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A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall #2)

by Sabrina Jeffries (Goodreads Author)

3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 · rating details · 2,451 ratings · 194 reviews

Furious at his grandmother’s ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck—and his heart—at the card table against a most unlikely opponent.

Mired in scandal after his parents’ mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum tha...more

ebook, 273 pages

Published September 21st 2010 by Pocket Books

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Nov 22, 2011 nurmawati djuhawan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: buku-eng, romance, hr

bagi yang suka buku2 karya julia quinn bakal suka sama buku ini...why ? soalnya selain menceritakan para bujangan playboy yang akhirnya bertekuk lutut pada wanita biasa....juga di bahas ttg kedekatan hubungan kakak beradik dimana mereka terkadang suka ikut campur urusan sodara nya...
belom lagi disini juga ada semacam fairy godmother dalam bentuk nenek jarret yang pinter dan pemaksa...maksa supaya cucu2 nya pada merit, kalo enggak gak dapat warisan :p

begitu juga yang terjadi pada lord jarret shar...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Colleen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, library-has-it, published-sept-2010, 2011

Definitely not as good as the first book in the series, The Truth About Lord Stoneville. It just never grabbed my attention like the first one did. No real plot, except about helping Annabel's brewery, which I'm sorry, it was kind of boring. The relationship between Annabel and Jarret was believable, but it did seem a bit forced in places. I don't know, I liked the book well enough, just not a lot. I really wished there would have been more interactions between Jarret and his family - Oliver &...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A well thought out story of gambling ne'er do well second son, Jarret Sharpe, a marquess who takes over the running of his grandmother's brewery. He meets a brewster (a female brewer) who wants to partner with his grandmother's brewery to help save her own brewery from going under. Of course, she's pretty, plucky and red headed - and he can't resist her. There are complications for it turns out she has a son who is being raised as her brother's son. Overall, I really enjoyed this romance and lik...more

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Oct 28, 2012 Naiem rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, sabrina-jeffries

the best of the Hellions of Halstead Hall series.

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Mar 30, 2012 Johanna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Hellion in Her Bed
(Hellions Series Book #2)
by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre : Historical Romance

Furious at his grandmother’s ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck—and his heart—at the card table against a most unlikely opponent.
Mired in scandal after his parents’ mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family’s brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in h...more A Hellion in Her Bed
(Hellions Series Book #2)
by Sabrina Jeffries

Genre : Historical Romance

Furious at his grandmother’s ultimatum to marry or lose his inheritance, Lord Jarret Sharpe wagers his luck—and his heart—at the card table against a most unlikely opponent.
Mired in scandal after his parents’ mysterious deaths, notorious gambler Lord Jarret Sharpe agrees to tamely run the family’s brewery for a year if his Machiavellian grandmother rescinds her ultimatum that he marry. But the gambler in him can’t resist when beguiling Annabel Lake proposes a wager. If she wins their card game, he must help save her family’s foundering brewery. But if he wins, she must spend a night in his bed. The outcome sets off a chain of events that threatens to destroy all his plans…and unveils the secret Annabel has held for so long. When Jarret discovers the darker reason behind her wager, he forces her into another one—and this time he intends to win not just her body, but her heart.

Annabel is in a deperate situation, her brother has taken to drinking while their family brewery is losing money, thus she decides to plead her case to another brewery house in hopes of combining business. Things don't work out as planned though when the brewery she wishes to work with has recently changed managment and instead of placing her hopes in another strong indipendt female boss, she's making under the table bets with a gambeling rake - bets that begin to lead her on a slippery slope into lust and repeating mistakes from her heavliyl guarded past. Lord Jerret is begrudingly assisting his gradmother by running the brewery in her absense and is tempted both by Annabel herslef and by her daring business deals. Can they both save both her family's future as well as their heart in A Hellion in Her Bed?

I can easily get sucked into a Sabrina Jeffries's book because her writing style appeals to me on all levels. Her chapters flow smoothly, her characters are very realistic, and her plots are usually something new with a twist that it's hard not to become fascinated by the overall tale as well. Yet I find I'm reading this series all out of order again beginning with Book # 2 instead of #1 (a usual bad habit of mine), but at least I understand the general theme of the Hellion siblings and highly enjoy it. The side characters all add some quirky entertainment without over-shining the leads and the romantic growth between Jerret and Annabel was nice - not coming on too strong but growing gradually throughout and expect lots of fun flirting.

Jerret grew on me throughout the story, as a reader, we get glimpses of him as a sorrowful youth after the tragic loss of his parents to the stubborn cocky adult male he's grown into. Right off the back, we see the emotional barriers he puts up to prevent being hurt again and that helps the reader understand his relationship struggles, especially with Annabel. On the other hand, Annabel is punishing herself for a mistakes she made in her youth and I feel both frustrated in her actions but admire her tenacity in handling everything. She's just a stubborn as Jerret and the two adorably bunt heads at time, but from the very beginning they come off as the perfect pair. After tackling Book #1 in The Hellion Series, I'm excited about reading further with Book # 3 with yet another book releasing in the Fall.

Likes: Separately, Jerret and Annabel had obvious weaknesses they were trying to overcome, but Sabrina Jeffries wrote the story so well that together they appeared braver --- something hard to find in other historical romances. They truly complimented each other and that really completed the tale nicely.

Dislikes: Annabel, to me, came off a little too high & mighty at times. She acted as if she had to take on all the family troubles on her shoulders alone and fought that fact throughout much of the book, which eventually became tiresome. She was defiantly a caring Lady, but a rather stubborn and persistent one at that!(less)

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Dec 05, 2011 PoligirlReads rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know, what is it about HR's that bring out the ridiculous? And by ridiculous, I mean the cheesy shirtless man covers and the even cheesier titles. It's enough to make me want to completely bypass books that insist on oozing with the velveeta factor. Because yes, apparently I *do* judge a book by its cover.

Thankfully, I managed to mentally block out the eyeroll-inducing title and cover, because what's inside is pretty good. I had read the previous book in the series and found it sufficiently...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Sandy M rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical

I have a feeling a few of you — hell, maybe scores of you — are going to call me crazy after reading this review. I even had a thought or two like that roll around in my head as I read. I mean, we’re talking Sabrina Jeffries here. But the first half of this book is just so-so for me.

And I’m not totally sure why. I like the idea of a lady brewster in Annabel Lake’s day. She’s a smart cookie who does what she has to to get around in a man’s world to help her family out, help them survive. She love...more I have a feeling a few of you — hell, maybe scores of you — are going to call me crazy after reading this review. I even had a thought or two like that roll around in my head as I read. I mean, we’re talking Sabrina Jeffries here. But the first half of this book is just so-so for me.

And I’m not totally sure why. I like the idea of a lady brewster in Annabel Lake’s day. She’s a smart cookie who does what she has to to get around in a man’s world to help her family out, help them survive. She loves working in the family brewery. She has secrets, of course, and that’s where she gets in trouble. Jarret Sharpe has spent the last nineteen years earning a living at gambling due to the fact his grandmother forced him out of their family brewery when he was much younger, made him go to school instead, which he hated immensely. Also losing his parents has shaped him into the wild and carefree wastrel he is today.

Annabel goes to Hester Plumtree to talk business about entering into a partnership that will be beneficial to both their breweries, but she runs into Jarret instead. He’s currently and reluctantly in charge of Plumtree Brewery while his grandmother recovers from her illness. Jarret, as well as his other siblings, are chafing at the ultimatum grandma has dished out to them — get married by the end of the year or you’re disinherited. He’s made a deal with her to run the brewery for that year and then he’s scot-free to back to his responsibility-free existence.

Jarret and Annabel make a wager over a game of cards — she wins Jarret will go along with her plan to save Lake Ale, he wins she spends a night in his bed. They are evenly matched at whist and it’s a draw up until the last hand when Jarret is distracted and eventually loses to Annabel. Now, of course, there’s other things that go on during this short synopsis, but up to this point the story is just…..slow for me. The idea of the breweries didn’t seem to flourish enough and the characters didn’t leap off the page as they usually do in a Sabrina Jeffries book, which surprises me because Jarret and Annabel banter and drive each other nuts.

Things pick up a bit when the scenery turns to Lake Ale. Jarret is there to look the place and its books over to make sure it has the wherewithal to sustain the plan Annabel has created for them. Slowly but surely Annabel’s fabrications about the state of her family, even herself, come undone. Jarret begins to put pieces together until the truth does come out.

And this is where the book comes alive for me. Jarret’s anger with Annabel scorches a fire between them fraught with guilt, betrayal, self-doubt, and self-realization, and that all leads to one intense and sexy as all get-out love scene. It’s raw and emotional. Annabel comes clean about her lies. Except one. The big one. And when it is revealed later, it’s unexpected reactions and emotions for both Annabel and the reader. Her revelations bring on an eventual look at the past in a different light and a relationship no one ever imagined.

If you haven’t read the first book in this series, The Truth about Lord Stoneville, but I truly don’t think you need to in order to read this one. Ms. Jeffries does a great job of giving us an overview of the family dynamics and what the series is based on, as well as a look into the mysterious deaths of the siblings’ parents. I’m definitely looking forward to Mnerva’s book, which is out next year. We’re given just enough to whet our curiosity as to what will happen.

I’m glad my audacity to give Sabrina Jeffries a C for this book has been nipped in the old proverbial bud. Jarret and Annabel make a stupendous comeback amid anger and terrific bed play, so my grade makes a comeback of its own.

See my complete review at http://www.goodbadandunread.com (less)

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May 11, 2011 Tiffany rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review made its debut on http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com

If you have not read A Hellion in Her Bed, I suggest you run, not walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy. This romance was highly enjoyable, original, sexy and funny.

Although the book didn’t fully capture me at first, it was not long before I was hooked! I read the majority of this title in one sitting and stayed up late to finish it. I found the storyline highly original and unlike most historical romances I have re...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Amanda The Book Slayer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, sexy-alpha-male

Another winner for the Hellion of Halstead series. This book is about Jarret Sharpe. He ends up coming up with a deal with his Grandmother to run her brewing company in exchange for him not having to marry within the year to be in her will. Jarret mets his match in Annabel Lake. She is running her brother's brewing company that is falling apart due to him. She strikes a deal with Jarret to save her company. He goes to save her company and own up to his side of his deal, and falls for Annabel. An...more

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Feb 28, 2011 June rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: hellions-of-halstead-hall, sabrina-jeffries, heroine-with-a-past

I am really enjoying the series Hellions of Halstead Hall. So far I have read the 1st and 2nd books. I loved how both books started with the Prologue starting in 1806 when the parents of the hellions tragically died. We get different perspectives from each child at the time of their parents' deaths. Then we move ahead 19 years and how their parents' deaths effected their lives.

Jarret Sharpe is the 2nd son. He is a gambler, but since he was a young teen he has secretly longed to take over his gr...more

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Oct 25, 2010 Lady Rogue rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Annabel was a strong and determined woman. She had sacrificed so much in protecting her family and her father's business. After the company lost business to the Russian market and her brother finding his solace in the bottle, Annabel was desperate to prevent the business from going under. When Jarret Sharpe refused her proposition, she followed him to a gaming hall and made a scandalous wager with him. If she won, he would help her business, if she lost, she would share his bed. It was interesti...more Annabel was a strong and determined woman. She had sacrificed so much in protecting her family and her father's business. After the company lost business to the Russian market and her brother finding his solace in the bottle, Annabel was desperate to prevent the business from going under. When Jarret Sharpe refused her proposition, she followed him to a gaming hall and made a scandalous wager with him. If she won, he would help her business, if she lost, she would share his bed. It was interesting to know she was scared, but tried to show nothing but confidence. I found myself chanting, let her win, let her win. It must have fustrated her, to know, that the only reason, she had limited options and had to resort to such desperate measures, was because she was a woman.

Jarret was arrogant, yet he had a likable quality to him. He seemed to have a zest for life and definately had more depth than he let on. It was interesting to watch as those layers pealed away and saw the compassion and intelligence that laid underneath. I felt his fustration, when it came to the mystery of his parents death and his irritation, when it came to his grandmother and her manipulative ways. But, I think he needed a good push. He didn't take things seriously enough and needed some kind of modivation. I thought the card game was very entertaining. I loved the back and forth bantar that happened. I also liked that Jarret, while against marriage, had a family orientated nature.

I found Hester to be intriguing. From Jarret's point of view, she was a manipulative hag...yet, from a readers point of view, thier was real wisdom there. I found the relationship between Jarret and his grandmother realistic and just plain fun. It was only when his eyes were open did he actually see the big picture. It was refreshing and entertaining. I also enjoyed Annabel and her connection to her family. Her sacrifice and unconditional love for her son was very compelling and literally tugged at my heart strings.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The author did an incrediable job making the characters beleivable and engaging. The romance between Jarret and Annabel was crediable. It took work and compromise. It was refreshing to see it in a historical romance. The plot was realistic and the historical elements embedded within, gave it a very authentic feel to it. You know, it must have sucked to be a woman in that time period. I don't think I could do it. My reputation would be soiled with the first sentence out of my mouth. Anyhoo, I look forward to the next installment in this series.

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Feb 16, 2013 Hikari rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Spiel der Herzen ist eine Fortsetzung, doch auch ohne den ersten gelesen zu haben, versteht man das Buch, da beide in sich abgeschlossene Handlungen haben und sich mit jeweils einem anderen Bruder der Familie Sharpe beschäftigen. Insgesamt sind die Sharpes 5 Geschwister. In Spiel der Herzen geht es um Jarret Sharpe, einen notorischen Spieler und Lebemann, der die Brauerei seiner Großmutter kurzfristig leiten soll. Und als ob das nicht genug ist, kommt eine schöne Frau ins Spiel, die ihre Familie...more

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Nov 15, 2012 Jean rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, england, romance

This series begins each novel with a prologue that occurs in each Sharpe sibling's childhood around the time right before the murder of their parents. As the series continues, we are given a little bit more surrounding the mystery of what now appears to be a double murder. We are then brought to the present when they are adults being forced to find a spouse or be cut off by their grandmother who currently supports all five of them.

I've read these novels out of order but enjoyed the story nonethe...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Michelle Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-read, historical

A solid 3.5 stars for me.

http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...

I didn't find this book 2, A Hellion in Her Bed as good as the first book, The Truth About Lord Stoneville. At the same time, I was a really great book.

Jarret's grandmother becomes ill and releases him from the ultimatum she placed on Jarret regarding the demand to get married....only if he will run Plumtree Brewery. This decision gave Jarret the purpose he needed to move passed his wastrel life. Although he reluctantly took over...more A solid 3.5 stars for me.

http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...

I didn't find this book 2, A Hellion in Her Bed as good as the first book, The Truth About Lord Stoneville. At the same time, I was a really great book.

Jarret's grandmother becomes ill and releases him from the ultimatum she placed on Jarret regarding the demand to get married....only if he will run Plumtree Brewery. This decision gave Jarret the purpose he needed to move passed his wastrel life. Although he reluctantly took over charge at the brewery at first, it quickly became obvious that he really did knack the true business sense to operate the company. When Annabel takes a gamble on her future and approaches Jarret to help, their chemistry was instant. Their charm may have been compatible but both were quite devious. Annabel with her salacious wagers and Jarret thinking with his lower brain.

It is obvious that Sabrina Jeffries did a lot of research for this book. I really appreciate when I read about a certain time period (1825) I can trust what I read. The Plumtree and Lake Brewerys were fictional but she combined in a great historical account regarding India Pale Ale and the shipping export business. I love it when I leave a book with some account of true facts on the period. It just gave the entire story such validity.

Annabel sure lied her way through A Hellion in Her Bed. It was becoming a dangerous slope for her to follow and she needed many others to back her up with all the lies. I realize that she did what she did to save her family and company but I still felt bad for Jarret that she was being so deceptive. Now Jarret was no angel either by accepting her wagers and also holding back on his own personal history so really the two were quite a match. I did adore how well the pair were suited for each other and they were both so clever and knowledgeable about their business. It is always a pleasure to read about women of industry in that time period. It was so rare.

I wished we had more interaction with the other siblings in A Hellion in Her Bed. I think that is what I missed about this story compared to The Truth About Lord Stoneville. The family dynamic in this story was more on Annabel's side. I am hoping that when I start How to Woo a Reluctant Lady next (and I am starting right now) that there is more of the Sharpe family. I missed his grandmother too. She is a scene stealer for me.

I liked the idea that Sabrina Jeffries created a mystery to link the books together more closely. Instead of each book being about a couple match up, there is more to the story to keep the reader coming back. I think with each book more clues get revealed. I would like to see how it all links together. So for that reason, I would not recommend Hellions of Halstead Hall as a stand alone books but rather to be enjoyed from first book to last.

Teasers: Irish whist, late night office rendezvous, cundums, more clues to the mystery
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Oct 28, 2011 Rebecca (everyday reader) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Annabel, being a ruined woman who is almost 30 and has a son, doesn't believe she can have a good husband because of her past. So she makes do with her life in helping care for her brother's children and assisting with the family brewery. Lord Jarret is a confirmed bachelor who meets and falls for Annabel while working together on a deal that will improve both of their financial futures. Great read!! Compassion is a sexy quality on a man.

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Feb 21, 2011 Jenny Q rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You really can't go wrong with a Sabrina Jeffries book. Great characters and good plots that don't rely on outrageous heroics and never devolve into silliness. I really liked the plot of this one, with Annabel seeking out Jarret, the newly installed manager of his family's successful large brewery, to form a partnership that will help save her family's ailing small brewery. A smart heroine with a big heart and even bigger secrets, a roguish hero who wants more out of life, steamy sex, and beer--...more

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Jan 18, 2011 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: trashy-romance-novel, read-in-2011

I loved the Jarett right away, but I didn't like Annabel...right away. It wasn't that I disliked her personality, but you find out pretty quickly that she got knocked up when she was young, by her childhood sweetheart (who promptly went off to war and got himself killed). That wasn't why I didn't like her. To keep everyone from finding out about the pregnancy, she lets her brother and his wife raise her son as their own. Right away, my Mommy gene went into overload. Nooooooo! How could you let s...more

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May 06, 2011 Nonieღserenity2bliss rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read the first book of this series and I didn't like it. I was hoping that I will like the second book better, alas, I don't.

It's important to note that it's not because the book is bad. On the contrary, I think it's good. On some level. I think many people would probably love this, but I've read better stuff from SJ. She was one of the few historical romance writers that I love and would pick up her books without reading the synopsis at the back.

But so far, this series has yet to meet the a...more

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Dec 14, 2012 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Outstanding!!

This book had me laughing out loud at the clever and witty dialogue. The story was excellently written and the characters were dynamic and well portrayed.

Lord Jarret Sharpe is a devilishly handsome rogue who spends his time in gaming hells avoiding responsibility. When his sick grandmother puts him in charge of the family brewery, he wagers a business deal on a radical bet with a beautiful young brewster, Annabel Lake. Annabel has some secrets in her past. In order to secure the hel...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Minna rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another 3.5 star book. Why, oh why, can't Goodreads expand the ratings scale? Perhaps a 1-10 scale? I had to round down, because when it came down to it, I really enjoyed the book but I don't feel the burning urge to hold on to it to re-read.
Lord Jarrett Sharpe was sort of convincing as a brewer - he seemed good at it, and drawn to it, but noblemen at the time would practically kill themselves before going into trade. I get that the Sharpes were all nouveau-aristocracy, so to speak, but since h...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Mey Buentipo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, mystery-historical-romance

Business. Complications. Love. This all in this book. The second book of the Hellions of Hallstead Hall series. I had very enjoyable read for the first book. It had a very nice introduction. At first I have to grasp what the book is about. At the first part it is all about business, and of course there is attractions of the h/h. Although it became so long that some parts are boring already. I liked the interjection of the investigation about there parent's death. That keep the series going. Now...more

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Sep 21, 2010 Angelc rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Annabel Lake was taking the last desperate steps to save her family brewery from ruin. Her brother was too drunk to take care of the business anymore. Annabel took her best ale to Plumtree Brewery to propose a partnership. She knew the woman in charge would look at her as an equal. However, she didn't expect to find the woman's grandson in charge instead. Jarett Sharpe had the reputation of a wastrel gambler, could she trust him to save her brewery? Or more importantly, could she trust him with...more Annabel Lake was taking the last desperate steps to save her family brewery from ruin. Her brother was too drunk to take care of the business anymore. Annabel took her best ale to Plumtree Brewery to propose a partnership. She knew the woman in charge would look at her as an equal. However, she didn't expect to find the woman's grandson in charge instead. Jarett Sharpe had the reputation of a wastrel gambler, could she trust him to save her brewery? Or more importantly, could she trust him with her heart?

I thought the brewery storyline was very interesting and new. I liked the author's note that many women really were brewers at that time, when most women weren't really accepted in most jobs.

I loved that Jarrett always treated Annabel as an equal in business. He never condescended her or made less of her business decisions because she was a woman. This was probably because he was used to his grandmother running his family's brewery. It was very refreshing to see the man and woman on equal footing in the workplace, something that's difficult to achieve even now.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as Jeffries' other novels, but it was still a fun story. I liked Jarret, but I didn't love hi. I like a guy who tells his lady how he feels instead of hiding it all the time. I liked that Jarett was a gambler, but his wagers with Annabel were a little predictable in the direction that they took.

Annabel was a little too martyr-ish for me. Giving up all of her happiness because of one mistake a long time ago when she was very young, when there were ways to overcome the obstacle and family more than willing to help her balance everything.

My favorite part of the book was when Jarrett was stying with Annabel and her family, and they convinced him to sing. His singing voice was terrible and he hadn't sung anything since his family told him he was awful. But with Annabel's family, he was comfortable enough to be himself, even showing his less than likeable traits.

"Hellion in Her Bed" is a fun historical romance, and I really liked the unique brewery setting and the equal business partnership that the main characters had.

ARC sent for review by publicist

reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com

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Jan 14, 2012 Readitnweep rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english-romance, historical, romance, favorites

I've read two other stories from this series: Oliver's and Minerva's stories, and I did enjoy Minerva's - but not quite as much as this one.

This was the best so far. I was very sucked in to the story of Lord Jarret Sharpe and Annabel Lake. Kudos to the author for weaving in all the brewery jargon and making that a part of the story. I enjoyed that Annabel had taken that over for her brother, though I have to say Hugh's recovery from his troubles with alcohol was way too easy.

But Jarret's and Ann...more

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Nov 22, 2012 Nicole Laverdure rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A Hellion in her bed, book #2 of The Hellions of Halstead Hall series.

I love Ms. Jeffries's characters Jarret Sharpe and Annabel Lake

It’s the story of a grandmother who wishes that her grandchildren would settle down and marry so she can enjoy great-grandchildren’s. It’s also the mystery surrounding the deaths of both parents of Jarret .

Jarret must marry by year's end or be disinherited.

Annabel is beautiful, talented and smart woman and Jarret a gorgeous and rich man. Both meet and....

Funny sto...more

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May 17, 2012 Celina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, already-a-mother-heroine, sabrina-jeffries, owned-copy, g-h-i-j-authors, wagers

Jarret and Annabel's love story starts with that wonderful wager that the whole London found out eventually. Jarret helps the Lake brewery and along the way he discovers a little bit more about Annabel.

There was this one bit where Oliver and Maria comes back and Oliver says "At least she didn't thrust a sword at your throat" something like that and I knew why I didn't love it so much. I miss Maria and Oliver. I know it's not fair but if I had read this book before the first one, I would have lov...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Jule rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lord Jarret Sharpes Lebensinhalt ist das Kartenspiel. Statt einer angesehenen Tätigkeit nachzugehen, legt er sein Schicksal lieber in die Hände Fortunas, denn deren Risiken kann er kalkulieren. Doch als die schöne Bierbrauerin Annabel ihn zu einem Spiel herausfordert, kann er nicht wiederstehen. Dabei steht nicht nur die Brauerei von Jarrets Familie und Annabels guter Ruf auf dem Spiel, sondern auch wenn er es noch nicht ahnt: sein Herz ...

„Spiel der Herzen“ ist der zweite Band der „Hellions of...more Lord Jarret Sharpes Lebensinhalt ist das Kartenspiel. Statt einer angesehenen Tätigkeit nachzugehen, legt er sein Schicksal lieber in die Hände Fortunas, denn deren Risiken kann er kalkulieren. Doch als die schöne Bierbrauerin Annabel ihn zu einem Spiel herausfordert, kann er nicht wiederstehen. Dabei steht nicht nur die Brauerei von Jarrets Familie und Annabels guter Ruf auf dem Spiel, sondern auch wenn er es noch nicht ahnt: sein Herz ...

„Spiel der Herzen“ ist der zweite Band der „Hellions of Halstead Hall“-Reihe der US-amerikanischen Autorin Sabrina Jeffries. Es handelt sich hierbei um eine Regency bzw. Romantic History-Romanreihe.
Anfangs wollte ich nur mal in den Roman „reinschnuppern“ und schon bald hatte mich die Geschichte gefesselt, sodass ich gar nicht mehr aufhören konnte (und wollte) zu lesen.

Die Großmutter der fünf Geschwister Oliver, Jarret, Minerva, Gabe und Celia hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht alle ihre Enkelkinder unter die Haube zu bringen, ob diese nun wollen oder nicht, denn sonst droht die Enterbung. Nachdem Oliver im ersten Band „Lord Stonevilles Geheimnis“ die Amerikanerin Maria heiratete ist nun der Zweitälteste, Jarret, an der Reihe.

Dieser hat ein recht gespaltenes Verhältnis zu tiefen Gefühlen, Bindungen und Vertrauen, was aus den traurigen Erfahrungen seiner Kindheit resultiert und ist so gar nicht willens zu heiraten. Aber auch Annabel möchte sich nicht binden, was jedoch ganz andere Gründe hat...

Der Autorin gelingt es zwei authentische und interessante Charaktere darzustellen, die wunderbar unkonventionell und sympathisch sind. Besonders die Dialoge zwischen den beiden haben mich begeistert und oft zum Lachen gebracht: Sie sind frisch, intelligent, frech und schlagfertig, denn Annabel lässt sich vom recht arroganten Lord nichts gefallen.

Bedenken hatte ich zu Beginn, da die ganze Geschichte zwischen Annabel und Jarret in eine Bierbrauereihandlung gebettet ist und dieses Thema mich nicht unbedingt interessiert. Jedoch stehen die Gefühle und Geschehnisse zwischen den Personen ganz klar im Vordergrund. Die Autorin arrangiert dabei Liebesgeschichte und Brauereihintergrund so gekonnt, dass ein atmosphärisch dichter Roman entsteht, ohne zu viel über die Braukunst zu erzählen.

Besonders fesselten mich die spannenden und gewitzten Beschreibungen der Kartenspiele, der Szenen zwischen Jarret und Annabel und die Handlung um die strenge, aber sympathische Großmutter.
Die Geschichte wird zwar die ganze Zeit über von einem auktorialen Erzähler erzählt, der jedoch immer eine Person in den Vordergrund stellt. So erlebt mal als Leser im Wechsel, was Jarret, Annabel oder andere Personen denken und fühlen, was abwechslungsreich und aufschlussreich ist. Zudem liest sich die Geschichte wunderbar flüssig, wodurch sie zu einem echten Leseerlebnis wird.

Obwohl ich den ersten Band noch nicht kenne, konnte ich diesen zweiten Band problemlos lesen. Aus Band eins wurde dabei fast nichts verraten, außer wie sich Oliver und Maria kennengelernt haben. Ganz im Gegenteil: Die Autorin hat es wirklich gut hinbekommen, auf „Lord Stonevilles Geheimnis“ neugierig zu machen.

Im nächsten Band „Ein vortrefflicher Schurke“ täuscht übrigens die älteste Enkeltochter Minerva eine Verlobung mit dem Draufgänger Masters vor, um die Großmutter zu schockieren, wobei es natürlich nicht bleiben wird ... ;)(less)

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Mar 05, 2013 Casusangelus rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gedruckt, gelesen-2013

Inhalt:
Als seine Großmutter Hetty Plumtree krank wird, einigt sich Lord Jarret Sharpe mit ihr, dass er ihre Brauerei so lange weiter führt, wenn sie ihn dafür von dem Ultimatum entbindet, entweder innerhalb eines Jahres zu heiraten oder enterbt zu werden. Als die Brauerin Annabel Lake, welche die Brauerei ihres Bruders mit einem Handel zu retten versucht, bei ihm im Büro auftaucht, befürchtet er jedoch, dass seine Großmutter ein Spiel mit ihm spielt und sie beide verkuppeln möchte. Doch da er sc...more Inhalt:
Als seine Großmutter Hetty Plumtree krank wird, einigt sich Lord Jarret Sharpe mit ihr, dass er ihre Brauerei so lange weiter führt, wenn sie ihn dafür von dem Ultimatum entbindet, entweder innerhalb eines Jahres zu heiraten oder enterbt zu werden. Als die Brauerin Annabel Lake, welche die Brauerei ihres Bruders mit einem Handel zu retten versucht, bei ihm im Büro auftaucht, befürchtet er jedoch, dass seine Großmutter ein Spiel mit ihm spielt und sie beide verkuppeln möchte. Doch da er schönen Frauen und dem Glücksspiel nicht widerstehen kann, geht er trotzdem eine Wette mit Annabel ein: wenn sie gewinnt, wird er ihrer Familie helfen, wenn er gewinnt, wird sie das Bett mit ihm teilen.

Meine Meinung:
"Spiel der Herzen" ist der zweite Teil von Sabrina Jeffries Reihe "Hellions of Hallstead Hall" um die fünf Sharpe-Geschwister, welche ihre Großmutter gerne verheiratet wissen möchte. Dieser Teil würde sich zwar auch unabhängig vom ersten Teil lesen lassen, doch ich empfehle dennoch die richtige Reihenfolge, da sich so das Treiben der Großmutter und das Aufdecken der Familiengeheimnisse besser nachvollziehen lässt.

Die Geschichte fängt an mit einem Prolog, in dem Jarret noch dreizehn Jahre alt ist und kurz nach dem Tod seiner Eltern ins Internat geschickt wird. Diesen finde ich sehr gut gewählt, da ich so später in der Geschichte durchaus nachvollziehen kann, wie Jarret zu dem geworden ist, der er ist: ein Glücksspieler, der sich dagegen wehrt, etwas Nützliches mit seinem Leben anzufangen. Anfangs habe ich ihm zwar noch nicht so ganz getraut, da er wie ein Aufschneider und Verführer gewirkt hat, doch in Gegenwart von Annabel hat sich immer öfter gezeigt, dass er in seinem Innersten eigentlich ein Gentleman ist.

Annabel war mir auf Anhieb sympathisch. Sie setzt sich sehr für ihre Familie, insbesondere ihren Neffen Geordie, ein, was auch gute Gründe hat, und tut alles, um die Brauerei ihres Bruders zu retten. Außerdem ist sie nicht die typische Jungfrau, die man vielleicht in so einem Roman erwarten würde. Sie hat schon einige wenige Erfahrungen mit Männern gesammelt und ist sich ihrer Bedürfnisse durchaus bewusst. Die Gespräche zwischen ihr und Jarret waren so ziemlich lustig zu lesen, da Annabel immer gut gekontert hat. Dass die beiden sich ineinander verlieben würden, war von Anfang an klar, doch trotzdem war es schön zu lesen, vor allem da dies nicht gleich Hals über Kopf geschieht.

Die Nebencharaktere fand ich auch recht gut ausgearbeitet. Der zwölfjährige Geordie hat am Anfang ziemlich nervig gewirkt, doch im Laufe des Buches ist klar geworden, dass er ein lieber und gut erzogener Junge ist, der vielleicht ein wenig überbehütet wurde und einfach schon gerne erwachsen gewesen wäre. Annabels Schwägerin Sissy war immer lieb und Annabel gegenüber sehr verständnisvoll, auch wenn sie ihre tiefsten Geheimnisse kennt. Einzig Annabels Bruder Hugh fand ich ein wenig seltsam. Es wird schon am Anfang des Buches davon geredet, dass er ein Alkoholproblem hätte, weswegen die Brauerei den Bach runtergeht und wovon Jarret auf keinen Fall etwas wissen dürfte. Da hatte ich mir schon ungefähr ein Bild von Hugh gemacht, doch als sie dann bei ihm angekommen sind, war er ganz anders, als ich erwartet hätte und ich auch nicht wirklich nachvollziehen konnte.

Jarrets Geschwister waren, durch die Fahrt nach Burton zur Brauerei Lake Ale, in diesem Teil nicht sehr präsent. Die Großmutter Hetty Plumtree konnte ich in diesem Teil wieder nicht ganz durchschauen. Einerseits habe ich mir Sorgen gemacht, dass sie eine ernste Krankheit hat und ihr etwas geschehen könnte, was ich sehr schade fände. Anderseits dachte ich mir aber auch, dass sie das ganze vielleicht nur spielt, um Jarret doch zur Ehe zu bringen. Da bin ich gespannt, was sie in den nächsten Teile noch alles so treibt und wie Minerva, Celia und Gabe ihre große Liebe finden werden.

Fazit:
"Spiel der Herzen" von Sabrina Jeffries, der zweite Teil um die fünf Sharpe-Geschwister, war, durch die Dialoge zwischen den beiden Protagonisten Jarret und Annabel wieder sehr lustig zu lesen. Die Geschichte war spannend und die Liebesgeschichte schön aufgebaut, so dass ich nach einem Kapitel kaum aufhören konnte zu lesen. Da ich die Geschichte um Annabels Bruder ein wenig zu leicht gelöst fand, gibt es von mir 4,5 von 5 Muscheln. (less)

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Feb 13, 2013 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lord Jarret Sharpe has suffered some terrible losses. His parents are both dead, his grandmother took him from all that he has known, and the whole town looks down their noses at his family. He has become known as a gambler and a rogue, and he keeps anything that could possibly matter at arms reach. To top all this off, his grandmother has decreed the Sharpe children must all marry within the year or they will all be cut off. Ughhh, frustrating situation right!

I personally enjoy his grandmother,...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Danielle (Bookwhoreblog) Perez rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Review Here: http://www.bookwhoreblog.com/2012/06/...

This is book two in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series, a series that has quickly made its way to the top of my TBR pile. I have fallen in love with the Halstead Hellions and I am eager to read about each family member. In A Hellion in Her bed we follow Lord Jarret Sharpe on his journey of falling in love, and the secrets that hide in his closet making him the man he has grown to be.

Normally in Historical Romances we are dealing with girls...more Review Here: http://www.bookwhoreblog.com/2012/06/...

This is book two in the Hellions of Halstead Hall series, a series that has quickly made its way to the top of my TBR pile. I have fallen in love with the Halstead Hellions and I am eager to read about each family member. In A Hellion in Her bed we follow Lord Jarret Sharpe on his journey of falling in love, and the secrets that hide in his closet making him the man he has grown to be.

Normally in Historical Romances we are dealing with girls who want to protect their reputation, and avoid scandal. A Hellion in Her Bed has a bit of a twist making this story unique; Miss Annabel Lake is already ruined. Annabel is a beautiful heroine and Lord Jarret Sharpe cannot figure out why she is not married raising her own family, instead of living with her brother, trying to save his business, and caring for his children. As this story unfolds you learn of some interesting secrets Annabel is keeping, and the disaster they could bring on her family when everyone finds out.

Lord Jarret is quite the firecracker himself. Jarret is dashingly hansom, not willing to settle down, and a career gambler. Until the day he meets Miss Lake and she places a wager on his table that will change everything.

The first half of this book started off a bit slow to me. I was into the story obviously because I didn't put it down, but I found it lacking in something I couldn't figure out. Once the Hellions that are Lord Jarret's family show back up I realized what the story was missing, them! I love the way each relatives interacts with each other. They are all so witty and fun and the banter between them has me laughing out loud.

I also love how you continue to learn more and more about what really may have happen to their parents. I feel like it connects each story, instead of just having a romance from each family member. I can't wait to learn more about what really happened. Also as crazy as it sounds Mr. Pinter is really growing on me, in book one I despised him and in this book I adored all he does for this family.

I recommend this book to readers but make sure to read this series in order. This book is for adult readers only. (less)

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Nov 21, 2010 Hollie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, 2010, mom-own

Having been selected to recieve this book from the First Reads contest I must say the book arrived very quickly and I was able to start on it... as soon as I finished reading Book 1.

So now, this is book 2 of the Hellions of Halstead Hall which follows the second sibling, Lord Jarret Sharpe. The Grandmother has put an ultimatum on the five siblings that they must all marry within one year or all of them will lose their inheritence. As far as a plot hitch, this one is very weak. You see the grand...more

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About Sabrina Jeffries

If having a colorful life turns you into a novelist, then I had no choice but to become a writer. My whole life changed when my parents moved us to Thailand when I was seven. Before I was eighteen, I'd eaten chicken heads and jellyfish, been chased by a baby elephant, seen countless cobras and pythons, had the entire series of rabies shots (yes, the ones in the stomach with those lo-o-o-ng needles...more

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Books by Sabrina Jeffries

The Truth About Lord Stoneville (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #1)

One Night With a Prince (Royal Brotherhood, #3)

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #3)

Never Seduce a Scoundrel (School for Heiresses, Book 1)

In the Prince's Bed (Royal Brotherhood, #1)

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Quotes from A Hellion in Her Bed

“Ah yes," Gabe said, "Pinter is ever the gallant when it comes to the ladies. He wouldn't risk leaving us alone with poor Miss Lake, for the fear one of us might spirit her off to our lair."
"Why?" Miss Lake asked, with a lift of her brow. "Do you three make a habit of spiriting women off?"
"Only on Tuesdays and Fridays," Masters said. "Seeing as how it's Wednesday, your safe."
"Unless you're wearing a blue garter, madam," Gabe quipped. "On Wednesdays, Masters and I have a great fondness for blue garters. Are your gaters blue, Miss Lake?"
"Only on Mondays and Thursdays." She dealt thirteen cards apiece to the two of them, then put the rest aside as the stock, turning the top card faceup. "Sorry gentlemen. I guess you'll have to spirit off some other woman.” — 13 people liked it

“He smiled his dimpled smile. "Well, I've found something in my heart, my love, and it's you. You fill it up so completely that I don't need anything else." His gaze turned solemn. "I don't want to be the river anymore. I want to be the earth that the tree roots in. And I believe that I can, if you'll be my tree. Will you?"

It was too much. She began to cry, though she smiled so he'd know that they were happy tears. "That proposal...is vastly superior...to your last one," she choked out between sobs. "I would very much love to be your tree."

-Jarret and Annabel” — 6 people liked it

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A Hellion in Her Bed (Hellions of Halstead Hall #2)

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