This is the first novel of a very intriguing series that I’m following closely, having read and loved the prequel novella. In this book we get to know the daring and clever women who contribute to the famous magazine known as Goode’s Guide to Misconduct and the first one of them, the witty Daphne, finds her HEA. I really loved both characters, smart and outspoken Daphne, who’s often overshadowed by her more famous and clever siblings, and sweet Miles, whose rakish behavior is caused by a deep longing for companionship and love. The author is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine, because she can wonderfully write witty banter and steamy scenes alike and her characters are always well defined and true to life. A gorgeous read indeed!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 1/2*STARS*
It all started with a letter in the
Mrs.Goode's Magazine For Misses.
Titled: Aggrieved in Grosvenor Square.
Miss Daphne Burke isn't really noticed in her large family. The opportunity to write for the Magazine For Misses as Miss Busy B's my be her calling. Miles, Viscount Deveraux, is considered a rake. He decided to find a wife and marry by the end of June. White's book has bets on his success, or not. His betrothed ran off with another man for love on Miss Busy B's advice. He needs to find another lady. Daphne and Miles cross paths, again and again. Can a reformed rake make a good husband? With humor and fortitude this couple might make a match with love.
Open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I was delighted with the wit & wisdom found within The Lady Knows Best. Daphne may feel like she is overlooked in her family of accomplished siblings, but once she takes up the pen to create Miss Busy Bee she becomes front & centre. When trying to instruct others on why a rake can never truly be reformed, one must be careful not to fall prey to the man behind the rake. Truly, that devil Deveraux is hardly a devil at all once you get him out of he city. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The chemistry between Daphne & Miles lit up the page, but even more so did their connection. A truly enjoyable read.

[This review is for the ARC of The Lady Knows Best.]
Susanna Craig is a must-read author for me. Her books all have low tension, but they can be a good palate cleanser between more stressful reads. The Lady Knows Best fits this description, but the main conflict is stretched out so much that the book becomes boring during the middle section. Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy regency romance and want a break from kidnapping and murder plots.

The only caveat to this recommendation is that while this is a stand-alone, almost all of Daphne's, the MFC, family is in the story and there are a lot of characters from previous books to try to keep track of. Much like being Daphne at the dinner table, the reader is easily overwhelmed. I imagine coming into this book as a brand new Susanna Craig reader would be even more overwhelming for those sections. However, there aren't many and I think they're mostly fan service, though they do provide a good illustration of how Daphne withdraws around her family.

The plot device the story revolves around matches the synopsis of the book. Daphne's advice to a reader of her subversive column leads to Miles needing a new bride very quickly. This leads to the main conflict between Daphne and Miles. She thinks he's a rake and plans on using him. He's fully willing to go through with this marriage of convenience, but wants to win over his new bride.

I found this conflict between them to be drawn out too much throughout almost the entire book. Nothing was really added to it and when confronted with evidence that Miles isn't as rakish as she believed, Daphne stubbornly continues to think he's a rake. It makes her come off as an uncritical thinker, even though she's supposed to be known for being observant and giving good advice.

To go with this, Miles is more of a regency-era himbo than a rake. While this combination of things could be a very comedic through-line, there isn't enough misleading evidence of him being a rake for everyone to have such a bad opinion of him, but there also isn't enough humorous content to make the mistaken-rake concept funny and entertaining.

In conclusion, if this book was about the same length as the prequel, a lot of the issues I had with it would be resolved, simply due to better comedic timing. I really liked Miles and found him to be a somewhat unique male lead in the regency genre. I eventually liked Daphne by the end of the book, but I found her to be really annoying for most of it. The ending was written really well and tied up everything in a pretty bow. Throughout the book, several characters were introduced that are most likely going to be leads in future installments and I'm excited to read their books when they're published.

The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig
Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #1

The odd duck in the Burke family, always overlooked, merely average…or so she thinks...suddenly becomes the focus of rake Miles Viscount Devereaux often referred to as the devil, Devereaux. Daphne Burke has ideas that might make some think she is a bluestocking or radical reformer or just trying to find her position in the world so when an opportunity to write for a magazine appears, she is eager to take it thinking that she can write advice for young women even though she is still a rather naïve young woman herself. And then…the story really begins…

What I Liked:
* Miles: wealthy, good family, titled, only child, cares about his home and the person who raised him, good friend, perhaps dyslexic, deeper than he appears to be on the surface, I liked him
* Daphne: second to last sister, opinionated, likes animals, believes rakes are despicable and to be avoided but is rather tempted by Miles
* The idea of the Magazine and thinking that more than likely the women involved with it will star in the books of the series – getting to meet them in this book was a taste of what is to come
* Meeting Daphne’s family – I think some of them and Mrs. Goode were in previous books by this author
* Alistair Hawthorne, Earl of Ryland: older brother of seven sisters, responsible for his siblings for 15 years, has severe allergies, good friend, good friend of Miles, hope he has a book of his own
* The way Miles and Daphne’s perceptions about one another and what they wanted in life changed as they grew and matured through the story
* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to

What I didn’t like:
* That it took awhile for me to warm up to Daphne and actually believe she and Miles would have a good marriage…it did happen though…over the telling of the story.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

The first in a new series, The Lady Knows Best introduces us to Miss Goodes female produced periodical for daring and dangerous women! Daring because they choose to fight the norm and dangerous, because they upset the patriarchy.

Daphne Burke is an outstanding young woman who is constantly being outshined by your family… Until her sister‘s mischievous cat introduces her to Miss goods periodical. Incensed when she learns of a woman’s dilemma over a philandering fiancé, she decides to state her opinion and put it in writing as the periodical‘s newest advice columnist!

As the buzz over her advice in the ensuing dissolved engagement spreads across the ton, Daphne is surprised to find that the philandering fiancé knows she was the busy little bee spouting the advice. Now to keep her secret Viscount Devereaux insists she find him a new fiancé!

Deciding to take this, as an inspiration, Daphne decides to investigate the dastardly ways of the rake, and offers her self up as Deveraux’s new fiancé as she secretly investigates his perfidies!

Full of mischievous cats and nosey relatives, this was a cute romance between two individuals, not looking for love, finding it in the most convenient place… With their fiancé!

I’m excited to see where this series goes and what other fun escapades the periodical’s content will inspire!

Thanks to Kensington books for my review. Copy. Opinions are my own.

This was my first book by this author. I don't think I'll read another because it was too explicit for my tastes. I had to skip over a couple spots. I did enjoy the premise of the book and always like it when someone is surprised by another's character and depth. The only thing I thought was missing was a defense of Daphne to her family as they were overlooking her.

Although Daphne did let her preconceived ideas color the way she interpreted everything Miles did or said, I appreciated that she learned to really see him and came to understand him better.

I think many will like it because the story is interesting; however, it may be too suggestive for some audiences.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

On the whole, this is a cute read, although I swear to God the number of times ‘that devil Deveraux’ was said (or thought) made me want to scream. I get it; he's a rake and a scoundrel. I understood that much the first three times he was called by that moniker. I also wish we would have seen more instances of him actually being a rake, even the reason his fiancee decides to jilt him is jaded, as Daphne wasn't in possession of the fact that when his fiancee said she caught him "playing chess," it wasn't some sort of euphemism for sex. Perhaps had she known that to begin with, her advice would have been different. But then we wouldn't have had much of a story.

Elaborating on that, the concept of Daphne being Miss Busy B was a good one, but on the whole, did little for the plot other than cause Miss Grey to jilt Miles, and paint Daphne in a very unflattering light. She spends the first half of the book thinking to herself how she's going to allow Miles to "court" her all with the intention of learning all his dirty tricks and exposing him in such a way that no one in the ton will ever have anything to do with him again. A bit extreme considering she doesn't know anything about him other than gossip and the letter his former betrothed sent, which isn't clear on the fact that he wasn't cheating.

I admit, I was also confused as to why a group of women meeting in secret to discuss the highly controversial pamphlet they are publishing under pseudonyms would leave the door to their hidden meeting room open enough that someone could not only find it but be able to eavesdrop without being seen. That seems a little counter-productive to me, and used only to explain Daphne's involvement instead of just making her a member somehow from the start.

My opinions on the group aside, Miles was too quick to discover the truth and hold it over her head in exchange for her trying to find him another bride. I would rather see more of her writing for the column while Miles attempted to court her as an eligible bride so that once the truth came out, there would be a conflict that they had to overcome. As it stood, what conflict there should have been was easily dispensed of without any drama whatsoever. It seemed very anti-climatic, considering the drama surrounding Daphne riding off to London by herself, effectively leaving Miles at the alter.

Even with these issues, I did enjoy the authors writing style, and I would read more from this series (especially since I have not only enjoyed other stories by them, but also because I am curious to see how this series plays out.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Daphne stumbles into a meeting of the authors behind the publication, Mrs. Goode's Guide to Homekeeping, the Magazine for Misses. Actually it's a magazine promoting freethinking for women. When she overhears a letter being read from a young debutante saying that she found her fiancé "playing chess" with another woman in the library.....Daphne couldn't help but give her opinion that the letter writer should dump him. When the publisher realizes Daphne's family connections, she makes her an advice columnist. Miles has bet he will be wed by the season's end and now he's in need of a bride quickly. Everyone knows he's a rake out to win a bet so it won't be easy. Daphne considers herself the ordinary one in a family of beauty and accomplishment. Miles was orphaned young and has a fear of being alone. When Miles figures out Daphne's secret identity, she proposes marriage, but secretly has a plan to ruin him. Daphne's older married siblings play part and I felt like I was missing something. So I checked, and yes, they are the characters from the Rogues and Rebels series, which I haven't read (but will now). There's also a mention of the infamous Robin Ratliff novels, a reference to Who's That Earl. Overall, very enjoyable characters and I'm looking forward to reading more about the writers' of the Mrs. Goode magazine.

Daphe Burke finds her advice column, the perfect outlet for her views but when she advises a woman to break off her engagement to a notorious rake, then she finds herself in hot water. Miles, Viscount Deveraux, who is often called ‘that devil Deveraux’, needs a respectable bride by the end of the Season, and he’s bet a fortune that he can get one. With his fiancée calling off their engagement very publicly with the assistance of Miss Busy B, it seems reasonable for the person responsible to come to his rescue and marry him instead. Fortunately, Daphne is eager to escape London’s marriage mart and agrees to a courtship, if only to turn him down. Yet, she finds being ruined by Miles, so much fun that when the time comes to break off their courtship, she is definitely uncertain.
As with many of Susanna Craig’s characters, Daphe is an independent woman who knows her own mind. Likewise, there is always a hidden story to the men, who at first or in society’s view, are perceived as a rake. Both Daphe and Miles are a great couple who enjoy each other’s company, with plenty of witty dialogue to reinforce this. Not only is this a romance, but a book that is fun and entertaining.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Lady Knows Best is not my favorite Susanna Craig book, it's a little on the bland side, and I will admit that I prefer bland to over the top angst, any day. I really liked Miles, he was really nice, despite his reputation. Daphne was less interesting, to me. There were some very likeable side characters, Alistair and Lady Deveraux stand out to me, and I expect we will see more of them in the future. All in all it is a sweet story, but it didn't really pull me in. 3-1/2 stars

I received this ARC for free but I am giving my honest opinion voluntarily.

The Lady Knows Best is a delightful and often sweet historical romance, set against the backdrop of a lady's magazine for less-than-well-behaved ladies. There's an unfortunately impactful advice column, a courtship of convenience, a questionable wager, and a slow slide into surprise feelings.

Basically, this book is a solid regency romance that's a good time to read, if not particularly memorable afterward. I did feel that parts of the story were rushed - both Daphne and Miles seem to turn on a dime with their feelings - and that the magazine itself could have gotten more time to shine. But overall, the characters were enjoyable and complex, the banter witty, and the ending satisfying.

3.75/5

London - 1810

Daphne Burke is part of a large family. Her older siblings have married well, some with titles and some working in the government in high offices.

While visiting a bookstore one day, she happens upon a group of women having a meeting and realizes they are the ones who write Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses. She is invited by the head of the magazine to be the new Advice Columnist. She decides to call herself Miss Busy B. She is given a letter from a concerned young lady who happened upon her fiancé in a questionable situation and asks what she should do. Daphne advises her to break off her engagement which she does.

Miles, Viscount Deveraux, also known as devil Deveraux, is the man who has been jilted. He’s worried because he had placed a bet saying he could marry a respectable young woman by the end of the season and he cannot afford to lose. Miles approaches Daphne at a soiree as he figured out she is Miss Busy B and informs her she has to find him a new wife right away.

While Daphne thinks she has Miles figured out and that he is just another rake, she soon learns how wrong she is. Now, she is on a mission to somehow take back her words and bring about a happy ending. This just keeps getting more and more tangled up.

Oh dear. This book is full of silliness. Eileen, the cat, is my favorite character. I liked Miles too especially when we see him for the really wonderful man that he is. I guess this shows how totally naive some women of these period were.

Copy provided by NetGalley and Goodread Wins in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A great start to a new series by Susanna Craig! Full of strong characters, brilliant storytelling, steamy scenes, and much more!

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was clever, fun, steamy, and kept me reading. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next and didn't want to put it down. This book is a standalone story, though it is the first book in the Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series as well as other books by this author.

This is the first book in a new series. The story centers around Daphne, advice columnist for Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses, aka Goode’s Guide to Misconduct, and Miles, a rake, plain and simple, or so she thinks. They meet when she advises his fiancé to break their engagement (a bit of trouble at a ball). From there, these two are off a romp. This is a delightful story full of fun, witty banter, misunderstandings, and discovery. Daphne and Miles are great characters and definitely belong together. The other characters in the book set the stage for the series. There are the ladies who produce the magazine and friends of Miles and Daphne. An enjoyable story and great start to a new series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is perhaps a 'How to lose a guy in ten days' Historical, the most similar to the film that I read and also very detached from that history
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Lady Daphne Burke always goes unnoticed in her family, being one of the youngest of her sisters and overshadowed by her younger sister who follows all the fashions. Until by chance, or rather with the help of a very elusive kitten, he finds a staff meeting for one of the most controversial magazines among society women "Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses" trying to be a guide to improve conduct and promote wisdom among them, but also known as "Goode’s Guide to Misconduct" witty, clever, and often with rebellious ideas
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Daphne is offered a position to write a column responding to letters from readers and in her first assignment she advises a young lady to follow her heart and break the engagement with the most notorious rake
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Miles finds himself without a future wife overnight and with a little more than fifteen days left to fulfill the bet. All because of Miss Busy B, who he plans to find and demand she writes a letter retracting . But when he finds her, she offers him a totally different deal
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Daphne is so much more than Miles bargained for and trying to woo her while she seems to have a completely different agenda can be quite the challenge
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A bet, an article about the dangers of falling in love with a rake, a group of women with a lot to say and meddling, and an elusive cat make it impossible to take your eyes off this story
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I personally read it in one day and enjoyed every bit of it
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Thanks to Susanna Craig and Kensington Books for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

Miles and Daphne’s story is a total delight! I have not been acquainted with this author’s works, but now that I have, I can’t wait for the next. This unconventional and gutsy heroine enters into a wager with a renowned Rake to gather information about his proclivities , in order to write her scathing article about him in her Women’s magazine. He has his own agenda. What neither of them counted on was finding out that the other wasn’t at all the person they thought them to be, and , instead, truly falling in love with one another! A most enjoyable read!

What a wonderful premise and start to a new series! An endearing and amusing story showing how much trouble an advice column can get you into! (well good trouble in this case!)

When Daphne advises a subscriber to the Miss Goode's Magazine column for ladies to leave her fiance, said fiance, Miles tracks her down. He is desperate to marry a respectable lady and starts to court her. Her intention though is to just pretend to court him for that intent.

Humor, witty banter and a journey to a happy ending.. That is if she can just let go of her determination!

Susanna Craig has done it again! The Lady Knows Best is the first official book in the Goode's Guide to Misconduct series. We follow Daphne as she stumbles into becoming Miss Busy B for Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses. Her first task? Advising a young miss to break her engagement to a notorious rake, Miles, Viscount Deveraux. After running into each other at an event, Miles figures out Daphne's little secret and blackmails her to aid him in finding a bride by the end of the season so he can win a bet. I loved watching Daphne and Miles navigate each other's blackmail, their burgeoning feelings, and their very interesting families. Daphne has a large family teeming with accomplished siblings and in-laws where she feels inadequate and shadowed. I enjoyed seeing her interactions with her family and how she had to confront how she sees herself versus how others actually see her. Miles has a very small family, technically he only has his fun-loving grandma who is not limited by her loss of eyesight, but he also ingratiated best friend Alistair and his seven sisters into his little family. I loved the friendship between Miles and Alistair. It really felt like they were definitely friends since childhood with their own little inside jokes and understanding of each other. I think we may see Alistair in a future installment of this series and I'm very excited about that. We also get to see Lady Stalbridge, who is the star of the prequel novella Nice Earls Do, and the other members of the Magazine. I liked seeing Daphne interact with them and strike up a kind of frenemies situation with Miss Cooper, whom I hope we get to see more of in later books.
I liked that this book stayed pretty light and fun. Miles is one of my favorite kind of rake characters, the fun, sarcastic, charmer. He isn't broody or angst-ridden. I also loved seeing the depth in his character as he starts to really think about what he wants and what Daphne would want. Daphne is a bit bossy and prickly, but we also see that she struggles with some anxieties and self-doubt. It was nice to see her development into someone who was more confident in herself but also who recognizes that maybe she put her family members on their pedestals and that there is always more than the surface level to people. No spoilers, but there is not a real third act breakup in this book. So if that's something you're on the hunt for, check this one out!
This was such a good start to the series, and I'm very intrigued to read more! I think I have an idea on the next couple. But also, if the author would be up to give us another prequel or .5 book about Cami and Gabriel's love story I would 100% be down for that.