Serving as the advice columnist, ‘Miss Busy B.’, for an often-subversive 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 has 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. There’s just one shocking wrinkle: Who knew being ruined by a rake could be so much fun?

Titles in the Goode’s Guide to Misconduct series include — The Lady Knows Best —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

Title:  The Lady Knows Best
Series:  Goode’s Guide to Misconduct #1
Author:  Susanna Craig
Genre:  Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Published:  April 25, 2023
Publisher:  Zebra, Kensington Books
My Rating:  4

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

Available in print, audio, or for your favorite e-reader