My Thoughts:
I've read a number of historical, romantic comedies recently, many of which are set in a Regency style society. And I must admit that the "Queen’s Deadly Damsels series, is one of the better reads out there.

Our protagonist is the fantastic Millicent Whittenburg, an intelligent, funny and determined young woman who has joined this secret society to support the endeavours of the Queen and investigate crimes in society. She is eager to investigate a local criminal ring that is responsible for trafficking young women.

However , when her plans to ensure that she has the freedom to operate in secret backfire, Millie finds herself facing a bigger problem - marriage to the silent and brooding Earl Beaufort.

Of course, this is where all of the fun, romance and spice begins! And there is spice.

A Lady's Lesson In Scandal is the second novel in the series, and works perfectly well as a standalone, but why miss out on the fun? Make sure to check out The Secret Life of A Lady which is Hannah's story.

It was such a blast to read. I love confident competent women in any time period, but there's something extra fun about them in Victorian times.
You can clearly see the Bridgerton inspiration, more so than Wisteria Society. If you wanted the Ton to have more spies, action, and murder, than this is a great book for you.
The romance was sweet, spice was mild, and I thought the chemistry between the main couple was very believable.
That said I wouldn't try to look into the plot too hard. While it was fun, it left more questions than answers, focusing on aspects that weren't brought up again in a satisfying way and seemed to gloss over some heavier subjects (tw abuse, whipping, assault, trafficking). And didn't let the characters deal with the reprucussions of what should of been life altering actions. Which kind of left the story feeling unfinished.

This was my first book from Darcy McGuire and while I would happily read more out of the series, I'm not sure I would search them out as much as I do other authors.

"A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" by Darcy McGuire is an enthralling historical romance and mystery novel that fully deserves a 5-star rating because I couldn’t put it down! Set in the sumptuous backdrop of Regency England, the book expertly weaves together an intricate tale of love, passion, and societal expectations, yet with a strong female protagonist, Millicent. No stranger to scandal, I admired this character, who was willing to break the norms and what’s expected of her for freedom of her own will.

McGuire's storytelling prowess shines through her vivid and multidimensional characters, with the strong-willed Millicent and the charming (in his own way) yet enigmatic Major General Beaufort Drake drawing readers into their world and magnetic chemistry from the very beginning.

The passion between the main characters is electric and extremely spicy. Their journey is a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave readers yearning for more. The attention to historical detail is impeccable, immersing the reader in a world of lavish ballrooms, whispered intrigue, and forbidden romance.

McGuire expertly captures the societal norms and constraints of the era, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. The plot's pacing is perfect, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate unexpected twists and turns as they both set to solve the same mystery and secret missions.

The prose is elegant and evocative (and even humorous), transporting readers back in time and allowing them to experience the characters' triumphs, tribulations, heartbreak, and sorrows.

In conclusion, "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is a must-read for fans of a spicy historical romance. Darcy McGuire has crafted a beautiful love story while maintaining the strength of the female character for the era. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking an enchanting and unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #DarcyMcGuire, and #BoldwoodBooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. #aLady'sLessoninScandal

I read the first book in this series and thought it was ok, so I started this book without overly high expectations.

There is plenty of spice but the modern language felt incongruous. There are also some serious themes; the characters experience trauma which, in my opinion, was not explored enough.

I liked Drake (Beau) and Millie - their characters were interesting and the chemistry between them was immediately apparent.

Overall, the premise was good but the style of writing was not for me.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I'll likely never *not* enjoy a Regency romance, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me. I didn't love either of the main characters, especially the focus on Millie's weight in comparison to other women. The descriptions of physical abuse (domestic and as part of a human trafficking ring) were also quite graphic and out of line with the tone of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

3.5 stars
At first i could not get into this book so i dnfed it, but the story seemed interesting so i gave it another chance and i'm glad i did cause the book definitely gets better once you get past the first few chapters. I think at times the writing was repetitive and i had some issues with the way some things regarding the plot were executed but what saved it was the characters and the romance. The main characters had great chemistry and i loved the way their romance was progressing throughout the book. Overall, it was a really fun read.

A witty and strong lead FMC and a grumpy but supportive MMC that solve a mystery while keeping it steamy? Yes please. This book was engaging and cute with a surprise twist at the end. This femme-fatale historical scene is riveting and you can’t help but root for the characters in their mission and in their relationship. While you don’t need to read the first in the series, you’ll definitely want more after finishing this story!

A historical romance with a kick-ass heroine who's investigating a crime? Hell yes, count me in!

Unfortunately, the concept was great, but the execution fell short - at least in my opinion.
In the beginning, this book was really repetitive. So much so that I thought about DNFing it, but I powered through and it got better in that regard. I still have two major problems with it, though. Even though, I admit, at least one is my own fault. Going into this book, I didn't realize that it was a sequel. Even though, our MCs were only side characters in the first installment, I still had the feeling I missed something major by not having read the first book in the series first. The other thing is, that I expected this to novel to be a mix of romance and crime. Which it was, but the crime part only really happened in the last 10% of this book and then there wasn't any real investigating happening. They only ever talked about what they wanted to do, but they never actually did it. When it came down to solving the puzzle, everything just fell into their laps, which was really disappointing to me.

I guess, if you are going into this book aware that it's 90% romance, 80% of which consists of lust and pining, you might have a much better experience than I. Don't get me wrong, "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is by no means a bad book, it just didn't meet my expectations.

Actual rating: 2,75

Overall a cute, fun regency romp. I do think the author tried to shoehorn in quite a few darker storyline that she didn't quite manage to flesh out - the villain's reveal (and subsequent death) was brushed over far too quickly in aid of a HEA and it ended up feeling a little rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I've been loving Darcy McGuire's series following lady spies and the group of nefarious aristocratic serial killers that they are taking down. I also appreciated that Millicent was described to have a body type that isn't usually represented in romance books - tall, strong, and sort of generally big-boned. I sped through this book again, and will continue to follow this series.

Thank you so much to Boldwood Books and Darcy McGuire for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book, the sequel to The Secret Life of a Lady also by Darcy McGuire, is equal parts spicy and heartwarming. Available on 10/12/2024, this book is perfect for cozy reading.

Millicent “Millie” Wittenburg is being forced to marry a man only a few years younger than her father, which is seriously going to dig into her work as a vigilante crime fighter for Queen Victoria. Desperate to escape, she chooses scandal as her means of escape with the one man she can count on to ruin her and leave - Major General Beauford Drake.

He is under pressure from Parliament, under whom he’s an investigator, to take a wife, so he offers for her hand in marriage. Now, during the week-long wedding festivities at his country estate, they have to unmask the head of a human trafficking ring without letting the other know about it.

5/5 stars, this book has excellent pacing and a pitch-perfect sense of humor with the right amount of spice.


The review on gmpotter.com will go live on 9/3/24, and the YouTube review will go live on 9/19/24

I was looking for a book at was similar to bridgerton but was a little different and wow did this hit the spot!!! I will be recommending to my friends once this book is released and will be reading the first one asap!!!

Darcy McGuie is a new author to me and I really liked her writing. This was a fast paced Regency Romance book with both Millie and Beau in secret service to bring down a trafficking ring. They both have had terrible experiences in relationships and don't trust each other. This has one of the wickedest Step Mothers I've ever read. Overall an enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Rating: 4/5
Spice Level: 3/5

I usually don't like historical romances due to sexism in these books. I often can't find the male leads appealing because of how much they disrespect and use woman. However, this book inquired me from the description so I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. Millie doesn't care about finding a husband. She learned time and time again that you can't rely on men. She only wants her freedom. So, when her evil stepmother plans to marry her to a man her father's age, she decides to "ruin" herself by publicly kissing the one man who is known to hate women, Major General Beaufort Drake. Then she can leave society and carry out deadly missions for the Queen. However, her plan goes sideways asDrake doesn't like being used and decides to marry her instead.

This book was spicy and fun like modern romances, but with historical charm! It is part of an intertwined standalone series and I hadn't read the first book, but I will be now.

A light-hearted period romp, saucy, mystery, romance, humour.

A group of ex-soldiers encounter several female investigators, both groups are working undercover for the government, what follows should be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

Historically questionable but a fun read and not to be take too seriously.

An overly generous 4*

eARC generously supplied by Boldwood Books and NetGalley, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

A Lady’s lesson in Scandal was immediately on my radar of books to read because I really enjoyed the first book in the series, The Secret Life of a Lady. This story definitely did not disappoint. Millie, the FMC, needs out of an arranged marriage and away from her abusive stepmom. She decides seducing the lady hating and scarred war hero Lord Beau Drake will ruin her enough to earn her freedom. Beau does the unthinkable and insists they get married. Both hate the idea but as they are stuck together at a country house party leading up to their marriage the idea begins to get less abhorrent. The trouble brewing has less to do with the upcoming nuptials and more to do with their investigations both personal and professional.

The chemistry between these two was instant and incendiary. The push and pull between lust, dislike and then love was really well done. I loved that they were forced together in the house party. That said, I didn’t love when the marriage of convenience occurred I like to see it a bit sooner in the book personally but the progression of their love story was really well developed. The plot was original and hooked me from start to finish and I really enjoyed the mystery element to the book. A great sequel and I look forward to reading more by this author.

This book is great for people who want to read about some mutual pining. I love a marriage of convenience/forced marriage when both of the characters can't stop falling for each other and thinking 'I can't possibly have feelings!" There were moments when I wanted the MCs to be slightly more communicative, and I always prefer for the MMC to be more open to women's freedom, but this was a delightful read at the end of the day.

The book, as advertised, is a spicy romance. While there are numerous scenes in the book that are notable for the spicy content, the storyline itself is quite interesting as is the focus/theme. Millicent, Millie for short, attempts to escape a marriage to a man in his dotage. Her evil stepmother has set her up with this marriage as a particular form of torture as she uses and abuses the affections of Millie's father. The stepmother also abuses Millie in general, at one point whipping her (This is not part of the spicy content aforementioned).

Meanwhile, Beaufort Drake, former military, has his own woes. Upon return from war, he discovered that his fiance had instead chosen to marry his brother. Worse yet, they were both flippant and indifferent to his pain, which also included a facial scar and scarring to a leg. He has no interest in marrying, but Millicent . . . ahem . . . stirs his attention. At first, it's a physical attraction, but as he gets to know Millie, he realizes there is far more to admire.

Millie is in cahoots with the Duchess Philippa, who has the Queen's own ear. Philippa runs a female-driven ring of investigator/spies on behalf of the Queen. Included are Millie, Hannah, Ivy and a few others who are a part of the series. Millie is no wallflower, and is perfectly capable of figuring out her own fate. She knows how to throw knives, and her height makes her less easy to throw around. Even her stepmother's whipping can't faze her. So when she sees Beaufort at a party where she's investigating an illegal sex trade ring that is kidnapping young girls away from their families, she gets him alone to create scandal (hence the title) and get out of her ill-timed betrothal. He is more than willing to comply. In fact, a little too much. Now Beau insists on marrying her because it's the honorable thing to do.

It's the storyline of the investigation that takes center stage as being interesting and impacts the dynamics of Beau and Millie's relationship. Will he be able to accept a woman who can fight, who spies for the Queen, and who wants to be seen as his equal? Or will he try to demand that she quit, refuse to accept her choices, and hold her back, all in the name of "protecting" her? The combination of this level of commentary with the spicy content makes for a great overall tale about an independent woman who can handle the course of her own life, and the sexy man who supports her in doing so. This makes the book enormously appealing.

My only complaint is that the wording is extremely repetitive in the spicy scenes that at times it becomes a little monotonous. Other than that, I think this is an excellent example of the genre, hence the high rating.

This was very promising, but ultimately it didn’t deliver.

I really enjoyed the premise: a young female investigator-cum-vigilante for the Queen (Millie) enters into a marriage of convenience to a slightly terrifying, scarred, smouldering Earl (Beau), in order to win freedom from her horrible family and conduct her investigation into an underground trafficking ring targeting young, working class women (!). He also happens to be an investigator for the Prime Minister, working on exactly the same goal. Sparks fly — of course they fall for each other — as they navigate the tricky social setting of the Victorian beau monde, as well as differing opinions on how to bring these men to justice (Beau and the Prime Minister’s men: try them in a court of law; Millie and the Queen’s agents: kill them all vigilante-style).

The Victorian setting and set-up was perfect, and I really enjoyed the plot as a whole; however, I felt the language (both dialogue and descriptive) didn’t match (did they really say “fuck” in the Victorian era? Would an Earl really ask “are you okay”?). This was such a disappointment, as I’ve historical settings balanced really well with witty, era-appropriate yet tongue-in-cheek language, as done by other authors (Alexandra Vasti springs to mind). I would’ve preferred a tighter edit to catch these things, as well as some repetition in the writing, inelegant cases of telling-not-showing, etc. All the above made the story drag on, and I rushed through it at the end.

The ending is a whole other issue: two men in the trafficking ring are caught and apprehended, but not before one of them turns out to be one of the Prime Minister’s agents (double-crosser!) and Beau’s close friend (this is skimmed over). Millie is held at gun-point (of course), and Beau has to save her (although she actually ends up saving herself). I’m trying not to spoil too much here, but there is some serious on-page trauma for Millie here, and it’s completely disregarded — after killing her captor (!) Beau just carries her away, crossing paths with their friends (who were mutual friends with the double-crosser??) without explaining that their friend is dead in the basement, and they go straight to bed for an intense sex scene!! I would’ve been laughing if it wasn’t so confusing. Definitely could have been done better!

On the plus side: I very much liked the two protagonists, their attraction to each other was certainly believable (if a little rushed) and there was a good level of spice. A lot of ingredients for a fun adaptation here!

NOTE: This is the second book in a series that follows Queen Victoria’s secret group of female spies, so perhaps the first book is better? I might give it a try as I enjoyed the premise so much, despite the book’s imperfections.

I was so delighted that a second book in this series is already coming out! The concept of the series is great - women secretly working for Queen Victoria as vigilantes cross paths with men working as secret agents for the Prime Minister. The groups have different ideas about administering justice. The men want to use the proper channels, but because the House of Lords wasn't holding peers accountable for crimes, Queen Victoria's agents step in.

In this second book, things get steamy very quickly. Millie, the main character, wants to publicly "ruin" herself so she's free from societal expectations and can work undercover. Things go wrong and she winds up betrothed to one of the Prime Minister's agents. They are instantly drawn to each other and almost all of the tension in the story is found in the mystery subplot, about human trafficking.

This is not all fluff - there's physical abuse (on page), allusion to sexual abuse by a parent, mention of torture (some of the agents were prisoners of war), and kidnapping/human trafficking.