Love love loved this book! i couldnt put it down it was a real page turner, easy to get into and kept me interested through out

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting this ARC.
I made sure to read the first book in this series first despite being standalone books and I’m glad I did as it gave me a good idea of what to expect from this author.

I really enjoyed the first book so was excited for this one, which follows Eliza’s journey to discovering the life she wants, after 10yrs of being married to a man twice her age out of duty to her family and coming into a small fortune after his death.

Unfortunately, I found this book slow and hard to get into. I loved Eliza and Margaret’s (her cousin) relationship and their friendship, I think it was the main parts of the story I enjoyed. I did like Somerset at first and disliked Melville but in the end didn’t like Somerset and never warmed to Melville either.
I think I’d be more interested in reading about Margaret and Caroline’s Parisian adventures to be honest.
2.5 stars rounded up as I did finish it and would still be up for trying another book by the author since I liked the first book.

Irwin’s first book a tough act to follow, but this is an enjoyable modern take on Persuasion, with a twist. I wanted more of Caroline and Margaret though!

A fun and rambunctious regency style rom-com full of humour. This is the second standalone novel of the period from Sophie Irwin and is perfect for fans of Bridgerton. The heroine Eliza is married young to man years her senior as he is a wealthy match, but she finds herself widowed in her Kate twenties with a lucrative nest egg bestowed on her as long as she maintains her mortality. Eliza craves freedom away from the restrictions of a male society, which isn't easy with so many eyes following her every movement. She must maintain some propriety as a widow as per the endless societal rules. Gossip abounds and Eliza soon finds herself in the midst of it with a love triangle. #aladysguidetoscandal #Sophieirwin #netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc! This was a cracking sequel with major Bridgerton vibes. I love everything regency and this absolutely did not disappoint. I loved the characters and loved the storyline even more. An all round good time and cannot wait to read more from Sophie Irwin!

A sweet and enjoyable Regency romance in the modern, humorous style (not a traditional two-POV, romance-heavy story). It's more the story of how one woman rediscovers herself after becoming a widow; the romance is sidelined, really, to the point that although there is a love triangle, it's genuinely hard to tell that there is one until a good way through the book. I wasn't entirely sold on the way the romance panned out (splitting the time between two heroes doesn't leave a lot of pages for the reader to truly fall in love!) and I found myself far more invested in the queer subplot between side characters, but on the whole, I enjoyed the story very much. I like Sophie Irwin's writing, I just need to remember not to expect a traditional Regency!

What a great sequel to A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting! I actually think I enjoyed this book much more than the first.

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal follows Eliza who is in mourning for a year (though she doesn’t feel like it) and is set to inherit part of her late husband’s fortune, however there are things she cannot do in order to receive the fortune.

Enter Lord Somerset and Lord Melville. I loved this love triangle and I was rooting for one of them a lot more than the other. One is a love she had a decade ago and they are finally able to get their second chance, and the other she has just met, but Eliza can’t deny the sparks between them.

I thought that there plenty of funny parts, high stakes for Eliza and generally a very enjoyable plot. I am excited to see what is next in this series! I’m not a massive fan of historical romances, but give me the regency era and I will definitely enjoy it!

I am giving A Lady’s Guide to Scandal 4.5 stars, and I can’t wait for the next one!

A fantastic book about a widow who is finally given freedom to live the life she wants...but there are many catches along the way. Entertaining and full of historical society propriety, but not too much to detract from this fast paced story.

I really thought that this book was a follow on from A lady's guide to fortune hunting which I loved, and it wasn't and I was a little sad - however I'm now so glad it wasn't! Sophie Irwin has this whole captivating writing style that just makes her characters so quirky and endearing, I'm unsure if its intentional but Eliza has such life and vibrancy in her and I just love the spunk that she gives off - I was already a fan or Irwin and this one just ticks that box for me, quite possibly an auto-buy author now!

A really captivating read. Well written.
spoiler
Was not sure who the romantic lead would be practically until the reveal.

A gorgeous, delightful, humorous historical romance - a fabulous modern twist on Persuasion that will have you laughing and swooning from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed it and highly recommend to regency romcom fans.

4.6 stars

"A Lady's Guide to Scandal" by Sophie Irwin is a compelling Regency romance novel that takes readers on a journey filled with intrigue, passion, and societal constraints. Set against the backdrop of London's high society, the story follows Lady Penelope's quest for independence and her determination to uncover a shocking scandal.

Lady Penelope, a spirited and headstrong heroine, is a refreshing addition to the genre. Her wit and intelligence make her a formidable character who is unapologetically herself, defying the stifling norms of her time. Penelope's strong-willed nature leads her into a web of secrets and lies when she becomes entangled with the enigmatic Duke of Dunmore, a notorious rake who hides a more complex and vulnerable side.

Sophie Irwin's writing is both engaging and vivid, immersing readers in the elegant and detailed world of Regency England. The dialogue is witty, and the banter between the main characters crackles with chemistry. Irwin skillfully balances the romance with a tantalizing mystery, creating a narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth to the story, each playing a crucial role in unraveling the scandalous secrets. The dynamics of society, the constraints on women, and the influence of family are well-crafted elements that further enrich the plot.

What sets "A Lady's Guide to Scandal" apart is its empowering message about the importance of resilience, independence, and pursuing one's passions. The novel explores themes of love, trust, and personal growth, making it a story that resonates with modern readers as well.

In this delightful Regency romance, Sophie Irwin delivers a well-paced and absorbing narrative filled with engaging characters, lush historical details, and a captivating romance. "A Lady's Guide to Scandal" is a beautifully executed novel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in what promises to be an exciting series. Irwin's ability to blend romance and intrigue in the Regency era is commendable, and her novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Overall this was a fun and enjoyable read. At times it was hard to connect and root for the characters because they made terrible decisions. I’m not sure I was fully sold on the romance either.

A hilarious and heart warming read. There are truly some hidden gems within this book. However, although I am a fan of a good love triangle, the one in this book just wasn't it for me.

A Lady’s Guide to Scandal is the 2nd book by Sophie Sinclair set in a regency cute-fluffy time. After enjoying A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, and after reading a number of quite intense books lately, I was looking forward to get another comfortable read.

Following the death of her husband, Lord Somerset, a man she married 10 years ago at the age of 17 out of family duty, Eliza’s world is turned upside down. The man she loved 10 years ago, Oliver, is now the new Lord Somerset, and provided she doesn’t cause any scandal, Eliza has been left a fortune. She has always been told what to do and resigned herself to living for other people, she has lost her voice and her agency, but she’s now also lost the marital chains and found financial freedom. With her sister-like cousin, Margaret, Eliza travels to Bath where she learns to finally live for herself, follow her passion, find her voice again and listen to her heart. But where her heart ends up taking her isn’t quite where she expected.

This is a comforting book, it’s a curl up feel-good bit of escapism that isn’t mentally taxing or scarring (as someone who has a habit of reading devastating books). This doesn’t feel particularly new, in the concept or the characters, however there is something about that familiarity that does achieve what it sets out to in that it feels something you know and people you have met before. It’s difficult to deconstruct this book too much simply because it doesn’t feel like it demands much to warrant it. But it’s cute, it’s sweet, you have some wonderful female characters in Eliza, Margaret and Caroline, all delightfully feminist in their own ways and you follow them as they find their own way. There is also some endearing character development, especially with Eliza who, at the start is so controlled by her family and obligation, so used to not asking for happiness for herself, who as the book progresses learns that she deserves joy and to hold her head high. Likewise Margaret is a background character who I would have liked more of however what we do get is someone moving from the foreground, always there for others, who learns to think of herself. These people are so likeable.

Like I’ve said already, this book isn’t ground-breaking, it’s not going to challenge you, but I don’t think it wants to - I think it wants to keep you company and make you smile and it does just that.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy I’m exchange for an honest review

I would like to thank netgalley for providing this advanced copy for the purpose of review.

This was a fun and witty read with plenty to entertain. It was a little predictable but that didn't hinder the enjoyment

This book was great entertainment, and don't be afraid to pick it up even if you haven't read the first book in the series. (I didn't.)
I loved Melville's bohemian character, and there were a couple of scenes where I simply forgot to breath, the tension was so palpable. Regency romance lovers will be very happy to have this on their shelves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an Advance Review Copy.

An overall enjoyable entertaining read with plenty of witty, funny dialogue. A host of well developed characters and a very sweet, cute dose of romance woven in.
I was expecting a lot more scandal though and it was just a bit too predictable at times for me.

This was a cute story about a young woman who married for wealth and status and finds herself a young widow with a fortune and the freedom she's longed for for so long. I enjoyed reading about these characters and this next installment to the series by Sophie Irwin.

I don't like love triangles and this book definitely attempted to have one. However it was obvious who would come out on top from the beginning. I guess that was ok, but I still struggled to really get into the book and the characters because of it. The chemistry just didn't feel right.

Overall it was a good book but I guess it's more of a personal preference that kept me from enjoying this fully. I'm still really looking forward to reading more my Sophie Irwin, and can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

Jane Austen inspired tale of love and social rules in Regency Britain. Widowed Eliza must steer clear of scandal for a year following her husband's death in order to keep her fortune. The problem is how to define scandal. Taking a trip to Bath she finds herself torn between an old flame and a new flirtation. On the whole this is a fun read. It's a little bit too long and a bit predicable in parts and some of the characters are quite unlikeable. The moments where the characters spar with one another are the best though and where the novel truly sparkles.