This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy, historical romance novel. It is fast paced, with a likable, strong and capable female protagonist, an engaging and honorable male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, wit, secrets, family drama, a heartwarming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is the fourth entry in Ms. Jordan's outstanding "The Duke Hunt" series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone, but it is even better when read in order. Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, Ms. Sophie Jordan, and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

Susanna Lockhart has seen 4 dukes since she began working for the family of the Duke of Penning 11 years before, but none have been as handsome or unsettling as Lucian. After fleeing scandal and ruin, Susanna came to the duke's household to work with her aunt and was able to work her way up to housekeeper at the very young age of 28. Though Susanna knows that she is competent and very good at her job, she has a sense that the new duke is unhappy with her and is on the verge of throwing her from her home and sanctuary.
When Lucian unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, he knew he had to bury his scandalous past and the life he had to live to survive. In order to do his duty to the estate and provide a good life for his beloved sisters, Lucian must live above reproach and scandal...no matter how beautiful and tempting he finds his housekeeper. Try as he might, Lucian isn't sure he's strong enough to stay away...
The Duke Starts a Scandal marks the end of the Duke Hunt series and it is by far my favorite of the bunch. Having read the rest of the series, I do think this could be read as a stand alone without issues. The first two chapters summarize everything you need to know pretty well,
This book is a perfect example of what Sophie Jordan does best, writing a very fraught very sexy relationship and her particular brand of arrogant asshole hero. Her work really shines when she focuses tightly around the couple without a lot of extraneous plot or secondary characters, and The Duke Starts a Scandal definitely delivers that for me. I do wish we got a little more pay off and resolution in the final conflict between Susanna and the problems of her past, but overall this was a great ending to the series!

Susanna is the young housekeeper for the Duke of Penning, Lucius. I do wonder if a previous book in the series explains the backstory of how he came to be the duke - I felt it was implied, but not sure. Lucius and his sisters have had a rough life and he is trying to do right by them, but he is attracted to Susanna.

The romance is a little too slow burn for me. My other peeve is too much internal dialogue - a scene starts and by the time all the internal thoughts have been spelled out I forgot what the heck the scene was!

The story was engaging for the most part and I did enjoy the side romance as well.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a tricky one for me, it felt like all the right elements were there but it just didn't fully come together, especially when compared to other differing class romances like Married By Morning.

The pacing was the real place where this book lost me a bit. I liked the dynamic between Lucian and Susanna, they had a great interplay between them and the moments where they are actually sharing time together on the page are electric, but there's so little of that and the plot comes together in such a slow manner that the romance doesn't land right. It especially suffers in the case of Mr. Carter and Mattie, who feel like complete afterthoughts despite being the two that propel the action forward.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very unique book and series, and I definitely enjoyed it!

This book in particular was face paced, enemies to lovers, with a healthy dose of animosity.

Overall it was low angst, though both of the characters have secrets. I absolutely adored Lucien’s sister’s characters, and Susanna’s aunt.

Susanna, a housekeeper in a duke’s residence, has secrets in her past she does not want to reveal. The new duke, Lucien, has secrets as well. They are both drawn to each other though they know that would be an improper alliance. The duke wants his sister’s to marry well so he doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the family reputation. Can he resist the attraction he has toward his housekeeper Susanna? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon for my honest review.

A new duke and his housekeeper have gotten off to a rocky start and now seem to have a contentious relationship. Susanna has been the housekeeper at the estate, despite her relatively young age for the role, and is peeved by the arrogance of the new duke. Lucian had lived in poverty with his younger sisters until it was discovered that he was the duke and has a scandalous secret of how he earned the money to support his family. These two don’t trust each other much, but Lucian’s irritation is mostly due to the stress of his new role and the attraction he feels for Susanna. A house party that Lucian hosts sets up more trouble as Susanna is confronted by a man who knew her when she was young. We get to find out Susanna’s secrets and what brought her to work as a maid and then housekeeper all those years ago. The romance between Lucian and Susanna is pretty straightforward once we get past the disgruntled misconceptions they have of each other, and we get to see these two become open and honest with their secrets.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

Susanna Lockhart is the housekeeper for the Duke of Penning, and so far has been interesting, especially when the old duke died and his son, the new duke was deemed illegitimate and a new duke and his son moved in. Everything is going great, but Susanna soon learns that he is an imposter, and the new duke is less than pleased with her and makes it clear that he will be looking to replace her at some point, but first, he wants to throw a house party. The man is completely insufferable, arrogant, and much too handsome for her peace of mind. For eleven years, Susanna has kept a secret and has not had the slightest interest in any man, so why does this man affect her? It is clear that the primary purpose of his house party is to find a bride for himself and husbands for his two sisters, something that should make her happy, since she will be able to do her job and won’t have to interact with him, but for some reason irks her. Determined to prove herself, she sets out to impress the duke and his guests, but once the party is underway, Susanna’s past rears its ugly head and threatens to destroy everything she has worked so hard to accomplish.

Lucian Ross had no idea he was related to a duke, much less an heir! Lucian was raised as a gentleman, but upon the death of his father, he learned that his father had lost the family fortune to gambling and despite a job with the Home Office, his family was left penniless, forcing his mother to make some hard choices, choices that broke her. With his mother incapacitated, it falls on Lucian to care for her and his younger sisters. Thanks to a neighbor, Lucian finds an occupation that enables him to earn more than enough to support them all, but he is careful to make sure no one ever learns how exactly he makes his living. But once he learns of his elevation to the peerage, he knows that his past could destroy his sisters’ chances for good marriages, thus his desire to get them all married as soon as possible, and what better way to do that than to host a house party! But upon meeting Susanna, he has a problem, he wants her, badly. Since he would never take advantage of an employee and he is not sure he can resist her, so she will have to go, right after the house party. But a kiss changes everything and this duke may just cause his own scandal!

What a great end to the series! I will be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, especially when I learned his secret and found out he was looking for a bride, but I was wrong, I loved it! The entire book was a delight to read, and I LOVE how the villain is dealt with, OMG, I was actually laughing out loud! This book has secrets, class differences, blackmail, great secondary characters, meddling family members, steamy love scenes, a little heartache, a secondary romance, some amusing scenes, and finally a happily ever after that left me smiling. This is the fourth book in the series, and even though I highly recommend all the books in this series, this book could easily be read as a standalone title.

4.5 stars, rounded up.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

I am a big fan of Sophie Jordan. This story was a fun twist of adventure. As longtime housekeeper for a very elite household Susanna takes pride in what she does. When her life is thrown for a loop she tries hard to do her job and not cross any lines. This is hard because of her attraction to her new boss the rightful heir as Duke of Penning. Lucian has a shaky past, including working as a sex worker to save his family and now wants to make everything right for his family. What he didn’t expect was his attraction to the housekeeper. Will they fight crossing the lines of society or give in to the passion. I enjoyed this story and all the passion from such strong characters. Jordan writes with great detail and Kris the story moving. She creates a world you want to live in and never leave. You will love this newest addition to the Duke Hunt series. Enjoy your adventure.

Will the real Duke of Penning please stand up?! Since the first book I’ve been wondering who the real Duke of Penning was since we’ve gone through a few.
The meet cute between Susanna and Lucian was awesome! I love a good rain storm scene. So Susanna is the housekeeper and Lucian is the new Duke of Penning but he’s no Duke I’ve ever read before. Both Susanna and Lucian have some serious secrets in their past that they would like to stay hidden. Needless to say they don’t.
This was a fun, low-angst book in the Duke Hunt series.

This was my first, but not last book by Sophie Jordan.
The duke starts a scandal was a book with great characters and a well written plot. I loved watching the duke try to hide his feeling for the heroine and of course the moment he can’t help himself anymore.
It was also nice to see that he never thought what society would think about him having a relationship with his housemaid

I've enjoyed some of this author's books in the past; unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me. There is a smattering of clever humor, but the dialog and internal monologues got a bit repetitive, the MC's lacked spark, and the plot and their relationship were underdeveloped. They both have checkered pasts but there's not enough of a sense of emotional or intellectual connection to lead to a convincing HEA.

As characters go, Susanna, is sympathetic but I found her personality slightly flat. The Duke was an unfeeling jerk for too long. He had a rough past and still can't summon any empathy toward the woman who's obviously done a great job running his household because she's pretty, young, and doesn't fall at his feet? The scene where Susanna is sexually pressured by the baddie and the Duke walked in on them made me particularly uncomfortable. It would been glaringly obvious from her body language and tone that she had no interest in the man, but the Duke interrogates her as if she's in the wrong. I get that the Duke is paranoid about protecting his reputation and staying under the radar, but this was too close to victim shaming for me.

There is a subplot involving the romantic relationship between two secondary characters that's cute, but I prefer HR's that just focus on the MC's.

One last note: I know this is shallow, but the sexy cover for this book caught my eye before anything else. Unfortunately, the gentleman on the cover looks nothing like the Duke described in the book and the scene depicted is nowhere in the storyline.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own.

The Duke Starts a Scandal gave me a bit of Beauty and the Beast vibes, which may or may not be your jam. My biggest complaint is the insta love. The Duke and Susanna like never really talked??? Except for one conversation??? I just didn't understand how they fell in love.

But I still will read Sophie Jordan because I love historical romance. one odd storyline won't turn me off.

Thanks to Netgalley, Avon, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

Lucian, the new (and true) Duke of Penning, has a secretive past he wants kept that way. Only complete respectability might keep himself and his sisters from the past he does not wish to return to. And yet from the moment he nearly tramples a woman (one who just so happens to end up being his housekeeper) on a wild and rainy night his thoughts are drawn to her and the way she appears to see through the careful facade he is desperate to keep up.

Susanna Lockhart, has the prestigious position of housekeeper at a grand estate. One she worked hard to achieve after fleeing from a past marred with scandal. Yet when the true Duke of Penning arrives, she is drawn into the familiar territory of her youth―falling for a man above her station. A man this time, who just so happens to be her employer.

I was so excited for the final book in The Duke Hunt series by Sophie Jordan, and she did not disappoint. The opening meet cute scene in the rain gave me Jane Eyre vibes and the perfect autumnal vibes. I really liked how this book really focused on the main couple and how we did not see (but heard) about the previous couples in the series (minus Gwen & Kellan who's timeline overlaps/is during this novel as well) this gave an extra intimacy to the novel that I liked. I ADORED the reason Lucian was secretive about his past/what he did to survive with his sisters. It gave an added layer of complexity to his character/his motives and was something I haven't read previously for an HR hero that I can remember. The forbidden relationship/employer and employee trope gave the story line that extra kick which made the moments they were nearly together (and when they were briefly) even more angsty! And I cannot 'not' mention the role his sister's played towards the end of the novel. It brought a levity and the extra spice (ahem slow burn...) that we needed. The way Sophie Jordan has an ability to capture me as a reader had me devouring The Duke Starts a Scandal. Once I started I could hardly pull myself away.

Tropes include: Working heroine, class difference, unexpected inheritance, employer/employee
*And if you are like me and these may not be your favourite tropes in the hands of Sophie Jordan you can see why they are favourites!*

Susanna Lockhart was the Duke of Penning’s housekeeper, she rose to this status with the help of her Aunt Ferelith! Who now lives with her friend Agatha after retiring. Susanna has a past the her aunt helped her hide and wants to keep it that way.

In the last book we had the imposter Duke, now the real duke has arrived. Lucien Ross, Duke of Penning. He has a checkered past that is driving him to be the best duke possible. Wanting no scandal to touch either of his sisters, Mathilda and Evelyn Ross, he has decided his country estate is the best place for them.

Lucian has decided to host a house party. Giving Miss Lockhart the riders she starts to go plan the menu and necessary things when Mr Carter, Lucian's valet is injured. It is decided that she will substitute as valet as it is not possible for the elderly butler, Mr Pool, to step in plus no footman has been trained for it.

This complicates matters for Lucian. Susanna who very reluctantly agrees is not happy about it either, but with his constant hints she needs to find another position, she sees it as a way to show him she is invaluable.

With the arrival of the guests, one recognizes Susanna. He adds complications for her. With witnessing Mattie and Mr Carter kissing Susanna decides to distract Lucian. Once he sees them he storms out and fires Mr Carter, as Susanna tries to GRT him to see reason she is sacked also. So Mattie and Evie decide that Lucian needs to get an attitude adjustment. They devise a plan and lock him along with Susanna in the cellar.

The two chat and reveal their secret to each other but neither blame the other for doing what they had to do. Once released, Susanna leaves before Lucian can tell her she still is employed. She goes to her aunt, who happens to be away. During the night Lucian shows up and they resolve their issues but not the way you think!

Once back at Penning Hall, Susanna is cornered in the kitchen full of staff by Mr Billings, who was a friend to Robbie, and tries to create issues for her. Lucian overheard but puts a stop to it as Lady Harthorne puts him in his place.

So come join this rip roaring house party and get sweep away in mischief, mayhem, and snappy reportaire. Find out the secrets and what happened for them to come about. Participate in the fun, meet lively characters, and cheer on as the dance of who will win the battle of wills

This was such a fun read, and delightfully full of sexual tension. Like many others, the cover art initially pulled me in. No, it's not a literal scene from the book, but honestly it perfectly captures the extreme levels of frustrated horniness between Susanna and the Duke for much of the book. Although there are several lighthearted moments in the story, I mainly enjoyed the pining and satisfying build-up to Susanna and Lucian finally breaking their self-imposed restraints. I had only read one other Sophie Jordan book prior to this, but I will definitely check out more of her work.

Susanna has served as the housekeeper at Penning Hall for eleven years and has supervised the household through three separate dukes during that time. She excels at her job, and enjoys the relative anonymity of the country estate after being exiled from her childhood home on the Isle of Man due to a perceived scandal. Lucian, the latest to inherit the title, was a distant relation to the prior duke and never dreamed that he would rise out of the poverty that marked much of his life after his father died without providing any security for his wife and children. Lucian also has a somewhat scandalous past, after he was groomed into becoming a sex worker out of desperation (the flashback scenes are disturbing but necessary for context). Susanna and Lucian both have strong tempers and instantly clash while they ignore their growing attraction for each other. The differences in their social positions, plus Lucian's responsibilities to his younger sisters, prevent them from acting on their feelings - despite it being painfully obvious to those around them. After Susanna's secret past is threatened with exposure, Susanna and Lucian are forced to confront their feelings (with the help of Lucian's meddling sisters, as well).

Despite being book 4 in a series, this can definitely be read as a standalone. I actually did not realize it was part of an existing series when I read it and had no issues.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Let me start by saying that I LOVE Sophie Jordan's books, she is one of my top 3 favorite historical romance authors. However, this one felt different and fell short of her others for me. While it did have her typical drive (her books never slow down or get boring, amazing!) it lacked the relationship development I've come to expect. Even one additional conversation between the main characters would have helped. It went from "they find each other attractive" to "boom they're in love after only one real conversation". Additionally, their physically relationship only took place over the course of two days, I would have liked if it was more spread out. I love how this series is connected and can't wait for the next!

The Duke Starts a Scandal is the fourth book in Sophie Jordan's Duke Hunt series. One thing I really love about this series is that all of the heroines are competent, capable women. The first book has a women who's running a parish and writing sermons in place of her sick vicar father, the second book's heroine is running a farm and trying to save it from her wastrel brother, the third book's heroine is a female blacksmith, and this book's heroine, Susanna Lockhart, is the housekeeper of a duke's estate.

Susanna is a great heroine. She's left behind a tragic past and made a new life for herself as a competent, respected housekeeper. She's great at her job, and her life is good until a new duke inherits the title. He and Susanna butt heads and he seems determined to get rid of her.

Lucian Ross is the new Duke of Penning, but he never expected to inherit a title as his family is only distantly related to the late duke. He has a scandalous past that he needs to keep secret, and he's desperate for respectability for himself and his younger sisters. He's spent his life protecting them, and he wants them to have the grand life they deserve as sisters of a duke. Unfortunately for Lucian, sparks fly whenever he's with Susanna, and a romance with her would cause a scandal he can't afford.

I always enjoy a romance between two prickly characters, and this one definitely fits the bill. My only complaint is that I wanted Lucian to grovel a bit more to Susanna, since he really was a jerk to her for much of the book.

I'm a fan of Ms. Jordan and usually love her books, but this one was a bit of a disappointment to me. While it started out great, it quickly lost its appeal. Lucien was a beast to Susanna for most of the book and then he's professing his love. Seemed a bit of a disconnect to me. Also, the villain was just too comical and so over the top in his blackmail demands. I was waiting for some connection to show up before him and Susanna's Robbie. Robbie had drowned, and I was waiting to see if that was actually accidental or was the villain responsible for that too, but that connection never materialized.