Unfortunately, this novel fell short for me. I never really felt the connection between the hero and heroine as the story progressed. The writing was a little flat, and I wish there had been more danger or excitement.

Lord Randolph Gresham is one of six sons of a duke. He is a minister but is being held back by some misjudgment on his part. He knows he needs a wife, so he travels to London to enter the marriage mart and meets Verity Sinclair and decides she will most decidedly not do. However, love has a way of happening to those who least expect it. They are both musically talented, and their music is the impetus to their love.

I adore this book! I love reading about Duke's falling hard for the heroine and she gives him a run for his money, not literally. I recommend this book and this series!

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, 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.
The book was good. I liked both main characters as they went through the story. Both characters were well written. I enjoyed the plot. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Verity was my least favorite kind of heroine. The kind with an idea (usually a mininformed one) stuck in her head, and a complete inability (or unwillingness) to consider any alternative until it is convenient for the author.

As the book began, I didn't like the heroine's character and felt that she was portrayed as a mean, selfish shrew. I also thought that there were way too many secondary characters in the first half of the book which made it difficult to keep a track of the storyline. The story became much more interesting towards the latter half of the book when a family emergency leads to both Randolph and Verity working together. The poor beginning didn't help in making me like this book. This is not one of my favorite books from this author.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

This book was a delightful surprise. I saw several three-star reviews and wondered if I was going to agree or disagree with them. I also noticed that the author is compared to Georgette Heyer – and I’m not a fan of hers. So, imagine my delight when I thoroughly enjoyed the book!

I would love to meet the Gresham family and learn more about them because they are a delightfully loving and supportive family. This is the fifth book in the series and I have not read the others, but I don’t feel that I missed anything or that I had to read them to understand this book. I’m thinking I’ll now go back and read the other books because I came to admire the brothers featured in them.

Verity Sinclair is the daughter of the Dean of Chester Cathedral. She’s lived her entire life longing for adventure and travel. She’s had offers of marriage, but she’s declined them all because she doesn’t want to spend the remainder of her life in the same rut she has been living in. So, she finally convinces her mother to take her to London for a season. Varity is determined to find a husband who is an adventurer and will take her on his adventures. She definitely does not want a country vicar for a husband. Verity comes across as very bitchy for much of the book, but I really think she is just fearful and therefore defensive. She is afraid she’ll end up living a constrained life. She gets herself into some adventures and a bit of trouble before she finally realizes that there are all sorts of adventures and some can be found right at home. I did finally come to like and admire her very much.

Lord Randolph Gresham is a vicar and the son of a Duke. He’s intelligent, compassionate, caring, tall and handsome – and one of five rambunctious brothers. He’s decided that it is time to marry. He loves his work in the church, but he is lonely and wants a life partner. Since he is moving from one parish to another and has some free time between them, and it is the season in London, he decides to attend and find a wife.

Imagine this tall, handsome man who draws admiring glances as he crosses any room, being introduced to a lovely young lady at a ton event. The first words out of her mouth are “I could never abide life in a country parish.” That was quickly followed by, “I would find the limited society unendurable.” Then “The isolation makes people narrow-minded.” Followed by “And quite behind the times, antiquated, even.” All of that was said before he had managed to utter a word. Let us just say, their first meeting wasn’t an auspicious one.

The lovely part of the story is watching them being thrown together time after time in circumstances beyond their control. They learn to trust each other and they learn that they have a lot in common – especially a deep abiding love of music – and a talent for performing it. I love watching Verity learn and grow. She learns that she still wants adventure – but – maybe adventure isn’t where and what she thought it was.

I loved Randolph’s mother and she offered some advice to Verity that I think we all need to remember in our everyday lives and relationships. She said, “I believe unsaid words pile up and push people farther and farther apart. Until, eventually, they become a wall. The forms of life may look the same, but inside all is . . . distance.”

I liked that most of the side stories had resolutions – with the different couples getting together for their own HEA’s. What I did not like and deeply wish had been different, is that Olivia suffered absolutely no consequences for her horrible actions. She is really an unkind, manipulative, vengeful, and uncaring person and I never did understand Verity remaining friends with her. I could see the initial attraction of the friendship, but once Verity began to see into the kind of person Olivia was, I can’t see how Verity could remain friends. Verity and Randolph set most of Olivia’s mischief to rights, but Olivia didn’t pay any price at all. That just left it feeling unfinished.

Review: I did enjoy this story. Like most regencies it revolves around trying to catch the most eligible bachelor of the season. It makes him a better catch if he has a title and money. It is about the dresses, the parties and the scandal. Because yes there always seems to be scandal this adds that something to the story to keep us wanting to find out more.

Ms. Ashford gave us all this and more.

Lord Randolph came to find a wife to help him but as with real life you can’t help who you happen to fall in love with and in this case he falls for Verity who lets it be known that she wants more than country life. She wants adventure.

There was chemistry for these two but it wasn’t strong…it didn’t take long and the sparks began to find these two. There was a lot going on with these two. Verity found some girls to hang out with but to me they were very immature compared to Verity and it made for a little bit of a weird dynamic because Verity when with these girls seemed to become rather immature also. To me it was just off.

I enjoyed all the characters; especially Randolph’s parent’s and brother’s they seemed to round out the story and make it much more enjoyable. (I think his father was my favorite.) His mom seemed to run the show with dad seeming like a simpering dog but he came on strong at the end showing he was a force to be reckoned with.

Over all this wasn’t a bad book but I felt that it tended to drag on a little too much also Ms. Ashford tended to use a few to many words that the average person would either skip over or have to look up. When you have to disrupt a story you may just give up.

Good storyline along with well-rounded characters make this a story to try if you can get past the words and the drawn out story.

This didn't immediately grab me unfortunately. I thought it was fine but didn't stand out in a sea of similar works. It was well written and hits the beats that I would want a book like this to hit but I didn't connect with any of the characters and that is make it or break it for me with romance books.

I was very happy to get to read this book I've read a few others of hers and enjoy them quite a bit.

I really enjoyed Randolph and Verity's story. They definitely had a memorable first meeting!! This is a definite case of opposite attract, even if they didn't want to be attracted to the other. This was a great addition to the Duke's Sons series!

I broke one of my #1 rules with this book: DON'T read a series out of order! However, I have never read Jane Ashford before and had the opportunity from Netgalley to review this so I jumped on it because I adore historical romance.

Randolph and Verity's was easy to follow despite not reading the other brother's books first. I do hope to go back and read the others though!

Randolph was intriguing as he's a really good man, not the dark romantic hero or rake I often find in historicals. He's actually part of the clergy. For anyone who is not religious, you should feel free to read this as there really isn't a religious component to the book despite his profession.

This is a hate to love romance, with Verity immediately dismissing Randolph due to his profession. She was a little annoying at time, I won't lie but overall she was a good heroine and ultimately made the right decisions regarding some challenges she faced.

There are some moments that will give you a chuckle and the heat level is pretty low. I wouldn't say it's completely 'clean' but there are no detailed sex scenes by any means.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book although it did start slowly. I'll definitely be reading this author again.

Book Five, not including The Bargain because it technically isn't part of the series but it is the same family, of The Duke's Sons series comes to a close; I think... I mean this is the last son of the Duke's to get married. I love Jane Ashford's writing this series has been a joy to read, some I liked better than others and out of all I think this one ties with What the Duke Doesn't Know as my least favorites of the series. I liked the idea of the story but I just really didn't like Lord Randolph. Verity was fine then she would say stupid things and it would make me want to facepalm. I think the best character out of the series is the Duke himself and the Duchess, they know their kids so well that they can predict what and how they are going to act. As little as they are in the overall series they hold that family together like nothing else.

Lord Randolph is a vicar and before he needs to be at his next parish he decides he needs a wife, then he meets Verity. Verity was raised basically isolated from society, having both parents prefer the country life Verity was determined that she would never get stuck living in a boring country parish. Upon meeting Randolph Verity, who has no filter, makes asinine remarks about vicars and country living. Randolph and Verity do share a passion for music and soon they are asked to perform together. The time they spend rehearsing they get to know each other better and Verity realizes how wrong and harsh the words she spoke were. They fight their feelings toward each other mainly because they know they are not what each other want, Randolph loves being a vicar and Verity wants adventure.

Overall, I really couldn't feel all that connected to either Randolph or Verity, and even though everything was tied up with a little bow, for one exception Olivia, wtf. I like Jane Ashford's writing and this was a good read I just didn't feel the connection.

Historical romance writer Jane Ashford continues the Duke's sons series with the Duke Knows Best. Lord Randolph, clergyman, is in the market for a wife when he meets Verity Sinclair who wants to travel. Their lives are entangled when the Regent wants them to sing a duet together. Verity and Randolph discover they have more in common than they thought. Regency romp during the London season. Lots of fun.

I want to say I may have read Jane Ashford before but looking at her list of published works I would have to say that there is a good chance I may not have. With that being said however I look forward to binge reading as many as possible in the break between these semesters!

The Duke Knows Best is beautifully written and is not only accurate for its moment in time but the plot and characters were perfect. Randolph was witty and full of charm and Verity was blunt and outspoken. I really enjoyed getting to know them and being a part of their lives so to say.

This would be an amazing weekend read and guess what... it has been published you can buy it now LOL.

Characters - 5. There were some points where I would have liked to see a little more but they were great!

Plot - 5. YASSS PLEASE

Addictiveness - 5 Could not put it down!

Solid historical romance. Randolph and Verity had great chemistry. I liked the side stories thrown in and thought that really added depth to the story. I couldn't stand Olivia and at times the book seemed to drag on. Great book if your looking for the typical regency romance with a HEA!

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Well written book with great storyline and plot. A sweet book that has great romance. The story is true to it's time period and the language is also. I like when an author has made research about the time period they want to write the story in.

I love the couples journey towards their HEA. There is drama, family issues, passion, emotions and some twists. Instant attraction. I like the supporting characters. It has a slow start but it gets better within the first 3-4 chapters. I like stories where the POV changes. But in this one it was very confusing because it changes so suddenly within the chapters without warning.

Nice chemistry and passion. I like the main characters and how they develop. The story flows nicely and it is very captivating from first to last chapter. The author has delivered a story that is worth the read!

I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

The Duke Knows Best (The Duke's Sons, #5)
by Jane Ashford

A Definite Buy BUY BUY BUY book.......Well, I was a little unsure what rating I was going to give after looking at the other reviews. However, after reading the book, I went four stars! The story is a little different in the start with a heroine that is perhaps a little too blunt but that actually makes the entire story work. One of the differences in this book from others currently was that I did not need to read the entire series, I could sit and enjoy the characters and it actually made me want to buy the rest to sit and enjoy them as well. The characters are well written and ones that are strong and sometimes weak like the normal human being. I love the way this author paints the story in my mind as I read. While I cannot say this is her best book, I can honestly say it is one of her enjoyable ones. So buy the book and just enjoy. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

I'm a little late getting this review in, but I first want to say that I really loved this book! This is another tale of the Gresham brothers, and it didn't disappoint. Lord Randolph Gresham is a clergyman who comes to London to find a wife, and Miss Verity Sinclair is looking for someone with a similar sense for adventure as her own. When these two meet it's a clash of personalities, but so much interest develops for both of them. I have to say that I really loved this book, it comes with all of the quirky antics and pranks of the previous books, and is very charming. Jane Ashford has created a great cast of characters, and I just wish it had been longer so it didn't have to end!

London - 1819

Lord Randolph Gresham, age 30, one of six sons of the Duke of Langford, is a handsome and dapper man. He is planning to stay at Langford House for the London season. He is the vicar of a parish in Northumberland. Six years ago, he was engaged to Rosalie Delacourt, but she passed away before their marriage. Randolph is a man who enjoys fencing and playing musical instruments.

Verity Sinclair, age 24, has finally convinced her parents to give her a London season. Her father is the dean of Chester Cathedral. When Randolph and Verity are introduced at a soiree, it is thought that they might have a lot in common, but Verity balks at the thought of being stuck in a life with a vicar and says as much to Randolph. Verity longs for adventure and does not want to settle with just marrying and producing a family. Her outspokenness does not sit well with Randolph, thus leaving him unimpressed with her.

When Prinny hears Randolph and Verity sing at a party, he requests that they sing at an upcoming party he is hosting. This means that they must get together to practice. Their togetherness finds them getting to know one another better and sparking an attraction. But something in Randolph’s past leaves his future up in the air. Can there be a way for them to be together?

Although this author is quite talented, I’m afraid that I had a difficult time keeping up with this book. Way too many characters and plot lines that didn’t seem to mesh well. I do hope other readers will like this book.

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