I have to start off with why I read this book. The title really caught me. I love to read historical romances with heroines that do not just toe, but cross any boundary, and the heroine in the book completely fulfills that characteristic, but she's also more relatable than I imagined. The prologue was a bit confusing, throwing out hints that didn't really connect, but you just have to store them for the second half of the book, when they really come into play. This is a story between Lady 'Hell', the daughter of a merchant promoted to Earl, and a son of a baron promoted to Duke. By the first chapter, it's easy enough to predict what the characters are like and how the story will turn out, but the background stories of both Lady Helena and the Duke go into more depth. I especially appreciated the failed relationship in Helena's past and the Duke's reaction to it; although it's a historical romance, I appreciate the modern touches. I adore competitive characters and banter, which definitely added a star to this book for me. I loved the younger sisters and I'm hoping they'll get their own stories soon as well. I don't think Sir Reginald was truly necessary however; I believe the story would have been complete without him. Overall, this was 4.5 stars for me and I would definitely recommend it for historical romance lovers, and I'm sure I'll read it again as well.

4.5 Stars ⭐️

The Scandalous Vixen is book 2 of Tracy Sumner’s The Duchess Society series and is the type of book that will reel you in and keep you glued to your kindle! I adore this series and couldn’t wait go get my hands on this book. I was not disappointed!

Helena and Roan are going to take you on an incredible journey as we watch them both come to terms with their oftentimes, crazy feelings for each other. I enjoyed watching them battle it out and come out better for it. Their chemistry was off the charts and I couldn’t wait for their happily ever after. Once I started this book I could not put it down!

I’m giving The Scandalous Vixen the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

The Scandalous Vixen follows Helena and Roan as they fight-- and then give into-- the attraction that's been building between them for years.
I liked the tension between them, and the fact that Helena has her own company and money-- more money than Roan even. I loved that he immediately made it clear that he would honor that her money and her company are her own. The dynamic in his friend group was great, as well.

I wasn't as drawn in by the prose as I had hoped, and often found myself wishing that more was happening on the page, rather than being alluded to-- I would have happily read another few chapters to get to see important moments between the characters play out, rather than reading about them in passing.

How unusual it is to find two books in one. While the main story entangles you in each following moment a small license appears with a fragment from the point of view of another character that opens the doors to the next book without monopolize all the attention of the main story
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The timing and rhythm was as perfect as the passion and the prose. I would have liked to continue reading more about the characters but I guess I will be able to know more in the next book
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Roan Duke of Leighton is in love with the inappropriate Miss Astley ten years ago when he first saw her on the coast collecting fossils but a little too much whiskey played a trick on him leaving him exposed as just another high society man who has no qualms about holding his nose up above others
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Ten years in which Helena maintained that anger and made it impossible for him to do every business he wanted to achieve. Ten years thrown overboard when rumors begin to run against him and the Duke of Leighton offers to help by pretending to court her until New Year. Every second around him serves to break every piece of prejudice they have about each other and without realizing it they end up understanding what they feel
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Without big traps or turns, the story of Roan and Helena is soft and full of passion on each page. This is my first Tracy Sumner book and I look forward to reading the next one
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Thanks to Tracy Sumner and Book Buzz net for give me this great book in exchange for my honest opinion I really enjoyed reading it

Wow, can I say- hot! And fiery! 🔥 We have strong willed heroine Helena who isn't afraid of Roan, the Duke. They had perfect banters, their chemistry is on fire and wow! There is surely great romance involved in here!
Oh, and how I love secret admiration!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Read an ARC.

Spectacular. Even starting with the second book in the series I devoured this enchanting story and immediately after finishing, bought the first book. This series has so much chemistry!

The Duke is clearly infatuated but has a difficult time expressing himself in ways approved by polite society. I wanted a little more time spent in the 'enemies' camp before moving towards lovers. That said, the romance portions are spicy and sprinkled throughout. Also I am not sure "vixen" is the right descriptor for Lady Hell. Genuine and heartfelt characters with equally well developed secondary cast.

What sells this book is how much it luxuriates in the concept of love. It isn't over after they hook up, it isn't over after they get married, and I am eager to catch references to their continued devotion in future books of the series.

A must read for the regency romantic!

Wouldn’t you just think that a tale that puts together a leading lady with the nickname Lady Hell (Lady Helena Astley) and the savagely suave Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton who’s admired Hell for years, to be sensational. All Helena wants to do is run her father’s shipping business. The road to that desire has boulders strewn across her path.
Their confrontation is unexpected, a sham engagement is called for … and yet will this give them both the desires of their hearts? Can both their needs be met, and then some?
A lively romance and quick read but nowhere near as electrifying as I’d hoped.

A Wolf Pub. ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is the second book of The Duchess Society series. To get the most out of the series, it's best to read them in order, starting with the prequel. As with all of Ms. Sumner's books, this is a well-written story with sharp, witty dialogue that will make you smile, giving you some laugh out loud moments along the way. The writing was creative and the story and characters were so vividly written you can easily picture everything in your mind's eye. This was a sort of an enemies to lovers romance between Helena and Roan. Helena is a strong, independent, and intelligent woman who successfully runs her father's shipping company. Roan is charming, but also short-tempered and still holds a torch for Helena. They had first met years earlier and were instantly attracted to each other, but a few careless remarks made by Roan at a society event ended things before they truly began, and now ten years later, that spark still exists between them. Caught in a compromising situation, Roan is more than happy to offer Helena marriage to save her reputation. They both cannot deny the passion that exists between them, and the desire that they fought for so long breaks free. These two had the most amazing chemistry and it was great to see their true feelings come through. This was a wonderful story and the their journey to a happy ending was well worth the read. The plot was cleverly put together and I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. This is a great addition to the series!

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Roan had a secret fascination and love for Helena but she’s not got the correct background to be a duchess. Roan doesn’t seem to care. Unfortunately it takes 10 years of back and forth for them to finally get together.
I enjoyed the book when I was reading it, but I was easily distracted as it struggled to hold my attention. The result being it took me much longer to read it than normal.
I received this book from the author via NetGalley. I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

Wow, this book was sooooo much better then I anticipated! I absolutely loved their back story and the dynamics of their evolving “relationship “. I enjoyed all the characters involved and will definitely be looking into more books from this author.

Tracy Sumner has become an automatic buy for me. The characters in her books are unusual but so important to the fiber of the story. The Scandalous Vixen is the story of a Duke and a Sailor’s daughter. The attraction between them pulls you into the story. The secondary characters add to 5he story as well, I am so glad I read the previous books in the series.

I read this as an ARC through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Book Two in this new series The Duchess Society is really only peripheral to it. It centers around Helena Astley, the heiress to the Astley Shipping company, a rival of Tobias Streeter, the Hero of the previous novel in the series. She runs the company on her own after inheriting it from her father, along with a younger half-sister. She is common-born, but a very wealthy heiress, but is not a member of the ton, or even really accepted by them despite running in some of the same monied circles around horse racing and the like.

When she was a girl, she took a trip to the seaside and was there seen by Roan, Duke of Leighton, who is a close friend of the heroes of the previous novels. He is an avid amateur archaeologist and was at the shore looking for fossils but found a girl instead and immediately and accidentally insulted her over her birth. They have been rivals ever since, with her deliberately snatching up archaeological finds before he can acquire them out of spite.

Because they were both madly attracted to one another then, and remain so to this day.

While this is a cross-class romance, and Helena keenly feels the slights given to her by ton members, there’s really little impediment on that front. Pots of money smooth the way to nearly everything, and Roan and his actual friends, the husbands of the founders of the Duchess Society, don’t care about birth at all.

The real negotiations in their relationship come from first admitting how much they are attracted to each other and then letting their guard down fully with one another and that is handled very well and with a great deal of skill. This is also the book in this series with the most sex in it and there is a lot. It almost becomes tedious but it’s understandable, because that’s the way they allow themselves to connect with each other first.

The Duchess Society is barely in this book, though Roan’s younger sister Pippa and Helena’s younger sister Theo are both put into its care to find them suitable husbands. It’s very much focused on the central relationship, and you like these two, especially Helena.

As usual, the various side characters in the book add greatly to the pleasure of reading it. There are a couple of housemaids and a stable boy who are integral to the plot and who seem like real people, not caricature. It’s refreshing. You don’t see the “low” characters in a lot of stories and when you do, they are just window dressing and Sumner gives hers real personalities and feelings and points of view. It seems to be a trademark in her work and I’m very glad of it.

There’s nothing surprising here, but it is a solid romance and has a satisfying HEA where everyone’s ambitions and personalities are accommodated. You can see the hero and heroine belong together.

Shipping heiress Helena Astley lives by her own rules and has been very successful at that so far, up until she allows one kiss from the duke she can’t resist, giving him an opportunity to enter her well-ordered life.

Roan Darlington, the reluctant Duke of Leighton, doesn’t put much stock in society’s dictates and isn’t interested in marrying one of their simpering misses. Helena is the only woman to ever truly ignite his interest and he’s been unable to forget her these last ten years. So, when they are caught together in a compromising position, he’s thrilled to offer her marriage. Helena is less than comfortable with the situation, but for her younger half-sister’s sake, she knows she must go through with it. Soon, the passion between Helena and Roan is undeniable and they must both decide if they’re willing to risk their hearts to make a real marriage.

I remain pleasantly surprised by how charming I found this book. Helena did work on my nerves at times with her hesitation and her fears, but Roan had those same issues, and both were understandable and rather relatable. I found it very endearing that both Helena and Roan had been holding back feelings for each other for years but getting them to admit those feelings was quite an ordeal. Nonetheless, the chemistry between these two was so strong and clear on the page that I really didn’t mind. In fact, I think the hard-won aspect made their HEA more satisfying, especially given the fact that they both demonstrated so much growth and willingness to acknowledge their weaknesses and work to correct them. I think the beauty of this story was in that aspect of having flawed main characters who admitted their deficiencies and accepted each other regardless. The unconditional love these two established in the end was very endearing and I enjoyed their story. This was my first read from this author, but it won’t be my last.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this book to be written well and can be a standalone novel. The previous novels would be helpful to understand the back ground of the other characters but not necessary.

Roan is thrown into a position of a Duke after the 2 inline for the role die. So he is unequipped and trying g to keep his head above water. Helena is a woman in a man's world and scratches for every inch she gains. Neither understand the other. So after 10 years they FINALLY give each other a chance at friendship. However this situation puts them in a compromising situation.
As with other books that are Steamy i glanced over the bedroom scenes and enjoy the rest of the plot. This book can be enjoyed without those science and there is not a lot of bad language.
I recieved this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved Lady Hell's story. Such an endearing romance. Perfect for a cosy weekend read. Can be read as a standalone or a part of the series.

Lady Hell's Inferno

Well, this is my new favorite Tracy Sumner book! I adored Lady Hell. Helena "Lady Hell" Astley walks casually on the seashore as a teenager girl, well-aware that standing on a cliff observing her is a handsome young man.

The young man is none other than Roan, an earl's son who is about to inherit a dukedom, much to his great displeasure, being in rather pitiful financial straits. Immediately taken with Helena, Roan makes a horrible mess of things at his first encounter with her and sets off a chain of events which leaves us, the reader, skipping ahead ten years to when...

Lady Hell and the Defiant Duke are, arguably, enemies. At least, as far as Helena is concerned. She has scorned what she perceives as insincere attempts by Roan to make amends for his cruel faux-pas ten years earlier.

However, Roan slowly worms his way into Helena's life and eventually makes a daring proposal. Knowing that Helena is responsible for her younger half-sister and wishes for her to have all of the best opportunities which were off the table for Lady Hell--a girl from the rookery who inherited her father's shipping business and enjoys being a working woman--Roan invites Helena and her sister to his estate to take advantage of lessons from the Duchess Society.

How can Helena refuse such a generous offer? Of course, complicating matters is the fact that Roan suggests they make things "more proper" by pretending to be courting. So, this enemies to lovers story is also, in part, a fake courtship/engagement plot, which makes it even more fun.

Sumner is a deft word-weaver and there are far too many quotable bits to choose from:

"Love arrives much as your fist did against Leighton's jaw," Tobias Streeter, the hero from Sumner's last book, tells Roan. "Without notice. I hope you have ten children to keep you up at night. You'll worry your damned life over them, let me tell you. But be happier for it, I promise."

Look forward to lots of comically-delivered tidbits of wisdom like this offered by characters from previous books who pop up throughout the story. Throughout it all, Sumner balances steam with wit, warmth, and humor and continues to endear her hero and heroine to us as they evolve and grow. Two hilarious maids who turn out to be more shrewd than they first seem and a dramatic baby delivery add to a great third act.

STEAM LEVEL: Very Steamy (4/5)

This was a great enemies to lovers book! It was totally believable and I loved the characters so much. Roan was the perfect shy Duke who no one realized was shy because he hid it by being handsome and arrogant. Helena was a great foil to his shyness. The pace of the two of them coming together was well done, and it had just the right amount of angst along the way. I can't wait to read Xander and Pippa's story!

This was such a great regency romp. I loved the characters, story, and the spice. The main female Hellie is a breath of fresh air. Strong, independent, and wealthy on her own. Roan is a closet nerd in a Dukes fancy suit. I can't wait to read the next one about Roans sister and his best friend 😱🌶❤

Tracy Sumner’s books are my new favorites. Roan and Helena have loved each other from afar for more than a decade. They finally decide to give into the feelings. They both have to conquer the struggles with their fears and independent natures. Roan have loved Helena longer than anyone else. They learned to navigate their struggles together.

One pet peeve…I felt the timeline did not line up with the previous book in the series. It felt mismatched with the epilogue of the previous book.

I would give it a 4.5.

Tracy Sumner is an author that I have actually never read before. After this book, I will run, not walk to my nearest bookstore. (well let's be honest, it will probably be my kindle store haha) I absolutely enjoyed this book.

The spoiler-free summary:

Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, has had too much responsibility keeping the Duchy afloat for a decade. He is considered ruthless, bold, rash, and a rake to all of society but what they don't know is that he is infatuated with a shipping heiress who is widely known as Lady Hell.

Helena Astley, Lady Hell to the ton, is content with being by herself and running her late father's shipping company. After overhearing some rude comments made by Roan she spends 10 years fighting her attraction and making him believe she does not like him.

When a kiss changes everything they must work towards finding their happily ever after.

All the things I loved:

Roan, the Hero: Can I marry this guy? He was not without his flaws but so yummy. Funny, witty, deliciously intelligent, passionate, and caring. I adored him.
Helena, the badass heroine: I usually don't like female leads (a story for another time) but I really liked how much of a badass she was while still having realistic insecurities. I know some may say she was too modern for the time but I feel like we often do not give enough credit to the many women who were amazing and defied societal expectations of them. Yes, they were out there and paved the way for all of us. Frankly, I want to read about these fearless women!
The love: Sigh, there is nothing that I simp over more than a hero obsessed with the heroine.
The HEAT: You actually feel the tension building. Every time she was intrigued, so was I.

The one thing I didn't love:

Helena was a bit of an “I am not like other girls” girl which is a bit of a turn-off. With that said she really wasn't like other girls (of her time) so I shall give her a pass lol.


I can go on and on about how many things I loved but I think you got the picture. Buy it, read it, listen to it, or borrow it from your local library (mine was an advanced reader copy from Netgalley). I hope you love it as much as I did.