Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This waggish and uplifting historical rom-com from bestseller Enoch (Something in the Heir) resets the classic screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby in Regency England. The smarmy Lord Peter Cordray is convinced he could win wealthy Elizabeth "Bitsy" Dockering's hand in marriage if only she weren't so devoted to her "damned poodle," Galahad, who hates him. So, naturally, he arranges for kindhearted thief Jimmy Bly to steal the pup. Jimmy needs the dognapping fees to enable his own marriage plans, a sweet subplot that only adds to the farcical hijinks that follow. Things go awry almost immediately: Galahad collides with another black poodle, Lancelot, in Hyde Park, and Jimmy, unsure which dog is which, ends up stealing them both. Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton, agreed to care for his aunt's dog while she's away and will do whatever it takes to get Lancelot back--even if it means teaming up with the flighty Bitsy to track him down. Peter is a fantastically fun villain and the dognapping investigation is a perfect showcase for how well creative Bitsy and science-minded Michael work together. At a glance, theirs is an opposites attract dynamic, but they are in fact exactly matched in intelligence and compassion, making it easy to understand their chemistry. This is an utter delight. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woriton, has a passion for chemistry experiments, but he's not as adept at finding romantic chemistry. Elizabeth "Bitsy" Dockery is the star of the season, dazzling all of high society. Michael and Bitsy are thrown together when a dognapping goes awry, and a thief absconds with Bitsy's dog and Michael's aunt's dog. Michael is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and retrieve the dogs, even if it means being stuck with Bitsy. As they work together, Michael learns more about chemistry and attraction than he ever thought possible. Enoch's (Something in the Heir) latest Regency romance abounds with wit, chemistry, and charm. Narrator Mark Meadows perfectly captures the characters' personalities, from flighty Bitsy to exasperated Michael to Jimmy, the dognapper who could use some practice. Listeners will appreciate Michael's fully developed character arc as he moves from grumpy scientist to betrothed man. VERDICT Cozy and mildly steamy, this twist-filled novel is an excellent fit for listeners seeking a fast-paced and fun historical romance.--Elyssa Everling
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A not-so-old duke learns new tricks. Elizabeth Dockering, Bitsy to her friends, may be the happiest woman in London. She's the diamond of her second London Season, with multiple suitors, a full dance card, and at least another year until she's on the shelf. But though Bitsy is adored, her rambunctious poodle, Galahad, causes problems everywhere he goes, and then Galahad leads her to meet the only person in London who isn't immediately fond of her: Michael Bromley, Duke of Woriton. That might be because her poodle has dragged his aunt's poodle, Lancelot, and thus also the duke, into the Serpentine, a lake in Hyde Park. Or it might be because he's generally known to be a grumpy, eccentric man more interested in his scientific experiments than traditional pursuits for a duke. In any event, they couldn't have less in common, but when first his aunt's poodle and then Bitsy's are stolen and held for ransom, they partner up to try to find their dogs and get them back. They are soon attracted to each other, and though they're certain that they're just too different for anything meaningful to occur, as the hunt for their dogs continues, they keep surprising each other and wondering about something more. Though this Regency rom-com does center around a pair of dognappings and a bit of suspense, it never gets dark--the story is far too sweet for that. Switching among several points of view creates additional depth and also allows Enoch to incorporate a charming B-plot romance set on the working-class side of town. Though it's a relatively chaste tale, readers will believe in the straightforward attraction between Bitsy and Michael and enjoy the moments of levity throughout. A well-crafted historical romance about dogs and the people who love them. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
