This was my first foray into a Manda Collins book. It turned out to be the third book in a series…so now I must go back and read the other two. It is perfectly fine as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t mind reading her friend’s stories from the previous books. They seem like fun characters.

In “A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes”, Poppy rushes to her hometown when she learns her little sister had been accused of murder. On her way there she literally bumps into Joshua, Duke of Langham. They had met previously and the last thing Poppy needed was to deal with his pomposity while she had to save her sister.

But Langham surprises her by actually being a gentleman and a good man. He agrees to use his title to help her get to the bottom of the horrid business with her sister. Knowing she’s independent, he proposes a bargain; He will help her sister, but Poppy is to pretend to be his betrothed to stop his grandmother’s matchmaking attempts.

With the deal struck, they dive straight into the murder and into the den of vipers his grandmother had waiting for him. Luckily everyone believed the lie of betrothal because…chemistry. Everyone can see it’s a love match, except those two.

This story had some twists and turns. I mean, I didn’t see a secret underground Lucifer society coming. I would have actually liked a little more delving into said society, but it was a fun surprise.

Overall, the writing was nicely paced and it was a fun read. I liked the mystery aspect thrown into the romance. I’ll definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

This hilarious and charming book was an amazing read — there’s a reason this series is a bestseller. Definitely recommend!

The best of the series so far! I was glued to the pages and sizzling chemistry between Poppy & Langham. I am so disappointed that I didn't read this last year before it came out. I was just too busy with other books and had a bad taste in my mouth from the previous book in this series. After seeing another reader list this as one of her top favorites on the Forever Books email blog, I decided to give it a chance and make it my New Year's weekend read. I was hooked from the first chapter.

Poppy Delamare is trying to return to her estranged family home to save her sister from a murder charge when she's robbed at the train station and runs into Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham who she's met through her coworkers. Langham offers her a ride in his private train car and help clearing her sister's name if she'll pretend to be his fiancée and save him from the desperate debutantes his grandmother has assembled for a house party.
Hence the fake engagement trope mixes with a murder mystery team up and steamy romance for the perfect escapist weekend reading. Throw in a secret sex cult, villainous stepfather, hidden passages and forced proximity and you've got a five star read!

The year is 1867 and Poppy Delamare is a self-proclaimed spinster living and working in London. Only, Poppy has assumed a new name (Flora Deaver) and identity. She escaped an abusive household at the hands of her stepfather 2 years ago and never looked back. But when Poppy receives word that her beloved half-sister Violet has been charged with the murder of her husband, she races back to her small hometown in an attempt to clear Violet’s name. It’s during this rush that she literally runs into the Duke of Langham. Although she finds the Duke to be insufferable, the two end up on the train together and a fake betrothal plan is hatched. It’s a win-win as Poppy will have the Duke’s vast resources at her disposal, and the Duke will not have the entertain the women of the town who are longing to become his Duchess. But as the two spend more time together trying to unravel the truth behind Violet’s husband’s murder, they find themselves both wishing the betrothal was not a ruse.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to others. I found the characters lovable and the story entertaining. I love historical romance and fake dating, and then to add in a murder subplot?! I was so intrigued and the author did not disappoint. Poppy and Langham’s relationship was not only fun but believable, which I always appreciate when reading fiction. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC

This book was so much fun. I love a historical romance bud add a murder mystery and I’m all for it.
Poppy and Joshua make a great couple. I love how they fell for each other. Starting with a fake engagement that as they get to know each other, their feelings for each other grew!

The murder mystery was cool, it’ll give you cozy vibes nothing too weird or scary.

Another book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, and definitely the best installment so far in my humble opinion. Enemies to lovers will always be my jam, even in Victorian times LOL. When I wrote my review of An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire, I said I couldn’t wait to read Flora’s story, and I got my wish. Flora aka Poppy is reluctantly forced to team up with the Duke of Langham, who is definitely not in her favor based on their past acquaintance. But needing an ally in her quest to prove her sister Violet’s innocence in the death of her husband, she agrees to a fake betrothal to the duke for their mutual gain. He requires some interference in his grandmother’s desire to marry him off, and she needs the political weight of his title in her own investigation of the murder. But of course their animosity gives way to attraction as their investigations and fake betrothal draws them closer. So scandalous! They’re steamy as they dance around each other, and the mystery may be a secondary plotline but it is still well written and engaging. And since I already have an advanced copy in my library of the next book in the series, I can well say that I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

3.5 stars

Fake dating/engagement, murder blackmail and demonic cults. Not spicy at all.

Not as quippy in dialogue or personality as the previous book, but still good.

The end came on very very fast. Already a longer book than the others but pacing at the end should’ve been made longer.

The timeline for this book and the first dont quite align properly. This is just days after Caro’s wedding, and yet when they come visit it’s as if weeks have passed? Strange.

Manda Collins has done it again!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for sending me an advanced copy!!
I loved this one and it may surpass the first one for title of my favorite in the series!
Can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you @netgalley & @readforeverpub for my digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

I find Victorian romance novels to be highly entertaining! In this novel, When Miss Poppy Delamare runs, quite literally, into the Duke of Langham, they decide to help each other out.

The Duke is on his way to a family party where his grandmother will try to push a young lady onto him to propose to. Poppy is on her way to prove her sister is innocent of murder. She agrees to be the Duke’s fake fiancée in exchange for his help in vindicating her sister. It’s quite amusing when the Duke arrives with a fiancée who is not dressed appropriately for the high society party. But Poppy handles it well and even impresses the Duke. He also keeps his end of the bargain and soon they realize they make a great, if unconventional, team!

Read this if you enjoy historical romance with strong-minded heroines and devastatingly handsome main male characters!

This is the third book to Ladies Most Scandalous! I love how Manda Collins mixes humor in with her writing! The mystery while predictable was very fun! I also found to be romance to be very sweet and swoon worthy! Thus, I recommend this for fans of Rhys Bowen, Jennifer Ashley, and Amanda Quick!

Shirt & Sweet review: I loved this book! This is book number 3 in the series, Ladies Most Scandalous, and it is fabulous! I definitely recommend the whole series for fans of regency romcoms. This had been such a fun series to fall into, and I have loved all of the characters as well. Though I enjoyed each book of the series, this one was actually my favorite!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I used to read lots of cozy mysteries but I mostly read romance now, but this book is a lovely combination of the two. Poppy and Langham are complex characters and I appreciate how their pasts affect their present situation. This story was thrilling yet sweet and spicy, a combination that will ensure I read the rest of the series and gleefully await more of Manda Collins' books.

I love how Manda Collins perfectly balances mystery and romance in this series! A delight from beginning to end.

My favorite yet! The banter was spectacular, the mystery was truly f***** up, the romance was spicey AND sweet. Fantastic.

Manda Collins does it again with this third book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series! This story follows Poppy Delamare who had previously fled her home to escape and arranged marriage. After living in London for some time, Poppy now must return home to aid her sister who is being accused of murder. On the train ride there, Poppy runs into (literally) the Duke of Langham (who she isn’t a huge fan of) and they concoct a plan to help one another. For fans of Evie Dunmore and Bridgerton.

"A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes" by Manda Collins is a captivating historical romance that combines wit, suspense, and a dash of danger. Collins' storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of unexpected romance and intrigue. The book's charming characters and well-developed plot create an immersive reading experience that keeps readers eagerly turning pages. Collins skillfully balances the elements of romance and mystery, keeping the suspense alive while exploring the blossoming relationship between the characters. "A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes" is a delightful read that offers a blend of humor, romance, and suspense, leaving readers with a satisfied smile and a renewed appreciation for the regency romance genre.

I love Manda Collins' historical romances! A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes is another wonderful addition to her ever-increasing catalog.

The book starts as Poppy is leaving London on an urgent trip to Little Kidding, where her sister has been accused of murder. However, before she is able to purchase a train ticket, her purse is stolen, and she quite literally runs into the Duke of Langham. He offers to escort her to Little Kidding in his private coach, in exchange for a favor. His grandmother, the dowager duchess, is trying to marry him off, so he asks her to pretend to be his fiancée for the duration of the house party he is being forced to attend.

Once they arrive, they have two problems: they have to find a way to prove her sister's innocence, and the fake engagement starts to feel a little too real. There's a murder. There's mystery. There's a little bit of madness. There is a secret society and rituals and underground tunnels. Duplicity and nefarious intentions abound, and Poppy and Langham have to solve this mystery before it's too late.

Oh, and Poppy has to confess to her two closest friends that she's been living under an assumed name and lying about her past. Whoops.

Manda Collins books are just so fun and readable. The story flows smoothly from start to finish. Her writing is fresh and modern, but her style still hearkens back to the Victorian era she writes about. Whenever I pick up her latest book, I settle in with a blanket and a cup of tea, knowing I'm going to love it. She hasn't disappointed me yet!

Many thanks to Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having read other books by Manda Collins , I expected to love this but I just could not get into it.
The initial pacing was off for me and I could not care for the characters at all. Nothing they said was interesting.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

A sweet romance that goes heavy on the mystery and intrigue of England's late 19th century secret societies.

So far my favorite in this series so far. Love a fake romance with some intrigue and danger thrown in