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

About the Book:

Title: A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes

Author: Manda Collins

Series: A Lady’s Guide #3

Page Length: 352

Publication Date: March 28, 2023

Publisher: Forever

Synopsis: Miss Poppy Delamare has been living a lie. To escape an odious betrothal, she hid as the quiet and unassuming Flora Deaver, secretary to London’s most infamous female crime reporter. When her beloved younger sister is accused of murder, however, Poppy returns home to keep her sibling from the hangman’s noose.

But a collision with the most unexpected—and unwelcome—of travel companions interrupts her journey. To her surprise, the arrogant, albeit handsome, Duke of Langham offers to help clear her sister’s name . . . in exchange for a favor of his own.

Despite his rakish reputation, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady—or ladies—in need. A fake betrothal will benefit both him and Poppy. Langham will have protection from the society misses flocking to his grandmother’s birthday celebration, and Poppy will have the power of the dukedom when proving her sister’s innocence.

Only the longer the ruse goes on, the less pretend the engagement feels, until neither are acting at all. But before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals leading back to his own family. With time running out to save Poppy’s sister, can Poppy and Langham find the true murderer before the curtains fall?

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

This series is so much fun, and I’m loving the swoon-worthy romances! The third book in the series, A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes follows Poppy and Langham and their frenemies-to-lovers romance as they work together to solve a murder.

The story takes place in the English countryside, which is a nice change from the first two books. It’s an interesting contrast since one wouldn’t expect the idyllic setting to be riddled with danger, murder, secrets, and more. Between the setting, the compelling and well-developed characters, the mystery and suspense, and the swoon-worthy romance, it’s entertaining and engrossing from beginning to end.

We’ve seen Poppy in the previous books since she is Caro and Kate’s assistant, and I was so excited to learn more about her and her backstory. Poppy is fantastic! She’s smart and independent, and she’s not afraid to assert herself. A self-proclaimed spinster at age 25, Poppy has a bit of independence, so when her sister is accused of murdering her husband, Poppy immediately rushes to her to prove her innocence. I love how she is unapologetically herself. She never tries to change or conform, and she remains true to herself. And Langham appreciates that about her. Langham is great too! He makes an arrangement with Poppy to help her with her sister if she fakes an engagement with him. He’s trying to avoid the pressure of marrying, but it’s pretty clear he has feelings for his frenemy even before he realizes it.

Langham and Poppy have so much chemistry, and their banter is the best! They make a good team, and I liked their verbal sparring as much as their electric connection. Some of their conversations are so funny, and others are sweet and sexy. It’s a nice mix. I enjoyed seeing the couple grow closer and trust each other more as they investigated the murder together and maneuvered through social events.

The mystery is really interesting too and much more complex than the pair originally thought. Luckily for her sister, Poppy isn’t daunted by the dangerous murmurings she hears, and neither is Langham. I think the suspense and intrigue add to the tension between Poppy and Langham, and the high-stakes situations bring them together pretty quickly.

I loved the story. It’s fun and funny, adventurous and romantic, and the mystery is intriguing. Of course, you can never go wrong with a historical romance by Manda Collins! Thanks so much to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance!

• The mystery.

• The secondary characters.

Favorite Lines:

“My dear Miss Delamere,” Langham said. “I should hope that I am not just any man. Because I have known from the moment we met that you are not just any woman.”

Tropes:

• fake dating
• frenemies to lovers
• reformed rake