An Island Princess Starts a Scandal - (Las Leonas) by Adriana Herrera

About the Book

"For Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan, the invitation to show her paintings at the 1889 Exposition Universelle came at the perfect time. Soon to be trapped in a loveless marriage, Manuela has given herself one last summer of freedom--in Paris, with her two best friends. Cora Kempf Bristol, Duchess of Sundridge, is known for her ruthlessness in business. It's not money she chases, but power. When she sees the opportunity to secure her position among her rivals, she does not hesitate. How difficult could it be to convince the mercurial Miss Caceres Galvan to part with a parcel of land she's sworn never to sell? Tempted by Cora's offer, Manuela proposes a trade: her beloved land for a summer with the duchess in her corner of Paris. A taste of the wild, carefree world that will soon be out of her reach. What follows thrills and terrifies Cora, igniting desires the duchess long thought dead. As they fill their days indulging in a shared passion for the arts and their nights with dark and delicious deeds, the happiness that seemed impossible moves within reach...though claiming it would cause the greatest scandal Paris has seen in decades." --

Book Synopsis

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

"Adriana Herrera is once again here to upend any outdated notions of historical romance." --Entertainment Weekly

One last summer.
For Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan, the invitation to show her paintings at the 1889 Exposition Universelle came at the perfect time. Soon to be trapped in a loveless marriage, Manuela has given herself one last summer of freedom--in Paris, with her two best friends.

One scandalous encounter.
Cora Kempf Bristol, Duchess of Sundridge, is known for her ruthlessness in business. It's not money she chases, but power. When she sees the opportunity to secure her position among her rivals, she does not hesitate. How difficult could it be to convince the mercurial Miss Caceres Galvan to part with a parcel of land she's sworn never to sell?

One life-changing bargain.
Tempted by Cora's offer, Manuela proposes a trade: her beloved land for a summer with the duchess in her corner of Paris. A taste of the wild, carefree world that will soon be out of her reach. What follows thrills and terrifies Cora, igniting desires the duchess long thought dead. As they fill their days indulging in a shared passion for the arts and their nights with dark and delicious deeds, the happiness that seemed impossible moves within reach...though claiming it would cause the greatest scandal Paris has seen in decades.

"...a fun, frothy, feminist voice in historical romance." --New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean

Can't get enough of the Las Leonas?

• Book 1: A Caribbean Heiress in Paris
• Book 2: An Island Princess Starts a Scandal
• Book 3: A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR ADRIANA HERRERA'S AN ISLAND PRINCESS STARTS A SCANDAL

One of Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)

One of the Chicago Public Library's "Must-Read Romance Books of 2023"

A "Ladies Get Lit" Pick for ABC's The View

One of NYPL's Best New Romance Books!

A Washington Post "Best Romance of 2023" Pick!

One of Kirkus Reviews' "Best Fiction Books of the Year"

One of the New York Public Library's "Best Books of 2023"

"Herrera's latest is a swoony manifesto on living life openly and proudly, and the enormous rewards that come with such gigantic risks." --Entertainment Weekly

"Herrera (A Caribbean Heiress in Paris) brings to life the epoch and her characters in this delicious and superbly researched historical romance." --Library Journal

"Herrera delivers another sumptuous and historically rich romance...The big emotions, exciting drama, and toe-curling sensuality make for an engrossing tale, but what stands out is the sense of community. This is a riveting story of finding one's person, but equally important, it's about finding one's people--the friends who understand, accept, embrace, and encourage...Empowering and exhilarating." --Kirkus, starred review

"With one heroine shackled to her past, and the other facing a lonely future, Herrera's romance stands elegantly balanced on the singular moment when change is possible." --New York Times Book Review

"Set against an alluring and expertly evoked historical backdrop that also artfully illustrates the cultural contributions of the Latinx community of the time, the latest boldly sensual, fiercely feminist addition to Herrera's Las Leónas series...will have romance readers swooning in delight." --Booklist

"Adriana Herrera is a fun, frothy, feminist voice in historical romance." --New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean