What a fun read!
I really liked Millie as a side character in the "Queen's Deadly Damsels" first book and I am happy to say that I loved her as the fierce and witty female main character in this installment. Her banter and unlikely partnership with Beau make a for great read and the mystery portion of the story is quite intriguing. Cannot wait for the next book.

Millicent Whittenburg is part of a covert group of Queen Victoria's investigators, led by the powerful and cunning Duchess of Dorsett. Trained by the Duchess herself, Millie has been preparing to serve as one of the Queen's sleuths, tasked with keeping a watchful eye on the questionable members of the House of Lords. However, her personal life is in turmoil, as she's being forced into marriage with the repulsive Viscount Tread—a wealthy, elderly friend of her father’s and her manipulative stepmother, Patricia. (Patricia is truly despicable, and it's baffling how Millie’s father, the Marquess, ever let this woman have so much control over his daughter’s life.)

At a ball where her unwanted engagement is set to be announced, Millie plots her escape—by ensnaring someone else into a marriage and then refusing to go through with it. What she didn’t anticipate was her target, Major General Beaufort Drake, the scarred but captivating Earl of Tetly, who also happens to be a private investigator for the Prime Minister. Sparks fly, and what starts as a scheme becomes something far more intimate. The chemistry between Millie and Beaufort is undeniable, and the story heats up as their fiery romance blossoms.

What follows is a thrilling mix of love, secrets, and lies, where the past collides with the future. This is an exciting new chapter in McGuire’s Deadly Damsels series, blending romance and mystery in equal measure.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Boldwood Books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the connection between the fmc and mmc and that she was given her freedom to choose to marry him. Can’t wait for the next one.

Ever since her father remarried to her wicked stepmother, Millie’s life has been one hardship after another, the most recent of which is an unwanted betrothal. But she has a plan to escape. One that involves tricking the prickly, stone-hearted Major General Drake into kissing her in order to ruin her reputation, leaving Millie free to escape into the service of Her Majesty’s team of elite spies. Her plan goes sideways when instead of spurning her, Drake makes a marriage offer of his own. Are their feelings real, or just the result of a one-time mistake?

I had a lot of fun getting to know Millie as a main character, and I liked that she was tough but not invincible, and vulnerable but not a damsel in distress. The writing was fast-paced, and had a good balance of dialogue and description, and even though this is the second in a series, it was completely readable as a standalone book. The pacing was generally good, but I felt that the ending was a little too rushed and some of the plot lines did not get satisfying conclusions as a result.

As with the first book, I liked the romance in general but thought that some aspects of it fell a bit flat. Millie and Drake fell head over heels for each other instantly, and in my opinion did not have a lot of depth to follow it up with. I think a little more detail into why they liked each other beyond their physical attraction would have gone a long way. But, if you’re looking for a quick, steamy Victorian romance with a feisty main character, this may be the book for you. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

3.5/5 It’s refreshing to see a main character who fantasizes about punching people as often as I do.

Are you looking for spicy historical fiction to read? If so, this is the book you should be picking up!
Along with steamy spice you get so much more.
Romance
Strong female characters
Witty dialogue
Mystery suspense
Definitely a fun read that had me finishing it in one day.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

I received the arc of A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal from Boldwood Books and NetGalley. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing an e-copy to review.

I LOVED reading this one. What a fun, engaging adventure. Sometimes you just click with an author’s voice and that’s exactly what happened with this one for me. I got the same feeling reading this as I do watching the best old romcoms. Darcy McGuire will definitely be an auto-read author for me from here on out. I have not read the first book in this interconnected standalone series but I am now looking forward to the chance to revisit this world without having to wait for the next book in the series!

This book is for you if: You like fun historical romances with a touch of mystery and adventure.

This book is not for you if: You are bothered by insta-ish love and more spice than plot. (I am not bothered by these things when they are well executed, and I found them to be very well executed here!)

This book moves quickly, beginning with Millie trying to ruin herself during gher own engagement ball. The plan turns out differently than she had hoped for when the .an she chose who famously hates women and the institution of marriage insists on marrying her. Drake had his heart broken when he returned from the war and his betrothed had married another. They both have secrets that keep them apart despite their developing feelings.
I will definitely be going back to read Hannah and Killian's book and any future books in this series of scandalous independent women.

Fun historical romance

This is an excellent escapist book, a historical romance starring a strong heroine and a strong hero with unexpected plot details. I am going to read the previous book in the series, but didn't find that my enjoyment of this book suffered from not reading the first in the series.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

Spicy, male female, historical romance. I love an age gap that isn't too large and where BOTH are adults with fully formed frontal lobes. The female lead Millie is 27 and the male lead Beau is 36. This is the the second book in the Queen's Deadly Damsels series and can be read as a standalone. Well written with humor, twists and turns, some suspense, and steam.

Although this is the second book in the series, I read it as a standalone and it worked wonderfully. This is a fun, sexy romp I'd recommend to fellow fans of Alexandra Vasti, Tessa Dare and Lisa Kleypas. If you like your Historical Romance full of witty banter, eccentric escapades and feats of derring do - like I do - you'll find much to enjoy here.

Millicent Wittenburg is a red-haired stunner who doesn't fit into society - too tall, too curvy and too outspoken. Forced into an unwanted marriage by a harridan of a stepmother (shades of Cinderella), she decided to take her fate in her own hands and stages a setup at her engagement dinner to "ruin" herself - a public seduction of the most standoffish, aloof man she knows: Major General Beauford Drake.

Disfigured by a facial scar from war (echoes of Beauty and the Beast), Drake prides himself on his self-control. After a disastrous broken engagement, he is determined to need nothing and no one, and devotes himself absolutely to his work as a spy and fixer for the Prime Minister.

He is also a stickler for honour, and Millie's hopes of quickly being spurned so she can live a quiet life with friends in the country is dashed. She has a secret as well: she and her friends help Queen Victoria, in the same manner as Beau and his war-time friends, gathering intelligence behind the scenes where soldiers can't usually go.

The highlight of this story is the relationship between Millie and Beau, as they gradually learn to trust each other and initial grudging respect and admiration deepens into something more. There are some pacing problems and a little too much miscommunication but overall this is a charming romance, with spice, humour and heart. Enjoyable! Looking forward to Ivy's book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC; Released on October 12th, 2024

I really enjoyed this entertaining romance novel by an author new to me. The story is very well written, with lots of banter, LOL moments, unexpected twists, a criminal investigation, espionage, a preposterous house party, suspense, danger and some passionate love scenes. Millie and Beau are endearing characters with sizzling chemistry from the start.
Millie is a strong heroine who hates being controlled and contained by men. Beau is a jaded alpha hero who needs to be in control. Naturally, tensions arise between them.
I loved their witty dialogues and their amusing, self-deprecating thought processes.
I haven't read the previous book yet, but I was able to follow the plot very well and will do so soon.

Millicent „Millie“ Whittenburg
is the freedom-loving, emancipated daughter of a Marquess who wants to become a private investigator for Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. To this end, she secretly trains with Lady Philippa Winterbourne, the Duchess of Dorsett. When her malicious stepmother tries to force her into a betrothal, Millie decides to let herself be compromised by another man at her engagement ball and her choice falls on Major General Beaufort Drake, Earl of Tetly, who is known for his aversion to women and marriage. She can then withdraw from society and concentrate on her future missions.
Major General Beaufort „Beau“ Drake, Earl of Tetly is a scarred war hero who now works as a private investigator for the Prime Minister. Since his fiancée jilted him during his military service and married his brother instead, he no longer trusts any woman and is not interested in marriage. However, he has been attracted to Millie ever since he first saw her.
When she kisses him at the ball and they are caught, he is furious but decides to propose to her anyway. A woman is the perfect cover for his future missions and a marriage of convenience with separate lives suits him just fine.
However, their mutual attraction grows stronger and stronger, but Millie is not allowed to reveal her secret work to Beau and then they are both set on the same target...

Overall, a fun read that I am happy to recommend!

📖: A Lady's Lesson in Scandal (The Queen's Deadly Damsels Book #2)

✍🏾By: Darcy McGuire-new to me author

✨Rating: 4/5

Format: eBook 332 pgs.

🌍Setting: London

📅 Publication 10/12/24, Read 10/12/24

👆🏾POV: dual, 3rd person

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Darcy McGuire for this ARC❤️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Genre: Historical Romance

Tropes:
-arranged marriage/marriage of convenience
-h/H not virgins
-evil stepmother
-private investigators

⚠️ TW: sex trafficking, sexism, physical/mental abuse-h, blackmail, SA mentioned-not H/h

💭Summary: Millie is on a mission to get out of an arranged marriage by her horrible stepmother. Since her mother's death when she was born, it had been Millie and her father Henry. At Millie's first season out, Henry married Patricia who's only 6 months older than Millie. Avoiding scandal from her 1st love Franklin, Millie joins The Queen's Damsels. She trains as a private investigator under Lady Philippa's tutelage. They make a plan to seduce Major General Drake in hopes of ending her engagement with Lord Tread- an old miser only 2 years younger than her father. Drake has sworn off women after being betrayed by his fiancée and brother. Millie knows once they are caught, he will refuse to marry her, and she can go her own way.

🎭The characters

🚺 Heroine: Millicent "Millie" Whittenburg-27, tall, strong, red haired. She's tormented by her stepmother and lost her father's favor after her ex-lover exposes her as ruined.

🚹 Hero: Major General Beauforte "Beau" Drake- 36, Earl of Tetley, scarred after being held a POW for 2 years. Betrayed by fiancée Nora who married his younger brother Godric and closed his heart to women forever.

- Lord Bartholomew Tread-a Viscount, Millie's betrothed who is only 2 years younger than her father

-Lady Philippa Winterbourne-Duchess of Dorsett, a wealthy widow in the favor of Queen Victoria. Trains Millie as femme fatale private investigator

-Patricia Whittenburg-Marchioness, Millie's stepmother

-Henry Whittenburg-Marquess, Millie's father

-Ivy Cavendale-Millie's BFF, a social pariah whose father and brother recently died under suspicious circumstances.

-Lord Franklin St. George-Millie's 1st lover

-Lieutenant Robert Killian-Drake's friend, held captive w/ Drake, recently married to Hannah Simmons (also trained by Philippa)

-General Reynard Renquist-a rake, also held prisoner in the Anglo-Afghan war

🤔My Thoughts: I didn't read The Secret Life of a Lady (The Queen's Deadly Damsels #1), but this was fine as a standalone. I loved Millie and Lady Philippa as strong, resourceful women who kick butt. They showed the double standard of men being able to sleep around but when women do it, they are ostracized. Also, both Drake and Millie were PIs but for Millie it was a dangerous job Drake tried to forbid her from continuing. Patricia's abusive treatment while Henry remained silent could have broken Millie's spirit, but with Drake and Lady Philippa by her side she shows her resilience. Both had the added pressure of finding out about the sex trafficking ring financed and organized by wealthy men of the ton.

3.75 ⭐
1.5 🌶️
tropes: hate to love, disabled MMC, cinnamon roll MMC, strong FMC


Millie, who is secretly training to be an investigator with the Duchess is stuck in a forced engagement arranged by her emotionally and physically abusive stepmother. In an effort to free herself from the arrangement and devote her time to the queen’s service, while at a ball to celebrate said engagement she forces Major General Drake to kiss her in public because surely when they are caught he won’t “do the right thing” and marry her right? And then won’t her fiance call off the engagement?


This was a cute story with a cute plot line, and overall I enjoyed it. As Millie and Drake are falling in love, they are also both (unbeknownst to the other) trying to figure out who is kidnapping young girls to force them into a sex-trafficking ring so you’re also trying to figure out who is doing that. I do wish there had been less growling from the MCs- they both growled a lot and that there had been more of the plot dedicated to what Drake was doing for the investigation. Mostly it was just he needed to talk to someone or figure something out or plan something. Along with that based on the description I did expect there to be more spice. I laughed so hard when Drake got turned on by Millie’s ankles though.


This was a sweet story, and a quick read that I would recommend to people who enjoy spicy regency romances.

This book was really fun. A slow burn. And it's basically Bridgerton meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Which made the plot a whole lot more interesting. Definitely check it out. It's worth reading.

Darcy McGuire is a new to me author and I enjoyed reading A Lady's Lesson in Scandal! It took me a minute to get into the book because it's written in 3rd person and the writing seemed a little stilted to me; however, I enjoyed the book once I got into the plot!

I loved how strong-willed Millie is and all her training to make her become even stronger, both mentally and physically. I also liked that our Hero is a scarred veteran who never thought he'd get a second chance at love. The mystery that goes on throughout the plot also kept me interested in the storyline.

Overall, if you are into historical romances with a mystery plot, this is the book for you!

3.75 Stars

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the ARC - this is my honest review*

I always love a well-executed historical romance. Darcy McGuire definitely delivered on that front.

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal is the second book in the Queen’s Deadly Damsels series which follows Millie Whittenburg, the latest protégé of the Duchess of Dorsett. At her own engagement ball to a repugnant older man, Millie seduces Major General Beaufort Drake knowing that it would save her from her the undesirable marriage. Drake, having sworn off women after the end of his own engagement years ago, would never want to marry her as a replacement …right? Wrong. Millie shakes off one potential husband only to wind up with another - one much too virile, handsome, brooding and honourable.

Secluded at a week long house party ahead of their wedding, Drake and Millie investigate rumours of missing girls…while investigating if maybe their marriage was meant to be after all.

I really liked this - the romance was sweet with a bit of spice thrown in. Drake’s physical and mental trauma from his experiences during the war were well articulated, as was Millie’s desire for equality. A couple of threads fell a bit by the wayside and the disappearance plot line was a bit weak, but it was otherwise a solid historical romance.

I recommend for fans of Lisa Kleypas, Stephanie Laurens, Connie Mason and similar.

There was so much to enjoy about this book. I loved the character of Millie and how determined she was to succeed in her mission for the Queen. Drake is also on a similar mission but for the Prime Minister. He has a very traumatic background and is very anti-love. However, the more time Millie and Drake spent together, the more they became attracted to each other. I enjoyed the moments of the ongoing feud between Philippa and her butler, Stokes and the banter between Drake and his friends. I had read the first in the series so they were not all new characters to me. I loved the character of Billy Bright, he was such a loveable young imp. There were two main niggles for me, one was Millie being referred to as Miss, when as the daughter of a marquess she would have the title of lady and also there were some truly horrible people who didn’t get their comeuppance. However, I did find it to be an entertaining read and I look forward to the next in the series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Millie wants to escape a marriage of convenience to a much older man. Compromising herself with a man who abhors marriage is her chosen form of escape. While Millie is one of the Queen's Deadly Damsels, she appears to have met her match in Drake. Secret investigators, mystery and romance make up this Victorian historical romance. It is told from Millie and Drake's viewpoints and has interaction and introspection. There is an evil society at the root of this story that abducts and sells young women. The danger Millie finds herself in and Drake's reaction to it are at the core of their conflicted relationship, but their differences are believably resolved. It's a passionate story mirrored by their emotional commitment. I like the protagonists, the dynamic between the investigators and the chemistry between Millie and Drake. I like the witty dialogue and the sense of danger countered by many humorous moments, making this an engaging read,

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was such a fun read ! It was the first book i read from this
Author and i absolutely want to read more !
I’m in my regency era and this was wonderful

A typically enjoyable read, this story takes a darker turn that the first novel in the series - however the story was well written and engaging.