A Village Scandal

The Village Secrets #2

by Dilly Court

The second book in the dramatic new Village Secrets trilogy from the Sunday Times bestselling author.


It was her wedding day… the roses and bluebells were blooming and their sweet-scent was filling the air, so why did Daisy feel the cold fingers of fear run down her spine?



 
Spring in the village, April 1869
 
It’s spring in Little Creek and wedding bells are ringing. After their hasty marriage the Christmas before, Daisy Marshall is overjoyed to be finally marrying dashing Jay Fox properly, in front of the whole village.
 
But then, on the evening of their wedding, amid the festivities, Jay disappears. Daisy doesn’t know if Jay is dead or alive, if she’s his wife or his widow. And what’s more, without her husband, she has no means of supporting herself or her household.
 
Refusing to give up hope, Daisy must draw on all her strength and courage – after all, she has people who depend on her.  But the secret of Jay's disappearance is more scandalous that she could have ever imagined…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Fiction

512 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2020

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts where the first book in this series, A Christmas Wedding ended. Jay had just married Daisy with all their friends and family gathered round. This is their second wedding as the first ceremony had to take place without any guests due to the bad weather. But their happiness is short lived as Jay is called away during the reception as their is a problem at his boat. He promises to return asap. But Jay doesn't return. Everyone thinks Jay is lost at sea ut Daisy refuses to give up hope. Daisy rentd out the Manor House to try and make ends meet. Daisy does not give up hoping that Jay will return soon and ,ife can get back to normal.

We meet again all the characters we met in the first book and some new and interesting characters along the way. We also revisit some of the places we went before Daisy was married. Theres a few twists, some I guessed correctly others I didn't see coming at all. They say the apple never falls far from the tree, a saying that's well suited to one of the characters. I can't wait to read the final installment in the trilogy when it's published in the summer.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Dilly Court for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Village Secrets Trilogy by Dilly Court, A VILLAGE SCANDAL picks up from where "A Christmas Wedding" left off, as Daisy and Jay marry.

April 1869: It's been four months since Daisy and Jay Tattersall's disastrous Christmas wedding where only the couple, the vicar and witnesses showed up with no guests in attendance due to bad weather. Now, for the benefit of the village, Daisy and Jay remarry in a lavish ceremony and wedding breakfast held at Creek Manor, that Jay inherited from his philanderous father, and in which they now live with Jay's mother Mary, Daisy's friend Hilda and her children. The couple have lived a harmonious life together since their first wedding and Daisy could not be happier.

But their happiness is short-lived when, at the wedding reception, Jay is urgently called away to attend to trouble aboard his ship, the Lazy Jane. Leaving his bride, Jay dashes off into the night with promises to return, never to be seen again. His crew, Guppy and Lewis and Ramsden, are picked up by a passing vessel with reports of what took place but Jay could not be found. Believed to be lost at sea, Daisy refuses to give up hope that her husband is alive.

In Jay's absence, Daisy must take over the running of the estate and oversee the renovations to the tenant cottages but is soon met with the obstacle of finances when the bank refuses to let her draw on the estate funds. Jay had not made provision for this should anything happen, and so Daisy is left to make ends meet herself. With no money to pay the servants' wages for the last quarter or cover the costs of the cottage renovations, she finds herself in a quandary. She is then approached by Marjorie Harker with a business proposition which she declares will benefit them both. Marjorie, whose husband is with his regiment in India, seeks a promotion for him and ideal husbands for her daughters and to do that she wishes to rent Creek Manor for a year, which will suffice for the dignitaries she wishes to entertain. In return she will pay all Daisy's servants wages and cover the current estate costs. But what Daisy doesn't know is that she has just made a deal with the devil who upon moving into Creek Manor, treats Daisy as a mere servant in her own home. Will Marjorie Harker be content with giving up Creek Manor at the end of her stay? Or will Daisy have to fight for her place as lady of the manor?

Despite the many challenges she currently faces, Daisy continues to live in hope that Jay will soon return home and take up his rightful place as lord of Creek Manor. In the meantime, she meets Marius Walters and strikes up a business deal with him as a shipping agent for the Lazy Jane, reaping a tidy profit for herself.

Then just when the village had accepted his fate, Jay turns up in a London hospital, where Daisy's brother Toby works as a doctor, a shadow of his former self and no memory at all of who he is. She rushes to his side but is soon despairing of his condition and that he fails to recognises her. Daisy decides take him back to Creek Manor amongst familiar surroundings which may help spur his memory but upon arrival in Little Creek is disappointed to find that nothing is familiar to him. When Marius suggests a walk one evening with Jay to where the Lazy Jane is moored, Daisy is excited at the prospect that her husband will recognise his vessel which she hopes will spur on the rest of his lost memories. When Jay sees the Lazy Jane, his face lights up and at once he recalls her but Daisy's excitement is soon dispelled when that is all Jay recognises.

Then the following morning, she is even more shocked to learn that Jay has decided to sail with the Lady Jane as seafaring is what he knows...not life in a manor he has no recollection of. Before she knows it, Jay has left Creek Manor with her in charge, sailing off to who knows where.

But a scandal is in the midst which will not only set tongues wagging, but send Daisy's life into even greater turmoil than before. How will she face this new challenge? How will she get through it? And what does it mean for her?

In a return to Little Creek, A VILLAGE SCANDAL is filled with twists, turns and a few secrets that will have you turning the pages into the night. Following the theme of the first book, we revisit the characters we met the first time round as well as places old and new. I did find myself disappointed with the first part of the book with Marjorie Harker continually lording it over Daisy, despite her saving her pinched face from disaster. Any enjoyment I had in the story dissipated with the introduction of that particular plotline. However, it soon picked up with Jay's return as new mysteries evolved and was enamoured once again.

A VILLAGE SCANDAL certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and, despite a momentary lull, I found myself enjoying the ride. Readers will be captivated from the beginning and, in true Dilly style, will fall in love with the characters.

I look forward to the third installment "A Country Bride" to learn what becomes of Daisy and the village of Little Creek.

I would like to thank #DillyCourt, #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #AVillageScandal in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me hooked a bigamist sounded so charming and married a third time duping his third bride after inheriting a large estate from the Squire who had a dalliance with his mother. A rotten man and his illegitimate son seemed to be following in his footsteps. He escaped to Australia with his first wife and child leaving his third wife to manage his estate and a happy ending sees her marry a business parted who came to aid when she was in dire need. Can't wait to read the third book in this trilogy.

[Mrs Margaret Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I have just this minute finished this book and can't wait on the next one. I thoroughly enjoyed it .

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star read from Dilly Court. This was the second book in the village scandal trilogy, can't wait to read the next now. Love this trilogy will be so sorry when it comes to an end.

[Samantha Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of errors in this book, wrong names in wrong places.
I enjoyed the story, looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

[Claire Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

😽😻📚Claire Bear & Mel Mel's Book Reviews 📚😻😽 'A Village Scandal' by Dilly Court
Genre: Historical Fiction

About the Book: "After their hasty marriage the Christmas before, Daisy Marshall is overjoyed to be finally marrying dashing Jay Fox properly, in front of the whole village. But then, on the evening of their wedding, amid the festivities, Jay disappears. Daisy doesn’t know if Jay is dead or alive. Refusing to give up hope, Daisy must draw on all her strength and courage. But the secret of Jay's disappearance is more scandalous than she could have ever imagined."

My Review: I was hooked straight away! This story is highly entertaining and engaging. The mystery of the protagonist's husband's disappearance and the inner strength of the protagonist (Daisy) kept me turning the pages. Daisy is a three dimensional character. She is a strong and brave female. She has a powerful will not to give up against awful odds. Many of the other main characters are three dimensional. They provoked numerous emotions for me, especially in how they treated Daisy.
There are many exciting and drama-filled twists and turns. The story also has moments of humour especially with the village residents.
The ending is beautiful, it really warmed my heart. A perfect conclusion to the story.

Triggers - Violence & Marital Affairs.

I wish I knew this was part of a series previously. As this is the second book in the 'Village Secrets' series. That is not the author's fault, I should have done my research. However, I am hoping to read the first book like a prequel. I am looking forward to reading the final book in this series. I am truly enjoying Dilly Court's novel's.

Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.

If you would like to see more of my Book Reviews please visit - www.goodreads.com/clairebearmelmel
Or clairebearmelmel on Instagram

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about an unexpected twist!

SPOILERS INCLUDED IN MY REVIEW.

I really did not see this storyline panning out in the way it did and for that reason I've given it 5 stars. I initially marked 4 when I'd finished reading but I've given it more thought and think it deserves more.

SPOILERS COMING NOW.
At first I was so bitterly disappointed in Jay and the way his true colours came to light. I really didn't want him to be a flighty rogue, at the end of book one I honestly believed he'd changed and that he would be honourable and make Daisy happy. I didn't trust Marius at all and I was completely convinced that he was the one duping Daisy and he someone had a hand in Jay's disappearance. How wrong I was!!

I was actually in disbelief as the truth came to light and as I was reading it made me literally sit up and say "what?!" Once the truth came out I just couldn't put the book down and had to know more and understand what had gone on.

The way Jay behaved when everything came out made my blood boil and I was so invested and felt genuine anger and incredulity at how anyone could be so brazen.

For a while I was starting to get a bit bored, I found the whole section with Mrs Harker living in the house and manipulating Daisy quite laboured, but as I became more gripped I did feel that it was necessary to the story as it only made me more cross with Jay and feeling more loyalty to Daisy than ever.

It's been a while since I had such strong feelings about a story and wrote such a long review. Which is another reason I felt it deserved 5 stars!

[DrJ]

I have been bought the set of three novels in this series by Court by a friend, as they are set in the nineteenth century and the first installment strongly involved a medical theme. I wasn't too sure, as from my knowledge of the author's style, the front cover, the title, and synopsis, I approached it already suspecting it wasn't my cup of tea. But I'm fully aware you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, or its title. Although it's worth noting I usually prefer something with a little more grit but felt a sense of not exactly obligation, but wanted to at least give the series a go. I was, therefore, pleased to find that all three audio books are available through my library, so ...

Unabridged audio e version read by Annie Aldington borrowed from Norfolk Libby App.

So my thoughts... Daisy is a fiesty and strong character who I really like. Listening to the audio is pretty perfect for bedtime listening as it's not fast paced, and doesn't seep into my dreams in the way psychological thrillers do. But I was disappointed that the medical element in book one, the nursing, the cholera epidemics, the treating of minor ailments, was completely absent from this novel. So I found it easier than novel one because I knew the characters, but just didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much. It's also quite predictable. I could see how it was going to unfold so there was no drama or tension for me.

I'm also a little surprised by the titles in this series as they do not really accurately reflect the main plot and content.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story.
This is the 2nd in a trilogy, the first being "A Christmas wedding" which at the end of the book Daisy and Jay marry.
As we open this book Jay and Daisy are remarrying as their first wedding was met with disaster, because of bad weather, they had no guests.
Jay has inherited a large manor in the village they live in "Little creek" which they plan to live in with Jay's mother and Mary and her children. Jay is an adventurer and loves his boat the Lazy Jane.

On their wedding night Jay is urgently called away by one of his crew as there is trouble at the boat, he leaves behind his new bride dashing to the scene, never to be seen again. His crew were picked up by a passing fishing vessel, but Jay could not be found. Daisy is a strong woman who will not give up hope, she takes up the running of the manor and turns it into a thriving business, always living in hope that Jay will be found.

This book certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat and engrossed from the first page. I loved the different characters and cannot wait for the third episode to find out what happens Daisy.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book once it got going. I have to say firstly I am not sure how much sense it would make if you read it without the first in the trilogy. You would have little understanding of the characters or how they got to where they are or their relationships with each other so best to read the first one before this. I also found initially that although I had only read the first one just months ago back in October I forgot the relationships of the characters to each other and a little of the plot. I think it would have helped if the author had either had a character list in the book at the front or included somewhere a brief line or two about the character's history.
However, having said that once I got into the book I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters particularly Jay and I loved all the twists and turns. It kept me on my toes and wasn't at all slow or boring. A good read

[Willow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must be honest when i say, I really wanted Jay and Daisy to end up together. In my eyes it was a perfect romance but as always, too good to be true. Throughout the whole book i wished for Daisy and Jay to end up together. Even as they spent their last moments in the cabin on board The Lazy Jane i wished for Daisy to change her mind and ask Jay to stay with her. That,however, was not to be and it was not until the very last pages that i started to want for Marius and Daisy to be happy together. I mustn’t lie and i have to say that i did shed a tear more than once throughout this book because in some ways i feel a personal connection to Daisy and to Jay. But, me wanting them to be together stopped me from seeing how right Marius and Daisy are. It’s just a shame that things didn’t work out between Daisy and Jay but i think that this book was incredible and it never failed to keep me on the edge of my seat

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first book I was eager to read this one. Took me a bit longer to get properly into, tho perhaps that had more to do with constraints on my free time. Anyway...as always Dilly Court tells a good story & I love her fierce & strong female leads, this one didn't disappoint, at one time I cheered her on for being so independent and wily.
The book takes an unexpected twist of which I was shocked by, did not see that coming in the last book or at the beginning of this one, when they have only just celebrated their wedding again, this time with all their loved ones & friends present.
I liked the ending, as different as i thought it would play out, it was a perfect ending.

Didn't really plan on reading the 3rd book in the series as it doesn't involve our main characters, but I read the preview of it n think it sounds good & it still includes a lot of the characters, some of perhaps less so.

[Tina O'reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story begins with Daisy and Jay just getting married and returning to their home to celebrate. (They obviously met in Book 1). During the party the groom is called away and he doesn't come back. Daisy is young, has never run a large house before, and seems doomed to fail. It's the 1800's and women have no rights, she has no access to money as everything is controlled by her husband, despite the fact he is 'missing'. She is convinced Jay isn't dead, has just sailed off somewhere and she has to find a way to keep the house until he returns.
She befriends a business man who helps her make a living. He also helps her search for her lost husband. Everything is not quite as simple as it seems.

An easy to read book, predictable in parts. I had not read Book 1 but I don't think you need to to actually understand this book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas wedding ended with Jay and Daisy marrying without their friends and family because of the bad weather. This book starts with them marrying again in the spring with everyone they love there. Unfortunately their happiness is short lived when is called away and failing to return. Everyone thinks Jay is dead but Daisy won’t give on her husband and she rents out the Manor House to help pay the estates debts. Jay turns up in hospital a shadow of his former self and with no memory of who he is. Married life isn’t going how Daisy planned but she never gives up despite the obstacles that keep getting thrown in her way. There are many ups and downs for Daisy and the people of Little Creek making an interesting read. I can’t wait for the summer when book three comes out.

[MRS S PUSEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story

I'm an avid reader of this author i have read all of the books she has written most of them before I had my kindle a friend and I swapped them she is a brilliant story author i brought the Christmas wedding then changed authors for a while this story was really good and I remember all the main characters from that Jay was awful to Daisy using her like he did and 2other wives as well I'm glad she found out about him ,i can't wait to read the next book which I brought before i read this story,well done Dilly another great story would recommend this author to any avid reader.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Daisy and Jay's wedding night and as the celebrations begin, Jay is called out for business but when he doesn't return to the party Daisy starts to worry. There's no news from Jay, no one knows if he is dead or alive but her estate still needs looking after as does the people who rely on her.

The twists and turns of trying to stay afloat whilst being in limbo and not knowing if her husband is alive or dead, Daisy must carry on...

This is not my usual type of book, but it was enjoyable, a book with scandals, love and friendship.

[Melanie williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dilly Court definitely knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat with this book, a real nail biter. Poor Daisy is really an amazing character throughout the series, determined and ever ladylike she faces everything thrown at her head on with dignity and grace with her amazing support network of friends and servants I won't spoil the end of the book but it's apt and well deserved. Bring on the next installment I can't wait.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. As always Dilly Court has delivered a lively, entertaining, inspiring story.
This is the second book in a series, it follows Daisy and her turbulent love life, but it's so much more than that, the plot and especially the setting are just right. It's set in 1869, when people who had money employed servants and those who didn't struggled with poverty, but communities were important and everyone knew everyone else and their business.

[Shena Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a trilogy about the village of Little Creek and its villagers, not forgetting the occupants of Creek Manor.
We are reading these books for our Book Club, not the usual kind of book we read, but I would say these books are good as “holiday reads”. Very easy to read and certainly not complicated. It only took me a couple of days to read and I’ll now start on the final book in the trilogy, The Country Bride.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have read the first book in the series and enjoyed it very much., it is to be fair like the first book, quite an easy lightweght read but still full of content and i have enjoyed the lives and loves of all the main characters and how time porgresses and their lives change. I am now reading the third book

[Patricia Moren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second part to the \village Secrets Trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part and this one was just as good. Great characterisations and running the whole gamut of human emotions. It is such an entertaining series, you can feel very involved. I hope I get to read the third part.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered Dilly Court when I picked up one of her books from a book exchange on holiday. As ever this one did not fail to entertain. Fortunately it didn't matter that I hadn't read the first one in the series. It was somewhat predictable but still thoroughly enjoyable.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that kept me hooked till the end.
I loved the storytelling, the vivid historical background and the great cast of characters.
I look forward to reading other stories by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Maureen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow on

A great story in this family saga. I would have liked a family tree to show the whole families from the first book to the last. Looking forward dreading the final book

[Rachel Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the last book Jay had disappeared, and Daisy desperately tried to find out what happened to him. This book had many twists and turns and times where you felt happy, angry, and sad in equal measure. Yet again, another fantasticly written book. I look forward to the last in the series.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading

Another great story in this trilogy. Cannot wait u TIL the third one comes out. Just wanting to know what the final outcome is!

[Shirley Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dilly Court books . This series is fantastic full of twists and turns, can't wait for the 3rd ordered it already top marks Dilly👍👏xx

[cathie knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dougknott@hotmail.co.uk

Thoroughly enjoyed this book .Would highly recommend this author.can't wait to read the third book. Will be reading more of this author

[Alison Hurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally do girly books but this was a very good read.