Daphne, writing anonymously in her advice column, advises a woman to not marry Miles who is a notorious rake. When Miles confronts Daphne, he suggests that he court her instead as he has to marry soon. What starts as a challenge between them quickly becomes serious. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

So I absolutely loved Daphne and Miles‘s story. I remember Daphne from the first book in the Rogues and Rebels series, The Companion’s Secret. Daphne and Bellis were introduced there as young children. But you learned a lot about who Daphne was as a result. She has popped up throughout the other books and I’m really glad that we’ve got her own book in this new series. I won’t lie, some of the things that she did and thought frustrated me. and although I loved Lady Stalbridge in the prequel, Nice Earls Do, I was really wary of her for a while in this one. So even though Susanna Craig is one of my number one favorite authors, I wasn’t certain about the book until I started really reading it and . . . of course I was absolutely hooked.

All of her books are incredible and I don’t know why I thought this one might be any different. Daphne is young, 21 and she honestly doesn’t have a whole lot of firsthand adult knowledge of the world, so she still does act like a child sometimes. Miles is amazing. You know we all love a rake but throughout this book Susanna Craig has explained that he is more than what meets the eye. She peels the layers like an onion so you really learn a lot about him through his interactions and also through his bestie Alistair (please tell me that he’s going to have a book)

Anyway, as always, there are other characters in the book who you know will be part of the sequels, the magazine contributors, and they are so interesting.. And as always, one reason I will always go back to Susanna Craig is that she inserts strong, intelligent, interesting AND SIGNIFICANT characters of color. You found them in the Love and Let Spy series and she does not disappoint here. Kudos.

This is an excellent start to a new series and, of course, I am delighted to give it a five star rating because it was a wonderful book. I’ve read it twice since I got the arc. Susanna Craig has the amazing ability to write in a way that you can reread her books and, even though you know the ending, the second reading allows you to savor every word.

This is a cozy read. It’s pretty low-stakes and mellow, so if you’re looking for high levels of angst, suspense/intrigue, or fiery chemistry, this may not be the book for you. Much ado is made about Miles being the biggest rake in London, to the point where no one wants their daughters to wed him (which seems like a VERY high bar—in most HRs parents are shoving their daughters towards the very worst scoundrels as long as he has a title). But the book never really establishes WHY he’s the worst of the worst—he seemed relatively benign to me, especially when compared with other HR rakes. Daphne as a character also felt pretty flat to me, and their chemistry seemed a bit contrived. Overall I had a really hard time getting invested in these characters and their relationship.

I’ve read almost all of the author’s other books, and this one is my least favorite. It’s not a terrible book! She is a good writer and does great with setting a scene. But definitely not her strongest work.

I've only read one other novel by Susanna Craig but I definitely need to read more because I really enjoyed this. Daphne, a smart but often ignored younger sister in a family of extremely talented siblings (I'm assuming at least some of those folks have featured in earlier Craig novels, because they have pretty fleshed-out back stories). Completely by happenstance, she comes upon a meeting of women writers who are the secret contributors to a ladies' magazine with a somewhat radical reputation. She becomes their secret advice columnist, with the first advice she dispenses leading to a young woman publicly calling off her engagement to notorious rake Miles, Viscount Deveraux. He manages to figure out quickly that it was her advice that led to his humiliation, and because he has put a wager on his own marriage happening in a short time frame, he says he'll keep her Daphne's secret if she helps him find a wife. She comes up with a solution - she'll marry him if he courts her properly. She's really trying to research another column all about "that devil, Deveraux" but of course, things take a different turn. I really liked Daphne and Miles, their friends and families, and the way this romance played out.

First in a series , this Regency novels features a rake who has made a wager to marry by the end of the month and an advice columnist bent on exposing rakes for what they are.  Kind of a How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days type of set up, the two agree to an engagement of convenience (or inconvenience as the case may be) but can't help falling in love.

The first bit of the book was slow for me, but once we get into more scenes between the MC I really like how the romance was sweet and subtle, and there was character reveal (if not real character development).  There isn't much angst, but with competing goals it's interesting to see how these two characters navigate what could have been an absolute war/showdown.  

Daphne is the spinsterish, reserved one of a clan of exceptional talent (writers, attorneys, etc.) who is perhaps, as a result, pragmatic and skeptical.  Miles, on the other hand, presents as a soon to be thirty gentleman who has raked his way through London due to perhaps some low confidence.  I liked that he wasn't apologetic about his rakishness but neither was he an alpha-hole.

The intimate scenes were well-written but fairly vanilla, there was no violence or villains, and the mature subject matter was fairly light on the page.  

For readers looking for over-the-top characters, or deep character development, you aren't going to find it here.  Instead, it was a light, spring rain of a romance...refreshing, not too emotional, and something that can easily be read in a few sittings.  It's also likely to be forgettable but promises an interesting series ahead.

Advice columnist Daphne Burke advises a lady to break off her engagement to notorious rake Miles, Viscount Deveraux. He bet he could get a respectable bride, but his fiancée changed her mind. Miles figures the columnist responsible should find him a wife instead or he’ll expose her secret. Daphne offers herself up but intends to turn him down in a scandal that will expose him and also set her free from future marriage expectations.

I wanted more backstory about Daphne’s insecurities and Miles’s reasons for being the least rakish rake ever. A lot of side characters crowded the story, especially for a first in a series. If they’re all from another series, then maybe this is best read by those fans. I found so many siblings and their spouses and children a distraction from Daphne and Miles. I liked the resolution and the plot, but struggled in the first half with so many side characters and almost gave up. Things picked up in the second half when they traveled to Lyneham without her family and the story focused more on the couple. I'm in for book 2.

Wanted to try out a new romance novelist. The premise sounded good, but it just didn't support my initial interest. I'm sure others will enjoy this, but for me it was a no-go.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first full book of this series, after a novella released previously. It follows the romantic and writing adventures of Daphne Burke, an unwed, middle daughter who feels a bit overlooked and overshadowed by the accomplishments of her more notable siblings. She is an admirer of the rather subversive Goode's guide and imagine her surprise one day when she infiltrates a meeting of the writers and producers of the guide when following her wayward cat. Not only does she infiltrate the secretive meeting, but when she dares to voice her opinion on somethings, she finds herself writing for it! She has become the advice writer Miss Busy B.

In one, she advises a debutante who has become betrothed by her parents to a rather notorious rakish peer, to break off the engagement. The peer who is jilted is Miles Devereaux, a viscount, also known as "that devil Deveraux". He has a rather sullied reputation to begin with, but is intent on finding himself a bride. It seems that his air of devil may care rakishness is really quite a bit of shell to hide under - inside is a man who is much more insecure, and caring than he lets on. For one, he is quite under the thumb of his loving, sweet grandmother and appears to want to do what he can to please her. Including providing her the bride she wants him to have.

Who doesn't love a boy who loves his grandmom?? Especially a charming, misunderstood rake?

But all Miss Busy B knows is his reputation, and what the letter entreating advice states, and the identity of the jilted is barely hidden - Miles is skewered and now can't find himself another bride by the deadline he set - which he also unfortunately bet on, which does not help his reputation either.

Miles, when alerted to how his loss of a bride and further erosion of his reputation, finds out about Miss Busy B, he manages to find out the identity of her writer too - Daphne, and blackmails her into standing in as his betrothed. Daphne is fearful of being outed, but then also is roped into using the opportunity, especially as it involves a visit to his estate, to find out more about the rake and write an expose about rakes and him to be published as well. She figures she would comply with his blackmail, and break off their engagement later on in spectacular fashion.

I had trouble warming up to the characters in this story. Miles I rather liked as his reputation as a rake, while it was likely earned, was also only one facet of his character. He was skewered and judged for his past, but really, how was he different from others of his ilk, and what he was judged on in the present of the book was just wrong and skewed - the first betrothed obviously had her own agenda, and Miss Busy B judged him on erroneous presumptions. Also, he proved to be more than a rake in his relationships with his family and friends. But he did make rather foolish mistakes such as his cocky bet on a bride/wedding, and continuing to let Daphne carry on with the misconception that he would out her identity.

Daphne, however, I could not like for writing advice to the erstwhile betrothed based on gossip and innuendo about his behaviour, and being less than discreet with his identity to advance her desire as a writer for the magazine, rather than her supposed good sense - a poor example of integrity in journalism and writing. Maybe that biased me against her from the beginning, but I felt sorry for how Miles was treated by the magazine and by her from the beginning.

3.25 stars out of 5

Susanna Craig’s The Lady Knows Best is the perfect antidote to Bridgerton anticipation. This is a sweet and steamy regency romance that checks so many boxes.

Full review at Pages and Pictures: https://allpagesandpictures.com/2023/03/02/advanced-book-review-the-lady-knows-best-by-susanna-craig/

I found Susanna Craig's first book from her new series Goode's Guide to Misconduct, The Lady Knows Best to be a good and entertaining read. I liked it. Four stars.

I really enjoyed this romp of a historical romance - it's on the lighter end of things, with some very fun silliness that set it apart. It would be a good bet for fans of Erica Ridley and Tessa Dare.

Susanna Craig’s new novel, The Lady Knows Best, had some interesting twists on the standard Regency romance plot. The main characters are unusual. Daphne who sees herself as plain and uninteresting, becomes Miss Busy B, the advice columnist for a controversial ladies’ magazine. Miles, Viscount Deveraux, is a high flying rake known as “that devil Deveraux.” Both are opinionated and outspoken. When Miss Busy B’s advice causes Miles to lose a much needed fiancé, he challenges Daphne to be her replacement. And then the fireworks start. An enjoyable read for fans of Regencies and quirky romances.

Tender Love Story

Daphne and Miles had different concepts about each other and when Miles found out she had written the article in Mrs Goode’s Guide For Misses that had a negative effect when his fiancé broke off their engagement, he blackmailed her into finding him another wife to be. He had a bet that he would be married before the end of June!

Daphne agreed to be his wife but he had to court her first. What a fun read, Miles wasn’t what he seemed and once Daphne got to know him, she realised there was more to his person than most people realised.

Miles was slowly beginning to love Daphne and wanted her quite desperately! Getting to know, learn and trust each other was a beautiful experience. Daphne had heard a lot of rumours about how good his kisses were and he was definitely living up to his reputation.

A Tender Love Story well worth a read!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Delightful! The relationship between Miles and Daphne is based initially on deception, misconception, and confusion. I can't call it an enemies-to-lovers story as Miles, bless his heart, doesn't realize he's the enemy! I revelled in the machinations of each character as they attempted to achieve their goals, even as those goals changed and shifted. This is a wonderful series and I can't wait for the next installment!

Thanks to Kensington Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Firstly, let me say that this author has been a favourite of mine for quite some time. I was completely taken with the Love and Let Spy series, and when I saw that the author had started a new series I was so excited to receive an advance copy.

The premise is excellent - a bunch of misfit, feminist women subversively writing a magazine to empower women - a magazine cleverly disguised as frippery., Mrs Goode's Guide for Misses.

Our heroine stumbles across this group as the story begins and starts to write an advice column for them. Daphne Burke considers herself lacking in achievements, compared to her lofty siblings, and believes she will be a spinster forever. She wants to make it her life's mission to expose Rake's everywhere, as they misguide ladies. In particular, she'd like to expose Miles Deveraux, who seems the worst of the lot!

Things get tangled up and, as the story unfolds, the pair end up in a fragile arrangement to be married and start to catch feelings, which makes exposing Miles somewhat complicated for Daphne.

This story started off well. but then I got really confused about Daphne's feelings and motivations. She seemed to waiver between being determined to make a fool out of Miles to falling into his arms. I did get the chemistry between the two easily, but that's because Miles was quickly exposed to the reader as actually being a decent guy - I really liked him. Daphne, as I said, took a while to understand. She was coquettish one moment, bold the next. I also didn't really get a sense of the group who worked on the magazine until quite late into the book, and at times felt they were working against Daphne instead of with her. I am sorry to say that I nearly gave up halfway through.

However, I'm glad that I read to the end, as the story wrapped up beautifully, with a hint of what's to come. I definitely want to read more of the series. It might have been just the mood I was in, but this first book didn't really do it for me. It's a 3.5 stars from me.

Chiefly through happenstance, Daphne has recently become the anonymous advice columnist for Goode's Guide to Misconduct, the magazine of choice for the discerning young debutante. Miles is the viscount unlucky enough to be skewered in her very first column, which decimates his immediate marriage prospects-- a bigger problem than one might think, because a great deal of money rides on his being married within the next few weeks. When he figures out Daphne is the writer he blackmails her into finding him a bride; she offers herself, with no intention of ever following through. The enemies-to-lovers story that follows could almost as well be described as fake dating, where one of the characters doesn't actually realize they are fake dating but thinks they are really dating. But it's also not exactly dating (fake or otherwise) because both characters do know they don't even really like one another-- until, of course, they do.

I flew through this book over the course of an afternoon-- it was so charming that I could not put it down. Miles and Daphne are both colorful characters who don't hesitate to make their opinions and personalities known, so watching the (often hilarious) dissonance between them before it gave way to beautiful harmony was a truly wonderful thing. I appreciated the natural and easy way that their relationship ultimately unfolded-- they were physically drawn to one another, but it was through normal day to day conversations and interactions that love ultimately blossomed between them. It was oddly wholesome for a romance novel, and I absolutely loved it. I also appreciated that Craig didn't allow things to swing too far toward the melodramatic-- you know for almost the whole book that eventually there will be a 'betrayal' of Miles by Daphne, and so I spent the whole book bracing for that fallout, but when it finally happened he loved her so much he didn't even care.

I enjoyed how Craig also didn't ignore what was going to happen once the characters had their Happily Ever After. She obviously has some understanding of the things that can contribute to a marriage lasting once the romance is over, and set the characters up for a lifetime of success. They respect one another and the need to have time, space, and one's own interests. They are also very open with one another about their strengths and flaws, and are willing to accept one another as they truly are.

I would recommend this to any historical romance fan, especially if you're ready to spend a day smiling. and a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope.

I will post a review to my blog and to social media closer to the release day.

This title was a lot of fine. The characters were mildly interesting. The premise was clever but somewhat under realized. The pacing was a bit uneven and dragged in spots. Recommended for readers looking for a low-stakes romance and fans of Susanna Craig.

Turns out we can have rakes AND devoted husbands, & I am al for it. 🤣

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Flowers & Stings
𝗙𝗮𝘃 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Daphne
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Normal
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲: Novel
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Historical Romance
4.4/𝟱

🌱THE EXCELLENT
~ Well written & engaging
~ ‘Enemies’ to lovers
~ Pretend courtship
~ Well-rounded characters

After being unable to keep a secret for less than a week 🤦🤣 Daphne happens to spill the beans about her involvement with an advice column & a scandalous dissolution of betrothal. Turns out the implicated rake is not pleased & she must now find a solution to his lack of soon-to-be-wife - enters her master plan - MARRY ME SIR (while I discreetly find out what a scandalous reprobate you are and spill the beans to the world)… but plans… even the best laid ones, can go awry with love.

✨𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱.

🌱THE MEH
~ 🤦 being unable to keep secrets
~ Certain parts 💁

♡🌱 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 ;)

This is an exceedingly cozy book, with stakes low enough that little concern about the characters' fates. Really, if the marriage didn't go through, he would still be rich and handsome with his bad reputation intact, while she would still be clever, lovely, underrated, and safe in the bosom of her loving, protective family. Nobody is on the high wire without a net in this book.

But that can be its own kind of safe pleasure, if it is what you want in a book.

The Big Difficulty late in the book was a little disappointing, though. It was fairly contrived and the chase scene was a confusing mess. If you want to bring the reader along on a race between two people, you need to prepare them by showing the locations, the times, and the conveyances they'll be using. All of those were surprises in this one, so it was a muddle. Who will be where, when? No way to tell.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall I did like this book but it did take me longer than normal to get through it.
Daphne stumbles in to a meeting for a magazine for women, one that encourages them to think independently.
She becomes an advise columnist with her first article leading to a woman breaking it off with a rake.
A rake who insist that now she must find him a new bride so he can win his wager.
Miles needs to marry by the end of June or he will lose his wager, but he quickly realizes the only bride he wants is Daphne.
Their relationship was okay but I think that may have been what lost my interest it just was lacking somehow.
Miles also didn't seem particularly like a rake.
I will check out this author in the future.