I like the world Amy Rose Bennett has created in her Parasoll Academy books, and the romances between the graduates of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses and the flawed noblemen who have wards. In The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses, a governess trying to protect a young viscount ends up assisting an Irish Marquess who is a laughing stock among some of his peers because of his stammer.

Miss Mina Davenport knows legally she has no right to kidnap seven-year-old Viscount, Lord Fitzwilliam, but she promised his dying godmother she would protect him from his guardian. Sir Bedivere Ponsonby, who is under a spell and wants to take the young boy to the North Pole. Her spell to transport the boy and herself goes wrong, and she goes from Sir Bedivere’s ship to The Kinsale Cloud, and ends up in the stateroom belonging to Phineas O’Connell, the new Marquess of Kinsale. When the ship lands in Bristol, Mina transports them to her mother’s house. She’s there when she learns Sir Bedivere’s ship has returned, and he’s hired a detective to find the young viscount.

Mina’s back at the Academy, looking for another post, when Lord Kinsale offers to hire her. In one short week, he rescued a pickpocket, claimed him as his ward, and wants Miss Davenport as Tom’s governess. But, Phinn also has something else in mind. He’s an accidental marquess, who unexpectedly inherited the title. He had been an Irish prizefighter who lost his parents and sister during the Great Famine. He’s hoping Miss Davenport can help him with his stammer so he can make a speech in the House of Lords. Instead of fighting in the ring, he hopes to fight for land reform for tenants. He’s hoping she’ll help with his speech, his etiquette, and dancing lessons. In just a short time on his ship, Miss Davenport caught Phinn’s attention.

The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses has a little bit of magic, more information about the Fae, humor and romance. Lord Kinsale’s pug, Brutus, is the comic relief in the book, a street dog appropriate for a former prizefighter. Bennett includes uppity servants, the bespelled lord, and a fun nobleman who is Phinn’s only friend among his peers. It’s a treat to enter the Parasol Academy’s world again.

Amy Rose Bennett’s website is https://amyrosebennett.com/

The Governess’s Guide to Spells and Managing Misfit Marquesses by Amy Rose Bennett. Kensington Books, 2026. 427p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a positive review.