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An Education in Pleasure: An Older Woman Younger Man Historical Romance
As a governess to the Duke of Tarrington's family, Cecilia Holme resigns herself to a passionless life. Except now the old duke is dead and Owen, the new duke, is very tempting—and much younger.Is the chance to give Owen an education in pleasure too enticing to refuse?"Leigh's governess story is adroit in its handling of power dynamics, undoing any issues of consent or power as skillfully as her duke unbuttons a gown." —Entertainment An Education in Pleasure was originally published in the Duke I'd Like to F... anthology.
Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2021
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208 people want to read
About the author
Eva Leigh
27 books1,479 followersEva Leigh is a USA Today bestselling romance author. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, her books have been featured by the New York Times, NPR, Oprah Daily, the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, Self, Paste Magazine, and many more. Her work has also been translated into numerous languages. She lives on the Central California coast with her husband and cats. Visit her on the web at evaleighauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 18, 2022
✨Now why can’t every historical romance have this steam?✨
Elevator Pitch: Younger duke has always had the hots (and erections) for his sisters’ older governess. She’s surprised when he comes home after a while and is someone she now wants to have said erections. There’s a meddling dowager duchess and a lot of learning. School is fun!
I would have preferred him to be a whole virgin but he was still inexperienced so it worked. I liked that they both pined for each other for years and that he didn’t just suddenly get attracted to her. It was also so fun that he had taken her dirty book and read the shit out of it (I think this is part of the book, I read this a while ago).
The duchess was better than I’d expected so I was pleasantly surprised. The two MCs were good people and the conflict was resolved without much strife. I really love the novella for low-angst, straight-to-sex, and but-they’re-also-super-lovable-characters vibes.
This one wasn’t very kinky. I really resent that I read hardcore sex scenes for work because now my standards for 🔥🔥🔥 are like really high. Me a year ago reading this would have exploded. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hot, I just want a little more kink I think. It did have the tried and true school teacher fantasy though. And a lot of desk *work*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.75/5
Elevator Pitch: Younger duke has always had the hots (and erections) for his sisters’ older governess. She’s surprised when he comes home after a while and is someone she now wants to have said erections. There’s a meddling dowager duchess and a lot of learning. School is fun!
I would have preferred him to be a whole virgin but he was still inexperienced so it worked. I liked that they both pined for each other for years and that he didn’t just suddenly get attracted to her. It was also so fun that he had taken her dirty book and read the shit out of it (I think this is part of the book, I read this a while ago).
The duchess was better than I’d expected so I was pleasantly surprised. The two MCs were good people and the conflict was resolved without much strife. I really love the novella for low-angst, straight-to-sex, and but-they’re-also-super-lovable-characters vibes.
This one wasn’t very kinky. I really resent that I read hardcore sex scenes for work because now my standards for 🔥🔥🔥 are like really high. Me a year ago reading this would have exploded. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hot, I just want a little more kink I think. It did have the tried and true school teacher fantasy though. And a lot of desk *work*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶.75/5
June 27, 2022
(Read as part of the Duke I'd Like to F... anthology)
A sweet, earnest and very swoon-worthy 21 year old duke is tutored in pleasuring a woman by his young sisters’ 30-something governess. I prefer my hr Hs to be a little older and very experienced but I admit Owen gave me all the feels and all I kept thinking was “Oooh I want one.”
”Volume one, lesson one,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Make your teacher scream—in the best way.”
His smile flashed. “I didn’t want an education in pleasure for any other woman, Cecilia. I wanted to learn how to please you.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A sweet, earnest and very swoon-worthy 21 year old duke is tutored in pleasuring a woman by his young sisters’ 30-something governess. I prefer my hr Hs to be a little older and very experienced but I admit Owen gave me all the feels and all I kept thinking was “Oooh I want one.”
”Volume one, lesson one,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Make your teacher scream—in the best way.”
His smile flashed. “I didn’t want an education in pleasure for any other woman, Cecilia. I wanted to learn how to please you.”
Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
September 8, 2022
"I didn't want an education in pleasure for any other woman, Cecilia. I wanted to learn how to please you."
An Education in Pleasure is my third book by Eva Leigh that I have read and I've yet to be disappointed by this author. She has definitely become an author I'm always gonna look forward to reading her latest books. This story was a shorter one (around 134 pages) because it was originally published in an anthology. But even though this was a story that wasn't very long it still had a lot of depth, and of course there were the many sensual and sexy scenes that I already knew to expect from Eva Leigh.
So this story is a reverse age gap romance and probably the best one I've read so far. It features 30 year-old governess Cecilia and the 21 year-old new duke Owen. Owen's father unexpectedly passed away two weeks ago so as heir he had to leave his studies at Oxford to take on his ducal duties. Cecilia is the governess of Owen's two little sisters and is a good teacher to them. When Owen returns to Tarrington House after burrying his father they both can't deny the attraction to each other and since Owen isn't very experienced in the world of pleasure, Cecilia is more than happy to teach him a thing or two.
There was much to love in this book. I loved Cecilia and Owen's nine year age gap since it's usually the other way around. I loved how she taught him all about pleasure and how he was a very willing student. I loved how Cecilia made Owen have more confidence as a man and a new duke. And I loved how much Owen respected Cecilia. And needless to say the sex scenes were hot as hell so very steamy.
I also really liked how the story wasn't too dramatic and with not many misgivings. There was a little conflict and friction but nothing too major, which I was very greatful for. Sometimes you just wanna read some smut with little angst and this is exactly what Eva Leigh did with An Education in Pleasure.
An Education in Pleasure is my third book by Eva Leigh that I have read and I've yet to be disappointed by this author. She has definitely become an author I'm always gonna look forward to reading her latest books. This story was a shorter one (around 134 pages) because it was originally published in an anthology. But even though this was a story that wasn't very long it still had a lot of depth, and of course there were the many sensual and sexy scenes that I already knew to expect from Eva Leigh.
So this story is a reverse age gap romance and probably the best one I've read so far. It features 30 year-old governess Cecilia and the 21 year-old new duke Owen. Owen's father unexpectedly passed away two weeks ago so as heir he had to leave his studies at Oxford to take on his ducal duties. Cecilia is the governess of Owen's two little sisters and is a good teacher to them. When Owen returns to Tarrington House after burrying his father they both can't deny the attraction to each other and since Owen isn't very experienced in the world of pleasure, Cecilia is more than happy to teach him a thing or two.
There was much to love in this book. I loved Cecilia and Owen's nine year age gap since it's usually the other way around. I loved how she taught him all about pleasure and how he was a very willing student. I loved how Cecilia made Owen have more confidence as a man and a new duke. And I loved how much Owen respected Cecilia. And needless to say the sex scenes were hot as hell so very steamy.
I also really liked how the story wasn't too dramatic and with not many misgivings. There was a little conflict and friction but nothing too major, which I was very greatful for. Sometimes you just wanna read some smut with little angst and this is exactly what Eva Leigh did with An Education in Pleasure.
June 16, 2024
“I wanted to learn how to please you.”
AND LEARN HE DID. GODDAMN.
AND LEARN HE DID. GODDAMN.
December 13, 2024
Cecilia Holme is checking out a sexy naked swimming man when she realizes that it's actually Owen, the new Duke of Tarrington. He's 21 to her 30 and very interested in additional tutoring from teacher.
1. So the text continually refers to Owen's younger sisters (and Cecilia's charges) as "her pupils" rather than "Owen's sisters". Because so much of this novella is dedicated to the Journey of Intimacy (talkin' bout sex), it's especially awkward because there's so much other energy focused on Cecelia's awareness and obsession with Owen and Owen's parts and Owen's Dukeishness and whatnot—but his sisters aren't his sisters, nope! They're Cecilia's students first.
(It's just a weird quirk of the text, how the focus is SO INTENSELY ON THE SEX that some of the narrative logic and structure is just kind of hand-waved instead of actually developed. Because we all know why the thing exists and it's the nudity. I guess.)
2. I think some of that half-baked structure for the boning was so frustrating because, ultimately, the story of Owen and Cecilia falling into feelings has some interesting markers of a more traditional romance, and Leigh hits some good beats between the sexual interludes. Owen presenting the weight of the legacy left to him by his father, represented by the farthing he carries with him; Cecilia having lived a life of (in this case extreme sexual) freedom that is now curbed by a more traditional position in England; the understanding and support they show one another between Doing It: I could see how these two people could work together long term, boning into the twilight.
3. But because this is an "erotic historical romance", the Only Thing That Matters Is Boning. All else is secondary or tertiary to that objective. And this, I think, does a disservice to those secondary and tertiary elements.
4. (I just think about how much more impactful the scene in the closet could have been had just a little bit more time had been spent on the sensation of (emotional) absence instead of just on stage directions for sex.
(Is this a marker for the genre, perchance? Am I missing the point of erotic historical romances? If so, I want to know so I can be a more thoughtful audience member.)
5. The injection of Italian into the latter half of this was kind of funny? It makes sense, once Owen's mother is introduced, but Owen's little nicknames arrive just a little late to feel natural.
1. So the text continually refers to Owen's younger sisters (and Cecilia's charges) as "her pupils" rather than "Owen's sisters". Because so much of this novella is dedicated to the Journey of Intimacy (talkin' bout sex), it's especially awkward because there's so much other energy focused on Cecelia's awareness and obsession with Owen and Owen's parts and Owen's Dukeishness and whatnot—but his sisters aren't his sisters, nope! They're Cecilia's students first.
(It's just a weird quirk of the text, how the focus is SO INTENSELY ON THE SEX that some of the narrative logic and structure is just kind of hand-waved instead of actually developed. Because we all know why the thing exists and it's the nudity. I guess.)
2. I think some of that half-baked structure for the boning was so frustrating because, ultimately, the story of Owen and Cecilia falling into feelings has some interesting markers of a more traditional romance, and Leigh hits some good beats between the sexual interludes. Owen presenting the weight of the legacy left to him by his father, represented by the farthing he carries with him; Cecilia having lived a life of (in this case extreme sexual) freedom that is now curbed by a more traditional position in England; the understanding and support they show one another between Doing It: I could see how these two people could work together long term, boning into the twilight.
3. But because this is an "erotic historical romance", the Only Thing That Matters Is Boning. All else is secondary or tertiary to that objective. And this, I think, does a disservice to those secondary and tertiary elements.
4. (I just think about how much more impactful the scene in the closet could have been had just a little bit more time had been spent on the sensation of (emotional) absence instead of just on stage directions for sex.
(Is this a marker for the genre, perchance? Am I missing the point of erotic historical romances? If so, I want to know so I can be a more thoughtful audience member.)
5. The injection of Italian into the latter half of this was kind of funny? It makes sense, once Owen's mother is introduced, but Owen's little nicknames arrive just a little late to feel natural.
May 9, 2024
This definitely lives up the title name of the book! A steamy older woman younger man romance, I have whiplash reading this after reading “My Dirty Duke” where it’s older man young woman.
So there’s the classic hr issue for me which is authors making sure we the reader understand that being a woman in the early 1800s sucks and sexism is bad, I’ll skip my usual rant but it ruins the immersion for me a lot, it’s really the lack of subtly that annoys me - I’m not dumb, I can infer the issues of consent with a Duke and his employee from reading it happen, I don’t need it overly explained and spoon fed to me, thank you!! Obviously women’s rights can be brought up in these books, I don’t think you can write a HR without the heroine experiencing sexism and I think part of the fantasy element is imaging a past where women were able to find happy marriages with loving, non-sexist husbands when that was unfortunately far from reality, but please don’t lecture me!
BUT I gave this three stars because Leigh actually manages to create a very heart-warming romance here in such a short novella, and I genuinely believed these two liked each other beyond the sex (the steam is very good in this as well).
Definitely worth checking out on KU!
So there’s the classic hr issue for me which is authors making sure we the reader understand that being a woman in the early 1800s sucks and sexism is bad, I’ll skip my usual rant but it ruins the immersion for me a lot, it’s really the lack of subtly that annoys me - I’m not dumb, I can infer the issues of consent with a Duke and his employee from reading it happen, I don’t need it overly explained and spoon fed to me, thank you!! Obviously women’s rights can be brought up in these books, I don’t think you can write a HR without the heroine experiencing sexism and I think part of the fantasy element is imaging a past where women were able to find happy marriages with loving, non-sexist husbands when that was unfortunately far from reality, but please don’t lecture me!
BUT I gave this three stars because Leigh actually manages to create a very heart-warming romance here in such a short novella, and I genuinely believed these two liked each other beyond the sex (the steam is very good in this as well).
Definitely worth checking out on KU!
October 9, 2021
So much strong woman who knows her mind!
So much sexy duke wanting to make her, um, smile!
So much mutual consent and respect!
So much yummy HEA!
I've beyond pleased that Eva Leigh has published this independent of the anthology in which it initially appeared.
This is a standalone treasure for established Eva Leigh fangrrls and fanbois as much as for novices.
So much sexy duke wanting to make her, um, smile!
So much mutual consent and respect!
So much yummy HEA!
I've beyond pleased that Eva Leigh has published this independent of the anthology in which it initially appeared.
This is a standalone treasure for established Eva Leigh fangrrls and fanbois as much as for novices.
December 26, 2024
short, sweet, and steamy — highly recommend!!
October 29, 2021
fucking perfect
February 26, 2022
Miss Cecilia Holmes was a governess at the Duke of Tarrington’s household. As a governess, she had resigned herself to a passionless life after spending her more youthful time learning about carnal pleasures. Some years ago, she met Owen - the heir of the dukedom - when he was just a teenager visiting home during the summer. Now that Owen had grown into a fine young man, inheriting the dukedom after his father suddenly passed away, Cecilia couldn’t help but felt a strong connection towards the new master of the household.
To her surprise, Owen felt that, too. Actually, he had always been fascinated by Cecilia ever since he first laid eyes on her many years ago. Knowing that Cecilia felt the same, Owen took the chance to ask Cecilia to give him lessons in pleasure and teach him how to sexually please women, as Cecilia showed him how he could receive pleasure from her.
This is the first historical romance story by Eva Leigh that I read, and I must say she really has a knack of writing steamy intimate scenes. All the sexual moments and acts between Cecilia and Owen were portrayed so sensually and passionately, and now I want to find someone to have a night swim in a pond with, some carnal pleasure inside a darkened closet, and fulfilled sexual fantasies in a remote cottage isolated from the rest of the world.
What started out as mostly an education in pleasure for both Cecilia and Owen soon turned into love, as through the acts of sex and the moments spent together, both characters learned how to become stronger and to have more faith in their future. But the gap between Owen’s title as a duke and Cecilia’s position as an employer presented an impossibility for the two to officially be a couple in daylight. It was not to mention that Owen took his ducal responsibility very seriously, and saw his continued clandestine trysts with Cecilia without any future promises for her as a form of him abusing his power.
However, at the end of the day, true love always wins. And for Owen, it was finally time for him to pluck up his courage and declare his love to Cecilia after receiving his mother’s blessing, which was kind of rushed. I wish this part could be written more evenly so that I could feel a deeper angst between the two characters. But at the end of the day, this is still an enjoyable and steamy historical romance novella to indulge in. It is rare to read a historical romance story in which the heroine was much older than the hero (9 years apart for Cecilia and Owen), which makes this story unique in my eyes.
To her surprise, Owen felt that, too. Actually, he had always been fascinated by Cecilia ever since he first laid eyes on her many years ago. Knowing that Cecilia felt the same, Owen took the chance to ask Cecilia to give him lessons in pleasure and teach him how to sexually please women, as Cecilia showed him how he could receive pleasure from her.
This is the first historical romance story by Eva Leigh that I read, and I must say she really has a knack of writing steamy intimate scenes. All the sexual moments and acts between Cecilia and Owen were portrayed so sensually and passionately, and now I want to find someone to have a night swim in a pond with, some carnal pleasure inside a darkened closet, and fulfilled sexual fantasies in a remote cottage isolated from the rest of the world.
What started out as mostly an education in pleasure for both Cecilia and Owen soon turned into love, as through the acts of sex and the moments spent together, both characters learned how to become stronger and to have more faith in their future. But the gap between Owen’s title as a duke and Cecilia’s position as an employer presented an impossibility for the two to officially be a couple in daylight. It was not to mention that Owen took his ducal responsibility very seriously, and saw his continued clandestine trysts with Cecilia without any future promises for her as a form of him abusing his power.
However, at the end of the day, true love always wins. And for Owen, it was finally time for him to pluck up his courage and declare his love to Cecilia after receiving his mother’s blessing, which was kind of rushed. I wish this part could be written more evenly so that I could feel a deeper angst between the two characters. But at the end of the day, this is still an enjoyable and steamy historical romance novella to indulge in. It is rare to read a historical romance story in which the heroine was much older than the hero (9 years apart for Cecilia and Owen), which makes this story unique in my eyes.
November 3, 2022
Paperback
Owen and Cecilia
Excellent story, very sweet. Definitely warms your heart. Eva Leigh is a good writer and her stories usually have depth.
Owen has been attracted to Cecilia from afar, for years. In this story, he is the wallflower in his youth, admiring Cecilia from a far.
I would definitely read this again and again.
Owen and Cecilia are really both nice people, which is rare in books these days.
Owen and Cecilia
Excellent story, very sweet. Definitely warms your heart. Eva Leigh is a good writer and her stories usually have depth.
Owen has been attracted to Cecilia from afar, for years. In this story, he is the wallflower in his youth, admiring Cecilia from a far.
I would definitely read this again and again.
Owen and Cecilia are really both nice people, which is rare in books these days.
November 20, 2021
Read as part of Duke I’d Like to F… anthology
An Education in Pleasure by Eva Leigh — 3.5⭐️ — 4🔥 — Sex Lessons is a tricky trope to pull off, but Leigh manages it here. Never feels didactic or over the top. I bought the chemistry, the barriers, the relationship as a whole. Age gap goes the other way here (20ish m, 30f), and was handled well for me.
An Education in Pleasure by Eva Leigh — 3.5⭐️ — 4🔥 — Sex Lessons is a tricky trope to pull off, but Leigh manages it here. Never feels didactic or over the top. I bought the chemistry, the barriers, the relationship as a whole. Age gap goes the other way here (20ish m, 30f), and was handled well for me.
February 4, 2023
Read this if you like novella with a not-quite-forbidden romance set in the regency era (it’s not really THAT forbidden).
Avoid this if you need more pining in your romances. This might be one story where the novella length didn’t quite work for me. I could see the frame of a bigger story stripped down to the bare essentials.
Spice level 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 Explicit open door (at least 2 scenes)
Avoid this if you need more pining in your romances. This might be one story where the novella length didn’t quite work for me. I could see the frame of a bigger story stripped down to the bare essentials.
Spice level 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 Explicit open door (at least 2 scenes)
April 26, 2023
April 2023: I read this novella monthly because it is the best reset. And hits all my swoony spots.
February 2023: “I remember meeting you when I was home for the winter holiday,” he said, his voice low. “You wore a gray dress, as if you were trying to fade into the background. Yet on no account could you fade away to me.” oh my heart 🥹
January 2023: am I gonna read this novella every month? Yes. Yes I am. And I’m crying every time.
December 2022: I popped back into this novella just to skim through my favorite parts and ended up reading the whole thing. I just love Cecilia and Owen so much. There are so many quiet, beautiful moments and thoughts between these two. I'm always crying by the end of this novella for all the right reasons.
November 2022: I reread this today because I could not stop thinking about it. It’s been like a week since I read it the first time lol. It is SO good I could cry and maybe I’m crying right now as I write this.
(side note: this reread is my 300th read of 2022!!!)
October 2022 review: I loved this novella. I do not often become emotional while reading but I was feeling the vapors and constantly on the verge of fainting on a wave of messy emotions.
CWs: death of parent (near past, off page), death of parent from childbirth (historical, off page), sexual harassment from supervisor (historical, off page, recounted), explicit sex
February 2023: “I remember meeting you when I was home for the winter holiday,” he said, his voice low. “You wore a gray dress, as if you were trying to fade into the background. Yet on no account could you fade away to me.” oh my heart 🥹
January 2023: am I gonna read this novella every month? Yes. Yes I am. And I’m crying every time.
December 2022: I popped back into this novella just to skim through my favorite parts and ended up reading the whole thing. I just love Cecilia and Owen so much. There are so many quiet, beautiful moments and thoughts between these two. I'm always crying by the end of this novella for all the right reasons.
November 2022: I reread this today because I could not stop thinking about it. It’s been like a week since I read it the first time lol. It is SO good I could cry and maybe I’m crying right now as I write this.
(side note: this reread is my 300th read of 2022!!!)
October 2022 review: I loved this novella. I do not often become emotional while reading but I was feeling the vapors and constantly on the verge of fainting on a wave of messy emotions.
CWs: death of parent (near past, off page), death of parent from childbirth (historical, off page), sexual harassment from supervisor (historical, off page, recounted), explicit sex
June 27, 2022
I had a pleasure to read this novella when it was part of Duke I'd Like to F... anthology (sadly no longer available in an ebook format), and this review is just a slightly edited paragraph I had already wrote while it was published in 2020.
~~~~
An Education in Pleasure by Eva Leigh, was the story I was really looking forward to.
The premise of an older heroine (and a governess!) starting an “educational” relationship with younger Duke sounded incredible erotic and intriguing. I’m so happy to say, this story absolutely blew me away how amazing it was.
I’d GLADLY read a full length novel about Cecilia and Owen.
I loved the chemistry between them, how they bantered with each other, how there was palpable spark between them from the very first scene they shared.
Both of them were complex and likable; Cecilia strong and sure, but also incredible fragile, and Owen younger, but not immature, and maybe struggling under the burden of Dukedom, but still brave enough to fight for his happiness. They way they loved each other was such fun to read. The added dash of angst made their story so engaging and emotional. I got misty eyed when they discussed ending their affair or when Owen struggled with the need to keep their relationship a secret.
The sex scenes were beyond steamy, and they were so lovely written: hot and sexy, romantic and sweet. Simply lovely.
This one was never hindered by the short form. Even as novella it has fully developed plot and characters; the romance never felt awkward or out of place.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed this novella and it’s going on my ‘favorite/reread’ shelf!
5!/5 stars
~~~~
An Education in Pleasure by Eva Leigh, was the story I was really looking forward to.
The premise of an older heroine (and a governess!) starting an “educational” relationship with younger Duke sounded incredible erotic and intriguing. I’m so happy to say, this story absolutely blew me away how amazing it was.
I’d GLADLY read a full length novel about Cecilia and Owen.
I loved the chemistry between them, how they bantered with each other, how there was palpable spark between them from the very first scene they shared.
Both of them were complex and likable; Cecilia strong and sure, but also incredible fragile, and Owen younger, but not immature, and maybe struggling under the burden of Dukedom, but still brave enough to fight for his happiness. They way they loved each other was such fun to read. The added dash of angst made their story so engaging and emotional. I got misty eyed when they discussed ending their affair or when Owen struggled with the need to keep their relationship a secret.
The sex scenes were beyond steamy, and they were so lovely written: hot and sexy, romantic and sweet. Simply lovely.
This one was never hindered by the short form. Even as novella it has fully developed plot and characters; the romance never felt awkward or out of place.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed this novella and it’s going on my ‘favorite/reread’ shelf!
5!/5 stars
July 21, 2025
Apparently it doesn't bother most commenters that the supposed heroine Cecilia is a bit of a slut from her European exploits, at age 30 rather long in the tooth as a Regency spinster and along with being a shopkeeper's daughter and the family governess, this constellation should disqualify her from wedding a 21 year old freshly ascended Duke who became infatuated with her at age 16. it's as well she didn't know about his infatuation because from her rather lewd behavior, she may have corrupted him at age 18 or even younger and that's hardly romance material, more in the way of porn.
The Duke has the most understanding (Napolitan) widowed mother in the world who is fine with a) her son cavorting with the governess when his father's body is barely cold and b) the certain scandal of her son's inappropriate marriage dimming her two younger daughters' marriage prospects. Indeed, Cecilia also has no qualms about ruining the prospects of the two charges for whom she has been a supposedly caring governess for 5 years. Leaves a bad taste in one's mouth about everyone - the predatory spinster, the naive young Duke, the enabling dowager - none of them concerned for the well being of the two innocents dependent on them.
Lastly, none of the three adults gives a thought to the possibility that the ecstatic bride may be too old to provide the necessary heir. After all, she didn't get pregnant during her European escapades while much younger. All in all, a bad deal for the Duke who at age 31 in his prime may find his 40 year old wife less entrancing, particularly if the nursery is empty.
The Duke has the most understanding (Napolitan) widowed mother in the world who is fine with a) her son cavorting with the governess when his father's body is barely cold and b) the certain scandal of her son's inappropriate marriage dimming her two younger daughters' marriage prospects. Indeed, Cecilia also has no qualms about ruining the prospects of the two charges for whom she has been a supposedly caring governess for 5 years. Leaves a bad taste in one's mouth about everyone - the predatory spinster, the naive young Duke, the enabling dowager - none of them concerned for the well being of the two innocents dependent on them.
Lastly, none of the three adults gives a thought to the possibility that the ecstatic bride may be too old to provide the necessary heir. After all, she didn't get pregnant during her European escapades while much younger. All in all, a bad deal for the Duke who at age 31 in his prime may find his 40 year old wife less entrancing, particularly if the nursery is empty.
July 23, 2024
It was OK . A thirty year old woman with a 21 year old man didn't turn me on. It's not the nine year age gap, I think his maturity and experience was such a mismatch to her background and experience.
Cecelia is a governess who has traveled the major cultural centers on the continent. She's experienced sexual freedom with a number of purely physical lovers.
Owen is just out of school with an interest in geology. He is a sorely undeveloped character. We know a bit more about Cecelia because Owen is curious about her as a person and not just a sexual partner. That's how we get to know a little more about Cecelia and that's admirable.
I enjoyed Cecelia's bold sexual instructions. Intimate interludes are explicit but lack space on the page. 🌶🌶🌶 for the steamy cunnilingus/fellatio lesson.
Cecelia is a governess who has traveled the major cultural centers on the continent. She's experienced sexual freedom with a number of purely physical lovers.
Owen is just out of school with an interest in geology. He is a sorely undeveloped character. We know a bit more about Cecelia because Owen is curious about her as a person and not just a sexual partner. That's how we get to know a little more about Cecelia and that's admirable.
I enjoyed Cecelia's bold sexual instructions. Intimate interludes are explicit but lack space on the page. 🌶🌶🌶 for the steamy cunnilingus/fellatio lesson.
September 16, 2024
A young duke like 21yr~ has fallen for his, I guess, maid sort of~ idk how old she is but like 10 years older??? But Cecilia, doesn’t recognize Owen as he grew into a man😝 literally she’s a dog in heat after he got out of the swimming pool😫😫 and apparently Owen has always looked at Cecilia, idk this took me like a whole month to read despite the low amount of pages😭 BUT BOY WAS IT SPICY😭😭
Cecilia the freak she is, teaches everything she knows to Owen as he needs the knowledge apparently
But you can see his love for Cecilia, idk about her👀
It was good ig, very spicy💀
Cecilia the freak she is, teaches everything she knows to Owen as he needs the knowledge apparently
But you can see his love for Cecilia, idk about her👀
It was good ig, very spicy💀
February 14, 2023
I loved this story - I like when characters admit their pining for each other - swoon. Cecilia and Owen - she is a governess with sexual experience- he not so much. She sets out to teach him- some of the teachings get annoying but their feels for each other and the chemistry is so hot 🔥🔥🔥 - hea
Closet sex scene - sucker for that!
Book covers I’ve seen for this - none have done it justice- the one on kindle is horrific… I almost didn’t read it - looks like a boring non-fiction from the 60s
Closet sex scene - sucker for that!
Book covers I’ve seen for this - none have done it justice- the one on kindle is horrific… I almost didn’t read it - looks like a boring non-fiction from the 60s
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2023
Recommended by a friend but this was a big NOPE for me. A solid 20% of this book was "We NEED to be together, but we CAN'T be together!" Sincerely, paraphrase that sentiment 400 different ways, throw in some spice and a side character or two and that's the entire book in a nutshell. If it was any longer than a novella I'd have given up. Two stars because there weren't any spelling errors and the opening scene was good.
August 26, 2024
This is 3.5 stars. I’m SO torn. The plot was good, the sex scenes were explicit. I loved the 9 year age gap. But the story somehow was kind of blah. It really dragged. Even for a novella it was hard to finish. I think maybe I would’ve preferred for the duke to be less green.
Also, the only other book I’ve read from this author was SO CUTE, but lacked in the sex department, so now I’m torn about this author. I’ll def give her another chance. Maybe she has another kindle unlimited I can try.
Also, the only other book I’ve read from this author was SO CUTE, but lacked in the sex department, so now I’m torn about this author. I’ll def give her another chance. Maybe she has another kindle unlimited I can try.
July 5, 2025
I don’t think I’ve read Eva Leigh (don’t quote me) before but I went out and picked up another book by her while reading this one today.
It started off boldly, not where I thought it would and that first line? Yeah that hooked me.
She does a great job building chemistry between the two characters and made me believe their romance over a short period of time.
I wish this was a full length novel though, I wanted more of their romance and an epilogue.
It started off boldly, not where I thought it would and that first line? Yeah that hooked me.
She does a great job building chemistry between the two characters and made me believe their romance over a short period of time.
I wish this was a full length novel though, I wanted more of their romance and an epilogue.
May 29, 2022
This is a perfect short romance. I love romances with older women and younger men, and the idea of the woman teaching the man. I’ve had such a reading slump but this book kept me going bc I just didn’t know how they could be together. They even had a night time skinny dipping scene, which I loved. So good! Might go on my list of favourites.
January 6, 2023
I was bit let down by this one.
I know I usually have a hard time with novellas, but this felt so oversimplified..
and I didn't fall in love with the couple. I was just not a hit for me, but not terrible either.
I hesitated with giving it 2 stars but since I didn't have any particular strong negative feelings I settled for a 3 neutral stars evaluation.
I know I usually have a hard time with novellas, but this felt so oversimplified..
and I didn't fall in love with the couple. I was just not a hit for me, but not terrible either.
I hesitated with giving it 2 stars but since I didn't have any particular strong negative feelings I settled for a 3 neutral stars evaluation.
July 25, 2023
*** 4.5 stars
now lemme tell yall eva leigh sat down and wrote the crap out of this novella!! cecilia and owen were a steamy older woman younger man couple with a bit of forbidden relationship because she works as the governess for his younger sisters. loved this novella and lemme just say owen is a star pupil ;)
now lemme tell yall eva leigh sat down and wrote the crap out of this novella!! cecilia and owen were a steamy older woman younger man couple with a bit of forbidden relationship because she works as the governess for his younger sisters. loved this novella and lemme just say owen is a star pupil ;)
March 26, 2023
3.5/5 stars, most disgusting cover on earth but it was really fun, quick & steamy - historical romance novella with an age gap, older heroine, and slightly forbidden romance (he's a duke and she's the governess for the family)
January 5, 2024
Finally! spicy yet heart achingly sweet older woman younger man tale
Spice 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Somehow this author miraculously injected a delicious level of tension in a very short tale. Sweet and spicy novella of a forbidden love.
Spice 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Somehow this author miraculously injected a delicious level of tension in a very short tale. Sweet and spicy novella of a forbidden love.
September 7, 2025
New author to me but oh my gosh, I can't wait to look at her backlist!!!
I LOVE OWEN. Cecilia is awesome. They did bring out the best in each other. I wanted more of them.
The duchess was really cool, too. (It's so nice to read about a good father in a historical romance, LOL.)
I LOVE OWEN. Cecilia is awesome. They did bring out the best in each other. I wanted more of them.
The duchess was really cool, too. (It's so nice to read about a good father in a historical romance, LOL.)
November 23, 2021
Read as part of the Duke I’d Like To F… anthology.
January 18, 2022
Good read.
Too short but good!!
Too short but good!!
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