What do you think?
Rate this book
Unlikely Duchesses #3
When a Duke Loves a Governess: A heartwarming historical Regency romance
A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess ...!Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2021
70 people are currently reading
1773 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Drake
32 books425 followersShortly after graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in journalism, Olivia Drake sold her first novel two weeks after sending it to a publisher. She now lives in Texas in a cozy cottage with two feisty cats and a photographer husband. Her two daughters have flown the nest, but still come back whenever they want a home-cooked meal!
Olivia Drake is the author of 35 romance novels. Her most recent series is called 'Unlikely Duchesses' and began with THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW, followed by FOREVER MY DUKE. The third stand-alone book is WHEN A DUKE LOVES A GOVERNESS.
Her other series include 'Heiress in London' (SEDUCING THE HEIRESS, NEVER TRUST A ROGUE, SCANDAL OF THE YEAR) and 'The Cinderella Sisterhood' series (IF THE SLIPPER FITS, STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, ABDUCTED BY A PRINCE, BELLA AND THE BEAST, HIS WICKED WISH, THE SCANDALOUS FLIRT).
Many of you also knew Olivia as Barbara Dawson Smith. She is a New York Times bestseller and winner of numerous honors, including the Golden Heart Award and the coveted Rita Award for excellence in the historical romance genre.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/olivia...
Olivia Drake is the author of 35 romance novels. Her most recent series is called 'Unlikely Duchesses' and began with THE DUKE I ONCE KNEW, followed by FOREVER MY DUKE. The third stand-alone book is WHEN A DUKE LOVES A GOVERNESS.
Her other series include 'Heiress in London' (SEDUCING THE HEIRESS, NEVER TRUST A ROGUE, SCANDAL OF THE YEAR) and 'The Cinderella Sisterhood' series (IF THE SLIPPER FITS, STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, ABDUCTED BY A PRINCE, BELLA AND THE BEAST, HIS WICKED WISH, THE SCANDALOUS FLIRT).
Many of you also knew Olivia as Barbara Dawson Smith. She is a New York Times bestseller and winner of numerous honors, including the Golden Heart Award and the coveted Rita Award for excellence in the historical romance genre.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/olivia...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
April 28, 2021
Interesting take with multiple twists and a growing love affair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was definitely a fun twist on typical historical romance. Falling for the governess is definitely a no-no although there are many men that kept them on the side. Typically a higher class than regular staff, a governess was still working class.
Drake has crafted her character, Tessa, with sharp wit and the wherewithal to handle the tough spitfire she is charged with. Deep understanding from her own circumstances make her effective and understanding. But her attraction to Guy is another thing completely.
The mystery surrounding Tessa continues to eat at Guy but together they form a great bond that allows the child to thrive. I love the connection that Drake builds in and the spark of romance that begs for your attention. Best of all is the discovery about Tessa that allows for that happily ever after these two deserve and maybe her dream come true too.
Unique and loaded with heart, When a Duke Loves a Governess is a feel good romance that includes a host of intrigue, mystery, action, and of course, sweet love.
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/when-a-duke-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was definitely a fun twist on typical historical romance. Falling for the governess is definitely a no-no although there are many men that kept them on the side. Typically a higher class than regular staff, a governess was still working class.
Drake has crafted her character, Tessa, with sharp wit and the wherewithal to handle the tough spitfire she is charged with. Deep understanding from her own circumstances make her effective and understanding. But her attraction to Guy is another thing completely.
The mystery surrounding Tessa continues to eat at Guy but together they form a great bond that allows the child to thrive. I love the connection that Drake builds in and the spark of romance that begs for your attention. Best of all is the discovery about Tessa that allows for that happily ever after these two deserve and maybe her dream come true too.
Unique and loaded with heart, When a Duke Loves a Governess is a feel good romance that includes a host of intrigue, mystery, action, and of course, sweet love.
* copy received for review consideration
Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/when-a-duke-...
September 2, 2021
When a Duke Loves a Governess is an enjoyable Regency romance. The relationships between Tessa and the Duke and his daughter Sophy really worked for me. I felt the suspense was underdeveloped, but otherwise I really got engaged with this book. I think it would appeal to many fans of the genre.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com
Copy of book for review was courtesy of St. Martin's Paperbacks through Netgalley.
March 11, 2021
Third times the charm. This is the third in the "Unlikely Duchesses" series by Olivia Drake. The story of orphan, Tessa James who worked in a millinery shop and who has a knack for making beautiful hats that are more with time, She strives to make and save more money to one day own her own shop all the while searching for her father who was a lord of the ton. Overhearing that the Duke of Carlin is in dire need of a governess for his daughter, she quits her job and presents herself on the doorsteps of his home persuading her way of becoming his governess of a trial basis.
There is some sympathy for the heroine of this story as she had lost her mother in a carriage accident and as a result ended up as an orphan. On her mother's death bed, she presented her with a pendant bearing the coat of arms of the man believed to be her father. On the other hand, the hero of the story never wanted to be duke and it is clearly seen when he rather liked travel and adventures instead of tending the his estate and daughter, who he left with his deceased wife's parents for child rearing. Unfortunately, the daughter is not manageable, thus enters the heroine to the rescue. The more the hero grows closer to the heroine, the more he uncovers bit by bit of the secrets she is trying to hide and uncovering the person she truly seems to be. The heroine is smart and lovely and the hero likeable and beguiling. I was happy to see that the heroine finds closure to her search as well as meeting others who are a part of her family.
Of the three books, "When a Duke Loves a Governess" was the most likeable one I've read. Although the story starts off a bit slow, as with the others, it transitions into a wonderful read. There is romance and passion...attributes that I look forward to in the historical romances that I read. The story was well written, misfortunes overcomed, and dreams fulfilled. Looking forward to seeing if there is a story for Lord Haviland in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchance for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opnions are my own.
4.5 Stars
There is some sympathy for the heroine of this story as she had lost her mother in a carriage accident and as a result ended up as an orphan. On her mother's death bed, she presented her with a pendant bearing the coat of arms of the man believed to be her father. On the other hand, the hero of the story never wanted to be duke and it is clearly seen when he rather liked travel and adventures instead of tending the his estate and daughter, who he left with his deceased wife's parents for child rearing. Unfortunately, the daughter is not manageable, thus enters the heroine to the rescue. The more the hero grows closer to the heroine, the more he uncovers bit by bit of the secrets she is trying to hide and uncovering the person she truly seems to be. The heroine is smart and lovely and the hero likeable and beguiling. I was happy to see that the heroine finds closure to her search as well as meeting others who are a part of her family.
Of the three books, "When a Duke Loves a Governess" was the most likeable one I've read. Although the story starts off a bit slow, as with the others, it transitions into a wonderful read. There is romance and passion...attributes that I look forward to in the historical romances that I read. The story was well written, misfortunes overcomed, and dreams fulfilled. Looking forward to seeing if there is a story for Lord Haviland in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchance for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opnions are my own.
4.5 Stars
June 27, 2021
Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad. Tessa James overhears society matrons gossiping about Carlin's desperate need for a governess and makes a play for the position. She's hoping that access to the aristocracy will help her track down the lord that sired her and abandoned her mother.
This is the third book in the Unlikely Duchesses series and it stands alone. The characters from the previous books do not play a role in this one.
Tessa doesn't know her true origins. Her mother died when she was young and she only has a necklace and a vague memory to go on. If she can find a match for the crest, she's hoping she can locate her father and get a loan for a millinery business. Guy has young daughter who has become a spoiled terror, after being cared for by his in-laws. She has scared off seven governesses in quick succession and Guy is desperate enough to hire Tessa for a trial period.
I like Drake's writing style and the story started with promise. For me, there were a lot of things going on in the plot that took over and I didn't feel like Guy and Tessa had enough romantic connection. Their attraction blazed quickly, but I never felt like it was the center of the story. I would have liked to havelearned more about Tessa and her newly discovered family. Instead, Guy's background as an unlikely heir became the main focus and lead into the major conflict.
Tropes: Governess, Class Difference, Child as a Plot Point, Found Family
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #WhenADukeLovesAGoverness #NetGalley
This is the third book in the Unlikely Duchesses series and it stands alone. The characters from the previous books do not play a role in this one.
Tessa doesn't know her true origins. Her mother died when she was young and she only has a necklace and a vague memory to go on. If she can find a match for the crest, she's hoping she can locate her father and get a loan for a millinery business. Guy has young daughter who has become a spoiled terror, after being cared for by his in-laws. She has scared off seven governesses in quick succession and Guy is desperate enough to hire Tessa for a trial period.
I like Drake's writing style and the story started with promise. For me, there were a lot of things going on in the plot that took over and I didn't feel like Guy and Tessa had enough romantic connection. Their attraction blazed quickly, but I never felt like it was the center of the story. I would have liked to havelearned more about Tessa and her newly discovered family. Instead, Guy's background as an unlikely heir became the main focus and lead into the major conflict.
Tropes: Governess, Class Difference, Child as a Plot Point, Found Family
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #WhenADukeLovesAGoverness #NetGalley
June 28, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person perspective from both the hero and heroine’s heads (probably more from the heroine)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is totally fine to pick up as a stand alone!
Basic plot:
Tessa wants to own her own millinery shop and she’s sure if she could just find her real father, he’d give her a loan make her dream happen. She only has a symbol on a necklace to find her family. She comes across an opportunity to be a governess to a Duke and decides that her best chance of finding her aristocratic father is to work in an aristocratic house.
Give this a try if you want:
- A child in the story – 4 year old Sophy has a ton of page time
- You like a mix of action, suspense, and romance – there is a villain/curse and a mystery to solve
- Class difference feel – Duke hero and governess heroine
- Working heroine – heroine worked in a milliner shop, then takes a governess role, and dreams of owning her own hat shop
- Botanist hero – he has traveled, studied, and drawn pictures of his discoveries
- Lower steam – there are 2 full scenes, one being at the very end
Ages:
- Heroine is 22, not sure about hero but I think mid to late 20s
My thoughts:
I listened to this on audiobook and Helen Lloyd was the narrator. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love her narration either – not sure if reading if would have affected my rating but I think I would have ended similarly.
Sadly this romance didn’t focus enough on the couple and their romance for me to truly love it. I think if you are into the other factors of this story, especially having children in the story and the suspense and intrigue of a villain/mystery, this will be more your taste.
I did like the heroine – I thought she was steadfast, a bit spunky, charming and intelligent. I liked her interactions with her charge, and I liked how determined and hard working she was despite her unfortunate circumstances growing up.
I did love that the hero was a botanist! I felt like he wasn’t your average duke and appreciated his passion for foreign plants and animals. But he also came off as a bit of a jerk to me, and unkind.
Ultimately there was a lot going on other than the hero and heroine together and falling in love. There was the child taking a lot of page time, there was the mystery of the heroine’s father, and a villain wanting revenge. So the romance of them got a little lost for me.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person perspective from both the hero and heroine’s heads (probably more from the heroine)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is totally fine to pick up as a stand alone!
Basic plot:
Tessa wants to own her own millinery shop and she’s sure if she could just find her real father, he’d give her a loan make her dream happen. She only has a symbol on a necklace to find her family. She comes across an opportunity to be a governess to a Duke and decides that her best chance of finding her aristocratic father is to work in an aristocratic house.
Give this a try if you want:
- A child in the story – 4 year old Sophy has a ton of page time
- You like a mix of action, suspense, and romance – there is a villain/curse and a mystery to solve
- Class difference feel – Duke hero and governess heroine
- Working heroine – heroine worked in a milliner shop, then takes a governess role, and dreams of owning her own hat shop
- Botanist hero – he has traveled, studied, and drawn pictures of his discoveries
- Lower steam – there are 2 full scenes, one being at the very end
Ages:
- Heroine is 22, not sure about hero but I think mid to late 20s
My thoughts:
I listened to this on audiobook and Helen Lloyd was the narrator. I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love her narration either – not sure if reading if would have affected my rating but I think I would have ended similarly.
Sadly this romance didn’t focus enough on the couple and their romance for me to truly love it. I think if you are into the other factors of this story, especially having children in the story and the suspense and intrigue of a villain/mystery, this will be more your taste.
I did like the heroine – I thought she was steadfast, a bit spunky, charming and intelligent. I liked her interactions with her charge, and I liked how determined and hard working she was despite her unfortunate circumstances growing up.
I did love that the hero was a botanist! I felt like he wasn’t your average duke and appreciated his passion for foreign plants and animals. But he also came off as a bit of a jerk to me, and unkind.
Ultimately there was a lot going on other than the hero and heroine together and falling in love. There was the child taking a lot of page time, there was the mystery of the heroine’s father, and a villain wanting revenge. So the romance of them got a little lost for me.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
October 15, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
Hatmaker Tessa James has worked hard in hopes of opening her own millinery shop but having lost her job and her means of saving money for her own premises, she decides she must try to obtain a loan from the lord who fathered her and then abandoned her and her mother. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even know who he is, her only clue to his identity being a necklace with a noble coat of arms on it. When she overhears two society ladies gossiping about a duke desperate to find a governess he can keep for his unruly daughter, Tessa decides this is the answer to her monetary woes.
Guy Whitby, newly minted Duke of Carlin, has only recently returned to London after spending years sailing around the world researching coastal plants. In his absence his young daughter, Sophy, has been allowed to run wild and now he can’t keep a governess for more than a few days, sometimes only hours. When Tessa applies for the position, Guy decides to give her a chance despite his suspicions of her lack of references and the beauty that he notices entirely too much.
The growing attraction between Guy and Tessa leads to feelings that neither wants to give up but which are wholly inappropriate and impossible given their disparate stations. When an enemy surfaces to threaten Guy and his family, their romance is all but lost and each must decide if they can trust one another or allow difficult circumstances to pull them apart.
It took quite awhile for me to get into this book as much of the plot initially focused on Sophy and her wild antics as Tessa tried to improve her behavior. In fact, for much of the book, the relationship between Guy and Tessa is one of mistrust and suspicion. This gives way to lust soon enough, but that didn’t really convince me of true feelings. The romance was believable enough here by the end, but it was a long time in coming I think, with Guy and Tessa both bumbling around with their communication with one another and various villains coming between them in the meantime. I love steamy scenes and thought the ones here might be the key to solidifying this relationship, but somehow, they felt rather flat and unemotional, so I still didn’t get the connection I craved between the MCs. I enjoyed the slight aspect of mystery we got here and would’ve actually liked to see more of that. The villain was fairly easy to peg, but the plotting was skillful and sealed the relationship between Tessa and Guy into something that felt real. There were a few aspects of the plot that were left open and unfinished, such as Tessa’s friend from her old life, but for the most part I found the ending to be satisfying as a whole. Now I’m wondering if we’ll get a book for Avis and her earl, but if we do, I will likely read it as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Hatmaker Tessa James has worked hard in hopes of opening her own millinery shop but having lost her job and her means of saving money for her own premises, she decides she must try to obtain a loan from the lord who fathered her and then abandoned her and her mother. Unfortunately, she doesn’t even know who he is, her only clue to his identity being a necklace with a noble coat of arms on it. When she overhears two society ladies gossiping about a duke desperate to find a governess he can keep for his unruly daughter, Tessa decides this is the answer to her monetary woes.
Guy Whitby, newly minted Duke of Carlin, has only recently returned to London after spending years sailing around the world researching coastal plants. In his absence his young daughter, Sophy, has been allowed to run wild and now he can’t keep a governess for more than a few days, sometimes only hours. When Tessa applies for the position, Guy decides to give her a chance despite his suspicions of her lack of references and the beauty that he notices entirely too much.
The growing attraction between Guy and Tessa leads to feelings that neither wants to give up but which are wholly inappropriate and impossible given their disparate stations. When an enemy surfaces to threaten Guy and his family, their romance is all but lost and each must decide if they can trust one another or allow difficult circumstances to pull them apart.
It took quite awhile for me to get into this book as much of the plot initially focused on Sophy and her wild antics as Tessa tried to improve her behavior. In fact, for much of the book, the relationship between Guy and Tessa is one of mistrust and suspicion. This gives way to lust soon enough, but that didn’t really convince me of true feelings. The romance was believable enough here by the end, but it was a long time in coming I think, with Guy and Tessa both bumbling around with their communication with one another and various villains coming between them in the meantime. I love steamy scenes and thought the ones here might be the key to solidifying this relationship, but somehow, they felt rather flat and unemotional, so I still didn’t get the connection I craved between the MCs. I enjoyed the slight aspect of mystery we got here and would’ve actually liked to see more of that. The villain was fairly easy to peg, but the plotting was skillful and sealed the relationship between Tessa and Guy into something that felt real. There were a few aspects of the plot that were left open and unfinished, such as Tessa’s friend from her old life, but for the most part I found the ending to be satisfying as a whole. Now I’m wondering if we’ll get a book for Avis and her earl, but if we do, I will likely read it as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
August 1, 2021
3.5 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This was a cute historical regency romance about Tessa, a young woman who yearns to open her own millinery shop. When Tessa's mother dies during an accident, she gives her a locket with a coat or arms on it that presumably belonged to her father. Tessa plans to find her father and ask him to loan her enough money to open her own shop. Not having access to seeing the coat of arms of the nobility, she lies about her background and takes a job as governess to the troubled four year old daughter of the new Duke of Carlin in hopes that she will discover her father with her new access to the ton.
After his wife died in childbirth four years ago, the Duke left his daughter with his wife's parents and took off on a scientific journey around the world. He returned when the rest of the male heirs in his family unexpectedly die, to find his daughter a spoiled, unruly child. Even though the Duke discovers Tessa fudged her qualifications, she is making so much progress with his daughter that he's willing to keep her on. What neither of them expected was to be drawn to each other, even thought they know they can't be together.
When the Duke is shot at the circus, he realizes that there may be something to the rumored "Curse of the Carlins" and begins to investigate who may be out to kill him. Tessa insists on helping him and as the couple grow closer, they can't deny their attraction to each other.
This was a very typical historical fiction romance. There was nothing very new about the storyline or characters, but I still enjoyed reading how the story unfolds. The book is a quick and easy read and would be a good companion while lying on the beach or taking cover during a rainstorm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This was a cute historical regency romance about Tessa, a young woman who yearns to open her own millinery shop. When Tessa's mother dies during an accident, she gives her a locket with a coat or arms on it that presumably belonged to her father. Tessa plans to find her father and ask him to loan her enough money to open her own shop. Not having access to seeing the coat of arms of the nobility, she lies about her background and takes a job as governess to the troubled four year old daughter of the new Duke of Carlin in hopes that she will discover her father with her new access to the ton.
After his wife died in childbirth four years ago, the Duke left his daughter with his wife's parents and took off on a scientific journey around the world. He returned when the rest of the male heirs in his family unexpectedly die, to find his daughter a spoiled, unruly child. Even though the Duke discovers Tessa fudged her qualifications, she is making so much progress with his daughter that he's willing to keep her on. What neither of them expected was to be drawn to each other, even thought they know they can't be together.
When the Duke is shot at the circus, he realizes that there may be something to the rumored "Curse of the Carlins" and begins to investigate who may be out to kill him. Tessa insists on helping him and as the couple grow closer, they can't deny their attraction to each other.
This was a very typical historical fiction romance. There was nothing very new about the storyline or characters, but I still enjoyed reading how the story unfolds. The book is a quick and easy read and would be a good companion while lying on the beach or taking cover during a rainstorm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.
July 26, 2021
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for this light, enjoyable romance between a lower-class orphan and the unexpected heir to a dukedom. Guy has been absent for the past 4 years while his daughter remained in England. Now he's back and his child is monstrously spoiled - and his search for an appropriate governess has been absolutely unfruitful. After hearing about his predicament from her post as a milliner's assistant, Tessa gives notice and shows up at his townhouse, pretending to be the governess sent by the agency.
While Guy and Tessa navigate their inconvenient attraction to each other, they are also trying to unravel several mysteries of their own: Tessa is looking for the highborn father who abandoned her and her mother, while Guy's journals have been stolen, a crime which may relate to the recent untimely deaths in his family. This is a solid enjoyable romance that doesn't break new ground - but also doesn't backtrack to problematic romances of lore.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
While Guy and Tessa navigate their inconvenient attraction to each other, they are also trying to unravel several mysteries of their own: Tessa is looking for the highborn father who abandoned her and her mother, while Guy's journals have been stolen, a crime which may relate to the recent untimely deaths in his family. This is a solid enjoyable romance that doesn't break new ground - but also doesn't backtrack to problematic romances of lore.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
March 23, 2021
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.*
This was a delightful little story about a Duke and a woman on a mission.
Tessa is a hat-maker who is a bastard daughter of an aristocrat, but she isn't sure which one. All she has is a dream for her own shop and a pendant with her family seal on it, left to her by her dead mother. When she overhears that a Duke is having governess problems, as in, trouble keeping one. She jumps at the chance to insert herself into the household and see if she can find information on her heritage.
Carlin is a man at a loss. He came back from a scientific voyage to a dead wife and a child who hates him. His little girl is out of control and can't keep a governess. He wants the best for her, but his choices are limited. He knows something is off about Tessa, but is honestly more disturbed by his attraction to her than anything else. She soon quickly proves herself as capable of taming his daughter and now he just has to fight his attraction to her and stop from ruining everything.
This book started off real strong and it was a quick read for me. I loved the set up and the characters and I LOVED watching the Duke get a chance to win over his daughter and become the father he wants to be. I could have used a bit more scenes with all three of them together (daughter, governess, and duke) because they were some of my favorites.
The romance had great tension, if a little on the tame side and my only real complaint is that the conflict was a bit confusing. There was a mystery element included that started too late and dragged on too long. There wasn't enough time to see Carlin woo Tessa. After he gets injured protecting her, she is just ready for anything he wants.
This was still a fun read and I would look forward to trying another Olivia Drake in the future.
4/5 stars for me.
This was a delightful little story about a Duke and a woman on a mission.
Tessa is a hat-maker who is a bastard daughter of an aristocrat, but she isn't sure which one. All she has is a dream for her own shop and a pendant with her family seal on it, left to her by her dead mother. When she overhears that a Duke is having governess problems, as in, trouble keeping one. She jumps at the chance to insert herself into the household and see if she can find information on her heritage.
Carlin is a man at a loss. He came back from a scientific voyage to a dead wife and a child who hates him. His little girl is out of control and can't keep a governess. He wants the best for her, but his choices are limited. He knows something is off about Tessa, but is honestly more disturbed by his attraction to her than anything else. She soon quickly proves herself as capable of taming his daughter and now he just has to fight his attraction to her and stop from ruining everything.
This book started off real strong and it was a quick read for me. I loved the set up and the characters and I LOVED watching the Duke get a chance to win over his daughter and become the father he wants to be. I could have used a bit more scenes with all three of them together (daughter, governess, and duke) because they were some of my favorites.
The romance had great tension, if a little on the tame side and my only real complaint is that the conflict was a bit confusing. There was a mystery element included that started too late and dragged on too long. There wasn't enough time to see Carlin woo Tessa. After he gets injured protecting her, she is just ready for anything he wants.
This was still a fun read and I would look forward to trying another Olivia Drake in the future.
4/5 stars for me.
July 28, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
A good, solid Historical-Romance with a suspense sub-plot. It all works very nicely, but I just didn't feel the passion. I understood the heroine's need for independence and her reluctance to give up her dreams of owning her own shop. But, she was not willing to try and understand what the hero needed.
Tessa James works in a millinery shop and dreams of owning her own shop some day. If she can track down the lord who is her father, she can persuade him to give her a loan, she hopes. When she is fired, that quest takes a backseat to the need of finding another job. She hears about a Duke whose daughter is a terror and has run off six different governesses. Tessa decides to apply and is determined not to be number seven. One little problem: she has no references. Being the governess in a Duke's household would give her opportunities to search for her father.
When Guy Whitby found out he was the new Duke of Carlin, he was half-way across the world and when he got home he found a four year old daughter who was a power unto herself. Sophy was a very unhappy child and Tessa knew that she could help this family. Guy had no other options and hired her. This determined and beautiful woman was just what this Duke needed in his life.
3 1/2-Stars
A good, solid Historical-Romance with a suspense sub-plot. It all works very nicely, but I just didn't feel the passion. I understood the heroine's need for independence and her reluctance to give up her dreams of owning her own shop. But, she was not willing to try and understand what the hero needed.
Tessa James works in a millinery shop and dreams of owning her own shop some day. If she can track down the lord who is her father, she can persuade him to give her a loan, she hopes. When she is fired, that quest takes a backseat to the need of finding another job. She hears about a Duke whose daughter is a terror and has run off six different governesses. Tessa decides to apply and is determined not to be number seven. One little problem: she has no references. Being the governess in a Duke's household would give her opportunities to search for her father.
When Guy Whitby found out he was the new Duke of Carlin, he was half-way across the world and when he got home he found a four year old daughter who was a power unto herself. Sophy was a very unhappy child and Tessa knew that she could help this family. Guy had no other options and hired her. This determined and beautiful woman was just what this Duke needed in his life.
3 1/2-Stars
March 21, 2021
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Tessa James has dreams to find the father who abandoned her and open her own milinary shop. To further her dreams, she lies to get the position of governess for the Duke of Carlin's unruly daughter, Sophy.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the way that Tessa handled Sophy, and how at the end they had an extremely strong bond. She helped Sophy learned to trust and love her father after years of having negative thoughts put in her head by her maternal grandparents. I loved both Tessa and Guy together, and thought their relationship was sweet.
My only complaint would be that the mystery aspect of the story only happened in the last 25 percent of the book, and it felt a little rushed. I still was surprised by who the villain was, and did not expect it.
Overall, it was a really good story. It is better than a lot of the historical romance that I've been reading lately.
Tessa James has dreams to find the father who abandoned her and open her own milinary shop. To further her dreams, she lies to get the position of governess for the Duke of Carlin's unruly daughter, Sophy.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the way that Tessa handled Sophy, and how at the end they had an extremely strong bond. She helped Sophy learned to trust and love her father after years of having negative thoughts put in her head by her maternal grandparents. I loved both Tessa and Guy together, and thought their relationship was sweet.
My only complaint would be that the mystery aspect of the story only happened in the last 25 percent of the book, and it felt a little rushed. I still was surprised by who the villain was, and did not expect it.
Overall, it was a really good story. It is better than a lot of the historical romance that I've been reading lately.
August 19, 2021
This was a good forbidden love romance that was set up to feature a noble falling for his daughter’s governess. The chemistry was evident between these two MC from the get go yet propriety causes them both to fight their attraction. The author perfectly set the stage for quite a bit of unresolved sexual tension and sprinkled in some good old angst to really make this couple work for their HEA. In addition to the main characters falling in love this story had an added mystery woven into the plot with some cloak and dagger activity. Overall the story flowed very well and I enjoyed it.
What I was slightly upset about was there was no extended HEA for the MC’s and the heroine learns a lot of shocking details about her life, yet they are not well explored or fleshed out. It felt a bit rushed and missed a great opportunity for character growth. I was also slightly miffed that the sexy scenes between the H/h were not very vivid and almost glossed over. This is a Regency Romance I expect some hot passionate scenes.
I do have to say I love the cover and the beautiful purple is what initially drew me to check out the story.
3 Stars ⭐️ | 1.5 Flames 🔥
What I was slightly upset about was there was no extended HEA for the MC’s and the heroine learns a lot of shocking details about her life, yet they are not well explored or fleshed out. It felt a bit rushed and missed a great opportunity for character growth. I was also slightly miffed that the sexy scenes between the H/h were not very vivid and almost glossed over. This is a Regency Romance I expect some hot passionate scenes.
I do have to say I love the cover and the beautiful purple is what initially drew me to check out the story.
3 Stars ⭐️ | 1.5 Flames 🔥
July 13, 2021
Series: Unlikely Duchesses #3
Publication Date: 7/27/21
Period: Regency, London
Number of Pages: 318
This book hits the ground running on the very first page and doesn’t stop until it crosses the finish line with a most satisfying HEA. Sandwiched in-between is a petulant 4-year-old, revengeful grandparents, a thief, a betrayer, and a murderer. OH! My!
Tessa James, orphan, hatmaker, and newly hired governess, has had a very hard life. She’s survived being base-born, losing her mother at six years old, living in a workhouse, and working ungodly long hours in a milliner’s shop. Now, she is absolutely determined to identify the aristocrat who sired her and then turned her mother out to fend for herself. When she does find him, she doesn’t want to berate him or punish him, she merely wants to ask him for a loan of enough money to start her own millinery shop. After all, he owes her at least that much in life. Her only clue to his identity is a necklace her mother gave her – a necklace with a coat of arms engraved on it. Tessa isn’t a dishonest person, but she knows she cannot find the person who has that crest while she’s working at the milliner’s shop because she only has one half day a week to search. Her solution is to talk the desperate Duke of Carlin into hiring her as a governess – and to manage that without a letter of reference or any experience. Can she con him into a position in his home? She’s sure she can deal with the wild-child Sophy because she’s spent her life caring for children in the workhouse. However, convincing the duke might be a challenge. You think???
Guy Whitby, the seventh Duke of Carlin, never wanted nor expected to be a duke. However, with a number of very unexpected deaths in the Whitby male line, here he is. He can manage the many estates and financial matters of the duchy, but there is one very small, very angry, very unhappy little girl that he isn’t sure he or anyone else can manage. That little termagant seems to run off a governess every other day. He loves his daughter and feels guilty over having left her to the devices of his former in-laws. However, he honestly felt Sophy would be better off if she was cared for by Annnabell’s parents. Annabell’s death in childbirth triggered Guy to outfit a ship and take off around the world cataloging the flora of the coastal regions – and he left the infant Sophy in the care of his in-laws for four years – until he inherited the title and had to return home. He's a stranger to Sophy and she’s very much afraid of him. She’s also willful, stubborn, and is a master at pitching temper tantrums. Goodness does he ever need a solid, reliable governess for Sophy.
Guy and Tessa are wonderful characters and it was a real treat to watch them overcome their social differences and come to trust each other. That trust is sorely tested when Guy’s diaries of his travels are stolen and he thinks Tessa could surely be the thief. But, when Tessa’s life is at stake, the important things become very, very clear.
I can definitely recommend this read and I hope you will love these very likable and relatable characters as much as I did. The writing is excellent, the pacing is perfect, and the mystery might keep you guessing. I guessed the villain almost as soon as he graced the page, but I didn’t know why – so that was definitely enough to keep me intrigued. Happy reading!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 7/27/21
Period: Regency, London
Number of Pages: 318
This book hits the ground running on the very first page and doesn’t stop until it crosses the finish line with a most satisfying HEA. Sandwiched in-between is a petulant 4-year-old, revengeful grandparents, a thief, a betrayer, and a murderer. OH! My!
Tessa James, orphan, hatmaker, and newly hired governess, has had a very hard life. She’s survived being base-born, losing her mother at six years old, living in a workhouse, and working ungodly long hours in a milliner’s shop. Now, she is absolutely determined to identify the aristocrat who sired her and then turned her mother out to fend for herself. When she does find him, she doesn’t want to berate him or punish him, she merely wants to ask him for a loan of enough money to start her own millinery shop. After all, he owes her at least that much in life. Her only clue to his identity is a necklace her mother gave her – a necklace with a coat of arms engraved on it. Tessa isn’t a dishonest person, but she knows she cannot find the person who has that crest while she’s working at the milliner’s shop because she only has one half day a week to search. Her solution is to talk the desperate Duke of Carlin into hiring her as a governess – and to manage that without a letter of reference or any experience. Can she con him into a position in his home? She’s sure she can deal with the wild-child Sophy because she’s spent her life caring for children in the workhouse. However, convincing the duke might be a challenge. You think???
Guy Whitby, the seventh Duke of Carlin, never wanted nor expected to be a duke. However, with a number of very unexpected deaths in the Whitby male line, here he is. He can manage the many estates and financial matters of the duchy, but there is one very small, very angry, very unhappy little girl that he isn’t sure he or anyone else can manage. That little termagant seems to run off a governess every other day. He loves his daughter and feels guilty over having left her to the devices of his former in-laws. However, he honestly felt Sophy would be better off if she was cared for by Annnabell’s parents. Annabell’s death in childbirth triggered Guy to outfit a ship and take off around the world cataloging the flora of the coastal regions – and he left the infant Sophy in the care of his in-laws for four years – until he inherited the title and had to return home. He's a stranger to Sophy and she’s very much afraid of him. She’s also willful, stubborn, and is a master at pitching temper tantrums. Goodness does he ever need a solid, reliable governess for Sophy.
Guy and Tessa are wonderful characters and it was a real treat to watch them overcome their social differences and come to trust each other. That trust is sorely tested when Guy’s diaries of his travels are stolen and he thinks Tessa could surely be the thief. But, when Tessa’s life is at stake, the important things become very, very clear.
I can definitely recommend this read and I hope you will love these very likable and relatable characters as much as I did. The writing is excellent, the pacing is perfect, and the mystery might keep you guessing. I guessed the villain almost as soon as he graced the page, but I didn’t know why – so that was definitely enough to keep me intrigued. Happy reading!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 23, 2021
This book was a nice slow burn. The story line was unique & I enjoyed both main characters. Guy was not you typical Duke and was really down to earth. Tessa was a ambitious orphan who was trying to better her life. Who was the enemy came as a surprise at the end for me. Over all I really liked this story.
July 21, 2021
Tessa James is ready to open her own millinery shop. She just needs the finances to do so and the Lord who sired her is nowhere to be found. With no other options she decides to become a governess.
Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlton, returns to London from abroad only to discover that his daughter is truly a wild child. Out of desperation he hires the first governess to apply after all the previous ones quit on him. That just so happens to be Tessa.
Sparks fly in their forbidden romance and a nefarious person threatens Guy's family.
The premise of this book was solid, however I found the romance to be lacking and the mystery a bit too easily resolved.
Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlton, returns to London from abroad only to discover that his daughter is truly a wild child. Out of desperation he hires the first governess to apply after all the previous ones quit on him. That just so happens to be Tessa.
Sparks fly in their forbidden romance and a nefarious person threatens Guy's family.
The premise of this book was solid, however I found the romance to be lacking and the mystery a bit too easily resolved.
July 30, 2021
As the bastard daughter of an aristocrat, Tessa learned very early that she needed to rely on herself through work to survive, and her dream was about to come true.
She needed a little more cash to finally get her venture up and running.
Upon hearing that the new Duke of Carlin needed a governess, she immediately applied for the job.
Guy Whitby was desperate for a governess as his daughter, of terrible behavior, had expelled the previous ones.
He hires Tessa even though he knows he wasn't in his right mind. She was too young - and maybe her credentials weren't real - and too pretty. But his despair spoke louder.
Living under the same roof, the attraction spoke louder and made them fall in love.
But Duke's former enemies could disrupt that relationship, as well as endanger his home.
4 stars
She needed a little more cash to finally get her venture up and running.
Upon hearing that the new Duke of Carlin needed a governess, she immediately applied for the job.
Guy Whitby was desperate for a governess as his daughter, of terrible behavior, had expelled the previous ones.
He hires Tessa even though he knows he wasn't in his right mind. She was too young - and maybe her credentials weren't real - and too pretty. But his despair spoke louder.
Living under the same roof, the attraction spoke louder and made them fall in love.
But Duke's former enemies could disrupt that relationship, as well as endanger his home.
4 stars
August 18, 2021
This was a solid romance. Tessa is an orphan who dreams of owning her own milliner shop. Low on funds she concocts a plan to become a governess to a wayward child of a Duke. With only a pendant that has a coat of arms on it, she looks for the father who turned his back on her & her mother. As she meets the Duke, her plans take a deeper meaning.
I liked the characters. I thought Tessa and Guy were a good match. The “mystery” was decent and managed to keep my interest. This just lacked the banter and humor that I tend to love but, overall, I enjoyed the story.
I liked the characters. I thought Tessa and Guy were a good match. The “mystery” was decent and managed to keep my interest. This just lacked the banter and humor that I tend to love but, overall, I enjoyed the story.
June 19, 2021
Diabolical, mystery... This book is a great example of how much you can find yourself captivated by the story.
Tessa and Guy are a great example of how much love can mean.
Tessa finds that love is greater than ones identity.
Guy is a Duke who learns to be a father.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Tessa and Guy are a great example of how much love can mean.
Tessa finds that love is greater than ones identity.
Guy is a Duke who learns to be a father.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
July 24, 2021
4.5 Stars
Tessa James is an orphan who has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn't even know his name all she has is a necklace with a coat of arms that her mother gave her. Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she's too bold and beautiful-and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Guy didn’t expect to be a duke but the unexpected deaths of male relatives means he’s now a duke
This is the third book in the series & is easily read on its own. This book is my favourite of the series, fast paced with strong characters & a lovely mix of intrigue, mystery & romance. I loved both Guy & Tessa, he’s an unexpected duke & she’s the lowly orphan, their chemistry simmers then sizzles. The road to their HEA isn’t easy as they have much to overcome but it made for a book that I found very hard to put down. Sophy stole the book & was one problem of a four year old. A very well written engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Tessa James is an orphan who has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn't even know his name all she has is a necklace with a coat of arms that her mother gave her. Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she's too bold and beautiful-and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Guy didn’t expect to be a duke but the unexpected deaths of male relatives means he’s now a duke
This is the third book in the series & is easily read on its own. This book is my favourite of the series, fast paced with strong characters & a lovely mix of intrigue, mystery & romance. I loved both Guy & Tessa, he’s an unexpected duke & she’s the lowly orphan, their chemistry simmers then sizzles. The road to their HEA isn’t easy as they have much to overcome but it made for a book that I found very hard to put down. Sophy stole the book & was one problem of a four year old. A very well written engrossing read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
March 17, 2021
ARC KINDLY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR FOR HONEST REVIEW!!
Miss. Tessa Jones was raised in a foundling home. Her mother was killed by a coach as they were crossing the road. Before her mother dies she gives Tessa a Pendent and her last words were father and pain. Tessa wants to own her own Millinery shop. She hopes to find her father and ask for a loan.
Guy Whitby Duke of Carlin has a 4 year old unruly daughter Sophy. Sophy throws tantrums and runs off 6 governess's in a month.
Tessa applies for the job and gets it. She had been caught in so many lies the Duke almost fires her. But Tessa and Sophy are getting on well together and the Duke sees progress in his daughter.
There is an attempted murder in the story, so figuring out who the murder is was harder then I though. I did have the suspect on my list of two.
The story moves fast and its really heart warming. The reason its 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have like to seen more interaction with Tessa, the Duke and Sophy together. There needed to be more romance time between Tessa and the Duke for sure!! For some reason I didn't connect well with Tessa. It was something missing in her character! I also, think the end was a abrupt and needs and Epilog!! Other then that its a Great Story!!
Miss. Tessa Jones was raised in a foundling home. Her mother was killed by a coach as they were crossing the road. Before her mother dies she gives Tessa a Pendent and her last words were father and pain. Tessa wants to own her own Millinery shop. She hopes to find her father and ask for a loan.
Guy Whitby Duke of Carlin has a 4 year old unruly daughter Sophy. Sophy throws tantrums and runs off 6 governess's in a month.
Tessa applies for the job and gets it. She had been caught in so many lies the Duke almost fires her. But Tessa and Sophy are getting on well together and the Duke sees progress in his daughter.
There is an attempted murder in the story, so figuring out who the murder is was harder then I though. I did have the suspect on my list of two.
The story moves fast and its really heart warming. The reason its 4 stars instead of 5 is because I would have like to seen more interaction with Tessa, the Duke and Sophy together. There needed to be more romance time between Tessa and the Duke for sure!! For some reason I didn't connect well with Tessa. It was something missing in her character! I also, think the end was a abrupt and needs and Epilog!! Other then that its a Great Story!!
July 23, 2021
When a Duke Loves a Governess is another book from Olivia Drake that I really enjoyed. Wonderful characters, great banter, and a little bit of mystery make for a perfect historical romance. I adored Guy and Tessa's love story, and I am looking forward to reading more books in the series. I highly recommend the Unlikely Duchesses series to all historical romance readers.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
July 21, 2021
Dreams and determination!
Tessa James, a milliner apprentice with dreams and a driving ambition, finds herself unemployed when she unwisely challenges her boss and walks out. Urgently needing employment amongst the ton she ends up as a governess to the daughter of Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlin.
Tessa was brought up in a foundling and is determined to find out who her father is. Her only clue? A locket with a coat of arms.
And then there’s the matter of what Guy’s aunt refers to as ,’The Carlin Curse.’
Interesting beginnings. I liked the Duke but Tessa just didn’t do it for me.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
Tessa James, a milliner apprentice with dreams and a driving ambition, finds herself unemployed when she unwisely challenges her boss and walks out. Urgently needing employment amongst the ton she ends up as a governess to the daughter of Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlin.
Tessa was brought up in a foundling and is determined to find out who her father is. Her only clue? A locket with a coat of arms.
And then there’s the matter of what Guy’s aunt refers to as ,’The Carlin Curse.’
Interesting beginnings. I liked the Duke but Tessa just didn’t do it for me.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley
May 29, 2021
There's only one detail that bothered me a little which I will explain more in my longer review, but the book was very great. I highly recommend it.
April 10, 2021
ARC received for review
Hi. It's me the person who likes to not read the first books in a series. But no worries, this is a stand alone. The previous couples aren't even mentioned in this book.
Tessa wants to get out of the back room and open her own hat shop. She overhears customers talking about a Duke who needs a governess. She takes a chance and it pays off. Duke/Carlin/Guy hires her and she starts working miracles with his daughter. His former in-laws are jerks for the highest order plus there's concern that all his male relatives maybe didn't die through natural causes or freak accidents. Plus Tessa is trying to find her father who is high borne and the only clue she has is a locket her mother left her. Guy falls for her and helps her in her search. Then the bad guy tries to get rid of both of them. True love wins in the end.
Hi. It's me the person who likes to not read the first books in a series. But no worries, this is a stand alone. The previous couples aren't even mentioned in this book.
Tessa wants to get out of the back room and open her own hat shop. She overhears customers talking about a Duke who needs a governess. She takes a chance and it pays off. Duke/Carlin/Guy hires her and she starts working miracles with his daughter. His former in-laws are jerks for the highest order plus there's concern that all his male relatives maybe didn't die through natural causes or freak accidents. Plus Tessa is trying to find her father who is high borne and the only clue she has is a locket her mother left her. Guy falls for her and helps her in her search. Then the bad guy tries to get rid of both of them. True love wins in the end.
June 14, 2021
What a dud. I was really enjoying this book in the beginning but somewhere around 20-30 percent I just didn’t care about anything. The romance was okay but I feel there are too many lies and distrust between the two of them. Tessa, who has been on her own her whole life, is incredibly naive and has survived on pure dumb luck. Carlin was better but I wished I seen more develop. The reveals were good. The plot is a bit unbelievable altogether though. Who hires someone as a governess that you know is hiding something and has no actual experience as a governess? She makes hats and was around children years before. Doesn’t make her qualified but I guess he found her attractive? I just didn’t feel much for the romance. Plot seemed to all over the place.
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
July 21, 2021
⚔️When a Duke Loves a Governess ⚔️
Unlikely Duchesses Series #3
✒️ Olivia Drake
https://www.facebook.com/Olivia-Drake...
Release Date 07/27/2021
Publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HKXFK8B/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess...!
Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?
Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will their set paths keep them apart …
I discovered the author with the previous book, so I was much curious about this upcoming story.
Once more as it matches unlikely characters, even more as both were not meant to become who they are now.
Tessa was never destined to be a governess, growing up in the shadiest parts of the city, she is quite content to have escaped a worse path and is longing to become her own master. But all her years of drudgery leave her far from reaching her goal. So when eavesdropping a Duke is in dire need of a governess for his unruly untamed daughter, she imagines she might have found a solution to her own predicament, earn more all the while solving the mystery behind her father’s identity. Yet how a hat-maker could pass as a governess when her education is definitely lacking. With pluck and nerve, and a bit of luck.
Guy was never supposed to become Carlin, hell, he was forth in line. And running estates never was his dream, his calling is botany and exploring the world. Not sitting in the House of Lords.
Yet he is now back, struggling to settle in his new fonctions and also at loss over his motherless daughter, a slip of a girl who turns his household upside down and appears to loathe him.
Is it why they were never supposed to meet, to stand at this place that they feel a pull.
Quickly they put their expected doubts aside, bonding first over a little girl in need of cheer and true love. Then soon they move together to solve the mystery behind her birth plus the conundrum of his home burglary, which appears to only be the top shelf of a deeper deception.
Yet as secrets are revealed, they will have to revise their course of actions, decide what is worth or not and if love will be enough to alter their journey for it. All the while facing foes and battling for their lives.
An entertaining gripping nonstop actions tale filled with secrets, betrayals, murder but also love and family bonds.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
Unlikely Duchesses Series #3
✒️ Olivia Drake
https://www.facebook.com/Olivia-Drake...
Release Date 07/27/2021
Publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HKXFK8B/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess...!
Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?
Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will their set paths keep them apart …
I discovered the author with the previous book, so I was much curious about this upcoming story.
Once more as it matches unlikely characters, even more as both were not meant to become who they are now.
Tessa was never destined to be a governess, growing up in the shadiest parts of the city, she is quite content to have escaped a worse path and is longing to become her own master. But all her years of drudgery leave her far from reaching her goal. So when eavesdropping a Duke is in dire need of a governess for his unruly untamed daughter, she imagines she might have found a solution to her own predicament, earn more all the while solving the mystery behind her father’s identity. Yet how a hat-maker could pass as a governess when her education is definitely lacking. With pluck and nerve, and a bit of luck.
Guy was never supposed to become Carlin, hell, he was forth in line. And running estates never was his dream, his calling is botany and exploring the world. Not sitting in the House of Lords.
Yet he is now back, struggling to settle in his new fonctions and also at loss over his motherless daughter, a slip of a girl who turns his household upside down and appears to loathe him.
Is it why they were never supposed to meet, to stand at this place that they feel a pull.
Quickly they put their expected doubts aside, bonding first over a little girl in need of cheer and true love. Then soon they move together to solve the mystery behind her birth plus the conundrum of his home burglary, which appears to only be the top shelf of a deeper deception.
Yet as secrets are revealed, they will have to revise their course of actions, decide what is worth or not and if love will be enough to alter their journey for it. All the while facing foes and battling for their lives.
An entertaining gripping nonstop actions tale filled with secrets, betrayals, murder but also love and family bonds.
4 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes
I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher St Martin’s Paperbacks, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
July 26, 2021
When a Duke Loves a Governess follows Tessa, who wants more than anything to own her own hat shop. Having lost her mother at a young age and not knowing her father, Tessa lived in an orphanage and has worked hard to achieve her goals. However, she still doesn’t have enough money for a shop. When an opportunity to work as a governess arises, Tessa jumps at the chance. Becoming a governess will give Tessa the funds for her shop and the opportunity to find her father.
With only a locket to prove her aristocratic father’s identity and an unruly child to care for, Tessa’s dream is filled with obstacles. And when she starts to fall for Guy, the duke who has hired her, Tessa’s dreams begin to change. An enemy threatening Guy’s family, a curse, secrets, and many other obstacles stand in the way of their forbidden love, which makes for a captivating and romantic read.
Guy never expected to become duke, but after several deaths in his family, the role is thrust upon him. Guy enjoyed his life abroad as a botanist, and he struggles with the new responsibility. He also now has to care for his young and uncontrollable daughter, who has lived with her grandparents while Guy was away. To top it all off, there is a supposed curse on the family that ends all of the men’s lives too soon.
I so enjoyed the love story between Guy and Tessa. They have great chemistry, and I like how their affection for each other slowly builds. Being an employer/employee and coming from different classes are huge obstacles for them, as are the other more dangerous problems that stand in their way, but Tessa and Guy work through their problems well. They make a great team, and, in addition to the romance, I like how the mysteries of the curse and Tessa’s father unfold. There were a few revelations that I didn’t expect, and I like how solving these mysteries brought Tessa and Guy closer together. They are also connected by their mutual love for Sophy.
Sophy is an out-of-control terror who has run away every other governess she’s had. Poor Sophy! Mad at being taken from her grandparents and feeling unwanted by her father, Sophy is filled with frustration, resentment, and anger. Of course, Sophy acts out and behaves terribly. Luckily, Tessa has a lot of experience with kids, and she is very patient. I love how Sophy and Tessa grow closer and how their relationship strengthens throughout the story. Tessa slowly gains her trust and love, and the feelings are reciprocated. They have a lovely bond, and Tessa is definitely a positive influence on Sophy’s (and Guy’s) life. Other characters like Carlin and Tessa (we need more of them, please!) are fabulous additions to the story as well.
I thought this was a fun historical romance with well-developed and interesting characters. The storyline is intriguing with a bit of mystery, intrigue, and a wonderful love story. Also, though it is the third book in the Unlikely Duchesses series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
With only a locket to prove her aristocratic father’s identity and an unruly child to care for, Tessa’s dream is filled with obstacles. And when she starts to fall for Guy, the duke who has hired her, Tessa’s dreams begin to change. An enemy threatening Guy’s family, a curse, secrets, and many other obstacles stand in the way of their forbidden love, which makes for a captivating and romantic read.
Guy never expected to become duke, but after several deaths in his family, the role is thrust upon him. Guy enjoyed his life abroad as a botanist, and he struggles with the new responsibility. He also now has to care for his young and uncontrollable daughter, who has lived with her grandparents while Guy was away. To top it all off, there is a supposed curse on the family that ends all of the men’s lives too soon.
I so enjoyed the love story between Guy and Tessa. They have great chemistry, and I like how their affection for each other slowly builds. Being an employer/employee and coming from different classes are huge obstacles for them, as are the other more dangerous problems that stand in their way, but Tessa and Guy work through their problems well. They make a great team, and, in addition to the romance, I like how the mysteries of the curse and Tessa’s father unfold. There were a few revelations that I didn’t expect, and I like how solving these mysteries brought Tessa and Guy closer together. They are also connected by their mutual love for Sophy.
Sophy is an out-of-control terror who has run away every other governess she’s had. Poor Sophy! Mad at being taken from her grandparents and feeling unwanted by her father, Sophy is filled with frustration, resentment, and anger. Of course, Sophy acts out and behaves terribly. Luckily, Tessa has a lot of experience with kids, and she is very patient. I love how Sophy and Tessa grow closer and how their relationship strengthens throughout the story. Tessa slowly gains her trust and love, and the feelings are reciprocated. They have a lovely bond, and Tessa is definitely a positive influence on Sophy’s (and Guy’s) life. Other characters like Carlin and Tessa (we need more of them, please!) are fabulous additions to the story as well.
I thought this was a fun historical romance with well-developed and interesting characters. The storyline is intriguing with a bit of mystery, intrigue, and a wonderful love story. Also, though it is the third book in the Unlikely Duchesses series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
April 13, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Tessa James wants to find her aristocratic father, who abandoned her mother while pregnant, and ask him for a loan so she can start her own millinery business, rather than being at the beck and call of others. She has scrimped and saved for years, and has a small savings pot, but needs to speed it up. The problem is, the only link she has to her father is a locket her mother gave her before she died, with a heraldic emblem on it. When Tessa overhears that the Duke of Carlin needs a new governess for his young daughter, Sophy, Tessa decides to try and blag her way in, and hopefully use the time to find her father. However, the growing attraction between herself and Guy, and the love and affection she feels for Sophy, soon make Tessa want more than just her own millinery business, and will the 'Carlin Curse' come back to haunt them?
This book was definitely my favourite of the series, even though I enjoyed all of the others. As soon as I had started it, and met Tessa, Guy, and Sophy, I was hooked, and one thing I will say for Olivia, she knows how to write families, and romances. Tessa and Sophy may have had a difficult start, with Sophy feeling unwanted by her father, hating being taken from her grandparents and elderly nursemaid when Guy returned from overseas, and had been running all her other governesses out of the home with her behaviour. She didn't want to like Tessa, and didn't make it easy for her, but with Tessa's history of living in an orphanage, and looking after the younger girls, she knew how to gain her trust, and later, her affection.
For Guy, he never expected to be duke, as the son of one of the younger sons, but when his uncles, father, and elder cousin died, his grandfather made him heir, and he had to return home for his travels looking at botany and wildlife abroad. All of his relatives seem to have died in weird or strange circumstances, and when his aunt proclaims that there is a curse on the family, Guy, with the help of Tessa, start to investigate it further. I will admit that I had guessed that the culprit was involved somehow, but not to the full extent of it all. Even so, I loved the mystery, and the resolution of it all, as well as how the truth of Tessa's heritage was. I never expected it all, especially when more is revealed about her mother's past, but it fit her perfectly, and, more importantly, fit the story. Tessa and Guy had a fantastic relationship, and I really appreciated the growth in their friendship first, then romance. They both truly cared for Sophy, and that brought them a kinship, which helped them realise their love for one another, and that they could be together. I can't wait to see what Olivia releases next!
Tessa James wants to find her aristocratic father, who abandoned her mother while pregnant, and ask him for a loan so she can start her own millinery business, rather than being at the beck and call of others. She has scrimped and saved for years, and has a small savings pot, but needs to speed it up. The problem is, the only link she has to her father is a locket her mother gave her before she died, with a heraldic emblem on it. When Tessa overhears that the Duke of Carlin needs a new governess for his young daughter, Sophy, Tessa decides to try and blag her way in, and hopefully use the time to find her father. However, the growing attraction between herself and Guy, and the love and affection she feels for Sophy, soon make Tessa want more than just her own millinery business, and will the 'Carlin Curse' come back to haunt them?
This book was definitely my favourite of the series, even though I enjoyed all of the others. As soon as I had started it, and met Tessa, Guy, and Sophy, I was hooked, and one thing I will say for Olivia, she knows how to write families, and romances. Tessa and Sophy may have had a difficult start, with Sophy feeling unwanted by her father, hating being taken from her grandparents and elderly nursemaid when Guy returned from overseas, and had been running all her other governesses out of the home with her behaviour. She didn't want to like Tessa, and didn't make it easy for her, but with Tessa's history of living in an orphanage, and looking after the younger girls, she knew how to gain her trust, and later, her affection.
For Guy, he never expected to be duke, as the son of one of the younger sons, but when his uncles, father, and elder cousin died, his grandfather made him heir, and he had to return home for his travels looking at botany and wildlife abroad. All of his relatives seem to have died in weird or strange circumstances, and when his aunt proclaims that there is a curse on the family, Guy, with the help of Tessa, start to investigate it further. I will admit that I had guessed that the culprit was involved somehow, but not to the full extent of it all. Even so, I loved the mystery, and the resolution of it all, as well as how the truth of Tessa's heritage was. I never expected it all, especially when more is revealed about her mother's past, but it fit her perfectly, and, more importantly, fit the story. Tessa and Guy had a fantastic relationship, and I really appreciated the growth in their friendship first, then romance. They both truly cared for Sophy, and that brought them a kinship, which helped them realise their love for one another, and that they could be together. I can't wait to see what Olivia releases next!
July 4, 2021
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is the third stand alone in her Unlikely Duchesses series. I'll be honest when I started reading this I'm not sure that I was in a historical romance mood, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Tessa James dreams of discovering who her birth father is and of opening her own millinery shop. When she learns that The Duke of Carlin is in dire need of a governess for his daughter, she decides to take a shot at the position. She alters her background and surprisingly gets the job. She so quickly displays a knack for dealing the young girl that even when The Duke finds out her lies, he keeps her own as governess. There is also a chemistry between Tessa and The Duke that they try to ignore, but they eventually give into desires. When her parentage turns out to be nobility, will she be able to trust that The Duke's proclamation of feelings to be genuine.
"I also simply wanted to see you, Tessa. Two days was too long to be separated from you. I crave your company, more than anyone else of my acquaintance."
This was a pleasant read with characters I liked, but nothing that made them stand out to other historical romances. I did really enjoy little Sophy though, my heart broke for the young girl who just want to feel loved. There were some great interactions between the three of them as Tessa helped mend the relationship between father and daughter. As for Tessa and The Duke individually they were unmemorable, but together they had been a pleasure.
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is a slow burn, low steam, high angst historical romance with a side of mystery. This is my first time reading Olivia Drake and i'd be interested in reading more by her in the future.
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is the third stand alone in her Unlikely Duchesses series. I'll be honest when I started reading this I'm not sure that I was in a historical romance mood, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Tessa James dreams of discovering who her birth father is and of opening her own millinery shop. When she learns that The Duke of Carlin is in dire need of a governess for his daughter, she decides to take a shot at the position. She alters her background and surprisingly gets the job. She so quickly displays a knack for dealing the young girl that even when The Duke finds out her lies, he keeps her own as governess. There is also a chemistry between Tessa and The Duke that they try to ignore, but they eventually give into desires. When her parentage turns out to be nobility, will she be able to trust that The Duke's proclamation of feelings to be genuine.
"I also simply wanted to see you, Tessa. Two days was too long to be separated from you. I crave your company, more than anyone else of my acquaintance."
This was a pleasant read with characters I liked, but nothing that made them stand out to other historical romances. I did really enjoy little Sophy though, my heart broke for the young girl who just want to feel loved. There were some great interactions between the three of them as Tessa helped mend the relationship between father and daughter. As for Tessa and The Duke individually they were unmemorable, but together they had been a pleasure.
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is a slow burn, low steam, high angst historical romance with a side of mystery. This is my first time reading Olivia Drake and i'd be interested in reading more by her in the future.
July 27, 2021
The story begins with Tessa James finding out that the Duke of Carlin, Guy Whitby, has lost another governess. It’s like…the fifth?? How bad could the kid be that the governesses keep quitting?!? But Tessa has a plan. She is sick of her job at the hat shop. She’s put down and abused on the daily and if she wants to open her own hat shop, she’s going to need to make more money.
But is she a governess or trained at all? No, but that won’t stop her. She lived in an orphanage for years and knows how to take care of children even when they’re being unruly.
So, she makes up a story and tricks her way into the house and guess what?? She gets the job! She can hardly believe it. Yes, Sophy is definitely going to be a challenge but she is up to the task.
While she’s teaching Sophy how to be a little more refined, she ends up spending time with Sophy’s father, the Duke. And it eventually turns into a hell of a lot more than talking despite the fact that he thinks she’s lying about who she is and her qualifications.
During this time, Tessa is also on the lookout for any information about her father. She’s never met him but based on what her mother said when she was dying, she knows he’s in the upper echelon of society and she plans to use the Duke’s connections and his library to figure out who he is. Tessa plans to ask her long-lost father for a loan so she can reach her ultimate dream: opening a hat shop.
But Tessa’s truth eventually comes out and the Duke is none too pleased. Fortunately, Tessa has already made a lot of progress with Sophy so qualifications or not, she can clearly do that job. And if he has feelings for her or thinks she’s beautiful, well that’s…whatever.
The Duke has other things to worry about when someone breaks into his home and steals his journals from his journeys abroad. While there isn’t anything valuable in them, he still wants them back. The person who stole them is likely looking for a map to a hidden pirate treasure and he expects they have nefarious motives.
Despite all this, Guy and Tessa form a strong bond, but can he put society’s expectations that he marry someone of high rank behind him? And can Tessa accept that she belongs in his home and his life no matter how she grew up?
Tessa and Sophy were definitely my favorite characters in this. Tessa takes no prisoners. She barges into that house and while nervous, tells the Duke what she can do. And she does not let Sophy get away with anything. And it’s a good thing because taking away the scissors from Sophy (she was cutting up books) ends up saving Tessa’s life!
And Sophy is a little spitfire. At the beginning, she has no rules and wants to do whatever she wants, but as Tessa learns more about her, about her past, and gives her some rules, she becomes happy and so completely wonderful. Such a cute bean!
While I generally liked Guy, there were some moments where I was like “cool your boots, my dude! You will not tell her what to do!!’ But luckily, he comes around in the end and admires Tessa for exactly who she is.
I am giving When a Duke Loves a Governess 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like historical romance with well-developed heroines, I really think you’ll like this one!
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is available now!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
But is she a governess or trained at all? No, but that won’t stop her. She lived in an orphanage for years and knows how to take care of children even when they’re being unruly.
So, she makes up a story and tricks her way into the house and guess what?? She gets the job! She can hardly believe it. Yes, Sophy is definitely going to be a challenge but she is up to the task.
While she’s teaching Sophy how to be a little more refined, she ends up spending time with Sophy’s father, the Duke. And it eventually turns into a hell of a lot more than talking despite the fact that he thinks she’s lying about who she is and her qualifications.
During this time, Tessa is also on the lookout for any information about her father. She’s never met him but based on what her mother said when she was dying, she knows he’s in the upper echelon of society and she plans to use the Duke’s connections and his library to figure out who he is. Tessa plans to ask her long-lost father for a loan so she can reach her ultimate dream: opening a hat shop.
But Tessa’s truth eventually comes out and the Duke is none too pleased. Fortunately, Tessa has already made a lot of progress with Sophy so qualifications or not, she can clearly do that job. And if he has feelings for her or thinks she’s beautiful, well that’s…whatever.
The Duke has other things to worry about when someone breaks into his home and steals his journals from his journeys abroad. While there isn’t anything valuable in them, he still wants them back. The person who stole them is likely looking for a map to a hidden pirate treasure and he expects they have nefarious motives.
Despite all this, Guy and Tessa form a strong bond, but can he put society’s expectations that he marry someone of high rank behind him? And can Tessa accept that she belongs in his home and his life no matter how she grew up?
Tessa and Sophy were definitely my favorite characters in this. Tessa takes no prisoners. She barges into that house and while nervous, tells the Duke what she can do. And she does not let Sophy get away with anything. And it’s a good thing because taking away the scissors from Sophy (she was cutting up books) ends up saving Tessa’s life!
And Sophy is a little spitfire. At the beginning, she has no rules and wants to do whatever she wants, but as Tessa learns more about her, about her past, and gives her some rules, she becomes happy and so completely wonderful. Such a cute bean!
While I generally liked Guy, there were some moments where I was like “cool your boots, my dude! You will not tell her what to do!!’ But luckily, he comes around in the end and admires Tessa for exactly who she is.
I am giving When a Duke Loves a Governess 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like historical romance with well-developed heroines, I really think you’ll like this one!
When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is available now!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews