Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for access to this arc.

Seeing this novella and learning it's the start to a new series, I decided to try it. It's a bit of a more modern take on historicals but at least in this story, things don't stray too far for my taste.

Beth is a charming woman looking for something to occupy herself. Her relationship with her step-son is lovely and from cryptic comments, it's clear that he and his father never got along and that Beth helped divert his father's attention and thus protect Oliver's dreams. I found her frustrations over lack of choices and information when she was younger to be understandable.  

Kit is a sweetheart of an older hero. He's always been the older, responsible one, picking up the pieces others have dropped. When the woman of his heart married another, Kit just ... well, I'm not quite sure what he did for twenty years and it was never made clear. He inherited his Earldom four years ago but I find it hard to believe that he would be so wrapped up in estate management that he wouldn't have heard that Beth was now a widow. Now it looks as if he's just going to sink back into the shadows until he's unexpectedly goosed into taking a chance. Kit needed a bit more oomph. 

Everything happens in a whirlwind but their affection is based on long standing and they've known each other all through their childhoods. Still... Tabetha didn't like being buried in the country during her first marriage and Kit appears to prefer that. I would love to have seen these characters fleshed out with a bit more backstory. There are also a few historical accuracy issues that niggled at me but they are more minor annoyances than deal breakers. This is a nice story, of two nice people, reuniting, and finally trying for love but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to continue with the series. C+

Author Susanna Craig is back with a new series that she introduces in Nice Earls Do, that revolves around the creation of a ladies periodical and it all begins with a little secret!

This quick Novella features a second chance at romance for two older MC’s. Tabitha has been invited to help an earl revamp his nursery now that he has new wards coming to live with him. The Earl is under the impression The Tabitha is the creator of a popular home advice column when in reality it’s her stepson who dishes out the advice. Tabitha is surprised to find out that the Earl in question was her long lost love… will these two let their ✨sparks fly or will the secret inbetween them fizzle out this rekindled flame!?!?

The story was very cute and very short. But it definitely sparked my interest in the new series that will revolve around a business event venture to create a women’s periodical where women’s voices are heard. I loved Susanna Craigs last series, Love and Let Spy, and I’m excited to see where this one goes!

Nice Earls Do by Susanna Craig is available now!

Thanks to Kensington Books for my review copy. Opinions are my own.

Tabetha “Beth” Cantwell, the widowed Viscountess Manwaring is finally free after twenty years of marriage to a difficult man, she isn’t sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life, but is pretty sure marriage isn’t something she needs. She is pondering her choices when her beloved step-son Oliver, the new Viscount Manwaring reveals a shocking secret, he is the wildly famous author of Mrs. Goode’s Guide to Homekeeping and his publisher is demanding that Mrs. Goode help a bachelor gentleman prepare his nursery for the unexpected arrival of his new wards. Beth doesn’t understand the problem until Oliver reveals that his publisher believes that Mrs. Goode is a real person and has no idea that Oliver is actually the author. If he refuses to go, his publisher is threatening to refuse to publish the companion guide Oliver has been writing. Without a second thought, Beth offers to go to Hertfordshire as Mrs. Goode and Oliver can accompany her under the guise of her assistant.

Kit Killigrew never expected to become an earl, he grew up the eldest son of a land steward and studied law. But as with so many things in his life, things didn’t go as planned. First, he lost the only woman he ever loved – without ever telling her, then his father died, leaving Kit with the care of his mother and younger brother Edmund. After one too many stunts, Kit exiled Edmund to Italy, where he died and now almost a year later, Kit learns that his wife also passed and Kit is the guardian of his niece and nephew. Never having married and spending the last few years trying to sort out the mismanaged earldom, Kit is unprepared for children, but his housekeeper has a plan – she reached out to the publisher of Mrs. Goode’s Guide to Homekeeping and begged for help. And to Kit’s complete shock, not only is Mrs. Goode in his home, but she is Beth Holt – the woman he loved and lost. He can’t believe his luck, to have a second chance at love is something he never thought would happen, but could Beth ever return his feelings, or is it too late?

This was a well-written, fun novella featuring a sweet, second-chance romance. Beth had no idea that Kit had loved her and never really thought of him in that way, especially since his father was her father’s steward and her father would never let her marry him. But she considered him a dear friend and secretly found him handsome. She is thrilled to see him again but has to keep Oliver’s secret – which means she can’t be completely honest with Kit. And that secret will lead to misassumptions that could cost them a HEA. Overall, this was a charming novella that vaguely sets up the new series. I did think the romance was a little rushed, but it was still sweet and I hope to read more about their HEA in future installments of the series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Nice Earls Do is a short Novella and a Prequel to Susanna Craig's Mrs. Goode Series. Since it is a short story there isn't time to develop a slow build to the relationship between the two MC's, but I found the tale to be entertaining and satisfying. It left me happy, so 4 stars

Thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The widowed Tabeta, Lady Manwaring, is posing as Mrs. Goode, a home and hearth guru of the Regency age to keep the true identity of Mrs. Goode a secret. Mrs. Goode has been requested to help the Earl of Bennett prepare his home for his orphaned niece and nephew. But when Mrs. Goode and her step-son arrive at the Earl's home - it is to discover that the Earl is Tabeta's childhood friend and sweetheart - Kit. Kit and Tabeta were definitely victims of their circumstances - and now that circumstances have brought them back together again - Kit does not want to let her go.

This is a sweet and charming novella prequel to Susanna Craig's Goode Girls series. It is a great quick read and a promises a very fun series to come.

I received this as a ARC via NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

For a novella, this one really packs a punch. Nice Earls Do was a nice intro for the new series, Goode's Guide to Misconduct. This one manages to fit a story nicely into less than one-hundred pages. I really enjoy second chance romances and this one had a creative twist to it as the main characters were childhood friends that always had a secret attraction for one another. Kit has never married and Tabetha is widowed....maybe this is their chance to finally see if there can be something more between them.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

A great start to a new series that has great promise from this prequal!

She is a widow and ends up posing as the writer of a book by a "Mrs Goode", who gives advice or organization and making a house a home. Little does she know, it will be the home of her childhood love that she has not seen in 20 years.

He was heartbroken when her parents would not let them wed, due to them wanting a "title" for her and he was just a stewart's son.

Now things have change and it seems love just might happen this time around!!

“Mrs. Goode” is an expert in all domestic matters when it comes to espousing all things to do with managing a household. So when publishers of the popular magazine, Goode’s Guide to Misconduct, decide to send Mrs Goode to furnish the house of the Earl of Bennett, with a nursery for his newly appointed guardian to his niece and nephew, she has no choice but to go. The only issue is that Mrs Good is actually widowed Lady Manwaring’s stepson. So with no ability to give advice about design, she finds herself at odds when she realises that the Earl is actually her childhood friend, Kit Killigrew. Tabetha might be an imposter, but her attraction to Kit is all too real. Soon they must be honest with their feelings if this second chance love is to actually happen.
The attraction between the couple is quickly reignited upon seeing each other. What I did struggle with was how intensely it blazed, in what seemed like a few hours. It is difficult to cram everything into a novella, but I would have like this to have been spread a bit more over time to make it more believable. However, a well told story from a great author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kit Killgrew unexpectedly inherits an earldom and after learning that his deceased brother has left behind 2 children he begins to prepare to become their ward. Tabetha arrives at Kit's home in the guise of Mrs. Goode, a domestic guru with her secretary, Oliver. Mrs. Goode has been tasked with redecorating the nursery for Kit prior to the arrival of his wards from Italy. Kit and Tabetha easily recognize each other, they had a connection 20 years ago but Tabetha's parents arranged for her to marry someone with a title. As they are deciding to work together to complete the nursery, Kit and Tabetha realize they still have feelings for each other. Kit soon learns that his niece and nephew are en route to his home and he will not have time to complete the nursery as planned. He decides to ask Mrs. Goode and her secretary to leave as their services are no longer needed. Thankfully, Oliver comes to the rescue and shares with Kit that Tabetha is still the same women he fell in love with years ago. This was a very short story but it was well written and the love scenes are steamy.

I received this story as an ARC from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really loved this novella which makes a gorgeous prequel to a promising new series! It’s basically a second chance romance, a trope that I don’t particularly like, but this time it was really well done and without too much angst. I literally ADORED Oliver, the heroine’s stepson, a sweet man with a great creative mind. Craig is an extremely talented author whom I discovered just recently and I’m making sure not to miss any of her books!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A sweet introduction to a new series and a second chance romance.
What not to love about long time estranged childhood friends cross path again with the purpose of making a home for one to orphan children and for the other to protect her stepson’s name.
Kit and Beth never had the time to let the feelings burgeoning between them to come to fruition.
Circumstances and others’ demands tore them apart. Now some two decades later, a chance encounter might the opportunity to explore what was just brewing when they were twenty.

It is a quick read setting the background for the new series with a romance to cement it.

I am still curious about Oliver, the miracle worker, (I so love a beta or omega hero) and if he will appear again in the upcoming series.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

It was refreshing to read a second-chance romance that wasn't at all angsty or characterised by hostility born of old misunderstandings. There was genuine emotion between them, and none of the false pride type antics that one commonly finds in romances where the heroine abandons her young love to marry another - titled - man. I also enjoyed the secondary character in this story - Oliver, the heroine's stepson. The author made very good use of this character to show us more of the heroine, and that is the mark of a good writer. All in all, a delightful start to a new series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nice Earls Do is the prequel to the new series Goode’s Guide to Misconduct by Susanna Craig. What a wonderful way to introduce a new series! Kit and Tabetha were childhood friends ripped apart when Tabetha married a titled gentleman. Over twenty years later, fate brings Kit and Tabetha back together for a second chance at love.

This was a smartly paced, fun, passionate novella. It is a quick read but does a beautiful job creating the foundation for a bright new series. Kit and Tabetha were lovable, relatable characters. Kit and Tabetha are in their forties; I like more mature romances. This easy-to-read novel has excited me over the new Goode’s Guide To Misconduct series! With such an excellent beginning, I can’t wait to see what is next! I eagerly await the first full novel!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a good novella that introduced the backstory of the main series! I loved Beth and Kit! It can be difficult to become attached to characters in a novella, but I felt like I knew them enough to care if they got together in the end. I liked that they were coming back together after such a long time apart and that Kit had always held a torch for Beth. I also adore Beth’s relationship with her stepson Oliver. They have such a loving and supportive relationship, which is super nice to see. I truly hope that one of the books in this series will follow Oliver because he is just so much fun. The excerpt at the end for book 1 in the main series has me very excited to read it when it releases!

This is a very quick short story even for a novella It does what it is suppose to do, by whetting the appetite for the new series.. However this did leave me feeling a bit dissatisfied by the story and wanting more, .a bit of a missed opportunity perhaps but good no the less. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Nice Earls Do by Susanna Craig is a prequel novella to a new series. However it is also a lovely second chance historical romance. The Earl of Bennett, Kit has just found out that he is going to be raising his niece and nephew. Being a long time bachelor and quite frankly one who doesn’t really care about the appearance of his house, he knows he will need help - although really it is his housekeeper that will need help. She contacts the writer of the “Mrs. Goode” to help her organize and update.

AHHH but the catch is that there is no Mrs Goode. The name is a pseudonym for a young lord who has great decorating tips. However, he convinces Tabetha, Lady Manwaring to masquerade as Mrs Goode, while he is the secretary and does the work.

Too bad that thought isn’t really workable for them. The Earl of Bennett, Kit and Lady Manwaring, Tabetha are old friends who - given a chance - will reconnect and…. Yep, fall in love.

I enjoyed reading this novella and I found the whole premise interesting. I will look forward to more books by Susanna Craig. Nice Earls Do was a quick, interesting read.

This was an entertaining, well-written novella. It was fun, sweet and charming. This is a prequel for a new series, Goode’s Guide to Misconduct and I definitely intend to read the next book when it is published. I enjoyed this novella and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Nice Earls Do by Susanna Craig
Prequel novella, 0.5, to the upcoming series, Goode’s Guide to Misconduct. Historical romance novella.
Beth agrees to pose as Mrs Goode, a decorator, to help her step-son keep his identity a secret from the publisher and public. Neither expected that Lord Bennett is her childhood friend and lost love. He knows Beth couldn’t care less about drapery and furniture

An adorable second chance romance for the couple that didn’t have a choice in their youth. Their situations are very different now and their love is still alive. Oliver is so sweet and obviously knows his craft.
This romance series sounds promising with a bit of humor. Maybe a bit of a take away from the mysterious writer of Bridgerton fame, with a nicer intent and slant from the writing perspective. I look forward to trying this new upcoming series.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Kit hires the famed interior designer Mrs. Goode to redecorate his home. Little does he know that "Mrs. Goode" is actually the stepson of the woman he once loved and lost. With her stepson by her side, widow Tabetha plays the role of the domestic doyenne—all the while falling in love with Kit all over again. Will they get a second chance at happiness?

I loved this book too much. All the characters are so wonderful and endearing—the novella ended too soon. I realize it's a prequel, but there's so much potential here for more. I hope the author offers a bonus story featuring these characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Nice Earls Do by Susanna Craig
Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #

This second chance for happiness twenty years later is a quick read that sees to deserving people find a future together that should provide the happiness they both deserve.

What I liked:
* Kit: the son of a steward, inherited an earldom that required his attention the past few years, loved one woman and lost her to a man with a title, expecting his niece and nephew who have been orphaned
* Tabetha/Beth: unhappily married for over twenty years, stepmother, widow, bored, agrees to play a part to help her stepson and in so doing meets up with Kit again after over twenty years
* Oliver: Tabetha’s stepson, author of popular book, unconventional, Viscount, intriguing and would like to see more of him
* Isabella and Luca: Kit’s niece and nephew
* The happy ending with introduction to the series that will follow

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how difficult it must have been to be expected to marry for position rather than for love

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars