A Governess Should Never… Lure a Spy by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Governess Chronicles, #4

Release Date: April, 11, 2024

Hugh Cadwalader, also known as “the Scandalous Mr. Hugh Cadwalader” is in need of a governess for his ward Pheobe Thornton. Hugh is a spy for the Home Office and Pheobe is the daughter of his friend and mentor, Ross Thornton, who was found dead in his home 8 months ago, the Home Office deemed his death a suicide, when a letter was found, alleging Ross was a traitor. Hugh is furious, there is no way his friend was a traitor, and the Home Office seems happy to label him a turncoat and brush the matter under the rug. Well, that won’t fly for Hugh, he is determined to find the truth, clear his friend’s name and set Pheobe’s mind at ease. But to do that, he will need someone to care for Pheobe, so hence the search for a governess and so far, there has only been one applicant. Miss Amelia Jones, who Hugh is almost certain is lying about her experience. But she smells of roses and gunpowder and intrigues Hugh far more than she should…

Miss Amelia Lambert is the natural daughter of the Duke of Swanford and his one-time mistress, Alice Lambert, the Butterfly Courtesan, and though she is applying for the position of governess, she is actually an agent in the Foreign Office, tasked with investigating Hugh as a possible traitor. While she might be completely out of her league as a governess, she excels as an agent. She is pretty sure Hugh is not a traitor, but she needs proof, more than just the fact that he affects her like no man ever has. When her cover is blown, they work together to try and find the traitor and for the first time ever, Amelia feels seen and accepted. Is HEA possible for two spies? And that is assuming they find Ross’s murderer and stop them before they too are silenced for good.

I really loved this story, Hugh and Amelia are perfect for each other and they had an on-page chemistry that is hard to find in a book. Their banter was priceless, the secondary characters were wonderful, and I was delighted to realize that Charlotte was the same Charlotte from a previously read novella, as well as cameos from many previously read characters! The book has action, adventure, spies, steamyish love scenes, a lot of emotion, traitors, insecurity, loss, rejection, a housekeeper with home remedies, life & death moments, a matchmaking Aunt, a grieving ward, revelations, happiness and true love, complete with a HEA and an epilogue. Overall, I loved this story and would happily recommend this entire series. This is the fourth book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title with no problem, however, I would recommend reading the books in order for the best reading experience.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*