Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

This series is my favorite historical romance series of 2017. The playful, moody, sexy, and smart ladies complemented by joking, protective, hunky heroes will put a smile and spring in your step. I can't wait for the next two ladies stories.

Lady Daphne, genius at Mathematics, inherits a house with three other women. They are there to work on each ones specialty. The last book Ivy met and married Lord Kerr, cousin to the Duke of Maitland. Lady Daphne, has no social skills, none, She says exactly what she is thinking, not exactly the correct behavior in polite Society! However, the Duke, finds her totally refreshing, honesty toward a Duke being minimal, if it exists at all.
She is looking for the clues that lead to a chest of gold! Enter the mystery part of the story, death, danger, love, and romance! What more could you ask of a book? I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
Carolintallahassee 👒

Manda Collins' Studies in Scandal series are entertaining historical romances.

I like this time period and liked that Daphne was a strong character. I wish there was more depth to Maitland. The reasons for him being unlike his father could have been explored and expanded. I also think that the reasons Daphne had for not marrying could have been discussed with Maitland since he was insistent upon marriage although they were swept along in the relationship anyway. Daphne was blunt but not about her feelings most times. The death of Lady Celeste was not investigated and explained as much which made it unresolved to me. What happened to the gold and couldn't it has been used to help the needy?

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins is a brilliant historical. Manda Collins has a lot to offer readers in this exciting tale. From a strong heroine with a stunning mathematical mind to a good looking Duke. Both travel together to solve a mystery that the Duke's dead aunt left behind for them all. A cipher most wanted by all. If uncoded, can lead to a massive amount of gold that in the wrong hands can led to a war. But that's not all. A spy once for the government is after the cipher. One person has died, another struggling to live, and two are kiddnapped. The action, intrigue, and suspense are worthy for all. I couldn't stop reading this engaging romance. The heat level was enticing...I loved the Duke and his soon to be wife. But first he'll have to convince her marriage to him is what she wants and needs. Overall, Duke with Benefits is addictive. I recommend it to readers worldwide.

I am really enjoying this book. It's nice to find a Regency romance that still retains the ambiance of the period. The characters are likable and well-developed, This book are just plain enjoyable!!

Daphne is socially awkward to put it mildly, She's a brilliant mathematician and has been named as an heiress to another Bluestocking's home... however the letter she got was filled with hidden messages that were meant for only her... She must find & solve the Cameron Cipher. Three other heiress bluestockings were also bequeathed with the same fortune yet none were privy to the same information.
Dalton Beauchamp is the Duke and nephew to the late Bluestocking who set up the benefactresses and immediately drawn to the lovely, yet confounding woman. When the group happens upon an old acquaintance of Daphne's the secret is out and the Duke decides to help her and prevent the man from her past from finding it. No one expected the guy to break in, or to find him dead in a hidden room that same evening.
This story takes you on a crazy whirlwind of mystery, romance, deception and more!! I could NOT put it down!!

This was a very cute story. It is part of a series and to be honest at times I was lost because you clearly know you missed something as things happened in other books and were mentioned here. I highly suggest you read the previous book to this one.

This story wascute it stars D and D, Daphne and Dalton. Daphne is a math genius and some people have used her for her skills. It has really impacted her life and future in that she does not want to be controlled again as she was in her youth by her father and she fears marriage would let her husband control her and use her math skills for evil (or gambling).

Dalton is the Duke and his aunt has died and left her house to spinsters one of which is Daphne. They have a strong attraction but Daphne won't marry him for the above reasons. There is also a treasure hunting type of element to this story in that D and D have to find a cipher hidden and then find the treasure.

It was a fun plot and good mystery and adventure, I just wanted something else from this historical. I wanted London and ball dances and courting, not just a house party environment. Also I don't really like when heroines are that opposed to marriage. Its not my favorite thing to read in historicals. That said the writing was wonderful, and the plot was fun and I even enjoyed the characters though Daphne seemed to be a little too much at times.

I loved this newest book in the Studies in Scandal series. I love a good mystery but take that and wrap a delicious romance around it and you've got a great five star read. Daphne is socially oblivious and a brilliant mathematician. Her blunt manner often had me laughing out loud. She and Dalton were great together. Though this book can be read as a standalone, it was so much better as a part of this series.

Another great book!! I enjoy this author and how she develops her characters. This story was well paced and crafted. I look forward to reading more books from this author. I would recommend to others.

Manda Collins has now joined Amanda Quick and others as one of my favorite Regency Romance writers. Duke with Benefits is cute without being cloying and has a great emphasis on brains over beauty. Her female characters are layered and interesting and are equals to their heroes in every way. I love the way the women grew into their own supportive group of friends. Keep these stories coming.

It was an enjoyable romance with some mystery into it. Those who like adventure and hidden treasures in their romance will surely like it

Historical novel showing the strength of a woman and the man who is willing to let her lead while being her support. Great book.

Thank for the ARC. What a beautifully written romance this is my 1st book by this author and it won't be the last. It gave me all the feels. A truly beautiful book

The second book in the Studies in Scandal Series centers on the romance between the socially awkward Daphne and Dalton the Duke of Maitland. I find that I enjoy romances that feature characters that have social difficulties because I feel that I can relate to them easily. Also, this pair seem very well matched as Dalton's strength is his social IQ, which helps balance out Daphne's lack of social skills.

The mystery sub-plot of the book focuses on Daphne's attempt to find and solve the Cameron Cipher that was left to her by her benefactress Lady Celeste. Along the way, Daphne and her duke have to contend with a murderer and parts of her past coming back to haunt her.
I especially like this series because it pairs a mystery with the romantic elements of the story allowing both the readers hearts' and minds' to remain engaged throughout the book. I can't wait to see what's next in the series.

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ebook or not, it shouldn't take me 19 days to get to the second chapter in a book. Just couldn't get into the story which really sucks because I was looking forward to Daphne's story. I just do not have the patience it takes to wait for a slow story to get going.

Lady Daphne Forsyth is one of 4 young ladies who have inherited an estate. The woman, Lady Celeste, left the estate to heirs who have special talents. Daphne's talent's are mathematics and ciphering. She was chosen because it is hoped she will be able to solve the Cameron Cipher which could lead to a cache of gold.
The Duke of Maitland (Dalton) is one of Lady Celeste's two nephews who are at the estate to provide protection for the young women. He has become enamored of Daphne.
She is abrupt, rude and cares nothing for the feelings of others. She believes the fact that she is a brilliant mathematician allows her to care nothing for the feelings of others. He is charming and kind and though he is a duke tries to be considerate of everyone he meets. The only time he uses the power of his title is when it is to do some good.
It was difficult for me to like Daphne. I get that she is brilliant. But she has been out in society because her father was using her talent to win money at cards. So, she must have seen the way other people treat one another at least every now and then. But, in her mind her talent is greater than the talents of the other young women and that grants her the right to treat everyone as though they are beneath her. That became old after a time.
Dalton leads her to see that her treatment of others is not a good thing. He is a gentleman who believes in a code of conduct so when Daphne propositions him to become his mistress he says no thank you. She believes he was being mean to her. Again, she has lived in the world, so a man being honorable should have been at least a possibility to her.
There are villains after the Cameron Cipher and when things become dangerous, Dalton becomes a protector for Daphne. As they search for the cipher, as well as who might be trying to find it, Dalton slowly introduces Daphne to the idea that other people may be of value. He exhibits patience and understanding as well as an innate kindness.
Although this is the second in a series, it works well as a stand alone read.
The plot is entertaining and the mystery is a nice diversion. For me it was a slow start, but shortly began moving along and provided an interesting read.
The character development is well done. The reader gets to see the development of Daphne's growth as a human being. We also see Dalton's attraction to Daphne and his understanding of why she behaves the way she does.
I have not read the first book in this series, but will look for the next book to see who finds the next adventure.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

DUKE WITH BENEFITS is the second book in this series. I have not read the first book, though I fully intend to go back and do so. You can enjoy this book without having read the first one because this one catches you up with much of what went on.

The series features four bluestockings – each outstanding in her particular field – who jointly inherit the estate of Lady Celeste Beauchamp (also a bluestocking). Each heir is left a particular mystery to solve based on their specific skills. The mystery in the first book was to solve the murder of Lady Celeste and this one was the solving of a cypher that would lead to the discovery of a large cache of gold.

This book is witty and sensuous and will captivate you and suck you in right from the first.

Okay – picture Temperance Brennan from the TV series Bones – or Walter from the TV series Scorpion and you have Lady Daphne Forsyth who is our heroine in this book. She’s lovely to look at, has a brilliant mathematical mind, but has absolutely no social skills. She’s plain spoken to the point of rudeness. She doesn’t mean to hurt anyone, she’s just totally unaware of how her very plain words affect others. She just states facts and doesn’t dress them up prettily.

Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland is one of the few people in the world who admires Daphne and appreciates her absolute honesty. He was attracted to her from the beginning (in the first book) and that attraction just grows as he gets to know her better. One of Dalton’s foremost skills is in dealing with people, so he and Daphne are wonderfully suited. Each complements the other’s weaknesses.

Someone else is out to find the treasure and Daphne and Dalton must find the cypher, solve it and then find the treasure first. There is a murder, an attempted murder and a kidnapping before it all comes to an end.

It is a fun entertaining read and I enjoyed getting to know Dalton and Daphne. I am looking forward to the other books in the series. I know that there will be at least two more books to tell the stories of the remaining two heiresses, but I’d also like to see one featuring Serena. She is Dalton’s sister and the chaperone of the four heiresses – and she definitely deserves a happily ever after of her own.

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

I actually wanted to rate this book higher than a four, but some little details about the heroine, Daphne, held me back. Other than those small issues, I really loved the plot of DUKE WITH BENEFITS. The chemistry between Daphne and Maitland is off the charts! I found myself laughing at Daphne's forthrightness on more than one occasion. Poor Maitland is in no way prepared for this bright young woman. The must work against time together to find the Cameron Treasure and the adventure is certainly something to see.

I liked all the action, suspense and mystery in this book. Daphne has been left a task to find a cipher that will lead to great riches. All her new friends get involved including the handsome duke. Together Daphne and Maitland try to solve all the clues left for them.