Ne’er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti tells the story of Selina Ravenscroft, a young English lady who seems nothing but respectable. And then there’s Peter Kent, the young man from Louisiana who has recently inherited a dukedom and a reputation for mild scandal. The two are unlikely friends, though, and soon team up to help Peter fix his status in the public eye. Selina decides that finding him a respectable match is the best method, and sets about matchmaking. However, their good rapport and physical attraction—not to mention several matchmaking antics—proves troublesome. Selina can’t help but start to fall for Peter, but she has a secret that would destroy his reputation as well as hers. And surely he doesn’t feel the same, right?

I quite liked this! More than Bridgerton, at least. Which, considering I have Opinions about the only season of Bridgerton I ever watched, isn’t saying much. Basically, this book is very good.

I liked Selina as a protagonist. She’s witty and opinionated in a manner reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice, so that’s always fun. However, Selina is definitely more scandalous than Lizzie, since she runs a library that features erotic literature. And honestly, it’s fantastic how cheeky and bold she is about this with her friends and family, balanced with a very reasonable caution about the general public knowing this about her life.

I also was easily endeared to Peter, as the love interest and other protagonist. He’s quite a fish out of water as a new member of the British aristocracy despite having been raised in America. Between that, and his progressive abolitionist political stance, makes him a bit of a black sheep among the other nobles, but also so easy to root for. I also loved his bond with his younger half-siblings, who he wants to formally become guardian of. It’s a sweet dynamic of new family growing closer.

As a side note, though, I will note that there’s no way Peter would pronounce New Orleans the way the narrator does. Within his Louisiana-accented dialogue at least, I feel like it should be said like “Nawlins,” but I suppose I can’t expect British narrator Mhairi Morrison to know about that.

Anyway, the pacing of this story is quite good, balancing the romance and the plot focusing on Peter’s family. And I appreciate that the drama—while hinging on Selina’s library being a secret—wasn’t too contrived. Her deciding to hide it from Peter makes sense, considering the way their society would view it. And overall, the two of them communicate so well, and are such an amazing team.

In the end, Ne’er Duke Well is a wonderful romcom. The characters are full of life and clever banter, the romance moves at a good pace, the themes of found family and living your life in a fulfilling way despite the expectations of society are lovely. It’s a sweet tale that’s easy to like, and I recommend it to fans of romance!