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The Glass Slipper Chronicles #2
The Earl's Honorable Intentions
A Father's Duty
As soon as Colonel Gavin Romney has healed, he'll return to war and see Bonaparte vanquished forever. Yet his children's governess is proving a formidable adversary on the home front. For pretty, determined Hannah Fletcher wants the earl to fulfill the one role he's sure is beyond him: loving parent.
Hannah can't bear to see her three motherless charges lose their father, too. When Gavin impulsively offers a marriage of convenience for the children's sake, she believes the gulf between them is too wide. Now the earl is ready to wage a very different campaign—for Hannah's tender heart, and for the family he longs to reclaim...
Glass Slipper Brides: From governess to Cinderella bride
As soon as Colonel Gavin Romney has healed, he'll return to war and see Bonaparte vanquished forever. Yet his children's governess is proving a formidable adversary on the home front. For pretty, determined Hannah Fletcher wants the earl to fulfill the one role he's sure is beyond him: loving parent.
Hannah can't bear to see her three motherless charges lose their father, too. When Gavin impulsively offers a marriage of convenience for the children's sake, she believes the gulf between them is too wide. Now the earl is ready to wage a very different campaign—for Hannah's tender heart, and for the family he longs to reclaim...
Glass Slipper Brides: From governess to Cinderella bride
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2013
107 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 6, 2017
I liked this book a lot more than #5 because there was actual conflict between the couple! It was compelling than #5, and both characters were flawed and human. It has the same issue as #5 -
November 8, 2013
This was a very interesting story. Two strong willed individuals that have each made a vow to a dying friend. The story gets interesting when they find their vows are at cross purposes with each other. Great characters and a nice story of letting go of the past and seeing events from youth with adult eyes. A romance? I'd classify it more of an inspirational historical. Not a single kiss....
March 27, 2023
I liked the main characters Hannah and Gavin but I thought the writing was too dragging.All through the story it was more about Napolean and Gavin recovering from his war injury and Hannah running things smoothly in the house.There was hardly any romantic moments in the story and I found repetitive mention of napoleon and war boring.
September 6, 2019
I read this on #KindleUnlimited
June 10, 2013
I just found out that I won this through a Good Reads FirstReads giveaway. I am very excited for it to arrive!
Hale's romance, taking place at the end of the second Napoleonic War centers around a widower and his children's governess. If this seems at first reminiscent of Jane Eyre, the reader will be surprised with a much warmer story of a relationship. Character-driven, this novel provides a deep look into the flawed (and believable) characters. Precisely because they are flawed does the reader become quickly emotionally connected to the hero and heroine of this story. As their feelings change in realistic ways, the reader is drawn into the tale and cannot help but root for them to come together in the end. While the dialogue can seem a bit contrived at times, the pacing of the novel is not. In fact, it is difficult to put the book down -- so compelling is it. Readers seeking a fun, satisfying, and plausible sweetheart romance will find this a worthwhile way to spend a few afternoons.
Hale's romance, taking place at the end of the second Napoleonic War centers around a widower and his children's governess. If this seems at first reminiscent of Jane Eyre, the reader will be surprised with a much warmer story of a relationship. Character-driven, this novel provides a deep look into the flawed (and believable) characters. Precisely because they are flawed does the reader become quickly emotionally connected to the hero and heroine of this story. As their feelings change in realistic ways, the reader is drawn into the tale and cannot help but root for them to come together in the end. While the dialogue can seem a bit contrived at times, the pacing of the novel is not. In fact, it is difficult to put the book down -- so compelling is it. Readers seeking a fun, satisfying, and plausible sweetheart romance will find this a worthwhile way to spend a few afternoons.
August 16, 2018
Although “The Earl’s Honorable Intentions” is listed as the second in “The Glass Slipper Brides” series it is the story of the second of five governesses who survived the ordeal of a poor experience school for orphan girls of the clergy where the bonded as if they were siblings. The story of Rebecca Beaton was a novella titled “The Nobleman’s Governess Bride.” This is
followed by the story of Grace Ellerby and Rupert Kendrick, a novel titled “The Baron’s Governess Bride.” In this novel, we find the story of the third Governess, Hannah Fletcher, and Gavin Romney. For the best reading experience, I recommend reading these stories in sequence; however, they work well as stand-alone stories. All three stories a well written clean works that adhere to Christian principles. Christian doctrine is consistent with the Regency period and is included in a non-preachy style that is uplifting to Christians of any type. The published synopsis is well done so I need not expand on it. At this writing, I have completed reading all five stories and heartily recommend this competent author to any who appreciate works of the Regency period.
followed by the story of Grace Ellerby and Rupert Kendrick, a novel titled “The Baron’s Governess Bride.” In this novel, we find the story of the third Governess, Hannah Fletcher, and Gavin Romney. For the best reading experience, I recommend reading these stories in sequence; however, they work well as stand-alone stories. All three stories a well written clean works that adhere to Christian principles. Christian doctrine is consistent with the Regency period and is included in a non-preachy style that is uplifting to Christians of any type. The published synopsis is well done so I need not expand on it. At this writing, I have completed reading all five stories and heartily recommend this competent author to any who appreciate works of the Regency period.
June 6, 2021
Hannah Fletcher does not have the highest opinion of her employer. Why would any man ride off to battle leaving behind his wife and young son? Now, the countess is dead and Lord Hawkehurst has returned injured. Mindful of her promise to see to her young charges, Hannah sets about persuading the earl to give up his military service. But will he be able to set aside what he sees as his duty?
This second tale in this series was a little harder to get through. While there is plenty of time for Hannah and the earl to come to know each other, it felt like many of their interactions were battles of will. They both have opposing ideas of duties, and they both have made deathbed promises they feel they must keep.
Not to mention that Lord Hawkehurst’s wife just died.
Again, the couple of the novella in the first book make an appearance, but I still don’t feel as though I know them very well. They just sort of pop-in, share words of wisdom, and then are on their way.
Overall, it’s not a bad story. It’s well written and does follow the “rags to riches” theme of the series. Readers who enjoy Regency romances with hints of Christian themes will enjoy this one.
This second tale in this series was a little harder to get through. While there is plenty of time for Hannah and the earl to come to know each other, it felt like many of their interactions were battles of will. They both have opposing ideas of duties, and they both have made deathbed promises they feel they must keep.
Not to mention that Lord Hawkehurst’s wife just died.
Again, the couple of the novella in the first book make an appearance, but I still don’t feel as though I know them very well. They just sort of pop-in, share words of wisdom, and then are on their way.
Overall, it’s not a bad story. It’s well written and does follow the “rags to riches” theme of the series. Readers who enjoy Regency romances with hints of Christian themes will enjoy this one.
June 13, 2019
Hannah Fletcher is determined to fulfill her promise to her now dead mistress to look after the children in her care. When Colonel Gavin Romney, Earl of Hawkehurst, arrives from battle, injured and exhausted, she decides to use the time to help him bond with his children. Can these two readjust the judgments they made about each other and find love along the way?
This one left me conflicted. They both made vows to dying vows, but neither one was willing to see things from the other's point of view. Hannah herself annoyed me the majority of the time. While I could understand her feelings, I found her to be pushy and I found myself skimming over much of her dialogue.
Gavin did not annoy me as much, but he did make me roll my eyes quite a bit. I'm hoping the rest of the series is a bit more entertaining.
This one left me conflicted. They both made vows to dying vows, but neither one was willing to see things from the other's point of view. Hannah herself annoyed me the majority of the time. While I could understand her feelings, I found her to be pushy and I found myself skimming over much of her dialogue.
Gavin did not annoy me as much, but he did make me roll my eyes quite a bit. I'm hoping the rest of the series is a bit more entertaining.
January 5, 2019
Lots of history about Napoleon
Because this was a story about a man dealing with the loss of his best friend at Waterloo and the promise made, it was a bit too much war and Napoleon. But the story did give you more insight for why men choose war over family. The romance part was more a counseling for the soldier and the governess. Each had previous, negative family experiences to get over. It was a lovely read and the immense research of that part of history was appreciated.
Because this was a story about a man dealing with the loss of his best friend at Waterloo and the promise made, it was a bit too much war and Napoleon. But the story did give you more insight for why men choose war over family. The romance part was more a counseling for the soldier and the governess. Each had previous, negative family experiences to get over. It was a lovely read and the immense research of that part of history was appreciated.
July 1, 2022
Lovely read for a rainy day. Easy to read and enjoyable characters, really annoying title as it has nothing to do with the actual story, lacks a bit in depth at times but a pleasant story at a more sedate pace than many romances, and yes it is predictable, no real twists or surprises but brings out many of the problems of the period and helps to create a broader picture of the napoleanic era. I would read more by this author which is more than I can say about many of the titles published by love inspired.
January 15, 2018
Misunderstandings
I love these novels about this group of young orphans who helped each other survive and find their happily ever after that they all assumed would never be them. Wow... that was a mouth full! There are many meaningful moments that are very inspiring. Here is an example: “I put so much energy into guilt and regret, yet they could not change a single moment of my past. All they did was spoil the present and threaten my future.” Very profound.
I love these novels about this group of young orphans who helped each other survive and find their happily ever after that they all assumed would never be them. Wow... that was a mouth full! There are many meaningful moments that are very inspiring. Here is an example: “I put so much energy into guilt and regret, yet they could not change a single moment of my past. All they did was spoil the present and threaten my future.” Very profound.
April 12, 2019
This book in the series is my least favorite so far. I loved Grace’s story, and Rebeca’s, but this one just seemed to drag on and on about Gavin’s desire to go get Napoleon... to the point where you could cut out half the book and they could’ve resolved the issue sooner- I found myself skipping over his desires to leave over and over until I could get to their real interactions. I did like getting to know their characters, as the book does have a lot of time to repeat over and over who they are
May 10, 2023
I enjoyed this story. It was a bit heavy on the "I'm not worthy of you" plot. He feels like a jerk who only knows war and men and she feels below him because she is an orphan and a governess. I have read the first two stories in the series so I am invested in all of this world and enjoyed it. I just like the way Hale writes her regency's. There is a bit of religion this is very clean. I read it with a different cover on Amazon KU.
August 7, 2018
This review is for books 1-4 in the series. This is a clean romance series about a group of young women who after facing hard times in the past meet their matches and fall in love. Their stories are heart warming and engaging. I finished this series very quickly and enjoyed the reads. I will have to look for more from this author.
September 7, 2021
Hannah was more than surprised when Gavin entered the church for his wife's funeral smelling like alcohol, stumbling down the aisle and dressed more like a beggar than the Earl he is. She quickly learned he was hurt and just before death himself. Read this book to find out how all the things the first wife of Gavin misled her her in thinking he was a thoughtless husband and Father.
March 20, 2018
This was a great story! I love when characters change their minds about another person when they get to know them better. I think that’s why I love Pride and Prejudice so much. Anyway, I enjoyed this a lot!
5 stars.
5 stars.
May 13, 2018
A clean and OK read.
July 26, 2018
So-so
The story seemed to drag at times since one of the main characters was sick so there was not a lot of action to be had.
The story seemed to drag at times since one of the main characters was sick so there was not a lot of action to be had.
August 15, 2018
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
November 6, 2018
Enjoyed reading this 1st in a series about several orphaned clergy daughters. Can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of the girls.
May 13, 2023
Wonderful.
This was well written. I enjoyed it very much. I can not wait to read the next one in the series.
This was well written. I enjoyed it very much. I can not wait to read the next one in the series.
August 21, 2024
2/5
Aburrido
Aburrido
March 10, 2020
3.5 stars
For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...
For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot...
August 15, 2020
#3 Glass Slipper Brides
The Earl has made a vow to his dying friend. The governess of his son has made a vow to his late wife on her deathbed. Their vows seem to run contrary to each other – how can they both fulfil the vows they have made?
Both struggle with feelings of failure and unworthiness.
Both have formed strong, unfavourable opinions of the other, and are now feeling disconcerted as their former opinions are revised.
Both are concerned about the romantic feelings they should not be feeling towards each other!
This story is set against the background of the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon has been captured – now the question is, what is to be done with him so he can’t escape to start another war. The Earl wants to do his part in ensuring that Napoleon can’t return to do damage a 3rd time. Battle wounds though, enforce him to his home to recuperate. Being a soldier is the only thing he is good at – but Hannah Fletcher, his son’s governess and late wife’s confidant, is slowly showing him that maybe he’s not the failure he’s always thought he was and that his home is a place where he can succeed.
I loved the depth of feelings expressed in this story and how the passion was there, bubbling under the surface, but due to the circumstances was not expressed.
I enjoyed getting to meet again characters from The Baron’s Governess Bride, as well as meeting new friends. While I really enjoyed reading The Baron’s Governess Bride last year, it is this story which has made me want to put the first 2 books on my gift list, and am now hoping that Deborah Hale is writing a story for Leah and Evangeline also!
*I received a copy from the author through the LIH Group here on Goodreads. I was not required to write any review.*
The Earl has made a vow to his dying friend. The governess of his son has made a vow to his late wife on her deathbed. Their vows seem to run contrary to each other – how can they both fulfil the vows they have made?
Both struggle with feelings of failure and unworthiness.
Both have formed strong, unfavourable opinions of the other, and are now feeling disconcerted as their former opinions are revised.
Both are concerned about the romantic feelings they should not be feeling towards each other!
This story is set against the background of the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon has been captured – now the question is, what is to be done with him so he can’t escape to start another war. The Earl wants to do his part in ensuring that Napoleon can’t return to do damage a 3rd time. Battle wounds though, enforce him to his home to recuperate. Being a soldier is the only thing he is good at – but Hannah Fletcher, his son’s governess and late wife’s confidant, is slowly showing him that maybe he’s not the failure he’s always thought he was and that his home is a place where he can succeed.
I loved the depth of feelings expressed in this story and how the passion was there, bubbling under the surface, but due to the circumstances was not expressed.
I enjoyed getting to meet again characters from The Baron’s Governess Bride, as well as meeting new friends. While I really enjoyed reading The Baron’s Governess Bride last year, it is this story which has made me want to put the first 2 books on my gift list, and am now hoping that Deborah Hale is writing a story for Leah and Evangeline also!
*I received a copy from the author through the LIH Group here on Goodreads. I was not required to write any review.*
May 27, 2013
Deborah Hale is one of my most reliable historical romance authors - she regularly delivers a great story and good characters (I love her heroes). The Earl's Honorable Intentions is a nice little read, and if you are not generally of the audience who reads from the "Love Inspired" category I would also say that nuances in the novel that put it in that category are not intrusive at all. (I am not a regular Love Inspired reader, but will follow Deborah Hale pretty much wherever she goes).
This book is set around the Napoleonic Wars, and the hero, Gavin Romney, is one of it's many victims, physically and psychologically. Hannah Fletcher, his children's governess, is challenged with breaking through Gavin's sense of failure - as a soldier, a father and a husband, but in the process must struggle with her own sense of abandonment and failures from when she was a child. The story is an intimate one, focusing mostly on the hero and heroine, and their chemistry is very good.
I did struggle a little bit with the heroine in this book - which is why this is a three and not a four star review. Hannah's internal conflict, which drove relationship with the Earl and his eldest son, was hard for me to identify with. There were just times she felt a little clingy, or something, but I am sure it's because I was having a hard time connecting with her backstory. At the end of the book the author said she struggled a bit with parts of this book and I wonder if this was it.
That being said, I still thought it was a fine read, a gentle romance (which I have a soft spot for) and well worth a look by anyone who enjoys regency romances.
This book is set around the Napoleonic Wars, and the hero, Gavin Romney, is one of it's many victims, physically and psychologically. Hannah Fletcher, his children's governess, is challenged with breaking through Gavin's sense of failure - as a soldier, a father and a husband, but in the process must struggle with her own sense of abandonment and failures from when she was a child. The story is an intimate one, focusing mostly on the hero and heroine, and their chemistry is very good.
I did struggle a little bit with the heroine in this book - which is why this is a three and not a four star review. Hannah's internal conflict, which drove relationship with the Earl and his eldest son, was hard for me to identify with. There were just times she felt a little clingy, or something, but I am sure it's because I was having a hard time connecting with her backstory. At the end of the book the author said she struggled a bit with parts of this book and I wonder if this was it.
That being said, I still thought it was a fine read, a gentle romance (which I have a soft spot for) and well worth a look by anyone who enjoys regency romances.
August 25, 2016
I have been having such a hard time wanting to finish this book, I don't think I can. The main issue I have is that there is more reading of their internal thought dialog than actual dialog between the two characters. It gets so tiresome to read repetitive debating about the other character's intentions, their constant uncertainty about their feelings towards the other person, etc, etc. It was just too much rambling. Very little action and way too little actual dialog. At one point I started skipping paragraphs at a time because it would be a paragraph of their thoughts after one sentence uttered in the discussion they were having and I realized how disjointed their conversation was. It was almost as if they were replying to their thoughts and not each other's remarks.
The other problem I had a hard time getting over is the fact that this governess spent the whole time in the master's bed chamber. A governess did not go into the master's bed chamber for any reason, none whatsoever! I'm sorry, but no. no. no. Besides the fact that that was completely unacceptable, who was caring for the children?! She wasn't, she was in the master's chambers the whole time. Apparently they had a nursemaid to babysit, but it was just ridiculous. She lamented how she couldn't leave the children because it would be too traumatic after losing their mother, yet she sees so little of them while spending time with their father.
This was just a little too boring and unrealistic.
The other problem I had a hard time getting over is the fact that this governess spent the whole time in the master's bed chamber. A governess did not go into the master's bed chamber for any reason, none whatsoever! I'm sorry, but no. no. no. Besides the fact that that was completely unacceptable, who was caring for the children?! She wasn't, she was in the master's chambers the whole time. Apparently they had a nursemaid to babysit, but it was just ridiculous. She lamented how she couldn't leave the children because it would be too traumatic after losing their mother, yet she sees so little of them while spending time with their father.
This was just a little too boring and unrealistic.
September 10, 2016
Hannah is the nanny to 3 wonderful children whose mother has recently passed away. As she is sitting in the pew during the funeral the deceases husband, Gavin, finally arrives but according to Hannah he is too late. As Hannah holds resentments at Gavin's absence during his wife's illness and his incisive need to go back to war immediately, Gavin is holding his own resentments against himself for allowing Bonaparte's war that killed his best friend. He will do anything to get Bonaparte and have him never start another war. Once he recovers will he go back to war or stay with the woman and children he has fallen in love with?
This book was just too slow for me. It revolved around a man who is healing in bed and learning to slow down and love his kids. No romance happened at all. by the time they fell in love I was done reading.
This book was just too slow for me. It revolved around a man who is healing in bed and learning to slow down and love his kids. No romance happened at all. by the time they fell in love I was done reading.
May 29, 2016
I like stories about the aristocracy. I just do. So I was looking forward to this one, even though it has one of my pet peeve cliches: Using the kids to get the couple together. Luckily, there were a few other things going on here.
The back cover description unfortunately SPOILS something that doesn't happen until 200 pages into the book. Sometimes I think whoever writes the back/titles the book/approves the cover art on these paperback romances only reads like an outline or something. Read the whole book, please.
Another negative: over-use of characters from the other crossover books in the series to try to get you interested.
Another positive: actual historical context and events play a pivotal role in the plot. Not just a story where you can change the characters' descriptions and plunk them into any old time frame.
The back cover description unfortunately SPOILS something that doesn't happen until 200 pages into the book. Sometimes I think whoever writes the back/titles the book/approves the cover art on these paperback romances only reads like an outline or something. Read the whole book, please.
Another negative: over-use of characters from the other crossover books in the series to try to get you interested.
Another positive: actual historical context and events play a pivotal role in the plot. Not just a story where you can change the characters' descriptions and plunk them into any old time frame.
July 7, 2015
I liked this story. The heroine is a governess whose countess employer has just died. The hero barely makes it home from the war in time for the funeral, staggering drunk, apparently. Until he collapses from a wound immediately afterward. Determined to keep him home to become a father to his children-- infant twins and a son of 5 or 6-- the heroine takes on the task of nursing him back to health. The story has enough conflict and angst to support it without going all floppy and dull. The characters are interesting and definitely not bland. They even get into some blistering arguments, though they feel bad about it almost immediately. It is a thoroughly enjoyable story. I liked it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews