limits. When Broderick finds out that Regina plans to leave he feels betrayed but he also realizes she means more to him than just being an employee.
Ms. Caldwell is an excellent storyteller! I find the richness and depth she gives to characters is very refreshing. I highly recommend this book, I had trouble putting it down. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ruthless is an apt description of Broderick Killoran. As you begin this novel you may be wary of Broderick as the hero love interest, but do not be. His ruthlessness comes from a deep love for his family. We knew from the two previous books in the series how he pushed to have his sisters marry into the aristocracy. Even for himself, he only wants to be with ladies of quality. Even a man who appears as unfeeling as Broderick can be redeemed.

Sweet Reggie has been part of the Killoran family and right hand to Broderick for ten years. He basically found her on the streets and saved her just as he saved many others. Once part of his ‘family’ each person has to earn their way and Reggie did by being everything he needed in a helper. Everyone thought she was his lover, but no. Reggie definitely was in love with Broderick, but that was as far as it went. She did not believe he even saw her as a woman.

Reggie feels she needs to leave not believing she can be near him any longer. Her love is too strong and grows stronger. Reggie wants to have a life away from Broderick and decides to open a ‘hall’ with another Killoran employee that will help women. Her mistake was in not telling him about her plans. Broderick sees it as a betrayal. Every thing goes horribly wrong between them. To keep her close and under his control, Broderick blackmails her into staying. As the reader, you can see it is because he cares about her.

Broderick’s goal is to make sure his sisters are married and cannot be harmed by his blunder and connection to Stephen’s kidnapping. Stephen is actually the son of a marquess. Once Reggie chaperones Broderick’s sister Gertrude to a ton function, her old life comes crashing back to her, only adding to her misery. Add in the mess of Stephen’s kidnapping as a child and his father’s revenge. There is so much going on in this fast paced romantic tale that you do not want to put it down. Wanting to see what comes next and how the family will handle each situation holds your interest. Christi Caldwell can weave her books together like no one else. This book like her others can be read as a stand alone, but I have enjoyed reading them in sequence. Each time a previous character is brought back in, you feel like you are catching up with an old friend.

As usual, I have nothing but good things to say about Christi Caldwell's writing! I wasn't sure how I would feel about Broderick as a hero, because he irritated me in the previous books, particularly his mishandling of trying to marry his sisters off. It reminded me of when Ryker Black had his book, because his character was also one I didn't care for in previous books. But of course, I should not have worried. This is Christi Caldwell we're talking about here, and if anyone can make an unlikeable character from an older book the hero in the next, she can!

Broderick Killoran considers Regina Spark part of his family. She has been loyal to him for more than ten years, taking care of his siblings and acting as his assistant in running the Devil's Den. She is the last person he would expect to betray him, so when he learns she plans to open her own club and steal away his best employees, he is enraged...and bent on having his revenge. He manipulates her into accepting a deal - she can have the location she has been hoping for her club, but she must act as companion to his sister during her husband hunt in London. Reggie has secrets, and she knows it's dangerous for her to be exposed to London high society. However, her dream is on the line, and so she agrees. Even though the biggest danger isn't to her life - it's to her heart.

Again I will say, Broderick was a hero I was wary of, due to his past behavior. And even in the beginning of this book, I was worried that he would be irredeemable with his actions against Reggie. However, over time, as his motivations were exposed and his true personality was shown to others, I started to really like him. Some people, when cornered, become vulnerable. When Broderick was cornered, he became dangerous, so his actions made sense. I really like Reggie, although I was conflicted about how I felt regarding her betrayal. She wasn't a character I knew well, so I went into this book with an open mind about her, and I was pleased at the amount of depth to her story. She had such a heart-wrenching background, and while we can debate the intelligence of some of her past decisions, she has made a life for herself. It was sad that she felt she couldn't be honest with Broderick, but knowing Broderick's character well, I understood why she felt the need for secrecy. It was a shame that it took them so long to realize their true feelings for each other, because they were very well matched at the end of the day.

I am eagerly anticipating the final Killoran sister, Gertrude's, story! She has a special place in my heart, after reading about her for several books now. I can't wait to read about her happily ever after!

**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**

It's a return to the Devil's Den from her previous books. In love with Broderick Kiloran for ten years and her feelings not reciprocated, Regina plans to open her own music Hall with a former madam of a brothel as her partner. Once Kiloran finds out about her plans, or thinks he does, he feels she's betrayed the family. Blackmailed to chaperone his sister into London society, Reggie has a secret she's never revealed that could destroy Gertrude's chances of a successful season. A lot of pain for Regina due to misunderstanding and a dirty secret from her past. With heartache and tears, it wasn't an easy book to get through, but I loved reading it.

I absolutely loved this story! I'm always half charmed by stories with gambling houses even before reading the first page. Unfortunately sometimes I am disappointed. This is definitely not the case. And the fact that I started reading it with the idea that I might have not liked it because the heroine was already in love with the hero and not reciprocated (which it is a situation that I generally don't appreciate mush), made the final positive thoughts even stronger. It totally won me over!

My first book by this author and I have to say I liked it and that I’ll definitely keep an eye on the author.

However, I have to mention a couple of things that bothered me.

First, after not only ten pages into the book, I felt like I’ve been missing out. I got the feeling that The Governess is a continuation of the previous book (even though the blurb hinted it as a standalone). I checked and from what I gathered, I don’t think it is but I think it is necessary to read previous books before reading this one. They obviously contain a background of the story. So I needed couple chapters to finally figured it all out, why there are things the way they were (and I’m still not sure if I got it right).

For example, I don’t exactly have an idea who is a biological relative and who is adopted and that bothered me in the book. I need to have some sort of picture in my head. I think the sisters were biological…

So, other than leaving me all confused in the book, The Governess is actually not that bad. I loved the sexual tension between Broderick and Reggie, which is why I couldn’t put the book down.

Since the beginning, I had an idea this wasn’t book one in the series but I was still surprised when I learned it’s book three. I was hoping the last sister and the ”mad” marquess will get a book together so I was really happy when I saw there truly is a book about them.

At first, I wanted to give this book 5 stars because the chemistry really made this book worth reading but since I was confused in the beginning and the book didn’t mention the background of the family so a reader will know what he or she is getting into, I’m giving it 4 to 4.5 stars.



Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/

Regina Spark or Reggie has had a hard life. After she was saved from the streets by Broderick, her life gets better. Broderick Killoran owns the Devil's Den, a popular gaming hell. Regina has become Broderick's best friend and assistant at the Den. She has loved Broderick for always, but knows that he never sees her as a woman, more like a sister. He is her protector and she is loyal to him. Broderick doesn't know that Reggie has plans of her own, she wants to open a music hall. Broderick and his employees are are loyal to each other. The day that Broderick realizes that Reggie is a woman, a beautiful woman, he is lost. When she leaves, will he find her? Someone with the intent to kill is after him. There's a story inside this story and I love the way everything came together. I received this book from Net Galley and Montlake Romance for a honest review. The opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters,even when their relationship was at its most fraught. I particularly enjoyed Broderick's relationship with his sisters and their whole family dynamic. The writing was witty and swift, the pacing of the story very well handled. I think it would have been very tempting to overdo the drama when it first appeared, however the author did herself and her characters justice by dealing with it in a timely and expected manner. Overall a pretty enjoyable book and I will look out for this author in future. Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christi Caldwell adds another gripping and intense story to her Wicked Wallflowers series. I always have to psyche myself up before I begin reading one of this author’s books. Not because the book isn’t good – they are all wonderful. No, it is because they are so intensely emotional that you will be wrung out by the time you are through with it.

The series features the Killoran’s, none of them are actually related by blood, but they are closer than most families could think of being. They were all children living on the streets of Seven Dials and they were all taken into the street gang of Diggory, one of the vilest humans you could imagine. Diggory is dead before this series begins (see the Sinful Brides series for details on that) and Broderick is now in charge. We’ve seen two of the siblings find their HEA in the first two books of the series – Cleo (Cleopatra) marries Adair in The Hellion and Ophelia settles down with Connor in The Vixen. This book features Broderick who finally discovers his love, Reggie, was right under his nose all the time.

Broderick Killoran is absolutely ruthless in his business dealings – he has to be because you don’t survive in Seven Dials without it. He’s also mysterious and everyone wonders how someone who is as cultured and who speaks as well as he does has ended up in the Dials. Broderick longs for respectability – not necessarily for himself, but he feels that is the only way to keep his family safe. He keeps trying to marry his sisters into the aristocracy, but he hasn’t managed to do it yet. So, maybe it is up to him to do it.

Broderick rescued Reggie years ago and has protected her since. How could she not love him? He saved her, he gave her a place in the running of the Devil’s Den, he treats her with respect and he listens to her thoughts and opinions. Except, he doesn’t know she exists as a woman.

Things are getting really intense in Broderick’s world. Years ago, a baby was stolen from the home of a Marquess and was subsequently delivered to Diggory in the Dials. That baby is now called Stephen and he is Broderick’s brother. That Marquess (know as the Mad Marquess) has discovered that Stephen is his kidnapped son and he’s coming after Broderick. Broderick may very well hang for it. To that stress, add that his most trusted right-hand person, Reggie, is planning to open her own music hall in competition with him.

In the previous books, both Reggie and Broderick’s pasts have been in shadow and we learn more about those in this book. It is nice to learn their history and see how they came to be the people they currently are.

It was emotionally exhausting to see Broderick and Reggie thread-the-needle to find love, protect Broderick, protect Stephen and deal with the villains.

Definitely a recommended read! Now, to wait for The Bluestocking that will feature Gertrude Killoran and the Mad Marquess. That has to be a hum-dinger!

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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."

4.5 stars

A Good exciting romance between Broderick and Regina. He is the owner of a gambling Den and she has been his friend and book keeper. Regina has reached a stage when she's prepared to create an independant life for herself away from the club. Broderick wakes up to the fact that she's been the one person he trusts and relies on. The story is linked to the first two in the series but it didn't spoil my enjoyment that I hadn't read them. It did make me keen to read Gertrude's story and see how Stephen was going to get on with his Dad.

I've read quite a few of Christi's books and will continue to look out for others. She's an excellent author to follow.

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

Regina "Reggie" Sparks has been in love with her employer, Broderick Killoran, ever since that long ago day he saved her. Reggie knows by now that he is never going to feel the same for her. It is past time she move on. Reggie begins with the plans to open up her own music hall.

Broderick cannot believe Reggie would betray him by opening a competing business so close to his own gambling hell. When he sees the proof with his own eyes, Broderick undercuts Reggie to get what he wants, her working as a chaperone for his last unmarried sister during the Season in London, a task Broderick knows Reggie doesn't want to accept. It doesn't help when things start heating up between them. Suddenly, Broderick isn't so sure Reggie was in the wrong, and he may have lost a real chance at having more with her because of his actions.

I love, love, love author Christi Caldwell's WICKED WALLFLOWERS series. It consists of three books to date, THE HELLION, THE VIXEN and THE GOVERNESS. All three are keeper shelf material. I highly recommend reading them in order to follow the story and get to know each character better. All that aside, THE GOVERNESS is Broderick's story. His is the story I've been waiting for. Broderick is just such a complex character. To have survived and thrived like he has, he deserves recognition. And on top of that all, he has tried to atone for some of his past sins by being a different man than what circumstances forced him to be in the past. Reggie's past is equally sad. She is the perfect mate for Broderick. Together, they can be themselves and learn to let the past go. THE GOVERNESS gets a solid 5 star rating from me!

Reggie and Broderick’s story, 3rd in the Wicked Wallflowers series, is a standalone, happily ever after, no cheating, historical romance with some sizzle.
Secrets, perceived betrayal, a “Sword of Damocles”, ghosts from the past, are some of the obstacles to our H & H path to true happiness.
I love how C.C. can take one of her characters that we shouldn’t, and maybe haven’t liked, from previous books, and turns them into someone you feel for, cry for and then cheer for them to find their HEA.
All of her cast are well thought out, adding color and layers to this heartfelt romance. I felt their pain, and shed some tears right along with the characters. This is one of the stories that I couldn’t read fast enough, yet I also wanted to read it slowly in order to savor it.
As with the other books in this series, this story is, at times, dark and intense, delving into the harsh realities of life.
I have already pre-ordered my copy on Amazon along with the Audible narration (can’t resist Tim Campbell’s narration). Looking forward to Gertrude’s story.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I loved Reggie and Broderick's story!!

Reggie has been in love with Broderick for years. Her heart just can't take seeing him every day and knowing that he sees her as another one of his sisters. Reggie has decided to go out on her own and open a music hall. When Broderick learns of her plans, he sees it as her being a traitor to the family and vows to make her pay. Reggie is furious that Broderick would interfere with her plans to make a life for herself and pushes back. Broderick starts to wonder if he has ever really known Reggie. Who is this woman that is suddenly impossible to ignore?

I loved watching these two together! I loved that Reggie pushed back at Broderick's antics and didn't allow him to walk all over her. These two were perfect for each other!!

I'm so excited for Gertrude and Lord Edwin's story which is up next!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
💋💋
I think that maybe Broderick is going to be one of my all time favourite characters from a book or series , he is so complex , so devoted , and so misunderstood in many ways .
The books before this have given a good grounding of his character , but until now he’s not been revealed, get ready because it’s all in here .
Reggie is a strong , stunningly devoted woman . She takes no messing , the Killorans have rubbed off on her, living with them as she has for 10 years , but what took her to their doorstep and what keeps her there .
Christi has done a magnificent job of pulling all the clues and characters together and weaving an wonderful adventure and love story from the tangle .
As she always seems to do she’s given us tension and danger , sadness and joy , love and Romance in spades, with relentless pace .
The book is thrilling and addictive, Christi Caldwell at her best , always leaving you satisfied but begging for more .
I loved this book ,and wether this is your fist book by her or your twentieth you’ll enjoy every page, I guarantee.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

Some great characters in this one, and I enjoyed the interactions between Reggie and Broderick.

I found the story hard to get into at the beginning. I couldn’t understand why Broderick was so keen on getting his sisters to be part of the ton. I also wasn’t convinced why Reggie would want to leave if she had such strong feelings for Broderick.

Regina, a member of the gentry, had been rescued from a life on the streets by Broderick, after escaping from an abusive relationship with an aristocrat.

He doesn’t know anything about her past, and she has been working in the club as his right hand woman for 10 years. She has decided to go into business for herself and has joined forces with Ryders’s ex mistress Clara who now works for Broderick. They want to start up a music hall, and take some of the staff who want to go, with them.

Broderick is worried for his family, he fears the loss of Stephen, his younger brother,who in book 2, The Vixen, was discovered to be a Marquess’s son. The Marquess has not collected Stephen, and Broderick worries over losing Stephen, and being hung, as he has been accused of abducting him.

He is desperate to keep his family safe so wants Gertrude, his half blind sister to have a Season and marry. She says she will only do this if Regina chaperones her. Regina refuses as she is worried about her true identity being revealed. Broderick feels doubly betrayed as Stephen has revealed that Regina is planning to open another gaming den, so Broderick blackmails her into chaperoning Gertrude.

The season starts, and a battle of wills commences, with Regina spending every spare moment refurbishing her new premises, and Broderick feeling more hunted. Broderick finds himself more and more attracted to Regina, as the season progresses, Eventually her background is revealed.

How they resolve the misunderstandings between them, ably churned up by Stephen, who is the most tricksy and infuriating child ever (bravo. Christi) takes up the rest of the book.

The second half of the book really worked well for me, and the ending sets up book 4, the reuniting of Stephen with his father, and the HEA, finally, for Gertrude.

I received an ARC of this book which I voluntarily reviewed.

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