This book was very well written and I liked that the hero was not a typical alpha-hole. He was a very mild mannered, sweet man “the best of good fellows” was used in the book and I would have to agree. That being said, I’d never read anything from Jane Ashford before and I didn’t realize how low on the spice her writing is. The couple doesn’t even kiss until about 80% of the book, there’s no sex scenes, and the story is very much focused on solving a mystery with the growing affection between the characters being an undercurrent of the story and not really the main focus like in a typical romance novel.
If you go into it knowing that, I think you will enjoy it a lot more than I did. I kept waiting for things to HAPPEN between the couple but nothing ever really did. It was a sweet, well done story though.

It was hard for me to really get into this story. Charlotte, the heroinen is rather irritating. She is often described as prickly, but the hero, the Marquess of Glendarvon, seens to find that an attractive quality. Charlotte feels that she doesn’t have a purpose in life since her friends all fell in love and got married. She decides that her real purpose is to solve mysteries since she helped to solve a couple of mysteries in earlier books. So when she finds out that the Marquess’s parents were brutally murdered when he was four years old, she sets out to figure out what happened. The mystery ultimately gets solved, but not really because of anything she did. I found her brothers more appealing and I would bet that they’re going to get their own romance stories in future books.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Charlotte and Laurence's story was engaging and delightful. Two lost souls meeting at the junction of disillusion and finding that which was unattainable. The ladies characters in this story were a fun lot who Kicked A--.
This story was a refreshing, sweet, and amusing one.

I wasn't sure what to except from this novel, I am yet to read a historical romantic suspense (is that even a thing?) but I found it to be a really cute read.

It is easy to read and quick, I was finished in just short of an hour, and the pacing is spot on. The characters are likeable and the mystery portion is intruiging enough to keep the reader engaged.

Apparently this is part of a series, but you wouldn't need to read the other books first in order to understand this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.

This is the 4th book of The Duke Estates series, it can be read as stand alone. My first in this series and this book is good.

All her friends married and star their own family, make Charlotte bored, she want to do something to occupied her day. Working in family business not appeal to her. When Laurence Lindlen marquest of Glendarvon, his brother friend come to stay, he said something that make Charlotte want to investigate it.

Laurence feel Charlotte family different from his. Her house so loud with happiness, Older listen to younger, sibling prank each other. To solve the mystery of his parent murder, LUrence and Charlotte spend time together. He dosnt complaint tho, he like her. Charlotte mke his life more colorful.

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#AGentlemanOughttoKnow #JaneAshford #SourcebooksCasablanca #NetGalley #ARC

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is set in the same series as “The Duke who Loved me” and continues with several of the previous characters. This time, we get to see Charlotte’s chance at love, now that her friends are all wed. She no longer has anyone to solve mysteries with, and is feeling alone. Her prospects had not been great during her season, so her mother invites several gentlemen in an attempt to matchmake. One of the gentlemen has a background full of mystery that piques her interest, and the story unfolds from there.
This was a sweet, well written story and both stands well on its own, as well as part of the series. I loved how Lawrence was proud of her, rather than diminishing her knowledge and skills, and was not at all put off by her rescue. The mystery in the plot felt more a part of the story than other historical romances with this theme, and I enjoyed that Merlin finally found a calling, if only to ship him off because I found he was starting to become rather irritating. Of course, that was his purpose, but, maybe it was a bit over the top? I’d like to see more of these characters get their happy endings, but this was a good ending to the series for now.

Thanks to NetGalley for the preview of this book and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the 4th book of the Duke's Estate's series, and the story of Charlotte Deeping, the only daughter of a family of gregarious, horse breeders, and dedicated hunters, with several brothers. She is one of the group of mystery solving friends that were introduced in the previous books, and friend to Charlotte, the Duchess of Tereford. She is sharp witted, and sharp tongued, and as such, did not "take" when she had her Season. But then again, she was not impressed with the men she did meet, so has determined she would not marry, but stay single and independent and, and perhaps find some purpose in life through helping with the family horse breeding operation. She is missing her friends and their previous adventures, and mourns losing some of those close ties as her friends marry off and develop life paths.

With the oncoming fox hunt season, her family has decided to have a house party, and her mother is using the opportunity to bring in some eligible bachelors, hoping to match Charlotte, much to Charlotte's disgust. One of them is her brother's school friend, Laurence Lindley, the Marquess of Glendarvon. Laurence was orphaned at a young age, and it is hinted strongly that he was raised by various guardians who did much to repress him, and discourage him expressing emotion or any of his true self. He is quite stunned and overwhelmed initially by the Deepings and how boisterous and exuberant they are. Their family ways and closeness were so different from his own experience. He also finds that Charlotte is very attractive with her wit, intelligence, and truth, and seeks her out and reveals more of himself than usual.

Charlotte initially did not want much to do with him, especially knowing her mother's intentions. But then she discovers that he is a walking mystery when he mentions in passing a bit of his family's past, and she cannot help but investigate further when she finds out that his parents were murdered when he was only 4, and the culprits never found.

In the meantime, the Tereford's are continuing their tour of the various estates of the Duke's and one is nearby, Lorne. It was recently partially destroyed by fire, and they are there to set it to rights. Their little posse has unfortunately also adopted the strange man from the previous story, Merlin. As they embark on their quest to fix Lorne, he finds a treasure of a jeweled ring amongst the burnt ruins of Lorne. When this comes to light, Laurence is shocked to discover that is part of his family heirloom jewels, and the last he saw of it was when his mother wore it, adding to the mystery of their deaths, and now engaging not only Charlotte, but the Terefords, Merlin, and other members of the Deeping family as the brothers seeks to keep Charlotte safe.

I was a bit tepid about Charlotte and Laurence initially, but they grew on me as more of them became revealed - rather like how they grew on each other. Though it did seem a bit insensitive and bold of Charlotte to pursue the mystery of his parent's death with out some due consideration for his feelings. But I did like the mystery aspect of the story and the very interesting twist to it. Merlin is quite the asocial and unlikeable character, but he certainly adds the element of the unexpected to a romance. But there were a lot of side characters - Merlin, the Deeping siblings, and others, that did distract a bit from main story. I liked the continuation of the Tereford's story and marriage as a continuing line in the series as well. What I especially like is that the story stayed true to the main characters and how they are styled, in that Charlotte did not become a weepy damsel in distress, and was quite the brave heroine in the end.

4 stars out of 5.

I started this book and thought it was a little dry. Picked it back up about a week later and was glad that I gave it a second chance. Laurence is a rather boring fellow pretty much throughout the book. Charlotte carries the wit and charm for both of them. A little bit of treasure seeking kept it interesting.

I was excited for the mystery-solving heroine aspect to this romance, but it never captured my attention. The writing style was simplistic for me and a little repetitive, and there was changing of the POV in the middle of scenes, which is a pet peeve of mine. Lawrence and Charlotte are likable, but this was slow for me with too much exposition and many unnecessary side characters. Both the mystery and romance were dull and forgettable.

Tomboy Charlotte is the sole daughter in a house full of sons, and she is reluctant to give up her independence to marry. She unexpectedly sees her brothers’ friend Laurence in a new light during his visit, and he also provides her with a mystery, her favorite pastime and passion. As the two dig into his past to investigate an old murder, they realize their feelings may not be so platonic after all. Jane Ashford delivers yet another satisfying regency romance.

4 Stars!! This is the 4th book in ‘The Duke’s Estates’ series and can be read as a standalone. The main characters are Charlotte and Laurence, the Marquess of Glendarvon. I liked Charlotte but also thought she could be a ‘female dog’ at times so it was hard to love her. Laurence was lovable and has a sad, dark story in his past. I really enjoyed this book with it’s mystery, murders, and falling in love. Who doesn’t love a romance with a murder mystery that the main characters are working together to solve?! No one, that’s who! Really enjoyable and entertaining read!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

This was a very entertaining book, albeit a bit slow moving in the beginning. I did enjoy the mystery and felt like it enhanced the romance even more.

4.5 stars

Great story. Another mystery for Charlotte to solve. In some respects it's a continuation from the previous book. Merlin is back as is Cecilia and her husband, James exploring houses that he didn't know were part of his dukedome. Charlotte's family are delightful, horse mad but great characters. I wonder if the author will continue the series with perhaps Henry, Merline, Cecil, Miss Brown or even Miss Pallister. Lawrence is Henry's friend, still suffering from the unexplained murder of his parents. Charlotte wants to solve this puzzle and help him close this trauma . The author often tells us more about history in the unfolding of the story. It's a clean romance and I found the denouement unexpected.

I recommend this book and will look out for more from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the third in Jane Ashford's "The Duke's Estates series and I totally enjoyed Charlotte and Laurence's story. A perfect blend of romance and mystery set in the regency period during the fox hunting season. This is a delightful tale of a outspoken woman and a Marquess with a wounded past brought together during a hunt and united in their mutual desire to solve the mystery of the Marquess' murdered parents over a decade ago. Each book in this series has been an entertaining read and each can easily be read as a standalone without the reader feeling lost or missing any important background facts or events. I recommend this romance and the series as a whole to all regency romance/mystery buffs!
4 stars and looking forward to the next installment. Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

“And so I found something to regret about the last London season … that I did not go to town, and so I missed my opportunity to waltz with you”
I really liked this regency romance !! This is the third book in “The Duke’s Estates” series, but you can easily read them as standalones.
It was not a common romance at all !! The mystery plot inside it made the story even more thrilling and enchanting and I actually couldn’t put the book down!!! The way the two main characters came to be in love with each other is honestly so sweet and beautiful and I was all in for that !! Do not expect spice because you are not gonna find any, but the plot of the book was so great, you really do not care about more intimacy between Charlotte and Laurence than what they already share. The fact that Charlotte is also the only daughter in a family of sons … it made their story even more entertaining!!
The trauma Laurence had to deal with and the investigation surrounding him, I think were made bearable because of Charlotte’s presence and what she comes to mean for him.
I really enjoyed this book and I truly hope for the author to continue this series !!!
“Please. Create a revolution in the house as you have in my heart”

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The main characters were engaging and likable, and I believed the progression of their relationship. I also appreciated the mystery aspect of the plot, which isn’t often found in this regency romance genre.

A few small things brought this down from a five star review for me. 1) I found the first chapter to be a bit slow. It took me several attempts at starting the book to power through to the second chapter. (But well worth it when I did.) 2) The POV would often switch several times throughout a chapter, with no indication to this change. I found this a little disorienting. 3) (This is a pet peeve of mine.) Characters from previous books in the series were unnecessarily brought up and given updates on. This did not progress the current story.

I absolutely loved every minute of this book! It was so romantic and compelling, and had me hooked from the start!

This book far exceeded whatever expectations I had for it. The romance was SO SWEET!!!! The characters made the story captivating. I stayed up way too late trying to finish this book.

Charlotte is back home after her first London season. All her school friends have gotten married and she is all alone. Her brother's friend, the Marquess of Glendarvon, comes for a visit and drops her a mystery.

Flirty, romantic and witty. Love this story... Both main characters are interesting and smart. The plot is smart too. A fun read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.