The Marquess' Governess Bride

Regency Expedient Marriages #4

by Dorothy Sheldon

In society's demands and hidden truths, the Marquess of Everdeane faces a daunting fulfill a duty or follow his heart. When a captivating governess enters their lives, secrets unravel, sparking a forbidden love that defies expectations. As their bond deepens and revelations surface, their story becomes a riveting journey of sacrifice, passion, and the transformative power of truth in a world where love challenges convention at every turn.

Bachelor Edmund Adair, Marquess of Everdeane, is the guardian of a young girl he loves above all else. To ensure her future, he reluctantly searches in vain for a suitable stepmother for her among the ladies of the ton. Meanwhile, his parents’ favourite pursues him. He can’t stand her, but she won’t take no for an answer. Then, he hires a governess who instantly bonds with his ward—and steals his heart. Caught in a web of lies and secrets not of his making but which threaten both him and the girl, his love for the governess seems an impossible dream.

Baron’s daughter Emma Cavendish must leave her old life behind and lie about her past to gain employment as governess to the young ward of the Marquess of Everdeane. Quickly bonding with her charge, she’s clueless about the tragic yet scandalous secret behind the child’s origins. Drawn inexorably to her handsome employer, Emma slowly falls for him but knows he’s soon to be betrothed to a beautiful lady of the ton. Heartbroken, she’s resigned to leaving the two people she loves behind. But first, she’ll tell the Marquess the truth about her past. But he has truths to deliver too, shocking truths that will have life-changing effects on all their futures.

*Get this captivating love story today, If you like engaging characters, heart-wrenching twists and turns, and lots of romance! Dive into the heartwarming and compelling novel of struggle and empowerment, grab your favorite drink, settle into your preferred reading spot, and enjoy this romantic tale!Also available with Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Historical Romance

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2023

Reviews

[Milica]

So clunky! I wonder if the author’s friends and relations are the ones giving this book high marks.

The interactions between characters are completely at odds with the mores of the era. There are many typos including the instance where the “hero” is referred to as Edward instead of Edmund. The passage of time is iffy as well ....

[Lazy Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing is about fifth grade level….maybe less.

The story was very limited. No depth of character in anyone in the story. Saying that, there was also no developing of any of the characters, thus the two stars.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is exactly what daytime soap operas would be like if they were written into a novel. Overacting, stilted dialogue, too many details that don't matter, awful false characters, etc. None of these people behaves like a real person.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another delightful read by the author. I’ve read many of her books and they are always well written, good stories, great characters and clean, feel good books. In this book, Emma Cavendish runs away from her brother’s home to avoid being married off to an old man. After the death of her parents, her brother took control of her life and he and his wife wanted her to marry this old man for the money since her brother was gambling it away. She didn’t want to do that so she ran away and with the help of dear friends got a job as a governess for a Marquess, Edmund, and his ward, Eloise. The Marquess has a lot of secrets of his own but there is a strong feeling between him and Emma. A feeling that they both try to hide and deny since she was in a lower station in life. The story continues as he is pushed to marry someone who would be dreadful for Elosie and a horrible person and Edmund and Emma dealing with the knowledge of knowing they love each other. It has a great ending and is a great feel good story.

[Brianna Clancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be fine to give your eleven year old who is intrigued by historical romance but not ready for Tessa Dare or Kerrigan Byrne.

Time passage is questionable, it’s full of typos, and there are enough grammatical errors to take you out of the story telling. The heroine started out interesting- love a gal who takes her life into her own hands- but the further you get, the more she resembles a loaf of white bread.

There are too many characters and none of them are developed. The only interesting person is the villain, who you are supposed to hate. The dialogue is clunky and the internal monologues are so repetitive I asked myself more than once if I had not actually turned the page. There are many “Regency Rules” that I would consider common knowledge amongst Historical Romance enthusiasts that were either poorly executed or ignored altogether.

The major plot points are interesting and had the potential to tell an intriguing tale, but the execution was similar to an eighth grade creative writing assignment.

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous

Quite frankly, the bare skeleton of the plot is okay, but the rest is nonsense.
Where to start with the ludicrous, inaccurate scenarios?
The interaction with the housekeeper & the cook acting like a maid.
The way Hortense & her mother (a Countess & wife of an Earl) talk rudely to the Marquis, son of a Duke is outrageous. They’d be put firmly & humiliatingly in their place.
The whole nonsense of ‘escorting the governess’ - he escorted his ward in company with both the governess and Nanny.
Lacks proper knowledge of the period and any proper research.
There are a host of writing errors that an experienced editor would have corrected.
Avoid this one.

[Theresa Wachal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Governess in disguise

After the death of her parents in a carriage accident, Emma became controlled by her cruel brother. He and his wife not only kept Emma from any funds, they arranged for her to marry an old rich man. Fortunately, Emma was able to run away. With the help of friends who wrote references she was able to get a wonderful job as a governess to the sweet girl who is Edmund’s ward. Both Edmund and Emma are affected by secrets which prevent them from being able to express their true feelings. Regency restrictions seem to prevent any romance.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Emma and Edmund story.Emma was being forced to marry an old man bec her brother needed the money to pay his debts. So Emma made plans with her friends to help get an interview, hoping to become a governess. She was hired that day to teach Eloise, his niece. She was his ward. Emma and the Marquess Edmund started having feelings for each other. As they grew closer, she told him about being the daughter of a Baron, and Edmund shared some secrets as well. The story had a good ending.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure in the beginning where this story was going to wind up. Much to my surprise, there was a suspenseful flow that held my interest. Lovable characters with some 'villains' thrown into the mix for those 'nail biting' moments. It was a happy ending and I'm usually all for an extended epilogue but I didn't feel the need for this one and for me it didn't really add much more to the happily ever after effect.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

They both have secrets. She is in hiding from her brother so she becomes a governess. He loves his ward and wants what is best for her. His mother thinks she has found him the perfect bride - not one of his choosing. As they grow close due to the ward, they must decide what is best for them and the child. They both must come clean with their secrets. It was a good read.

[julia armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Marquess’ Governess Bride

Dorothy Sheldon’s stories are unusual and the characters are well drawn.
However I find the errors in the editing quite irritating. Especially when the name of the hero changes from Edward to Edmund. Clearly spell check is the editor of these books. Given that the kindle edition is only pence, I suppose that is not surprising.

[Argie Eggleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

What a warm hearted story that started out in sadness. But well written and a delightful read. From sadness to joy to sadness and back to joy/happiness that ends in happily ever after.

[LaRae Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun story! So many complications that make loving someone you choose a complicated mess but this was so good to see their attraction grow and such a sweet end!

[Karen Darling · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little slow and sappy.