The Duke of Waldorf—also known as Benjamin—unexpectedly finds himself catapulted 200 years into the future after discovering his grandmother’s cameo, a mysterious necklace she once gifted him with a cryptic warning. Moments after his arrival in modern-day London, he's struck by a scooter, ridden by a Brazilian woman named Bella. Feeling responsible, she takes him in, and together they try to unravel the mystery of his return, while also, inevitably, falling in love.

I love this premise—it blends two of my favorite things: the Regency era and time travel. There are some truly charming elements here: the dog (and its absolutely perfect name), the heroine’s multicultural background, and the overall arc of the story all drew me in.

That said, the writing style occasionally pulled me out of the narrative. The language felt stilted—not in the delightfully formal way you'd expect from a historical character, but in a way that made the dialogue and pacing feel awkward at times. The romantic “steam” also felt a bit clunky and could benefit from a smoother buildup.

Still, this book has heart and will likely appeal to fans of time-slip romance and anyone who swoons for a man in riding boots.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Rating: ★★★
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Summary: Falling for a Duke is a charming, slow-burn rom-com with a touch of spice, lovable characters (including a standout dog), and a cozy happily-ever-after. While it took a bit to get going and didn’t quite leave a lasting impact, it’s a fun, light read—especially for fans of historical romance with a modern twist.

This was a sweet, light-hearted rom-com with—of course—a happy ending. It took me a little while to warm up to it, but once I did, I found myself attached to the characters and genuinely felt the connection between them. The yearning? Ooft.

Benjamin is a total gentleman, but with just the right amount of cheek—particularly when it comes to his obsession with Bella’s arse (no complaints). His interactions with Duke, the dog, made up about 90% of his charm, and honestly, I was here for it.

Falling for a Duke is the kind of read that leaves you warm inside while still delivering just enough spice to keep things interesting.

The beginning felt a bit shaky for me—it read more like a sitcom than a rom-com—but you can really feel the author finding her groove as the story progresses. Once it hit its stride, the pacing worked well. I was briefly worried the book might end on a sad note, but Stefany reeled it back in just in time.

This was my first foray into a period-piece romance, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. That said, I was impressed by how much research clearly went into it. The characters visit Big Ben, and Stefany even pauses to question whether the MMC would be familiar with the landmark. I hadn’t even considered that—but it was such a clever touch. Kudos to her for the attention to detail.

What didn’t quite work for me:
There’s something I can’t quite put my finger on that felt missing. I liked the book, and I’ll admit I was fully invested in certain chapters, but overall, some parts of the story didn’t really propel the rest forward. There’s nothing I strongly disliked, but there’s also nothing I’m dying to rave about either.

For readers who love a light rom-com with a slow burn and a satisfying HEA, this one will definitely tick the right boxes. I’m just not sure I’m the target audience this time around.

Thank you Netgalley and the book guild publishing, for this arc.

Once again I forgot about it for weeks. I am a weird netgalley user, I love books, but forget about them.

Anyyway. This book is great.
Is it a new abselute fave book? No.
Is it entertaining? yes defently.
Is it spicy? yes.
Is it funny? yes defenty.
Is it original? yes defently, original.

A little gripe. I felt the romance could have been done better. But I did belive it when it happened. It just took some time.

Loved both narration voices, the book is dual pov.

A book I would recomend.

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me. The writing style wasn't for me and it felt very surface level. I wanted to cheer them on but unfortunately it didn't happen for me.

This book felt to me a bit like the movie Enchanted with added in spice. It was an enjoyable book but very predictable. It took over halfway through the book to get to the spicy parts if that is what you are looking for.

This is definitely for those who watched the 2001 masterpiece Kate & Leopold as a kid and have been chasing that high ever since.

❤️‍🔥Falling On A Duke❤️‍🔥
By Stephany Nunes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Star Review
4/5 Spiciness Level 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Falling On A Duke is a Time-Travel Romantasy with dual POV. The MMC is Benjamin Gerard Waldorf, the Duke of Waldorf. The FMC is Isabella Souza Kato, a Brazilian writer living in London.

Ok, I absolutely adore this book! It is the sweetest story I have read in a long time. It’s not too long, so much angst, and when the spice kicks in… it kicks in hard. I love these two characters together!! They have a well deserved HEA.

Ben is a Duke from 19th century England. After enduring two great losses in his family, he has now inherited the title of Duke of Waldorf. His sister Abigail is the only family he has left and they are both suffering greatly from the loss of their father and brother. Ben never expected to be the Duke as he was not the oldest son. He gave up the life of a rake to be responsible as the Duke and to take care of his sister. In a moment of frustration, he wishes for a break at the same time he is picking up his desk. When he picks up the pendant his grandmother gave him…. Well he ends up in the year 2022 and literally runs into Bella being knocked unconscious.

Bella is a romance writer with writers block. She recently endured a bad breakup and isn’t quite over it yet. Her family is spread out all over the world, so she lives in London with her roommate and her dog… Duke, AKA Your Grace. She is an endearing FMC and very much a romantic at heart.

When Bella decides to leave the house to try and gain inspiration to write, she never imagines when she rents a scooter that she would run straight into someone knocking him unconscious. Feeling responsible for this strangely dressed man with his blatant confusion of who he is, where he is, and what year it is (or so she thinks) she brings him home with her. The connection is rather immediate between the two. However, the feelings are slow to grow… a true slow-burn.

This book is such a wonderful read. I fully recommend this book!

The author is actually Brazilian and there are parallels to the story and her real life which is super cool to read about at the end in the About The Author section!

Read this book as an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley!

Happy Reading! 🥰

My Initial Thoughts

I loved the idea of this book and the cover really drew me in. Straight away I loved the characters, what’s not to love about a Duke and a writer! And the little doggie, aww so cute. It pulled me in straight away. I was invested from the second the time travel happened! I knew I was going to love this one and the plot lines from just a few chapters in.

Plot

The plot is everything. You have parts pulling your heart strings in all different directions and that keeps you invested and hoping that everything will work out. I loved the adventure that Isabella and Benjamin went on and how he discovers how much has changed in the future. The dual pov really adds a lot of feelings into the mix.

Characters

I love the characters! Isabella is the most kind, compassionate person, who does everything in her power to help Ben remember everything while he discovers the future world. Ben is such a gentleman and I loved that he remained just as gentlemanly throughout the story. Duke is a cutie, that I adored when he was mentioned. Who knew a little doggie could steal the show!

Recommend

If you’re a lover of romance, with an aspect of historical and time travel… pick this up!

Favourite Quotes

“It’s kind of hard to be when your heart is being held together with glue and tape.”

“Are you telling me you’re a two hundred – year – old duke?”

“She is the gentleness in all my chaos.”

“Hmm, like Anthony Bridgerton in the series.”

Favourite Chapter/s

My favourite chapters were 5, 10, 11, 14, 16, 19 and 25…. Yep there was a few.

Summed up in one sentence

The perfect mix of time difference and love.

Overall Wrap up

I just adored this, it had me giggling so much and when the spice began, wooh it was getting hot in the bedroom! I loved the flow of the storylines and the slow burn was just the perfect amount!

Stars & Spice – 4.5 stars and 3 chilli’s.
Book Information – Falling On A Duke.

Genre – Romance.

Pages – 264 pages.

Tropes –
Time travel.
Slow burn.
Duke x writer

Available on Kindle Unlimited – Not available on kindle unlimited.

Available Formats – Available on kindle and paperback.

Publishing Information – Published on 28th April 2025 by The Book Guild.

Format in Which I Read – Kindle.

Where my copy come From – Zooloo’s Book Tours and Netgallery.

POVs – Dual POV – Isabella and Benjamin.

Single/Dual/Multiple Timelines – Single timeline – Sometimes multiple when going back to the past.

1st or 3rd Person – Written in 1st person.

HEA, HFN or Cliff hanger – HEA

Series or Standalone – Standalone.

Trigger Warnings – Please check content warnings before reading if necessary and please always remember that your mental health matters.

Sadly, I am having to DNF this book at 20%. The idea is great, but it feels like it needs a professional editor. After perusing other reviews I’ve seen others feel the same way. The way it’s written (which I understand as English is not her first language) makes many sentences confusing to a native English speaker/reader.

I think this story has a lot of potential and I would be willing to try to read it again as an updated version.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Falling On a Duke
Stefany Nunes

The setting is England in the 1800s, the Duke of Waldorf, Benjamin Gerard Waldorf is a man with responsibilities and duties. His life is boring until he is transported 200 years into the future by an antique cameo. He meets Isabella Souza Kato, and she changes his world. Isabella is a frustrated writer; after a painful break-up she wants no part of men, love, dating, etc. However, that changes when she meets an unusual male purporting to be from the past. He claimed to be from the 1800s. Life in the present. 2022 is hard for him to comprehend, airplanes, cell phones, television, and automobiles; they all seemed strange to Benjamin.
Isabella was on her scooter when they accidentally met…she was on her scooter and ran into him. The present is so strange to him, he wants to return to his time, his world. Isabella invites him to stay with her, and she offers her assistance; she doesn’t believe he is really from the past at first. Isabella and Benjamin are falling in love. If he finds a way back will he go?
The author’s first language is not English and that does show in the text; this is her first English novel. Some of the sentences are read in a strange manner. The premise behind this tale is a good one. Unfortunately, the timing was off; the characters fell in love too fast. It needed emotional complexity, instead it was rushed and there was little true passion. Once Isabella and Benjamin were intimate the book lost its direction. There was a lot of sex in this tale which isn’t surprising since it is considered erotic. This could have been a passionate love story but that got lost along the way. I love time travel novels and this could be a good one with some tweaking.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

“I’m going to kiss you,” Benjamin warns. It’s not a request, nor is it a question. “But I’m still not sure about anything.” I’m not sure either, but I don’t mind. 💕


I was utterly swept away with Stefany Nunes' Falling on a Duke, it’s not often a story manages to elicit an emotional response from me, but this one did. I think this might be the first time I’ve actually shed happy tears while reading! What struck me was just how wonderfully different and quirky the whole premise felt. It wasn't your typical historical romance, and that's precisely what made it so captivating. The way Stefany Nunes crafted the characters of Ben and Bella was just brilliant. Their individual personalities shone through so vividly, and their interactions were an absolute joy to witness. I found myself completely invested in their journey, laughing at their witty banter and feeling every flutter of their burgeoning connection. Honestly, they had my heart from start to finish.

And it wasn't just the main couple who stole the show. Even though we only got glimpses into the lives of Jack and Abigail, their happy ending felt like the final piece of the puzzle that allowed Ben and Bella to finally find their own joy. It was such a lovely touch, adding an extra layer of sweetness to an already delightful narrative. The pacing of the story was spot on, allowing the relationship between Ben and Bella to develop naturally and believably. There were no rushed moments, no contrived drama just for the sake of it – just a beautifully unfolding connection between two wonderfully imperfect individuals.

Falling on a Duke isn't just a romance; it's a story about finding happiness in unexpected places and with unexpected people. It’s about embracing your quirks and allowing yourself to be loved for who you truly are. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most unconventional paths lead to the most beautiful destinations. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, sigh contentedly, and maybe even shed a few happy tears, then I wholeheartedly recommend picking up Stefany Nunes' Falling on a Duke. It’s an absolute gem of a read, and I can guarantee you’ll fall in love with Ben and Bella just as much as I did.

This was such a sweet book. Isabella, the FMC, is a writer living in London while working in a cafe and fighting writers block. When one day she hits someone with her scooter. That someone is Benjamin, the MMC. Benjamin has found himself in a whole new timeline by some freak incident. Isabella and Benjamin are both characters I truly enjoyed. Benjamin especially, as he brought a whole other level to the story with his historical aspect. And of course you can't forget Your Grace, Duke, the sweetest dog! Overall this book was cute and kept me reading and wanting to know what was going to happen!

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

"I'd travel to the end of time if I had to darling. I love you." We all need a man like Benjamin Waldorf.

This book EXCEEDED all expectations. I loved it. Left me giggling, kicking my feet, gasping. Wow. Ben and Bella's relationship was definitely NOT a slow burn, but it left me so excited to read the next chapter... and finish the book!

Stefany Nunes did AH-MAZE-ING at writing this book. Making you feel like you were in the 1800s, but also in the 21st century. What a writer.

This book deserved every single star it was given.

Personally. 4.5 stars!

2.5⭐️
Oh, that was a rush.
A whole rush through the story, and it still managed to be partly boring.
I had pretty high expectations, and I can’t say I’m satisfied with how the story turned out. I almost DNFed it at about two-thirds of the way through. However, I forced myself to finish it, hoping for a better realization of the concept.
The last 30 pages were indeed better than the previous 100, but that didn’t change my overall feelings about the book.

So, we have:
• time travel
• a writer main character
• dual POVs
Those are the only important tropes I can think of.

Firstly, I didn’t connect with the characters. That might be a personal thing, but I felt there wasn’t enough depth. Yes, I read about Bella’s family, her struggles in life, her current job, etc. Yes, I also read about Benjamin’s family, his fears, and the main problem he faced after time-traveling to the future (which I won’t spoil, though it can probably be guessed based on the typical plot in these kinds of stories).
With all that being said, I still didn’t feel enough emotion from the characters to actually care about their fate — even though the book offers dual POVs from both the male and female leads.
It felt like nothing truly happened in the book. Events weren’t explicit and were rushed through, which led me to force myself to keep going.

And lastly, I agree with other ARC readers who shared this opinion: adding intimate scenes at the end felt like a poor choice to show the connection between the characters. Wouldn’t it have been better to add a few throught the book so the it felt more organized?

However, I can still give one quote I liked:
“Because you only see the Benjamin in me. Not the duke, not the rake. Just me, the man.”

Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for sending me an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book and really struggled to get into it. To be honest, I did not finish it due to the “they fall hard and fast” unrealism, as well as some quirky things that popped up.

This one wasn’t for me.

Thank you Net Galley, for the opportunity.

Falling on a Duke offers a fresh take on the time-travel romance genre, combining historical charm with contemporary sensibilities. Stefany Nunes crafts a narrative that explores love across time, cultural differences, and personal growth. Readers looking for a heartwarming and imaginative romance may find this novel to be a delightful read.

A delightful historical romance with a modern day twist. A charming duke and a strong-willed heroine along with plenty of drama. The story is engaging and full of heart, making it a great read.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Falling on a Duke by Stefany Nunes

Overall I enjoyed this book. I think it could have gone through more editing just to help clarify some of the sentences. I found out this is their first English novel and it’s pretty good, especially with that fact. The characters are like able and again overall it was an enjoyable read.

3.5/5 🌟
I pick up Falling on a Duke thinking I’m in for a cozy, time-traveling rom-com instead it was like Bridgerton met a scooter accident in 2022. A time-travelling 19th-century Duke? Say less. I was hooked. The romance was sweet, the spice was there, and the idea? Chef’s kiss. But also – hella unrealistic. Dude adapted to smartphones faster than I adapt to Monday mornings. Insta-love hit a bit too fast, and after the first spicy scene, the plot kinda dipped into just… vibes. Still, I read it in one sitting, no regrets. Cute, chaotic, horny...solid three and a half stars.

I’d recommend it for a lazy afternoon read with a cup of chai and low expectations.

Thank you The Book Guild and Netgalley for an eARC.

#Fallingonaduke #netgalley

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️

oh this was so sweet! short, cute, the romance was fricken adorable, i liked this alot! lower rating due to the many, many pop-culture references, not my favorite thing in a book. nothing against the author tho, just my preference. the romance was romance-ing, the spice was spice-ing, and the conflict at the end made me cry. i was way more emotional about their relationship than i realized lol

may this kind of love crash into me please💚💚

thank you so much to the author and netgalley for the arc! all opinions are my own