An uptight virgin and a unshockable actress meet on a street. This is not the usual scenario in regency romance books. The heroine, Clara, saves the hero, Henry. I thought the story of a forty year old Earl finding his love of his life with a woman from the slums and welcoming her into his home a bit of a stretch. I received an ARC form NetGalley for my honest review.

How can you not love a Christi Caldwell novel and The Spitfire (Book 5 in the Wicked Wildflowers series), is no exception. I was so thrilled to read another book in the series and have loved every one of them. But getting to the latest addition, and this can be read as a stand-alone book (but why would you not read more).
The book begins with an engaging start with Henry Marsh, the Earl of Waterson, lying in a pool of blood, lamenting the loss of his life and all that he had failed to achieve. However, it soon becomes apparent to the reader, and to Henry, that he has been attacked but is not dead, and will soon be saved by Clara Winters. Clara, a former courtesan and madam, trying to build a music hall in a seedy area of London, has seen it all but still finds it in herself to save another person from danger. Saving Henry from his attackers, she drags him to her home and tends his wounds, whilst worrying that he will die in her bed. When he finally recovers enough to leave, he then returns to thank Clara properly, only to find her gone from her home. As it turns out, Clara has returned to a gaming den, in an attempt to save money to finish her music hall. She only meets Henry again, when he signs the paperwork to shut down her hall. From this encounter onwards, Henry and Clara find themselves secretly fascinated by the other but struggling to overcome the many hurdles that face them.
Both characters were quite different from the norm, with Clara’s insecurities always bubbling aware at the surface, despite her hard exterior. Henry, whilst considered driven and conservative, begins to display his emotions and appears quite relaxed with it all. The romance between them is electric and yet well restrained. I also found Henry’s two sisters quite interesting and hope to see more about them in the future. This was a delightful story and I look forward to more books in this series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have to say I loved this book. I’ve read and liked several of this author’s books. I like that I was made to slow down to savor the story. The writing style is very descriptive which drew me into the story even more. This couple had some incredible odds to overcome. It kinda broke my heart to hear the heroine repeatedly refer to herself as a whore but this was historically appropriate given her circumstances. It was a sweet slow burn romance. There is some intimacy but it is tastefully done. I plan to go back and read the series from the start. Thank you for allowing me to review an advanced copy.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

The Spitfire is book #5 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. Even though it's a departure from the Killoran family featured in the first four books, and wasn't in Caldwell's original plans for the series, this is the best book of the five.

Clara Winters has left behind the life as a courtesan and madam to become a self-made woman by opening a respectable music hall to be enjoyed by the masses. Henry March is an earl living a tightly-ordered life, obsessed with creating law and order across London. A late-night attack in Clara's neighborhood leaves Henry nearly dead and Clara as his rescuer and nurse. Despite the provoking thoughts and interesting banter the two have, can their new-found friendship survive Henry's return to politics?

This story didn't have an insta-love situation and instead, Clara and Henry grow to know and love each other over many weeks. Both characters changed a lot from their involvement in each other's lives. Clara grew beyond the shell of a woman who was burdened by her past and Henry emerged as a person who learned to love and appreciate who was around him, not just what he could accomplish.

The plot was engaging and moved quickly. Neither Clara nor Henry are perfect, and their flaws play well into the story. The first chapter kicks off so unconventionally that you can't help but be hooked.

Henry's sister, Lila, was a great supporting character in this story. She has her own demons and they won't be easy to conquer. I'm hoping that she gets her own book someday, as her story is bound to be compelling.

This book was nearly a five-star review from me, which is rare. The reason it lost half a star is a sad but increasingly recent trend in historical romances: there is no epilogue. The final chapter did bring the main plot to a satisfying conclusion. But I want a look at the "ever after" part of happily ever after. I'm left wondering too much⁠—will they actually get married, will society cause problems, will they ever have children, and much more. Does all of that need answered? No. But without any of it, this story ends with a happily for now.

The Spitfire ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Christi Caldwell

Clara Winters wanted a business of her own. A business that would be run and owned by a woman. She has led her a horrific life forced into prostitution both as a Madame and a courtesan.
She is more than familiar with gaming hells and noble man. She has begun a journey to open a musical right in the Dials.

She lives on the east end in that area and it is while she’s going home she finds a nobleman Henry March being beaten and stabbed by ruffians. She comes to his aid bringing him back to her apartment and nurses him. This is the beginning of her change and his change. He is a 42-year-old man never married no children, devoted to his family. Henry is so remarkably impressed by her she challenges him at every twist and turn.

This is quite an intense story both characters have suffered in their own way. It is only through this author that you could understand their dilemmas. Some people may not like a character like Clara but she truly was dealt a bad hand. Even Henry he too has suffered and so has his family.

I believe this is the final book of the series by Miss Caldwell and I must say I have enjoyed the series totally. If you love romance you will love the series.

Christi Caldwell is one of my go-to authors when I want an historical romance to read and this series in particular has been one of my all-time favorites. Needless to say, I have been waiting to learn Clara's backstory because I knew there was more to her character than met the eye. I was not disappointed. I knew it would be gritty and heartbreaking and it was. I can always count on Christi Caldwell for that. From the moment I began reading I was fully engrossed. My one complaint is that toward the end, things began to feel a bit rushed and there was a huge revelation about our hero I didn't see coming. I thought it would have had more meaning if we had known this fact about him up front instead of finding out the way we did. But having said that, I enjoyed this book tremendously and I highly recommend.

Clara Winters is finally able to move beyond her life as a courtesan and madam and back to her love of theatre. She and her only friend in the world, Regina Killoran, are opening a respectable, vice free music hall. But when Clara rescues an injured man from the streets of St. Giles and brings him home, she quickly discovers him to be Henry March, the Earl of Waterson, and realizes no good can come of her nursing a powerful nobleman.

Henry is dazzled by his angelic savior and the challenges she throws at his views about the lower classes. Henry soon returns to his staid, dutiful existence only to discover, two months after his rescue, that a political bargain he's entered into has unforeseen consequences for Clara and her livelihood. Now Henry must decide if his dreams of establishing a unified police force are worth the harm their realization will bring to Clara, especially when her music instruction begins to breathe new life into Henry's reclusive, traumatized sister.

Poor Henry was a good man, looking out for the well-being of others in most all of his doings, but he was utterly clueless. I've never been a huge fan of Clara as a secondary character in other books, but I was still looking forward to her story. I didn't much care for her brash manner, but it did make sense given her past and her current motivations. All that also made her character development, as well as Henry's, all the more enjoyable. It was great to see them both change their perceptions of the world and each other and choose each other despite all the factors that could keep them apart. This was a slower burn than I've grown accustomed to in this series, but it worked for these characters. Christi has done it again and I wound up loving it. Also, I now need Lila to have her own book.

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

Leaving behind her life as a courtesan and madam, Clara Winters is moving far from the sinful life to which she was accustomed in the gaming hell the Devil’s Den. Her more reputable and fulfilling endeavor is a music hall for the masses. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Christi Caldwell is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read with an improbable, slow-burn romance and a villain of whom you are happy to see the end. It was also nice to visit with Reggie Killoran again. I never really loved Henry, but I was so very happy that he wasn’t a man ‘ho. I thoroughly appreciated Clara as a heroine because she had overcome so much in her life, yet she wasn’t hard and cold – even though she tried to be. I also loved that the book wasn’t filled with angst. There was a bit of repetitive introspection, but not page after page after page of angst.

The book gets right into the action and excitement with Henry being attacked with the intention to murder him in St. Giles. He doesn’t make it easy for his assailants – he just keeps refusing to die. When he is totally unconscious and being dragged down an alleyway, a savior appears.

Henry March, the Earl of Waterson, is a prig of a man – uptight, regimented, fully focused on his role in parliament and totally unaware of how those who are less fortunate than he lives their lives. His parent’s marriage was a cold one – totally a business affair. Henry fully intended to follow along the same lines. Henry is also full to overflowing with guilt. Unjustified guilt, but he feels it anyway. His younger sister was caught in the riots at Peterloo and she’s been traumatized and withdrawn from the world since then. Henry blames himself for not getting her out of there sooner.

Clara Winters, former actress, whore, and madam finally has a future to which she looks forward. She and her friend Reggie Killoran are building a music hall in St. Giles. Clara will have a secure future and will be able to provide jobs for others who don’t want to have to sell their bodies in order to survive. She’s worked so very hard – and overcome so much – and she’s still almost afraid to hope that it will all work.

I loved the way Clara pulled at Henry – and Henry pulled at Clara even though neither of them wanted that. Henry began to learn what it was like for those less fortunate than himself and it was good to watch his growth as a person. Though this a very highly unlikely match, I still enjoyed the story.

I would have liked to learn what happened with the villain – and to see his punishment. That ending felt a little rushed to me. I know that Henry got his licks in, but – did he kill the villain? I don’t think so – but I didn’t really learn. The perfect thing, in my humble opinion, would have been for the villain to have been tried and convicted – transported would have been good given that he was a slaver – AND – I would have loved for his association with Lord Peerson to have been made public so Peerson could have some punishment as well. Something I didn’t understand was Henry’s older sister. Was her husband a peer? If so, why wasn’t she living in their home awaiting the birth of the child that would become the heir to that title if it was a boy? It just seemed odd that she was living with her brother rather than her deceased husband’s family.

I hope you’ll read and enjoy this book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christi Caldwell - The Spitfire
I was given an advanced reading copy to review by the publisher.

Coming into it at first, the book seemed like it was going to be very long. Perhaps it was because I was reading on my phone.

while the book wasn’t a long read, it was in no ways a short read.

The length was perfect, I just wish that there was an epilogue.

Clara was a former whore and madam and with her friend and business partner Reggie. They built and opened up the music hall together.

Henry used to be a strait-laced serious man. Clara changed everything.

I had a great time reading this book.

This was a great story. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. The chemistry between Clara and Henry is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover. I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Spitfire by Christi Caldwell is book 5 of the Wicked Wildflowers series. I’ve read the other novels and enjoyed them, so when I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I quickly accepted. My opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.

Wow, just wow! My attention was grabbed from the first page, and I remained enthralled until the end. Ms. Caldwell brings us a very unique heroine in Clara Winters. Then add a beta male hero, and you end up with a fascinating reading experience. Lots of emotional writing in The Spitfire!

Clara Winters is such an interesting and unusual heroine. She lost sight of her great love for music when a man convinces her she has no talent, other than as a courtesan. Now, she has a chance to return to her passion. Her insecurities are real and emotional, and they pulled at my heartstrings. I could understand why she feels she would be unworthy of true love.

Henry Marsh, the Earl of Waterson, is a man driven by events that happened during the Peterloo Massacre, which left his youngest sister changed forever. I could understand his drive to create a police force, but it caused him to sacrifice a few of his principles to accomplish his goal, believing that justified the means. He is not ruthless, but just unable to see anything but his goal. Until he meets Clara.

When she saves his life, he’s astonished by her willingness to put her own life in harm’s way for a stranger. He’s so mystified and drawn to her, even though he knows she was a courtesan. When his sister shows interest in music and wants Clara to give her lessons, he is so desperate to get her to agree, he lies to gain he cooperation. However, his conscience digs at him, especially after they become lovers.

The romance between Clara and Henry is tantalizing and fierce, with each having their own reasons as to why they believe it can never work. I loved the sexual tension between them. Ms. Caldwell is a master at creating that tension. Although, it seems impossible for lasting love, I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.

If you enjoy historical romance with plenty of deep emotion and characters that you’ll fall in love with, then you will love this novel as much as I. While it’s not necessary to read the other books in this series to understand The Spitfire, I do recommend reading them. They are all outstanding, and some of the secondary characters are from the previous books. Happy reading!

I really enjoyed the heroine in The Spitfire. She’s brave, kind, and the ultimate example of horrible circumstances overcome by an indelible spirit. The hero was a conundrum. He supposedly had all this honor, but repeatedly threw it out the window when Lord Pearson didn’t agree to his new terms. I wish he showed more consistent backbone. ***SPOILER ALERT*** I like the twist of him being a 40 year old virgin.

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

Fans of Caldwell’s series will not be disappointed with Clara and Henry’s story. Cheers for giving Clara the HEA she truly deserves. The Spitfire is definitely worth your time.!

I read recently that “romance novels provide a unique reminder that we share a common humanity”. This entire Wicked Wallflower series has been a testament to that. As a reader, I have become so deeply immersed in these characters. Some of them I didn’t always agree with or approve of their choices. But Christi Caldwell has written each character so exquisitely that I can’t help but identify with them, feel everything they’re feeling, and delight when they find the love and happiness they deserve.

Historical romance is my favorite genre but sometimes the same old tropes get old. I get tired of squeaky clean, innocent heroines. Or, if they’re “experienced”, they’re widows. Christi Caldwell doesn’t fall into that virgin romance trap with The Spitfire. I think that’s why Clara’s character appealed to me so much. No woman chooses the life Clara led. She was a victim of circumstances out of her control. She did what she had to do to survive. Many readers may have an aversion to a character like Clara but as her story is revealed, you can’t help but empathize with her. Those life experiences make her such a rich character. She wore a protective shell but she was still vulnerable beneath it. She was still a woman who dreamed of a happy ever after. And one who deserved that.
Henry led a charmed life compared to Clara’s but he still had tragic events in his life that shaped him. After the death of his father, he’d gone straight from University to responsibilities of the estate and his family. He’d focused on a staid, proper, and dutiful life. After the attack on his sister, Lila, he’d been even more focused on his work. All his efforts centered on his work as an MP, enacting legislation that would spare others the fate of his sister. He’d had no control in the death of his father, nor any control in the events affecting his family. His work as MP was the one thing he could control. Much like Clara’s club was her way to finally have control of her life. They both were such emotionally intense characters, I couldn’t help but become invested in their shame, their fears, their hopes. Though from completely different worlds, neither was immune to darkness. Clara had only been surviving. Henry had only been focused on duty. Neither was truly living. With each other’s help, they learned love wasn’t about control. It was about supporting each other through the struggles life throws at you.
As in all the books from this series, this story is intense and deeply emotional. I love the way Christi Caldwell keeps readers from dissolving into tears by adding lighter, more humorous moments. Henry’s mother was one character that made me chuckle. The spin she could put on events to keep them from appearing scandalous was amusing. The banter and teasing between Clara and Henry was delightful. Their true personalities sparkled when together and it made them even more loveable to me. They were completely different people when together.
The entire disparity between Clara’s and Henry’s classes would have seemed insurmountable had it not been for how beautifully Ms Caldwell gifted me with glimpses of both sides. Henry had never given thought to his privilege or the lack of privilege others had. He’d rather distrusted the working class. Clara opened his eyes to the narrow view he’d held of the world. And he did the same for her. She’d painted all the nobility with the same brush. And as she became hardened by all she’d endured, she’d grown to paint all men with the same brush as well. But Henry didn’t treat her as other men had. He didn’t throw her past in her face. And he didn’t expect her to use her body as repayment for his help. Through him, Clara saw that there were men of honor, convictions, and integrity.
If you’ve followed this series, you will be thrilled with this last installment. And if you’ve not read the series yet, what are you waiting for? This entire series is about as close to pure romance perfection as you can get.

Clara doesn't know if she should get involved when she sees a man being beaten up, but she ends up chasing the ruffians away and caring for him at her place. She doesn't have time to take care of the man as she is trying to get her business up and running. But she knows that nothing good can come from a nobleman dying on her, so she does her best to see to his care. He soon leaves and he is but a memory until she is evicted from her place of business. When she learns that the person responsible for the eviction is none other that the nobleman she nursed back to health, she decides that she hasn't seen the last of him yet.

Henry thinks he has awaken to an angel when he sees Clara. But soon learns that the spitfire is definitely no angel! When he is well enough to travel home, he gets back to his well ordered life. But he can't seem to get Clara out of his mind. When she barges into his home, demanding answers, he is even more intrigued.

Can this former madam and current MP find their HEA when their lives are so different?

I loved Clara and Henry's story! Clara had been disappointed in so many people and events throughout her life that she wasn't going to sit down and let Henry take her future. I loved her drive that pushed her to fight for what she wanted in life. She didn't let her circumstances defeat her. I also really liked Henry. After he let out the starch in his collar, he became a fun loving guy and perfect for Clara!

I have loved this series so much and am sad to see it is over, but Caldwell's upcoming series is tied to it so hopefully we will continue to see our favorite characters!

Hooray! Brava, Congratulations! In The SpitfireI have finally read a book where the woman has the past as a courtesan/madam while the hero is NOT a man-ho. I repeat, not a man-ho. Let’s see what else, well he is the requisite close to ten years older than the heroine, but this time he’s actually in his forties and she is in her thirties. She is determined to make her own way out from underneath her past, no man need apply. He is determined to make life better and safer for the lower classes without having the faintest idea of what their lives are really like.
Henry March, Lord Waterson is stabbed and almost beaten to death in London’s St Giles slum. He is rescued by Clara Winters, the aforementioned fallen woman. Clara is involved in an endeavor with Reggie Broderick to open a music hall, The Muses, that in no way will resemble a sinful establishment. Instead it will offer a chance for women to lead a respectable life.
Taking care of a lord and realizing he could die while under Clara’s care is not a part of her life’s plan. But Clara’s heart is as big as her plans and she can not leave him to die.
Waterson is known as Lord Proper, a stuffy, uninteresting man. He cares only for his family and his duties as a member of parliament. He leads a proper stultifying life, everything in is place, a place for everything. Clara Winters definitely does not have a place in his life, even though he is beyond grateful to her for saving his life.
Henry repays Clara by signing a cease and desist letter for shutting down Clara’s dream, the Muses. Signing the letter was part of a house of cards that Henry constructed to get support for starting a national police force. He didn’t know it was Clara’s establishment. However it turns out that Henry can embrace “honor, be damned” and betray Clara again, while falling in love with her. Neat trick.
I’ve spent a lot of time writing about Clara and Henry. Caldwell is an accomplished writer, and her characters are one of her main strengths. She loves writing about the dark side of English society as evidenced by the Wicked Wallflower series of which The Spitfire is the final book, a very satisfying ending.
The Spitfire also demonstrates Caldwell’s freshness and originality. My one caveat, Clara is too quick to forgive Henry’s betrayal. I guess if someone takes a bullet for you…oh come on, there is almost always a bullet or fever or both in a HR.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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A wonderful end to this series that I've mostly enjoyed.

The story of Clara and Henry is original and an absolute delight. I loved that we had a hero who was 42 and a heroine who was 33. Bravo!

Christi Caldwell is one of my favourite authors and I was not disappointed with this instalment of the Wicked Wallflowers series. It was great to read the story of Clara Winters who had had a very difficult start in life but emerged with grit, determination and a passionate drive to fulfil her dreams. As the development of her music hall comes to its end she comes across two thugs attacking Henry March, a Parliamentary reformer. As she nurses him back to life, she has to rethink her long held distrust of men. Henry too, re-evaluates his decisions and starts to find life outside duty and parliament.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All comments are my own.

This newest installment of Caldwell's series following the Killorans warmed the hell out of my heart when I particularly needed warming: I read it in a big binge after getting off my shift on a crisis line that ended with a call intended to make me uncomfortable, and this was just the thing to take my mind off of it!

We've met the book's heroine, Clara, before in the Killoran series, but we got to know her better in the last book, The Governess. A former sex worker turned brothel madam turned independent business woman, Clara has always been very clear that she wants something of her own, that a man has not given her. She wants to make a difference for women who have been forced by circumstances into sex work by giving them the opportunity to work at her music hall, which is entirely above board. That is, until Henry March, the Earl of Waterson (and the man she herself saved from near death at the hands of street toughs), has her music hall shut down for being "improper", despite not actually believing it IS improper.

'Between the demands of his political career, which he hopes to use for the greater good, and his concern for his family, Henry thankfully isn't the stodgy misogynist his actions might make him out to be, for which I was pretty grateful! In the end, The Spitfire is a really lovely story of a man in a rigidly proper society completely accepting and not at all judging the woman he admires for her resilience and ability to thrive no matter what. The support Clara receives, and Caldwell's lack of judgment for her past in sex work is a beautiful thing, and one I'm glad is getting more and more traction in the world of romance novels!! I highly recommend it!