This series continues to be strong. Love Eva and Beeca's side plot was great to see. And Phillip was inventive and very sexy. Loved how he made things right in the end. Also really loved his Mom and seeing Nora and Julius having a role here. ( )

Lady Eva is a wonderful, heroine, brave and strong, smart and accomplished. I really appreciate that. The mean love interest needed to see her really see her and acknowledge her accomplishments and not just her beauty. ( )

A Scandalous Deal is part The Four Hundred Series set in New York City in the late 1800's. The 400 were a nickname for the richest society people in New York at the time, Vanderbilt, Astor, and our fictional family the Mansfield clan. Philip is a puzzle sometimes. He's a hard-headed businessman use to getting his own way and being right. The other side, that we see first, is flirty, playful, attracts women like moths to a flame. He's a good guy there's just two sides to him and he needs to blend the two together. Lady Eva Hyde is a nod to female architects trying to make it in a mans world. Apparently they existed but were quite overshadowed by men like Stanford White, who came to a scandalous end himself. Even Philip treats her condescending until our HEA, he finally gets it and they live HEA. ( )

My Rating 4.5 Stars

Lady Eva Hyde must act quickly. Her father has fallen ill and this could totally derail a critical deal involving a new hotel. Her father is a renowned architect and she has learned everything she knows from him, to the point that the very plans at jeopardy are none other than Eva's. However, the times don't really allow for that. She was rather unfortunate enough to have these remarkable skills in history at a difficult time, The Gilded Age, and women with such high skills just weren't acknowledged, accepted or appreciated.

Phillip Mansfield is a millionaire as well as a hotelier and will stop at nothing to see his first of its kind hotel erected. He is awaiting the architect, Lord Cassell, E.M. Hyde, to arrive to oversee the plans. In his stead, however, his daughter. Lady Eva, insists that his delay is only temporary, and that she is more than skilled to keep things on track.

This isn't the first they've met, however. They met briefly on a ship during their various travels and they most definitely hit it off. He heads to his developing hotel looking forward to meeting the esteemed architect, but he meets none other than Eva, and what she tells him is very upsetting. But, there are deadlines to be met, so, despite great reluctance, the project goes forward. Phillip is determined that the Hyde name be a part of his hotel. Eva and Phillip had made a powerful connection on the ship, and their chemistry is palpable, so there are definitely challenges ahead.

The question is how long can the two of them act like business only when they really want to be together? Also, how can Eva's talent grow despite the times they live in? Lastly, will this impact any chance she could with Phillip in the future? While this was of concern to me as a lover of romance, I was happy to see the story develop more on the lines of Eva's talent as an architect. I was kept engaged from their very first meeting until the happy conclusion.

I actually read the third book in this series, A Notorious Vow, several months ago, and just before reading this one, I read A Daring Engagement. The Four Hundred series is terrific, and I am saddened to see it end. Fortunately, The Rogues of Fifth Avenue, loosely related, and is the first in a new series, will be out in 2019. For those familiar with this engaging series, Frank Tripp finally gets his story.

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at https://www.robinlovesreading.com. ( )