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.

From the moment I opened "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal," the vibrant world entranced me that Darcy McGuire has created, a delightful blend of historical romance, mystery, and a touch of daring. This second instalment in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series brings us Millicent Whittenburg, a spirited wallflower embroiled in a thrilling plot to escape an unpleasant betrothal while navigating the treacherous waters of society. As I journeyed alongside her, it was impossible not to feel her yearning for freedom and adventure.
Millicent is a refreshing protagonist—an aspiring femme fatale with a clever plan to ruin herself in the eyes of society so she can carry out secret missions for the Queen. Her strategy to seduce Major General Beaufort Drake, a man notorious for his aversion to marriage, is as bold as reckless. I loved the tension that built between them; from their scandalous kiss to the unexpected marriage proposal, the stakes were high, and I was completely invested in their journey.
Major General Drake is an outstanding counterpart to Millie. Initially cold and deeply scarred by his past, he evolves into a steadfast ally as their lives become entwined. The story expertly portrays how their mutual disdain for marriage turns into a rich, complex romance, full of chemistry and understanding. I rooted for them, hoping they could overcome their troubled histories to find happiness together.
The historical backdrop was captivating, and rich in detail that immersed me in the Victorian era. McGuire's blend of thrilling mystery alongside the romantic development is commendable, and I appreciated how elements from the first book in the series continued to weave their way into the plot. Although you could enjoy this book as a standalone, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with the first instalment to fully grasp the nuances and overarching mystery.
While reading, I did notice a few awkward writing moments—some repetitive transitions felt a bit clunky, and the emphasis on how often characters noticed each other’s scents became somewhat excessive. It didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment, but I think it’s worth mentioning for readers who are particularly attentive to writing styles.
In this instalment, Millicent’s journey as a plus-size Amazonian—with her fiery ginger hair—captures hearts and showcases her strength. Her struggles with societal expectations deeply resonated with me, making her relatable and inspiring.
The themes of broken love and the fight against injustice are threaded throughout the book. The combination of personal traumas—Millie’s forced engagement and Drake’s complicated past—brought depth to their romance. The darker undertones, such as human trafficking, felt timely and relevant, adding an edge to the otherwise romantic and spirited tale.
Overall, "A Lady's Lesson in Scandal" is an exhilarating read, one filled with steamy moments and adventurous escapades. McGuire has crafted a story that balances fun with meaningful themes, keeping the pages turning.

The story line is one I would never have dreamed, but loved nonetheless: a Victorian Era historical rom-com where the ladies secretly work for Queen Victoria to take down human trafficking while the men are working for the Prime Minister with the same target. The men trust in the system set for by the Lords and the ladies a more vigilante-like! The lead characters, Millicent and Beau are both "anti-marriage" so you can predict where this is going. The heat between them is steamy and sizzling. Can this headstrong couple survive their chosen career paths and marriage? Can they move past their Victorian England upbringing to forge a path together as partners in all things?

Definitely a fun read, an engaging story line, and colorful characters - worth a read if you like a little sizzle and steam in your books.

While overall a rom-com, Darcy McGuire also touches upon the sensitive topics sexual abuse by a parent, physical and emotional abuse, the realities of war (torturing of prisoners), body shaming, and human trafficking.

4+ stars!

I very much enjoyed reading A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal. This is the second book in The Queen’s Deadly Damsels series by Darcy McGuire.

The story starts out with Millicent at her engagement ball, working on a plan to avoid the engagement forced on her by her horrible stepmother. Millie decides to be caught in a passionate kiss with the formidable Major General Drake. Because Drake wants to avoid marriage as much as Millie, she assumes he will refuse to marry her, leaving Millie free to continue investigating for the Queen.

As one might expect, things don’t go as planned and Millie and Drake find themselves approaching marriage. I really enjoyed the story and characters. I liked both the romance story and the mystery.

Part of the mystery carries over from the first book in the series and I expect this will continue throughout the series. However, a satisfying portion of the mystery is wrapped up in this book. One could read this book on its own and still enjoy it, but I would recommend reading book one first (which I also really enjoyed).

I’m not usually one to be bothered by the technical side of writing, but there were a few times when I found myself noticing some awkward moments, such as some repetitive chapter transitions and the large number of times (in my opinion) that both FMC and MMC noticed the smell of the other.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next “Deadly Damsel”!

Thanks for Boldwood Books for making this book available for review on NetGalley.

At the start of this book I honestly wasn’t feeling it. I thought the beginning was rushed and I didn’t see any redeeming traits the characters. By the end I enjoyed my read. It felt very fast pace and it was just fun. The romance wasn’t built up as much but I didn’t realize this was a sequel so I wonder if I am missing context. From just stumbling on to this ARC I did have fun reading.

I really enjoyed this novel. It was easy to follow, had good pacing and a great cast of characters. I also loved the place settings in the book. A enjoyable read that I would recommend to other people.

A lady's lesson in Scandal - Swoony Spicy Victorian Spy series

Darcy McGuire kicks off another tale from her 'Lady' series, following the proteges of Lady Phillippa, Lady Winterbourne, under the aegis of Queen Victoria, herself - a sort of Queen's Lady, if you please. Think Bridgerton meets Charlies Angels - these sparkling, intelligent unconventional heroines, stifled by rigid patriarchal rules, train in hand to hand combat, weaponry and self defense - and why you ask... Why, all in an attempt to bring justice to the scoundrels' in the House of Lords, who are often let off with by the peerage with slaps on their wrists.

They are often abetted by their counterparts - the dashing heroes, of course, under the Prime Minister, hunting the same villains! How these two factums clash, sizzle and burn forms the basis of the novel. Add in dimensions of equality, crimes against voiceless victims and a brace of adventure, horse riding and a lot of interspersed spicy moments make this a fascinating read.

This book in particular deals with Mellie - our ginger haired, plus size Amazonian or Valkyrie, who captures the heart and soul of wounded war veteran, Beaufort Drake. Both Mellie and Drake have a broken history in love - Mellie's reputation has been sullied due to her infatuation with her childhood friend St George, and is being forced into a marriage with her father's friends, at the insistence of her step mother. While Drake has returned home after years of torture and scarring to find his fiance married to his brother. Add in some human trafficking, beauty and the beast vibes, this makes an excellent read for any Victorian fan, albeit some of the swearing may be more modern, considering the period in question. This minor gripe aside, this is a fats paced, easy adventure mystery with oodles of spice!

This book was BRILLIANT. A perfect mix of historical romance but with underlying criminal activity so there’s always something to raise your heart rate- impending doom or a raunchy love scene!
I loved the characters, Millicent was so likeable and Drake was just as appealing. Every character you came across, from Billy to Phillipa to Franklin, they were all authentic and believable and contributed to a truly great story. I can’t wait for the next one!

Finally, a romance novel featuring a female main character with a body type that's often underrepresented in the genre! The premise is exciting and mostly delivers, though there are a few plot holes that I hope will be addressed in a potential third book for Ivy. One important note: the author should include a list of trigger warnings at the start of the book, as it deals with themes of parental physical abuse and insinuated parental sexual assault. Some reviews have mentioned that the frequent references to the FMC's weight might be excessive, but as someone who frequently reads plus-size romance, I didn’t find it overwhelming. The book is a real page-turner—I finished it in a single day—and while I enjoyed the story and didn’t see the ending coming, I felt it wasn’t fully resolved.

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