Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor by Ella Matthews

On By TracyIn Check Content Warning/Triggers, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Governess' Unlikely Suitor (The Dashworth Brothers #2)The Governess’ Unlikely Suitor by Ella Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Dashworth Brothers #2

Release Date: October 10, 2025

Lord Edward Dashworth’s life changed forever upon the death of his elder brother Sebastian. Sebastian left for America years earlier and Edward and his three other brothers hadn’t heard from him since. After his death, his young daughter Charlotte arrived at the home of Edward’s eldest brother, Tobias, the Duke of Glanmore with instructions from Sebastian’s lawyer that the remain brothers must all live together and raise Charlotte for two years. If the brothers did not agree, Charlotte would be sent to live with the aunt who had raised the brothers – a fate they wouldn’t wish on their greatest enemy. Once Edward and his brothers move into the ducal residence and begin to bond with their niece, questions arise about Sebastian’s death. Edward finds an investigator he believes can find the answers they seek, but he refuses to take the job. But Edward isn’t going to give up without a fight and he and his brother Freddie, visit Simon Hornel, the man agrees to talk to him, but says he can’t take the job and leave his sister. When the brothers promise to care for his sister, he finally agrees to take the job. Edward is elated, until he meets Kate Hornel and knows his life is about to become even harder, as Kate is exactly the sort of woman that he is attracted to and completely forbidden to him.

Katherine “Kate” Hornel has had a rough year, she was forced to flee her last governess post in the middle of the night after being mentally and sexually abused by her employer. After she left, the employer made it impossible for her to find another post and even went as far as ruining her brother’s investigation business by smearing his good name. When the Dashworth brothers offer her brother a case, she will do whatever necessary, even move in with strangers. She never expected to fall for Edward, a man who she could never hope to marry, but doesn’t seem to stop his family from trying to push them together.

This installment of the Dashworth Brothers series is a well-written, slow-burn romance with a forbidden attraction trope, and touches on the impact of the off-page emotional and mental abuse suffered by the characters. I really enjoyed this story and loved not only the budding relationship between Edward and Kate, but the ongoing relationship between the brothers and Charlotte. I was also delighted with the further progression of the storyline centering around their late brother Sebastian, which left me totally invested in this series and impatiently awaiting the next installment! Overall, this was a lovely story of healing, hope and love, it was a bit slow moving and drawn out in places, but it was still a very touching read. This is the second book in the series, and the author does provide enough backstory that the book can be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

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

To Heist and To Hold by Christina Britton

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To Heist and to Hold (Wimpole Street Widows Society, 1)To Heist and to Hold by Christina Britton

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Wimpole Street Widows Society, #1

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Shortly after the death of her husband, Heloise Marlow was invited to move in with Sylvia Lutton, the widowed Viscountess Vastkern and several other ladies at her home and join the Wimpole Street Widows Society. Each widowed lady has a unique talent, and they all work together to help other women. For her part, Heloise is a blacksmith, forging swords and a fencing master, and she uses her talents to teach the other women self-defense. When her sister-in-law comes to visit her and asks for help in recovering her employer’s missing jewels that were used as collateral at Dionysus, a well-respected gaming hell and have since gone missing with the gaming hell claiming no record of the jewels, she plans to take care of the problem alone. But when the viscountess learns of her mission, she insists that the society helps her, and they form an elaborate plan to infiltrate the club and find the missing jewels. Convinced something shady is going on at the club and not knowing who can be trusted, Heloise plans to seduce one of the owners, which will hopefully give her access to the more private parts of the club. Seems simple enough, but that was before she met Ethan Sinclaire and realizes she has no idea how to seduce a man. But once they begin an affair, Heloise will question herself and start wondering if she will have to betray the man, she has come to love in order to keep a deathbed promise to her late husband.

Ethan Sinclaire is one of the owners of the wildly successful Dionysus club, a gaming hell he opened with his brothers and two other friends he grew up with on the streets. After a stunning betrayal and death of his middle brother Gavin, Ethan has closed himself off from everyone and has concentrated on maintaining a stellar reputation of the club. But lately there have been whispers of members saying they have been cheated, and after the fiasco with Gavin, Ethan is determined to learn the truth. When Heloise comes to the club, he immediately doesn’t trust her, but despite that, he is drawn to her and when they embark on an affair, he finds himself feeling again for the first time in years. But when the truth comes out will they be able to find a way to move past the secrets and lies or will the betrayal be too much to overcome?

This was a good start to a new series featuring strong, capable women, who get a second chance at finding their HEA. In this story, Heloise and Ethan are both likeable and relatable characters with an immediate chemistry. The book is filled with secrets, plans, laugh out loud seduction attempts, steamyish love scenes, great secondary characters, a bit of a mystery, betrayal, healing, forgiveness and finally a well-deserved HEA. I really enjoyed this book, but I do wish I had a better understanding about the origins of the Society, and I really want to know who won the boxing match!! Overall, this was a good book, and I would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers and will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

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