Note that this is more of a 3.75 star rating for me.

While I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect (I'm always a sucker for a house party mystery), I found the romance to be really lacking. The chemistry between the couple was not there at all and sometimes the pacing was kind of off. It felt like kind of a let down because I really really hooked at the beginning and then I wasn't as invested as it kept going.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever pub for this earc.

This book wasn't my favorite in this series but if it’s the cozy historical mystery you’re looking for, definitely pick it up.

The romance was sweet. I would it hilarious how everyone knew Adrian cared about Jane from the very beginning and it took her getting hurt for this to see it.
The mystery was very easy to figure out but still interesting. You can read this in one sitting without any issues.

Overall another great addition to the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

The newest book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. This book follows Jane Halliwell and Lord Adrian Fielding. Lord Adrian, you might remember his brief appearance in book #3 where he is introduced as the estranged brother of the Duke of Langham and a member of the Foreign Office.

Jane becomes a governess after her family is disgraced and left penniless after the death of her father. She is everything we want from our leading lady, she is headstrong, smart, and kind. She works for the family of Lord Gilford a family friend and former colleague of her father’s in the Foreign Office. The night of a forum being held in the Gilford residence, the lord of the manner is murdered kick-starting the mystery to unfold in the book. The murder also throws together longtime crush Lord Adrian and now more grown-up Jane to solve this murder with the help of some of our friends from the previous books.

As the story develops Jane and Adrian’s feelings for each other become more and more obvious to everyone but the two of them. Manda Collins as always provides amazing banter, lovable characters, and a swoon-worthy twisty mystery to be solved. This book doesn’t disappoint and is a nice addition to the Scandalous series.

This was a cute book and a fun continuation of Manda Collins 'series' of romance murder mysteries. We follow Jane, a previous lady of society, now a governess working under a dreadful woman and a man who is like a second father, and Lord Adrian, a member of the Foreign Office who used to be close to Jane and her family. A murder happens at a to-do house party filled with people from around the world. Adrian and Jane come together to help solve the murder, and uncover secrets from the past, and perhaps feelings in the present, that they are both surprised by.
I enjoyed Jane's character but, Lord Adrian fell flat for me. He was just like every other tall, attractive, brooding overprotective male lead, there wasn't anything particularly unique about him. I did enjoy the connections of the crimes, the resurfacing of characters from previous books but overall it was a bit flat. And, compared to her previous books, it was very much lacking in the passion department.

A light hearted romance with a murder-mystery plot! This interconnected series is a favorite of mine when looking for a quick historical romance and A Governess's Guid to Passion and Peril was a great addition to the series. I flew through this story loving the quick pace of the plot.

The romance came together pretty quick in this one, but it was more than insta-love so I was fine with the fast pace of the romance.

So definitely recommend if you like historical romances, mysteries, and strong female leads!

as a certified Historical Romance Girlie™️ and lover of strong female characters, i was so excited to dive into "a governess's guide to passion and peril," and this book did not disappoint. i was hooked from the very beginning of the story and jane very quickly became one of my new favorite book girlfriends (is that a thing for historical romances?). not only that, but adrian was just one green flag after the other, and anyone who knows me knows how much i love green flag mmcs. their affection for each other was so cute and obvious from the get go, but jane's wariness to see him again felt very believable. the same can be said for the way their relationship developed—it was not rushed, nor did it take away from the rest of the plot of the book. i haven't read the other books in this series, but seeing the characters in this book only made me want to go pick them up immediately!

I’m always up for a mystery where the investigators fall in love while they solve it. I’ve read book one and three in this series, but I don’t think you need to read the previous ones.

This is super low stakes as far as the romance goes. The culprit was obvious as soon as they were named and their motive simple. There wasn’t much development to their relationship and it was closed door compared to the rest of the series. Adrian didn’t have much of a diplomat’s polish and Jane didn’t have much personality. Just flat with no chemistry. Likable enough but nothing memorable. YMMV

Some lazy editing with Sir Ross MacIvor was both Sir Ross and Sir MacIvor, but his wife was just Mrs MacIvor. Sir John’s wife is just Mrs Stafford. There were other spelling and grammar mistakes. Previous arcs didn’t have so many errors, but this might be cleaned up before publication.

Two parts mystery and one part romance, Manda Collins serves readers another solid tale of love and intrigue. Jane grew up a diplomat's daughter, secure in her world. Everything turned upside down, however, after her father's deat by apparent suicide. Jane is forced to become governess to a series of unpleasant diplomat's wives. When her current employer is found stabbed, it blows the cover off everything Jane thought she knew about her father and his colleagues. Add an old flame, and Jane's boring existence becomes very interesting indeed. Recommended for fans of Manda Collins and for readers who like their historical mysteries steamy.

A fun and fast paced regency era mystery! This book reminded me of a clue or a murder mystery dinner plot! Would definitely recommend!

Manda Collins has, over the last few years, become nearly a must-buy for me, so when the opportunity to read her latest as an ARC cropped up....well, I clearly I cannot resist temptation.

And it did not disappoint! A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril is the perfect book for travelling, and I mean that in the best of ways. It made my daily tram journeys and even several bus rides so much more enjoyable; I was completely absorbed and nearly missed my stop more than once. And given how crammed and horrible public transport has been for me lately, THAT is a feat.

I will say that this outing didn't click for me quite as much as the previous three books in this series, but it is still a rip-roaring good time. I thought that the pacing was off, but I loved seeing the past characters again, especially since it's been a long while since I've read the first two books. The banter was pitch-perfect in this one, and I liked that both the characters were a bit more world-weary and wise.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Jane Halliwell once dreamed of a home of her own—but those dreams (and her dowry) died with her father. Now, she works as a governess, preparing her charge for a future no longer within her reach. When her employer is murdered during a house party, however, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton. But stepping in as hostess will require working with the same lord who once broke her girlish heart.

A fun little historical romance, if you like that kind of thing (I do). Well done!

Manda Collins writes a delightful historical romance with a hint of mystery or as she says, a hint of mayhem! Jane and Adrian are old acquaintances, who come back together to help solve the murder of a family friend at a house party, and hijinx ensue along the way. A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is a perfect historical romance to spen a weekend afternoon reading. I sped through the pages and will happily read another book in the series

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for it on this review

In A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril, Manda Collins draws us back into the seductive world of regency England as murder, mayhem, and -of course!- passion ensues.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.

Miss Jane Halliwell lost everything years ago after her father committed suicide and her mother fled to Scotland. Her fortune in shambles, and her reputation in tatters, she becomes a governess to the same people who once saw her as an equal. But after her current employer, Lord Gilford, was found dead in his study during the week many foreign dignitaries were convening in his home, horror begins. Who killed Lord Gilford? Was it the Americans? The Russians? The French? As Jane and an old flame, Lord Adrian Fielding, search for the man -or woman!- behind this terrible atrocity, secrets are unveiled and lies abound as they begin to see the past isn't all that it seems....

While I found the premise of the novel intriguing, the execution was poor. Jane and Lord Adrian had little chemistry, and their main scenes were Adrian realizing Jane was pretty, and old enough, then deciding "Hmm, that must mean I love her!" His main way of communication was ordering her about and babying her, which she did little to discourage, becoming a watering fountain at every turn. I understand she found the dead body, but that is no reason for every little thing you encounter is reason to go white and start bawling. And besides that, the character's ways of addressing each other between friends? "My dear girl?" Unless you are an old British lady, I see no reason why you are allowed to use that term, especially when you are the same age as the person. The friendships were shallow, with no real emotional development happening, with Adrien just assuming work colleagues are the same as friends. Langham was the only character worth reading this book for, with sarcasm and an attitude that stretches miles. The murder mystery part was quite exaggerated with everything simply falling into their laps. The clues? Everyone just simultaneously kept the same thing. Old threatening letters? Let me check my desk drawer. It was quite pathetic, and rest assured, your first guess will most likely be the correct one. As for Jane's carriage accident, I feel like the author did not do enough research. I'm a medical student, and if someone were to hit their head against a carriage window hard enough to break the glass and knock them unconscious for a few minutes, they would not be able to pick themselves up three minutes later and continue on their day with no lasting effect or injuries. The author blatantly ignored anything she hinted at or created earlier that did not fit with the remainder of the story, and instead of finding ways to make previous inclinations matter to the plot, she twisted around them with the utter ease of an Olympic gymnast. Many characters could have made for wildly interesting side characters, such as the Swedish ambassador's wife, and we could have found an antagonist in the French woman, Madame Dulac, to help spur a deeper connection between Jane and Adrian as they realize their 'relationship' is far more than an affair, but maybe love. And the "affair?" Almost all explicit scenes were closed door, which was disappointing, considering this is a romance by an author who is considered to write "steamy," romances. The sex scenes were half-baked, with them one moment kissing, the next "deliciously naked," and the third, spent after a bout of "lovemaking." There is no transition between these states, which was jolting, as one moment, I was reading about a passionate embrace, the next, they're sleeping.

While this book was mildly entertaining and did garner a few laughs from me and my friend, overall, it was not worth remembering, and I doubt I will read it again. The emotional development between everyone -from friendships to relationships- was weak and underdeveloped. No side characters proved interesting beyond the ones Ms. Collins 'tells' you are interesting, and Jane's reconciliation with her mother was ridiculously rushed simply so the author could write a 'touching' scene between a now harmonized mother and daughter. Such a scene is not touching if neither party's actions are justified, and both acted idiotic with no repercussions on either side. And the fact Jane is described as "stubborn," was laughable to me. Stubborn is when you know what is right, -or wrong, depending on the moral ground-, and stick to it. It is not mulishly hanging on to an opinion merely to spite another. I also found three separate spelling and grammar mistakes, one of which was in the acknowledgments the author should do well to review.

The damage to the family's reputaion caused by her father's suicide has led to Jane Halliwell to
serve as a governess to the daughter of one of her father's colleagues in the British diplomatic
corp. When the man is murdered after a dinner attended by British and foreign diplomats. Jane
becomes invovled with the investigation. The murder raises questions about the deaths of
Jane's father and other members of the corp. Surprising information revealed by Jane's mother.
A quick entertaining read.
#AGovernesssGuidetoPassionandPeril #NetGalley

Another classic romance and mystery from Manda Collins. I have enjoined this series and this book was no exception.

Adrian and Jane know each other from long ago. She’s had a crush on him for years, but now they meet when she is a Governess and he is an agent in the Foreign Office. When another Agent is murdered they come together to solve a crime and fall in love.

I loved it! Pure delight. If you love your romance with a little bit of danger you will like this book. The spice level is low but the love story warms the heart.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Jane is a governess for the daughter of one of her late father’s best friends. Her father was part of the diplomatic corp. He took his own life amid a terrible scandal. That scandal meant Jane and her mother were considered no longer deserving of respect.

Jane’s finds the body of her present employer. He has been murdered. This is during a symposium which includes many diplomats both British and foreign. The house is filled with suspects.

One of the attendees at the symposium is Adrian. He was her father’s assistant. He was also the man who Jane greatly admired She was a very young girl, and that crush could not possibly have been anything more than the admiration of a child.

The murder brings Jane and Adrian together to help solve the murder. During the investigation they find clues to more than one murder among the British diplomatic corp. The more the mystery deepens, the more there seems to be danger which is very near.

It does not take much to figure out the villain. But, the journey to the end of the story is a pleasant one.

Ms Collins has created a plot which moves at a good pace. The reader has access to all the clues.

The characters are well developed. Jane and Adrian each have shared the same past events, but each of them sees those events from a different perspective. The reader gets to see things as each of them see things.

Having been the daughter of a gentleman, Jane has fallen to the level of a servant. She has been forced to deal with bullies in her work as a governess. And those bullies were able to belittle her at ever turn. The women who have employed her are able to fire her for no reason and refuse to provide any kind of reference. It is good to be wealthy and in charge.

Adrian is the son of a duke. His plans were to be a life long diplomat and he has worked hard to be the best at what he does. He has learned a great deal about the people who make up the British diplomatic corp.

Jane and Adrian are intelligent and their investigation takes advantage of their knowledge of the diplomatic corp and the people who are a part of that group.

Ms Collins has created a well done chapter in her series. Although it is part of a series, it works well as a stand alone read. The characters and situations are well defined and the history is explained.

I received the book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

I read this really quickly. I liked the premise of someone killing the diplomats, though I was able to deduce the murderer rather early in the story. I fully expected the Adrian and Jane pairing after the last book and they worked as a couple for me, though they could have both used a little more character development. A fun diversion, especially if you are a fan of the previous novels in the series.

A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is the fourth book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series but would be fine read as a standalone novel or a starting point for the series. Jane Halliwell was the daughter of a diplomat whose whole life was shattered with the suicide of her father. Shunned by the diplomatic community, Jane works as a governess for one of her father’s diplomatic friends. Lord Adrian Fielding was Jane’s childhood crush who Jane hoped to never see again but Adrian’s Foreign Office job bring the two together at a house party. When Jane’s employer is murdered, Jane and Adrian begin investigating a series of suspicious deaths in the diplomatic community. Falling in love and solving murders, Jane and Adrian win over the readers in a historical romance driven by a whodunnit plot for a well deserved HEA. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory review is based upon a free review copy from NetGalley.

Jane, in her reduced status after her father’s suicide, is a governess to a daughter of one of her father’s past friends in the Foreign Office. When her father’s friend is murdered at a party of dignitaries, she must turn to her estranged friend Adrian to help solve the murder. They try to deny their feelings for each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

4 ⭐️
The mystery story in this book was good and not too confusing. The twist definitely built as the book went on and I found it easier to solve the mystery as the pieces were revealed.

I liked Jane for her ambition and steadfastness. The humility it takes to take a hit in social standing like she did only shows her gracefulness. I loved her and Adrian live story. It wasn’t too complicated and once they realized their feelings were mutual it just fell into place. The author didn’t drag it out like a lot of novels do.
Overall good read with an even better plot.