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Ladies Most Scandalous #4
A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril
Two friends reunite—and discover hidden feelings—while investigating a murder in this sensual, witty historical romance.
Jane Halliwell once dreamed of a home of her own—but those dreams (and her dowry) died with her father. Now, she works as a governess, preparing her charge for a future no longer within her reach. When her employer is murdered during a house party, however, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton. But stepping in as hostess will require working with the same lord who once broke her girlish heart.
Lord Adrian Fielding was too consumed with his job at the Foreign Office to pay young Jane much heed, but he always considered her a friend. Which is why he’s confounded by her icy demeanor now. More troubling still is his desire to melt the tensions between them. But his mentor’s murder means he must first find the culprit—and ensure Jane’s safety as she manages a house full of foreign dignitaries.
Only Jane insists on joining the investigation, and Adrian, despite all his diplomatic skills, finds himself seduced by her sharp wit and sparkling eyes. But with a vicious killer circling ever closer, will it soon be too late for their chance at forever?
Jane Halliwell once dreamed of a home of her own—but those dreams (and her dowry) died with her father. Now, she works as a governess, preparing her charge for a future no longer within her reach. When her employer is murdered during a house party, however, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton. But stepping in as hostess will require working with the same lord who once broke her girlish heart.
Lord Adrian Fielding was too consumed with his job at the Foreign Office to pay young Jane much heed, but he always considered her a friend. Which is why he’s confounded by her icy demeanor now. More troubling still is his desire to melt the tensions between them. But his mentor’s murder means he must first find the culprit—and ensure Jane’s safety as she manages a house full of foreign dignitaries.
Only Jane insists on joining the investigation, and Adrian, despite all his diplomatic skills, finds himself seduced by her sharp wit and sparkling eyes. But with a vicious killer circling ever closer, will it soon be too late for their chance at forever?
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2024
About the author
Manda Collins
33 books1,474 followersManda Collins grew up on a combination of Nancy Drew books and Jane Austen novels, and her own brand of Regency romantic suspense is the result. A former academic librarian, she holds advanced degrees in English Lit and Librarianship. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Bookpage, and USA Today. A native of Alabama, she lives on the Gulf Coast with a very stubborn cat and more books than are strictly necessary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 406 reviews
January 8, 2024
Anytime a woman makes pragmatic choices and chooses herself and her future - I want to be best friends with that character!
Losing her father and then being forced to make a hard choice and find respectable employment, our heroine, Jane Halliwell, rises above bad circumstances and pushes herself to create a life from the ashes of her old one. While pushing forward through ill-tempered employers and societal pressures - Jane becomes the best governess she can be to her pupils... until the man she considered to be a second father is murdered.
When she's asked to step back into the limelight once again, and by none other than her long-time crush, Lord Adrian Fielding, Jane will have to take a leap of faith to become who she was truly meant to be!!
NOTES:
- HEA ending
- More of a slow-burn romance with lots of tension and great character building (Not smutty whatsoever)
**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
Losing her father and then being forced to make a hard choice and find respectable employment, our heroine, Jane Halliwell, rises above bad circumstances and pushes herself to create a life from the ashes of her old one. While pushing forward through ill-tempered employers and societal pressures - Jane becomes the best governess she can be to her pupils... until the man she considered to be a second father is murdered.
When she's asked to step back into the limelight once again, and by none other than her long-time crush, Lord Adrian Fielding, Jane will have to take a leap of faith to become who she was truly meant to be!!
NOTES:
- HEA ending
- More of a slow-burn romance with lots of tension and great character building (Not smutty whatsoever)
**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Find Me On Instagram 🦋 || More Bookish Thoughts & Reviews Here 🖤
March 24, 2024
A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collins
Ladies Most Scandalous series #4. Historical murder mystery with romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the prior books play minor roles.
Jane Halliwell works as a governess though she grew up with social standing until her father died and the money disappeared. One night she is required to join the dinner table to even the numbers, when the hostess and her boss, tells Jane to fetch a shawl left behind in the library. When Jane discovers a dead body in the library, she is thrust into a mystery from the Foreign Office that may connect to her own father’s death. With the help of Lord Adrian Fielding, a longtime crush, Jane and Adrian ask questions, and follow clues to find a killer.
Friends from the prior books make an appearance but you don’t have to have read their stories to appreciate the helpful and supportive actions. The more connections, the more clues and potential reason for why the deaths are piling up. I liked the unswerving loyalty everyone had connected to the Foreign Office and how they helped each other. Quite the statement as opposed to the Ladies that thought Jane was suddenly unworthy. We need to do better.
Adrian and Jane together: smart is stronger than gossip.
The mystery is engaging. I admired Jane’s strength of character.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Ladies Most Scandalous series #4. Historical murder mystery with romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but characters from the prior books play minor roles.
Jane Halliwell works as a governess though she grew up with social standing until her father died and the money disappeared. One night she is required to join the dinner table to even the numbers, when the hostess and her boss, tells Jane to fetch a shawl left behind in the library. When Jane discovers a dead body in the library, she is thrust into a mystery from the Foreign Office that may connect to her own father’s death. With the help of Lord Adrian Fielding, a longtime crush, Jane and Adrian ask questions, and follow clues to find a killer.
Friends from the prior books make an appearance but you don’t have to have read their stories to appreciate the helpful and supportive actions. The more connections, the more clues and potential reason for why the deaths are piling up. I liked the unswerving loyalty everyone had connected to the Foreign Office and how they helped each other. Quite the statement as opposed to the Ladies that thought Jane was suddenly unworthy. We need to do better.
Adrian and Jane together: smart is stronger than gossip.
The mystery is engaging. I admired Jane’s strength of character.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
March 23, 2024
The fourth entry in the Ladies Most Scandalous series, like its predecessors, is a fun historical romance with a heavy dash of murdery mystery that's light on the steam. This one focuses on Jane Halliwell and Lord Adrian Fielding. (They both appeared briefly in A Spinster's Guide but you didn't get any backstory there.) Turns out they used to know each other: Jane's father was in the foreign service, and at one time was Adrian's mentor. After Jane's father died at his own hand after losing all of his money gambling, Jane lost touch with her previous social equals. She is now working as a governess for another foreign service acquaintance when Adrian is invited to a house party. Her employer is soon found dead, and Adrian asks Jane to act as the hostess while they investigate the guests for any involvement in the murder.
Like many murder mysteries, this one takes place over the span of only a few days. Like all of the books in this series, the romance unspools alongside the murder mystery. This works pretty well here, since Jane and Adrian know each other; it's easy to see how investigating in close proximity would bring them together romantically. This is a fun one that doesn't break any new ground. If you've liked the other books in the series, this won't be a disappointment, and you can definitely start here without missing out on anything. It's pretty low steam but it's not closed door. A nice addition to the series.
34-Word Summaries:
Laine: A murder at a house party exposes a series of mysterious deaths were related crimes. The investigation is the perfect cover for a childhood dream of love to come through. Nothing really happens though?
Meg: Who knew that the foreign service was a hotbed of rumor, scandal, murder, and mayhem? And I’m not even talking about English foreign policy in the Victorian Era. Also Adrian & Jane fall in love.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Like many murder mysteries, this one takes place over the span of only a few days. Like all of the books in this series, the romance unspools alongside the murder mystery. This works pretty well here, since Jane and Adrian know each other; it's easy to see how investigating in close proximity would bring them together romantically. This is a fun one that doesn't break any new ground. If you've liked the other books in the series, this won't be a disappointment, and you can definitely start here without missing out on anything. It's pretty low steam but it's not closed door. A nice addition to the series.
34-Word Summaries:
Laine: A murder at a house party exposes a series of mysterious deaths were related crimes. The investigation is the perfect cover for a childhood dream of love to come through. Nothing really happens though?
Meg: Who knew that the foreign service was a hotbed of rumor, scandal, murder, and mayhem? And I’m not even talking about English foreign policy in the Victorian Era. Also Adrian & Jane fall in love.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
March 26, 2024
Another intriguing romance/mystery from the inimitable Amanda Collins.
When Jane Halliwell’s father, a high ranking diplomat, committed suicide due to his gambling debts Jane was shocked. Jane and her mother returned to England from Rome, unable to endure the ostracism they experienced from the diplomatic community. That included Lord Adrian Fielding, who’d been in and out of their home in Rome, and for whom the young Jane had conceived a crush.
With no funds to support them Jane’s mother had fled to a cousin in Scotland. Jane stayed in London determined eventually to make her way as a novelist
Now, five years later, Jane is working as a governess in the home of a diplomatic friend of her father’s, Lord Guilford. Guildford’s wife was not pleased and made Jane’s life difficult, treating her as a servant. Jane meets Adrian again at a symposium on roses being held at the Guilford's home.
Disaster strikes. Jane discovers Lord Guilford's body in his study. He’s been stabbed.
Now it seems other diplomats whose deaths has been put down to natural causes may have been murdered.
Jane joins forces with Adrian and Detective Inspector Eversham, agreeing to act as hostess for the symposium guests, in order to puzzle out the mystery of who’s been murdering the diplomats.
The Duke of Langham, Adrian’s brother, and his wife Poppy, also a friend of Jane’s, arrive to give assistance.
A fast paced who dunnit with a rekindled (sort of) romance nicely filling the gaps between murders.
A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
When Jane Halliwell’s father, a high ranking diplomat, committed suicide due to his gambling debts Jane was shocked. Jane and her mother returned to England from Rome, unable to endure the ostracism they experienced from the diplomatic community. That included Lord Adrian Fielding, who’d been in and out of their home in Rome, and for whom the young Jane had conceived a crush.
With no funds to support them Jane’s mother had fled to a cousin in Scotland. Jane stayed in London determined eventually to make her way as a novelist
Now, five years later, Jane is working as a governess in the home of a diplomatic friend of her father’s, Lord Guilford. Guildford’s wife was not pleased and made Jane’s life difficult, treating her as a servant. Jane meets Adrian again at a symposium on roses being held at the Guilford's home.
Disaster strikes. Jane discovers Lord Guilford's body in his study. He’s been stabbed.
Now it seems other diplomats whose deaths has been put down to natural causes may have been murdered.
Jane joins forces with Adrian and Detective Inspector Eversham, agreeing to act as hostess for the symposium guests, in order to puzzle out the mystery of who’s been murdering the diplomats.
The Duke of Langham, Adrian’s brother, and his wife Poppy, also a friend of Jane’s, arrive to give assistance.
A fast paced who dunnit with a rekindled (sort of) romance nicely filling the gaps between murders.
A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
March 27, 2024
This one had definite emphasis on the murder mystery of it all, which kept me entertained, but I was looking for a bit more connection to the romance! I never connected with Adrian, and their relationship just moved so fast!! Like I’m not a prude but they seemed to move very quick when it didn’t quite make sense.
One minute someone was getting murdered and the next he was getting her off and I was like ???? We love a danger bang but I think that was only their second kiss, and without really feeling their connection, I was just kind of baffled. (And then later on their consummation was fade to black, which was also confusing given the open door foreplay.)
The romance wasn’t really second chance, but they did have some history together which made it a bit juicy but also a bit surface level. Basically, the “they’ve always had a connection” premise acted as a bandaid to cover up the lack of relationship development. Was I too bothered by it? No, but I just think there was opportunity for a bit more.
The book itself was super short, so I do think more time could’ve been spent on them as a couple without sacrificing any of the mystery. As a standalone I think it was a fun book, but maybe it suffered a bit since I loved book three so much (and that was the most romance one of the series).
I do also wish the vibes were a bit more screwball and Clue-esque. This isn’t a fault of the book, but I think it would’ve help keep me invested with the romance being pretty light handed.
Without the audiobook—and Mary Jane Wells—it probably would’ve been three stars, but overall it was a good time and I’m excited to see where the series goes next!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️.5/5
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
One minute someone was getting murdered and the next he was getting her off and I was like ???? We love a danger bang but I think that was only their second kiss, and without really feeling their connection, I was just kind of baffled. (And then later on their consummation was fade to black, which was also confusing given the open door foreplay.)
The romance wasn’t really second chance, but they did have some history together which made it a bit juicy but also a bit surface level. Basically, the “they’ve always had a connection” premise acted as a bandaid to cover up the lack of relationship development. Was I too bothered by it? No, but I just think there was opportunity for a bit more.
The book itself was super short, so I do think more time could’ve been spent on them as a couple without sacrificing any of the mystery. As a standalone I think it was a fun book, but maybe it suffered a bit since I loved book three so much (and that was the most romance one of the series).
I do also wish the vibes were a bit more screwball and Clue-esque. This isn’t a fault of the book, but I think it would’ve help keep me invested with the romance being pretty light handed.
Without the audiobook—and Mary Jane Wells—it probably would’ve been three stars, but overall it was a good time and I’m excited to see where the series goes next!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️.5/5
I received an eARC from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
October 25, 2024
I get that reading romance is about more than just fucking, but how the fuck was there even less sex in this one than the last few???
April 2, 2024
I go into historical romances so hopeful and every time it seems I'm let down.
I was expecting this novel to be a lot more fun than it actually was; more of a romp through Victorian England than serious murder mystery, and to be honest not only was I a little lost, but I think our dear author was as well.
There seemed (at least to me) that there was a lack of cohesion between the two primary genres here. We would jump from a serious murder mystery to the out of place romantic scenes.
And the thing is, they wouldn't have felt so out of place if the two love interests had any semblance of chemistry. They just seem to have known each other from when they were younger and seeing each other so many years later randomly inspired love.
The pacing was also really awkward. I could excuse some of the insta-love of this book if we followed some proper pacing, but alas. Things seemed to move extremely fast or slow depending on the author's mood.
All this to say that this book was not for me. Oh, and I 100% guessed (correctly) who the killer was within the first few chapters. Take that how you will. I think that Collins definitely could have been a bit more clever with the entire mystery plot.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was expecting this novel to be a lot more fun than it actually was; more of a romp through Victorian England than serious murder mystery, and to be honest not only was I a little lost, but I think our dear author was as well.
There seemed (at least to me) that there was a lack of cohesion between the two primary genres here. We would jump from a serious murder mystery to the out of place romantic scenes.
And the thing is, they wouldn't have felt so out of place if the two love interests had any semblance of chemistry. They just seem to have known each other from when they were younger and seeing each other so many years later randomly inspired love.
The pacing was also really awkward. I could excuse some of the insta-love of this book if we followed some proper pacing, but alas. Things seemed to move extremely fast or slow depending on the author's mood.
All this to say that this book was not for me. Oh, and I 100% guessed (correctly) who the killer was within the first few chapters. Take that how you will. I think that Collins definitely could have been a bit more clever with the entire mystery plot.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2024
This series focuses more on the murder mysteries than the romance, which I knew going into this book, so I'm not docking any stars off for that reason.
I can’t recall if the previous books had a love scene. This one was a fade-to-black but there are a few kiss scenes.
I thought the motive for the murders was
I can’t recall if the previous books had a love scene. This one was a fade-to-black but there are a few kiss scenes.
I thought the motive for the murders was
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2024
This was just an okay read for me. Definitely not my favorite of the series. I wasn't wowed by the chemistry between the main characters and didn't love the narrator (which maybe contributed to my mediocre experience). Part historical Regency romance and part murder mystery. Likely to be popular among the Brigerton loving crowd. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Steam level: some open door scenes (mild details)
Steam level: some open door scenes (mild details)
June 14, 2024
I think I need to give this one another shot, and re-read the books before it. I feel like git dropped into the middle of the story, and then also missed chapters by the end. With that said, I still enjoyed the plot. I’d happily re-read this series, I love the murder mystery romance plots in this setting
March 26, 2024
4 stars, really, but rounded up a whole star because I haven't wanted to read in literally a month and i finished this in a day. we rate on VIBES here, people!
guess what!!! this is just as fun as the cover promises! even more so, in fact, because Collins has found her balance and stride in the romance to intrigue ratio. though there are a lot of characters to keep track of, the pace is kept steady. the finale was still a little underwhelming, as has been the case for the whole series, but i really enjoyed Jane and Adrian as characters and their romance was super cute- not insta-love, but a bit slower burn than in past books. they're both super-protective, take-charge types, and seeing them argue about who was going to keep who safe was exactly what i needed today.
pre-review-
hallelujah moment for me because i just got approved for this arc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i'm only in the mood for romance-y intrigue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and like - the cover is so bright and cheery and YELLOW <3
guess what!!! this is just as fun as the cover promises! even more so, in fact, because Collins has found her balance and stride in the romance to intrigue ratio. though there are a lot of characters to keep track of, the pace is kept steady. the finale was still a little underwhelming, as has been the case for the whole series, but i really enjoyed Jane and Adrian as characters and their romance was super cute- not insta-love, but a bit slower burn than in past books. they're both super-protective, take-charge types, and seeing them argue about who was going to keep who safe was exactly what i needed today.
pre-review-
hallelujah moment for me because i just got approved for this arc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and i'm only in the mood for romance-y intrigue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and like - the cover is so bright and cheery and YELLOW <3
December 2, 2024
This was a cute, fun, and quick read.
I really liked the main characters, the chemistry between them, and the friendship group whom we have read about in previous novels in this series.
However, I found with this specific novel, the 'mystery' plot line is what I found to be lacking and eventually what I became bored with. Originally, I was intrigued because it almost felt like a diplomatic and political "Clue" with all of them being held in the same estate. But unfortunately, I wasn't kept in suspense or thrilled with the reveal. In fact, I was able to predict that individual and yet, I don't think there was anything really incriminating to make that prediction obvious.
It was an okay and cute read but coming off of the previous novel, which I really enjoyed, this one was kind of lacklustre.
I really liked the main characters, the chemistry between them, and the friendship group whom we have read about in previous novels in this series.
However, I found with this specific novel, the 'mystery' plot line is what I found to be lacking and eventually what I became bored with. Originally, I was intrigued because it almost felt like a diplomatic and political "Clue" with all of them being held in the same estate. But unfortunately, I wasn't kept in suspense or thrilled with the reveal. In fact, I was able to predict that individual and yet, I don't think there was anything really incriminating to make that prediction obvious.
It was an okay and cute read but coming off of the previous novel, which I really enjoyed, this one was kind of lacklustre.
October 27, 2023
I’ve been loving The Ladies Most Scandalous series, which introduced me to a whole new genre / subgenre of reads I didn’t even know existed and I love. The series is a Historical Romantic Suspense (Historical Romance meets Cozy Murder Mystery) - think Nancy Drew meets Jane Austen. The books are interconnected and feature recurring cameos of some cast, but each can be read as a standalone.
For A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril, old friends Lord Adrian Fielding and Jane Halliwell (who due to reduced circumstances has been working as a governess) are reunited and find themselves investigating the murder of a mutual friend at a house party.
Once again, I was immediately swept up in the story - I love these characters and the world Ms. Collins has created. Im always excited to jump in and they give me that same feeling I had reading my Nancy Drew reads growing up. This one was a quick paced, easy read.
I liked both our mains, and was excited for the cameos of former characters in this one as well. If you’ve read others in the series, we were briefly introduced to both mains in a former book (and Adrian is Langham’s younger brother). I appreciate that each of the FMCs is always an independent lady, with her own thoughts, hopes and dreams and Jane was no different in this regard.
I will say I had my suspicions of the culprit earlier on in this book, but found solving the mystery and unraveling the particulars alongside our mains satisfying as always. I was charmed and entertained and I’m hoping the ending was leaving things open for another book in the future as I’m reluctant to say goodbye to this world and characters.
I look forward to adding this sunshine-y, bright cover to my physical shelves. Thank you to Netgalley and Read Forever Pub / Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril, old friends Lord Adrian Fielding and Jane Halliwell (who due to reduced circumstances has been working as a governess) are reunited and find themselves investigating the murder of a mutual friend at a house party.
Once again, I was immediately swept up in the story - I love these characters and the world Ms. Collins has created. Im always excited to jump in and they give me that same feeling I had reading my Nancy Drew reads growing up. This one was a quick paced, easy read.
I liked both our mains, and was excited for the cameos of former characters in this one as well. If you’ve read others in the series, we were briefly introduced to both mains in a former book (and Adrian is Langham’s younger brother). I appreciate that each of the FMCs is always an independent lady, with her own thoughts, hopes and dreams and Jane was no different in this regard.
I will say I had my suspicions of the culprit earlier on in this book, but found solving the mystery and unraveling the particulars alongside our mains satisfying as always. I was charmed and entertained and I’m hoping the ending was leaving things open for another book in the future as I’m reluctant to say goodbye to this world and characters.
I look forward to adding this sunshine-y, bright cover to my physical shelves. Thank you to Netgalley and Read Forever Pub / Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 21, 2024
Suspenseful, enticing, and adventurous!
A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is an engaging, amusing tale set in London during 1869 that features Jane Halliwell, a clever young woman who, after losing her father and having to become a governess to the daughter of Viscount and Lady Gilford, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery with her teenage crush, Lord Adrian Fielding, when it quickly becomes apparent that these murders and perhaps even a few more may not be as random as they first appeared and may actually be tied to their positions as agents for the Foreign Office.
The prose is authentic and mischievous. The characters are confident, daring, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling blend of mystique, attraction, amateur sleuthing, desire, tricky situations, danger, and titillating romance.
Overall, A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is another passionate, spicy, immersive page-turner by Collins that left me entertained, satisfied and eager to read whatever the Ladies Most Scandalous manage to get mixed up in next.
Thank you to HBG Canada & Forever for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is an engaging, amusing tale set in London during 1869 that features Jane Halliwell, a clever young woman who, after losing her father and having to become a governess to the daughter of Viscount and Lady Gilford, finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery with her teenage crush, Lord Adrian Fielding, when it quickly becomes apparent that these murders and perhaps even a few more may not be as random as they first appeared and may actually be tied to their positions as agents for the Foreign Office.
The prose is authentic and mischievous. The characters are confident, daring, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling blend of mystique, attraction, amateur sleuthing, desire, tricky situations, danger, and titillating romance.
Overall, A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is another passionate, spicy, immersive page-turner by Collins that left me entertained, satisfied and eager to read whatever the Ladies Most Scandalous manage to get mixed up in next.
Thank you to HBG Canada & Forever for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2024
It’s lovely to be in Collins’s imagined world where characters are warm and fuzzy, society a place where good triumphs over evil and everything recounted with a light, humorous, loving touch. I wrote this about Lady’s Guide #3, A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes, and I say it again about Passion and Peril.
In Passion and Peril, we’re introduced to eponymous governess, fallen-on-hard-times Jane Halliwell and long-ago acquaintance and somewhat friend, Lord Adrian Fielding (brother to the Duke of Langham, Danger and Dukes‘s hero). When the romance opens, Jane is in her third year as governess to Margaret, Viscount and Lady’s Gilford’s daughter. Though Jane is their social equal, she is a genteel, but poor semi-servant to a man who was her father’s colleague in the Foreign Office. (Because her father committed suicide after gambling the family fortune, Jane and her mother were left homeless and seemingly friendless.)
Though friends like Poppy, now the Duke of Langham’s wife, would offer her a home, Jane wished to earn her way in the world. She lives in semi-genteel limbo without the possibility of her own home and family…except for the presence, at the Viscount’s house party of domestic and foreign diplomatic dignitaries, of Lord Adrian Fielding, a friend of long acquaintance and Jane’s teen-age crush. When Jane lost her father, fortune, and position, and her mother left for Scotland to live with a friend, she lost contact with many from her former life. In the midst of the house-party, while Jane and Adrian renew their acquaintance and give hesitant nods to a mutual attraction, Viscount Gilford is murdered in his study.With Lady Gilford mourning and soon out of town, the new Viscount, Will, grieving, Adrian and Jane must hold the household together and help Detective Inspector Eversham find the killer. They are joined by Adrian’s brother, the Duke of Langham, and his wife and Jane’s friend, Poppy. Collins brings together a likeable, witty group of characters, familiar to readers who’ve followed the series and easily endearing to those reading it for the first time in this volume. Adrian, Jane, and co. unearth the possibility the Foreign Office suffered several mysterious deaths, linked by the clue the murderer leaves behind, a Machiavelli quotation and dried rose.
Though I guessed the murderer’s identity early in the narrative, what I read Collins’s semi-mystery, semi-romance for is appealing characters and the openness of her hero and heroine’s feelings and hots. I enjoyed that the characters’ hesitation to being together dispels early and dispels well; no faffing about for Jane and Adrian! Mild resistance and then maturity kicks in: feelings are admitted and the reader enjoys our couple together for the romance’s entire second half. I like impediments-romance and I like open, honest protagonists, Collins’s romance ethos is of the latter. Jane is open about her feelings and droll in her lust for Adrian. It’s a lovely, feminist reversal that Adrian is more circumspect in this attraction, but thoroughly frank and direct about wanting to be with Jane, marry Jane and make a life with her.
Despite the gravity of the circumstances, Collins keeps a firm narrative hand on the mystery, but delights with humour and makes a feminist point with a light touch. I thought the scene with the French diplomat’s wife sneakily pinching Langham’s butt was a hoot. As in previous Lady’s Guide romances, Collins’s feminist point winks to the reader rather than pounding things home. Adrian indulges in some growly over-protectiveness and Jane amusingly poo-poos him. The beauty of Collins’s romances? A droll, wry gentle humour and characters who work things out, a respite from angst and a turning towards joy, contentment, affection, ease, and the comforts of friendship and family.
Manda Collins’s A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is published by Forever and releases today, March 26. I received an e-galley from Forever, via Netgalley. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion, written without the use/aid of AI.
In Passion and Peril, we’re introduced to eponymous governess, fallen-on-hard-times Jane Halliwell and long-ago acquaintance and somewhat friend, Lord Adrian Fielding (brother to the Duke of Langham, Danger and Dukes‘s hero). When the romance opens, Jane is in her third year as governess to Margaret, Viscount and Lady’s Gilford’s daughter. Though Jane is their social equal, she is a genteel, but poor semi-servant to a man who was her father’s colleague in the Foreign Office. (Because her father committed suicide after gambling the family fortune, Jane and her mother were left homeless and seemingly friendless.)
Though friends like Poppy, now the Duke of Langham’s wife, would offer her a home, Jane wished to earn her way in the world. She lives in semi-genteel limbo without the possibility of her own home and family…except for the presence, at the Viscount’s house party of domestic and foreign diplomatic dignitaries, of Lord Adrian Fielding, a friend of long acquaintance and Jane’s teen-age crush. When Jane lost her father, fortune, and position, and her mother left for Scotland to live with a friend, she lost contact with many from her former life. In the midst of the house-party, while Jane and Adrian renew their acquaintance and give hesitant nods to a mutual attraction, Viscount Gilford is murdered in his study.With Lady Gilford mourning and soon out of town, the new Viscount, Will, grieving, Adrian and Jane must hold the household together and help Detective Inspector Eversham find the killer. They are joined by Adrian’s brother, the Duke of Langham, and his wife and Jane’s friend, Poppy. Collins brings together a likeable, witty group of characters, familiar to readers who’ve followed the series and easily endearing to those reading it for the first time in this volume. Adrian, Jane, and co. unearth the possibility the Foreign Office suffered several mysterious deaths, linked by the clue the murderer leaves behind, a Machiavelli quotation and dried rose.
Though I guessed the murderer’s identity early in the narrative, what I read Collins’s semi-mystery, semi-romance for is appealing characters and the openness of her hero and heroine’s feelings and hots. I enjoyed that the characters’ hesitation to being together dispels early and dispels well; no faffing about for Jane and Adrian! Mild resistance and then maturity kicks in: feelings are admitted and the reader enjoys our couple together for the romance’s entire second half. I like impediments-romance and I like open, honest protagonists, Collins’s romance ethos is of the latter. Jane is open about her feelings and droll in her lust for Adrian. It’s a lovely, feminist reversal that Adrian is more circumspect in this attraction, but thoroughly frank and direct about wanting to be with Jane, marry Jane and make a life with her.
Despite the gravity of the circumstances, Collins keeps a firm narrative hand on the mystery, but delights with humour and makes a feminist point with a light touch. I thought the scene with the French diplomat’s wife sneakily pinching Langham’s butt was a hoot. As in previous Lady’s Guide romances, Collins’s feminist point winks to the reader rather than pounding things home. Adrian indulges in some growly over-protectiveness and Jane amusingly poo-poos him. The beauty of Collins’s romances? A droll, wry gentle humour and characters who work things out, a respite from angst and a turning towards joy, contentment, affection, ease, and the comforts of friendship and family.
Manda Collins’s A Governess’s Guide to Passion and Peril is published by Forever and releases today, March 26. I received an e-galley from Forever, via Netgalley. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion, written without the use/aid of AI.
March 29, 2024
4.5 stars
A regency romance and a locked room murder mystery rolled into one book? Sign me up!
I love this series and Jane and Adrian's story was a fun one! I raced my way through this book - the mystery was low stakes but it had me on the edge of my seat and I loved seeing the characters from the previous three books pop up!
Kate, Caro, and Poppy are my girlies and I loved seeing Jane join their little murder club. Also that conversation they had...amazing! But how I wish it was longer!
The mystery itself was intriguing and I got to admit, that I actually enjoyed it more than the romance. As much as I love Jane and Adrian together, I feel like the story was missing the relationship building. They got together too fast for my liking. I needed more pining and angst!!!!
I enjoyed the introduction of the new character - Will Gilford and I have all my fingers crossed that his book will be next! Manda Collins please never stop writing this series!
A regency romance and a locked room murder mystery rolled into one book? Sign me up!
I love this series and Jane and Adrian's story was a fun one! I raced my way through this book - the mystery was low stakes but it had me on the edge of my seat and I loved seeing the characters from the previous three books pop up!
Kate, Caro, and Poppy are my girlies and I loved seeing Jane join their little murder club. Also that conversation they had...amazing! But how I wish it was longer!
The mystery itself was intriguing and I got to admit, that I actually enjoyed it more than the romance. As much as I love Jane and Adrian together, I feel like the story was missing the relationship building. They got together too fast for my liking. I needed more pining and angst!!!!
I enjoyed the introduction of the new character - Will Gilford and I have all my fingers crossed that his book will be next! Manda Collins please never stop writing this series!
August 14, 2024
Jane has had an infatuation with Adrian since she was a school girl. Now she’s a governess because of circumstances concerning her father. At a house party the host has been murdered and Adrian helps investigate with Detective Inspector Eversham. Jane is called to help with hosting, but remains fixed to Adrian’s side helping him with his inquiries. Secrets come to light and changes Jane’s life. A little romance, a little murder and intrigue and you have yourself an entertaining read.
December 18, 2024
Bridgeton romance meets a poorly written Agatha Christie murder mystery.
If you’re looking for extremely surface level, and predictable murder mystery romance, this will be great for you. Low stakes, low steam, and little mystery. I definitely did not hate it, but it was just too easy of a read and not at all thrilling. Not what I would’ve hoped for, personally. Not a bad option for a beach read or to get back into reading.
If you’re looking for extremely surface level, and predictable murder mystery romance, this will be great for you. Low stakes, low steam, and little mystery. I definitely did not hate it, but it was just too easy of a read and not at all thrilling. Not what I would’ve hoped for, personally. Not a bad option for a beach read or to get back into reading.
January 25, 2024
In A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril, Manda Collins draws us back into the seductive world of regency England as murder, mayhem, and -of course!- passion ensues.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Miss Jane Halliwell lost everything years ago after her father committed suicide and her mother fled to Scotland. Her fortune in shambles, and her reputation in tatters, she becomes a governess to the same people who once saw her as an equal. But after her current employer, Lord Gilford, was found dead in his study during the week many foreign dignitaries were convening in his home, horror begins. Who killed Lord Gilford? Was it the Americans? The Russians? The French? As Jane and an old flame, Lord Adrian Fielding, search for the man -or woman!- behind this terrible atrocity, secrets are unveiled and lies abound as they begin to see the past isn't all that it seems....
While I found the premise of the novel intriguing, the execution was poor. Jane and Lord Adrian had little chemistry, and their main scenes were Adrian realizing Jane was pretty, and old enough, then deciding "Hmm, that must mean I love her!" His main way of communication was ordering her about and babying her, which she did little to discourage, becoming a watering fountain at every turn. I understand she found the dead body, but that is no reason for every little thing you encounter is reason to go white and start bawling. And besides that, the character's ways of addressing each other between friends? "My dear girl?" Unless you are an old British lady, I see no reason why you are allowed to use that term, especially when you are the same age as the person. The friendships were shallow, with no real emotional development happening, with Adrien just assuming work colleagues are the same as friends. Langham was the only character worth reading this book for, with sarcasm and an attitude that stretches miles. The murder mystery part was quite exaggerated with everything simply falling into their laps. The clues? Everyone just simultaneously kept the same thing. Old threatening letters? Let me check my desk drawer. It was quite pathetic, and rest assured, your first guess will most likely be the correct one. As for Jane's carriage accident, I feel like the author did not do enough research. I'm a medical student, and if someone were to hit their head against a carriage window hard enough to break the glass and knock them unconscious for a few minutes, they would not be able to pick themselves up three minutes later and continue on their day with no lasting effect or injuries. The author blatantly ignored anything she hinted at or created earlier that did not fit with the remainder of the story, and instead of finding ways to make previous inclinations matter to the plot, she twisted around them with the utter ease of an Olympic gymnast. Many characters could have made for wildly interesting side characters, such as the Swedish ambassador's wife, and we could have found an antagonist in the French woman, Madame Dulac, to help spur a deeper connection between Jane and Adrian as they realize their 'relationship' is far more than an affair, but maybe love. And the "affair?" Almost all explicit scenes were closed door, which was disappointing, considering this is a romance by an author who is considered to write "steamy," romances. The sex scenes were half-baked, with them one moment kissing, the next "deliciously naked," and the third, spent after a bout of "lovemaking." There is no transition between these states, which was jolting, as one moment, I was reading about a passionate embrace, the next, they're sleeping.
While this book was mildly entertaining and did garner a few laughs from me and my friend, overall, it was not worth remembering, and I doubt I will read it again. The emotional development between everyone -from friendships to relationships- was weak and underdeveloped. No side characters proved interesting beyond the ones Ms. Collins 'tells' you are interesting, and Jane's reconciliation with her mother was ridiculously rushed simply so the author could write a 'touching' scene between a now harmonized mother and daughter. Such a scene is not touching if neither party's actions are justified, and both acted idiotic with no repercussions on either side. And the fact Jane is described as "stubborn," was laughable to me. Stubborn is when you know what is right, -or wrong, depending on the moral ground-, and stick to it. It is not mulishly hanging on to an opinion merely to spite another. I also found three separate spelling and grammar mistakes, one of which was in the acknowledgments the author should do well to review.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Miss Jane Halliwell lost everything years ago after her father committed suicide and her mother fled to Scotland. Her fortune in shambles, and her reputation in tatters, she becomes a governess to the same people who once saw her as an equal. But after her current employer, Lord Gilford, was found dead in his study during the week many foreign dignitaries were convening in his home, horror begins. Who killed Lord Gilford? Was it the Americans? The Russians? The French? As Jane and an old flame, Lord Adrian Fielding, search for the man -or woman!- behind this terrible atrocity, secrets are unveiled and lies abound as they begin to see the past isn't all that it seems....
While I found the premise of the novel intriguing, the execution was poor. Jane and Lord Adrian had little chemistry, and their main scenes were Adrian realizing Jane was pretty, and old enough, then deciding "Hmm, that must mean I love her!" His main way of communication was ordering her about and babying her, which she did little to discourage, becoming a watering fountain at every turn. I understand she found the dead body, but that is no reason for every little thing you encounter is reason to go white and start bawling. And besides that, the character's ways of addressing each other between friends? "My dear girl?" Unless you are an old British lady, I see no reason why you are allowed to use that term, especially when you are the same age as the person. The friendships were shallow, with no real emotional development happening, with Adrien just assuming work colleagues are the same as friends. Langham was the only character worth reading this book for, with sarcasm and an attitude that stretches miles. The murder mystery part was quite exaggerated with everything simply falling into their laps. The clues? Everyone just simultaneously kept the same thing. Old threatening letters? Let me check my desk drawer. It was quite pathetic, and rest assured, your first guess will most likely be the correct one. As for Jane's carriage accident, I feel like the author did not do enough research. I'm a medical student, and if someone were to hit their head against a carriage window hard enough to break the glass and knock them unconscious for a few minutes, they would not be able to pick themselves up three minutes later and continue on their day with no lasting effect or injuries. The author blatantly ignored anything she hinted at or created earlier that did not fit with the remainder of the story, and instead of finding ways to make previous inclinations matter to the plot, she twisted around them with the utter ease of an Olympic gymnast. Many characters could have made for wildly interesting side characters, such as the Swedish ambassador's wife, and we could have found an antagonist in the French woman, Madame Dulac, to help spur a deeper connection between Jane and Adrian as they realize their 'relationship' is far more than an affair, but maybe love. And the "affair?" Almost all explicit scenes were closed door, which was disappointing, considering this is a romance by an author who is considered to write "steamy," romances. The sex scenes were half-baked, with them one moment kissing, the next "deliciously naked," and the third, spent after a bout of "lovemaking." There is no transition between these states, which was jolting, as one moment, I was reading about a passionate embrace, the next, they're sleeping.
While this book was mildly entertaining and did garner a few laughs from me and my friend, overall, it was not worth remembering, and I doubt I will read it again. The emotional development between everyone -from friendships to relationships- was weak and underdeveloped. No side characters proved interesting beyond the ones Ms. Collins 'tells' you are interesting, and Jane's reconciliation with her mother was ridiculously rushed simply so the author could write a 'touching' scene between a now harmonized mother and daughter. Such a scene is not touching if neither party's actions are justified, and both acted idiotic with no repercussions on either side. And the fact Jane is described as "stubborn," was laughable to me. Stubborn is when you know what is right, -or wrong, depending on the moral ground-, and stick to it. It is not mulishly hanging on to an opinion merely to spite another. I also found three separate spelling and grammar mistakes, one of which was in the acknowledgments the author should do well to review.
July 14, 2024
Tropes: murder mystery; friends to lovers
Steam level: 2
Part of a series, but works fine as a standalone
3.5 stars I couldn't quite round up. This author is new to me, and though I haven't read the previous entries in this series, I had no problem jumping into the storyline. I'm a fan of historical romance/mysteries and thought the writing style here was solid and everything moved right along. As I got past the first third, though, I knew that while the proceedings were pleasant enough, this wouldn't quite be the book for me. I never felt that Jane and Adrian had much romantic chemistry. An underlying sense of danger and strong emotional tension are lacking, even toward the end, although it's all played very straight. Also, the mystery is a cinch to solve--tbh I would have appreciated more red herrings--and the resolution is sort of "meh." Obviously, if you're looking for sexy, edgy, or twisty, this book won't scratch your itch, but I'd hoped for a bit more humor and cleverness.
Characterwise, I was on the fence with Jane and Adrian, finding Adrian rather thick at times. Meanwhile, Jane could come across as a bit of a martyr, having a track record of dealing with not one but two unpleasant, snipy older women who should have been at least tolerant of her but inexplicably believed the worst of her as governess. (It's mentioned many times that she could have chosen not to be a governess but didn't want to "put anyone out.") There were also jarringly awkward scenes involving Jane's friendship (??) with the son of her current employer. That character just didn't work for me, and disappeared early on, so I'm really not sure what his purpose was (I hope he doesn't become the MMC of a later book in this series).
On the upside, even with the baddie being obvious, this is a quick read, and the epilogue is cute.
Overall: This would be best described as a "cozy" historical mystery/romance, with a dose of steam dashed in toward the end.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.
Steam level: 2
Part of a series, but works fine as a standalone
3.5 stars I couldn't quite round up. This author is new to me, and though I haven't read the previous entries in this series, I had no problem jumping into the storyline. I'm a fan of historical romance/mysteries and thought the writing style here was solid and everything moved right along. As I got past the first third, though, I knew that while the proceedings were pleasant enough, this wouldn't quite be the book for me. I never felt that Jane and Adrian had much romantic chemistry. An underlying sense of danger and strong emotional tension are lacking, even toward the end, although it's all played very straight. Also, the mystery is a cinch to solve--tbh I would have appreciated more red herrings--and the resolution is sort of "meh." Obviously, if you're looking for sexy, edgy, or twisty, this book won't scratch your itch, but I'd hoped for a bit more humor and cleverness.
Characterwise, I was on the fence with Jane and Adrian, finding Adrian rather thick at times. Meanwhile, Jane could come across as a bit of a martyr, having a track record of dealing with not one but two unpleasant, snipy older women who should have been at least tolerant of her but inexplicably believed the worst of her as governess. (It's mentioned many times that she could have chosen not to be a governess but didn't want to "put anyone out.") There were also jarringly awkward scenes involving Jane's friendship (??) with the son of her current employer. That character just didn't work for me, and disappeared early on, so I'm really not sure what his purpose was (I hope he doesn't become the MMC of a later book in this series).
On the upside, even with the baddie being obvious, this is a quick read, and the epilogue is cute.
Overall: This would be best described as a "cozy" historical mystery/romance, with a dose of steam dashed in toward the end.
I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.
December 28, 2024
This is a contemporary romance with a historical setting and an intriguing politically based murder mystery. With this being the first book of the series that I’ve read, it offered enough background on the side characters present here that I didn’t feel lost at any time. However, it is apparent that the reader would get the most from the series if the books were read in order as each book features a couple who will return as side characters later.
Jane Halliwell, four and twenty, is now living in reduced circumstances as a governess since her father’s premature death. Her employer is a close friend of her father’s who served in the Foreign Office together. Jane is living at the house where a meeting of foreign dignitaries is being held. Among the guests is the former underling to her father, Lord Adrian, whom she had a fierce schoolgirl crush on, when Jane’s family had lived in Rome during her father's appointment. The forced proximity to Adrian brings out feelings she can’t deny, and he begins to view her in a different light. Jane’s situation becomes further complicated when her employer is murdered. With this new death, evidence and connections are uncovered that will lead to a ruthless killer.
The focus was more on the mystery than on the romance. And I only found both aspects mediocre.
It is clear that Jane still loves Adrian, but he strongly pushes her away (mostly in his thoughts) though it was enough to keep me from becoming invested in their budding relationship. Then he had an abrupt change of heart (insta love), began acting all protective of her, dove into a physical connection that made it feel like the physical was his only interest. Factor in the lack of chemistry, it felt like Jane was more invested than Adrian.
I did enjoy the mystery considerably more than the romance, but vital clues were not explained . Overall, the mystery is elaborate with the motivation behind it on the basic side. Therefore, I was more interested in the unfolding of the mystery than the climax.
Generally, an enjoyable read but not a standout.
Jane Halliwell, four and twenty, is now living in reduced circumstances as a governess since her father’s premature death. Her employer is a close friend of her father’s who served in the Foreign Office together. Jane is living at the house where a meeting of foreign dignitaries is being held. Among the guests is the former underling to her father, Lord Adrian, whom she had a fierce schoolgirl crush on, when Jane’s family had lived in Rome during her father's appointment. The forced proximity to Adrian brings out feelings she can’t deny, and he begins to view her in a different light. Jane’s situation becomes further complicated when her employer is murdered. With this new death, evidence and connections are uncovered that will lead to a ruthless killer.
The focus was more on the mystery than on the romance. And I only found both aspects mediocre.
It is clear that Jane still loves Adrian, but he strongly pushes her away (mostly in his thoughts) though it was enough to keep me from becoming invested in their budding relationship. Then he had an abrupt change of heart (insta love), began acting all protective of her, dove into a physical connection that made it feel like the physical was his only interest. Factor in the lack of chemistry, it felt like Jane was more invested than Adrian.
I did enjoy the mystery considerably more than the romance, but vital clues were not explained . Overall, the mystery is elaborate with the motivation behind it on the basic side. Therefore, I was more interested in the unfolding of the mystery than the climax.
Generally, an enjoyable read but not a standout.
May 5, 2024
I've really enjoyed this series overall, but this one didn't quite work as well for me. I felt like the way the mystery plot came together in the end was a bit lacking. It felt like it was building up to be bigger than it was with them all having been in Rome, the blackmail letters, etc. And the ending itself felt pretty rushed - did Jane and her mother get restitution from Payne after he stole all their money, for example?? And what of Lady Gilford? Was she suitably put in her place after the truth came out about Jane's father?? She was kind of awful, so I would have liked some resolution there instead of it just being left unexplained and then Margaret shows up in the epilogue as joining the little outing of friends. Just felt weird, I guess!
It's also clear that the new Lord Gilford is being set up as a potential future lead. I found his characterization to be a bit odd here. He's clearly set up to be someone we should like, as an ally of sorts to Jane and someone who's on the side of the protagonists. But our first introduction to him is being told that he tried to kiss Jane when she'd recently started working for the family. The kind of aristocratic man who would make romantic/sexual overtures at any level towards a female member of the household is a very specific kind of person, and not the kind of person he was otherwise made out to be here. So I don't THINK that's the kind of person Collins wants me to believe he is, but I also can't unring that bell. I've liked this series a lot, but I don't know that I really want to read about him as a lead.
It's also clear that the new Lord Gilford is being set up as a potential future lead. I found his characterization to be a bit odd here. He's clearly set up to be someone we should like, as an ally of sorts to Jane and someone who's on the side of the protagonists. But our first introduction to him is being told that he tried to kiss Jane when she'd recently started working for the family. The kind of aristocratic man who would make romantic/sexual overtures at any level towards a female member of the household is a very specific kind of person, and not the kind of person he was otherwise made out to be here. So I don't THINK that's the kind of person Collins wants me to believe he is, but I also can't unring that bell. I've liked this series a lot, but I don't know that I really want to read about him as a lead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
•ARC Book Review•
A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collin’s
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to review this one!
This was my definition as the ultimate comfy, quick romance read. It has all the makings with a little bit of love, miscommunication, murder, and just overall fun. This is the first I’ve read from Manda Collin’s, but now I’m looking forward to reading her other works. The murder piece was a little transparent but that was honestly part of the drawl with this one. I found the main and secondary characters to be fun and personable. Overall I really enjoyed how quick and light this was to read!
A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril by Manda Collin’s
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to review this one!
This was my definition as the ultimate comfy, quick romance read. It has all the makings with a little bit of love, miscommunication, murder, and just overall fun. This is the first I’ve read from Manda Collin’s, but now I’m looking forward to reading her other works. The murder piece was a little transparent but that was honestly part of the drawl with this one. I found the main and secondary characters to be fun and personable. Overall I really enjoyed how quick and light this was to read!
March 25, 2024
This was a fun historical romance with some light mystery hijinks.
Jane’s fortunes changed when her father died, and now works as a governess in the household of one of his former colleagues at the Foreign Office. During a gathering at this estate, the owner is murdered in suspicious circumstances. Lord Adrian is a former acquaintance of Jane’s, and they are thrown together in a few ways as the murder is investigated.
I liked both characters and their love story, and found the mystery and side characters to be quite entertaining. Recommended if you’re looking for a fairly light fun read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
Jane’s fortunes changed when her father died, and now works as a governess in the household of one of his former colleagues at the Foreign Office. During a gathering at this estate, the owner is murdered in suspicious circumstances. Lord Adrian is a former acquaintance of Jane’s, and they are thrown together in a few ways as the murder is investigated.
I liked both characters and their love story, and found the mystery and side characters to be quite entertaining. Recommended if you’re looking for a fairly light fun read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
April 15, 2024
This was… cute. I’m not going to remember it later, but it was moderately enjoyable while reading.
The mystery was kind of fun, and we got some clues along the way. But it was pretty clear half way through who the murderer was, and that annoyed me. I don’t require a massive twist, but maybe a red herring or two would be nice.
The romance was simple and low angst. A little creepy that he noticed her while she was a teen, but likely was pretty standard for the times and nothing untoward occurred. I do love how Collins writes her men as utterly besotted and devoted to their love interests. It’s feminist-adjacent at least, the way they remove “obey” from their vows and tell their other male friends that the key is to let their wives to whatever the heck they want.
The mystery was kind of fun, and we got some clues along the way. But it was pretty clear half way through who the murderer was, and that annoyed me. I don’t require a massive twist, but maybe a red herring or two would be nice.
The romance was simple and low angst. A little creepy that he noticed her while she was a teen, but likely was pretty standard for the times and nothing untoward occurred. I do love how Collins writes her men as utterly besotted and devoted to their love interests. It’s feminist-adjacent at least, the way they remove “obey” from their vows and tell their other male friends that the key is to let their wives to whatever the heck they want.
February 25, 2024
The fourth book in the series is quite similar to the first three - love and murder … the miscommunication at the beginning is cleared up early on ( thankfully !) … I also like that this doesn’t have the what seems to be almost mandatory third act breakup - instead the focus is on solving the murder
March 28, 2024
I always look forward to a new Manda Collins book! She has a real talent for weaving romance into intrigue and mystery and this book is no exception!
I loved Adrian and Jane's connection right away. It was funny to see everyone around point out that he had feelings for her repeatedly and him not realize it himself. The poor guy was so jealous and didn't even realize it. I also liked Jane as a character. Her history as a diplomat's daughter made her an unusual character and she was fun to read about.
I enjoyed the mystery element of this book as well which is somewhat unusual for me. I often am just invested in the romance but I wanted to know the culprit in this case. It was also a lot of fun to see Adrian and Jane investigate together! I liked that at the end of the day they worked together as partners and had each other's backs.
If you like historical romance with a mystery plot Manda Collins is always my go-to recommendation!
Her older books are a bit more romance with a bit of mystery and the more recent ones are about equal romance and mystery. The plots are always interesting with strong and smart female characters.
🌶️🌶️ - This one has two spicy scenes that have very little description. I would describe it as door barely ajar.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
I loved Adrian and Jane's connection right away. It was funny to see everyone around point out that he had feelings for her repeatedly and him not realize it himself. The poor guy was so jealous and didn't even realize it. I also liked Jane as a character. Her history as a diplomat's daughter made her an unusual character and she was fun to read about.
I enjoyed the mystery element of this book as well which is somewhat unusual for me. I often am just invested in the romance but I wanted to know the culprit in this case. It was also a lot of fun to see Adrian and Jane investigate together! I liked that at the end of the day they worked together as partners and had each other's backs.
If you like historical romance with a mystery plot Manda Collins is always my go-to recommendation!
Her older books are a bit more romance with a bit of mystery and the more recent ones are about equal romance and mystery. The plots are always interesting with strong and smart female characters.
🌶️🌶️ - This one has two spicy scenes that have very little description. I would describe it as door barely ajar.
Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2024
The lowest of angst, the lowest of spice, and I knew who the murderer was from the moment he first hit the page, but it was super cute and cozy!
Mary Jane Wells’ narration was perfection!
Mary Jane Wells’ narration was perfection!
March 16, 2024
A Governess's Guide to Passion and Peril-Book #4 The Ladies Most Scandalous Series-I read it as a standalone, haven't read the first 3 books in the series
by Manda Collins-never read author
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Publication 3-26-24 Read 3-15-24
Format: eBook, 294 pgs. kindle
HEA/HFN:HEA
Epilogue: yes, 1 year later. A catch up with all the couples and setup for book #5
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC💛! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️ Historical Romance
✔️ Murder Mystery/Suspense
✔️ Women's Fic
✔️death of a parent(suicide)
✔️parental estrangement
Summary- In London 1869, Miss Jane Halliwell(23) is hired to be Lady and Lord Gilford's governess for their sixteen year old daughter Margaret. Jane's father died while on post in Rome 1865, his death ruled a suicide. Jane's mother goes into hiding in Scotland with her cousin. Jane refuses to give up her dignity and independence, so she goes to work for her father's former colleague, Lord Gilford. Diplomat Lord Adrian Fielding works at the Foreign Office investigating wrongdoing by foreigners on British soil. He and Jane were childhood friends but Jane felt more for him. He was focused on work and didn't know Jane had a crush on him. When they meet again at Lord Gilford's symposium, he is puzzled by her attitude towards him. Tragically Lord Gilford is murdered at the house party and they reluctantly work together to find his killer.
The murder mystery plot was Jane and Adrian worked as a team questioning suspects, and found a possible connection between Lord Gilford's murder and Jane father's death. There was a lot of banter between Jane and Adrian, mainly her standing her ground when he tried to "protect her" by hiding her away. They made inquiries into each member of the special delegation so I got to know a lot of the characters and previous couples.
Overall, this romantic suspense kept me interested the entire time even though the romance was a subplot, Jane and Adrian were great protagonists and their first time together was steamy! Now I have to go back and read the other books to get ready for the new Lord Gilford.
by Manda Collins-never read author
Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Publication 3-26-24 Read 3-15-24
Format: eBook, 294 pgs. kindle
HEA/HFN:HEA
Epilogue: yes, 1 year later. A catch up with all the couples and setup for book #5
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC💛! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.
✔️ Historical Romance
✔️ Murder Mystery/Suspense
✔️ Women's Fic
✔️death of a parent(suicide)
✔️parental estrangement
Summary- In London 1869, Miss Jane Halliwell(23) is hired to be Lady and Lord Gilford's governess for their sixteen year old daughter Margaret. Jane's father died while on post in Rome 1865, his death ruled a suicide. Jane's mother goes into hiding in Scotland with her cousin. Jane refuses to give up her dignity and independence, so she goes to work for her father's former colleague, Lord Gilford. Diplomat Lord Adrian Fielding works at the Foreign Office investigating wrongdoing by foreigners on British soil. He and Jane were childhood friends but Jane felt more for him. He was focused on work and didn't know Jane had a crush on him. When they meet again at Lord Gilford's symposium, he is puzzled by her attitude towards him. Tragically Lord Gilford is murdered at the house party and they reluctantly work together to find his killer.
The murder mystery plot was Jane and Adrian worked as a team questioning suspects, and found a possible connection between Lord Gilford's murder and Jane father's death. There was a lot of banter between Jane and Adrian, mainly her standing her ground when he tried to "protect her" by hiding her away. They made inquiries into each member of the special delegation so I got to know a lot of the characters and previous couples.
Overall, this romantic suspense kept me interested the entire time even though the romance was a subplot, Jane and Adrian were great protagonists and their first time together was steamy! Now I have to go back and read the other books to get ready for the new Lord Gilford.
February 21, 2024
I’ve really enjoyed the Ladies Most Scandalous series, and this book was a fun conclusion to it. The story follows Jane, who has become a governess after her father’s suicide and the family’s ruination, and Adrian, who worked with Jane’s father and whom Jane has had a crush on for years. When Jane’s employer, who also worked with Jane’s father and Adrian, is murdered, Jane and Adrian work together to investigate.
Jane had a crush on Adrian when she was younger, and she was hurt when he wasn’t there to support her and her mother after her father’s death. Unbeknownst to Jane, a concerned Adrian has been searching for her for a while since he doesn’t know what happened to her. I like that the pair work out their miscommunication early in their romance. They have a past burdened with tragedy and trauma, and the fact that they talk about what happened and how they felt so early on in their reconnection was great. They have a lot of chemistry, and they work really well together when trying to solve the murders that plague Adrian’s colleagues.
Though the love story is low stakes, the mystery surrounding the death of Jane’s father, as well as several others who work with the Foreign Office, is not. Jane, Adrian, and others embark on an intriguing and potentially deadly investigation, and the closer they get to identifying the killer, the more danger they’re in. It makes for a suspenseful read!
If you read the other books in the series, you’ll be happy to know that Caro, Poppy, and Kate have supporting roles in this book. I love that! These women are all so fantastic, and I love how strongly they support each other. If you haven’t read the other book in the series, no worries! This can easily be read as a standalone.
Special thanks to Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Jane had a crush on Adrian when she was younger, and she was hurt when he wasn’t there to support her and her mother after her father’s death. Unbeknownst to Jane, a concerned Adrian has been searching for her for a while since he doesn’t know what happened to her. I like that the pair work out their miscommunication early in their romance. They have a past burdened with tragedy and trauma, and the fact that they talk about what happened and how they felt so early on in their reconnection was great. They have a lot of chemistry, and they work really well together when trying to solve the murders that plague Adrian’s colleagues.
Though the love story is low stakes, the mystery surrounding the death of Jane’s father, as well as several others who work with the Foreign Office, is not. Jane, Adrian, and others embark on an intriguing and potentially deadly investigation, and the closer they get to identifying the killer, the more danger they’re in. It makes for a suspenseful read!
If you read the other books in the series, you’ll be happy to know that Caro, Poppy, and Kate have supporting roles in this book. I love that! These women are all so fantastic, and I love how strongly they support each other. If you haven’t read the other book in the series, no worries! This can easily be read as a standalone.
Special thanks to Forever Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
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