Duke with Benefits

Lady Celeste Beauchamp had bequeathed her home and library to four gifted young women, chosen for their particular abilities to advance the cause of women in science, Lady Daphne Forsyth was one of them. Daphne appreciated the opportunity, but it was also a chance to escape her father who used her mathematical skills for his own profit. Lady Celeste has also left Daphne a cryptic message which alludes to deciphering the Cameron Riddle, which supposedly leads to a hidden treasure. In the months she’s been at Beauchamp House, in spite of her social ineptitude, Daphne has definitely noticed the ever so handsome Duke of Maitland, Dalton Beauchamp. Dalton, while no intellectual match for Daphne, enjoys her company and her outspokenness, which is not the case for everyone. Dalton is privy to what Daphne is looking for, and as he knows the nooks and crannies of Beauchamp House better than she does, he offers his help, all the while hoping to court her properly. I had loved READY, SET, ROGUE, the first book in the Studies in Scandal series, I was eagerly waiting for the second instalment, and DUKE WITH BENEFITS exceeded my very high expectations! Manda Collins has achieved a perfect balance where romance and mystery are expertly woven into the type of story I so much enjoy. Ms. Collins is a fine writer, her refined prose reads like a dream, and her characters are positively enchanting. Dalton is as comfortable with everyone, while Daphne entirely lacks social graces, yet he is not judgemental; he yearns to help her. I loved that he acknowledges Daphne’s superior intellect, but he has qualities that compensate; they complement each other perfectly because they accept their own limitations without being snotty about it. Dalton represents my ideal hero: he’s kind, charming, protective, understanding, and honourable in every way; he is not a weakling. He strives to be a good man, because he has experienced otherwise. I love the friendship that is evolving between the women, as well as Dalton’s relationship with his cousin, the Marquess of Kerr; they make a fine pair. I just loved how a spontaneous utterance from Daphne which positively shocked Dalton, I thought it was very clever from the author, and it made me love Dalton even more. In DUKE WITH BENEFITS, there are murders, secret rooms, duplicity, and all this added to a very ingenious premise along with captivating and endearing characters and a gorgeous romance make it an absolute delight; DUKE WITH BENEFITS is another fabulous in this wonderful! I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

Lady Daphne is brilliant at math, inept with social skills, but still manages to charm Dalton, the Duke of Maitland. When her secret quest puts her in danger, the Duke becomes her protector and sleuth partner. As they search clues to find the Cameron Cipher, they discover a passion for each other, but misunderstandings threaten to thwart their happiness and burgeoning love. When Daphne is kidnapped, Dalton stops at nothing to save her. Another brilliant story in the Studies in Scandal series. I was provided a review copy through NetGalley

'Duke with Benefits' by Manda Collins is book Two in the "Studies in Scandal" series. This is the story of Lady Daphne Forsyth and Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke of Maitland. I have read the the previous book and Daphne and Dalton did meet in there. Also we learn some of Daphne's outspokenness that sometimes needed some censoring. But this can be a standalone book for sure. Daphne and three other ladies have inherited an estate from Lady Celeste Beauchamp who along with the other ladies was also a 'Bluestocking'. Although each lady has a different academic study they all are very smart and bookish. Dalton who has feelings for Daphne has gone into protective mode. It seems each lady has a quest set upon them by Lady Celeste that leads them into danger. I must say this series has everything you could want. It has a mystery story mixed into this Bluestocking love story. Loved this series and this book! Can't wait for the next story to come out! "Studies in Scandal" series: Book 1 Ready Set Rogue Book 2 Duke with Benefits Book 3 Wallflower Most Wanted "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."