Eliza married Lord Somerset ten years ago—despite him being twenty years her senior, and despite her being in love with his nephew—but when he makes her a widow at 28, she becomes titled and wealthy. Surely now she can be with the new Lord Somerset, except he acts as if they were never in love and had never promised themselves to each other! Eliza retreats to Bath with her cousin and dear friend, Margaret, and has vowed to live her life the way she wants to (or at least, as much as she can while she’s still in full mourning). This includes returning to painting, not forcing herself to be polite, and allowing the charming and witty Lord Melville to flirt with her. Somerset, however, vehemently dislikes Melville, and finds himself in Bath to dissuade Eliza from spending time with the man. Oh, how I love a love triangle!

I think fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton will really enjoy this book, and I would also love to see this adapted (not right now, of course, #WGAstrong) as I think it would make for an excellent movie or miniseries! There’s one scene in particular that I could see clearly (as someone who generally can’t picture scenes while I’m reading) where Eliza and Melville are dancing at a party. Eliza is still in full mourning, which means she can’t dance, but Melville leads her out onto the terrace and dances with her privately. I mean just imagine! The shot would be split so the dancers are on one side of the screen, gowns twirling in the golden light of the candles, while Eliza and Melville would be dancing alone on the other side of the wall, bathed in moonlight as they gaze into each other’s eyes. The edits and the gifs of that scene alone would take over the entire internet, as it should.
This book also includes a sapphic side plot that I really enjoyed, as well, especially since I wasn’t expecting it. When the seeds started being planted I was like, “hang on a minute, am I reading into this, or is this legitimately queer?” Friends, it’s legitimately, blessedly queer.

In conclusion, I’m still screaming about this book and telling everyone I know and everyone I don’t know to read it. I have never loved a historical romance more, and now I need to go back and read Irwin’s first book, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting, which I’ve already checked out of the library. Then all that’s left to do is go to film school and marry rich so I can steamroll the Lady’s Guide to Scandal adaptation!

Alert! Alert! Alert! This sequel confirms that Sophie Irwin is one of my favorite historical authors. Not, *new* favorite. Just favorite - full stop- I adore her writing style and characters. The fear with a great debut is whether an author is a one-hit-wonder and will keep replaying the same troupes over and over again (cough- Ali Hazelwood - but PNR to come omg) . But not Miss Sophie - she crafted an amazing widowed heroine with TWO love interests. I have NEVER read a love triangle where I couldn't tell who was going to be the winner.....but here I truly could not tell!! This is a must-read for all historical lovers

This may be my favorite book of the year. I don’t want to say too much, because part of why I loved it so much was the way that Irwin subverted my expectations. What I will say is that I adore Eliza and all of the supporting characters and I think that this book was so ridiculously well-written. I will be buying everything this author writes from now on.

Regency books are my favorite to read and this one was delightful. It was well written and flowed nicely. I read book one just before this and it was equally well done. It is not necessary to read that one first - they are stand alone books. I will definitely read more from this author.

This is a great choice for readers who prefer less/non-spicy romance, don't want something to be entirely predictable and are looking for a protagonist to grow into herself throughout the story. It is Not for readers who don't want a love triangle, or are sensitive to family members steamrolling over others to get their own way.

Here is the set up: Lady Eliza Somerset has been recently (and blessedly) widowed, now that the family has all gathered her late husband's will is read. In it Eliza learns that she has become the richest widow in England - PROVIDED that she leads a life completely devoid of scandal. This quickly becomes difficult as she and her cousin retire to the quiet town of Bath only to be caught up in the company of the notorious Lord Melville and his sister Lady Caroline. Add to this that Eliza's past love (who she snubbed to marry his richer and titled uncle) has returned as the new Lord Somerset and proclaimed his love. Eliza must decide who she wants to be with and more importantly who she wants to be.

My thoughts: The characters throughout gave me a modern twist on the ridiculousness of the neighbors found in an Austen novel. Everything from the confident artist to the impossibly forward/rude neighbors. The community of Bath was lovely and always makes me want to retire to a country side for a lovely time of taking the waters and just meandering about the town.

I loved that there was so much growth in Eliza. It's understandable to put your family's needs above your own. And to do it for so long you begin to wonder who you are. I loved the spirit that we see grow and found it to be a sweet and lovely read through out. I did read the books out of order and now have the first in the series on order. I find this to be delightful and plan on reading more of Sophie Irvin's work.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Irwin writes some of the best witty banter I have ever read.

In this story, a young widow who has spent her whole life making herself small for others, now has the means and independence to finally live her life on her own terms. But after years of thinking, doing and saying only what is proper and acceptable by Society, she struggles to discover what it is, exactly, she wants for herself.

I was absolutely fascinated by the deep dive into the "mourning period" required of widows during this time. The Persuasion-like second chance romance that turned into a love triangle was not what I was expecting at all, and even thought it caused me a great deal of stress, I loved how it resolved.

Sophie Irwin's writing is now some of my favorite in this genre, and I am excited to read whatever she comes out with next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Genre: Regency Romance
Age Level: Adult
Content: kisses

Sophie Irwin is the queen of regency romance. I think I, like everyone else these past few years, is going through a love of regency romance whether it be on TV or through books. This book is the second in a series, and can be read as a stand alone in my opinion. Recommend to those looking for a fun, mindless, regency read!

I received an advanced copy of a Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin from the publisher Penguin Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Ten years ago, Eliza Balfour married the Earl of Somerset out of duty, giving up her true love for his younger uncle. Now ten years later, Eliza is widowed and still titled and is benefited more funds than she previously thought. Finally, she has her freedom, and she decides to live out the remaining time of mourning in Bath with her cousin Margaret. Suddenly, Eliza is following her passions but could this lead to her losing her fortune?

What I Loved: This book sounds like a retelling of Persuasion, right? No! It’s not and that’s what made me love this book, I found so much joy in the journey this book. Eliza was forced into a marriage that she never wanted and came at the cost of her choices. She is finally free from that marriage and she wants to be the person she dreamed of being. Yes, this book is a romance. This book has a love triangle. But it’s so much more than that, it’s about a woman finding herself and also a story of friendship. I also loved the side romance and would read a whole book on that.

What I Didn’t Like: I wish perhaps that we got to know some of the quirky side characters.

Who Should Read It: People who are looking for a unique historical fiction read.

Summary: Newly widowed but still titled, Eliza takes to Bath to live her life.

4.5 stars
This was a delightful romp in Regency-era England with plenty of will they/won't they love triangle energy. I loved Eliza, the main character, and how she chose to stand up for herself and what she wanted. This is a really great romance for those who don't usually like all of the spicy bits, like myself. The best way I can think to describe this is Bridgerton with the door closed. If you want your romance spicy, this is probably not for you.
I absolutely adored the entire story and since I missed out on the first in the series, I plan to go back and check it out. I think Irwin is completely delightful as a romance writer, and she will be on my list to watch out for her next book!
Thanks to Penguin Books and Netgalley for the advance copy.

If you enjoy historical romances that take place during the Regency period in England, don’t miss A Lady’s Guide to Scandal. You won’t be disappointed, particularly if you enjoy stories with strong female characters and interesting supporting characters. I really enjoyed this book and am eager to read the first in the series. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, the publisher for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal is clever and witty and made me laugh out loud through the charm that leaps off the page. Both Margaret and Melville had such perfect one liners and perpetually put a smile on my face.
Both of Sophie's books have come to me at the right time and place in my reading mood. I equally adored them. Scandal is just as full of a fun cast of characters with Bath and Lonfon as the perfect backdrop.
Eliza has recently been widowed and left with a considerable fortune. At the urging of her cousin and confidante, Margaret, Eliza ignores convention and expectations, departing for Bath and a life of leisure.
I loved the development of the love triangle and all of the love stories. With multiple HEA's, my romance loving heart was more than satisfied. Between the romances and the humor, I have no complaints.
Thank you to Penguin Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal did not go the way I was expecting it to go. I am all for a straightforward romance, so I think it speaks to Sophie Irwin's skill as an author that she was ultimately able to sell me on the ending. A Lady's Guide to Scandal was much more romantic than her debut, but it still contained plenty of wit and commentary on the British upper class. Eliza Balfour begins the book as a submissive widow, and I enjoyed watching her come into her own throughout the course of the novel. Irwin also created a love triangle with two appealing options, which is rarer than you may think. Fans of Mimi Matthews and/or Irwin's debut novel will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you Penguin books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my review.

Have you ever met that person that you think you will be good friends with but you just don’t connect? That was this book for me. I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to be invested in the characters. But I wasn’t. I found some of it awkward and hard to read. But I’m willing to take the brunt of this and say it’s not you, it’s me…this book and I were just not meant to be.

After thoroughly enjoying A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4745186644) last year, I was so excited to see Irwin's latest release on NetGalley. I haven't read a lot of historical romance lately, so I was excited to dive in to this one. I described the first book as a series of fun capers that didn't necessarily add anything new to the genre but was the escape I needed. The same was mostly true for this one, too! In A Lady's Guide to Scandal, a young widow is left titled and wealthy when her much-older husband dies -- but must adhere to a strict morality clause in order to retain her fortune. The plot didn't appeal to me as much as the first, but I did enjoy the heroine's love for portrait painting and the way she finds her own voice and will. There were hints of Austen's Persuasion in the romance, but with a fun (to me) twist involving a love triangle. I liked that I wasn't quite sure who the heroine would choose! Having visited and loved Bath, the setting was one of my favorite elements. But the story itself moved a little too slowly, especially in the beginning. It felt like it took me a long time to get invested, and then I remained a bit detached once the pieces started falling into place in the second half. I don't regret reading it and So Liked It, but it just fell a bit flat for me overall.

The pacing is slow for my taste, but I appreciated the plotting overall. Eliza is a well-written main character, and I loved seeing her live her best life after spending ten years in a loveless marriage (plus it gave Sophie Irwin an excuse to include more of Margaret, who is a sarcastic delight). I usually roll my eyes at love triangles, but I actually enjoyed this one because it resolves in a creative way. The chemistry between Eliza and her eventual husband is also solid and full of witty banter.

I haven't read Irwin's previous book, but I think I'll pick it up!

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #ALadysGuidetoScandal by Sophie Jordan in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this closed door romance. Watching Eliza come out of her shell and learn to stand on her own was very satisfying. I'm always iffy when it comes to love triangles but this one was handled pretty well. For at least part of the book, I wasn't sure which person I wanted her to (or even which one she would ) end up with so as it was all revealed, I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with how it all played out. I also love it when an author squeezes in another love story in the background especially when neither couple suffers from sharing space in the book.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal is book 2 in Sophie Irwin's A Lady's Guide series but it is definitely readable as a standalone if you didn't happen to pick that book up.

Eliza is our fmc and we find out that she was forced to marry a man not of her choosing and twenty years her senior. While not out of the ordinary for ladies of her station, it wasn't truly what she wanted as she had already fallen in love. When the story begins, we find our her husband is dead and Eliza has become a very wealthy lady but there is one caveat. Her inheritance comes with a morality clause and those who were expecting to get the inheritance originally are those that are determined to see how they can make her lose it. And just to add some complication, the new Earl of Somerset is the man she was formerly in love with.

After living under the strict guidelines of society and her husband, Eliza is determined to make her own decisions (within reason) and do what SHE wants to do so she decides to head to Bath with her cousin and it's there that things get interesting.

I admit, I didn't love the love triangle that occurs with Eliza, Somerset, and Melville. I wasn't truly expecting it either based on Eliza's past but in the end, I think it helped to tell the story more so I get it. I'm not going to say much here but I enjoyed the end so I won't hold it against the book or the author.

I definitely look forward to more books from Irwin. I loved her first book in this series and hope to see more along similar lines. Her stories are well-written, have solid characters, and a story that keeps me turning the pages. Pick this one up if you can.

Having read Irwin’s first book, and having it be one of my favorite reads of 2022, I was thrilled to read an ARC of her sophomore book.

I’m sad to report that this book was a miss for me. The first half started out so strong and then a little past 50% it went downhill very fast.

Cute story - just enough tragedy, comedy and romance.
And it follows the romance rules....
All ends well......

I think I loved this novel even more than I enjoyed Irwin's first novel. I love anything to do with Bath, so of course the setting made me incandescently happy, but I think I loved the plot itself, too. Eliza's maturity and self-growth were refreshing and inspirational. I loved the plot twist towards the end AND the way that it was resolved - no mean feat! It was refreshingly feminist without sacrificing historical accuracy or romance and a happy ending. A highly diverse and enjoyable read.