Tag: #TheGovernessChronicles

A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor

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

A Governess Should Never... Deny a Duke (The Governess Chronicles, #2)A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Governess Chronicles, #2

Release Date: July 7, 2022

Miss Isabelle Beaujeu is surprised to learn her newest assignment as governess to the Duke of Aberdare’s niece Mari, is not in London as she assumed, but in Wales! Not ideal, but the addition of a ducal household on her résumé is a coup she cannot pass up, especially considering her heritage. French by birth, Isabelle and her mother escaped the uprising in France thanks to her father, but sadly he wasn’t as lucky and her mother died not long after leaving Isabelle to be raised by a distant relative. But her world was turned upside down once more when she learned her guardian was the one who betrayed her father. So she left and with the help of some friends, was able to secure a post as governess. Again, not ideal, but it provides her with an income and independence, which is worth more than gold, as she never plans to marry.

Rhys Cadogan, the Duke of Aberdare, an English title he never expected to inherit and one not nearly as comfortable as his Welsh title of the Earl of Llanedwyn needs a wife. After years of hoping for love, Rhys knows he can wait no longer, especially after the death of his twin brother and heir Tristan. As his new heir is his cousin Hugh, an unrepentant rake with no desire to assume the duties of either title, Rhys agrees to allow his spinster cousin Lady Elen to throw a house party to introduce him to several possible brides. But try as he might, Rhys cannot seem to focus on any of the prospective brides when his niece’s intriguing governess is around. He knows she has secrets and knows that he should not be wasting time with her, but when someone makes it clear that they have it out for her, nothing will stop him from protecting the woman who has finally captured his heart.

What a great addition to this series! The book is well-written, nicely paced, and has a well-done mystery seamlessly woven into the romance. Rhys and Isabelle’s romance is a slow-burning love story, filled with secrets, great secondary characters, intrigue, warm love scenes, surprising revelations, and finally, a truly lovely HEA ending complete with an epilogue. This is the second book in the series, but it is loosely connected and could easily be read out of order or as a standalone title. I enjoyed many things about this title, but I would have to say that, I especially loved that the book was set in Wales, it is such a nice change of pace from the typical English/Scottish locale settings and really enhanced my reading experience. In my opinion, this is one of this author’s best books to date and I highly recommend it!

*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 Governess Should Never Tempt…A Prizefighter by Emily Windsor

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Governess Should Never... Tempt a Prizefighter (The Governess Chronicles, #1)A Governess Should Never… Tempt a Prizefighter by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Governess Chronicles, #1

Release Date: November 9, 2020

Matilda Griffin is the daughter of the late Viscount Astwood, a title now held by her cousin and guardian. With mere months before she comes of age, her cousin has decided she will marry and has betrothed her to the vile Earl of Sidlow – a man old enough to be her grandfather and repulsive to boot! To avoid this fate, she applies for the position of governess to Seth Hawkins’ thirteen-year-old daughter Chloe. She knows her cousin has frittered away her father’s fortune and her dowry, so she figures she can hide out until she turns twenty-one and then use her inheritance and travel the world. It is the perfect plan, but that was before she met Seth.

Seth Hawkins is a widower, father and former prizefighter, who has opened a boxing academy that is vastly popular and wildly successful. He has raised his daughter alone for years, but knows she needs a woman’s guidance and is fast losing hope of finding the perfect governess when he meets Matilda, at first, he thinks she is all wrong, but is taken with her honestly and hires her. She is lovely and he is surprised to realize he is attracted to her – after years of guarding his heart and keeping women at arm’s length, Matilda manages to worm her way past his defenses.

As they spend time together, they grow close and Seth begins to imagine a future, but her cousin isn’t willingly to let her go without a fight and if they want any type of future, Seth will have to protect her – but Astwood doesn’t fight fair and Matilda may have to save them both!

I really enjoyed this book, it is well written, fast paced and fun. Matilda and Seth are amazing characters who are incredibly likable and easy to root for. They don’t fight their love or make excuses why they can’t be together and when faced with trouble, they work together – they are just wonderful and the book was a delight to read. The secondary characters were great, the love scenes warm, there is some action, some surprises and a sweet ending complete with an epilogue. If I had any complaint it would be that the book has a lot of boxing cant and British slang, which I will be honest, was a bit hard to understand, but not impossible and didn’t really affect my enjoyment of the story. This is the first book in the series and I really can’t wait for the next installment! I enjoyed this book and would be happy to recommend it.

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

 

Blurb:


“So tell me, Miss Griffin, why should I employ you as governess?”
A question to rouse fear within the breast of any prospective governess but for Matilda, a lady without references, appropriate brown clothing or any experience with children whatsoever, doubly so.
Yet alone in the world except for a brutish guardian and a malodorous betrothed, Matilda must seek her own future, even if that means employment in the household of a rugged ex-prizefighter with sizeable muscles and doubtless minuscule intellect.

“Please continue to enlighten me, Miss Griffin.”
Mr Seth Hawkins, owner of famed Boxing Academy, has reached the point of desperation in his search for a governess.
Yet with no other suitable candidates, could this yellow-clad, bespectacled female who seemed to think him a witless dolt with calloused knuckles and no books, teach his daughter the ways of a lady?

The Lady and the Prizefighter.
One should never judge a man by his well-defined muscles or a lady by her yellow-silk slippers, for beneath both façades lay yearning hearts, shared dreams and a taste for adventure.
With tavern excursions, scandalous kisses in midnight carriages, whifflers, nobblers and dressing as a nefarious footpad on the prowl, the vocation of governess has never been so exciting…

A fun, heart-warming Regency romance, this is the first book in a companion series to the Games of Gentlemen.
This tale contains sensual scenes.

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