So much better than the first part!

In second book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels we follow Millie who by trying to escape her betrothal gets herself engaged to another man, Major General Drake. Their wedding presents a perfect opportunity to capture one of the man involved in kidnapping young ladies, the question is if they will come to understanding when it comes to this dangerous adventures.

I enjoyed this story so much more than the first book. The dynamics of force proximity, “arranged marriage” and broken war hero work so well in this book! I’m mad that I didn’t read this book earlier.

Highly recommend it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters, especially Millie and Beau. I was honestly rooting for them from the start. It was giving off major Bridgerton vibes- and with me being an avid fan of historical romance, this read had me captivated all throughout. I recommend this book to those who also love the genre and a great romance story with lots of chemistry!

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Darcy McGuire is the second book in her series The Queen’s Deadly Damsels about a group of women appointed to work for Queen Victoria and with trained deadly skills. Although it’s the second book in the series, I had not read the first and did not feel disadvantaged by not having read the first book. I was captivated by it so much that I just had to get Book One as soon as I had finished it!

If you want a steamy book about a fierce female character and a battle-scarred male character, who find themselves in a scandalous situation that leads to marriage, while both working as secret agents for Queen Victoria and the Prime Minister respectively, hunting for a dangerous man responsible for kidnapping young women and trafficking them abroad, then this is the book for you.

The book has been called Bridgerton meets Mr & Mrs Smith which is pretty accurate. The wedding party in the days leading up to the marriage of Millicent (Millie) and Beau is used by both of them to identify the man behind the kidnappings. With Beau’s military experience and Millie’s knife skills, they make a formidable couple, even though neither of them believe they want to be tied down in marriage. Their steamy moments when they became unable to resist one another were sizzling off the page. This is the second book in the last couple of months where I’ve found a battle-scarred male main character that I have found irresistible, and I am starting to think this might be my niche for ‘book boyfriends’ in historical fiction!

There were some seriously evil characters, but it wouldn’t be the perfect romance without evil exes or people who wish ill on the main characters, so I found myself really appreciating what those characters brought to the story. In particular, Millie’s wicked stepmother Patricia was a character it was incredibly easy to hate!

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal was a humorous and incredibly steamy romance, with an interesting mystery woven into the story. This was such a fantastic story that I cannot wait for Book Three, and I’m now off to read Book One!

I adoredddd the premise of this book and it started off very strong. Although I’m not the biggest fan overall of contemporary romances, this one pleasantly surprised me with the twist and turns and its Bridgerton-esque vibes. Seriously if you love Bridgerton and its drama, then you’re sure to love this book!!! The middle fell flat and had me struggling to get to the end but I ended up still loving this book regardless.

This was a fine book. Honestly, I read it a few months ago and I can't remember one detail about it. Maybe that says it all. I don't remember anything being particularly good or bad just the vague outlines of a plot.

In the second book in the Deadly Damsels series, readers continue this fantastic and spicy historical romance series featuring a cast of secret femme fatale agents from across high society as they carry out operations and fall in love. This time following Millicent Whittenburg in her attempts to escape an undesirable betrothal by seducing Major General Beaufort Drake, perhaps the only other person in society more adverse to marriage than Millicent herself. However, the plan goes horribly wrong when Drake offers to marry Millicent in the wake of their scandal, and the tension between the two has the unflappable Millicent and Drake completely off guard. As readers explore this new case at a week-long wedding house party that keeps forcing Millicent and Drake to interact -- for their detective work and their unwanted engagement -- the tension and attraction only grows, making the characters the total star of the novel and its fiery, spicy romance. Readers will love tracking this case and this incredible romance over the course of the novel, a brilliant continuation of McGuire’s series of competent and deadly Society ladies. Brilliantly written with incredible characters and fantastic character relationships, readers have to keep up with this series and its brilliant heroines.

Millie was such a good character! This book is a great historical romance with a bit of suspense! This is a second in a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.

If you read Bridgerton and thought "this would be better if the women were trained assassins" --- this is for you!

Book Two of the Queen's Deadly Damsels series brings us a marriage of convenience between Mellie and Drake, two stubborn personalities we got a glimpse of in first book. Their courtship is unconventional especially as they are both using their wedding party as an opportunity to track down the leaders of a sex trafficking ring.

Great writing, great characters, great banter. A perfect read to get you out of a reading slump or if you're looking for something fun. If you are a historical romance fan, this is not a series to be missed!

This book was delight!! Mr. & Mrs. Smith but make it Victorian!

This book had so much to it - mystery, romance, adventure, family drama, friendship issues, strengths, weaknesses… I adored it! The inner dialogue had me giggle the whole time, it reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones. These two are working together and against each other at the same time, it was funny, heartwarming, and enduring to read. I loved both of these characters and their story!

I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed - I wished Millicent’s relationship with her dad had had closure, and we had seen how everyone reacted to the betrayal. But I’m hoping those are talked about in the next book!

Very intriguing and adventurous! Absolutely amazing! I was a little bit skeptical going in at first. but it completely enamoured me a few pages in. Looking for a sign to read this? This is it!

Oh I just loved this!

I went through a really strong historical romance phase during lockdown, then started finding things all a bit similar so went off the genre for a while.

I had requested this thinking it would just be another of the same, but I was so wrong! I absolutely devoured this and found myself wanting to dive right back into other books in the genre (though I am still worried nothing will compare).

Millie and Beau are so sweet, I instantly fell in love with them both and was really rooting for them throughout. I love it when a romance in a book feels real, and this one really did. I also loved the addition of a mystery and the adventure elements throughout, it takes you on such a fun journey and I was so gripped.

A Lady's Lesson in Scandal helped to reignite my love for historical romance, and I am eternally grateful to Darcy McGuire.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

– Silly, Sweet, and Complex at the same time

Perfect for a fan of Victorian-themed romance. This book made me stay awake for a night finishing it, not to mention the silly giggles and tears I shed that night!
I love how mystery and romance develop throughout the story, although I must say that this story leans more into the romantic development between our sweet Millie and Beau--the mystery part was rather less mentioned in the chapters and it got a bit rushed at the end with the mystery twist and investigation. I do enjoy how they work together in this investigation, as I do love partner-in-crime romantic tension and I had to highlight how their relationship developed throughout the story--the tension, the steamy scene, the understanding between both of them ... truly sweet and captivating!
#netgalleyreview

Anything regency and romantic with a big splash adventure is the book for me! A Lady's Lesson In Scandal had me wishing I can travel into the book and watch this whole story take place like a movie! I can see the actors who played in the Bridgerton series signing up to play other characters if this was a film! 📖

Millicent is definitely my favorite person in literature right now! Lol can you imagine being told you have to marry someone you don't want to? What's a smart and clever woman like our female hero to do?! Cause a scandal of course!💖

In order to achieve this grand plan of Millicent's she basically needs the assistance of General Drake! This is my man! LOL tough investigator with many layers. Fast forward a bit they both end up in an unexpected marriage! They both go on a path of discovering more things about each other and making emotional investments in one another. 🧁

The spice level was absolutely perfect! Like the perfect layered cupcake! Sprinkles and icing all the way LOL the chemistry was indeed delicious and adventurous!

I am so glad I discovered Darcy McGuire! I can't believe I didn't find the books sooner! A fan for life right here! 💕

Bravo! 🌹

A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" by Darcy McGuire is an exciting historical romance that mixes love, mystery, and adventure. The story is about Millicent Whittenburg, a brave young woman trying to escape an arranged marriage she doesn't want. She decides to ruin her reputation on purpose by getting close to Major General Beaufort Drake, a tough investigator who doesn’t believe in love or marriage. But her plan takes an unexpected turn, and the two end up in a surprising marriage that leads to a thrilling and emotional journey.

McGuire does a great job creating interesting characters. Millicent is strong and determined, standing up against the rules of her time, while Drake is a complex character with a guarded personality. Their connection feels real and grows naturally as they face exciting and dangerous challenges together. The detailed descriptions of the Victorian era make the story come alive, and the mix of romance and suspense keeps readers hooked. Overall, "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is a great choice for fans of historical love stories full of drama and excitement.

I would recommend reading the first book which was delightfully spicy. However, you could jump into this one right away too. This book (and the first one) are already available so secure your copies today!

I was intringued by the description of A LADY'S LESSON IN SCANDAL because it spoke of femme fatales and private investigators and daring adventures. Plus, I enjoy a historical romance. This book was heavier on the romance and lighter on the adventure than I had anticipated.

Darcy McGuire writes smoldering scenes well. They are very sexy, and the hero and heroine are both likeable which is, for me, necessary to engage with the characters. If a sexy, romantic tale with characters who seem meant for each other entices you, look no further. Just keep in mind, the adventure and intrigue act as a framework for the much more present ROMANCE.

I enjoyed the story, and I found the supporting cast of characters interesting. I want to know more about them, so I am going to read her other published book in the series THE SECRET LIFE OF A LADY. I am also looking forward to the third installment in the series THE CONFESSIONS OF A LADY.

This is the second book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series, a spicy historical fiction novel that can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend starting with the first book for a little extra context—it’s worth it.

In this installment, we follow Millie, a femme fatale secretly working for the Queen, as she tries to escape an engagement to a man she despises. Her plan? "Ruin" herself at a party by seducing the Major General, Beau, a war hero turned private detective for the Prime Minister. But things take an unexpected turn when Beau offers a marriage of convenience instead of refusing to marry her.

As their week-long wedding celebration unfolds on an estate packed with guests (and suspects), the two work separately to uncover the mystery of a man capturing and selling women into the flesh market. Secrets threaten to upend their fragile relationship, leaving us wondering: will they come together or let their own desires drive them apart?

I loved Millie as a tall, curvy redhead with plenty of confidence and deadly skills and Beau as a scarred war hero with a guarded heart. Their chemistry was steamy, and their blend of romance and banter kept me entertained.

This was a quick, engaging read, and I’m giving it 4 stars. It also sets up the third book in the series, though I haven't heard when it’ll be released. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for it!

Perfect for fans of spicy historical romance, A Lady's Lesson in Scandal is full of intrigue, well-crafted characters, and of course, romance! Of course, I somehow missed that this was the second book in a series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, I wish I'd read The Secret Life of a Lady first. Both are such great books and it's fun to 'get' all the inside jokes, overlapping pieces of story, etc. that the reading experience is so much more engaging and immersive. Either way, I highly recommend!

A spicy Victorian era cozy mystery? I had high hopes for this book and it delivered on every front. I need to go back and read book 1 in the series now!

The premise of this book was really interesting hence why I requested it but the content of the book didn't delve really into the investigation part as much as I would have liked. I had read a similar premise by a different author and they merged investigating and romance so well that I rated that book 5 stars but this one did not flow like that book and in particular this book felt more like a lustful novel which was surprising as neither of these characters wanted to get married. Very confused by the characters and their choices so dnf'd.

Thank you publisher and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise but the book was too spice for my liking so I had to DNF it at 35%.