This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book from Manda Collins. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction.

****4 Stars!

“I feel so much more for you than mere friendship.”


First I would like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.

This story takes place in England, 1867 where Miss Poppy Delamare is living a lie. In order to escape an odious betrothal, she flees to London where she has been hiding under the alias Flora Deaver, an unassuming secretary. When her beloved sister is accused of murder, Poppy cannot leave her to the wolves. Only a most unwelcome and unexpected collision interrupts her journey home.

Despite their dismal first meeting, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady clearly in need. Though he is not at all above asking a favor; a fake betrothal will give Poppy and her sister the power of the dukedom and protect Langham from society misses intent on becoming his duchess.

The longer the ruse goes on, the more Poppy and Langham realize how false their first impression was and the less pretend their engagement feels. Before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals. With time running out can Poppy and Langham find the real culprit before Poppy becomes the next victim?


This was such a fun and interesting book to read! I absolutely enjoyed the combination of a historical romance and a murder mystery, I thought the idea was so clever! This book kept me on the very edge of my seat with all the unexpected twists and turns, I had no idea where it was going to end and I really enjoyed trying to figure it out along the way. I felt it was all very well written and the pacing of the story made it very easy to read. By the end I was very surprised and delighted all at once.

I really enjoyed Poppy and Langham’s relationship, it was the perfect set up for the enemies to lovers trope, which is one of my favorite tropes! I love the slow build up of their romance and the amount of respect they clearly felt for each other. The amount of banter and vulnerability between the characters made them such a charming couple and a wonderful team!

Overall this book was a very fun and charming read, it really had a way about drawing me into the world as I read. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy historical romance with feisty heroine, a swoon worthy slow burn romance all wrapped up in a murder mystery, then I would highly recommend this book!

I loved this third I stagnent in the series. Poppy is a sassy, forthright and a wonderfully independent woman - the type of female protagonist that I love. And Langham? I enjoyed learning about the person behind the mask he shows to society. I loved the way in which the fake dating trope is suggested in this story. This was a book I finished in a day.

This is a great book. Poppy is on her way from London to her small village to help her sister who is accused of murdering her husband. On the way she runs into Duke Langham, who she initially doesn’t like but they agree to work together because it’s mutually beneficial. This book has such great banter between the main characters! This book is also a mystery- and one I didn’t see coming. A must read!

To escape an arranged marriage, Poppy Delamare took a position as a secretary using the name Flora Deaver. When she reads in the paper that her sister has been accused of murder, she heads home. Unfortunately, her purse is stolen, leaving her penniless. Fortunately, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, is on hand to offer assistance. As they are both heading to the same destination, the duke will help Poppy prove her sister's innocence and in return she will agree to a fake engagement. Quick read with an interesting mystery.
Third in the series - can be read as a stand alone.
#A Spinster's Guide To Danger And Dukes #NetGalley

I’m a marketing and publicity intern at Forever Publishing, so I am reading this for work! Aaaaaaand there's a character limit on reviews here are some more words

Let me tell you I adore this series! Love, solving a murder, Victorian England. Poppy finds out her sister is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband and immediately heads to the countryside to help her. The only catch, Poppy must pretend to be engaged to the Duke of Langham to help him fend off his matchmaking grandmother. The Duke and Poppy set out to get to the bottom of things, all the while learning more about each other and their feelings towards each other go stronger. Can they solve the murder and admit their feelings to one another? The wit and banter of the characters are charming and hilarious and the mystery itself keeps the pace and intrigue of the book going as well. I want more!

This series is just so much fun! I love the combination of period romance and murder mystery. The heroines are strong and brave and smart but also vulnerable and sweet. I also love the fake relationship trope so this one was right up my alley. Thank you to Manda Collins, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC!

I’ve had such a fun time rereading this series and the momentum didn’t stop with book three!! This has to be my favorite of the series simply because Poppy is such a queen!!! She had a bit of a temper and wasn’t one to be cowed into silence or intimidated. There were unsavory characters that threatened to dull the plot (I was worried for a second) but a diamond’s gotta SHINE. I love her so much.

The pacing was quick and lively, and I really loved the chemistry between Joshua and Poppy. Their dynamic was vibrant and he absolutely fell first >>> However, they had sex only after like two kisses and nothing else very intimate so it felt a bit like whiplash. The book was pretty short and such a quick read that I do think an extra chapter or two that delved just a bit deeper into their relationship would’ve been appreciated. Even another sex scene that wasn’t so frenzied—don’t misunderstand me though, I LOVE the frenzy—because the romance didn’t feel all that complete with just that one scene.

**Vague spoilers that don’t reveal the whodunnit but just some context** I had a very good time with the murder-mystery part of the plot. I didn’t know who the culprit was until the end and I think appropriate punishments were meted out. The cult addition was definitely random but it kept me guessing and it was morbidly fascinating. I’ve a read a few other series with these plot lines too so it wasn’t that absurd, but I could definitely some being like??? I was engaged with the mystery the entire time and was sad when it was over.

Overall, what a good time. I had started this book a while ago and got distracted with another series, but once I sat down last night to officially begin, I couldn’t stop!! I was like okay this is the last chapter and then kept on reading into the next one without even realizing I was in another chapter.

The couples from the previous books made cameos and I can’t wait for the next book!!! I knew as soon as each character was introduced that they’d be important to the series in some way. While this is a summer time book (I think at least), the series will always have the fall atmosphere I crave in October and November. If you’ve loved the previous two in the series, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time with this one. I definitely still could’ve read this without the other two, but I liked the context so I’d read in order.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶🌶.75/5

Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

So I thought I'd gotten out of my period romance phase, but it came back with a vengeance after this read! I'd previously read the first two books of this series in January of last year during my hunt for "pride and prejudice vibes only" book hunt, and was super excited to get this book from NetGalley.

This book had everything I wanted from a murder mystery/regency romance: feisty and independent heroine, the 'fake dating/engagement trope,' excellent banter, and some spicy slow burn romance!
Manda Collins delivered a clever and charming story that kept my attention to the very end. I had my guesses, and suspicions throughout, but found solving the mystery and unraveling the particulars alongside the characters highly satisfying and exciting.

This was just a fun read. If you're looking for a little escapism, this is the perfect series to do so.
Thank you NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing,) and Manda Collins for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Mystery, Suspense and Romance! What a great story by Manda Collins. Poppy and Joshua were great characters in their own right and fantastic together. Their banter was hilarious and the trust they had in each other amazing. The mystery was definitely well thought out and while I had a guess who the killer could be I was still pleasantly surprised by the way it was resolved. The inclusion of a secret society and tunnels was great and I really did not see that tunnel scene coming. Especially the romantic scene that came directly after. I do think it would have been nice to see a bit more about Poppy's childhood. It felt like she just came out and told everyone and we as readers didn't get the chance to feel the emotions behind her experiences since it was stated so plainly. There were also points in the book that seemed outrageous but it was still enjoyable. I wish the epilogue was longer so we could really see them together and happy now that all of the excitement was over. The scene was cute but not as satisfying as it could have been. Overall I found the story incredibly enjoyable but wish there was a little more time for them to focus on the romance rather than just the mystery. All of these things don't take away from my enjoyment of the story and I will probably read the rest of the series.

This was a fun read! If I'm bring honest, I have not read the first two books in the series before reading this one. They are all separate characters, so you don't really need to read the others to enjoy the one, and enjoy it I did. I read the premise and figured I'd give it a go. I'm not usually one for period romances, but I decided to give this one a try, and I'm glad that I did. It was a fun romance/murder mystery with a tiny bit of spice, but was an overall satisfying read. I'll probably go back and read the first two in the series at some point as well!
*3.5 stars rounded up

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up.

This Manda Collins series is so wonderful with its strong, smart, capable heroines and their handsome men! The first half of this particular book was bogged down a bit in scattered details about the murder mystery that could use a bit of tightening up. However, the last half when the clues started to come together and make sense… and the romance heated up, the novel became a page turner for me.

Give me a regency romance with a fake engagement and toss in a murder mystery and you’ve got me hooked!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was expecting more from this book, but I still really enjoyed it. I think it was very cute and well done, but lacking some depth. I still recommend this series to people though!

A cozy historical romance with a dash of murder mystery? Yes, please!

This is the third book in the very entertaining “Ladies Most Scandalous” series by Manda Collins. Although it can be read as a standalone, I hope you’ll treat yourself to the whole series. It’s the perfect blend of romance and mystery. In addition to delightful banter, swoony romance, engrossing mystery, this series celebrates empowering female friendship.

To avoid marriage to an odious man, Poppy Delamere flees from home and is living incognito as Flora Deaver, secretary to Lady Katherine (heroine from book 1). However, when Poppy’s half-sister is accused of murdering her husband, Poppy returns home and join forces with the Duke of Langham to clear her sister’s name and discover the identity of the real killer. The only catch is Poppy has to enter a sham betrothal with Langham. Lucky girl!

I enjoyed Poppy and Langham’s banter in the last book. The chemistry between them was palpable. Langham has all the traits I love in a hero: kind, loving, and honorable. I love how supportive and protective he is of Poppy. There is an endearing scene in which he concedes that Poppy is smarter than him. Likewise, there is another sweet scene in which Poppy eases Langham’s claustrophobia. Poppy is a lovely heroine. Sharp-witted, independent, fiercely loyal to those she loves, Poppy is a combination of strength and vulnerability. I love how their relationship blossomed from friendship to love. Furthermore, get ready for some cave shenanigans.

Blackmail, murder, disappearance, a secret society—it’s all happening in a small village called Little Kidding! This was such a fun read. I was hooked from start to end. Also, the mystery element never overshadowed the romance. And that’s exactly how I like it!

I highly recommend this book for fans of romance and historical mysteries. Can’t wait for the next one!

A big thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me the opportunity to read an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the third book of the series, but the first one I have read. I loved it!! I definitely got Pride and Prejudice and Nancy Drew vibes, which are my favorites. The story never felt slow or forced at all. I really enjoyed reading this!

Such a great story! Love the enemies to lovers and fake engagement tropes and they are both done well here. The secret society (and it’s real connections) is so intriguing. Going back to read the others in this series ASAP.

Apparently, third time IS the charm. I am so pleased that one of the couples in this series finally delivered on their promise of crisp banter and swoony chemistry. Because, for me, the previous couples fell flat as a pancake on cement. This installment is also generally free of what previously came across to me as "man-hating" feminism.

The mystery mostly held my interest because it's fairly well-balanced with the romance. But in keeping with the light genre, it's a fairly transparent mystery that honestly kind of drags until the murderer is pulled out of a hat at the end.

But there's nothing behind Langham having claustrophobia, even if mildly; it's only used to set-up the sex scene and is never an issue for the character or couple before or after that. Definitely felt a bit checklist-y. Orgasmic tokenism anyone?

A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes is a fun addition to the Lady's Guide series. She writes a great mix of banter, romance, and mystery. We always buy her for our library.

When Poppy sees in the paper that her sister is under suspicion for murdering her husband she drops everything and rushes to her side. Or rather she tries to. An unfortunate mishap puts her in the path of the duke of Langham whom she has always despised, but quickly redeems himself. They come up with a plan Poppy will pretend to be his fiancé and he will help her clear her sisters name. Here starts their adventure.

I have liked all the books in this series so far. I was not sure I was going to like this one in the being because of Poppy's behavior, but she quickly seemed to change for the better. This book was a wonderful quick read with an interesting mystery. I would highly recommend this series.