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The Parasol Academy #1
The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes
Mary Poppins
meets
Bridgerton
in a blend of cosy fantasy, historical romance and humour, as a recently graduated nanny finds her supernatural abilities are little help when it comes to falling for the shy, mysterious inventor who happens to be her employer. For fans of Heather Fawcett, India Holton and Freya Marske.
Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, is more high-spirited than her peers would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke’s rooftop into an offer of employment.
But Emmeline’s circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman’s heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternising with her employer.
Xavier’s wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier’s professional reputation is on the line. He’s already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks – but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London’s ‘King of Clocks’ for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn’t fall under her spell...
Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, is more high-spirited than her peers would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke’s rooftop into an offer of employment.
But Emmeline’s circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman’s heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternising with her employer.
Xavier’s wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier’s professional reputation is on the line. He’s already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks – but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London’s ‘King of Clocks’ for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn’t fall under her spell...
Audible Audio
First published September 30, 2025
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About the author
Amy Rose Bennett
36 books633 followersAmy Rose Bennett is an award-winning Australian author who has a passion for penning emotion-packed historical romances and more recently, historical rom-coms with a dash of fantasy. A former speech pathologist, Amy is happily married to her very own romantic hero and has two lovely, exceedingly accomplished adult daughters. When she’s not creating stories, Amy loves to cook up a storm in the kitchen, lose herself in a good book, and when she can afford it, travel to all the places she writes about.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
November 13, 2025
✨Sweet, magical & heartwarming✨
What to expect -
🕰️Historical romance set in the Victorian Era
🕰️Employer x employee (nanny to his wards)
🕰️Grumpy x sunshine
🕰️Magical realism
🕰️Animal companion (sassy raven)
🕰️Found family
🕰️Dual povs
🕰️HEA
Emmeline Chase, a 25-year-old graduate from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies, is desperate for a job as her father is in prison for bankruptcy & for not paying off his debts. When she accidentally teleports herself on her way to the interview onto the rooftop of Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence, he's immediately struck by her beauty and her peculiar nature, and he employs her as the governess to his three wards. It isn't right to fall for your employer but Emmeline finds it very hard as the duke seems nothing like what everyone portrayed him to be. Can she protect her heart or risk it all and lose her credibility as a nanny? You have to read to find out.
First of all, I have to admit that this might totally be a me thing, and you might even end up liking the book cuz it's super sweet and whimsical. But I had to push myself through to complete it cuz I didn't give a damn about their romance😭. I'm so sorry to say that, cuz this had everything else that I love in a cozy fantasy (which I'll elaborate further), but there really was no chemistry between the duke and Emmeline, save for their constant urge to tear through each other's clothes. Even though they have sex way later in the book, and there's only the constant flirting and tension between them from the start, I felt uncomfortable being in their heads as all they wanted was to satisfy their urges.
I very much prefer the slow development of feelings between one another, which eventually makes way for physical intimacy, so having them constantly mention how badly they want each other every time they meet/thought of one another didn't help. And most of the scenes where they talk and get to know each other, save for a few, happen off page and are only told, not shown at all. And for a book that's marketed as historical romance, I found that chemistry to be utterly lacking, and didn't really care much about how it went. But I did like the huge confession scene, which was so cute, and it felt good to see the duke utter his feelings out loud and make sweet declarations.
Now to the things I liked: the mystery behind the happenings of the house and the talking raven. Xavier is a renowned horologist who's working on a piece for a huge competition, and it seems like someone is trying to sabotage it by keeping his mind occupied with disturbances around the house. And this subplot was quite interesting, as the mystery kept me occupied and had me wondering who could be working against the duke. The reveals and everything that unravelled towards the end were pretty satisfactory.
Horatio, the talking raven, was the best part of the book for me, and I found myself giggling every time he made an appearance. He's sassy, funny and so entertaining to be with.
And I have to mention that I sought the help of the audiobook to complete this one (which is available on Storytel), and the narrator, Chloe Campbell, really did an amazing job!!! Be it the shy duke, the energetic nanny, the kids, or the savage raven, she portrayed them all so well, and I found myself enjoying the read more because of that. I'd definitely recommend the audiobook if you want to check this one out.
Overall, this was a cozy read with a lot of heart and whimsy, but it lacked the romantic aspect for me. Still, I'd definitely recommend it if you want a cozy fantasy set in the Victorian Era.
Huge thanks to Kensington Publishing for the ebook through NetGalley.
✨Pre-read -
Cozy fantasy with romance & the charm of the Victorian era?! sounds perfect😍😌
What to expect -
🕰️Historical romance set in the Victorian Era
🕰️Employer x employee (nanny to his wards)
🕰️Grumpy x sunshine
🕰️Magical realism
🕰️Animal companion (sassy raven)
🕰️Found family
🕰️Dual povs
🕰️HEA
Emmeline Chase, a 25-year-old graduate from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies, is desperate for a job as her father is in prison for bankruptcy & for not paying off his debts. When she accidentally teleports herself on her way to the interview onto the rooftop of Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence, he's immediately struck by her beauty and her peculiar nature, and he employs her as the governess to his three wards. It isn't right to fall for your employer but Emmeline finds it very hard as the duke seems nothing like what everyone portrayed him to be. Can she protect her heart or risk it all and lose her credibility as a nanny? You have to read to find out.
First of all, I have to admit that this might totally be a me thing, and you might even end up liking the book cuz it's super sweet and whimsical. But I had to push myself through to complete it cuz I didn't give a damn about their romance😭. I'm so sorry to say that, cuz this had everything else that I love in a cozy fantasy (which I'll elaborate further), but there really was no chemistry between the duke and Emmeline, save for their constant urge to tear through each other's clothes. Even though they have sex way later in the book, and there's only the constant flirting and tension between them from the start, I felt uncomfortable being in their heads as all they wanted was to satisfy their urges.
I very much prefer the slow development of feelings between one another, which eventually makes way for physical intimacy, so having them constantly mention how badly they want each other every time they meet/thought of one another didn't help. And most of the scenes where they talk and get to know each other, save for a few, happen off page and are only told, not shown at all. And for a book that's marketed as historical romance, I found that chemistry to be utterly lacking, and didn't really care much about how it went. But I did like the huge confession scene, which was so cute, and it felt good to see the duke utter his feelings out loud and make sweet declarations.
Now to the things I liked: the mystery behind the happenings of the house and the talking raven. Xavier is a renowned horologist who's working on a piece for a huge competition, and it seems like someone is trying to sabotage it by keeping his mind occupied with disturbances around the house. And this subplot was quite interesting, as the mystery kept me occupied and had me wondering who could be working against the duke. The reveals and everything that unravelled towards the end were pretty satisfactory.
Horatio, the talking raven, was the best part of the book for me, and I found myself giggling every time he made an appearance. He's sassy, funny and so entertaining to be with.
And I have to mention that I sought the help of the audiobook to complete this one (which is available on Storytel), and the narrator, Chloe Campbell, really did an amazing job!!! Be it the shy duke, the energetic nanny, the kids, or the savage raven, she portrayed them all so well, and I found myself enjoying the read more because of that. I'd definitely recommend the audiobook if you want to check this one out.
Overall, this was a cozy read with a lot of heart and whimsy, but it lacked the romantic aspect for me. Still, I'd definitely recommend it if you want a cozy fantasy set in the Victorian Era.
Huge thanks to Kensington Publishing for the ebook through NetGalley.
✨Pre-read -
Cozy fantasy with romance & the charm of the Victorian era?! sounds perfect😍😌
August 7, 2025
Oh my goodness this is such an awesome story, fun, witty and just fabulous I loved getting to know Emmeline Chase and Xavier Mason, Duke of St Lawrence, and the children that she will be taking care of. Set in London in 1851.
Emmaline is widowed and just graduated from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses and has an appointment for her first interview, but her Tel-ley-porting seems to have taken her in the wrong direction instead of where she needs to be she is on the roof of St Lawrence House in Belgravia, home to a Duke none the less, how on earth is she going to get off the roof? A Raven named Horatio comes to the rescue and soon has his master none other than the Duke Xavier Mason, helping her from the roof.
The meeting between them seems like fate maybe with the fact that Xavier has three young wards in his care and has already lost two nannies, when he finds out that Emmaline is a Nanny then maybe she will be able to help and is soon requesting her to join his household as the Nanny, this is what he needs as he is working hard on plans for a new clock The Kings Clock and peace is what he needs with everything that is happening the household, will Nanny Chase be able to ensure this?
Things move in strange ways in this house with a saboteur on the lose Nanny ensures that the children and The Duke are kept safe she has all sorts of tricks in her magical pocket and her parasol is also very helpful but the more time they spend together the more the chemistry grows between them and this is one rule in The Nanny’s Handbook which must not be broken but it seems that Emmaline is breaking more rules than she should at the moment, will she lose her place as and exceptional Nanny?
I loved this one so much, I laughed and cheered them on throughout the book, the characters are just so very good from Horatio, the raven to the children and of course Xavier and Emmaline, I can’t highly recommend this one enough it is a beautiful historical romance with bit of magic and mayhem, a little bit Mary Poppins and Harry Potter with magic spells, it is awesome and the start of a series, woohoo, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Emmaline is widowed and just graduated from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses and has an appointment for her first interview, but her Tel-ley-porting seems to have taken her in the wrong direction instead of where she needs to be she is on the roof of St Lawrence House in Belgravia, home to a Duke none the less, how on earth is she going to get off the roof? A Raven named Horatio comes to the rescue and soon has his master none other than the Duke Xavier Mason, helping her from the roof.
The meeting between them seems like fate maybe with the fact that Xavier has three young wards in his care and has already lost two nannies, when he finds out that Emmaline is a Nanny then maybe she will be able to help and is soon requesting her to join his household as the Nanny, this is what he needs as he is working hard on plans for a new clock The Kings Clock and peace is what he needs with everything that is happening the household, will Nanny Chase be able to ensure this?
Things move in strange ways in this house with a saboteur on the lose Nanny ensures that the children and The Duke are kept safe she has all sorts of tricks in her magical pocket and her parasol is also very helpful but the more time they spend together the more the chemistry grows between them and this is one rule in The Nanny’s Handbook which must not be broken but it seems that Emmaline is breaking more rules than she should at the moment, will she lose her place as and exceptional Nanny?
I loved this one so much, I laughed and cheered them on throughout the book, the characters are just so very good from Horatio, the raven to the children and of course Xavier and Emmaline, I can’t highly recommend this one enough it is a beautiful historical romance with bit of magic and mayhem, a little bit Mary Poppins and Harry Potter with magic spells, it is awesome and the start of a series, woohoo, don’t miss this one.
My thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
November 18, 2025
This book is described as Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton, and that’s pretty accurate. Emmeline Chase is a recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses. Along with practical skills, they also learn to use their tools for supernatural use in benefit of their charges. Emmeline’s transporting skills are still being honed, and she ends up on the roof of Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, when she goes for her interview to care for his three wards.
The Duke is considered odd, and has spent his life feeling different and excluded. Emmeline is a young widow, but her marriage was not a happy one. While focusing on the children’s best interests, a strong attraction develops between the two. As well, there seems to be an effort to sabotage the Duke’s design for a new clock for Westminister Palace.
This was a fun and interesting audiobook merging past and current events. It’s interesting to read about a character on the spectrum from earlier times, and see how their behaviors were viewed and judged.
The Duke is considered odd, and has spent his life feeling different and excluded. Emmeline is a young widow, but her marriage was not a happy one. While focusing on the children’s best interests, a strong attraction develops between the two. As well, there seems to be an effort to sabotage the Duke’s design for a new clock for Westminister Palace.
This was a fun and interesting audiobook merging past and current events. It’s interesting to read about a character on the spectrum from earlier times, and see how their behaviors were viewed and judged.
September 19, 2025
This is an entertaining, beautifully written, historical romance novel. It has a likable and engaging female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, adorable children, wit, humor, intrigue, a touch of magic, a heartwarming romance, and a gratifying conclusion. I especially liked the moving declaration of love and the unique family pet. Many thanks to Amy Rose Bennett, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.
September 19, 2025
Unputdownable! ✨ A cosy and addictive read that had me hooked from page one.
January 13, 2026
3.75 ⭐ - A charming and cozy historical fantasy romance based in London. It was a lovely, well-written and humorous story with interesting characters, infused with magic. ✨
✨ The story follows Emmeline, a nanny from Parasol Academy (which trains exceptional and magically equipped Nanny's). She gets a placement at the home of a Duke who has recently become the primary guardian of three of his nieces and nephews.
✨ The romance was done well, there was a lot of tension and yearning. The physical was well-balanced with the emotional connection between the character's, so it was more natural with sweet moments shared between them. (though I did skip sections/chapters in the second half as I don't prefer reading spice).
✨ I found that the characters were developed quite well with their past histories, personalities, family and challenges. The Duke was neurodivergent or perhaps autistic to a degree, and it was good to see that representation. He had a traumatic childhood, and that added unexpected depth to his character. Emmeline was also a widow, and had family troubles with her father and brother that she was trying to resolve.
This was told in dual-POV. It felt reminiscent of stories like Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee.
Some other things I enjoyed:
✨ The infusion of ancient Fae based magic was pretty cool - spells, leylines, leygrams etc., were integrated interestingly into the story.
✨ The academy part was fun - passages and rules from the handbook were often quoted.
✨ Loved the magical ability to telepathically communicate with animals - the Raven was highly intelligent and super cool.
✨ I quite enjoyed the little snippets at the start of every chapter that foreshadowed the events to come, but were cryptic and fun.
✨ The emphasis on horology (the art and science of watch making) was the Duke's specialization, and I thought this was quite unique and cool. I enjoyed exploring facets of this in the story and plot.
What didn't work for me:
There were a few expressions and relationship dynamics that I did not prefer, which felt a bit awkward in their expression. There was a break in my reading at the 60% mark, and I found that when I returned to the book over a month later, I didn't feel as engaged. The key mystery with the clocks in the house and the plot against the Duke was quite slow to unfold. There wasn't much movement and discovery along the way, just a vague mystery, and its conclusion was fairly simplistic/predictable. I might also have snapped out of the historical romance mood, which has specific traits and dynamics in the relationship.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It was quite magical, funny and the ending was sweet.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
✨ The story follows Emmeline, a nanny from Parasol Academy (which trains exceptional and magically equipped Nanny's). She gets a placement at the home of a Duke who has recently become the primary guardian of three of his nieces and nephews.
✨ The romance was done well, there was a lot of tension and yearning. The physical was well-balanced with the emotional connection between the character's, so it was more natural with sweet moments shared between them. (though I did skip sections/chapters in the second half as I don't prefer reading spice).
✨ I found that the characters were developed quite well with their past histories, personalities, family and challenges. The Duke was neurodivergent or perhaps autistic to a degree, and it was good to see that representation. He had a traumatic childhood, and that added unexpected depth to his character. Emmeline was also a widow, and had family troubles with her father and brother that she was trying to resolve.
This was told in dual-POV. It felt reminiscent of stories like Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee.
Some other things I enjoyed:
✨ The infusion of ancient Fae based magic was pretty cool - spells, leylines, leygrams etc., were integrated interestingly into the story.
✨ The academy part was fun - passages and rules from the handbook were often quoted.
✨ Loved the magical ability to telepathically communicate with animals - the Raven was highly intelligent and super cool.
✨ I quite enjoyed the little snippets at the start of every chapter that foreshadowed the events to come, but were cryptic and fun.
✨ The emphasis on horology (the art and science of watch making) was the Duke's specialization, and I thought this was quite unique and cool. I enjoyed exploring facets of this in the story and plot.
What didn't work for me:
There were a few expressions and relationship dynamics that I did not prefer, which felt a bit awkward in their expression. There was a break in my reading at the 60% mark, and I found that when I returned to the book over a month later, I didn't feel as engaged. The key mystery with the clocks in the house and the plot against the Duke was quite slow to unfold. There wasn't much movement and discovery along the way, just a vague mystery, and its conclusion was fairly simplistic/predictable. I might also have snapped out of the historical romance mood, which has specific traits and dynamics in the relationship.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It was quite magical, funny and the ending was sweet.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complementary e-arc of this novel. All opinions expressed here are my own.
September 29, 2025
For fans of Katherine Arden, Olivia Atwater and Heather Fawcett, Amy Rose Bennett delights us with a truly magical cosy historical fantasy.
The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes is feel-good blend of ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Bridgerton’ as newly graduated Parasol nanny, Emmeline accepts a duke’s job offer to nanny his three unruly wards. This offer employment is a lifeline as she is not only supporting herself as a young widow, but her bankrupt, incarcerated father. Determined to do her possible best, Emmeline uses the magic Good Queen Mab bestowed on the nannies to put the Duke of St. Lawrence’s household to rights; tidying up after the children’s failed experiments, curbing her charges’ tantrums and making everything spick and span. That is until she’s made aware of several mysteries incidents within the household, all meant to discredit Xavier Mason, the duke, of his work as a horologist and frame him as a madman. With time ticking away Emmeline and Xavier must work together to apprehend the saboteur and fight the attraction flaring between them.
I absolutely adored this book. It was so magical and cosy and was the perfect book to read while snuggled up. The magic system itself was so intriguing, with the Fey bestowing these nannies with the necessary magic to look after children and do it effortlessly. It felt so inventive and fun! I wouldn’t mind a series by this author centred around different nannies and governesses in the service. I would love that!
Something else I loved was the romance. I found Emmeline and Xavier so adorable in their awkwardness. They had my heart. It was a well crafted slow-burn romance, gradually building the more they spent time together. It’s a relationship developed through sincere conversations rather than just lust, which I just love when it comes to romances. And with the difference in societal status, I felt it was very well done. Emmeline and Xavier respected and admired one another, and it made their declaration of love feel so special. And it also made the intimate scenes far more enjoyable to read. So well done Amy Rose Bennett for that!
What was an unexpected surprise was Amy Rose Bennett’s inclusion of neurodivergent characters. You see it quite often now in modern-day written historical romances where mental health is far more explored, so to finally read one exploring possibly what it was like to be neurodivergent in the Victorian Era. The author uses her professional background as a speech pathologist and her experiences with neurodivergence family members to craft Xavier Mason. He believes he is not worthy of love because of the abuse he was subjected to by his father, but eventually realises it the more Emmeline appreciates his ‘quirks’, his dedication to his work as a horologist and his gentle nature. And I loved that. I love there was no trying to ‘fix’ him because there was nothing to fix. Harriet too, one of Xavier’s wards, is on the autism spectrum. It was written with the upmost care and respect, avoiding the trap of Harriet being a ‘problem’ for Emmeline to solve. It was just accepted.
The Nanny’s Handbook of Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes succeeds in creating a warm and whimsical magical historical romance. It explored one of my favourite tropes: found family in a beautiful and emotional way. It was an enchanting debut from Amy Rose Bennett and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC!
The Nanny’s Handbook of Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes is out 30th September - be sure to check it out!
The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes is feel-good blend of ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘Bridgerton’ as newly graduated Parasol nanny, Emmeline accepts a duke’s job offer to nanny his three unruly wards. This offer employment is a lifeline as she is not only supporting herself as a young widow, but her bankrupt, incarcerated father. Determined to do her possible best, Emmeline uses the magic Good Queen Mab bestowed on the nannies to put the Duke of St. Lawrence’s household to rights; tidying up after the children’s failed experiments, curbing her charges’ tantrums and making everything spick and span. That is until she’s made aware of several mysteries incidents within the household, all meant to discredit Xavier Mason, the duke, of his work as a horologist and frame him as a madman. With time ticking away Emmeline and Xavier must work together to apprehend the saboteur and fight the attraction flaring between them.
I absolutely adored this book. It was so magical and cosy and was the perfect book to read while snuggled up. The magic system itself was so intriguing, with the Fey bestowing these nannies with the necessary magic to look after children and do it effortlessly. It felt so inventive and fun! I wouldn’t mind a series by this author centred around different nannies and governesses in the service. I would love that!
Something else I loved was the romance. I found Emmeline and Xavier so adorable in their awkwardness. They had my heart. It was a well crafted slow-burn romance, gradually building the more they spent time together. It’s a relationship developed through sincere conversations rather than just lust, which I just love when it comes to romances. And with the difference in societal status, I felt it was very well done. Emmeline and Xavier respected and admired one another, and it made their declaration of love feel so special. And it also made the intimate scenes far more enjoyable to read. So well done Amy Rose Bennett for that!
What was an unexpected surprise was Amy Rose Bennett’s inclusion of neurodivergent characters. You see it quite often now in modern-day written historical romances where mental health is far more explored, so to finally read one exploring possibly what it was like to be neurodivergent in the Victorian Era. The author uses her professional background as a speech pathologist and her experiences with neurodivergence family members to craft Xavier Mason. He believes he is not worthy of love because of the abuse he was subjected to by his father, but eventually realises it the more Emmeline appreciates his ‘quirks’, his dedication to his work as a horologist and his gentle nature. And I loved that. I love there was no trying to ‘fix’ him because there was nothing to fix. Harriet too, one of Xavier’s wards, is on the autism spectrum. It was written with the upmost care and respect, avoiding the trap of Harriet being a ‘problem’ for Emmeline to solve. It was just accepted.
The Nanny’s Handbook of Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes succeeds in creating a warm and whimsical magical historical romance. It explored one of my favourite tropes: found family in a beautiful and emotional way. It was an enchanting debut from Amy Rose Bennett and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for this eARC!
The Nanny’s Handbook of Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes is out 30th September - be sure to check it out!
July 29, 2025
Amy Rose Bennett's debut into romantic fantasy, The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes, is precisely the literary confection readers need—a delightful blend of Mary Poppins' whimsy and Bridgerton's romantic tension, wrapped in Victorian charm and sprinkled with genuine magic. This inaugural volume of the Parasol Academy series establishes Bennett as a formidable voice in the growing romantasy genre, crafting a world where practical magic meets historical romance with remarkable finesse.
A Heroine Worth Her Weight in Magical Dust
Emmeline Chase, our twenty-five-year-old widow and newly graduated Parasol Academy nanny, immediately captivates with her perfect balance of propriety and rebellion. Bennett has created a protagonist who embodies the era's expectations while subverting them—Emmeline may teleport via wardrobe and conjure items from her magical pockets, but she's also driven by very human concerns: supporting her incarcerated father and proving her worth in a profession that demands both supernatural skill and unshakeable discretion.
The author's characterization shines particularly in how Emmeline's magical mishaps mirror her emotional journey. Her botched teleportation onto Duke Xavier's rooftop—which kickstarts the entire narrative—serves as both comedic relief and metaphor for how love often arrives when we least expect it, leaving us breathless and slightly discombobulated.
An Autistic Hero Handled with Remarkable Sensitivity
Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence, represents something rare in historical romance: a neurodivergent hero portrayed with authentic compassion rather than stereotypical tragedy. Bennett, drawing from her professional background as a speech pathologist and personal experiences with neurodivergent family members, crafts a character who is brilliant, kind, and worthy of love exactly as he is.
Xavier's passion for horology and his quest to design the Westminster Palace clock provides both plot momentum and character depth. His struggles with social interaction and sensory sensitivities are presented not as flaws to overcome but as integral parts of his identity. The romance succeeds because Emmeline sees Xavier's true worth from their first encounter, appreciating his precision, dedication, and gentle nature rather than trying to "fix" him.
The secondary character of young Harriet, also on the autism spectrum, adds another layer of representation that feels organic rather than performative. Bennett avoids the trap of making neurodivergence either a superpower or a burden, instead presenting it as one facet of richly developed characters.
A Magical System with Victorian Sensibilities
The Parasol Academy's magical framework is Bennett's greatest worldbuilding triumph. The concept of Fae-trained nannies with access to teleportation, befuddling potions, and decalamitifying dust feels both whimsical and practical. These aren't earth-shaking magics but rather the everyday tools of capable women dedicated to protecting children—perfectly suited to the domestic sphere that Victorian society assigned to women while secretly empowering them.
Bennett establishes clear rules and consequences for magic use, particularly the Academy's strict prohibition against revealing magical abilities to employers. This creates genuine tension when Emmeline must choose between following regulations and saving lives, ultimately leading to satisfying character growth and the revelation of the Academy's "True Love Clause"—a delightful twist that rewards authentic emotion over rigid adherence to rules.
Supporting Characters That Sparkle
The three Mason children—Harriet, Bartholomew, and Gareth—avoid the pitfall of being mere plot devices or saccharine obstacles. Each child has distinct personality and legitimate trauma from losing their parents, yet they feel like real children rather than miniature adults. Their gradual acceptance of Emmeline and eventual plea to call her "Mama" provides some of the novel's most emotionally resonant moments.
Horatio, Xavier's talking raven companion, could have been a gimmicky addition but instead serves as both comic relief and emotional bridge between the reserved duke and his household. The raven's cheeky observations and protective instincts toward his master add warmth without overwhelming the human relationships.
Romance That Balances Heat and Heart
Bennett crafts a slow-burn romance that respects both characters' backgrounds and personalities. The attraction between Emmeline and Xavier builds naturally through shared conversations about horology, mutual concern for the children, and quiet moments of understanding. Their relationship develops through meaningful interactions rather than superficial encounters, making their eventual declaration of love feel earned rather than inevitable.
The author handles the physical aspects of their relationship with tasteful sensuality appropriate to the genre and time period. More importantly, she demonstrates how true intimacy grows from accepting and celebrating each other's differences rather than despite them.
Plot Mechanics and Pacing
The central mystery involving Xavier's clock competition and the attempts to sabotage his work provides steady momentum throughout the narrative. Sir Randolph Redvers and Algernon Mason emerge as compelling antagonists with believable motivations—jealousy, greed, and social ambition—rather than mustache-twirling villainy.
Bennett weaves together multiple plot threads—the romance, the clock competition, the children's integration into Xavier's household, and the sabotage attempts—with considerable skill. The pacing occasionally slows during the middle sections as domestic life settles into routine, but the author compensates with character development and romantic tension.
The climactic sequence, featuring fire, kidnapping, and magical intervention, feels appropriately dramatic without becoming overwrought. Emmeline's decision to use magic openly demonstrates her growth from rule-following graduate to confident woman willing to fight for her family.
Areas for Improvement
While The Nanny's Handbook succeeds admirably in most respects, certain elements could benefit from refinement. The worldbuilding, though charming, occasionally feels shallow—readers hungry for deeper exploration of the Fae realm or the Academy's history may find themselves wanting more substantial foundation for future installments.
Some secondary plot threads, particularly Emmeline's financial concerns about her father's debts, resolve perhaps too neatly. The transformation of the three children from "rumbustious ruffians" to well-behaved angels happens quickly enough to strain credibility, even accounting for Emmeline's magical abilities and genuine care.
The villain's motivations, while understandable, trend toward the predictable. Sir Randolph's jealousy and Algernon's greed provide adequate conflict but lack the complexity that would elevate them beyond stock antagonists.
Writing Style and Technical Merit
Bennett demonstrates considerable skill in capturing Victorian voice and sensibilities without falling into overly formal or stilted prose. Her dialogue feels natural while maintaining period authenticity, and she has a particular gift for witty banter between Emmeline and various characters, especially the irrepressible Horatio.
The author's background in speech pathology becomes apparent in her nuanced handling of communication—both in Xavier's careful, precise speech patterns and in the children's distinct voices. She avoids the common historical romance trap of modern characters in period dress, instead creating people who genuinely feel products of their time while remaining accessible to contemporary readers.
Thematic Depth
Beneath its frothy exterior, The Nanny's Handbook explores themes of acceptance, family formation, and the courage required to be authentically oneself. Emmeline's journey from rigid rule-follower to woman who chooses love over convention mirrors Xavier's growth from isolated duke to engaged family man. Both characters learn that true worth lies not in meeting society's expectations but in embracing their authentic selves and those they love.
The novel's treatment of found family resonates particularly strongly, as both Emmeline and Xavier create the supportive relationships they've always needed through their union and commitment to the children. Bennett suggests that the most powerful magic isn't supernatural at all—it's the transformative power of unconditional love and acceptance.
Final Verdict
The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes succeeds brilliantly at what it attempts: creating a warm, witty, magical escape that celebrates love, family, and the courage to be oneself. Amy Rose Bennett has crafted a delightful debut in romantic fantasy that respects both its genre conventions and its readers' intelligence.
While the novel may not revolutionize the romantasy genre, it doesn't need to—sometimes the greatest magic lies in perfect execution of beloved tropes with fresh perspective and genuine heart. Bennett has created a world readers will eagerly return to, populated with characters who feel like cherished friends by story's end.
This enchanting tale proves that the most powerful spells are often the simplest ones: love, acceptance, and the belief that everyone deserves their own happily ever after. For readers seeking romance with a touch of whimsy and characters who stay with you long after the final page, The Nanny's Handbook delivers exactly what its title promises—pure magic.
A Heroine Worth Her Weight in Magical Dust
Emmeline Chase, our twenty-five-year-old widow and newly graduated Parasol Academy nanny, immediately captivates with her perfect balance of propriety and rebellion. Bennett has created a protagonist who embodies the era's expectations while subverting them—Emmeline may teleport via wardrobe and conjure items from her magical pockets, but she's also driven by very human concerns: supporting her incarcerated father and proving her worth in a profession that demands both supernatural skill and unshakeable discretion.
The author's characterization shines particularly in how Emmeline's magical mishaps mirror her emotional journey. Her botched teleportation onto Duke Xavier's rooftop—which kickstarts the entire narrative—serves as both comedic relief and metaphor for how love often arrives when we least expect it, leaving us breathless and slightly discombobulated.
An Autistic Hero Handled with Remarkable Sensitivity
Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence, represents something rare in historical romance: a neurodivergent hero portrayed with authentic compassion rather than stereotypical tragedy. Bennett, drawing from her professional background as a speech pathologist and personal experiences with neurodivergent family members, crafts a character who is brilliant, kind, and worthy of love exactly as he is.
Xavier's passion for horology and his quest to design the Westminster Palace clock provides both plot momentum and character depth. His struggles with social interaction and sensory sensitivities are presented not as flaws to overcome but as integral parts of his identity. The romance succeeds because Emmeline sees Xavier's true worth from their first encounter, appreciating his precision, dedication, and gentle nature rather than trying to "fix" him.
The secondary character of young Harriet, also on the autism spectrum, adds another layer of representation that feels organic rather than performative. Bennett avoids the trap of making neurodivergence either a superpower or a burden, instead presenting it as one facet of richly developed characters.
A Magical System with Victorian Sensibilities
The Parasol Academy's magical framework is Bennett's greatest worldbuilding triumph. The concept of Fae-trained nannies with access to teleportation, befuddling potions, and decalamitifying dust feels both whimsical and practical. These aren't earth-shaking magics but rather the everyday tools of capable women dedicated to protecting children—perfectly suited to the domestic sphere that Victorian society assigned to women while secretly empowering them.
Bennett establishes clear rules and consequences for magic use, particularly the Academy's strict prohibition against revealing magical abilities to employers. This creates genuine tension when Emmeline must choose between following regulations and saving lives, ultimately leading to satisfying character growth and the revelation of the Academy's "True Love Clause"—a delightful twist that rewards authentic emotion over rigid adherence to rules.
Supporting Characters That Sparkle
The three Mason children—Harriet, Bartholomew, and Gareth—avoid the pitfall of being mere plot devices or saccharine obstacles. Each child has distinct personality and legitimate trauma from losing their parents, yet they feel like real children rather than miniature adults. Their gradual acceptance of Emmeline and eventual plea to call her "Mama" provides some of the novel's most emotionally resonant moments.
Horatio, Xavier's talking raven companion, could have been a gimmicky addition but instead serves as both comic relief and emotional bridge between the reserved duke and his household. The raven's cheeky observations and protective instincts toward his master add warmth without overwhelming the human relationships.
Romance That Balances Heat and Heart
Bennett crafts a slow-burn romance that respects both characters' backgrounds and personalities. The attraction between Emmeline and Xavier builds naturally through shared conversations about horology, mutual concern for the children, and quiet moments of understanding. Their relationship develops through meaningful interactions rather than superficial encounters, making their eventual declaration of love feel earned rather than inevitable.
The author handles the physical aspects of their relationship with tasteful sensuality appropriate to the genre and time period. More importantly, she demonstrates how true intimacy grows from accepting and celebrating each other's differences rather than despite them.
Plot Mechanics and Pacing
The central mystery involving Xavier's clock competition and the attempts to sabotage his work provides steady momentum throughout the narrative. Sir Randolph Redvers and Algernon Mason emerge as compelling antagonists with believable motivations—jealousy, greed, and social ambition—rather than mustache-twirling villainy.
Bennett weaves together multiple plot threads—the romance, the clock competition, the children's integration into Xavier's household, and the sabotage attempts—with considerable skill. The pacing occasionally slows during the middle sections as domestic life settles into routine, but the author compensates with character development and romantic tension.
The climactic sequence, featuring fire, kidnapping, and magical intervention, feels appropriately dramatic without becoming overwrought. Emmeline's decision to use magic openly demonstrates her growth from rule-following graduate to confident woman willing to fight for her family.
Areas for Improvement
While The Nanny's Handbook succeeds admirably in most respects, certain elements could benefit from refinement. The worldbuilding, though charming, occasionally feels shallow—readers hungry for deeper exploration of the Fae realm or the Academy's history may find themselves wanting more substantial foundation for future installments.
Some secondary plot threads, particularly Emmeline's financial concerns about her father's debts, resolve perhaps too neatly. The transformation of the three children from "rumbustious ruffians" to well-behaved angels happens quickly enough to strain credibility, even accounting for Emmeline's magical abilities and genuine care.
The villain's motivations, while understandable, trend toward the predictable. Sir Randolph's jealousy and Algernon's greed provide adequate conflict but lack the complexity that would elevate them beyond stock antagonists.
Writing Style and Technical Merit
Bennett demonstrates considerable skill in capturing Victorian voice and sensibilities without falling into overly formal or stilted prose. Her dialogue feels natural while maintaining period authenticity, and she has a particular gift for witty banter between Emmeline and various characters, especially the irrepressible Horatio.
The author's background in speech pathology becomes apparent in her nuanced handling of communication—both in Xavier's careful, precise speech patterns and in the children's distinct voices. She avoids the common historical romance trap of modern characters in period dress, instead creating people who genuinely feel products of their time while remaining accessible to contemporary readers.
Thematic Depth
Beneath its frothy exterior, The Nanny's Handbook explores themes of acceptance, family formation, and the courage required to be authentically oneself. Emmeline's journey from rigid rule-follower to woman who chooses love over convention mirrors Xavier's growth from isolated duke to engaged family man. Both characters learn that true worth lies not in meeting society's expectations but in embracing their authentic selves and those they love.
The novel's treatment of found family resonates particularly strongly, as both Emmeline and Xavier create the supportive relationships they've always needed through their union and commitment to the children. Bennett suggests that the most powerful magic isn't supernatural at all—it's the transformative power of unconditional love and acceptance.
Final Verdict
The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes succeeds brilliantly at what it attempts: creating a warm, witty, magical escape that celebrates love, family, and the courage to be oneself. Amy Rose Bennett has crafted a delightful debut in romantic fantasy that respects both its genre conventions and its readers' intelligence.
While the novel may not revolutionize the romantasy genre, it doesn't need to—sometimes the greatest magic lies in perfect execution of beloved tropes with fresh perspective and genuine heart. Bennett has created a world readers will eagerly return to, populated with characters who feel like cherished friends by story's end.
This enchanting tale proves that the most powerful spells are often the simplest ones: love, acceptance, and the belief that everyone deserves their own happily ever after. For readers seeking romance with a touch of whimsy and characters who stay with you long after the final page, The Nanny's Handbook delivers exactly what its title promises—pure magic.
May 13, 2025
If you love cozy whimsical Regency tales with charming nannies and their adorable charges, you will absolutely love this! I sure did. Highly recommended!
Did not finish
March 9, 2026DNFd at 60%. Was bored and it turned steamy. Just didn't care.
August 8, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book! My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
You could say it's a cross between Mary Poppins and Bridgeton if Mary Poppins was constantly having problems with her magic. Or issues with her manners (saying things like drat - way too close to damn). That would be more along the lines of The Nanny, I think.
Really, though, if having a relationship with your employer means giving up all your fae powers, I don't know? Is it worth it? In fiction, maybe. Of course, not sure about having fae powers outside of fiction, so there's that.
Also, please put the recipes in your books. Especially if you include something in the author's note about how it's a family recipe. You have to know most people have never heard of puff balloons before. :(
Anyway, with those short rants over, I absolutely loved this book. ❤️ Would definitely recommend it and am looking forward to reading more by this author!
You could say it's a cross between Mary Poppins and Bridgeton if Mary Poppins was constantly having problems with her magic. Or issues with her manners (saying things like drat - way too close to damn). That would be more along the lines of The Nanny, I think.
Really, though, if having a relationship with your employer means giving up all your fae powers, I don't know? Is it worth it? In fiction, maybe. Of course, not sure about having fae powers outside of fiction, so there's that.
Also, please put the recipes in your books. Especially if you include something in the author's note about how it's a family recipe. You have to know most people have never heard of puff balloons before. :(
Anyway, with those short rants over, I absolutely loved this book. ❤️ Would definitely recommend it and am looking forward to reading more by this author!
June 22, 2025
For the most part this was cute. I liked the magical elements and the children. However, I didn’t see any chemistry between the main characters, so I didn’t buy their romance. The epilogue was especially sweet.
July 13, 2025
3.5 stars
This was fun! It's exactly what it claims to be, a historical romance with a dash of magical realism.
A lot of liberties might have been taken with regard to staying true to the time period and you probably shouldn't think too hard about how it all works, but this was a really cozy read and I liked both main characters a lot. I felt like Xavier's backstory in particular was believable and would have contributed to the kind of man he became.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This was fun! It's exactly what it claims to be, a historical romance with a dash of magical realism.
A lot of liberties might have been taken with regard to staying true to the time period and you probably shouldn't think too hard about how it all works, but this was a really cozy read and I liked both main characters a lot. I felt like Xavier's backstory in particular was believable and would have contributed to the kind of man he became.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
September 30, 2025
Humor and romance! A magical combination!
Dizzying, delightful romp that puts Mary Poppins in the background seat.
Mrs. Emmeline Chase has just finished her nanny training with the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses. The Academy has been given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria and fae Queen, Mauve. Ley lines and magical words are all par for the course.
To say that Emmeline seems to more often than not find herself in curious situations is an understatement. En route to an interview with a prospective employer by te-Ley-porting she finds herself on the roof of a large house and is rescued by a magnificent talking Raven and the master of the abode, Xavier Mason, the seventh Duke of St Lawrence.
Next thing we know our heroine is employed by the Duke to oversee his three wards, a handful. But our nanny is no slouch.
Meanwhile the Duke who’s been labeled mad, is entering a competition for plans to make a clock for the newly rebuilt Palace of Westminster. And here’s the rub, someone is causing disturbances in the Duke’s household trying to distract the Duke’s ability to concentrate on his plans.
Add to this Nanny Chase and the Duke are seemingly attracted to each other. A definite No! No! according to the rules as outlined in the Parasol Academy Handbook.
A warm hearted read with lots of laughs, mystery and sizzling interactions between our two endearing main characters.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Dizzying, delightful romp that puts Mary Poppins in the background seat.
Mrs. Emmeline Chase has just finished her nanny training with the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses. The Academy has been given a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria and fae Queen, Mauve. Ley lines and magical words are all par for the course.
To say that Emmeline seems to more often than not find herself in curious situations is an understatement. En route to an interview with a prospective employer by te-Ley-porting she finds herself on the roof of a large house and is rescued by a magnificent talking Raven and the master of the abode, Xavier Mason, the seventh Duke of St Lawrence.
Next thing we know our heroine is employed by the Duke to oversee his three wards, a handful. But our nanny is no slouch.
Meanwhile the Duke who’s been labeled mad, is entering a competition for plans to make a clock for the newly rebuilt Palace of Westminster. And here’s the rub, someone is causing disturbances in the Duke’s household trying to distract the Duke’s ability to concentrate on his plans.
Add to this Nanny Chase and the Duke are seemingly attracted to each other. A definite No! No! according to the rules as outlined in the Parasol Academy Handbook.
A warm hearted read with lots of laughs, mystery and sizzling interactions between our two endearing main characters.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
September 18, 2025
thank you atria books for the cute ARC! 🥰
CUTIE to a TEA!!! 🤍🤍🤍 this gives me the cutest most wholesome marry poppins x sound of music vibes with the most charming regency era vibes 🫶🏼 the characters were wonderful — the wards, nanny chase, the duke, and even dear horatio!!! this is the perfect book to curl up with during the peak of spring, or even in the dead cold night of winter — because it’ll warm you up! 😍 pls be aware that while the cover screams *ADORABLE*, there are explicit sexual content. the book was pegged as “bridgerton meets mary poppins” so do keep that in mind! anyway — LOVED this! the audiobook was SUPERB! the narrator did such a beautiful job conjuring the sweet and cozy (and even at times MAGICAL) atmosphere of the duke’s house, nanny chase’s spells, and the watch room filled with antique charm 😍✨ can’t wait to read more of the author’s work!
CUTIE to a TEA!!! 🤍🤍🤍 this gives me the cutest most wholesome marry poppins x sound of music vibes with the most charming regency era vibes 🫶🏼 the characters were wonderful — the wards, nanny chase, the duke, and even dear horatio!!! this is the perfect book to curl up with during the peak of spring, or even in the dead cold night of winter — because it’ll warm you up! 😍 pls be aware that while the cover screams *ADORABLE*, there are explicit sexual content. the book was pegged as “bridgerton meets mary poppins” so do keep that in mind! anyway — LOVED this! the audiobook was SUPERB! the narrator did such a beautiful job conjuring the sweet and cozy (and even at times MAGICAL) atmosphere of the duke’s house, nanny chase’s spells, and the watch room filled with antique charm 😍✨ can’t wait to read more of the author’s work!
December 13, 2025
3.25 ⭐️
For me this was like any other romance book; I liked some of it, and I wasn’t into some of it. But the extra 0.25 is for the setting.
I definitely do better with historical romance or fantasy romance than contemporary romance.
I actually came to quite like the two main protagonists by the end of the book.
Them lusting after each other at the beginning PEEVED ME SO BAD. I’ve just never liked that in a romance book, I’m definitely more of a slow-burn gal. But I guess there’s on so much development you can have in a 400 page romance novel. So for the most part, once it hit the middle, character and romantic development got a lot better.
The plot seemed a bit lacklustre for me. Plus the children faded into the background despite their continued “significance” according to Emmeline’s profession. I love the relationship development between a hired nanny and her wards when that trope is explored so this didn’t really stick out to me.
The romance was fine. There were some moments I actually loved more than I expected but the rest I couldn’t get into. I will say I felt way more invested in their romance towards the middle/END of the book, because why was there even all that going on in the beginning?
Overall I liked reading it, definitely more than a contemporary romance novel, and I feel like if I ever come across the second one I’d read it. It was cute. (Plus I read it on a short vacation so I associate it with good memories now this book got LUCKY.)
P.S. I picked up this book so I could have an easy, spice free or nearlyyy spice free romance an since the cover looked so YA and it was IN the YA section at my local bookstore you can imagine my surprise when I opened it up. I’m sure it’s not nearly as spicy as some people are used to but I’m not even very mad about it like the spicy scenes themselves were pretty good. Also funny. Wdym the thought of her toes makes u hard. Anyways this review is over now.
For me this was like any other romance book; I liked some of it, and I wasn’t into some of it. But the extra 0.25 is for the setting.
I definitely do better with historical romance or fantasy romance than contemporary romance.
I actually came to quite like the two main protagonists by the end of the book.
Them lusting after each other at the beginning PEEVED ME SO BAD. I’ve just never liked that in a romance book, I’m definitely more of a slow-burn gal. But I guess there’s on so much development you can have in a 400 page romance novel. So for the most part, once it hit the middle, character and romantic development got a lot better.
The plot seemed a bit lacklustre for me. Plus the children faded into the background despite their continued “significance” according to Emmeline’s profession. I love the relationship development between a hired nanny and her wards when that trope is explored so this didn’t really stick out to me.
The romance was fine. There were some moments I actually loved more than I expected but the rest I couldn’t get into. I will say I felt way more invested in their romance towards the middle/END of the book, because why was there even all that going on in the beginning?
Overall I liked reading it, definitely more than a contemporary romance novel, and I feel like if I ever come across the second one I’d read it. It was cute. (Plus I read it on a short vacation so I associate it with good memories now this book got LUCKY.)
P.S. I picked up this book so I could have an easy, spice free or nearlyyy spice free romance an since the cover looked so YA and it was IN the YA section at my local bookstore you can imagine my surprise when I opened it up. I’m sure it’s not nearly as spicy as some people are used to but I’m not even very mad about it like the spicy scenes themselves were pretty good. Also funny. Wdym the thought of her toes makes u hard. Anyways this review is over now.
July 17, 2025
"The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes" is a delightful and frequently hilarious read, earning a solid 4 stars. If you're in the mood for a charming fantasy romp with a good dose of laughs and a touch of romance, this book delivers a wonderfully whimsical escape.
What really makes "The Nanny's Handbook" shine is its effervescent humor and the sheer charm of its premise. Taking a no-nonsense nanny and throwing her into a magical world with a ridiculously handsome (and equally stubborn) duke and his chaotic, magic-prone children is a recipe for delightful disaster. The author excels at crafting genuinely funny moments that had me chuckling out loud.
I particularly loved the scenes involving the children's unpredictable magical outbursts – one instance where a tea set spontaneously starts tap-dancing during a formal dinner, leaving the duke utterly flummoxed, was just brilliant. The nanny's deadpan reactions to the escalating magical mayhem, often contrasting sharply with the duke's exasperation, provide much of the book's comedic gold. Her attempts to apply mundane childcare strategies to fantastical problems, like trying to implement a "time-out" for a sentient, mischievous spell, were always a highlight.
Beyond the laughs, the characters are truly endearing. The nanny herself is a wonderfully grounded protagonist, intelligent and capable, with a dry wit that serves her well. The duke, despite his initial "difficult" nature, proves to be a surprisingly charming and beleaguered father. Their evolving relationship, built on mutual exasperation and growing respect, is sweet and well-paced. The magical system is whimsical and cleverly integrated, adding to the fun without bogging down the story.
"The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes" is a fantastic pick-me-up. It's a charming, feel-good fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, prioritizing laughs and character chemistry. If you're looking for a book to brighten your day with witty banter, adorable children, a grumpy-but-lovable duke, and plenty of funny, chaotic magical moments, this one is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for introducing me to a new author, one who had me laughing and enjoying this light-hearted book.
What really makes "The Nanny's Handbook" shine is its effervescent humor and the sheer charm of its premise. Taking a no-nonsense nanny and throwing her into a magical world with a ridiculously handsome (and equally stubborn) duke and his chaotic, magic-prone children is a recipe for delightful disaster. The author excels at crafting genuinely funny moments that had me chuckling out loud.
I particularly loved the scenes involving the children's unpredictable magical outbursts – one instance where a tea set spontaneously starts tap-dancing during a formal dinner, leaving the duke utterly flummoxed, was just brilliant. The nanny's deadpan reactions to the escalating magical mayhem, often contrasting sharply with the duke's exasperation, provide much of the book's comedic gold. Her attempts to apply mundane childcare strategies to fantastical problems, like trying to implement a "time-out" for a sentient, mischievous spell, were always a highlight.
Beyond the laughs, the characters are truly endearing. The nanny herself is a wonderfully grounded protagonist, intelligent and capable, with a dry wit that serves her well. The duke, despite his initial "difficult" nature, proves to be a surprisingly charming and beleaguered father. Their evolving relationship, built on mutual exasperation and growing respect, is sweet and well-paced. The magical system is whimsical and cleverly integrated, adding to the fun without bogging down the story.
"The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes" is a fantastic pick-me-up. It's a charming, feel-good fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, prioritizing laughs and character chemistry. If you're looking for a book to brighten your day with witty banter, adorable children, a grumpy-but-lovable duke, and plenty of funny, chaotic magical moments, this one is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for introducing me to a new author, one who had me laughing and enjoying this light-hearted book.
June 22, 2025
Emmeline Chase is a widow, who has just graduated from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses. She desperately needs to secure a good paying job to help pay off her father’s debts.
Xavier Mason is the seventh Duke of St-Lawrence and a horological inventor. His biggest goal is to win the design contest for the Westminster clock tower. But he keeps getting distracted by his three young wards, Harry, Barry, and Gary.
The two meet when Xavier rescues her from a teleportation incident. He’s convinced that she would be a perfect guardian for his children and immediately hires her. The two are drawn together as they face off against rambunctious children, scheming relatives, and a saboteur.
🐦⬛Adult Fiction
🕰️Cozy Victorian Romance
🐦⬛Duke x Nanny
🕰️Magic & Talking Animals
🐦⬛Slow Burn
🕰️Open Door (low spice)
'The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes' is a delightful and amusing historical romance. It’s exactly what I would expect of something that merges Mary Poppins with Bridgerton.
The romance between Emmeline and Xavier is a slow burn that starts with trust. It’s sweet, soft, and gentle. They’re both considered strange by their society and that becomes the foundation of their friendship. For most of the story they struggle with an adorable amount of shy yearning. I loved that Emmeline was the one with more relationship experience. And I enjoyed seeing Xavier realize that his neurodivergence doesn’t mean he’s undeserving of love and kindness.
This book is a little too long, which affects the pacing. Scenes were often stretched out across two to three chapters. So, it makes it feel like everything is moving at a snail’s pace. The slowness is a bit of an illusion because the plot has quite a bit going on. But it doesn’t change the fact that certain sections were unengaging.
The strongest part of this book was the found family dynamics. The children were wonderful characters with lots of personality. It was fantastic to see Emmeline and Xavier bond with them at the same time as each other. All in all, this is a charming story about five lonely people finding the support they need.
This book might be of interest to fans of India Holton and Heather Fawcett.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Xavier Mason is the seventh Duke of St-Lawrence and a horological inventor. His biggest goal is to win the design contest for the Westminster clock tower. But he keeps getting distracted by his three young wards, Harry, Barry, and Gary.
The two meet when Xavier rescues her from a teleportation incident. He’s convinced that she would be a perfect guardian for his children and immediately hires her. The two are drawn together as they face off against rambunctious children, scheming relatives, and a saboteur.
🐦⬛Adult Fiction
🕰️Cozy Victorian Romance
🐦⬛Duke x Nanny
🕰️Magic & Talking Animals
🐦⬛Slow Burn
🕰️Open Door (low spice)
'The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes' is a delightful and amusing historical romance. It’s exactly what I would expect of something that merges Mary Poppins with Bridgerton.
The romance between Emmeline and Xavier is a slow burn that starts with trust. It’s sweet, soft, and gentle. They’re both considered strange by their society and that becomes the foundation of their friendship. For most of the story they struggle with an adorable amount of shy yearning. I loved that Emmeline was the one with more relationship experience. And I enjoyed seeing Xavier realize that his neurodivergence doesn’t mean he’s undeserving of love and kindness.
This book is a little too long, which affects the pacing. Scenes were often stretched out across two to three chapters. So, it makes it feel like everything is moving at a snail’s pace. The slowness is a bit of an illusion because the plot has quite a bit going on. But it doesn’t change the fact that certain sections were unengaging.
The strongest part of this book was the found family dynamics. The children were wonderful characters with lots of personality. It was fantastic to see Emmeline and Xavier bond with them at the same time as each other. All in all, this is a charming story about five lonely people finding the support they need.
This book might be of interest to fans of India Holton and Heather Fawcett.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2025
This one is a good book, but I’m not sure these vibes are for me. I sometimes try to tell myself I’m a mood reader, so maybe I just wasn’t in the “mood”. But I’ve noticed books with these vibes are always meh to me. I can’t explain the vibes, but it is a specific type some romantasy/magic realism/paranormal romance have. Anyways. The plot and lore were cute. The romance is a feel good. I think if you’re someone who loves the cute, cozy, and feel good romances and like that in your fantasies, then you’d enjoy this one. The fantasy isn’t overly complicated, but complicated enough to make it interesting. It’s got more tension than actual spice. The spice is also more fade to black. It has a very Insta lust/love thing going on too. Its still very cute and good. Just not for me, and if it is, very rarely. The time period era was a joy to read, as I do love books in that time/theme.
This fantasy romance is book 1 in the Parasol Academy series. The romance in this book is a forbidden romance. The book does have fade to black spice. Emmeline needs to find a job as a nanny quickly. When a mishap lands her an introduction with the Duke, her charms leave an impression. Getting a job with the Duke is exactly what she needs. Xavier can finally focus on his horologist work now that Emmeline is in his life. Now he finds himself focusing on her too when he should be focusing on how he has someone trying to sabotage his work.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
🎧audiobook with 📖physical copy
This fantasy romance is book 1 in the Parasol Academy series. The romance in this book is a forbidden romance. The book does have fade to black spice. Emmeline needs to find a job as a nanny quickly. When a mishap lands her an introduction with the Duke, her charms leave an impression. Getting a job with the Duke is exactly what she needs. Xavier can finally focus on his horologist work now that Emmeline is in his life. Now he finds himself focusing on her too when he should be focusing on how he has someone trying to sabotage his work.
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🎧audiobook with 📖physical copy
December 26, 2025
4.5-Oh my goodness this was Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton such a fun read! It took me a long time due to life and the fact I suddenly needed to read Halloween and holiday books during their seasons, but I really enjoyed this one. Set in the Victorian era, the story follows a young widow and recent graduate of the Parasol Academy as she finds herself nannying for a Duke and his wards. I love that this wove real English historical events with fantastical elements, and a dash of whimsy to fill in the gaps or sometimes to fill in things the author wished had historically occurred. The story had a bit of mystery woven into it and I actually really enjoyed how the author set autistic characters into a historical piece in a way that allowed us to see how neurodivergence might have been treated in history. I look forward to reading more of this series as I really enjoyed the way this mashup of my interests came together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 26, 2025
Oh this one was such an adorable and delightful read. The main characters are brilliant and witty, they never ceased to make my heart feel full. Their dynamic is pretty much:
Emmeline - looks like a cinnamon roll, can kill you
Xavier - looks like can kill you, is a cinnamon roll (will not hesitate to kill you if you touch his woman) ✨
When Emmeline, a nanny who just graduated from a prestigious academy, quite literally landed on top of Xavier’s rooftop, the duke was bewildered but he was intrigued with her existence enough to hire her to take care of his rambunctious young wards. The children were quickly taken with Emmeline’s charming personality, and so did the duke, even though he never knew how to love and be loved.
I loved Emmeline’s character with my whole being; she’s gentle and kind as a whole, but when she needed to protect those she cared for, she would do anything for them (even physically throwing herself to stop a kidnapper). She was everything Xavier needed—oh heavens this man was one of a kind ♡⸝⸝ He grew up being shunned despite inheriting a dukedom, because of the fact he only had one obsession: horology. I learned for the first time what horology meant from this book and I honestly could not understand how anyone could hate a man who was just minding his own business with his clocks! But even when he kept saying he’s bitter as his coffee, Xavier was really the sweetest and most gentleman to those deserving of it. His love confession towards Emmeline made me swoon 💘💘
This book was made more fun with the sprinkling of magic and mystery. Emmeline’s ways of using the magic lent to her by graduating from the academy was hilarious and fun, and I loved the fact that when Xavier found out, he questioned nothing of it. Whatever Emmeline said, he will eat it up from her palms ♡⸝⸝ I love their interactions with the children too; Harry, Barry and Gary (and Horatio the brilliant raven <3) were just so precious! It felt so warm and fuzzy to have them end up being a true family after all they went through ₊˚⊹♡
I received an e-arc from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
Emmeline - looks like a cinnamon roll, can kill you
Xavier - looks like can kill you, is a cinnamon roll (will not hesitate to kill you if you touch his woman) ✨
When Emmeline, a nanny who just graduated from a prestigious academy, quite literally landed on top of Xavier’s rooftop, the duke was bewildered but he was intrigued with her existence enough to hire her to take care of his rambunctious young wards. The children were quickly taken with Emmeline’s charming personality, and so did the duke, even though he never knew how to love and be loved.
I loved Emmeline’s character with my whole being; she’s gentle and kind as a whole, but when she needed to protect those she cared for, she would do anything for them (even physically throwing herself to stop a kidnapper). She was everything Xavier needed—oh heavens this man was one of a kind ♡⸝⸝ He grew up being shunned despite inheriting a dukedom, because of the fact he only had one obsession: horology. I learned for the first time what horology meant from this book and I honestly could not understand how anyone could hate a man who was just minding his own business with his clocks! But even when he kept saying he’s bitter as his coffee, Xavier was really the sweetest and most gentleman to those deserving of it. His love confession towards Emmeline made me swoon 💘💘
This book was made more fun with the sprinkling of magic and mystery. Emmeline’s ways of using the magic lent to her by graduating from the academy was hilarious and fun, and I loved the fact that when Xavier found out, he questioned nothing of it. Whatever Emmeline said, he will eat it up from her palms ♡⸝⸝ I love their interactions with the children too; Harry, Barry and Gary (and Horatio the brilliant raven <3) were just so precious! It felt so warm and fuzzy to have them end up being a true family after all they went through ₊˚⊹♡
I received an e-arc from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.
October 19, 2025
I was expecting much more from this book after all the hype it’s been given. But, honestly, I got pretty bored reading it. Nothing really interesting happened until about halfway through.
I finished this book only because it is the October read for the Between the Chapters book group. However, other than that, I probably would have put it down and picked up something else to read.
I finished this book only because it is the October read for the Between the Chapters book group. However, other than that, I probably would have put it down and picked up something else to read.
November 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this story, I just feel like it didn't fully commit to or explore the magic part. It's still a cute romance though.
October 21, 2025
Cute little cosy read!
November 14, 2025
This was an adorable read! I love the quirky Mrs. Chase and the unusual Duke of St. Lawrence. This mix of historical romance and magic was just right and I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a story full of magical realism.
January 12, 2026
Listened via audiobook. Cute little whimsical rom com. Definitely reminded me of Mary Poppins from the magical nanny aspect. I didn’t realize until the authors note at the end of the novel that the Duke was neurodivergent and on the autism spectrum so that was a fun fact and I could see this book being magical for others who are neurodivergent (almost like a happily ever after fairytale!)
July 11, 2025
2.5 - thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I love when a drawn cover has some character to it and doesn’t just look like a canva cookie cutter cover!
The story itself is largely HR with a touch of fantasy thrown in. I have to say I don’t usually read any fantasy within the genre and I’m always worried things will go over the top - but in this case I almost wish it HAD gone over the top! The magic was so gentle as to almost not exist and given the setup I really wished it had more of a definitive role in the book besides just cleaning or hiding.
I also had a very hard time with the leads - FMC spends so much of her time repeating rules to herself but then pretty much breaks them incessantly and seemingly without consequence. Her backstory could have been so interesting but it felt very superficial so her father and brother and the family’s plight didn’t really feel super horrible or jarring at all. I liked her banter with the MMC, would have liked more time spent with the kids so I could see her actually being a good nanny - they got calm and obedient way to easily and we got a lot of tell don’t show about how they got to be friends with the MCs and didn’t fully buy where they ended in the epilogue.
MMC similarly had such a cool set up with his obvious neurodivergence, fear of ongoing conspiracies and being labeled mad, his passion for clocks - but once he met FMC I feel like all he did was obsess over her and sort of lose his self as a person beyond his attraction and feelings for her. I would have loved to see him face his professional and social society more, up the ante, have his enemies breathe down his neck so the climax feels earned?
Overall the writing is nice and I think it’s a good set up - I enjoyed the MCs friends who were introduced here and possibly the idea of there being and underlying magic battle against good and evil that could play a role in future books. I just hope the rest are more fleshed out and less one dimensional. I do plan on following up with sequels to see if I like them better!
First off, the cover is gorgeous. I love when a drawn cover has some character to it and doesn’t just look like a canva cookie cutter cover!
The story itself is largely HR with a touch of fantasy thrown in. I have to say I don’t usually read any fantasy within the genre and I’m always worried things will go over the top - but in this case I almost wish it HAD gone over the top! The magic was so gentle as to almost not exist and given the setup I really wished it had more of a definitive role in the book besides just cleaning or hiding.
I also had a very hard time with the leads - FMC spends so much of her time repeating rules to herself but then pretty much breaks them incessantly and seemingly without consequence. Her backstory could have been so interesting but it felt very superficial so her father and brother and the family’s plight didn’t really feel super horrible or jarring at all. I liked her banter with the MMC, would have liked more time spent with the kids so I could see her actually being a good nanny - they got calm and obedient way to easily and we got a lot of tell don’t show about how they got to be friends with the MCs and didn’t fully buy where they ended in the epilogue.
MMC similarly had such a cool set up with his obvious neurodivergence, fear of ongoing conspiracies and being labeled mad, his passion for clocks - but once he met FMC I feel like all he did was obsess over her and sort of lose his self as a person beyond his attraction and feelings for her. I would have loved to see him face his professional and social society more, up the ante, have his enemies breathe down his neck so the climax feels earned?
Overall the writing is nice and I think it’s a good set up - I enjoyed the MCs friends who were introduced here and possibly the idea of there being and underlying magic battle against good and evil that could play a role in future books. I just hope the rest are more fleshed out and less one dimensional. I do plan on following up with sequels to see if I like them better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
This book started off strong for me but then ended up slowing down. The pacing felt like it stopped and started a bunch of times and it was a little harder to get through. I did love the characters! Horatio the Raven was my favorite! The writing felt magical and fun! I just didn’t absolutely love it or absolutely hate it. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own! Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!
August 25, 2025
The Nanny’s Handbook for Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes was an absolute delight from start to finish! If you love Bridgerton but also adored the whimsical, magical charm of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies, this book feels like the perfect blend of both worlds.
Told in dual third-person perspectives, the story follows Emmeline, a talented nanny from the Parasol Academy, and Xavier, the brooding Duke who hires her to manage his three spirited wards. While I loved their growing slow-burn, forbidden romance, I was equally drawn in by the layered plot. Beyond the family and romance, Xavier and Emmeline are up against sabotage—mysterious forces trying to set Xavier up, drive away his staff, and derail his efforts to compete in a prestigious clock competition. These threads made the book not just romantic and magical, but suspenseful and engaging too.
The chemistry between Xavier and Emmeline was everything I wanted: tender, tense, and worth every page of the build-up. The wards also weren’t just side characters—they had vibrant personalities that added so much charm and heart.
On a personal note, I also really loved (and hope it was intentional) what felt like autism representation in Xavier’s character. His overstimulation with certain textures, discomfort with unexpected touches, and difficulty reading emotions resonated deeply with me, and I found myself relating to him in so many ways. It gave his character even more depth and made me care for him all the more.
So much happened in under 400 pages, and I was hooked the entire way through. The mix of Regency-era romance, magical elements, mystery, and family dynamics made this such a fun, enchanting read. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Parasol Academy series—and if this debut is anything to go by, I know I’m going to love everything the author writes.
Simply put: this book was so flipping good!
✨ Huge thanks to Kensington Publishers and the author for sending me an advanced reader copy. Being provided a copy in no way influenced my review or my thoughts—I just want to express my gratitude and be transparent that I was lucky enough to read this early.
Told in dual third-person perspectives, the story follows Emmeline, a talented nanny from the Parasol Academy, and Xavier, the brooding Duke who hires her to manage his three spirited wards. While I loved their growing slow-burn, forbidden romance, I was equally drawn in by the layered plot. Beyond the family and romance, Xavier and Emmeline are up against sabotage—mysterious forces trying to set Xavier up, drive away his staff, and derail his efforts to compete in a prestigious clock competition. These threads made the book not just romantic and magical, but suspenseful and engaging too.
The chemistry between Xavier and Emmeline was everything I wanted: tender, tense, and worth every page of the build-up. The wards also weren’t just side characters—they had vibrant personalities that added so much charm and heart.
On a personal note, I also really loved (and hope it was intentional) what felt like autism representation in Xavier’s character. His overstimulation with certain textures, discomfort with unexpected touches, and difficulty reading emotions resonated deeply with me, and I found myself relating to him in so many ways. It gave his character even more depth and made me care for him all the more.
So much happened in under 400 pages, and I was hooked the entire way through. The mix of Regency-era romance, magical elements, mystery, and family dynamics made this such a fun, enchanting read. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the Parasol Academy series—and if this debut is anything to go by, I know I’m going to love everything the author writes.
Simply put: this book was so flipping good!
✨ Huge thanks to Kensington Publishers and the author for sending me an advanced reader copy. Being provided a copy in no way influenced my review or my thoughts—I just want to express my gratitude and be transparent that I was lucky enough to read this early.
June 27, 2025
A bit of Mary Poopins, and a bit of Victorian romances, with magic thrown in and the ability to communicate with birds, is the main theme of this romance, in which Queen Victoria has given her royal seal to a school for nannies, after one of them saves her life, as well as those of her children.
Emmeline Chase, a recent widow, whose mother trained at this same school, gets a scholarship to go there to be trained. For this is not just regular nannies, but in addition to having the royal seal, they also have Queen Mob’s approval too, the queen of the fae, and all of them have access to fae magic.
It is a fun little romp, with a neurodivergent duke, who can not stand the feeling of anything but silk on his body, and has trouble reading people, except for Nanny Chase.
He employs her after he becomes the guardian for three distant cousins, who have lost both their parents, and he is the only relative who can take them.
It is a cute historical romance, although the author takes a bit of artistic license with police boxes, which weren’t around in the 1850s, but who cares, since they are one of the spots that Nanny Chase can tel-lay-port to (using fae lay lines).
The romance is a nice slow burn, the dialogue is witty, the mystery of who is trying to sabotage the duke keeps us guessing, and the children are delightful, not cloyingly sweet, nor overly stupid. In fact, the little 9-year-old girl is more interested in science than playing with dolls.
I miss them all, now that I am done. I’m hoping the author does more books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 30th of September 2025.
Emmeline Chase, a recent widow, whose mother trained at this same school, gets a scholarship to go there to be trained. For this is not just regular nannies, but in addition to having the royal seal, they also have Queen Mob’s approval too, the queen of the fae, and all of them have access to fae magic.
It is a fun little romp, with a neurodivergent duke, who can not stand the feeling of anything but silk on his body, and has trouble reading people, except for Nanny Chase.
He employs her after he becomes the guardian for three distant cousins, who have lost both their parents, and he is the only relative who can take them.
It is a cute historical romance, although the author takes a bit of artistic license with police boxes, which weren’t around in the 1850s, but who cares, since they are one of the spots that Nanny Chase can tel-lay-port to (using fae lay lines).
The romance is a nice slow burn, the dialogue is witty, the mystery of who is trying to sabotage the duke keeps us guessing, and the children are delightful, not cloyingly sweet, nor overly stupid. In fact, the little 9-year-old girl is more interested in science than playing with dolls.
I miss them all, now that I am done. I’m hoping the author does more books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 30th of September 2025.
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