Honestly, the fact that this book DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS the previous one within the first few pages annoyed me so much that I couldn't even keep reading. I'm all about Roshoman and unreliable narrators, but there's unreliable and there's 'hey, remember the timeline from the previous book? Yes? Too bad because I don't!" I found it infuriating and careless, and couldn't make myself finish--or even really start--the book. The timeline is such an easy thing to avoid contradicting! It's right there in the previous one, just take a couple of hours and map it out.

Which annoys me even more because I *wanted* to like this book--I enjoyed the first book, and was really looking forward to this one. And then it was immediately so completely wrong from the start that I just couldn't stand it. ( )

Duke with Benefits by Manda Collins
Studies in Scandal #2

Lady Daphne Forsyth is a mathematical genius but not so great with people. For some reason Dalton Beauchamp, Duke of Maitland seems smitten with her. There is a treasure hunt, murder, friends to support Daphne, innuendo, a push that sets Daphne and Dalton up as betrothed, a kidnapping and eventually the treasure is found, the bad guy thwarted and a HEA for the H/h duo. I found it a rather predictable story and really did wonder what the two saw in one another. That said – thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review. (2-3 Stars) ( )

Puzzles and intrigue!

A bit of a slow start leads into an interesting plot where a somewhat OCD heroine who has difficulty lifting her gaze from mathematical pursuits into the real world.
Lady Daphne Forsyth has led a difficult life hampered by a father who used her mathematical genius to line his own pockets.
Now, having been left a share of her benefactress' estate and relishing the puzzle set for her to solve Daphne, finds herself with acquaintances, other young women equally as gifted in differing areas of expertise. For a lonely focused young women this is 'passing strange.'
The challenge concerns the legendary Cameron Cipher that supposedly relates to a fortune in a hidden Jacobite treasure trove.
What Daphne wants most though is to develop different skills. An entanglement with her benefactress' nephew the Duke of Maitland (not though marital) she feels will be a useful experiment. Well that just throws Dalton Beauchamp, the Duke. Talk about having the tables turned.
Couple this conundrum with solving a puzzle that will lead to hidden treasure, throw in a murder and the story becomes a satisfying regency romp--if somewhat unusual.

A NetGalley ARC ( )

Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. This is the second book in series, and it was ok, we have another murder/mystery. I do like historical romance books, but I like, a little difference. Lady Daphne Forsyth is one of 4 young ladies who have inherited an estate. I understand that Daphne was very smart, and different than others, so she had no filter, but sometimes I just did not like her, and could not understand why Dalton, did, however if he didn't we would not have had a romance book. Now Dalton, he was charming, and him I did like, he was patient and kind, he was a gentleman. Anyway, it did have its funny moments, and as I mentioned earlier, it was a murder/mystery, so we have suspense, and a love story. This can be read as a stand alone, but if you know my reviews, I always encourage to read the books in series. ( )

This is an excellent mystery. Daphne is a brilliant mathematician and Dalton Beauchamp is the handsome Duke. They join together to hunt for a Legendary Cipher,
a mystery left for them to uncode by the Dukes dead aunt. If they are successful the results will lead them to huge amounts of gold which in the wrong hands could lead to war.
There's talk of spies, kidnapping, attacks and even murder in this intriguing mystery, and of cause the romance was hot. The Duke was an endearing character, he was stunned when Daphne turned his proposal down, I liked him a lot and Daphne was very forward for a "Lady", she didn't want marriage just fun between the sheets, she made me chuckle.
Duke with Benefits was an excellent mystery/romance, the mystery and clues had me hooked and kept me entertained and guessing right to the end. A marvellous read! ( )