It's been a while since I picked up one of the Cavensham books so I went into The Good, the Bad, and the Duke with only a vague recollection of what happened so far (this reads just fine as a standalone, by the way). Both Paul and Daphne have made appearances in books past but this time it's their story. An "I'm in love with my brother's best friend" one, if that's your thing.

While neither the writing nor the story were particularly intriguing ("on-the-shelf" spinster (who's only 25. . . such was the era, I suppose) finds love with an old family friend), I enjoyed this one more than the first 3 books. Partially, I think, because I liked the leading gentleman.

Because, you know, he was a gentleman. 

In the past books, Paul was cast as a villain of sorts and you only see one side of things but this book sheds more light onto his background and how he's trying to change. Which he's doing BEFORE the story really starts and I think that's important because it wasn't a case of changing to win the girl. He actually wanted to be a better person. And when Daphne came into the picture, he always asked for consent, he always waited and never pushed. Often Daphne was in control and she directed the situation. It's sad that I don't see that very often in the historical romances I read, infrequently enough that it stood out.

As for Daphne, I enjoyed her character in that she had always done what she thought was expected to the detriment of her own dreams, and finally she was going to do something for herself. She also had no intention of letting Paul get away once she learned there were mutual feelings. It's not as thought she hounded him, but instead fought for both their feelings. And she was quite fiesty about it, in a good way.

The romance between the two was drawn out in a way that felt natural rather than forced. There was definitely chemistry and the book didn't need all the extra trappings of outlandish plot devices to make this romance work. It was a subtle burn that grew, which I appreciated rather than tossing in scenes at random that are more lust than love.

In terms of the whole series, I think this has been the best of the books so far (and it's not even about one of the Cavensham Heiresses!) and I am glad I read the others because even though I didn't remember all the details, it helped fill in some of the relationships and events referenced in this book. If you've been reading the series and questioning moving on or not, I'd say pick this one up!

3 1/2 stars. Janna MacGregor is a first time author for me and I did enjoy this book. It just took a bit for me to get invested. I loved the plot (reformed reprobates that don't feel worthy are my kryptonite) and Daphne seemed to be a woman ahead of her time. The problem being, what time? This is a personal preference, but I like to know the year/timeframe for historical reference. There was no mention of the year that I could find. Also, I found this a bit "wordy". There was so much internal dialogue and not enough interaction for me. A bit more than half way through I felt more invested in Paul and Daphne's journey and finished quickly. I will definitely read this author again.

Thank you again St Martin's Press for providing this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is my first time reading this author and it won't be my last. I found this novel to be engaging and true to its historical period.
The heroine Daphne is a strong willed, intelligent woman who falls in love with the son of a Duke, Paul, at an early age. When she is older, she sees him again and gains his help with retrieving a journal that had been stolen along with her bag. This scene sets in motion a chain of events that solidifies their relationship.

I wanted to really like the Duke because although he is shunned and considered a rake, he is noble and kind. He treats Daphne with such love and respect. If anything it's Daphne that initiates many of the sexual scenes which by the way are way hotter than usual for a historical romance. While Daphne is confident in her admiration and love for Paul, Paul struggles throughout the book to come to terms with his past and embrace a future with Daphne. His insecurities and constant concern on how others view him did put a damper on the flow of the story. He never quite let's it go even at the cost of losing the love of his life.
Despite this, the novel was well written and I definitely would check out other books from this author.

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By Janna MacGregor

I have read everyone of Janna MacGregor’s books and find myself more intrigued with this author. She has the ability to layer her characters and give them such depth. The narrative in this read can tie into contemporary themes of today.

A brother trying to repent for his waywardness and a young women on the cusp of spinsterhood filled with regrets. The story is much more elaborated and you find you cannot put this book down.

I thoroughly enjoy this book and would recommend this book and this author without reservation.

Lately, Historical Romances has become my weakness. Whenever I see one with a pretty cover and an intriguing plot I pick it up. I don't read the reviews from other people, I simply live through the book and form my own opinions. This one? Beautiful! I loved every moment. Janna MacGregor is a new to me author but I can assure you that I will be going back and reading the series from the beginning.

Another excellent read by Janna macGregor. As usual I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one sitting while my duaghter was at school. I was swept away immediately and kept entranced the entire length of the story. My only critique is that the author needs to write more quickly so I can hop right into her next novel immediately and if the next book is about a duke all the better. An excellent I thoroughly enjoyed

Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?

Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?

I've read all of books in this series, but I have to confess--this one is my favorite! I'm a sucker for friends-turn-lovers and when it happens at Christmas, it's swoon-worthy. A great holiday read!

I received this book from NetGalley but the opinions are my own.

Lady Daphne has held a tender for Paul since she was a child and now as an adult, the feelings are still there and have increased over time. Daphne had her reticule stolen and it contained her journal where she wrote some of her most personal thoughts. Trying to find the kid who stole it, she encounters Paul and he agrees to help her. As time goes by they form an attachment and he asks her to marry him and she says yes. Paul learns some devastating news and breaks with Daphne. There is a HEA but there is a lot that has to happen before this becomes a reality. The book is well written and I would highly recommend it as a great read.

The Good, the Bad and the Duke by Janna MacGregor is an enjoyable read that happens around the Christmas holiday. The story is unique, complex and very relatable. The characters are very relatable as well. I loved the back and forth, twists and turns of the story. The guilt and interests of the characters also added to the story. Although at times, you want them to put it behind them. . It kept me interested and it was hard to put down. Highly recommended.

I received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I enjoy Janna MacGregor's writing in general. This particular book did not catch my attention the way many others have. I found the characters too rote, too genteel and young to be as imperturbable as they were written. 3 out of 5 stars.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is not your traditional historical romance. This book was captivating and a great read!

I love this book series and I hope there will be more books. The story is about Lady Daphne Hallworth can't wait to celebrate the holiday but her family accidentally leaves her home alone. So Daphne uses the time to work on her dream of opening a home for unwed mothers. She is trying to purchase a house but her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart wants the house too. Also, he stole her diary, which has family secrets in it as well. Paul aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So they both make a deal, he will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. I very much enjoyed this book.

I couldn't put this book down! So good. So entertaining. The characters were so relatable and really drew you in. The plot was intriguing and the romance was sweet.

Another great novel in The Cavensham Heiresses series! I loved the connection and the conflict between the characters. I love escaping into Janna MacGregor's books!

I was immediately drawn to this book by the beautiful cover. It is the perfect lure for the upcoming holiday season.

This is the first book that I’ve read in this series. It works fine as a stand alone but I did feel like I was missing a detail here or there.

Lady Daphne has long harbored feelings for Paul, the Duke of Barstowe. But Paul has fallen out of favor with Daphne’s family thanks to some youthful indiscretions.

Years later, the two cross paths again. Daphne is pursuing her dream to open a home for unwed mothers. Paul wants to build a hospital to honor his late brother. They end up wanting the same tract of land. During their negotiations, they make a deal---Paul will help Daphne find her lost diary that contains family secrets if she’ll convince her family to forgive Paul..

I thought this was a nice read for the holiday season. You can’t help but like the two characters and root for their happily ever after. If you like historical romance, this is well worth the read.

Lady Daphne Hallworth and her family are about to leave town for the holidays, but in all the confusion, Daphne is left home alone. Deciding that she has had enough of going unnoticed, Daphne plans to stay home and enjoy Christmas alone. She is out taking a stroll when her most prized possession is stolen... a journal in which she records her most private thoughts and desires. Daphne is desperate to get it back, so desperate that she risks ruining her reputation by chasing the thief into a gentleman's gambling establishment.

Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, is immediately enraptured by the beauty trying to get into Reynold's, a men's only gambling hall. When he realizes who she is, Paul immediately rushes to her aid. Paul was once Daphne's brother's best friend, but past mistakes destroyed any love her brother had for him. Paul isn't sure Daphne will accept his help, but is relieved when she decides to put her trust in him. Could this be the second chance Paul was looking for? Can he prove to Daphne and her family that he is a changed man; a better man? And what will come of his budding relationship with Daphne?

I must admit, that I have only read one book in author Janna MacGregor's captivating CAVENSHAM HEIRESSES series. It was the first novel, THE BAD LUCK BRIDE. I have been meaning to pick up books two and three, THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY and THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE. Instead I skipped ahead to book four, THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE. I do feel it can be read as a standalone, but there are some details I was missing but not having read books two and three, so I will definitely be picking those up soon. Back to THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE... it was just my kind of read. I love the sister falling for the brother's best friend scenario. Paul did some bad things in the past, but he more than makes up for his actions in this story. He is strong, stalwart, and sexy. Daphne and he made the perfect couple. She is witty, wicked (in a good way) and has such a big heart. Daphne helps Paul learn to be a better man, although to be honest, he has always been one. I love that Daphne surprises Paul by taking charge like she does. If it was up to him, he probably would have resisted longer, in order to be a gentleman. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE is a keeper. I cannot wait for book five in the CAVENSHAM HEIRESSES series, ROGUE MOST WANTED.
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars!!

This was a very sweet book...

Daphne is left behind by her family at the holidays. Paul has been her friend from childhood, but estranged from her family.

There are secrets here, and things to be discovered. Watching these two work together, and those secrets come out, was a lot of fun. A great weekend read!

I loved this book! Daphne was such a great main character, and I liked getting to see Paul slowly redeem himself. I haven't read the other books in the series, so it was hard to understand some of the family dynamics, but otherwise everything was great. I loved how passionate Daphne was, I only wish she'd kept a *little* more of her personality from her youth.

A very enticing storyline from the Regency Period of England. The young Duke of Southart, Paul, is trying to deal with his grief as well as the new responsibilities of being the Duke of Southart.

His grief is from the death of his father and his brother. He is grieved. Not so much for his father but very grieved for his brother’s passing.

From his younger days he has been a free spirit whom spent his time gambling, seducing women and just generally acting poorly. But now he must reform his ways and establish himself as the Duke of Southart and thus gain respect from the community as he takes his place in society.

Then there is Lady Daphne Hallworth, a young woman who is dealing with her own grief and her own issues of society. Her sister has died and Lady Daphne is cut to her core with grief.

Both the Duke and Lady Daphne want to do something to honor their lost siblings. The Duke wants to establish a hospital to help fight the diseases that are decimating the population of England. Lady Daphne wants to open a home for unwed mothers.

The Dukes desire is “Noble,” but Lady Daphne’s desire to open this home is against all societal acceptance. But that is all the more reason to open a home.

The underlying current of the story is that Lady Daphne and the Duke of Southart have known each other their entire lives. The lady has loved the Duke the whole time. But the Duke has been blinded by his own misguided youth.

Will they both establish the charities they want to? Will they find love in each others presence? Will they be able to overcome the grief and issues of societal mistakes that seek to unravel their reputations?

The research is well done, the writing handles all the Regency decorum well and the love that grows between the two is very much true to life.

They are a few scandalous things that MacGregor includes, such as the sexual promiscuity of the time. But while that seems out of place it really isn’t. Sex has always been something that brings ruination to many a decent person.

All in all this is a delightful story, I trust you will enjoy it.

I very much enjoyed the romance of Paul and Daphne! Paul doesn’t have the best reputation, but Daphne has always loved him from afar. Her family forgets her at Christmas and when her beloved journal with all her secrets and fantasies is stolen, Paul assists her and she begins to show him he is a good person.

This book was hard to put down. The romance was sweet and the adventures they go on to get the journal back are fun. Overall, a great historical romance.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.