Lord Randolph Gresham the middle child of the Duke and a vicar has come to London to find a wife and he meets Verity Sinclair. She’s is the daughter of the dean of Chester Cathedral but seeks adventure and not live within the strict confines of a husband who’s a vicar. She’s finally convinced her patents into a London season and she’s ready for adventure and the first person she’s introduced is the handsome Lord Randolph who she informs she can’t be confined to life in the country. Oh he may be fascinating, attractive, rich, and the son of a duke, but she'll never marry a narrow minded clergyman him. They both have an affinity for music same as she and together they perform beautiful duets. Time after time their thrown together and learn that they have a lot in common especially a deep abiding love of music. They have a few adventures together and Verity finds you can adventures right at home.
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

The Duke Knows Best was a wonderful end to Jane Ashford's The Duke's Sons series. This book focuses on Randolph, the last remaining unmarried Gresham brother. Randolph is a vicar who comes to London for the season--he is determined to find a wife. He immediately meets Verity Sinclair, who as the daughter of a clergyman is determined to never be a vicar's wife. Many complications ensue before the pair realize they are truly destined for each other. Some of those complications didn't quite work for me (I felt the "big conflict" involving Verity's father was rather ridiculous), while others were very moving. I don't want to go into detail and spoil the book, but there is a subplot involving the duchess that brought me to tears, and I was truly moved by the reveal of Randolph's backstory. These parts of the book were beautifully done, as was the portrayal of Randolph's and Verity's musical bond. I am very truly to see this series end. If you haven't read any other books in the series, you can still jump in with this one and enjoy; reading the other books does give this one more emotional resonance, but this book can stand on its own.

With The Duke Knows Best it appears that The Duke’s Sons series has come to an ending – I say “appears” for lately additional novellas have popped up after a series “official” closure, which I love but it’s not quite done then is it? We now have Randolph’s story, and this is a man that I had hoped would finally find true love and happiness, and at first glance it seems that Verity will not be that woman. But first impressions aren’t always correct as we often discover over time.

Verity has lived the life of a clergyman’s daughter, she has absolutely no intention of taking on the life of a clergyman’s wife – no, not going to happen, she won’t even consider the possibility. She’s looking for adventure, for excitement, for anything that takes her far away from the dull, quiet life she’s led into wonderful escapades with a loving husband. She’s not asking for much, right? Randolph is looking for a wife, it’s time he settled down and returning to London for a Season seemed like a good idea at the time. He certainly hadn’t expected his attraction to Verity, a young woman who has taken an intense dislike to him solely based on his profession. The truth is they could make beautiful music together, and do when singing, but there are complications which appear insurmountable — unless a Duke has your back.

There is a lot going on in The Duke Knows Best. At times, almost too much. It took me a long time to warm up to Verity, and I think that’s due, in part, to all the other plots going on as well. But that’s just my thought, I read the story I’m given in the end. Olivia was a nasty little piece of work, and with best friends like her, well, watch out. There was a cruel touch to the pranks which I admit bothered me a lot. There is fun and games, teasing but there is a line to be drawn. In the end, I liked Verity and Randolph, even if I didn’t love them. Now the wait to see what Ms Ashford brings us next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I had a mini-vacation and wanted something light and quick to read, so I chose a Romance from Netgalley, although the vacation was in September and the release date isn’t until December, so I won’t be posting this review for a while. . .

The Duke Knows Best by Jane Ashford must take its title from the old TV series Father Knows Best, because the duke is not the protagonist but rather the protagonist’s father, who comes to the rescue in the book’s final chapters. The protagonist, Lord Randolph Gresham, is not a duke, not even heir to a dukedom, but a third or fourth son who has taken a living as a “country parson.” Having suffered the tragic loss of a fiancé years before, Randolph is now prepared to return to London to seek a wife.

The heroine, Verity Sinclair, is the daughter of the dean of a cathedral. At twenty-four, she has finally convinced her parents that she deserves a London Season, and she’s determined to make the most of it. She’d going to find a husband who will take her out of her dull, dreary world to go adventuring.

The two are introduced at a small party and Verity, before giving the poor man a chance to open his mouth, announces that she is not interested in living in the countryside. For good measure, she insults those who do. (The incredible rudeness and almost ridiculous presumption in the way she addresses a stranger is jarring. While it’s understandable that she was stunned to realize the first handsome man she meets is exactly the type of man she most definitely doesn’t want, the reader’s initial impression of her is far from favorable.)

London Seasons being what they are, the two cross paths time and again. Verity continues to be unreasonably rude and Randolph tries to simply stay away from her. But at a small house party that includes musical performances by guests, the hostess asks that Verity and Randolph sing a duet. Their passion is ignited as they meld voices. The masterful duet is a stunning success.

Shortly, the Prince, alerted to the new phenomenon, commands a performance and they are unable to refuse. This means forced together time.

The relationship blossoms and they discover how compatible they actually are. There are subplots including a couple of silly young female friends/relatives who want to thwart convention and a Regency Mean Girl who Verity mistakenly befriends early on, believing her to be a fellow adventuress, before she understands how petty and cruel the woman is. Randolph, meanwhile, has troubles of his own stemming from an earlier career mishap that threatens to derail his future prospects in the church.

The story flows along, buoyed by the steadiness and charm of the hero. As Verity matures and changes course, the reader can truly root for the resolution of their difficulties and their ultimate happiness.

The Duke Knows Best is the second book I've read in The Duke's Sons series (Nothing Like A Duke was the first). It's actually the sixth book in the series, which doesn't matter all that much as long as you don't mind not knowing the full background of the whole cast of characters.

Verity Sinclair dreams of adventure. A season in London is her one opportunity to find a husband who will not only share but indulge those dreams. A clergyman with a country parish definitely does not fit her criteria, even if he is dismayingly handsome, and the son of a duke, and even if he does sing and play like an angel. And even if her father does disapprove of him for some reason he refuses to name.

Lord Randolph Gresham doesn't have all that many criteria for what he wants in a wife. Someone who likes him would do nicely. Just as long as she isn't connected to anyone who knows about his embarrassing, deepest, darkest secret...

While you can read this one as a standalone, there really is a huge cast of characters, and some of them got a bit distracting at times, especially with a couple of side romances going on and some silly schoolgirl pranks that weren't even directed at Verity. I have to say I was very relieved Verity didn't have to give up her dreams for love; that's the kind of thing that makes me want to throw books at the wall. An enjoyable addition to the series.

The Duke Knows Best (The Duke’s Sons Book 5) – Lord Randolph Gresham, purported to be the most attractive of the Duke of Langford’s six sons, is in search of a wife. Taking time off from his parish, he comes to London.

Having lost the love of his life six years ago when he was unable to marry Rosalie Delacorte, Randolph has determined that now is the time to get back into the Marriage Mart and find a mate. Because after all, a churchman really should have a life partner.

So he sets up in his father’s home. It is an impressive address and he wants to make the best impression possible. He isn’t looking for a grande passion, after losing Rosalee that is no longer possible. He simply wants to find someone who shares his view of life and with whom he can come to an agreement.

Enter Verity Sinclair. As her father is Dean of Chester Cathedral, and relatives of the Archbishop of Canterbury, her parents are the epitome of proper church-like decorum. They don’t understand Verity’s need for adventure. It took everything she had and a full five years to convince them just to give her this London Season. She isn’t going to squander it on a churchman, she wants an Adventurer.

When the two meet, the attraction is immediate. And why not? Both are attractive, intelligent, and charming. Unfortunately, Verity immediately makes sure that Lord Randolph has no illusions as to her suitability as his wife.

Thrown together throughout the season, they remain attracted but distant. Then they’re forced to perform a duet together and something magic happens.

Undeniable Spark

I enjoyed how the author created an instant antipathy between the two characters. And yet still between the two of them is an undeniable spark. The juxtaposition between the two varying emotions makes for an interesting interplay between them.

This is the fifth in the series “The Duke’s Sons”.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

Lord Randolph Gresham is one of the six sons of the Duke of Landford.
He's a clergyman. And he loves what he does.
But a misfortune has recently made any promotion within the Church impossible.

To help him deal with the difficult years to come, Randolph decides it's time to find a wife. He spent years to overcome the loss of Rosalie Delacourt, and believed that his mother and his sister-in-laws could help him in this endeavor.

In the first event he attends, Miss Verity Sinclair is introduced to him.
Beautiful and full of opinion, Randolph's impression of her was the worst possible, and he would do his best to avoid her company.
But they had a talent in common: music. They both sang very well.
And at a ball, they were invited to do a duet, which was so successful that the Prince Regent himself asked for a performance.

Randolph and Verity would meet for rehearsals. And with each meeting, they discover new affinities. Until the first kiss comes along, and Randolph's certainty that she was the right woman for him. She was even the daughter of a clergyman and would understand his work !!
But there were two obstacles for Randolph to reach Verity: the archbishop... and herself ...

Verity spent all her life - 24 years old - in the country.
Daughter of a clergyman, she was well versed in biblical passages and knew her work of doing charity.
But she had a head for adventures.
Her favorite readings were those filled with travels, romance, discoveries. And marrying an ordinary man and living at home was something she definitely didn't want.

Finally she convinced her parents that she deserved to go to London.
She was convinced that if she met a gentleman who was part of Traveller's Club, she would find the right husband.

But she ended up stumbling on a clergyman.
Oh - Randolph was tall, handsome, son of a duke. But he was a clergyman in the countryside.
And every time they were together it seemed that he drew the worst from her. They fought all the time.

Until they needed to rehearse the duet for the performance. And they became more intimate.
When it seemed that they were finally going to figure out - and to be a couple - the episode in Randolph's past made Verity's father prohibit their engagement.

And that's where the great Duke of Landford comes in.
A secondary character that makes the biggest difference in story.

Although this is the first book in the series I read, I quite liked the author's narrative and family dynamics.
The couple of dukes are passionate and always concerned about their sons, although they are already adults.
And now I'm going to read the previous books.
5 stars

The Vicar gets a Wife
The clergyman son of a duke, between postings, is in London to find himself a wife. The trouble is the only woman he is drawn to seems to dislike him and is nothing but rude. This isn’t the only bar to a relationship as she is related to the Archbishop who still blames him for an embarrassing contretemps three years early. The story follows the twists and turns of their relationship and their shared love of music. If you have read any of the other books in this series you get to meet up with some of the characters again but it can be read as a standalone.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I liked this story. Took me A few pages to get into it but I enjoyed it . Def will rad more by this author

Verity knew she didn't want the life her parent's had; her father was the Dean of a Cathedral in the country. She longed for adventure/travel. Lord Randolph, the third oldest son of a duke, had a parish in a country town. They'd both come to London for the season...
Lively, engaging historical romance! There is more then one rhapsody happening here! Loved Lord Randolph and his family. Liked how Verity's character matured, as did her mom. Olivia just remained mean. Would like to read the previous books in the series. 3 1/2 stars.
Voluntarily read ARC, through Netgalley and publisher, for honest review.

The Duke Knows Best is a historical romance novel written by Jane Ashford. It is the fifth book in her The Duke’s Sons Regency-era historical romance series. I’ve read a couple of Ashford’s books before, so I was excited about the opportunity to read this one.

Lord Randolph Gresham played a secondary role in his brother Robert’s book, Nothing Like a Duke. I was intrigued by the idea of a vicar as the hero, and initially, I was a little disappointed that Randolph had left his parish for London because it would have been interesting to see him balance his work with his quest for a wife.

Randolph clashes immediately with Miss Verity Sinclair, who dismisses him as a simple country parson. Her father is also in the church, and she is looking for more to life than that. She can scarcely believe her outburst, and is chagrined that she would behave so rudely to a stranger.

Despite this inauspicious beginning, Randolph and Verity are thrown together when they receive an invitation to sing together at one of the Prince Regent’s parties. Perhaps they have more in common than they initially thought!

This was a very sweet book. Randolph and Verity are a well-matched pair. There is some minor controversy regarding an unfortunate incident in Randolph’s parish, but it is nothing too alarming. There’s also an interesting subplot involving Verity’s friend Olivia playing mean-spirited pranks.

I would recommend The Duke Knows Best to fans of historical romance. Readers should know that there are no intimate scenes beyond shared kisses, so this book is very much a “traditional regency” story. Because of this, it might appeal to readers who find more mainstream historical romance too explicit. Ashford’s books are different from what I usually read, but there is a certain charm to them that makes me want to read more of her books. I’m looking forward to more from Ashford in the future!

I have not read any of the other books in this series, but that did not detract from this story. This is the story of Randolph, a vicar, and Verity. Verity dreams of travel and adventure. She meets Randolph and is attracted to him but keeps herself at a distance as she feels his life in a country parish will not fulfil her.

This was a cute story. The main characters all very likeable. The sidestory with Olivia and her nasty schemes was well done too.

It was a nice, quick read and the writing was really well done. There was just something missing for me that I can't quite put my finger on though.

I'm a fan of Ms. Ashford and was excited to read her new book. However, even though the writing was well done, I didn't really feel the connection between Randolph and Verity. Most of the book they siped at each other or were downright rude. It wasn't until the last few chapters did I see them start to connect over their love of music. Those chapters were superb. I did not like Verity's friend Olivia at all. She was a spoiled and mean-spirited chit. I was sincerely hoping that she would get her comeuppance, but that storyline was abruptly dropped. I can only image Olivia will come up in one of the future books.

3.5 stars
They're wrong for each other, for all the right reasons...
Lord Randolph Gresham has come to London for one reason only that is to find a suitable wife. Verity Sinclair daughter of the Dean at Chester Cathedral may be intelligent, beautiful, and full of spirit & she longs for adventure. She knows that Lord Randolph lives in a country parish. 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 when they are constantly thrown into each other’s paths.
This was a well written book & I really enjoyed the main story of Randolph & Verity but I felt
the friendship between Verity and Olivia felt oddly out of place, as Olivia was too awful for words & I got to the stage where I skipped through an parts that related to Olivia, I also disliked Beatrice & Hilda & found the childish antics mean-spirited and annoying. This certainly spoiled an otherwise very good book. I had difficulty with Randolph as a vicar, he was intelligent, broad minded & not judgemental. I’ll certainly read more from the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I always give a fair and honest review when given an ARC. Complicated book with lots of characters and situations. Unfortunately, I felt a lack of real passion in the book.

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.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Enjoyable read. Even though this book is part of a series, it's possible to read as a stand alone. Not as good as some other books in their series but a fun read.

An interesting twist on a Regency romance. Two talented musicians perform more or less by accident and end up being commanded to perform at court.

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and netgalley for this ARC.

The push and pull, resistance, and romance are G rated. For lovers of clean romances

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the last book in Jane Ashford's The Duke's Sons series. It can be read as a stand alone however. I struggled with the book even though the writing was great. Randolph is the middle child of the Duke and a vicar. Verity Sinclair is the daughter of a vicar but seeks adventure.
At the beginning, the switch of POV in the story was difficult. There was no warning of the change. One minute I would be hearing Verity's side and the next, Randolph's. I will admit I am unsure if that is because I am reading an advanced copy or if it is the author's style as I have never read any of her books.
The relationship felt stifled as if they each struggled themselves. There really wasn't any bantering among any of the characters and the friendship between Verity and Olivia felt oddly out of place. I honestly felt that the 2 main characters didn't really connect to each other until the very end (last chapter). And I really wanted to see Olivia get what she deserved.
I think the story had potential but just did't have any oomph. But the writing was done well and would be willing to give the author another read.