
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Published by St. Martin's Griffin on September 19, 2023
Genres: Adult Historical Romance
Pages: 316
Source: the publisher
Format: E-galley
My Rating:

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Blurb:
Brain meets Beauty in this sparkling, fresh take on the classic Bringing Up Baby – if Jane Austen had written it! A romantic comedy with a dash of chaos featuring the most ill-behaved poodle in Regency London, by New York Times bestseller Suzanne Enoch.
Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, has a passion, but it’s not for chasing ladies or gambling till dawn. No, his is the far more dangerous pursuit of the science of chemistry. He may be a tad eccentric, but he can navigate a society ballroom, and manage a polite conversation—if he must. He’s certainly capable of taking care of his aunt’s perfectly behaved poodle, Lancelot, while she’s on holiday.
Elizabeth “Bitsy” Dockering, third daughter of a viscount, is enjoying her second, spectacular Season in London. She is a Diamond of the Season and is adored by all—and especially by her precious black poodle, Galahad. To everyone else, however, Galahad is a demon dog. So much so that Bitsy’s most insistent beau and particular victim of Galahad’s bad manners, has hired a thief to steal the dog, clearing the way for his suit.
But none of them can plan for a chaotic encounter in the park, resulting in lost notes, a soaking in the Serpentine and an accidental dog swap…and Lancelot being kidnapped instead of Galahad! Determined to locate the dog, Michael isn’t thrilled to be saddled with a flighty female insisting on helping—except that Bitsy has a great deal more sense than he expected. And a sharp tongue to match. Still, what’s a scientist to do but continue to pursue an outcome, however unexpected it may be? But chemistry is all about attraction, and this is one formula with some hilariously romantic results.
My Review
The publisher sent me a Netgalley widget to read this in the summer, and I decided to give it a chance as I’ve been reading more historical romance thanks to some of the newer SmartyPants Romance titles. I read more when I was younger, and I definitely enjoyed this one! The science bits were fun with my background as a science teacher. I like how at the end of the book the author noted that some of the science in the book was based on a real historical figure. It was easy to see how the two main characters, Elizabeth or Bitsy, and Michael, were opposites, but that was perfect to show how opposites attract and are often perfect to balance each other out.
The dogs were fun too, as a dog lover I was definitely feeling all the feels along with Bitsy when her beloved Galahad was kidnapped and with his past experience as well. If only she had completely trusted Galahad’s opinion of her most fervent suitor earlier, and not encouraged him at all, maybe things could have been prevented. However that wouldn’t have led to the fun meet-cute for Bitsy and Micheal when their two dogs collided and got confused in the crazy aftermath.
One aspect of the story that I really liked also, was the secondary characters, Jimmy Bly the dognapper, and his neighbor Sally, who I kind of fell in love with their story as well. I love how their own romance filled in as the story progressed, giving us love at both ends of the spectrum with our duke and diamond of the season alongside a dognapper and entertainer. Also the butlers and other people working in the houses added so much humor in their own respects and it was nice to see that as well. Elizabeth’s parents while totally proper ton people, had her best interests at heart, and wanted only to see their daughter happy in whatever way was going to happen.
A wonderful story and I hope to read more by this author in the future!
OH, I was eyeing this one and it sounds really good. I love when an author can fit a well-developed secondary plot/romance into the book. Thanks.
It was really cute and my first by this author, so looking forward to more!
This looks like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity
Thanks for stopping by!
Robin has reviewed several by this author. She reads historical and I usually don’t.
I don’t read a lot of historical, but have been giving it a bit more of a chance lately. Maybe from my love of Bridgerton.
This sounds like a wonderful historical romance and I really enjoyed your review Lisa! I’ll have to see if my library gets this one.
I hope you get a chance to read it!
Yeah, I loved it too. I also think the story with Jimmy and Sally was a fun extra.
It was fun having that little side story.
This sounds like a great novel. Thanks for the review.
It was!