Category: Tracy’s Reviews

A Governess Should Never…Lure a Spy by Emily Windsor

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

A Governess Should Never... Lure a Spy (Governess Chronicles. #4)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.*

A Touch Wicked by Katrina Kendrick

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Touch WickedA Touch Wicked by Katrina Kendrick

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Private Arrangements, #0.5

Release: April 11, 2024 (re-release)

While in Paris, Emma Dumont learns the depth of the trouble her younger sister Isabel was in, when she try to find her and was attacked by a thug and barely escaped with her life Isabel’s apartment. Isabel was long gone and her rooms tossed, but Emma knew her sister’s hiding spot and thankfully before the ruffian showed up, she found a clue, an invitation bearing the words The Masquerade, London. Leaving Emma with no choice but to follow her. Once in London, she blackmails her father, the Duke of Southampton for a reference letter and takes a job as a lady’s maid to the sister of the Earl of Kent. Hoping to find her sister and help her out of whatever mess she has gotten herself into. But what she finds is a wonderful friend in Lady Alexandra Grey and when she finally makes her way to the Masquerade, a forbidden lover in her brother James, the Earl of Kent. But none of this stops her from her ultimate goal of finding Isabel. All too soon, her lies are found out and instead of contempt, she find love, but even Emma knows, she can bring more danger to the people she has come to love and there is no way the illegitimate daughter of a duke and sister to a wanted woman can have a happily ever after. Right?

James Grey, the Earl of Kent knows duty all too well, he practically raised his younger brother and sister, even when his parents were alive. Now he cares for the estates and is planning to marry, to ensure his sister is properly launched into society and finds a man to make her happy. He is determined to do right by Alexandra, even at the cost of his own happiness. To that end, he hires Emma to be his sister’s maid, and he is overwhelmed by his instant attraction to her and fights his improper feelings. When his brother Richard suggests that he find a lover and gives him an invitation to The Masquerade, his first instinct is to decline, but decides that maybe a lover is exactly what he needs to forget about Emma and to settle him before he begins looking for a bride. He never expected to fall so hard for his masked lover or to be so devasted when she breaks things off with him. But even that doesn’t stop his attraction to Emma and when her lies are exposed, he is at first angry, but he isn’t going to let her walk out of his life without a fight. Soon it is clear that there is much more to Emma than he first thought, but that only makes him want her more, can he convince her that they have both given enough to their families and that they deserve to be happy? Or will she break his heart all over again?

This book was so much more than I was expecting! This book has lies, secrets, danger, witty banter, amazing characters, smokin’ hot love scenes, spies, action, heartache, life or death moments, more danger, more heartache and finally a HEA that didn’t seem possible. I really enjoyed the story and hope to see these characters again! I did feel like Emma played the martyr a bit too hard and seemed determined to be unhappy, but thankfully, James was just as determined to be happy! This book is part of the Private Arrangement series, but the books can be read as standalone titles without a problem. If you like a steamy Victorian romance with a bit of intrigue and a heaping dash of danger – this is the book you have been looking for!

*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.*