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Better than a Duke
It takes more than Cupid to arrange a marriage in this sparkling Regency romcom from
New York Times
best-selling author Suzanne Enoch, where
The Parent Trap
crashes into
Bridgerton
as two precocious children decide to play matchmaker for their unsuspecting single parents.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife, and he's resigned to participating in the Season to search for a suitable mother for his young daughter Rebecca. Beckett is determined to wed for practicality rather than love, and he thinks he's found the perfect, proper woman for the job.
Instead, he's stunned when his new next-door neighbor Iris Silbern bursts into his London home in pursuit of her mischievous son Edmund. Her ferocity, sharp wit, and humor charm him, but she is by no means proper. Meanwhile, Iris's relations are trying to set up a match with a wealthy, elderly duke—an answer to her financial troubles, if not her resistant heart.
Rebecca and Edmund have no interest in practical plans, not when the perfect father and mother are right in front of them. With only one Season to summon Cupid, they scheme to bring their parents together. But will Beckett realize how perfect a messy life can be? And will Iris open her heart to a man who may not be a duke, but something even better?
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife, and he's resigned to participating in the Season to search for a suitable mother for his young daughter Rebecca. Beckett is determined to wed for practicality rather than love, and he thinks he's found the perfect, proper woman for the job.
Instead, he's stunned when his new next-door neighbor Iris Silbern bursts into his London home in pursuit of her mischievous son Edmund. Her ferocity, sharp wit, and humor charm him, but she is by no means proper. Meanwhile, Iris's relations are trying to set up a match with a wealthy, elderly duke—an answer to her financial troubles, if not her resistant heart.
Rebecca and Edmund have no interest in practical plans, not when the perfect father and mother are right in front of them. With only one Season to summon Cupid, they scheme to bring their parents together. But will Beckett realize how perfect a messy life can be? And will Iris open her heart to a man who may not be a duke, but something even better?
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Published March 3, 2026
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About the author
Suzanne Enoch
99 books2,639 followersSuzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.
When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.
In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.
In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.
Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.
www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 5, 2026
i love suzanne enoch and i was so happy to get an early copy of hers! don’t let the weird cover fool you, this book is just as fun as her other historical romances. suzanne is a genius at hijinks and scheming.
beckett decides it’s finally time to look for a wife to help raise his 9 year old daughter, rebecca. he thinks he’s found the perfect person to do that before he meets his new neighbor, iris, and her son, edmund. iris is kicked out of her home when her late husbands brother inherits his fathers houses. she then goes to london to stay with her terrible aunt, who happens to be neighbors with beckett. while beckett thinks she isn’t suitable to raise his daughter to be a proper young lady, he does admire her boldness and they become good friends along with their children.
i loved that they were both single parents who were unconventionally involved with their kids!! rebecca and edmund pull a total parent trap and scheme to get their parents together. their friendship was so sweet and the author did a great job of making them sound their age and not younger/older like in some books with kid pov’s.
the narrators did a great job! thank you netgalley for the arc
beckett decides it’s finally time to look for a wife to help raise his 9 year old daughter, rebecca. he thinks he’s found the perfect person to do that before he meets his new neighbor, iris, and her son, edmund. iris is kicked out of her home when her late husbands brother inherits his fathers houses. she then goes to london to stay with her terrible aunt, who happens to be neighbors with beckett. while beckett thinks she isn’t suitable to raise his daughter to be a proper young lady, he does admire her boldness and they become good friends along with their children.
i loved that they were both single parents who were unconventionally involved with their kids!! rebecca and edmund pull a total parent trap and scheme to get their parents together. their friendship was so sweet and the author did a great job of making them sound their age and not younger/older like in some books with kid pov’s.
the narrators did a great job! thank you netgalley for the arc
November 1, 2025
Better Than a Duke is a complete and total GEM! I had the most fantastic time reading and falling in love with this one. It reminded me in the best way of Parent Trap as two mischievous children want to stop their respective widowed parent from marrying others as they hope their parents will fall in love with each other. As it turns out, the parents are way ahead of them!
Iris and Beckett (aka the parents) are so perfect for each other, well, except in the ways they aren't. Beckett looks for a practical partner who will be a calm society-guiding mother to his wildly creative and imaginative daughter. His feisty temporary neighbor Iris may make his heart go all a flutter but the way she fiercely sticks her nose down at society and isn't afraid to take down any disparaging lord makes her imperfect when it comes to being the right societal fit in partner. Iris, on the other hand, is in dire situation. She and her son have lost their home and will soon lose their temporary stay with her less-than-welcoming aunt and uncle, but a potential marriage offer from an entirely despicable but utterly rich duke may be the ticket to ensure her son's future. Even if it's at the cost of her heart. A heart that longs for a certain marquis who's a mere garden walk away.
I loved these two so darn much! Iris bursts into Beckett's life with so much color and joy, and he gives her a solid ground to anchor to when the winds become too fierce. In so many ways they are each other's perfect counterpart; they strike the right balance emotionally, intellectually, and physically (because whewww do they have heart eyes for one another!). Just that pesky societal measure gets in the way. Oh the happy sighs I let out over their secret interludes in the dark. Those stolen moments brought each character's vulnerability out. They never hide their individual intents as well as their biggest fears and desires. That open honest heightened the emotional chord that slowly but so solidly bonded them to the other. I do think their first kiss came a bit too abruptly, regardless I was all for that forbidden-esque nature of their dalliance. I just wanted them to open their eyes and see how well they work, without having to change themselves.
Luckily their kids shared my wavelength and were working behind the scenes to get that ball rolling! I loved those two rascals so much! Little Rebecca broke my heart in how she was too fearful to tell her father the truth of Pauline but it was so heart-warming how not only little Edmund but all of Beckett's staff came together to get the Parent Trap going!
I only wish there had been an epilogue, it makes the ending a bit abrupt, but gosh, y'all! What a fantastic time this was. Historical romances have a special place in my heart, I have been lucky to almost always find the perfect fits for me and Better Than a Duke is the newest addition to that collection!
I unreservedly recommend this one!
Thank you Bramble, Tor and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily. 4.5
____
immediate post-read thoughts
I had such a fantastic time reading this one! Wish there was an epilogue, but gosh what a good time! Don’t judge this book by its cover, y’all! This is truly a gorgeous, fun read! Very Parent Trap in all the best ways! 4.5, full review to come.
Iris and Beckett (aka the parents) are so perfect for each other, well, except in the ways they aren't. Beckett looks for a practical partner who will be a calm society-guiding mother to his wildly creative and imaginative daughter. His feisty temporary neighbor Iris may make his heart go all a flutter but the way she fiercely sticks her nose down at society and isn't afraid to take down any disparaging lord makes her imperfect when it comes to being the right societal fit in partner. Iris, on the other hand, is in dire situation. She and her son have lost their home and will soon lose their temporary stay with her less-than-welcoming aunt and uncle, but a potential marriage offer from an entirely despicable but utterly rich duke may be the ticket to ensure her son's future. Even if it's at the cost of her heart. A heart that longs for a certain marquis who's a mere garden walk away.
I loved these two so darn much! Iris bursts into Beckett's life with so much color and joy, and he gives her a solid ground to anchor to when the winds become too fierce. In so many ways they are each other's perfect counterpart; they strike the right balance emotionally, intellectually, and physically (because whewww do they have heart eyes for one another!). Just that pesky societal measure gets in the way. Oh the happy sighs I let out over their secret interludes in the dark. Those stolen moments brought each character's vulnerability out. They never hide their individual intents as well as their biggest fears and desires. That open honest heightened the emotional chord that slowly but so solidly bonded them to the other. I do think their first kiss came a bit too abruptly, regardless I was all for that forbidden-esque nature of their dalliance. I just wanted them to open their eyes and see how well they work, without having to change themselves.
Luckily their kids shared my wavelength and were working behind the scenes to get that ball rolling! I loved those two rascals so much! Little Rebecca broke my heart in how she was too fearful to tell her father the truth of Pauline but it was so heart-warming how not only little Edmund but all of Beckett's staff came together to get the Parent Trap going!
I only wish there had been an epilogue, it makes the ending a bit abrupt, but gosh, y'all! What a fantastic time this was. Historical romances have a special place in my heart, I have been lucky to almost always find the perfect fits for me and Better Than a Duke is the newest addition to that collection!
I unreservedly recommend this one!
Thank you Bramble, Tor and NetGalley for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily. 4.5
____
immediate post-read thoughts
I had such a fantastic time reading this one! Wish there was an epilogue, but gosh what a good time! Don’t judge this book by its cover, y’all! This is truly a gorgeous, fun read! Very Parent Trap in all the best ways! 4.5, full review to come.
Want to read
September 26, 2025Suzanne Enoch writes the most intriguing plots. Regency Rom-Com. A take on "The Parent Trap" this time around. Sounds like fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for this ARC. My opinions are my own.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, has been widowed for ten years, leaving him a single father to young Rebecca (who would like to be known as Lady Becks). He's been aided by a number of loyal servants, but now his meddling mother has decided that it's time for him to marry an appropriate woman who can be a good role model to the girl. Because Beckett was guided by his emotions the last time around, and his wife turned out to be very pretty, but rather vapid, and then died in childbirth, he's determined that his next marriage will be a partnership, with no romantic feelings involved.
Iris Silbern has been widowed for four years and currently has to reside with her ten-year-old son, Edmund, with her aunt and uncle, in the house neighbouring Beckett's, and their first meeting isn't exactly flattering to her. She comes storming into his house, threatening him with a shovel, with her hair like a haystack around her head and her clothes wrinkled from a long time travelling. She accuses him of having abducted Edmund (when in fact, the rascal came up with a sob story about being a starving orphan), but calms down once she sees how happy her son is playing with Rebecca. It doesn't take long before the children are pretty much inseparable, and Beckett and Iris are bonding over being widowed single parents.
It doesn't take long for Rebecca to discover that while the lady her father is possibly going to marry may look pretty and pleasant while there are other adults around, she's clearly planning to have Beckett to herself. She strongly implies that Rebecca will be sent off to boarding school and that her father will be all the happier for it. Meanwhile, Iris is hoping to borrow money from her uncle to buy herself a house in the country, where she plans to take in lodgers. They, on the other hand, believe she should get married again, even though she has no wish to ever remarry. They introduce her to the Duke of Trent, who is over seventy, already has two sons and several grandchildren, but is nevertheless looking for Duchess number six. Marrying the lecherous old man would ensure that Iris got enough money to secure a good education and a decent future for Edmund. And while he's outlived five wives so far, surely he'll not outlive Iris as well?
Obviously, neither child is happy with their potential step-parents, especially since it would mean Rebecca and Edmund would be separated. They'd much rather be siblings and decide to get their parents to marry each other, and their plans are forced to get ever more elaborate as Beckett and Iris stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that their perfect partner is right there on the other side of the garden wall.
Last year, I got an ARC of A Duke Never Tells, Suzanne Enoch's previous novel, and it was a perfectly fine read, but I can't really remember a thing about it now, except that two different couples were romancing each other while assuming other people's identities. It certainly didn't make me smile, and even laugh, as much as this one. The previous book became a bit too messy to be a fun romp; this one succeeded better. A lot of romance novels, movies and television have done parent trap retellings, or stories with similar tropes. A few years ago, I read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban, but here the scheming children are debutantes who try to get their parents to marry so they themselves don't have to. This one was a lot more entertaining, which isn't always an easy feat when two of the characters concerned are children of nine and ten.
Even when they start acknowledging that they are growing to be more than just friends, neither Beckett nor Iris considers the other as a suitable future spouse. Beckett wants a lady of impeccable pedigree and breeding who can help advise and guide Rebecca and ensure that she fits into polite society. While he tries to ignore his overbearing mother, her constant criticism is starting to wear on him, and he's worried that growing up without a mother is damaging Rebecca. Because he was blinded by love and made a rather poor choice of first wife, he now wants a marriage without romantic entanglements. He wants a marriage of convenience, a platonic partnership, more to offer a maternal influence for his daughter than for himself. Iris is stubborn, has a terrible temper, is not afraid to speak her mind and has, on occasion, punched men who offended her. While he admires her spirit, he doesn't want his daughter to behave that way.
Iris, meanwhile, married a man she thought needed her help and guidance, only to discover that he had a gambling problem even before they got married, which only got worse as their marriage continued. He fell when drunk and drowned in a ditch. Iris' father-in-law allowed them to stay in one of the houses on his estate, but as soon as he passed, her brother-in-law kicked them out, leaving them homeless and helpless. She knows what Beckett is looking for in a new wife and understands why she's not suitable. While she feels happier in his company than in years, she also wants him to have a wife who will be accepted in society, rather than constantly shocking and causing minor scandals.
If the book had been longer, I suspect I would have been annoyed with the length of time it took for the other marital candidates to be neutralised (and while she is clearly an unpleasant person, I think the consequences for Beckett's first choice ended up being more horrible than she deserved) and for Beckett and Iris to finally get together. This is also one of the times when an epilogue would have been nice, to see how the new family was getting along. It is possible to have epilogues in romance that don't involve pregnancies, and one would have been nice here.
Judging a book by its cover: I don't think smug-looking dude in a cravat is the way to sell a romance, but I'm not mad that it's not a cutesy cartoon cover.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, has been widowed for ten years, leaving him a single father to young Rebecca (who would like to be known as Lady Becks). He's been aided by a number of loyal servants, but now his meddling mother has decided that it's time for him to marry an appropriate woman who can be a good role model to the girl. Because Beckett was guided by his emotions the last time around, and his wife turned out to be very pretty, but rather vapid, and then died in childbirth, he's determined that his next marriage will be a partnership, with no romantic feelings involved.
Iris Silbern has been widowed for four years and currently has to reside with her ten-year-old son, Edmund, with her aunt and uncle, in the house neighbouring Beckett's, and their first meeting isn't exactly flattering to her. She comes storming into his house, threatening him with a shovel, with her hair like a haystack around her head and her clothes wrinkled from a long time travelling. She accuses him of having abducted Edmund (when in fact, the rascal came up with a sob story about being a starving orphan), but calms down once she sees how happy her son is playing with Rebecca. It doesn't take long before the children are pretty much inseparable, and Beckett and Iris are bonding over being widowed single parents.
It doesn't take long for Rebecca to discover that while the lady her father is possibly going to marry may look pretty and pleasant while there are other adults around, she's clearly planning to have Beckett to herself. She strongly implies that Rebecca will be sent off to boarding school and that her father will be all the happier for it. Meanwhile, Iris is hoping to borrow money from her uncle to buy herself a house in the country, where she plans to take in lodgers. They, on the other hand, believe she should get married again, even though she has no wish to ever remarry. They introduce her to the Duke of Trent, who is over seventy, already has two sons and several grandchildren, but is nevertheless looking for Duchess number six. Marrying the lecherous old man would ensure that Iris got enough money to secure a good education and a decent future for Edmund. And while he's outlived five wives so far, surely he'll not outlive Iris as well?
Obviously, neither child is happy with their potential step-parents, especially since it would mean Rebecca and Edmund would be separated. They'd much rather be siblings and decide to get their parents to marry each other, and their plans are forced to get ever more elaborate as Beckett and Iris stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that their perfect partner is right there on the other side of the garden wall.
Last year, I got an ARC of A Duke Never Tells, Suzanne Enoch's previous novel, and it was a perfectly fine read, but I can't really remember a thing about it now, except that two different couples were romancing each other while assuming other people's identities. It certainly didn't make me smile, and even laugh, as much as this one. The previous book became a bit too messy to be a fun romp; this one succeeded better. A lot of romance novels, movies and television have done parent trap retellings, or stories with similar tropes. A few years ago, I read Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban, but here the scheming children are debutantes who try to get their parents to marry so they themselves don't have to. This one was a lot more entertaining, which isn't always an easy feat when two of the characters concerned are children of nine and ten.
Even when they start acknowledging that they are growing to be more than just friends, neither Beckett nor Iris considers the other as a suitable future spouse. Beckett wants a lady of impeccable pedigree and breeding who can help advise and guide Rebecca and ensure that she fits into polite society. While he tries to ignore his overbearing mother, her constant criticism is starting to wear on him, and he's worried that growing up without a mother is damaging Rebecca. Because he was blinded by love and made a rather poor choice of first wife, he now wants a marriage without romantic entanglements. He wants a marriage of convenience, a platonic partnership, more to offer a maternal influence for his daughter than for himself. Iris is stubborn, has a terrible temper, is not afraid to speak her mind and has, on occasion, punched men who offended her. While he admires her spirit, he doesn't want his daughter to behave that way.
Iris, meanwhile, married a man she thought needed her help and guidance, only to discover that he had a gambling problem even before they got married, which only got worse as their marriage continued. He fell when drunk and drowned in a ditch. Iris' father-in-law allowed them to stay in one of the houses on his estate, but as soon as he passed, her brother-in-law kicked them out, leaving them homeless and helpless. She knows what Beckett is looking for in a new wife and understands why she's not suitable. While she feels happier in his company than in years, she also wants him to have a wife who will be accepted in society, rather than constantly shocking and causing minor scandals.
If the book had been longer, I suspect I would have been annoyed with the length of time it took for the other marital candidates to be neutralised (and while she is clearly an unpleasant person, I think the consequences for Beckett's first choice ended up being more horrible than she deserved) and for Beckett and Iris to finally get together. This is also one of the times when an epilogue would have been nice, to see how the new family was getting along. It is possible to have epilogues in romance that don't involve pregnancies, and one would have been nice here.
Judging a book by its cover: I don't think smug-looking dude in a cravat is the way to sell a romance, but I'm not mad that it's not a cutesy cartoon cover.
October 28, 2025
Rebecca Raines, also known as Becks, is the high spirited 9 year old daughter of Marquis of Hentrose Beckett Raines. Becks’ mother died in childbirth and Beckett has been a single father providing the best care he can. This is Beck’s first time in London for the season and they discover their neighbors, the Silberns, Iris Silbern, a widow of four years and mother of 10 year old similarly high spirited Edmund “Eddie” who becomes fast friends with Becks.
Beckett’s mother has been trying to set him up with eligible women and he has always turned down her assistance, but now that Becks is getting older, he decides that he needs a mother for her, someone who can teach her how to be a young lady because right now, she’s a rambunctious hilarious imaginative ray of sunshine but not fit for society, and his mother has just the young woman for him. Iris has a similar problem, her husband was a gambler and left her with no income or money and his father recently passed, and they were ejected from their home since her brother-in-law wanted it for a hunting cabin. She is now staying with her aunt and uncle who are dreadful and miserly people and they want her to marry a Duke, a Duke old enough to be her grandfather.
Beckett and Iris initially get off on the wrong foot but soon come to realise that they have a similar attitude towards their children, have a similar sense of humor, and they become the person that the other wants to talk to the most at end the end of a day, but because of more miscommunication they think that they are not well suited for the other, hence why they must entertain the idea of marriage with other people.
This is a problem because Becks and Eddie love playing together. They don’t want their parents to remarry and they certainly don’t want them to remarry terrible terrible people. So they scheme: “Hey, why don’t our parents marry each other? They are friends too! And then we could be siblings!” And thus hijinks ensue.
This is an utterly delightful book. The antics of Becks and Eddie are just so funny. They are the sweetest children but also cause lots of mischief. Their parents are saints and like Bluey’s parents, Bandit and Chili, they seem to have boundless energy to play with their kids, which is very atypical for the time period of the book (regency?).
A sample of the witty conversations between Becks and Beckett about not leaving the house without supervision and what happened the last time when he couldn’t find her where she was supposed to be:
“Yes, and Mrs. Brubbins and I thought you were where?” He held a hand to his ear.
Sighing, she glanced back at him “You thought I was in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Harley bake biscuits.”
“And what did I do when weren’t in the kitchen with Mrs. Harley baking biscuits?”
“You lost ten years off your life, had an apoplexy, and all your hair turned gray.”
“Precisely.”
“Except your hair didn’t turn gray, because it’s still black.”
“Shoe polish.”
(Ok, maybe not everyone will think this is sheer comic genius but I do.)
The chemistry between Beckett and Iris is so good, because they are very in tune with each other and while the romance is a slow burn, the romance definitely pays off. I was screaming for them to jump each other by the end. Beckett is the best father you can imagine and the man all men should strive to be: kind, responsible, generous, witty, rich, hot. Iris is not only smart, funny, and beautiful but completely willing to punch deserving bounders in the nose. The twists and turns of each courtship is also fascinating as family meddles in their lives and you truly start to despise them; the villains are very villainous. Beckett’s household staff, Mrs. Brubbins (the nanny turned governess), Butler the butler, Mrs. Alliday the cook, and Bradley and George the footmen, as well as Eddie’s tutor Mr. Fredericks who only speaks in rhyme are great supporting characters with personality quirks that make them very fun as well. The ending of the book is truly satisfying, it’s basically a heist.
I highly recommend this book for readers of historical romance who enjoy their stories with a lot of humor. The parent trap feel, the push and pull attraction between Beckett and Iris, and the glee I felt from reading the insane conversations between the children, Iris, and Beckett, it’s just chef’s kiss. I don’t know if all of Enoch’s books are this entertaining but I’m definitely going to check them out.
4.5 of of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Bramble for the ARC
Beckett’s mother has been trying to set him up with eligible women and he has always turned down her assistance, but now that Becks is getting older, he decides that he needs a mother for her, someone who can teach her how to be a young lady because right now, she’s a rambunctious hilarious imaginative ray of sunshine but not fit for society, and his mother has just the young woman for him. Iris has a similar problem, her husband was a gambler and left her with no income or money and his father recently passed, and they were ejected from their home since her brother-in-law wanted it for a hunting cabin. She is now staying with her aunt and uncle who are dreadful and miserly people and they want her to marry a Duke, a Duke old enough to be her grandfather.
Beckett and Iris initially get off on the wrong foot but soon come to realise that they have a similar attitude towards their children, have a similar sense of humor, and they become the person that the other wants to talk to the most at end the end of a day, but because of more miscommunication they think that they are not well suited for the other, hence why they must entertain the idea of marriage with other people.
This is a problem because Becks and Eddie love playing together. They don’t want their parents to remarry and they certainly don’t want them to remarry terrible terrible people. So they scheme: “Hey, why don’t our parents marry each other? They are friends too! And then we could be siblings!” And thus hijinks ensue.
This is an utterly delightful book. The antics of Becks and Eddie are just so funny. They are the sweetest children but also cause lots of mischief. Their parents are saints and like Bluey’s parents, Bandit and Chili, they seem to have boundless energy to play with their kids, which is very atypical for the time period of the book (regency?).
A sample of the witty conversations between Becks and Beckett about not leaving the house without supervision and what happened the last time when he couldn’t find her where she was supposed to be:
“Yes, and Mrs. Brubbins and I thought you were where?” He held a hand to his ear.
Sighing, she glanced back at him “You thought I was in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Harley bake biscuits.”
“And what did I do when weren’t in the kitchen with Mrs. Harley baking biscuits?”
“You lost ten years off your life, had an apoplexy, and all your hair turned gray.”
“Precisely.”
“Except your hair didn’t turn gray, because it’s still black.”
“Shoe polish.”
(Ok, maybe not everyone will think this is sheer comic genius but I do.)
The chemistry between Beckett and Iris is so good, because they are very in tune with each other and while the romance is a slow burn, the romance definitely pays off. I was screaming for them to jump each other by the end. Beckett is the best father you can imagine and the man all men should strive to be: kind, responsible, generous, witty, rich, hot. Iris is not only smart, funny, and beautiful but completely willing to punch deserving bounders in the nose. The twists and turns of each courtship is also fascinating as family meddles in their lives and you truly start to despise them; the villains are very villainous. Beckett’s household staff, Mrs. Brubbins (the nanny turned governess), Butler the butler, Mrs. Alliday the cook, and Bradley and George the footmen, as well as Eddie’s tutor Mr. Fredericks who only speaks in rhyme are great supporting characters with personality quirks that make them very fun as well. The ending of the book is truly satisfying, it’s basically a heist.
I highly recommend this book for readers of historical romance who enjoy their stories with a lot of humor. The parent trap feel, the push and pull attraction between Beckett and Iris, and the glee I felt from reading the insane conversations between the children, Iris, and Beckett, it’s just chef’s kiss. I don’t know if all of Enoch’s books are this entertaining but I’m definitely going to check them out.
4.5 of of 5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Bramble for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, has raised his 9-year-old daughter, Rebecca, on his own, making him an oddity in a society that expects him to be playing cards and socializing rather than building troll castles. For years, his mother has been plaguing him to remarry, and Beckett is willing to consider a marriage as a business arrangement if only to have a wife who can set an example for Rebecca. In London for the season, though, Beckett's neighbor Iris Silbern bursts into his life looking to discipline her 10-year-old son, only to discover that Edmund and Rebecca have become fast friends. Beckett looks for every excuse to bring joy to his daughter, which means allowing her to spend time with their rambunctious neighbor, but it also allows him Beckett to spend time with Iris...even as he is supposed to be courting Lady Pauline and Iris is "in the running" to become the next Duchess of Milton.
Suzanne Enoch delivers a light-hearted regency romp with a Parent Trap style plot. Iris and Beckett are trying to make the best matches for their children's futures, all while their children are thwarting their plans. Lady Pauline is everything Beckett should need in an aristocratic wife: she's a polished, well-connected granddaughter of a duke, and everything a young miss should aspire to be... Except that she hates children, and doesn't care that Rebecca is Beckett's whole world. Rebecca and Edmund call her "Masquerade" because she puts on a different face around Beckett to impress him. Iris's suitor, on the other hand, is exactly what he appears to be on the surface: a lecherous, spiteful old man keen to marry a young wife to keep his greedy sons from taking more than their share of the inheritance. The joy of the novel is that the precocious children understand that their parents are a better match for each other, and watching the lengths to which they will go to make them see it.
In a story like this, you aren't looking for a new or inventive plot line, because you know the outcome for our HEA is that Beckett and Iris have to end up together, because like their children, we readers know that they are perfect for each other. The pleasure of Better Than a Duke is watching each of our protagonists buck social convention to find joy in life. Beckett is devoted to his daughter, an encourages her to explore her interests, even as those of the ton mock him for this. Iris has no patience to do anything other than speak her mind. Edmund and Rebecca are eager to learn, explore, and play (I found them to be very age appropriate, which always helps me in a romance novel where there are children). Our antagonists are all almost over the top caricatures, which fits the light-hearted tone of the book. While this isn't exactly closed door, it's close enough for most romance readers, and that also fits the overall tone.
The audiobook is absolutely delightful. It's narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Jay Myers, and they capture the vibes spot on. I highly recommend listening to this one.
Better Than a Duke is a standalone regency romance, with a low barrier for entry because it's so character focused. If you are a fan of the Bridgerton show, this may hit the spot for you.
Thank you to Bramble for an eARC and Dreamscape for an ALC. Better Than a Duke is out 3/3/2026.
Suzanne Enoch delivers a light-hearted regency romp with a Parent Trap style plot. Iris and Beckett are trying to make the best matches for their children's futures, all while their children are thwarting their plans. Lady Pauline is everything Beckett should need in an aristocratic wife: she's a polished, well-connected granddaughter of a duke, and everything a young miss should aspire to be... Except that she hates children, and doesn't care that Rebecca is Beckett's whole world. Rebecca and Edmund call her "Masquerade" because she puts on a different face around Beckett to impress him. Iris's suitor, on the other hand, is exactly what he appears to be on the surface: a lecherous, spiteful old man keen to marry a young wife to keep his greedy sons from taking more than their share of the inheritance. The joy of the novel is that the precocious children understand that their parents are a better match for each other, and watching the lengths to which they will go to make them see it.
In a story like this, you aren't looking for a new or inventive plot line, because you know the outcome for our HEA is that Beckett and Iris have to end up together, because like their children, we readers know that they are perfect for each other. The pleasure of Better Than a Duke is watching each of our protagonists buck social convention to find joy in life. Beckett is devoted to his daughter, an encourages her to explore her interests, even as those of the ton mock him for this. Iris has no patience to do anything other than speak her mind. Edmund and Rebecca are eager to learn, explore, and play (I found them to be very age appropriate, which always helps me in a romance novel where there are children). Our antagonists are all almost over the top caricatures, which fits the light-hearted tone of the book. While this isn't exactly closed door, it's close enough for most romance readers, and that also fits the overall tone.
The audiobook is absolutely delightful. It's narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Jay Myers, and they capture the vibes spot on. I highly recommend listening to this one.
Better Than a Duke is a standalone regency romance, with a low barrier for entry because it's so character focused. If you are a fan of the Bridgerton show, this may hit the spot for you.
Thank you to Bramble for an eARC and Dreamscape for an ALC. Better Than a Duke is out 3/3/2026.
October 25, 2025
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife – one proper enough to prepare his daughter for her future in the ton. He believes he found the perfect candidate. However, his new neighbor comes bursting into his life like a tempest. The woman does not fit the criteria Becket desires for his daughter’s tutelage. But he finds that he enjoys spending time with her and her son. Which woman will Beckett choose? The prim and proper lady? Or the improper one who loves both him and his daughter?
Iris Silbern is a down-on-her-luck widow. She has no intention or desire to remarry. Iris and her ten-year-old son are forced to rely on and stay with her aunt and uncle. They forcefully encourage her to agree to a match with a wealthy yet elderly duke. Iris finds a fellow kindred spirit in her next-door neighbor. She knows that she is the wrong sort for Beckett’s daughter. Will Iris sacrifice herself to ensure her son’s future? Or will a better offer present itself to her?
Beckett and Iris have so many things in common. Both are widows from disastrous marriages, they are dedicated to their children, and their old friends deserted them. Beckett and Iris also understand where the other is coming from, why they do what they do for their children, and etc. Kindred spirits. I also like how they met once at Iris’ coming out… it makes me think “right people, wrong time.” It was too soon for them to connect and come together at that time.
Beckett is a sweetheart. He instantly took to Edmund, even encouraged a friendship with his daughter. That makes him an upstanding, teddy bear in my book (the world needs more men like that). And Iris! I love that she refuses to be bullied by men and their chauvinistic views. Iris is not afraid to bloody noses or speak her mind. She does not conform to what the ton believes a woman must behave.
BETTER THAN A DUKE is a cute, stand-alone historical romance novel by Suzanne Enoch. I have been a long-time reader and fan of this author. Of course, I could not pass up reading this book. And it does not disappoint. The store does indeed have a PARENT TRAP vibe to it, which made it entertaining to read. Rebecca and Edmund really helped the story come to life for me. I found myself either grinning or giggling at her banter and antics.
And oh boy did the author make me really despise both Beckett and Iris’s family members (well the ones involved in the story). I could have cheerfully throttled them plus Pauline and the dirtbag duke. The only nitpick I have - I wanted Iris’ aunt and uncle and Beckett’s mother to get some form of retribution done to them. I guess I am a little vindictive like that.
Iris Silbern is a down-on-her-luck widow. She has no intention or desire to remarry. Iris and her ten-year-old son are forced to rely on and stay with her aunt and uncle. They forcefully encourage her to agree to a match with a wealthy yet elderly duke. Iris finds a fellow kindred spirit in her next-door neighbor. She knows that she is the wrong sort for Beckett’s daughter. Will Iris sacrifice herself to ensure her son’s future? Or will a better offer present itself to her?
Beckett and Iris have so many things in common. Both are widows from disastrous marriages, they are dedicated to their children, and their old friends deserted them. Beckett and Iris also understand where the other is coming from, why they do what they do for their children, and etc. Kindred spirits. I also like how they met once at Iris’ coming out… it makes me think “right people, wrong time.” It was too soon for them to connect and come together at that time.
Beckett is a sweetheart. He instantly took to Edmund, even encouraged a friendship with his daughter. That makes him an upstanding, teddy bear in my book (the world needs more men like that). And Iris! I love that she refuses to be bullied by men and their chauvinistic views. Iris is not afraid to bloody noses or speak her mind. She does not conform to what the ton believes a woman must behave.
BETTER THAN A DUKE is a cute, stand-alone historical romance novel by Suzanne Enoch. I have been a long-time reader and fan of this author. Of course, I could not pass up reading this book. And it does not disappoint. The store does indeed have a PARENT TRAP vibe to it, which made it entertaining to read. Rebecca and Edmund really helped the story come to life for me. I found myself either grinning or giggling at her banter and antics.
And oh boy did the author make me really despise both Beckett and Iris’s family members (well the ones involved in the story). I could have cheerfully throttled them plus Pauline and the dirtbag duke. The only nitpick I have - I wanted Iris’ aunt and uncle and Beckett’s mother to get some form of retribution done to them. I guess I am a little vindictive like that.
March 3, 2026
Fun. This is the word that first comes to mind with Suzanne Enoch’s Better than a Duke. So much fun. Imagine the plot of The Parent Trap (of course I’m referencing the 1961 Hayley Mills version), except these leads are both widowers with a nine and ten year old daughter and son respectively. Now place this into a historical setting where the ton reigns supreme, a Marquis should not be left to raise his daughter unmarried and alone, and the only prospects for an outspoken widowed woman are to marry someone titled and old enough to be her grandfather. Now you’re getting at the idea of how plausible it would be for two plotting children to match their parents instead of leaving it up to their elders to decide.
Suzanne Enoch does a fantastic job of writing character. Beckett Hentrose and Iris Silburn are perfectly imperfect and their children Rebecca and Edmund see all along what their parents choose not to, that they are best suited for each other. If you can get over the stubbornness of the MCs resisting the reasons they should be together then you will fall hard for these lovers. The children reminded me of Tessa Dare’s fictional children (funny and realistic at the same time) who are the catalysts for their parents spending more and more time together. It’s not just Iris and Beckett who are written so well, but Lady Pauline and the Duke of Trent are two characters I loved to loathe. Their conniving means of achieving status and/or desire makes them the perfect foils for the ridiculous hijinks the children perform (as good as those against Vicky à la Parent Trap). Of course it wouldn’t be complete without Rebecca and Edmund enlisting the help of a governess, the butler named Butler, footmen, and even the cook helping to oversee their parents end up together. The best moments are in the small details; Beckett and Iris sharing a bottle of wine between garden gates while hiding from their prospective suitors, Rebecca and Edmund creating code names Mongoose and the Major for their parents as they secretly hatch their plans, and even in the alternative perspectives of lesser characters as they pay witness to the romantic shenanigans.
I highly recommend this book on audio. It is dual narration but covers multiple perspectives and I truly felt that the delivery made the novel feel even more authentic. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Suzanne Enoch does a fantastic job of writing character. Beckett Hentrose and Iris Silburn are perfectly imperfect and their children Rebecca and Edmund see all along what their parents choose not to, that they are best suited for each other. If you can get over the stubbornness of the MCs resisting the reasons they should be together then you will fall hard for these lovers. The children reminded me of Tessa Dare’s fictional children (funny and realistic at the same time) who are the catalysts for their parents spending more and more time together. It’s not just Iris and Beckett who are written so well, but Lady Pauline and the Duke of Trent are two characters I loved to loathe. Their conniving means of achieving status and/or desire makes them the perfect foils for the ridiculous hijinks the children perform (as good as those against Vicky à la Parent Trap). Of course it wouldn’t be complete without Rebecca and Edmund enlisting the help of a governess, the butler named Butler, footmen, and even the cook helping to oversee their parents end up together. The best moments are in the small details; Beckett and Iris sharing a bottle of wine between garden gates while hiding from their prospective suitors, Rebecca and Edmund creating code names Mongoose and the Major for their parents as they secretly hatch their plans, and even in the alternative perspectives of lesser characters as they pay witness to the romantic shenanigans.
I highly recommend this book on audio. It is dual narration but covers multiple perspectives and I truly felt that the delivery made the novel feel even more authentic. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Iris Silbern is a spirited and resilient widow with a young son and a family that is pushing her to accept a marriage proposal from a wealthy, elderly duke. Iris has no desire to remarry and refuses to let society or family dictate her future. Her sharp wit, humor, and fierce devotion to her young son make her relatable and endearing and she isn't afraid to challenge the expectations placed upon her by the ton. She brings a refreshing honesty and strength to her interactions, particularly with Beckett and his daughter, Rebecca. Her journey is filled with difficult choices necessary to secure her son's well-being while remaining true to her heart.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, is a widower whose sense of duty to his daughter Rebecca leads him to seek out a proper, practical wife, rather than a love match. Though initially determined to follow the path of reason over emotion and pursue Lady Pauline Grenedy, his mother’s choice for his bride, Beckett is quickly charmed by his unconventional new neighbor, Iris, and her son Edmund. Beckett forms genuine relationships with not just Iris, but also with her son, whom he welcomes into his daughter's life. His feelings make him question his decisions, but circumstances and past experience make it hard for him to follow his heart.
I thought this was a fun, light-hearted Regency-era “Parent Trap” story that incorporates lots of humor, heartfelt moments, and a dash of mischief. The matchmaking schemes of Rebecca and Edmund truly steal the spotlight as they plot to match their parents in true Parent Trap style. The romance between Iris and Beckett is both endearing and emotional but was dimmed by a strong other-woman presence that lasts way too long and gave me big cheating vibes as Beckett is courting Lady Pauline with intentions of marriage while having an affair with Iris. Overall, this historical romance that delivers fun romance with a happy ending and if you enjoy movie adaptations, this book should be a win for you.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, is a widower whose sense of duty to his daughter Rebecca leads him to seek out a proper, practical wife, rather than a love match. Though initially determined to follow the path of reason over emotion and pursue Lady Pauline Grenedy, his mother’s choice for his bride, Beckett is quickly charmed by his unconventional new neighbor, Iris, and her son Edmund. Beckett forms genuine relationships with not just Iris, but also with her son, whom he welcomes into his daughter's life. His feelings make him question his decisions, but circumstances and past experience make it hard for him to follow his heart.
I thought this was a fun, light-hearted Regency-era “Parent Trap” story that incorporates lots of humor, heartfelt moments, and a dash of mischief. The matchmaking schemes of Rebecca and Edmund truly steal the spotlight as they plot to match their parents in true Parent Trap style. The romance between Iris and Beckett is both endearing and emotional but was dimmed by a strong other-woman presence that lasts way too long and gave me big cheating vibes as Beckett is courting Lady Pauline with intentions of marriage while having an affair with Iris. Overall, this historical romance that delivers fun romance with a happy ending and if you enjoy movie adaptations, this book should be a win for you.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh this was such a fun take on the Parent Trap, sending it back to Regency England for two kids to scheme to get their parents together and get rid of an evil potential stepmother! I LOVE a book with some hilarious and charming kids, especially when their parents are just the cutest as well.
Beckett’s whole world for nine years has been his daughter, Rebecca, whose mother died in childbirth. Beckett and Rebecca (aka Lady Becks) are inseparable and absolutely adore each other. But Beckett concedes that she needs a mother to guide her through society and be there for her. A sensible woman who checks all his boxes, because love is for fools.
Iris’s whole world is her ten-year-old son, Edmund. Now that they’ve been kicked out of their home by the ruthless heir, they’ve come to stay with Iris’ cruel and unsympathetic relatives who would like nothing more than to get her married and out of their house.
From the moment they meet, it’s pandemonium, maybe some sharp words, but also a sense of kindred spirit. They quickly become friends, and charm the pants off each other. The kids see what’s going on, and let the Parent Trap pranks begin…
Like the other books in this series, Better Than a Duke is joyous, delightful, silly fun. I smiled and laughed so many times. The book is brimming with big personalities, not just for the MCs and kids, but also the governess, tutor, and the rest of the staff. Hilarious. And the would-be stepparents are possibly the most odious creatures imaginable.
Even with all the laughs, I loved the quiet and loving moments too, seeing their relationship grow, seeing these two parents completely devoted to their kids and each other’s kids, watching them become a sweet and caring family unit. This book did my heart some good!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Beckett’s whole world for nine years has been his daughter, Rebecca, whose mother died in childbirth. Beckett and Rebecca (aka Lady Becks) are inseparable and absolutely adore each other. But Beckett concedes that she needs a mother to guide her through society and be there for her. A sensible woman who checks all his boxes, because love is for fools.
Iris’s whole world is her ten-year-old son, Edmund. Now that they’ve been kicked out of their home by the ruthless heir, they’ve come to stay with Iris’ cruel and unsympathetic relatives who would like nothing more than to get her married and out of their house.
From the moment they meet, it’s pandemonium, maybe some sharp words, but also a sense of kindred spirit. They quickly become friends, and charm the pants off each other. The kids see what’s going on, and let the Parent Trap pranks begin…
Like the other books in this series, Better Than a Duke is joyous, delightful, silly fun. I smiled and laughed so many times. The book is brimming with big personalities, not just for the MCs and kids, but also the governess, tutor, and the rest of the staff. Hilarious. And the would-be stepparents are possibly the most odious creatures imaginable.
Even with all the laughs, I loved the quiet and loving moments too, seeing their relationship grow, seeing these two parents completely devoted to their kids and each other’s kids, watching them become a sweet and caring family unit. This book did my heart some good!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for my advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is cute, funny, stressful and romantic. On some level it's your standard miscommunication with a lot of manipulation, but it's also got two adorable kids who become best friends and work to stay that way.
Iris and her son Edmund were kicked out of their family home when her husband dies and she spends a bit of time with her aunt who even though she invited Iris to stay can't wait for her to leave. Aunt Margaret ultimately pressures Iris to marry a duke who is 40 years older than she is and has already been married 5 times.
Beckett is also a single father and is also being pressured by his mother to marry again, but he will only do so with the approval of his daughter, Rebecca. Rebecca meets Edmund and they become best friends. Iris and Beckett get to know each other and are clearly meant to be together but she's decided first she won't marry again and then that she needs to in order to provide for her son.
The manipulations of both of their relatives and potential intendeds are stressful, especially as all four, plus other relatives, are shown to be actually evil people. There were times where I got frustrated and just wanted everyone to talk to each other, and for everyone who knew that Beckett's potential intended literally was going to let Rebecca die not to do anything about it. But I loved the kids, the doting staff members and course Iris and Beckett's romance.
The end really sold the book for me. I went back and forth on a 4 star review because everything really could have been solved much easier and quicker if people talked to each other, but ultimately the silly, funny and satisfying HEA kept it up to a 5 star review for me. If you want a relatively tame historical romance with lots of heart, this book is worth a try.
I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Iris and her son Edmund were kicked out of their family home when her husband dies and she spends a bit of time with her aunt who even though she invited Iris to stay can't wait for her to leave. Aunt Margaret ultimately pressures Iris to marry a duke who is 40 years older than she is and has already been married 5 times.
Beckett is also a single father and is also being pressured by his mother to marry again, but he will only do so with the approval of his daughter, Rebecca. Rebecca meets Edmund and they become best friends. Iris and Beckett get to know each other and are clearly meant to be together but she's decided first she won't marry again and then that she needs to in order to provide for her son.
The manipulations of both of their relatives and potential intendeds are stressful, especially as all four, plus other relatives, are shown to be actually evil people. There were times where I got frustrated and just wanted everyone to talk to each other, and for everyone who knew that Beckett's potential intended literally was going to let Rebecca die not to do anything about it. But I loved the kids, the doting staff members and course Iris and Beckett's romance.
The end really sold the book for me. I went back and forth on a 4 star review because everything really could have been solved much easier and quicker if people talked to each other, but ultimately the silly, funny and satisfying HEA kept it up to a 5 star review for me. If you want a relatively tame historical romance with lots of heart, this book is worth a try.
I received an advanced copy and am giving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Suzanne Enoch is making a place for herself as someone who writes screwball Regency romcoms. This one is inspired by The Parent Trap and was really a joy to read!
As the book opens. Beckett (a marquis!) has finally allowed himself to be convinced by his mother that he needs to marry. What ultimately ends up convincing him is not her perennial argument about siring an heir; instead, she pinpoints his major weakness and suggests that his daughter needs a role model to help her succeed in society. Beckett may be a loving dad, but he's a little insecure about his daughter's prospects without a mother figure. So, he agrees to meet his mother's choice.
At the same time, Iris moves in next door to Beckett. She's a widow, just like Beckett is a widower; and she has one child, a son, whom she's raising alone. She was dealt a tough hand in life after choosing a wastrel to marry. Now she's dependent on her aunt and uncle, who are convinced she just needs to find the right man to marry (and get her off of their hands). And - they've found the perfect person: an aged duke who's happy to try to get even more children with a new wife.
Enoch does an amazing job of showing Iris and Beckett's compatibility, while also painting a convincing picture of why they feel they can't marry each other. (Beckett's whole purpose in marrying is not just a mother figure, but a perfect example for his daughter; and Iris, while truly a wonderful, caring person, is also outspoken and ready to defend herself and her son with her fists.) The kids are really well-written, precocious but without being too age-inappropriate. And Enoch has a great touch with humor. This is really a great, light romcom with appealing characters and a very nice romance.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
As the book opens. Beckett (a marquis!) has finally allowed himself to be convinced by his mother that he needs to marry. What ultimately ends up convincing him is not her perennial argument about siring an heir; instead, she pinpoints his major weakness and suggests that his daughter needs a role model to help her succeed in society. Beckett may be a loving dad, but he's a little insecure about his daughter's prospects without a mother figure. So, he agrees to meet his mother's choice.
At the same time, Iris moves in next door to Beckett. She's a widow, just like Beckett is a widower; and she has one child, a son, whom she's raising alone. She was dealt a tough hand in life after choosing a wastrel to marry. Now she's dependent on her aunt and uncle, who are convinced she just needs to find the right man to marry (and get her off of their hands). And - they've found the perfect person: an aged duke who's happy to try to get even more children with a new wife.
Enoch does an amazing job of showing Iris and Beckett's compatibility, while also painting a convincing picture of why they feel they can't marry each other. (Beckett's whole purpose in marrying is not just a mother figure, but a perfect example for his daughter; and Iris, while truly a wonderful, caring person, is also outspoken and ready to defend herself and her son with her fists.) The kids are really well-written, precocious but without being too age-inappropriate. And Enoch has a great touch with humor. This is really a great, light romcom with appealing characters and a very nice romance.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Perfect, perfect, perfect! Thank you Bramble for my arc, Better Than a Duke will be out March 3rd.
This book is like if The Parent Trap had two kids meet who instantly became best friends, as though they were twins. Twin souls, if you will. Instead of actual twins. Their parents are both widows, and are courting/being courted by terrible people, so they decide to do the only logical thing - set their parents up together.
While we do get the perspectives of the children at times (which was so much fun!), we spend most of the time alternating between Iris and Beckett’s perspectives. I loved them SO much and NEEDED them to get together. I could not put the book down.
Iris’s first husband gambled away all of their money, and neglected her and her son, so she is determined to ignore her heart this time and listen only to her brain. When an elderly, wealthy, and five times widowed Duke decides to court her, she decides that he is the best choice, as he promises to pay for her son’s path to a career.
Beckett’s first wife was lovely and sunny and perhaps a bit empty headed, but he loved her at first sight. He’s determined to find a wife who will help his daughter navigate society when she comes of age. Rebecca is a bit stubborn and opinionated and imaginative, and he knows that society does not appreciate these attributes the way that he does. The granddaughter of a Duke seems like the perfect match. What he doesn’t know is that she’s ready to send his daughter off to boarding school the second she moves in.
Iris and Beckett each think they have good reason not to trust their hearts, and the near-instant attraction they felt towards each other. It provided such a compelling conflict. But every time they were on page together the sparks were flying! I think Enoch usually writes closed door, but this book had some spice to it!
I am very picky when it comes to fictional children, especially the ages of these two! I taught fourth and fifth grades, so I’ve spent a lot of time with 9 and 10 year olds, and these two felt extremely realistic. They think that they are very grown up, are at times clever, and at times still very much children. I loved them so much, and it made the stakes so high that these two kiddos could end up with evil stepparents if their parents couldn’t figure things out!
This book is like if The Parent Trap had two kids meet who instantly became best friends, as though they were twins. Twin souls, if you will. Instead of actual twins. Their parents are both widows, and are courting/being courted by terrible people, so they decide to do the only logical thing - set their parents up together.
While we do get the perspectives of the children at times (which was so much fun!), we spend most of the time alternating between Iris and Beckett’s perspectives. I loved them SO much and NEEDED them to get together. I could not put the book down.
Iris’s first husband gambled away all of their money, and neglected her and her son, so she is determined to ignore her heart this time and listen only to her brain. When an elderly, wealthy, and five times widowed Duke decides to court her, she decides that he is the best choice, as he promises to pay for her son’s path to a career.
Beckett’s first wife was lovely and sunny and perhaps a bit empty headed, but he loved her at first sight. He’s determined to find a wife who will help his daughter navigate society when she comes of age. Rebecca is a bit stubborn and opinionated and imaginative, and he knows that society does not appreciate these attributes the way that he does. The granddaughter of a Duke seems like the perfect match. What he doesn’t know is that she’s ready to send his daughter off to boarding school the second she moves in.
Iris and Beckett each think they have good reason not to trust their hearts, and the near-instant attraction they felt towards each other. It provided such a compelling conflict. But every time they were on page together the sparks were flying! I think Enoch usually writes closed door, but this book had some spice to it!
I am very picky when it comes to fictional children, especially the ages of these two! I taught fourth and fifth grades, so I’ve spent a lot of time with 9 and 10 year olds, and these two felt extremely realistic. They think that they are very grown up, are at times clever, and at times still very much children. I loved them so much, and it made the stakes so high that these two kiddos could end up with evil stepparents if their parents couldn’t figure things out!
March 7, 2026
Beckett Raines, the Marquess of Hentrose, was left a widower when his wife passed away 9 years ago in childbirth. Since then, he has delighted in concentrating his time is raising his precious daughter, Rebecca. His mother has never stopped harassing him to marry again and produce an heir. This year he agrees to stay in London with Rebecca at his townhouse and attend some of Season’s offerings.
When he and Rebecca arrive, Beckett sees a young boy named Edmund peeking through the fence. He says he is staying next door and is hungry. Beckett invites him in to meet Rebecca and feed him some breakfast. Later, a disheveled woman comes tearing into the house accusing him of kidnapping her son. She is Mrs. Iris Silbern and she and her son will be staying with her great aunt next door for a time until she can find her own lodgings. She is a widow.
As Beckett's mother keeps introducing him to women but none of them interest him, this year, he agrees to meet Lady Pauline Grenley, 24, who appears to be agreeable. However, when she meets Rebecca and Beckett is called out of the room, the woman turns into a witch accusing Rebecca of holding her father back. The young girl is shocked.
While Pauline works to get her hooks into Beckett, he continues to share time with Iris and they accompany their children on fun times together. They find they share the same sense of humor and a huge attraction is sparked. Who will Beckett choose - Pauline or Iris?
Oh wow!! This is one of the best books I've read in some time. The characters are perfectly created and they all made me laugh. The plot is so much fun and I adored Becks and Edmund. Don’t miss this one and enjoy!!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
When he and Rebecca arrive, Beckett sees a young boy named Edmund peeking through the fence. He says he is staying next door and is hungry. Beckett invites him in to meet Rebecca and feed him some breakfast. Later, a disheveled woman comes tearing into the house accusing him of kidnapping her son. She is Mrs. Iris Silbern and she and her son will be staying with her great aunt next door for a time until she can find her own lodgings. She is a widow.
As Beckett's mother keeps introducing him to women but none of them interest him, this year, he agrees to meet Lady Pauline Grenley, 24, who appears to be agreeable. However, when she meets Rebecca and Beckett is called out of the room, the woman turns into a witch accusing Rebecca of holding her father back. The young girl is shocked.
While Pauline works to get her hooks into Beckett, he continues to share time with Iris and they accompany their children on fun times together. They find they share the same sense of humor and a huge attraction is sparked. Who will Beckett choose - Pauline or Iris?
Oh wow!! This is one of the best books I've read in some time. The characters are perfectly created and they all made me laugh. The plot is so much fun and I adored Becks and Edmund. Don’t miss this one and enjoy!!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fun Regency Romance! I feel in love with the characters quickly and was cheering right along with Becks & Eddie for them. Can’t wait to check out more from Suzanne Enoch.
It takes more than Cupid to arrange a marriage in this sparkling Regency romcom from New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Enoch, where The Parent Trap crashes into Bridgerton as two precocious children decide to play matchmaker for their unsuspecting single parents.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife, and he’s resigned to participating in the Season to search for a suitable mother for his young daughter Rebecca. Beckett is determined to wed for practicality rather than love—and he thinks he’s found the perfect, proper woman for the job.
Instead, he’s stunned when his new next door neighbor Iris Silbern bursts into his London home in pursuit of her mischievous son Edmund. Her ferocity, sharp wit, and humor charm him, but she is by no means proper. Meanwhile, Iris’ relations are trying to set up a match with a wealthy, elderly duke—an answer to her financial troubles, if not her resistant heart.
Rebecca and Edmund have no interest in practical plans, not when the perfect father and mother are right in front of them. With only one Season to summon Cupid, they scheme to bring their parents together. But will Beckett realize how perfect a messy life can be? And will Iris open her heart to a man who may not be a duke, but something even better?
It takes more than Cupid to arrange a marriage in this sparkling Regency romcom from New York Times best-selling author Suzanne Enoch, where The Parent Trap crashes into Bridgerton as two precocious children decide to play matchmaker for their unsuspecting single parents.
Beckett Raines, the Marquis of Hentrose, needs a wife, and he’s resigned to participating in the Season to search for a suitable mother for his young daughter Rebecca. Beckett is determined to wed for practicality rather than love—and he thinks he’s found the perfect, proper woman for the job.
Instead, he’s stunned when his new next door neighbor Iris Silbern bursts into his London home in pursuit of her mischievous son Edmund. Her ferocity, sharp wit, and humor charm him, but she is by no means proper. Meanwhile, Iris’ relations are trying to set up a match with a wealthy, elderly duke—an answer to her financial troubles, if not her resistant heart.
Rebecca and Edmund have no interest in practical plans, not when the perfect father and mother are right in front of them. With only one Season to summon Cupid, they scheme to bring their parents together. But will Beckett realize how perfect a messy life can be? And will Iris open her heart to a man who may not be a duke, but something even better?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Beckett Raines, Marquis of Hentrose, is a widower who needs a wife to help raise his daughter. His new neighbor, Iris Silbern, is a widow who needs a husband to provide financial security for herself and her son. Older members of their respective families have selected what they consider suitable candidates; the children, however, have become fast friends, and they have a better idea. Why don’t their parents marry each other?
The social and economic pressures that stand in the way of the latter solution are formidable, especially since they are applied so unscrupulously. Fortunately, the children manage to enlist the help of loyal servants to implement their plan, but will this suffice to overcome the imbalance of power?
The plot drifts towards farce, and the characters divide sharply between those who care for others and those concerned only with their own autocratic, selfish interests. But though their unconventional attitude is hardly typical of the Regency era, the four central characters are
sympathetic figures, and their willingness to defy convention for a worthy cause is admirable. Especially since their antagonists are so despicable. Recommended.
The social and economic pressures that stand in the way of the latter solution are formidable, especially since they are applied so unscrupulously. Fortunately, the children manage to enlist the help of loyal servants to implement their plan, but will this suffice to overcome the imbalance of power?
The plot drifts towards farce, and the characters divide sharply between those who care for others and those concerned only with their own autocratic, selfish interests. But though their unconventional attitude is hardly typical of the Regency era, the four central characters are
sympathetic figures, and their willingness to defy convention for a worthy cause is admirable. Especially since their antagonists are so despicable. Recommended.
March 7, 2026
How could I have let so much time pass since I last read a Suzanne Enoch novel? Better Than a Duke reminds us instantly why the author has retained faithful readers for so many years while constantly adding new fans. Iris's dead husband gambled their life away, leaving her dependent on relatives and finally in search of a "good" match in order to provide for her son, Edmund. Meanwhile, Beckett, a marquis, needs to find a wife to help raise his daughter, Rebecca and provide him an heir. Too bad they're just not suited, even though their gardens connect, their children adore each other, and somehow or other, any physical contact between them leaves them aching for more. The story dragged on just a bit too long, IMHO, so I'm rounding up from 4 1/2. I loved the staff and the (probably unrealistic) way Beckett made them part of his and his daughter's life, though I was a bit annoyed for the cook when she had less than 24 hours to prepare for a 23-person dinner party while simultaneously helping to plan and carry-out a devious "Parent Trap"-like scheme! I’m grateful to NetGalley for an early review copy of the terrific audiobook.
November 4, 2025
📖 Book Review: Better Than a Duke by Suzanne Enoch (arc)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Publishing Date: March 3, 2026
If The Parent Trap met Bridgerton in the Regency era — this would be the book! 💐
Set in the glittering world of London’s high society, Better Than a Duke gave me everything I didn’t know I was missing: a devoted single dad, a strong and independent heroine, charming side characters, and that perfect touch of scandal and sweetness.
Beckett completely stole my heart — a loving father who makes every decision with his daughter Rebecca’s happiness in mind 🥹. And can we talk about the sense of community in this book with the staff and children? — everyone plays a role in creating this warm, found-family atmosphere that made me fall in love with the story even more.
Suzanne Enoch beautifully blends humor, heart, and high society drama. I’d forgotten how much I adore Regency romances — the ball gowns, the gossip, the societal rules, the slow-burn tension. This one hit all the marks!
👒✨ If you love single-parent romances, strong heroines, and all the Bridgerton-esque charm, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
Thank you @netgallery for this read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Publishing Date: March 3, 2026
If The Parent Trap met Bridgerton in the Regency era — this would be the book! 💐
Set in the glittering world of London’s high society, Better Than a Duke gave me everything I didn’t know I was missing: a devoted single dad, a strong and independent heroine, charming side characters, and that perfect touch of scandal and sweetness.
Beckett completely stole my heart — a loving father who makes every decision with his daughter Rebecca’s happiness in mind 🥹. And can we talk about the sense of community in this book with the staff and children? — everyone plays a role in creating this warm, found-family atmosphere that made me fall in love with the story even more.
Suzanne Enoch beautifully blends humor, heart, and high society drama. I’d forgotten how much I adore Regency romances — the ball gowns, the gossip, the societal rules, the slow-burn tension. This one hit all the marks!
👒✨ If you love single-parent romances, strong heroines, and all the Bridgerton-esque charm, this one deserves a spot on your TBR!
Thank you @netgallery for this read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Better Than a Duke was absolutely adorable with such a great tropes. Suzanne Enoch is giving us found family, single dad / single mom, widow / widower, and those pesky meddling kids. This book is The Parent Trap meets historical romance. AND if a story can make me second guess my decision to be childless, you KNOW it's a good book. This was truly a joy to read. The kids were hilarious. The parents were hilarious. The constant undermining of both parents potential courting's? Hilarious. Witty and clever from page one. And with SO MUCH HEART. I loved how both main characters put their family first and were willing to sacrifice it all in a time where that was not the norm. Single dads get me every time, and Beckett was such a great girl dad. Like Iris, I fear I would not be able to handle my tongue or fists in this era, and I loved watching Beckett slowly fall for her despite knowing she wasn't the best "societal" choice. The will they / won't they took a little long for me, but the ending dinner party was priceless. I loved this! Fantastic cozy read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A cute story about a widower in need of a proper wife and the improper widow next door. Beckett needs a proper and accomplished wife to train his 9-year-old daughter in the ways of society. He also needs a son to inherit his title. Iris, the widow next door with an adorable 10-year-old son is not acceptable for the role. She's too outspoken to be considered proper. He's agreeable to wed Pauline, his mother's choice of the perfect wife. So, while he's courting Pauline, he's becoming friends with benefits with Iris. The two children become great friends and plot to have their parents fall in love and get married so they can be brother and sister. The servants get into the act ending with a slapstick dinner party. My few quibbles - too much time with the children, not enough time on the romance, and I couldn't see any real reason Iris wouldn't be an acceptable wife. I actually felt sorry for the vile Pauline. She was really a product of her upbringing and limited choices for women. I received an ARC of this title from the publisher for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5-5 Stars! Suzanne Enoch is the queen of historical romance. This was such a cute book! The main characters are Beckett & Iris, both single parents & widowed. I loved both of them, even if I didn’t understand why they thought they couldn’t really be together. Both are single parents & their kids, Rebecca and Edmond, become best friends and decide they want their parents to get married to each other and not to the people they’re considering. I really enjoyed reading this book and was sad to see it end. I would’ve liked an epilogue of their HEA ending but it was still a great book that I’d 100% recommend. The staff that get roped into helping the kids help their parents fall in love was heart warming. Makes me want to be a part of the Biscuit’s family too! Ha! I really loved the ending. Talk about karma! Definitely worth reading if you like historical romance, cute kiddo’s and the movie ‘The Parent Trap’ since this book has a lot in common with that movie.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
March 4, 2026
I was given access to an Advanced Listening Copy of this book via Netgalley, so many thanks to them and RB media for letting me listen to this adorable brain candy.
I have been obsessed with The Parent Trap since I was a tiny girl, and Pride and Prejudice since I was a slightly less tiny girl. This book is created in a lab to produce serotonin in my brain. It's delightful. The narration is really solid. The parents are great, loving, competent humans who adore their children. The children are precocious and kind and lovely and their friendship is unreasonably cute. The villains are cartoonishly wicked and satisfyingly irredeemable. The staff, who double as found family, are charming, heartwarming, and clever. The hijinks are zany. It's an uncomplicated narrative and a nice time.
There are moments in this story that genuinely sparkle in a way that I think elevates it beyond the sum of its parts, which on their own would still have been perfectly joyful to read. It's a warm, cozy, fuzzy book that has a lot of nostalgia for me, and maybe it will for you too, fellow reader.
I have been obsessed with The Parent Trap since I was a tiny girl, and Pride and Prejudice since I was a slightly less tiny girl. This book is created in a lab to produce serotonin in my brain. It's delightful. The narration is really solid. The parents are great, loving, competent humans who adore their children. The children are precocious and kind and lovely and their friendship is unreasonably cute. The villains are cartoonishly wicked and satisfyingly irredeemable. The staff, who double as found family, are charming, heartwarming, and clever. The hijinks are zany. It's an uncomplicated narrative and a nice time.
There are moments in this story that genuinely sparkle in a way that I think elevates it beyond the sum of its parts, which on their own would still have been perfectly joyful to read. It's a warm, cozy, fuzzy book that has a lot of nostalgia for me, and maybe it will for you too, fellow reader.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Better than a Duke has a gentle friendship turned romance between a widow and a widower. With the Parent Trap as an inspiration, the son of the widow and daughter of the widower work together to get their parents together, and get rid of the other people who want to marry them.
The drama of Iris’ desperate financial situation, and the old Duke her aunt and uncle want her to marry are quite dark, but balanced by the humour between the children and their parents.
The Other Woman drama takes too long. Beckett takes way too long to clue into the woman’s machinations, and her false demeanour. It was not resolved until the last minute — and done in a way that was extremely problematic.
I can only give this book 3 stars because of the plot problems with the Other woman character.
I received this book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy, my opinions are my own, and I did not receive any payment.
The drama of Iris’ desperate financial situation, and the old Duke her aunt and uncle want her to marry are quite dark, but balanced by the humour between the children and their parents.
The Other Woman drama takes too long. Beckett takes way too long to clue into the woman’s machinations, and her false demeanour. It was not resolved until the last minute — and done in a way that was extremely problematic.
I can only give this book 3 stars because of the plot problems with the Other woman character.
I received this book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy, my opinions are my own, and I did not receive any payment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thoroughly enjoyed what I think of as a take on the movie The Parent Trap. Everyone is likeable or a good villain. It's so well written that it took me a while to realize why it rang a bell with me. Beckett & Iris are convinced that they each need something the other can't provide until the moment they realize that idea is rubbish. Their kids Rebecca & Edmund play their parents perfectly, no one realizing they were playing the long game. Asking for her friend Eddie to come along on visits to the museum and other entertainments was a perfect way to keep the parents in close contact without giving away the plan. I loved how the servants were team kids all the way. So much fun.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#NetGalley #Suzanne Enoch #BetterThanaDuke #historicalromance #romance #singleparents #Bramble #Torpublishinggroup
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#NetGalley #Suzanne Enoch #BetterThanaDuke #historicalromance #romance #singleparents #Bramble #Torpublishinggroup
March 4, 2026
Parent Trap but make it regency? With and older female FMC? Such a good setup!
This one was super cute. I loved the meddlesome kiddos. Both MCs have predictably terrible other prospects here that they for sure entertain longer than they should, but the plot beats and reluctance to give way all still made sense.
There’s great banter throughout, perfect bits of spice, and all the best of historical romance vibes with a dash of romcom packaging. Cute hijinks abound. He’s just as rich and devoted as he should be, too.
I liked Beckett & Iris, but their adorable children definitely stole the show!
🎧 The narrators here (in dual audio) did a lovely job. All the voices felt perfectly posh (or not, when appropriate), pacing and emotion were all on point
Thank you Bramble for the early copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
This one was super cute. I loved the meddlesome kiddos. Both MCs have predictably terrible other prospects here that they for sure entertain longer than they should, but the plot beats and reluctance to give way all still made sense.
There’s great banter throughout, perfect bits of spice, and all the best of historical romance vibes with a dash of romcom packaging. Cute hijinks abound. He’s just as rich and devoted as he should be, too.
I liked Beckett & Iris, but their adorable children definitely stole the show!
🎧 The narrators here (in dual audio) did a lovely job. All the voices felt perfectly posh (or not, when appropriate), pacing and emotion were all on point
Thank you Bramble for the early copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
March 4, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of the audio book in exchange for an honest review.
Parent Trap references are spot on, but it also reminded me of One Fine Day (one of my favorite 90s movies).
Suzanne Enoch is a pro. Knows what she's doing. This delivers everything you want from her: good mischief, strong characters, saucy banter, then swooning and yearning.
The voice actors had their work cut out for them. Not many adult men can do a believable precocious little girl, but it was great. It never took you out of the story that the voice actors are doing a lot of different voices. This was a perfect story to keep me company as I ran errands. Falling for Beckett and Iris was a treat that I will be revisiting.
Parent Trap references are spot on, but it also reminded me of One Fine Day (one of my favorite 90s movies).
Suzanne Enoch is a pro. Knows what she's doing. This delivers everything you want from her: good mischief, strong characters, saucy banter, then swooning and yearning.
The voice actors had their work cut out for them. Not many adult men can do a believable precocious little girl, but it was great. It never took you out of the story that the voice actors are doing a lot of different voices. This was a perfect story to keep me company as I ran errands. Falling for Beckett and Iris was a treat that I will be revisiting.
October 23, 2025
Beckett is a widower and the father of a daughter. Iris is a widow and has a son. Both of them realize they probably should get married again and each of them has a suitor who is not right for them at all. They become friends after their children become friends. There's a lot of witty dialog and hijinks involving their children. Eventually they start to realize that they have fun together and need more than friends with benefits. I was constantly entertained by just the whatever tomfoolery the kids were up to. Another feel-good story by Suzanne Enoch!
Thank you to Tor for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
Thank you to Tor for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
March 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. It may not be historically accurate, but I loved it nevertheless. It had Enoch's style of sharp wit, vulnerable characters, depth, and fun.
Beckett was amazing. He's understanding of his situation and just wants the best for his daughter Rebecca. Iris is a tornado. She's chaotic, but in the best way. I loved their moments in the garden. It gave depth to a romance that could have otherwise been frivolous.
Narration by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Jay Myers were done well. They worked well together, and although not a duet, the transitions between male and female voices was good.
Overall, it was a light but fun read.
#netgalley #BetterThanaDuke
Beckett was amazing. He's understanding of his situation and just wants the best for his daughter Rebecca. Iris is a tornado. She's chaotic, but in the best way. I loved their moments in the garden. It gave depth to a romance that could have otherwise been frivolous.
Narration by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Jay Myers were done well. They worked well together, and although not a duet, the transitions between male and female voices was good.
Overall, it was a light but fun read.
#netgalley #BetterThanaDuke
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Spice Rating:🌶️
This is such a perfect regency retelling of The Parent Trap! The evil woman he is courting is just so perfectly written and I couldn’t have hated her more! If you enjoy an excellent meet cute, then you will certainly want to read this one. I adored that the MCs developed a friendship first and had a somewhat slow burn romance. The kids were hilarious and so well written. The characters are a little older at 29 and 31, which I appreciated. This was the retelling I didn’t know I needed!
💋 Kisses Only
🫑-🫑🫑🫑 Steamy/Closed Door
🌶️-🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spicy/Open Door
This is such a perfect regency retelling of The Parent Trap! The evil woman he is courting is just so perfectly written and I couldn’t have hated her more! If you enjoy an excellent meet cute, then you will certainly want to read this one. I adored that the MCs developed a friendship first and had a somewhat slow burn romance. The kids were hilarious and so well written. The characters are a little older at 29 and 31, which I appreciated. This was the retelling I didn’t know I needed!
💋 Kisses Only
🫑-🫑🫑🫑 Steamy/Closed Door
🌶️-🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spicy/Open Door
March 3, 2026
What a fun regency romance. I loved the characters and the way that they all interacted and that joy and happiness was the goal throughout the whole book. That isn’t to say there were plenty of hurdles along the way. The book was a play off of the parent trap and was so well developed through tha idea. The characters were strong and likable and the villains were subtly vile to outright bad people so the story was straight forward and enjoyable.
The narrators were perfect for these roles and the voice acting was top tier.
The narrators were perfect for these roles and the voice acting was top tier.
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