Emily Sullivan does it again! Another delightful adventure with the League of Scoundrels. I loved this one with the mystery to solve and the unavoidable steam. Definitely recommend!

It's so hard to talk about books that were just... fine.

This was fine! It was kinda/sorta good. I picked up The Hellion and the Hero because I really enjoyed the earlier books in the series, especially the first, A Rogue to Remember. That first book blew my socks off, especially as a debut. To me, it is a perfect hist-rom for the 2020s: classic and fresh-feeling at the same time.

While reading Hellion, I found myself constantly comparing it (unfavorably) to Rogue. The two books are very similar: second-chance romances between privileged former debutantes and admired-but-conflicted spies. Hellion is pitched as inspired by Persuasion, but the same could be said about either novel. Both are second-chance stories that include multiple misguided and/or deceitful family members that convinced the couple to separate the first time around, leading the hero to leave and find success in the military.

The similarities just made me miss the magic of Rogue. There's nothing very wrong with Hellion, exactly, it just never comes together for me. Looking back, it's all a bit muddy. I couldn't identify specific moments of change for the characters, or even moments of heightened intensity. The romance was kept at a low, monotonous volume until it was time to wrap up.

It's still a perfectly fine book. Plenty of what I loved in the first book did carry over. I still quite like Sullivan's prose, and the familiar-but-new settings make the stories feel fresh. And I quite like these characters individually, even if I wasn't sold on their coming-together. There's little I want to complain about here, but nothing I was excited about either.

Thank you to Forever for the advance review copy of this title. No money changed hands for this review and all opinions are my own.

A widow, ready to live life on her own terms following the end of a controlling marriage of duty. A former naval officer/spy, burdened by PTSD and the guilt of living a lie. A second chance to claim the kind of love neither thought was meant for them. Is it any wonder I devoured this book like a warm cookie straight from the oven?

Emily Sullivan continues to reel me in with her intriguing plots, relatable characters, well-crafted suspense, and heart-tugging - and sizzling - romance. Georgiana and Henry are both complex, well-developed characters who engaged me both emotionally and intellectually. I love how Sullivan's heroines are of their time but still pushing against their societal boundaries. I couldn't help but cheer for Georgiana to best those determined to stop her efforts to change England's employment landscape.

My heart ached for Henry and all that he had endured. He's a caring man, uncomfortable with his celebrity, who captured my heart. I was with Georgie and Henry every step of the way as they navigated the initial awkwardness of their reunion, along with the long-held bitterness and mistrust between them - feelings that slowly gave way to rekindled attraction, understanding, forgiveness, and more. The "more" including amorous moments in both a carriage and a bathtub. Color me exquisitely satisfied!

With a slow-burn, sensual romance, a mystery that kept me guessing right up to the reveal, a richly-depicted secondary cast that helped move the story forward, and a hard-won happily ever after, Emily Sullivan's The Hellion and the Hero kept me happily engaged from beginning to end. This book stands well on its own but for an added layer of understanding of the main couple I recommend reading book two, The Rebel and the Rake first.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

When I heard this book was inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, I knew that I need to read it.

This second-chance romance is fun, full of heart and steam! Eight years after a blossoming relationship between Henry and Georgiana resulted in heartbreak, the two are brought back into each other orbit's when a mysterious enemy threatens to destroy everything Georgiana has worked for. And the only person that can keep her safe is Henry, former fortune hunter and now a decorated naval hero. Both Georgiana and Henry are determined to keep their distance and protect themselves from heartbreak once again. But as the mysterious enemy ups their antics, Georgiana and Henry are forced under the same roof. Will they be able to stop themselves from falling for each other all over again? And can they forgive their past and find a new path together?

The Hellion and The Hero is a a charming, emotional romance that will have rooting for these two to make it work.

*This is the 3rd book in the series. I didn't read the other two and it didn't feel like I missed anything. I'm definitely going to read the first two!

Thanks so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This Persuasion inspired historical romance grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go.

She abandoned him because her family persuaded her he was nothing but a fortune hunter. That his professed feelings were nothing but artifice. He became a sailor and made his fortune. He's a hero and has every reason to despise her - but she has no one else to turn to.

He can't forget the way she ran roughshod over his heart. But he can't forget the reasons she stole it in the first place either.

This can be their second chance at love or the way they finally say goodbye. Whatever happens, they can't deny the sparks still fly between them.

The Hellion and the Hero is the 3rd installment in the League of Scoundrels series. All of the books in this series can be read as standalones, but I think it’s fun to read them in order. If you read them in order, you’ll be able to pick up on cameos of characters from previous books.

This book follows Lady Georgiana Arlington and Captain Henry Harris. Georgiana is a widow who is now running her own business and pushing for fair wages and safe working conditions for her employees. However, her pursuing these things makes her more enemies than friends. Enter Henry Harris, her former love. Henry is a former fortune hunter turned naval hero turned private investigator. Georgiana’s brother hires Henry to look into the threats against Georgiana and to watch over her.


What You Can Expect:
Second chance romance
A progressive, headstrong heroine
A determined, protective hero

My only complaint is that I wish there was more depth to the characters and the story. I didn’t feel as connected to them as I’d like. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book! Overall, this is a light, fun read. If you’re a fan of second chance romance and historical romance, you should add this to your tbr!

I had every instinct that once I picked up the newest book in Sullivan's ongoing series I wouldn't want to put it down, and I was 100% right. I've been looking forward to Georgiana and Henry's story since <i>Rebel and the Rake</i>, and it delivered without a doubt. Second chance romance + widowed heroine who just wants to take her life back + a hero who's never forgotten about her even after going to the end of the world and back. Loved Henry basically taking on Georgiana's investigation to spite her, loved the tension between these two. A little less angsty than I was expecting, but honestly, I vibed with just about everything this book doled out. Also: "take me instead." ENOUGH SAID.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emily Sullivan is just getting better and better! This is Sullivan's third book as well as the third book in her League of Scoundrel's series, and it has been so much fun to watch her writing grown throughout these charming novels. This second chance romance feels lightly like a Persuasion retelling and it is such an interesting, sensual and romantic take on the classic. Sullivan's writing is well paced, easily accessible, filled with charm, humor and intrigue. Sullivan's characters are well rounded and her world really takes a lovely shape in this novel as we see lots of blending between the last book and this book when it comes to characters and situations.

Lady Georgiana is strong and bold, and many would say a hellion after her husband's death. She has a mysterious enemy who is out to destroy her reputation and livelihood, so her brother hires Captain Henry to be her bodyguard. Few people know that in their youth they were both instantly attracted to each other and both almost took steps to change their course of life and be together, but misunderstanding rips them apart and Georgiana married a man who would help their family out of a financial bind.

This second chance, body guard romance is the perfect set up for these two to final meet on equal footing and rediscover their chemistry for each other and rebuild their love and trust. I love that both Georgiana and Henry are independent, bold and want to get their way. I love that we see them test and challenge each other, as well as learn to work and compromise together at times. I love that Georgiana is strong and does what she wants. I love that Henry admires her strength. This book is sexy and Sullivan really shows the passion they have for each other through the physical exploration of their relationship. Even though these two banter and test each other, we can see through their physical interactions that they implicitly trust each other, respect each other and understand each other. Sullivan balances the mystery, the growth of their relationship, glimpses into the past and hopes for the future beautifully through out this novel and it makes for a quick and delightful read!

I highly recommend this novel and strongly encourage reading book two and book three in the series in order. Emily Sullivan is definitely an auto buy author for me and I am so excite to see where she goes next!

Henry is a Naval spy turned private investigator. When he’s approached about protecting widow Georgiana and her business from threats, he wants nothing to do with the woman who devastated him eight years ago. Can he save her from harm without losing his heart again?

This is a smart, heartwarming story with a fearless heroine determined to make life better for her workers. The pacing was a little slow for me in the beginning but quickly picked up. Henry and Georgiana are endearing and well-developed characters who have to learn to trust each other again after the misunderstandings of the past.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I wasn't fully invested in this story and characters. I wanted something a bit more. The plot was only okay for me as nothing really "wowed" me.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Captain Henry Harris made a mistake eight years ago as a lieutenant and let the woman he loved slip thru his fingers. Lady Georgiana Wilington listened to lies and married for duty. Eight years later, she is at the end of mourning a husband who made her life miserable. Inheriting two fabric factories from her husband, she's made changes improving the conditions of her factories and wants to buy another one, but is threatened not to sign the contracts. Her brother hires Henry to investigate who is behind the threats. Even though the past still stands between Henry and Georgiana, maybe they can trust each other with the truth. A swoon - worthy hero who deserves a second chance with the woman he loves. A romance full of regrets and passion. 🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

He's an investigator, she's a hellion....

I found I quite rather enjoyed The Hellion and the Hero very much, indeed. Set in 1899, it was a fast paced, refereshing second chance book. Henry is a former spy and naval captain, with a limp. He was once infatuated with Georgiana. Georgiana is a very practical person, choosing to marry a title and not Henry, who was a fortune hunter eight years ago. She's now a widow and making changes to her textile mills that have threats directed at her. She is most definitely a hellion. Henry was heartbroken over Georgie choosing to wed someone else. They do have unresolved issues and misunderstandings of their past and don't want to be in each other's company. But Henry will do it for the money.

Very well written and engaging. I thought Henry was great.
Recommend.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 is another favourite for me in a series, 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘴, and by an author, Emily Sullivan, who quickly became a must-read ever since I finished book one. This is just one of those books that is fun to pick up and lived up to all and any expectations I had.

So if you love historical romance with a slice of a Persuasion retelling and a second-chance romance between two main characters who are intelligent, protective, loyal, and driven, then I highly recommend you pick this one up.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC of this!

A great addition to the League of Scoundrels series, this is a well-paced second chance romance with a bit of mystery. I loved the chemistry and feelings that the two main characters already had for each other and the great friend side characters we got to see. This was a pretty low drama historical romance with some feminist fighting capitalism vibes.

Second chance romances are not my favorite tropes, but this was a well written one. Our main characters- Georgiana and Henry, 8 years prior had been in love but a series of misunderstandings due to miscommunication led to them being estranged and Georgiana marrying another man. Now in present day, Georgiana is a wealthy widow who now needs protection due to threats on her life. Enter Henry, our intrepid hero.

Our 2 MCs were both fun. Georgiana was a strong woman of business and Henry was a refreshing change from a Duke. LOL. I wanted them to find their HEA and their steamy scenes were done very well indeed.

My main grouse with this book however is that the miscommunication that existed in the past also was pervasive until almost the end! I would have thought the characters would have grown in that regard, but they had not, and it was quite annoying to have that carry up till about 85% of the book.

The side characters were a lot of fun and ultimately this was a quick, enjoyable read.

Huge thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Lady Georgiana and Captain Henry met several years ago during the London season and fell in love, but a series of miscommunication torr them apart before they could even really begin to love each other. Georgiana married instead for wealth and Henry became a decorated naval officer.

Years pass and Georgiana's brother hires Henry (who is now a private investigator) to find out who is threatening Georgiana and to protect her.

Second chance, bodyguard romance sounds like everything I need in my life. And this was mostly a delight. But the pacing felt off during the middle, it seemed to drag on with no clear goal for too long.

But I did love the angst of the romance and look forward to reading more from this author!

Call this a second chance romance or a Persuasion retelling… I call it perfection!

This series has been a delight from book one and made Emily Sullivan a must read historical romance author, but The Hellion and the Hero is her best work yet! She captures the pinning and the yearning for a different outcome so beautifully and unlike in Jane Austen’s work, she delivers the STEAM!!!

Recently widowed, Lady Georgiana Arlington has been making waves. She has taken over the running of the textile mills her dower provided her deceased husband and is creating an ideal work environment for the ladies working for her. Her competition is furious and threats to her softly have worried were siblings.

In response her brother solicits the investigative skills of their former family friend and unknown to him, the man Georgiana gave up to marry the former Earl, famed war hero Captain Henry Harris.

Neither wants to work together, but the threat to her safety is real and just as serious as the rekindling of their attraction and friendship!

But too much has happened and they are both not the young open hearted optimists of their youth. Their circumstances and nations are still so vastly different that neither knows if love can be enough this time!

Such a powerful pairing! I rooted for these two from the start (or since their story was hinted at in book 2!). This is a must read for HistRom and Austen fans alike!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Grand Central Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.


#TheHellionandtheHero #EmilySullivan #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

The Hellion And The Hero

Out August 23rd!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (5 Stars)
Steam 🌶🌶🌶/5 (multiple descriptive steamy scenes)

No spoiler review 👇🏻👇🏻

This was such a good historical romance! This is my first book by this author! But after this I plan on reading the rest of this series.

This is the 3rd book in the League Of Scoundrels series. It can be read as a stand-alone. But now I want to go back and read more 😍😍

This book follows Henry and Georgiana. 8 years ago they had an attraction, but through some miscommunication and heartbreak they stop being part of each other’s lives. 8 years later, Georgiana finds herself as a widow. She is now running factories and paying a fair wage and looking after her employees. Fellow factory owners are not happy about this, and some serious threats are made against her. Her brother hires Henry, as he is a private investigator. So they are once again in each other's lives… (swipe for a full synopsis)

It was so good! It’s a second chance romance, filled with mutual pining, against, yearning and steam 🥵(omg the bath tub scene though IYKYK). Plus the mystery element around the threats to Georgiana make for such a good story! Their romance was beautiful, and I loved how strong both these characters are, they have been through a lot! I highly recommend this if you are looking for a great historical romance read!
This is a book that reminds me of everything I love about historical romances. It was amazing ❤️

CW: PTSD, a past emotionally abusive relationship.

Thanks to Forever Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

The Hellion and the Hero was the perfect way to get my Bridgerton-esc fix. I absolutely loved this book, and the carriage ride was chef's kiss perfection. The sexual tension was amazing.

The Hellion and the Hero is the third book in the League of Scoundrels series by Emily Sullivan and is a must-read for fans of Bridgerton. I was so excited to read The Hellion and the Hero, especially after meeting the characters in The Rebel and the Rake. The conclusion of the romance and the mystery were just so satisfying and tied up really nicely.