#TheParasolAcademy – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses by Amy Rose Bennett

Series: The Parasol Academy #2

Release Date: March 31, 2026

As a graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses, Hermina “Mina” Davenport will never let harm come to her charge, especially after making a deathbed promise to his godmother. So, when Christopher, the orphaned 7-year-old Viscount Fitzwilliam is being taken to the North Pole by his possibly bewitched guardian, Sir Bedivere Ponsonby, against his will, Mina has no choice but to intervene. She “te-ley-ports” onto the ship and they make their escape, but that is where things go terribly wrong. Instead of ending up in her room at her mother’s house, they end up on another ship – owned by an incredibly large and handsome Irish nobleman, Phineas “Phinn” O’Connell, the newly-minted Marquess of Kinsale. He kindly offers to take them back to Bristol and they part ways. After settling Christopher in her mother’s home, Mina returns to the Academy for a new assignment. Imagine her surprise when Phineas is her new employer!

Phinn O’Connell is not a typical nobleman, raised in Ireland he survived the Great Famine by becoming a prizefighter, but even that was not enough to save his family, who perished from a typhoid outbreak. He is large, scarred, uncouth and speaks with not just an Irish accent, but he also has a speech impediment, which makes him very self-conscious and something of a joke to his peers. He desperately wants to pass laws in parliament to help his people in Ireland, but no one takes him seriously. He needs help, he needs Mina! But as his friend Viscount Hartwell, points out he has no child in need of a governess, and he doubts the academy would allow her to work for him. So, when he catches a young boy trying to pick his pocket, he sees a way to hire Mina and help a young boy at the same time. What could go wrong?

I think I actually liked this story better than the first book, which is saying a lot because I LOVED the first book. Mina and Phinn are both wonderful characters and their story is filled with witty banter, flawed yet lovable characters, a cursed ring, wonderful secondary characters, an irascible pug, cameos from Emma and Xaiver, lots of magic, secrets, snarky servants, opposing Fae Queens, slow-burn romance, and finally a happy ending with the promise of more magic to come! This is the second book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title without any problem. I am happy to recommend both titles in this fun, magical, Victorian-era series!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Parasol Academy #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

The Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses is very prestigious, thanks to a charter from Queen Victoria and magic bestowed to the Academy by Maeve, the Fae Queen. Having been left penniless after the death of her husband, Emmeline Chase was thrilled to learn that she could attend the academy as a “legacy” since her mother was a graduate. Now that she has graduated, she is sent on an interview and the opportunity could not have come at a better time, as she needs to earn enough money to help her father get out of debtor’s prison. But a teleporting mishap on her way to an interview, lands her on the roof of the Duke of St. Lawrence’s London townhouse. Thankfully, he has a pet raven, and Emmeline is able to talk to him and summon the duke to help her down. The duke is clearly in need a of nanny for his wards, but Emmeline can’t stop to help if she wants to get to her interview, she mentions the academy and is soon on her way. Her interview was disappointing, and she is worried, but the next day she learns the duke called and asked for her to interview for a position at his home. It would be the perfect position, if she wasn’t so attracted to the duke, because fraternizing with her employer is a huge no-no for Academy graduates. But aren’t rules made to be broken?

Xavier Mason, the Duke of St. Lawrence is considered odd by most people, but he is a gifted horologist and is currently in a competition to design the King of Clocks which will grace St. Stephen’s Tower in the newly rebuilt Palace of Westminster. He has been trying to perfect his design, but his home has been invaded by his new wards, he three young, orphaned cousins and a series of unfortunate events that disrupt his normally ordered life. He is at his wits end when he meets Emmeline and is immediately intrigued and hires her at the first opportunity. In Emmeline he finds not just an amazing nanny for his wards, but a true friend and supporter. Together they will figure out who is trying to sabotage his design efforts and maybe for the first time in his life, Xavier will finally find something he has never had, love and a family.

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved Emmeline and Xavier and all the secondary characters but Xavier’s pet raven “Horatio Ravenscar, Esquire” was quite possibly the best secondary character ever written! This story has something for everyone, emotion, a strong female heroine, a brilliant virgin hero who is on the spectrum, adorable kids, a sassy raven, some magic, some mayhem, found family, witty banter, warmish love scenes, a little mystery, nasty villains, good friends, and a happy ever after made complete with an epilogue! I really enjoyed this story, but I don’t think I would categorize it as part of the romantasy genre, I would say it was more of an historical romance with a bit of magic. This is the first book in a new series, and I am already impatiently awaiting the next installment!!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

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