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Wounded Warriors of the Crimean War #1
The Governess and the Guardian
Governess Catherine Brawley delivers her recently orphaned charges to their uncle, the Earl of Firthley, and discovers the earl, who was seriously wounded in the Charge of the Light Brigade, has buried himself in his country home, having withdrawn from life except for the company of his wounded companions from the Crimean War.
Catherine has planned to quit her job and pursue a life of her own, but first she vows to make the earl accept and love his niece and nephew. By pushing her way into his darkened sanctuary she forces him to become aware of the children’s need for family, and their need makes him aware of his own. But a man needs a woman to build a proper family and the feisty, red-haired governess soon seems a likely candidate. Will secrets from Catherine’s past keep them from building that family?
Catherine has planned to quit her job and pursue a life of her own, but first she vows to make the earl accept and love his niece and nephew. By pushing her way into his darkened sanctuary she forces him to become aware of the children’s need for family, and their need makes him aware of his own. But a man needs a woman to build a proper family and the feisty, red-haired governess soon seems a likely candidate. Will secrets from Catherine’s past keep them from building that family?
- GenresRomanceHistorical
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 18, 2018
This was my first Winn book, so I may be more picky than I should - fair warning.
The book was very engaging, but I did feel a little disconnected from the characters, and as a result, the romance seemed a little stilted.
I don't normally pick up books with a Victorian setting, but the plot sounded interesting. Catherine was presented as a very strong character - maybe coming off as a little too strong at first for me to reconcile the vulnerability the author brings out later on. She comes off as extremely brash, speaks her mind, and is kind of a know-it-all. Yet, we're to believe that I don't think so! Another quibble - at first, they made it sound like A bit muddled, or maybe the reader isn't being trusted enough to swallow that plot point. Come on - willing suspension of disbelief, ok? It's fine, I'd accept it. Honest!
And Basil represents a bit of a sticking point for me, too. He's so egalitarian with sheltering fellow soldiers - regardless of social standing, that it seems odd that he ends up being assailed by so many doubts about the differences between his bloodline and Catherine's. I understand that the social barriers were being slowly broken down, with the Industrial Revolution, and the Crimean War also affecting the dissolution of the old order of the aristocracy, and that it didn't happen overnight. But Basil seemed to have already begun breaking down that class structure in his own life, so I got a little annoyed at what seemed a disingenuous attitude, all things considered.
The kids felt real, especially the hero-worship, and the neediness for attention. But, they would've believed in corporal punishment more then, so Molly would've gotten a swat along with that scold, girl or no.
Issues aside, it was an enjoyable story - engaging and with enough complexity built in (even with side characters) that it felt coherent and grounded.
The book was very engaging, but I did feel a little disconnected from the characters, and as a result, the romance seemed a little stilted.
I don't normally pick up books with a Victorian setting, but the plot sounded interesting. Catherine was presented as a very strong character - maybe coming off as a little too strong at first for me to reconcile the vulnerability the author brings out later on. She comes off as extremely brash, speaks her mind, and is kind of a know-it-all. Yet, we're to believe that I don't think so! Another quibble - at first, they made it sound like A bit muddled, or maybe the reader isn't being trusted enough to swallow that plot point. Come on - willing suspension of disbelief, ok? It's fine, I'd accept it. Honest!
And Basil represents a bit of a sticking point for me, too. He's so egalitarian with sheltering fellow soldiers - regardless of social standing, that it seems odd that he ends up being assailed by so many doubts about the differences between his bloodline and Catherine's. I understand that the social barriers were being slowly broken down, with the Industrial Revolution, and the Crimean War also affecting the dissolution of the old order of the aristocracy, and that it didn't happen overnight. But Basil seemed to have already begun breaking down that class structure in his own life, so I got a little annoyed at what seemed a disingenuous attitude, all things considered.
The kids felt real, especially the hero-worship, and the neediness for attention. But, they would've believed in corporal punishment more then, so Molly would've gotten a swat along with that scold, girl or no.
Issues aside, it was an enjoyable story - engaging and with enough complexity built in (even with side characters) that it felt coherent and grounded.
April 16, 2021
3.25
I really enjoyed the writing of this novel; however, the story suffered from weird pacing. In fact, it was a very slow burn romance, which I didn't particularly mind at first, but when I'm half way through a book and the characters barely have any romantic tension it becomes hard to find them compatible as a couple. Most of their interactions were centered around the kids, which wouldn't be a problem if Catherine's characterization was stronger. Indeed, I realized halfway through the book that all I knew about her was that she was a Governess and she was saving money to go to America. Honestly, the whole book felt more like a low angst drama set in the English country, which I enjoyed, but it's made for a very weak romance.
Then about 70% into the book the pacing got very weird and rushed, every plotlines were getting resolved very quickly, and we finally got to know more about our female main character. Their romance finally started, but since there was no build-up throughout the story, I found it very unbelievable. Like out of nowhere they're attracted to each other and making life plans...and I'm here thinking: "well do you really like each other? and since when??" They felt more like coworkers than lovers. I think that if the book was slightly longer and they had more tension, it would have made a more believable slow burn romance. The steamy scenes were also very short and middle of the road.
I really liked the writing, the atmosphere, the historical setting, the kids and supporting cast, but the pacing was off and the romance lackluster. The book is definitely worth the try, since I personally enjoyed everything, but the romance.
I really enjoyed the writing of this novel; however, the story suffered from weird pacing. In fact, it was a very slow burn romance, which I didn't particularly mind at first, but when I'm half way through a book and the characters barely have any romantic tension it becomes hard to find them compatible as a couple. Most of their interactions were centered around the kids, which wouldn't be a problem if Catherine's characterization was stronger. Indeed, I realized halfway through the book that all I knew about her was that she was a Governess and she was saving money to go to America. Honestly, the whole book felt more like a low angst drama set in the English country, which I enjoyed, but it's made for a very weak romance.
Then about 70% into the book the pacing got very weird and rushed, every plotlines were getting resolved very quickly, and we finally got to know more about our female main character. Their romance finally started, but since there was no build-up throughout the story, I found it very unbelievable. Like out of nowhere they're attracted to each other and making life plans...and I'm here thinking: "well do you really like each other? and since when??" They felt more like coworkers than lovers. I think that if the book was slightly longer and they had more tension, it would have made a more believable slow burn romance. The steamy scenes were also very short and middle of the road.
I really liked the writing, the atmosphere, the historical setting, the kids and supporting cast, but the pacing was off and the romance lackluster. The book is definitely worth the try, since I personally enjoyed everything, but the romance.
November 17, 2021
Oh Heavens…
This is so difficult as there is so much in this book that is inaccurate, incorrect, in error, and just plain inept! (Read the dedication 🙄)
Then there is the story which I really liked.
If only the author has been less concerned with using words like ‘spatterdashes’ and more concerned with proofreading!
5 stars for story
2 stars for all the bad mistakes
= 7
So all in all 3.5 stars.
Recommended
This is so difficult as there is so much in this book that is inaccurate, incorrect, in error, and just plain inept! (Read the dedication 🙄)
Then there is the story which I really liked.
If only the author has been less concerned with using words like ‘spatterdashes’ and more concerned with proofreading!
5 stars for story
2 stars for all the bad mistakes
= 7
So all in all 3.5 stars.
Recommended
April 4, 2022
Not bad, it just kinda fizzled.
April 3, 2016
I enjoyed this book because I often want to just read a story that is simple, romantic and upbeat. I've liked all of Sarah Winn's books that I have read so far.
March 29, 2016
If I had read this before I read books with similar themes by Mary Balogh, I probably would have rated it higher.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews