ARC Review: A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes (A Lady's Guide #3) by Manda Collins
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Series: A Lady's Guide #3
Author: Manda Collins
Published March 28th 2023 by Forever
Goodreads Synopsis
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a lady in danger must be in need of rescue, but whether she wants to be rescued is up for debate—for fans of Evie Dunmore and Netflix's Bridgerton from the bestselling author of A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem!
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?
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Miss Flora Deaver has a secret. Working as a secretary to her friends, Katherine and Caro, she has hidden the fact she is from a country gentry family, and is in fact Miss Poppy Delamare. She fled her home to avoid marrying her stepfathers partner, and has never returned. However, when her sister is accused of murdering her husband - the very man Poppy fled from - Poppy needs to return to save her sister. On the train home, Poppy runs into the Duke of Langham, and though they had a bad first meeting, Joshua will not abandon a lady in distress, especially one in his social circle. Hatching a plan to pretend to be engaged to allow Poppy more freedom and power to help her sister, and Joshua to avoid the ladies his family have assembled to force him to marry, they expect everything will easy going. But when feelings start becoming apparent, will the couple be able to remember it's a 'fake' engagement.
Another great book by Manda! A Spinster's Guide to Danger and Dukes had it all. Intrigue, suspense, mystery, romance, love. Poppy and Langham's relationship definitely was not a smooth one, and they did not make a good first impression on each other. They do have chemistry though, and the fake relationship was the perfect plot line for the pair. I appreciated the way Langham stood up for Poppy, particularly when it came to his family and the woman they gathered for him to pick from. He also knew when she didn't need the help, but wanted support. Langham didn't underestimate her, and he bolstered her when she needed it. The mystery took turns I wasn't expecting, and I was gripped until the very end. I hope there are more books in this series, as I need more of Manda's epic storytelling.
Dates Read:
October 22-23, 2022
Rating
4 Stars
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