The Last Hellion

Scoundrels, Book 4

By: Loretta Chase

Narrated by: Kate Reading

The Duke of Ainswood, Vere Mallory - the last of the infamous Mallory hellions - lives a charmed life: he's rich, titled, and exceedingly handsome. And he's seemingly bent on throwing it all away in his reckless race toward self-destruction, until a devastatingly beautiful blonde amazon literally knocks him off his feet.

Lydia Grenville has devoted herself to protecting London's less fortunate. She has no patience for dissolute aristocrats and would like nothing more than to get his big, strong, handsome carcass out of her path so she can continue her work. But Ainswood could never resist a challenge - especially in female form - or trouble, which seems to follow Lydia like a stray puppy. When real trouble appears it's all or nothing for the duke and his annoyingly headstrong female!

©1998 Loretta Chekani (P)2015 Loretta Chekani

I love this series!

This is one of the best Authors I have ever found. This whole Series is amazing! This is a GREAT finale to end it. This story has an amazingly strong willed woman who protects and has her own ideas of what she we wants in life. No matter what.

Some books just cry out to be told aloud

Would you consider the audio edition of The Last Hellion to be better than the print version?

I read the print version when it came out, and I liked it, though it didn't inspire me with a wow! response like mega-favorite The Last Scoundrel, but I bought the audio the instant it was available, and I am now listening for the second time. Wow! For me, this is the edition that brings out all the grace-notes.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's usually a bit challenging to decide a favorite character in books I really like, but I have to say the two teenagers Elizabeth and Emily, Vere's nieces, really won my heart.

Have you listened to any of Kate Reading’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to many Kate Reading performances, and this one is top notch - note-perfect and not over done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Spoiler Warning - the scene that moved me most was Vere climbing back into their bedroom window with Lydia's mother's family documents. First time through (well, ok, second time as well...) I teared up. The scene was written beautifully - understated and yet thick with emotion and smooth melodic prose. Just lovely.

Any additional comments?

It is a great pleasure that I have been able to acquire so much of Loretta's back-list in audio, and I hope the rest of them will become available in the near future, and with such good performances.

Re-Readable

Though orally enjoyed this story and all it's characters. Great job, Ms Chase and well performed by Ms Reading! What a Boon to my reading collection.

All the bits and bobs

As the narrative slid to an ending I reflected on the fact that it was a very satisfying read. The language felt right, not one of those shallow, watered down regency novels. This one is long, and rich, and juggles clearly multiple plot lines. Sure, it abides by the romance rules and ultimately delivers some sex and a wedding, yet there is so much more: characters that you KNOW, a drooling dog, filth, police, and best of all witty dialogue that brings to mind Beatrice and Benedick from MUCH ADO. I knew I’d like it at the end when a victory came and went and I checked the counter, and there were still 4 hours to go!

Love it so much I hate it

I adore this book. It is only narrowly beat out by Lord of Scoundrels as best Loretta Chase, but only barely.

Each time I reread it I feel so reluctant to go back to reality, I am so sad to reach the end. Hence, why i also hate it! I want to stay with these two forever!

Their love story is vivid and wonderfully developed and there's not a false note anywhere. How I love Vere! I like him even more than Dain. He is just absolutely to die for. His tragic story is so touching and moving, as is hers. The sadness and pain at the core makes their happiness all the more wonderful at the end.

Loretta Chase at her best is the absolute best romance writer in existence. What makes her so good is her writing style, on top of everything else--the story, the characters. They're fantastic, but her writing just takes it to another level. It is brilliant. Just so intelligent and witty and funny. It is a sheet delight to read.

My only criticism is I don't like how Kate Reading does the heroine in this book. All her heroines have the same voice and it just doesn't suit Lydia that well. She comes across as heartless and harsh and never really softens up, but that's the narration not the character.