I had a very difficult time getting into this book. I think it was the duel narrators. I just didn’t know what was going on. I stuck with it and found it to be enjoyable. I felt that there was a lot that we weren’t told about Ariana’s past and I would have liked more of the story focused on that.

What n exciting, wonderful book this was. I was totally wrapped up into the book. Constance, Edith, Colin and Ariana certainly had their work cut for them. Mrs. Lytton, could have kicked her to the curb. For me certain characters just oozed evil. That’s how fantastic that this writer skills are.
She was able to get me to hate characters and root for the underdog. The writing was magnificent. I was able to read the book and it felt so easy to read. Simple! The writer stuck to the simplicity of writing and that I think is was kept me entertained to the book.
The details and descriptions just added to the realism of the story. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

Was really hoping for some more Gossip-Girl style drama in this one and sadly it didn't have that.

While the story starts with Constance Blackwood, a junior lady in waiting to Queen Charlotte who vows to bring her the best gossip from the season, Constance plays only a small role in the unfolding drama between Ariana, an illegitimate daughter of a member of the ton, and Colin, a Viscount who has been instructed by his father he needs to wed.

Ariana and Colin don't seem to have much going for their relationship, other than their love of sneaking off for clandestine trysts whenever they are at the same event.

All of the excitement happened in the last 10% of the book. Would have loved more of Constance's voice.

Scandal, intrigue and a heroine with a murky past. This story has it all. Will Ariana gain her Viscount or will she go down in flames and bring Constance along with her. Read on to find out.
Thank you Avery Maitland, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Secrets, Scandal, and Romance

Just who is Ariana? She shows up to the season quite late, and there are rumors of a scandalous origins. She catches the eye of a viscount, but she continues to reject his proposals. Can a woman of questionable origins and a viscount stand a chance? I found myself feeling anger on Ariana’s behalf for the way she was treated by the lady of the house and some of the household staff. Then, there is the son of the lady of the house. He will cause a great deal of grief to Ariana, and to find out how, you must read the story. If you like historical romance with secrets and scandal, you might enjoy this story.

DNF at 30%

A few reasons why I put this down:

A little too much time with characters criticizing each other’s bodies. I know this is a real thing that happens, especially by “Villains”, but too much and the book just isn’t enjoyable for me.

A few anachronisms, which aren’t always a dealbreaker, but it was in this case. There were hardly any proper introductions, for instance.

Ariana was also so mean, and for almost no apparent reason. I’m sure her character growth will include her becoming nicer, but I couldn’t wait that long. I understood somewhat her motivations at being cold to her father and step-father. But why be so biting and mean to a random stranger who helped out during a carriage accident? This may be an attempt at playful banter or to show that Ariana is independent, but it’s just annoying.


Overall I was bored. There’s a touch of mystery, but because we have multiple narrators, all the enigma is lost. I know what Constance is going to do, because she tells us in her chapters. So the chapters of Ariana wondering what’s going on with Constance are useless. I also had no sense of where the romance was supposed to come in (if at all).

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Miss Ariana Stanton has spent her entire life in Bath. She was born to a laundress who died in childbirth, and raised by a family friend, but has never known the truth about her father - until recently. When it's revealed that her father is a Lord Lytton, she writes to him, and unexpectedly is brought to London, late in the Season, to be presented at court, and married off. Newly remade as Miss Ariana Lytton, she grabs the Queen's attention, and that of the Queen's favourite, Miss Blackwood, who wants to learn more about Miss Lytton, and asks her friend, Colin Ashbury, Viscount Rafferty, to discover the truth. But an animosity between Ariana and Colin is soon formed, and Ariana can't get away from him quick enough. However, the strong feelings between them might not be hatred, but something even more scandalous.

This book read a little young to me, excluding the adult scenes, but it was a quick read. I liked Ariana, who was brash and strong, and the way she kept Colin on his toes was amusing. Colin was a little annoying, expecting Ariana to marry him because they kissed, and when she asked what he had to recommend himself, other than his title, it was heartening to see his soul searching and want/need to improve to be more than the well sought after Viscount. Both Ariana and Colin saw the other as the true person, and by the end, didn't care about their titles, or backgrounds, just that they loved each other. The Constance Blackwood chapters were a little annoying, but I can see why they were added - she's obviously going to be the 'Matchmaker' in the series title, and connect all of the books within the series. I'll probably read the next book, but not in a great rush.

The writing style of the author took me out of the story most of the time. Sometimes the narration is in the third pov, but other times it is in the first pov, it's so distracting and hard to read for me. The situations happening to the main character are a bit unrealistic for me to think about and I wished the setting was set-up more to match Constance's character. I also did not feel any connection or chemistry between our hero and heroine and I just can't buy the fact that they are in love with each other.

This was an interesting twist on the ladies in waiting trope, they weren't really the focus. At least not as far as romance goes! However there is certainly one involved in matching! Ariana and Colin seem like a will they or won't they situation for so long it is rather frustrating, simply because she keeps refusing him. But all good romance must have a happy ending, so this obviously does! #netgalley #lessonsinscandal

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an e-arc of this book in exchange of my honest opinion.
I am a sucker for historical romances. This one didn't disappoint!
WHAT I LOVED
- The main character is not a blushing virgin and the love interest didn’t make a big deal about it
- The multiple POV
- The pacing of the story
- The ending (so nice to see unlikable character get what they deserve!)
- The steamy scenes and the chemistry between the couple
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
- How the first kiss happened
- The plot “I ruined you so I must marry you as quickly as possible”

Scandal. Speculation. Ruined. Aristocratic Marriage

I thoroughly LOVE A reluctant character who ultimately falls head over heels in love! Give me this trope anytime and I am in heaven! Miss Ariana Lytton is not interested in Colin Ashbury, Viscount Rafferty, much to his amazement! It takes a lot of wooing on Colin’s part and the assistance of Constance Blackwood to bring these two together. It is an amazing journey! I recommend this story to those who enjoy a little angst in their romances with a HEA!

5 Stars

Constance Blackwood is a junior attendant to the queen and part of her job is keeping the monarch entertain which isn't always easy, so she suggests a matchmaking scheme which gets the royal approval. She starts trying to match Colin Ashbury to Lady Ariana Lytton. Ariana grew up as the illegitimate daughter of an earl and appeals to him when she ends up alone to take her into his home. It's fair to say her stepmother is evil. Colin recently returned from living overseas at his father's insistence it was time he should marry.

I always love a reluctant character who then falls head over heels in love and this one was a good read.

Review given in exchange for receiving a free #LessonsInScandal ARC from #Netgalley

Ariana Lytton has lived in poverty all her life. She finally sends a letter to her father for help. He sends for her and his wife takes over teaching her how to properly act like a lady. She is unkind to Ariana, as is her maid, Clara. They do spend a lot of time berating her and making her feel bad about herself but she fights in the best way she can.

Viscount Colin Ashbury was passing a carriage accident and in it was a woman and a young lady. He stopped and helped them and offered a ride to where they were going. His father was an uninterested father. He just wanted to go back to the continent. He and his father did not get along at all.

I enjoyed the book but it did slow for a bit. The interaction between the characters was interesting. Arina seemed to always be angry with Colin. She felt totally isolated and that is an awful way to live.
It was a hard topic with so many variables but the author handled it well. It was exciting, and you wanted to be protective of Ariana. The balls and glamour of it all were amazing. It was well written and even-paced. I recommend this book and hope you like it as much as I did.

I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

«Lessons in scandal» was The first book I Read by Avery mainland and I am really exited too read more books by her. In this book we follow Ariana as she settles into a life in the ton. All her life she has worked to survive, but not anymore.
Colin has just returned to England at his fathers request. Will he do as his father wishes or will he go his own way?

An enjoyable romance, set in the time of Queen Charlotte, Miss Ariana Lytton had no idea what she was asking for when she made contact with her biological father. If Lady Lytton, her father's wife, were not enough to put her off ever setting her foot in a ballroom, surely her son Charles would have been the greatest deterrent. However, Ariana is made of sterner stuff. She rebuffs and thwarts all advances made by Colin Ashbury, Viscount Rafferty, much to his amazement, but her behavior is such that Colin is both puzzled and disturbed by her reactions. Fortunately, between Colin and the efforts of Miss Constance Blackwood, they overcome the worst of Lord Lytton's household. The story is witty and entertaining and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this romance through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. This Regency Romance was steamy and included the world of the Royal Court. It held my interested and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and would read more books by this author.

She was the daughter of a laudress and Lord Albert Lytton, and she was now in his home. She'd had no choice but to request help and had been surprised she had been answered!

Now, Ariana was to be presented to court and on the way to the palace... Yes! An unfortunate accident with the wheel of the coach and rescue by on Colin Ashbury, Viscount, it seemed something might be in the air!

An entertaining story that will have you wondering what will happen next! Intrigue in the Queen's court, ladies in waiting, who thrive on gossip and Ariana, trying not to misstep, but finding it very hard makes this journey all the better!

Gossip, Scandal & Secrets run rampant within the Queens court and the Queen herself actually thrives on this strife,
Ariana Lytton is an unknown lady entering society and the Queen has a bet with one of her Lady’s maids, Constance whether or not she can get her information and Constance took it one step further which could be daunting and her undoing and ruin her family and her if she doesn’t win.
This book has a lot of interesting twists and the characters will keep you engaged trying to figure out what will happen next and who is involved in what situation!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Ariana Stanton appeals to Lord and Lady Lytton for a home. Lord Lytton's illegitimate daughter, she has no where else to go. Verbally abused by Lady Lytton and her maid, she puts up with it, but with small acts of rebellion. A chance meeting with Colin, Viscount Rafferty, becomes a game of advance and retreat. With the unexpected help of Constance Blackwood, a junior-lady-in waiting to Queen Charlotte, it's challenge, commanded by the queen, to see Ariana and Colin married. No easy task as Ariana's secrets could destroy everything she's hoped for. One determined Viscount will not take no to his proposals. It's only been three times....or is it four.. An adventurous young lady refuses to say yes. Definitely a Regency romp! Laugher included with some steamy encounters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

The illegitimate daughter of an earl, Arianna enters the marriage mart with a background cloaked in mystery. She catches the eye of a viscount, but will the truth about her parentage lead to her ruin?

This is a fun romp if you don't mind the historical inaccuracies and a plot that turns on a dime. I really enjoyed the author's voice and writing style. The characters are a delight.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.