Manda Collins writes delightful little romantic romps. This one, as per her usual, has a pretty bananas premise. Jane Halliwell works as a governess for the children of the mentor of the lord who broke her heart. Say what?! It’s convoluted for sure. Lord Adrian Fielding is trying to solve the murder of his mentor, and would love to be friends again with Jane, but she’s cold towards him. Of course, they both need to be investigating a murder together, It’s like Clue and Romance had a baby. If you like a murder mystery and Romance, this one has pretty expected elements of both. If you like the universe of Manda Collins especially, then I recommend this book as a continuation of her series.

Jane Halliwell, a once prominent member of society, is now working as a governess. Her father’s death left her and her mother destitute and shunned by society. The only job she could get was at the mercy of her father’s longtime friend, Viscount Gilford from the Foreign Office. When Jane finds him murdered during a gathering at their home, she is forced back into society as the hostess to keep an eye on the guests being held for questioning. If trying to play hostess is not enough, Jane has also come face to face with her first crush when she was just a girl, Lord Adrian Fielding. She has not seen him since that dreadful day when her father died and now, they are thrown together to help solve the mysterious death of Viscount Gilford. As they gather clues, the pieces start falling into place and it seems this one murder may not be the only one.

MandaCollins brings us another witty, fast paced love story with a twist of mayhem and murder. Her writing style is so sharp witted with interesting complex characters and a mystery with twists and turns, it was hard to put this book down. I loved the previous books in the series and it was also fun to visit past characters. My sincere thanks to Manda Collins, Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. A great read which will keep you on your toes.

I enjoyed yet another foray into this world. While the mystery was fairly easy to figure out, I enjoyed following along with Adrian and Jane’s investigation. Seeing all of the pieces come together, including the late reveal of yet another murder victim, kept me turning pages and wanting more. This was a comfy, quick romance with a fun mystery aspect that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romances.

A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collins
Ladies Most Scandalous series #4. Historical murder mystery with romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the prior books play minor roles.
Jane Halliwell works as a governess though she grew up with social standing until her father died and the money disappeared. One night she is required to join the dinner table to even the numbers, when the hostess and her boss, tells Jane to fetch a shawl left behind in the library. When Jane discovers a dead body in the library, she is thrust into a mystery from the Foreign Office that may connect to her own father’s death. With the help of Lord Adrian Fielding, a longtime crush, Jane and Adrian ask questions, and follow clues to find a killer.

Friends from the prior books make an appearance but you don’t have to have read their stories to appreciate the helpful and supportive actions. The more connections, the more clues and potential reason for why the deaths are piling up. I liked the unswerving loyalty everyone had connected to the Foreign Office and how they helped each other. Quite the statement as opposed to the Ladies that thought Jane was suddenly unworthy. We need to do better.
Adrian and Jane together: smart is stronger than gossip.
The mystery is engaging. I admired Jane’s strength of character.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril is loosely part of series but can easily be read as a standalone. Like most Manda Collins books, features a mystery in addition to a romance. I find Ms. Collins is able to combine both romance and mystery in a very satisfying way. This title features Miss Jane Halliwelll who is shocked to find her deceased employer. Not only was he murdered, but it was at the beginning of a secret conference featuring key international players. Luckily (or unfortunately), the man, Lord Adrian Fieldng, who Jane believes shunned her family following her father's alleged suicide is attending and teams up to unmask the killer. Jane puts her feelings about Adrian aside and they work to frantically identify the killer before more victims are claimed. I enjoyed the mystery as well as the appearances of previous characters who help Jane resume her place in society. Both characters are very engaging, and I appreciated that they acted like adults; this book didn't feel like a wallpaper historical which is harder and harder to find these days.

Manda Collins has done it again- a beautiful, adventure based romance with a bright and bold leading lady. This novel is perfectly written for the time period, the characters that were built and the romance.

Jane Halliwell a once high society girl has found herself working as a governess, preparing her charge for a bright future. When her employer is murdered during a house party, however, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton. Taking on this role forces her to face the man who broke her heart..

Lord Adrian Fielding was always too busy with his job at the Foreign Office to pay young Jane much attention, but he always considered her a friend. Which is why he’s confounded by her icy demeanor now. However, he find himself protective and attracted to Jane. However at this time his focus is finding the killer and Jane’s safety.

Next thing Adrian knows is Jane is joining the investigation. Adrian, despite all his diplomatic skills, finds himself seduced by her but with a vicious killer circling ever closer, will it soon be too late for their chance at forever?

3.5 Rounded to 4

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and was pleased with the subsequent follow-ups. This latest installment was a cute, quick read. However, I found it to be a tad predictable. I knew who the killer was the second they were introduced. Also, the relationship between Jane and Adrian felt rushed. I would have liked a little more build-up. Otherwise, it was a worthy installment to the series.

3.5 stars!

Ever since her father’s untimely death, Jane has been working as a governess after her family lost all their money, including her dowry. When her employer is murdered, she’s forced back into the world of high society when she’s asked to step in at hostess of the household while the crime is investigated. It just so happens, this will require her to work with an old friend and girlhood crush. As they get to the bottom of the murder and learn things aren’t exactly what they seem, feelings heat up between them.

This is book number 4 in the Ladies Most Scandalous series and I’m still enjoying them!!! I definitely think this book was more murder mystery with a hint of romance and I didn’t feel as connected to the characters as the previous books but I still really enjoyed it and I always love the callbacks to the previous book characters. I think these books are so fun and unique because they are giving fun, historical, murder mystery/clue vibes!

This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. It was fun, suspenseful and held my interest. i didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this historical romance and look forward to reading more books by this author.

This historical romance series continues to "wow" me. Each installment is unique, romantic, and has a pretty solid mystery component. We met Jane and Adrian in the previous book. Their encounter was brief, but it was obvious that there were sparks between them and that they had this history that I was dying to uncover. Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone. Characters from previous books do appear in this book, but Manda does a great job of bringing readers up to speed on the character's backstories. Now, this is a fabulous series, and I highly recommend reading it in its entirety.

I loved everything about this book. The pacing was fast enough to keep me entertained; there were some unexpected twists, and I loved the slow-burn romance brewing between Jane and Adrian. Manda can write an excellent mystery. At the beginning of this book, Jane stumbles upon the body of Lord Gildford (her employer and family friend). It's clear that he has been murdered because of the knife sticking out of his back. But don't be fooled into thinking this is just a simple murder case because evidence left by the body indicates that this murder is part of a much larger and sinister plot. I find myself enjoying this mystery. It was exciting, and the ending was unexpected (in a good way). I was surprised who the murderer actually was.

Jane and Adrian were interesting characters. They met when they were younger in Italy while Jane's father was working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Adrian was just starting out as a junior "intern" for the Ministry and became close to Jane's family during his time there. Jane had a huge crush on Adrian, who wasn't romantically interested in this young teenage girl. Things take a turn for the worse when Jane's father kills himself, and Adrian leaves abruptly. Jane never forgave Adrian for leaving her family during that turbulent time. Fast forward to the beginning of this book, and Jane is trying to avoid Adrian, but that is proving to be rather difficult because he wants to talk to her. I loved these characters together and individually. Both of them have a hard, tougher time in life. Adrian has worked hard to build his own life on his own merits. Something that is quite challenging for someone who comes from a powerful family. Jane has lost everything and finds herself working as a governess for horrid families. All she wants to do is publish her mystery book and live her own life. Both of these characters are smart, kind, and just so delightful to be around.

The romance that unfolds in this book is a slow burn at its best. There is friction between Jane and Adrian at the beginning of this book. The friction part mostly comes from Jane, who is still rather angry with Adrian. These two find themselves working together to uncover the mystery of who murdered Lord Gilford and how far this sinister plot goes. Their unlikely partnership has some bumps because both parties are frustrated with each other. Jane knows that she is capable of helping solve this case, but is frustrated with Adrian, who wants to keep her away from danger. I loved everything about these two. Their banter was sharp and fun. I really enjoyed those moments when Adrian felt befuddled by Jane. It just was a nice romance. It is probably the least spicy book in this series. They don't bang until the end.

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril is a fun and swoony historical mystery read.

Oh my goodness! I love Manda Collins. Her work in this guide series is so fun. She has created a world of strong independent women and smart men that don’t want their wives any other way. There is murder (of course) and Jane and Adrian are going to solve it. And fall in love. The steam is mostly fade to black, but the steamy tension is there. Seriously great job! (I received and ARC. Thank you!)

Do you love 2nd chance (sort of) romance, Victorian Era house parties, governess romance, cozy-ish mysteries, the board game Clue?
Then you'll enjoy 'A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril' the newest addition to Mandy Collin's Ladies Most Scandalous Series.


There are a number of reappearing characters from previous books, but Ms.Collins guides us through the book so smoothly you'll know what is
going on without feeling lost. And bonus you don't have to wait till the 2nd to last chapter for the leads to admit they are made for each
other the just have to solve the murder mystery to get their HEA.


Thank-you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collins is book 4 of the Ladies Most Scandalous series and while this is a series, I do think you could read this one as a standalone if you’re curious to dive right in before going back to read the others. With that said, I will admit that this one wasn’t my favorite within the series. I can’t necessarily pinpoint why but there it is.

Jane Halliwell is the daughter of a diplomat and grew up amongst the wealthy but when her father died, so did most of the relationships she had and Jane and her mom found themselves looked down upon by those who used to be their friends. In addition to that, the man she loved as girl just up and disappeared not giving Jane and her mother another thought…or at least that is what she believes. Not willing to give in to pity, Jane takes a position as a governess and the book opens with her employers plans to throw a party but when he ends up murdered, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton and finds herself working with the same lord she thought deserted her.

Lord Adrian Fielding has always wanted to build a career with the Foreign Office and having grown up around Jane, he never really paid too much attention to her…but he did consider her a friend so he’s confused as to why she’s been avoiding him and when they do cross paths at the party, she treats him like a stranger. Even more, he is finding himself drawn to Jane but with his mentor’s recent murder, he is determined to find out who killed him and why but because of his feelings for Jane, he’s determined to make sure she is safe too since she keeps insisting she be involved in the investigation.

Collins did a wonderful job of laying out the background of the two main characters histories to help to develop their story going forward. I connected with Jane and was right there with her in her disbelief around the way she and her mother were treated by their “friends” when her father died and then to also have her mother move away and find herself essentially on her own, she was determined to not be a burden to anyone and I kind of loved that about her. That said, she wasn’t letting anyone tell her what to do (other than the wife of her employer) and that included Adrian. I also appreciated that these two characters finally hashed everything out – it was important for Adrian to hear what Jane thought happened when her father died and just as important for her to hear that he had no control whatsoever in what happened due to his place in the hierarchy.

If you’re looking for a historical romance series to pick up, I highly recommend this one. I’ve enjoyed every book and they all stand well on their own if you don’t want that big of a commitment. I’ll continue to pick up any book by Manda Collins as well because I can count on well-developed characters and interesting stories.

After the disgraceful death of her diplomat father, Jane Halliwell, found the only position left to her in society to be that of a governess. Having been sent away from her previous post without reference, she found a position in the home of a former colleague of her father's. But when her employer is murdered at a house party, Jane who found the body, is brought in to help the investigation by taking on the hostess role of the party.

Lord Adrian Fielding, once friend to a young Jane and her family, was always disconcerted by what happened to her in the wake of her father's untimely demise. Now with his latest mentor murdered, he finds that Jane's father's death might not be a suicide after all. And the knowledge both Adrian and Jane harbor about the past and those connected to her father and the foreign British diplomats not only make them the best to assist in catching the killer, but also the killer's latest targets.

Whenever I pick up a Manda Collins novel, I know that it is going to be exactly what my heart needs. She has the ability to balance historical romance with a mystery that always engages me as a reader.*

With A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril being the fourth in the series, I never felt as though it could not be read as a standalone. I found Collins provided enough information on the previous novel, whose MMCs are familial related in this one, so as remind me enough of the previous novels without making it feel as though the reader would be missing anything by starting with this novel. I say this, but I highly suggest readers go back to the beginning and enjoy every wonderfully written novel in this series. I know I definitely want to read them all again.

Having met Adrian's character in the previous novel, I was very drawn to him. His somewhat stilted relationship with his brother, the previous MMC, had me wanting the two men to form a closer bond and I was glad to see that they were well on the way to this. I really liked that it was Adrian's idea because of Jane's life as the daughter of a diplomat that she become the host of the gathering, in the wake of her employer's death. His only concern was to keep her safe in doing so. And once her life became evidently in danger did he realize his true feelings for her gave me all the romance feels.

I adored Jane's character. From the slight glimpse we got of her in the previous novel, I really liked how fully fleshed her character felt to me from the opening chapters of the novel. I appreciated that Jane was honest in her feelings of how her station had greatly changed in life, and how she knew she should be grateful for being where she was, but it did not take away from how she had longed for a different life for herself. I liked her strength in conviction upon learning that her father's death was not a suicide and how it fueled her in assisting in the investigation of not only her employer's death but helping bring to light other deaths that were linked. She was a character I really admired and rooted for her to get her HEA.

*I will note that this novel compared to the previous one is definitely low on steam/spice. We get one brief intimate scene and then the second encounter is pretty much closed door in my opinion. And although I always find that Collins balances her mystery and romance with an evenness that I find other HR mysteries lack, I will admit that this novel was very heavy on the mystery and its complexities. But that that fact did not take away from my enjoyment of the novel.

Jane Halliwell, the daughter of a diplomat is now working as a governess. It’s not what she planned for her life, but until she can sell her first novel it’s what she has to do. It’s the card she was dealt after her father’s untimely death and she handles it with grace. Jane’s mother fled to Scotland to avoid the rumor mill so she’s essentially without family and alone. On top of that there are whispers swarming of how Jane’s father actually died and the disgrace of his gambling addiction. Jane had nowhere to go. Eventually she ends up at her father’s friend Lord Gilford’s townhouse in Belgrave Square . Lord Gilford says he’ll take her in as a guest. Jane refuses and decides to work for her keep being a governess to the Gilford’s daughter, Margaret. The lady of the manor, Mrs. Gilford isn’t happy about this. She is pretty much a vulture. The Viscountess tries to hurt Jane with her cutting words at every turn.

Then in walks Lord Adrian Fielding. Jane had a crush on him as a girl and he happens to be at the Gilford’s symposium. He is even more handsome now and Jane can’t help but be drawn to him. Lord Adrian tried to keep tabs on Jane’s whereabouts after her father had passed, but he had no idea where she was. Adrian sees her and a spark is kindled. He is battling within himself on settling down and his feelings for Jane. That doesn’t stop him from keeping anyone else from courting her either. Then the story takes a turn. Jane finds Lord Gilford dead. Suspicions swirl and the mystery of whodunit is on.

I love how tender and loving Adrian is to Jane even though he’s at war with his feelings. He is still there and wants to protect Jane and put her first. Beautifully written historical and swoony romance with some really heartfelt and loving characters and smarmy ones too. This book makes me want to start all over with the first in the series! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Manda Collins and Read Forever Publishing for my advanced copy.

It’s lovely to be in Collins’s imagined world where characters are warm and fuzzy, society a place where good triumphs over evil and everything recounted with a light, humorous, loving touch. I wrote this about Lady’s Guide #3, A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes, and I say it again about Passion and Peril.

In Passion and Peril, we’re introduced to eponymous governess, fallen-on-hard-times Jane Halliwell and long-ago acquaintance and somewhat friend, Lord Adrian Fielding (brother to the Duke of Langham, Danger and Dukes‘s hero). When the romance opens, Jane is in her third year as governess to Margaret, Viscount and Lady’s Gilford’s daughter. Though Jane is their social equal, she is a genteel, but poor semi-servant to a man who was her father’s colleague in the Foreign Office. (Because her father committed suicide after gambling the family fortune, Jane and her mother were left homeless and seemingly friendless.)

Though friends like Poppy, now the Duke of Langham’s wife, would offer her a home, Jane wished to earn her way in the world. She lives in semi-genteel limbo without the possibility of her own home and family…except for the presence, at the Viscount’s house party of domestic and foreign diplomatic dignitaries, of Lord Adrian Fielding, a friend of long acquaintance and Jane’s teen-age crush. When Jane lost her father, fortune, and position, and her mother left for Scotland to live with a friend, she lost contact with many from her former life. In the midst of the house-party, while Jane and Adrian renew their acquaintance and give hesitant nods to a mutual attraction, Viscount Gilford is murdered in his study.With Lady Gilford mourning and soon out of town, the new Viscount, Will, grieving, Adrian and Jane must hold the household together and help Detective Inspector Eversham find the killer. They are joined by Adrian’s brother, the Duke of Langham, and his wife and Jane’s friend, Poppy. Collins brings together a likeable, witty group of characters, familiar to readers who’ve followed the series and easily endearing to those reading it for the first time in this volume. Adrian, Jane, and co. unearth the possibility the Foreign Office suffered several mysterious deaths, linked by the clue the murderer leaves behind, a Machiavelli quotation and dried rose.

Though I guessed the murderer’s identity early in the narrative, what I read Collins’s semi-mystery, semi-romance for is appealing characters and the openness of her hero and heroine’s feelings and hots. I enjoyed that the characters’ hesitation to being together dispels early and dispels well; no faffing about for Jane and Adrian! Mild resistance and then maturity kicks in: feelings are admitted and the reader enjoys our couple together for the romance’s entire second half. I like impediments-romance and I like open, honest protagonists, Collins’s romance ethos is of the latter. Jane is open about her feelings and droll in her lust for Adrian. It’s a lovely, feminist reversal that Adrian is more circumspect in this attraction, but thoroughly frank and direct about wanting to be with Jane, marry Jane and make a life with her.

Despite the gravity of the circumstances, Collins keeps a firm narrative hand on the mystery, but delights with humour and makes a feminist point with a light touch. I thought the scene with the French diplomat’s wife sneakily pinching Langham’s butt was a hoot. As in previous Lady’s Guide romances, Collins’s feminist point winks to the reader rather pounding things home. Adrian indulges in some growly over-protectiveness and Jane amusingly poo-poos him. The beauty of Collins’s romances? A droll, wry gentle humour and characters who work things out, a respite from angst and a turning towards joy, contentment, affection, ease, and the comforts of friendship and family.

Manda Collins’s A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is published by Forever and releases today, March 26. I received an e-galley from Forever, via Netgalley. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion, written without the use/aid of AI.

Another fun addition to the Ladies Most Scandalous series - I really enjoyed A Spinster’s Guide last year and keep meaning to go back to read the earlier books, which I have bought, but other arcs are getting in the way.

The murder mystery aspect of this romance made it very unique and I found that to make it even better than the typical regency romances out there - combining my top two genres and they blended so well. I liked the chemistry between Jane and Adrian, their history and backstory, and how they both came to be where they were (at the estate), and why she was a governess in the way that she was. The murder mystery they were solving was a very good twist to the whole story and I didn’t see that ending coming at all!

I really liked this one - it was good but not spectacular (I see that while I’ve rated this a 4, last book I’d rated a 5, but without re-reading I couldn’t tell you why or if that still stands or holds up). I would definitely recommend this to all historical romance lovers, especially those who enjoy storylines that are unique and have the mystery and suspense element in them.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

Tropes: murder mystery; friends to lovers
Steam level: 2
Part of a series, but works fine as a standalone

3.5 stars I couldn't quite round up. This author is new to me, and though I haven't read the previous entries in this series, I had no problem jumping into the storyline. I'm a fan of historical romance/mysteries and thought the writing style here was solid and everything moved right along. As I got past the first third, though, I knew that while the proceedings were pleasant enough, this wouldn't quite be the book for me. I never felt that Jane and Adrian had much romantic chemistry. An underlying sense of danger and strong emotional tension are lacking, even toward the end, although it's all played very straight. Also, the mystery is a cinch to solve--tbh I would have appreciated more red herrings--and .the resolution is sort of "meh." Obviously, if you're looking for sexy, edgy, or twisty, this book won't scratch your itch, but I'd hoped for a bit more humor and cleverness.

Characterwise, I was on the fence with Jane and Adrian, finding Adrian rather thick at times. Meanwhile, Jane could come across as a bit of a martyr, having a track record of dealing with not one but two unpleasant, snipy older women who should have been at least tolerant of her but inexplicably believed the worst of her as governess. (It's mentioned many times that she could have chosen not to be a governess but didn't want to "put anyone out"). There were also jarringly awkward scenes involving Jane's friendship (??) with the son of her current employer. That character just didn't work for me, and disappeared early on, so I'm really not sure what his purpose was (I hope he doesn't become the MMC of a later book in this series).

On the upside, even with the baddie being obvious, this is a quick read, and the epilogue is cute.

Overall: This would be best described as a "cozy" historical mystery/romance, with a dose of steam dashed in toward the end.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

Jane Halliwell is a governess. She's had to become one after her father died and left her and her mother with nothing. She's working for Lord and Lady Gilford, who knew her parents.

Lord Gilford works for the Foreign Office, like Janes father did. He's holding a meeting at his house with a few members of the Foreign Office and people from other counties. And when there's a murder at the Gilfords house, there's plenty of suspects.

One of the men who was at the meeting was Lord Adrian Felding. Lord Adrian's older brother is a duke, and he and Jane knew each other years ago. Jane was a teen and had quite the crush on Lord Adrian, who worked with her father. But he only saw Jane as a young girl. After her father died, he was gone from her life. Without a proper goodbye. So when these two reunite, it isn't rainbows and unicorns! Ugh, the pain of unrequited love!

There's a murderer in their midst, and the more they investigate... the more questions pop up. And suddenly, they're not just trying to solve a singular event. It becomes very personal to Jane.

There's murder, attempted murder and some romance mixed in! The romance really popped up for me. Ole Adrian had his mind set one way then... interest?!

Now I haven't read books 1 and 2, but I have read book three. There are a lot of reappearing characters, but it isn't too complicated that you couldn't jump right in! But it was nice to see how this small circle of friends supports each other.

Another intriguing romance/mystery from the inimitable Amanda Collins.

When Jane Halliwell’s father, a high ranking diplomat, committed suicide due to his gambling debts Jane was shocked. Jane and her mother returned to England from Rome, unable to endure the ostracism they experienced from the diplomatic community. That included Lord Adrian Fielding, who’d been in and out of their home in Rome, and for whom the young Jane had conceived a crush.
With no funds to support them Jane’s mother had fled to a cousin in Scotland. Jane stayed in London determined eventually to make her way as a novelist
Now, five years later, Jane is working as a governess in the home of a diplomatic friend of her father’s, Lord Guilford. Guildford’s wife was not pleased and made Jane’s life difficult, treating her as a servant. Jane meets Adrian again at a symposium on roses being held at the Guilford's home.
Disaster strikes. Jane discovers Lord Guilford's body in his study. He’s been stabbed.
Now it seems other diplomats whose deaths has been put down to natural causes may have been murdered.
Jane joins forces with Adrian and Detective Inspector Eversham, agreeing to act as hostess for the symposium guests, in order to puzzle out the mystery of who’s been murdering the diplomats.
The Duke of Langham, Adrian’s brother, and his wife Poppy, also a friend of Jane’s, arrive to give assistance.
A fast paced who dunnit with a rekindled (sort of) romance nicely filling the gaps between murders.

A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)