Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
For fans of the first two books in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, a Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes is a highly anticipated read this spring. If you've haven't read the previous books, never fear, because this can be read as a standalone!
From the moment the Duke of Langham and Miss Flora Deaver meet in An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire, sparks fly, along with barbed comments, hard looks, and mild insults. When Langham comes to Flora's rescue following her purse being stolen by a pickpocket at the train station, the opportunity for a mutually beneficial arrangement presents itself. First Flora must confess to her true identity.
Flora's true name is Poppy Delamare and she has been hiding in London from her stepfather after running away from an arranged marriage and now her sister is accused of murdering her husband, whom she was forced to marry in Poppy's place. A fake engagement to a Duke will provide the necessary influence to help her prove her sister's innocence. Attending his grandmother's birthday celebration with a fiancé already in tow will give Langham some breathing room from the marriage minded mamas, and his grandmother.
The murder investigation and Langham's family history is surprisingly connected. As Langham and Poppy dive into the investigation, it isn't only facts surrounding the case that they discover. Secrets, fears, family history, and feelings are shared and it is evident that those sparks and verbal barbs in the past were masking a fiery attraction.
One thing that I love about Langham is that even when he didn't particularly like Poppy, he never doubted her intelligence. And he isn't wrong; Poppy is incredibly astute, brilliant at research, and thinking on her feet. Langham stood up for Poppy when warranted, but also let her deal with situations and comments herself because he trusted her ability to put people in their place in just the right way.
Poppy and Langham quickly overcome their animosity from the previous book and develop a true friendship based on respect and caring. The two make a great team in pursuing leads, though Langham is often blinded by childhood loyalties. I found it incredibly frustrating how much power the stepfather had over his wife and widowed daughter, which is just the truth for the time. It provided a lovely contract to the way Langham treated Poppy and made me love him all the more.
I highly recommend this entire series to fans of Victorian era romances fueled by a murder mystery. Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the gifted e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the moment the Duke of Langham and Miss Flora Deaver meet in An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire, sparks fly, along with barbed comments, hard looks, and mild insults. When Langham comes to Flora's rescue following her purse being stolen by a pickpocket at the train station, the opportunity for a mutually beneficial arrangement presents itself. First Flora must confess to her true identity.
Flora's true name is Poppy Delamare and she has been hiding in London from her stepfather after running away from an arranged marriage and now her sister is accused of murdering her husband, whom she was forced to marry in Poppy's place. A fake engagement to a Duke will provide the necessary influence to help her prove her sister's innocence. Attending his grandmother's birthday celebration with a fiancé already in tow will give Langham some breathing room from the marriage minded mamas, and his grandmother.
The murder investigation and Langham's family history is surprisingly connected. As Langham and Poppy dive into the investigation, it isn't only facts surrounding the case that they discover. Secrets, fears, family history, and feelings are shared and it is evident that those sparks and verbal barbs in the past were masking a fiery attraction.
One thing that I love about Langham is that even when he didn't particularly like Poppy, he never doubted her intelligence. And he isn't wrong; Poppy is incredibly astute, brilliant at research, and thinking on her feet. Langham stood up for Poppy when warranted, but also let her deal with situations and comments herself because he trusted her ability to put people in their place in just the right way.
Poppy and Langham quickly overcome their animosity from the previous book and develop a true friendship based on respect and caring. The two make a great team in pursuing leads, though Langham is often blinded by childhood loyalties. I found it incredibly frustrating how much power the stepfather had over his wife and widowed daughter, which is just the truth for the time. It provided a lovely contract to the way Langham treated Poppy and made me love him all the more.
I highly recommend this entire series to fans of Victorian era romances fueled by a murder mystery. Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the gifted e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Poppy and Joshua are precious. I love when she puts him directly in his place. I love when he calls her out for denying that she has feelings. I swooned whenever they called each other their “betrothed.” It’s totally the historical equivalent of the modern “my wife” trope and I’m here for it.
The mystery in this one was fun. I was guessing for longer than I thought! I missed Kate and Caro though. I was wishing for a bit more of their amazing friendship banter.
The mystery in this one was fun. I was guessing for longer than I thought! I missed Kate and Caro though. I was wishing for a bit more of their amazing friendship banter.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Another nice little story, though I kinda wish the hero had a chance to fight someone since his skill at boxing had been mentioned in a previous book. Perhaps a silly complaint, but it felt kind of Chekhov's Gun-like to me lol.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Another great book in this series. Excited for the next one
I really enjoyed this one! It might be my favorite in the series! I love a good murder mystery with a fake engagement thrown in!
Poppy is heading out of town to visit her sister who has just been accused of murdering her awful husband (he had it coming honestly). While at the station she literally runs into the Duke of Langham who offers her a ride home and help with her sister’s situation if she will help him with his grandmother.
The Duke of Langham’s grandmother wants to see him settled so for her birthday she invites a number of eligible ladies to her party with the hopes that Langham will pick one. Langham instead rolls up to the party with a fiancé ruining his grandmother’s plans.
Poppy is heading out of town to visit her sister who has just been accused of murdering her awful husband (he had it coming honestly). While at the station she literally runs into the Duke of Langham who offers her a ride home and help with her sister’s situation if she will help him with his grandmother.
The Duke of Langham’s grandmother wants to see him settled so for her birthday she invites a number of eligible ladies to her party with the hopes that Langham will pick one. Langham instead rolls up to the party with a fiancé ruining his grandmother’s plans.