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Governess Brides #4
Rules of Attraction
The Rules of Enticement:A woman should never surrender to a man without knowing his intentions. A man should never seduce a woman for the purposes of revenge.
Rules of SocietyAfter nine years, Hannah Setterington has decided tosell the Distinguished Academy of Governesses and explore the secrets of her past. To that end she has agreed to be a companion to the elderly aunt of Lord Raeburn, a man enshrouded by dark mystery and haunted by the rumor that he murdered his wife. A strong-minded woman accustomed to the vagaries of nobility, Hannah believes the rumor to be so much piffle, until she comes face to face with Lord Raeburn.
Rules of FascinationDougald Pippard, Lord Raeburn, is deviously satisfied when his plan to trap Hannah springs itself successfully. But his satisfaction is short-lived as the indomitable Hannah draws the battle lines and kisses him with the pent-up passion Dougald hasn't felt for nine long years. The fire that has always flared between them rages again with every touch, every glance,until Dougald is almost ready to forget his wounded memories and plans of revenge for just one more night with her.
Rules of Attraction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2001
130 people are currently reading
1281 people want to read
About the author
Christina Dodd
141 books5,898 followersUpcoming:
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
— 6/30/26 TEACH THE TORCHES TO BURN: Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New and Now!
—MUCH ADO ABOUT MISTLETOE: Daughter of Montague Christmas novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— THUS WITH A KISS I DIE Daughter of Montague Historical Fiction #2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA Historical Fiction Trade Paperback Once upon a time a young couple met and fell in love. You probably know that story, and how it ended (hint: badly). Only here’s the thing: That’s not how it ended at all…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
— WELCOME TO GOTHIC: A Gothic novella in ebook (at last!) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Daughter of Montague novella 1.5 "I’m the daughter of Romeo and Juliet. Yes, that Romeo and Juliet. No, they didn’t die in the tomb…" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
— GIRL ANONYMOUS “Crackling sexual chemistry and a few love scenes guaranteed to scorch readers’ fingers as they turn the pages." — ⭐️ Booklist
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Readers become writers, and Christina has always been a reader. Ultimately she discovered she liked to read romance best because the relationship between a man and a woman is always humorous. A woman wants world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on mutual understanding and love. A man wants a Craftsman router, undisputed control of the TV remote, and a red Corvette which will make his bald spot disappear.
When Christina’s first daughter was born, she told her husband she was going to write a book. It was a good time to start a new career, because how much trouble could one little infant be?
Ha! It took ten years, two children and three completed manuscripts before she was published. Now her suspense, paranormal, historical, and mystery novels have been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 15 million copies in print. Praised for her “brilliantly etched characters, polished writing, and unexpected flashes of sharp humor that are pure Dodd” (Booklist), her award-winning books have landed on numerous Best of the Year lists and, much to her mother's delight, Dodd was once a clue in the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest, where her 700 lavender plants share the yard with her husband’s various “Big Projects,” including a treehouse, zipline, and their very own Stonehenge.
Enter Christina’s worlds and join her mailing list for humor, book news and entertainment (yes, she’s the proud author with the infamous three-armed cover) at christinadodd.com. For more information on A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA, visit daughterofmontague.com. Her legions of fans know that when they pick up a Christina Dodd book, they'll find the story, "Wildly entertaining, wickedly witty!"
Christina is married to a man with all his hair and no Corvette, but many Craftsman tools.
(Source: http://www.christinadodd.com )
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 15, 2022
3 Estrellas. De momento ha sido el que menos me ha gustado de la serie, pero no está del todo mal. No ha sido aburrido, pero sí que esperaba algo más de la historia de Hannah. No es que no tenga nada sorprendente, al revés, es el libro que más giros argumentales tiene, pero no me ha gustado el romance, y la culpa es del protagonista.
"Seducida" es el tercer libro de la serie Institutrices de Christina Dodd. Y con él se inicia el fin de las historias de las tres fundadoras de la Distinguida Academia de Institutrices.
Hannah Setterington es la tercera de éstas amigas, que se quedó soltera y como dueña y señora de la academia. Pero Hannah está algo cansada y decide vender la academia. Con el dinero que le han dado, puede establecerse por su cuenta y no volver a trabajar. Pero no puede estar sin hacer nada y acepta un último trabajo.
Hannah se dirige al castillo Raeburn, donde el nuevo conde necesita de una dama de compañía para su anciana tía. Pero a su llegada, nada es lo que esperaba, en la estación no la espera ningún coche, llega tarde, helada, y su vida se desmorona cuando descubre quién es el nuevo dueño del castillo.
Dougald Pippard es el nuevo conde de Raeburn después de que los cuatro últimos fallecieran repentinamente en extrañas circunstancias. Tiempo atrás, Dougald era un rico y joven empresario algodonero de Liverpool, con un pasado muy oscuro, entre ellos, que asesinó a su propia esposa.
En seguida, Hannah descubrirá que ha sido engañada para venir al lugar, y que Dougald espera vengarse de ella a cualquier precio. Pero en ése juego, Hannah se verá atrapada y sin posibilidad de escapar de nuevo. Es cierto que Dougald tiene una tía, la encantadora señorita Spring y a su vez viven con ellas sus tres amigas, todas señoras mayores, tía Ethel, tía Isabel y la señorita Minnie. A Hannah se le encargará que les haga compañía a éstas cuatro ancianas.
Pero Hannah se verá atrapada en Raeburn de otra manera, en Lancashire le espera un pasado familiar que no sabía que tenía. Y después de la manera en que Dougald la ha encontrado, no tiene posibilidad de escapar ni sobrevivir, sólo le queda iniciar de nuevo un juego de seducción, con el que se verán atrapados después de nueve años. Y lo peor de todo es que hay alguien atentando contra sus vidas, alguien que conoce su secreto y quiere acabar con el conde de Raeburn.
La verdad es que la trama es un acierto y me ha tenido bastante enganchada a ella. Me han gustado Hannah y las tías y el bonito detalle que tienen durante todo el libro. Pero con lo que no he podido es con el carácter de Dougald, es arrogante, machista y horrible; no me gusta cómo trata a Hannah ni lo que le hace. Sí, quiere vengarse de ella, pero su manera de vengarse es rastrera y desde el punto de vista actual: deplorable.
Los protagonistas tuvieron una historia pasada y Hannah huyó de él, justificando la juventud y la falta de experiencia. En ningún momento he visto a Dougald arrepentido de lo que hizo o rogando perdón, sólo creyendo que por seducir a Hannah ésta tiene que volver con él.
No, esto no me ha gustado. Los protagonistas de los libros anteriores tampoco eran santos, pero ninguno llega al nivel de canalla que tiene Dougald en ésta novela. Con esto baste decir que el romance no me ha gustado, y no me ha gustado porque no me lo he creído ni he visto a Dougald lo suficientemente arrepentido como para merecer una segunda oportunidad.
Hasta aquí, terminé lo que podría llamarse primera trilogía dentro de la serie, pero seguiré leyendo a las siguientes institutrices cuando pueda. De momento creo que es la mejor serie de Christina Dodd.
"Seducida" es el tercer libro de la serie Institutrices de Christina Dodd. Y con él se inicia el fin de las historias de las tres fundadoras de la Distinguida Academia de Institutrices.
Hannah Setterington es la tercera de éstas amigas, que se quedó soltera y como dueña y señora de la academia. Pero Hannah está algo cansada y decide vender la academia. Con el dinero que le han dado, puede establecerse por su cuenta y no volver a trabajar. Pero no puede estar sin hacer nada y acepta un último trabajo.
Hannah se dirige al castillo Raeburn, donde el nuevo conde necesita de una dama de compañía para su anciana tía. Pero a su llegada, nada es lo que esperaba, en la estación no la espera ningún coche, llega tarde, helada, y su vida se desmorona cuando descubre quién es el nuevo dueño del castillo.
Dougald Pippard es el nuevo conde de Raeburn después de que los cuatro últimos fallecieran repentinamente en extrañas circunstancias. Tiempo atrás, Dougald era un rico y joven empresario algodonero de Liverpool, con un pasado muy oscuro, entre ellos, que asesinó a su propia esposa.
En seguida, Hannah descubrirá que ha sido engañada para venir al lugar, y que Dougald espera vengarse de ella a cualquier precio. Pero en ése juego, Hannah se verá atrapada y sin posibilidad de escapar de nuevo. Es cierto que Dougald tiene una tía, la encantadora señorita Spring y a su vez viven con ellas sus tres amigas, todas señoras mayores, tía Ethel, tía Isabel y la señorita Minnie. A Hannah se le encargará que les haga compañía a éstas cuatro ancianas.
Pero Hannah se verá atrapada en Raeburn de otra manera, en Lancashire le espera un pasado familiar que no sabía que tenía. Y después de la manera en que Dougald la ha encontrado, no tiene posibilidad de escapar ni sobrevivir, sólo le queda iniciar de nuevo un juego de seducción, con el que se verán atrapados después de nueve años. Y lo peor de todo es que hay alguien atentando contra sus vidas, alguien que conoce su secreto y quiere acabar con el conde de Raeburn.
La verdad es que la trama es un acierto y me ha tenido bastante enganchada a ella. Me han gustado Hannah y las tías y el bonito detalle que tienen durante todo el libro. Pero con lo que no he podido es con el carácter de Dougald, es arrogante, machista y horrible; no me gusta cómo trata a Hannah ni lo que le hace. Sí, quiere vengarse de ella, pero su manera de vengarse es rastrera y desde el punto de vista actual: deplorable.
Los protagonistas tuvieron una historia pasada y Hannah huyó de él, justificando la juventud y la falta de experiencia. En ningún momento he visto a Dougald arrepentido de lo que hizo o rogando perdón, sólo creyendo que por seducir a Hannah ésta tiene que volver con él.
No, esto no me ha gustado. Los protagonistas de los libros anteriores tampoco eran santos, pero ninguno llega al nivel de canalla que tiene Dougald en ésta novela. Con esto baste decir que el romance no me ha gustado, y no me ha gustado porque no me lo he creído ni he visto a Dougald lo suficientemente arrepentido como para merecer una segunda oportunidad.
Hasta aquí, terminé lo que podría llamarse primera trilogía dentro de la serie, pero seguiré leyendo a las siguientes institutrices cuando pueda. De momento creo que es la mejor serie de Christina Dodd.
March 12, 2018
"Rules of Attraction" is the story of Douglad and Hannah.
Hannah Setterington has decided to sell the Distinguished Academy of Governesses after nine years, and goes off to be a companion to the elderly aunt of Lord Raeburn- until she comes face to face with him, and discovers him to be a face from the past..
Douglad has planned Hannah's return for 9 years, and now that she is finally back in his land, he plans to keep her by hook or crook..
Filled with four eccentric aunts, a loyal butler, numerous murder attempts and a passion that refuses to die, this is a story of reunion between two shrewd but lost souls.
I did not like the hero or his ethics, but I do commend that he remained loyal to h, and even though our heroine had spine, she was usually slave to her passion. Also him being attracted at 21 to 13 year old her and manipulating her..eh NO.
This is the weakest in the series so far.
Safe
1.5/5
Hannah Setterington has decided to sell the Distinguished Academy of Governesses after nine years, and goes off to be a companion to the elderly aunt of Lord Raeburn- until she comes face to face with him, and discovers him to be a face from the past..
Douglad has planned Hannah's return for 9 years, and now that she is finally back in his land, he plans to keep her by hook or crook..
Filled with four eccentric aunts, a loyal butler, numerous murder attempts and a passion that refuses to die, this is a story of reunion between two shrewd but lost souls.
I did not like the hero or his ethics, but I do commend that he remained loyal to h, and even though our heroine had spine, she was usually slave to her passion. Also him being attracted at 21 to 13 year old her and manipulating her..eh NO.
This is the weakest in the series so far.
Safe
1.5/5
June 4, 2024
Good intentions but never felt the MC development. They were both too immature the entire book. Locale was cool, mystery backdrop, side characters promising too. But horsies never made it out of the gate. Good series, great new author for me. Hope this one was just a fluke or a bad mood.
October 22, 2018
No sé qué me pasa con esta autora que si bien sus historias me entretienen tiene algo que no me termina de cerrar.
En parte porque siempre tiendo a pensar que les falta química a sus parejas.
En esta ocasión es más de lo mismo.
Además, que alguien me explique qué problema tiene la autora con los epílogos porque vaya tela…
Aún así, aunque no es una maravilla no está del todo mal y entretiene que es su función principal. Además, los personajes de las tías le dan algo de color a la historia, sin duda lo que más me ha gustado.
En parte porque siempre tiendo a pensar que les falta química a sus parejas.
En esta ocasión es más de lo mismo.
Además, que alguien me explique qué problema tiene la autora con los epílogos porque vaya tela…
Aún así, aunque no es una maravilla no está del todo mal y entretiene que es su función principal. Además, los personajes de las tías le dan algo de color a la historia, sin duda lo que más me ha gustado.
January 22, 2012
Of the Governess Brides books thus far in the series, this had the most intriguing synopsis to me. However, it was incredibly disappointing.
The hero really brings down the book for me. Dark and brooding heroes are one thing. He was just depressing to me. Too cruel to be enjoyable in any way. Overly manipulative and cold. Downright abusive, really. He manipulated her into marrying him, he was cruel and dismissive of her during their relationship, he connives to bring her back to him, he steals her money so she can't leave him again, and then he's just awful to her once she's there. I really, REALLY didn't want a happy ending for him at the end of the novel, which is problematic when you're reading a romance novel.
The heroine was okay. She wasn't my favorite of Dodd's heroines, but she wasn't the worst of them either. She was...just okay, really. But the hero so awful, it was impossible to care too much about the heroine. She recognizes he's abusive and horrible, but she wants to have sex with him, so it's okay. Furthermore, the heroine's impact on the hero (and her way to be "empowered" in her relationship with him) was boiled down entirely to their antics in the bedroom. Ugh. Just writing that made me shudder with revulsion.
I didn't get a sense of any genuine affection between the main characters. She feels he's abusive and cruel...but she still really, really wants to have sex with him. He blames her for their relationship ending and for the fact people think he murdered his wife...but, golly, he really wants to have sex with her. There really isn't ANY character development beyond that. At some point, he...kinda...sorta...thinks maybe...it wasn't all her fault...I guess. Maybe? And she...I guess...shouldn't have left? Maybe?
If you like books with great character development, this is really not the one for you. In fact, the hero was SO offensive to me that scenes that should have been steamy were just uncomfortable to me. I just wanted the heroine to run away.
The supporting characters - the elderly aunts - REALLY outshined the main characters in this novel. That was probably what got me through the book, to be honest. They were amusing and witty and just a lot of fun. But if you're reading a romance novel to read about some elderly women sewing a tapestry...well, again, there's a huge problem. Two stars JUST because I liked the aunts. Otherwise, this is a one star book.
The hero really brings down the book for me. Dark and brooding heroes are one thing. He was just depressing to me. Too cruel to be enjoyable in any way. Overly manipulative and cold. Downright abusive, really. He manipulated her into marrying him, he was cruel and dismissive of her during their relationship, he connives to bring her back to him, he steals her money so she can't leave him again, and then he's just awful to her once she's there. I really, REALLY didn't want a happy ending for him at the end of the novel, which is problematic when you're reading a romance novel.
The heroine was okay. She wasn't my favorite of Dodd's heroines, but she wasn't the worst of them either. She was...just okay, really. But the hero so awful, it was impossible to care too much about the heroine. She recognizes he's abusive and horrible, but she wants to have sex with him, so it's okay. Furthermore, the heroine's impact on the hero (and her way to be "empowered" in her relationship with him) was boiled down entirely to their antics in the bedroom. Ugh. Just writing that made me shudder with revulsion.
I didn't get a sense of any genuine affection between the main characters. She feels he's abusive and cruel...but she still really, really wants to have sex with him. He blames her for their relationship ending and for the fact people think he murdered his wife...but, golly, he really wants to have sex with her. There really isn't ANY character development beyond that. At some point, he...kinda...sorta...thinks maybe...it wasn't all her fault...I guess. Maybe? And she...I guess...shouldn't have left? Maybe?
If you like books with great character development, this is really not the one for you. In fact, the hero was SO offensive to me that scenes that should have been steamy were just uncomfortable to me. I just wanted the heroine to run away.
The supporting characters - the elderly aunts - REALLY outshined the main characters in this novel. That was probably what got me through the book, to be honest. They were amusing and witty and just a lot of fun. But if you're reading a romance novel to read about some elderly women sewing a tapestry...well, again, there's a huge problem. Two stars JUST because I liked the aunts. Otherwise, this is a one star book.
June 11, 2015
For some reason I didn't like this story. It was too long, too boring and plot-less.
For the most part of the book I was wondering if the hero and the heroine at least like each other. And I couldn't stop thinking that the answer is: no, not at all. But it wasn't such a big deal because I didn't like them either. Dougald totally annoyed me being so bossy and cocksure and I found Hannah so plain that I didn't care about her.
In my opinion the problem is that the author doesn't give us any insight into the motives of her characters actions. We don't know what is the plan of Dougald regarding his wife, well, he says he wants revenge but his actions say otherwise. And even though, we have some insight into his and Hannah feelings, they are so mixed that I didn't know if they want to be with each other or not. And if the explanation is that Dougald loved Hannah for all the time but he didn't know about it so he wanted to punish her for leaving, well, to me it doesn't make it any better. For most of the book, they don't talk to each other, for God sake! And they see each other rarely! It's more like a description of the unsuccessful marriage than a romance novel.
I also didn't like the ending. I felt like Hannah gave up and lost. Okay, Dougald finally told her he loves her the way she is but I felt like she decided to be his dreamed wife abandoning her own dreams without him actually appreciating it. But this is probably only my impression.
This so called mystery or suspense part was so minor and meaningless that there is no point in writing about it. The only interesting thing is the clairvoyance of the main characters who guessed who is a villain based on nothing.
I will not come back to this story for sure. 2 stars for the fact I was able to finish it without abandoning (though it took me nearly a week to do it). By the way, I was surprise that I actually read only few books by Christina Dodd and only two of her historicals (including the medieval one). And I generally didn't like them which is not so surprising. Though, she probably still deserve another chance.
For the most part of the book I was wondering if the hero and the heroine at least like each other. And I couldn't stop thinking that the answer is: no, not at all. But it wasn't such a big deal because I didn't like them either. Dougald totally annoyed me being so bossy and cocksure and I found Hannah so plain that I didn't care about her.
In my opinion the problem is that the author doesn't give us any insight into the motives of her characters actions. We don't know what is the plan of Dougald regarding his wife, well, he says he wants revenge but his actions say otherwise. And even though, we have some insight into his and Hannah feelings, they are so mixed that I didn't know if they want to be with each other or not. And if the explanation is that Dougald loved Hannah for all the time but he didn't know about it so he wanted to punish her for leaving, well, to me it doesn't make it any better. For most of the book, they don't talk to each other, for God sake! And they see each other rarely! It's more like a description of the unsuccessful marriage than a romance novel.
I also didn't like the ending. I felt like Hannah gave up and lost. Okay, Dougald finally told her he loves her the way she is but I felt like she decided to be his dreamed wife abandoning her own dreams without him actually appreciating it. But this is probably only my impression.
This so called mystery or suspense part was so minor and meaningless that there is no point in writing about it. The only interesting thing is the clairvoyance of the main characters who guessed who is a villain based on nothing.
I will not come back to this story for sure. 2 stars for the fact I was able to finish it without abandoning (though it took me nearly a week to do it). By the way, I was surprise that I actually read only few books by Christina Dodd and only two of her historicals (including the medieval one). And I generally didn't like them which is not so surprising. Though, she probably still deserve another chance.
July 18, 2014
I loved this book and couldn't put it down, not at all unusual for a Christina Dodd novel. The hero was such a jerk at the beginning of the book, I wondered if even Ms. Dodd's superior storytelling skills were going to be able to redeem the manipulative, overbearing, angry Dougald, Lord Raeburn, to my satisfaction. Wise, strong-willed Hannah Setterington was the perfect woman to bring this arrogant lord to task.
The book started off on a dark, edgy note with Hannah selling her Distinguished Academy of Governesses school and taking a position as companian to an elderly woman. In this remote part of Lancastershire she hopes to discover the truth about her mysterious origens and hopefully destroy the demons of her past that have haunted her seemingly content and serene life as headmistress of a thriving school. It turns out her mysterious employer, Lord Raeburn, is none other than Dougald, a man with whom she had once shared a passionate, yet troubled relationship. He has set a trap for her by luring her to his home so he might take his revenge.
Hannah is unable to escape Dougald immediately, for their former intimate relationship gives him the knowledge and the tools needed to keep her in Lancastershire. Hannah's cunning wit, sharpened by years of experience teaching clever young girls and holding her own in the man's world of business, makes her a more difficult challenge than the conniving Dungald had expected. Both Hannah and Dungald have an axe to grind as a result of their previous relationship, and both have suffered the scars of it. The dialogue and dynamic back and forth between the two main characters sizzle with tension as both wrestle with the stong passion that failed to ebb during their years apart.
The book is full of delightful secondary characters like the four elderly eccentric "aunts" who provide humor and help move the plot along. There is the dandyish, flirtatious Seaton, heir in waiting who might not be as harmless as he seems and the old servants who are privy to the estate's dark secrets.
The novel is set in early Victorian times and contains a dark and deadly mystery, just like the Gothic novels I used to read as a teenager. Even as things get more dangerous, the book lightens up towards the end as Hannah and Dungald sort out their troubled pasts. Their difficult experiences since their parting have made them better and wiser people who are better able to rise above the ravages of their harsh childhoods.
Ms Dodd's weaving of a storyline involving Queen Victoria and her family was an added treat for me. The pace never lagged, and I read seamlessly from chapter to chapter.
The book started off on a dark, edgy note with Hannah selling her Distinguished Academy of Governesses school and taking a position as companian to an elderly woman. In this remote part of Lancastershire she hopes to discover the truth about her mysterious origens and hopefully destroy the demons of her past that have haunted her seemingly content and serene life as headmistress of a thriving school. It turns out her mysterious employer, Lord Raeburn, is none other than Dougald, a man with whom she had once shared a passionate, yet troubled relationship. He has set a trap for her by luring her to his home so he might take his revenge.
Hannah is unable to escape Dougald immediately, for their former intimate relationship gives him the knowledge and the tools needed to keep her in Lancastershire. Hannah's cunning wit, sharpened by years of experience teaching clever young girls and holding her own in the man's world of business, makes her a more difficult challenge than the conniving Dungald had expected. Both Hannah and Dungald have an axe to grind as a result of their previous relationship, and both have suffered the scars of it. The dialogue and dynamic back and forth between the two main characters sizzle with tension as both wrestle with the stong passion that failed to ebb during their years apart.
The book is full of delightful secondary characters like the four elderly eccentric "aunts" who provide humor and help move the plot along. There is the dandyish, flirtatious Seaton, heir in waiting who might not be as harmless as he seems and the old servants who are privy to the estate's dark secrets.
The novel is set in early Victorian times and contains a dark and deadly mystery, just like the Gothic novels I used to read as a teenager. Even as things get more dangerous, the book lightens up towards the end as Hannah and Dungald sort out their troubled pasts. Their difficult experiences since their parting have made them better and wiser people who are better able to rise above the ravages of their harsh childhoods.
Ms Dodd's weaving of a storyline involving Queen Victoria and her family was an added treat for me. The pace never lagged, and I read seamlessly from chapter to chapter.
August 29, 2015
I am giving this book 3 generous stars, because Christina Dodd succeeded in creating 2 very intriguing characters. I would have given 2 stars for the storyline, but for the writing and characterization, I am willing to go up.
So here goes, i find Dougald and Hannah both very strong characters. Their personalities are defined and motivations understandble.
But in this book Christina Dodd devoted too much time on the mystery and not enough time on how they reconciled the differences. Too many details about the aunts and the Queen, not enough Dougald and Hannah. They had such baggage and needed most of the story to make peace with the past and be ready for the future. The book did not offer them this opportunity. Instead we read about a mystery and their interactions with other people. I think it is really a shame. With proper relationship development, this book had a very cool premise, strong characters and good writing.
So here goes, i find Dougald and Hannah both very strong characters. Their personalities are defined and motivations understandble.
But in this book Christina Dodd devoted too much time on the mystery and not enough time on how they reconciled the differences. Too many details about the aunts and the Queen, not enough Dougald and Hannah. They had such baggage and needed most of the story to make peace with the past and be ready for the future. The book did not offer them this opportunity. Instead we read about a mystery and their interactions with other people. I think it is really a shame. With proper relationship development, this book had a very cool premise, strong characters and good writing.
September 13, 2019
I forgot that I had this book, which I purchased in 2001 - and unread!
It was well worth reading. Lots of intrigue, and I enjoyed it immensely. Slightly different from some of today's writing. However, a good plot, clever writing, and lots of characters. 4☆
It was well worth reading. Lots of intrigue, and I enjoyed it immensely. Slightly different from some of today's writing. However, a good plot, clever writing, and lots of characters. 4☆
April 9, 2024
This one started out so great, but Hannah was so whiny and immature, and took every single thing Dougald said as an insult. Dougald didn't know how to use his words. The aunts were the only redeeming characters in the book since by the end I didn't care if Hannah and Dougald stayed together or not.
May 14, 2019
The story of Hannah and Dougald, a estranged married couple that is reunited after nine years apart.
The story has one of my favorite tropes, second chances at love, but although I enjoyed it, both characters are a bit too stubborn for their own good and Hannah especially annoyed me quite a bit. Regardless, it is an engaging story that includes a mystery and a set of colorful older ladies that provide some amusement among other things.
The series continues with In My Wildest Dreams.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Rules of Engagement (Governess Brides #3)
✦ Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides #2)
✦ That Scandalous Evening (Governess Brides #1)
The story has one of my favorite tropes, second chances at love, but although I enjoyed it, both characters are a bit too stubborn for their own good and Hannah especially annoyed me quite a bit. Regardless, it is an engaging story that includes a mystery and a set of colorful older ladies that provide some amusement among other things.
The series continues with In My Wildest Dreams.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Rules of Engagement (Governess Brides #3)
✦ Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides #2)
✦ That Scandalous Evening (Governess Brides #1)
May 3, 2009
Hannah Setterington notices men following her. She believes they are agents of her husband she ran away from 9 years ago. Hannah sells her business, a school for governesses, and takes a job as a ladies companion. Since the job is in the wilds of Lancashire, she believes she will be safe. However, when she arrives she learns her employer is her husband and he is not about to let her disappear again. Since he feels she needs to pay for her abandonment as the abandonment was the start of a rumor that he had killed her, he lets the household believe she is merely a hired companion for her elderly aunt and her friends. The Aunt and her 3 friends are fairly uncontrollable and they soon have Hannah and her husband busy.
June 2, 2014
3.5/5. Hannah was lured to Raeburn Castle by it's new lord, Dougald, who sought to avenge her desertion of him 9 years earlier. She expected to be the companion for one elderly lady, instead she got 4 opinionated, eccentric old dears as well as coming face to face to face with the man she ran away from in order to find herself. The story was a bit all over the place and the romantic tension was lacking a bit but this was compensated by great secondary characters and some funny dialogue.
November 10, 2023
Enjoyed this one quite a bit. Well narrated by Karen Cass.
August 12, 2022
Dougald is an insufferable ass for most of the book, and I found myself upset at times, thinking often that he’d best fall damn hard and grovel long. But then, the story is all about revenge, and I was totally sucked into the story. The four wonderful older ladies added a lovely touch of farce (and suffering for Dougald :>)) and the mystery, atmosphere. The resolution, though lacking in the extreme grovel I was looking for, was surprisingly satisfying (and he did fall so hard). Also surprising was how believable the HEA was for these two (especially in an otherwise far-fetched story). 5 stars for an engrossing tale.
August 18, 2010
It would appear that I might have been wrong in my earlier statement that
In Bed with the Duke was where the Governess Brides series started to fall apart, because truly, this is where it started. (My Fair Temptress is the exception that proves the rule.)
At the moment, I am hard-pressed to think of a couple who have hated each other more. Both hateful and spiteful, they seem to relish the thought of the other being brought to heel. They were both so intensely unlikeable that when the moment finally came for them to admit their true, undying love, I was confused at how they had arrived at that conclusion.
But the book didn't just fail for me on characterization; it also failed plot-wise. The plot is this: someone is trying to kill the hero, as they have killed the two lords who came before him. All interesting in theory, until you get to the why of it all, which is this: in the chapel, there was buried an infant, which belonged to the hero's (supposedly maiden) aunt. Since the hero (and the lords who came before him) were planning on some renovations, they had to die.
Confounding. (In most definitions of the word.)
In Bed with the Duke was where the Governess Brides series started to fall apart, because truly, this is where it started. (My Fair Temptress is the exception that proves the rule.)
At the moment, I am hard-pressed to think of a couple who have hated each other more. Both hateful and spiteful, they seem to relish the thought of the other being brought to heel. They were both so intensely unlikeable that when the moment finally came for them to admit their true, undying love, I was confused at how they had arrived at that conclusion.
But the book didn't just fail for me on characterization; it also failed plot-wise. The plot is this: someone is trying to kill the hero, as they have killed the two lords who came before him. All interesting in theory, until you get to the why of it all, which is this: in the chapel, there was buried an infant, which belonged to the hero's (supposedly maiden) aunt. Since the hero (and the lords who came before him) were planning on some renovations, they had to die.
Confounding. (In most definitions of the word.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2013
da www.sognipensieriparole.com
Il terzo romanzo di questa serie, REGOLE D’AMORE, è forse quello meno coinvolgente. Non si può non provare una certa antipatia per Lord Raeburn, uno che almeno inizialmente non vuole che sua moglie pensi di avere il diritto di sapere dei suoi affari o di dividere le sue preoccupazioni (!), e quanto meno poca empatia con Hannah, la moglie che lo ha lasciato e dimenticato per nove anni. In parole povere: era sposata con un tizio giovane, ricco, con cui faceva gran sesso coinvolgente, ed è scappata perché si annoiava e lui non le apriva il negozio???
Anche qui poi oltre alla storia d’amore c’è un misterioso assassino da scoprire, ma la trama è un po’ illogica e frettolosa.
Il terzo romanzo di questa serie, REGOLE D’AMORE, è forse quello meno coinvolgente. Non si può non provare una certa antipatia per Lord Raeburn, uno che almeno inizialmente non vuole che sua moglie pensi di avere il diritto di sapere dei suoi affari o di dividere le sue preoccupazioni (!), e quanto meno poca empatia con Hannah, la moglie che lo ha lasciato e dimenticato per nove anni. In parole povere: era sposata con un tizio giovane, ricco, con cui faceva gran sesso coinvolgente, ed è scappata perché si annoiava e lui non le apriva il negozio???
Anche qui poi oltre alla storia d’amore c’è un misterioso assassino da scoprire, ma la trama è un po’ illogica e frettolosa.
December 24, 2019
The third book (I’m not counting the prequel as part of the series) in the Governess Brides series. It’s been many years since I last read this book, so I only had the vaguest of recollections as to what happened in this one.
I liked this one the best of the series so far – but then I do love me a reunited lovers story. There was great angst between these two, and great chemistry too. It had a lot of interesting elements that I thoroughly enjoyed. Not a perfect book, but it engaged me nicely.
I liked this one the best of the series so far – but then I do love me a reunited lovers story. There was great angst between these two, and great chemistry too. It had a lot of interesting elements that I thoroughly enjoyed. Not a perfect book, but it engaged me nicely.
August 2, 2019
I love a good banter and maybe even a shouting match as a next person, but as I was getting nearer the middle of the book I was getting more annoyed by it , because you can read about people talking to one another but not hearing what they are saying only for so long, but thankfully then the plot got more interesting and I enjoyed reading the rest of the book. From the series this is the first book I had hard time to get in to.
Read
December 21, 2018This one was most intriguing. They both started out hating each other, thinking revenge on his part and avoidance on her part. Yet when they are put together, they can't keep their hands off each other. They find that they are both different people and have grown in ways that now fit. Trow in attempted murder, usual mayhem and a visit from Queen Victoria and you have a really fun story. I really enjoy Christina Dodd.
March 6, 2014
Uma mulher fugindo do seu passado e um homem em busca de vingança. Uma história encantadora onde o mistério, a vingança, a raiva e a solidão são preenchidas com paixão, amor e descobertas e para completar um assassino a espreita. Personagens secundários dão consistência a este romance.
May 2, 2014
I really liked the first 2 in this series but I didn't care for this one. I liked the beginning and the end and the mystery portion but for some reason I didn't care for the interaction between the main couple. I liked them separately but not together.
March 28, 2015
Not a huge fan of this book. I do not like that the "hero" had been betrothed to the heroine since she was a child and how he groomed and manipulated her into marriage. I liked the aunt and her friends, but the betrayal by the heroine's friends was unforgivable.
May 23, 2019
Omg I really enjoyed this book, there were times where i wasnt sure but i really did like how it all came together. The two main characters were a treat and i just luv luv the aunts. I am so glad that i read this series.
July 14, 2009
The ending redeemed this, but that redemption came after so many painful chapters---and so many moments when I almost put the book down---that I can't in good conscience rate this book higher.
October 23, 2010
I almost didn't finish this book. The aunts caught my interest and I managed to finish it. The fighting/anger between the two main characters was almost too much.
March 23, 2013
An enjoyable read but not my favorite of the series.
May 12, 2014
Hmm, talk about brooding, arrogant, self-righteous and self-important men.... who then prove to be not quite all that. Great heroine, fun read for a rainy Sunday.
October 12, 2021
În acea clipă, domnişoara Hannah Setterington putea să afirme cu toată răspunderea că era singură. Desăvârşit, absolut, deprimant de singură. Îşi lăsă valiza să-i lunece din mână cu o bufnitură înfundată pe scândurile peronului şi privi în jur. Nicio clădire nu se ivea deasupra copacilor omniprezenţi. Nicio lumină primitoare nu strălucea printr-o fereastră cu oblon, niciun glas omenesc nu mormăia sau râdea, iar nimbul şters care înconjura Londra chiar şi în cea mai sumbră dintre nopţi era de negăsit acolo, în străfundurile Lancashire-ului. Nici măcar nu mai zărea siluetele munţilor care se ridicau în nord. Noaptea şi ceaţa se aşterneau peste ţinut, iar trenul nu mai era decât un huruit îndepărtat pe şine. Dintr-odată îşi dădu seama că voia să renunţe la slujba de îngrijitoare pentru bătrâna mătuşă a marchizei de Raeburn.
Însă cui putea să-i anunţe decizia? Servitorul care ar fi trebuit să o întâmpine era de negăsit pe drumul de ţară care şerpuia peste deal, pe lângă peron şi se pierdea în zare.
Pe deasupra, avea o misiune. Venise să-şi împlinească o dorinţă fierbinte şi nu avea de gând să plece până nu reuşea.
Deşi ştia că era imposibil să se fi înşelat, scotoci prin poşetă şi scoase scrisoarea trimisă de menajera-şefă. Mijind ochii în lumina care scădea cu repeziciune, parcurse scrisul migălos al doamnei Trenchard:
Luaţi trenul până la gara Presham pe data de 5 martie 1843.
Hannah ştia sigur că era 5 martie. Ridică privirea la semnul de deasupra peronului nou construit. Acesta proclama cu mândrie „Gara Presham”.
Voi trimite o trăsură să vă aducă la castelul Raeburn, unde stăpânul vă aşteaptă sosirea cu nerăbdare.
Tânăra femeie mai aruncă o privire la drumul îngust. Nu tu trăsură, nu tu servitori. Nimic. Vârî scrisoarea înapoi în poşetă, oftă şi se întrebă de ce o mai surprindea absurdul situaţiei. Viaţa o învăţase că eficienţa era o virtute rezervată unui număr mic de aleşi, categorie în care intra şi ea. Tocmai această eficienţă îi permisese să conducă în ultimii trei ani Distinsa Academie de Guvernante de una singură şi cu atâta succes, încât, atunci când apelase la Adorna, Lady Bucknell, pentru a o ajuta să o vândă, Adorna o cumpărase ea însăşi. „Am nevoie de ceva cu care să-mi ocup timpul de când Wynter a preluat afacerea familiei”, explicase aceasta în vreme ce completa un cec cu o sumă frumuşică.
Acum, la douăzeci şi şapte de ani, Hannah se afla în poziţia de invidiat de a nu fi nevoită să mai lucreze vreodată.
Desigur, nu avea de gând să stea cu mâinile în sân. Muncise mereu, încă de când era mică. La ţesut, cu diverse comisioane, ajutând ca fată în casă. Chiar şi la şcoală învăţase pe brânci, străduindu-se întotdeauna să fie cea mai bună… apoi avusese acea perioadă scurtă, teribilă şi minunată în care nu lucrase.
Îşi strânse mai bine pelerina la gât şi scrută din nou drumul, care se încăpăţâna să rămână gol în timp ce lumina pierea văzând cu ochii.
Însă cui putea să-i anunţe decizia? Servitorul care ar fi trebuit să o întâmpine era de negăsit pe drumul de ţară care şerpuia peste deal, pe lângă peron şi se pierdea în zare.
Pe deasupra, avea o misiune. Venise să-şi împlinească o dorinţă fierbinte şi nu avea de gând să plece până nu reuşea.
Deşi ştia că era imposibil să se fi înşelat, scotoci prin poşetă şi scoase scrisoarea trimisă de menajera-şefă. Mijind ochii în lumina care scădea cu repeziciune, parcurse scrisul migălos al doamnei Trenchard:
Luaţi trenul până la gara Presham pe data de 5 martie 1843.
Hannah ştia sigur că era 5 martie. Ridică privirea la semnul de deasupra peronului nou construit. Acesta proclama cu mândrie „Gara Presham”.
Voi trimite o trăsură să vă aducă la castelul Raeburn, unde stăpânul vă aşteaptă sosirea cu nerăbdare.
Tânăra femeie mai aruncă o privire la drumul îngust. Nu tu trăsură, nu tu servitori. Nimic. Vârî scrisoarea înapoi în poşetă, oftă şi se întrebă de ce o mai surprindea absurdul situaţiei. Viaţa o învăţase că eficienţa era o virtute rezervată unui număr mic de aleşi, categorie în care intra şi ea. Tocmai această eficienţă îi permisese să conducă în ultimii trei ani Distinsa Academie de Guvernante de una singură şi cu atâta succes, încât, atunci când apelase la Adorna, Lady Bucknell, pentru a o ajuta să o vândă, Adorna o cumpărase ea însăşi. „Am nevoie de ceva cu care să-mi ocup timpul de când Wynter a preluat afacerea familiei”, explicase aceasta în vreme ce completa un cec cu o sumă frumuşică.
Acum, la douăzeci şi şapte de ani, Hannah se afla în poziţia de invidiat de a nu fi nevoită să mai lucreze vreodată.
Desigur, nu avea de gând să stea cu mâinile în sân. Muncise mereu, încă de când era mică. La ţesut, cu diverse comisioane, ajutând ca fată în casă. Chiar şi la şcoală învăţase pe brânci, străduindu-se întotdeauna să fie cea mai bună… apoi avusese acea perioadă scurtă, teribilă şi minunată în care nu lucrase.
Îşi strânse mai bine pelerina la gât şi scrută din nou drumul, care se încăpăţâna să rămână gol în timp ce lumina pierea văzând cu ochii.
July 10, 2021
Dougald. Why can’t I say that name? Every time I read his name, it sounded like Douglas in my mind. Well, I don’t like either name so there goes it. And I ALSO didn’t like the character. Whatever was there of him anyways.
I though this book would be a good one cuz it was a second chance romance. But nope, of course I didn’t get what I wanted. There was basically no plot in this book. Nothing. That murder plot turned out to be utter nonsense. Oooh the housekeeper killing all the lords of the manor because she buried a child many years ago. The housekeeper. Seriously?? She didn’t even kill the child! Like what the hell!
Anyways the lack of plot aside, the characters weren’t any better either. They were just blank, with no character development. I didn’t even get the relationship between Hannah and Douglas. Did they even like each other? I didn’t think so. There was no chemistry between them. Douglas tricked her into coming to her because he wanted to punish her for leaving him. He wasn’t upset that she left. He didn’t worry that she could be in danger while she was gone. He was just simply mad at her and plotted his revenge all along.
There were some flashbacks to provide some insight into their previous relationship but I still didn’t get why they married. Dougald manipulated and seduced her. She was young and naive and didn’t know better. But he, he was not a good hero at all. He never loved her originally. He was condescending to her, demeaned her wishes, treated her like a child and his inferior. He never gave her the respect his wife deserved so OBVIOUSLY she ran away. Who wants to stay with a horrible man like that!
So now 9 years later, they bare both mad at each but there was no tension between them. There was just no emotion between them. The book dragged for so long and such a lame shot at creating a mystery, I was bored. He doesn’t love her so why does he want her back! Oh! Suddenly he’s like gosh I love her so much without her I’ll die. In a snap. Just like that. So all these years you had no clue huh?
And Hannah. What do I even say about her. Every time she thought she wouldn’t give in to her attraction to him, every time she vowed never to sleep with him, the next scene nevertheless showed her pleasuring him. Really. Couldn’t you just have made him suffer a little bit.
Anyways, I was disappointed cuz I’ve read two amazing books from Christina Dodd but this one totally missed the mark. Absolutely disappointing. Crossing my fingers for the next book.
I though this book would be a good one cuz it was a second chance romance. But nope, of course I didn’t get what I wanted. There was basically no plot in this book. Nothing. That murder plot turned out to be utter nonsense. Oooh the housekeeper killing all the lords of the manor because she buried a child many years ago. The housekeeper. Seriously?? She didn’t even kill the child! Like what the hell!
Anyways the lack of plot aside, the characters weren’t any better either. They were just blank, with no character development. I didn’t even get the relationship between Hannah and Douglas. Did they even like each other? I didn’t think so. There was no chemistry between them. Douglas tricked her into coming to her because he wanted to punish her for leaving him. He wasn’t upset that she left. He didn’t worry that she could be in danger while she was gone. He was just simply mad at her and plotted his revenge all along.
There were some flashbacks to provide some insight into their previous relationship but I still didn’t get why they married. Dougald manipulated and seduced her. She was young and naive and didn’t know better. But he, he was not a good hero at all. He never loved her originally. He was condescending to her, demeaned her wishes, treated her like a child and his inferior. He never gave her the respect his wife deserved so OBVIOUSLY she ran away. Who wants to stay with a horrible man like that!
So now 9 years later, they bare both mad at each but there was no tension between them. There was just no emotion between them. The book dragged for so long and such a lame shot at creating a mystery, I was bored. He doesn’t love her so why does he want her back! Oh! Suddenly he’s like gosh I love her so much without her I’ll die. In a snap. Just like that. So all these years you had no clue huh?
And Hannah. What do I even say about her. Every time she thought she wouldn’t give in to her attraction to him, every time she vowed never to sleep with him, the next scene nevertheless showed her pleasuring him. Really. Couldn’t you just have made him suffer a little bit.
Anyways, I was disappointed cuz I’ve read two amazing books from Christina Dodd but this one totally missed the mark. Absolutely disappointing. Crossing my fingers for the next book.
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