Narrated by Naomi Frederick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Story by Jane Ashford ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Loved this but can't believe 1 - it's the first time I'm coming across this author and 2 - that I'm coming into this book at the end of the series. Thank God my library has them all so I can start from the beginning.

Jane Ashford's "The Duke Knows Best," skillfully narrated by Naomi Frederick, unfolds as a delightful Regency romance. Frederick's narration brings the characters to life, enhancing the charm and allure of Ashford's storytelling.
The dynamic between Lord Randolph and Verity is both engaging and unpredictable. Ashford artfully blends the societal expectations of the time with the characters' desires, creating a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Verity's reluctance to engage with Lord Randolph sets the stage for a compelling romantic tension, and the progression from a single duet to subsequent encounters adds layers to their evolving relationship. Naomi Frederick's narration contributes to the audiobook's overall appeal, capturing the essence of the characters and the Regency setting. "The Duke Knows Best" is a delightful blend of romance, wit, and Regency charm, making it a recommended listen for those who enjoy a well-crafted historical romance.

Not only was The Duke Know Best narrated well - but I TRULY loved these characters. There was so much growth, and felt very much Pride & Prejudice style with their misconceptions about each other. Such a fun and relaxed commuter listen!

**Thank you to Bolinda Audio & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

I didn’t like this book as much as I wanted to. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either. I do recommend it because me not liking it doesn’t mean you won’t like it. It’s the writing style for me.

If you can glare at a book I am doing it to this one. The authors voice, description, and tone were great, solid even. The crux of the matter is within the character’s poor decisions. I want to reach my fingers in and shake her. Stop with the selfishness. I hate how they stalled out and were so suddenly not themselves.

Unfortunately, a nope from me. I may try the author again, just a sad shake of the head for this one.

2.8/5 star rating. Note: I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was superb.


Sponsored through NetGalley for an honest review.

This book reminds me so much of Bridgertons
The books, not the series
And it’s such a fun reading experience - getting to see both the perspective from the male lead character and the female lead character although both are still written in 3rd person point-of-view

This is the fifth book in this series but this book could be read as a standalone
Although now I’m tempted to read the previous books
The story is fun, true to the time of ton parties being a glorified matchmaking schemes
Everyone’s goals seem to be either getting married or getting their children married off
But somehow Jane Ashford is able to make the flow of the story and the character interaction fun and engaging
I was surprised this book - and this series - wasn’t popular

I love the dynamic in Randolph’s family
That being said, i would love to see more of his life as vicar
We kinda only see him being a duke’s son throughout the whole story

Overall I give this a four stars
It’s a fun enjoyable read, especially if you listen to the audiobook

Thank you to Jane Ashford, Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

As usual, I dove into a story without realizing I was arriving in the middle of a series. Interestingly, in doing so, I was able to identify with Verity on a level I might not had I been more familiar with the Langford family. “A new family is an undiscovered country,” she thinks at one point, and discovering this one was wonderfully entertaining.

The story revolves around Verity, having a season in the big city for the first time, and Randolph, one of 6 sons to the Duke of Langford . Verity is on the hunt for adventure. Randolph is on the hunt for a wife. They seem to have an immediate connection - but as the listener, I was as doubtful of its sincerity as Verity is because it seems so hasty in the story. But as the events unfold, the connection is tested, lending authenticity to it.

Jane Ashford is a delightful storyteller. This one is full of rich characters, hilarious antics, anticipation, and heart. I especially loved the story about the Archbishop and the ram. And the drama of the late night rescue. This is all brought to life by Naomi Frederick’s performance. I was absolutely entertained.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

Although this is the 5th book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous books in the series, but I found the audiobook narrator delightful. WIth that being said, the plot left much to be desired. It lagged several times, and I ended up DNFing the book at about the 70% point. I DO want to know what ends of happening, but it just kind of dragged. The main female character was wonderfully developed, but the side characters are a bit meh, and the MMC doesn't really develop a real personality. The fact that he is a county parishioner makes no sense, as the book tries to contradict the Verity's (FMC) opinions of him.

I gave it a 3 stars for the narrator and the fact that I was interested in the ending. However, it needs some edits of the plot and characters.

This book was wonderful. Not only was Randolph wonderful but Verity was so much fun. I still wonder if she will be happy in a parish but I hope she will. I could see her sinking her teeth into all sorts of social issues in the parish. While this is one book in number 5 in series I did not feel like I should have read the first 4, however, now I want to go back and read the other four! I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator was lovely. If you love regency romance that is easy but fun to read, this is for you!

Big thanks to NetGalley, Bolinda Audio and Jane Ashford for an early release copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Slow but very enjoyable story :)

Perfect for fans of clean historical romances. There is one scene but it is just mentioned, so if you are not a fan of explicit description of lovemaking, you have nothing to worry about and this one mention shouldn’t discourage you from the whole story.

It was a sweet love story that shows maturity of main characters and how one can change.

Story of a lady who grow up in a small village and now has a chance to experience her first season in London. She is excited and has plans for her future. To find a good match. She precisely knows what she wants in her husband, and it definitely not what Lord Randolph. He is all that she wants to escape!

I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator, Naomi Frederick, did an amazing job with her performance! It was a pleasure to listen to this story :)

I always look forward to a Regency Era story. These stories tend to break up the monotony of dark romances or contemporary romances I tend to read & enjoy.

The narration is pretty good. However, the narration combined with the story seemed to be missing something that I cannot put my finger on. Unfortunately, I only listened to a little more than 50% and decided to stop.

This doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t recommend this audiobook. This just means it’s not for me & I very much wish it is.

If you’re thinking about giving this audiobook a try, please do not let my review deter you. If you do give it a try, I hope you enjoy it more than I did.

The Feedback requires I give a star rating. I never give below a 3 because Amazon & Goodreads determines this isn’t a good rating. And honestly, I don’t want it to affect their income. So, please know that's why this audiobook is getting 3 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jane Ashford for providing me with a complimentary digital audiobook ARC for The Duke Knows Best. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Lord Randolph Gresham has come to London for one reason only—to find a suitable wife. Verity Sinclair may be intelligent, beautiful, and full of spirit, but her father knows a secret about Randolph that makes her entirely unsuitable as his bride. Not right for him at all, never, not a chance.
Verity knows that Lord Randolph lives in a country parish, and she wants nothing more than to escape to town. He may be fascinating, attractive, rich, and the son of a duke, but she'll never marry him, nor will she talk to him, flirt with him, walk with him, or dine with him. She'll sing a duet with him, but only this one time, and only because everyone insists.
But one duet invariably leads to another.

I haven’t listened to the other books. This is a first time author for me, but I really enjoy regency romance. The narrator was really great. It was nice she was British. This book didn’t really work for me though. I thought it was a little cliche. I’ve read several books like it. Verity’s personality didn’t sit well with me. I’m not sure why she acted jealous of someone who had died. Seems like odd behavior. I would check out another book by this author though.

The Duke knows best wasn't my favourite historical. It came off extremely generic and almost young adult rather than a typical adult novel.

The plot line was very generic and some of the characters were very flat.

I recently listened to an audiobook titled "The Duke Knows Best" by Jane Ashford, narrated by Naomi Frederick. However, I found it to be one of the most difficult books to get into. Although I enjoyed the way the narrator portrayed the characters, the storyline and the main female character Verity Sinclair did not appeal to me.

I hadn't read the previous books in this series, so I went into this one with some hesitation. As it turns out that wasn't really an issue. I'm not entirely sure what threw me with this one, it wasn't the writing. It wasn't the narration of the audio version. Both were well done. I suspect maybe it was the "mean girls" element of one of the subplots. I did like the two main characters, and liked them together. I just didn't much care for some of the characters surrounding them. On the other hand, I did like the titular duke and his family. So while in the end this one wasn't my favorite historical romance ever, it did leave me interested in the previous books in this series, and they've been added to my teetering TBR pile.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bolinda audio publishing for the audio copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
I have not read or listened to any of the previous books in this series and although the book does mention the history of the other brother's relationships it does in no way hinder the experience of the main storyline in this book.
The follows the Duke's 5th son and last to marry as he embarks on the London season in search of a suitable wife to his clergy life. There he meets the lively and spirited Verity who insults him upon their first meeting. Although he is very handsome he is a clergyman like her father and therefore does not want her life to be like the boring life she has lead up to now being a clergyman daughter in the country. She assumes him like her father, old fashioned and unadventurous. They are inextricably pulled together time and time again and although an obvious magnetism exists between them especially in their magnificent musical connection, Verity simply cannot reconcile herself to lead the life of a clergyman's wife. She wants fun, adventure, travel and progress. Will she find the life she wants among the Ton of London society or will she be forced to settle for someone who she cannot possibly be happy with?
The narration of the book was wonderfully done in a polite and true English society tone. It was an easy listen and perfect for when you are otherwise also busy with something else.

This was a very enjoyable listen. The story was light and entertaining. The characters were mixed with some likeable and some not. Romance was in the air after a tricky start. The narrator spoke clearly and well with individual characters clearly identified. I will be looking out for more books and audio books by this author.

I made it 22% of the way into this book before deciding this book is not for me. The writing is fine, but I don't feel anything for the characters or their aspirations.

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

I generally prefer reading books to listening to them, but I am in the midst of knitting a Christmas gift and I can’t read and knit. So I was very happy to receive The Duke Knows Best by Jane Ashford as an audiobook. It is wonderfully narrated by Naomi Frederick, who has just the right accent and tone.

This is the sixth book in Ashford’s The Duke’s Sons series. I haven’t read others in the series but I am a big fan of Ashford’s Regency Romances.

Miss Verity Sinclair is the daughter of a clergyman (dean of a cathedral), and she is desperate to see more of the world. She starts with London where she hopes to find a husband who will sweep her out of the mundane into a life of adventure. Unfortunately, her plans for accomplishing this are half-baked. And, more unfortunately, one of the first men she is introduced to is Lord Randolph Gresham.

Lord Randolph, one of the duke of Gresham’s five sons, is exceptionally handsome, intelligent, and kind. But he is a country parson and so not that man she is looking for. Because she is attracted to him, she chases him away with incredibly rude words even though he has done nothing objectionable. The next time they come across one another, she does the same. Falling for him would ruin all her plans.

Randolph has come to London to look for a wife. Six years ago, he courted a young woman who died of a quick illness just after they had become engaged. He still grieves for her, but is ready to move on. But not with Verity Sinclair. Although she’s beautiful, her manner is off-putting.

At a ton musicale, the hostess drags Randolph and Verity to the front of the room and insists they provide a duet. All their disharmony fades away as they become engrossed in the music. Ultimately, music will bring them together.

Lord Randolph is a delightful, mature hero who grounds this novel. The family bonds of the Greshams are warm and engaging. Verity is not a particularly likeable heroine. She begins as immature and rather unpleasant, but she does grow during the course of the book.

Overall, while not my favorite Ashford romance, listening to this audiobook was enjoyable. And it made me curious about the duke of Greshams other four sons!

Thank to Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

I really enjoyed ‘ The Duke Knows Best’ it was really good and the narration was really well done 😊

Rating 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️