(The Hellions of Havisham, #1)
Genre: Historical Romance (Victorian)
Cover Blurb:
In the first in a dazzling new series, New York Times bestselling author Lorraine Heath introduces the Hellions of Havisham—three charismatic rogues destined to lose their hearts…
After six unsuccessful Seasons, Miss Minerva Dodger chooses spinsterhood over fortune-hungry suitors. But thanks to the Nightingale Club, she can at least enjoy one night of pleasure. At that notorious establishment, ladies don masks before choosing a lover. The sinfully handsome Duke of Ashebury is more than willing to satisfy the secretive lady’s desires—and draws Minerva into an exquisite, increasingly intimate affair.
A man of remarkable talents, Ashe soon deduces that his bedmate is the unconventional Miss Dodger. Intrigued by her wit and daring, he sets out to woo her in earnest. Yet Minerva refuses to trust him. How to court a woman he has already thoroughly seduced? And how to prove that the passion unleashed in darkness is only the beginning of a lifetime’s pleasure?
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I think I am in danger of repeating myself here when I say that this is another beautifully written and deeply emotional love story from Lorraine Heath. Over the many years that I have been reading Ms Heath’s books, I have never once been disappointed.
Orphaned when their parents are killed in a train crash, the Duke of Ashebury, the Duke of Greyling and his twin brother, Edward, are taken under the guardianship of the Marquess of Marsden in the forbidding Havisham Castle. Since losing his beloved wife, Marsden has become unstable and is considered by many to be mad. He keeps himself to himself, rarely having anything to do with his wards or his own son, Locke. As a result, they have been allowed to run wild, earning the name of Hellions of Havisham. As adults, they have spent much of their time travelling abroad, having adventures and generally raising hell, if rumours are to be believed. Falling in Bed With a Duke is the Duke of Ashebury and Minerva Dodger’s story.
If you have read the preceding series, The Scandalous Gentleman of St. James, you will know that Minerva Dodger is the daughter of Jack Dodger, who was raised on the streets but rose to become the rich, powerful owner of London’s most famous, exclusive gentleman’s club. As a result, Minerva has had an unconventional upbringing, her parents allowing her the freedom to choose what she wants to do with her life.
Minerva is smart, outspoken and with a head for business inherited from her father.These are not the qualities a gentleman wants when seeking a demure and biddable wife but her immense dowry has ensured plenty of offers. Minerva wants a man who loves her for herself and not for her money; someone who will respect and value her opinions. She wants the sort of deep love and passion that her mother and father and her brother and his wife, Grace, her dearest friend, share and is unwilling to accept anything less. She has chosen spinsterhood rather than a loveless marriage, but is determined to experience the passion that exists between a man and a woman.
I admire Minerva for refusing to compromise when it comes to what she wants from life and for her courage and daring in going to the Nightingale Club. I could also relate, on a personal level, to her insecurities about her herself. She neither sees herself as pretty nor believes that men could be attracted to her in a sexual way.
Men don’t find me appealing in that way. They don’t have improper thoughts or consider me alluring.
I love Ashe…such a complex character. On the surface, he’s handsome, charming and devil-may-care but, over the years, he has been haunted by his final hurtful words to his parents on the day they died. To try to dispel the nightmarish images of his parents’ horrific deaths, he has visited the Nightingale Club in the hope of finding a woman who is willing to fulfill his special needs. At this point, I have to applaud Ms Heath for making his special needs unique and not at all what I expected.
I also like how Ms Heath tackles serious issues in her books. Ashe is suffering from what we now call dyscalculia, a difficulty in making arithmetical calculations. This would certainly not have been diagnosed in Victorian times and I can understand why Ashe feels ashamed and never tells anyone about it.
Put a series of numbers in front of him, expect him to make sense of them, and it was as though his brain considered them to be little more than colorful ball to be juggled around.
His secret will have repercussions later in the story.
Ms Heath builds the relationship between Minerva and Ashe slowly which makes their romance both believable and emotionally satisfying. I love how Ashe sees Minerva’s true worth…
She’s bold, courageous, goes after what she wants. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever encountered. Why I failed to notice her before is beyond me. Why no man has taken her to wife simply demonstrates the foolhardiness of men. She is remarkable.
and Minerva realises that with Ashe she can be herself.
With him, she had a sense of equality that she had never experienced with anyone outside of her family and closest of friends.
There is conflict when Minerva believes Ashe to be a fortune hunter but it’s soon resolved and I love the scene between Ashe and her fearsome father, Jack Dodger.
Edward intrigued me. He seems like a man hell-bent on nothing but pleasure but I feel there is something deeper going on with him.
MY VERDICT: Once again, Lorraine Heath delivers a beautiful and deeply emotional love story. Highly recommended!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5
SENSUALITY RATING: HOT
Read November 2015
The Hellions of Havisham series so far (Click on the book covers for further details):
Great review, Carol! I was going to say I would pick this one up & then realized it is on my shelf. Oops! Do you think I need to read the Scandalous Gentleman first?
Thank you, Sharlene. It’s not necessary to read Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James first but it is a fabulous series and is a must read IMHO. 😊
I cannot wait to start this one! 🙂 Awesome review Carol!
Thank you, Shivalika. I will be looking forward to reading your review. 😊
I hope I get around to write one. A lot of work pressure going on presently! 🙂
You’ve never been disappointed by a Lorraine Heath book? I seriously need to read her! I’ve never read any of her books, but I am trying to read more new-to-me historical romance authors. I’ve heard excellent things about this book and I’m glad to hear that you really enjoyed it.
Quinn, I can recommend Lorraine Heath’s books without reservation and I think she is one of the top historical romance writers out there. My top favourite series are The Scoundrels of St. James and Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James (this features the children of the couples in TSoSJ).
I think that this is definitely a author that I need to read, I have heard an awful lot of really good thing’s about her work so i’ll definitely be jumping on that band wagon and giving her book’s a go. Equally I do really like the sound of this one, I think Ashe sound’s like a very interesting character and this is definitely up my street. I do love a more complicated hero, Great review as always Carol 🙂
Thank you, Reading Chick. You must read Lorraine Heath’s books. IMHO, she is one of the best historical romance writers out there. If you like interesting characters, then you will definitely enjoy her books.
Thank’s for the tip carol I will definitely give Lorraine Heath’s book’s a go 🙂
Great review here!! I loved this book as well, and I loved seeing the relationship between Jack and the Main characters. Such a cute romance and Heath continually surprises me.
Thank you, Renee. Jack was my favourite character in The Scoundrels of St. James series and, like you, I loved seeing how he interacted with the other characters. One minute was the doting grandfather and loving father and the next minute he was the man with the fearsome reputation.