I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig is a new release that is the start of a new Regency Romance series: Goode’s Guide to Misconduct.

Daphne Burke is a sensible young woman who suffers a bit from middle child syndrome. Her large family is peopled by originals and she is left feeling ordinary. But she gets her chance to shine, albeit anonymously, when she stumbles upon a meeting of the staff of a new sensational publication, Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses. Its intended purpose is to inspire women to think for themselves and be more independent. Daphne is all for that. And when she is invited to write an advice column, she dives right in. The first letter she answers is from a young lady who must marry a rake but doesn’t want to. She’s certain he is unfaithful and knows the only reason he proposed is to win a bet. Daphne’s advice is simple. Don’t marry him.

It turns out the rake is Miles, Viscount Deveraux. He did make an impetuous bet that he would be married by the end of the month. Knowing his reputation, his friends all bet against him. Now he’s even more determined to marry. Miles’ reasons are deeper than he lets on; it’s not just pride and/or money spurring his drive to win the bet. Still, he is guilty of pretty much everything that is said about him in London.

Miles discovers that it was Daphne who wrote the advice column that will lose him the bet. Since she is desperate to keep her identity a secret, and he is desperate to win that bet, he extracts from her an agreement to marry. But she wants him to woo her to make it convincing.

So, the fake courtship. Except that Miles doesn’t realize it’s fake. He feels guilty for blackmailing her, but thinks he can win her over. She, on the other hand, is using the opportunity to study the behavior of a “rake” in order to write an essay for the magazine to warn other young women what to guard against.

It’s no surprise that over the course of the wooing, they fall in love. They come to appreciate one another’s strengths and understand one another’s weaknesses. They also discover an intense physical attraction that they indulge. Fans of moderately steamy romance will find all the usual elements of slow-build seduction. But there is more to the development of the relationship than sex.

There remains the essay for Daphne to complete. And the bet to be won. And this conflict keeps the story interesting until its happily ever after.

Daphne, secretly an advice columnist, suggests a young woman break her engagement to a notorious rake. Miles, Viscount Deveraux—the jilted groom—discovers Daphne's identity. He needs a respectable bride by the end of the season to avoid losing a fortune in a wager. He proposes to Daphne, saying he'll unmask and ruin her if she refuses. Is it true that reformed rakes make the best husbands?

This is an entertaining book with fun characters. Despite Miles' threats, he's really a big cinnamon roll who would never hurt Daphne. She matures over the course of the novel, learning the harm gossip can do.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 stars rounded to 4. Susanna Craig is an engaging writer and I always look forward to her books. She does a nice job with plot, world-building, and the language/mannerisms in her Regencies are less anachronistic than most. The highlight for me is usually her witty dialog, which is in abundance here. Scenes move along smoothly, with a lack of unnecessary angst and overdone baddies, and the love scenes between Miles, the MMC, and Daphne, the MFC, are nicely slow-burn.

Why the 3.5 stars then? It’s all about the characters.

It took me forever to warm up to Daphne, who is judgmental and jealous with a sizable chip on her shoulder. I missed the prequel novella, so maybe there are insights into her character that I’ve missed, but I just didn’t care for her. Honestly, though, there aren’t a lot of positive female characters to be found here, other than Miles’s Grandmama.

My biggest gripe: Lady Stalbridge, an older lady of the Ton who should know better, pressures a clueless Daphne to pursue the rake angle for Miss Goode's magazine. Daphne has no experience dealing with rakes (when LS assures Daphne that she won't be ruined by putting herself in close contact with Miles, simply because of Daphne’s cleverness and her family's power, it seems false and manipulative). It would have made more sense if Daphne were, say, a not-too-experienced widow who'd been writing for Goode's for a while. Further, LS condones Daphne’s questionable rumor-mongering, not caring that the implication in the “Busy Bee” column is insupportable (even if Miles has a bad rep, basic rule of journalism is stick to facts and double-check your sources). LS in fact plans to milk the topic and drag Miles’s reputation further into the mud to sell magazines. The author likely chose the “chess” angle to add an element of humor and to make it easier for Miles to deduce that Daphne was "Busy Bee", but I would have respected the ladies much more if they’d showed concern for ethics and tried to repair the damage early on. Printing a note in the next issue of Miss Goode’s would have been a place to start.

Also, just a pet peeve here, but I wish the vibe amongst the ladies at the women's publication had been less snarky and more supportive.

As for Miles, despite the nasty rep, he's perfectly likable, what I'd call a “cinnamon roll hero in a devil's food cake disguise”, as so many rakes in Regencies are these days. He's basically a guy with a bit of a naughty past who did something stupid involving a bet and his betrothed when he was drunk. Not the most mature guy, but sweet and perfectly reformable. I felt uncomfortable when he was getting the cut direct by the ton, Daphne’s family was criticizing him, and meanwhile Daphne was considering wrecking his social standing. It just felt like “let’s dump on Miles” for most of the book.

None of Daphne's family members was all that memorable to me, which is a shame, because they take up space in the plot that could have been used for Daphne and Miles talking things over. Names and faces seemed to blend into each other. Some series are great at the “huge wacky family” things, others not so much, and nothing against this author but it just misses the mark here. As mentioned, I did like Miles's Grandmama, and I also liked his BFF, Alastair, who seems like an interesting guy. I do intend to read his book in the series.

Everything is resolved as expected. Daphne learns her lesson, although I wished she’d had to grovel more.

Overall: this is a well-written first book in the series, but I just didn't care for the MFC and felt that too much focus was on peripheral characters, particularly her family members. Also wasn't on board with the Goode magazine's ethics issues. Hoping that Alastair’s book will be more fun.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own.

This had the feel of a sweet regency similar to Ella Quinn. It gets an extra bonus from me for having a main character named Daphne (my daughter's name) which I love. While I thought the writing was excellent and made for an enjoyable read, the logistics of the plot require you to take a number of things at nothing more than the word of the author and accept it. This is definitely a suspend your disbelief tale.

Daphne stumbles upon a meeting of the ladies behind Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses and is immediately recruited to be their new advice columnists (don't ask why, it doesn't make sense). She quickly writes her first and only answer to a letter causing the end of the engagement of our hero (from this point forward she is cast as an expert advice giver as if she's been writing this column for years). Miles is a rake or at least we are told over and over again that he is a rake but he's never actually shown behaving in any rakish or devilish manner. Well there was that one actress, that one time. A fake courtship ensues because Daphne needs to write an article about rakes and Miles needs to get married by July 1. This story is filled with the requisite characters from the author's other books, past and future. Daphne is the figurative red headed stepchild of her amazing and talented family, the bland one who spends all her time feeling sorry for her self that she doesn't have her siblings looks or talent, it got old pretty fast. Miles reminded me more of a that sweet, little bit naughty boy who you can't help but love. While I think the development of their relationship was well done, they slowly fall for each other while both having ulterior motives for being together, my quibbles with the plot issues outweighed everything else. I would be willing to give this author another shot though.

Barbara’s rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars

I read and enjoyed the prequel novella for this series. It nicely set up the premise behind Goode’s Guide to Misconduct publication. It also introduced us to Lord and Lady Stalbridge, and Lord Manwaring who are featured in this book as well. To add even more existing characters to the lineup, the female lead in The Lady Knows Best is the sister of the characters from this author's Rogues and Rebels series. With all of those characters and the new characters added to this story, there are a lot of people to keep up with.

Daphne Burke feels she is the ugly duckling among the six Burke children. The other five are blessed with beauty, talent, and intelligence and she . . isn’t. Among those five – there is a highly successful poet, a very successful writer, a renowned botanist, and one of the most successful barristers in the kingdom – even her younger sister, Bellis, is bright and beautiful. Daphne is the forgotten Burke, the one who is always overlooked, overtalked, and forgotten. So, when she accidentally stumbles upon a very private meeting of the people who produce and publish Goode’s Guide to Misconduct and ends up with an offer to write an advice column – well – she can’t wait to say YES! Little does she know what that one accidental encounter will bring her.

Miles, Viscount Deveraux, is also known as ‘that devil Deveraux. I’m not sure why that is the case because his shortcomings don’t seem any worse than other rich, titled, single men of the time. Actually, he is probably better because he didn’t have anything to do with innocents – his exploits were all with experienced widows, mistresses – and gambling, of course. Anyway, Miles inadvertently ends up with a bet at Whites saying he’ll marry a proper society lady before the end of June. That is proceeding along very nicely – until his soon-to-be-betrothed jilts him because of advice she’d gotten from some magazine. Well! Whoever wrote that advice column owes him a bride, and he's going to collect!

I was happy to see Daphne come around for their HEA, but, frankly, I had a really hard time warming up to her. I think it was because, through most of the book, she seemed to take such delight in ruining a rake. In one spot she thinks, “She would write an essay on rakes – which was to say, an essay on that devil Deveraux. Shocked by the essay’s revelations, society would turn its back on him for good.”

I had come to like the characters and the story by the end of it, but I didn’t care for the characters at all until around the 50% mark. That is a long time to wait to begin to warm up to characters you should have been rooting for all along. Hopefully, you’ll love them from the beginning.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In a family filled with extraordinary people, Daphne Burke feels very ordinary, smart but not brilliant, pretty but not gorgeous, in short, nothing special in a family filled with exceptional. But that changes when she stumbles into a secret staff meeting for the popular periodical Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses and gives her opinion of a letter sent to the publication asking for advice about the marriage her father arranged for her – Lady Stalbridge, the head of the magazine gives her a job and Miss Busy B’s advice column is born. But Daphne is not prepared for the ramifications of her advice, nor for the handsome rake whose plans she has wrecked. She will soon find herself in a unique position, blackmailed and courted by the man she still seeks to ruin.

Miles, Viscount Deveraux, is not happy to learn his betrothed has dumped him, but he is far from heartbroken, he is, however, a bit put out as now he has less than a month to find a new bride or he will lose a considerable sum to an ill-advised wager stating he would be married by the end of the June. He sets out to find a new bride, but his reputation as a rake hinders him, that is until he figures out that Miss Daphne Burke is the harbinger of his downfall. When he threatens to expose her as Miss Busy B, she agrees to help him find a new bride and even offers to marry him herself. Intrigued and feeling a bit bewitched, Miles soon decides that Daphne is the bride for him and sets out to win her. Will he succeed or will Daphne hold to her plan to bring this rake down?

What a great start to a new series! I was delighted to realize that the heroine is part of the Burke family, who were featured in a previous series, and that the reader is treated to glimpses of her sibling’s HEAs! And as delightful as Daphne and her family are, they dim next to Miles and his BBF, Alistair. It is not often that I take note of a friendship between characters in a book, but for some reason, the friendship between Miles and Alistair really touched my heart, they were just so good for each other. Not to mention we get to catch up with Lord and Lady Stalbridge as well as her stepson Viscount Manwaring. This book was just filled to the brim with secrets, plans that go awry, great secondary characters, steamyish love scenes, a mischievous cat, and a HEA that includes a very sweet epilogue. The story did feel like it dragged a bit in the middle, but the ending more than makes up for that. This is the first book in the new series, but there is a prequel novella, Nice Earls Do, that sets up the series and I would recommend reading that first as it will clear up any questions that you might have about Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Misses. Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable read that I would be happy to recommend, and can’t wait for the next installment.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Daphne Burke wants to contribute to society, just like her accomplished older siblings. One day she gets her chance, stumbling into a the secret group of women who write the much talked about "Magazine for Misses", known in the ton as "Ms. Goode's Guide to Misconduct." Daphne becomes "Miss Busy Bee," writer of their advice column. Daphne's first order of business? Take down the rakes of the world! Unfortunately, she's messed with the wrong rake: Miles, known about town as "that devil Deveraux". After Daphne thwarts his engagement, Miles is on the offense. Soon he discovers that it's Daphne who did it! He threatens to expose her if she doesn't find him a new wife in six weeks time. Her response? "Choose me." Thus begins a delicious FAKE engagement...or IS IT?!?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. This is a classic historical romance. We're seeing garden parties, balls, beautiful dresses, and people of the ton playing mental chess with each other. Then we head to the English countryside, which was beautifully written. What's not to love? The author is a gorgeous writer. I enjoyed the dialogue and the way the love scenes were written. The chemistry was there from the start, and the slow burn was terrific. The epilogue was perfection. It had me swooning on the last page, which is my FAVORITE.

I was a bit confused by the summary touting this being Susanna Craig's "print debut." There's quite a bit of this book that hinges on our knowing Daphne's older siblings, who seem rather two dimensional without any background knowledge. Their pasts were referenced so much, but not in enough detail, that I had to assume they'd had their own books. After doing some digging I learned that there is a prequel (book 0.5) in this series: "Nice Earls Do," as well as an entire series focused on Daphne's older siblings: the "Rogues and Rebels". (You can find these books in paperback, so I'm still confused by the "print debut" statement.) Thankfully, the characters we focus on in this book are beautifully fleshed out.

The plot was enjoyable! There were a few twists that I anticipated, but I still looked forward to reading to the end to see exactly how things would play out. I found myself so happy for these characters. I love a rake who turns out to be a big softy at heart. I love a smart woman who is smart enough to know when to follow her heart. If you're looking for a story that more than fits the bill for historical romance novel, look no further! A solid good time!

I'd like to thank Kensington Books, Zebra, and Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Historical romance. Regency-era England. Book 1 of the Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series. Daphne stumbles onto a meeting of the anonymous writers of a forward-thinking women’s magazine and somehow gets assigned the task of writing a reply to a young lady asking what to do after catching her arranged fiancee with another woman. Miles, a terribly rakish viscount, ends up the victim of the advice column when his fiancee calls off the engagement. He realizes that Daphne is the anonymous authoress and blackmails her into finding him a suitable replacement or else he’ll expose her writing. Meanwhile, her mentor at the magazine encourages her to write an essay about troublesome rakes and use the attentions of the viscount as research. Daphne offers herself up for marriage, mostly to gather research about Miles until he calls it off, but also because she’s attracted to him anyway. Over the course of the book, we find that Miles is more than what he seems and we’re just waiting for Daphne to realize it too. It’s a fun set up for a series and also a nice callback to Daphne’s older siblings who are the main characters of some of Craig’s previous books.

A historical novel with wonderful secondary characters (Alistair and Miles' grandmother).Miles is less of a womanizer than expected - in this case the lady doesn't know any better, in fact Daphne is a little too prejudiced and judges a little too hastily

3.25/5. Weak plot based on the preposterous notion that a naive young lady, who has achieved none of her own wishes, can advise other young ladies on how to attain theirs.

The self-righteous busy-body Daphne made some rather big assumptions about the conduct of Viscount Deveraux. When he called her on it, she then pretended to atone for her role in Miles being one fiancée short all the while gathering more information to further blacken his name. The unlikeable Daphne is quick to judge and willing to lie and cheat in her quest to prove her erroneous ideas about so-called rakes.

Miles is your typical misunderstood hero, far nicer than his reputation of being the "Devilish Deveraux" except for the inane insistence on continuing the ridiculous wager to marry by a certain date. Daphne did eventually open her eyes to the truth and grow a conscience but perhaps she left it too late - for me at least.

The secondary characters were great. Alistair made for an amazing wingman. The spritely grandmama is a force of nature, not letting blindness nor her shriveled body hold her back from exerting her will and her will is to see Miles happily married.

Craig can write and despite the poorly conceptualised plot and the tunnel-visioned Daphne, there was enough in this book to make it enjoyable.

I wouldn’t say that the “lady knows best” in this romance. She continually jumps to conclusions about the hero, Miles, based on his reputation as a rake. But he isn’t really a rake. He’s actually a kind-hearted man who just wants to get married in time for his grandmother’s 80th birthday. I ended up liking him more than Daphne, as she planned to get engaged to him and then write a nasty essay about him and cry off from the engagement. That is really a dishonest thing to do no matter her motivation.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

3/5. Releases 4/25/2023.

For when you're vibing with... lighthearted romance, historical heroines with jobs, Bridgerton vibes, and low stakes.

Outspoken Daphne Burke loves her secret role of advice columnist. The problem is that her latest advice has led to the rakish Miles, Viscount Deveraux, to be left by his fiancee. Bigger problem? Miles bet his fortune on bagging a bride by the end of the Season. Now bride-less, he tracks down Daphne and demands that she marries him instead. She agrees... planning to turn him down after a two-week courtship. If only Miles wasn't so fun...

This one wasn't quite for me, but I see the appeal. If you're looking for a lighter historical, this one is witty and could do the job.

Quick Takes:
--Miles is a classic rake, and entertaining on that level. What is he supposed to do??? Accept the consequences for his actions??? Do WORK??? Perish the thought! It's easy to see why Daphne, for all her headstrong nature, is charmed by him. He's got a vibe.

--That said, I feel like the romance was missing from this one. There is romance, there is sex, it's all technically there, but something just... didn't connect for me. I felt this book did a lot to set up the rest of the series, and less to make me really believe that Daphne and Miles were falling in love. It seemed like they fell because it was the thing to do, not because they were actually... falling.

--The stakes could've been ramped up. For all that Miles is a fun rake in theory, I never felt like anyone was in danger of being seduced and abandoned. Obviously, you don't want your rake heroes to actually do that (... normally...) but there should be this sense of understanding why he's seen as scandalous and untrustworthy. Here I was like "well honestly, he's not bad".

The Sex Stuff:
There is a bit of sex in this book, and it's neither super detailed nor super withheld. It's a lot like the book in general: not super alarming, not super outstanding. Perfectly fine.

I don't have a lot of complaints, but I'm also not super blown away. Again, I think this was a case of the book just not being right for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 Stars! This was the first book in the new series ‘Goode’s Guide to Misconduct’ and can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this book, even though at times it seemed to drag on. The main characters are Daphne/Miss Busy B and Miles/Lord Devereux. I liked both main characters and was glad they got an HEA ending. The ‘sexy times’ were hot and not overly detailed. I do wish they had had a bit more romance and chemistry but it still worked as it is. Can’t wait to read secondary character Alastair’s book!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

I really enjoyed Susanna Craig's previous series (Love & Let Spy) and was so excited to see what she had come up with for a new series. And I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed the idea of all the women involved with the magazine and I'm looking forward to getting to know each of them as the series progresses. My only complaint with this entire book was that I wish I had gotten to see more of what Daphne would have done as Miss Busy Bee. She writes just the one response (which she second guesses throughout the rest of the story) but Lady Stalbridge later talks about how she always gives good level-headed advice - how would she know? I think it just would have worked better had she already been involved with the magazine from the beginning or had written more advice columns throughout the story. Other than that, I really liked this book. I loved Daphne as a character - it was nice watching her go from feelings of inadequacy to taking control her life and making decisions that she knew would make her happy. The final version of her essay is something you wish young ladies in that time would have been able to read and emulate. Miles is a more complicated character than we sometimes get in romance stories. I am glad that Daphne was determined to learn more about him and find out who he really was. And with Miles working to find out the true nature of Daphne's character made it clear these two would be perfect for one another. I am very much looking forward to see what the rest of the story has in store for us!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️,5/5
Steam: 🌶️🌶️/5

This was a charming fake dating story. Miles on the stole my heart and especially halfway through the book when they go to the country I fell in love with him.
I am just a sucker for a good reformed rake story, or someone who seems like a rake, but is actually just a big cinnamon roll.
The grandmother just was the cherry on top and was there hinting there throughout the book who the next main characters in this series are going to be?
If so, I am dying to read their story!

Small spoilers while I talk about Daphne:


Daphne however, I still don’t know how I feel about her. She bothered me and I felt she didn’t give Miles a good chance. She also got lots of chances to back down and didn’t take them. If you are woman enough to write that column then why aren’t you assertive enough to say you want to back out?

Overall this was a charming story, but it didn’t blow me away.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington books for providing an ARC.

Women are more then property to be acquired through marriage or a way to breed heirs and Daphne has an opinion on it. Miles needs people around him so he lays a wager that can get married by a certain date but he has an underlying motive. It's a cute historical romance.

3 stars.

***********************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.********************************

Daphne and Miles appear to be at cross purposes in the beginning of this delightful romance. Daphne, as Miss Busy B of Mrs. Goode’s Magazine for Mischief, encourages Miles current fiancé to break their engagement due to his wandering and rakish ways. Through a couple of errors, Miles realizes Daphne is Miss Busy B and still needing a wife to win a bet, they end up engaged. He invites Daphne and her family to his home estate hoping to get to know her better and for her to get to know the real Miles.

There is a bit of discussion and conversation about Miles ‘rakish’ ways and his past relationship with women. For me, it was not necessary to go into detail about his past. In fact, I appreciate Susanna Craig not going into details that would have ‘dragged out’ the story and could possibly have been tedious. Let’s just say the estate visit was eye opening for Daphne.

I enjoyed Miles’ trust as he sought to help Daphne correct her troubling article. This is a somewhat light-hearted romance with lots of family, lots of misconceptions and lots of romance. Ms. Craig has written a sweet start to the series as Miss Goode’s Magazine for Mischief takes on more issues as it continues.

I... I couldn't finish it.It was too disappointing for the main character to get her identity compromised after her very. first. article. I loved other books by Susanna Craig, but to fall so short of greatness for a character so quickly, I couldn't get on board.

another surprising read by susanna craig! honestly I kept putting this book off because the I just found the cover really unappealing. however - I started and finished this book last night! the pacing was good and I really enjoyed getting to know daphne and miles. i know I should know the supporting characters from previous novels but I just could not remember them. this was an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to what comes next in this series!

Daphne, writing anonymously in her advice column, advises a woman to not marry Miles who is a notorious rake. When Miles confronts Daphne, he suggests that he court her instead as he has to marry soon. What starts as a challenge between them quickly becomes serious. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.