When a Duke Loves a Governess: Unlikely Duchesses

I enjoyed this book very much. The author did a good job with the storyline and her characters. Guy the Duke of Carlin whom has a daughter in need of a governess who can manage her and Tessa know she is the one for the job. But her reason is so she can find who her father is and she plans on asking him for a loan for her dream of owning her own shop.Guy is desperate to find his daughter whom he just retrieved from his deceased wifes parents a governess. When Tessa shows up without an appointment or a reference he will give her a chance to prove herself even when he believes she is not completely honest. But while all this is happening there is someone waiting to destroy the Dukes of Carlin and thefts and accidents start to occur and Guy is looking for the person responsible.I received this book for an honest review.

When A Duke Loves A Governess is a lovingly written story. It weaves a romance full of intrigue, mystery, and passion. The vivid, rich characters populate a vibrant world. From forbidden love, mysterious heritage, and a supposed family curse, this book delights the reader.Tessa has survived the slums of London with grit and determination. Her past is a mystery; her deceased mother's clue is her only key to her past. Her dream is to own a hat shop. To find her sire, she becomes a governess to a recalcitrant child. Guy is a scientist and explorer. He falls into the title of Duke when five of his predecessors die, all suddenly. Having been gone for most of his daughter’s life, he hires Tessa out of desperation to help reign in his unruly daughter. The couple must battle deception, mystery, and danger to unlock the truth and find unconditional love.I thought Tessa was an intelligent, scrappy character. Her ability to adjust to whatever life threw at her was endearing. In many ways, Tessa was a Cinderella. I had to warm to Guy’s character. He practically abandoned his daughter to explore the world and is flabbergasted when he brings her to his home and discovers she is a terror. He is clueless as a father, but his desire to help and love his daughter endeared him to me. Guy is much more a scholar than a duke. There are similarities in Guy and Tessa’s personalities. Both are oddities and somewhat misfits.The secondary characters were lush and complemented and strengthened the plot. As spoiled as she was, Guy’s daughter was a scene-stealer! The tragic circumstances of her short life resonated with me. The story handled the theme of class differences in a plethora of intelligent ways. The storyline had direction and sped by. It was a lovingly, carefully written romance.When A Duke Loves A Governess is book three in the Unlikely Duchesses series. This could very much be a stand-alone novel. However, I feel that we were introduced to the next couple in this novel. I was enamored with Guy and Tessa’s beautiful, delicate love story. This was an eye-catching, heart-warming romance!

When a Duke Loves a Governess is a very enjoyable Regency Romance but with a twist. I really enjoyed the story. It will captivate you from start to end.A Must read for all readers.

I have read this book twice. As soon as I started it, I knew I had already read it, when and where I could not find. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I did not post a review the first time around. So, to do a truthful one now I re-read the book. I loved the book the first time and found even more to love about it the second time.Tessa James has had a very hard life. She lost her mother at age six, was placed in an orphanage that was run by a very wicked, mean woman. She ran away when just fourteen and was lucky to be taken in by a woman who ran a milliner shop. This kept her off the streets but she had to work from dawn to dust for pennies. Even so she saves all she can. Her dream is to open her own shop. But to do that she needs to find her father. She knows nothing about him other then he got her mother with child and then threw them out. She knows he is peer or Lord. Her mother gave her a very expensive locket with a coat of arms on it just before she died. If she can find which house the coat of arms match, she will find her father.Guy Whitby is the new Duke of Carlin something he never thought to be. He was fourth in line.Due to accidents and illness, his Grandfather, Father, Uncle, and Cousin have all passed away in the four years he was abroad !! Now he not only has to take over the dukedom and learn everything a new. When he left on his travels he left his baby daughter, Sophy in the care of his in-laws thinking it was best for her. Big, Hugh mistake, now Sophy is a spoiled brat who has already gonethru three governesses in a matter of weeks. He is at his wits end with what to do with her. She is afraid of him, what's nothing to do with him and it breaks his heart. At four years old she terrorizes the household. When Tessa founds out Guy is in quick need of a governess she plans to be hired.What better place than in a Dukes household to find her father's coat of arms !!Oh, my now the plot really thickens, a governess from the stews, the mystery of who is her father ,why all of Guys male family members died too young for a few. The immediate attraction between Guy and Tessa. He knows she is keeping secrets but she is also the only one to help is daughter.This is a wonderful fast paced book with lots going on. It's a great mystery, along with a wonderful slow growing romance. During the book you will be upset with all the characters but in the end, you will learn to love most of them except the evil, mean nasty ones.I hope you get a copy and enjoy you will not be disappointed.I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

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