The book, as advertised, is a spicy romance. While there are numerous scenes in the book that are notable for the spicy content, the storyline itself is quite interesting as is the focus/theme. Millicent, Millie for short, attempts to escape a marriage to a man in his dotage. Her evil stepmother has set her up with this marriage as a particular form of torture as she uses and abuses the affections of Millie's father. The stepmother also abuses Millie in general, at one point whipping her (This is not part of the spicy content aforementioned).

Meanwhile, Beaufort Drake, former military, has his own woes. Upon return from war, he discovered that his fiance had instead chosen to marry his brother. Worse yet, they were both flippant and indifferent to his pain, which also included a facial scar and scarring to a leg. He has no interest in marrying, but Millicent . . . ahem . . . stirs his attention. At first, it's a physical attraction, but as he gets to know Millie, he realizes there is far more to admire.

Millie is in cahoots with the Duchess Philippa, who has the Queen's own ear. Philippa runs a female-driven ring of investigator/spies on behalf of the Queen. Included are Millie, Hannah, Ivy and a few others who are a part of the series. Millie is no wallflower, and is perfectly capable of figuring out her own fate. She knows how to throw knives, and her height makes her less easy to throw around. Even her stepmother's whipping can't faze her. So when she sees Beaufort at a party where she's investigating an illegal sex trade ring that is kidnapping young girls away from their families, she gets him alone to create scandal (hence the title) and get out of her ill-timed betrothal. He is more than willing to comply. In fact, a little too much. Now Beau insists on marrying her because it's the honorable thing to do.

It's the storyline of the investigation that takes center stage as being interesting and impacts the dynamics of Beau and Millie's relationship. Will he be able to accept a woman who can fight, who spies for the Queen, and who wants to be seen as his equal? Or will he try to demand that she quit, refuse to accept her choices, and hold her back, all in the name of "protecting" her? The combination of this level of commentary with the spicy content makes for a great overall tale about an independent woman who can handle the course of her own life, and the sexy man who supports her in doing so. This makes the book enormously appealing.

My only complaint is that the wording is extremely repetitive in the spicy scenes that at times it becomes a little monotonous. Other than that, I think this is an excellent example of the genre, hence the high rating.

This was very promising, but ultimately it didn’t deliver.

I really enjoyed the premise: a young female investigator-cum-vigilante for the Queen (Millie) enters into a marriage of convenience to a slightly terrifying, scarred, smouldering Earl (Beau), in order to win freedom from her horrible family and conduct her investigation into an underground trafficking ring targeting young, working class women (!). He also happens to be an investigator for the Prime Minister, working on exactly the same goal. Sparks fly — of course they fall for each other — as they navigate the tricky social setting of the Victorian beau monde, as well as differing opinions on how to bring these men to justice (Beau and the Prime Minister’s men: try them in a court of law; Millie and the Queen’s agents: kill them all vigilante-style).

The Victorian setting and set-up was perfect, and I really enjoyed the plot as a whole; however, I felt the language (both dialogue and descriptive) didn’t match (did they really say “fuck” in the Victorian era? Would an Earl really ask “are you okay”?). This was such a disappointment, as I’ve historical settings balanced really well with witty, era-appropriate yet tongue-in-cheek language, as done by other authors (Alexandra Vasti springs to mind). I would’ve preferred a tighter edit to catch these things, as well as some repetition in the writing, inelegant cases of telling-not-showing, etc. All the above made the story drag on, and I rushed through it at the end.

The ending is a whole other issue: two men in the trafficking ring are caught and apprehended, but not before one of them turns out to be one of the Prime Minister’s agents (double-crosser!) and Beau’s close friend (this is skimmed over). Millie is held at gun-point (of course), and Beau has to save her (although she actually ends up saving herself). I’m trying not to spoil too much here, but there is some serious on-page trauma for Millie here, and it’s completely disregarded — after killing her captor (!) Beau just carries her away, crossing paths with their friends (who were mutual friends with the double-crosser??) without explaining that their friend is dead in the basement, and they go straight to bed for an intense sex scene!! I would’ve been laughing if it wasn’t so confusing. Definitely could have been done better!

On the plus side: I very much liked the two protagonists, their attraction to each other was certainly believable (if a little rushed) and there was a good level of spice. A lot of ingredients for a fun adaptation here!

NOTE: This is the second book in a series that follows Queen Victoria’s secret group of female spies, so perhaps the first book is better? I might give it a try as I enjoyed the premise so much, despite the book’s imperfections.

I was so delighted that a second book in this series is already coming out! The concept of the series is great - women secretly working for Queen Victoria as vigilantes cross paths with men working as secret agents for the Prime Minister. The groups have different ideas about administering justice. The men want to use the proper channels, but because the House of Lords wasn't holding peers accountable for crimes, Queen Victoria's agents step in.

In this second book, things get steamy very quickly. Millie, the main character, wants to publicly "ruin" herself so she's free from societal expectations and can work undercover. Things go wrong and she winds up betrothed to one of the Prime Minister's agents. They are instantly drawn to each other and almost all of the tension in the story is found in the mystery subplot, about human trafficking.

This is not all fluff - there's physical abuse (on page), allusion to sexual abuse by a parent, mention of torture (some of the agents were prisoners of war), and kidnapping/human trafficking.

I could honestly read as many books in this series as Grey’s Anatomy seasons. They are fun, and witty, but they also don’t shy away from darker themes.
I still have to admit something felt off in this one, and I can’t quite put my finger on it. I think there were much more things without proper deepening and left unresolved, specially within the main couple and their context. Something was missing and the ending felt a little rushed.
Still can’t wait for the next book and the resolution of the mystery unfolding in this story.

into I don't even know what. And the way the author didn't deal with ANY of that and just brushed it off... Am I supposed to be happy?

So the two members of the Devil something society (?) were caught and killed. Does it stop the group from kidnapping any more young girls? Is queen Victoria informed? Is Prime Minister? What does Beau think about the betrayal of his closest friend? Or the fact that he was killed in self-defence by his bride? Who knows? Certainly not the readers cause the author chose to not reveal any of that. As though it wasn't important.

If it wasn't important then why include it in the book, that's my question. If you're not going to round up the plot and the reader has more questions than answers, then the plot wasn't really all that good in the first place, was it.

I struggle to find any things I liked about this book. The evil stepmother trope is so overdone and here it was just too much, and to see her not suffering any consequences was just frustrating. The other woman being a bitch and not getting her due either was anticlimactic as well. Why include her in the first place if you're not going to do anything about it? There are better ways of making your Maine female character jealous. Better ways.

I'm just frustrated and disappointed by this book. It could use sensitivity readers for sure. I mean so much trauma with no resolution whatsoever? And why would I care about the main characters happy ending if the whole trauma dump just sucked all the enjoyment I had of this book? Seriously.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me the ARC.

I couldn’t get into this book. Inner thoughts in general tend to be uninteresting unless there is some depth to it, but if it’s all about one lusting after another, it’s unbearable. Less characters’ inner thoughts would leave more room for witty dialogues and some development but that’s not the case here. This book really has no substance and if there is supposed to be a mystery, then it’s clearly missing.

What else bothered me was the language not adequate for the period. Too much swearing, especially by women, too many usage of words that would never grace the lips of the nobles of the period. 35 fcuk words just alone.

Also unrealistic events like the heroine getting violently whipped by her stepmother twice (!!) despite the heroine being twice as big and stronger. She could have easily defended herself but instead she lied there as a sacrificial lamb? It leaves permanent scars and no one does anything!!! Including her betrothed. The heroine and hero get the rooms next to each other at the house party before being married and of course it leads to doing a hanky-panky. The connecting door? It would be so inappropriate at that time. Did the author even do any research of the period?

Thank you for a free copy in exchange of an honest review. My advice is next time to provide more substance and better character development.

Read the first one too because I downloaded this - i really enjoyed and I am looking forward to the next. I liked this one because most of the story took place at the one event and there were a lot of characters to love and hate.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-Arc of this book!

I was torn between giving this 3 and 4 stars and in the end went with 4*, here is why:
1. Bridgerton but with knives and daggers, ummm yes please!
2. I adored the characters, Millie, Penny, Drake - lots of humour and banter that had me kicking my feet.
3. The balance of spice and storyline was just right for me, I didn't skip any of the scenes and was fully invested in them getting together.
4. The secret organisation and investigation plot was great - although I would have liked to have seen more of this! Everything happened very quickly at the end, more badass Millie please.
5. Some of the language and phrases were repetitive and the internal phrases and cursing from Millie did make me want to bang my head against the wall.
6. There were one or two moments where the pace felt a bit sloooow but it didn't last long.

I read this in the space of two days and I would happily read more from this author in the future!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

This was the second book in The Queens Deadly Damsels series.

I loved the first book and the second book did not disappoint.

It follows FMC Millicent Whittenburg and MMC Major General Beaufort Drake. We met both of these characters in book 1 and I was so excited to learn more about Beaufort and cracking his grumpy exterior. He has also been working undercover for the Prime Minister.

I also adored Millie - she was a great femme fatal who sadly had an awful stepmother and absent father. She is a secret undercover agent working for the Queen to continue take down the biggest scheme we undercovered in Book 1.

Millie and Beaufort are forced in a marriage of convenience- both working to undercover this scheme.

This book was a lot spicer than Book 1 and they had some much chemistry. I love the slow burn between these two.

#ALadysLessoninScandal #NetGalley
𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝐺𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑒-𝐴𝑟𝑐 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤!

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars

When I started reading, I honestly went, "Ugh, not again!" When Millicent Whittenburg appeared as the tough, horse-riding tomboy who is "not like other girls," stuck in a forced engagement with an old man. But once Major General Drake came into the scene, truly "not like other men," AKA not the cold, overly polite--hand twitching!--Victorian-style Englishman; I was hooked.

Here are two characters who will live up to your expectations. Both are strong and brave in their own ways and oh boy, do they challenge each other! (#wittybanter!)

I fell in love with this book and adore this couple oh so very much. Beaufort "Beau" is a big-tough-man with fluttering, cute feelings. And the switching dual point of view in McGuire's writing is punchy and vivid with many expressions peppering the text such as, "bloody hell!" "jumping junipers!" "Sweet baby Beelzebub!" and more laugh-out-loud moments.

Read if you enjoy:
Period Romances
Marriages of Convenience
Strong Female Lead
Witty Banter
Mysteries & Investigations
Historical Romance
Instalove
Spicy Romance 🌶️🌶️🌶️

My favorite line:
"I am a soldier. The private investigator to Prime Minster Russell. Killer of men. Destroyer of evil. I as tortured for over a year and never once uttered a cry. My heart does not flutter./ It fluttered again./ Bollocks!"

This is my honest review.

No leí el libro anterior y a pesar de que en los primeros capítulos hay algunas menciones de sucesos ocurridos en el pasado, se puede enterder perfectamente.


Millie y Drake han sido lastimados en el pasado por sus prometidos por lo que ya no creen en el amor y no lo buscan.

Millie está comprometida con un anciano con dudosa higiene, tiene un plan para que el señor la deje: seducir al conde de Tetly y hacer que la gente los encuentre en una situación comprometedora.

Drake es investigador privado del primer ministro y conde de Tetly, utiliza su título para despistar a la gente y poder buscar información sin que nadie sospeche.
Él le informa lo encontrado al primer ministro, este a su vez le informa a la cámara de los lores y estos deciden que hacer con ello. Pero la reina no está de acuerdo con sus soluciones, por lo que crea su propio grupo de investigadoras y justicieras en el cual Millie está entrenando para entrar.



Hay romance y un poco de acción.


Nota para mi:

-Ivy. su padre y hermano fueron asesinados, la gente cree que el padre fue quien asesino al hijo, además el sr le pegaba a Ivy. Es la siguiente protagonista.






Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, steamy book on a similar vein to book 1.

The heroine Millie: great with knives, plagued by her stepmother, has scandal attached to her name, only wants to spy for the Queen. She's quirky, she's smart and she's tall and voluptuous.

The hero Beau / Drake: he's a war hero with a lot of physical scars. Emotional scars caused by his title chasing ex, who married his brother. Brave, tall, protective but afraid to love.

Plotline: uncover a sex ring, she for the Queen, he for the prime minister. Plot takes place in Beaus country estate, where people have congregate to get ready for the H and hs marriage of convinience.

I personally thought, the main plotline of romance and the subsidiary undercover operation was well done. Lots of players and the main villian reveal was well done. The romantic growth was definitely there with the banter, desire and trust.

Looking forward to Ivy's book next.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to access this e-book! I really liked this book! In A Lady's Lesson in Scandal, Millicent Whittenburg is a wallflower with a secret agenda: to escape an unpleasant betrothal and embark on a life of intrigue as a femme-fatale in the service of the Queen. To achieve this, she plans her own scandalous ruin by seducing Major General Beaufort Drake, a battle-hardened private investigator who despises marriage. However, when her bold kiss stirs something deep within Drake, he surprises everyone by proposing a marriage of convenience. As they navigate a week-long wedding house party filled with societal pressures and secret missions, Millie and Drake must confront their intense chemistry and the dangerous games they’re playing.
This book is a thrilling historical romance which was delightful!

What a cute little book!!!! Man- I’m so happy I was finally able to get a copy- honestly, it was the perfect late summer read with a bit of romance, mystery and so much more!!! I’m a huge fan of time period/regency era romance books and when they have a mystery on top of that…call me obsessed!! It was such a quick and easy read (I primarily read large fantasy series) and this was a beautiful pallet cleanser before I start the next book in my current fantasy read. Thank you so much again!