Page-turning and filled with tension and angst, The Governess by Christi Caldwell consumed me.

Broderick is a man who is powerful and rich in his own right. He has a loving family and he has loyalty in friends like Reggie. Alas, he is not happy without more money, power and above all else, a connection to the nobility.

This was an emotional story with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.

The characters and plot were engaging. I couldn’t help but feel what they were going through.

The sparring between Broderick and Reggie was entertaining.

I was invested with all the characters and hope that Stephen gets his story told soon!

I received an ARC via NetGalley of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read "The Vixen", the previous book in the Wicked Wallflowers series, and I loved it. My, did I cry my eyes out! Even knowing what that book did to me, I read this one on Sunday evening, understanding I had to go to work the next day. Let me tell you, I should have learned. But noooooo, not me. I looked positively horrifying this morning, my eyes all red and puffy from once again sobbing over a Christi Caldwell book. That woman can write heartbreaking, hot and heartfelt stories like nobody's business.

Broderick saved Reggie from the streets years ago. They became best friends, and Reggie was invaluable to Broderick with his business dealings. However, her feelings for him surpassed friendship, and she decided to leave and open up a music hall. When Broderick discovered her plans, to say he was not pleased would be an understatement! These two were such fascinating characters. Broderick was ruthless regarding his club's business, but also in taking care of his "siblings" he saved from the streets. Reggie had a mysterious and heartbreaking past. When they allowed their attraction to ignite, ooh la la!

Though this book could stand alone, I highly recommend reading the first two books before this one. Characters and storylines from those books were integral parts of this one. All of Broderick's siblings were extremely interesting, and I loved them all. You truly won't want to miss any of this series, especially this one; Broderick is the glue that holds this unique family together. And remember my warning: You WILL cry!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

The Governess by Christi Caldwell is one of the best historical romance books I've read. It is one of those that you just can't wait to find out how it ends while at the same time hoping the story will go on forever.
Ms. Caldwell's pairing of Reggie and Broderick is nothing short of perfection. To take Broderick, who came across as ruthless and uncaring in previous books, to one of my favorites is nothing short of masterful. I often wonder if she is going to be able to redeem a character, but she always does with love and a deeper understanding of that person's circumstances and past.
I also absolutley loved Reggie. She really finds her voice and shows us what a spitfire she is while never wavering from her convictions. She is definitely someone that would never sacrifice someone else for her own happiness.
I would highly recommend The Governess, and if you've never read a Caldwell book, get ready to laugh with, cry with and cheer on these characters.

Regina (Reggie) Spark has loved Broderick Killoran, the resourceful and protective proprietor of the Devil’s Den, ever since he saved her from the streets and made her his right hand at the notorious gaming hell. For just as long, Reggie has never admitted her true feelings for him. Nor has she revealed her spirited ambitions—to buck convention and expectations and open a music hall.

While Broderick built his gaming empire with ruthless cunning, his loyalty to his employees is boundless. So when he learns of Reggie’s plan to leave his side and take charge of her own future, the betrayal cuts Broderick to the core. He responds as he would to any business rival…with swift retribution.

Instead of wilting, the savvy Reggie rebounds with a fury that shocks Broderick and stirs a desire he’s been holding in reserve for only ladies of nobility. But as their seductive battle of wills ignites under the harsh spotlight of the London Season, secrets are exposed as well—ones that could be ruinous in decent society but invaluable for the heart.

This book is an unusual one that contains no noble blooded main characters. I read it rather quickly and enjoyed the various twists and turns contained.
As I said it is an unusual read but a good one.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development. It is not what I have come to expect of historical romance of this time period but a good read none the less.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to read via NetGalley.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I have read and reviewed voluntarily.

The Governess by Christi Caldwell is book Three in the Wicked Wallflowers Series. This is the story of Broderick Killoran and Regina (Reggie) Spark. I have read the previous books (and Loved them!) but feel if you wish to do so you can make this a standalone book. Kids on the street of Seven Dials were taken in by Diggory who by all accounts was a truly awful person...luckily he is dead. But those kids turned into family and help each other when they could. Broderick stood up to take in and protect his fellow street family and has been ruthless in business keep things going. Reggie was one he had taken in and she has been his partner in running the Devil’s Den. But now she is looking to go out on her own to open a music hall. This upsets Broderick who starts to feel betrayed but at the same time it starts to open his eyes to Reggie. Reggie has always loved Broderick but can this bring them together or pull them apart? I am such a mega fan of Ms. Caldwell's writing. Ms. Caldwell's books take you on a emotional roller coaster ride from happy to sad to love. Loved this book!

…This story took a little in the beginning to build up steam, but when it did, the train was off the tracks! By the end I could not put the book down…

Broderick is a self-made man, who has worked with way to the top of man in the Seven Dials. He has has hurt many people on his rise to the top, but he is ever loyal to those he calls family. He now is fighting for his life due to a mistake in his past an only a strong tie to the gentry might fix. Against the wishes of his long-time assistant, Regina, Reggie to all at the gaming hell, Broderick sets about sending his last sister, Gertrude to Mayfair for a season and a titles-lord to save his neck.

Reggie has been against the nobility since the time before she met Broderick. Ten years earlier she was a broken woman, but with the support and strength Broderick shows her she has, she now has a plan for the future. Her plans don’t include Broderick or any man, she will be her own saviour from now on.

In this great time of transition and angst, Reggie and Broderick fight their feelings for each other, for how can they have the futures they want and be together? They can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies… but can they be each others saviours?

*******3.75 Stars******

I have loved the author's exploration into the world beyond the nobility in Regency England. These stories pack an emotional punch as these characters are suffered through a personal hell that no one should go through, but refused to be beaten down and fight to rise above their broken circumstances.

Killoran's are a family not made by blood but by choice. The patriarch of the family Broderick has ruthless clawed his way to the top in order to secure the feature of those he cares about, but his obsession with the nobility was something I have never understood in this series and I wasn't a fan as he seemed to be willing to sacrifice his sibling's happiness for his own ambition.

It was nice to finally get a glimpse of what made this man tick and to see he was motivated more by fear then power. He was afraid his choices and his past would destroy all that he built and leave all he cared about unprotective. While I loved getting to see the man behind the mask, there was still many times I wanted to smack him upside the head.

The one thing Christi has done in this series is created some of the strongest heroines. The horrors they have had to face in their young life would ruin the best of us, but these ladies refused to stay a victim and fight for their own place in a world that gives them no voice. Reggie was just such women. For all her pain and strife she refused to back down to her past, or to Broderick and was going to fight for her future and save herself.

One of my favorite things in this book was Reggie and Broderick bonding over their love of music. I think I fell a little bit in love with Broderick when he showed his skill at the piano. Their interaction was so joyous and adorable and they really let their walls down during these scenes.

And this book packed all the feels. Not only for Reggie and Broderick but for the whole Killoran clan, as they fight to save Broderick and prepare to lose one of their own. I cried during the last 30% of the novel.

The only thing that prevents me from rating it higher was I felt the book spent to much time setting up the next story that I felt Reggie and Broderick had a lot of their story glossed over. They both had incredible backstories that we get just a glimpse of and failed to be fully developed an fleshed out. But that's just me being greedy and overall still enjoyed this novel

*****author provided me a review copy via NetGalley********

I really liked Broderick and Reggie’s story. There is a lot of back story here and I think you can read as a stand-alone, but it’s much better if you read the series. This author can be hit or miss for me and this was definitely a hit. I laughed. I cried. I really enjoyed the fact that I didn’t have to read about the hero’s sexual past and what a rake he was. I’m frustrated that there wasn’t an epilogue but I am looking forward to the next in the series. Gertrude deserves a good story.

Synopsis
Regina (Reggie) Sparks has been in love with Broderick Killoran for ten years, ever since he rescued her from the streets and made her a part of his collected family. But for as long as she's lived and worked beside him in his infamous gaming hell, she's never breathed a word about her feelings for him. And she's also never shared with him her hopes and ambitions for her own future.

Broderick Killoran values loyalty above all things. So when he learns that Reggie plans to open her own establishment, the betrayal burns. And, being the ruthless business man that he is, he responds to her the way he would respond to any other competition...without mercy.

Tempers flare. Secrets and mistakes rise up and bite everyone in the butt. And long repressed feelings erupt.

Slowly. Deliberately. He drew each fragment of this moment out, a panther toying with his prey. A lethal, unforgiving creature poised to pounce.

My Thoughts
I sit in total awe of Christi Caldwell. Why? Well, first, because she's just a fabulous writer. Full stop. But she's also a super prolific writer.  Just based on a quick count from my own Kindle purchases, she released six novels in 2018. SIX! Plus a few novellas. AND she's a mother of three. Whew. Considering that since I've started writing up this review I have had to stop six times just to restart Baby Shark...she's amazing.

Anyway, enough of my blatant fawning...The Governess!

I loved this book! The Governess is classic Christi Caldwell...gritty and emotional and high-stakes drama. Reggie and Broderick are are both compelling characters. Both come to each other damaged but not destroyed. And both are made stronger by their love for one another. Christi is so great at flirting with the dark but ultimately showcasing light and redemption. It's just good, good feels. I never miss a romance from Christi Caldwell.

This story has a lot going on in it and even though it is a standalone book, to get the back stories and understand the situations I think you need to read the other stories in this series. Not necessary, but would help. Ms. Caldwell has taken me on a journey with Broderick and Regina that is both heartbreaking and romantic. A slow burn romance that really worked for me. This story (along with its counterparts and the previous series) shows the hardness of growing up in the Dials but also the camaraderie and love and loyalty.

What will happen with Stephen and the Mad Marquess…and Gertrude?

Oh my gosh, this series is just so good! This is book 3 in the Wicked Wallflower series. Although it can be read as a stand alone, it would be better if you have read the previous two books.
What I think I like most about this book is that it doesn't take place in the ton. The series is set around a gaming hell. So you deal with Dukes and Earl's and Marquis but they aren't the main characters .
This story is about Broderick Killoran, the owner of the gaming hell, The Devil's Den and patriarch of the Killoran Family. It's not a family in the true sense of the word, but a group of orphans who have come together as a family.
Regina Sparks is his assistant and has been for the last ten years. She has also been a governess to his 3 sisters. Since the day he rescued her from London bridge,, she has loved Broderick. He is her hero. But Broderick has no clue.
Two of his sisters are now married (books 1&2). Regina sees that once Gertrude is married, she can no longer stay and starts to make plans for the future.
Broderick finds out about these plans and takes it as an act of betrayal.
The adventure and the beginning of a beautiful love story begins from there.
I loved this book and fully recommend it!
Can't wait to read Gertrudes story.

Although I had not read the other book in the series I was very quickly drawn in.
An amazing story of love and intrigue with all the ingredients you could wish for.
As one would hope true love did come through but lots of twists and turns to get there.
One of the best books I have read in this genre
Five stars all the way a definite convert and can’t wait to read the other books in the series.

If you have not read the series ‘Wicked Wallflowers’, do yourself a favour and start to read! The third book ‘The Governess’ is now my favourite, with the story of Broderick Killoran and Regina (Reggie) Spark coming to light. In previous books, we have seen Broderick as the owner of the gambling hell, Devil's Den, feuding with an opposing club (Hell and Sin) but this time, the focus is on the secrets coveted by Broderick and Reggie. Whilst Reggie has been at the Den for 10 years, working on the accounts and caring for Broderick’s siblings, she has also fallen in love with him. However, her decision to leave the Den without his knowledge, changes their friendship into something that neither recognises. Suddenly, their secrets threaten everything, with the real father of Stephen Killoran, a marquess accusing Broderick of kidnapping, and a duke, threatening to expose Reggie’s past to all.
Whilst this is one book in a series, Christi Caldwell manages to draw all the vital aspects of previous books to life, with the Killoran sisters, appearing with all the vibrant personalities. I always find myself emotionally wrecked by the time I have finished reading one of Caldwell’s books as you find yourself immersed in the character’s emotions and their personal journeys. I must admit that these two characters, especially Broderick, were so easy to fall in love with, their feelings for each other, evident to everyone around them. I found myself, wondering about all the new characters introduced and whether, their story would be told in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Absolutely wonderful read. Christi has an amazing talent to breathe such life and reality into her characters, Reggie and Broderick are no different. The path to their happily ever after was an enjoyable rollercoaster of emotion and oh, there are cats too!!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for fair review. The Governess is the 3rd book in Christi Caldwell’s Wicked Wallflowers Series. You do need to read the other books as characters and plot points continue from the previous novels. Even though I have read the first two novel in this series I found the first couple of chapters confusing but it’s worth persevering as it does get better. Regina Spark has been in love with Broderick Killoran for the 10 years she’s served as his right hand at the Devil’s Den the gaming hell he owns. She decides that her unrequited feelings make it too painful to remain and makes plans to create a new life for herself. Broderick sees these plans as a betrayal at a time when his pigeons coming home to roost and blackmails her into serving as his sisters companion during the season which is the last thing she wants to do. I found this an enjoyable read with medium steam and lots of angst.
Publishing Date February 12, 2019 #NetGalley #TheGoverness #ChristiCaldwell #MontlakeRomance

Regina (Reggie) Spark has loved Broderick Killoran, the resourceful and protective proprietor of the Devil’s Den, ever since he saved her from the streets a decade ago and made her his right hand at the notorious gaming hell. For just as long, Reggie has never admitted her true feelings for him. Nor has she revealed her spirited ambitions—to buck convention and expectations and open a music hall.
While Broderick built his gaming empire with ruthless cunning, his loyalty to his employees is boundless. So when he learns of Reggie’s plan to leave his side and take charge of her own future, the betrayal cuts Broderick to the core. He responds as he would to any business rival…with swift retribution. Instead of wilting, the savvy Reggie rebounds with a fury that shocks Broderick and stirs a desire.
The third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I’d recommend not only reading the earlier books but also The Sinful Brides series as the author has built up a believable community striving to succeed in a rookery, Seven Dials in London. The characterisation is so very good & the story is packed but not overloaded with subplots & there are quite a few secondary characters who deserve their story. I have to read the author's books when my calendar is clear & I can start them early in the day as experience has shown that I’ll be drawn in & that's the next several hours when won’t want to be interrupted, starting a book late at night means a sleepless night! This book drew met in from the start & I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, the ending had me sobbing. Another gripping, enthralling read which I loved
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

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Christi Caldwell has the ability to write completely flawed and at first glance, completely despicable characters but still manages to make you fall in love with them. Reggie and Broderick are both such characters, damaged people with such beautiful souls.
And the imagery, you feel as if you too are sneaking through dark alleyways in the Dials, watching for things lurking in the shadows.

A great addition to the Wicked Wallflowers series.

Christie Caldwell writes romance that makes the reader instantly fall in love. Broderick and Regina are a couple made for each other. They are both secretive and driven. Broderick is bent on protecting his “family” and everyone he is responsible for. He is so focused on his goal he misses some of the minutiae that is happening around him that could be very important to his happiness. Regina is determined to escape and make it on her own because she thinks that is the only way to survive and prevent her self from getting hurt.

The author uses her skills as a wordsmith to bring the streets of London alive. Her descriptions and details of the though processes of the characters are fantastic. She builds the drama to its culminating point all while alternately focusing on the romantic relationship building between Broderick and Regina. It is a truly happy ending, when it occurs, after all they had to overcome to get to that point.

The Governess is Christi Caldwell’s third novel in her Wicked Wallflowers series, centred around the Killoran family. An unconventional family, to say the least, they are bonded by their connection to the streets than by blood. Broderick Killoran, the head of this de factor family and the gambling proprietor of popular Devil’s Den, is the hero of the story. Reggie Spark, his right-hand woman, has loved him from afar for a good while now, but she’s recently decided to do something else with her life than pine for him. That something else is to set up a music hall with a female colleague, Clara, a few blocks down from Devil’s Den.

At this point, the reader might think, ok there’s a lot here we can work with. This is a good place to start. We can play with this.

But there’s more.

The Killoran family is part of Diggory’s gang, and Diggory resorted to recruiting street urchins and stealing children to add to his numbers. Under Diggory’s command, Broderick ordered the kidnapping of a child but unbeknownst to him, his henchmen decided to steal a marquess’s son. One time where creativity and overdelivering do not count in one's favour. Unfortunately, that nobleman has discovered where his son went and he’s not too happy with Broderick for taking his only heir.

Broderick knows there is no hope of escape for him but he can save his family. And he does so in the only way he knows how. Marry his sister off to the gentry! Because that went so well the first two times he tried that, but you've got to give the guy credit. He's committed to his vision, and who knows- third time's the charm. However, for his sister, Gertrude, to agree to this scheme, he has to convince Reggie to be her governess.

Unfortunately, that's the last thing Reggie wants.

Unfortunately for Reggie, Broderick discovers she's leaving to set up shop across the street. So he's not really asking her, at this point.

Mind you this is still technically the set-up of the story, and so I just wonder whether Caldwell may have been too ambitious with The Governess. Very interesting set-up but it feels like two plots in one, and that boils down to the gigantic leaps of faith the reader is required to take for not only Broderick but the mad marquess.

The only way Broderick can save his family from going down with him is by ensuring Gertrude, his single and partially blind sister is protected by a title. Not only that, but he requires Reggie to make it happen. This is the best way he can save his family?

We also have to believe the marquess is plotting his revenge but other than the note he writes to Broderick, he's a nonentity.

If a reader feels "I don't know what's going on", it'd better be because they don't know where they are going and they love it, and not because it doesn't make sense. The plot is a run-on sentence, with bloated discoveries added on as an afterthought. For example, Reggie finds her brother in the employ of the mad marquess but the discovery ends up landing flat. The music hall is also dropped as a plot device, and it would have been lovely to close the loop in an epilogue, perhaps, where Reggie and Broderick launch the grand opening of the music hall together.

And I haven't mentioned Reggie's past! If I read one more story featuring a spinster who runs away from her past to escape a life of forced sex work, I'm calling bingo. Reggie has an intriguing past, but there was a lot of ground to cover and this was a blip between the marquess and the music hall.

A vanilla HR that FYI only contains one nude scene, the Governess has a twisty turny plot but it's a precarious house of cards.

If you initially feel like you’ve been dropped into an unfamiliar world, and everybody but you knows what’s happening, don’t be worried! Although there are a ton of back story references at the beginning of this novel, you will shortly find your feet and figure out what is going on.
This continuation of the “Wicked Wallflowers” series deals with Broderick, the older brother of Ophelia and Cleo Killoran, stars of the previous two books in the series. I’ve enjoyed both of the previous books, and this one is no exception. Reggie and Broderick are two independent minded, tough characters, and their story is an exciting and rewarding one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.