Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Enticed by a Governess by Jane Charles

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

Enticed by a Governess (Love of a Governess #4)Enticed by a Governess by Jane Charles

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Love of a Governess, #4

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Charlotte Thompson, the daughter of a wealthy merchant was not quite sixteen when her father arranged her marriage to Victor Hawthorn, the son, and heir of Viscount Blackmar. Her father bought up the Viscount’s debts and threatened to ruin the family if Victor did not marry his daughter. Charlotte is mortified by her father’s actions and later humiliated when she overhears Victor’s parents talking about her. She is sure she will be trapped in an unhappy marriage and an embarrassment to Victor, who is the most handsome man she has ever seen. But to her surprise, Victor seeks her out in the garden and they talk and make plans – plans that will thwart her father and his parents. Victor proposes that they have a marriage in name only for a few years, and suggests that Charlotte move to an estate he owns in Willanton and let her have a bit of freedom (and time to grow up) before they make any decisions about their marriage. Charlotte agrees and despite the manor house being in disrepair, she is thrilled to have a place of her own. She and Victor begin to set the house to rights and a friendship blossoms but it is soon clear to Charlotte that Victor is restless and after of month, she tells him he is free to return to London. He hesitates, but she insists, he hires a companion for her and leaves, promising to write and visit soon.

Four years later, Victor and Charlotte have kept in contact via letters, but he has not seen his wife since the day he left. He had planned to, but when his father died unexpectedly, things always kept him from traveling to Willanton. But when he learns from a friend who met Charlotte at a ball held by her neighbor, the Earl of Melcombe, some of the things his wife has been up to, he is more than a little surprised. His friend Percy can’t believe that Victor lets his wife live alone, and Victor realizes that he doesn’t know his wife as well as he thought, something that is going to change now. He travels to Willanton and is floored when he sees her – gone is the awkward young girl, his wife is all grown up and is stunning! She is also keeping a lot of secrets and before they can have a real marriage, they will have to learn to trust one another, and maybe love will follow. But even love might not be enough to ensure this couple’s HEA.

What a great story! I have been waiting for this story since learning that Charlotte was married in the previous book, and this book did not disappoint! I adored Charlotte and Victor, they are likable, and don’t blame each other for the sins of their parents. This book has a lot going on, there are secrets, shocking revelations, great (and some not-so-great) secondary characters, murder, loss, warm love scenes, surprising twists, a bit of heartache, and finally a HEA that includes an epilogue. The story does contain some triggers that might be upsetting to some readers, including verbal abuse and the loss of a child, but the author handled both with compassion and minimal on-page details. This is the fourth book in the series, but like the previous books, it can be read as a standalone title, but I would suggest reading the series in order for the best reader experience. I loved this story and highly recommend it for historical romance lovers or anyone who loves an ugly duckling story with a HEA.

*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.*

Her Lessons in Persuasion by Megan Frampton

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

Her Lessons in Persuasion (School for Scoundrels, #1)Her Lessons in Persuasion by Megan Frampton

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: School for Scoundrels, #1

Release Date: January 24, 2023

Barrister Bram Townsend is on his way to his monthly book club meeting with his friends, four fellow orphans from the Devenaugh Home for Destitute Boys, or as they like to call it, The School for Scoundrels. Bram is rehashing his interpretations of their latest book when he notices a woman standing on a parapet of the Blackfriars Bridge, thinking she means to harm herself, he immediately intervenes by grabbing the woman and pulling her down to safety – or so he assumes. But the lovely woman currently sprawled atop him had no qualms about setting him straight, she was in no danger, she was looking at the stars before he so rudely pulled her down. He apologizes for his mistake and insists on seeing her home, even though it will make him late, but it is the right thing to do and Bram always does the right thing! He hails a hackney after she fails to do so on her own, and they chat/argue on the way to her home, where she uses him to hide from her aunt and then shocks both of them by kissing him before running inside. Bram continues on his way, but is out of sorts and intrigued by his mystery woman. Something his friends pick up on right away and tease him mercilessly. He reminds himself that he doesn’t have time for distractions and needs to focus on his new goal of becoming a judge.

Lady Wilhelmina Bettesford can’t believe she kissed a stranger, a drop-dead gorgeous stranger, but still a stranger! She is never impetuous like that, nor is her head turned by a good-looking man. She reminds herself that she just needs to wait out another six months, at which time she will inherit the money left to her by her mother, and then she and her Aunt Flora can purchase a cottage where she can settle into spinsterhood and devote herself to her passion – astronomy. But her world is turned upside down when her father returns from their country estate with a huge surprise – he has fallen in love and married his new steward’s daughter, Alethea, an astonishingly beautiful woman, who is five years younger than Wilhelmina! A woman who is hellbent on seeing Wilhelmina married off as soon as possible, but who despite that is innately likable – much to Wilhelmina’s despair. Wilhelmina is sure she can hold out until her inheritance is in her control – but what she doesn’t count on is Alethea bidding on her mystery man at a fundraiser for the orphanage, or her idea to have Bram pretend to court Wilhelmina to drum up interest in her. She is mortified, but more than anything, she is thrilled to cross paths with him again. But despite the undeniable attraction that is between them, they make it clear that marriage is not an option for either of them and as long as there are no expectations (although kisses are acceptable), they will get along just fine and he will help her fend off any real suitors until she in control of her inheritance and she will help him meet the right people, which will help him in his quest to become a judge. Well, at least that was the plan…

This is a wonderful book, it is well written, nicely paced, and filled with amazing characters that you can’t help but root for! I LOVED this story and it is a perfect example of why I fell in love with Megan Frampton’s writing, it is filled with humor, as well as intelligent, thoughtful characters who are both likable and relatable. There is lots of witty banter, great secondary characters, hilarious inner monologues, believable character growth, Wilhelmina’s list of men she won’t marry, debates, steamyish love scenes, a surprising revelation, and finally a very endearing ending that paves the way for their HEA as well as an epilogue. This is the first book in a new series and it was so good that I can’t wait for the next book! I highly recommend this title, it is a fabulous story that was an absolute pleasure to read.

*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.*