After the death of her husband, the late Earl of Somerset, Eliza is shocked to learn that she was left an unexpected fortune. However, this fortune is subject to a morality clause whose arbiter is none other than the man she jilted ten years previously, the new earl of Somerset. When her childhood sweetheart, Somerset, returns from abroad, Eliza knows that their time has passed but secretly hopes to rekindle their previous romance. However, after a frosty re-introduction and rising pressure from those around her to control her new fortune, Eliza does something completely out of character and moves to Bath. There she establishes her own residence and starts to build a life for herself. She establishes new friendships, begins painting again, and begins to rethink what she wants out of life and who she wants to share it with.

I had been craving a regency romance for a while when I read the blurb for a Lady’s Guide to Scandal. I hadn’t read a Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting but decided to give this book a shot. I am so happy that I did. Sophie Irwin did an amazing job of instilling her story with whimsy and humor, while slowly ratcheting up the tension and conflict. She also left the reader as conflicted as Eliza—do we root for Somerset or Melville or both (for a minute there I wasn’t sure if I had accidentally found myself in a RH regency romance)? Because I was conflicted about who she should end up with, it made it easier to relate to Eliza’s feelings and emotions. This was especially true in the second half of the book. Like Eliza, I was disappointed and angry with Somerset and Melville. And like Eliza, I hoped that somehow she could be proven wrong. Thankfully Eliza gets the ending she deserves… though I do wish we got more of her happy ending.

All in all, this was a fun book that I am so glad I read. I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Read if you like:
🎨regency romance
🎨love triangle

Will post to Instagram in June.

If you are looking for a good historical romance, I highly recommend the newest by Sophie Irwin! Eliza is a recent widow who finds herself in a love triangle with her first love and a famous poet with a scandalous past. The story takes a couple chapters to really get going, but then I couldn’t put it down. This book was a fun story of learning to follow your dreams even when they come with consequences.
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice Level: 🌶️/5
I was given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal follows Eliza as she navigates the newfound freedom and fortune she's found as a widow still in mourning. This is a delightful romance with witty banter, likeable characters, and a journey of growth.

Melville's banter is so charming and he steals every scene he's in. The romance in this book is so sweet and the love triangle is done in such a way that has you rooting for each of the MMC's at different parts of the story. Eliza's growth and her friendship with Margaret were both also highlights of the story.

While it was a delightful story with delightful characters, there just wasn't much about it that made it a truly spectacular read.

All in all, A Lady's Guide to Scandal is a sweet historical romance for anyone and everyone.

If you're a fan of Bridgerton (books or Netflix) and similar period dramas / romances, then you'll likely enjoy A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin, which I am giving a solid 4.0 stars.

What you can expect is "ton" life with a bit of rebellion as Eliza (fmc) learns to take control of her life's newest circumstances; no longer just a widow, but a rich one. And doing all that while trying to stick to Society standards and prevent scandal. There's also a love triangle, secret affairs, betrayals, and some great character growth.

My docking of a star comes from the first third of the book really dragging for me. I didn't start to truly feel invested and engaged until closer to halfway through. Also I'm not a huge fan of love triangles because they can be very hit or miss, and the beginnings of it were very much a miss, in my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Sophie Irwin for allowing me to read A Lady's Guide to Scandal in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man, two things I never do: I never rage read, I just DNF. And second, I refrain from using caps when reviewing, but this called for exceptions.

Ok, one more caveat: I detest love triangles with a passion. Yes, the illustrated cover should’ve given this away, but I’ll blame being blinded by the excitement of this author’s second book and the promised Persuasion vibes vague blurb, for which I really did not even have a notion this had this tricky, tricky trope and everything that drives me to writing in caps about it. But still, as I could see where it was going, I held on to hope the wonderful banter and biting wit would somehow make it work. But, alas, I’m left mourning my second chance trope dashed hopes.

Because this was as if Anne Elliot inherited a fortune and was like “Peace out! Off to Bath for some fun!”, had Wentworth in her grasp by half-way and then promptly LOST HER EVER-LOVING MIND.

I’m all for the meek, mousy pushover finding her voice, some individual motivations, some competence. But, our girl here is just stumbling around into scandal. How exactly would she write a guide? Be naive and just go along with it? And I even love some secrets in my romance sometimes. BUT NOT AFTER DECLARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AND AN UNDERSTANDING IS IN PLACE. This enters cheating trope territory for me, and cannot abide, cannot abide. It just ruined this couple for me. I could not get behind the rakish, flirty, oft-maligned, unfiltered wit Melville and Eliza together, because all their interactions were tinged by how she was being duplicitous and inconstant. I never fully enjoyed or felt their relationship cemented because I could only read it with skepticism. Even til the end they were jokingly addressing his many previous affairs? Such a bad taste in my mouth. What’s the takeaway here? You were repressed, so now bumblingly throw all consequence out the window? I get the duality of Eliza with her first love, being so young, not fighting for that relationship, and now being willing to throw it all away for her chance at happiness. But sooo many different pacing and progression choices could’ve helped for her second opportunity at love not be so shady as it developed.

Points awarded for Melville being such a scene-stealing wit, for well-roundedly absurd secondary characters in great full-cast banter scenes (though the jibes and veiled insults- while viciously fun, started to bring down the tone), and for story twist reveals that I did not see coming at all (even though they highlight even more duplicitousness and inconstancy).

Another review mentioned things truly start to get interesting by Chapter 26, and it’s so true: too little too late, I was already not rooting for them and skimming. I really don’t feel like any one of the final couples have a lasting HEA. Just, no good vibes at all.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read this ARC.

Content notes: Brief mention of kissing. On page vocal outright racial prejudice from side characters, same sex attraction secondary storyline, mention of affairs and adultery.

LOVED it. A perfect combination of Bridgerton meets Northanger Abbey. The character arc of all the main people in the storyline was entertaining and engaging. The writing, the pacing, the plot development--all of it was fantastic. Laugh-out-loud funny in many points, the dialogue was snappy and fun. Overall, I would highly recommend.

Once I began reading a Lady's Guide to Scandal, I couldn't stop. My initial impression was that Irwin was providing readers with an updated take on Austen's Persuasion, but I was incorrect, and what she did was better than I anticipated. To me, Irwin combined the elements of characters you love from Austen's novels but with the fun spin you get in the storylines of Julia Quinn novels. And while this book definitely does not have the regency romance steam of Bridgerton, the well-crafted chemistry stands on its own.

When Eliza was seventeen, she fell in love. But at seventeen she also married, and it was not for love. She was forced to marry by her family out of duty. Ten years later, Eliza is a widow and has discovered she is now insanely rich. Will she reignite the love that she never lost for a man from ten years ago? As Eliza discovers herself in her new life, she realizes that what she once wanted might have changed, as well as who she is.

What I really appreciated about this book is that there is one point in the novel that you are REALLY rooting for Eliza and Somerset to get together--they've loved each other for 10 years! You want it to finally happen for them. But THEN you REALLY want her to be with Melville, a man who truly sees Eliza for who she is and what she can do. My only complaint was that it took SO long for the characters you are so hoping finally come together (Once you as the reader see that really, despite both men, there is only one right answer!) to get together, you are left with so little of the book in which they are actually together! Alas, the joy of them finally making it there still comes. I can't wait to see what Sophie Irwin writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of a Lady's Guide to Scandal in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Sophie Irwin’s debut, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, so I was really looking forward to this one. It doesn’t disappoint in the slow burn, witty dialogue, heroine who goes through a growth journey way and I tore through A Lady’s Guide to Scandal just as quickly.

Eliza is a complicated heroine and it was nice to see her come out of her shell throughout the book. I like how the secondary characters all feel like three dimensional characters — I very much enjoyed their stories as well. The one complaint I had was the main love interest — I really thought the book was going one way with a certain trope and felt invested in one relationship and felt like it switched half way through. While I liked the ending, and think it ended in the right place, I wasn’t a huge fan of how we got there.

It’s worth mentioning that unlike most regency romances this is pretty clean, which might appeal to those who don’t like much spice.

Looking forward to the next book in this series!

Thanks to Sophie Irwin, Penguin Books and Netgalley for the

A Lady's Guide to Scandal
Despite my instant dislike for the main character's meekness, I reminded myself of two things:
1. The era in which the story takes place would demand such behavior from women.
2. Sometimes, a character needs a negative space to grow from in order to become likable to a reader.

I read on hoping that the story would unfold in an appealing way, and I was not disappointed. It's worth the read for fans of regency era romance.

*I received an advanced reader copy from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a delightful story! Recently widowed Eliza awaits the return of her lost love, who also has inherited her late husband's estate.

They finally have their second chance at love, but are they still right for each other? She meets the acquaintance of the artful Lord Melville, but is everything as it seems?

My favorite part of this book was watching Eliza get her backbone.

The story ended up going a way I wasn't expecting and it was great! There is no sexy times which was a little disappointing (for me) I loved the first book by this author and I will definitely pick up her next. Thank you for the review copy!

This book was exactly what I needed to pull me out of a bit of a reading slump. “A Lady’s Guide to Scandal,” was a lovely read from beginning to end. Eliza, recently widowed, suddenly finds herself having to make rather a lot of choices while also having to make sure there’s not a hint of impropriety attached to her name- or else she ends up close to penniless. Adventures and hijinks ensue. I laughed, I cried, I read it all in one sitting. I found myself rooting for Eliza and was excited to find the plot unpredictable and fun. This is the first book I’ve read by Sophie Irwin, although her other book “A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting” has been on my TBR. It will be one I move to the top! This book comes out July 11th of this year and I will be ordering a copy for my shelves. I adored this and highly recommend it!

What a delight! Eliza is 27. Newly widowed, she now has a bit more freedom and a lot more money. There is just one catch - her deceased husband had a morality clause in his will so Eliza must continue to be on her best behavior. This shouldn’t be an issue as she’s never been one to cause waves or draw attention. However, as she finds joy in buying glamorous frocks, making new (potentially scandalous) friends, and taking up paining again, Eliza also begins to find herself. Will her journey to self-discovery threaten her reputation and cause her to lose it all?!

I adored A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, Sophie Irwin’s debut, and A Lady’s Guide to Scandal has similar charms (and a brief and subtle shoutout to Kitty!). Eliza is likable and it was great to see her grow more assertive and figure out what she needs and wants without anyone else’s interference. 4.5 stars.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

I really loved this book! I loved the character development and I did not expect the story to take the turns that it did. I definitely recommend it.

I picked up this book because I wanted to disappear into a new world and forget the stress of reality. Unfortunately, I didn’t find this book as soothing as I expected it to be given that it was a regency romance. Despite technically everyone getting a HEA, I still felt unsettled by the ending and what felt like the unresolved connection between Eliza and Somerset, as well as the surprisingly conniving way Winnie broke them up. It left me annoyed at everyone except Margaret. That being said, I don’t mind the author’s style and would likely read another book in this series, though it’s certainly not cracked the top 10 in terms of regency romances for me.

I read a lot of classics, and I was reading this book at the same time as I was re-reading Emma by Jane Austen, and the lack of Lords, Mr/Mrs/Ms in many cases was really noticeable.
There were a few of editorial errors like paragraphs suddenly breaking or the same word repeated twice in a row, but I expect those will disappear in the final version.
There were a few anachronisms as well, the most noticeable for me was Eliza saying to (Lord) Melville that Somerset didn't propose to her as "my ring finger is bare" - proposing back then wasn't done with rings!

When it comes to contents of the book, it was a bit too predictable and drama-driven for me. At the half-point of the book where it seemed as though Lady Somerset was going to get her happy ending, I just knew more drama was to follow. It was a bit too heavy on the drama elements like the betrayals and the sudden romances to be enjoyable for me

This book was entertaining and very well written. I really liked the premise and also the way it was executed for the most part, but I did have some trouble connecting with the heroine, especially in the beginning. I definitely recommend this book though, it was silly and fun.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. No other compensation was accepted, much to my relief, as I was fully prepared to offer a kidney or, perhaps, my first born. Neither Ms Irwin nor Penguin seemed particularly interested, though.

You see, I had picked up *A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting* on a whim from my library, and had been left in the blackest sort of book hangover until I was steered towards the ARC of *A Lady’s Guide to Scandal.* Like the hair of the dog, I was immediately relieved of my symptoms and have, in fact, fallen even deeper into adoration of this series as a result. Wish me luck on my recovery.

Irwin excels at crafting my favorite type of Regency - the type that draws you in by pieces, where the tension builds slowly and inexorably, and where the clench of a hand and a significant look leave you clutching at your chest like Susan Lucci. The type that had me audibly gasping when he offered his first name (it was midnight, okay? I get a little loopy when I’m sleep deprived).

And that was just the romance! There are essays I could write on the side characters. Our widow protagonist’s cousin, the spinster Margaret. She’s got charm and wit to spare, but her best feature is her unending loyalty to Eliza and her willingness to voice the hard truths Eliza needs to hear. The Melville’s! Each more charming than the other. Mr Fletcher! I’ve never laughed so hard at a character who only - as Eliza points out - ever speaks one of three lines.

The humor is superb, both dialogue and in-text. Eliza’s slow and tentative first steps towards independence, and her growing confidence and joy, are so gut-wrenchingly poignant. The Melville’s mixed ancestry is relevant and well-handled, informing their character, their choices, and their reception in society. The reader’s journey along with Eliza as her world expands is relatable, comedic, and, ultimately, so rewarding for both us and she.

This story honors and plays homage to great regencies - like, yes, *Persuasion*, and *Cotillion* and Heyer’s other works - but it is certainly not a retelling or a rehashing of any of those stories. Instead, it is a true Regency, but one that beautifully bridges the society we all love to read about and our modern sensibilities.

Brava, Ms Irwin, and thank you for the pleasure of reading this book. I will be purchasing a hard copy, I loved it so.

P.s. The one - one! - gripe I have with this book is the cover! They did the book so dirty with this sloppy cartoon nonsense, especially compared to the lovely toile-style cover of the first one. This cover is such a mismatch for the contents, I cannot believe that Irwin had any choice in the matter. I genuinely don’t even know who it’s trying to appeal to or what it’s trying to convey! Sorry, all. It needed to be said.

I was sold on this one from the very first line.

"A Lady's Guide to Scandal" tells the story of widowed Eliza finally getting a taste of freedom and discovering her true self. Eliza has lived her life by the standards of society and her peers but after the death of her husband, 20 years her senior and selected by her parents, Eliza starts to come out of her shell and live the life she's always wanted.

There are hints of "Persuasion" in this book which lead the reader thinking it will go one way, and then some pleasantly surprising twists that delighted me when the book swerved to a much more satisfying conclusion. I was a bit frustrated with our main character Eliza at times but my irritation with her was clearly intentional on the author's part and leads to our heroine's growth. I really liked the inclusion of the secondary romance though I did wish for some more traditional swoon worthy moments for the primary love story.

Ultimately I really enjoyed Eliza's story and found myself truly enamored with the supporting cast of characters. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys retellings of Jane Austen or fans of Bridgerton read-a-likes that are more chaste.

I was a huge fan of Sophie Irwin’s first book and was so excited to receive an advanced copy of this one! This book gave me everything I love about a Jane Austen book along with everything I love about more recently written romances. There were twists and turns, loveable and realistically flawed main characters, and a quirky cast of individuals surrounding them. During the novel, 2 characters are discussing why classics rewritten so a modern audience can easily understand them is important. Eliza, our main character, says, “It is a skill to invite people in as you do.” I feel that is what Irwin has done with this novel. She had made a regency romance that feels like it could have been written by Jane Austen if she were alive today. I look forward to seeing what she continues you write in the future