A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril
4th Book in the Ladies Most Scandalous Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

**SPOILERS**

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril sadly had more peril than passion. It was a good murder mystery story but I feel that the romance between Jane and Adrian played secondary instead of being the main focus. Jane had been attracted to him since she was young and actually had a crush on him. It was a little disappointing that he lets her know that he was aware of her feelings, but his rakish ways, I mean his career got in the way.
Overall it was an okay story. Stay to see how Jane and Adrian solve the mystery and fall in love out of nowhere.

This was a fun and romantic historical murder mystery. Both the mystery and romance were good individually, but together they created a great read. I loved the childhood friends to strangers to lovers and the somewhat forbidden romance between our two main characters, Jane and Adrian. You can tell that they obviously still care for each other and that there is love between them now. I loved seeing their relationship evolve through this book. The mystery was also well written and had me continuing to guess who did it.

Overall, this was a good historical romance and mystery that I recommend!

Read if you like…
•historical romance
•murder mystery
•childhood friends to strangers to lovers

Thank you to Forever for a gifted eARC through NetGalley to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this one! It was a fun mystery, and I liked both Adrian and Jane. I also liked seeing the characters from the previous books although this one can be read as a standalone.
The pacing was okay, but I felt like the mystery was dragged out a bit. I had the murderer figured out around the halfway mark, and it took our characters much longer to figure it out for themselves. I also wish that there had been a bit more of the development of Jane and Adrian’s relationship, but I did enjoy the little moments they had together.
I liked that Jane got closure over her father’s death, and I thought the murder plot line was interesting in how it brought in other deaths.
I was entertained the entire time I was reading, and the writing style is easy to follow along with. The voices of the characters are distinct, and the dual third-person POVs works really well for the story.

Thank you Forever for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a big fan of this series since reading A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem. I’ve enjoyed all of the books in this series! I really liked Jane. She’s had a tough life after her father supposedly took his own life. She was forced to find work as a governess where’s she is often mistreated by the families. She’s found a post with a former family friend. She’s determined not to let it get her down.. Her employer is hosting a house party when he’s murdered. She quickly steps in as the event’s hostess. She’s reunited with another family friend, Adrian. They work together to solve the murder and find themselves becoming closer in the process.

Jane and Adrian’s relationship seemed to change quickly. I felt like he was lying to himself about his attraction and feelings for Jane. Despite this almost insta-love I liked them as a couple. I enjoyed the mystery although I did guess pretty early on who the killer was. I loved seeing the characters from the previous three books come together to support Jane. I’m always excited for a new book for Manda Collins!

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril-Book #4 The Ladies Most Scandalous Series-I read it as a standalone, haven't read the first 3 books in the series

by Manda Collins-never read author

Rating: 5/5 ⭐

Publication 3-26-24 Read 3-15-24

Format: eBook, 294 pgs. kindle

HEA/HFN:HEA

Epilogue: yes, 1 year later. A catch up with all the couples and setup for book #5

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC💛! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

✔️ Historical Romance
✔️ Murder Mystery/Suspense
✔️ Women's Fic
✔️death of a parent(suicide)
✔️parental estrangement

Summary- In London 1869, Miss Jane Halliwell(23) is hired to be Lady and Lord Gilford's governess for their sixteen year old daughter Margaret. Jane's father died while on post in Rome 1865, his death ruled a suicide. Jane's mother goes into hiding in Scotland with her cousin. Jane refuses to give up her dignity and independence, so she goes to work for her father's former colleague, Lord Gilford. Diplomat Lord Adrian Fielding works at the Foreign Office investigating wrongdoing by foreigners on British soil. He and Jane were childhood friends but Jane felt more for him. He was focused on work and didn't know Jane had a crush on him. When they meet again at Lord Gilford's symposium, he is puzzled by her attitude towards him. Tragically Lord Gilford is murdered at the house party and they reluctantly work together to find his killer.

The murder mystery plot was Jane and Adrian worked as a team questioning suspects, and found a possible connection between Lord Gilford's murder and Jane father's death. There was a lot of banter between Jane and Adrian, mainly her standing her ground when he tried to "protect her" by hiding her away. They made inquiries into each member of the special delegation so I got to know a lot of the characters and previous couples.

Overall, this romantic suspense kept me interested the entire time even though the romance was a subplot, Jane and Adrian were great protagonists and their first time together was steamy! Now I have to go back and read the other books to get ready for the new Lord Gilford.

Genre: historical romance/mystery
London, 1869

Jane Halliwell has fallen on difficult times since the scandalous death of her father, who left behind debt and misery. Stubborn to a fault, Jane’s gone against her mother’s wishes and become a governess in the household of Viscount and Lady Gilford. Her 16-year-old charge Meg is a bit stubborn, too, but Jane puts up a good front for her. One evening a guest withdraws from a dinner at the last minute, and Jane must sit in to balance the table, and she encounters her longtime crush, Lord Adrian Fielding, a former young associate of her father’s. When Viscount Gilford turns up dead, presumed murdered, everyone is a suspect, and Adrian and Gilford’s son Will are calling on Jane to help crack the case.

This is the fourth book in the series, and I was remiss in picking up the prior books. (How is it possible to read as many books as I do and still miss as many?) So, from a typical series order reader, I can say: the romance and the mystery stand alone very well. You do miss some backstory on the side characters who are clearly all friends, but I never once felt lost. There’s some great camaraderie, and I have full intentions of going back to read the first three books.

This series is a lovely blend of historical romance and historical mystery - the balance of murdery things and romancey things is quite good for a book of its length (a highly devourable 304 pages!). The romance between Jane and Adrian feels a little rushed, and Collins is asking us to take their past for granted rather than give us an on-page emotional past. Again, for the length and overall enjoyment of the murder mystery, I’m willing to concede this. The focus of the book is 1) solve the murder and 2) fall in love and 3) have a good time doing it.

When I say this book is devourable, I mean exactly that. The writing flies in a very enjoyable manner, and I wanted to keep turning the pages.

Another excellent book in this series!

Following the story of Poppy and Joshua, the Duke of Langham, we now get to see more of the duke's younger brother, Lord Adrian, who has worked in the Foreign Office his entire life. Many years ago he lost touch with Jane Halliwell, the young daughter of a diplomat who died during his post in Rome. The scandal of her father's death left her no choice but to seek work as a governess, which is why she is working in the home of one of her father's colleagues when he is tragically murdered. The Lord was definitely murdered, but his untimely death has investigators taking a closer look at the deaths of several other diplomats who have died under mysterious circumstances over the last several years -- including Jane's father.

The trail leads to a larger web of intrigue and additional crimes -- investigated by our old friend Eversham in addition to Adrian and Jane. The investigation gives them the opportunity to set the record straight on their distance over the years while also coming together in new ways. The perfect blend of romance and murder mystery -- and this new couple makes an excellent addition to this growing group of friends!

This is a very well written mystery. The characters are smart and witty and keep you searching for the clues. As they get closer to finding the culprit love grows sweetly between Jane and Adrian.

I've had a hard time with this series because I want to love it, but I just don't. This book in particular follows a governess as a murder happens at her employer's home; assisted by a childhood friend, she tries to solve it. While this is deemed a mystery and a romance, I didn't feel either of those were true of the book. I guessed the killer very early on because hints kept being dropped, so that was disappointing (I'm not a good mystery-solver...and yet...), and the romance was just...non-existent. The book takes place over a few days and, while the characters knew each other when they were younger, they've not interacted in, like 2 years?? And all of a sudden, they're professing their love?? Make it make sense!! There was no chemistry between them either, so even the one potential redeeming quality was missing from the story. I was very disappointed by this because it really had nothing going for it since the major plot points (and, tbh, the character development in general) were very lackluster. I would choose a different historical mystery/romance, if you're looking for one.

Miss Jane Halliwell, daughter of diplomat, she is now a governess to Lord Gilford's daughter Margaret. After the scandal of her father's death, she has chosen to keep her dignity and pride. Her mother moved in with a cousin in Scotland to hide. Her father, Charles Halliwell’s, death was made to be a suicide since all his money was missing.

Lord Adrian Fielding, Brother to the Duke of Langham, Joshua Fielding. He also works for, Sir Lionel Ramswool, who headed up his own specialized and little-known division of the Home Office that investigated wrongdoing by foreigners on British soil. He has been an underling to Halliwell, Ralston, Attingly, among others.

Foreign Office, Lord Gilford is holding a week-long symposium on advances in horticulture around the world. He is wanting to get the contract from Prince Maxim for the rights to the machine. A talking box.

Detective Inspector Eversham, is brought in to investigate Lord Gilford's death. He questions all there and keeps the attachés so that they remain safe.

Lord Payne, Charles Halliwell, Lord Attingly, Lord Ralston, Sir John Stafford,were the special delegation in the spring of 1865 in Rome, back story for where everyone knows one from.

As the investigation gets underway, information comes to light on other deaths. Jane is asked to act as hostess in place of Lady Gilford, while the new Lord Guilford tries to replace his father. Lord Adrian learns why Jane is furious with him, Jane's mom arrives and adds to the puzzle,pieces of who and why the murders are happening. The new Laid Attingly add even more. Hiwever, the final piece is received from Mrs. Stafford, while viewing her late husbands photos.

Who is the next victim? Why are they being murdered? Who is the murderer? Join the investigation, catch the clues, and snub some dignitaries as they snub you. Can you guess before all is revealed? I had an inkling, but got it with the first club at the bookshop. Manda Collins does a wonderful blend of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes in regency style. The clues are there for any mystery buff, but wrapped in the delicate romance. Spirited, strong, independent Jane will not cow to the dominance of Lord Adrian or Inspector Eversham. She gives as good as she gets, placates to others as necessary, but holds to her principles. Lord Adrian wants to protect, keep women hidden from danger. He learns that is never a good thing.

Great who done it that while capture you and keep you drawn into recency era suspense and romance splashed in for fun.

An excellent blend of romance and murder mystery. The heroine is smart and knows her own mind and the hero loves her but acknowledges her right to be herself. A cast of family and friends to provide supportive role adds dimensions to the story. Lovely read!

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

This is book 4 in "A Lady's Guide" series. It can be read as a stand alone but several of the characters from other books do make an appearance in this book.
As in the other books of this series, we have a strong female character,Jane, a murder and a male hero to the rescue, the romance.
In this story Jane, now a governesses finds her employer, murdered. Adrian, a friend of the family and former coworker with her now deceased father, helps her through this ordeal.
When it becomes evident that there is a serial killer on the loose and Jane's father was a victim, Jane insists on being part of the investigation. Adrian is right there with her side by side helping to figure out who the killer is
I did figure that part out fairly easy. It was just the why that needed explaining. I liked both the main characters, very strong in their own way. But I felt the romance was a little flat. I just didn't feel the chemistry between these two. Because of that and the murderer not being a challenge to figure out, I'm giving it ⭐⭐⭐.
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This book was a fast paced delightful read. It is part of a series, and those familiar with the series will love getting updates on old favorites, but it also reads well as a stand alone. In this story we meet Jane a former lady turned governess after her father passed away leaving a scandal in his wake. Jane is upset when her critical employer has her join them for dinner and she is forced to meet up with several people she knew well from her past before her circumstances changed. When Jane meets Lord Adrian, her former childhood crush and a man who she felt abandoned her family, she is less than happy to see him again. Things soon change once someone at the party is murdered. From then on so much starts happening and both the romance and mystery heat up quickly. I love Mandi Collins series, and how she brings you into her world with her strong capable female characters . A great story. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

It appears there may be foul doings in the Foreign Office. Lord Adrian needs to determine if there is a killer amongst them, who it is, and stop them. Having discovered the diplomat's body, Jane is conscripted to help by Scotland Yard agent Eversham. This story could be classified as a second chance at romance except the first chance never quite happened. Perhaps friends to enemies to lovers, except one of the friends was oblivious. Whatever the trope, this story is fun, romantic, and full of danger!

This was such an entertaining book! I love a good regency romance but throw in a murder mystery and it adds to the fun. I haven’t read anything else from this author but I plan to now!

Such an entertaining book! Historical romance that is also a murder mystery! Jane and Adrian have known each other for years, but have been estranged until they join forces to solve a murder mystery. Feelings resurface, but have too many years gone by, and Jane is unsure if Adrian can fulfill her dreams of love, family, and home. There are many twists in the mystery part of the story, but it is the growing feelings between Jane and Adrian that made this book come alive for me.

A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is book four in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. This is a new to me author and the first book I’ve read of hers. This would probably be best read in series order. While the plot of the story is standalone, the characters and their relationships with one another came across as already established.

I enjoyed this story for the first three quarters but the last quarter lost me on the plot and romance. I liked the strong heroine and how she held her own with the investigation. The hero was likable as well. I didn’t believe their romance though, maybe the building of their feelings happened in the previous books. The FMC held a previous tendre for the MMC and while she does still have feelings for him we didn’t get these inner thoughts on how she felt about him now. Whereas, the MMC seemed to have gone from clueless to in love in a short time frame. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect but thought the ending was rushed. Overall, it was enjoyable and had me invested in seeing the investigation through.

There was one encounter and a fade to black.

I received an advance ecopy from Forever Publishing via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

The fourth entry in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, like its predecessors, is a fun historical romance with a heavy dash of murdery mystery that's light on the steam. This one focuses on Jane Halliwell and Lord Adrian Fielding. (They both appeared briefly in A Spinster's Guide but you didn't get any backstory there.) Turns out they used to know each other: Jane's father was in the foreign service, and at one time was Adrian's mentor. After Jane's father died at his own hand after losing all of his money gambling, Jane lost touch with her previous social equals. She is now working as a governess for another foreign service acquaintance when Adrian is invited to a house party. Her employer is soon found dead, and Adrian asks Jane to act as the hostess while they investigate the guests for any involvement in the murder.

Like many murder mysteries, this one takes place over the span of only a few days. Like all of the books in this series, the romance unspools alongside the murder mystery. This works pretty well here, since Jane and Adrian know each other; it's easy to see how investigating in close proximity would bring them together romantically. This is a fun one that doesn't break any new ground. If you've liked the other books in the series, this won't be a disappointment, and you can definitely start here without missing out on anything. It's pretty low steam but it's not closed door. A nice addition to the series.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

A Governess’ Guide to Passion and Peril
Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 3/26

Jane Halliwell finds herself thrust back into the ton after her employer's untimely demise. Jane is a governess at the moment, but she used to be more than that before her father’s death. Forced to navigate treacherous waters alongside the handsome Lord Adrian Fielding, Jane must confront not only a murderer on the loose but also the unresolved feelings she harbors for Adrian from years past.

An exciting blend of romance and mystery, Jane and Adrian unravel the tangled web of secrets surrounding the murders plaguing the Foreign Office. With Jane's sharp wit and Adrian's diplomatic skills, they make a dynamic duo, their chemistry sizzling off the pages.
This was a fun, romantic mystery and a nice escape from the modern world for a while. I loved these characters! Jane's resilience and Adrian's determination to protect her will have readers rooting for their happily ever after from the very first page.

While this is the fourth book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, each book is a standalone so you can read them out of order. Fans of the series will love all the cameos from past characters.

So, if you're in the mood for a swoon-worthy romance with a dash of danger, look no further. This book offers a thrilling escape that will leave you eagerly turning pages. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Read Forever Publishing for my advanced copy.

A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril is the fourth book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series. Some characters from the previous books make appearances but otherwise, it can be read as a stand-alone. This book is similar to the others in the series. There is a murder mystery and romance. Just like the other books, the main female is headstrong and some of the behaviors, thoughts, and actions may not be as historically accurate. I enjoyed the story and thought it was entertaining. This is, however, the first book in the series that I figured out who the murderer was well ahead of time. I wish there had been a bit more of a mystery to it instead of it being more obvious. That being said, I thought it was a good book even if it wasn't my favorite from the series.