I should have loved this book, but I only liked it. Regency era enemies to lovers with a reluctant nobleman who wants to collect fossils and a spirited woman business owner who doesn’t need anyone. Sign me up.

Roan’s youthful infatuation with Hellie is ruined when he says something thoughtless and damaging to her business and she can never forgive him. Ten years of off page sparring pass before we see them again, him still besotted and her angry but attracted.

But all this potential was lost with massive telling rather than showing. If their backstory had been woven in rather than info dumped, it might have caught my interest at the beginning, but other key aspects of their character arcs and experiences were still just told to us and we never got to experience them.

There are awkward sentences that are more like incomplete thoughts. At one scene the POV jumps needlessly to the hero’s sister to set her up for a future book. And our heroine is a shipping magnate but also is a talented midwife? Mary Sue alert. And the word chit was so overused that I started counting.

This one is formulaic, but if formulaic regency romance is your comfort read, you’ll probably like this one.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

My favorite from the series so far! I really loved both Helena and Roan and the way their history was built upon. As with the rest of the series, theirs was a nontraditional love story and it was captivating from start to finish. I was glad that we got to see a bit more of them together than just the buildup to a marriage.

The Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Summers is an historical romance with just enough spice to reel you in and keep you reading. The novel revolves around Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton and Helena Astley, Lady Hell. Both are strong - headstrong people who know what they want and are willing to work to those ends. Interestingly enough - they do not recognize that one of the things they want is a forever relationship with each other.

Roan has determined that he will not wed, but Helena Astley has been intriguing and confounded him for years. He made an error in judgment when he was young and she has kept him away from her for years! Helena Astley, Lady Hell wants nothing more than to run her father’s business. She believes she has no time for anything else and is not interested in Roan Darlington, although she has done everything she can to irritate him to no end.

Then everything changes and Roan asks Helena and her sister to join his “group” for Christmas. Sparks fly, fireworks and lots of hotness happen and suddenly they are married without a lot of choice. The Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Summers is a hot, fun read!

I Loved It! This is the third in the series which brings the characters who found a place in your heart are back, this time in Helena and Roan story. The Scandalous Vixen will keep you spellbound from the moment you begin the journey with Helena and Roan until the very end! Tracy Sumner has written a story that's filled with characters that weave a story that will hold you spellbound as their individual personalities become more than just part of the tale they come off the pages and pull you in, the book flowed well from one thing to another without being forced, an enjoyable plot, and delightful banter. The scenes are so strikingly detailed it paints an incredible backdrop that makes you feel like you are one with the story. Sparks fly between these two individuals as their emotions start to bombard them on their journey to admitting their love for one another will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

The Duchess Society is back with its latest installment - The Scandalous Vixen. Helena Astley, AKA Lady Hell to the members of society, is blazing her own path. She grew up outside of the ton, runs her father's shipping business now that he deceased, and is now responsible for her half-sister.

Roan Darlington - the Duke of Leighton - has zero interest in finding a wife now that he is a Duke. He wants to live his own life and take care of the things that matter most to him. He does not believe that finding a wife will help him with his life.

The two worlds collide and it takes 10 years before either will act on it. And now - a sham engagement at Christmas may force both of them to face the truth.

There is another book coming - so excited!!

Ah, enjoyed it!
A Duke who has been crushing on Helena for ages finally gets his chance to make her, his!

This was my first Tracy Sumner book and I loved it so much! It was light, fun, and romantic. I got all the historical vibes I wanted.
I loved the characters especially the Duke and his love for children. I loved how bold and strong Helena was!
This book is amazing and I highly recommend it!
Can't wait for the next one in the series!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

In her latest book, The Scandalous Vixen: The Duchess Society Book 2, Tracy Sumner gives us a luminous story of love, perseverance and growth, ten years in the making. I have been a fan of regency romances since I was a middle school student in the seventies. I find the mixture of gentility and snark to be irresistible. Ms. Sumner is an able successor to Georgette Heyer but with giant helpings of heat and vulnerable passion.
Roan Darlington, newly minted Duke of Leighton, spies a joyous girl from the cliffs as she frolics near the seashore, collecting artifacts. He continues to watch her, growing more enamored as the days pass. Roan learns that the girl is Helena Astley, an extremely wealthy shipping heiress but common born. When given the opportunity to be in her presence, he does a few things right but alienates her with his words. The only good thing to come from their encounter is the fossil Roan gave her before his words caused a rift that would last for ten years. To his credit, Roan immediately tries to make amends, but he is rebuffed and rebuffed and rebuffed some more. However, this strong loving man continued to hope that one day the love of his life would love him back. Helen or Hellie as she is referred to by the ton is outwardly independent and self sufficient but inwardly starving for a love of the heart. Once she allows him in, she finds that Roan is that love. Roan and Hellie are totally engaging as a couple and I found their story to be emotionally satisfying on all levels!
Thank you to NetGalley , BookBuzz.net and Wolf Publishing for the opportunity to read this delightful book!

Unfortunately, The Scandalous Vixen didn't sweep me off my feet. On paper, it promised to be everything that I could ever wish for: a regency romance, enemy-to-lovers, fake dating (actually, fake engagement), heroine-meets-rake, etc. However, it didn't live up to the expectations. While the book does encompass all these tropes, it still came across as narrow and limited in scope. There isn't really much else going on besides the two protagonists, who come together surprisingly fast, I might add, and there is very little development there. The relationship itself was tragically average, nothing that I haven't seen, heard, watched before, so the book suffered even more from the lack of "otherness". It was just too spare, poor and non-descript, it could've happened anywhere, at any point in time, and to anyone. There was truly nothing special to it. The only thing that justified the choice of the regency era as the setting was the societal expectations and the presence of the judgemental "ton", but that was about it, to be honest. Simply a type of lacklustre that the lust couldn't mend.

4 Stars! This is the second book in the series, not counting the prequel. It can be read as a standalone book and has a HEA ending to wrap everything up. This was a good book overall. A bit slow going at first but it got better. The ‘sexy times’ were a bit drawn out for my tastes but still hot. I loved how the main female character was independent and didn’t really care about what society thought of how independent she was, how she acted or how she, shockingly enough, worked for a living! All in all, an entertaining read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

I have fallen head over heels for The Duchess Society series and it has been an absolute delight to read each one. In The Scandalous Vixen, we meet Roan Darlington, the seventh Duke of Leighton, and Helena Astley, known to the ton as "Lady Hell." One cannot help but tumble into the able arms of Roan when he is described as one that admires strong women. That is all too true when we see how he falls for Helena and everything she is. "We met by chance, a random occurrence that never felt random to me. It felt like the gods conspiring to give me something of my very own, a thunderbolt that shook me where I stood on that seaside crag. My person set before me. Forcing me to shove myself in your path whether you wanted me there or not. A courtship I handled poorly as neither of us realized I was courting."

In chapter two, Roan removes a splinter from Helena's finger and it is quite possibly the hottest splinter removal ever written. Who knew removing a splinter could involve so many emotions? Afterward, we are told that it is now six weeks after the splinter removal, which marks it as a pivotal point in the hero and heroine coming to terms with their emotions and attractions.

I was amused by how Tracy Sumner titles the chapters in this book, each one is a cheeky nod to the evolving love story. I found them to be quite entertaining and they brought a smile to my face. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a slow-burn romance and an enemies-to-lovers trope. Tracy Sumner has given us a heroine who sets her hero ablaze with her distinctiveness and extraordinary personality. "Care to climb on my lap again, darling Hellie? One of the ultimate thrills of my life was you clambering atop me on that bloody bench."

This book sets up the next in the series that will focus on Pippa, Roan's sister, and Xander Macauley, one of Roan's friends in the Leighton Cluster. I loved the brooding, hulk of a man that Xander is described as. I predict one thoroughly heated waltz to be danced between the two in the upcoming book and am looking forward to its release in April immensely.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tracy Sumner, and WOLF Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the above options are of my own.

Troupe: Enemies to Lovers, Love at first sight

The Dutchess Society has me hooked! Tracy Sumner is a new author to me, and I loved her writing. I am definitely reading more of her books, I can't wait for the next story. The Scandalous Vixen was her second book, it can be read as a standalone or in order.

Roan and Helena met 10 years ago, and Roan fell in love with Helena at first sight. Roan had just come into Dukedom that he was not expected, and he is over his head. Helena is not nobility, but an heiress due to the success of her father. The tragedy is he made a few stupid remarks that he regrets at a party, which left Helena feeling very vulnerable and made her hold a grudge for 10 years. Roan has a fascination with fossils and Helena does whatever she can to ensure he can't get his hands on those fossils he wants. Now an opportunity has presented itself with them spending more time together, it forces them to acknowledge the fire and passion between them.

It was very engaging and a good page turner. I read it all in a day, I couldn't put it down! There was passion between the characters, depth to the charters and witty banter between the main characters, Roan and Helena. I highly recommend this book!

I read this as an Advanced Reader Copy and all my unbiased review is my own. Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in advance.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Oh My Gosh…where do I get started with this book! It was AMAZING. This was my first reading a Historical Romance Novel and Tracy knocked it out of the park! Helena Astley runs her fathers shipping business and lives her life according to her rules. Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, has no desire to find a Duchess and settle down. Until he meets Helena 😏 Ten insufferable years go by with these two playing cat and mouse, challenging each other, until Roan offers her an alternative she can’t resist. This was the most perfect slow burn, passion, and pining all in one💗

*Enemies to Lovers
*Historical Romance
*Hot Chemistry

Lady Helena Ashley is a wealthy heiress who run’s her father’s shipping business. Earning her the title of Lady Hell amongst the Ton.
The Duke of Leighton, Roan Darlington has had to learn the duties of being a Duke without the help of family.
Roan thoughtlessly insults Helena and she vows to never go near him again but sometimes attraction is stronger than hanging onto hurt feelings.

Wow, what an enjoyable read. I loved the chemistry between Roan and Helena and how hard they tried to resist their attraction. I loved Helena, she is a strong and independent who knows her own mind.
The book is well written with lots of witty banter to keep you smiling and the chemistry sizzled between the two.
I love the enemies to lovers troupe and this one was done exceptionally well. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley and BookSirens and this is my freely given review.

I loved this third story from the Duchess Society series from Tracy Sumner. I think I can call this my favourite one so far of the three.

I am enraptured by the idea that Roan, the Duke of Leighton, was smitten with her when he saw her on the seashore at Lyme Regis, when he was a new Duke 10 years prior, but was shy and it took him some effort to work up to even introducing himself to her... then, because insecure boys are what they are... he manages to screw it up and spends the next 10 years besotted, admiring her from afar, but ultimately not getting anywhere because he screwed up, and did not know how to unscrew it up.

On saying that, Helena, "Lady Hell" is a strong, independent female, born and raised in the stews, who inherited her father's shipping company. She is a smart, independent female entrepreneur who has to work that much harder because she is a woman, and wants to succeed and be independent. She knows she would not be accepted by society and that many would look down on her, but likewise, she does not seem to have a lot of respect or liking for them either. She is attracted to Roan, but also despises him for being an aristocrat and for how he slighted her 10 years prior. Apparently he rather insulted her, perhaps unintentionally or perhaps in a show of youthful bravado to show off to other men at a gathering... but still, she heard him, and it was never something she seemed to forget.

I found myself really liking the personalities of these two characters. The prologue to when Roan first sees Helena was very sweet, though I did not find the initial moment of their 10 year conflict very convincing. Either that, or Helena sure can hold a grudge. But they are both characters who are hiding a lot of self doubt behind veneers, and reluctant to risk showing their true, vulnerable sides. For some reason, that really connected for me, and I found myself really rooting for these two characters. They appear to be from two different worlds, but really also have a lot more in common than the two of them realize until they both start looking beyond the surface.

I found this third installment of the series to be warm, passionate, and with characters I could really connect with and found that I enjoyed this book very much. There is also a strong set up for what I presume the next novel will be about - Pippa and Xander McCauley's turn at love?

4.5 stars out of 5.

I received "The Scandalous Vixen" from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Tracy Sumner is an absolutely wonderful author, and she never fails to amaze me with her beautiful stories. This is the second book in her new Duchess Society series and I already can't wait to read the next book.
Roan Darlington, seventh Duke of Leighton and Helena Astley, a shipping mogul have had a magnetic attraction to each other for over ten years. Unfortunately, because of something said by Roan about her, Helena holds a deep-seated grudge against him. Roan is fiercely possessive of his family and friends and will do all in his power to protect them.
This book was so addictive that I read it all throughout the night, excited to know the ending and learn of the following book. Miss Sumner gets better and better with each book and keeps her readers hooked with her beautiful imagery and sensual descriptions.

Tracy Sumner is excellent at writing pining, yearning, angst, full of feels historical romance.
In The Scandalous Vixen, we meet Roan Darlington, duke to the masses and pining after Helena Astley for years. Helena is different - she's no simpering society darling. She's a business woman, heiress of a shipping company which she manages with brilliance, wealthy on her own rights.
After ten years yearning for Helena, Roan finally convinces her to spend holidays together under the guise of having her sister tutored in the ways of society by the Duchess Society.
I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to Netgalley and Tracy Sumner for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Roan Darlington, Duke of Leighton, cares little for society or finding a duchess. The only woman he wants - and has been pining for for years, is shipping heiress Helena Astley. He convinces her to attend a small house party, with the bribe that his friends - the ladies of the Duchess Society - will tutor her newly found half sister. But when a passionate kiss leaves her compromised, Roan and Helena put their hearts and futures on the line.

This is the second book in the Duchess Society series, plus a prequel. I would recommend reading the books in order because there is a strong theme of friendship throughout the stories and characters cross over.

Roan and Helena met ten years prior to the events of this story and, despite a mutual attraction, Roan bungled it and Helena held a grudge. I wouldn't call it enemies-to-lovers...Roan still wants her, and Helena is annoyed that she wants him too. I really liked both characters. Helena has money and a powerful shipping business, but she's lonely and feel isolated, not really fitting in with the working class or the ton. Roan also has identity issues, but he's done a better job dealing with them. In a lesser family branch, he didn't expect to be duke and doesn't worry much about society expectations. He's happy to surround himself with a small but loyal friend group - which Helena calls the "Leighton Cluster" - and hopes to have Helena by his side.

These characters had great spark and I enjoyed seeing them come together. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Tropes: Class Difference, Compromised, Second Chance

Steam: 3

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheScandalousVixen #NetGalley

I must say, I really liked this story. I thought it would be the story of commoner meets duke when children and then they meet again. But, oh my gosh, it was anything but. This story was part of a series and in previous books, she meets her long lost half-sister, who is about 13 years younger and the heroine is raising her. The heroine was an heiress to a shipping magnate. But her father taught her well on how to safe guard her money. So the heroine runs and maintains her own business. She is sucessful and powerful. But, 10 years ago, she was on the beach and looked up and saw a young man, her age, and he came forward and they would look for fossils and walk the beach. He, the hero, falls in love, When he was trying to be part of the crowd, he was heard by her say something disparaging a couple of months after they had spent so much time together. She became upset and they fought in public since. He lures her to his estate for Christmas and spoiler.
The story is wonderfully written and totally to be read on it's own. The characters grow and develop in the story. The settings are numerous and believable. The language is accurate to the time period. I am giving this book 5 stars with a recommendation to read.

The Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Summers is a Regency romance that delights in its sweetness but falls slightly flat in its execution. Summers keeps a consistent pace throughout the story, slowly developing the romantic arc between her protagonists, Roan and Helena. The happily-ever-after ending nicely caps off this novel, making it a light-hearted and enjoyable read.

However, I wish that there had been more development of Helena and Roan’s individual characters outside of their romance, and that some plot points, such as Helena and Roan’s familial backgrounds and first encounter, had been more thoroughly explained. Overall, this novel is perfect for readers looking for a not-too-heavy historical romance with a happy ending and likable characters.

The Scandalous Vixen by Tracy Sumner is book 2 in The Duchess Society series. A misunderstanding between Roan and Helena leads to a decade of denial and longing. Ever since that fateful day, Roan has been waiting for a chance to make it up to Helena. While she has spent that time building a wall around her heart. Will these two make up for lost time? Readers that that enjoy enemies to lovers, strong female characters and men willing to go the extra mile should not miss this one.