Bumped this book to the top of my reading list and I was beyond excited that it totally lived up to the hype. Sabrina Jeffries’ new series “The Hellions of Halstead Hall” is shaping up to be a fabulous addition to her publishing legacy. Having read all of Sabrina’s previous books I can safely say that this was one of her best.
Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has been London’s most notorious rake for years. Fed up with his behavior, his grandmother threatens to disinherit him if he doesn’t tame his wild ways and wed within the year. Outraged, Oliver decides to hire a woman from a brothel to pose as his fiancée to prove that he can’t be forced into marriage. When he meets Maria Butterfield, a beautiful American woman who is searching for her fiancé in the most unlikely of places, he knows she’s perfect for his ruse. But before long, Oliver finds himself willing to risk anything to make Maria his – even his heart, and the dark secret he hides inside it.
Readers first meet Oliver, Lord Stoneville as a minor character in the series “The School for Heiresses”. Now, the intriguing and dark gentleman and his eccentric siblings have a series of their own. This first book focuses on Stoneville himself; his battle with the demons that have haunted him for almost 20 years and the love he finds that could release him from his guilt. As a hero Stoneville is definitely a little troubled and enigmatic but a force to be reckoned with all the same. You can’t help but feel sorry for him even though he comes across as a bit of a dissolute rogue.
Maria, our heroine, is one of my favorite women written into one of Sabina’s books. She even pulls a sword on our hero… you go girl! Her strength and resolve pit her against our hero in some creative ways but their attraction proves too much for them both in the end. Their love story has its ups and downs, as to be expected, but the ending is satisfying and prepares the readers for some interesting twists and turns in the books to come.
I can’t review this book without briefly mentioning Oliver’s siblings - Jarrett, Gabriel, Minerva and Celia make up a dynamic family with an unbreakable bond and loyalty to each other. You will enjoy the little “detours” they set for Oliver in his pursuit of Maria. Jarrett’s story is the next in line, with a release date of Fall 2010. I hate waiting!
The love scenes are steamy and fast-paced but add to the vibrant colour of this book rather than take away from it – unlike so many other books I have read where the love scenes are so graphic that they ruin the tone of the book. I would give this book a 9 out of 10 on my Sexy Scale. (10 being very graphic in sexy content – 1 being so tame there isn’t even a real kiss… ok, well maybe a chaste one)
I loved this book… I simply can’t wait for the release of the next 4 books. I give this book a 9.5 out of 10 overall. Check out Sabrina’s website for information on all her previous books, hope you add them to your collection!
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