This book is a great palate cleanser between heavy reads or series. It was fun to read and kept me engaged.
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However, there were some points I didn't like, which is the reason for the missing two stars. These points were:
1) the first half was kind of rushed, the scandal and the FMC returning home were stated as if we as readers were informed about what happened before.
2) the FMC wasn't likeable to me. She took a lot of ill thought decisions, and she kept denying both hers and MMC's attraction, even though he was going out of his way to show his feelings.
3) there were multiple scenes that felt repetitive, it was all, same concept but different settings, which I wasn't a fan of.
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Moving on, I really liked the side characters, each character added a different flavor to the whole book and I really liked that.
I wish there was more of the romance because the couple's chemistry was really good.
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Overall, an enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This was not as interesting as i had hoped...things happend but, it felt like it really did not. It was boring, the characters were meh at best.

This is the third book in the Ladies in Waiting Series. It's a good read. It has it all from duels to The Princess of Wales. All these ladies are caught up in Scandal. Who doesn't love a marriage of convenience? This one will not disappoint

This is the third book in the Season of Scandal series. Having read the first two books, I was looking forward to reading this one and I am happy to say it didn't disappoint! Chris and Deborah have a marriage of convenience but neither one can stop the feelings they develop. There is some family drama and a villain to spice things up.

Deborah was caught in a penniless lord's cunning plan and ended up in a gossip column with her friends because she was present at an orgy. This causes some social shunning and financial difficulty, and when Christopher Halland impulsively offers her a marriage of convenience the offer is welcome. They agree they can follow their hearts and see other people if they want, but Deborah finds out pretty fast that she only has eyes for her husband. Christopher's grandfather doesn't support the match and his cousins have family drama of their own. There are shootings, smugglers, and secrets.

This is the third book in this series, although I read it last. It turns out that the order of reading doesn't matter much in terms of spoilering or background information because the main villain is never a mystery, but I think this was a four star book and not five for me mostly because I rated the other three books five stars and Chris is no Harry, Joe or Dan. Don't get me wrong, he is likeable and I enjoyed this book, but there is less of that flirty banter that endeared the other books to me. That thing about both having the right to get other lovers just wasn't that romantic, although they dispense of that stupidity quickly enough. And I didn't care for Deborah keeping secrets from Chris straight after promising not to keep secrets. They fall in love but it's not necessarily very clear why.

It seemed awfully coincidental that the villain of the piece was involved with old Halland family drama as well. He was involved with old family drama in some of the other books too, but it was more logical because he chose the young women he targeted because of these old grudges. But at that time he didn't know Deborah would marry a Halland.

The title doesn't fit the book in my opinion. Sure, Christopher has his flaws and is no saint by any means but if you marry the rogue I don't necessarily expect you to marry an upstanding member of the parliament who is in the process of starting a charity school.

The heat level: Marital sex, not very graphic. Some violence, again not very graphic.

To sum up, this was a great, entertaining read and I finished it in one day but I still preferred the other three books in the series because the wooing wowed me better.

I read a digital review copy I got from Netgalley, and this is a free and voluntary review.

An interesting story, formulaic but still fun to sit down and get lost in. Fans of historical fictions will enjoy this easy read.

I enjoy reading Mary’s book and this is a very terrific series. The Princess of Wales leaves unexpectedly and does not tell her ladies in waiting. When they arrive, they must lock themselves in a room to keep the horrendous house party that is going on from discovering that they are there. Of course, rumor and gossip follow trying to ruin the lady’s reputation. Afraid that she will also damage the reputation of her sisters, she feels that it would be best to marry. What an adventure is laid out for us to enjoy. Absolutely a great read.

Thanks to the publishers, Netgalley and the author for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I thoroughly enjoyed this third instalment of the series. This is my favourite one so far.
When Deborah and Christopher agree to a marriage of convenience for mutual benefit, her to allow her family to escape scandal in light of her little sister's engagement, and he to gain access to the fortune needed to restore his family estate, they don't anticipate anything but a friendly tolerance of each other.
But between Christopher's colourful family of erstwhile smugglers and Deborah's rambunctious family of siblings they find their relationship becoming more exciting than they thought. Then when the man who is responsible for ruining Deborah's reputation arrives to complete his revenge, Deborah and Christopher prove their love for each other in spectacular fashion. I particularly liked Deborah because she is sensible without being boring and doesn't have to be a great beauty to be compelling and attractive.

They each need to marry quickly although for very different reasons. A marriage of convenience solves both of their problems. Until inconvient feelings get involved.
I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely recommend. This author has a unique way of writing that draws the reader in. I am never disappointed.
Thank you Mary Lancaster, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

He needs a wife to gain access to his inheritance. She needs a husband to escape a scandal. A marriage of convenience solves both their problems. But can it turn to true love?

I really enjoyed this author's writing style. The pace kept me interested, the hero and heroine were charming, and I rooted for them to get their HEA. I look forward to reading more by Mary Lancaster.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

A charming marriage of convenience story.
This is the third in the Season of Scandal series which centers around four women who were ladies in waiting to Princess Caroline and who were tricked into being in her house when an orgy was going on downstairs. There is enough backstory to allow this installment to function well as a standalone.

Christopher Halland is furious with his grandfather who won't release his inheritance to him. The only way to get it earlier is to marry. He literally runs into Deborah and realizes she could be the answer to his issue, especially once he hears about the scandal. He proposed a MOC to her-he gets his money and she gets shelter from the scandal.

What follows is a sweet story about them coming to know each other and enjoy each other's company and then leads to love.

I enjoyed reading this installment.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in the series. In this series we have 4 women who were placed in a comprising position through no fault of their own. In this one we have Deborah who is almost run over from Christopher they decide to help each other and agree to a marriage of convenience. I think this one was my favorite just because I love marriage of convenience stories.

Could a Marriage of Convenience avert Scandal?

Theirs is a marriage of convenience, but when Christopher and Deborah get together, there is never a dull moment. Scandal, secrets, smuggling, and blackmail are just a few of the entanglements in which they find themselves. However, the biggest challenge for them is protecting their hearts. Do they succeed, or do they fall victim to love? I enjoyed this historical romance and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical romance with scandal, intrigue, and a marriage of convenience gone right.

This book lacked the energy, humor and excitement that I love in historical romances. There is nothing wrong with a sedate romance when done exceptionally well but this one just came across as dull and uninspired. There were times I felt like I was reading a Jane Austen novel with hints of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility mixed together but poorly executed. This book lacked originality and it is not one that I would recommend.

Deborah fled London hoping to escape scandal, unfortunately it is hard on her heels.

Christopher Halland is furious with his grandfather for refusing his request to release his inheritance early. After very nearly causing a tragedy in his temper, he has to find another way to fix things.

This is a sweet historical romance with lovely characters. Both of them have problems to solve. This book is part of a series that are set at nearly the same time and can each be read alone but are linked by the same villain. I have read and enjoyed all of them.

Good fun.

The sun does shine, eventually!

Dark doings and tricked Regency ladies-in-waiting of the Princess of Wales leaves some of their number, including Deborah Shelby, returning to her home under a cloud. Hoping to ride out the gossip and scandal caused by the unfortunate happenings of their small number ending up unchaperoned at a house party that devolved into an orgy down below as the ladies stayed behind locked doors until able to leave in the morning (how does a royal lady leave some of her ladies in a compromising position btw??) Deborah is now returned home trying to keep a low profile, and as it turns out not to upset her younger sister's marriage prospects to a local Earl's son.
Christopher Halland, heir to a property nearby rides out in a temper to work off his anger against his grandfather who refuses to release his fortune to him before the given time time unless he marries.
A confrontation between the two after nearly riding down Deborah's younger brother leads to an unexpected place for both of them.
Christopher, a member of parliament, a radical thinker, is trying to put an education program for the poor into place using the Dower House on his property as the experimental base "to prove the benefit to the economy of land improvements and decent wages for labor." Part of his anger is with having his plans illogically thwarted.
As it turns out marriage might solve both his and Deborah's problems.
This "marriage of convenience" trope is nicely drawn with just enough tension, strange happenings, and villainous interference to satisfy. I do love the way Deborah and Christopher come to understand and appreciate each other.

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

I love Mary’s books, and this is a really good series.
The Third about the ladies in waiting, it’s tense and enjoyable with a big dollop of romance and wonderful chemistry.
You can’t ask for more .

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Each story in this amazing series is taking place at the same time. Four young ladies, who waited upon the Princess, of Wales were caught up in a scandal, no making of their own. Deborah was one of them and had fled to her home and shortly found out she was about to be ruined!

Unfortunately Deborah's sister Lucy was hoping to be married soon and her family worried it would ruin her chances. Then.... Of yes.. Then she was almost trod upon by a gentleman riding in the park. That man was Christopher Halland, who was trying to get out his frustrations, since learning of his grandfather's demands he marry before he could inherit Gosmere Hall. He had vowed to marry the first lady he came upon and it was Deborah, wait, Miss Tumblebumpkin, a governess (you have to find out!)

I adore a marriage of convenience! It is wonderful to see feelings slowly change and true love come through! Another excellent addition to this series.. Cannot wait for the next!

Any story by Mary Lancaster is a treat. I am totally enjoying The Season of Scandal Series.
Christopher Halland needs his inheritance and is tired of his Grandfather saying he can't have it for two more years or until he marries.
Deborah is afraid she is ruined by a scandal in London, even though she is innocent.
Christopher offers Deborah a marriage of convenience. However, soon both Christopher and Deborah both want more than a marriage of convenience but have to figure out how to tell each other.
The story is full of interesting characters, Christopher's grandfather acts like a bully, and there is miscommunication between Christopher's brothers over a duel.
It is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

Deborah Shelby has come home. Hopefully, the incident at the Princess’ chambers hasn’t and doesn’t reach her small town. Christopher Halland is angry, his grandfather will not amend his edict of marriage and he is just not interested in having a wife. But a certain female catches his eye and he decides she must become his. However, it is presented to Miss Shelby as a marriage of convenience. She will have the benefit and protection of his name, he will receive the monies from his trust.
As Deborah and Christopher begin their marriage and becoming acquainted, his grandfather schemes to break up the marriage. But his schemes are not the only ones that Deborah has to overcome, Christopher seems to still be enamored with an old love and a secret smuggling operation. Despite the rocky start, the two eventually find their way to happiness and each other.