Cover Image: A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes

A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes

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Member Reviews

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Manda Collins

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

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If you love the enemies-to-lovers trope, fake engagements, romance, with a mix of mystery, then A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is the perfect read for you.

The first meeting between Poppy Delamare and the Duke of Langham hadn’t been at all amicable. She found him arrogant and snobbish, while he found her critical and know-it-all. And then they find themselves together on a train trip to the village of Little Kidding. Poppy is returning two years after her escape from an arranged betrothal to help her sister who’s been accused of murdering her own husband. Joshua, the Duke, is visiting the family’s estate to attend his grandmother’s birthday party where she invited all eligible young women in the hope of finding him a wife.

Putting aside their differences and mutual dislike, Poppy and Joshua decide to help each other: she will pretend to be his fiancée to keep away all the women hoping to become the next duchess, in exchange, he will use his influence to prove her sister’s innocence and clear her name. And, of course, the more time they spend together, the less they need to pretend to like each other.

What I loved most about A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is the two main characters and their development throughout the story. Their initial dislike turns into a truce when they agree to help each other and the more time they spend together, the more they talk and trust each other, revealing their true characters so that their fake engagement starts to feel more real. Poppy is a headstrong and fierce female protagonist. To escape an engagement to her stepfather’s odious secretary, she fled to London, she changed her name, and started a brand-new life working for newspaper columnist, Lady Katherine. She didn’t expect her sister to take her place in the betrothal and, when she is accused of murder, Poppy doesn’t think twice to give up the life she loves and help her. While, initially, Joshua seemed to be a pompous aristocrat, he turns out to be a wonderful character. He is generous and caring and he appreciates Poppy’s independence and frankness. Together, these two characters create a story that is funny, romantic, steamy, and suspenseful. I enjoyed their banter and their chemistry was incredible.

I love this series because it perfectly mixes romance and mystery, it is well-written, well-developed, and with a lively pace, and I think that A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is my favourite novel so far because I do love a good fake engagement and this one is quite entertaining. From the very first page, when Poppy and Joshua meet at the train station, to the last page, I was completely addicted to this romantic, entertaining, but also twisty story and I kept thinking about it even days later!

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I found this a really fun and entertaining read! I really enjoyed the personalities of the characters and the setting of this book! I read this in a few sittings so it was a very easy read.

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A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes is an enjoyable regency read that took me by surprise. Regency reads always seem to follow the same premise-a woman whose reputation is threatened because she's found alone with a man. A Spinster's Guide stepped right over this trope and gave us a fake engagement right from the start, which really worked for this book. The murder mystery with the Lucifer Society thrown in was also a nice counter to the romance between Poppy and Langham.
What I also liked is that Poppy is a strong heroine who knows her worth before meeting Langham, and it's obvious in how she treats everyone around her, that Langham is more equal partner than damsel in distress. Based off this entry, I'm looking forward to going back and starting the series from the beginning.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

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This was just ok. The story started slow and didn't really get going until the midpoint. The characters were likable I suppose but I didn't feel much as I was reading. I also was more interested in the romance and less in the mystery, but the mystery is really the prominent plot line for much of the book. There's also an odd juxtaposition of plot elements including a secret society that felt out of place with the light tone of the story. I like light and frothy and I like crazysauce plots, but the two don't fit well together in one book. Overall an odd and rather lackluster read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC I received.

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Manda Collins has done it again! I just finished "A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Duke," Let me tell you, it's another delightful journey into Regency romance that I couldn't get enough of.

First things first – Collins' writing. I love her style; it's like sinking into a comfy chair with tea. The way she weaves historical details, witty banter, and just the right amount of intrigue is pure magic. This writing transports you to another era, and I'm here for it.

Now, onto the characters. Our spinster heroine had me cheering for her independence and sharp wit. She's not your typical damsel in distress, and that's what I love about Collins' heroines. And the Duke? Swoon-worthy, charming, and mysterious enough to keep me turning the pages.

The plot had me hooked from the start. There's danger, romance, and that delicious slow burn that Collins excels at. The pacing was perfect – not too slow to lose interest, but not so fast that you miss the nuances of the budding romance.

If you're a fan of historical romance with a dash of danger and a Duke thrown in for good measure, "A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Duke" is a must-read. Manda Collins continues to be a go-to author for those cozy nights when you want to escape into a world of love and adventure.

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I enjoyed Poppy and Langham’s banter quite a lot and fake dating is one of my favorite tropes. There are some questionable decisions related to the timing of some of the interactions, but as a regular romantic suspense reader I was able to read past them easily. Definitely worth a read.

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I received an advanced copy of A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes from the publisher Forever via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Poppy Delamare is living a lie, when she escaped her family and betrothal to a dangerous man, she has been forced to live under a new unassuming secretary Flora Dever. When news reaches her that her beloved sister has been accused of murdering the same man she fled, Poppy cannot just abandon her. She runs into Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, who offers her a deal, if she agrees to be his fake fiancé, he will help clear her sister’s name.

What I Loved: I actually really liked the chemistry here between Poppy and Fielding. The chemistry here kept me reading, I truly enjoyed these two together and I really enjoyed Poppy as a character and her ability to show up for her sister. This book works through some trauma and I really liked getting to know her and see her recognize that she has a support system is really good.

What I Didn’t Like: I have a lot of trouble keeping track of all the characters and I didn’t love the side characters which can be frustrating when you are dealing with a murder mystery. I also found some of the problems like why Poppy couldn’t turn to her friends and how she escalates to avoid telling them seemed silly.

Who Should Read It: People who love historical romance mystery books.

Summary: A woman and a duke fall into a fake engagement and work to free her sister.

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This was my first foray into a Manda Collins book. It turned out to be the third book in a series…so now I must go back and read the other two. It is perfectly fine as a stand-alone, but I wouldn’t mind reading her friend’s stories from the previous books. They seem like fun characters.

In “A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes”, Poppy rushes to her hometown when she learns her little sister had been accused of murder. On her way there she literally bumps into Joshua, Duke of Langham. They had met previously and the last thing Poppy needed was to deal with his pomposity while she had to save her sister.

But Langham surprises her by actually being a gentleman and a good man. He agrees to use his title to help her get to the bottom of the horrid business with her sister. Knowing she’s independent, he proposes a bargain; He will help her sister, but Poppy is to pretend to be his betrothed to stop his grandmother’s matchmaking attempts.

With the deal struck, they dive straight into the murder and into the den of vipers his grandmother had waiting for him. Luckily everyone believed the lie of betrothal because…chemistry. Everyone can see it’s a love match, except those two.

This story had some twists and turns. I mean, I didn’t see a secret underground Lucifer society coming. I would have actually liked a little more delving into said society, but it was a fun surprise.

Overall, the writing was nicely paced and it was a fun read. I liked the mystery aspect thrown into the romance. I’ll definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

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This hilarious and charming book was an amazing read — there’s a reason this series is a bestseller. Definitely recommend!

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The best of the series so far! I was glued to the pages and sizzling chemistry between Poppy & Langham. I am so disappointed that I didn't read this last year before it came out. I was just too busy with other books and had a bad taste in my mouth from the previous book in this series. After seeing another reader list this as one of her top favorites on the Forever Books email blog, I decided to give it a chance and make it my New Year's weekend read. I was hooked from the first chapter.

Poppy Delamare is trying to return to her estranged family home to save her sister from a murder charge when she's robbed at the train station and runs into Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham who she's met through her coworkers. Langham offers her a ride in his private train car and help clearing her sister's name if she'll pretend to be his fiancée and save him from the desperate debutantes his grandmother has assembled for a house party.
Hence the fake engagement trope mixes with a murder mystery team up and steamy romance for the perfect escapist weekend reading. Throw in a secret sex cult, villainous stepfather, hidden passages and forced proximity and you've got a five star read!

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The year is 1867 and Poppy Delamare is a self-proclaimed spinster living and working in London. Only, Poppy has assumed a new name (Flora Deaver) and identity. She escaped an abusive household at the hands of her stepfather 2 years ago and never looked back. But when Poppy receives word that her beloved half-sister Violet has been charged with the murder of her husband, she races back to her small hometown in an attempt to clear Violet’s name. It’s during this rush that she literally runs into the Duke of Langham. Although she finds the Duke to be insufferable, the two end up on the train together and a fake betrothal plan is hatched. It’s a win-win as Poppy will have the Duke’s vast resources at her disposal, and the Duke will not have the entertain the women of the town who are longing to become his Duchess. But as the two spend more time together trying to unravel the truth behind Violet’s husband’s murder, they find themselves both wishing the betrothal was not a ruse.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be recommending it to others. I found the characters lovable and the story entertaining. I love historical romance and fake dating, and then to add in a murder subplot?! I was so intrigued and the author did not disappoint. Poppy and Langham’s relationship was not only fun but believable, which I always appreciate when reading fiction. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC

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This book was so much fun. I love a historical romance bud add a murder mystery and I’m all for it.
Poppy and Joshua make a great couple. I love how they fell for each other. Starting with a fake engagement that as they get to know each other, their feelings for each other grew!

The murder mystery was cool, it’ll give you cozy vibes nothing too weird or scary.

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Another book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, and definitely the best installment so far in my humble opinion. Enemies to lovers will always be my jam, even in Victorian times LOL. When I wrote my review of An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire, I said I couldn’t wait to read Flora’s story, and I got my wish. Flora aka Poppy is reluctantly forced to team up with the Duke of Langham, who is definitely not in her favor based on their past acquaintance. But needing an ally in her quest to prove her sister Violet’s innocence in the death of her husband, she agrees to a fake betrothal to the duke for their mutual gain. He requires some interference in his grandmother’s desire to marry him off, and she needs the political weight of his title in her own investigation of the murder. But of course their animosity gives way to attraction as their investigations and fake betrothal draws them closer. So scandalous! They’re steamy as they dance around each other, and the mystery may be a secondary plotline but it is still well written and engaging. And since I already have an advanced copy in my library of the next book in the series, I can well say that I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

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3.5 stars

Fake dating/engagement, murder blackmail and demonic cults. Not spicy at all.

Not as quippy in dialogue or personality as the previous book, but still good.

The end came on very very fast. Already a longer book than the others but pacing at the end should’ve been made longer.

The timeline for this book and the first dont quite align properly. This is just days after Caro’s wedding, and yet when they come visit it’s as if weeks have passed? Strange.

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Manda Collins has done it again!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for sending me an advanced copy!!
I loved this one and it may surpass the first one for title of my favorite in the series!
Can’t wait for the next one!

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Thank you @netgalley & @readforeverpub for my digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

I find Victorian romance novels to be highly entertaining! In this novel, When Miss Poppy Delamare runs, quite literally, into the Duke of Langham, they decide to help each other out.

The Duke is on his way to a family party where his grandmother will try to push a young lady onto him to propose to. Poppy is on her way to prove her sister is innocent of murder. She agrees to be the Duke’s fake fiancée in exchange for his help in vindicating her sister. It’s quite amusing when the Duke arrives with a fiancée who is not dressed appropriately for the high society party. But Poppy handles it well and even impresses the Duke. He also keeps his end of the bargain and soon they realize they make a great, if unconventional, team!

Read this if you enjoy historical romance with strong-minded heroines and devastatingly handsome main male characters!

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This is the third book to Ladies Most Scandalous! I love how Manda Collins mixes humor in with her writing! The mystery while predictable was very fun! I also found to be romance to be very sweet and swoon worthy! Thus, I recommend this for fans of Rhys Bowen, Jennifer Ashley, and Amanda Quick!

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Shirt & Sweet review: I loved this book! This is book number 3 in the series, Ladies Most Scandalous, and it is fabulous! I definitely recommend the whole series for fans of regency romcoms. This had been such a fun series to fall into, and I have loved all of the characters as well. Though I enjoyed each book of the series, this one was actually my favorite!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I used to read lots of cozy mysteries but I mostly read romance now, but this book is a lovely combination of the two. Poppy and Langham are complex characters and I appreciate how their pasts affect their present situation. This story was thrilling yet sweet and spicy, a combination that will ensure I read the rest of the series and gleefully await more of Manda Collins' books.

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