Her Prodigal Passion: A Steamy Wallflower and Rake Regency Romance (Mayhem in Mayfair Book 4)

HER PRODIGAL PASSION is the fourth book in the Mayhem in Mayfair series. It is the story of Paul Fines, the brother of Percy from HER WANTON WAGER. Paul almost destroyed himself with gambling and alcohol after losing the woman that he loved. He is now beginning to rebuild his life. Charity Sparkler has known Paul for years. He is her best friend's brother. Charity has loved Paul for years but he has barely noticed her. At a house party, Paul begins to notice Charity as both are searching for meaning in their lives. Caught in a compromising situation, the two end up married but have to work out their life together.I liked this book. It was more traditional than the other books in the series. The other books were very, very hot. This book was more subdued. Paul and Charity are both people who have been damaged by the expectations of others. Both are dismissed by others and have internalized a negative self image. As a result, their marriage is very difficult because they each expect to be disappointed. There are many misunderstandings that harm their marriage. At times, I became frustrated by the inability of these characters to trust one another but I also understood that this was a part of their characters and journey. They each needed to realize that they were worthy of their relationship.I also enjoyed seeing the couples from the previous books in the series. While it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series, I think fans of the series will like this book better because it ties up the story from the previous books.

I've read this entire series and I have to admit I'm sad to see it end. Grace Callaway is my favourite new regency/Victorian writer hands down!Having bought the previous books on a whim, I didn't originally plan to get this one based on the reviews of it which told me it would be annoying. I was led to believe that Charity would be unlikeable and that Paul would be whiny and unable to get over himself. This couldn't be FURTHER from the truth. Jack and Charity are imperfect emotionally (obviously in this series, like in others despite being plump or very slender or not classically beautiful, all the heroines are blessed with an excess of good looks deep down!) but this author, like in her previous books in the series, explores and reveals the reasons for their emotional issues in a very meaningful and useful way. Grace Callaway allows the characters to be just emo an needy enough that they play on our sympathies and that we can identify with their flaws but not so much that it gets whiny or annoying.One thing I really liked is that in this novel, despite their disagreements, there wasn't a lot of cutting ones' nose to spite ones' face by the heroines. The arguments and disagreements didn't last very long. Neither Charity and Jack are too stubborn for love (TSFL). They see faults in themselves and their behavior pretty quickly and don't feel they are always the injured party. They seek out opportunities to apologize and truly you feel the love between them. If they are a little stupid at times, who isn't?!I really enjoyed this. I wish there was more. I've heard there's a related novella in the Summer anthology the novel is in so I'm definitely getting that. This author has one more book not in this series but it's a paranormal historical (Abigail Jones) and I'm not that into that genre. But this is such a great author that I think anything she wrote is bound to be good so I might try out that series as well.

This is the last of the Mayhem in Mayfair books (as far as I know) and it was a satisfying ending. We get to catch up on characters from previous books, and of course get to know the hero and heroine in this new novel. I have to admit, I was hoping that the last of the Mayhem in Mayfair book would feature Ambrose's sister Emma (who appeared in book 3) as I think it would have made for a really good story what with her interesting background and everything. But after having read this book, I couldn't have picked a better soulmate for our hero Mr. Paul Fines. Charity our heroine has always been a little (or rather a lot) in love with the hero, Paul. However, he's never really seen her as anything other than his sister's best friend. Granted, this premise of the hero falling in love with his sister's best friend has been done quite a few times in this genre, but it's the execution that really sets this story apart. Paul has always felt that everyone around him sees him as a "ne'er do well" and he's trying his best to prove otherwise. The one person who has always believed in him was Charity. The best thing about this book is reading about how Paul slowly realizes what a gem he has in his wife,and him slowly and surely falling in love with her. The sacrifice he was willing to make for Charity near the end of the novel really made him a hero to swoon for and proof that he's fallen head over heels in love with her. Again, like all of the other Mayhem in Mayfair novels, the love scenes are just really great and scorching hot, but never overwhelms and the story is still what drives you to turn the pages. Great book, I finished it in one sitting. I can't recommend it enough!

The HH were bland compared to author's other feisty females and hard as nails heroes. I found the heroine in this book particularly irritating. Her level of naivety hard to swallow. I skipped a great deal of it since while I'm fine with plot by numbers in her series they charge along well enough that I'm happy to go along for the ride, but here a plodding pace made me impatient. I've read six books by Ms Callaway (not in chronological order) and they were great but this one just was disappointing to me.

I have read all the books in these series. OMG! I want more more more please. The author Grace Callaway’s vivid imagination with period drama is absolutely spontaneously beautiful. The merging of one character to another is flawless.The Kent’s are one dynamic family that vines them together in a solid authentic manner. The profound love is so endearing.Ms Callaway please I need another series of period drama.

I have not written a preview of the previous books from this writer,,the first one I thought was a mistake, the second was just as bad. but the third one I Got rid of, the sex writing is pornography nothing nice about it at all, her two other books were of a similar line, the story was very good on each book but there is so much detailed sex that it puts you off. I would NEVER EVER buy another of her books.

Wow wow wow exciting twists and turns through out fabulous book from beginning to end 5 * not one to miss ...

Not as great as Books 1 and 3.The storyline could do with a bit more meat to the bone.I felt as if I was reading an outline with steamy scenes surounding it thereby making up the bulk of the book so to speak.The hero was pitiful,Me,me,me,why me? The heroine was desperate.