Amy Rose Bennett’s latest venture into romantic fantasy, The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes, delivers exactly what the title promises—a delightful mashup of Mary Poppins whimsy and Bridgerton romance that succeeds more often than it stumbles. While the novel occasionally feels overstuffed with plot threads and magical elements, its heart lies in the tender portrayal of neurodivergent characters finding love and acceptance in an unforgiving Victorian world.
When Magic Meets the Mundane
The premise itself feels wonderfully fresh in the crowded historical romance market. Emmeline Chase, a twenty-five-year-old widow fresh from the magical Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, literally tumbles into her new position when a teleportation mishap lands her on Duke Xavier Mason’s rooftop. From this charmingly absurd beginning, Bennett weaves a story that manages to balance the fantastical with the deeply human.
Bennett’s writing style echoes the cozy warmth of her concept—her prose sparkles with wit while maintaining the formal cadence appropriate to the Victorian setting. The author occasionally indulges in delightfully anachronistic touches (words like “gobsmacked” pop up deliberately for comedic effect), a choice that might irritate purists but adds to the book’s overall charm. The narrative voice feels distinctly Bennett’s own, with chapter titles that read like Victorian penny novel headlines and dialogue that crackles with both period authenticity and modern sensibility.
Characters That Breathe Life Into Fantasy
Emmeline emerges as a protagonist worth rooting for—competent without being perfect, kind without being saccharine. Her magical abilities feel organic to the story rather than convenient plot devices, though Bennett does occasionally rely on her protagonist’s pocket-dimension abilities to resolve sticky situations. What makes Emmeline particularly compelling is her determination to support her imprisoned father while navigating the complex social expectations of her position.
Xavier Mason represents Bennett’s most ambitious character creation. As a neurodivergent duke struggling with society’s harsh judgments, he could have easily become a collection of autism-spectrum stereotypes. Instead, Bennett draws from her professional background as a speech pathologist to create a nuanced portrayal of a brilliant, sensitive man whose differences are treated as variations rather than deficits. His passion for horology provides both character depth and plot momentum through the Westminster clock competition subplot.
The three wards—Harriet, Bartholomew, and Gareth—avoid the typical “adorable scamp” archetype. Particularly notable is young Harriet, also on the autism spectrum, whose portrayal feels authentic rather than tokenistic. Their mischievous but believable antics drive much of the early plot development while showcasing Emmeline’s nannying expertise.
Romance That Builds Rather Than Burns
Bennett excels at developing the romantic tension between Emmeline and Xavier through small moments and shared understanding rather than dramatic declarations. Their relationship grows organically from professional respect to deep affection, with Xavier’s vulnerability about his virginity and social anxieties balanced by Emmeline’s patience and growing feelings. The intimate scenes, when they arrive, feel earned rather than obligatory.
However, the romance occasionally competes for attention with the novel’s other elements. The mystery subplot involving potential sabotage of Xavier’s clock design, while adding tension, sometimes feels like it belongs in a different book entirely. The resolution reveals a conspiracy that, while cleverly foreshadowed, stretches credibility even within the story’s magical framework.
Magical Systems and Historical Detail
Bennett creates an engaging magical world with the Parasol Academy and its Fae connections in The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes. The concept of nannies with discrete magical abilities serves both the fantasy elements and the social commentary about women’s hidden strengths in restrictive societies. The magical elements feel whimsical rather than epic, perfectly suited to the cozy fantasy atmosphere Bennett cultivates.
The historical setting feels meticulously researched, from the details of the Great Exhibition to the social dynamics of Victorian households. Bennett acknowledges her deliberate historical liberties in her author’s note, which helps readers appreciate the alternate history aspects without being distracted by anachronisms.
Where the Magic Wavers
The novel’s greatest weakness lies in its ambitious scope. Bennett juggles romance, family drama, magical worldbuilding, mystery plotting, and social commentary with varying degrees of success. Some plot threads, particularly those involving Emmeline’s father’s legal troubles and the Academy’s bureaucratic complications, feel rushed in their resolution.
The pacing occasionally stumbles under the weight of exposition, particularly during scenes explaining the magical system or Xavier’s clock design. While these details serve the worldbuilding, they sometimes slow the narrative momentum that Bennett establishes so effectively elsewhere.
The villain reveal, while satisfying on an emotional level, relies on coincidences that strain believability. The connection between various antagonistic forces feels convenient rather than convincing, though Bennett handles the climactic confrontation with appropriate drama and emotional payoff.
Social Commentary That Matters
Perhaps the novel’s greatest strength lies in its thoughtful approach to neurodiversity and social acceptance. Bennett’s background in speech pathology informs every interaction involving Xavier and Harriet, creating representation that feels authentic rather than performative. The author’s afterword explaining her personal and professional connections to neurodivergent individuals adds valuable context to these characterizations.
The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes also explores themes of class mobility, women’s independence, and the ways society marginalizes those who don’t conform to expected norms. These elements never feel preachy, instead emerging naturally from character interactions and plot developments.
Comparison to Genre Peers
Readers familiar with Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales will find similar whimsical magic grounded in social commentary, though Bennett’s approach feels more romance-focused and less cynical. The neurodivergent representation echoes the thoughtful character work found in authors like Julia Quinn, while the magical elements recall the cozy fantasy atmosphere of authors like T.J. Klune.
Within Bennett’s own body of work, The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes represents a successful departure from her previous historical romances in The Byronic Book Club series and The Disreputable Debutantes. While maintaining her talent for witty dialogue and emotional depth, she demonstrates impressive range in incorporating fantasy elements without losing the historical romance core that defines her writing.
The Verdict
The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes succeeds as both romantic fantasy and social commentary, offering readers a story that entertains while advocating for acceptance and understanding. Bennett’s careful attention to neurodivergent representation elevates what could have been merely charming fluff into something more meaningful.
While the novel occasionally feels overstuffed with plot elements and magical exposition, its emotional core remains strong throughout. The romance between Emmeline and Xavier develops with genuine warmth and mutual respect, while the found family dynamics with the three wards provide additional emotional weight.
For readers seeking comfort reading with substance, cozy fantasy with genuine magic, or historical romance with modern sensibilities, Bennett delivers on all counts. The novel’s few pacing issues and plot conveniences fade against its considerable charm and heartfelt message about finding love and acceptance despite—or perhaps because of—our differences.
Perfect For Readers Who Enjoyed
- Olivia Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series – Similar blend of historical setting and whimsical magic
- Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series – Cozy fantasy with academic protagonists and emotional depth
- Freya Marske’s Swordcrossed – Historical fantasy with thoughtful LGBTQ+ representation and magic systems
- Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series – Though middle grade, shares the blend of historical atmosphere and accessible magic
- India Holton’s Dangerous Damsels series – Victorian-era romance with fantastical elements and wit
- Allison Saft’s Wings of Starlight – Fantasy romance with emotional depth and character-driven plotting
This inaugural volume in The Parasol Academy series establishes Bennett as a welcome voice in the growing cozy fantasy romance subgenre, offering readers magic that feels both wonderful and wonderfully human.