I adored this book. The hero was perfect to me, a dreamy & soft grump. The setting in Monte Carlo was so fun, unique, and really helped the storyline progress. This has been my favorite in the series and I cannot wait to continue. I would definitely recommend this to fans of Kate Bateman, they give me very similar vibes with the intrigue that is mixed in.

This story was a great read. I was suspicious of, but not surprised at the villian, and the ending was not what I expected. One thing that I disagree with was the title. I do not feel that the heroine was a hellion. To me a hellion is someone who goes against the current, causing faux pas and being just on the edge of being fast. She is independent to the point of cutting off her nose to spite herself. This heroine, was not like that.
The story starts out at the office of the hero. He was a captain in the Navy and retired as a hero because while he was in Turkey, two students were accused of spying and one student was killed, and the hero and the other student were locked up in jail. When the remaining student showed signs if being ill, the hero planned an escape that resulted in the student not surviving and he made it back to his ship with a wound to his leg that left him limping with a cane. That was the "story" put about so he could retire. The real story was much more horrific and yet he lived through it. The hero runs an investigation agency and one day the younger brother of the heroine shows up. The heroine is a widow who was left textile mills from her dowry. She revamped them, made them safer, offered fair wages and was able to help the workers and their families. She was able to get the best workers and other mill owners hated that because they wanted profits over quality and happy employees. Her brother says she is receiving threats that she doesn't take seriously, but he does. The heroine is also the past love of the hero. He met her before her horrific marriage and instead of marrying her, she married for her family. At the time they met, he was looking to get married as a fortune hunter because he supported his mother and sister and to get missions that were closer to home. I think the title would be "The Reformer and the Hero". But that is just my interpretation.
This story did go slow over some parts, but was very detailed to where the reader felt immersed in the story. Both of the main characters sacrificed for their families and suffered horrible, traumatic events. But they do find each other and eventually the truth comes out. I give this a cautionary 4.5 stars because of the title not being accurate, but I would definitely keep this on my read-again shelf.

Emily Sullivan does it again! I loved the first two books in this series, and this new one does not disappoint. It's lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers goodness, with a splash of danger and intrigue. And we got to go to Monte Carlo for a bit, which was interesting and refreshingly different for a historical romance. Overall, a wonderful addition to the series and the genre as a whole.

Historical second chance swoon! I'm normally not a fan of second chance romance, but these two drew me in and had me rooting for their HEA. I love Lady Georgiana Arlington reclaiming her life after the loss of her husband and finding her way forward outside of being the perfect wife. Captain Henry Harris is so swoony and I loved him. There is wonderful representation of his wounded knee and the author makes sure that it continues throughout the story. Their story is a lower angst story with a well developed storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for my ARC.

The Hellion and the Hero is book 3 in the League of Scoundrels series. The first book in the series, A Rogue to Remember, was one of my favorite reads of 2021 and still remains my favorite in this series. But back to this book…this is a second chance romance between a widowed heroine who is running businesses and making enemies as she pushes for fair wages and safe work conditions for her employees (“such radical ideas”). And a former fortune hunter-turned naval hero-turned private investigator hero who the heroine’s brother hires to look into threats/watch over the heroine.

London, April 1899. Society darling Lady Georgiana Arlington spent years crafting her image as the ideal wife, but since her husband’s death, she has lived mostly for herself while making desperately needed improvements to the garment businesses she inherited from her father (as part of her dowry once). Along the way, Georgiana has made enemies. Captain Henry Harris, a former fortune hunter turned private investigator once claimed to love Georgiana, or the woman beneath her carefully polished veneer. He left London 8 years ago, heartbroken and penniless, but has returned now as a decorated naval hero when he becomes involved in the life of the woman he once loved…

This book is part of a series but could definitely be read as a stand-alone. While do see the couple from the previous book, Rafe and Sylvia, you don’t feel like you missed out on anything when you see them. I just wanted a little bit more from the romance in this book, it wasn’t as angsty as I was wanting for these 2 and there were parts that felt dull to me. The suspense part of the story also didn’t really work for me either, it felt a little light at times and then too obvious of how it would play out. I wanted a little more depth and a little more insight into the characters. Moments I liked: Georgiana’s relationship with her siblings, her brother Reginald Fox is the one who hires Henry for help after she received threats, Henry uses a cane after he injured his leg during a mission gone awry 2 years ago, the flashbacks of their meeting during her first season, their trip to Monte Carlo where a few night of anything goes turns into “what happens in Monte Carlo, stays in Monte Carlo”, bodyguard moments and loads of “my lady” talk.

Thank you to the publisher (Forever) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. The Hellion and the Hero has a publish date of August 23, 2022.

A second chance romance in a historical setting, Henry had looked to marry money in his youth, but now he’s a decorated military hero and a private investigator. He’s never been able to forget Lady Georgiana, now a widow in charge of her husband’s factories. She has improved life vastly for her employees and makes an enemy among society in the process. Henry has been hired to look into Lady Georgiana’s troubles and finds himself protecting her in the process. Are the sparks between them still present?

Started off slow for me, but picked up nicely by the 45%, at which point I was invested. This gave me Jane Austen Persuasion vibes and I loved that. ❤️

When I originally requested this on NG, I was unaware that it was part of a series. This worked fine enough as a standalone but you likely will feel at points that you’re missing out on parts of established other character relationships.

I found this to be an enjoyable read by an author I plan on reading again.

Have read this series and loved all the books. The character development of Lady Arlington and the captain is very well done and your heart breaks for this miscommunication that changed their lives. It’s great how the characters from other books continue in the series and you get to see their lives unfold. I loved reading more about Ms Sparrow and her marriage. I hope this series continues!

The books in this series just keep getting better and better! In this one, Sullivan gives us heroine trying to do good and a hero bodyguard, both with legit painful pasts and good reasons not to trust or like each other. As always, her settings are wonderfully vivid. This is a slow burn that is super steamy when it ignites, and just a bit of mystery to make it an extra satisfying story line and ending.

3.5 🌟's ! my first emily sullivan book and a solid one at that :)

this book follows a widow, businesswoman/ceo heroine Georgiana + a gruff, naval hero turned private investigator hero Henry. following threats made on her, Henry is assigned to investigate and act as a bodyguard to protect Georgie from grave danger :000 this is a second chance romance as both of MC's had romantic sparks from a younger age that never went anywhere but are reunited under these circumstances.

overall, i think that this was a pretty solid historical romance, it wasn't anything super special for me and it felt flat/boring at times for me? not sure why, i guess i didn't connect with the characters and their chemistry so i didn't enjoy it as a whole. i do think that the plot, the dynamics between MC's, and the anti-heroine and soft but gruff hero was super enjoyable to read! just not the romance for me :/

📝tropes: second chance, bodyguard, anti-heroine
🌶spice: 3/5
TW/CW: ptsd, infertility, emotionally abusive past marriage, kidnapping, impaired leg due to war

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC via Netgalley for review!

1899. Georgiana, Lady Arlington, has spent an industrious two years of widowhood turning two factories into burgeoning enterprises with fair wages and benefits. In the two years since Captain Henry Harris last saw her, he’s grown a reputation for being a hero, splashing across the pages of the gossip sheets with prestige he doesn’t feel he’s earned. Henry and Georgie have a history though; eight years ago, she chose marriage to a viscount for duty to her family over young love for Henry, though neither seemed able to admit it then, or now. Then a threat against Georgiana’s livelihood has her brother asking Captain Harris for help in protecting his sister, including accompanying her on a trip to Monte Carlo.

Emily Sullivan has a talent for progressing her characters through her plot development and character interaction. And her bedroom scenes do not disappoint, in particular when they occur outside of the bedroom, like in carriages and bathtubs. The late Victorian era provides a brilliant background for political maneuverings on the industrial level, through Georgiana’s factories, and on the domestic and international scale, through Henry’s dealings in Turkey, and Rafe’s in Germany. Rising tensions lead to rash actions, and threats against our character’s lives.

Georgie and Henry are the closest friends to the main characters in book two, Sylvia and Rafe, who make an appearance here in book three. You could get away with only reading book two, The Rebel and the Rake, before picking up book three, but then you’ll still want to return to A Rogue to Remember. You have plenty of time to read both though, as this wonderful book is out 8/23.

Now this is some good, swoony,
second chance historical romance! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was my first Emily Sullivan read, and I knew I loved her just from the acknowledgements as she thanked her brain for surviving the writing. I’m grateful her long-suffering noggin produced this story for my romance reading pleasure, as the clever, effortless writing just had me absorbed in all the HR escapism enjoyment.

It’s been eight years since mistaken impressions and paths were chosen that led them apart: Georgiana is no more the outwardly complacent society darling, but a driven, unapologetic widow/business woman, and Henry is no more the love-struck/fortune-hunting young lieutenant, but now a battle-worn, gruff military hero/private investigator.

Our starchy, grunty Henry is hired
to investigate/protect our factory-owner viscountess against threats because of her modern workplace policies. He chases her round the city, but, of course it’s better to travel out of town for safety, so we get both English ballrooms and French Riviera luxury in this one. From there, things escalate quickly thanks to a “If you must have a lover, might as well be me” scenario *inner-squeal*. This is an affair with a countdown, so nevermind that “What happened years ago when you chose someone else?” pesky little convo. We’re in a time crunch here, carriage, bathtub and useful headboard action to be had, time’s a-ticking. He calls her “my lady” in a whole different context 🥵

Love a second chance where they have changed, but find themselves inevitably, bumblingly falling for who they are now. Their class difference remains, but individual experience has brought out just how alike they are: both duty-bound, self-sacrificing protectors that hide disillusion behind masks of civility. Both independent and hard-working, distracting themselves from longing and lonelyness with work. Both terrified of being vulnerable to the other again, and, yep, both emotional idiots💃.

Third person dual POV is so succesful since both characters keep it close to the vest: words unsaid, charged silences and misread scowling/glaring. The epilogue was perfect for them. I loved it so much.

The Hellion and the Hero cements it - Emily Sullivan is a new favorite. Both of these characters have been through tough situations that were largely outside of their control, and watching them come together despite all of that is satisfying and lovely.

I say over and over that I'm not a fan of secrets as a trope, but Sullivan does them right. Her heroines are reluctant to talk about themselves for Actually Good Reasons, and the heroes cannot or will not tell the whole truth due to circumstances outside of their control. They open up to each other as they grow closer, spilling information that is revelatory to characters and readers alike. These reveals are met with compassion and love, no 'how could you, get out of my sight' breakups. Top off the HEA with a little attempted murder and you have a formula that I adore.

In this book Georgiana has good reasons not to talk about her deceased husband - he was awful and she wants to put it behind her. She's managing the factory business she inherited, raising wages and improving conditions, which has drawn ire (and staff) from her competitors. The threats she receives scare her family, who hire Captain Harris to both protect her and identify the culprit. With the forced proximity, as well as some shared history, sparks are sure to fly.

The "little attempted murder" at the end was kinda predictable, but I don't mind. Watching people be open and vulnerable with someone who loves them for who they are? That is utterly my jam, and I can't wait to see what Sullivan does next.


Content notes: mentions of past emotional abuse, discussion of possible infertility, PTSD-esque symptoms on the page, mild violence (e.g. fisticuffs)

Rep: Captain Harris injured his knee while in the Navy and uses a cane. I like the rep - Sullivan never forgets that Harris has a dodgy knee, with it figuring in him climbing stairs and having sex alike.

This one was a good book to pick up after binging to seasons of The Bridgertons but not wanting to pick up more books in that series just yet. As it had the same vibe and banter between characters. So I would say that this one is perfect for fans of the show.

What a charming romance! Even though the beginning was a bit slow, I ended up really enjoying this by the time I finished. It wasn’t as angsty as I would have liked but I definitely recommend this book!

After a slow start, I was quickly hooked by Captain Henry Harris and Lady Georgianna Arlington.

The two have a complicated past, and even more complicated feelings for each other. When Henry is asked to guard Georgianna, he does so, at first, for the money it would provide.

When they find themselves in close quarters with each other the truth starts to come out, and their chemistry sizzles.

This is a sweeping second chance romance with enough intrigue/mystery in the secondary plot that you find yourself at every turn wondering who or what you can trust.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will have to now read the other two in the series!

Is there anything better than finding a new author that you absolutely love? If you are looking for a new author to binge, look no further than Emily Sullivan.

Our heroine, Lady Georgiana, is an independent widow who is running the company that her late husband left to her. Unfortunately, the changes she has made to the business have led to threats from her competitors. Our hero, Captain Harris, has recently left the Navy, where he was constantly being praised for his heroism. He has now opened up his own detective service and is looking to make a new life for himself in London.

Lady Georgiana and Captain Harris are brought (back) together when Lady Georgiana's brother hires Captain Harris to investigate threats made to Lady Georgiana. We are quickly introduced to the shared past these characters share and the misunderstandings that tore them apart.

I absolutely loved this beautiful romance and mystery.

This series by Emily Sullivan is seriously SO good. The perfect blend of adventure & espionage with lots of chemistry baked in!

In this third installment we learn more about Lady Georgiana and Captain Henry Harris, who had a brief whisper of a romance many years ago. She's now a widow and he is a returning war hero who runs a PI business, hired by her brother to protect her from ongoing threats against her person + her business.

As they grow closer they begin to shed their misconceptions about what happened between them eight years ago and realize their feelings are just as real as they were the fated night they separated.

I received The Hellion and the Hero as an ARC, and I could not have been more excited to read this and give my honest feedback. Emily Sullivan is one of my favorite new-ish authors. I say new-ish because can you be a new author on book number 3? This is book #3 in the League of Scoundrals series. I really, really liked book #1, loved #2, and as for #3-- I LOVED this book!!! Each book gets better. Chef's kiss!
The Hellion and the Hero follows Georgiana, Lady Arlington, the best friend of the intrepid Sylvia Sparrow of The Rebel and the Rake and Henry, a national hero who saved the day in the Sylvia's book. Georgiana has been widowed for about a year, and has thrown herself into her factories and working condition reforms for her employees. She is encountering resistance from other industrialists, and has received some threats. Her brother enlists the help of Henry, who has left his espionage work and is making his way through being a private investigator. Georgiana and Henry have a history that goes back 8 years, which is full of thwarted hearts and bitter misunderstandings. Their journey is written beautifully, and has just the right amount of angst, introspection, suspense and adventure. And almost half the book takes place in Monte Carlo! I loved the descriptions of the lush scenery. I also loved seeing what Sylvia and Rafe have been up to.
The dialogue is absolutely wonderful, as are the characters, their cognizance and frustration with social mores, social justice values and the power that they each hold. I love how brave, smart and self-sufficient Emily Sullivan's characters are in the face of the times they are situated in, and how colonialism is not glorified in her books. I highly, highly recommend this excellent, entertaining book! I know this is going to be one of my favorite books of this year. I read it in one sitting, and I will be reading it at least five more times and getting it on audiobook to listen to as well.

I absolutely loved this second-chance romance! Although Georgiana and Henry's romance wasn't as angsty as I had expected but the bathtub and the carriage sex scenes more than made up for it.

The similarities this book has with Bridgerton are very few - both are historical romances and both of the leads in the story made family duty their priority. Georgiana might come off as a rich, spoiled socialite but after her husband's death, she's doing something she can be proud of. However, her business practices are not looked at kindly by many people, and one of them is going above and beyond to make sure she fails.

To Keep Georgiana safe, her brother hires war hero turned private investigator Captain Henry Harris who once knew Georgiana or thought he did. After eight years, Henry can't help his attraction to Lady Georgiana still, but he knows his only aim should be finding Georgiana's stalker.

As I said before, there wasn't much build-up but after they went to Monte Carlo, things started heating up and we also get the bodyguard trope here so I'm not complaining much.

Overall, I highly suggest you read this book and yes, each book in this series can be read as a standalone too!

Emily Sullivan writes the historicals I want to be reading in 2022. And shoot, second-chance? A widow taking back her life and time? A starchy & buttoned up blushing former-fortune hunter AND former-military captain turned PI? I EAT IT UP.

I really wish they'd make a cohesive look for this series, because I don't think the covers quite capture the setting (Gilded Age) and combined with the "if you like Bridgerton" meaningless comp I think these aren't landing with the readers who will eat them up.

I envisioned darling Lady Georgiana Arlington and Captain Henry Harris has the actors who played Lady Caroline & Dr. Ennis from Poldark (IYKYK) - so keep that in mind as you read.

Georgie appears to be a rich, spoiled, socialite who's living off the wealth of her now dead husband, but she's actually working hard at running various factories with fair wages and safe conditions - bucking society and putting herself at risk of other capitalists and politicians who loathe her "radical" ideas.

Enter PI, former Captain, Henry Harris, hired by Georgie's brother to find out who is sending her threatening letters, following her, and overall making her family Concerned™. Too bad Georgie's brother doesn't know that she and Henry were falling in love during her debut - and both think the other chose pride and money over each other.

I shan't say too much more about the plot, because it really becomes quite a ride (and to Monte Carlo!!) but I adored it and more please.

I will note I was a bit concerned about a potential CW (view spoiler) but fortunately that did not happen, and I was happier for it.

Some characters and couples show up in this third book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Thank you to the publisher for the early copy!