Thank you Laura Lee Guhrke and team for the advance reader copy of this book. I give this book a solid 3.5/5. This is the first book I read by Guhrke so I did not know what to expect. This book took me quite a while to get into it, to the point where I didn’t want to put it down. The first 80 pages for me was quite dry and repetitive and I wasn’t sure what to expect. After that, the book flowed a lot better for me. It was also refreshing to read about characters who are in their 30s for a change.

Overall I didn’t LOVE this book, but I did enjoy it. I thought there was plenty of detail, given to the characters and scenes in order to paint the picture in my head, which is what I look for in a book. If you’re looking for a short standalone period piece romance, then this might be for you.

Delia is a three time widow and countess who works at the Savoy hotel. Simon is brought in to fix and investigate the hotel’s flagrant fraud and overspending. Their opposing personalities cause sparks to fly from the first chapter. I really enjoyed this and the fact that it is based on a real event makes it even more fun. There is also an intriguing set up for another couple in the book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved, loved, loved this story. It’s the second in the series but it can be read standalone. The chemistry between Delia and Lord Calderon was off the charts with their witty banter for days. It was as simply too enjoyable enemies-to-lovers. I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one day. If that’s not a good story, I don’t know what is. I can’t wait to read the next installment and can only speculate on whose story it is. Go read this book now! You won’t regret it.

We’re so back baby. This was really just everything I look for in a classic Histrom. I loved both MCs, I loved the hotel setting, and the enemies-to-lovers chemistry. When both characters hate that they’re attracted to each other >>>>

✨Opposites Attract: He’s buttoned up, She’s wild
✨The Savoy
✨Inexperienced Hero: Bonus points because it’s been years
✨Newly-titled Viscount/Widowed Countess
✨Boss/Employee: Hotel Investor x Hotel Event Planner
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Little bit of jealousy
✨Slow Burn

Both books in this series so far have been just really fun and pretty low angst. My favorite parts in both were the moments that they all realized they were in love. I think we could’ve used one more sex scene since their chemistry was all over that book. The epilogue was adorable and made my heart so happy for them. I can’t wait for book three, which I’m assuming is a second chance situation! Both characters seem to be getting married on the same day to OTHER people at the Savoy. Color me INTERESTED.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️/5



CWs: Suicide, death of parent, miscarriage, successful pregnancy after miscarriages/thinking she couldn’t get pregnant because of her previous two



Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own

I am SO GLAD Laura Lee Guhrke is back writing historical romance! I loved the first book in this series, but I loved this one even more. I adored Delia in the previous book and loved her even more now. She’s a character who has been through a lot of hardship and pain but has not lost her sense of fun. A heroine in her 30s—and who has a career!—is rare in romance, and that was another thing I loved about her. Delia cares about her work and has ambitions of her own. Simon was not a character who draws a reader in like Delia, but he was a good hero who appreciated Delia’s intelligence and talent. I appreciated how he was steadfast and held closely to his own moral code. The hotel setting—and the real story behind the Savoy scandal—gave this love story such an interesting backdrop. My favorite book of the year so far!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

As someone who has only recently read all of laura lee ghurkes books, and loved them, i am sad to say that this one just didnt hit the mark for me. I had been waiting for this story and had high hopes for the countess' story but i didnt feel any attachments to the characters. This is partially because i felt as if the newly appointed viscount was truly an uncaring villain for half the book! I also felt as if the romance felt rushed and not quite believable.

however i certainly hope lady kay and devlin sharp get a story because that seems to be an interesting plot line to follow!!!

thank you for the review copy!

Such a fun book! Simon is brought in by investors to turn the Savoy Hotel around after declining profits. Delia, a three-time widow, works there planning events. They clash over the changes he makes to the hotel. He immediately decides she's an overspending snob and suspects her of stealing from the hotel. She tries to win him over and he tries to resist falling for her. There is some brief heartbreak but a HEA in the end.

Delia has a kind heart and strong opinions. Simon is very straightlaced and rigid but he's got some good reasons for being so.

It's also based on real people and a real scandal at the Savoy which seems fascinating, I appreciate the authors note at the end.

Absolutely delightful! I so enjoyed this story about a confident countess who works and finds joy in it and her grumpy new boss, the secret auditor sent in to find the fraud happening in her hotel. I thought they were perfectly matched and LOVED that he celebrates and supports her in her work. That ending got me real good. It bumped this up to a 4.5.
And do I sense the next couple of book 3 waiting in the wings??? Very excited to find out!

4.5 stars
Heat level: 2. One and a half scenes that you could cruise over.

I think this book started out OK. But then things (such as dialogue, wording, even scenes) became repetitive. Delia and Simon initially seemed to have some sparks of chemistry, but their "banter" very often came across as petty arguments, the kind of disagreements that teenagers have over inconsequential things.

And, much like a teenager (despite being over 30), Delia's "realized" love for Simon after feeling intense jealousy regarding a rumor that he has a mistress is sad. Please stop romanticizing jealousy like this. It's unhealthy and utterly unromantic. The third act "breakup" is so clichéd, so dramatic and unhinged that I just...I hated it.

I did enjoy the Savoy details and if we had just stayed in the sparkly bits of hotel living, that would have been preferable.

I was lucky to receive Lady Scandal, Laura Lee Guhrke's newest book as an ARC/Wish List/Galentine read from NetGalley. I was so excited, I love Laura Lee Guhrke and I especially love her universe of Victorian era characters that float in, book-to-book!
Delia, Lady Stratham is a three-time, young widow. She keeps herself busy as an events director at The Savoy, a super exclusive hotel and is mentored by Ritz and Escoffier. In the first book of this series, Delia is rushing off to the continent for work. In Lady Scandal, she has recently returned from a work trip, to find everyone at The Savoy in a frenzy. Turns out, while Ritz is in Paris, the Savoy's board has set up Simon Hayden as the new head of The Savoy. Simon is a Viscount, a title newly granted, and he is there to get the Savoy back on track and profitable.
Simon and Delia clash constantly, and sparks fly between the two! There is a lot great chemistry and fantastic enemies-to-lovers dialogue in this one. I love Delia! I had hate-love-anger-finally love again emotions through the entire book with Simon. These two characters are absolutely fabulous together, and oh-so swoon worthy!
I read Lady Scandal in one sitting, I was so enthralled by it! LLG once again does not disappoint in her character and relationship development, and the feelings are so visceral and heartfelt that I feel like I can't even put into words how much I love all her characters, and this book! It is really fun to see cameos of Max and mentions of Evie (& their family update!) from the previous book. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Lady Scandal is a fantastic read, and I recommend it to all HR fans, all Women's Fiction, or Historical Fiction fans.

Lady Delia Stratham differs from most ladies of her station. She works as an event/party coordinator at a ritzy London hotel. Delia fears for her employment when Simon Hayden begins to oversee the hotel. At first, she thwarts the man’s every move. Delia’s attitude towards Simon begins to change. The infuriating man makes her feel alive again. Can Delia trust Simon with the hotel and her heart? Or will she put her trust in the wrong man again?

Simon Hayden, a newly titled viscount, is a successful hotelier. His friends entrust him to figure out why the always bustling Savoy Hotel is in the red. Simon begins his investigation with Lady Delia, especially her part within the hotel. The beautiful yet vexing widow is not what he expected. Simon knows he must keep an emotional distance with the woman; however, he cannot seem to resist Delia’s natural allure. What truths will Simon uncover about the Savoy Hotel? And will Delia threaten his strict business ethics?

I am delighted that Delia received her happily ever after. She deserved one. I adore the role Delia played in Max and Evie’s relationship in the previous book. She helped both to realize that they belonged together. I also like Delia’s thoughtfulness towards the working class. Unlike her peers, she never once looked down upon them. Instead, Delia got to know each one employed at the hotel. There is one nitpick I have about Delia. I dislike how she excused her fellow peers’ abdominal entitle mentality.

Simon’s humble beginnings make him the perfect balance for Delia. He does not through around his title to get special treatment. Simon prefers to work for everything he needs or wants. I admire Simon’s work ethics. He does not believe in mixing business with pleasure. Simon fights his growing attraction to Delia so it would not interfere with his investigation. I respect Simon for rather having evidence of a person’s guilt before condemning them.

LADY SCANDAL is the second book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s historical romance series, SCANDAL AT THE SAVOY. The story can stand alone. There is no ongoing back plot that spills over into this novel. The hero of the first book, BOOKSHOP CINDERELLA, does have a role in this story. I am bummed that Evie never appeared in the story. She did get mentioned here or there. However, I like how the author gives us news of their continual happily-ever-after.

I suspect the next book will be about Lady Kay, Delia’s friend, and Devlin, who happens to be Simon’s pal. I cannot wait to see if I am correct. I wondered what transpired between the two fifteen years ago.

This is a story I will never forget reading, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance with a charming set of characters.

I loved this book!! It was fabulous and well done. The characters were on point and I thought the plot was well developed. I would recommend this book to others. I love reading historical and this book hit the mark.

This was great fun! I blazed through the first half of this in one sitting because the setting and characters were so interesting. Set at the Savoy Hotel in 1898, we see Delia and Simon in constant conflict over as aristocrats employed by the hotel. Delia works with high end clients who are holding special events at the hotel. Simon is a newly-minted Viscount who was brought in to investigate Caesar Ritz and other members of management for financial mismanagement. Delia is friends with Ritz and doesn't know of the business practices - she just knows that he gave her a job when she was devastated by personal tragedies and basically saved her life by giving her some purpose.

Delia lives at the hotel and knows everyone who works there. Simon is seen as an interloper and starts firing people and changing practices. Eventually, the relationship softens and they get together. Delia meets Simon's lovely sister, who is of the age when she could be presented (might that be a future book?) and she falls in love with Simon. Meanwhile, the investigation into corruption at the hotel continues and Delia is somewhat ignorant about the inevitable conclusion of the investigation.

There's one glaring issue with the timeline in this one in that it's 1898 and one of Delia's ex-husbands supposedly died in a car crash more than five years ago and cars weren't really being used in France at that time. You could also argue that it's a little early for a Countess to be working, but the explanation of why she's employed makes sense.

I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next book in the series!

Five stars. No notes. Loved it from the begging to the end. LLG does it again!

Delia and Simon begin their relationship at odds. She’s managing a hotel and his task is to cut costs and find out who is embezzling from the hotel.

Simon is a stuffy bachelor and Delia is a widow three times over. They don’t have much in common, other then they both drive the other one insane, insane enough to give into their desires…

I loved this book. I loved their slow burn relationship and how it developed. I found the circumstances of the novel to be unique, but not too out there.

I want the next one. Now!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.

Lady Scandal by Laura Lee Guhrke is the second book in her Savoy series.

The story took a few chapters for me to get into, but once I was hooked, I couldn't put the book down. Delia is an events planner for the Savoy and she loves her life and her job until she comes home from a trip and finds Simon her new co-worker. She doesn't know he's there to investigate fraud and that she's a suspect.

They have terrific banter and bicker a lot at the beginning and just when I don't think Ms. Guhrke is going to find a way to make these fall for each other she does...and it's wonderful. The characte4s complement each other and I love that she's made them mature, not young people who are in the throws of first love. It adds depth and believability to the story and the main characters.

I really enjoyed this book and even though I haven't read the first one (YET!), it's easy to follow along and is a perfectly fine stand alone novel. You won't be disappointed with this book in any way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in lieu of an honest review.

3.5, probably.

This was my first by Guhrke and was easy to read, but not my favorite historical. I did like that the characters were both in their 30s (in SO many historicals the heroine is 18-20 and the hero is in their 30s and I really dislike that) and that it was a little later in time (1890s) than so many historicals. Once it hit about 50-60% of the way through, I think that's when it really hit its stride and I started enjoying it a lot more.

I found the first third or so a little tedious. I'm generally a fan of rivals to lovers (or however you'd like to phrase that trope), however I found the arguing and "banter" going back and forth not effective, so much so that the shift from that to tentative romance and then the "I'm in love" I didn't necessarily believe. I was also confused as to Helen's role as the antagonist - she's on the hotel's board, but she's claiming women (aka Delia) shouldn't work, but yet she's saying that Ritz hired Delia to undermine her authority?? I know the Savoy saga was a true story as per the author's note, but I thought the end results were a little convoluted with all of the different plot lines.

A slow burn, but the end results didn't really work for me.

Laura Lee Guhrke does it again: her books are like a drink of cool water, refreshing, easy to sink into, delightful through and through. I loved this second book in the Savoy series, about fabulous Delia and the starchy, honorable, (and of course extremely hot) man, Simon, who finally earns her true love and trust after her 3 past marriages which ended in tragic deaths each time. At the start of the book, reading Delia and Simon battle it out over Savoy management with begrudging respect for the others' complementary genius and competency was funny and heartwarming and entertaining. The ending was wonderful - Simon truly sees Delia for who she is, and encouraged her entirely to be the professional, competent woman he loves. Top it off with the perfect grand gesture and Laura Lee Ghurke once again produced a 5 star, perfect romance.

Delia wants nothing more than planning events at Savoy hotel. She's forced to work with hotel magnate Simon. Simon knows that something suspicious is going on the hotel and he's determined to find out by investigating Delia...

Love the crash of personality. Terrific characters. Lovely romance. I like the subtle humour too.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Lady Delia Stratham is not what Simon Hayden expected. The hotelier and newly titled aristocrat has been brought on at the famed Savoy Hotel to tighten the ship and clear out fraud from its ranks, and Delia is one of the targets of his investigation. But, despite being a widow three times over, she is not a very advanced age; in fact, she is in her early thirties and still quite striking. And despite being accused of using her feminine wiles to manipulate others, she appears to be naturally quite charming. And she seems to truly care about the people around her. How entirely inconvenient for Simon, who has set up shop in the office directly connected to hers.

As for Delia? Well, returning from a business trip to a bevy of unexpected changes at her beloved hotel, spearheaded by an admittedly handsome—but extremely straight-laced—individual who simply does not seem to understand how her beloved Savoy operates, is not the homecoming she was expecting. And, understandably, that rankles her.

This is an utterly delectable, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, workplace romance.

I. Ate. It. Up.

And did I mention that Simon and Delia’s chemistry is explosive?

“‘Kissing you would be like lighting a match in a room full of gunpowder.’”
…
“‘What a delightful prospect.’”

Delightful indeed.

I received an advance copy of the book from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.