I have come to adore this series! I love the mystery/suspense aspect to each of the books. They are fast paced, with characters that are easy to love.

The plot of this book was so unexpected, and it totally grabbed my attention. It contains all the tropes I love, including forced proximity and fake engagement.

I would recommend reading the other books in this series, as they are woven into this book, but you could read this one as a standalone. I hope we get more in this series, and I’m crossing my fingers the hero will be Adrian!

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is by far the best book in the Lady’s Guide series.
- A snobbish Duke with a secret heart of Gold captivated at first sight
- A runaway spinster with a secret identity, who must throw it all away to save her sister
- Fake betrothal
- A murder mystery
- Insane sex cult(!?!?)

… Manda Collins, do not threaten us with a good time!!

I sped through the book in one sitting and loved Langham and Poppy’s quick banter, and duty of care for each other throughout,

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is a quick-paced romp with a lot of love-hate banter. It’s got some logic problems that keep it from becoming an A-grader, but it’s still a lot of fun.

Miss Poppy Delamare is on the lam from a terrible engagement arranged by her stepfather. Under the assumed identity of Flora Deaver, she has been working for Lady Katherine Bascomb (A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem) and Lady Caroline Hardcastle (An Heiress's Guide to Deception and Desire) assisting them both for the past two years. But now she must flee London for Buckinghamshire in order to help her sister; Violet Delamare has been accused of murdering her husband (the man that Poppy was to be forced to marry), a crime Poppy knows Violet didn’t commit. Her getaway is going smoothly until someone filches her bag and funds; as she’s chasing the thief down, she bumps face-first into the chest of her long time enemy, Joshua Fielding.

Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has long found Poppy to be impossible, and when he accidentally abets the man running off with her bag he just adds to his problems. Joshua needs a favor from Poppy – he needs someone to pretend to be his fiancée at a house party about to be held to celebrate the birthday of his grandmother the better to avoid her attempt at matchmaking. Poppy agrees because of the protection being engaged to a duke will offer Violet. He agrees that he'll do anything he can to save Violet if Poppy will pretend to be his betrothed.

As Poppy tries to hide her true aims from the rest of the Fieldings and exonerate her sister, Joshua lies to his family about his intentions towards Poppy. His brother, Adrian, soon becomes a concern – as is the possibility that Poppy is being stalked by the same person who killed her brother in law.

This is a fun one, but you’ll need to suspend your disbelief quite a bit. Poppy gives up being Flora twenty-one pages into the book – which makes sense, as she wants to rescue her sister. But little about her confession that she’s been lying about her identity shakes Joshua for long (he simply raises an eyebrow and dives into the situation) when it comes to romancing her, which makes the secret identity stuff kind of pointless. Joshua and Poppy’s conflict will be hard to understand for readers who haven’t read the previous books in the series. For those who have though, watching Poppy and Joshua finally get together is a great treat. They realize their misconceptions about one another and build toward a real connection. I will add, though, that Joshua is a bit of a stuffy ass when the book begins and it takes him a while to warm up. Poppy is tough and resilient, which is always a bonus.

The supporting characters are a lot of fun. The dowager countess Langham in particular is great, crusty fun, and it’s always fun to journey into the English countryside. On the other hand, the mystery surrounding Violet only holds mild tension, but at least it is a consistent, important driving plot point. Violet and Poppy’s love for one another is important, and the killer is well-secluded.

If you’re willing to overlook some logic loopholes – like no one managing to search for Poppy, even in the vast environs of London, and Joshua’s non-reaction to her fessing up – then you’ll have some generally carefree fun with this one.

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I adore Manda Collins' writing. While the spice is low, the story is in high supply. The characters are utterly charming and you get sucked into the world she creates in the first chapter. This seemingly odd pairing of Flora/Poppy and Langham does not disappoint. They end up, of course, beautifully pairing together to solve many mysteries and save her sister in the process. The fun tidbits about secret societies adds an extra layer of suspense to this mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

A Spinister's Guide to Danger and Dukes is as much a mystery wrapped up in a historical romance. Miss Poppy Delamare is living under an assumed name and working as a secretary in London to escape her stepfather's scheming ways. When Poppy hears her sister is being accused of murder, she drops everything and heads home to prove her sister's innocence. Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham is on his way to his grandmother's party and the matchmaking that will insue but he cannot leave a lady in distress. A fake engagement will give Poppy the backing and standing she needs to investigate her sister's case and protect the Duke from unwanted debutantes. Danger and close proximity leads the couple into some real feelings and Poppy works hard for a satisfying HEA that will leave you craving more. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Read if you like:
🐴 Historical Romances
🔪 Murder Mysteries
💍 Fake Dating
😆 Banter
💔 Dislike to Love
🌶️ Some Spice

This one was so well done and I love that this one added some extras like a little side Murder mystery into the plot as it gave me the romance and mystery that I love from my two favorite genres.

I love when you can feel the chemistry between characters coming off the page, and this one definitely had that. I never once questioned them falling for each other cause the banter and build up was so well done!

Thank you forever and NetGalley for the arc copy of this one in exchange for my thoughts!

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

Miss Flora Deaver has a secret. Working as a secretary to her friends, Katherine and Caro, she has hidden the fact she is from a country gentry family, and is in fact Miss Poppy Delamare. She fled her home to avoid marrying her stepfathers partner, and has never returned. However, when her sister is accused of murdering her husband - the very man Poppy fled from - Poppy needs to return to save her sister. On the train home, Poppy runs into the Duke of Langham, and though they had a bad first meeting, Joshua will not abandon a lady in distress, especially one in his social circle. Hatching a plan to pretend to be engaged to allow Poppy more freedom and power to help her sister, and Joshua to avoid the ladies his family have assembled to force him to marry, they expect everything will easy going. But when feelings start becoming apparent, will the couple be able to remember it's a 'fake' engagement.

Another great book by Manda! A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes had it all. Intrigue, suspense, mystery, romance, love. Poppy and Langham's relationship definitely was not a smooth one, and they did not make a good first impression on each other. They do have chemistry though, and the fake relationship was the perfect plot line for the pair. I appreciated the way Langham stood up for Poppy, particularly when it came to his family and the woman they gathered for him to pick from. He also knew when she didn't need the help, but wanted support. Langham didn't underestimate her, and he bolstered her when she needed it. The mystery took turns I wasn't expecting, and I was gripped until the very end. I hope there are more books in this series, as I need more of Manda's epic storytelling.

As a fan of Jane Austen and Bridgerton, I was intrigued by the premise of A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes (even through it’s set in Victorian England and not the Regency period).

This series definitely has Bridgerton vibes. The characters are similarly concerned with propriety and appearances. Poppy is concerned that she will not be accepted by Langham’s family because she was a working woman in London and because her sister is suspected of murder. Poppy deftly handles the snarky comments from Langham’s grandmother’s friends and other members of the ton.

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is the third book in a series, and I do feel like I missed out by not reading the first two books. The book feels like it starts in the middle of the action with Langham and Poppy meeting at the train station. It is clear to the reader that they have a history, but the reader is not let in to what that is. There are references to them not getting along at first, but they are fleeting and without elaboration. Kat and Caro are such interesting characters, who make brief appearances in this third book the series, but they are each the focus of another book in the series. They are working women in a time and place that didn’t make that easy. I might just have to go back and read the first two books in the series.

I love a good cozy murder mystery, and A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes definitely fits that bill. It is fast paced and fun, but not without its serious moments. A Satanic society and its rituals add a sense of danger and additional mystery to the story. The stakes of the investigation are very high as Poppy’s sister’s life hangs in the balance.

Of course, it is not without romance as well. Langham and Poppy’s relationship is very sweet. They start off not liking each other, but Langham still almost immediately agrees to help Poppy and her sister. I didn’t love the implication that Poppy needs a male savior to fix her problems, but the sense is that Langham just genuinely wants to help. It is also clear almost immediately that they have real feelings for one another even though they are faking their engagement. Langham’s sisters and Poppy’s friends immediately catch on to those feelings and encourage their relationship.

I appreciated that Langham seems to reject societal expectations of women in the Victorian Era. When Poppy voices concern that he doesn’t have faith in her ability to help clear her sister of her brother in law’s murder, he gives her all of his research and allows her to take the lead. While he is hesistant to do so at first, Langham also reveals that he is claustrophic and allows Poppy to support him through his moments of fear.

I enjoyed A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read the other books in the series. If you are a Bridgerton fan, you are likely to enjoy this series.

I loved this book so much that I immediately took the first two in the series out of the library. Literally the minute I finished this one.

Poppy and Langham made for such a charming couple. Even with their rocky start, I appreciated that the level of angst in their courtship was low, the banter was witty but not unkind, and they were earnest in their efforts to help one another.

It does frustrate me somewhat when, after the protagonists go through the trouble of solving a mystery, the perpetrator acts out and explains the crime in its entirety. It makes their efforts at cracking the case seem somewhat pointless. That said, the mystery was tidy and well-constructed.

Likable characters + fake fiance + murder mystery + secret society + interesting place for lovemaking made for an entertaining story. Had danger and drama but without being stressful

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an egalley of A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes.

Poppy Delamare has already had adventure by the spades since she left her not so ideal family life. She has been hiding in London, working under an alias and happy with her life. However, when her sister is accused of murder, Poppy knows she must return home to help her clear her name. Before Poppy's journey home can even commence, she runs into the Duke of Langham who has quite the savior complex. As Poppy is determined that she does not need the assistance of a man, they eventually come to an agreement - she will serve as the Duke's fake fiancee and he will help Poppy clear her sister's name.

But we all know the rule...never fall for your fake fiancee.

When Poppy's sister is accused of murder she cannot abandoned her. Despite haviing fled years earlier to escape an unwanted marriage and her cruel stepfather, Poppy is determined to return to her family and save her sister.
When she runs into the Duke of Langham, she suddenly finds herself in a fake betrothal with her former adversary the Duke himself. Pretending to be his fiancee so as to save him from his grandmother's scheming to marry him off at her birthday house party, Poppy finds herself neck deep in secrets and subterfuge. Using the power of his dukedom, Joshua and Poppy set out to solve the murder and set her sister free, and if along the way they fall in love? Well, can the fake betrothal become real?
I liked this story, it had enough intrigue and adventure along with a sweet enemies to lovers trope that I really enjoy. Poppy and Joshua's romance is just what is needed for those cold winter nights. Curl up with the Duke and his lady and be prepared to be entertained.
Thank you to Forever Grand Publishing and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

This is third book in the A Lady's Guide series that follows three woman as they find love in England as well as work for a newspaper. This one follows Poppy who we met in the previous books under the name Flora. Poppy fled her home a few years ago when her stepfather tried to marry her off, now Poppy has to return home and try to save her sister who was accused of killing her husband, the man Poppy was supposed to marry. On the way out of town Poppy receives help from her friend the Duke of Langeham. I thought this one was fun but not as good as the first book in the series. The book was still funny and I loved Poppy's relationship with the Duke and I enjoyed the mystery that was going on in the background with the murder and a resurrected cult. I look forward to what Manda Collins writes next. Thank you Forever for my gifted copy for review!

Manda Collins knows how to write a cute romance novel troupe that entails a one sided enemies to lover's. Will keep your attention with a good mystery that will keep you guessing and top it off with a secret cult. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves this genre.

Manda Collins is exceptional at creating characters who allow the other to truly be themselves and grow to accept the love they deserve. We have seen in other historicals how a very similar situation would have turned out poorly for the main characters but Collins worked under the premise of "what if they chose each other over society?" Langham and Poppy are self-possessed and simply needed to learn how to ask for help and to accept it when it is offered. If you're looking for a cozy romance with a dash of mystery, and a few red herrings, I strongly recommend picking up A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes.

historical-romance, historical-research, 1857, country-house, England, situational-humor, verbal-humor, scam, scandal, sham, false-imprisonment, law-enforcement, lies, murder, murder-investigation*****

He was an anathema to her, so why did she agree to be his fake fiancée?
It really does have a good plot complete with astonishing twists and inventive red herrings. But the best parts are the characters and all the humor! Perfect escape reading that had me ROFLMAO!
I requested and received an EARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was SO MUCH fun! I love, love this series in general, but this was just so, so, so good. Poppy is returning home to rescue her sister who has been accused of murdering her husband (the man Poppy left home instead of being forced to marry) and meets and gets some aid from a duke, who poses as her fake fiancé (one of my absolutely favorite tropes, and it was done incredibly well here). Their chemistry is amazing. Joshua is strong but sweet and helpful, and Poppy is a tough, tenacious, but also flawed and real heroine, and together they are magic.

The mystery element is excellent and interesting and face-paced and well done and keeps you guessing until the end, which is kind of everything you could want. This was just impossible not to keep reading until the end. I had some much fun with it and am so excited that I got to read it early!

"I am a lady, Your Grace," Poppy said with a roll of her eyes, "not an ignoramus."

Manda Collins strikes again! This series is so clever and fun, and Poppy and Langham's book is my favorite yet. I love a fake engagement! Poppy and Langham were well developed, interesting characters, and it was fun to see the return of Caro and Katherine as well. It says a lot about Manda's writing that I, NOT a mystery lover, enjoys these books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

This is Poppy and Joshua’s story. Poppy is hiding in London under the name of Flora Deever to get away from her stepfather. She reads about her sister being accused of murder. She must go home to save her sister. When she goes to buy her ticket, a thief steals her purse. She runs into the Duke of Langham. He suggests a that she pretends to be his fiancée to help her investigate and keep him away from the matchmaking mamas.

The have a great attraction. They find many mysteries when they get home. The book was fast moving. I couldn’t put it down. Manda Collins has written another great romance.

I finished it, but it was just okay for me. I couldn't really pinpoint what I didn't like. It was just a bit bland for me.