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A review by meggie82461
The Last Hellion by Loretta Chase
5.0
4.5 stars ✨
I loved this. It did drag just a bit at the end, hence the half star deduction. But overall, it was an absolute delight, the perfect continuation of [b:Lord of Scoundrels|5948657|Lord of Scoundrels|Loretta Chase|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588567161l/5948657._SY75_.jpg|414437]. This is damn near the perfect historical romance, and I would first assign Lord of Scoundrels, followed by this, in the syllabus for my (entirely fantastical) Intro to HR class.
Not unlike LoS, the FMC is what set it apart. Lydia is one of the best HR heroines I have ever read. She is a journalist and all-around philanthropist, an independent woman that tries to make a difference in a world that just barely lets her exist. It was pretty amazing to see the issues she lobbied for and how they could apply nowadays (e.g. the legalization of prostitution). Unlike most single women, she does well for herself, due to her very well-paying job. Honestly, she doesn't need a man, and she knows it. In fact, that is one of her main arguments to a marriage proposal: why should she say yes, when she will only lose her independence? She was an interesting mix of accomplished and naïve, possessing plenty of skills but also having no experience with men. And her friendship with Tamsin? Perfection. It should have been on unequal ground, what with the age difference and the way Lydia saved her... but it wasn't. They both needed each other, and I loved their dynamic.
As for the MMC, Vere Mallory AKA the Duke of Ainswood, he does to the reader what he does to Lydia: grows on you (yes, Lydia, like a fungus). At first, I was very unsure of how I felt about him. A few times, people say that he hates women, which I never thought was actually true- he simply just didn't value them. There is a difference, after all; actively hating women isn't the same as thinking they are all the same. But at some point, all his bluster fell away and he became obviously just a lost soul looking for someone to wake him up. He fell first, and he fell hard, and I loved the lengths he would go to make Lydia happy.
One thing about these two books- you get just as invested in the side characters as well. I just about kicked my feet with glee when Bertie Trent made his appearance. Jaynes is an excellent supporting character in the role of wisecracking valet. But the best part of this story is the banter between Ainswood and Lydia. They’re both having a blast with each other but refuse to admit it, which keeps things interesting, and Ainswood is the one who can’t stop from seeking her out. The reader is the same: I couldn't stop picking up the book and reading it to see how he would "randomly run into her again" and how that would go.
This is just a delightful HR read. If you are in the mood for one, and you haven't read it, remedy that immediately.
I loved this. It did drag just a bit at the end, hence the half star deduction. But overall, it was an absolute delight, the perfect continuation of [b:Lord of Scoundrels|5948657|Lord of Scoundrels|Loretta Chase|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1588567161l/5948657._SY75_.jpg|414437]. This is damn near the perfect historical romance, and I would first assign Lord of Scoundrels, followed by this, in the syllabus for my (entirely fantastical) Intro to HR class.
Not unlike LoS, the FMC is what set it apart. Lydia is one of the best HR heroines I have ever read. She is a journalist and all-around philanthropist, an independent woman that tries to make a difference in a world that just barely lets her exist. It was pretty amazing to see the issues she lobbied for and how they could apply nowadays (e.g. the legalization of prostitution). Unlike most single women, she does well for herself, due to her very well-paying job. Honestly, she doesn't need a man, and she knows it. In fact, that is one of her main arguments to a marriage proposal: why should she say yes, when she will only lose her independence? She was an interesting mix of accomplished and naïve, possessing plenty of skills but also having no experience with men. And her friendship with Tamsin? Perfection. It should have been on unequal ground, what with the age difference and the way Lydia saved her... but it wasn't. They both needed each other, and I loved their dynamic.
As for the MMC, Vere Mallory AKA the Duke of Ainswood, he does to the reader what he does to Lydia: grows on you (yes, Lydia, like a fungus). At first, I was very unsure of how I felt about him. A few times, people say that he hates women, which I never thought was actually true- he simply just didn't value them. There is a difference, after all; actively hating women isn't the same as thinking they are all the same. But at some point, all his bluster fell away and he became obviously just a lost soul looking for someone to wake him up. He fell first, and he fell hard, and I loved the lengths he would go to make Lydia happy.
One thing about these two books- you get just as invested in the side characters as well. I just about kicked my feet with glee when Bertie Trent made his appearance. Jaynes is an excellent supporting character in the role of wisecracking valet. But the best part of this story is the banter between Ainswood and Lydia. They’re both having a blast with each other but refuse to admit it, which keeps things interesting, and Ainswood is the one who can’t stop from seeking her out. The reader is the same: I couldn't stop picking up the book and reading it to see how he would "randomly run into her again" and how that would go.
This is just a delightful HR read. If you are in the mood for one, and you haven't read it, remedy that immediately.