Overview: Lady Delia Stratham, who is known as a “black widow” due to having been widowed three times, spends her days working as a highly respected event planner at the lavish Savoy Hotel in London. Her world is turned upside down when the board of directors finds out that the Savoy is bleeding money and she will now be working under the excruciating Simon Hayden, whose primary concern is the hotel’s profit margin and who will not hesitate to fire even the most loyal hotel employees…

Thoughts: I loved this one! Sometimes I forget how good historical romances can be, and this one makes me want to revisit the genre again. The fancy hotel setting (apparently based on a real place) was a great backdrop. Loved the back and forth between Delia and Simon, and especially how he tries so hard to resist her charms. I smiled so much while reading this book!

Take home message: Lady Scandal is a dual POV historical romance that features a fiery thirty-three year old heroine who is NOT afraid to go head-to-head with her straight-laced, budget-loving boss. It is rare to see the opposites attract and enemies to lovers trope executed so masterfully (and with so many sparks)! I highly recommend this for fans of historical romances (and even for those who haven’t tried the genre yet!). Note: there are a couple of open door scenes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved everything about this book and I’m not normally a historical romance girlie. But the enemies to lovers trope played out perfectly. Check trigger warnings because there are some dark themes explored.

Lady Scandal, by Laura Lee Guhrke, is a delightful romance novel set in London, 1898. Lady Delia Stratham, an aristocratic woman with the ability to charm everyone, enjoys her work at the Savoy Hotel until the company employs Simon Hayden to oversee the expenditures and investigate possible thievery. Although Simon has recently been rewarded by the Queen with the title of Viscount Calderon, he comes from a working class background which primes him for his difficult professional position. Determined to root out the fraud at the heart of the hotel business, Simon comes on strong, and this puts him into direct conflict with the beautiful and lovely Delia.

Delia is three times a widow, having been married to the son of a Marquess, a French Count, and a Scottish Earl who all met an early end. Delia’s past experiences with men confirm she is not an innocent young girl, and this allows the growing romance between Delia and Simon to blossom. The sensual tension between the characters is palpable, and readers get to see a woman who enjoys the pleasures of the body without fear of societal reprisal. The conflict between the two main characters is fueled by their tension at work, and the development of their unlikely relationship is a joy to witness.

I loved this book! Highly recommend! Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

I loved Delia in the first book, so I was excited to have this story be about her. She’s a 33 year old widow three times over, and against all odds works at the Savoy. Enter Simon, who has come on board to find out why such a popular hotel is losing money. As soon as Delia and Simon meet they are at odds. They fight, they don’t trust each other, and they have different opinions about the hotel and how it should be operated. Then they….maybe start liking each other, and perhaps they start falling in love. Loved them together. Delia is a spitfire and Simon is a stand up guy. They complemented each other so well. Loved this romance 🥰

Come join Lady Delia Stratham., César Ritz, chef Escoffier, and the others at The Savoy. See how they are in light of what the board members are upto.

Simon Hayden, Viscount Calderon, newly granted his title for his bravery fighting the Boers, by the Queen. He has been admitted to the board to make the Savoy turn a profit. Having worked with Richard and Helen Carte' as half owner in Bainbridge hotel, as well as other ventures.

Lady Delia is not taking the new changes well, she finds little ways to get her point across that Simon look cold and callous. Even enjoying him getting a set down by Lady Moreland.

These two are engaged in a battle of love to hate that grabs you, pulls you in, and keeps you riveted to see who will win and at what cost. While Helen Carte gets to undermine Lady Delia at every turn, while hoping Simon does not fall prey to her. Even when Lady Delia tries to call a truce Simon does not trust her. However, in the end both win and lose something very important to themselves.

As always, Laura Lee Guhrke, gives us a funny, insightful, combative couple that brings a smile to our heats.

Lady Scandal is a story that takes place at the Savoy Hotel in London. Lady Delia Stratham is the hotel's event planner and friend to the manager of the hotel. She returns from a work trip and finds out that the hotel's board has put someone new in charge - Lord Calderon. And he is intent on getting to the bottom of the Savoy's finances...or lack thereof. What he doesn't anticipate is how the Savoy's clientele will react to his new policies - and how his investigation will bring him closer to Delia.

I really enjoyed this! I love how quickly Delia figured out how to get under Simon's skin and I also loved how gone he was for her and how determined he was to marry her. I loved all the things he did to get her back. I also really enjoyed the authors note at the back that shows how much actual history Guhrke imbued into this book.

Here's the thing - while I really liked this, I may inadvertently hold all books that take place in a hotel to the standard that Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller set. And that is certainly not fair but that's where we are. I did think the relationship between Simon and Delia went a little too quickly from "oh I kind of like you" to "I'm in love with you" and the pacing of the first third was a little slow for me. But I still really like it and would recommend this whole series!

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Sadly, this was just not for me. I found the characters to be very flat and, honestly, a bit juvenile. They just didn't really pop off the page for me. And I also found the pacing of this to be extremely slow. Almost a third in and the main characters had barely interacted. This one didn't grab me much unfortunately.

5 stars were not enough. Lady Scandal was a delight. It had allllll the things. Heroine, check; Hero, check; plot, check; introduction of new character for an upcoming novel ( which can't get here quick enough), check; romance, check, check. Happy reading!!

The latest from Laura Lee Guhrke is a charming Victorian that is one of the best historical romances that I’ve read this year! I enjoyed the first book in the series—Bookshop Cinderella—and this second one is even better.

The story revolves around the Savoy Hotel in London. Lady Delia Stratham, who plans high-profile events for the hotel’s wealthy clientele, returns from a work trip to Paris to find staff in an uproar and new unwelcome and more financially accountable polices in place, due to the installment of Simon, Lord Calderon, by the board. The board suspects fraud by executives and staff, including well known hotelier Cesar Ritz and renowned chef Auguste Escoffier. Simon has been tasked to audit, investigate and “right the ship” so that the Savoy stops bleeding money and becomes profitable. Suspicions of fraud are being kept secret, and as part of the executive team, Delia is also among those considered potentially dishonest.

Delia and Simon are opposites in many ways. Delia is a charming member of the aristocracy, who has been widowed three times in 10 years. She is very loyal to Cesar Ritz, who brought her on board at a time when she was deeply depressed after losing her third husband and a child. She loves her job and is a rarity for the time: an upper-class woman who works.

Simon is the recipient of a newly created viscountcy which the queen bestowed in gratitude for his heroic service in the Boer War. He has held the title for six months so doesn’t understand the unspoken rules that govern the upper classes; nor does he have much patience for aristocrats who spend money they don’t have and/or leave bills unpaid for months. He is practical, profit-oriented and honest. He also has considerable experience working in and managing hotels, which is why he was brought in by the board of investors to oversee things at the Savoy. His parents are dead, but he has a younger sister, Cassandra, to be launched in society—a responsibility that he is at a loss to handle.

Despite the fact that Simon and Delia are opposites in many ways (personality, upbringing, status), there is a strong attraction between the pair. As they try to work together during this challenging time, they begin to appreciate each other’s perspective more, as well as the talents that each of the bring to the table. Simon sees that Delia understands the Savoy’s staff and clientele; Delia begins to reconsider the financially loose way that previous management operated.

Gurhke does a wonderful job of storytelling, creating a fully realized world at the Savoy and populating it with fully developed characters with interesting and complex backgrounds. It’s a delight to watch Simon and Delia as they juggle personal feelings and professional responsibilities during a difficult time. It was especially interesting to read in the afterword how much of the story is based on the Savoy’s history. A delightful read that is highly recommended!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ReadForeverPub for the ARC.

This book was so sweet. I wouldn’t quite call it grumpy/sunshine, but more stuffy stickler/chaotic hellion which is an absolutely delightful dynamic. I read this while I was getting over a cold and stuck in bed and it was the perfect book for that. Nothing too heartbreaking, plenty of humor, a wonderful happy ending. I love that (even though there were other suspicions) Simon never treated Delia like she was incompetent or unintelligent. And his protective big brother persona is absolutely adorable. I’m hoping we’ll get a book for Kay and Devlin next, I love a good second chance romance!!

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.

I have been a massive fan of Laura Lee Guhrke since her Girl Bachelors Serious. This new installment of Scandal at the Savoy does not disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that I fell in love with Simon (MC) much quicker than with Delia (FMC). While Delia's loyalty and stubbornness might come across as abrasive to some readers, the book does a good job of developing her backstory and the reader is able to much better understand why she is the way that she is.

Simon on the other hand was an absolute delight from the very beginning. I thoroughly enjoy a good non-rake hero and Simon has gone up on my list of swoon worthy heroes.

Highly recommend this book for anyone that was enjoyed Guhrke's work in the past as well as to anyone who loves a good opposites attract.

Second book in this series and just as good as the first book. I love how Laura turns these characters into people conversing with us in our homes. Dialog, dialog, dialog is so important to me and it is delivered in spades in this story. I laughed a lot and felt the banter was both hilarious and very emotional. Enemies to lovers and a little older couple is always so delicious. This is a refreshing take on the regular historical romance.

Might get a hint at the next or at least a story in this series and I will be so there for it.

3.5 Stars

Lady Scandal, the second book in the Scandal at the Savoy series, is a delightful historical romance between charming and unconventional Countress Delia Stratham and stoic Simon Hayden. Beautiful Delia is a 3-time widow working as an event planner at the upscale Savoy Hotel. But when pragmatic Simon Hayden is hired to overhaul the hotel’s management and finances, her job becomes more difficult. The two butt heads over the hotel’s lavish spending and much-needed changes. Along with the clashes and distrust, they are also fighting a mutual attraction for each other.

I adored the vibrant backdrop of the hotel and the colorful cast of characters. It was very unique to read about the interworkings of a London luxury hotel in the 1800s and have it be the setting for a historical romance. Delia and Simon are intelligent, well-developed characters with important responsibilities. I enjoyed their interactions with other characters like their family members, gossiping staff, board members, and members of the ton. If there was a follow-up of the pair working at the hotel and dealing with crises, I would happily read it. Unfortunately, while I loved Delia and Simon, I didn’t enjoy their romances as much. It was sometimes hard to tell if there was chemistry or if it was physical attraction to each other.

Overall, I liked this and am looking forward to the next book in the series. It’s a refreshing take on a lot of traditional historical romance novels. I would recommend it to romance readers who are looking for something a little different and fun. The writing is great, and I love all the characters, though the romance itself was not my favorite part of the book.

Thank you Netgallery and Forever (Grand Central) Publishing for providing an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Three-time widowed Delia Stratham plans extravagant events for the Savoy Hotel. Hotel magnate and viscount Simon Hayden’s determined to save money and root out fraud and its perpetrators, and he suspects Lady Stratham.

Their quick banter/arguing was fun to read and what you really need in a rivals to lovers. Their relationship and chemistry was very well developed. I liked how Delia’s backstory was carefully unfolded.

The intrigue at the hotel was intellectually interesting but I wish it had more urgency. The stakes never felt high enough. And Helen’s dislike of Delia was never justified. So the reason this isn’t a five star for me was because of the quality of the antagonists rather than the couple’s relationship, which really well done.

Book 3 seems to be a second chance romance which is not my thing, but I really liked 1 and 2 so I’ll give it a try.

Laura Lee Guhrke does it again! Excellent story! Well-developed characters! Interesting throughout!

Thank you, Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC!

Laura Lee Guhrke has a knack for writing smart, independent, sassy heroines, and Delia is no exception. While the hero was a bit rigid and one-dimensional, the characterization of Delia and the rest of the hotel staff more than made up for it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc. This was a fun historical romance about Delia Stratham and Simon Hayden, set in a luxury hotel located in London in the late 1800's. Delia is a thrice widowed Countess, in charge of scheduling major events in the Savoy Hotel. Simon is a newly titled Viscount, tasked with investigating possible fraud taking place in the Savoy Hotel. There is a lot of information provided on the running of a luxury hotel in the late Victorian era. Titled clients and guests are feted and enticed to book their events and stays in the hotel, not really expected to pay for their events and stays because they bring cache to the establishment. Eventually, though, these methods eliminates profits to the hotel owners, and that's what's happening at the Savoy Hotel.

Some titans of the hotel and culinary industry are mentioned in this book, namely Cesar Ritz and Auguste Escoffier, and it was fascinating reading about the ins and outs of running a hotel, but I felt it overshadowed the romance between Delia and Simon. I loved Delia's character: pragmatic and fun-loving, even though her life has been very challenging. She cares about everyone around her, and always wants to do her best. And Simon is a very honorable gentleman, trying to get used to being part of the gentry, while making sure to stay true to his convictions of running profitable businesses lawfully. Delia and Simon feel instant attraction to each other, but both fight against it because they're both suspicious of each other's intent, not just with each other, but with the business of running the Savoy. But once they allowed themselves to feel the feelings, it was wonderful. And, the sex scenes were steamy, once they finally got there. All in all, a great story.

There are TWs for miscarriage, suicide, and death of loved ones.

I loved Bookshop cinderella by this author so had high expectations for this read. Even though I enjoyed the story, though, I did not enjoy it as much as I did the first book in this series. Delia is a strong female character (which I love) - and I always enjoy a grumpy character. I felt that the relationship between Delia and Simon changed too quickly and suddenly - as did the resolution of the story. I still will pick up the next read by this author.

3.5. This was an enjoyable story I liked both of the main characters. Delia works at a hotel and Simone is brought in to take out the garbage so to speak. At first they are adversaries as change is always hard and her loyalties lie with the previous management. Simone’s sister is named Cassandra soooo I am biased and she was amazing and the best character in this story. I am interested in who the next book will be about I did not read the first book and had no issue jumping into this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️

I am a big fan of this author’s story telling. I loved the first book in this series, Bookshop Cinderella. I thought I would love this story because it has a mature heroine and a no nonsense hero but the chemistry is missing between the protagonist. The first half of the book is very slow and had a lot of information about the Savoy hotel and the worker’s discontent which I found boring.
The internal dialogue slows the pace of the book. The book picked up when other characters like Lady Kay, Devlin and Cassandra were introduced which moved the story forward. Overall, this is a well written book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.