The Governess

by Kristen McKendry

For Kate Porter in 1880s Canada, working as a governess is simply a means to an end, and she aspires to a high-society future that will lift her out of her middle-class existence. When she accepts a new position as tutor to Alonzo Colaco's children, she sees it as a step in the direction of her dreams. She eagerly envisions a grand house awaiting her...but when her new employer meets her at the train station driving a gaily painted gypsy wagon, Kate suspects her new job will not be all she anticipated.

Kate finds herself living in the woods in a refitted train car as she teaches the charming children of Alonzo, a tinker by trade. After trying in vain to secure another job, Kate is left with little choice. She must simply bide her time until a better position comes along. Soon, however, she abandons her preconceptions along with her bustle in favor of the joys of a simple life---and the possibility of true love. But when opportunity knocks, will Kate really be ready to walk away from all she has come to care about to pursue her high-society dreams?

If you enjoyed this book you would also like Heart's Journey, which is set in the 1860s in Canada.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Clean Romance, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Victorian

214 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2016

About the author

Kristen McKendry began writing in her teens and her work has been published in Canada and the U.S. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Linguistics from Brigham Young University and has always been a voracious reader.

Kristen has a strong interest in urban agriculture, sustainable living, environmental issues, and the local foods movement. She incorporates these themes in her writing, and she also lets her Mormon background flavour her work to make her culture more accessible to mainstream readers. She enjoys playing the bagpipes and banjo, learning obscure languages, growing wheat in the backyard, and making cheese. Raised in Utah, she now resides with her family in Canada.

Kristen won the 2012 Mississauga Arts Council MARTY Award for Established Literary Arts, and her book Garden Plot was nominated for the 2011 Whitney Award for excellence in LDS fiction.

Reviews

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways...
1,2,3,99,100...

Ok, I'm not going to list out all my thoughts by number but I will just start typing out all of my thoughts and let the rambling love of this book begin.

This whole book was so sweet and refreshing. I'd watched several friends read it and love it a while ago that I just kept hoping I would be able to read it at some point. When I saw that it was available as an audiobook on a site that I have a subscription to, I instantly downloaded it and listened to it every chance I could. Every time I was doing housework, I'd have my headphones in smiling while I worked. Or driving around my daughters, we'd be listening intently. We all loved it!

Kate's life didn't turn out as she had planned. Her dreams of a respectable gentleman marrying her and a beautiful house, weren't quite what happened. I don't think that everybody's life goes quite to their plans. I used to say that I'd never marry somebody who would be in a certain profession, was raised in a different state than my family, etc. Well, ha! Joke was on me. My hubby was from several states away from where I was raised, and yep, you guessed it...he was going into that profession that I said I would never marry somebody who was in it. Ok, it's a very good profession I just had some silly thoughts about it from when I was younger. Silly childhood ideals, right? And that whole states apart thing? We settled in between them all.

Kate finds herself an orphan, educated more than what was normal for women and living with a cousin. But she gets to the point that she needs to make a way for herself and not feel belittled and uncared for. Again, life goes completely different than what she anticipated. I loved listening to this book and the narrator. The emotions were very well done and the surprise as well.

Kate finds herself employed to Alonzo, as the tutor to his children, Lilian and Tony (I might have spelled those wrong, but remember I listened to, not read the book). I absolutely loved Alonzo's dear family. Every moment that they were in the story was absolutely sweet. Kate's developing friendship and love for them was so tender. Even with the slight deception of employment and lodgings, she changed her expectations and made the best of it all. She found that it wasn't as horrible as she thought.

The friendships made along the way, the frustrations, the familial expectations (and explosions-loved that scene-hahahaha!!!), the change of job, the heartache, the goodbyes, the new acquaintances, societal expectations, surprises, love...everything was just fabulous. I wasn't a big fan of Kate's family, if you couldn't already tell. But all the other characters were charming, witty, and a great addition to this story. Millie, oh she was definitely a fun spitfire, loved her so much! I would have to say also that the romance was super sweet. I think my word for this review is sweet. So, if you're looking for the perfectly sweet and charming read, grab this one. It won't quite be what you might expect (unless you read the blurb), and will leave you feeling very satisfied and loving these characters. Alonzo is quite the charmer and an amazing father and friend, I think you'll enjoy his character fairly well. And yes, that ending. Perfection, I kind of thought that was what it might possibly be. *Happy, happy sigh*

Content: Clean

I listened to an audiobook through Deseret Bookshelf. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 stars***

I started this book in the morning and didn't go to sleep until I had finished it. I even did things that were not reading related during my day.


This is a wonderful book. It is a romance that doesn't focus on just falling in love. This is a book about building relationships and accepting others. It is about stepping away from society and discovering what is important in life.

This book is set in Toronto Canada in the 1880's. The majority of the book happens in a small clearing out away from the city. Kate is the MC and has always lived on the outside. She is educated but poor. She has lived on the goodwill and charity of relatives. She is never accepted in polite society, but she doesn't fit in with the working class. This makes it awkward when seeking employment. She works as a ladies maid, tutor, and governess. She accepts a position on good-will, because she is desperate, and learns wonderful lessons about herself and the things that are important in life. I loved reading about her transformation.

Alonzo is her employer. He is a tinker, widower, and father. He is a good man of integrity who doesn't hold with the dictates of society. I enjoyed how he gently and patiently taught Kate. She was hired to teach his children, but he taught her about herself and how to respect and love others.

The majority of the book didn't focus on romance. It focused on relationships. The relationship of employee/employer, friend, teacher, parent/child. There are many great aspects in this book.

This is a clean romance with some kissing.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a marvelous book! There was something different about The Governess that made it stand out from other historical novels I've read- the most noticeable being that I was so easily submerged into the setting that I felt transported. I could vividly see everything, but the descriptions were so subtle that I didn't feel like it was being told to me, rather, I just experienced it. Kate's experience of living in a train car in the woods was completely unique, and her isolation from society gave her a new perspective on her values and priorities. I loved seeing her strength and determination, as well as enjoyment in her circumstances. Her personality didn't change so much as to feel unrealistic however, as she still had fears, doubts, and prejudices to struggle with. Alonzo was just so endearing, in his devotion to his children, his unconditional compassion for others, and the friendship he offers Kate. Their growing feelings progress naturally which provides a stable foundation for their relationship and makes their sweet romantic moments some of my favorites scenes. I knew that this book had rave reviews, but I was unprepared for just how much it would touch me. It's definitely one of my top favorites this year! Highly recommend!!!

(Thank you to Covenant Communications for a copy of the book; this is my honest review)

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know all about hopes and dreams and the way a person has to adapt to what life dishes out--it's not always fun. Kate, through no fault of her own, finds herself dependent on a condescending cousin when her parents both die. I love that she decides to support herself after awhile and goes about doing so in a very determined manner. Although she's always lived on the borders of society, she tries very hard to mold herself into a proper woman. I found it interesting that so often, people do the same thing today. Sometimes, it's the idea of what life should be that drives us to blend in and conform to the constraints of society. After losing yet another job, fate steps in and a job lands in her lap. But the job isn't at all what Kate wants or was expecting and she's left with a choice--adjust her expectations or move on and find a new job.

I love the age-old formulas of certain genres, but when an author steps outside of the box and throws in twists or situations that weren't the "norm" for the time, I love it even more. This is a fantastic premise with very inspiring and powerful characters. Alonzo is a great parent and a very patient man, doing his best, but he's definitely not your typical high-society gentleman. His two children are adorable and I just wanted to squeeze them. I enjoyed experiencing the heavy weight that Kate feels while struggling to make her choice and forge her path in life. This story is full of the unexpected and I loved every minute!

This is a great read for those who enjoy the Victorian time period with an unconventional story set in Canada.

Content: mild romance. Clean!

*I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications. This in no way influenced my review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.*

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet story about what you value and having the courage to live your life with those very values instead of doing what is expected of you.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book!

I fell in love with Alonzo and his little family. Alonzo is a man who marches to the beat of his own drum. He challenges Kate's views on society and the class structure. Through him, Kate learns more about kindness, friendship and what is most important. Kate catches on to some things faster than others, but Alonzo is a patient teacher and a good man. He stole the show for me.

This book has a gentle feel to it. It is more sedate in nature, but it never lost my interest. I was wholly invested from beginning to end. I did wish Kate's "opportunity" was less lengthy- it sure seemed to take a long time for her to figure out the obvious but all's well that ends well, I guess. :)

Content: Clean,

--I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story! So unexpected! Loved it! So glad I grabbed it on sale.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Governess is an awesome historical fiction tale which will keep the reader guessing, through most of the book, how it will end... However, if you pay close attention, there is a hint midway through the book.
This is story of a wealthy, independent woman  who lost her parents when she was a young girl and was taken in by relatives to raise in society. Although they were good to her, their words were degrading and they never let her forget their charity she was undebated to them for. She was now pass the proper marriageable age and had no dowry so would likely not be asked. She defied her cousins one day by leaving a note and venturing off on her own to seek employment as a lady's maid or governess. She had answered an advertisement and was hired but for various reasons, she ended up going from one job to another in a short period of time. Hungry and discouraged, she was almost going to have to swallow her pride and return to her cousins "charity". Deciding to splurge with her last coins, she went into an upscale Tea House for one good meal. Sitting alone in a crowded room, she was joined by a strangely, yet, nicely dressed man. She was desperate or she would not have allowed him into talking her into being a Governess for his two children. Although he played the part of a gentleman, devoted to his children, it was evident he was not of the social standing she entertained. But little di she know until too late what she got herself into!
This novel has a lot of humorous adventure in it, plus, a lot of key topics. In this day of unrest and judgement, it would be beneficial to many to read it. Katherine (the Governess) was raised in a time of strict social rules. To not obey them would bring rejection and becoming repudiated by even loved ones. Katherine had a "level head" so tried to use the values she had been taught in making her choices...Choices which could destroy her if anyone found out.
Along with occasional humor, there is a lot of strong sentiment and you may need a tissue box close by in parts of this story.
The characters are very human and "alive". The scenes are portrayed well and easily envisioned.
*I was gifted a free book by the publisher but this is my honest review without any reason to feel obligated otherwise.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved loved the idea behind the book! Every girl wants their happily ever after that includes a husband and a big house and the idea of a fairy tale and living in high society! Kate (Katherine) is no exception. So while she clings to it, she finds that she may be a little shallow. She has to decide if she is willing to pass up love for the idea of a fairy tale. The cover says "Sometimes what you find is better than what you seek". I love that!

Kate's parents died and with little family left she finds herself with her cousin who has been taking care of her. They remind her that she is living off of their kindness while she is penniless. She was an educated woman, her parents saw to that. Taking up some dignity, Kate leaves them to find a career to take care of herself. What she finds is Alonzo. He is a kind man who needs someone to teach his children. She accepts it thinking she is going to a big home and servants, etc. But in reality, she finds that he lives in a train car in the woods and he drives a gypsy type cart. When she realizes the condition she is to live in, which includes finding a bush in the woods to take care of business, she says she will stay long enough to find another job. Little by little, her heart grows fond of his two well behaved and kind children and their father doesn't live by society's rules.

When an opportunity comes to take another job, she jumps because Alonzo kissed her. Her heart wants Alonzo but here is where Kate is a little shallow. She wants the opportunity for the fairy tale instead of the love that Alonzo and his children give her. Kate has to realize that the fairy tale is in the happiness that comes in the woods with the children and the man that truly loves her. I wanted to slap her silly. She broke their heart when she left.

I love this reverse fairy tale. The idea that the happiness isn't in the big house or the high society or even having a proper bathroom is a great message. It made me realize that maybe I might be a little shallow myself and the books I read are mostly filled with that fairytale that comes with getting everything you want instead of what we all really need which is pure love.

I kind of guessed the ending but didn't realize it until right before it happened. I so so so loved that ending!

I would recommend this book to everyone! It has a great message, it's romantic,funny at times, and a real eye opener for me!

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is unique in its setting and unlike any other I have read in this genre! That being said, I adored it! I loved Kate and her struggle to figure out how to support herself and where she fit in in society. The predicament she finds herself in being employed by a tinker and living in a train car was so very unexpected! Yet Alonzo was a dream with his good looks and beautiful, well-behaved children. I appreciated how Alonzo was so straight forward and was unafraid to say how he felt and what he thought, regardless of society's opinions. Kate's journey to figure out what was most important to her was emotional and full of ups and downs. A surprise ending was just the key to wrap up this wonderfully different story that I cannot stop thinking about! I will definitely recommend this book to any of my regency loving friends! I received a copy of this book for free, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are so going to love this one! You will adore Kate and you will definitely be entranced by Alonzo! A delightful tale from the very first page--with a unique life-style twist that is fantastic! This is one you are going to want to have in your personal library.
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT!

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Review posting 10/11 and I'm so looking forward to it! :D

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! I liked Kate, I liked that she was strong, and independent. I loved the fact that she would rather work and be seen as middle class than live off of her relatives and be the poor relation that was always around. I also loved the way she was so naive when Mr Colaco, Alonzo, offered her a job. She never asked any questions about where he lived or his situation really and ended up living in the woods in an old train car. I loved how she was able to adapt to her situation so quickly and end up loving the family and situation more than she ever would have imagined.

I was kind of surprised by the number of prejudices that were evidenced at the time period in which the book takes place. It seems as though someone is always looking down on someone else, whether for working, for being Chinese, or for being Gypsies. It's crazy just how many prejudices there have been and I'm sure there are still out there in the world.

Mr. Colaco and his children Lilia and Tony are adorable. I loved the way they were brought to life in the story, I would have loved to have known just what Alonzo was thinking, especially during some of the later parts of the book. Speaking of which, I loved the ending, so cute and so satisfying!

This is a cute, clean book that you'll enjoy reading! I know I did!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this story. I liked the characters, too--but I felt like Alonzo was a bit unfair to Kate.
Overall, an easy light summer read.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read of Kristen's but it certainly won't be the last. I loved this book and the main theme of sometimes getting something worth more than what we are looking for. I loved the characters and the descriptive settings were well written. Well worth reading!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming

This is a journey of discovery, healing, growth, and love. I had to take a break from reading when Katherine made me mad and yet I understood her struggle. This is a clean romance that was worth reading.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with a good lesson.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

the character growth was so good. the romance was ok. maybe im a bad person for this but the widower trope is not for me.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of a tinker and his darling children and a young woman who adjusts her expectations as their new governess.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason this book wasn't what I remembered when I bought the audiobook. I felt that she was unfairly mean to the guy at the beginning and kind of rude. I began to wonder if he was only falling in love with her because she was beautiful. Even when she was falling in love with him, she wasn't very kind rejecting his proposal after their kisses. I actually kind of wanted her to end up with the posh guy she met after leaving the train car and family. I think she deserved that ending instead of a nice ending with the nice guy who did everything right but she was still mean to. The twist ending of having him be rich at the end made no sense in that the children would have said something like, "we have never lived like this before" or "when our governess used to put us to bed with all of our toys" or something like that to give away this big secret. It doesn't make sense to me that this very wealthy man who is a good father would actively choose to have his children live in a box car over the winter months...he would have done it in the summer at least. Also, if he was only doing this for a few months, why did he even need a governess in the first place!? It also frustrated me that this woman only wanted to work for a "perfect family" but yet had all of these restrictions on the status of the family situation, etc. girl, you have no money, no where to live, no prospects, you don't have the choice to be picky here - but yet she gets these perfect situations every time with very little effort. Again, I just don't think she earned or deserved that happy of an ending. They should have kept him as a tinker, or had her actually grow up more. One of the best parts was when she came back to the family at the train and he refused to take her back at first. I respected and loved how he stood up for himself, his own self-respect and his family's feelings and didn't just immediately run back to her. I mean, it was like 5 min later he forgave her, but still, any hesitation was improvement over what some other characters would do in other books when they are in love. I probably won't read this again and will be donating the audiobook.

[Yue · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first 3/4 of the book, it was perfect, a whole 5 stars for me. I think any girl could relate to Kate. To be the governess of the tinder's children! Living in a train car! I couldn't imagine living there, going to relieve on the bush, cleaning herself in the stream. A very primitive way of living (and I wonder, did they even clean themselves in the winter? I would have been like Kate if I was in her shoes, I too would doubt and take a chance on another possible suitor with better income.

And I loved Alonzo and his children. If it weren't for the tiny fact that they all live so primitively, they were the perfect family. Alonzo is the kind of hero I love to read in my romances. True, he wasn't without flaw, abandoning Michael for a whole year, but he was hard-worker and loved his children, and wasn't ashamed of who he was, and what is best of all, wasn't a bigot like many of the genteel was. I was like Kate at first when the Chinese family moved in next to them, a bit resentful that they "intruded" but like her, I also warmed towards them.

Alas, the last 1/4 was total MEH for me. It is like Kate takes a step backwards, forgetting about the Colaco family and enjoying the wealthy life of a lady and being with a rich, handsome guy. She only remembered Alonzo when she was feeling down, when she was feeling out of place. If Colby wasn't the stupid guy he turns out to be, she would have married him without remembering the Colaco family. It was like "boo, my suitor wasn't what I expected, but at least there is someone else who wants me". I was very disappointing with how everything turns out, and how Kate was welcomed again with open arms after ditching them for a better life.

Overall:

- First 3/4: 5 stars
- Last 1/4: 1.5 stars

[Just Commonly · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes what you find is better than what you seek." (cover)

Unexpected is the first word I can think of when it came to The Governess by Kristen McKendry, and in a good way too. Kate Porter had determination as well as dreams, which I didn't find too lofty. During that time period, I would assumed that many females as they reach a certain age, their dreams includes marriage. And Kate wasn't too out there. She didn't expect the richest man in town, but a modest living. Her hopes to find a suitable marriage seems to drift further and further away as her employment gets shorter and shorter. In come Alonzo, a caring father, a considerate employer (sometimes) and a generous man. A bit mysterious, but not bad looking either. Until he brings her "home" to meet his children, and when she realize his trade. How will this turn out?

A sweet story of looking beyond personal stereotypes and prejudices, and being a person with love and compassion for all. Back to basics and the assurance of spending time with your children. The kids are adorable, and the plot runs smooth without much hiccups. I enjoyed the message, but felt Alonzo's explanation at the end a tad bit rushed. With all said, an easy, enjoyable and quick read.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS An utter delight! I adored reading this and didn’t want it to end. The timing was perfect as I had some extra “me time” over Mother’s Day weekend and was able to read to my heart’s content. Also perfect timing as it’s a very family-focused book and the descriptions of the darling little children and the cozy family circle perfectly suited my sensibilities at a time when motherhood was especially on my mind. This book is a little bit Boxcar Children, a little bit Little House on the Prairie, mixed with some Sarah, Plain and Tall. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for little homes in wild places, domestic adventures surrounded by natural beauty. I know it’s utterly romanticized but I don’t care – part of me wants that little Boxcar in the woods with the children sleeping so close you can hear their gentle breathing and the table so cozy that you bump knees with your beloved when you sit down for tea. Now, the practical part of me (and the part of me with claustrophobia) knows that, in reality, I would probably not make a good resident of a tiny home. And certainly not one from 1880 without modern conveniences. This is why I did not mind Kate’s character, as some readers did. For me, she felt very real and I appreciated her internal struggles. I mean, truly, dear reader, think about it: would you want to go out to find a bush in the middle of the night in the middle of winter to perform certain necessaries? Or bathe in the bracingly cold water of a creek? Have no support network around you? Maybe you would, and bully for you. But, if you wouldn’t, don’t judge Kate for wondering if she could really spend her life in such a way, no matter how fond she was of Alonzo and the children, especially when it is not something she’d ever dreamed of doing. Creature comforts are very nice, and I don’t think Kate is a deplorable person for questioning whether she could really give them up to live in a boxcar in the woods. Indeed, I felt it made her internal tug-of-war more poignant, for she knew where her heart belonged but she didn’t know if she was made of strong enough stuff to answer the call. I am glad that the author chose not to make society life utterly soulless – it came close a few times, but I was glad that the art and beauty of music, opera, etc. were celebrated and that Kate admitted how nice it was to have a warm bath and someone to bring you breakfast in bed. But, yes, there was a certain ugliness to the social dictates, a prejudice against those deemed beneath, an emptiness to rituals performed for appearance rather than love. Again, the author could have made this too black-and-white but by showing pleasant and kind people who were, nevertheless, prejudiced in their way, we are shown how insidious it really it. And Kate must confront her own prejudices, by being forced to spend time with those whom she would have, in previous years, never thought to give even a passing glance to, she must come to terms with her own shortcomings and decide what sort of human she wants to be. Alonzo is certainly the catalyst for this, and I loved him – except when I didn’t. I think had I read this when I was younger and more naïve, I would have found his idealism incredibly attractive. Now, I found it by turns inspiring and vexing. (He reminded me of Pa Ingalls a bit, you can’t help but love him -- yet, now that I’m a grown-up and a mother, there are times I just want to slap some sense into him and tell him to stop being so selfish!) I couldn’t help but find Alonzo’s obscuring of important details off-putting. He didn’t tell Kate about the boxcar when he hired her, and he withheld some important personal information before he married her (I know this was supposed to be a lovely surprise; I was not surprised, and I can’t decide if I’m okay with the ending because, on one hand, I think the reader can choose their own ending, and I guess that’s kind of nice, but I also felt it was too much of have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too, even for romantic candyfloss like this.) However, he was also warm and intelligent, caring and generous, and treated those typically looked down upon by “good society” as equals. His kindness to the Chinese immigrant family was especially endearing. It also bothered me that he fell in love with Kate less than a year after his supposedly greatly beloved wife had died – I know it was probably realistic for the time that the man would remarry quickly but it just felt a little too uncomfortable to my modern sensibilities. I did love his dedication to spending time with his children, though I also felt there was a bit of shirking responsibilities in other ways (and there is a spoiler about the children I can’t say but that bothered me, too, though, again, I think it was realistic for the time). Also, I felt that Kate treated one character quite poorly in the end, and should have shown more compassion, or at least been less flippant, considering she herself had only so recently won her own internal battle over what was right. Even with those few quibbles, I enjoyed it immensely. It’s not a swoony type romance (though there are moments) but I appreciate the introspection and thoughtfulness and deciding who you want to be in life, before you decide with whom you want to be in life.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down. I started it in the am and finished it before I went to bed snatching a few pages in between being a mom. It had it all: clean, romantic, entertaining, mystery, values, and a great ending!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In spite of feeling like the title of this book seems misleading, I really like it. Kate discovers her strength, her sense of self, and what's truly important in life. It was a different story than I expected, but in a good way.

[Cori Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!!! This book took me by surprise in such a good way! It's a buy and read over again kind of book!

[Michele Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read... breaking through social stations and prejudices.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable fun read with a great twist.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unusual read for me but I couldn't stop once I started which is why I give it 4 stars. It is in theory a historical novel but feels more current (with particular racial prejudices the most obvious clue it is set longer ago). As a whole I liked it and what it was trying to convey. Kate is down on her luck, an unfortunate result of being a young orphaned, unmarried woman in that day and age. She just happens to meet Alonzo (an intriguing man who doesn't follow the mold and who has more than one surprise up his sleeve) and becomes tutor to his children. She has quite the adjustment in living conditions and expectations but grows along the way.

Alonzo really pulls this whole story along, I figured out a lot of what Kate eventually pieced together and his behavior makes sense in a lot of ways but even with all that happened I just don't know how believable it is that he would have Kate living in the middle of nowhere with them as she does. It is integral to the story but doesn't fit with their upbringing, etc

Timing/flow of the story works well though it ended way too fast considering the conversation/reveal happening right before it. Millie was a fun addition to the story. Moral about finding out who you really are, what really matters, and seeing beneath first impressions/racial prejudice/social prejudices, etc.

[Rachael Dorronsoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author and this book did not dissapoint, the story was really sweet and I enjoyed the growth of Kate. I loved how Kate came to the realization of what really matters in her life, I loved how she was able to figure out what it was she wanted, did she want to be rich and part of a class that shuns those they think are beneath them? or did she want to be loved for who she was and love those who she loved even if society didn’t welcome them. I loved how she came to the conclusion of what was important to her, and what would really make her happy.

Kate Porter is a Governess and when she loses her position as a private Governess she has no idea what she will do, she only knows she will not go back to her family for help. Mr Colaco offers her a position as a Governess to his children, and Kate quickly takes him up on this offer, but when she arrives at Mr Colaco’s refitted train car, she has to wonder what she has got herself into.

I loved this sweet romance and this was a great clean read.