Manda Collins brings an easy to read historical with a little bit of a twist. I like that both her heroes and heroines are unconventional and I enjoyed the thread of mystery that ran through all the stories. This is a series I enjoyed and that's saying something because I do not read a lot of historical romances.

I have read other books in this series, and I enjoy the premise that connects them. I think the friendship of the connected heroines is a real strength, but find the heroes to be less developed as a result.

I read this a while ago but I've put off writing a review. It wasn't good but it wasn't bad either. It was a standard historical romance with a before her time type heroine and a handsome lord hero but frankly it was forgettable. Maybe I've read too many historical romances lately but they've all began to blur together. This one just didn't have anything to differentiate itself from the others. Don't get me wrong it was diverting enough when I was reading it, it just wasn't memorable. That's not really a comment on the novel or the author but more on historical romances in general, they're just very same-y same-y with a few exceptions.

Manda Collins has done an excellent job in creating a mystery Gemma and Cam must solve. It is finally her turn and she is no longer the shy geologist that gets wrapped up in each scientific discovery. When a tragedy strikes she bands together with Cam to search for answers. How can she sit idly by when she is desperate to know what happened. Entering into a class betrothal has made her question her role in life as she accepts who she has truly become.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which I received
through Netgalley. I really liked this one

I had a hard time reading this book, for me it went a little too deep into the geology aspect of the story which caused the story to drag for me.

It was likely both the fossil mystery and the quick reversal of how Gemma Hastings and Lord Cameron Lisle went from barely speaking to lovers that led me to not enjoy this as much as the others in the series. It was the latter that makes it hard to believe in the romance.

As always a first thing is a thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing us with a copy of this book so that we could bring you this review.

The last of the amazing woman from the Beauchamp house herisess has finally found the perfect person to work with her and love her. Now that being said she also finds a way to find herself in some kind of trouble. But thankfully Lisle is there to help her. Things do tend to get ugly for Gemma and Lisle but they also find that they work great together. I loved how the series ended and am hoping to see these characters again somewhere else. Maybe Beauchamp house will find a new series with the plans that the ladies all came up with afterward and we will see these ladies again.

I give this book 5 kisses.

Happy reading... Adri

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though not my favorite of the series, this book is definitely enjoyable. I very much enjoyed the entire series as well as seeing the characters from the other books in this one. The characters were engaging and the writing style fun. The only thing i didn't like was how quickly the main characters give up their concerns about falling in love. Overall though, this book is a great read and I definitely recommend.

One for the Rogue is the 4th installment in the Studies in Scandal series by Manda Collins.  Ms. Collins has created a series of heroines that are brilliant in vastly different ways, and I loved that!  Their benefactress has provided them the means and the freedom to pursue their talents and interests, despite pressure from family and society to conform to traditional roles. 

The hero in this installment, Cameron Lisle, is someone that has been introduced before.  His brothers have appeared in other books, including one in this series that conveniently involves our heroine's sister.  That family relationship aside, Cameron, and our heroine, Gemma, are both experts in geology/paleontology and have a contemptuous relationship.  As often happens in romance, contempt and ire hide attraction, and before long the enemies are lovers, fighting to resolve a mystery involving Gemma...before anyone else ends up dead.  Not my favorite of the four books in the end, but still a fun read (I don't think I put it down) and I'm hopeful not the end of the series...or at least not the last we'll see of some of the remaining (single) characters.

The series itself was fun, and while all of the books follow somewhat of a similar theme, especially in terms of relationship development, the characters and backstories make the unique and interesting.  I loved learning more about each of the heroine's specialties some as well, which made these a bit different than many other books in this genre.

I loved this series of novels from Manda Collins! She takes a time period that didn’t encourage women to educate themselves but instead place the focus on their dowry and their ability to be quiet and defer to the men in their lives and she creates independent, strong, educated female characters ready to take on the world.

The focus of this novel is on Gemma, who is well-educated in the area of fossils – more so than many of the males she comes in contact with. But despite being so educated and knowledgable she is not welcome in this field where only men are deemed to be leaders and educators. Instead of letting this discourage her, she continues on her road – learning, recording and educating herself. She has setbacks but she never lets this stop her. She is a force to reckon with!

Enter her brother in law (who also happens to study in the same field) who unknowingly had rejected one of her articles and sparks begin to fly. He finds himself attracted to her intelligence, strength and independence. But Gemma is not looking for love and neither is he, so it was amusing at times watching their interactions.

Throw in a special fossil that is coveted by many in her field, murder and theft and you have one incredible novel! Gemma and Cameron need to solve who is behind the murder and trying to harm Gemma before they take her life and steal the coveted fossil that was left specifically for Gemma.

This was a great, well written novel with a great plot and even better characters. I loved Gemma’s strength and intelligence but also her openness to change throughout the novel. A great read from start to finish – I would love to see more in this series!

This series was just so much fun. All four heroines were pretty unconventional. Gemma was no exception to that. Female geologists in this time period were rare and not highly regarded, but she uses her brain to get out of a few scrapes, and along the way, falls in love.

I liked the characters in this book.  Gemma and Cam started off disliking each other and were in competition for fossils. But, in the end, the book did not pop for me. It was an OK read.

I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  Thank you.

This was hitting all the low notes for stereotypical romance-- cardboard bluestocking heroine, hero who is dishonest about his motivations for no visible reason, enemies-to-lovers obviously coming soon.  I would have soldiered on, but the story seems like it would make more sense if one had read the previous series installments.

The Studies in Scandal series is based around four bluestockings and the inheritance they received from the deceased Lady Celeste another bluestocking. Each book has its own very distinct storyline involving intrigue and smart feisty woman solving clues.

What an exciting and suspenseful read this book #4 was! It is filled with discovery, suspense, murder and love. All the characters from the previous books to the series are present in this story making it feel like you are having a visit with long lost friends.

Gemma has a point to prove in the world of geology and she is the last woman standing with the prize being the house she would inherit as such. She will stop at nothing including plowing through Lord Cameron Lisle the esteemed fossil hunter when she tries to get back her find. Her antagonistic interchanges with Lisle caused me to laugh a few times as well as made me want to shake her for being so single minded.

Lisle is everything a woman would want in a lover or husband. Not at first though. He was too busy not taking Gemma seriously. Part way through the book he truly sees who Gemma is and works hard to show her he respects her intelligence, but she keeps pushing him away. Her inheritance is at stake. I seriously wondered if there would be a resolution for them since he kept hitting her wall of resistance.

This is a lively read and the reader will feel like they are riding a roller coaster anticipating the dynamic ending. Well written and full of interesting facts the author Manda Collins does another outstanding job with a brilliant end to the heiresses’ resolution to their inheritance.

I give this 5 STARS for being a lively and fun read.

I found this very entertaining, watching Gemma try to prove her worth as a geologist. She is obviously very smart, but not able to be taken seriously. Watching Cameron come to discover her brains, kept me turning the pages. 

The only downside, it was 4th in a series. You can read as a standalone, but I would have liked a little more description of how this group of young ladies came to be with each. 

A great story to keep you entertained, full of suspense, romance and fun.

This one was a DNF for me. I just couldn't attach or connect to the character and what was happening in the story. But it was an interesting premise that I appreciated.

This is the story of the last unmarried heireisses to the Beauchamp Estates. They came to the estate to prove their individual talent in a man's world. Like the previous stories, there is mystery and danger related to their legacies.

Gemma has a passion for Geology and is trying to unravel the puzzle which might lead to her inheritance. Hers is more problematic as it's not complete.

Cameron is a Geologist who is renowned for his published articles on the subject. 

The first time that Gemma and Cameron met, started off with fireworks and the ill feelings continue to linger. When he attends an all male Geology gathering, he is coaxed into getting invitations for two other fellow geologists since he is related to Gemma by marriage. 

Gemma's entourage encourages her to change her attire in order for the gentlemen to take her more seriously when she gives them a tour of the geological collection. It works wonderfully well. Not in the way that she expects though. Although Cameron is impressed by her knowledge of the subject, her appearance doesn't go unnoticed. She is secretly pleased by his reaction, but can she cope with his amorous attention? After all, she is sworn to stay unmarried. 

Gemma makes a discovery which is followed by a murder and the disappearance of her find. Now that Cameron is attracted to her, he wants nothing more than to help and protect her. The effects of these events take a toll on her emotions and she finds herself in a compromising position with Cameron. The only thing to do is to become betrothed even if they have to break up at a later date. This pretend betrothal turns into more and they find that they enjoy each other's company. Gemma takes the opportunity to have lessons in being courted. Never mind if it's inappropriate! Cameron who has never thought of marriage in the past is having second thoughts. Can he change her mind and protect her from the unscrupulous thief who wishes her harm? 

This is a fairly pleasant read which is somewhat predictable. Once the crime is committed, the identity of the culprit is fairly obvious, but the plot in itself is interesting  and the romance is satisfying. 

I received an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Gemma is an Original. She's far more focused on her career as a geologist and hunting fossils than getting married. Unfortunately, she's always hunting for fossils in the same territory as Lord Cameron Lisle. When circumstances become challenging, the two agree to a fake engagement (I'm trying to be purposefully vague here to avoid spoilers). 

I enjoyed the relationship between Gemma and Lisle. They seemed well matched and well written. Several times Gemma's stubbornness tipped into stupidity (such as investigating a light in the moors outside at night alone) but I still enjoyed the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A satisfying conclusion to a solid historical romance series. If you enjoy intelligent heroines, heroes who will capture your heart, sparkling dialogue, witty banter, and a great balance of sensual romance and a well-crafted mystery that kept me guessing right up until the reveal, I enthusiastically recommend giving this book a go.