Stevie‘s review of Governess Gone Rogue (Dear Lady Truelove, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
Historical Romance published by Avon 29 Jan 19
In the first two Lady Truelove books, the identity of the eponymous columnist and the unexpected consequences of the advice published form pivotal plot points. This time, however, the voice behind the words remains silent and it’s the queries, rather than the answers, that set events in motion. We’ve met many of the central characters before: James St. Clair, the Earl of Kenyon, is the brother-in-law of the first book’s hero, and we encountered his badly behaved twin sons in that story as well. The heroine, on the other hand, is a new member of the group, who gets herself mixed up in the twins’ education after overhearing a conversation about them.
Amanda Leighton has a degree from Girton College, Cambridge, and a good deal of experience as a teacher and governess. After being jilted by her first love – when they were caught in a very compromising position by several of her colleagues and pupils – and then leaving her most recent post when her employer couldn’t keep his hands to himself, she finds herself with neither reputation nor references. Calling in at the newspaper offices to place an advertisement seeking a new post, Amanda overhears a discussion of the letter Jamie’s sons have penned to Lady Truelove requesting she find them a new mother, because they’re bored of chasing away all the nannies he’s found for them so far. Jamie declares that he wants to send them away to school, but is worried that they’re not ready, since ‘no woman is capable of preparing boys for Harrow and then Cambridge.’ When he goes on to place an advertisement for a tutor, Amanda takes that as a challenge and disguises herself as a young man in order to apply for the post.
Once hired, Amanda discovers just how naughty and ingenious the twins can be. However, she refuses to let them win and takes each practical joke as an indication of what they need to learn next. She also invents unusual punishments for their misdeeds, such as making them polish all the household silver – one hour’s worth at a time – after one particularly obnoxious prank. The only drawback to her new role is that she’s inconveniently attracted to Jamie, which eventually leads to her true identity being revealed.
Jamie, for his part, finds himself experiencing emotions and desires for Amanda that he thought had died with his wife. He tries not to act on them, but then learns of Amanda’s past affair with a man he despises. Remembering the man’s other prior misdeeds, Jamie realises that Amanda had been the injured party and tries to do right by her, but faces the choice between making her part of his family and protecting the boys from the ridicule they will doubtless face from having a notorious stepmother.
I enjoyed everything about this book. The twins were delightful in their naughtiness and Amanda’s lessons and punishments were just superb. I liked the way all the background characters were well developed, and I definitely relished seeing the villain of the piece get his comeuppance. Definitely the best instalment so far in a delightful and enchanting series.
Grade: A
Summary:
Dear Lady Truelove…
My twin brother and I need a new mother, though Papa insists he’ll never marry again. Must be nice, brainy, and fond of cats…
Lady Truelove may be London’s most famous advice columnist, but James St. Clair, the Earl of Kenyon, knows his wild young sons need a tutor, not a new mother. They need a man tough enough to make his hellions tow the line, and James is determined to find one.
Miss Amanda Leighton, former schoolteacher and governess, knows she has all the qualifications to be a tutor. And while female tutors are unheard of, Amanda isn’t about to lose the chance at her dream job because of pesky details like that. If Lord Kenyon insists on hiring a man, then she has only one option…
Jamie isn’t sure what to make of his new employee, until he realizes the shocking truth—beneath the ill-fitting suits, his boys’ tutor is a woman. An unconventional, outspoken, thoroughly intriguing woman. Despite Amanda’s deception, he can’t dismiss her when his boys are learning so much. Yet Jamie, too, is learning surprising lessons—about desire, seduction, and passionate second chances…
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
