The Hero and the Hellion

The Somerton Scandals, Book 3

By: Ava Devlin

Narrated by: Naomi Rose-Mock

One last scandal, for old time's sake...

A hero's homecoming.

Lieutenant Callum Laughlin has spent four long years at war. Finally, he has enough status and fortune to return to Yorkshire and reclaim the woman of his dreams - a girl he could never have wed when he was a mere stable boy. What awaits him at Somerton is far from the warm welcome he imagined.

A hellion's heartache.

Lady Heloise Somers has carefully rebuilt her life, tucking away her wild nature. In the last four years, she has chosen to trade the life of a noble and any hopes for marriage in favor of becoming a midwife and spinster "aunt" to her secret daughter. She never expected to see the father of her child again, but Callum Laughlin's return from the Continent throws her world into chaos. One wrong step could shatter the lies she has carefully constructed and reveal her scandalous truth to the world.

History, healing, and hope.

As the Somers family gathers to celebrate the New Year, Heloise does her best to keep her distance from Callum, lest he discover her secret. When disaster sparks in the nearby township, the two are forced to work together to save the people they care about.

Rebuilding the township is no easy matter, and the lure of old feelings and new temptations catch both Heloise and Callum in their grip. Is the broken love between them beyond repair, or can it be mended through love, forgiveness, and a touch of irresistible attraction?

The Hero and the Hellion is the third installment in The Somerton Scandals series, but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story. If you enjoy steamy love scenes, passionate romance, and a sweet happily ever after, grab your copy today!

©2020 Shannon Bennett dba Ava Devlin (P)2022 Shannon Bennett dba Ava Devlin

second chance done right

After four long years at war, Callum Laughlin is finally returning home to Yorkshire, having made something of himself and secured enough of a fortune to reclaim the love he left behind. Now that he’s raised himself above the role of stable boy and become someone his well-bred love can marry, he’s surprised by the lukewarm welcome he receives.

Heloise Somers has overcome her impetuous nature, for the most part, living the life of a staid spinster, working to help those in her village as a midwife, and taking on the role of doting “aunt” to the child who is secretly her daughter. She didn’t really think Callum would ever return and seeing him back at Somerton rocks her well-ordered life, leaving her terrified of having her secrets revealed.

With the entire Somers family gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Heloise avoids Callum, trying to hide their child, but when the village faces a crisis, they must come together to help their people. As they rebuild the town, their unchanged feelings become impossible to ignore and both Heloise and Callum begin to work at true forgiveness and rebuilding their love.

I was a bit nervous about this one just because I have not been loving second chance stories lately, but this one was well done. Heloise was understandably annoyed at the way Callum left, but this animosity was not allowed to drag on or be blown up too much. Heloise wasn’t always the nicest to Callum and she was keeping a secret from him that she had no right to, but she realized this too and also asked his forgiveness rather than just demanding his apology. Callum also realized he shouldn’t have let his pride get in the way by assuming he knew what Heloise would want. They had both made mistakes, but each was willing to admit it and neither did much in the way of trying to pretend they didn’t still love each other. I usually don’t care for children in romances, but Callum’s reunion with the daughter he didn’t know he had was absolutely adorable. Sometimes emotional scenes with tears from the hero just really work and this was one of those times. I loved the role Heloise’s mother played in this scene and how supportive she was in working everything out for Callum, Heloise and their daughter in the most delightful way. I’m surprised to say it given this trope, but I think this is my favorite book of the series.