“I want to be grumpy, but how can I be if the woman keeps smiling at me?”

Thank you to Book Guild Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

19th-century England. Benjamin Gerard Waldorf, the Duke of Waldorf, has resigned himself to a life of duty and responsibility. But when an antique cameo unexpectedly transports him 200 years into the future, his world is turned upside down.Isabella Souza Kato, a struggling writer in London, is grappling with creative block after a painful breakup. Just as she’s ready to give up on love, a chance encounter with a man claiming to be from the 1800s alters her life completely. As they navigate the complexities of time, culture, and their own hearts, Benjamin and Isabella must confront their fears and insecurities if they want to find a future together. Will Benjamin find a way back to his rightful place, or will he choose to forge a new path with Isabella?

Bella has an incredibly kind heart and creative brain. I loved seeing her express herself without boundaries because it allowed the reader to get to know her quickly - meaning we got background information off the bat and we got to grow with her character. The kindness knows no limits and seeing her be so patient and giving with Ben was so heartwarming. I think nowadays, we are disillusioned to wanting to help others. We offer a little bit and that’s it. I loved that Bella gave all she could to ensure Ben’s comfort - even if it meant she’s be in pain and lose out.
Dear Benjamin… it was certainly interesting watching you integrate into twenty first century life! He’s such a great character who has the slight aloofness that comes with his title, but he is quickly grounded with Bella’s actions. I really liked seeing him enamoured with her, but not rushing anything. With his past - which he has been honest about! - of being a more debauched character, he could have very easily taken advantage. But Ben never even considered it an option. He is such a sweetheart who cares so much for others that he merely wants the best for them and will do anything to achieve it. Can I have a time travelling Duke please?

Having loved Outlander, I am always going to jump at the chance to read a time travel romance - and it is even better when it’s the male main character that gets pulled to the future! Heaven forbid if he sees someone’s ankles! The plot was funny and had a great flow. I found time whizzing by as I read this and was thrilled to be immersed! I like that we saw active efforts to return Ben to his time and that they were both proactive, not just spinning in circles or making dumb comments. The characters felt brilliant. A lot of the focus does remain on our main duo but it works really well. I like that we get little glimpses of other people and then bigger scenes with them too, but there’s something that works so brilliantly about them mainly being in the background! The romance here was incredibly sweet. I liked that there was strong mutual attraction from the beginning but that it wasn’t insta love. My enjoyment with a story drops when we have love at “first sight” because it’s more obsession. But here, oh it’s fantastic seeing the bond between our duo grow and blossom. And the spicy moments reflect that too. There’s some delightful dirty talk and sinful looks, but the emotions win out and they are so soft with each other my heart may have melted. And the ending? Oh, that was absolute perfection. So driven with emotion and fervour, I couldn’t have asked for anything better!

Overall, Falling on a Duke is a book that pleasantly surprised me and I definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Book Guild Publishing for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available now on Goodreads.

Thank you, Stefany Nunes and NetGalley, for this eARC.

Falling on a Duke oscillates between the past and present, and the real and imagination. It is lighthearted and quirky, yet it addresses the harsh reality of everyday life. With themes of grief, duty, equality and longing for connection, this book tells the story of two lovers set in the romantic landscape of England.

Isabella Souza Kato comes fresh out of a rather toxic relationship and is now struggling with excruciating writer's block. Trying to balance two jobs to afford her small apartment that she shares with her friend and Duke the dog, Isabella lives quite an ordinary life. Until one day, she hits a man with on her scooter and is struck by guilt (and awe). Isabella is kind, romantic, and funny, and her struggles make her relatable to readers.

Travelling to 19th-century England, we're introduced to Benjamin Gerard Waldorf, the Duke of Waldorf. It's like we're transported into the world of Jane Austen, which, to be fair, Benjamin claimed to have known. As a second son, he never had to deal with family duties. Instead, he was a real roke. However, we also get to know his tender side. His love for his family and strong moral compass make Benjamin an ideal love interest. When he finds his grandmother's family heirloom, he gets transported to the future, and that is the moment the love story begins.

Overall, the story is predictable with lots of contemporary references. Not to say that it's boring. Stefany Nunes manages to turn these classic elements gripping enough to read further- Bonus points for the dog. While Isabella helps Benjamin find a way back, Benjamin helps Isabella with her writer's block. At first, I thought that it would be a clean romance, with the light-heartedness and ease with which the story is written. However, as the story develops and romance brews between our main characters, some spicy scenes break certain taboos on sex and lust. Readers like to read smut; no need to feel weird about it!

Aside from romance, there are also some serious themes. Women's inequality in the 19th century is discussed, as well as heartbreak and insecurities.

Overall, I think that this story balances perfectly a swoony rom-com with mature elements of life. It transcends time literally and gives thoughtful insight into modern society and Victorian England society. The pace of the plot, character development and romance all felt stable, making it a pleasurable read.

This was a cutesy book, unfortunately a little too cutesy. But it was enjoyable. I loved Ben doing his "rake" persona in the current world. he was sexy.

#netgalley #FallingonaDuke

This one didn’t quite land for me. I usually enjoy romances that unfold slowly over time, and this felt a bit too rushed in the love department for my personal taste. The prose and dialogue weren’t quite my style either, though I will say the setting was lovely and well-done. The time-travel element added a unique twist, and Duke the corgi totally stole the show for me!

Appreciate the chance to read this—thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This book was… okay. Not bad, but not amazing either. I know it’s the author’s first English publication, and I think that shows a bit. The concept had potential—time-traveling duke meets modern woman? Yes, please! But something felt like it was missing.

One thing that really threw me off was how quickly Benjamin adapted to the 21st century. I get that it’s fiction, but the way he spoke sometimes felt too modern—then suddenly it would switch back to old-fashioned speech. It was a bit confusing and inconsistent. Also, considering men in his time were scandalized by an exposed ankle, the fact that he wasn’t completely shocked by modern fashion or behavior was kind of strange.

The book is only about 200 pages, but it felt longer than that. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, which made it harder to feel emotionally connected to the story. Even by the end, the characters still felt like strangers to me—I didn’t really know them or feel much chemistry.

thank you to the book guild and netgalley for access to an early readers edition of falling on a duke.

unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. i think i prefer a slow burn set over a period of time in a romance and this one was too insta-lovey. the writing style and dialogue also just wasn't my fav but i enjoyed the settings of our novel. i thought the time-travel aspect was interesting and i particularly loved duke the corgi!

Thank you Netgalley, publisher and author for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A sweet time travelling romance with some spice. "Falling on a Duke" is a quick (it's about 200 pages - shall we call it a novella, then?) and cute read. The premise was interesting: a 19th-century duke gets thrust into 2022, where he stumbles upon our lovely female main character, a Brazilian writer living in London. Ben and Bella fall in love while they try to find a way to send him back to his sister and his all life back in Bath. I wish they had talked more about how Ben was feeling regarding modern time (to which he adapted surprisingly quickly, both in his behaviour and speech) and there are a few anachronisms here and there but, overall, I enjoyed the book greatly.

A cute story - enjoyable with lovely characters. I liked how the story was told from the different points of view, alternating between Bella and Ben.

Easy reading, and a feel good vibe to keep you engaged.

This was such a lighthearted and cute read. It was everything I needed right now. Quick and incredibly lovely. 

Benjamin, a 19th century Duke of Waldorf, accidentally travels forward in time. He finds himself in the year 2022, where Isabella, a romance writer with a broken heart, hits him with a scooter. He feels lost in this world and he has to go back to his time, so she offers him her home and help, even do she doesn't really believe he is from the 1800s. But she may find herself unable to deny it for long. 
The more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow and the more difficult it will be to say goodbye. 

I enjoyed this story, I really love time traveling books. I read it in one sitting. 
It was also incredibly unrealistic, but I think most of the time travel stories that happen in the future are.
He adapted a little too quickly honestly and there were literally no explanations at the end. I kinda wish the book was longer. 

But overall, a great read. Such a sweet and spicy story. I recommend it.

A hot duke from the 18th century, a corgi puppy, funny dialogue, and spice- what more could you ask for?

I decided to read this as a pick me up after finishing a different book and it was exactly what I needed. The characters were lovable, even those who weren’t featured or focused on much. I loved that there wasn’t a true “villain” or anything complex about the “conflict”. This book is a true cozy romance with a happy ending that is well deserved. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a light and extremely enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher.

This was a cute and quick, sweet and spicy read! Great for fans of historical romance with a fun time travel element.

I‘m a sucker for historical romance and wow historical man and modern woman was just so good. Ben is such a gentleman but doesn’t have the old fashioned view of women which is so refreshing. They‘re basically roommates and then the more time they share together, the more they get to know of each other. I liked the fact that there were signs that they’re attracted to each other from the very beginning. Well what can I say the book was a solid 4/5 stars and I even cried at the end. „Stories should touch our souls“ couldn’t be more true and „Falling on a duke“ definitely touched my soul, very well written!!

Every once in a while, I get hit with how inconsistent I'm when rating books.
Falling on a Duke had a lot of my bookish pet peeves; unrealistic interactions, too perfect characters, and overall nonsense when it comes to plot line.
But what made the book work for me was the vibe, to be honest.
First of all, it read like a fanfic. Instead of Harry Styles or your favorite K-pop idol, we have Benjamin, a regency era duke who accidentally time traveled to the present time.
Now, I'm a fan of the time travel trope. But only from present to past. It makes more sense! A person from the present can adapt to the past easier because, while the living circumstances are hard, they already have a semblance of knowledge about how it was back then.
The idea that someone from the 1800s can adapt to today's technology and fast-paced life is just farfetched.
However, the romance and comedic reactions from Ben made for it.
I spent the first half laughing over how surprised, and sometimes horrified, he was over everything. It was actually really amusing. I have to say though, him being "progressive" enough to not only accept but like the new societal norms was really a big stretch. I understand making it easier for him to exist in the present, but it didn't make sense!
That being said, although some parts were just repetitive on-and-off, I couldn't help feel giddy over the fantasy the book represented.
I mean, he calls her my lady and waits for her to sit first!
The swoon factor held the bigger chunk of the book's appeal.
Definitely recommend it to someone in for a light, heartwarming read.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

This book offers a breezy, heartwarming escape, filled with witty banter, endearing mishaps, and just enough chemistry to keep the pages turning. The love interest is suitably charming, with enough depth to make their dynamic engaging, even if some of their conflicts feel a bit predictable.

While the book excels in humor and sweet moments, the protagonist’s personal growth occasionally takes a backseat to the romantic plot. A deeper exploration of their emotional journey could have added more weight to their happily-ever-after.

That said, the supporting cast adds plenty of fun, and the romantic tension is well-paced, making it easy to root for the central couple. The writing is light and engaging, perfect for readers looking for a feel-good story with a few laughs along the way. If you don’t mind a little predictability and enjoy banter-filled romance, this book is a charming pick—just don’t expect too much introspection between the meet-cutes and grand gestures.

One of my absolute FAVORITE tropes is the fish out of water trope- someone ends up in the modern world and has no idea what is happening around them- and this is a great addition to the genre!!

A 19th century duke accidentally time travels to 2022, leaving behind family and duty, and has to find his way back with his modern guide/romance novelist savior. It’s exactly as cute as you think it’s going to be, has the right amount of lack of comprehension, and is more heartfelt than you would expect in a book less than 300 pages!!

Thanks so much to Stefani Nunes and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

A duke from the nineteenth century is somehow transported to the twenty first. An avid regency romance reader and novelist bumps into him whilst on a scooter. I loved the premise of this novel. Whilst I liked some parts I found the writing a bit clunky, especially in the spicy scenes (maybe something lost in translation).

First page, first sentence proper and I’m immediately taken out of the story. 1817 set and the character is referring to their ‘assistant’. How present day American. Then later, in the London hospital the nurse comments “he doesn’t have his identity card”. Well no. Because they’re not a thing in the UK. There were a few other anachronisms (and whatever the word is for being out of geographical place) that grated on me. But overall a fun read.

Two things: this book is about 199 pages, so this is basically a long novella, and the first english language novel by a Brazilian author, which is already a huge accomplishment.

The story is cute and quick. Not really original, but the characters are flashed out to make you care about them, enough that I read it all in one go. It also has a great flow as well.

I did miss a strong emotional core or stronger side characters, but what can I ask of a Novella?

Good book for a quick read.

Pre thoughts:
Time travel romance

Post thoughts:
- Lovely integration of historical romance with a modern day twist
- Sweet
- Great chemistry between the Main character s
- Benjamin adapts quite quickly to the modern world

Overall:
A lovely romance read with a time travel plot line and an easy read to follow.

stars 3.5/5 rounded to 4

Tropes
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- cinnamon roll hero
- HEA
- Time travel
- Friends to lover

Thank you the book guild, netgallery and Stefany Nunes for the opportunity to review this arc. the thoughts and opinions are my own xx
I will be sharing my review on Instagram, fable and Goodreads.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.<br />I am always a sucker for a good time travel romance and this ticked all the boxes. It was very Kate and Leopold esq. Bella is a romance author suffering from a writers block broken heart and Duke Benjamin is a reformed rake who finds himself transported into the future, and completely falling for Bella. This was a slow burn and sweet friends to lovers that I could not put down. I cannot wait to read more from Stefany in the future.

Really nice easy read - enjoyed the time travel element although some of the historical language inaccuracies did drive me slightly nuts but that's just me being pedant. I loved how Bella was so trusting and the addition of a cute tiny dog is also a plus 💞.