By Manda Collins, Book #4 in the series Studies in Scandal, One for the Rogue can be read without knowledge of the previous books. The main characters in this one, the geologist Gemma Hastings and  fossil hunter Lord Cameron Lisle, had already crossed swords - I mean, appeared in Book#3.

Gemma, the last heir to Lady Celeste's house still unmarried, faces the challenge to find what exactly her benefactress left for her, since the old lady had no time to finish her instructions for Gemma. Not only does Gemma have to find that, she also has to prove her value as a scientist. Gee, life is not easy, especially if her main opponent is handsome and intriguing!

Lord Cameron couldn't stand the opinionated Gemma in Book#3... But wait a minute! He starts to notice her dedication to her studies/work and, because of the murder of a fellow fossil hunter, Cam spends more time with the young lady and... Well, it doesn't take long for him to notice how wrong he was.

Finally, I hope Ms. Burke writes a novella about a secondary character of this series: Serena.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the story but didn't love it, I guess I was expecting more argumentative banter between Gemma and Cam since since had disliked him from last book but we really didn't get that. I also found it a little slower than I tend to like, but it is what it is, hopefully you will enjoy it more than me..

Both Cameron and Gemma are hardheaded geologists that at first don’t get along at all. Gemma’s sister and Cameron’s brother are married and so they have to be in each other’s life a least a little. When they first met, they were insulting each other and calling each other everything, but a nice person. Little by little they could admit to themselves that the other was decent looking and they had some ok traits. Neither wanted to get married.  It took the right person, extreme situations, and a fossil to bring them together. Like all of the other heiresses trouble seemed to find Gemma very easily. Cam and Gemma work together to figure out the mystery of what Lady Celeste wanted her to know and find. I would have liked to have a short sum up of what all the heiresses were doing in their professional and personal lives 10 years later.

The last book in this fun series finds Gemma Hastings, geologist, and Lord Cameron Lisle, fossil hunter, searching for a stolen fossil and falling in love. She has no desire to be married as she thinks a husband will interfere with her work. Cam’s attracted to her but not planning to marry. 

After a storm, they discover what they believe to be the famous Beauchamp Lizard. They must wait til daylight to dig it out safely, but when they go to do so, it’s missing and someone’s dead! Gemma decides they must consult an expert who is not too far away. They are caught in a storm and must spend the night in an inn. Cam’s brother, the vicar, makes sure he understands they must marry.

The bad guy was not who I suspected and there are other things going on. Gemma and Cam decide maybe marriage wouldn’t be a bad thing as they could work together finding fossils. I enjoyed this series very much and think you will too.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I enjoyed this latest book in the Studies in Scandal series. 

Gemma is not afraid to investigate when someone steals one of her discoveries even if it means she is putting herself in further danger. While Gemma and Cameron hadn’t gotten off to a good start, Cameron sees that she is knowledgeable and he finds himself having to rethink some of his preconceived notions. He offers to help Gemma. The investigation brings these two together allowing them to evaluate whether they are perfect for each other or not. 

I liked that both Cameron and Gemma have to step back and evaluate their first impressions of each other and that they were open to change their previously held views.

Another excellent read from Ms. Collins. The story is bright, the heroine is smart and the hero is a dream. I love that mysteries are always a part of Ms. Collins’ stories. Cam and Gemma are both fossil hunters who get in each other’s way but with that comes working together to solve the mystery…with romance as a side dish. Again the culprit was not who you might think.

I have not seen anything but am hoping that Serena gets a story. She definitely deserves it after putting up with all of the lady scholars.

This was the 4th and final book in the Studies in Scandal series. I was looking forward to reading this one and wasn't disappointed. Ms. Collins has written another engaging and enjoyable book. Geologist Gemma Hastings is the last of the 4 Beauchamp heiresses to remain at the house trying to unravel the puzzle that Celeste Beauchamp left for her. Unfortunately, Gemma's letter from Celeste was unfinished due to her untimely demise and it's up to Gemma to figure out what Celeste would have left for her. Complicating her studies in geology is her abject shun from the men in the field, especially Lord Cameron Lisle, editor of a prestigious magazine. Cam had rejected Gemma's submission and that rejection led to a less than pleasant social call. Can these two stubborn scholars get past their animosity to realize that they have more in common than they realize?


This book can be read as a stand alone story, but to get the full benefit of everything that has gone on at Beauchamp house since the four young women first arrived, it would be beneficial to read all the stories. I really enjoyed this series. Ms. Collins has shown that women in the Regency era had to fight against so many prejudices that women could be brilliant in their own right. It was fun watching as each young woman experienced not only scholarly pursuits, but also the attentions of swoon-worthy men. One did not need to forego love to be the best version of themselves they could be. Definitely recommend.

Poor Serena, she never had a chance…

What’s a chaperone to do? Three out of her four charges ended up in scandals before hasty marriages. Number 4 is up to the plate, does Serena throw her hands in the air or fight the good fight to keep her sweet and innocent? Well, she tried, lordy how she tried. Unfortunately, she wasn’t given the charge of four easily guided young ladies, she’s tasked with four smart, attractive, head-strong and stubborn ladies. She was doomed from the start.

I really enjoyed One for the Rogue and I’m sad to see this series come to an end. I’ve delighted in meeting each of the ladies, following their academic pursuits and seeing them fall in love. These women were determined to keep studying and love was only a consideration if they found the right husband who accepted this. The men who fall for the ladies will have to use all their smarts to win them over…and maybe even a little tempting, seducing and tricking to succeed.

In One for the Rogue, we get to know Gemma and Cameron a little better. We met them already (Benedick and Sophia’s story), have seen them come to loggerheads and appear to have a great dislike for each other. Well, their mutual love of geology gives them a firm base to at least form a friendship, as they spend more time together with the new family connection. Of course, they’re going to need more than that when a dead body appears.

Again, with the Studies in Scandal series, we are treated to a mystery. Their benefactress, Lady Celeste, has challenged Gemma to…well, for a while there we didn’t know what Lady Celeste’s objectives were, because her instructions weren’t finished. Gemma, being the stubborn, fiercely determined lady that she is, is moving heaven and earth, rocks, sand and I think chalk (???) to accomplish her challenge.

The storyline was interesting, the characters were lovable, the sexy times intense and the mystery kept me riveted. I got exactly what I have come to expect from a Manda Collins historical romance and I will definitely be back for more.

Poor Serena, she really was doomed. But, what do you expect when you leave four intelligent women in the company of a Rogue set on love, a Duke happy to share his benefits, a Vicar wanting a Wallflower and a Rogue looking for his one greatest discovery, love. Doomed I tell you…

I really enjoyed Gemma and Cam's story!

Gemma and Cam's first meeting (in Wallflower Most Wanted) didn't go so well, but you could see that there was an attraction there from the start. When Gemma runs into trouble with the fossil she found, she reluctantly accepts the help that Cam is offering her. This of course, means that they are spending much more time together. As they get to know the other, they realize that their first impressions are not a full picture of the other person. Both are determined not to marry, but as they get closer to each other, they both question that decision. Can they find their HEA together?

This was a great conclusion to the Studies in Scandal series. Although I'm hoping that we get at least one more as their is someone else that still needs her HEA ;).

Compared to the other books in the series, One for the Rogue felt a little lacklustre and I was glad to finally finish it and put it down. The pacing dragged in parts and the ultimate climax to the mystery felt beyond the realms of believable. Cam and Gemma also felt underdeveloped, with little growth and not enough passion.

This was such a fun and lovely historical to read--complete with a murder mystery, a scholarly and enigmatic matriarch, a hate-to-love romance, and an elusive fossil. The characters were all so much fun that I want to go back and read the rest of the books in this series just to learn more about and get to know these characters (especially Kerr and Maitland). I also really enjoyed Collins' writing and how she incorporates so much into heart and adventure and sarcastic humor into her novels. This story reminded me of A Week to be Wicked, which was written by my favorite HR author of all-time Tessa Dare. That's the highest compliment I can give, so give this one (and the rest of this series) a read!

I quite enjoyed this conclusion to the Studies in Scandal series! Gemma and Cam had great chemistry. I felt the book built on the themes of the rest of the series without being repetitive. Overall, a fun read and highly recommended.

One for the Rogue⭐️⭐️⭐️by Amanda Collins 
(Studies in Scandal#4)

This is the fourth book I have read by this author and again I say she has missed the mark.

The plot she contrived was so predictable although the peripheral story wanted to make you think other than you initial conclusion.

This series needed to introduce some fresh characters to the melange.

Loved the story! Gemma was the kind of heroine I prefer to read about. Extremely strong willed and able to handle herself in most situations. Cam was the perfect hero for me, strong alpha type but able to bend a bit to work with his lady. The story line was great. I had thought I knew who the villain was, but that changed about 3 times through to the end. It was a slight surprise and I loved how it was all tied up! I've read the other 3 stories, but this one is still a great stand alone! Thank you NetGalley for the advance book, I was glad I got to read it!

This is the final book in this series and focuses on Gemma, a geologist and Cam - also a geologist whom we met in the previous story. 

I was intrigued by this book because of the explosive argument these two had in the previous story. It was a little bit disappointing that they seemed to make up almost right away. There wasn't much by way of character development with these two. They had a very sweet story though and the mystery surrounding a murder and stolen fossil was well done.

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

Manda Collins makes every new book in her series fresh, unique, and captivating.  Gemma is a sprite who deserves a great love story of her own, and she gets a doozy.

I enjoyed the other books in this series.  This book drags a bit after the opening until about the middle & then it picks up.  It is very similar in plot to the other books in this series, but it was still an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily borrowered and read this book.  My opinions are my own. I really like these characters and the series by Manda Collins.  Cam and Gamma are related by their siblings marriage and both search for and collect fossils.  At Beauchamp house, Gemma was left a mystery by lady Celeste who left the house to 4 scientific or artistic women.  Gemma wants to find the fossil referenced in a note.  However, cam and other scientific people are lookin for fossils too and one such person is murdered and Gemma's fossil stolen.  Cam and Gemma fake an engagement to track down the thief and murderer.  The relationship between Cam and Gemma happens fast and I don't know why they did not let the magistrate handle it as he requested.  I think they could have more discretion and discernment in their investigation.  It was fun to read, thank you Manda

Even though this is book number four in the series, it is easily a stand-alone story. I have not read the three prior novels (although I assume they have to do with some of the other characters we see in this one), but I had no trouble following along with this one. 

That being said, the romance between Cam and Gemma felt rushed, especially considering the fact that when we first meet them, they do not seem to like one another very much at all. I feel as though I don't really understand them as characters, nor do I see what was so appealing about the other (ie I don't understand their attraction to each other after such an intense early dislike). 

What I did enjoy was the rest of this story. The missing fossil, and the secondary plot that is interwoven within the romance aspect are what made this story enjoyable for me. I enjoyed following along with the characters waiting to see if I could piece the mystery together before our characters (fun fact, I did NOT). 

When I look at this entire story as a whole, I am certain it will appeal to not only fans of the first three novels, but those who enjoy a different sort of historical romance as well.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Release date: June 26, 2018

The Summary:
Gemma Hastings feels the threat she can’t see. For more than a week, she’s felt as though someone is watching her every move, and she fears it may be an attempt to steal her fossil discoveries. Discounted for her gender, Gemma has fought for recognition in the male-dominated area of geology, recognition that garnered her the attention of her benefactress, a woman who left an muddy mystery behind in the form of the Beauchamp Lizard, a legendary fossil rumored to be on the Beauchamp property. Gemma rejects the claims until a man is murdered on her property while trying to take one of her fossils, and she joins forces with her nemesis Lord Cameron Lisle to find the missing discovery. Cameron Lisle doesn’t want a wife with an opinion, much less a rival. But the time he spends with Gemma on the hunt for the fossil soon forces him into a temporary betrothal, and though they agree to split after a few months, both find themselves questioning whether their fake engagement should turn into a real marriage.

In this fourth installment of the Studies in Scandals series, Collins treats reader to the story of the final bluestocking lady, Gemma Hastings. Each of the would-be heiresses have the tedious task of being a leader in her respective fields but without the recognition she deserves, and though Gemma’s interest in geology and paleontology isn’t the most romantic of fields, her story is still characteristic of the mysteries Collins has created in each of these novels. And though lots of character names are introduced quickly in the first few chapters, the reader will not need them all, and the important characters soon make their presence known. Being a fan of the series made the story easier to follow, but most readers will still be able to follow the plot without previous reading. 

As is the case in many romance novels, Gemma doesn’t realize she’s beautiful, but she really doesn’t receive male attention until she lays down her digging implements and “gussies up,” an irony not lost on Gemma or the reader. The standard “he’s so swoon-worthy I could die” hero isn’t really present either. Though Cam isn’t described as UNattractive, he also isn’t given the attention that many romance heroes get in this area. In fact, Gemma definitely dominates in the novel, fitting since it is about the empowerment of women. 

Having two people so vehemently against marriage is a bit of an anomaly as well. Typically, one of the two protagonists will desire the marriage, but neither Gemma nor Cam want marriage, both agreeing instead to the scandalous proposal of a teacher-learner kind until late in the novel. 

I enjoyed this book, but it didn’t have the shine the first two novels had, but if Collins writes another series, I will definitely read it!

4 Stars