Susanna Craig has done it again! The Lady Knows Best is the first official book in the Goode's Guide to Misconduct series. We follow Daphne as she stumbles into becoming Miss Busy B for Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses. Her first task? Advising a young miss to break her engagement to a notorious rake, Miles, Viscount Deveraux. After running into each other at an event, Miles figures out Daphne's little secret and blackmails her to aid him in finding a bride by the end of the season so he can win a bet. I loved watching Daphne and Miles navigate each other's blackmail, their burgeoning feelings, and their very interesting families. Daphne has a large family teeming with accomplished siblings and in-laws where she feels inadequate and shadowed. I enjoyed seeing her interactions with her family and how she had to confront how she sees herself versus how others actually see her. Miles has a very small family, technically he only has his fun-loving grandma who is not limited by her loss of eyesight, but he also ingratiated best friend Alistair and his seven sisters into his little family. I loved the friendship between Miles and Alistair. It really felt like they were definitely friends since childhood with their own little inside jokes and understanding of each other. I think we may see Alistair in a future installment of this series and I'm very excited about that. We also get to see Lady Stalbridge, who is the star of the prequel novella Nice Earls Do, and the other members of the Magazine. I liked seeing Daphne interact with them and strike up a kind of frenemies situation with Miss Cooper, whom I hope we get to see more of in later books.
I liked that this book stayed pretty light and fun. Miles is one of my favorite kind of rake characters, the fun, sarcastic, charmer. He isn't broody or angst-ridden. I also loved seeing the depth in his character as he starts to really think about what he wants and what Daphne would want. Daphne is a bit bossy and prickly, but we also see that she struggles with some anxieties and self-doubt. It was nice to see her development into someone who was more confident in herself but also who recognizes that maybe she put her family members on their pedestals and that there is always more than the surface level to people. No spoilers, but there is not a real third act breakup in this book. So if that's something you're on the hunt for, check this one out!
This was such a good start to the series, and I'm very intrigued to read more! I think I have an idea on the next couple. But also, if the author would be up to give us another prequel or .5 book about Cami and Gabriel's love story I would 100% be down for that.

This is a regency romance following Daphne and Miles a Viscount. After she stumbles upon a meeting for a newsletter, she is recruited to write a piece giving advice to a young woman anonymously, but it backfires on her when a certain gentleman finds out it was her. In order to protect her reputation and family name, Daphne is blackmailed into helping him out, but little does he know, she is not going to just play along with his little plan. However, neither of them expected to start catching feelings.
I had a good time reading this book. The plot was fun, easy going and fast read. It has Miles who is 100% a Rake and I love a reformed rake trope. He seems like a horrible selfish guy making bets about getting married, but he did win me over in the end. He was very charming at times, so I loved his interactions with Daphne. Daphne has big dreams, knows what she wants, and it is not a husband. She was strong, opinionated and was not afraid to share them. I liked their dynamics and them clashing at times. It was a fun story, very entertaining and at times heartwarming. I have read several books by Susanna Craig and enjoyed them all and this one is no exception.
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

The Lady Knows Best is a fast-paced and intrigue-filled plot, accompanied by expertly developed characters. This novel is wonderfully fun and witty. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for crafting compelling narratives, Craig has created a truly unforgettable story. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy a good mystery, The Lady Knows Best is sure to satisfy.

Take one rakish viscount and pair him up with an oft-overlooked lady with a quick tongue and a quicker quill and you have The Lady Knows Best. Susanna Craig has started off her Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series with a bright and fun romp.

Daphne Burke comes from a family of exceptional people. And though she loves her siblings, she can’t quite shake the feeling that she’s the uninspiring, unimpressive Burke. Then she gets the chance to be an advice columnist for a subversive women’s magazine and Daphne feels a rush of excitement. Until her advice to break off an engagement lands her in hot water with Miles, Viscount Deveraux. “That devil, Deveraux” has wagered that he will be wed by the end of June and when he discovers Daphne is the one who advised his fiancée to cry off, he blackmails her into finding a new bride. Daphne offers up herself, much to his surprise and intrigue, but little does he know that she plans to turn the tables on him. What neither can expect is their courtship to start to feel like it could lead to something real and true.

Miles is a rake who hasn’t always made the best decisions, but he’s a charming hero. He’s got a good heart, cares for his loved ones, and is quietly vulnerable. I couldn’t resist him and honestly he was just a fun character who made it easy to fall into the story. Daphne, who has her scheme to free herself of Miles and the marriage mart, didn’t instantly win me over but I grew to like her. She’s committed to misunderstanding Miles at first but as she starts to see the real man she relaxes and became a heroine I enjoyed. She and Miles have a fun chemistry that made the pages of their story fly by.

Daphne and Miles are the heart of The Lady Knows Best but there are many supporting characters who filled out the story and added a lot of charm. Three of Daphne’s siblings are the protagonists of Craig’s Rogues and Rebels series, but you don’t have to have read those books to enjoy this one (though I am now eager to do so). Daphne’s fellow Goode girls, so to speak, are interesting future heroines I very much am looking forward to learning more about. And finally, it would be remiss of me to not mention Alastair, Miles’s best friend and a lord I absolutely cannot wait to get his happily ever after. All in all, I really enjoyed Miles and Daphne’s romance. It was bright, entertaining, engaging, sweet (with a bit of spice), and made me smile.

Outspoken Daphne Burke loves her secret role of advice columnist. The problem is that her latest advice has led to the rakish Miles, Viscount Deveraux, to be left by his fiancee. Bigger problem? Miles bet his fortune on bagging a bride by the end of the Season. Now bride-less, he tracks down Daphne and demands that she marries him instead. She agrees... planning to turn him down after a two-week courtship. If only Miles wasn't so fun...

This one wasn't quite for me, but I see the appeal. If you're looking for a lighter historical, this one is witty and could do the job.

Fun, short, sweet but steamy romance that kicks off a new series. When Daphne Burke uses her new position as the advice columnist for a subversive ladies' magazine to ruin Lord Deveraux's engagement, she thinks it's nothing more than he deserves. But when he figures out it's her, he decides to make her find him a new fiancee, and she volunteers herself. Not because she thinks he's hot! (Ugh, he's objectively good looking and all, but that's just being honest.) No, it's so that she can gather intelligence about how rakes work so she can publish an expose and foil his marriage chances for good. Unfortunately for Daphne, as the two of them spend more time together, she begins to realize that he might not be such an awful person after all.

We always enjoy Susanna Craig's romances, and this was no exception. It was great fun to see Miles win over Daphne even though he didn't realize he had to. The romance here is fun and lighthearted, with two decent people learning to love each other despite their initial reservations. Do note that although this is marketed as the first in a series, there appear to be several reoccurring characters from a previous series. This did not detract from our enjoyment of the book, but it did make us wish we'd known more about them!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I've been a fan of Susanna Craig since reading her debut novel back in 2016. Impeccably researched, Craig's books immerse me in historical settings and events that frame character-driven stories that keep me turning pages until well past the time I should be asleep. From London to Dublin to rural and coastal English villages, and even a Caribbean island, she creates atmospheric pictures with her words that are many times just as critical to the story as her characters.

In The Lady Knows Best, Craig has brought together one of my favorite plot devices: a strong-minded heroine (with more worth than she believes) and a charming rake (with more depth than anyone believes), brought together in a courtship of convenience with love on the line. Daphne and Miles both have their reasons for entering their devilish bargain, though it's clear from the start that love is not of interest to either of them. Of course, we all know that will change but it's how the changes come about that kept me turning pages.

I adored these two. They are both much more than what they allow society to see and, in Daphne's case, what she allows herself to see. I was cheering her on as she finally began to realize her worth. She had so much to offer but was the last person to recognize that. I loved how Miles encouraged and supported her, how he saw beyond her mask to the full person within. And speaking of masks, Miles was so much more than society - and Daphne - first thought. He captured my heart as surely as he captured Daphne's. It was fun to watch these two slowly reveal themselves to one another, gaining respect, understanding, and love along the way. The epilogue, especially, cemented for me how well Miles understood, respected, and loved Daphne for all she was and how much Daphne had come to enjoy his rakish ways, now devoted solely to her. I see much laughter and joy in their future. I hope we see them again. I haven't had nearly enough of them.

Secondary characters were delightful additions to this story, especially Miles' grandmother and his best friend, Alistair (Earl of Ryland). I do hope we'll be seeing more of him in a future book. As a fan of Craig's Rogues and Rebels series, it was a fun surprise to discover that the heroine of The Lady Knows Best is none other than Daphne Burke, the younger sister of the Irish Burke siblings who starred in the Rogues and Rebels books. It isn't necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one but following Daphne's journey to love - and catching up with her siblings and their partners - is a special treat for those of us who first met her as a little girl.

4.5 Stars

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

The Lady Knows Best begins the Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series with a funny, delightful romp of a romance that not only sizzles with passion but often had me erupting in unexpected laughter. Passion and laughter… you’ve got my attention with that combination. And just as a mention, if you’ve read any of the other novels by this author (as I have), then you might run into some familiar faces.

Due to some unusual circumstances, Daphne finds herself as an anonymous columnist for a rather daring publication for ladies. Her advice column will lead her right into an adventure of her own when she suggests a certain young lady ditch her fiancé when it’s rumored that her intended groom is doing some stepping around on the lady. And while she may have “saved” one young woman from a fate certain to cause her unhappiness, Daphne will soon learn that not everything is as it seems when that jilted groom sets his eyes on revenge.

I had so much fun with this book. Miles is handsome as sin, but almost as stubborn as Daphne is. Put two immovable adults against each other and chaos and romance will eventually make an appearance. Miles is far from the rake Daphne originally saw him as but then he doesn’t let many people in deep enough to realize that. I loved watching their slow-burn romance turn into a steamy relationship as they each fell for the “enemy”. There are no grand events that will prevent this couple’s eventual happiness… no they put their own roadblocks in place. But watching them go beyond what they thought and accepting what they feel and know is a fun, satisfying, emotional journey. If you love a romance with all the sizzle, laughter, and emotions you crave, then this one is just right for you.

*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.*

Release date: April 25, 2023

Serving as the advice columnist, ‘Miss Busy B.’, for a ladies’ magazine is the perfect outlet for Daphne Burke’s outspoken nature. But when she advises a young lady of the ton, to break off her engagement to a notorious rake, the consequences take Daphne beyond the page and into her real life. Miles, Viscount Deveraux, sometimes known as “that devil Deveraux” needs a respectable bride by the end of the Season, and he’s bet a fortune that he can get one. Now, his fiancée has not only changed her mind but done it publicly, in a letter to London’s most infamous magazine. With the stakes high and time short, it seems reasonable to him that the columnist responsible should come to his rescue and marry him instead. Fortunately for Miles, Daphne is eager to escape the pressures of the London marriage mart. She agrees to a courtship. But at the end of two weeks, she intends to turn him down in a big, splashy, scandal that will ruin her reputation and set her free.
This is the first in a new series, although there was a prequel, which set up the series. A well written book that I enjoyed but there were quite a few new characters & it took some time to introduce them. I felt things didn’t 'get moving' until well into the book but once it I did I found I grew to really like both Miles & Daphne but I did prefer Miles who was much nicer once we got to know him. Daphne did grate on me at times. I did enjoy the book & liked that there were cameo appearances from previous characters & I look forward to the rest of the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig is the first book in a new series called Goode's Guide to Misconduct. There is the prequel Nice Earl’s Do, which is a delightful read but not needed to enjoy this novel. In this novel we meet Daphne Burke, who due to an accident, was invited to become the columnist in Ms Goode’s Magazine for Misses. Who knew starting out, she would accidentally cause Miles, Viscount Deveraux to be embarrassed by his fiance’s breaking off their engagement and running off the next day to marry another.

Daphne and Miles ended up making a deal. As they spend more and more time together, they both discover how much the other means to them. However, not that each of them ever told the other one. Then, all of Daphne’s family and friends get involved and nothing seems easy when it is time to tell the truth.

I enjoyed the novel. I enjoyed how Daphne was able to uncover the truth about Miles. I loved how Miles knew he had to let his true self grow. Mostly I loved how a cat caused the beginning and the ending! The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig is a fun read.

This is the first book in a new series, "Goode's Guide to Misconduct". This is about a magazine for young misses.
Daphne finds herself accidentally walking in on a meeting of the writers of the magazine. When she hears them talking about a letter they received and doesn't agree how they want to handle it, she speaks up, expressing her opinions. This is how she ends up writing the advice column for the magazine. Her first column ends up with a young woman breaking up the betrothal of a viscount and his fiancee.
Miles, Viscount Deveraux, cannot believe he has lost his fiancee. For several reasons he wanted to be married by the end of the season. When he finds out who is responsible, he blackmails Daphne into taking his fiancee'e place.
The adventures start from there. I enjoyed the story and seeing the relationship develop between the two. The one thing I didn't understand was the title. Because it seemed like everything Daphne did was wrong.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

“There is nothing more valuable than curiosity and a willingness to learn.”

A happy, fun (official) start to a great new series!

What a sweet book! It’s a charming tale, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of this series. (This book is #1 in a new series by Susanna Craig, but there is a prequel/novella that I highly recommend as well.)
Miles and Daphne are both well rounded characters. They are lovable while still having a believable story arch. Miles especially is such a sweetheart. I also really enjoyed the side characters.
Overall I recommend this for a good time!

Star Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Wallflower with a career, fake courtship

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig
Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #1. Regency Historical romance. Best read after the prequel novella, Nice Earls Do, for background information on the news letters for Misses.
Daphne Burke stumbles upon a meeting for the somewhat scandalous news letters for Misses and finds herself writing a column about the notorious rake, Viscount Deveraux. She advises his fiancé to leave him after she witnesses him playing a game of chess with another woman. Daphne accidentally gives herself away as the writer of the column when she accepts a dance with him. She is assigned a follow up article to warn young innocent women about the lascivious ways of a rake and how to avoid getting caught in their games. But the more time she spends with Miles, the less sure she is of his true character.

Delightful, steamy and romantic.
Miles felt so genuine throughout the story. First presenting with a mask of uncaring, then open and sincere as he charms Daphne.
Predictable in several places but still charming.
I did feel like I should have known many of the secondary family characters. After a bit of research, I believe this is a spinoff of the Rogues and Rebels series.

Quotes from or about Daphne that I found titillating:
“You might find you quite enjoy being ruined.”

“Her body was far more prone to betrayal than she had been led to expect.”

“Her mind has turned out to be no firmer or more dependable than a bowl of porridge.”

And one for Miles that had me laughing out loud:
“I needed to do something to take my mind off all the possible ways to be murdered by a Duke, a marquess, and an Irishman.”

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and the publisher.

I have read several books from this author including some from the previous series. Daphne is a blue stocking,, Miles a rake.. They strike a bargain that includes a bit of blackmail and with intentions of not following through. Daphne finds that Miles is actually a caring grandson, friend, estate owner and can’t help but fall for the rake.

WONDERFUL!!! The Lady Knows Best by Susanna Craig is the first in the Goode's Guide to Misconduct series and I am hoping it is not the last. What I loved about this book was the wit behind it and writing a newspaper article on rakes totally cracked me up. Also this story line is very original. Another thing I just loved about this book were the animals that were written in this story. Eileen the cat was a wonderful character. I found this story to be original, had the real feel of the regency era, wonderful characters, vivid descriptions, witty and just so fun to read. Susanna is truly a gifted writer. This story has an ordinary lady that lives in a family that is either brilliant or beautiful, a viscount that is a rake and rogue, a ladies newspaper, advice in a newspaper, breaking off a betrothal because of the advice, a wager, figuring out who the writer is, needing to win, blackmail, a fake engagement, a loving family and falling in love. I am very highly recommending you read this book. I am looking forward to the next in this series!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

Irish born Daphne Burke is stuck between a rake, a hard place and an essay.
On her very first assignment as an advice columnist in a ladies’ magazine, she told a young lady to break off her engagement to an unfaithful man. Said man turned out to be London’s most notorious rake. And now her editor wants her to expose him for the scoundrel he is.
Trying to best the man at his own game may not be the safest plan, but what else could she do when the cad figured her out right away?
Spending time with the man, she slowly uncovers he maybe isn’t all that devilish after all. There might be some truth to that saying about reformed rakes after all…

Miles, Viscount Deveraux, proud and confident rake, has made the decision to settle down. Stupidly, he allowed himself to be goaded into a bet by the gentlemen at White's. No harm done, until that annoying Miss Busy B ruined his plan. Now he needs to find a new bride. And soon!
When he discovers the first wallflower he approaches at the next ball is Miss Busy B herself, he’s out for revenge. She made the mess, she can find him a wife!
Shockingly, she offers herself as his new fiancée and she wants wooing. The girl is related by marriage to a duke, a marquess and a barrister. Treacherous waters to navigate indeed…

📚 first book in a new series, this is a fun, well-written, fast-paced, action-packed and romantic story about how there’s absolutely no doubt opposites attract. Lots of banter and stolen moments between an outspoken well-educated lady and a charming and self-confident but slightly broken man. Halfway the book the story moves to his country estate and that’s when things really get interesting!
📚 A cat, an accident and a mad dash back to the city. His best friend and sweet but sharp granny, and her big crazy meddling family and her editor complete the picture.
📚 Enemies to lovers, fake engagement, slow burn, steamy, open door, rake & bluestocking, he falls first

Thank you to Susanna Craig, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this eARC.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Susanna Craig's latest book, The Lady Knows Best, is a quick, easy, and fun read. The blurb, however, gets lots of details of the story wrong, The FMC, Daphne Burke, is searching for a way to distinguish herself from her seemingly more accomplished brothers and sisters. She cat walks her way into writing an advice column for a women's magazine, with her first column essentially advising the letter-writer to end her engagement. The dumped fiance turns out to be Miles, Viscount Devereaux, a consummate rake who has to marry by the end of the month to win a number of wagers - and to fulfill one hidden promise.

Miles does figure out Daphne is the source of his dumping and wants her to fix it. She is the one who proposes he marry her - for during their courtship she plans to learn all of his rakish ways and expose them in her next column. Of course, it does not unfold that way. Miles is a rake but he is also much much more, which Daphne comes to learn, and love.

As I said above, this is a fun read. The angst within it is self-created - there are no big and potentially violent intrigues happening here. Daphne does come across a little bit selfish and without the ability to play out the consequences of her actions and choices, but she certainly seems to learn her lesson in the end. Miles, too, has lessons to learn.

An enjoyable read - 4 stars, Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book, The opinions herein are my own.

I liked both of the main characters and their interactions with each other. The supporting characters were also fun. Together with likeable characters, the romance had a good plot and that made this book a 5 star read for me.

While I have read all the related series linked to this one, I am the sort of reader who forgot names, part dyslexia, part reading too many books. Still while when some backgrounds were given for this or that character, I was still a bit at loss about the need for so many protagonists. So I believe for new readers, it might be quite difficult to place everyone outside the main couple.

After I do think to not be alone in liking to see a villain getting its right comeuppance or the redeeming of a bad boy/girl but here the heroine for the first part of the book was very set on “ruining” the hero whose behavior was rather like most of his peers not worse nor better. So why being so set on him, only because he tricked her, when she did something similar, it was quite a game of cat and mouse with the hero as the mouse.

Daphne feels like she is the overlooked siblings when hers are all so successful from their activities to their marriage. So when an opportunity arises to “prove” her worth, she jumps on it, but without any life experience how can she truly advise people without making a muck of it. After all, she has only her second or third hands like experiences and her narrowed view of thing to share. She lets her preconceived ideas to guid her, prejudiced from the beginning. I do not know if it is only me but I’m growing bored of female characters seeing evil in men for living a freer life than themselves.
And while she finally revises her opinion of Miles to see the man behind the name but it was rather late.
Miles is quite sweet in fact, he might be misguided at time, like holding on his bet but he is no real rake else most of the ton’s men would be labeled as such. He even quickly becomes fond of Daphne when she did not much to endear herself to him. He admires her spunk and would never try to stifle it.

In all, an alright continuation to this series, with interesting possibilities in term of future pairings for the next books.
3.5 stars rounded up.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene

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

They had their own reasons for coming into their arrangements but it presented an opportunity to learn and see each other for who they really are. They were ‘hoist by their own petard’ but it led to their HEA. An engaging story with an insight into the struggle for women’s rights for education and freedom of choice we take for granted today.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.