The Duke's Best Friend

Written by Jane Ashford

Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

What’s a lady to do when the man standing in her way may also be the man of her dreams?

Henry Deeping and Kate Meacham seem to clash every time they meet. Kate is frustrated by the change in her status following the death of her grandfather, a legendary figure in diplomatic circles. As a single woman, she is now effectively nobody, even though she knows everyone and has made important contributions to
diplomacy in the past. Henry, just joining the Foreign Office, is wondering how to make his mark.

They agree to an exchange—Henry will serve as Kate’s escort to important events to which she is no longer invited, and Kate will introduce him to the important people she knows so well. But when they spot a foreign agent they thought had been apprehended, they decide to investigate on their own, enlisting a motley group
of friends and relying on each other to uncover the truth …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9781705034934

Jane Ashford

Jane Ashford discovered Georgette Heyer in junior high school and was captivated by the glittering world and witty language of Regency England. That delight was part of what led her to study English literature and travel widely. She’s written historical and contemporary romances, and her books have been published all over Europe as well as in the United States. Jane has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award. Find her on the web at www.janeashford.com and facebook.com/janeashfordwriter. If you’d like to receive her monthly newsletter, you can sign up at either of those sites.

Reviews for The Duke's Best Friend

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't resist this book based on the description (and the lovely cover didn't hurt either!). But I hadn't read the previous books in the series - nor anything at all by Jane Ashford. So I took time to read at least the first couple of books in the series before diving into this one. I was glad I did - those first two provided enough background for me to feel comfortable here with this one, not constantly wondering about characters and incidents mentioned here. Like the first two books, this one features an intelligent young woman who aspires to a life outside what's expected for her. When Kate's grandfather was alive and a legend in diplomatic circles, she accompanied him frequently and dreamed of a career in her own right. But when he passed away, she found doors rapidly closing on her dreams. When a chance sighting of a man who should be in prison (known to her from events in a previous book) she sees an opportunity to make her name and prove herself capable of being a valuable asset to the Foreign Office. She pulls Henry Deeping into her plans - someone she knows a bit from the aforementioned events in the previous book. Henry is a bit disenchanted with his early days in his new position with the Foreign Office, but also a bit reluctant to agree to her plans, both out of concern for her safety and for his future career. But this is a romance - so of course they're attracted to each other and we all know where things will go and end up. But it's a fun journey getting there - we get to know the characters as they get to know each other, and there are fun bits of history thrown in as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

[Andrea Author · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After her grandfather's death, brash Kate is excluded from diplomatic circles despite her own achievements in uncovering secrets for the Crown. Eager newcomer Henry wants to establish himself in the Foreign Office. They strike an unusual deal: Henry will accompany Kate to exclusive events, and she'll introduce him to her influential contacts. As the attraction between them grows, they uncover a plot close to the king. Can they catch the killer in time?

This romantic romp is entertaining as long as you don't take it too seriously. Kate is a clever spy but a terrible diplomat—she speaks too freely and takes everything too personally. Henry is the opposite. He's just the stabilizing force Kate needs.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.