REVIEW: A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins: Two years prior Poppy Delamere (known as Flora Deaver in London) fled to escape an arranged marriage to Alistair Lovell, only to have her stepfather force Violet, her sister, to marry him. When Lovell is found dead and Violet is accused of killing him, Poppy returns home to help her sister. Accepting Langham’s help in exchange for her pretending to be his betrothal seemed simple enough since she had been pretending to be someone else since she left home.

The Duke of Langham was returning to his country estate for his grandmother’s annual birthday house party. Although he dreaded meeting all the single ladies she would invite to entice him to find a wife. Hearing of Poppy’s dilemma gave him the idea of them helping each other. He would investigate the charges against her sister while she pretended to be his betrothal until they returned to London. Their investigation leads them to lies, blackmail, and a secret society. Can they uncover the true villain before they become the next victims?

As Poppy and Joshua continue working together, they begin to truly see each other. As pretend and real life gets confusing, so do their feelings for each other. I loved watching them slowly uncover the truth about each other. Poppy had no wish to get married and give a husband power over her but eventually, she realized that Langham was an honorable man and she had nothing to fear.

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes is the third book in the Ladies Most Scandalous series but each book can be read as a standalone. The pacing of the book was perfect and kept me engaged until the end. The suspense was intense and the ending was unpredictable. I really enjoyed the book and so far, it is my favorite. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Book Info:

Publication: March 28, 2023 | Grand Central Publishing | Ladies Most Scandalous #3

England, 1867: Miss Poppy Delamare is living a lie. To escape an odious betrothal, she fled to London where she’s been hiding as the unassuming secretary Flora Deaver. However, when her beloved sister is accused of murder, Poppy cannot leave her to the wolves. Only a most unexpected—and unwelcome—collision interrupts her journey home . . .

Despite a rather dismal first meeting, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady in need. But he’s not above asking a favor. A fake betrothal will give Poppy and her sister the power of the dukedom and protect Langham from the society misses intent on becoming his duchess.

Yet the longer the ruse goes on, the more Poppy and Langham realize how false their first impressions were—and the less pretend their engagement feels. But before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals. With time running out, can Poppy and Langham find the real culprit—before Poppy becomes the next victim?