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micahslibrary's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
i was really disappointed in the advice column aspect of this book. i was expecting lots of advice column excerpts throughout the story which would have been so much fun, but there was only one in the whole book. :’(
atris_lauraborealis's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
glo68's review
5.0
This is the first novel of a very intriguing series that I’m following closely, having read and loved the prequel novella. In this book we get to know the daring and clever women who contribute to the famous magazine known as Goode’s Guide to Misconduct and the first one of them, the witty Daphne, finds her HEA. I really loved both characters, smart and outspoken Daphne, who’s often overshadowed by her more famous and clever siblings, and sweet Miles, whose rakish behavior is caused by a deep longing for companionship and love. The author is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine, because she can wonderfully write witty banter and steamy scenes alike and her characters are always well defined and true to life. A gorgeous read indeed!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
carrkicksdoor's review
5.0
Disclaimer: The author is a former professor of mine who I have remained friends with.
There are many romance novels where plot is expediently ignored in favor of sex. There are likewise many novels that never get to love scenes because they’re more concerned with the plot. THE LADY KNOWS BEST is beautifully balanced, with a plot that focuses on the feelings of the hero and heroine and engages a slow burn that quite nicely culminates in a HEA. The hero and heroine are delightful, as are their families and friends, all fully realized people, even if you don’t know their stories. And while this might not affect the average reader, Susanna Craig’s academic background means that her look at Regency England isn’t just fun—it’s historically accurate. Overall, this will make a very nice (and permanent) addition to my bookshelves, and not just because Susanna is a friend, but because it really, truly, is good.
There are many romance novels where plot is expediently ignored in favor of sex. There are likewise many novels that never get to love scenes because they’re more concerned with the plot. THE LADY KNOWS BEST is beautifully balanced, with a plot that focuses on the feelings of the hero and heroine and engages a slow burn that quite nicely culminates in a HEA. The hero and heroine are delightful, as are their families and friends, all fully realized people, even if you don’t know their stories. And while this might not affect the average reader, Susanna Craig’s academic background means that her look at Regency England isn’t just fun—it’s historically accurate. Overall, this will make a very nice (and permanent) addition to my bookshelves, and not just because Susanna is a friend, but because it really, truly, is good.
corsetreads's review
4.0
This story had a very interesting premise. I like that Miles was very unapologetic about his coercion lol it was a nice change from typical heroes, especially because he is genuinely a kind man and he’s merely putting Daphne in a position of power to choose him.
I liked the idea of daphne being an advice columnist that kind of fails to take her own advice, I just really wish that we had seen MORE of Daphne giving advice. She only wrote one article, so when the characters around her are telling her how great she is at speaking to people through the magazine, it kind of doesn’t ring true because she’s literally only done it once. I think it would’ve been much more fun if Miss Busy B had been a notorious advice columnist amongst the ton, the threat of her identity being revealed could’ve also held a lot more weight if she was more notorious than just a one hit wonder.
That said, the story itself was enjoyable enough. Though it could’ve been better. I liked that the hero’s main problem was his fear of being alone, and he recognized it and knew how to navigate it. It was different for a hero to be that vulnerable.
As for Daphne, I know we met her family in another series (that I haven’t read) so I feel like her dynamic with her siblings kind of got lost on me sometimes. I couldn’t tell if they were mean to her or not.
This was a solid 3.5/5 stars but I will round it up to 4 because the one thing I got out of it is that Alistair’s character hooked me enough to come back for future books in this series!
I liked the idea of daphne being an advice columnist that kind of fails to take her own advice, I just really wish that we had seen MORE of Daphne giving advice. She only wrote one article, so when the characters around her are telling her how great she is at speaking to people through the magazine, it kind of doesn’t ring true because she’s literally only done it once. I think it would’ve been much more fun if Miss Busy B had been a notorious advice columnist amongst the ton, the threat of her identity being revealed could’ve also held a lot more weight if she was more notorious than just a one hit wonder.
That said, the story itself was enjoyable enough. Though it could’ve been better. I liked that the hero’s main problem was his fear of being alone, and he recognized it and knew how to navigate it. It was different for a hero to be that vulnerable.
As for Daphne, I know we met her family in another series (that I haven’t read) so I feel like her dynamic with her siblings kind of got lost on me sometimes. I couldn’t tell if they were mean to her or not.
This was a solid 3.5/5 stars but I will round it up to 4 because the one thing I got out of it is that Alistair’s character hooked me enough to come back for future books in this series!
virgosun's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
library_kb's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed reading this book, but something about Susanna Craig's writing style doesn't always work for me. I liked the two main characters in this one and the way that they were each trying to blackmail each other until they weren't. I did feel like the female main character had a stronger development arc than Miles, but didn't really love the last minute conflict of the newspaper mixup since a simple note or stopping briefly to let Miles know the situation would have solved the whole conflict in 5 minutes. Overall, fun but not a favorite.
transportedlfl's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mrs. Goode's Magazine for Misses (also popularly known as the Magazine for Mischief) is a regency era magazine written by and for young ladies with the goal of encouraging rational thought and behavior. Daphne stumbles upon the writing staff and joins as an advice columnist. Her first column creates quite a stir, resulting in a broken engagement and a rake left looking for a wife.
Deveraux (that devil Deveraux) is the sad rake left hoping to marry to fulfill a wager. I loved his character from the first, and that only grew the more we learned of him.
I enjoyed the strong, intelligent women and the nods toward feminism and "radical" thinking. My primary quibble was that Daphne's pseudonym as Miss Busy B was regularly spoken of as giving sage advice. But in reality, she had only written the one column. The situations she encountered were rather outlandish, but in a really fun way. I loved seeing Daphne come into her own in her large family of siblings.
This is the first in a new series. But it quickly became evident that Daphne's much older siblings also had romances worthy of books. I was barely a third of the way through when I went to Goodreads to add their stories to my Want to Read list. I am so pleased to have found this new author in her print debut.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours, Kensington Books, and the author for this gifted book. These opinions are my own.
Deveraux (that devil Deveraux) is the sad rake left hoping to marry to fulfill a wager. I loved his character from the first, and that only grew the more we learned of him.
I enjoyed the strong, intelligent women and the nods toward feminism and "radical" thinking. My primary quibble was that Daphne's pseudonym as Miss Busy B was regularly spoken of as giving sage advice. But in reality, she had only written the one column. The situations she encountered were rather outlandish, but in a really fun way. I loved seeing Daphne come into her own in her large family of siblings.
This is the first in a new series. But it quickly became evident that Daphne's much older siblings also had romances worthy of books. I was barely a third of the way through when I went to Goodreads to add their stories to my Want to Read list. I am so pleased to have found this new author in her print debut.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours, Kensington Books, and the author for this gifted book. These opinions are my own.
kayo32's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
witandsin's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Reviewed for Wit and Sin
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.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.