Jane Ashford: A Gentleman Ought to Know

Charlotte Deeping needs something to keep her occupied now that she's back home after her first London season. She misses solving local intrigues with her school friends, but they've all gone off and gotten married. Then Laurence Lindley, the Marquess of Glendarvon, comes for a visit, and drops a mystery right into her lap.

When Charlotte's brother makes her promise not to interrogate the marquess, she agrees. But that only means she'll have to find subtler ways to learn about the mysterious marquess and his past. The more time they spend together, the closer Charlotte gets to finding answers, and to Laurence. That is, until Charlotte's digging rouses an old vendetta and Laurence has to delve into his own history to help the young lady he's come to love.

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Content Warning: Parental murder, abandonment, child abuse/neglect

I liked the last Jane Ashford I read (Jane Ashford: How to Cross a Marquess) and was intrigued by the description of this new release, being somewhat on a Regency mystery bent.  This is not mystery dominant, but the mystery is an element of the book.  This is also fourth in The Duke’s Estates series, but the first of the series I have read and worked as a standalone.

The mystery was too complex in the end for the reader to even guess, so if you like to figure out things ahead of the characters this may be a disappointment.  I thought it was interesting and rife with good history, so enjoyed it.

The romance was great, with a beta-leaning hero and a “prickly” heroine.  Both read neurodivergent to me, but I am not sure if that was Ashford’s intent.  I thought their romance made sense, as she was looking for someone to support her interests and he was truly looking for a connection beyond surface.  It wasn’t necessarily a swoony, chest-pounded sort of romance but I thought it was more steady and thus endearing.

This is a kisses only story with some violent scenes.  I have added a content warning because, while not graphic, there are elements of the backstory and story which may be difficult for some readers.

The title has no tie in with the story.  I sometimes feel like I am overly annoyed with arbitrary titles, but like the cover I do think it should hint at what the reader is in for.  This title seems cute and funning, whereas this story is mostly serious.

The main action is characters working together to solve a mystery with many interesting supporting characters to keep the pace up.  It happens at the heroine’s country home for a shooting party, and involves her raucous brothers who I assume will have their own stories (it felt like there may be a lead up for a couple in the book).  There were also some references to other characters in the series which suggested this might be a fun series to read with sleuthing ladies working together on mysteries, while also finding love.

Overall, I recommend this for most readers.  I will definitely keep this series on my short list.