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His Reluctant Duchess: The Scandalous Stringhams
Mantheria, the Duchess of Glastonbury, is recently widowed and has no interest in marrying again. But when her son, Andrew, runs away on an adventure, she turns to her dear friend Sunny, the Duke of Sunderland, for help. Together, they follow the clues to find not only her son but the broken pieces of their hearts.
PRAISE FOR THE SCANDALOUS
"VERDICT [Accidental Courtship with the Earl] Hastings presents a sweet, spirited Regency romance. Full of heartwarming humor, this sixth book to feature a member of the Stringham family can be read as a stand-alone."—Library Journal
"VERDICT [Debutante with a Dangerous Past] With romance, mystery, and scandal, Hastings's latest book has it all. Perfect for a quick weekend read and for fans of Regency romance."—Library Journal
"VERDICT [The Marquess and the Runaway Lady] Combining the Regency season with the runaway woman trope makes for a delightful story."—Library Journal
PRAISE FOR THE SCANDALOUS
"VERDICT [Accidental Courtship with the Earl] Hastings presents a sweet, spirited Regency romance. Full of heartwarming humor, this sixth book to feature a member of the Stringham family can be read as a stand-alone."—Library Journal
"VERDICT [Debutante with a Dangerous Past] With romance, mystery, and scandal, Hastings's latest book has it all. Perfect for a quick weekend read and for fans of Regency romance."—Library Journal
"VERDICT [The Marquess and the Runaway Lady] Combining the Regency season with the runaway woman trope makes for a delightful story."—Library Journal
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Hastings
57 books290 followersSamantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey-sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her kids. She writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsen.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 5, 2026
So excited for Mantheria!!!
My first encounter with Mantheria was from Becoming His Bluestocking Countess and I knew I needed her story.
This one struck my heart from the beginning. Her joy, her light, I knew something happened to change her, but it still got me.
I loved this journey, the adventure, reconnecting with her first love, finding healing and forgiveness in her relationship with her sister, and learning it’s ok to find happiness and open her heart again.
I just love Mantheria and Sunny and their second chance at happiness!
Thank you to Samantha Hastings for the copy. All opinions are my own.
My first encounter with Mantheria was from Becoming His Bluestocking Countess and I knew I needed her story.
This one struck my heart from the beginning. Her joy, her light, I knew something happened to change her, but it still got me.
I loved this journey, the adventure, reconnecting with her first love, finding healing and forgiveness in her relationship with her sister, and learning it’s ok to find happiness and open her heart again.
I just love Mantheria and Sunny and their second chance at happiness!
Thank you to Samantha Hastings for the copy. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2026
Can I just tell you how excited I was that we get Mantheria and Sunny's story?!!!!! Super excited if you can't tell! I've loved reading this series and have been pretty invested in The Scandalous Stringhams. Especially Mantheria and Sunny because we've seen them skirting around each other throughout all of the books! And now they get their chance!
Mantheria has loved Sunny since before her coming out. When she finally thought she had a chance to show him and that he was reciprocating her feelings, life took a different turn than she expected. She's learned to close off her heart and with the death of her husband, she's going to focus on raising and loving her son Andrew. Except Andrew has a plan. A grand adventure. By himself! Oh my! Now Mantheria is rushing to find him and make sure that he is safe. And thankfully her dear friend Sunny insists on helping her. Not only does Andrew get an adventure, but Mantheria and Sunny will also have an adventure that will help them understand each other better and possibly allow for them to have a future together.
Be still my heart!!! These two are just amazing together. I loved the dual point of views and seeing a greater understanding of what happened in their pasts and throughout the years they've maintained their friendships. The chemistry is top notch!
The familial aspects of this book are wonderful as well. Just what I've come to know and expect with the Stringham family. I love their connections and love and care for each other in their family. They are strong and loyal and will stop at nothing to protect and help their own and their friends. I love the sibling dynamics and one conversation near the end of the book was beautifully written. Which in each of the books there are one or more of those conversations which pull me back to these stories again and again. I would recommend reading them in order but you could read this as a standalone if you wanted to. The author did a great job of giving information for those who haven't read the previous books.
I'm so happy for Mantheria after watching her sorrows and struggles throughout this story. And there was no better man for her than Sunny. The man who has loved her since she was young, and has stood by her side as a dear friend and support. True love for the win!
Content: The couple shares a room/bed at an inn due to there only being one room. Nothing but sleeping happens. Some kisses and talk of kisses. There are a couple moments of mild peril. Some mild innuendos. A conversation about marital relationships talking about a couple sharing that as an act of trust and love and not as a husband's rights (remember this is during the regency era and the mind frame then). I would consider this a PG-13ish read but written in a clean and positive way. I would recommend it for 18+, this is definitely a lot tamer than YA books are these days (unfortunately).
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Mantheria has loved Sunny since before her coming out. When she finally thought she had a chance to show him and that he was reciprocating her feelings, life took a different turn than she expected. She's learned to close off her heart and with the death of her husband, she's going to focus on raising and loving her son Andrew. Except Andrew has a plan. A grand adventure. By himself! Oh my! Now Mantheria is rushing to find him and make sure that he is safe. And thankfully her dear friend Sunny insists on helping her. Not only does Andrew get an adventure, but Mantheria and Sunny will also have an adventure that will help them understand each other better and possibly allow for them to have a future together.
Be still my heart!!! These two are just amazing together. I loved the dual point of views and seeing a greater understanding of what happened in their pasts and throughout the years they've maintained their friendships. The chemistry is top notch!
The familial aspects of this book are wonderful as well. Just what I've come to know and expect with the Stringham family. I love their connections and love and care for each other in their family. They are strong and loyal and will stop at nothing to protect and help their own and their friends. I love the sibling dynamics and one conversation near the end of the book was beautifully written. Which in each of the books there are one or more of those conversations which pull me back to these stories again and again. I would recommend reading them in order but you could read this as a standalone if you wanted to. The author did a great job of giving information for those who haven't read the previous books.
I'm so happy for Mantheria after watching her sorrows and struggles throughout this story. And there was no better man for her than Sunny. The man who has loved her since she was young, and has stood by her side as a dear friend and support. True love for the win!
Content: The couple shares a room/bed at an inn due to there only being one room. Nothing but sleeping happens. Some kisses and talk of kisses. There are a couple moments of mild peril. Some mild innuendos. A conversation about marital relationships talking about a couple sharing that as an act of trust and love and not as a husband's rights (remember this is during the regency era and the mind frame then). I would consider this a PG-13ish read but written in a clean and positive way. I would recommend it for 18+, this is definitely a lot tamer than YA books are these days (unfortunately).
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
February 17, 2026
I've enjoyed all the Stringham siblings' stories and was thrilled to finally get Mantheria's! We've gotten snippets of her in the previous books, but I wanted all the details! One of my favorite tropes is second-chance romance, so I was rooting for Sunny to win Mantheria's heart from the start!
Mantheria, the Duchess of Glastonbury, has already done her duty—marriage and producing an heir. As a young widow, she has zero interest in risking her heart again. Her world revolves around her son, Andrew… until he disappears on an adventure. Desperate to find him, she turns to the one man she trusts: Sunny, the Duke of Sunderland. What follows is more than a search across the countryside; it’s an emotional journey through years of buried feelings and the quiet “what ifs” that never went away.
I love second-chance romances!! Watching a couple that missed their happily ever after, finally getting another shot at it, touches my heart so much. Shared glances. Lingering affection. The kind of friendship that has always meant more than either dared admit. Sunny is steady and compassionate without being overbearing, and the way he supports Mantheria—without pushing her beyond her grief—is just perfect and so swoony!
I loved that Mantheria finally discovers who she is! We find out why she's always so prim and proper when the rest of her family often isn't. I thought it was because she was a Duchess, but now we see that wasn't the reason at all. I loved seeing the family all together again. It was the perfect ending to the series. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers energy, second chances, and Regency romance with emotional weight, this one is absolutely worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
Mantheria, the Duchess of Glastonbury, has already done her duty—marriage and producing an heir. As a young widow, she has zero interest in risking her heart again. Her world revolves around her son, Andrew… until he disappears on an adventure. Desperate to find him, she turns to the one man she trusts: Sunny, the Duke of Sunderland. What follows is more than a search across the countryside; it’s an emotional journey through years of buried feelings and the quiet “what ifs” that never went away.
I love second-chance romances!! Watching a couple that missed their happily ever after, finally getting another shot at it, touches my heart so much. Shared glances. Lingering affection. The kind of friendship that has always meant more than either dared admit. Sunny is steady and compassionate without being overbearing, and the way he supports Mantheria—without pushing her beyond her grief—is just perfect and so swoony!
I loved that Mantheria finally discovers who she is! We find out why she's always so prim and proper when the rest of her family often isn't. I thought it was because she was a Duchess, but now we see that wasn't the reason at all. I loved seeing the family all together again. It was the perfect ending to the series. If you enjoy friends-to-lovers energy, second chances, and Regency romance with emotional weight, this one is absolutely worth the read.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
February 5, 2026
Oh, the scandals that follow the Stringham family! Newly widowed Mantheria and her brother’s best friend, Sunny, have another chance at love when her young son goes off on an adventure and they put their heads together to track him down.
Although young Andrew is very smart, capable and precocious, as a mother, even I was worried about it, but the journey he took Mantheria and Sunny on was well worth the stress. A beauty who married a much older man after feeling jilted, she dotes on her child and easily rekindles a friendship full of attraction with a man she can trust–even when their reputations are on the line at every turn.
I had a lot of fun with this story and really enjoyed these characters, their romance, and their amusing quest.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Although young Andrew is very smart, capable and precocious, as a mother, even I was worried about it, but the journey he took Mantheria and Sunny on was well worth the stress. A beauty who married a much older man after feeling jilted, she dotes on her child and easily rekindles a friendship full of attraction with a man she can trust–even when their reputations are on the line at every turn.
I had a lot of fun with this story and really enjoyed these characters, their romance, and their amusing quest.
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
February 25, 2026
The Scandalous Stringhams series is one of my favorites. The writing is great, and the women are all intelligent and independent. Each Stringham sibling and their parents are unique. I've enjoyed reading every book in the series. His Reluctant Duchess was a perfect way to end the series.
I loved the story of the oldest sister, Mantheria. In previous books, she seemed very staunch and cold, and was hard to get to know her. This was her and Sunny's story. I love Sunny, the Duke of Sunderland, who's loved Mantheria all of his life. Mantheria still hurts from her failed first marriage and doubts her own heart being able to love another man. Sunny fights to prove his love and loyalty. I adored him. He stood by Andrew, her 11-year-old son, who pulls his mom and Sunny into his big adventure. His Reluctant Duchess was a wonderful book, bringing all of the Stringham family together. How I loved seeing all of them!
Once again, this book can be read as a standalone, but start at the beginning of the series to get to know each of the family members and their love stories. I highly recommend His Reluctant Duchess and the whole Scandalous Stringhams series.
I loved the story of the oldest sister, Mantheria. In previous books, she seemed very staunch and cold, and was hard to get to know her. This was her and Sunny's story. I love Sunny, the Duke of Sunderland, who's loved Mantheria all of his life. Mantheria still hurts from her failed first marriage and doubts her own heart being able to love another man. Sunny fights to prove his love and loyalty. I adored him. He stood by Andrew, her 11-year-old son, who pulls his mom and Sunny into his big adventure. His Reluctant Duchess was a wonderful book, bringing all of the Stringham family together. How I loved seeing all of them!
Once again, this book can be read as a standalone, but start at the beginning of the series to get to know each of the family members and their love stories. I highly recommend His Reluctant Duchess and the whole Scandalous Stringhams series.
February 14, 2026
I’ve been anxiously awaiting Mantheria and Sunny’s book ever since the series started! It was always very clear their arc would eventually take them to marriage- but there were so many questions about how and when they would get there!
Both Mantheria and Sunny are very layered characters; the way they present themselves and the way they feel are so often at odds. Learning more about each protagonist’s internal motivations and thoughts made for such an engaging read! Mantheria’s very proper exterior hides so much anxiety and so many concerns about not being enough; so too does Sunny’s carefree exterior. Underneath the façade each puts on, there is much in common in their insecurities.
I loved that the action in the story largely consisted of Mantheria and Sunny following after Mantheria’s son Andrew, who at 11 decided he was grown up enough for an independent adventure. Andrew’s exploits are such a realistic combo of random experiences and near misses; he’s a very realistically written by 11-year-old, with all the confidence and bravado that come with being a very privileged young child.
I loved revisiting all the other Stringham family members, too! It’s such fun to see each more settled into marriage and into being their own unique selves (still laughing about Helen giving everyone her pregnancy measurements 😂).
Thank you to the author for the ARC; all opinions are my own!
Both Mantheria and Sunny are very layered characters; the way they present themselves and the way they feel are so often at odds. Learning more about each protagonist’s internal motivations and thoughts made for such an engaging read! Mantheria’s very proper exterior hides so much anxiety and so many concerns about not being enough; so too does Sunny’s carefree exterior. Underneath the façade each puts on, there is much in common in their insecurities.
I loved that the action in the story largely consisted of Mantheria and Sunny following after Mantheria’s son Andrew, who at 11 decided he was grown up enough for an independent adventure. Andrew’s exploits are such a realistic combo of random experiences and near misses; he’s a very realistically written by 11-year-old, with all the confidence and bravado that come with being a very privileged young child.
I loved revisiting all the other Stringham family members, too! It’s such fun to see each more settled into marriage and into being their own unique selves (still laughing about Helen giving everyone her pregnancy measurements 😂).
Thank you to the author for the ARC; all opinions are my own!
February 9, 2026
I have been waiting for Mantheria’s story with bated breath, and let me tell you—it was everything. This wasn’t just a romance; it was a journey of duty, healing, and a love twelve years in the making. My heart is officially full! 🤍
“Maybe it is time that you were happy, too. Maybe being happy is the best way to be good.”
Mantheria is the epitome of the "sacrificial elder sister." From honoring her sister’s dying wishes to navigating the rigid expectations of society, she has spent her life being exactly what everyone else needed her to be. Now a widow and a single mother to her adventurous son, Andrew, she’s found herself surrounded by fortune hunters who see her as a prize rather than a person. Enter Sunny. If you love the "He Fell First (And Harder)" trope, Sunny is your new book boyfriend. He has carried a torch for Mantheria for twelve years, and watching him step up—helping her track down her runaway son, offering her a safe harbor, and seeing how he matures—was pure magic.
What I loved:
* The slow burn and transition from childhood friends to more.
* The character arcs- this is a powerful story about finding yourself after years of living for others.
* The devotion- it proves that a happily-ever-after isn't just happenstance. It’s built on patience, hard work, and pure, unwavering loyalty.
* The references to Greek Mythology
A masterful conclusion to The Scandalous Stringhams series. This HEA wasn't just given; it was hard-won and deeply earned . Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
“if it takes twenty years like it did for Odysseus and Penelope to be reunited, then so be it. You are worth waiting for. You are worth working for.”
Content: closed door romance, discussion of the marriage bed and consummation of marriage.
No language.
“Maybe it is time that you were happy, too. Maybe being happy is the best way to be good.”
Mantheria is the epitome of the "sacrificial elder sister." From honoring her sister’s dying wishes to navigating the rigid expectations of society, she has spent her life being exactly what everyone else needed her to be. Now a widow and a single mother to her adventurous son, Andrew, she’s found herself surrounded by fortune hunters who see her as a prize rather than a person. Enter Sunny. If you love the "He Fell First (And Harder)" trope, Sunny is your new book boyfriend. He has carried a torch for Mantheria for twelve years, and watching him step up—helping her track down her runaway son, offering her a safe harbor, and seeing how he matures—was pure magic.
What I loved:
* The slow burn and transition from childhood friends to more.
* The character arcs- this is a powerful story about finding yourself after years of living for others.
* The devotion- it proves that a happily-ever-after isn't just happenstance. It’s built on patience, hard work, and pure, unwavering loyalty.
* The references to Greek Mythology
A masterful conclusion to The Scandalous Stringhams series. This HEA wasn't just given; it was hard-won and deeply earned . Thank you to the author for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
“if it takes twenty years like it did for Odysseus and Penelope to be reunited, then so be it. You are worth waiting for. You are worth working for.”
Content: closed door romance, discussion of the marriage bed and consummation of marriage.
No language.
February 17, 2026
We have come to the end of the Scandalous Stringhams. This has been an entertaining series and it’s good to get Mantheria‘s story. The adventure, writing and characters combined take you away and you won’t want to put the book down. From the beginning, you feel the tension and disappointment between Sunny and Mantheria. But when you embark on an adventure to locate Andrew, Mantheria’s young 11year old son, who is missing, the story really begins to take shape and the characters shine. I thought the story was especially rich in character growth with the two main characters finding value in themselves before allowing their relationship to grow. It is a historical Regency close door romance with an Intriguing story, great character development and swoony romance that makes for a great afternoon read.
February 7, 2026
Oh this was a fabulous ending to a wonderful series! I have been waiting for this sister and her story to help us just like the woman! And Sunny? I fell in love with him from the beginning! And this book only solidified it!! I love watching their journey!
February 21, 2026
Following the adventures of the Stringham family has been pure joy! I’ve been longing for the complex, oldest sister Mantheria’s story, & His Reluctant Duchess did not disappoint. It’s an adventurous journey that blossoms into a lovely friends-to-more, second-chance romance that kept me totally enthralled. Samantha Hastings pulls out all the stops in this satisfying conclusion to a fabulous, closed-door Regency romance series.
Recently widowed, Mantheria, the Duchess of Glastonbury, has lived her life for everyone but herself. With fortune hunters circling, she’s determined to focus on raising her precocious eleven-year-old son, Andrew, & never marry again. When Andrew sneaks off on an adventure, a frantic Mantheria enlists her best friend, Sunny, to help track him down. She’s always loved Sunny, but when he failed to appear at her coming-out ball twelve years ago, she agreed to marry a much older man. The mischievous young woman she once was became a proper, icy duchess. Yet as she & Sunny search for Andrew, their irresistible chemistry flares back to life.
Sunny has loved Mantheria for twelve years, but the crushing debts left by his father kept him from pursuing her. Now that she’s a widow, he hopes to turn their long-standing friendship into something more. Still, he faces an uphill climb as he tries to prove he can be a worthy husband & stepfather to Andrew.
Second-chance romance is quickly becoming a favorite trope, & add friends-to-more? I’m hooked. Both Mantheria & Sunny hide behind convincing facades, she the cold, proper duchess; he the carefree duke, while each quietly wrestles with insecurity. I loved watching Mantheria reclaim her spunky confidence & Sunny step fully into his responsibilities, proving himself a true partner. Their journey together exposes old wounds & helps them heal.
Andrew’s a clever, independent young man who leads them on quite the chase, always one step ahead. I especially enjoyed the allusions to Greek mythology & Odysseus’ adventure woven throughout.
Highly recommend this fantastic finale! While it can be read as a standalone, it’s even more enjoyable if you’ve read the earlier books.
CW: discussions of intimacy (primarily between a married couple), shared bed without intimacy, mention of nudity
Recently widowed, Mantheria, the Duchess of Glastonbury, has lived her life for everyone but herself. With fortune hunters circling, she’s determined to focus on raising her precocious eleven-year-old son, Andrew, & never marry again. When Andrew sneaks off on an adventure, a frantic Mantheria enlists her best friend, Sunny, to help track him down. She’s always loved Sunny, but when he failed to appear at her coming-out ball twelve years ago, she agreed to marry a much older man. The mischievous young woman she once was became a proper, icy duchess. Yet as she & Sunny search for Andrew, their irresistible chemistry flares back to life.
Sunny has loved Mantheria for twelve years, but the crushing debts left by his father kept him from pursuing her. Now that she’s a widow, he hopes to turn their long-standing friendship into something more. Still, he faces an uphill climb as he tries to prove he can be a worthy husband & stepfather to Andrew.
Second-chance romance is quickly becoming a favorite trope, & add friends-to-more? I’m hooked. Both Mantheria & Sunny hide behind convincing facades, she the cold, proper duchess; he the carefree duke, while each quietly wrestles with insecurity. I loved watching Mantheria reclaim her spunky confidence & Sunny step fully into his responsibilities, proving himself a true partner. Their journey together exposes old wounds & helps them heal.
Andrew’s a clever, independent young man who leads them on quite the chase, always one step ahead. I especially enjoyed the allusions to Greek mythology & Odysseus’ adventure woven throughout.
Highly recommend this fantastic finale! While it can be read as a standalone, it’s even more enjoyable if you’ve read the earlier books.
CW: discussions of intimacy (primarily between a married couple), shared bed without intimacy, mention of nudity
February 18, 2026
I have enjoyed this series and getting to know the Stringham family. I am glad that we finally see Sunny and Mantheria find their happy ending. I like that they both learned to be themselves and to stop being so afraid of disappointing someone else. I liked that they worked well as a team and that they were good friends before they became more. I am glad to see them be happy.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so excited that Mantheria and Sonny got their story! If we could all be as adventurous as sweet Andrew! The sibling dynamic in this series is complicated in the best of ways. A fantastic regency romance not to be missed!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews