One Scandal Too Many

Havenwood Academy #1

by Dawn Brower

A dazzling romance of forbidden attraction and slow-burning passion.

Lady Charlotte Beckett has resigned herself to her fate. Sent to Havenwood Academy—a finishing school for unmarriageable ladies—she knows her future holds no grand romance, no whispered promises of devotion—only the plans her father has in store for her future. But when an invitation arrives for the students to attend a house party at Easton Abbey, she finds herself in the path of the one man who threatens to unravel her carefully constructed world.

Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton, is a notorious rake with no intention of surrendering his heart to any woman. Yet from the moment he clashes with the sharp-witted and utterly fascinating Lady Charlotte, his carefully honed indifference begins to crack. She is unlike any lady he has ever known—bold, intelligent, and apparently immune to his charms.

Drawn together by forces neither can deny, Charlotte and Declan must navigate a web of scandal, secrets, and society’s expectations. But even if Declan can convince her that love is worth the risk, will her father allow such a match? Or will duty and propriety tear them apart before they have a chance to claim the love they never dared to hope for?

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Havenwood Academy
Book 1 - One Scandal Too Many
Book 2 - Kissed by Scandal
Book 3 - Love Me Scandalously

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2025

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the female friend group and the school a lot. It seemed to be a place that respected the young ladies that were sent there and helped them grow as women. It may have been a punishment on the part of their parents, but it help them thrive. The friend group was so nice very supportive and kind to one another. Also helped them all get up to no good which they deserve. I just didn’t connect with Declan which made it hard for me to root for them as a couple. He especially seemed immature to me. He said he wasn’t a rake anymore but really appeared to still be one during their second encounter. I just didn’t feel the yearn for each other really. We were told it was there but I just didn’t feel it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Charlotte Beckett has resigned herself to her fate. Sent to Havenwood Academy, a finishing school for unmarriageable ladies, she knows her future holds only the plans her father has in store for her future. But when an invitation arrives for the students to attend a house party at Easton Abbey, she finds herself in the path of the one man who threatens to unravel her carefully constructed world. Declan Hayes, the Marquis of Easton, is a notorious rake with no intention of surrendering his heart to any woman. Yet from the moment he clashes with the sharp-witted and utterly fascinating Lady Charlotte, his carefully honed indifference begins to crack.
The start of a new series & as easy to read romance. I liked both Declan & Charlotte & whilst I thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA I didn’t feel much chemistry between them but I did like the banter between them. There were a couple of twists at the end which added to my enjoyment, there was also a hint about the next book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[bluetyfloreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This book was a wickedly seductive game of cat and mouse between a scandal-prone lady and a lord determined to avoid marriage at all costs. Ironic, really—because from the moment Declan laid eyes on Charlotte, he was utterly captivated and willing to risk everything to have her. What follows is a slow-burning yet scandalous courtship filled with secret rendezvous, stolen moments under the ever-watchful eyes of chaperones, and passionate kisses beneath the moonlight.

I found this story refreshingly fun, with a modern twist on a delightfully inaccurate historical romance. It beautifully captured the excitement and intensity of first love. The chemistry between Charlotte and Declan was absolutely electric, and I especially adored Declan’s lines:

"Is its scent as lovely as the woman breathing in its sweet fragrance?"
"The mere hours that separated their next meeting seemed like too long already."

For someone who insists he’s a rake, Declan’s words were downright sinful—deliciously poetic and unexpectedly romantic. (Or maybe my definition of rake is just a little too cynical.)

I also really enjoyed the setting—a school dedicated to teaching young women how to avoid scandal? That was such a clever and intriguing backdrop! And the supporting cast was fantastic. I’m eager to dive into their stories in future books, especially Mrs. Havenwood—please tell me she’s getting her own book!

Now, onto my one critique: the pacing. The beginning dragged a bit, with some repetitive scenes and ideas that could have been tightened. Then, just as the story gained momentum, the ending felt rushed—so much so that I turned the last page thinking, Wait… that’s it? A little less repetition early on could have allowed for a more satisfying, well-developed conclusion.

That said, I did enjoy this book, and if you’re looking for a short, lighthearted, and swoon-worthy historical romance, this one is worth picking up!

💧 First book in a series
💧 Historical romance
💧 Light explicit spice
💧 Third-person narration
💧 Forbidden romance

*ARC provided through NetGalley*

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A forbidden romance full of wit, yearning, and emotional intensity, this novel sweeps you into the glittering, high-stakes world of regency society with a fresh and compelling twist. Lady Charlotte Beckett, labeled “unmarriageable” and tucked away at Havenwood Academy, is the kind of heroine I root for—clever, guarded, and brimming with unspoken desire for a life bigger than what’s been decided for her. When a surprise invitation brings her to the imposing Easton Abbey, all bets are off.
Enter Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton—a rake with a reputation, a past he won’t speak of, and (let’s be honest) more emotional baggage than a traveling circus. Their first meeting crackles with tension, and from there, the slow-burn begins—sharp banter, stolen glances, and a delicious sense of inevitable ruin.
The strength of this story lies in the chemistry between Charlotte and Declan. Their relationship develops organically, with real stakes and raw vulnerability. Charlotte is no swooning debutante; she challenges Declan at every turn, and it’s such a joy to watch him unravel.
The writing is lush without being overwrought, with just enough scandal and secret longing to make you stay up too late turning pages. Add in the looming threat of Charlotte’s overbearing father and the restrictive expectations of society, and you have a romance that feels both intimate and grand.
If you love your historical romance with a touch of angst, a strong heroine, and a reformed rake who actually earns his redemption, this novel delivers in spades.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Together ? . . .

Lady Charlotte Beckett attends Havenwood Academy, a finishing school for "unmarriageable" young ladies, the victim of her father's plans for her. The Duke of Claremont claimed she had let the family down, and this exile was her punishment. It was actually her brother's doing, but he had asked her for help, and his father could never imagine Warren being less than perfect. The Marquess of Finley's name could not be allowed to be tainted by scandal. She would find a way to escape the facility later on, just in case a hasty way out was needed.

When Charlotte and Jaclyn went for a walk in the woods, they arrived at a pond and saw 3 men stripping off their clothes to swim! When Declan got out of the water, he saw movement and realized two people were watching them. Were they from the nearby school? When Foxmoore stepped out of the water, the girls hurried away. Declan would be paying a call on the school's proprietress to mention students shouldn’t come so close to his land. He had no intention of having to marry one due to a scandal!

Declan's mother informed him that they would be having a house party at Easton Abbey and she invites the nearby students despite his protests. Declan Hayes has a reputation as a notorious rake who is very careful not to fall for any woman. But Lady Charlotte fascinates him with her intelligence and boldness. With their reputations, however, it may be difficult to pursue their interest. And her father may already have his own plans for his daughter, to benefit only himself, of course. What kind of a future lies ahead for her?

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, another well written story by this story-weaving author. Able to put so much into this story and keeps you reading and turning the pages, wanting more. Charlotte is the daughter of a Duke, who really doesn't want her. He takes her to a finishing school as he thinks she was too close to a scandal. Charlotte believes he wants her gone until he needs her to marry for his good. She likes the school and makes some new friends that are there for some reason. One day she and her friend are out walking and head for the woods and the pond where they are not to be. It's there she firsts sees Declan and his friends swimming. As they watch, Declan strips off his clothes and swims nude knowing full well that they have someone watching them. Both of the ladies enjoy the site but leave before they are caught, not realizing they already have been. As Declan and Charlotte are pulled together , their feelings start to show but each has their own secrets to deal with. At his house party they decide to elope and run off to Scotland to marry. Surprise who comes to take her back home. Has lots of steam, action, witty banter, new love and a happy ending. Absolutely loved it, hoping for more about their friends. Would strongly recommend it to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me way too long to finish this book, maybe it was my fault since I haven’t been interested in historical romance at the moment. I found the summary interesting but couldn’t hold my interest the first half of the book. To the point where I almost DNF, but I gave it another chance 30 minutes and if I was still dragging my feet I’d put it down. Things started to get interesting when the MMC stopped fighting his feeling for the FMC having secret meetings and acknowledging their attraction. One thing that bothered me was that the FMC age was never included, I assumed they were young for it to be acceptable to send them to school. Even after the MMC did his best to spend time with her they barely spoke of anything before they managed to find themselves alone at night. They had already thought about each her fondly, having a need to always be near each other. Gave them little choice but do the right thing. The ending was rushed we saw no real reaction to their night stay, their marriage from their friends. While the start had so much detail there could have been so much more added to the story. Im disappointed and dissatisfied with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing I received a ARC for an honest review !

[Carmel Zumbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disgraced Lady Charlotte Beckett has been sent to Havenwood Academy. This is a finishing school for ladies, especially those deemed scandalous. Her cold hearted father has much in store for her future. He holds her in low esteem but thinks he can maximise his standing by marrying her off to a wealthy suitor. She has always been a reckless daughter. So whilst at the Academy, an invitation arrives for the students to attend a house party at nearby Easton Abbey. It is there Charlotte that she finds herself in another potentially hazardous world. She has developed an inappropriate attraction to the handsome marquess next door and he returns her interest after being hesitant at first.
Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton, has the reputation of being a notorious rake. But the moment they meet and trade banter he cannot deny the spark and his indifference then turns into something deep and undeniable. Charlotte and Declan are thrown together into a web of scandal, secret meetings and a being trapped in a storm. Their passion is too much to resist and pretty soon they decide they cannot live without each other. A wonderful story with a HEA that is truly satisfying!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Havenwood Academy, is a finishing school for unmarried ladies connected to scandal. Lady Charlotte's father, the Duke of Clare, cares nothing for his daughter, except as a bargaining tool. What better way to get rid of her than to dump her at the academy. After a year at Havenwood, Charlotte is content to never leave. A chance encounter of watching three gentlemen swimming in a pond, she makes eye contact with Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton. He is infatuated with Charlotte. He invites the ladies from the academy to his estate, Easton Abbey, for a house party. His sole purpose is to spend more time with Charlotte. As their relationship heats up, Charlotte doesn't see how they can be together with her father's interference. Declan never doubts he can stand up to the duke for the woman he loves. A nice read of a couple starting to crave each other at the beginning of the book. No heavy angst and an incentive to read the next book in the series.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this very different tale of a woman, Charlotte, sent to an obscure school for a tiny little scandalous act- that her brother started . Yet her father, The Duke was incensed over. Declan is a man refusing to be dragged into marriage. Period. Their meeting was a definite meet-cute in a scandalous way and it goes down hill from there. I loved Charlotte’s attitude and feistiness. The banter between them was very witty and both of their friends have stories just waiting to be revealed ( I think so anyway!) Although the author seemed to harp on things over and over in the beginning of the story, saying the same thing over and over at times, this is one delicious tale. The 2 twists at the end blew me away and dealing with “dear ol’e Dad” was very eye-opening, especially what he said about her prospective husband. Would have loved to have seen the reaction from Declan’s mom and their friends. A good read!


I received this story for free and these are my own views.

[Cherie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fate, Desire, Enjoyable Romance:
A brazen feisty independent Charolotte has been banished by her wretched father to the Havenwood Academy finishing school for girls.
A school where parents send girls with scandals go to learn proper educate and redeem themselves for polite society.
This is a charming well written story where a young girl and the known rake, Declan, the Marquess of Easton meet in a most 
daunting and titillating way.
Their attraction to one another is instantaneous and their relationship builds at a fast pace that brings forth an enjoyable passionate romance story of finding love.
My first time reading this author and I was totally captivated by the characters and the story. I will look forward to reading more of this series.
Mature Advisory: 2/5
Book Rating 4.5 rounded up to 5
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Charlotte's banishment seems horribly unfair to me, nevertheless, she makes the best of the situation and avoids anything that might bring the wrath of her father down on her head. Inadvertently walking into a compromising situation sets her and the Marquess of Easton at odds, however she has too much backbone to be cowered by him. Instead together with her roommates, she continues to unsettle Declan and his friends at every opportunity. The force of the attraction between them leads to some interesting encounters until they are no longer able to deny their feelings. The novel comes to a lovely conclusion although Charlotte's overbearing father is less than pleased. I received a copy of this entertaining romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous start to a fun new series Havenwood Academy!! Havenwood Academy is a school for young ladies to be sent to when their families feel they are unmarriageable and need guidance to avoid scandal within society. In this book we meet Lady Charlotte Beckett and Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton.

I am really excited about this series!! This book was a lot of fun, very entertaining and absolutely delightful!! I instantly fell in love with both Charlotte and Declan’s characters and thought their chemistry together was fabulous!! I liked how Charlotte’s character was very strong and independent, while Declan did not try to change her and felt she was perfect as she was. The secondary characters were wonderful and set up the next books in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book!! I highly recommend this book!!

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling for the Rake Next Door
Scandal, secrets, and sizzling chemistry — Charlotte's story has it all!
What was the scandal that sent Charlotte to Havenwood Academy? Could attending a school for scandalous young ladies be the best thing that ever happened to her? She certainly didn’t think so. Declan was the charming rake next door, and Charlotte found herself frequently at odds with him. But when friction turned into a sizzling attraction, everything changed. Could a scandalous lady possibly reform a rake? She might — but her father had plans of his own. Was a happy ending possible for Charlotte and Declan?
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful historical romance and would highly recommend it to lovers of the genre. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance is the start of a series based around a finishing school for young ladies who might have been involved in a scandal.  

Our heroine is definitely one of the more mischievous girls. Her father is very strict and controlling. 

Our hero is a marquess hiding on his estate with two friends. They hoped they were escaping to peace and quiet. 

There are quite a few giggles in this story, along with a little steam towards the end. The characters are fabulous, and we get a hint about who the next book might be about. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will eagerly await more. 

Good fun. 

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new series from an author I am not familiar with. The premise sits around a finishing school for young ladies who have been involved in some sort of scandal. Lady Charlotte is the daughter of a duke (not a very nice one) and has been sent to the academy after a scandal we don't know about till much later in the book.

The school borders the estate of Declan, Marquess of Easton, who is in residence with his two friends - a duke and an earl I suspect we'll hear more from in later books.

I wouldn't put this down as one of the all-time HRs but it was entertaining enough, and I enjoyed it.

Received an ARC from Netgalley.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new and humorous series, Declan & Charlotte meet at a house party. One is a rake with no interest in curbing his way. The other is from a finishing school for unmarriageable girls. From the meeting onward, there is humor, banter and fun until the end of the story. A lovely way to spend a quiet afternoon getting to know these two characters, their personalities and how their lives move forward.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reason Charlotte’s father sent her to the school because her brother caused a scandal doesn’t make sense to me but if he hadn’t she wouldn’t have seen the neighbor Declan swimming without clothes and started sneaking around with him, which were both much more scandalous than anything she did before. They draw closer and even if Declan offers marriage after repeatedly saying he wouldn’t Charlotte knows her father will never let her marry a man not of his choosing.

[Cheryl McTyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Charlotte Beckett's father, the Duke of Clairemont, dumped her at Havenwood Academy, a finishing school for what the Ton deem unmarriageable ladies. Her crime, so silly we don't even find out what it is until the book is almost over. She has given up on love, but not on life.
Declan Hayes, the Marquess of Easton, is a rake with no plans of giving his heart to anyone and his struggles with his meddling mother provide added humor to the story. I loved Charlotte and Declan's unusual meet-cute, and the banter between these two is funny, heartwarming and heated.

A house party will bring these two together, and introduce us to the other couples in this new series. This was a great start and I look forward to additional books. It gave me everything I need in a good historical romance. Tears, laughter, steam and some much needed snarkiness. I would have given 5 stars if the father was berated, maybe punched a time or two when the story came o its conclusion. The way he made his daughter feel was unforgivable, but it matched the typical attitude at the time. Looking forward to more.

Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

[Sven · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent start to a series. Declan and Charlotte were pretty awesome together, their banter, their connection, their spark all pretty well described. I think this book could have used some good editing and pacing. A bit repetitive in the beginning a rush in the end, but still did not deter from being a decent read.

#netgalley #OneScandalTooMany

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it was a bit slow paced, I enjoyed Charlotte and Declan’s journey in finding their happiness. I did struggle with waiting for the scandal to be explained and I think that ruined the pace for me. It was a decent story.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, my opinion are my own

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is sent away for a scandal she was scarcely involved in but found friendship and love that would defy a father's domineering and unreasonable demands. A most enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phylis Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story. A very good , clean romance. You have such a way of showing people that opposite do attack. Both in words and action. I am glad that I found your books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked both Declan & Charlotte individually, and while I thoroughly enjoyed their journey, I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. However, I did like the banter between them.

[Masala LaVita · Rating 2 out of 5]

One Scandal Too Many by Dawn Brower offers an enticing premise: Lady Charlotte Beckett, a sharp-witted heroine, and Declan Hayes, a rakish Marquess, collide at a Regency house party. The setup sparkles with potential, and the banter between characters is a delight, brimming with charm. Female friendships add warmth, though their depth feels stunted by withheld secrets—more backstory could elevate them. However, the romance falters; Charlotte and Declan’s shift from lust to love feels rushed and lacks emotional grounding, undermining their connection. A promising concept with witty moments, but inconsistent pacing and shallow character development make it a missed opportunity for me. (2.5-star rounded up to 3)
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Havenwood Academy is a finishing school for young women who are deemed unmarriageable. Lady Charlotte Beckett has been sent to the academy because of what her father deemed scandalous behavior. Declan Hayes, Marqus of Easton, has retreated, with two of his friends, to his estate for some peace and quiet, and to avoid marriage-minded debutantes and their mothers. The first time Charlotte lays eyes on Declan, all of Declan, swimming with his friends, begins a battle of wills and an undeniable connection. The first book in the Havenwood Academy Series is entertaining and fun. Charlotte is feisty and adorable. Declan is a redeemable rake. Their friends are delightful. There are a couple of twists and surprises, but there is a happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, one in the Havenwood Academy series, was an absolutely refreshing fun historical romance. Scandalous young women sent to a school dedicated to reaching them how to avoid scandal was an interesting start of a captivating love story that was full of humor and wit. The beautiful friendship between the young ladies was delightful. I enjoyed the strong chemistry that begins a deliciously passionate romance. I was happy that their beautiful love could not be overshadowed by any obstacles. The ending wad lovely. I highly recommend reading!