The Hellion

Wicked Wallflowers, Book 1

By: Christi Caldwell

Narrated by: Tim Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

USA Today bestselling author Christi Caldwell’s Wicked Wallflowers series burns hot as two rivals meet in the flesh and feel the heat...

Adair Thorne has just watched his gaming-hell dream disappear into a blaze of fire and ash, and he’s certain that his competitors, the Killorans, are behind it. His fury and passion burn even hotter when he meets Cleopatra Killoran, a tart-mouthed vixen who mocks him at every turn. If she were anyone else but the enemy, she’d ignite a desire in him that would be impossible to control.

No one can make Cleopatra do anything. That said, she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her siblings—even if that means being sponsored by their rivals for a season in order to land a noble husband. But she will not allow her head to be turned by the infuriating and darkly handsome Adair Thorne.

There’s only one thing that threatens the rules of the game: Cleopatra’s secret. It could unravel the families’ tenuous truce and shatter the unpredictably sinful romance mounting between the hellion…and a scoundrel who could pass for the devil himself.

©2018 Christi Caldwell (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Tim Campbell's narration adds depth to this historical romance.… Overall, Campbell enhances one's listening pleasure with distinctive speech patterns for all the story's characters from child to adult. Those looking for a romantic romp will find it in this audiobook." (AudioFile Magazine)

“Christi Caldwell writes a gorgeous book!” (Sarah MacLean, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author)

“In addition to a strong plot, this story boasts actualized characters whose personal demons are clear and credible. The chemistry between the protagonists is seductive and palpable, with their family history of hatred played against their personal similarities and growing attraction to create an atmospheric and captivating romance.” (Publishers Weekly)

A BIT SLOW!!

The Hellion is the uniting of the Black family owners of the Hell an Sin Gaming Hell and the Killoran family of the Devils Den Gaming Hell. Two rival gangs that hate each other are untied in a cause to make the Killoran's expectable in the eyes of the Ton. The Black family has already made this transition so to make a peaceful truce they will help the Killoran's. They will bring out Cleopatra Killoran and help her find a proper Lord to marry. Oh but not so fast Adair Thorn who is brother to Ryker Black and runs the Hell and Sin club might have a different opinion.

The story moves very slow. The hatred of Cleo and Adair have toward each other goes on far to long. There love story is not believable!! It just takes too long for the couple to become a loving couple. Sorry this is not one of Christi Caldwell's best works. It needs more sexual spice and more companionship or love adventures between Adair and Cleo.

Lame story line. Weak characters. Narrator awful.

Very hard to finish. Immature herro and heroin. Plot was weak and predictable to the very end

Pretty good

I read a lot of romance this was okay. I wish there was more interactions between the H and h. Not enough action or excitement.

Keeps you wanting more!

If you haven't read the Sinful Brides Series first I highly recommend it. Not only will you fall in love with this family. You will be lost in most of the back story. As usual I love the relationship between the brothers and the way they interact and look out for each other. Finding out about Cleopatra and Adairs past will tear at your heart and will keep you on the edge till the end.
The book leaves you with more questions than answers and eagerly waiting for the next installment!
Tim Campbell performance allows you to 'see' each character clearly! Very few narrators can pull off that many voices female and male. Meanwhile you clearly know who's talking even before it's mentioned! Amazing job to both!

Not Bad

Not Bad. I liked that the heroine could protect herself. Didn't like all the history of violence.

Read the previous series first!

I found out after starting this book that there are other series that came before this book. If you have not read her previous stories, you may want to read them first as you will get lost.

Knowing that, I did like the story and will go back to the beginning. Why 3 Stars? The H was really a complete bastard through 70% of the story and there was a lot of repetition. I know that many readers love angst but it overwhelms me. The h is pretty cool throughout and is not afraid to speak her mind while still staying on the fringes of society.

The second half of the story is a roller coaster and a good example of why we need to watch what we say.

pretty unbelievable characters

a lot of this book just seemed forced. I was not really convinced of these 2 and had many eye roll moments. maybe the reading in the super deep voice contributed to the grating on my nerves. sorry. not my thing.

Another great story!

The only negative for me was it was very hard to understand the accents. I had to rewind repeatedly and found myself giving up as I just couldn’t figure out what was being said. Still, the story was great and worth it.

Pretty decent

I really enjoyed this one. The story and the characters are well developed and intriguing and the narration is outstanding.

Story was pretty good but didn't hold my interest

I struggled in the listening of this book. Characters were annoying, especially the Hellion. Even Penelope was annoying. I finished the book, but couldn't tell you a thing about it.

Surreal, not possible in time set.

I love Americans' fantasy of English high class tolerance. It took years for the BBC to allow news readers with regional accents. Even if the Gentry accepted a gutter snipes, their sevants definitely wouldn't. Mushrooms and Nabobs, were just about acceptable, anything else was not condoned.
Once again an Author builds up the two families as being equal rivals, yet the heroine runs rings around the hero and his family. I am a true supporter of women's rights and equality, but this is unbelievable and stupid, especially for the time it is set in.
Even servants are expected to speak with a true English accent, yet the heroine is expected to enter the "TON", no manners, no upbringing, no education, wearing specticals and "common as muck". The "Lord" would have to be really desperate to marry her as he would be rejected by the rest of society.
It isn't realistic and very irritating in the childish behaviour of the Heroine. The Hero is a wash-out, just background noise.
I fell sorry for the narrator, as he is good, with rubbish material.

Oops Wicked Wallflowers!

Read Lost Lords of London trilogy and loved them. Thought I'd found a new author to add to my library but apparently not. More or less same story but less posh.