I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

I will admit that before lock down started, I hadn't really any intention of reviewing historical romance, but those books have been some of the only ones I've wanted to read during this weird time, and I discovered Jess's books. The Love of a Libertine was so enjoyable, that I couldn't wait to have The Heart of a Hellion available. This time, we follow another one of the bastard children of the late Duke of Roseford, Selina Oliver, who is struggling now that her brother, Robert, is wanting to have a bigger role in her life. Selina has a secret - she is in fact the Faceless Fox, a jewel thief who is neigh on invisible, and only steals from women who have been horrendous to others in the past. Now, at a house party hosted by her brother, she is seeking the prized Breston necklace from the awful Lady Winford. With her companion and accomplice, Vale, she has it all planned out, but those plans are scuppered when Derrick Huntington and his friend and colleague, Edward Barber, arrive. They are investigators, on the lookout for the Fox, but under the assumption that the Fox is a man. Selina needs to get close to Derrick to see how much he knows, but soon she falls head over heels, and risks it all. Derrick, as the grandson of an Earl, is somewhat at home with the upper crust in society, but since returning home from war, with injuries, he's eschewed all that, and dove into his investigations. He wants to find the Fox, but every moment he spends with Selina is reawakening part of him he never thought would return, and he can't let himself believe his worst fears that one he is seeking, is in fact that women he loves.

This was a story that hooked you from page one, and wouldn't let go until you knew that Selina and Derrick were happy. Both were fantastic main characters, who's backgrounds were fraught with pain and misery, and were getting themselves together. Neither really believed they were deserving of love, but were more than happy to seek their release and have fun with the other, and it was inevitable that they would fall quickly, and completely. I couldn't help but ship them together, and when the unavoidable angst occurred, and it was revealed Selina was the Fox, I honestly didn't know how Jess would resolve it all! But resolve it she did, and I loved it! I'm even more desperate for more of her work now, and think that The Matter of a Marquess will be Nicholas' story - or at least, I hope it will be!

I liked the chemistry between Selina, a jewel thief, and Derrick, the investigator sent to catch her. I did not find it believable that she would be allowed to reform and be let go scot-free! I received an ARC from NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for my honest review.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Jess Michaels, series, do I need say more? A series of glorious bastards who come together, no matter their pasts, to support each other and bring them love. Great series.

The Heart of a Hellion, was not what I expected. I expected a Robinhood type story. I guess we got half of that. Derrick is too smart for his own good and Selina's. I was very happy how the book ended.