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Glass Slipper Brides #4
The Duke's Marriage Mission
What governess would refuse a duke? Exuberant, opinionated, irrepressible Leah Shaw, that's who. Since her arrival at Renforth Hall, the Duke of Northam's young son has thrived. Leah, intent on traveling abroad, insists she will stay for one year only. Marriage would change everything—if only Hayden Latimer, the duke, knew how to woo a woman who wants nothing to do with matrimony.
All the duke's wealth could not buy Leah the one thing she cherishes most: her independence. But if an overprotective father can give his son room to grow, can she learn to put down roots? For it's every woman's prerogative to change her mind…when her heart is guiding her toward love.
All the duke's wealth could not buy Leah the one thing she cherishes most: her independence. But if an overprotective father can give his son room to grow, can she learn to put down roots? For it's every woman's prerogative to change her mind…when her heart is guiding her toward love.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
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790 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 7, 2019
Take the worst parts of The Secret Garden, add it to the worst parts of Jane Eyre, then multiply by ten.
I give you this book.
There was nothing spectacularly wrong with it. I found it squeaky clean and conventional enough. It just bored me silly. The couple's immediate attraction, stupid misunderstandings, and lame fights left me irritated. The little boy was a precocious brat. The servants way too chummy. And the arguments for marriage (it does not have to mean giving up freedom!) came as subtly as a fence post to the head.
Left me irritated but not mad. So I guess closer to 2 stars? But not my favorite.
I give you this book.
There was nothing spectacularly wrong with it. I found it squeaky clean and conventional enough. It just bored me silly. The couple's immediate attraction, stupid misunderstandings, and lame fights left me irritated. The little boy was a precocious brat. The servants way too chummy. And the arguments for marriage (it does not have to mean giving up freedom!) came as subtly as a fence post to the head.
Left me irritated but not mad. So I guess closer to 2 stars? But not my favorite.
March 6, 2018
Well written but horribly edited....still enjoyable simple story. Very cute :)
September 28, 2021
Setting was Sommerset, England, July 1816. This had a
spiritual element.
5 girls who lived at a charity school, became friends and
all became governesses. They corresponded & made in-
frequent visits. This served as the story of friend #4.
Hayden (a duke) and Leah (governess) acted too prickly
towards each other. They had the same argument sev-
eral times: Hayden wanted to overprotect his invalid son
Kit, while Leah wanted to expand Kit's world/experiences.
Leah would likely have been fired for being too blunt with
the duke & offering unsolicited advice. But then again, Kit
was 7 and only learned to read & write at Leah's insistence!
Hayden felt too cautious in his life. He was missing a spark:
why was Leah drawn to him? Hayden became angry at Leah,
then apologized, then angry again.....
The first half was better than the 2nd. Doubtful that the H
would permit his employee, h, a 2 week Christmas holiday
for one who served less than 6 months in his home. This
would have been a better story w/o : the re-hashed convos
& Leah's selfish action (towards the end). I became vexed
w/ Leah's attitude & wondered: did she deserve a HEA?
spiritual element.
5 girls who lived at a charity school, became friends and
all became governesses. They corresponded & made in-
frequent visits. This served as the story of friend #4.
Hayden (a duke) and Leah (governess) acted too prickly
towards each other. They had the same argument sev-
eral times: Hayden wanted to overprotect his invalid son
Kit, while Leah wanted to expand Kit's world/experiences.
Leah would likely have been fired for being too blunt with
the duke & offering unsolicited advice. But then again, Kit
was 7 and only learned to read & write at Leah's insistence!
Hayden felt too cautious in his life. He was missing a spark:
why was Leah drawn to him? Hayden became angry at Leah,
then apologized, then angry again.....
The first half was better than the 2nd. Doubtful that the H
would permit his employee, h, a 2 week Christmas holiday
for one who served less than 6 months in his home. This
would have been a better story w/o : the re-hashed convos
& Leah's selfish action (towards the end). I became vexed
w/ Leah's attitude & wondered: did she deserve a HEA?
Read
November 2, 2013Miniseries: Glass Slipper Brides
November 12, 2025
Potentially offensive items: violence threatened against women, lying by omission
I really didn't feel the romance in this one. Both the main characters were so focused on the child that it did not come off as anything more than two people agreeing to be together because that was in Kit's best interest. The few moments where there seemed to be something more than a mutual working together were brief and not enough for me to feel any romance. It also irritated me that Forcing someone to do something they are uncomfortable with isn't love, and this happened more than halfway through the novel. It was hard finishing a book with a female lead that I did not care about and who was selfish--and justified her selfishness because she "knew" she was right.
The ending was also eye-rolling.
I really didn't feel the romance in this one. Both the main characters were so focused on the child that it did not come off as anything more than two people agreeing to be together because that was in Kit's best interest. The few moments where there seemed to be something more than a mutual working together were brief and not enough for me to feel any romance. It also irritated me that Forcing someone to do something they are uncomfortable with isn't love, and this happened more than halfway through the novel. It was hard finishing a book with a female lead that I did not care about and who was selfish--and justified her selfishness because she "knew" she was right.
The ending was also eye-rolling.
August 24, 2019
4.5 rating on this one. It is similar to other stories of it's kind, but I loved the characters in this one. Leah is our governess and she is a bold and sassy gal. She didn't have an easy upbringing having gone to the (I believe it was) Pendergast School where she was often switched and mocked and treated horribly. She grew a strong outer shell but also learned that wit and sarcasm went a long way to helping her keep her humanity.
The Duke, Hayden, and his son Kit have also had a difficult life. Kit was a premie, and because of that the doctor said that he was frail and had to be kept in his bed and given light stuff to eat - well, when Leah got her hands on him she gently brought him back to health - but not without a great struggle with his father who wanted to keep him wrapped in cotton!
The two are afraid to fall in love, she because she's afraid she will lose her freedom and he because of the loss he's already suffered. Will they ever see eye to eye? Can they ever get together? I guess you'll have to read the story to find out!
This is the third book in the series, but I hadn't read the first two books, and although I could tell it was part of a series I didn't need to read the other books for this one to make sense.
This is a clean read.
The Duke, Hayden, and his son Kit have also had a difficult life. Kit was a premie, and because of that the doctor said that he was frail and had to be kept in his bed and given light stuff to eat - well, when Leah got her hands on him she gently brought him back to health - but not without a great struggle with his father who wanted to keep him wrapped in cotton!
The two are afraid to fall in love, she because she's afraid she will lose her freedom and he because of the loss he's already suffered. Will they ever see eye to eye? Can they ever get together? I guess you'll have to read the story to find out!
This is the third book in the series, but I hadn't read the first two books, and although I could tell it was part of a series I didn't need to read the other books for this one to make sense.
This is a clean read.
January 30, 2024
Apparently I've read one of these before and gave it a two-star review.
I didn't realize that when I picked this up.
From the difference in the books, I would say that Ms. Hale has done what most 'Love, Inspired' writers fail to do: She has *improved* her writing skills.
In this book, a headstrong orphan girl turned governess is hired by the Duke's sister to oversee the education of his son. The boy is disabled, and being slowly poisoned with laudanum by the doctor, in the name of 'subduing' the child. When she steps in and starts making changes, all Hades breaks loose.
But slowly the Duke realizes that his son is coming to life, growing stronger, learning quicker, finding himself happier. The duke feels the same, and wants to keep Miss Shaw... but she has only agreed to one year with them, as she wants her independence and has wanderlust - a desire to see the world.
It's a sweet, well-done story, with only a few niggly bits (why is her fortune never mentioned? why doesn't he ever offer to travel WITH her? why is the difficulty with her being outside of the peerage mentioned, but never actually addressed?). If you can let those things go, however, this is a delightful read.
I didn't realize that when I picked this up.
From the difference in the books, I would say that Ms. Hale has done what most 'Love, Inspired' writers fail to do: She has *improved* her writing skills.
In this book, a headstrong orphan girl turned governess is hired by the Duke's sister to oversee the education of his son. The boy is disabled, and being slowly poisoned with laudanum by the doctor, in the name of 'subduing' the child. When she steps in and starts making changes, all Hades breaks loose.
But slowly the Duke realizes that his son is coming to life, growing stronger, learning quicker, finding himself happier. The duke feels the same, and wants to keep Miss Shaw... but she has only agreed to one year with them, as she wants her independence and has wanderlust - a desire to see the world.
It's a sweet, well-done story, with only a few niggly bits (why is her fortune never mentioned? why doesn't he ever offer to travel WITH her? why is the difficulty with her being outside of the peerage mentioned, but never actually addressed?). If you can let those things go, however, this is a delightful read.
August 16, 2018
I was impressed with this Regency period story. When I downloaded “The Nobleman’s Governess Bride” I found it to be a Novella paired with “The Baron’s Governess Bride), a Novel, which I will review separately. The four-book series chronicles the stories of five separate Governesses, two of which are told in “The Glass Slipper Chronicles #1. All five Governesses attended school together and have maintained contact over the years. Although tied together, each story works well as a stand-alone offering. This novella, “The Nobleman’s Governess Bride, is the story of Rebecca Beaton and Sebastian Stanhope, Viscount Benedict. Ms. Hale has a captivating writing style that keeps the reader well involved in the story from beginning to end. The few very obvious mistakes that a novice editor should easily have discovered were not significant distractions. Christian themes were present, but not dominant throughout the story; however, the story was squeaky clean. For those seeking sneak peeks into the storyline, I recommend reading other reviewers. However, I heartily endorse Deborah Hale as an author of Regency Romance that is well worth reading.
August 9, 2019
Well-written old English royalty romance novel about a governess who surprises a widower Duke when his sister, unknown to him, hires her. Young and more spirited, she and the Duke clash over the need to allow his bedridden son more privileges. Gradually she wins him over, especially as Kit, the son, is ready to attempt new adventures. Very in-depth and dramatic story about how their past conflicts are reflected in their everyday attitudes that are very difficult to overcome and change. When affections grow between them and the Duke would like to pursue a courtship, Leah is torn between her desire to travel and whether his affections are for her or a need for a permanent caretaker for his son. Without ruining the conclusion, this clean romance is highly recommended for those who enjoy a more intellectual portrayal of royal life.
June 15, 2020
Love cannot prevent all harm but it can provide strength and solace to triumph over whatever trials life may bring.
Leah Shaw values independence above all else, so when she's assigned as a governess to young Kit, a child who cannot walk, she tries her best to still give him freedom somehow. But her methods are met with disapproval from Hayden, Kit's overprotective dad.
This a wholesome historical romance, cute and feel-good. It has some Christian overtones but it's not that preachy.
Leah Shaw values independence above all else, so when she's assigned as a governess to young Kit, a child who cannot walk, she tries her best to still give him freedom somehow. But her methods are met with disapproval from Hayden, Kit's overprotective dad.
This a wholesome historical romance, cute and feel-good. It has some Christian overtones but it's not that preachy.
November 10, 2021
Could Leah Shaw help The Duke loosen up the reins on his son and let him have a normal life? She knew she had to fight to for this child and his Father. The Duke loved this child, but had many guilty feelings which made him make some wrong decisions. Though Leah and Hayden disagreed on the things Kit should be able to do their love for him helped the live they had for each other grow. Both had been hurt in their childhoods and it took working together to put those hurts behind them.
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.
May 16, 2023
Love, Love, Love this book.
I loved this book. It took us to the 4th friend of the 5. It brought more life to the group and was very well written.
I can not wait to see what the final story says.
I loved this book. It took us to the 4th friend of the 5. It brought more life to the group and was very well written.
I can not wait to see what the final story says.
September 22, 2017
It took me two tries several years apart to finally finish this book.
July 28, 2018
Fun story
Sweet story that has the happy ending you want it to have. Characters were likable and the story timeframe was long enough to be believable.
Sweet story that has the happy ending you want it to have. Characters were likable and the story timeframe was long enough to be believable.
August 3, 2018
I really enjoyed it until about the last 15% - 4 🌟 for the beginning and middle, 2 🌟 for the end. The ending seemed disjointed and thrown together.
August 16, 2018
Romance
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you very much for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books.
I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Thank you very much for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books.
March 29, 2019
Light & sweet, but generally far too many unrealistic moments and events. I liked the basic story of it, though.
August 29, 2019
Love can heal many empty painful hearts
Pushy women are good when they see hurt in other's heart. Even over looking their own pain.
How often do we carry unnecessary quilt?
Pushy women are good when they see hurt in other's heart. Even over looking their own pain.
How often do we carry unnecessary quilt?
September 9, 2019
I read this on #KindleUnlimited
March 4, 2020
Very cute. Leah is determined to have an independent lifestyle and travel the world. This book in the series ask the question can you be married and still have your independence.
March 14, 2020
Freedom Defined
Freedom is not the ability to do what you want but rather the ability to be all that God has provided for you to be.
Freedom is not the ability to do what you want but rather the ability to be all that God has provided for you to be.
August 1, 2020
Fun story
Good, clean, romantic story about the next governess to find her way to love in the Glass Slipper Chronicles. Very pleasant read.
Good, clean, romantic story about the next governess to find her way to love in the Glass Slipper Chronicles. Very pleasant read.
April 19, 2024
Just ok. Nothing spectacular about the story, but an easy, cute read.
April 15, 2019
Great reading love the story line
Leah grew up with the idea of marriage is a form of bondage and all freedom is taken away from her a blind grandmother the only family she had. Hayden is a over protective Father who is so protective of his crippled son he almost keeps him like a prisoner in his room. When love over come their fears.
Leah grew up with the idea of marriage is a form of bondage and all freedom is taken away from her a blind grandmother the only family she had. Hayden is a over protective Father who is so protective of his crippled son he almost keeps him like a prisoner in his room. When love over come their fears.
August 19, 2016
Leah Shaw is a spunky governess who has entered the doors of Renforth Hall. Unknown to the Duke, she has come to care for his sick child, Christopher Latimer, Lord Renforth—Master Kit to Miss Shaw. Almost immediately, Leah and Master Kit become friends and soon thereafter she longs to widen his world. At present, all he has ever known are the four walls of his nursery. Of course, Leah Shaw is in for a big surprise when she meets Hayden Latimer, Duke of Northam.
Upon first acquaintance, the Duke does not know who Leah Shaw is or why she is here talking to his son. He did not send word for a governess to come and take of Kit. He fears that Kit could get seriously hurt, and Kit does not need to be disillusioned by this young woman. His son must understand that his life is and always will be very different than other children his age.
Of course, Leah does not agree with these statements. She wants to build a bridge for Kit, so that he can explore the world and Renforth Hall. She also hopes to bring the Duke and his son closer together. The tension that resides in Renforth Hall has held the Duke for too long.
Can Leah succeed in helping Kit while also helping his father? Will the Duke relent and allow the young governess to teach his son?
Deborah Hale’s novel, The Duke’s Marriage Mission, proves to be an excellent read—especially for those who love period pieces.
This text is set in Somerset, England during the Regency era.
Upon first acquaintance, the Duke does not know who Leah Shaw is or why she is here talking to his son. He did not send word for a governess to come and take of Kit. He fears that Kit could get seriously hurt, and Kit does not need to be disillusioned by this young woman. His son must understand that his life is and always will be very different than other children his age.
Of course, Leah does not agree with these statements. She wants to build a bridge for Kit, so that he can explore the world and Renforth Hall. She also hopes to bring the Duke and his son closer together. The tension that resides in Renforth Hall has held the Duke for too long.
Can Leah succeed in helping Kit while also helping his father? Will the Duke relent and allow the young governess to teach his son?
Deborah Hale’s novel, The Duke’s Marriage Mission, proves to be an excellent read—especially for those who love period pieces.
This text is set in Somerset, England during the Regency era.
March 27, 2020
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
10/19/2015-
“What a cute story. Leah was so fun--she would make a great Occupational Therapist in today's world. Kit was a cutie and his father wasn't so bad. I was impressed that there was only one semi-detailed kiss.”
Main Content-
*Minor cussing (drat and wretched); Mentions of hitting & scars; A couple mentions of drinking & alcohol; A mention of gambling.
*Three hand kisses, a boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed hand kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Touches (up to semi-detailed); Remembering touches & hand kisses (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Hayden's wife died in childbirth; Mentions of kisses; A couple mentions of a governess who suffered unwelcome attention from gentlemen in the houses where she worked; A couple mentions of children born out of wedlock; A couple mentions of butting in/out of someone's business; A mention of miscarriages; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
10/19/2015-
“What a cute story. Leah was so fun--she would make a great Occupational Therapist in today's world. Kit was a cutie and his father wasn't so bad. I was impressed that there was only one semi-detailed kiss.”
Main Content-
*Minor cussing (drat and wretched); Mentions of hitting & scars; A couple mentions of drinking & alcohol; A mention of gambling.
*Three hand kisses, a boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed hand kiss, and a semi-detailed kiss; Touches (up to semi-detailed); Remembering touches & hand kisses (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Hayden's wife died in childbirth; Mentions of kisses; A couple mentions of a governess who suffered unwelcome attention from gentlemen in the houses where she worked; A couple mentions of children born out of wedlock; A couple mentions of butting in/out of someone's business; A mention of miscarriages; Love, falling in love, & the emotions.
June 10, 2021
On arriving at Renford Abbey, Miss Leah Shaw is astonished to learn she was neither expected nor wanted there. The Duke of Northam has done everything he can to protect his invalid son, and is alarmed by the forthright governess his sister has sent against his wishes. The duke's son takes a shine to Leah, and she sets about improving matters. Over the course of the year, attraction forms between the Duke and Leah but will the disparity in their rank ruin their love?
I did not like Leah Shaw at first. The way she strode in and took over came across as rude. Her habit of believing herself right and then manipulating matters to get matters rubbed me the wrong way. The Duke was a sympathetic character. His desire to protect his son leads him to being smothering, but is willing to be reasoned with.
The plot allows for our main characters to have plenty of time to get to know each other. There are large leaps of time in the plot, so it moves quickly.
Overall, it is a sweet romance. Readers who enjoy a Regency fairy tale with Christian overtones will enjoy this one.
I did not like Leah Shaw at first. The way she strode in and took over came across as rude. Her habit of believing herself right and then manipulating matters to get matters rubbed me the wrong way. The Duke was a sympathetic character. His desire to protect his son leads him to being smothering, but is willing to be reasoned with.
The plot allows for our main characters to have plenty of time to get to know each other. There are large leaps of time in the plot, so it moves quickly.
Overall, it is a sweet romance. Readers who enjoy a Regency fairy tale with Christian overtones will enjoy this one.
June 30, 2016
It was alright. I liked the the governess sticking up for the duke's son, while at the same time not usurping the father. She was able to creatively find ways to bring the boy more freedom and show the father changes could be made.
I did find it completely unbelievable that she didn't know why at times the servants didn't associate with her. That was simply how it was for governesses during that time. They didn't fit into either world and were often very lonely.
When I started this book I had no idea it was fourth in a series. There was nothing in the description of the eBook to suggest so and this is the first time I've read this author. I didn't feel it made much of a difference or make it hard to follow anyway.
I think it was just OK. I didn't feel much for the characters so I don't think I'll make a hurry to read her other books.
I did find it completely unbelievable that she didn't know why at times the servants didn't associate with her. That was simply how it was for governesses during that time. They didn't fit into either world and were often very lonely.
When I started this book I had no idea it was fourth in a series. There was nothing in the description of the eBook to suggest so and this is the first time I've read this author. I didn't feel it made much of a difference or make it hard to follow anyway.
I think it was just OK. I didn't feel much for the characters so I don't think I'll make a hurry to read her other books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews