From Goodreads: THE PICTURE OF ROMANCE
A dedicated painter, Miss Sophia Hastings is far more concerned with finding the right slant of light than in finding Mr. Right. But when an overhead conversation hints at danger for another local artist, Sophia is determined to get involved. Even it means accepting help from an impossibly good-looking vicar who insists on joining her investigation—and threatens to capture her heart…

Reverend Lord Benedick Lisle knows that Sophia is no damsel in distress. But he won’t allow her to venture into peril alone, either. . .especially since he finds Sophia’s curious, free-spirited nature so alluring. But protecting her from harm is becoming more difficult than the vicar could have expected as he and Sophia confront their fiery mutual passion. Who could have known that the art of love would prove so irresistible?

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My Thoughts: I had only vague recollections of the first in this series and realized I had not read the second. Despite that, I found that I thoroughly enjoyed the third book in this series, full of smart (very smart) heroines and of course, the men who love them. There are elements of mystery in each book in the series, and with each addition we learn a bit more about the benefactress of the four heiresses. The mystery is always key to the romance within, but I also value reading about the struggles of being a woman in this period that had to justify talents and knowledge and abilities beyond the norm. While not to the same extreme today, many parallels can be drawn between then and now when it comes to how women and knowledge and expertise are viewed and judged. A fun, quick read that may also get you thinking about bigger issues, I recommend the series overall (I went back and read book two after this and look forward to the next!). Advance copy obtained through NetGalley - thank you!

If you love historical romance mixed with a little murder mystery and crime solving this book is for you. The characters Sophia and Ben overhear a conversation that threatens the life of someone. So they find themselves working together to discover who the mysterious men were talking about so they can prevent harm from happening to the mysterious person in danger. At the same time Ben was approached by his brother who works for the Home Office to find out who is forging priceless paintings that were lost at sea many years before. Ben and Sophia must find out if the two are connected in someway. This book is filled with intrigue and will keep you turning the page.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Studies in Scandal series and I really liked it.This is Sophia’s story she and Benedict overhear two men making threats against someone.They work together to prevent anyone getting hurt while working together they start to develop feelings for each other.This was a good read with plenty of romance and mystery.

Wallflower Most Wanted by Manda Collins is book Three in the "Studies in Scandal" series. This is the story of Miss Sophia Hastings and Reverend Lord Benedick 'Ben' Lisle. I have read (and Loved!) the previous book in this series but feel you can make this a standalone book if you choice to do so.
Sophia loves to paint and is really good at it. On one of her outings to paint she happens to fall but is helped by Ben. They happened to hear overhear a morbid plan to kill a fellow painter. Of Course Sophia wants to find that person and help save him. Ben being worried for her, has insisted that he will help her. This takes them on adventure that leads to possible art forgery ring and some danger. But more importantly its leading them to have strong feelings for each other.
Really good story that is hard to put down!~

This is a charming romantic mystery involving two people, Sophia, a baron’s daughter, and Ben, a duke’s second son and vicar. Sophia is a noted artist living on a seaside estate with her sister and two other women, their servants, and neighbors. Sophia and Ben are brought together by an incident and end up embroiled in a mystery involving expensive art forgeries and murder. While attempting to solve the crimes, Sophia and Ben develop a tendre for each other, that goes beyond a mild flirtation. The two fall madly for each other. But, will the intrigue in which they’ve become involved deny them their hea?
This is a terrific story with a group of entertaining characters beyond the H and h. Sophia is a strong heroine and Ben may be a vicar, but he’s the first to recognize that he’s also “ just a man”. The mystery itself was not completely predictable, as often is the case, which made it even more enjoyable.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy some intrigue with their romance as well as a fair amount of animal attraction.

This was an enjoyable read. It wasn't as much fun as the first two books in the series but it was interesting.

When Miss Sophia Hastings and the local vicar accidently here a deadly conversation between two unknown men, they decide work together to prevent a murder. The consequences of this decision puts them in danger as they try to find those involved in an art forgery ring. Will they accomplish their goal? Lord Benedick Lisle, vicar of Little Seaford, wants to protect the lady. I admired his caring attitude, but I was pleased that Sophia refused his request. She's an accomplished artist who can help him. I loved the flirty interaction between these two. Lord Benedick is a true hero who follows his heart. Their story pulled me in. I loved the combination of romance and mystery. The plot was well written and had unexpected twists. Sophia and Lord Benedick were likeable. I quickly cared about them. Plus the secondary characters added romance and drama to the story. I enjoy the writing of Manda Collins. She does an excellent job with this series.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

This is a sweet story of Sophie Hastings and the incredibly handsome vicar whose a Duke’s son Lord Benedick Lisle. Sophie and Ben overhear overhear a plot to kill a local artist. She is determined to get to the bottom of things and Ben insists on helping her. The two are instantly attracted to each other and the more they spend time together they come to realize they are meant to be together but first they need to catch a killer. A lovely story with romance, mystery and intrigue.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Miss Sophia Hastings is one of the blue stocking heiresses, very intelligent women who sometimes find it difficult in this "man's" world.
She is an artist and is getting her paintings ready for a local exhibition. Not everyone likes her subject matter.

A shock while painting near the cliffs will embroil her in a mystery.


Lord Benedict Lisle is the local vicar. A big hit with all the marriageable young ladies of the town. He never thought a peaceful walk along the shore would put him in the middle of a forgery investigation.


There is an intriguing case for our characters to solve, while doing their best to stay safe and scandal free.
I didn't guess who the culprit was, there are lots of suspects.
This is the third book in the series. Each book can be read alone, but if like me you want to read all of them it's best to read them in order or you will get spoilers.
I have read and loved all of them and can't wait for the next.

Miss Sophia Hastings is a rare young lady, one with genuine artistic talent. Her art isn’t just flattering portraits or pretty flowers; she paints what she feels, sometimes controversial, always thought-provoking. She has little interest in finding a husband, despite a plethora of suitors, until the day she literally falls off a cliff and lands at the feet of the handsome local vicar. Even then, she might not have taken too much notice, except for the conversation the pair then overhear… two men plotting the murder of another artist.

Drawn into intrigue by what they have overheard, and by the information that a forger in the area is producing replicas of famous works and passing them off as the real thing to sell to the upwardly mobile middle class, Sophia and Benedick discover a mutual attraction even as their investigation heats up.

I really believed in Sophia and Benedick’s romance, and there were just enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me guessing. I’d have liked to see a little more of Sophia actually being active with her art - the only time she actually painted was in the very first chapter of the book, and my experience of artists is that, like writers, they can’t just ‘switch off’. Generally they’re always sketching in a notebook or stopping to gaze at a scene the rest of us mortals would find entirely unremarkable, but in which the artist can discern something special.

I enjoyed the read, but the issue that we’d been constantly ‘told’ Sophia was an artist but not really ‘shown’ her being one kept niggling at me for a couple of days after finishing the book. For this reason, I can’t quite bring myself to give it five stars, yet it’s definitely better than a four. Four and a half, and I’ll round up to five for Amazon and Goodreads.

I swear I don’t like historical romance. No. Not my genre, won’t ever be. And then I read one Manda Collins book over the Christmas season and here I am, devouring another and not being able to put it down. I think I like historical romance. Please welcome me to your club with open arms.

Our story starts with Miss Sophia Hastings painting near the edge of a cliff. Everything is going well until she slips. Luckily Lord Benedick Lisle is there to help. But before he can help her, both overhear an ominous conversation.

My favorite aspect of this overall story is how the author stays true to the history within the story, but the characters never become stuffy or hard to understand. Sophia is progressive and is one of the ladies of the Beauchamp House, where women are encouraged to use their intellect. For Sophia, this translates into art and painting. So while I get the great historical aspects, I am not left with antiquated characters. I truly appreciate that.

The author gives us a fantastic build up between Ben and Sophia. Throughout the story, we see multiple characters trying to gain their romantic affections. Ben, being the Vicar and a man of stature, he is highly sought after. Sophia, a beautiful young lady who is wickedly talented and intelligent. As you read along, you can truly see why Ben and Sophia work well together and if you were to be standing there, watching the scene unfold, you would put them together.

If you enjoy this author already, you will definitely enjoy her latest work. But even if you are on the fence about historical romance, I would encourage you to read this book. There is romance, mystery, and great interactions between the characters throughout the entire story. Definitely a fantastic read that will give you a break from everyday life.

After a long while, I have finally finished the 3rd book of the Studies in Scandal series.

I must say, I was not really expecting of the crime that involve this time. And to think that the late Lady Beauchamp would be part of the government. It was such a revelation.

I enjoyed reading this book. The way the lives of the painters were presented during this era. The love story of the between Ben and Sophia was sweet too. But I was more focus on the forgery. Yup...

I look forward to reading Gemma's book!

This is a great series IMHO and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys engagingly written historical romantic suspense. Each story focusses on one of the four blue stocking heirs to Lady Celeste and in this book it is the talented artist, Miss Sophia Hastings, who is the lady who has a mystery to solve and true love to find.

Sophia was out on a clifftop painting the turbulent sea when her enthusiastic brush strokes accidentally caused her to tumble down to the beach near the handsome, single, Reverend Lord Benedick Lisle. As he ensures she isn’t seriously injured, they overhear an intriguing and threatening conversation but can’t identify who is talking. This starts them working together to investigate just what is going on . . . .

It turns into a real page turner, a suspense filled murder mystery with an added element of romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Characters from the previous stories still play significant roles in this one and it is a great addition to the series. Now I can’t wait to discover the investigation Lady Celeste will have left for Sophia’s sister, which I presume will be the focus for the next story in the series!

I requested and received a copy of this novel. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

There once was a castle given to 4 remarkable women. They all also got letters telling them to do certain things.

Sophia is an artist and she does not care for silly things like portraits or whatever nice things women should paint. She stumbles upon a strange plot including ill deeds and painters and is in the case. Just as the heroines in previous books had their plots to uncover. Whatever that old lady thought I do not know. THis is dangerous business!

Lord Benedict is a hot vicar. I know right, whaat. I do not come across many vicars in historical romance. And he does not do one single reverend thing to be honest. Which I also liked. And he was nice, hot and fell for her hard.

So there is the suspense plot. There is these two falling in love. We meet the previous heroines and the future one (I think that will be a fun one, heads will fall!). We meet the most annoying man, grrrrr, *hits him over the head*. And in the end, I did not see things coming.

A cute romance.

Wallflower Most Wanted by Manda Collins is the third story in her Studies in Scandal series, about a group of young ladies, all bluestockings, who inherit a country estate from a mysterious benefactor. Each story in the series has had a mystery to be solved combined with a delightful and entertaining romance. While one might think that having a vicar as the hero would keep the story rather tame, the enterprising and handsome Reverend Lord Benedick Lisle and his sleuthing companion Miss Sophia Hastings find ways to heat things up in a fashion that suits their characters.

Painting is Sophia's passion and when a cliffside morning session ends with a small tumble onto the beach below, she's rescued by the always pleasant and devilishly handsome local vicar, Benedick. Out of sight, they overhear a not so private conversation above that leads them to realize something nefarious is afoot. Sophia's sprained ankle gives Benedick an excuse to visit socially and Sophia uses the visit to insist that they investigate the mystery together.

It turns out that Benedick's brother has been asked by the Home Office to investigate a forgery ring that's believed to be operating in their area, and with Sophia's connections to the local artists colony, she insists on being part of the search. Plus, she's planning to exhibit her own paintings in an upcoming exhibition, to the consternation of the some of the more conservative members of their village, who could also be involved. As Benedick and Sophia uncover the clues to solve the mystery they also find themselves developing a tendre for each other. Sophia doesn't believe she is the kind of woman Benedick would want as his wife, and he's got enough local ladies vying for the job that she can't imagine he'd consider courting her. Yet all signs point to a mutual affection. When their mystery turns into a more deadly affair, will their chance to have a happy ever after be cut short?

If you love a good regency romance with an intriguing mystery, you'll definitely want to read this series. Even with the mystery to be solved, and usually a murderer afoot, the stories are low angst and a lovely way to spend a few hours. Because of Benedick's occupation, the romance between him and Sophia is a slow burn one, though there are some sexy times later in the story once Benedick realizes that Sophia is the woman he wants to marry. Sophia is a virgin but Benedick is not, having been somewhat of a playboy before taking his vows to serve the church . He treats her in a gentle and respectful manner, even while showing her the heights of physical pleasure. He has to do a little convincing to make Sophia consider marrying him, as she worries that her art, which aims to show some of the realities of life for the poor, will be too controversial for a vicar's wife. But Benedick values Sophia for all of her talents and her generous and forthright character, making him definite hero material.

The mystery plot has some interested twists and turns and while not overly suspenseful, was definitely intriguing. I enjoyed meeting Benedick's brothers and the camaraderie between Sophia, her sister Gemma, and the other two now married women living in the Beauchamp house. All the women in the series have traits that make them stand out for their time, feminists of their day, and are lucky enough to find men who appreciate them. I'm looking forward to continuing the series, and seeing Sophia's sister Gemma, a geologist, get her happy ending too.

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. It will be posted at Goodreads when the blog link goes live, and at sale sites during release week.

the third book in the studies in scandal series, wallflower most wanted, has miss sophia hastings falling off a cliff in front of lord benedick lisle. he's the county vicar and a duke's son, and nothing like mr. collins from pride & prejudice. something the characters very kindly point out and is just the kind of detail i love.

sophia and ben get caught up in a plot to find some murderous art forgers and there are a lot of red herrings, because the real villain of the piece is a true surprise.

ben is such a steady, level-headed presence. he’s not some close-minded pastor and is liberal enough to accept and understand sophia’s art. it speaks to him in a way that lets him understand the woman she is. and that happens to be someone he wants to have a future with. there’s not a lot f drama between them, and that’s okay, because they have this really sweet romantic story.

and now i’m kind of hoping we see something develop between gemma, sophia’s sister and the last remaining beauchamp heiress, and cameron lisle, ben’s younger brother.

**wallflower most wanted will publish on january 30, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin’s press in exchange for my honest review.

Sophia is part of the girls who inherit a country estate. Sophia has the gift of art and after overhearing a conversation knows something funny is going on in the art world. Lucky for her Benedick was there to help her get home after a slight accident. Together they will try to get answers. When she realizes who the person involved is it hits her close to home but Bendick will be there to pick her back up.
This story kept me intrigued from beginning to end.

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Always love Manda's books. She always brings great characters and a great story

This isn't my preferred genre, but I think I went in with an open mind. I do enjoy historicals and it was a nice change of pace for me. I also learned several new words!
The thing I liked most about Wallflower Most Wanted had to be the heroine. She, as well as the other heiresses in the book, was an in control, take charge, brilliant, not to be put down woman. She knew what she was about, what she wanted and that no one was going to get in her way. That's why it was so charming when Sophie injured herself and the vicar, Ben, swept her up into his arms and carried her back to the house. Just as charming, was the fact that Ben was quite out of breath from the exertion and his muscles were later very fatigued.
This book had mystery, murder, romance, sex and love, patrons of the arts and just an overall fun relationship between the man and woman. I really enjoyed it!

Sophia is a Beauchamp heiress and an artist. Her and the Vicar, Ben over hear a conversation about getting rid of somebody and they decide to work together to find out who is in danger. The story is fast-paced with plenty of drama and suspense. I found the story entertaining and the chemistry between Sophia and Ben was lots of fun. Looking forward to the next in the series.