BOOK REVIEW: Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Bringing up Baby is one of my favorite screwball comedies (1938 - Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant - a must-see!) So when I saw this Regency Romance was pitched as Bringing up Baby if Jane Austen wrote it, I knew I’d have to read Suzanne Enoch’s latest, Every Duke Has His Day.

Michael Bromley, the Duke of Woritin, uses his wealth and position to support his true passion, chemistry. He has no time for the frivolous pursuits of his peers. He finds the young ladies of his station insipid. He rarely attends social functions and has acquired a reputation (well-deserved) for rudeness. Most people believe he is mad.

Elizabeth (Bitsy) Dockering is one of the most sought-after belles of the ton. She is beautiful, fun-loving, and wealthy. Her most ardent suitor is the superficially charming Lord Peter Cordray. Elizabeth is not particularly fond of Peter, but he is the most persistent and she assumes she will eventually end up with him. The biggest obstacle is her beloved poodle, the poorly behaved Galahad, who has nearly taken a bite of Peter more than once.

Michael is fond of one person: His aunt. When she asks him to watch her poodle, Lancelot, while she visits a friend, he obliges without much protest. The dog is well-trained and not much trouble.

However, when Michael walks Lancelot by a lake, Elizabeth is nearby with Galahad. Galahad runs off and the two dogs get into a tangle. They are pulled apart. Michael is rude about it. And they go their separate ways, not realizing they have each taken the wrong dog.

This might have been quickly sorted, except for the fact that Lancelot is stolen that night from Elizabeth’s bedchamber. A madcap caper ensues as Michael and Elizabeth join forces to find the dog(s), capture the thieves, and fall in love.

This is a delightful novel. Unlike most romances that confine the viewpoints to the two protagonists, Every Duke Has His Day also follows the hapless dog thief, his devoted lady-friend, and the mastermind of the scheme, which quickly devolves into a comedy of errors.

The banter is clever. Michael is charming in spite of himself. And Elizabeth will grow on the reader as she is challenged by Michael to use her intelligence instead of her flighty charm. It’s a squeaky clean romance. Highly recommended.