A Lady's Lesson in Scandal is the first book in Darcy McGuire's Deadly Damsels series. It is full of exciting mystery and love stories. Millicent Whittenburg isn't your normal heroine. She's actually a femme fatale-to-be who wants to ruin herself to escape being betrothed to someone she doesn't want and secretly serve the Queen. The scarred and cold Major General Beaufort Drake is her goal. He hates marriage even more than she does.

When her bold plan goes wrong and they kiss in public, sparking an undeniable attraction, Drake shocks everyone by asking her to marry him. The next week is hot and tense at a wedding house party, where their desire and secret tasks threaten to break them both apart.

In this historical tale, McGuire does a great job of keeping the tension and excitement high. The fiery relationship between Millie and Drake is full of clever banter, hot energy, and surprises. A Lady's Lesson in Scandal is a great book to read if you like strong female leads, dark male leads, and love stories that combine risk and desire. Get ready for some bad lessons and a romance that will thrill and steam you up!

A Lady's Lesson in Scandal gives definite Bridgerton vibes! A historical fiction period piece with a daring heroine and plenty of spice this was a compelling read however the book just didn't quite hit all the marks. The characters were enjoyable but the story felt a little too neat and predictable in parts.
I would recommend this as an easy read to fans of romance and period pieces.

Title: A lady's lesson in scandal (the queen's deadly damsels book 2)
Author: Darcy Mcguire
Pages: 332
Rating: 5/5

Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
Publish date - 12th October 2024

"A BRAND NEW spicy historical romance series, featuring a cast of deadly damsels! Wallflower at risk of ruin…"

Millie wants to publicly "ruin" herself so she's free to work undercover. Of course things backfire spectacularly!

This book had me smiling from ear to ear with the quick witted banter between each of the characters. The storyline wasn't all fluff and spice though. There were some darker sinister things at play making it all a very interesting read. It was well balanced and didn't seem particularly heavy.

The characters are well made. The storyline well paced.

I hadn't realised this was the second book in the series, however it does work very well as a standalone and I felt I hadn't missed much from book one.

A fab ending and I'll be reading book one and following the series!


You'll love this book if you like
- spicy books
- historical romance
- marriage of convenience
- femme fatales
- grumpy x sunshine
- strong female leads
- enemies to lovers

Thank you netgalley and boldwood books for allowing me to review.

Will you read it? If you've read it already, what were your thoughts??

I really enjoyed this - so much so I immediately bought and read the first book. The writing is sassy, spicy and fun, which is how I like my historical reads. I’m a sucker for stories with female assassins – and I’d definitely read more from this author.

Millicent Whittenburg is being forced to marry a man old enough to be her father. Her only way out is to be the architect of her own, very public, ruin. The woman hating Major General Drake seems like the perfect candidate for her ruination. But she doesn’t count on his being a man of honour who will offer for her. How can she lead her life if espionage for Queen Victoria if she is married.

The story is set in the Victorian period, though I only know this from the multiple mentions of the queen. It could be set in any period with the characters all having modern ideas and acting very twentyfirst century. I did like the idea of less than perfect main characters (she’s tall and fat, he’s tall and scarred from war) but really it didn’t add anything.

I did find the treatment of Millie by her stepmother, only a few years her elder, and her father very unpleasant. Her father went from doting on her to allowing his new wife to whip her.

On a pedantic note, one of the characters is the Duchess of Dorset mispelt Dorsett throughout, which to a UK reader is a glaring error.

Overall it’s an okay romance but had too many flaws for me to really enjoy it.

Today I’m reviewing the new historical romance from author Darcy McGuire, A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal. In this historical fiction romance we follow Millicent Whittenburg, a forward thinking, femme-fatale in training in need of way out of an unwanted betrothal. With the unknowing help of Major General Beaufort Drake, Milli rids herself of her stepmothers choice in husband, to find herself in more trouble than she realized in her recklessness to gain her freedom.

This one was tricky.

You have a young woman desperate to get away from her abusive step-mother and neglectful father. Milli has the means to free herself from her situation and takes a rash chance on a man she knows would be honor bound to protect her. What she doesn’t expect is finding a love she didn’t know she could have or felt she deserved.

So here’s what I thought didn’t work for this one. There is on page physical abuse Milli suffers by her stepmother. It’s very intense and close to being described as being flogged. When authors take on forms of abuse, especially when it’s on page, they walk a fine line of its significance to the story when portraying something horrifying in humanities capability of being cruel.

My question I had from these interactions with the stepmother was is this necessary to have this much dedicated on page violence? Plus, the time for those types of wounds to heal isn’t a few days or a week. If you’re asking me to stomach the main character being abused and then have her miraculously healed a week later, I’m going to have some very concerning questions.

My suspense of disbelief can only be held for so long.

Even though I had issue with one of the villains of the novel and the reality of how human beings heal, the romance friends is what you’re going to enjoy. How Milli and Drake start to create a safe haven for each other from the very beginning. Traversing a dangerous attraction that could undue them both (in an oh-so-good-way). It’s fun to see them rile each other up and explore the endless possibilities of what can be.

Please be sure to see the content warnings before reading this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is the second book in a series by Darcy McGuire. I didn't read the first installment, and I think I would have enjoyed the character dynamics in this book more if I had. Our main characters, Millie and Drake, are working for separate employers but towards the same goal; this scenario and some fun tropes drive the plot. This was a bit spicy for my taste and there was some insta-love, which I don't tend to enjoy. However, the main mystery was interesting and kept me reading.

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down! McGuire has created a fun, Victorian world full of intrigue, romance, and vivid characters. Pulling from some of my favorite tropes, McGuire crafted a fresh, fun narrative centering on Millicent Whittenburg, a wallflower with a deadly secret, and Beautfort Drake, a woman-hating war veteran. The characters both have to learn to trust again after deep betrayals, and watching them fight their attraction as they take those next steps on the way to their kiss-enforced marriage.

I really liked Millie's character-- she's a plus-size damsel who can handle her own distress, thank you very much! McGuire creates believably catty foils for Millie as well as strong, sisterly support, showing some of the struggles plus-sized women still face, as well as how to overcome those. Beau is delightfully dark, with scars from the war on both his body and his heart.

I found the dialogue quick and witty, the action scenes well-paced and well-described, and the settings lush and realistic. I really liked the mystery plot running parallel to the romance. I'm looking forward to reading more from McGuire!

Loved it.
How many knives can you secrete about your body? And can you learn hand to hand combat in a corset laced tight?
Well, you if you are one of the Queen's Deadly Damsels.
This is actually the second in the series, but works well as a stand alone.
And an Afghan war that we didn't win - again! Why can't politicians learn from history? The Great Game will always be won by the natives. They know their territory well and can always outwit those who insist on strict hierarchy and warfare. Loose connections and small cells are the way to win.
Sorry about the minor rant but the Aghani wars have been fought for hundreds of years and this book contains details of one - that did not work out well for the British soldiers who are written about.

I really enjoyed the historical romance element to this book, it was everything that I enjoyed about the genre and how characters worked in the setting. It had that spicyness that I wanted and enjoyed that the damsels weren’t so in distress. It left me wanting to read more in this series and from Darcy McGuire.

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and Bollward Books for providing me with an ARC copy.

I enjoy historical fiction and this was a. Unique take on a common storyline. Part adventure, part romance, part detective story this serves up some loveable main and side characters that will make you smile and laugh.

While not overly focussed on a time period this showcased some very interesting perspectives on what marriage can (and perhaps should) be. Second in the series it’s a true stand alone

I have actually never read a historical romance book, so this was my introduction to the genre.

I love the duality of the mystery and the romance, it gives so much more depth to the story.

I was a little lost in the beginning, because I didn't read the first book. But that wasn't a problem anymore after a while.

Overall, I really liked it and think it's a good book for people who are just discovering historical romance.

Delightful.

Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read this before its release.

A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal begins with young Millicent Wittenburg scheming to get out of her upcoming nuptials to a very old Viscount Tread. She attempts to gain her freedom by kissing a scarred stranger at her engagement party. But her schemes backfire when the scarred stranger,Major General Drake, takes it as his duty to uphold her honor and offer his own hand in marriage.

I enjoyed reading this regency era romance. I found it to be exciting, spicy and comedic. I enjoyed watching Beau and Millie spar verbally as their relationship grew. I also enjoyed watching Millie and Beau’s past flames getting their comeuppance.

The second in the Queen’s Deadly Damsal’s series.

Check out The Secret Life of a Lady to learn more about deadly damsel Hannah. While she plays a small role in a Lady’s Lesson in Scandal, she is talked about often.

Fantastic! Witty! Charming! Heart string tugs! WhoDonIt...! I can's say enough good things about "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal." The way Ms McGuire tells a story keeps the pages turning until you've finished and want to keep on reading. Can't wait for a next in the series. Free ARC from NetGalley for honest review. <3

Title : “A Lady's Lesson in Scandal”
The Queen's Deadly Damsels Series (Book2)
Author: #DarcyMcGuire
September 15, 2024

Darcy McGuire’s sequel to The Secret Life of a Lady is a thoroughly engaging blend of romance, mystery, and historical charm. Millie Wittenburg, the fiercely independent heroine, faces a difficult situation as she tries to escape an arranged marriage while continuing her secret vigilante work with the Duchess of Dorset. Enter Major General Beauford Drake, a brooding, scarred hero, who feels forced to propose to Millie after a scandal she orchestrates. Their instant chemistry leads to a fast-paced romance, but it’s the ongoing mystery that truly grabs your attention as they work together to take down a human trafficking ring—a plotline that began in the first book and will likely continue throughout the series.

Though there are steamy moments and darker themes like abuse and torture, the book never feels too heavy, balancing these elements with witty dialogue and action-packed scenes. The historical setting adds a layer of charm to what feels like a modern romance, thanks to its strong-willed heroines and intense, brooding heroes. While I loved the mix of excitement, romance, and intrigue, some parts felt rushed. However, that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment. This book is spicy, fun, and full of suspense, making it a solid four-star read!

NOTE : I believe there are some inconsistencies in how the characters’ titles are addressed. Since Millie is the daughter of a Marquess and Ivy is the daughter of a duke (referred in the 1st book as Lord Cavendale Duke of Landington), they should both be addressed as “Lady,” not “Miss,” which is usually reserved for those of lower ranks or the gentry. Additionally, the Duke of Covington, even in retirement, should be referred to as “Your Grace” or “Duke,” rather than “Lieutenant General,” as his noble title takes precedence. Similarly, the Duchess of Dorset should be addressed as “Her Grace,” not “Lady.” Even Drake, being an Earl, should be addressed by his noble title rather than by his military rank. If anyone could confirm or correct these points, I’d appreciate the clarification!

“I received an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I am sharing this review voluntarily.

Many thanks to the author #DarcyMcGuire, the publisher #BoldwoodBooks , and #NetGalley. #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #Romance #Regency #RegencyRomance

What I liked about the book – I liked the idea of the main characters working towards the same goal, at first not realizing they were both investigating the same issue then later realizing they are better together than apart. I thought Millie and Beau had good chemistry and I liked that they weren’t your typical hero and heroine—he has some significant scars from his military experience in the Anglo-Afghan war and she is a tall, curvy, tough redhead as opposed to a demure English rose. I liked that they were attracted to the things in one another for which other people found fault.

Some things I struggled with—

I have read a number of historical romances recently where the heroine stages some kind of scandal that would foil any marriage plans thus forcing her to live an ostracized but desired independent life. This theme is a new one for me in historical romance as I was not aware that women had that kind of self-determination during these time periods. Was this a thing during the Victorian or Regency eras? Were society women able to win that kind of independence through scandal? How did they support themselves? If anyone knows or can share some historical resources about this scenario, please share them. I would love to learn more!

Also, were women during the Victorian era kidnapped and sold into prostitution and slavery in France? This issue was also a new one for me. I did some research about prostitution during this era and read that there were thousands (one article said 80,000!) of prostitutes working during the Victorian era, but I did not see anything referencing the kidnapping of English girls and selling them into sex slavery (and by aristocratic men?). I would be interested to learn more about this practice as well, so if you have information on this, please share!

The language in the story is not consistent with your typical historical romance. In many ways, the language made the book feel more contemporary.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Boldwood Books & NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

I wasn’t as big a fan of this one as I was the first book in the series. I wasn’t really captivated with the couple (I liked them well enough). I also felt like there were WAY too many people that were villains just for the sake of it. Why we didn’t literally beat Patricia up is beyond me because who the f-

ANYWAY that being said, still a solid story & I enjoy Darcy McGuire’s writing. I’ll be reading the next book!

Unfortunately, I didn't love A Lady's Lesson in Scandal.

I think the premise and the main characters were fun and compelling. However, I just didn't gel with the story and writing overall. While I liked the main characters, their pining for each other felt repetitive after a while. I'm not too fussy about modern language in my historical romances but there were a couple of instances here that just took me out of the story.

I think it's still worth trying if the premise sounds like something you might enjoy.

Suspense, drama, romance and gender jokes make this book interesting and entertaining. There’s mention of mental illness, post traumatic war syndrome, abusive parents, among other topics.

Drake Is the Earl of Tetly and a war hero who is physically scarred. He hates social gatherings but nevertheless needs to attend them as an investigator working for the Prime Minister.

Millie, is a member of the ton and is secretly working as an investigator for the Duchess of Dorsett, and Queen Victoria. They are trying to stop a society of men called the Devil’s sons which involves important members of the ton doing sex trafficking with country girls.

When circumstances forced Millie to be compromised by Drake, they will have to work together in order to stop the Devil’s sons, recover their reputations and save their lives at the same time.

Thanks the publisher and the author for this ARC. This is my voluntary and honest review.

I really liked the premise of this, a marriage of convenience between two opposite spy/police sides forced together to solve a common case. I quite enjoyed the book, and I might read the others in the trilogy as well.

However, some characters were very one-dimensional. The stepmother was a typically evil person, with nothing else to her character arch. Same as many other background character who did not get the development they should have. But perhaps is the fact that this book is very short so theres only so much you can include. That ending was very unnecessary, they didnt even talk after such a traumatic effect.