Wanted to love this one! I just couldn't get emotionally invested in the characters. I think they fell in love a bit too fast for me to care about them.

I also disliked how so much emphasis was put on Octavia "learning to ask for help." I would have appreciated a bit more subtly there. Not every character has to learn a lesson in such an obvious way.

Also disliked all the retelling of Mythologies for "subtext." So boring!

This is the fifth book in Megan Frampton’s Hazards of Dukes series but can be read on its own. It finds Octavia showing up at her childhood home to find that it is occupied by Gabriel who claims his father won the house in a bet. The two decide to share the residence while they go through the documents in the house to learn of the house’s true owner. For propriety’s sake they tell the villagers they are engaged which forces them into close enough proximity to start an affair. Neither wants to cede the house or admit that they have actual feelings for each other until they are separated.

I really like Megan’s writing style. It is easy to read and has a simple heat woven through it. After reading several contemporary romances, it was really refreshing to be back in a book that wasn’t afraid to be steamy and full of longing. I really liked both Octavia and Gabriel. I loved Octavia’s confidence and her ability to ask for exactly what she wants. I liked Gabriel’s willingness to just be along for the journey if it means he gets to spend more time with Octavia. I liked that they both had dogs that they clearly adored. Overall this book was a wonderful little escape during a difficult week.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Octavia Holton is in trouble, she owes a particularly nasty man a good sum of money and she's on her way back to her childhood home which she likely inherited from her gambler father, God rest, hopefully it is enough for her to pay her debts.

Gabriel Fallon recently lost his father in an accident, the man was a gambler and ended up celebrating a bit too much and burned his own house down. The loss is a lot but now Gabriel finds himself with Mr Holton's house which has been signed away to his father in a bet. He's looking to finally settle down and make this house a home until a young woman shows up demanding that she owns the house. They both have nowhere else to turn to so a bargain must be struck until they figure this out.

This caught me entirely by surprise. When it comes to new historical romance authors, well new to me at least, you don't know if you're going to find someone who sides on the serious tone of romance or the more fanciful light tone. Four Weeks of Scandal is the 5th book in the Hazards of Dukes series but you can read them out of order without any issues. It has the delightful and charming banter of Tessa Dare, an author that I completely adore.

I really enjoyed how Octavia was so sure of herself and very spontaneous, she very much leapt before she looked many times while Gabriel was more subdued, a scholar with a strong interest in Greek Mythology. I loved the sprinkling of tales throughout the book, lots of references of Hades and Persephone, but this isn't a strong retelling but it could be kind of considered as one if you squint at it enough. That and Octavia's large dog named Cerberus and Gabriel's tiny Pomeranian named Nyx sells it a bit more. Or not. I just thought it was very cute.

This felt more like a slow burn to me... the bulk of the happenings started past the 50% mark and I appreciated the fact that it was a bit more realistic as far as the sex. Not every woman can orgasm during and it didn't make the scene any less meaningful or spicy. I liked that touch. It's also sometimes about intimacy.

All in all I really liked this and it's my first Megan Frampton, but it won't be my last.

I have heard high praise for the Hazards of Dukes series, but this was my first one. Sadly, I just could not get into this book. Our heroine, Octavia, was hard for me to admire in any way. I hated the way she spoke to our hero, Gabriel. She just came across as dismissive with him, and that is not what I wanted. Gabriel seemed much more worthy of love than she did and I had hoped that the two of them would mesh better than what was depicted.

I have heard wonderful things about the previous books in this series and have not dismissed them based on my dislike for this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed Octavia and Gabriel and how their story unfolded. They form their own little-found family and enjoy each other's company whenever they get time alone.

Following the death of her father, Octavia returns to her former home to clean it up and sell it. The money from the sale will help her repay the loan she took to renovate her gambling hell. But when she arrives she finds the house occupied by Gabriel Fallon.

Gabriel has a letter stating his father had won the property from her father. He could send her packing but agrees to let her stay, so she can find proof of who owns the house. She has four weeks to find proof.

That means lots of time together, getting to know each other. The more time they spend together means it will be more complicated when it's time to say goodbye. Even if they are both in love with one another.

Thanks so much to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Book #5 in the Hazards of Dukes series.
Fake engagement, forced proximity and friends-to-lovers tropes.

Our heroine (gambling club co-owner) Octavia Holton is IN OVER HER HEAD owing a large financial debt but is planning to use her inheritance to pay off the loan. Only her (recently passed) father owed a gambling debt losing their home to Mr Fallon our hero’s father (who’s also recently deceased).

Our hero Gabriel Fallon moves into his newly acquired Holton home after his father’s burns down. Octavia and Gabriel get into a disagreement over who owns the house with both refusing to leave so they both agree to stay until it’s resolved.. within four weeks time.. all the while repairing the much neglected house. 🏚🐕🐩 But of course, who would show up at the house but Octavia’s moneylender and his henchmen! She quickly thinks to host a gambling event to satisfy her debt.. or suffer the consequences of not paying up.. her bones broken, etc.. yikes! 😳🩼

With Octavia being very independent, and with an intense attraction and mutual pining between her and Gabriel.. they do agree on one thing.. she proposes a mutual benefits relationship. 🔥🔥🔥

This is a fun, steamy HEA, with found family and a hero that is completely besotted by our heroine. There was quite a bit of one-sidedness between them with our hero giving more of himself.. than the heroine was willing to give back (from trust issues due to her father’s neglect?) I really loved how they formed a close friendship from having lived through similar/relatable circumstances.

A fast-paced, enjoyable read!! ❥

Read as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books. All opinions are my own. Publish date June 28, 2022.

Four Weeks of Scandal
Book 5 of the Hazards of Dukes Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Four Weeks of Scandal follows the fake engagement trope, which is one of my top favorites. Sadly this was just an okay read for me. The romance between Octavia and Gabriel was very sweet, but at the same time they enjoyed some very sexy times because why not? They decided to take advantage of this fake relationship they decided to embark in order to determine the true proprietor of the house they are both fighting over.
Why the three stars?
I think the relationship moved too fast for me. I usually enjoy the slow build up of two people realizing that they have feelings for each other. Kudos to Octavia for moving things along and doing what she wanted without holding back. Gabriel was even taken by surprise at times. It does make the story a little different from the usual HR because Octavia is the one who took initiative in their physical relationship, but at the same time it made the story a little boring because as a reader I want to see the tension between them...the will they or won't they?
Overall it is a good story, it's just that it was a little too insta-lust for me.

When Octavia Holton learns of her father’s death, she thinks it might be the answer to her problems. As the co-owner of “Miss Ivy’s” a gaming hell, she went behind her sister’s back and borrowed money from a moneylender to make improvements to the club, but when business fizzled and she was not able to make the payments, Mr. Higgins began making threats. But now with the passing of their estranged father, Octavia believes her problems are solved, all she has to do is go to her father’s house, find his will, which will surely show that she and Ivy own the house, then sell it, pay off Mr. Higgins and no one will be the wiser. Simple right?

When Gabriel Fallon’s father passed away after burning down their house, Gabriel’s only solace is that in his father’s papers he finds a promissory note between his father and Mr. Holton, his father’s favorite gambling partner, that states that Mr. Fallon won Mr. Holton’s house just days before Mr. Holton died. It is the answer to his problems, he will move into the house and dedicate himself to his research of mythology. Perfect right?

As neither of them counts on anyone challenging their claim to the house, both are shocked to find the other in residence. They make a deal, Octavia will have a month to find proof that the house is actually hers and in the meantime, they will both work on fixing it up. Simply perfect right? Along the way, they will collect a houseful of servants, convince everyone that they are engaged, and try to resist the attraction that is simmering between them. Perfectly simple, right?

I really wanted to love this book, especially since Gabriel is such a wonderful hero who just wants a home and a family, but honestly, I was underwhelmed. The story is a bit bland, although there are several steamy love scenes and quite a bit of humor, in the end, it just didn’t have enough conflict or drama to hold my attention and I found Octavia to be too selfish and self-centered to be a great heroine. Don’t misunderstand, I didn’t hate her, but I didn’t love her either – I basically tolerated her and wondered what it was about her that Gabriel found so desirable. Overall, I liked the book and am glad I read it as it is well written and it was nice to catch up with Ivy and Sebastian, but I don’t think I would read it again. This is the fifth book in the series, but it could easily read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I loved the premise of this one. Two people who both feel they have rights to a home, end up living there together, and of course...falling in love. I enjoyed this one, and especially Gabrielle. Octavia was not my favorite heroine. She frustrated me and was really horrible to Gabrielle. I did love several other side characters and hope we get to see them again in the future.

Unfortunately this book wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I really wanted to like it, as the book had so much promise with the concept of it. But, if you've read one book like this, you've kinda read them all.

I really enjoyed the two books from this series that I read. I just had such a hard time sinking into this one. I found myself putting it down for days at a time and then still struggling. This one didn't work, but I have high hopes for what comes next!
Thank you so much for letting me try!

This book had a unique plot to set up the characters' relationship. The main characters were well-written, but I wondered about the backstory of how the heroine came to run a gambling hall. I enjoyed the addition of Greek mythology to the plot for the extra literary allusions.

I read the first book in this series about Octavia’s sister but honestly don’t remember the parts with Octavia. Megan writes quirky stories with quirky characters. This one is no different. I liked the plot and I loved the mythology references (mythology nerd here). The story was okay for me but not wow. Maybe it was my mood as I really liked the previous book in this series.

3.5 stars

This was a perfectly enjoyable historical romance! A swoony, professorial hero, a spunky heroine, a contentious will, a sex deal, and a whole cast of rambunctious characters. It definitely felt like it was written in 2021/22 with the attitudes towards sex and the feminist heroine. While it didn't leave a huge impression on me or really hit me in the feels (is that still a thing??), I think it's definitely worth a try if you're looking for a fun, modern historical romance, this one might be for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC.

CW: death of parents

3.5 stars
Octavia is in trouble. She owes a gambling debt with serious consequences if she does not pay in full right away. Co-owner of a gambling hell with her sister Ivy, Octavia did what she felt necessary to try and make their business survive. Word comes that the father who abandoned the sisters has died so Octavia returns to her childhood home hoping to sell the house she assumes her father left her and pay her debts, only to see Gabriel Fallon there claiming the house is his, and that her father signed it over to his father to pay off a debt.

Octavia and Gabriel decide to live in the house together for four weeks to search every part for proof as to who actually owns the house. They then enter into a fake engagement and hire some locals from the town to help clean up the house and hijinks ensue.

I really liked the premise of this romance and the forced proximity trope of it, I also loved the feeling of home and found family with the people from the town hired to help with the house. And I loved Gabriel's character and the fact he was a scholar of Greek mythology.

I didn't love Octavia. She was selfish and that let to unintentional cruelty towards Gabriel and he was such a sweetheart that it kind of broke my heart. He deserved better honestly.

This also had a bit of a forced modernity feel to it. There are moments where Octavia has some rants about women's inequity and while true it felt a bit too on the nose, a bit out of place. I usually love a feminist spin on historicals but I want it to feel organic and not like...a drafted speech.

I received an ARC from the publisher for review.

If you're looking for a low-angst historical romance filled to the brim with banter, this could be the book you're looking for. Octavia and Gabriel might be competing for the same house, but it's clear from the moment they meet that they can never be true enemies. The delight they take in each other - and in needling each other - made me smile and laugh time and again. I liked both characters, despite their flaws, and especially liked the way they developed a found family with the people who came to help with the house. The plot did slow a bit in the middle, as Octavia repeatedly clung to the "I must return home" theme without any of her usual madcap ideas to fix a problem situation. It felt slightly contrived in those moments. But it's a minor quibble, and I felt that the ending picked back up again and brought a satisfying conclusion.

This author is usually a middle-of-the-road storyteller for me. I always have great hopes when I request one of her books because, every now and again, she’ll hit the ball straight out of the park. This book wasn’t one of those times. However, 3-stars is a very respectable average rating and I see nothing wrong with it. Of the 5 books in this series, I have rated all but one of them at 3-stars. That one – it was one of those out-of-the-park reads and I rated it as 5-stars.

You’ve probably read the story blurb, so you know the gist of the story. Octavia and Gabriel’s fathers were both gamblers – inveterate gamblers. Nothing was more important to either of them than their next wager – and they loved to wager against each other. Where Gabriel’s father was successful at gambling and made a good bit of money, Octavia’s father lost – almost always. He even wagered his daughters and that was the premise of the first book of the series. Now, within a few weeks of each other, both fathers have died. Gabriel has the signed wager from Octavia’s father saying that he lost the family home to Gabriel’s father. Octavia has nothing at all but insists her father left the family home to her and her sister. When they both arrive at the family home at practically the same time – both planning to live there – well, they have to come to some kind of agreement. For me, I honestly fail to see why Gabriel would have been so accommodating to Octavia since he is the one with the signed legal document giving ownership of the house to him. However, I guess if he hadn’t been accommodating, there wouldn’t have been a story.

What did I like?

*** None of the characters belonged to the aristocracy. They were all plain old Mr., Miss, Mrs., etc.
*** The story takes place away from London in a tiny country village
*** Two delightful dogs who were as polar opposite as their owners. There was Octavia’s Italian Mastiff, Cerberus, and Gabriel’s tiny, fluffy Pomeranian, NYX.
*** Gabriel! He was a delightful character – Very tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, very intelligent. He was a scholar who studied Greek mythology. In essence, he wasn’t anything like his father and didn’t want to be – he detested gambling in any form. He was honorable, protective, and very accepting of people for who they were. My only quarrel with Gabriel was that he was a bit too laid back – too milquetoast. He definitely needed a stronger backbone for dealing with Octavia.
*** I loved the ‘family’ of villagers who ended up living at the house with Gabriel and Octavia. There was the cook who couldn’t cook, Gabriel’s old nursemaid who somehow ended up being the ‘housekeeper’, Old Joe is an old man with a limp and no purpose in life – so he ends up taking care of the stables. Well, you get it there were several of them and they were all delightful.
*** Gabriel’s ‘clean’ versions of Greek mythology were decidedly entertaining.
*** The Pomegranate Compromise

What didn’t I like?

*** Octavia! She came across as impulsive, abrasive, overbearing, annoying, and selfish. She never gave a thought at all to how her actions and words hurt others. She was derisive and dismissive – especially of Gabriel. In her mind, she is always correct and there is no room for argument. When Gabriel says something (using a larger, but common word) she’ll dismissively say she doesn’t understand a word he’s said – but then, in the very next paragraph (or sentence) she’ll say (or think) how very curious she is and how much she loves to learn. So, which way is it? Finally, though, she did seem to have learned a few life lessons and had developed a bit of maturity by the end.
*** The Chemistry between Gabriel and Octavia – I just didn’t feel it. There wasn’t a thing in me that was pulling for them as a couple. Mostly I was wondering – what in the world does he see in her?

I am happy to have met Octavia and Gabriel and I wish the author much success with the book. I’m not sorry I read it – I did give it a respectable 3-stars – but it won’t be one of those books I re-read time after time.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gabriel Fallon was raised by his father who was a gambler. He spent most of his life feeling unwanted. His dad died a month ago and had a house he won in a game. Gabriel wanted a home, so he decided to fix it up and live in it.

Octavia Holton's father was also a gambler and even bet his youngest daughter and lost but her sister played another hand and won her back. So, the sisters packed up and moved to London. She had acquired some debt when she wanted to fix up the gambling house. Her way out was to fix her old home and sell it to pay the debt. She spent a sizable portion of her life alone. She wasn't sure she liked it anymore.

This was a light-hearted story of two people wanting the same thing but having to work for it. They compromised and looked for any paperwork that could prove who the owner was. They were sweet, kind, and bantered back and forth. They ended up with a houseful of people but wanted to help them. Through all these twists and turns, they realized another emotion was evolving. I enjoyed this marvelous tale of these two souls. I highly recommend it.

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

Octavia Holton is a woman who knows what she wants. Her pursuits are often spontaneous because she believes this keeps the mind agile. When she learns of her father’s death, she travels to his home to assess the value of her new inheritance.

Gabriel Fallon’s father passed away while celebrating his new winnings - his gambling opponent’s home. Gabriel is excited for this new property because he can finally make a home for himself. Upon his arrival, he goes for a swim on his new property.

Confronted by a massive dog, a young lady’s dog no less, Gabriel finds himself in a compromising dilemma.

Octavia struggles to believe the nearly naked man’s declaration. There’s no way her father gambled away her childhood home, leaving her and her elder sister without an inheritance. Well, there is a chance, but perhaps he won it back! Convinced Gabriel is wrong, the two compromise. Together they decide to put the place back together and find out who is the true owner of the derelict house. They have four weeks.

I loved the confidence of Octavia, she isn't our typical virginal heroine. She knows what she wants and goes for it. Gabriel is smart, sexy, and loves every bit of Octavia. There is a bit of Greek mythology trickled in - a fave of mine - and it comes full circle. It was fun reading a historical romance without a titled gentleman and an inexperienced woman.

Close proximity, a fake engagement, friends to lovers, this book has it all. I highly recommend!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Four Weeks of Scandal is the fifth book in Megan Frampton’s Hazards of Dukes series. It can stand alone, and is primarily connected to the first book, due to the relationship between the sisters.
After adoring the previous book, this one was such a letdown. And the connection (however brief) to the first book further reinforced that, as the first was also one of the stronger entries for the series. I liked the idea of it, but there were a lot of tropes going on here, but not enough stakes at the heart of it.
Octavia and Gabriel are fine characters. Octavia is headstrong and rash, but I like that she’s confident in herself and asserting what she wants. Gabriel is fun, because he’s a Greek mythology scholar, so I loved seeing that reflected in the narrative and his interactions with Octavia.
But while I didn’t hate them as a couple, I didn’t feel any reason to root for them, or question why their parting would be such a great tragedy. There were such low stakes to their relationship…if they found proof of her ownership, they could just go on their way. If not? No difference. I felt no personal connection to them and what finding the documentation would mean for their relationship. And the number of times it got repeated that she was leaving at the end of the month…I wanted her to just go already, so something would actually happen.
While this one didn’t work for me, it’s partially my fault as I was still on the high of the prior book. And there are many positive reviews, so it’s possible that, like some of the other entries in the series, it’s just not for me. If you’ve enjoyed Megan Frampton’s prior books, you might like this one. And if you enjoy tropey historical romance with more focus on the internal conflict, it might work better for you.