When a Duke Loves a Governess
Unlikely Duchesses
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4.3 • 28 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
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?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A woman gets more than she bargained for when she fudges her qualifications to become a governess in Drake's tantalizing third Unlikely Duchesses Regency romance (after Forever My Duke). Milliner Tessa James is determined to track down her aristocratic father, who got her mother pregnant while she was in his employ and then left her to raise Tessa in poverty. When she learns that Guy Whitby, the seventh Duke of Carlin, is having trouble keeping a governess for his unruly daughter, Sophy, Tessa finagles her way into the job, hoping to use the position to gain access to her father's social circles. Guy is skeptical of Tessa's qualifications, but he's also desperate, and Sophy's misbehavior is just one of his concerns. Guy unexpectedly gained the title of duke after four family members died within five years of each other. When he's shot and his home is burglarized, he begins to think his aunt may be right about the family being cursed. As Tessa searches for her father, strengthens the bond between Guy and Sophy, and helps Guy to sniff out the burglar and would-be killer, the pair struggle to ignore their growing desires. With suspects and motives aplenty and the heat steadily rising between the alluring pair, this proves impossible to put down.
Customer Reviews
Exciting
Tessa James wants two things very badly. She wants to find her aristocrat father and open her own millinery shop. When Guy Whitby, Duke of Carlin, returns to England after years of scientific exploration, he finds that his four-year-old daughter, is so spoiled and quite ill-behaved that he can’t keep a governess. When Tessa hears of his dilemma, she decides it is the perfect place to be to search for her father. Guy is a bit suspicious, but he hires her for a trial period. Can Tessa handle Lady Sophy? Will she be able to find her father? What will happen if her deceit is discovered?
This is an exciting story. There are two plot lines, to find Tessa’s father and to discover who is responsible for what Guy’s aunt call the Carlin Curse. There are twists, turns, plots, burglary, kidnapping, a pirate treasure map, and more than one secret revealed. Guy and Tessa are wonderful characters with great chemistry. They are surrounded by a terrific cast of secondary characters, good and bad. Sophy is adorable, but puts the adults in the household through their paces. It’s not unusual for the hero and heroine to find their happily ever after. Not only do Guy and Tessa find theirs, but they bring a whole new family with them. A great read!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Loved this!!
I just love historical romances, and this one has everything in it…a bit of mystery, a bit of “class deception” so to speak, love amongst the mixed classes and suspense. I mean, seriously, it has it all! And I loved it! This was my first read by this author, but won’t be my last. This is also the 3rd book in the series (which I did t know), but does not interfere with your reading at all. It’s completely engrossing, gives you all the feels and will literally be one of your top reads this year.