Nothing Like a Duke has an old-fashioned feel to it, and for those who enjoy the rhythms of quiet romances, there could be a lot to like here as we follow Robert and Flora on their journey from academic foils to committed spouses enjoying a happily ever after. However, I do not count myself among those fans.

Flora Jennings has been raised outside of society after her mother was shunned for choosing to marry her father. She’s generally content with her academic pursuits, and it’s through these that she first meets Lord Robert Gresham.  The couple shared a brief flirtation until it fizzled out due to Flora’s reticence, leaving Robert feeling hurt. He enjoyed Flora not only for her beauty but for her mind, but nonetheless, is determined to get over her. He attends a house party at the behest of a friend, only to discover Flora in attendance! Sensing the intervention of fate, Robert renews his pursuit.

Flora comes across as someone with no real idea as to normal human behavior. This could be because of her lack of socialization, but an explanation makes her no more pleasant to spend time with. She’s often stubborn and immature, acting more like a petulant child than an adult ready for marriage. This feeling on my part was not helped by the pacing of the novel, which is a little uneven and resulted in my often finding myself with far too much time to dwell on how little I cared for Flora instead of dwelling on the budding romance. And to be honest, y’all, this is the house party that never ends. It just draaaaaaaaags onnnnnnnnnn. Seriously, it could still be happening.

There’s a whole thing with a ‘villain’ named Anthony Durand that isn’t super compelling, but what distracted from that was the dog that Robert adopts, Plato. Friends and fellow readers, Plato is the star of this show. He’s more character than sidekick and I was enchanted by him. Those who love animals in romances will love Plato.

You may be reading this and thinking, “Kristen, you are being a super-Debbie-Downer here. Is there anything you liked about this book?” And to you I would say, yes; I adored Robert.

Robert Gresham’s charm carries this book.  He is warm and kind and smart, and yet mysteriously fascinated by Flora. He never expected a woman to be his mental equal, but once he adjusts to that, he cannot let her go. As I watched Robert negotiate what it would mean to truly love Flora and not just be fascinated by her, I fell for him more and more, whereas while I eventually warmed a bit to Flora, I never really loved her.

The pacing is wonky, and I wish there had been a bit more urgency injected somewhere, but Nothing Like a Duke isn’t a bad book per se. Part of my reading plan for this year is to read books that I might normally pass over, so I’m glad I dipped my toe into the world Ms. Ashford has created, but it is not one to which I plan on returning.

Buy it at A/iB/BN/K