Although I was waiting for this book for quite some time, this book started off really slow for me. Then about 25 percent into the book, the story took an interesting turn and had me immediately hooked. The characters of Regina and Broderick were so rich and well written that I could feel their pain, love and despair. I absolutely adore Stephen and cannot wait to read more about his reunion with his father in future books. Regina and Broderick’s love story starts off as unrequited love on behalf of Regina but as she stands up to Broderick and gives a voice to her opinions, he starts seeing her in a different light. I adore Regina with her strong values and brave personality. It was a pleasure to read about such a fierce and awesome heroine. I liked Broderick but thought that he had made a lot of decisions in his prior life a little selfishly. It takes Regina to shake up his foundation to understand what his decisions have cost his family and loved ones. This flawed but willing to accept and change attitude in Broderick made me absolutely adore him. I hope Gertrude also has her own HEA. This is book three in the Wicked Wallflowers series, and although it can be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend reading the first two books in this series. You will not be sorry. I suggest sitting with a box of tissues as this author can make you cry.

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

I was glad that Broderick ended up with Reggie. However, it was at times a roller coaster ride, this book is great. It has everything, bad guys, good guys, love, hate, trust, distrust and fear and finally peace. It really runs the gamut of all those emotions. I cannot recommend this book enough even if you haven't read any other in the series or by this author. I do really recommend For Love of the Duke, and they all tie together but can be read on their own as well. I look forward to Gertrude's story and was totally surprised by who she hopefully ends up with.

I was given an arc from the publisher through netgalley and the opinion is my own.
Great book!!!

Wow this book had so much drama. I cried and laughed and got angry as all get out a times. I so enjoyed this story about Broderick and Regina and how they helped and healed those they loved. I loved Regina’s sprite ,it forces Broderick to see what he has not.

The beginning started a little slow for me but once the story began to unfold i couldn't put it down. Reggie's story was heartbreaking and being doubted by Broderick and his family made it all the worse. I am glad that everyone came to see her for the strong, kind and selfless woman she was.

Fantastic, fabulous! I have not met a Christi Caldwell book I didnt love. This book is heartbreaking and delightful. I laughed, I grimaced, I ranted and I cried. This story tells a tale of a man terrified of leaving his family unsettled when his past catches up to him that hell fo ang thing to ensure their protection. It tells a story of a woman with a past unknown who cant and wont share her secrets, and who will do anything to protect herself. When truths start surfacing, friendships will be destroyed and relationships tested. Youre taken on an adventure to find out if he can outrun his past and if she can find peace with her secrets. You will also catch up with the other Killoran siblings and their lives. CHRISTI CALDWELL has outdone herself again with an amazing tale of love, determination and family.

It was great to read Reggie and Broderick’s story. I would have liked to have seen how Reggie develops her music hall. What happens to the evil Lord Oliver? What happens to Stephen? I guess that will be addressed in future stories!

4 Stars

Loved this book, can’t wait for the next one!

*Arc Provided by NetGalley For an Honest Review*

Reviewed On GoodReads

Broderick Killoran is known for being the ruthless and mysterious leader of the Devil's Den gaming hell and its accompanying gang. Though Broderick's cultured speech has always marked him as not being from the streets, no one knows of his past or true origins, only his ruthless climb to power in London's underworld. His longing for respectability and connections to the nobility have caused issues for two of his siblings of the street in the previous installments of this series, but now he has other issues to deal with after the revelation that his youngest adopted sibling, Stephen, is in fact the son of a marquess, stolen as a child and brought into a life on the streets. This same marquess now blames Broderick and the rest of the Killorans for kidnapping his son and seeks to ruin them and bring down the empire Broderick has spent his adult life establishing. Just when Broderick thinks his family, to which he is absolutely loyal, can't be shaken any more, his right hand at the club, Regina, is making plans to open her own music hall, which will inevitably compete for the same clientele as Broderick's gaming hell. Reggie can't bear to spend any more time around the man she's been in love with for the past ten years; it's too painful when he only sees her as family or a coworker. For Broderick this damning announcement comes just as he's beginning to see Reggie as a woman, in the midst of his world crashing down around him, and he sees it as the ultimate in disloyalty and betrayal.

Faced with the possibility of being blamed and executed for the kidnapping of a nobleman's son, Broderick needs to establish noble connections now more than ever and is shocked by Reggie's lack of cooperation. He was counting on her to accompany him and his only remaining unwed sister, Gertrude, as her companion for a London season and this is the first request Reggie has ever refused him. But Reggie refuses to return to the polite society she was one well-acquainted with and only wants to take the opportunity to begin the business venture she has been quietly planning for months. She has been pining away for Broderick almost since he first saved her ten years ago but when he it becomes clear that his request is really a demand, her final hope of ever having more with the title-obsessed proprietor is quashed.

Both of these characters have been completely cloaked in mystery in the previous installments of this series, with only very small clues given as to Broderick's prior circumstances. It was great to finally get some information on their backgrounds and it made Broderick and the reasons for his actions in this book and its predecessors make much more sense. Broderick is wracked with guilt over his unwitting role in Stephen's initial kidnapping and hopes to make amends by finding a titled husband for Gertrude. He is further besieged by over his newly developed lustful thoughts towards Reggie and then floored by her perceived betrayal. He holds no hopes of saving his own neck from the hangman's noose, but hopes to establish security for his family and those dependent on him before that happens and his best hope for that is to see Gertrude accepted by polite society and therefore, in a position to keep an eye on Stephen when he takes his rightful place in society with his father.

Broderick is forced to open his eyes and see the world beyond his usual framework of definitive black and white and it was great to read. More and more both Regina and Broderick note the sparks between them and there is some serious sexual tension burning between them. Poor Regina finds herself backed into such an awful corner; her options had me stressed towards the end of the book and I couldn't put it down.

Though this book is part of a series it can still be read and enjoyed as a standalone, although it does have spoilers for the second book's plot.

I received an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my second book by Christi Caldwell. After reading the first one in the Wicked Wallflowers series and disliking it very much I skiped the second one and went right to this one since I already had an arc for it. I'm glad to say I liked it better than The Hellion, the first one in the series. I still had some problems with the story since it leans heavily on previous books (and not just the previous books in this series sadly) but noting to prevent me from following the plot. I liked the heroine, Regina (and since I'm talking about Regina - who the hell decides to call the heroine Reggie when she has a beautiful, regal name like Regina - it's practically a crime and was a big pet peeve for me, I really disliked that nickname). I wasn't very fond of the hero though. Broderick was not to my liking at all. The plot was ok. Nothing to write home about but it weasn't bad either. I just think that the conflict between Regina and Broderick was way too drawn out. I wish it was resolved sooner, I'd enjoy the book more if it was resolved sooner and we could see them grow as a couple.
So all in all a decent book but not one that will stay with me for weeks to come.

And she does it again! I've read several of Christi's books and I have the say, the latest is always the better.
In this one, she treats us with the story of Broderick Killoran - a long rival of the house and so called villain from other books - and his assistant and confidant, Regina Sparks.
For year. Broderick Killoran has built his gaming hell empire in order to lift himself from his family shame and now. he's facing the consequences of everything he did to survive. Regina Sparks carries secrets of her own and she's finally to let go of the family that gave her shelter and pursue her own dreams. But Broderick is not ready to let her go, even if he cannot admit to himself the true reason why. Secrets are revealed and old enemies come back to haunt them but through it all, love prevails.
There is so much I love about the Wicked Wallflowers: I love how the author shies away from the ton and continues to explore the life and love of the people of the Seven Dials, of those haunted souls with tragic pasts that have built themselves from nothing and continue to survive and dare to want more and be more. It's raw, it's real and it's incredibly awesome.
While this book can be read as a standalone... there are bits and pieces that come from the other books that might be good for the reader to know. Also, why would you? Go read the other ones!!!
I was curious to see how she'd present Killoran now that we finally got his book. And I wasn't disappointed: much like his former enemy and rival turned into extended family, Ryker Black, there are lawyers and nooks to Broderick that made you understand his point of view and even root for him. But the author is not forgiving of him, or of all the wrongs that he might have committed... we simply learn the hows and whys of everything that went through.
I don't want to give the plot or much of the book, so I would say that this is a great written, fast.paced book with great characterizations, an interesting conflict, a beautiful happy ending and the thrilling of knowing that there's more to come in the next book!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

3.5 stars.

Thanks to netgalley and Montlake Romance for the arc of this book!

Christi Caldwell isn't a new author to me, I have read a few of her books and they are some of my favorite historical romances. So when I was approved for the arc of The Governess, I was really happy.

I fell in love with Regina throughout the whole book and I came to admire her so much. I think she's definitely one of my favorite heroines from all the HR books I've read. Not many people would be able to handle the hand she was dealt. I wish we had gotten more of her building up her dream aka the music hall and actually seen her basking in her success.

I must say my rating has a lot to do with the way the storyline went. I think that the conflict between Regina and Broderick was way too drawn out. It was almost at the end when Broderick finally came to his senses and found out the whole truth about why Regina wanted to leave and what she wanted to do. If that happened at least at the 60% mark we would have seen more of them growing as a couple and building music hall and turning Regina's dream into reality. I would have gladly given 5 stars if that happened. I still enjoyed the book and it was such a page turner but I just wish we got to see more of this than Broderick being an ass most of the book.

I'm so intrigued by the next book because apparently Gertrude is going to end up with Stephen's dad and when I think about that my brain is like 'can't compute'.

Another in this series by Christi Caldwell. An enjoyable story of relationships fraught with difficulties set in the regency period. A tale with a difference which was very well received.

I have been struggling to find my next read after so many fantastic mysteries/thrillers, so I was incredibly excited to find I had been approved for an e-arc of The Governess. I immediately downloaded and stayed up late into the night to finish. Independent women, family loyalty, and simmering, tension filled romance made for a divine read. As usual Christi Caldwell has written a smart historical romance with multidimensional characters. If you haven’t read any of her books, and enjoy romances that feature intelligent women, men who come to appreciate them for that, and relationships that develop overtime then you should definitely check them out.


Thank you Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review.

WELL THIS WAS DELIGHTFUL. The heroine was A++, there was delightful pining to go around, and now all I want is Gertrude & Nobility Dad’s book (misnomer credit goes to Rachel). As always there was SO MUCH PLOT packed in here and I wish a few subplots had gotten more development (I would have loved the twist with Broderick and the Duchess yo have gone on a bit longer!), and I do wish there has been more action (vs buildup) re: the marquess’ revenge. Stephen was also a LITTLE SHIT THE WHOLE BOOK lord so let’s hope his attitude improves next book after having been shot.

NONETHELESS this sparked joy within me and that is what is important so yay.

I truly enjoyed this next novel in The Wicked Wallflowers series. It was a great read. I could not put it down! The past always comes back to haunt us, but the ones who accept you for who are are the best of people. Regina Spark has her own secrets, just like Broderick Killoran. Broderick saved Reggie years ago and she keeps her love for him a secret. Reggie has plans to open a music hall to help women survive on their own. She does not want to be the girl she was before. Broderick helped to her to see the strength she could have. Due to misinformation, Broderick assumes Reggie is betraying him and blackmails her. Broderick is a powerful, intimidating, ruthless, and protective man. He begins to see Reggie is a new light when she stands up to him and tries to fight his feelings towards her. While they keep their secrets, both their pasts begin to have an impact on their future and those they both love.

Yet another great book in this series! I enjoyed the growth off Broderick & Reggie. I wish to have seen more punishment to the evil person in Reggie’s past. Guess that makes me bloodthirsty!! Also, an interaction between Broderick’s Duke of his early years, and if he was ever forgiven, or still held responsible for the sins of others.

Look forward to Gertrude’s book and challenges she might may face!!

I am quite familiar with this author and have read several of her novels. Some have been hit or miss. This one was pleasantly good. I admired Regina's strength and determination to forge her own destiny outside of the hero's club. She has good reasons to leave and I was hoping the hero would understand sooner than he did. His determination to force Regina to comply with his demands forced a rift in their sweet friendship but I also think it forced him to truly see Regina for who she truly was. And that fire that burned between them grew and spread to real love. Both are good people at heart in spite of their circumstances. Too often these novels are written where the heroine is of lower class and anxious to make a match with a Duke. But here we have a couple of lower class making a difference within their communities.
Very well done and moving scenes. I'm glad the hero finally opened his eyes.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.