What a great historical romance! An Island Princess Starts a Scandal combined all of the ingredients for a memorable book. A chance meeting in a den of pleasure, an agreement neither can say no to, and a wistfully magical journey to finding oneself and a love that was made just for them!

Paris in 1889...what a time. All of the historical references were characters just as much as Cora and Manuela and all the other fascinating people we met in this story. I was pleasantly intrigued by these women that had made a community for themselves that funded their livelihood and kept each other safe at a time when lesbian and queer love was so taboo.

Cora and Manuela...whew their passion was so palatable, I often had to take a break when reading and...settle down! Their courtship was sexy and powerful. Cora...running into that church...my goodness!!!

To art, love, Paris, and bacchanalia...I will surely be recommending this book on all my socials and to all my bookish friends!!

First of all, can we all agree that Adriana writes the BEST found families?

This is the first sapphic historical romance that I've read which both MCs are Latinx and that is so refreshing, because representation matters.

I was intrigued by Manuela and Cora since book 1 and it was a wonderful story.
Arghhh there were so many things that I loved about this book:
💟Great Latinx queer characters,
💟Beautiful historic setting in Paris
💟A supporting and lovely found family
💟Delightful journey about becoming yourself and spreading your wings to life and being free.

I LOVE to read Latinx people and their stories in historical settings 💜 The author made a great research and it shows, I learned a lot and the representation of my people was wonderful.

Can't wait for Aurora and Apollo's story, (I MEAN, SHE'S A FUCKING MEXICAN DOCTOR *faints*)

Thank you to the author for this ARC in exchange an honest review!

This is a fun historical romance about two very stubborn women butting heads as they fall in love with quite a few steamy scenes. There's also plenty of character growth as they each have to decide between safety and security or gaining the strength to pursue happiness. It was pretty interesting delving into what life was like in 1800s Paris for queer women

*preface *I read this without having read the first book in the series

I very much enjoyed the characters and story, especially because of the realistic dynamics in their relationship.
However there was some pacing and storytelling elements that pulled me out of the story.
Overall this is a great read and I'd give it a 3.75/5

Herrera’s second entry in the Las Léonas series is filled with a complex cast of characters who are incredibly likable that you'll fall in love with and root for them to get there happily ever afters. Herrera deftly tackles the 1889 Paris World's Fair through the lens of the minority experience with in-depth historical research and superb writing. Additionally, you’ll find romance delightfully swoony with incredibly steamy 2SLGBTQIA+ OPS scenes. With her usual tact and sensitivity, Herrera handles the serious issues tackled with aplomb but take care and check the CWs. Overall this is a great read and I can't wait to see what comes next. Don't miss out on book one in the series, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris.


I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit I was nervous starting this book. Book 1, Luz Alana specifically, knocked me off my feet. It and she are in my top my romance books/heroines of all time.

I also have to admit when I’m wrong. This is Adriana Herrera! Of course the next Leona was going to be superb and of course her Duchess was going to be a stunning character and of course I was going to love this book.

I highlighted more than two dozen moments!

The story is a delight from the start. The friendships both these woman have are powerful. The lust love and eventual trust between Cora and Manuela jumps right off the page.

Herrera writes characters who have lots to teach and are open to learning more. Race, gender, sexuality, class, are all integral parts of the journey.

Manuela learns to value herself and her future. Cora learns to value her accomplishments and herself. These two women are loved by their people but get the chance to really be themselves together.

The side characters, as always in Herrera’s books, add a colorful completeness to the story. I especially loved the Leonas honesty with each other and Cora’s supportive and realistic stepson and aunt.

Finally, today’s #fridaykiss is #image and I think imagery is perhaps Herrera’s fiercest talent. I can see the colors of Manuela’s dresses and the crisp lines of Cora’s lapels, appreciate the art they discuss as if I’m there in the gallery too, feel the humidity in the greenhouse, and sense the tension as the story climaxes.

Also, the grovel is perfect and READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE.

What a beautiful, romantic, sexy, empowering, and honest novel.

I was excited for this second book and looking forward to the third. I liked the lead Leonas, but wasn't so in love with the other lead, but the story worked for me.

FULL REVIEW IN:
https://aishasbookworld.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/review-an-island-princess-starts-a-scandal-by-adriana-herrera-las-leonas-2/

Manuela and Cora are imposing and determined, the match for each other’s shoe. Also, they have to play the men’s game to get what they wanted. What makes them different is the way they see the world and their respective life experiences. As we turn pages, we see both women’s evolution; their true self blossoming to have the happy ending they deserve. Their Lesbian Romance, even though it starts as “lust at first sight”, is undeniably raw, pure and fully believable.

This book has a plot with its own personality and fascinating characters. I felt the first half of the book too slow for my liking, but the plot doesn’t gets boring; that, and the magnificent lesbian romance, kept me reading. Even though I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction books, I have to say that if all books of this genre are like this, I’ll be reading more and more of them. Especially for the biggest asset of this story: the fantastic research job this author did for the book. As a Caribbean reader, is good to read in a fictional story about Latin American history.

Ms. Herrera is getting better with each book. Her way to tell a story is unique and with lots of flavor—Caribbean flavor, I must say. She’s so good with her writing that she’s about to become my newest Fetish Author.

• ARC given by Adriana Herrera via Netgalley. Thanks for your trust.

Determined to make the most of her time in Paris before her upcoming marriage Manu wants to give in to all her temptations and feelings while she is away from Venezuela. She has had two of her paintings selected to be shown at the 1889 Exposition Universelle. Now she just needs the good love of a female companion.

When Cora ends up being the Dutchess interested in purchasing Manuela’s family property their lives become intertwined. Manu will only sell the property that Cora needs to complete her railroad if she introduces Manuela to Paris’s community of lesbians.

The push and pull of Manuela’s and Cora’s attraction makes their agreement and journey all the more fun. Will Cora end up finishing her South American railroad and will Manuela choose to live life on her own terms, even if she doesn’t have the stability a loveless marriage?

This story perfectly encapsulates what I love about historical romance, learning about other countries and historical facts along with a steamy romance. The characters and their personalities are so well developed that you want them as your friends!

Not to mention this book makes you THINK in the most beautiful way. It touches on gender equality, racism and most importantly never underestimating the willpower of a group of strong women.

We are in love with the IDEA of this book: a sapphic rendition of a "reformed rakes make the best husbands" book featuring an outspoken young Dominican artist enjoying her final summer of freedom before marrying a rich man to save her family and a ruthless businesswoman/duchess? That young artist making a sex bargain with said duchess as a part of a business deal? A group of friends who support each other no matter how ridiculous they think the others are acting? Fin de siecle Paris as a supporting character underpinning the whole thing? It sounds delicious.

We really, really wanted to love it, but the ideas weren't enough for us. We found Manuela and Cora's relationship to be founded on instalust. The sex bargain plot device ended up being way too chaste for our taste. And Cora's insistence on denying her own feelings went on way too long. Here's hoping the final book in the series can marry ideas with a romance we really love.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the book.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This book snuck up on me and I ended up loving this thoughtful and sweet portrayal of Manuela and Cora’s sapphic love story. I love Adriana Herrera, and I love this series and how it mixes history, romance, and steam. I think the thing I liked most about this book is the sweet progression of both of the main characters throughout the book, laced with interesting historical tidbits of lesbian, Paris history. I particularly liked that the ending didn’t just happen out of the blue, that both characters had to learn from mistakes or fears they had in their own life to grow as people before they could be happy together. Overall I definitely recommend this book for fans of Herrera, historical romance, and LGBTQ+ romance.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book - thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to review!
For those that fell in love with Las Leonas - Luz Alana, Manuela and Aurora, welcome back to Paris 1889! The book begins with the infamous brothel visit from A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, and we discover what Manuela found that night - Cora, Duchess of Sundridge. These two characters have instant chemistry and the banter is witty, cutting and flirty. Both women undergo a transformation in the novel. Manuela finds her voice and inner strength to be her authentic self outside of her parents and cultural expectations. Cora, who has also been hiding, but behind her work and ruthlessness to be more, learns to accept love from Manuela as a strength, not a weakness. The added bonus is the rich visual descriptions Adriana provides of Paris and all its communities. This visit back to the world of our Las Leonas was a welcome one, and I look forward to the next one and read how Apollo manages to win the heart of Aurora.

4.0
I'm currently basking in the warm fuzzy feeling that I get after finishing a good romance. While this one took me a bit to get into, after the first third I was totally entranced and read the remaining two thirds in a day.

Manuela has agreed to a marriage of convenience for the sake of her family, but before settling down is off to enjoy a summer of freedom with her best friends in Paris. As an artist, she finds much to admire, which leads to a chance encounter with a gorgeous woman. Unbeknownst to her, Cora is none other than the duchess who would like to buy some of her land, and so the two strike a bargain. Cora will introduce Manuela to the sapphic delights the city has to offer in exchange for this property. Of course, the delight Manuela really wants to sample is Cora herself, who seems to be keeping strangely distant. Will they be able to enjoy their bargain without getting too attached?

Nineteenth century Paris truly comes to life in this lovely novel thanks to Adriana Herrera's research and descriptions. It was refreshing to read a historical romance that isn't set in Regency England (though I love those) and is unapologetically sapphic. I can't wait for book three, which I have a feeling will be about Aurora!

Can I tell you how fast I clicked request when I saw this pop up in Netgalley?! I've been singing the praises of the first book since I read it and was so excited to see the Leonas again!

I enjoyed getting to know Manuela and Cora, though it took me a bit longer to get through this one than the first book. I found the peek into the sapphic Parisian world super interesting and so lovely for those involved to have a support network. Cora and Manuela were a bit grumpy sunshine-esque with more bad-ass bitch businesswoman vibes. Secondary characters were delightful. Spice level was less than the first book, but overall, I really enjoyed it!! Can't wait for Leona #3!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

I was very excited when the description for this book came out -- a sapphic historical romance?! Written by Adriana Herrera?! It truly checked all the boxes for me. Unfortunately this felt really slow paced to me, like it felt like I could only read a few pages at a time before I had to put it down and move to something else. I read The Caribbean Heiress in Paris as an audiobook, so I think I will wait until this one becomes available as one before picking it up again. Because I really do want to see where Manuela and Cora end up!

I’ve never read a lesbian historical romance before and after this I definitely need to read more. Cora and Manuela are perfect and they see each other as no one has ever seen them before. I loved that Manuela wouldn’t let Cora dictate everything and gave her push back. It made them feel very real and gave them such a good banter.

Seeing Manuela learn that woman like her can have a life and not be shackled to a man was wonderful. She gained such a good found family who helped her realize her purpose. I think that the whole group of friends that Cora introduced her to was amazing and it was great to see queer people just being happy.

I think that seeing both of their character arcs was just so important and very personal to me. Cora trying to make it in a mans world and doing things that don’t actually make her happy. I just loved her growth and how Manuela made her want to be a better person and actually want to be happy. They are just the perfect person for each other.

I also found the notes from the author at the end about women loving woman at that time in Paris very interesting. I never knew about any of it.

I received an arc through net galley.

I have been obsessed with Adriana Herrera this past year, devouring her American Dreamers series and I loved the previous book in this series, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, but this one just fell flat for me. It had parts I liked and parts that didn’t work.

Manuela is in Paris for three months before she marries a man that will support her family even though she doesn’t like him. In Paris, she wants to explore her attraction to women, her painting and fit all the living in she can. Cora, Duchess of Sundridge, wants a piece of land that Manuela owns and in exchange for it she agrees to show Manuela the Paris she wants.

These two totally had chemistry and spice. I enjoyed their meet cute in a sex club, how Cora quietly supported Manuela in her painting and introducing her to people that can help her. The historical research that Adriana Herrera does is top notch and seeing a sapphic historical romance is a treat.

I really struggled with the pacing of the book. It started out hot then it dragged then it felt rushed and clumsy at the end. Cora as a character was hard for me- she is so buttoned up but then takes a complete turn into emotional breakdown and I wanted Manuela to have to compromise more for their relationship.

I am excited for the next book - Apollo and Aurora are going to be FIRE!

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts are my own. An Island Princess Starts a Scandal
has a publish date of May 30, 2023

When sapphic is done right! Adriana does it again, I got captured by this book since the very first page.
Consuming, enrapturing, full of color and light.
Absolutely loved it!

A deliciously SPICY and feminist, dual POV, opposites attract, Sapphic romance set during the height of Paris splendor in the summer of the 1889 Exposition Universelle. I loved these strong Latinx characters trying to pursue their dreams and passions in a corner of the world where they've carved out a place to be their authentic selves. Great on audio narrated by Nneka Okoye and perfect for fans of authors like Chantel Cleeton, Beverly Jenkins or Erica Ridley. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Librofm for early digital copies in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Adriana Herrera for this ARC! I loved the queer representation, the Latinx representation, and the strong female roles that were ALL over this book! This book showed that women can do all things!!! The Leona’s are fantastic!!

It took me a while to get into the story, to get into the buildup between Cora and Manuela but when they were together, it was fireworks!

I appreciated the care with which Adriana treated the historical aspect of this book. It is BRIMMING with rich luscious history and it was beautiful!