Stevie‘s review of The Governess Club: Louisa (The Governess Club, Book 4) by Ellie Macdonald
Historical Romance published by Avon Impulse 07 Oct 14
This is a series that has improved with each book, at least in so far as it mirrors my taste for independent heroines. We hadn’t seen much of Louisa in the first two books, although she made quite an impression in the third, Sara’s story, with her actions at the end greatly influencing the finale to Sara’s bid for independence. Louisa’s story opens some time later, and it’s not immediately apparent what has happened to her in the meantime, or what led to her sudden departure from the Governess Club’s home. But never fear, all is gradually revealed as Louisa settles into the latest in a long series of new homes for her.
Having left the Governess Club because she could see its end approaching when the third of her friends was about to get married, Louisa finds herself out of luck, out of money, and outside in the rain. She seeks shelter at an inn, run (though none too expertly) by former prizefighter John Taylor, who offers her accommodation in return for cleaning duties. Although she has no experience of the work, Louisa accepts the job, and is soon proving herself to be better at suggesting improvements to the way the inn is run than at working as a maid. When she sees that John has no head for accounts, Louisa takes on that responsibility and becomes a partner in the business.
The inn thrives under Louisa’s management, combined with John’s talent for making their customers feel welcome, and in spite of, or perhaps because of, the attraction that is building between the two of them. Louisa is no innocent and has been passing herself off as a widow, so she offers John another deal – a sexual relationship with no expectation of marriage – and John takes her up on that, although he hopes to eventually change her mind about marrying him.
I love the fact that the story features a hero who is both working class and bald, and a heroine who has come down in the world considerably, although I feel that some of her attitudes come across as a little too advanced for the period without further explanation and backstory (always a problem in shorter novels). Having recently read one historical story about women becoming interested in prizefighting, I was cheered to find another, even if that subplot served mainly to bring more players into the story. Of course, that’s when Louisa’s past catches up with her as the menfolk associated with the Governess Club finally find her after months of searching – on the same night that her estranged family call at the inn. That means that she has another decision to make – faced as she is with a problem she would have previously solved by running away.
This story gives us a great ending to the series, although I could have done without the final chapter, set some years later, in which we’re told exactly what’s happened to all the main characters and their various children and wards. I’d definitely consider reading longer novels by the author, as I feel some of the issues I had with this series could have been overcome with more filling in of the story and, dare I say it, more research into certain aspects of the characters’ backgrounds.
Grade: B
Summary:
Louisa Brockhurst is on the run—from her friends, from her family, even from her dream of independence through the Governess Club. But sometimes it’s easier for her to hide from those she loves in order to escape the secrets of her past.
Handsome but menacing John Taylor is a prizefighter-turned-innkeeper who is trying to make his way in society. When Louisa shows up at his doorstep, he’s quick to accept her offer to help—at a price. He knows that she’s hiding something, and he can’t help his protective instincts toward the beautiful woman.
Their attraction grows, but will headstrong, fiery Louisa ever trust the surprisingly kind John enough to tell him the dangerous secrets from her past that keep her running? Or will the power of her feelings scare her into running yet again?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
