I was looking forward to A Lady’s Guide To Scandal after reading Sophie Irwin’s first book and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a swoony romance with a strong female character and a charming cad, this book is for you!

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange of a

This was very fun and good, and I loved the focus on how a woman can finally live an independent life but still have to deal with the societal challenges.

This was so fun. The writing is whip smart and the banter is wonderful. I loved all the interactions between the main characters and the arc of our female main character.

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting was one of my favorite romances of 2022; Scandal has surpassed it. Funny and unflinching, it offers a heroine worth rooting for, an intriguing spin on Jane Austen's Persuasion, and perhaps the first love triangle I've ever really felt invested in.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Just like the first book, this was a delight to read.

I love how Sophie Irwin showcases prejudice and sexism in her regency novels. The rules are in place and though the characters follow them for the most part, it’s obvious how ridiculous they are.

I usually HATE love triangles, but I did not mind this one - I think it was realistically shown.

The BANTER!! I love the dialogue between Eliza and Melville, Eliza and Margaret, etc.

I think this takes Persuasion by Jane Austen and changes it very nicely, as it shows how growth and time apart changes people.

I really like Eliza’s growth and I think it was portrayed well. Also, I approve of who she ends up with.

In a Nutshell: Second standalone novel in ‘A Lady’s Guide’ historical romance series. Fairly entertaining. Has some novel points, but mostly sticks to the tried-and-tested. Not as good as the first book.

Story Synopsis:
1819. When twenty-eight-year-old Eliza is widowed after just ten years of marriage, she is more relieved than grief-stricken. After all, her late husband, more than twenty years her senior, wasn't her choice of life partner.
However, Eliza is still not free to live her own life as she is restricted by social conventions about what widows can do and how widows should behave. Wanting some leeway in her "mourning", Eliza goes with her cousin Margaret to Bath for a break and lives life to the fullest she can while in a widow’s garb. But when news of her "scandalous behaviour" reaches her family, Eliza realises that for a woman, even freedom has consequences.
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of Eliza.

This is the second book in the “A Lady's Guide” series, the first book being the delightful “A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting”. The books are standalone, and other than a reference to Lord Radcliffe from book one, I didn’t note any link between the two storylines apart from the common historical setting. The books can be read in any order.


Bookish Yays:
👌 Though the story is mostly typical to the genre, (which is perfectly fine; I don’t look for novelties and twists in romcoms,) it highlights some of the prejudiced thinking of historical England. The umpteen number of rules about how to walk/talk/behave are highlighted in an almost satirical way. The story also showcases other serious topics such as the snooty attitude towards outsiders and biracial citizens, the patriarchal laws under which women couldn’t do or own anything without having an approval from the men in their life, and the ruthless obsession of climbing up the social ladder at any cost.
👌 Melville’s character is one of the stand-outs of this plot. Through his biracial background and his Indian mother, he makes for an uncommon historical romance hero. Though not exactly a “good” character, I liked his portrayal, not because of the Indian factor but because his Indianness wasn’t shoved into the plot merely for a dash of exoticism.
👌 Eliza is also an artist, and for once, a plot actually makes use of its FMC’s talent rather than just mentioning it casually. The social mores towards woman artists, which even involved guidelines about the type of paint they could use on their canvases, is written well.
👌 There are some great moments of fun and banter between many characters, especially between Eliza and her cousin Margaret, and between Eliza and Melville.
👌 Most of the story is set in Bath, and the writing seems to make great use of Bath’s attractions to the then-hep crowd.


Bookish Mixed Bags:
⚠ While Kitty from the first book wanted financial security (hence, the “fortune hunting”), Eliza in this book wants freedom. Restrained almost throughout her adult life into doing what she doesn’t want to, she uses her widowhood to test independent waters. Her personality clearly indicates how she was emotionally manipulated into situations not to her liking, and how she now wants to live her own life for once. I liked this aspect of her characterisation. That said, while the first book had me rooting for Kitty throughout, I didn’t feel the same affinity towards Eliza as some of her decisions made me cringe. She also pulls off an abrupt switcheroo of affections after committing to one man – never nice to see this!
⚠ The first book played a nice ode to Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’, and P&P Easter eggs were visible throughout the book. This book is supposed to do the same for Austen’s ‘Persuasion’, but other than a couple of points (such as the old lover returning after almost a decade and stirring up the same romantic feelings), I found barely any connection between the two books. If this is indeed supposed to be a modernised and feminised version of Persuasion, it doesn’t work.
⚠ There is an LGBTQ couple later in the book, a relationship that you will be able to foresee many chapters in advance. But their portrayal doesn’t seem authentic to the era. The relationship seems too smooth for the 1810s setting, and Eliza’s initial reaction to the news didn’t involve even the blink of an eye. Still, the couple was sweet, and they were two of the best characters in the book.
⚠ I liked the ending, not because it offered any surprises (it doesn’t) but because it stops at just the right level of hope, with enough for us to guess how the story will proceed from that point. I just wish the lead-up to it wasn’t so rushed. Most of the plot goes by at a relaxed pace, but the finale zooms with a hurried smoothening-out of all issues.

Bookish Nays:
👎There is a love triangle in the book, but frankly, it was boring. Love triangles are fun only when there is tension across the two suitors, or when we readers can’t make up our mind about whom to root for. But as the triangle was so wonky in this book, we clearly know right at the start who the “winner” of the girl’s hand will be. This kills some of the fun. The ending is quite predictable, as Eliza's choice won't cause any shocks or surprises.
👎The connection between Eliza and Somerset doesn't come across strongly, which is quite surprising as they had known each other for many years. Maybe she had been a naive teen who had supposed herself in love with him but their relationship seems quite flimsy, both in the past and in the present.
👎The other characters (with the exception of Lady Caroline and, to a certain extent, Margaret) are stereotypical. No surprises or shattering of moulds.
👎There is a lot of repetition in Eliza’ thoughts, which get even more muddled and circuitous when she is confused about her feelings.

All in all, this does work if you keep the genre in mind and aren’t looking for Austenesque vibes. Maybe the book might click better if you want a Bridgerton kind of “modernised historical romance”. It offers plenty of mindless entertainment, with “mindless” being the key word. Don’t overthink, and you'll like it better. I did have some fun with it, but as it pales in comparison to the first book, I didn’t love it to the same extent.

3.25 stars.

My thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Lady's Guide to Scandal”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This was a cute little romance book in the vein of a Austen novel. Eliza is a young widow with a large fortune who finds herself able to enjoy life once again. Enter: her first love, Oliver, and the ton rake, Melville.

This book is very much focused on the characters rather than the spice that we see in a lot in regency romances. There really isn’t any spice so sorry to those who like that, but this still is a charming and cute book with plenty of flirtatious moments

Also ringing the regency lesbian alarm🔔🔔

A LADY'S GUIDE TO SCANDAL by Sophie Irwin (A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting) is light and fluffy, a welcome diversion from some of the heavier subjects I have been reading lately. Once again, Irwin transports readers to a time when social mores in England dictated the period of mourning, the colors a woman could wear, and the events she could attend. Eliza (Lady Somerset), recently widowed after an arranged marriage, is gifted with an inheritance which allows her to pursue a more carefree lifestyle with her companion and cousin, Margaret. Of course, there is the hint of heart palpitating romance – both with a former, once-jilted suitor and someone new and totally unsuited in the view of the ton. That leads to witty dialogue and amusing adventures, sure to please Irwin's growing number of fans.

Widowed after 10 long years in a loveless marriage, Eliza doesn't know which way to turn. Her domineering family (with the exception of her cousin and companion Margaret) want her to return home-presumably to have her life run by them yet again. Much to everyone's surprise, the old Earl left Eliza a fortune, only to be retained with good behavior (read nothing scandalous, no affairs, extravagant spending, or general having of any fun at all) at the discretion of the new Earl...who happens to be Eliza's beloved, now back from the colonies and still unmarried. Eliza takes herself off to Bath (as one does) with Margaret in tow to see if she can figure out what it is she wants. Will it be her old flame, the new Earl, or the scandalous Lord Melville who will win her heart?

"A Lady's Guide to Scandal" is very reminiscent of Austen's "Persuasion", in that an old love comes back into the picture. I found it to be well written, but not as enjoyable as her first novel. Kudos to Ms Irwin for making two of the protagonists (Lord Melville and his sister) South Asian, as well as the inclusion of a same-sex romance between Margret and Melville's sister that was meaningful, and not just an aside to the story.

Light and fluffy quick read. Good for the beach or a rainy day. Easily read but just as easily forgettable.

I enjoyed this Regency romance more than the author’s first offering (A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting). The situation the main character finds herself is more realistic and the plot is entertaining. The characterizations are a bit shallow, but I would read the author’s next book, looking forward to watching her grow as a novelist. Rating is 3.5.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ARC.

Lady Eliza Somerset isn't exactly a merry widow, but her husband's death and the portion of his fortune and estate she receives means she's the most independent she's ever been. His passing also means the return of the new Lord Somerset in her life, a former flame who has haunted her ever since she ended things with him ten years ago.

Eliza can finally explore her own interests - her own life - when she and her cousin, Margaret, take up residence in Bath. Among the many people they meet are the Melvilles, and the handsome, but notorious Lord Melville. When Eliza takes on her first ever commission to paint his portrait and put her artistic talent to use, her newfound life becomes more complicated than she ever bargained for, and she's forced to make sacrifices she never anticipated to keep hold of her exhilarating new freedom.

Such a fun read! Irwin writes tension really, really well. And great dialogue. I also loved the secondary storyline between Margaret and Caroline, which I thought was handled beautifully. It added so much depth to the characters and the overall story. Like with her first novel, Irwin grounded this romance in reality in a way not many other authors are successfully able to for me. That's what I've loved most about both her books, and what I'm learning to look forward to with each new release. Already can't wait for the next one!

"A Lady's Guide to Scandal" by Sophie Irwin is a book I've been eagerly waiting for, especially after thoroughly enjoying the author's previous work. Having read and adored both books by this talented writer, I'm excited to dive into another of her enchanting tales.

Irwin's writing style is a true pleasure, blending wit, charm, and emotion seamlessly. Her ability to transport readers to historical settings while crafting characters with depth and authenticity is something I truly admire. I'm eager to see how she weaves her storytelling magic once again.

With "A Lady's Guide to Scandal," I have high expectations for a narrative that's rich in romantic tension, engaging plot twists, and characters that come to life on the page. Irwin's talent for crafting compelling relationships and evoking emotions promises a reading experience that will linger in my thoughts long after I've turned the last page.

In conclusion, my excitement for "A Lady's Guide to Scandal" is palpable, fueled by the enjoyment I've found in Sophie Irwin's previous works. With her track record of delivering engaging and heartwarming stories, I'm confident that this novel will be another double delight that I'll treasure.

I loved the second installment in this series. It’s a wonderful modern spin on historical romance. I enjoyed the setting in Bath. The heroine takes charge of her life and forces her to re-examine people in her own life and what she’d like her lifestyle to be. Five stars!

I really enjoyed the premise behind this book. Eliza is recently widowed - - but the marriage wasn't a love match so her grief is minimal. And her new future, while a bit unsure, is full of new possibilities.

She may have the chance to revisit a future with an old love or she may have an opportunity to pursue something entirely different and much more outside of her norm. Eliza will have to decide who she wants to be going forward and exactly what she's willing to risk to be that person. She also has to learn who she can trust in this new future she's trying to create for herself.

A fun and fresh read. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I enjoyed it. I didn’t like the way the love interests were handled. It took a while to enjoy the book again after I realized the direction it was gong, but I got there.

This was an enjoyable story but it was a little hard for me to get invested. I think part of the reason was the love triangle. I would rather feel emotionally connected to the couple throughout the entire book, whereas in this book I wasn’t even sure who the main couple was for quite a while.
Sophie Irwin’s writing style is unique and fits the historical very well, but it is definitely not an easy read. Sometimes that perfectly fits my mood and is great!
If this sounds like it’s up your alley then this book is for you!

Star Rating: 3.5/5
Tropes: Love triangle
CW: Death, toxic relationship

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another delightful read from Sophie Irwin! The second of her novels, A Lady’s Guide to Scandal is a delight!

After Eliza’s husband dies (with no love lost) and she comes into a large sun of money, Eliza seeks to find the freedom she has always wanted and the life she couldn’t have. An old flame? A new fling? Eliza has to reconcile who she was and who she wants to be!

I had to slog through this book - it’s my first regency era romance, and I have to safely say it will be my last! The language (not by this particular author’s fault) is hard to casually get through. On top of that, the pacing of this novel is ridiculous. I feel like absolutely nothing but exposition and character background info was given in the first 50%, and by the time the love triangle actually had any development in the second half, I was skimming pages and not rooting for any of the main characters to get together, especially when the love triangle’s ending was spelled out plain as day from the beginning. Eliza as a main character is supposed to come off as meek-young-girl-who-follows-her-mother’s-orders to matured-woman-fighting-for-her-own-ambitions, but really she just came off as irritating. The chemistry between her and Melville came off as disingenuous because of how Melville’s past is painted.. and Somerset as a love interest is almost laughable the way he treats Eliza. You as a reader are only rooting for Margaret (a side character), but by the time you’re 75% into the book, you have a really good idea of her ending anyway! So what’s the point of getting through this book! Truthfully, if this was not an advanced reader copy, it would have been an easy DNF for me but I wanted to finish it fully to give my whole, honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was excited to get A Lady’s Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin as a galley. Was even more excited when I found out I could read it as a standalone because my copy of A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting has been languishing on my shelf since last year’s Bookstore Romance Day.
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This novel tells the story of a young widow whose husband (from an arranged marriage) leaves her a sizable fortune. But that comes with strings attached… she must not have any scandal associated with the family name. The person judging how she does with that has an interesting history with the protagonist. I won’t say more so as not to spoil it.
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This is a story of a woman coming into her own, a complicated family story, and a love triangle. It’s a historical romance with some interesting plotting. Definitely worth picking up if you are looking for something along those lines. I will be picking the first novel off my shelf soon.