Thanks to Netgalley and Penguins Books for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions.

Eliza Somerset, our protagonist, becomes a widow, and her duchbag of an ex-husband leaves her money and land because he was a petty bastard to his family and because she was a dull and suitable wife for ten years. He held no affection or anything for her, and she was miserable 24/7. Eliza was so happy to receive money and land, so she moved to the country because she needed to mourn for almost two years. She reconnected with her first love, Oliver Somerset, yes, the nephew of her ex-husband; we are in a novella. I hate hated him since he was introduced, and I couldn’t stand him at all. He was a very proper, “honest”, and man who loved following the rules that still loved Eliza, or maybe he loved the idea of the former shelf of the Eliza that he knew. Eliza meets Melville; our bad boy rake of the ton because of the gossip that always seems to follow him. Maybe because of his heritage, half English and half Indian, or because he’s a famous author or simply because hems handsome man that all the ladies love, and he flirts as if his life depends on it. How would she choose her former lover, the new flame, or herself? Read to find out.

The story follows Eliza navigating her emotions and learning to stand for what she wants and needs. She’s done sacrificing her life to please other people. After all the plot twists were revealed, I would love it if this book had a different point of view. I know the book was more for the journey of Eliza, but it would hit harder for me if I knew what was going through other characters' minds.

I need more of Caroline and Margo's story. Thanks

This is the 2nd book of Sophie Irwin’s I have read (A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting was the first), and both were enjoyable and fun. I do think I enjoyed this one more, though. The characters are likable (well, except for the ones you know aren’t nice), and the plot is simple, but it has enough creativity to keep the reader interested. It’s the story of Eliza, who is recently widowed after 10 years of a married to an older man her family persuaded her to marry, though neither of them felt any affection for the other. While it gave Eliza a higher standing in society, she was not able to provide him with an heir. She had loved another man (her husband’s nephew, Somerset, now the Earl of Somerset), but wouldn’t go against her family’s wishes, so at 17, she married the older man and left Somerset hurt and angry.

Fast forward 10 years, and Eliza finds herself the unexpected recipient of quite a lot of money through her late husband’s land holdings, with the contingency that she behaves herself in society, otherwise Somerset (now in charge of things after his uncle’s death) can take it back. Eliza has always been mousy and obedient, so this seems like an easy enough task. She does, however, want to get away from her late husband’s family, as well as her own mother. She therefore heads to Bath with her cousin, Margaret, rents a house, and decides to finish out her last months of mourning there. While there, she begins to see the freedoms she has as a wealthy widow, and, though there are still constraints on her till she is out of her widow’s dress, she allows herself some extravagances, such as more fashionable mourning clothes and painter’s supplies to pursue a passion she has always loved. It is enjoyable during this part of the story to see Eliza come out of her shell. It’s easy to like her and cheer her on. It’s obvious her marriage was unhappy, and she’s always been treated like a child. I found myself feeling her joy when she was learning to spread her wings.

During this time, we are introduced to Melville and his sister Caroline, who have come to stay in Bath. Both are writers, and both are Indian, which means neither are accepted into the ton. While Melville’s works have an enthusiastic audience with women in society, they are not always treated kindly, and there are many rumors of scandal attached to his name. They aren’t totally shunned, though, as they have too much of a following for that. He and Eliza hit it off, though, and they form a friendship. She begins to throw caution out and takes risks that aren’t considered proper for someone of her standing. Somerset reappears at this time, and Eliza finds herself realizing there’s still a chance for them.

As I read this part of the story, I really felt torn, There’s enough reason for sympathy for all 3 of these characters, and I wasn’t sure where Irwin was taking the story. I was glad that she did give it some unexpected plot twists, so that it held my attention the entire time, There are conversations and some actions that definitely wouldn’t appear in an Austen book, but the reader should know that this doesn’t detract from the story. There are too many other plot lines to go into here, but Irwin makes them work together as the pages turn. The ending felt satisfying and it wrapped up neatly. This is a great book for reading either on the beach or during a winter cold snap. I absolutely enjoyed it, and I hope Irwin continues writing novels in this series. She’s got a good thing going!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read this eGalley.

Simultaneously did not go the way I wanted it to, and yet, still ended up liking the ending

This is going to be a super divisive one I think. All of the great parts of Sophie Irwin's writing (solid banter, likable lead character, general shenanigans), are present in this book. That said, love triangles don't work well for a lot of readers (me included), and this one was at times too much for me. But I think the conversation around the love triangle ran deeper than just who she wanted to be with. She was choosing who she wanted to be. And that was a powerful conversation that I really enjoyed.

Not quite what I would've wanted out of a historical romance, but I think the ending is satisfying and I'd be deeply curious what other people think of this one.

This was a charming and engrossing read -- I think I read it all the way through in two sittings! The leads in A LADY'S GUIDE TO SCANDAL are smart, strong-willed, and follow their hearts -- I was rooting for them all the way through! I will definitely be picking up her future books. (I hadn't read Irwin's first book, and when I went to read it after this one, actually didn't love it? So if the leads in her first book were too mean to each other for your taste, then you should give this one a try!)

I enjoyed this historical romcom! The characters were fun and I liked the love triangle element. At times the pacing was a little slow but overall a solid three star read. I would recommend for an escapist Regency romance.

Pros: It felt like watching a romcom and was a fast weekend read to escape reality, the LGBTQ+ rep was an added plus.

Cons: It felt very clear to me which of the two love interests Eliza would end up with from very early on, however < spoiler > the Melville plot twist a la "10 Things I Hate About You" did catch me off guard! < / spoiler >

Would recommend to those who find the idea of regency romance and/or Jane Austen indimidating to get their toes wet!

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for access to the eBook ARC.

Can we just stop with all the modern political correctness in historically set novels? Please? All I want while reading is to escape and have fun. I don't want to have modern-day issues shoved down my throat while I read. There's enough of that just by living in today's society.

This book has a side lesbian couple. Having that lifestyle showcased so overtly in a novel set in the regency era feels so much like pushing an agenda, and it's frustrating as a reader who only wants to escape modern politics while reading. It feels like these characters are added just to check off some boxes on the modern-day checklist of political correctness. It's pandering and virtue signaling to achieve praise and applause without actually caring about people who live that kind of lifestyle. In other words, it is ingenuine.

Now, if I wanted to go out and read a story specifically marketed toward LGBT etc content, it would be different because that content would have been actively sought out. This book, however, is misleading and irritating. Just write a dang story without any bias toward any political leanings whatsoever! And if you want to include LGBT content, let readers know about it rather than having it thrust upon them unknowingly. All I ask for and want in a book is this: Good storytelling to and a place to go to forget about modern issues.

Other than that, I was actually quite liking Eliza, Melville, and Somerset. There were some highly humorous moments and witty dialogue that I adored. Perhaps I'll come back and increase my rating from two stars, but right now, I feel so disappointed that I'm leaving it at two.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC and for the opportunity to review this book. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

I loved everything about this book. I went in with no expectations and enjoyed the journey. The characters, humor, story, and romance were spot on. Just the kind of book I love to escape into.

This book was a delightful read taking place in the Victorian Era. It was fun to watch Lady Eliza, forced to marry for the status of her family, grow from a shrinking violet into a young woman who takes charge of her life and loves after her older husband dies. With her cousin by her side, she begins to make her own choices, starting slowly but getting bolder and more decisive as the story progresses. The characters are likeable, the plot is fun, and although some of the outcomes are predictable, there are a few surprises as well. I found myself cheering Eliza on as she creates the life she could only dream of before.

This was my first ever regency romance and what a fun one to get me started! Eliza, Margaret, Melville, & Caroline's stories were juicy and heartfelt and the cast of side characters was entertaining and helped move the story along. Watching Eliza deal with her love triangle situation was frustrating in the best way and her process of reevaluating and discovering her independence and self-worth while juggling the two romances was so gratifying. I was just rooting for her the whole time. Margaret and Caroline's story was so lovely and bittersweet and the sapphic representation was a really pleasant surprise. Irwin's humorous tone was perfectly balanced with the regency-era dialogue and I found myself laughing out loud often. All in all, this was a wonderful story of friendship, pride, self-worth, and the complications of love.

While not a direct retelling, this witty and well-written Regency romance takes obvious inspiration from Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice to excellent effect. Echoes of Austen’s delightful secondary characters, sharp turns of phrase, and free indirect style fill the pages, creating a delectable reading experience. When her late husband supplies Miss Eliza Balfour with a large fortune, her sassy cousin Margaret encourages Eliza to break out of her somber, shy status and embrace the generous windfall. Eliza happily agrees (within reason) and the pair take off for Bath, where Eliza lands in a love triangle with her past lover and a veritable rogue. She’s never spurred on scandal before, but with newfound freedom comes handsome poets and irresistible Naval captains. Content notes: racism.

One word- delightful!

Only a few months ago did I find Sophie Irwin's debut novel from last year and it is a favorite read! To say I was excited to receive the ARC of her second is an understatement! Irwin, (to me) , is the Jane Austen of today. She uses her own unique and creative spin on classics that work in such a wonderful way! I loved Eliza's story and the growth that came with a huge shift in life. My only set back was the love triangle. It's just a personal preference but to me a love triangles take away so much in my opinion. Nevertheless this is great read!

Things I loved:
- strong MC - you go Eliza!
- fantastic writing
- unique premise
- fantastic side characters
- harkening to Jane Austen's persuasion but with different flavor

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Books for an advanced e-reader copy of this title.

This book was a solid 3 star read. There were things that I really liked about it and things that ultimately fell flat for me. Things I liked: the characters were interesting and dynamic and the relationship dynamics were so fun to watch play out. Things I didn't like: the first quarter felt slow-moving, the ending didn't allow the reader time to see the couple that ended up together really get to be together, and I found the love triangle to be a little frustrating at times. Overall, I liked this book and I would definitely recommend it to historical romance fans, but it was not a favorite of mine.

Thank you to Penguin Books and Netgalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review

What happens to the girl who is forced to marry the awful old man and endure an everlasting marriage of staring up at the ceiling thinking of the queen? In A Lady's Guide to Scandal, Eliza Balfour can't believe she has a second chance after her decidedly older husband passes away suddenly.
Suddenly not only free but also wealthy, Eliza decides to take a different path. She and her cousin make their way to Bath and begin to discover a freedom that is rarely offered to any woman of their time. With an old flame pulling on her heart and her purse strings, Eliza must face the decision of giving into what her family and society demands or continuing to take the road less traveled.
I really enjoyed watching as Eliza developed some backbone and opinions on life that weren't her families or long dead husband. Taking a slight twist from the normal happily ever after, Irwin allowed her heroine to save herself. Showcasing the stifling world most women lived in, this reader hoped that more women would have been able to chose a different life like Eliza did.

having read Sophie Irwin's first book I couldn't wait to get my hands on A Lady's Guide to Scandal and it certainly didn't disappoint. I am absolutely head over heels in love with Irwin's writing - she understands the regency romance genre so well and I love her characters and quintessentially British dialogue. Eliza was such a well fleshed out character and I enjoyed her character journey very much. I also really appreciated the LGTBQ+ rep in this book. I'll be here impatiently waiting for Sophie Irwin's third book for sure.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.

I truly wanted to like this book. The characters fell a little flat--and while I understand manners and propriety were paramount, the scandal was underwhelming. I thoroughly enjoyed Irwin's A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting and had high hopes for this one.

Eliza was forced to marry the uncle of her first love and now that she a widow, she only has funds as long as she does not create a scandal. And her first love will be the decider. Will he seek revenge? What about the truly scandalous lord who show interest in her? A fun regency.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the arc.

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal was honestly a good time of reading. The whole time, I kept thinking of Taylor Swift’s infamous line “I had a marvelous time ruining everything” as the embodiment of this book.

It was fun, witty, and I loved the angst of the time period combined with the characters. While I loved the love triangle, it was Margaret and Eliza’s relationship that was the best of all!

There was also so much fun banter in this book — making every dinner party or social scene such a joy to read with all the quirky side characters, too. I really enjoyed this book overall!

It's with great heaviness of heart that I give this book 2 stars. I enjoyed Sophie Irwin's debut so much that I was VERY excited to read her second book. The writing is great! The plot surprised me! The characters were fully developed! But the heart of the book is mostly deceitful, and that's why I can't give it more than 2 stars in good conscience.

Here's the wonderful premise: Like Persuasion, this book is about thwarted young love and the possibility of a second chance. After 10 years of marriage to an elderly lord she didn't love, Eliza finds herself a young widow. She hopes in her heart of hearts that her first love, the man she was engaged to before her parents forced her to marry the crusty earl for title and wealth, may still. love her. To her surprise, Eliza inherits some lands that make her a wealthy widow. After spending 10 years doing what everyone else expected of her (her parents, her husband) she decides she's going to strike out on her own (with her loyal cousin Margaret). They go to Bath, and it's FUN.

The first half of the book follows Eliza as she blossoms from a timid, spiritless creature into a woman with greater backbone. It's neat to see her come out of her shell. I enjoyed the first half of the book (probably because I was looking for something fun and light). Her first love enters the scene, as well as an infamous and flirtatious writer who vies for Eliza's affection, and their banter is great.

At the 50 percent mark, the book went downhill for me. FAST. Now, I must say that I was thoroughly surprised by the turn the book took. It was thoughtful and sincere and very well conceived. It didn't conform to expectations.

HOWEVER, this book supports the idea that we all need to do what's best for ourselves, and that will lead to happiness and fulfillment. If we put ourselves first, then we will grow into who we truly are. Family needs (posed as pressures) must be cast aside if they conflict with what we want for ourselves.

I cannot tell you how much I oppose this message. It just isn't true. Eliza is blissfully happy on the last page of this book, but I'll wager that in 10 more years, she won't be enjoying a life of peaceful fulfillment. Living riotously and selfishly (however authentic that may feel) just isn't the cureall it's made out to be. It's not brave. It's not outrageous. When we lay our lives down for what's right—now that's courageous (and scandalous).

There is a huge mix of good and bad here. There were a lot of things that I agreed with but too much that I didn't.

STOP READING HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS

This book is most definitely rated PG-13. There are no open-door bedroom scenes, but some characters make out. There's reference to infidelity. There's also a lesbian relationship that comes to the forefront in the second half of the book. Two of the main characters are biracial and there's discussion of prejudice. Eliza wants to be an artist but she can't because societal norms frown upon it, and many of the men are portrayed as boorish and overbearing. I felt like the publisher gave the author a checklist of social issues to include in this book, and she got them all.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin follows Eliza, who at 18 years old, married a much older man out of duty instead of love. Knowing this would probably be her life, she accepts it with grace only to end up widowed ten years later. Now Eliza is rich and free and able to make decisions about her life for the first time, provided she does do anything to besmirch her late husband’s name. This may become a probably when a figure from her past comes back into her life.

I read Sophie Irwin’s previous book in this series last year and while it wasn’t my favorite, a lot of that was going into it with the wrong expectations. When it was pitched to me and by the cover, I actually thought it was a fantasy. So with this book, knowing what kind of book it would be, I went in with the right expectations and I enjoyed this one a lot more. I found Eliza to be a very relatable character for me so seeing her character progression in this book was really fun. Irwin’s writing style has a very classic feel. A lot of historical romance I have read feels very contemporary so it’s nice to read one that almost feels like it could have been a book of that time.

I also think the author does an excellent job with humor through the books. I don’t think anything is too outrageous so it fits in very well with the rest of the book. The first half of this book was a little slow for me but the second half went by incredibly fast.

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes historical romance that has a very Jane Austen feel. I haven’t read Persuasion but a lot of the other early reviews have said this book is similar.