Review: Janna MacGregor's "A SIMPLE SCANDAL"

 

A SIMPLE SCANDAL
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Janna MacGregor

RELEASE DATE:
February 25, 2025

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0D6FSDWY3

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.jannamacgregor.com/

 

 

Dane Ardeerton, the Duke of Pelham, decides it is time to take a wife. He already has the perfect candidate in mind. Dane knows he must make amends between them before he can win Lady Grace’s trust and affection. He already has the perfect candidate in mind. As a front to get closer to Lady Grace, Pelham hires her matchmaking services. The infuriating woman insists on introducing him to other potential brides. Can Pelham soothe all of Grace’s fears and uncertainties? Or will he lose Grace for a second time?

Lady Grace Webster earns the moniker The Governess amongst her peers. She helps her clients navigate the ton, avoid scandals, and find prospective marriage partners. Her latest client is none of than the Duke of Pelham, a man that Grace has history with. She tries to keep things professional between them, but Dane seems to have other plans. Can Grace trust Dane again with her vulnerable heart? Or will history repeat itself?

Dane has piqued my interest since his role in HOW TO BEST A MARQUESS, book three in THE WIDOW RULES series. At the time, I remember hoping the author would write a series centering around him and his sisters. And Jana MacGregor delivered. The only disappointment I have is that his story became a second chance (why is it all my favorite characters gets this trope). What I adore the most about Pelham is his protectiveness towards his sisters. He tends to be overprotective but that is understandable with their childhood. Pelham strives to give them a better life than the one they had as children.

I believe most of my problems with Grace stem from the trope used. Once it became evident in book one that she would become Dane’s match, that they had romantic history, I started to become emotional detached towards her. This always happens whenever I read that trope.  I had already adored Dane because of his appearance in HOW TO BEST A MARQUESS. I did commiserate with Grace. She found a respectable way to financially support herself, using the skills and assets afforded for her because of her noble birth.

A SIMPLE SCANDAL is the third installment of Janna MacGregor’s historical romance series, MILLIONAIRES OF MAYFAIR – a spinoff from the author’s WIDOW RULES books. The story (and series) can easily standalone. It IS more enjoyable to start from the beginning with A SIMPLE SEDUCTION. The first book reveals the siblings’ rearing with their dysfunctional parents. Instead of turning the siblings against one another, it only strengthened their bond and protectiveness. What I love the most is Beth and Grayson’s appearance at the end of the book.

The second-chance trope is what dampened my anticipation for this story. I could never get into that trope. It always makes me feel cheated out of the romance between the main couple. I also notice that it (second-chance trope) to be the current trend in stories of late.