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A review by booksandwings
A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin
4.0
This was my first time reading a Sophie Irwin book, and I want to start this review by saying just how beautifully she writes, from her writing voice and style to her scene setting and wonderfully fleshed out characters.
The story begins with our main character Eliza, learning of the unexpected fortune she has inherited, and the clause in her former husband's will that threatens to take it all away if she doesn't behave the way it's believed she should. Initially this seems to be of little issue: Eliza has always been a dutiful daughter and wife, doing what is expected of her. But as the story progresses we see her finally getting the chance to discover who she is, rather than who everyone else wants her to be.
For much of this journey she is joined by her cousin Margaret and I have to say that I think people who love Eloise in Bridgerton will absolutely adore this character! Sassy and witty, Margaret's confidence helps to push Eliza out of her designated box. She is given her own side story too, and I found myself just as invested in this as I was in Eliza's.
The book does feature a love triangle, which I know is not for everyone, but in this instance I felt as though it completely worked. The pull Eliza feels towards both love interests is obvious and understandable, and unlike in cases where you find yourself wondering why one of them is even being considered, it really is easy to see why she is so torn. More than that though, the romance aspect is not the key focus of the book - it is about Eliza finding herself, and her own happiness.
Complete with a host of fun and interesting side characters, some beautiful LGBTQ representation and plenty of entertaining banter, I highly recommend this book. It is pitched as being perfect for fans of Bridgerton and, as a fan of Bridgerton myself, I completely agree.
The story begins with our main character Eliza, learning of the unexpected fortune she has inherited, and the clause in her former husband's will that threatens to take it all away if she doesn't behave the way it's believed she should. Initially this seems to be of little issue: Eliza has always been a dutiful daughter and wife, doing what is expected of her. But as the story progresses we see her finally getting the chance to discover who she is, rather than who everyone else wants her to be.
For much of this journey she is joined by her cousin Margaret and I have to say that I think people who love Eloise in Bridgerton will absolutely adore this character! Sassy and witty, Margaret's confidence helps to push Eliza out of her designated box. She is given her own side story too, and I found myself just as invested in this as I was in Eliza's.
The book does feature a love triangle, which I know is not for everyone, but in this instance I felt as though it completely worked. The pull Eliza feels towards both love interests is obvious and understandable, and unlike in cases where you find yourself wondering why one of them is even being considered, it really is easy to see why she is so torn. More than that though, the romance aspect is not the key focus of the book - it is about Eliza finding herself, and her own happiness.
Complete with a host of fun and interesting side characters, some beautiful LGBTQ representation and plenty of entertaining banter, I highly recommend this book. It is pitched as being perfect for fans of Bridgerton and, as a fan of Bridgerton myself, I completely agree.