The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes

Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton in a blend of cosy fantasy, historical romance and humour, as a recently graduated nanny 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, India Holton and Freya Marske.

London, 1851: Emmeline Chase, 25-year-old widow and recent graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, is more high-spirited than her peers would like. Few graduates, however, could turn a mismanaged teleportation onto a duke’s rooftop into an offer of employment. Emmeline will need every trick in her nanny’s handbook to manage eccentric horologist Xavier Mason, Duke of St Lawrence, and his three rambunctious wards. Xavier’s wards have already sent two nannies packing thanks to frogs, firecrackers and general mayhem. And the duke has his own fair share of quirks, requiring absolute peace to work on his design for a clock to grace London’s Westminster Palace. Emmeline is determined to restore order, but someone seems intent on sabotaging the duke’s plans. As she and Xavier work to identify the saboteur, Emmeline finds herself drawn to him, even though the nanny’s handbook forbids fraternising with employers. But she’s fairly sure the duke is falling under her spell, too…

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Australia (Audiobook): 9781761429132

Release date

Audiobook: 28 July 2025