The Last Hellion (The Scoundrels Series, 5)

This is a great read. The characters are awesome, the narrative occasionally hilarious. Definitely a book to be read and reread. Highly recommend

Dickens would be proud of this captivating story with its twists and turns and family secrets, and a hero and heroine who must come to terms with their troubled pasts before they can be truly happy. Lydia Grenville, raised in poverty, lost her mother and sister as a child and was then abandoned by her wastrel father. She is now a crusading journalist for a popular London publication, and doesn't think very highly of men. Vere Mallory, Duke of Ainswood has his own turbulent history. His parents died when he was nine, and he is the last of his direct line, whose male heirs have all succumbed to untimely deaths. Since the death eighteen months ago of the previous Duke, his boy cousin, Vere has essentially been in a state of depression and denial. He has led a life of dissipation, shirking his responsibilities to his title and to his young female cousins who are his wards. He does not think very highly of women. The meeting of the two opposing forces of Vere and Lydia is a wonder to behold. At times highly humorous, at times deeply moving, the dialogue is always engaging in the way the inimitable Ms. Chase does so well. Vere's oft-muttered epithets for Lydia are hilarious, and yet there are also times of amazing tenderness. This book has a fine cast of supporting characters, particularly the continuing character of Bertie Trent, who finally gets to prove his worth. The Last Hellion is a very satisfying romance and is highly recommended.

Vere Aylwin Mallory, the seventh Duke of Ainswood, is a throwback to his family's wilder generations. Having buried too many loved ones recently, he has sworn to care for no one else and proceeds to live a life of debauchery in London. Of course, it would take a strong and unique heroine to tame him and Lydia Grenville is all that and more. Lydia works as a reporter for The Argus, writing about the plight of the lower classes. From the moment they meet, Lydia confuses, torments, aggravates, and generally drives Vere insane. I was so engrossed in their story that I was determined to stay up last night until I reached the end. I got to bed after 2am but it was a night well spent. This is a truly wonderful story of two obstinate people too blind and stubborn to realize that they are falling in love. An extra bonus is that I got to catch up with characters from previous Loretta Chase books. Sebastian and Jessica Ballinger from LORD OF SCOUNDRELS are here, as well as Jessie's dimwitted but lovable brother, Bertie Trent. Loretta Chase is a fantastic author who has always delivered the goods. Once you meet Vere and Lydia you will want to enter Loretta's world. A world filled with some of the most fascinating characters you'll ever meet between the pages of a book. If you want to laugh and cry -- usually at the same time -- and see gorgeous men taken down a peg or two by impudent women with fiery tempers, don't miss THE LAST HELLION. TheSchemer

I swore off Daniel Steele due to death scene images that depress me years later. Be forwarned, the prologue to The Last Hellion may lead to symptoms of melancholia. The cure, I'm happy to report, is found by reading the rest of this wonderful story. Grenville is more than a match for Vere, both in Vinegar Yard and in the bedroom. My favorite part was the wedding night when our hero pounded on his best friend's bedroom door: "The door swung inward and six and one-half feet of dark, arrogant, half-Italian, so-called friend advanced to fill the doorway. 'Ah, Ainswood. Come for instruction, have you?'" Hilarious. I was also glad to see Bertie from Lord of Scoundrels get some respect. His thought processes are disturbingly familiar. Do yourself a favor and read Lord of Scoundrels, The Last Hellion and Captives of the Night. Great reads, all.

I've enjoyed Loretta Chase since she used to write Regencies for Walker Publishing. Her research is first-rate and her characters full-blown and believable. The sexual tension she generates between her protagonists is always exciting and rewarding, too. Grenville and Mallory are made for each other, of course. Lydia Grenville was born to heal Mallory, the Duke of Ainswood's, tortured soul. They both lost children they adored---Lydia her little sister, Mallory his young nephew, and the losses bring them together. But, first, sparks fly as the two challenge and bring out the best (or is it the worst?) in each other and titillate the ton (English high society) with their very public antics and capers. There's a great dog in the story, too, great in size and great in personality. Loretta Chase is not one of those romance writers who comes out with a book every few months, but when she does come out with one, it is "cherce" (to quote Spencer Tracy describing Katherine Hepburn in one of their films). Chase's novels are "cherce" and worth the waiting. Unforgettable, too.

I simply love her heroines... Jessica from the Lord of the Scoundrels and now Lydia in this book. She is full of purpose and independent. Perhaps a little wild in the historical standard, but a great story character. I agree with the last reviewer about the secondry characters and loved the appearance of Dain and Jessica. Vere thought that he was helping Lydia, but kept getting her mad by interferring with her activities. The story is fast paced withmany characters, I enjoyed that fact, however some readers may find it choppy and fragmented. I can't wait for another book from Ms. Chase. Bring us more incredible heroines!