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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The main characters meet one before the start of the book, and then by (I think) day 2 or 3 they are in love. This makes the book seem silly at times when they're discussing the depth of their feelings, because it's only been TWO DAYS!!!
3.5✨
A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes brings forth the thrills of romance and the rush of solving a mysterious case with danger lurking at every corner.
Overall, this was a fun, delightful read!
》The Murder Mystery《
Surprisingly, it was the murder mystery that held my attention most in this story. I was intrigued from start to end with everything related to the mystery. I was more and more engaged as more of that story developed, as the hints towards its resolution accumulated. I thought this part of the plot was the strongest facet.
》The Romance《
I do wish the romance could have held my attention the same way the mystery did. Sadly, I felt if there’s one hiccup in this book it’s that the romance wasn’t as fleshed out as it should have been.
Poppy and Joshua are wonderful characters, on their own and together. I loved them together!
But...yeah, there's a but coming.
Part of my issue with the romance is we are robbed of seeing their first meeting, the plot rushes forward from the onset. Our leads are always connected and form their fake proposal within a blink of an eye. It just develops so fast that I miss seeing how they develop too. They have terrific banter and dialogue, but none of the softness and warmth in romance. It arrives without much production, too. It’s all so very practical than even at its most passionate there was fire lacking. It’s odd to say, because they are so well matched. But the romance is the one thing I did not fully care for.
》The Whodunnit 《
If you know me, you know I regard the romance (sub)plot above all else in reading. I’m a romance reader through and through! Yes, it disappointed me here, but I must give the author all the kudos because even though I felt disconnected from the romance, the rest of the plot riveted me. I still felt committed and content to continue reading. I desperately wanted to know whodunnit! I loved the thrill from that chase. I immersed myself far more than expected in that part of the plot, and it carried me through to the end.
Thank you Forever for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes brings forth the thrills of romance and the rush of solving a mysterious case with danger lurking at every corner.
Overall, this was a fun, delightful read!
》The Murder Mystery《
Surprisingly, it was the murder mystery that held my attention most in this story. I was intrigued from start to end with everything related to the mystery. I was more and more engaged as more of that story developed, as the hints towards its resolution accumulated. I thought this part of the plot was the strongest facet.
》The Romance《
I do wish the romance could have held my attention the same way the mystery did. Sadly, I felt if there’s one hiccup in this book it’s that the romance wasn’t as fleshed out as it should have been.
Poppy and Joshua are wonderful characters, on their own and together. I loved them together!
But...yeah, there's a but coming.
Part of my issue with the romance is we are robbed of seeing their first meeting, the plot rushes forward from the onset. Our leads are always connected and form their fake proposal within a blink of an eye. It just develops so fast that I miss seeing how they develop too. They have terrific banter and dialogue, but none of the softness and warmth in romance. It arrives without much production, too. It’s all so very practical than even at its most passionate there was fire lacking. It’s odd to say, because they are so well matched. But the romance is the one thing I did not fully care for.
》The Whodunnit 《
If you know me, you know I regard the romance (sub)plot above all else in reading. I’m a romance reader through and through! Yes, it disappointed me here, but I must give the author all the kudos because even though I felt disconnected from the romance, the rest of the plot riveted me. I still felt committed and content to continue reading. I desperately wanted to know whodunnit! I loved the thrill from that chase. I immersed myself far more than expected in that part of the plot, and it carried me through to the end.
Thank you Forever for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes is the third in the delicious Ladies Most Scandalous series by Manda Collins. The series name alone is delightful, let alone savouring the mysteries, deceptions and romance written with incredible wit and attention to historical details.
In 1867 England in the wake of personal and family challenges, fiesty Miss Poppy Delamare flees to London under the name of Flora Deaver to escape her deplorable betrothed. New environment, new name, new life. But life has a funny way of not going as planned. She meets Joshua Field, Duke of Langham, who has a proposition she cannot refuse, a win-win. She agrees to a fake betrothal, thereby avoiding marriage and he can put an end to the clamouring of the ladies who are desperate to marry him. Flora can hold her own under intense scrutiny of the Langham women. Now they are both safely off the market. Meanwhile, Flora's sister Violet is involved in a murder and Flora is anxious to bring the real killer to justice. Flora and Joshua aren't the only one with secrets.
Banter, chemistry, murder, scandals, social class mores and even a secret society are skillfully written into this fabulous story. The pacing winds and wends and there are many intricacies which kept my eyes stuck to the page.
Historical Mystery Fiction readers who adore romance sprinkled throughout ought to seek out this series, well worth diving into head first.
My sincere thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for introducing me to this charming and highly entertaining series.
In 1867 England in the wake of personal and family challenges, fiesty Miss Poppy Delamare flees to London under the name of Flora Deaver to escape her deplorable betrothed. New environment, new name, new life. But life has a funny way of not going as planned. She meets Joshua Field, Duke of Langham, who has a proposition she cannot refuse, a win-win. She agrees to a fake betrothal, thereby avoiding marriage and he can put an end to the clamouring of the ladies who are desperate to marry him. Flora can hold her own under intense scrutiny of the Langham women. Now they are both safely off the market. Meanwhile, Flora's sister Violet is involved in a murder and Flora is anxious to bring the real killer to justice. Flora and Joshua aren't the only one with secrets.
Banter, chemistry, murder, scandals, social class mores and even a secret society are skillfully written into this fabulous story. The pacing winds and wends and there are many intricacies which kept my eyes stuck to the page.
Historical Mystery Fiction readers who adore romance sprinkled throughout ought to seek out this series, well worth diving into head first.
My sincere thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for introducing me to this charming and highly entertaining series.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Poppy Delamare went to London years ago to escape the arranged marriage her stepfather insisted on. She started over as the unassuming secretary Flora Deaver and was content with her life. Until a morning newspaper informed her that her sister was accused of murdering her husband, the very man Poppy had run away from. A mishap as she's trying to get a ticket home ends with her pretending to be betrothed to Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham. She gets the protection of his name and power and he gets to avoid all the misses desperate to become duchesses.
What follows is a series of revelations and interesting interactions with a wide cast of characters that make even the expected plot elements fun and original. Everything from how Langham's family reacts, to the truths about Poppy's family, and the bizarre inclusion of a bored-rich-people cult feels natural to the story and makes it stand out.
I cannot find the words to adequately express how incredibly delightful I think this book is. It has the perfect balance of slow-burn enemies to lovers and sweetly supportive friendship that comes a little bit out of nowhere but still makes perfect sense. It also deals with murder and some very serious implications and threats while keeping a very fun and light touch throughout it. It really does give readers a little bit of everything in just-right doses.
It's the third book in the series but I'm pretty sure it can be fully enjoyed without knowing what happened in the first books. You'll miss out on how Poppy and Langham initially met and some of the background on the characters that show up later in the book, but it won't affect the story at all.
Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the wonderfully romantic read!
What follows is a series of revelations and interesting interactions with a wide cast of characters that make even the expected plot elements fun and original. Everything from how Langham's family reacts, to the truths about Poppy's family, and the bizarre inclusion of a bored-rich-people cult feels natural to the story and makes it stand out.
I cannot find the words to adequately express how incredibly delightful I think this book is. It has the perfect balance of slow-burn enemies to lovers and sweetly supportive friendship that comes a little bit out of nowhere but still makes perfect sense. It also deals with murder and some very serious implications and threats while keeping a very fun and light touch throughout it. It really does give readers a little bit of everything in just-right doses.
It's the third book in the series but I'm pretty sure it can be fully enjoyed without knowing what happened in the first books. You'll miss out on how Poppy and Langham initially met and some of the background on the characters that show up later in the book, but it won't affect the story at all.
Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the wonderfully romantic read!
I devoured A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins. Although this was my first of hers to read, I cannot wait to go back and read the others in this series.
Poppy Delamare has a secret identity that she’s been keeping from her friends. When she reads that her sister is accused of murder however; she cannot let her sister be alone and sets her sights on home. Duke Joshua of Langham has morals, he cannot leave a lady in distress. Seeing Poppy robbed at the station, he convinces her to travel with him to home. He also has the connections necessary for Poppy to learn all about her sister’s case. The catch? He’d love for her to be his engaged lover for the week.
Manda Collin’s A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is part mystery, all parts historical romance. I love reading a marriage of convenience and the forced proximity aspect made this one I will recommend! Poppy and Joshua trade barbs throughout with tension that leads the reader to think: when will they finally kiss?! While I thought that the ending mystery part was rushed, I found the overarching mystery fascinating and may try to do further research into if this secret society actually exists! I read this book before the others and felt this could be read as a standalone.
Thank you Forever Published and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Poppy Delamare has a secret identity that she’s been keeping from her friends. When she reads that her sister is accused of murder however; she cannot let her sister be alone and sets her sights on home. Duke Joshua of Langham has morals, he cannot leave a lady in distress. Seeing Poppy robbed at the station, he convinces her to travel with him to home. He also has the connections necessary for Poppy to learn all about her sister’s case. The catch? He’d love for her to be his engaged lover for the week.
Manda Collin’s A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is part mystery, all parts historical romance. I love reading a marriage of convenience and the forced proximity aspect made this one I will recommend! Poppy and Joshua trade barbs throughout with tension that leads the reader to think: when will they finally kiss?! While I thought that the ending mystery part was rushed, I found the overarching mystery fascinating and may try to do further research into if this secret society actually exists! I read this book before the others and felt this could be read as a standalone.
Thank you Forever Published and Netgalley for my earc in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes