The latest from Laura Lee Guhrke is a charming Victorian that is one of the best historical romances that I’ve read this year! I enjoyed the first book in the series—Bookshop Cinderella—and this second one is even better.

The story revolves around the Savoy Hotel in London. Lady Delia Stratham, who plans high-profile events for the hotel’s wealthy clientele, returns from a work trip to Paris to find staff in an uproar and new unwelcome and more financially accountable polices in place, due to the installment of Simon, Lord Calderon, by the board. The board suspects fraud by executives and staff, including well known hotelier Cesar Ritz and renowned chef Auguste Escoffier. Simon has been tasked to audit, investigate and “right the ship” so that the Savoy stops bleeding money and becomes profitable. Suspicions of fraud are being kept secret, and as part of the executive team, Delia is also among those considered potentially dishonest.

Delia and Simon are opposites in many ways. Delia is a charming member of the aristocracy, who has been widowed three times in 10 years. She is very loyal to Cesar Ritz, who brought her on board at a time when she was deeply depressed after losing her third husband and a child. She loves her job and is a rarity for the time: an upper-class woman who works.

Simon is the recipient of a newly created viscountcy which the queen bestowed in gratitude for his heroic service in the Boer War. He has held the title for six months so doesn’t understand the unspoken rules that govern the upper classes; nor does he have much patience for aristocrats who spend money they don’t have and/or leave bills unpaid for months. He is practical, profit-oriented and honest. He also has considerable experience working in and managing hotels, which is why he was brought in by the board of investors to oversee things at the Savoy. His parents are dead, but he has a younger sister, Cassandra, to be launched in society—a responsibility that he is at a loss to handle.

Despite the fact that Simon and Delia are opposites in many ways (personality, upbringing, status), there is a strong attraction between the pair. As they try to work together during this challenging time, they begin to appreciate each other’s perspective more, as well as the talents that each of the bring to the table. Simon sees that Delia understands the Savoy’s staff and clientele; Delia begins to reconsider the financially loose way that previous management operated.

Gurhke does a wonderful job of storytelling, creating a fully realized world at the Savoy and populating it with fully developed characters with interesting and complex backgrounds. It’s a delight to watch Simon and Delia as they juggle personal feelings and professional responsibilities during a difficult time. It was especially interesting to read in the afterword how much of the story is based on the Savoy’s history. A delightful read that is highly recommended!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ReadForeverPub for the ARC.

This book was so sweet. I wouldn’t quite call it grumpy/sunshine, but more stuffy stickler/chaotic hellion which is an absolutely delightful dynamic. I read this while I was getting over a cold and stuck in bed and it was the perfect book for that. Nothing too heartbreaking, plenty of humor, a wonderful happy ending. I love that (even though there were other suspicions) Simon never treated Delia like she was incompetent or unintelligent. And his protective big brother persona is absolutely adorable. I’m hoping we’ll get a book for Kay and Devlin next, I love a good second chance romance!!

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

I have been a massive fan of Laura Lee Guhrke since her Girl Bachelors Serious. This new installment of Scandal at the Savoy does not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I fell in love with Simon (MC) much quicker than with Delia (FMC). While Delia's loyalty and stubbornness might come across as abrasive to some readers, the book does a good job of developing her backstory and the reader is able to much better understand why she is the way that she is.

Simon on the other hand was an absolute delight from the very beginning. I thoroughly enjoy a good non-rake hero and Simon has gone up on my list of swoon worthy heroes.

Highly recommend this book for anyone that was enjoyed Guhrke's work in the past as well as to anyone who loves a good opposites attract.

Second book in this series and just as good as the first book. I love how Laura turns these characters into people conversing with us in our homes. Dialog, dialog, dialog is so important to me and it is delivered in spades in this story. I laughed a lot and felt the banter was both hilarious and very emotional. Enemies to lovers and a little older couple is always so delicious. This is a refreshing take on the regular historical romance.

Might get a hint at the next or at least a story in this series and I will be so there for it.

3.5 Stars

Lady Scandal, the second book in the Scandal at the Savoy series, is a delightful historical romance between charming and unconventional Countress Delia Stratham and stoic Simon Hayden. Beautiful Delia is a 3-time widow working as an event planner at the upscale Savoy Hotel. But when pragmatic Simon Hayden is hired to overhaul the hotel’s management and finances, her job becomes more difficult. The two butt heads over the hotel’s lavish spending and much-needed changes. Along with the clashes and distrust, they are also fighting a mutual attraction for each other.

I adored the vibrant backdrop of the hotel and the colorful cast of characters. It was very unique to read about the interworkings of a London luxury hotel in the 1800s and have it be the setting for a historical romance. Delia and Simon are intelligent, well-developed characters with important responsibilities. I enjoyed their interactions with other characters like their family members, gossiping staff, board members, and members of the ton. If there was a follow-up of the pair working at the hotel and dealing with crises, I would happily read it. Unfortunately, while I loved Delia and Simon, I didn’t enjoy their romances as much. It was sometimes hard to tell if there was chemistry or if it was physical attraction to each other.

Overall, I liked this and am looking forward to the next book in the series. It’s a refreshing take on a lot of traditional historical romance novels. I would recommend it to romance readers who are looking for something a little different and fun. The writing is great, and I love all the characters, though the romance itself was not my favorite part of the book.

Thank you Netgallery and Forever (Grand Central) Publishing for providing an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Three-time widowed Delia Stratham plans extravagant events for the Savoy Hotel. Hotel magnate and viscount Simon Hayden’s determined to save money and root out fraud and its perpetrators, and he suspects Lady Stratham.

Their quick banter/arguing was fun to read and what you really need in a rivals to lovers. Their relationship and chemistry was very well developed. I liked how Delia’s backstory was carefully unfolded.

The intrigue at the hotel was intellectually interesting but I wish it had more urgency. The stakes never felt high enough. And Helen’s dislike of Delia was never justified. So the reason this isn’t a five star for me was because of the quality of the antagonists rather than the couple’s relationship, which really well done.

Book 3 seems to be a second chance romance which is not my thing, but I really liked 1 and 2 so I’ll give it a try.

Laura Lee Guhrke does it again! Excellent story! Well-developed characters! Interesting throughout!

Thank you, Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC!

Laura Lee Guhrke has a knack for writing smart, independent, sassy heroines, and Delia is no exception. While the hero was a bit rigid and one-dimensional, the characterization of Delia and the rest of the hotel staff more than made up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc. This was a fun historical romance about Delia Stratham and Simon Hayden, set in a luxury hotel located in London in the late 1800's. Delia is a thrice widowed Countess, in charge of scheduling major events in the Savoy Hotel. Simon is a newly titled Viscount, tasked with investigating possible fraud taking place in the Savoy Hotel. There is a lot of information provided on the running of a luxury hotel in the late Victorian era. Titled clients and guests are feted and enticed to book their events and stays in the hotel, not really expected to pay for their events and stays because they bring cache to the establishment. Eventually, though, these methods eliminates profits to the hotel owners, and that's what's happening at the Savoy Hotel.

Some titans of the hotel and culinary industry are mentioned in this book, namely Cesar Ritz and Auguste Escoffier, and it was fascinating reading about the ins and outs of running a hotel, but I felt it overshadowed the romance between Delia and Simon. I loved Delia's character: pragmatic and fun-loving, even though her life has been very challenging. She cares about everyone around her, and always wants to do her best. And Simon is a very honorable gentleman, trying to get used to being part of the gentry, while making sure to stay true to his convictions of running profitable businesses lawfully. Delia and Simon feel instant attraction to each other, but both fight against it because they're both suspicious of each other's intent, not just with each other, but with the business of running the Savoy. But once they allowed themselves to feel the feelings, it was wonderful. And, the sex scenes were steamy, once they finally got there. All in all, a great story.

There are TWs for miscarriage, suicide, and death of loved ones.

I loved Bookshop cinderella by this author so had high expectations for this read. Even though I enjoyed the story, though, I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first book in this series. Delia is a strong female character (which I love) - and I always enjoy a grumpy character. I felt that the relationship between Delia and Simon changed too quickly and suddenly - as did the resolution of the story. I still will pick up the next read by this author.

3.5. This was an enjoyable story I liked both of the main characters. Delia works at a hotel and Simone is brought in to take out the garbage so to speak. At first they are adversaries as change is always hard and her loyalties lie with the previous management. Simone’s sister is named Cassandra soooo I am biased and she was amazing and the best character in this story. I am interested in who the next book will be about I did not read the first book and had no issue jumping into this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️

I am a big fan of this author’s story telling. I loved the first book in this series, Bookshop Cinderella. I thought I would love this story because it has a mature heroine and a no nonsense hero but the chemistry is missing between the protagonist. The first half of the book is very slow and had a lot of information about the Savoy hotel and the worker’s discontent which I found boring.
The internal dialogue slows the pace of the book. The book picked up when other characters like Lady Kay, Devlin and Cassandra were introduced which moved the story forward. Overall, this is a well written book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

Loved reading the amazing and awesome romance story. When Simon, the man in charge of making the Savoy Hotel profitable, meets Lady Delia Stratham, Simon has a difficult time keeping his attraction for her under control. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story.

I love when a historical romance includes characters who fall on the margins of the ton, so of course I loved Lady Scandal.

Delia is a 3 time widow who works as an event manager at the Savoy hotel in London. Her world changes abruptly when the financially conservative and newly titled Lord Calderon takes over the Savoy and starts cutting costs and staff. Delia and Simon butt heads over and over as they navigate the necessary changes being made at the Savoy, and the more they fight, the closer they come to falling helplessly in love.

The progression of the romance in Lady Scandal feels very natural, and I enjoyed the way that Laura slowly turns Simon and Delia toward each other as they go from being rivals to allies in the Savoy's changes.

I highlyly recommend this book for historical romance fans who prefer reading stories about working people to reading about those who sip tea and play cards all day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for providing a digital galley copy for me to review.

This was a fabulous read, just because of the setup. A Lady with a job, a newly minted lord who runs a hotel and the fact that the story takes ppace at thr Savoy. It was a refreshing, to have a thrice widowed heroine speak her mind, be creative and run events at the hotel with a ti b ht fist and great taste. It was also amazing to have a hero who fights with workplace conflicts. He's her boss, he's investigating her and he's very very attracted to her. His fight to do what was right was portrayed well.

Ahh!! I LOVED this book so much! A workplace romance but make it historical…what more can I truly ask for! The writing was beautiful and the storyline simply perfection. I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy of this book once it releases!

This was just ok for me. I struggled to connect with the main characters though I did enjoy the fact that Delia was a working woman which was a nice twist. I found myself more interested in the intrigue of the hotel vs the relationship between Simon and Delia.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Laura Lee Guhrke's latest installment in the Savoy series is another refreshing and delightful read. Set against the backdrop of a battle for Savoy management, the story follows the journey of Delia and Simon, whose relationship blossoms despite Delia's tragic past marriages. Their dynamic is both funny and heartwarming, with a satisfying conclusion where Simon fully appreciates Delia's capabilities. Guhrke's storytelling prowess shines through once again, delivering a perfect romance that earns a solid five stars.

I love a workplace adversaries to lovers situation but I’ve never read it in a historical romance and it did not disappoint!! Delia, Lady Stratham works for the luxurious Savoy hotel in London planning lavish soirées, events, weddings, etc. the more extravagant the better! She has had free rein to do whatever she wants in the name of luxury for their hotel guests and has never bothered to consider things such as cost. But when the hotel hasn’t seen a profit in several quarters the board and investors send in Simon, Viscount Calderon to cut costs and manage things in order to get back on track. Simon and Delia butt heads immediately. It’s a constant steamy battle of wills between out two lovebirds. With and investigation into the fraud and corruption of hotel staff Simon fights his feelings for Delia but in the end their love can’t be denied. I had a lot of fun reading this book. I loved that both characters were in their 30s, which is rare in historicals for a FMC to be over 30. I also loved reading the authors notes and finding out that many of the events in the book were based on a true story. This book is an absolute delight! Totally recommend!

5/5
A Haughty, newly titled viscount and a widowed countess and determined event planner butt heads over the management of The Savoy Hotel, courting scandal and unexpected romance as they fight to get their way. Reading Lady Scandal was simultaneously the best time ever and renewed my faith in the historical romance genre. Everything about this book from start to finish is sheer perfection, from the flowering wit to the punchy back and forth between leads Simon and Delia. Guhrke certainly knows how to elevate the chemistry to deliver an outstanding love story with characters that feel like they could leap off the page. Lady Scandal is a refreshing testament to the genre and an excellent addition to the Scandal at the Savoy series. I really just had the best time with this one and will absolutely be keeping up with the next book from Guhrke.

My review will appear in a blog post closer to publication.