Publisher's Description:

LADY + DUKE = TRUE LOVE?

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?

“Witty, sensual historical romance that will captivate readers.” —Romance Junkies

Duke with Benefits is the second in Manda Collins' Studies in Scandal series set in Regency England.

My Thoughts:

Duke With Benefits is book #2 in this relatively new series.
Lady Daphne Forsythe is an extremely intelligent lady, but like most people who are close to genius she is very likely to say something that is inappropriate. She sticks her foot in her mouth quite often, most of the time not having any notion how inappropriate it is.
Dalton Beauchamps, Duke of Maitland wonders why this lovely lady is so interested in the contents of his deceased aunts bookshelves.
There must be something quite valuable hidden in those shelves since his aunt was murdered and now there has been another murder in Beauchamp
House.
What could possibly be valuable enough to insight two murders?
Can Dalton and Daphne get past her misconceptions and find a lasting love together?
This witty and highly sensual historical romance will make you laugh and hopeful that these two can find their way to a lasting love.
I gave this story 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual historical of 3.75 of 5 flames.
The sensual nature of this story is essential to Dalton and Daphne finding their way to each other.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Opposites Attract 4.5*
Lady Daphne Forsyth, one of four beneficiaries of Lady Celeste Beauchamp, is an accomplished mathematician but ill equipped to cope with social niceties having never had female companionship (nor any predilection to learn anything outside of her field). She is logical to a fault, blunt and outspoken and often inadvertently upsets those around her; though after four months of living at Beauchamp House with the three other young heiresses, a chaperon and Lady Celeste's two nephews, she is starting to ameliorate her behaviour. The charming Dalton, Duke of Maitland, to whom she is inexplicably drawn, is a force for good in her life and encourages her to be a more understanding person. The love story between the pair of them, interwoven with the quest to find a mysterious cypher and Jacobite gold, make this an absorbing and engaging read. I also liked the fact that the match between them wasn't unequal - she is the daughter of an Earl - rather than her being a seamstress or shopgirl!
I was rather distracted by the use of the title Duke as a way of addressing Maitland but in some of the middle chapters he was addressed (correctly) as your grace, I am therefore hopeful that as I was reading an uncorrected digital galley, that this and other errors (such as boxbox) will have been reviewed and revised prior to publication. Whilst one in a series this can be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

the book premise, characters and mystery were all interesting. while there were a couple things that made me do double checks, the writing overall was good. for the most part I enjoyed this book, but for some reason it just didn't really connect with me or feel like a book I'd remember much of in a week. not sure why, perhaps it's because the word puzzles that are part of the plot are things that give me headaches and frustration so had a unconscious bias against it and characters that would find them fascinating and a good challenge even if quickly able to resolve them. I suspect it just one of those stories where the writing style just doesn't work for me, but I certainly feel that others would enjoy this story more so than I did.

I hadn't read the 1st book in the series (this is the 2nd) but the premise of the series were satisfactorily explained that I didn't feel lost or as I missed anything important (though did find it odd that a Duke, who apparently had 7 properties of his own and would have his own responsibilities and who held such things and is reputation important, would spend 3-4 mos at his late aunt's seaside country estate when he hadn't inherited it). it was nice to see the growth of the relationship btwn the h/h. while there was an attraction from the start, they didn't end up rushing into things but instead built a rapport and got to know each other. while a large portion of this occurs off page btwn the prologue and chapter 1, it still is well shown and feels honest. The heroines growth during the book was also well portrayed as she became more comfortable with herself and others outside of scholarly area of interest but didn't loose who she was at her core, true growth rather than just change.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Duke With Benefits is the second book in Manda Collins’ Studies in Scandal series of Regency romances. I enjoyed the first book in the series- Ready Set Rogue; Daphne and Maitland had some delightful interactions as secondary characters, so I was very excited when I found out that they were the main characters in the second book of the series.

Daphne is a mathematical genius, and her arrival at Beauchamp House provides her with the opportunity for independence from her n’er do well father. Daphne also has a secret that she has been keeping from her new friends- it appears that Celeste Beauchamp wanted her to solve a cipher. As legend has it, the solution to the cipher leads to an enormous treasure.

Dalton Beauchamp is the Duke of Maitland, and he initially arrives at the house to discover what all the fuss is about. He is especially curious about Daphne, who is unlike any woman he has encountered before. Their mutual attraction is a surprise to both of them, and Maitland is even more shocked by Daphne’s solution to this “problem”.

Unfortunately, their budding romance must be pushed to the side when they discover that Daphne is not the only one who knows that the cipher might be located in Beauchamp House- and that there are people who are willing to kill in order to find it. But on the bright side, this gives Daphne and Maitland many opportunities to spend time together as they track down clues and race against unseen nemeses.

Duke With Benefits is an absolute delight. Daphne and Maitland are so sweet together. I do think that her personality was toned down a bit from the first book; she is still acerbic, but slightly more circumspect. Maitland comes across and very caring, and he can take charge of a situation without being aggressive.

I would absolutely recommend Duke With Benefits. You don’t have to read Ready Set Rogue first, but you really ought to read it at some point. I have such a soft spot in my heart for bluestocking heroines, and Collins does a wonderful job with giving Daphne a backstory that strongly shaped her personality. I am already eagerly awaiting the third book in the series after having wished for the pairing of the characters based on a short ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ interaction.

I am not saying that I was lost, but for once in a HR series it did feel like I had missed out. I think it was how it started. One of the women being rushed back to the house. And I was all, what has happened? There was this whole murder plot that I got the end of and the couple in this one already knew each other so well. So yes for once I say read book 1 first. But of course it is still HR so it worked fine reading book 2 first too...just, yes I felt like I had missed the beginning.

Daphne was something else. She spoke her mind, and not in a good way. She said whatever came to mind, however wrong that was. I do not want to say it was cos she had not had any schooling in social graces. No, I would rather give her a diagnosis.

Dalton was hot, she sure thought so and how she was smarter. Yes I am glad he did not run away cos she sure said what she liked.

They fall in lust, and live happily ever after.

But before that there is a secret that Daphne want to figure out. Someone is lurking in the shadows and it gives a bit of suspense to the book.

Conclusion:
A nice romance with a couple that fits each other well despite being so different.

Daphne is so fun, maybe not how I'm supposed to see her, but I love her lack of social graces that make her so real. Mainland was great as well. I love this series of blue stockings and can't wait for more from manda Collins.

Another fun mystery and romance. Daphne is much more likeable in this story than in the previous one and Dalton, well he is just swoon-worthy. The mystery in this one is very well written and you really need to pay attention to the clues and how they work together. Loved it. Daphne and Dalton’s personalities are polar opposites and I guess opposites do attract. Their interactions are great – Dalton is easily shocked and it is fun to see him squirm. I love these smart women. Another great addition to the series.

Duke with Benefits is a mystery driven regency romance that I found fun and cleverly plotted. It's the second in the Studies in Scandal series, and the first book by Manda Collins that I've read. Though it is a part of a series, I had no trouble in reading this as a standalone.

The two main characters in this story; the very independent and extremely smart Daphne Forsythe and Dalton Beauchamp. The Duke of Maitland. Daphne is the daughter of an earl and a recent benefactor to a Madam Albinia and has moved into the Beauchamp house as part of her inheritance. This is where the two are brought together. These two don't have immediate chemistry, but they are attracted to each other and from that and friendship, and a relationship blooms. I really enjoy their banter and Daphne's indignation at Dalton's insistence they play by the rules of society. This story is driven by Daphne's treasure hunt for the Cameron Cipher and a mysterious death of an old acquaintance of Daphne's. There's a few villainous suspects for the murder, and the same contending in the hunt for the Cipher. The riddles presented take a very clever person to unravel and it seems Daphne was chosen for the task. And lucky for Daphne, Dalton is along to assists.

The story is really very well plotted and as Daphne and Dalton get closer, and the circumstances transpire towards a more meaningful relationship, their chemistry does shine through. 4 stars and Regency Romance recommendation!

"<i>I would think that finding a dead man's body in the library would do more damage to Beauchamp House's reputation than the hasty marriages of two of Aunt Celeste's proteges.</i>"
"<b>You know full well that sex is far more scandalous than murder.</b>"

While my main issue with book one in the <i>Studies in Scandal</i> series was the romance and the murder mystery, I'm happy to report that DUKE WITH BENEFITS had a much more realistic love story than it's predecessor. Helped by the fact that the main characters were both more interesting and charming in their own rights.. as well as having the amusement of Daphne's honest and blunt and uber-rational approach to all things; even sex and marriage.

<i>Her lessons in gentility had been abandoned in favour of higher maths. Which left her with the ability to solve complex equations more quickly than most Oxbridge fellows and almost no sense of how to speak without setting up the backs of those around her.</i>

However it seems that each book in this series is each going to have it's own murder/mystery of the week, all centered around the late mysterious and scholarly Aunt Celeste, who has bequeathed her home and life works to the four bluestockings. Aaaand it was that, in particular, which bored me. Again. I mean, I liked the concept of the treasure hunt aspect of it all but by the time it was revealed and discovered.. well, considering how little importance the author made of this big find, I'm feeling like she might not have cared much about it, either.

Two books in this is feeling very formulaic (two abductions in two books, I mean c'mon) and it's a foregone conclusion that with two of the heiresses "compromised" and been made to wed, I can only guess that the same will happen to the remaining two. And seeing as the sisters have not yet been given much time to shine or show any semblance of personality -- Daphne was the only one who, from the beginning, stood out -- I'll be making a pass on the rest of the series.

<i>Sometimes conversation was a trial for Daphne, who wished people would simply say what they meant instead of using metaphors and the like. Turns of phrase made life very frustrating for her.</i>

The various elements that make up this series are fun and interesting in theory but it's a little too repetitive, a little too dull, too convenient, and unfortunately I didn't find any of the characters to be very compelling -- Daphne being the slight and sole exception, mostly because I love that she has a form of OCD/anxiety, even Aspergers. The fact that in addition to that Collins chose to make her beautiful instead of the typical awkward homely girl might be the best part.

"<i>First Ivy was compromised into marrying Quill and now you, Maitland, my own brother, have faked a betrothal to Daphne in order to protect her from her father. At this rate, Sophia and Gemma will be embroiled in scandals with the vicar and his curate before the week is out. It's like living in a Sheridan play. With murder.</i>"

However, that being said, here was definite improvement in this installment vs the first (which I can only attribute to the MCs) and I did enjoy the continued trend of the tongue-in-cheek bits of humour that poked fun at some of the cliches that run rampant in this genre. I just think there are plenty of other historical romances that offer similar adventures or romances that, overall, are more enjoyable.

2.5 stars

Duke with Benefits is the second book in Collins' Studies in Scandal in which four young ladies inherit a home from an eccentric older woman. With that inheritance comes many mysterious and a chance at romance.

Lady Daphne is one of the ladies who has jointly inherited the house. Daphne was recruited due to her outstanding mathematical skills, which come in handy when she finds herself embroiled in a mystery with mathematics at its heart. Aiding Daphne is the Duke of Maitland, Dalton, who is quite taken with Daphne's unusual manner even when he's thrown for a loop by it.

Anyone familiar with Collins' writing will recognize the formula present in Duke with Benefits. The combination of romance and mystery works well, and it's the prefect light and cozy read. While there are often darker themes hinted at, it never overwhelms the reader. In my opinion Collins' titles are often a safe and comfortable read, and in that, I think there is a lot of appeal to reads looking for a comfort read.

What I liked best about Duke with Benefits is Daphne's quirky character. I loved that Daphne was unusual, but also learning to be self-aware to recognize when her words could be hurtful to others. Dalton was a nice compliment to Daphne, but in my opinion, Daphne was the stronger character.

Overall, Duke with Benefits was a nice, cozy read, perfect for those who like a touch of intrigue in their romances.

I don't read a lot of romance but I needed something with a happy ending! This is part of a series but I didn't read book 1 and was fine. A bit of a flipped script where the lady is the awkward one who is good at math and the Duke is the one good with people (and always asks for consent.) There is a cipher to be solved, and it is given almost as much page time as the romance.

Can the next one please come out!!??!! Manda Collins creates characters that are funny, witty and believable.

Honestly, the fact that this book DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS the previous one within the first few pages annoyed me so much that I couldn't even keep reading. I'm all about Roshoman and unreliable narrators, but there's unreliable and there's 'hey, remember the timeline from the previous book? Yes? Too bad because I don't!" I found it infuriating and careless, and couldn't make myself finish--or even really start--the book.

This is my honest review in return for this ARC. This is the second book in the Beauchamp House series that I have had the chance to read. These stories have so much to recommend them! They are filled with extremely clever women and pompous Lords and mystery and romance. The absolutely correct combination of all of these bring these tales to a very satisfactory conclusion. I can't wait for the next one!

*I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

Release Date: 6/27/17

I had never read a Manda Collins book before but after reading a Duke with Benefits, I am definitely interest in reading more of her stuff! I love a heroine who has something special to them whether a backstory detail or a characteristic that makes them unique and Daphne was no exception! I love her mathematical mind! As someone who was never very good at math, it was cool to get to see the perspective of someone, especially a lady in Daphne's time, use her strengths on an adventure and to solve a mystery (especially one with such a hot duke as a lead!) The scenes between Daphne and Dalton were amazing. I was caught on their first exchange! In a time where I've been craving a good solid romance and adventure, Collins delivered and I can't wait to reread the book as well as picking up more of Collins writing!

Interesting story - hadn't read the prior book but didn't need to as it is viable as a stand alone story. Enjoyed the romance and the mystery would read this author's works again

Lady Daphne Forsyth is one of the four blue stocking scholars that have inherited a valuable estate from Lady Celeste. They must all live together for a year. Lady Daphne has been given a clue to a treasure hunt. She must use her impressive mathematical brain to solve a cypher. The problem is they have to find the cypher before she can solve it, and that looks like a dangerous undertaking.
Dalton Beauchamp the Duke of Maitland was not at all happy when his aunt left the estate to the women, but in the time since has come to enjoy their company. The prickly Daphne enchants him with her very direct manner.
You could quite easily read this as a stand alone, but it's better to read the series in order to understand the story that links our heroine to the rest of the blue stockings.
This is a marvelous murder/mystery with lots of fun and danger. The characters are all very unusual and the puzzles are clever.
I loved it.

This book picks up immediately after <a href="http://themeanderingreader.blogspot.com/2017/01/ready-set-rogue-by-manda-collins.html">Ready, Set, Rogue</a>. Lady Daphne Forsyth and Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, have been circling around each other. She is a genius at mathematics. She's also very wary because she's been burned by men before. First, her father who would use her to win money at cards. Then her tutor's son who... well... that's a bit of a spoiler but when he shows up, she's not happy.
Dalton is taken aback by this woman who says what she thinks and is willing to have sex with him without the sanctity of marriage. He knows that she's smart at math, but he also knows that he's a genius with people (we're told this over and over again.) Together, they are going to be able to not only solve the riddles his aunt left for them both, but discover the location of some long-lost gold.
Like the first book, this is a fast trip between introductions and Twu Lurv. We get a little more time since Daphne and Dalton met in the first book but that book didn't cover much time. We also got two characters who were nice enough but we got more "tell" than "show" in character development.

Three stars
This book comes out June 27

WE FINALLY HAVE A STORY FOR DAPHNE!!!
I have been waiting for this book from the very second we met Daphne in the first "Studies in Scandal" bok. Once again, Celeste has left behind a mystery for the bluestockings (Honestly, I don't think I like Celeste that much. Why does she keep putting these girls in danger? She's dead and gone so she's safe from harm but what about the poor girls?).
Daphne is the only one who can decode the mysterious Cameron Cipher which apparently leads to a fortune. And of course this means her spending lots of time with the dreamy- I mean, with the Duke of Maitland. Their search for the Cipher turns bloody which puts Daphne at risk. Especially when it seems like someone close to her might want her dead.
I love the whole element of danger leading to people falling in love. Personally I think it's a plot device that is used far too often but I love it nonetheless.
This was a great read and I found it impossible to put down. Maybe it was because of the plot that kept me glued until the end of the book or maybe it was because I was really eager to see what happened between Daphne and Maitland. This was just an absolutely amazing read and I can't wait for the rest of the series to release.