The Spitfire is the fifth and final book in author Christi Caldwell’s “Wicked Wallflowers” series. I do believe this story could easily work as a standalone, but Ms. Caldwell’s books are a joy to read and I highly recommend you read the entire series! :-)

Henry March the Earl of Waterson is known to be rather stodgy and always proper. At nearly forty-two years old he lives a well-ordered existence until he almost dies on the streets of St. Giles. Waking up in an unknown apartment he realizes he has been rescued and taken care of by an unexpected angel, Clara Winters.

Clara Winters is no angel! She’s the daughter of a famed actress who angered the wrong man and found herself without options long ago. After spending her young life as a courtesan and then a madam, she now has left the business and is working to rebuild her life and help young women like herself.

What a fantastic couple! I absolutely adored these two, they are total opposites but yet absolutely perfect for each other. Clara brought out a side of Henry that was missing and I loved the banter and the chemistry between them. Clara has not had an easy life, but I respected and admired her for trying to make a better life for herself and for the women who also found themselves in similar situations. She was a fabulous heroine, strong, determined and intelligent but yet there’s still a vulnerability to her that thinks she’s not worthy of someone like Henry.  As for Henry, Oh my! He’s so serious, focused, and driven that he lives a black and white only life, with no shades in between, until Clara. I loved his devotion to his family and that he never treated Clara differently because of her past, he treated her as an equal. The relationship between Henry and his family was fun to watch as they notice the changes in him. There were some wonderful secondary characters in this story and the writing was as always excellent! Although this series is now coming to an end, I do hope we get to see these characters again in some of Ms. Caldwell’s future books. This was a fabulous read and one I highly recommend!

Another very good book by Christi Caldwell. Clara Winters is a woman struggling to overcome her past and build a good life for her and other similar men and women. A former courtesan and madam, she is determined to build a music hall in the worst area of London. One night she rescues an injured man and her life is irrevocably changed. Henry March, Earl of Waterson, is hard-working Member of Parliament, determined to create a national police force. Little did they both know, their goals would be in direct conflict.

The main characters had a lot to overcome in this story. Henry, in particular, was required to reevaluate his thinking about his personal life and the status of classes of people. Clara needed to open her eyes and her heart to new possibilities.I thoroughly enjoyed their story and I enjoyed reconnecting with other "Wicked Wallflowers." A solid historical romance.

ARC provided through Netgalley.

Wow! I absolutely LOVED this final book in the Wicked Wallflowers series. I have read the previous four books and, even though I loved The Bluestocking, this one was better. My favourite of the series which surprised me.
I didn't particularly care for Clara, a former courtesan and madam, in The Governess (book 3) so was hesitant to read a whole book with her as the heroine. Well I'm glad I did. Clara was determined to open a music hall with her friend Reggie (heroine of book 3). She wanted to be independent and not have to depend on a man ever again. She had been used and hurt in the past and was not going to let it happen again.
On her way home one evening she finds a man being beaten by two thugs in an alley. Going against her feelings, she rescues him. Once she has him safe and cleaned up in her rooms does she discover he’s Henry March, Earl of Waterson. A nobleman.
Henry wakes to find Clara, a beautiful blonde taking care of him. Henry, who is a very orderly and controlled man, instantly feels attraction to her.
Unfortunately, they will end up having to deal with each other in unexpected ways throughout the story. Will Henry ease his tightly woven strings in his life? Will he give up his dream of a police force for a woman not of his class? Will Clara have her dream of a music hall? Will she learn to trust a man again?
Some of my favourite aspects of this book was the ages of the characters (Clara in her 30's and Henry in his early 40's), the setting in both ends of London (East End London and Mayfair), and learning about the Peterloo Massacre.
Definitely read this book, the whole series if you haven't already done so.
I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Spitfire is the fifth and final installment in Christi Caldwell’s Wicked Wallflowers series and it is an absolutely delicious treat! And guess what? It can totally be read as a standalone! I know this comes as a surprise because most of Caldwell’s books are so intricately connected with one another that they usually can’t be read as standalone. But this one can definitely be read as a standalone! And you’re lucky because, in my humble opinion, The Spitfire is by far the best book in this series. In fact, I will go so far as to declare that The Spitfire is probably my favourite historical romance released in 2019 and that’s saying a lot coming from me.

The Spitfire is one of the most emotionally intense books I’ve read, but it is not devoid of humour. In fact, Caldwell masters the perfect blend of emotional intensity, humour, and steam in The Spitfire. This book is steamier than the previous books and it also carries the kind of emotional intensity that I usually only find in Meredith Duran and Sherry Thomas books, maybe a few Lisa Kleypas and Kerrigan Byrne books. And by emotional intensity, I don’t necessarily mean angst. I mean, the kind of love story that punches you in the gut, sweeps you off your feet, and consumes your every thought and emotion. The kind of book that you don’t want to finish reading because you don’t want to let go of the characters. The kind of love story that you love with every fibre of your being. Well, at least, that's how it was for me.

Clara is a former courtesan and madam who has worked hard to start anew and build a theatre in the Dials, along with her business partner (the heroine from The Governess, which I wasn't a fan of, unfortunately). Her life is temporarily thrown upside down when she saves an injured man from the streets and nurses him back to health. The two connect with each other in an authentic way and strike up an unlikely friendship, even though the man, Henry, is a nobleman. Months later, Clara receives a cease and desist weeks before her theatre's opening. Imagine her fury and disappointment when she finds out that Henry, the Earl of Waterson, is the one who’s directly responsible for the cease and desist. And Henry is about to learn that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I know that my little summary here is making Henry seem like the enemy, but there’s a lot more to the story that I’m keeping out because I don’t want to ruin it for everyone.

My God. The anticipation level in this book was just off the charts. I was literally dying for Clara and Henry to meet again after she saved his life. The fucking chemistry was electrifying. Clara and Henry are such vivid characters – they leaped off the pages and grabbed hold of my heart and haven’t quite let go of me. Henry is by all means a stuffy, prim, and proper lord (she calls him Lord Proper lol). Meanwhile, Clara is a passionate, fierce, and unstoppable woman. When these two clash, Clara is determined to make the proper lord lose his cool and the tension between them is just sizzling. And the best thing about Henry and Clara is that they are both so darn likable. They are also pretty unconventional for a historical romance hero and heroine: Henry is almost 42 years old, while Clara herself is not only a former courtesan, but 33 years old at that. Henry is genuinely honourable and I empathized when he found himself in a difficult and impossible political situation, even if he did make some wrong choices. Clara is such an admirable heroine and I couldn’t help but appreciate her strength and determination to achieve her dreams. If you read a lot historical romance like I do, then you know that the businesswoman trope that has taken over this genre is not always well executed. But this trope works so damn well in The Spitfire. The author authentically depicts the struggles and challenges women like Clara face when they try to rise and lead a different path in life. These challenges are true to Clara’s station, to the women who are just like her, and to her time period. This is no 21st century woman wearing period clothes who’s stuck in a wallpaper historical romance.

I loved everything about this book. Caldwell did a fantastic job bringing these two characters together, no matter how unconventional it is to pair up a former courtesan with a proper Earl. The ending is a bit rushed and the mystery is rather conveniently solved, but the romance in itself is satisfying. An epilogue is not needed, but I would love one regardless because I just love Henry and Clara so much. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to move on to another book.

The Spitfire is one of my favorite reads this year! Clara and Waterson's story natural and they oozed chemistry off the page. From the first meeting, you knew these two were what each other needed and I was excited to see how their story unfolded!

Clara was such a bad** heroine who was full of strength and determination. She was abused and used for years as a courtesan that would have destroyed most women, but she found a way not to be a victim of her circumstances. She learned to not let her past define who she was but instead was determined to rise above her circumstances a find a way to support herself and not to rely on the fancies of fickle men.

Waterson was the hero I never knew I needed! A true epitome of a good guy who desperately wanted to make the world a safer place. He was driven by his past failures to protect those he loved but put his own life on hold trying to rectify his mistakes. Waterson lost what it meant to feel and live and was really just a shell of man

Clara and Waterson were each others saving grace. Waterson was the first man to see Clara, not as a piece of flesh to be used but as a woman deserving of respect and love. He never once judged her life and allowed her to be real and vulnerable. Clara was the first women to bring color and vibrancy to Waterson's life. She opened is eyes to the world he was trying to save and allowed him to be free and to enjoy life. Clara also appreciated that Waterson was the good guy and wasn't trying to change him but just him to see the world fully and not through narrow eyes.

It was great fun watching these two people come alive. They each were the healing balm to old dark wounds. Clara and Waterson had an emotional journey to their HEA and it's a journey well worth taking.

*********REceived and ARC via Netgalley*********

The Spitfire is Clara Winters and Henry March, the Earl of Waterson's story, 5th and last in the Wicked Wallflower Series. This is a standalone, no cheating, happily ever after historical romance with lots of sizzle.
This story has well developed characters, danger, intrigue and sizzling chemistry between Clara and Henry.
Christi has taken a character without a good reputation, and as you see the world through her(Clara’s) eyes, transforms her into a strong heroine that is likeable and one of whom we want to see have a happy ending. Henry, who exudes everything that is quality, becomes an unlikely hero; he is dazzled by Clara, his angel, when he was dying. With twist and turns, Clara and Henry, opposites in many ways, find that they are better together.
I love Christi’s writing style and always look forward to her next book.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review.

Although this is the last book in the Wicked Wallflower series it can still be read as a stand alone novel.
It has all the elements we have come to expect from Christie Caldwell an attractive lord and a lowly women with a doubtful reputation but as we all know love has no boundaries.
Evil villains and underhand actions are all here with a fantastic love story so just sit back and relax and jump in.you won’t be able to put it down.

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

Clara Winters is finally coming close to getting her dream of having a music hall done, when one day she stumbles across an injured man and decides to help him recover. As the days pass she discovers he is an important man; Henry March, The Earl of Waterson. She then decides to wait until he is better and let him go.
Months later she receives an order that she is to close her new establishment and that Henry is behind it, she gets furious and goes to confront him, and them truly begins their wonderful love story.
I loved their story, it was delightful to see Henry and Clara as they found true love, and the way Clara finally understood that she wasn't any less as a person because of her past was emotional and beautiful.