Our heroes are unconventional but you grow to care for them none the less. No purple prose here but the fact that are straightforward and plain speaking is refreshing. This plays out quite interestingly over the love scenes! The plot is well developed, the romance and mystery within are well balanced so that one doesn’t overshadow the other.

I love the Studies In Scandal series and this one was a great addition to it! We've got the amazing heroine, Daphne who is a mathematician, and the hero - Dalton, the Duke of Maitland, who assists her in the quest to unlock a cipher, which is a challenger left to her by his aunt. I enjoyed reading this book along with the slow development of their relationship with each other. It had the right mix of romance, humor, and a little mystery in it. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good HR book to read.

Duke With Benefits is the second book in the Studies in Scandal series by Manda Collins. This one feature a classic strangers/friends to lovers troupe within the historical romance genre. You do not need to read the first book in the series to understand what is going on here.

Daphne Forsyth is a mathematical genius and is also one of the four ladies who inherited Lady Celeste's estate. While she's good with math, she does lack in social skills and is constantly saying whatever is on her mind regardless of the consequences. Shortly after arriving on the estate, Daphne finds herself involved in a mystery of mathematics She throws herself into solving it and enlists the help of the Duke of Maitland, Dalton.

With Daphne's lack of social awareness comes several faux pas - all of which Dalton is not sure how to take. There is a part of him that finds her endearing and then there's the other part of him where she drives him crazy. Daphne is a fearless character and she goes after what she wants. This includes her attraction to Dalton. These two characters had chemistry between them. They played off each other very well and I could sense a level of respect between them as well.

When trying to solve the mystery Daphne and Dalton make a good team. I liked that there was something else pulling them together besides an immediate attraction. There is even a little bit of slow burn with this one which was enjoyable. The mystery ends in a very dramatic fashion which I did feel like was over the top. I don't want to give anything away but let's just say for book three I'm hoping for a little less intensity and something a little different.

Manda Collins writes comedic scenes between her characters so well and Duke With Benefits has that in spades. Be it social faux pas, romantic misunderstandings, or mystery stumbling's, there is a little bit of everything for the reader. There is also a strong connection of sisterhood between Daphne and the other three ladies of the home. I look forward to seeing this connection continue in the next book Wallflower Most Wanted.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Who doesn’t love an awesome historical romance?? I sooo enjoyed this one! I’ll admit that I do “judge a book by its cover” so I’m glad the story inside held up to the eye catching cover.

A bluestocking and a man that accepts her. What a fun read. I liked this book, probably more than several others that I have read from the same series. Well-worth reading!

I enjoy Maitland and Daphne. It was fun to see Daphne interact with people. She is a heroine that I haven't run across before. She is straight forward and rather oblivious to other people's feelings. She isn't meaning harm, she's just so wrapped up in her intelligent brain, she can't comprehend simple things like social nuances and niceties. It was refreshing to have a woman from that time period that wasn't drawn and quartered because of her superior intellect. The romance part of the story was great. It really was the fluff that covered up the serious. It's serious business to have murderers running about. It was a simple book that sucked me in from the beginning and then next time I looked it was 2 a.m. and I'd been reading all evening into the wee morning hours

While I very much appreciate having the opportunity to read an ARC of Duke with Benefits, I won't be writing a full review on this title, as I was not able to finish this book and do not have anything to say about it.

I enjoy Historical Romances. I particularly enjoyed Duke With Benefits. I enjoyed the characters. I enjoyed the intrigue. I really enjoyed Lady Daphne.

Now, here was a woman who knew her value, knew her capabilities but had no idea how to act in public. She was brash. When she had something to say, she said it. I loved how she made me laugh and embarrassed me with her little quips. But, she was put into a situation with people who understood her and accepted her just the way she was. She finally has friends that she knows that she can count on. She never felt that she could trust a man after her upbringing and the Duke of Maitland has taken her by surprise. He’s charming, understanding and she is so attracted to him that she just could help but proposition him. As I said, brash.

Dalton Beauchamp was extremely attracted to Lady Daphne from the first time that he met her. She was a challenge that he couldn’t help but take on. She was beautiful, intelligent and an enigma. He really couldn’t help but fall in love with her. They were a perfect match – he understood people and how to handle them … she was brilliant but totally awkward in public. Together, they could figure out who is behind the murders, who is trying to steal the Cipher. She could figure it out while he placated the people that they had to go to for help.

Duke With Benefits was such a fun story to read. The main characters, as well as the supporting ones, were just amusing. The writing was spot on. Manda Collins never really let us sit back and enjoy banter between them. There was always something going on to keep you turning the pages. You never knew what was going to happen next with any of them. I loved how this story started at the apex and she brought you full circle. From beginning to end, Manda Collins gave us a wonderful story of intrigue and love.

This was the first book I read by Manda Collins. I enjoyed the plot, characters and mystery. Lady Daphne was the best! I loved her blunt and outspoken personality. Duke Maitland was a fun and charming character, who would stop at nothing to protect those he loves.
I cannot wait to read more in this series.

If a Duke has benefits ... :) A woman interested in science, well maths, and a Duke who doesn't understand why she spents so much time in his aunt's library. Well, she has secrets!

I was unable to review books for quite a while and was unable to review these. I apologize for this and have only gotten back into reviewing again.

There was a tiny little cliffhanger. A murder has been committed, but no one knows who did it or why. Actually, 2 murders. One is a carry over from the last book, I think.

I have not read this series, so I've just jumped into the middle. It's not a bad thing. I was able to pick up the gist of the characters and what was going on easily enough. There is no blood (not much) and no gore. There is a good mystery carryover. I enjoy Maitland and Daphne. It was fun to see Daphne interact with people. She is a heroine that I haven't run across before. She is straight forward and rather oblivious to other people's feelings. She isn't meaning harm, she's just so wrapped up in her intelligent brain, she can't comprehend simple things like social nuances and niceties. It was refreshing to have a woman from that time period that wasn't drawn and quartered because of her superior intellect.

The romance part of the story was great. It really was the fluff that covered up the serious. It's serious business to have murderers running about. It was a simple book that sucked me in from the beginning and then next time I looked it was 2 a.m. and I'd been reading all evening into the wee morning hours.

Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician with a burning passion for puzzles. When she learns that the library belonging to her benefactress houses the legendary Cameron Cipher—an encrypted message that, once solved, holds the key to great riches—Daphne is on the case. Unfortunately, her race to unlock the cipher’s code is continually thwarted by a deliciously handsome distraction she hadn’t counted on. . .and cannot resist. Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, is curious as to why Daphne is spending so much time snooping around his aunt’s bookshelves. He’s even more intrigued by her bold yet calculating manner: She is unapologetic about her secret quest. . .and the fiery attraction that develops between them both. But how can they concentrate on solving a perplexing enigma once the prospect of true love enters the equation?
I’ve read a lot of historical romances, so just the description of Daphne alone was enough to make me want to try this as she sounded so unique to this genre. I was really glad that I wasn’t disappointed. I really liked Daphne’s personality and the adventure she and Dalton go on. It was a breath of fresh air to a genre that has very few molds. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Lady Daphne Forsyth is one of four talented young women who have inherited Beauchamp House from Lady Celeste Beauchamp. Daphne is a mathematics genius, unfortunately not so much with people. She tends to be blunt, abrupt, bordering on rude. Lady Celeste also left Daphne a puzzle, a way to find the Cameron cipher and lost gold. Lady Celeste was also a bit of a matchmaker, instructing her nephew, Dalton, the Duke of Maitland to aid her in her quest. Finding the Cameron cipher is not the only mystery at Beauchamp House. A body is found in a secret room, who is the murderer? Did he find the cipher? How will they ever find the treasure now? Will Daphne return Dalton's affections? Manda Collins has woven a very nice storyline full of romance and intrigue. A good read!

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins is a story you will remember. Romantic and fun with a great mystery thrown in. The characters are rich and complex and grow as the story unfolds. The mathematician leading lady was my favorite. Duke with Benefits is the second book in the series, but stands well on its own. I like it so much, I need to track down the first in the series now.

I admit that I tried reading this book when it first came out and had trouble getting into it because of the leading lady, Daphne. I'm so glad that I picked this one up again! It's true that it takes time warming up to Daphne. She was raised without a mother and raised by a father that used her to make money playing cards. She's a mathematics genius so her way of thinking is very matter of fact and blunt, which can cause some insults towards those she speaks to. After awhile though, she does end up charming the reader. And, of course, Maitland is charming in every way and perfectly understands Daphne and is able to help her in ways she didn't know she needed help with. Loved the romance between those two. What I love about this series is that not only is there swoon worthy romance but there's a dash of mystery and intrigue. This time Daphne and the gang are trying to hunt for gold through Cameron's Cypher. Only Daphne can solve the cypher because of her math background. This book was very well done. The romance wasn't over the top and the mystery element keeps you hooked. I'm really loving Manda Collins as an author and will have no trouble reading more by her.

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Manda Collins is swiftly becoming one of my new favorite romance authors. She once again brings my favorite tropes and a whole lot of humor to bear in Duke with Benefits.


The Studies in Scandal series is completely over-the-top, and I am absolutely okay with that. These bluestockings who each get caught up in a murder mystery because reasons and have romances and get stuck with their love interests during rainstorms are awesome, don’t @ me. Plot-wise, I do still think the murder mystery ultimately detracts a bit from the cuteness, because the endings are always mega melodramatic rather than matching the farcical nature of most everything else. It’s also hard to miss the fact that book two ends exactly the same way that the first book did; I don’t mind that much, but I’d like to see something new out of book three.

Daphne and Dalton Beauchamp (the poor male love interests get the worst fucking names—there’s a reason he goes by his title, Maitland) met and felt a frisson of attraction in book one. In fact, Daphne propositioned him, and he turned her down, scandalized, which I find super adorable. Like, he just really wants her to love him for more than just his body, and I am total trash for this.

Out-spoken Daphne has the social awareness of a bull in a china shop, and I absolutely love that about her. I also love that Maitland legitimately loves this too, though she does sometimes catch him off guard. He admires all the traits that make society frown in her direction despite her title. He’s also totally turned on by how brilliant she is. In turn, she admires his facility with people and the way he treats her respectfully. They make a really great team, and I’m all about that in my ships.

If you like Tessa Dare-style comedic romances, do not miss the Studies in Scandal series.

I really enjoyed Daphne and Dalton's story. Daphne is a brilliant mathematician and she often speaks her mind with no filter. She was just an OK character for me in the first book, but she really grew on me during this one as we get to know her from her view. I just loved watching Dalton and Daphne together as he quickly grew to understand her better than anyone else ever has.

I'm excited for the next book in this series to see what else Lady Celeste has in store for the bluestockings!!

These books are fantastic. I couldn't stop reading them I was so engrossed in everything that happens with the heiresses of the Beauchamp house. They are such strong talented women who have a perchance for trouble. Though they do end up with some protective but supportive men in their lives. I can't wait to see what happens with Gemma and whatever man comes into her life in the next book.

This is the second book in Manda Collins' "Studies in Scandal" series. I didn't get the chance to read the first book which I gathered was about Ivy and Lord Kerr. This book is about one of the other heiress', Lady Daphne Forsyth and Lady Celeste's nephew and Lord Kerr's cousin Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland. I'm sure that those who have read the first book are more familiar with these two, but if like me you haven't, then you will still very much enjoy this book.

Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician. In fact she is one of the best and is an expert at decoding ciphers. Before her death Lady Celeste send her not only a letter informing of the inheritance, but also a letter telling her of the legendary Cameron Cipher. A legend that no one knows for sure whether it truly exists or not. A message when decoded leads one to a treasure of gold. Daphne is more interested in the encrypted message than the treasure itself as she is determined to solve the mystery. It also seems that Lady Celeste has also managed to play matchmaker from the grave as she has left a letter stating that her nephew the Duke of Maitland should help Daphne on her quest.

Maitland is mesmerised by not only Daphne's beauty but also her mind. Granted, she isn't the most social and friendly person, but her intellect and blunt manner draw him. With letters and clues and murders and numerous other obstacles along the way, Dalton and Daphne find themselves getting closer and closer not only to one another, but to the treasure!

I have to say that blue stocking heroines tend to be more rigid than other heroines. So imagine a series which is based on 4 highly intelligent heroines who are all at the pinnacle of their respective work. Daphne is an unusual heroine. She is blunt and is clueless about social interactions and relationships. So to see such a person not only get used to the idea of living with others and making friends, but also falling in love was a delight in itself. This is not only a romance but a mystery where the excitement and intrigue never seems to end. I'm sure that there will be many more mysteries in the next book of the series. Can't wait!!!