Duke with Benefits is the second book in the Studies in Scandal series, and I strongly recommend starting this series from the beginning with Ready Set Rogue. Manda Collins is an excellent author and story teller, but I really felt that I was missing out on shared history, character nuance, and inside jokes. There were constant references to events in the first book and it would be extremely beneficial to have read it first. It does not work well as a standalone book. That being said, I found this book on Netgalley and have been wanting to read something by Manda Collins for a while, so I pounced on this book without realizing it was part of a series. I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

And, it was ok. But, I’ve been sitting on this review because I couldn’t decide if I didn’t like it because of my own issues, or because of problems with the book. Say what? Let me explain…I think I would have liked this book more if (a) I had read the series in order and knew the back history or (b) I didn’t have qualms about people on the spectrum being in romance novels, I would have enjoyed it far more. And, yes, I firmly believe Daphne is on the Autism Spectrum. Which, while is great to see in literature, hits me far too close to home and kept me from being able to enjoy and relax into this book. Every time she stepped on toes, or pointed out her own issues, I cringed. I am an Autism parent and I read to escape. So, much like instant pregnancy bugging me due to my own infertility issues, having a character on the Spectrum is difficult for me to read and enjoy.

That being said, I also think if I (a) had read the series in order and (b) Daphne wasn’t on the spectrum, I still don’t know if I would have liked this book more. From what I can infer, having a mystery to solve, a romance develop, a compromised bride and rushed wedding, and a kidnapping seems to be a formula between the first two books. And, that would have bugged me. Likewise, even if Daphne was neurotypical, Maitland was such a bland, happy-go-lucky, nice guy. His tepid and restrained approach to romance would have bugged me anyway.

So, in general, I feel very conflicted about this book and, for better or worse, can only recommend it if you read the series in order, are okay with a formulaic mystery, and are perfectly fine with a beyond awkward and ASD heroine.

Puzzles and intrigue!

A bit of a slow start leads into an interesting plot where a somewhat OCD heroine who has difficulty lifting her gaze from mathematical pursuits into the real world.
Lady Daphne Forsyth has led a difficult life hampered by a father who used her mathematical genius to line his own pockets.
Now, having been left a share of her benefactress' estate and relishing the puzzle set for her to solve Daphne, finds herself with acquaintances, other young women equally as gifted in differing areas of expertise. For a lonely focused young women this is 'passing strange.'
The challenge concerns the legendary Cameron Cipher that supposedly relates to a fortune in a hidden Jacobite treasure trove.
What Daphne wants most though is to develop different skills. An entanglement with her benefactress' nephew the Duke of Maitland (not though marital) she feels will be a useful experiment. Well that just throws Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke. Talk about having the tables turned.
Couple this conundrum with solving a puzzle that will lead to hidden treasure, throw in a murder and the story becomes a satisfying regency romp--if somewhat unusual.

A NetGalley ARC
(June 2017)

A mathematical minded but socially awkward Lady Daphne Forsyth catches the eye of Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland, who has a charming and carefree way about him. A good portion of their story began in the previous novel but continues with an added element of a murder mystery over the Cameron Cipher, which once solved could lead to great riches. Together Dalton and Daphne combine their talents to solve all the developing mysteries while forming a lasting attachment to one another.

I was interested in this couple since their introduction in the previous book of the series. When the murder and puzzle was added to the story it suddenly seemed to go into several different directions and the romance took a back burner to a less than compelling mystery. The best parts of the story were when Dalton could sense Daphne’s social unease or when Daphne reflected on her struggles with her interactions with others. That part of the story made it real and endearing but the other elements added in made it seem disjointed. A great couple but less than stellar mystery.

It’s no secret I love Historical Romance and Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins fits the bill perfectly. It’s the second in the Scandalous Studies series and I’m already hooked. We first meet with the Duke of Maitland, Dalton Beauchamp, and Lady Daphne Forsythe in the first book. And I already love our heroine, quirks and all. She is a bit on the Asperger’s scale, needing to learn social interaction. However, she is not mean spirited and a wiz at math. Despite her inability to navigate social interactions, like Maitland, we can’t help but love her. She is beautiful, of course, but her beauty goes beyond the skin and we quickly realize how eager she is to learn about her social quirks, and how aware she is of her social faux pas.

And don’t we all want a man as patient and loving as Maitland? Add to this a mystery—a childhood acquaintance to Daphne is killed and the pages turn rapidly.

“I am not angry with you, Daphne,” he said moving to kneel before her, which should have made her uncomfortable, but instead made her heart beat faster. “I am angry with him. For making you feel threatened. “For using you to make money because he was too damned lousy with a hand of cards to make up for himself. But I am most enraged at him because he forced you to blackmail him in order to protect yourself from being sold like a brood mare to the highest bidder.”

In addition to math and numbers, Daphne is brilliant with Ciphers. And when Lady Beauchamp dies, she leaves her home–as well as mysteries abounding—to four women, who are in the top of their field, who excel at different areas. A cipher with lots of gold is for Daphne to solve, although the way her childhood acquaintance dies is skeptical. Naturally, since she said she would want him to die after he made untoward advances on her as a child, she is one of the main suspects. Yet we know she does not commit the murder. And together they are perfect. Now it's up to Maitland to fight for his love and for Daphne to not be so proud and pigheaded.

He dipped his head so that she had no choice but to look at him. As shed noticed before, eye contact with Maitland did not fill her with anxiety as it did with other people. Still, her heart pounded harder.

“I told him we were betrothed,” Maitland said in a low voice that vibrated along her spine like a struck tuning fork, “because I wanted to.”

Will she solve the cipher and will the Duke make her fall in love with him? (she originally propositions him in a very logical way, yet he turns her down not because he’s not attracted to her but because he wants her as his very own. You’ll just have to read to find out.

But the notion that someone would feel angry on her behalf was so foreign she couldn’t quite comprehend it.

Yes Daphne, that is love. And there is more than one social lesson to learn. Moreover, there are at least two more books to this series and I am dying to find out how the other two scholars will find their Happily Even Afters. Collins' writing only gets better. She’s become a go-to for historical romance and I’ve yet to be disappointed. Thank you for another great read and I can’t wait for the next in the series to be released.

Note: An earlier version of this post misspelled Asperger's, but has been corrected.

***

And we come to the Daphne' story, the genius heir to mathematics, but totally lost in social skills.
Daphne was one of the heiresses of Lady Celeste Beauchamp, and despite being finally accepted by the former owner's nephews (Quill and the Duke of Maitland), her way of dealing with life ended up putting her in unusual situations. Like, for example, the fact that she is drawn to the duke and not afraid to say it, and still offers herself to be his lover.

Dalton Beauchamp, the duke, considered Daphne a beautiful woman and could not deny that her knowledge in mathematics was exceptional. But he was not planning to marry, and even if Daphne offered to be his mistress, and he felt tempted to accept, that would be impossible.

However, with the arrival of Daphne's father, a spendthrift gambler who wanted to take her away to marry a nobleman and thus save his own neck of debt, and the pursuit of a hidden treasure in his aunt's estate, make Dalton change his mind and start seeing Daphne with new eyes.

Perhaps, finally, the heiress would get what she wanted. But before that, they would have to find out about a new murder that put Daphne as the main suspect.

Fun, engaging and romantic.
Who will be the next heiress to tell her story?

5 stars

Daphne Forsyth is one of the four young scholarly ladies who have inherited Lady Celeste Beauchamp’s estate, including a vast academic library. Each young lady is an artistic or academic prodigy and Lady Celeste wished to give them the opportunity to pursue their studies without constraints. Daphne is a mathematical genius in her own right. She could not resist the appeal of a library containing the famous Cameron Riddle, not to mention the opportunity to separate herself from her father. She is an endearing and quirky character, straightforward and even abrasive at times. She has formed a friendship with the three other young ladies and Beauchamp House has become her new home.


She has started her search for the Cameron Riddle, a cipher leading to a treasure hidden away by the Jacobites. She has always been fascinated by secret messages and codes and she is the person who would be able to unravel the puzzle.

Since the moment he arrived at Beauchamp House, Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland and Lady Celeste’s nephew, has drawn her interest. Although he has a reputation as a bit of a rogue, they get on together and Dalton is willing to provide her any assistance she might need. He has even extended his stay at Beauchamp House.

But other people will stop at nothing to find the Cipher, and someone is willing to kill for it. The hunt for the hidden treasure has turned deadly. Daphne and Dalton travel together to search the cipher and identify the killer. As it happens, Dalton’s aunt wanted them to get to know each other and to spend time together, she carefully planned their relationship.

This story was fast-paced, excessively so in my opinion. The author didn’t take the time to develop the relationship between the main characters, there was something missing in their connection. The nearly instant evolution of their relationship from friends to lovers was not believable. That being said, I enjoyed the mystery, the witty dialogue and the characters were easy to love. Dalton is a wonderful hero, charming, tender and protective. Daphne and Dalton are two very different people who together complete each other perfectly. Despite a few minor quibbles, their story kept me hooked to the very last page. 3.5 stars

I couldn't get interested in it. It had a lot going for it but I think this one just wasn't for me.

Great read. Such intrigue. So fun to read about this couple and their battle of witts

This book is so good , I had to purchase another book from Amanda.

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins
Studies in Scandal #2

Lady Daphne Forsyth is a mathematical genius but not so great with people. For some reason Dalton Beauchamp, Duke of Maitland seems smitten with her. There is a treasure hunt, murder, friends to support Daphne, innuendo, a push that sets Daphne and Dalton up as betrothed, a kidnapping and eventually the treasure is found, the bad guy thwarted and a HEA for the H/h duo. I found it a rather predictable story and really did wonder what the two saw in one another. That said – thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. (2-3 Stars)

Fun read! I really enjoy the Tudor period and author did a great job describing the main characters of the time.
I loved Simon. Aimee was very naive and at sometimes annoyingly so and her obsession with Pierre - ugh. But definitely an enjoyable read!! will check out the rest of the series as it comes out!

Posting review on good reads, Amazon, bm (as lady c)

In this second book in her Studies in Scandal series, Collins turns convention topsy-turvy with an entertaining tale featuring a brilliant but socially inept heroine and a charming, society-darling hero. Add in a clever mystery, a treasure hunt, a villain willing to do anything to get there first, along with a heart-tugging romance, and you have a wonderful story to dive into this summer.

I've always enjoyed Manda Collins' unconventional heroines and Daphne is at the top of my favorites list. Exploited by her father from a young age, Daphne's value has always been tied exclusively to her mathematical genius. With no mother to soften her edges, she's not learned the ins and outs of social interactions and, with no filter in her brain, every honest thought in her mind exits through her mouth, no matter how blunt or rude it may be. She says what she thinks and truly has no understanding why people take exception to her words.

Handsome, charming Dalton is a darling of London society yet the woman who fascinates him isn't a demure, socially accomplished debutante but the highly intelligent, blunt-speaking, puzzle-solving, headstrong woman with whom he is increasingly certain he cannot live without. I love that he recognizes the value in Daphne, not in spite of her intelligence and uniqueness, but because of those qualities and I love that he's determined to protect her and love her while also helping her to lay past demons aside and grow into the woman she's meant to be. I appreciate the growth of both characters throughout this story as well as the genuine bond of friendship formed alongside the passion of their hearts as their relationship gradually deepens.

The mystery is an important component of this book and it's well formed with twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the reveal. Secondary characters provide a rich backdrop to our main couple, helping to move the story along as well as providing additional insight into their own lives and intriguing glimpses of stories yet to be told.

If you enjoy intelligent stories with unique characters, heartwarming romance, and a twist of mystery, be sure to add Manda Collins' Duke with Benefits to your summer reading list.

4.5 Stars

Lady Daphne is brilliant at math, inept with social skills, but still manages to charm Dalton, the Duke of Maitland. When her secret quest puts her in danger, the Duke becomes her protector and sleuth partner. As they search clues to find the Cameron Cipher, they discover a passion for each other, but misunderstandings threaten to thwart their happiness and burgeoning love. When Daphne is kidnapped, Dalton stops at nothing to save her. Another brilliant story in the Studies in Scandal series.

I was provided a review copy through NetGalley

Manda Collins deftly interweaves passion, intrigue, adventure and suspense in a delightful and engrossing historical romance that will go down a treat with fans of Amanda Quick.

Lady Daphne Forsythe is more comfortable solving mathematical equations and deciphering complicated encrypted messages than drinking tea in salons and dancing waltzes in ballrooms. Her passion for mathematics has left her next to no time for friendship or romance, but that had changed when she had been one of four bluestockings to inherit Beauchamp House. Despite her sometimes brusque and abrupt manner, Daphne soon befriends the other three heiresses and she even finds herself attracted to the intelligent, charismatic, charming and irresistibly good-looking Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland….

However, the last thing Daphne wants or needs is a distraction. Charged by her late benefactress to unlock the Cameron Cipher, an encrypted message that once solved can lead to great riches, Daphne throws all of her time and energy into solving this puzzle, even though she finds herself unable to stop herself from thinking about Dalton! But with a dangerous enemy determined to unlock the Cameron Cipher before her, Daphne realises that she is going to need all of her wits about her if she is to solve this mystery and evade an insidious foe who will do whatever it takes to get his hands on the fortune that awaits whoever gets to the bottom of the mystery of the Cameron Cipher…even murder!

Daphne might be the most irritating, aggravating and infuriating woman Dalton has ever encountered, but she is also the most desirable creature he has ever clapped eyes on – which is why he cannot seem able to stop himself from kissing her! As the two are thrust into close proximity together due to the Cameron Cipher, Dalton’s feelings for Daphne soon begin to escalate whilst his protective instincts are brought to the fore when he realises that there is a criminal on the loose determined to cause the woman he has grown to love untold harm. But will Dalton and Daphne manage to find the hidden treasure whilst avoiding danger? Or will their malevolent enemies succeed in their quest to find the Cameron Cipher at the expense of Daphne and Dalton’s lives?

Manda Collins effortlessly juggles poignant romance with nail-biting suspense in this enchanting and enjoyable historical romance. Duke With Benefits is a spellbinding read that sparkles with humour, mystery, passion and emotion and will hold readers in thrall as they find themselves enthralled by this gripping, dramatic, witty and irresistible romantic tale.

Daphne is such a terrific character. I thoroughly enjoyed her journey from buttoned-up mathematical genius who kept the world at arm’s length to a fulfilled heroine who realised that she deserved to have love in her life and Dalton was a gorgeous and sexy hero no woman will be able to resist!

Duke With Benefits is an excellent historical romance I wholeheartedly recommend and with more books to go in the Studies in Scandal series, I cannot wait to see what else Manda Collins has in store for the inhabitants of Beauchamp House!

The second book in the "Studies in Scandal Series" is a delightful read. I am so glad Maitland and Daphne got their own story. This story has a great mystery, a treasure hunt, murder, mayhem and a really nasty villain.

One of four young ladies to inherit an estate, Daphne is the mathematician who loves anything to do with numbers. When a cipher that will lead to lost gold is found Daphne is the only one who can solve it. She has always been an outsider to the world that she has lived in her whole life. She doesn't mean to be socially awkward but her straightforward approach tends to rub people the wrong way.

Until she meets Dalton Maitland, Dalton seems to understand her and is very attracted to her and would like to have a future with Daphne. Daphne is perfectly willing to become Dalton's lover but she has no interest in matrimony. Dalton will use all his Dukely wiles to convince Daphne to marry him.

Manda writes a fast paced exciting story that will have you reading non-stop. Her characters are wonderfully witty and intelligent. If you like adventure and a truly gorgeous love story, this is your kind of book.

I have chosen to DNF this title. The characters didn't feel historical to me, at all. They felt like contemporary people existing in the past, and that made it hard to believe in them and connect with them.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to read this tile.

Thank you,
Laura

Even though I have not yet read the first in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed A Duke with Benefits. Ms. Collins has the written the novel so it can stand alone giving the reader enough backstory to be brought up to speed. It was refreshing having heroines who far outweighed their male counterparts in intellect yet whom the author still made human and likeable. The plot line was a well paced with a plot twist near the end. My only wish is that a little more was noted about the treasure about the treasure upon its discovery. Overall a solid read and an enjoyable afternoon!

Simply too much exposition, backstory, and extra 'story' get in the way of this novel actually going anywhere. I didn't feel the hero/heroine had any particular interest in each other or chemistry to speak of. Perhaps if I had read the other books in the series I would have more interest. Unfortunately, this was DNF.