The Hellion’s Secret by Jess Michaels
About an Earl #2

What would you do to survive? Esme has to determine this when she runs for her life after her father dies. I loved Finn & Esme together and can’t wait for the next book in the series!

What I liked:
* Esme: Lady Charlotte Esmerelda now “The Hellion”, female boxer, survivor, strong, resilient, good friend, in hiding, has done what it takes to survive, on the fence about Finn though drawn to him
* Phineas “Finn” Blanchard, The Earl of Delacourt: loving brother, intelligent, good friend, drawn to a mystery woman he realizes is the Hellion, true to himself but also to the one he ends up loving
* That I could see Esme and Finn happy together even though it was difficult at times to see how it would come about – loved their open honest mature communication
* Sebastian & Marianne: first book was about them and the overlap here is marvelous
* Jane: Esme’s friend, protective, supportive, does what she has to to survive, good friend and person to have in your corner
* Campbell Ripley: retired pugilist, owner of boxing business, trainer, protective, supportive,
* Hoping that perhaps Jane and Ripley will have a story of their own though it won’t be in the Earl series, probably
* The Willowbys: from The Undercover Duke in the series The 1797 Club book 7 ~ Loved their appearance in this story and being reminded of their romance in the past
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing – This author never lets me down and I eagerly wait for her books
* Being able to detest Esme’s cousin and wish for his exposure
* All of it except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the expectations of society in this era and how difficult it must have been for Lady Charlotte at so many points in her life after her father died

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen, LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

First, this does have spoilers of the first book its timeline in is tandem and it will have spoilers of the first book. Which meant I couldn't help but go and re-read part of the first book along with this one. I am so happy we got a feisty almost 30 non-virgin woman who seduces him. LOVES it. She calls him out on his desire to protect which leads to control and Finn LISTENS! He hears her and sees how he may have played a role in not allowing his sister risks in life for fear it would cause her pain. Finn, he is at a cross roads in his life that is leaving him unsatisfied and I am so glad that he let Esme help him find his happiness again. Marianne and Sebastian are just wonderful in this book and we see another couple from a different series in here that I have not read yet (The undercover duke) The ending did have one cliff hanger and I hope we learn the conclusion to that in the future. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A really nice addition to the About an Earl series. I liked how this book slightly overlaps with the first book without too much repetition. Finn and Esme have their own incredibly different lives they live but find common ground when their shared love over Esme’s late father brings them together as they look into his death and Esme’s suspicious cousin rise to the title.

I really liked how Esme is strong, independent but is just vulnerable enough to let Finn, his family and friends in. She is a great heroine that has had a pretty tough life since her father’s death. She had her own support in her life but now she is learning to trust and love outside of her tight circle. Finn definitely taps into his protective side with Esme. They are a great fit.

I love seeing characters from the previous book and other series by Jess Michaels. It’s like friends helping new friends. Also love the appearances of one of my favorite fictional club, Donville Masquerade.

Some parts were a little slow so not quite a 5 star but I’m super looking forward to the next three books! Can’t wait!

*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Esme has been on the run since the death of her father. She meets Finn, the Earl of Delacourt, after winning a boxing match. Finn was a friend of her father’s but he and Esme never had contact with each other. Finn and Esme become lovers and later get caught up in a scheme of the current Marquess of Chilton, her cousin who inherited her father’s title. Of course, Finn falls in love first and will have to work hard to convince Esme to return to her former life so they can have a HEA. A wonderful addition to the About an Earl series which runs concurrently with book 1 so the characters from book 1 are included in Esme and Finn’s story.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

I found this to be an entertaining read from page one with a some interesting twists and turns to the plot.

My favorite character was Finn who caught my eye in The Wallflower List (About An Earl Book 1) as the over protective brother of Lady Marianne. He did seem distracted in that book so I was excited to see that a woman like Esme was the cause of it. I felt he was more complex than I originally thought and love worthy.

The main female character, Esme aka The Hellion, was well developed with a hint of softness hidden in a core of steel. I like how the author developed her character throughout the book keeping her both tough as nails and vulnerable. She will hold your attention throughout the book.

There are a number of noteworthy secondary characters in this book and the reader will enjoy reading about all of them. I am curious which ones will make their appearance in the next book of this series.

This is the second book in this series, but it can be read as standalone. Phineas hasn’t been himself lately and can’t seem to get the mysterious Miss X. Esme has been hiding since the mysterious death of her father and earns money by boxing. What will happen when he discovers who she is, can he help her find out what happened to her father? Fast paced read with plenty of twists and turns, drama and steam. Great characters and entertaining read. I really liked it.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second book of the About An Earl series and happens close to concurrently with the story in book 1, so I do advise reading the books in order as this book does reference events and relations that occur in book 1 frequently, and there was a lot of background information given in the first book about the MMC's family and history that gives context to his thoughts on love and relationships.

The titular Hellion is Esme Crawford, a noted female boxer who hides her identity behind a mask and is known as the Hellion. She was a former Lady of the Ton, but was forced to flee her former life and forced to live on the streets. She managed to make some good loyal friends, including Ripley, a former boxer who manages a gym, and who taught Esme how to box. She has made a name and living for herself, gaining some security for herself and a close friend. To protect herself from the past, she is careful to keep to her new life and identity.

The lines are crossed when she repeated runs across a face from her past, Phineas Blanchard, the Earl of Delacourt. He was a close friend of her father's, the former Marquess of Chilton, who mentored him, and was more of a father to him than Finn's own father. She knows she risks being revealed, but when she encounters him at the Donville masquerade and a boxing exhibition, she cannot stay away. Finn, only knowing her as a mysterious masked woman, and a boxer, is intensely attracted to her, initially propositioning Esme. Knowing the danger of being revealed, she initially refuses, but cannot stay away from him.

This leads to what she intends to be one night of masked passion, which becomes a rather torrid affair and of course her identity becomes revealed to Phineas, and the secrets she laboured to keep to herself become revealed. Finn is not only in lust with Esme, but becomes increasingly enamoured of her, what she has overcome, and the strength and determination she has demonstrated since she ran away. She reveals to Finn the dangers she faced and the fears that lead her to leave behind her former home and identity, including her fears that her father was murdered.

Finn labours to help Esme face her past and reveal the truth, and in the course of their affair comes to realize that he has fallen in love with her, and is determined to convince Esme that they have a future together. Esme is resistant, thinking that she has fallen too far to be able to fit into Society again, and if the revelations of her past and what she had to do to survive becomes revealed with her identity, the scandal of it would be too terrible and taint Finn and his family too much.

This was a lovely story, and intertwined nicely with the first book, as this story gave more nuance to Finn's character and the relationship that he had with his sister and friend. He had cynical views about love and marriage, with his parents relationship being a prime example of toxic love and disrespect, but when given the example of his sister's and friends, and his growing feelings for Esme, when he fell in love, he fell hard, and embraced it, and a hope for a happy future fully. That made my heart grow full. Esme, despite her terrible experiences showed strength, love, and loyalty as well, especially for her friends. I really enjoyed this story and the various relationships. There were a few loose threads, such as what happens between Esme's friends, Ripley and Jane. But I suspect how that was left was to leave an opening for their story in the future.

So a very engaging, and sensual love story with hidden identities, differing social status, overcoming hardship, and developing new strengths and independence, and learning about love.

4.25 stars out of 5

4.5 Stars
Phineas Blanchard, the Earl of Delacourt encounters a mysterious woman, Miss X one night at the Donville Masquerade. One who bewitches and challenges him in ways that keep him dreaming of her. Imagine his surprise when he later realizes she is the infamous masked female boxing champion only known as The Hellion. Esme Crawford is the daughter of a marquis and ran from her life in Society when her father died under mysterious circumstances. Becoming The Hellion was a way to survive and retake control of her existence. She recognises Finn as he was a close friend of her father. Neither can stay away from the other and eventually Finn discovers both her true identity and the fact that she believes her father was murdered. The second book in the series & whilst it can easily be read on its own it does take place in the same time frame as the first, which features Finn’s sister. I loved Finn he was everything you want in a hero, caring, honourable, determined & forgiving. I was a little luke warm towards Esme to begin with but the more I read the more I grew to love her. I did love how the couple’s relationship deepened & changed from lust to friendship & finally to love. There’s also the danger from Esme’s cousin. A very well written book that drew me in from the start & left me with a smile on my face after the lovely epilogue
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my o

A Lady Boxer....

I liked Esme so much! Hands down, she was written as such a bad A. She's a Lady. a daughter of a marquess. When he died (she believes of murder) she literally has to fight for survival and to take her safety into her own hands. By using them to fight. In the ring. She is so much more interesting than Finn, a bored earl, who is a rake and is bored by being a rake. Yawn. That aside, I really liked Esme.
Recommend.

About An Earl book 2 follows book 1 directly, and is a perfect sequel. All Finn's angst is explained and explored. It's a fun, spicy romance, with an excellent MMC and strong FMC. The idea of a female boxer as the FMC, and one with a secret like Hellion's, requires some suspension of disbelief, but it's worth it. The villain is less compelling and I would have preferred more time on just the romance, without that drama.

A delightful and captivating romance!

This delightful novel introduces us to Esme and Finn, two captivating characters. The characters were quite complex and well-developed. I particularly liked the heroine, Esme, a headstrong and independent woman. She had some dark prior experiences that just strengthened her determination. This historical romance features suspense, intrigue, and undeniable chemistry between the main characters, Esme and Finn. The pacing is fast. There's never a dull moment. This novel kept me entertained from beginning to end.
This is the second book in the series, and while you don’t need to have read the first one, I recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Finn and Esme are hot! Esme is a former lady who ran from her family home and now works as a boxer known as The Hellion. She and Finn meet at the Donville Masquerade - both masked but she recognizes him from her past. Eventually, he learns her secret and offers to help her because he finds he can’t stay away.

Great story and spicy romance! The first part of the book overlaps with book one, but there’s not too much repetition. It’s nice to see Finn get his HEA along with some appearances by a favorite couple from a previous book! My only questions is will Jane get a book?

Thanks to the publisher for a copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book overlaps a little bit with Book 1 of the series. We get the romance here between a rakish but upstanding earl and the runaway daughter of a marquess who is now a prizefighter. Esme had run away from her cruel cousin after her father’s death and has a new life now as a masked boxer. She tries to avoid interacting with society since she has fallen pretty far from her previous station. When she interacts with Finn at a club, she’s instantly skittish and tries to avoid him, despite her attraction to him. Finn is basically obsessed with the woman who turned him down and even more intrigued when he finds out that she’s a boxer. He’s preoccupied by thoughts of her and wants to spend more time with her. But he’s skeptical of his own feelings, being unsure if he’s capable of love after witnessing his parents’ toxic marriage. Tons of steam plus the ongoing threat of discovery by Esme’s cousin.

Everything about this story captured my attention especially the two main characters, Esme and Finn. The attraction is instant but there are secrets that could destroy Esme and their future relationship. The storyline is well thought out and presented in such a manner that made me want to continue reading until completed. This is a story worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and are voluntarily leaving a review.

Jess doesn’t always follow the norm and I love that about her. For example, this book, although I have read stories with a woman in a different career, has Esme trying to protect herself using an unconventional method. It did take me a long time to like Esme. But eventually I did warm up to her and let me tell you, I needed tissues for the last third of the book. On the other hand, I found Finn to be kind, loving and an overall stud. The love and compassion of Finn and Esme and their friends is so incredible. This story runs in parallel for part of the time with the previous book but don’t worry this is a standalone. I also absolutely loved seeing a favorite couple, Lucas and Diana.

Esme is a survivor and against all odds survived the streets after fleeing her home on the death of her father. Finn lusts after a women he meets at a masquerade before realising he knows Esme and who she was before she fled her home. Finn helps Esme to find out what happened to her father in the hopes he can help her to be safe.

This is the second book in the series, and although you don't have to have read the first Marianne and Sebastion do feature a lot.

Feeling restless, Phineas “Finn” Montague, the Earl of Delacourt decides that a night of pleasure at the infamous Donville Masquerade is exactly what he needs to shake off his ennui. Almost immediately his attention is captured by a masked woman who seems to be just as interested in him as he is with her, but when he approaches her and they speak, her manner changes and seems to shut him out. His protective instincts are engaged when he notices a bruise under her mask, but Miss X brushes it off and after a dance, she leaves, alone. He should just find another lover and be done with it, but Miss X has captivated him, and Finn won’t give up that easily. When he learns who she really is, nothing will stop him from protecting her, but his Miss X has big secrets and has learned the hard way that you can’t depend on someone else to save you. Can Finn help her find the justice she craves and convince her that his love for her is true and worth fighting for?

Lady Charlotte Esmeralda “Esme” was the only and much-loved child of the Marquess of Chilton, but upon his sudden and suspicious death, she became convinced that her cousin and father’s heir, Francis killed him and would probably kill her too, so she bolted and found herself alone and desperate in Seven Dials. Thankfully she was taken in by a kind young woman who helped her find her way in London’s underbelly. Esme did what she had to do to survive and eventually began boxing to earn her living. When she encounters Finn at the Donville Masquerade, she at first attempts to put him off, remembering him as a good friend of her father’s, but Finn won’t be put off and soon she tells him the truth of her past. He is shocked and vows to help her find justice for her father and hopefully get her life back. But Esme isn’t sure she could ever be Lady Charlotte again, nor does she want to be. She loves Finn, but knows a life with her, once her past comes to light will ruin him socially and she loves him too much to do that to him. Will she see that his love for her can weather anything the ton throws at them and finally let him love her the way she deserves?

I liked this story, it was well written, and Finn is an absolute dream, but I had a hard time warming up to Esme. I also was a bit confused with the timeline of events – it is stated that her father died two years ago, but then there are scenes that make it seem like Esme had been living on her own for much longer. Overall, it was a good story, it is filled with emotion, secrets, murder, steamy love scenes, great secondary characters, and a hard-won happily after including an epilogue. This is the second book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Phineas Blanchard, the Earl of Delacourt, is rebuffed by a mysterious lady but can't seem to chase her from his mind. Esme Crawford fears Finn remembering her. Daughter of a marquess, Esme ran from her life in Society and fears her past catching up to her. Neither can stay away from the other, though; and when Finn finds out the truth, he'll do anything to help the woman he's falling in love with.

This is the second book in the About an Earl series. Finn is the brother of book one's heroine and best friend to that book's hero. The timeline from both stories overlap and the previous couple plays a role in this novel.

Whenever everything else I'm reading feels "blah," I can always count on Jess Michaels to give me book slump relief! Finn feels restless and he can’t place why...and I related to this on so many levels. He's drawn to Esme during a chance meeting, and she is too, until she realizes she knows him from her former life. Esme feels she's fallen so low in life and being with Finn is a big risk. I enjoyed how the events unfolded and loved the chemistry between these characters.

Tropes: Runaway Heiress, Working Heroine, Ruined, Disguised Character, Friends to Lovers

Steam: 5

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.