A review by ellieasnora
A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When Eliza the Countess of Somerset is widowed age 27 she is more relieved than grief stricken having been left a fortune, provided she can steer clear of scandal. Being able to live her life on her own terms now, she and her cousin Margaret decide to leave for Bath and live life to the fullest, at least as full as possible whilst still in full mourning. The last thing she expects is to be torn between two different men and promises of love, one from her past and a roguish poet who scorns societal convention. But a lady’s reputation is fragile and with jealous eyes on her fortune it would only take one whisper of gossip for her to lose it all. 

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal is a classic regency romance and I really enjoyed watching Eliza come into her own no longer under the thumb of her parents or late husband. The side characters were also really compelling and I was really interested to see what happened with Margaret, Caroline and Lady Hurley throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the exploration of all of the strictness of social conventions at the time, the attitudes towards citizens of mixed race and the rules and the double standards between women and men at the time. 

A fun read to tide me over until the second part of Bridgerton Season 3 is released.