The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes
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4.1 • 14 Ratings
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Publisher Description
Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton in a feel-good blend of cozy fantasy magic, historical romance, humor, and Victorian era charm, as a recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses finds her supernatural abilities are little help when it comes to falling for the shy, mysterious inventor who happens to be her employer…
For readers of Heather Fawcett, Allison Saft, Katherine Arden, Freya Marske, and Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series.
Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and new alumna, may be more high-spirited than the Academy would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke’s rooftop into an offer of employment. But Emmeline’s circumstances, along with her desperation to support her bankrupt, incarcerated father, have made her dauntless. Which seems the primary qualification to work for expert horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St. Lawrence, and manage his three rambunctious wards. Yet Emmeline soon discovers that the nobleman’s heart-melting voice and captivating mind present an entirely different sort of trouble. She cannot risk losing her license by fraternizing with her employer . . .
Xavier’s wards have sent two nannies packing in a month thanks to frogs, firecrackers, and general mayhem. In addition, Xavier’s professional reputation is on the line. He’s already considered odd, with his talking raven companion and his fascination with timekeeping instead of pleasure-chasing with his peers. Charming, vivacious Emmeline seems intrigued with his quirks—but Xavier must have absolute peace to design London’s “King of Clocks” for Westminster Palace before the competition closes. Emmeline can no doubt restore order. As long as he doesn’t fall under her spell . . .
Yet, with a possible saboteur in their midst, and the attraction flaring between them threatening to become a deliciously disastrous distraction, a touch of magic may be required . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mary Poppins meets comedy of manners in this twee Victorian romantasy from Bennett (Up All Night with a Good Duke). Emmeline Chase, a penniless widow and recent graduate from the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, which equips its students with magical powers, is desperate for work partly so that she can afford to free her clockmaker father from debtors' prison. Her nerves get the better of her during a transportation spell to a job interview, landing her in the home of Xavier Mason, seventh Duke of St. Lawrence—more commonly known as "Lunatic St. Lawrence" due to his obsession with clocks. This chance meeting turns out to be a lucky break for them both. Xavier's three misbehaving wards, Harry, Barry, and Gary, have scared off all their previous nannies, and there's a sinister plot afoot to discredit the "mad" duke's horological ambitions that Emmeline, with her clockmaking background, may help prevent. All the while, she must adhere to the Parasol Academy's strict code of conduct by hiding both her magic and her growing feelings for Xavier. The quirky cuteness of the worldbuilding occasionally grates, but there's enough light humor to keep the pages turning. Bennett's fans will find plenty to enjoy.
Customer Reviews
An endearing story, but…
I feel this story was left with untapped potential. It could have gone so much deeper. From the magic, the love story, the MCs friends to the enemies. Feels like everything was surface level and we didn’t get the chance to delve deeper into the story.