I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Duke Knows Best is book number 5 in Jane Ashford’s series The Duke’s Sons. It could be read as a stand alone but as the other books in the series are very enjoyable I would suggest reading them all. The story is more sweet than steamy and one of the things I loved about this book is that the characters realize that actually talking to each other solves problems. So if you are looking for a story with a handsome, kind thoughtful hero and a heroine who is looking for a bit of adventure, is musically talented and is also kind and thoughtful this the perfect book for you. There are great discussions, a few adventures, humour, and a sly prankster who delights in stirring up trouble. The secondary characters add much to the story and I highly recommend this book.

The Duke Knows Best is of Randolph, one of the Gresham brothers. This has been a great series about a strong ducal family with a variety of young men with very different personalities. Randolph is a musical, country vicar. His love interest is Verity, a vicar’s daughter who is determined not to marry a vicar and live her life the way she was raised. Verity combs over Captain Cook’s journeys around the world.

Upon their introduction, the first think Verity states is that she is not interested in a vicar nor living in the country. Not a very auspicious beginning for our lovers. As their acquaintance furthers, poor Randolph can never say the right thing. They struggle to make a connection, until they finally do connect in the Biblical way, then go right back to not being able to connect. The one and only way they seem to be a match is through their musical ability. And, it seems perfect.

Their romance is almost laughable as Randolph tries his hardest to say the right thing to Verity each time he speaks to her. When he finally gets it right, it is perfect. Then, he runs amok with her father over the ram incident – too funny!

The secondary characters and romance add a great deal to the heart of who Verity and Randolph are and lead you to see how good they will be together in their ministry. Verity receives some really great advice from Randolph’s parents that help her to see how life can be for her and Randolph. There are other romances going on that add to the story as well. Other characters involved, Ms. Reynolds and Mr. Wrentham, are horribly manipulated by a mischievous Olivia Townsend. You kind of want her to get a little of her own dish. Her unkindness adds to the heart of our H/h’s acts of kindness.

This is a great part of the series and not one to be missed. Read as a stand alone or enjoy in line of the series.

A lively conclusion to " The Duke's Sons" series, "The Duke Knows Best" follows Lord Randolph Gresham who is a clergyman and Verity Sinclair, the daughter of a Bishop. At first glance, they look like a match made in heaven (pun intended), but they are so far from it.

While Lord Randolph is happy being assigned in a country parish, Verity wanted adventure. Being an only child and having grown up in a carefully managed household due to her father's position, Verity felt stifled.

Dashing, handsome and the son of a Duke, Lord Randolph seemed to be the answer to Verity's prayer, i.e., until she found out that he was a clergyman. Verity did not want to do anything with him after that. But, one duet changed it all for both them. Now the question is, will music be enough to sustain their relationship?

In the first chapter, "The Duke Knows Best" felt like a straightforward romantic story. That changed fast when the mean girls came into the picture. Author Jane Ashford was brilliant in incorporating this subplot. From there, readers learn how women are educated during the Regency period. It will surprise you.

That is not the only surprise though! Lord Randolph and Verity have revelations of their own. And since this is the final installment, all of the Gresham brothers made cameo appearances. It was a lovely reunion.

Readers, please note that all five books in the series are standalone novels. But, it is fun to know all the brothers. I won't be surprised if after reading this, you will want to read the other 4 books.

"The Duke Knows Best" is Rated T for Teens due to some adult situations.

The Duke Knows Best was a wonderful book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It has heat, humor and romance, with a wonderful couple that you will fall in love with. Lord Randolph is a country minister that has a small scandal in his past but is looking for a new flock to minister to and Verity is a small town preacher’s daughter that longs to live in the big city. When they first meet Verity is dismayed to learn his occupation and rather rude when they are introduced. He writes her off as a shrew and she wants nothing to do with her. Unfortunately, they are both known for their individual singing talent and when they are asked to sing together, they are a perfect match. In song, anyway. How they learn to tolerate, then like, and eventually love each other is a delightful trip that Ms. Ashford takes us on. I loved this book and am eagerly looking forward to her next one!

I've been enjoying Jane Ashford's "The Duke's Sons" series, so I was eager to get my hands on this book, which is the fifth in the series. After getting to know Randolph in "Lord Sebastian's Secret" (book #3 in the series), it was fun to read more about his adventures and challenges with Verity. I quite enjoyed their chemistry and courtship.

This story begins with an interesting premise of a clergyman, Lord Randolph Gresham meeting Verity Sinclair, who has absolutely zero interest in the parish life. Having been raised by the Dean of Chester Cathedral, Verity is more interested in a life of adventure than continuing to live within the strict confines of the church. But during her first season, she discovers Lord Randolph has an affinity for music same as she and together they perform beautiful duets. However, he is intent on finding a wife this Season and she is determined not to end up with a clergyman husband like her father. Add in the complications of a pot-stirring friend and a mother’s serious illness, and the stage is set for a wonderful show of wit and emotion between Verity and Lord Randolph. However, this story sadly fell short for me in that I felt the plot line was a bit long and the author focused on too many side stories to the detriment of her main characters. I never felt their intense feelings towards one another, only in response to others, which made it hard as a reader to fully support their union. Granted, I have not read the previous four books in the series and perhaps the lack of information provided would have changed my perception of this story. And while this particular book was not a favorite of mine, it does not hinder me in the slightest to read another Jane Ashford novel.

I received this advanced copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Randolph and Verity had a very good story. This book was a little slow for my tastes and I had to re-read the love scene wasn't that great. It felt very rushed and not intimate.

I enjoyed this book right from the beginning. Loved how set in her ways Verity was. Like the friction between her and Randolph. Great read.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This book was a quick read and a pleasant one. I must admit that I have not read the rest of the series but I am going to add them to my to-read list after finishing this one. The characters were interesting and there were little bits of humor sprinkled throughout - it managed to have a large cast without being overwhelmingly boring. The only downsides for me are things that I think would have been remedied by reading the previous books

This was Verity and Randolph’s story. Verity was raised in the strict household of a clergyman. She wanted excitement. She talks her mother into a season in London. She meets Randolph. This is heartwarming story of how love grows and how two people fight to be together.

This is the first time I have read a book by Jane Ashford. I like the setting of regency England, the Gresham family was charming, but honestly I won't be reading another one of Ashford's books again. This dragged along to the point I was going to give up on the whole thing. A good book to me is one that catches your interest right from the start and keeps it until the very last page. I felt like I plodded along on this one and would normally not have bothered to finish it except I read this ARC from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review so I stayed with it until the end. It seemed disjointed sometimes and would start on a subplot and then just kind of trail off without following through leaving the reader wondering what it was all about in the first place.I I didn't care at all for the character of Olivia in the story and her mean pranks and felt that it really served no purpose in the story at all. It wasn't a bad story I just would not recommend this as a must read to anyone I know.

A good easy read, with nothing to heavy as far as context to weigh it down. There is context, don't get me wrong, it was just a light read. Would definitely be a good beach read for me. I enjoyed the characters very much, was just a little disappointed about what the secret was, felt a little too small, but that's what kept it light. A good read nonetheless. Would suggest you read it.

This is the sweetest novella! I don't normally like short books, however, this was very anxious at first, then turns into a clean, sweet romance! I recommend for Young Adults! I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley.

This book had all the elements of a bang-up Regency romance, but it just never really came together for me. Anachronistic language aside, much of the book's plot revolves around the childish antics of mean-spirited and annoying and insipid females. In short, this book that was long on sappy romance and short on content left me wanting. However, because this was my introduction to Jane Ashford's work and I liked her writing style and the main characters, I would be willing to try another of her books to see if I liked it better. In addition, this novel is the fifth in a series, and it is possible that I would have liked it better had read the previous four books--perhaps that introduction to the characters and a greater familiarity with the family's backstory would have led me to experience this book in a more positive way.

Thoroughly enjoyable romance. Liked the characters and the story - want to go back and read the others in this group!

Enjoy the historical setting, hated the insta-love and I couldn't get behind the romance as I felt there was no chemistry between the love interests.

A great story of love, creativity and open-mindedness

In what would be the very opposite of the typical Hollywood "meet-cute", Jane Ashford debuts her latest couple. Due to this fact and all of other trademark elements of a good Regency romance that were present, I had high hopes for this story. However, the numerous complications endured by the couple, not to mention the inclusion of a most annoying friend character with a too modern slang vocabulary, the lovely, neatly-wrapped, happily-ever-after did not come soon enough. Sadly, for me, this is not a must-read for anyone but those wishing to continue the series.

Jane Ashford does not disappoint with The Duke Knows Best. She has certainly made a name for herself as a prominent Historical Romance author and she can always be relied on to deliver a good romantic read.