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A Society of Scandal #7
Once Upon a Scandalous Night
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A scandalous lady
Born beneath the scandal of illegitimacy, Miss Anna Prescott strives to live a life beyond reproach. All until a single night of recklessness leads her to kiss a masked stranger at a masquerade—only to have the act witnessed and then immortalized in London’s gossip rags. When the stranger is revealed to be a notorious and reclusive duke, Anna sees only one way to preserve the tattered remnants of her reputation: claim the man as her betrothed.
A disreputable duke
Jasper Draycott, Duke of Thornhaven, has retreated from society ever since his older brother’s death, desperate to escape rumors that blame him for the tragedy. After an ill-conceived encounter at a masquerade, the last thing he wants is renewed scrutiny. Yet when Anna Prescott shows up at his door proposing a fake engagement, he finds the incorrigible—and intriguing—woman impossible to refuse.
A ruse that leads to the sweetest temptation
The betrothal is meant to be temporary, quietly ending once the gossip fades. But when Anna becomes stranded at the duke’s secluded home, the intimacy of their shared time fans the flames of a growing attraction. Before long, pretense evolves into something all too real, but can their hastily contrived union endure the pressures of the world beyond their walls? With the threat of discovery looming, Jasper and Anna must choose whether to end the charade as planned—or to risk everything for a love that could either redeem them both or ruin them entirely.
Born beneath the scandal of illegitimacy, Miss Anna Prescott strives to live a life beyond reproach. All until a single night of recklessness leads her to kiss a masked stranger at a masquerade—only to have the act witnessed and then immortalized in London’s gossip rags. When the stranger is revealed to be a notorious and reclusive duke, Anna sees only one way to preserve the tattered remnants of her reputation: claim the man as her betrothed.
A disreputable duke
Jasper Draycott, Duke of Thornhaven, has retreated from society ever since his older brother’s death, desperate to escape rumors that blame him for the tragedy. After an ill-conceived encounter at a masquerade, the last thing he wants is renewed scrutiny. Yet when Anna Prescott shows up at his door proposing a fake engagement, he finds the incorrigible—and intriguing—woman impossible to refuse.
A ruse that leads to the sweetest temptation
The betrothal is meant to be temporary, quietly ending once the gossip fades. But when Anna becomes stranded at the duke’s secluded home, the intimacy of their shared time fans the flames of a growing attraction. Before long, pretense evolves into something all too real, but can their hastily contrived union endure the pressures of the world beyond their walls? With the threat of discovery looming, Jasper and Anna must choose whether to end the charade as planned—or to risk everything for a love that could either redeem them both or ruin them entirely.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Jane Maguire
10 books173 followersJane Maguire is a Canadian author whose lifelong passions for history, writing, and love stories inevitably led her to begin penning historical romance novels. While her love of historical fiction spans all eras, she focuses her writing on high society in the regency period. She enjoys crafting stories with lots of angst, which makes giving her characters their happily ever afters all the more satisfying.
When she isn't at her computer writing and researching, you can find her vacationing in the Rocky Mountains, playing classical music on the piano, or simply curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. She lives with her husband, two kids, and a very floofy cat.
When she isn't at her computer writing and researching, you can find her vacationing in the Rocky Mountains, playing classical music on the piano, or simply curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. She lives with her husband, two kids, and a very floofy cat.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of my favorite tropes, a fake engagement with multiple layers of scandal.. I definitely enjoyed this story so much I stayed up late just to finish it.
Miss Anna Prescott tries to be everything society wants her to be: perfect because she was born on the wrong side of the blanket so when she decides to throw caution to the wind and have fun just one night and go to a masquerade, she's daring enough to kiss a stranger however nothing is ever 100% foolproof and when that kiss becomes a scandal, it's with the worst Duke possible however she knows better than anyone that not everything in gossip rags is true.
Jasper Draycott, Duke of Thornhaven is known as the Devil Duke or the murderous Duke so when he takes the one chance to come out of hiding to join society it's at a masquerade and he dares to hide by a tree hoping nobody recognizes him however nothing is foolproof especially when a beauty comes to his hiding spot and asks for a kiss and it turns his world upside down and he finds out that she sees him for more than what society says.
Jasper and Anna have something in common they both have been slandered by gossip rags and society maliciously for no other reason than she was born on the wrong side of the blanket and because someone spread rumors of how someone in his life died. The only difference is she's willing to face society and he isn't, he prefers to hide in the darkness.
When she brings the light back into his life and shows him that society isn't all that matters and he sees that he is capable of anything.
These two characters needed only someone to accept them unconditionally and they found that within each other.
I loved this book from beginning to the end.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Miss Anna Prescott tries to be everything society wants her to be: perfect because she was born on the wrong side of the blanket so when she decides to throw caution to the wind and have fun just one night and go to a masquerade, she's daring enough to kiss a stranger however nothing is ever 100% foolproof and when that kiss becomes a scandal, it's with the worst Duke possible however she knows better than anyone that not everything in gossip rags is true.
Jasper Draycott, Duke of Thornhaven is known as the Devil Duke or the murderous Duke so when he takes the one chance to come out of hiding to join society it's at a masquerade and he dares to hide by a tree hoping nobody recognizes him however nothing is foolproof especially when a beauty comes to his hiding spot and asks for a kiss and it turns his world upside down and he finds out that she sees him for more than what society says.
Jasper and Anna have something in common they both have been slandered by gossip rags and society maliciously for no other reason than she was born on the wrong side of the blanket and because someone spread rumors of how someone in his life died. The only difference is she's willing to face society and he isn't, he prefers to hide in the darkness.
When she brings the light back into his life and shows him that society isn't all that matters and he sees that he is capable of anything.
These two characters needed only someone to accept them unconditionally and they found that within each other.
I loved this book from beginning to the end.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Miss Anna Prescott tries hard to be accepted by society, but due to the circumstances of her birth, she is considered more of a scandal. Jasper Draycott, Duke of Thornhaven, is known as the ‘Devil Duke’ due to the rumors of how he inherited his title. When they both end up in the scandal sheet together the next morning, Anna decides the best way to handle the situation is to pretend they are betrothed. Jasper reluctantly agrees, but fails to see how this will end well. Will Anna and Jasper realize before their agreement ends that they truly belong together?
This was a fabulous Beauty and the Beast-themed story by the author. I absolutely loved it! It was a lot of fun, extremely delightful, and a really sweet romance. I instantly liked both Anna and Jasper and felt they made a great couple. I truly loved that they were both imperfect, but they were perfect together. I enjoyed the witty banter and how they both opened up to each other. The secondary characters were wonderful and really added to the story. I adored how they finally admitted their love for each other and got their happily ever after. Overall, the book was well-written, the characters were well-developed, and the story was very engaging. I highly recommend this book!!
This was a fabulous Beauty and the Beast-themed story by the author. I absolutely loved it! It was a lot of fun, extremely delightful, and a really sweet romance. I instantly liked both Anna and Jasper and felt they made a great couple. I truly loved that they were both imperfect, but they were perfect together. I enjoyed the witty banter and how they both opened up to each other. The secondary characters were wonderful and really added to the story. I adored how they finally admitted their love for each other and got their happily ever after. Overall, the book was well-written, the characters were well-developed, and the story was very engaging. I highly recommend this book!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Very Reckless Kiss…!
A reckless kiss at a Masquerade is all it takes for the innocent Miss Anna Prescott and Jasper Draycott, the reclusive Duke of Thornhaven, to get into trouble, so they do the “only” reasonable thing they can think of, they begin a fake betrothal, which of course goes horribly wrong! How could it not?
This story was so realistically written that I could see each thing play out in vivid colour and that was rather special. I laughed as each ‘well intentioned’ plan fell apart - just couldn’t help myself, but their failures were all so predictably possible. What’s the saying about ‘best laid plans of mice and men…’? Yes, Right!
I couldn’t help but love these two main characters whose story was simply perfect.
I have just finished reading an early copy of this book and am happy to leave my voluntary review.
A reckless kiss at a Masquerade is all it takes for the innocent Miss Anna Prescott and Jasper Draycott, the reclusive Duke of Thornhaven, to get into trouble, so they do the “only” reasonable thing they can think of, they begin a fake betrothal, which of course goes horribly wrong! How could it not?
This story was so realistically written that I could see each thing play out in vivid colour and that was rather special. I laughed as each ‘well intentioned’ plan fell apart - just couldn’t help myself, but their failures were all so predictably possible. What’s the saying about ‘best laid plans of mice and men…’? Yes, Right!
I couldn’t help but love these two main characters whose story was simply perfect.
I have just finished reading an early copy of this book and am happy to leave my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed this fake betrothal romance. After being caught in kiss that led to news in the gossip rags, the main couple decided to hush the noise by appearing betrothed. Their attempt at an outing leads to more time spent together. Once they’re together alone, they get to know one another on another level. They become friends and fall in love at the same time. Neither of them feel worthy but they show one another something different. This story had a kiss at a masquerade, a fake betrothal, close proximity, a funny chase, humor, supportive family, loyal friends, hones dialogue, love, and a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow couldn't put it down. Good from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews