A super sweet, ambitious woman with big dreams takes on the challenge of a little girl who’s been scaring away all of her governesses. A little mystery gets solved at the end in the tightest of bows.

This book was ok but unmemorable. I didn't feel the connection between the Duke, Guy, and the governess, Tessa. He was very gruff and she was keeping secrets. There is a mystery at the end that I predicted from the beginning.

If the synopsis snags your interest, there's a good chance this story will appeal to you, folks. I did enjoy watching Tessa, the feisty, very determined, loyal, fights for her future type heroine, as she put herself out there to make her own dreams come true. Despite her lack of higher education, Tessa's common sense approach and past life experiences provided her with child development skills that helped the hero and his four year old daughter finally bond as a family.

Guy (aka Carlin) was a mixed bag for me. Parts of me liked the stereotypical duke hero he portrayed, but I had a bone or two to pick with him on occasion. For one thing, he was quick to rush to judgement and accuse Tessa more than once. At the end of it all though, she showed this duke who really was boss of his life...her. He didn't want to live without her.

The three reveals or twists/turns, whichever you want to call them, near the end certainly added a lot to process as the plot thickened there. It all played out well enough I suppose, but for some reason the last chapter's writing came across sing-songy-ish. It just didn't fit the feel of the rest of the script, IMO.

Avis, another paid companion staying in Guy's home, and Duke Haviland are likely to get their second chance romance in the next book.

Title: When a Duke Loves a Governess, Series: Unlikely Duchesses (Book 3), Author: Olivia Drake, Pages: 314, stand-alone but part of a series, feisty determined sad hard luck life past heroine, widow single dad duke hero, three reveals near end, writing flowed but became sing songy-ish in last chapter.

Book 1 - The Duke I Once Knew
Book 2 - The Forever Duke
Book 3 - When a Duke Loves a Governess

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or given any compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or any PR firm.)

When a Duke Loves a Governess is an enjoyable, entertaining, and touching romance set in Regency England.

Tessa James is an orphan who works in a millinery shop with a knack for making beautiful hats. She has a dream to one day own her own hat shop where she can sell all her beautiful creations. She wants to see if she can discover who her father might be, knowing from her mother that he was a titled member of the ton, so she can ask him for a loan to open her shop. One day when she overhears some women in the shop gossiping about the Duke of Carlin having fired yet another governess for his wild daughter. Tessa gets the idea that fibbing her credentials and becoming the daughter's governess would be a great way to get closer to the ton and possibly help her discover her father's identity quicker.

Guy Whitby, has unexpectedly and recently become the new Duke of Carlin and has returned to London after many years abroad. Having just lost his wife and knowing nothing about raising children, he had left his daughter with his late wife's family to raise. On his return, he finds his daughter has been left to become a wild and feral creature known for throwing tantrums and scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. Out of desperation, he hires Tessa despite some misgivings about her.

The relationships between Tessa and Guy and Guy and his daughter really worked for me. Sophy really broke my heart. The poor, feral thing that she was. I absolutely loved the connection between Tessa and Guy. His idea for hats was great and I loved that he encouraged her hobbies and creativity.

The suspense was underdeveloped, but otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and the overall story. Tessa finding out the great surprises of her heritage and family was a wonderful addition to round out the story as well.

I'm hoping there is maybe a story arc for Lord Haviland as well?

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I picked up this book not recognizing that this was a third book in a series but have to say, I don't think I missed anything by not reading the first two books first.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. The characters were well developed and the story itself kept me turning the pages to see how things would turn out for Tessa. I thought the way the story progressed and how Tessa and Guy's relationship was developed was well done. If you're looking for a new historical romance to pick up, check this one out! I'll be going back to check out the first two books of this series for sure.

I received this book thanks to the publisher & net galley, this review is my own. I posted this review a while ago, but apparently it didn't save properly.

This book was good, not great (rounding 3.5 stars up). The story was interesting, I think the big mystery was introduced too late. It was an enjoyable book nonetheless.

I gave it 2 stars because it didn't really hold my interest after a quarter of the way through. After reading so many romances you kind of get a sense of how it's going to end. After you realize who the villain is before the characters do it loses even more interest.

There was nothing interesting going on, but once beginning a book I have to finish.

This is a good book to read though and I would recommend it for novices of romance.

This was my first Olivia Drake book and it will not be the last. I really liked the writing style and all of the characters. Tessa and Guy were perfection! I highly recommend this for regency fans.

Tessa James studiously working hard as a seamstress overhears some gossip; that Guy Whitby, the seventh Duke of Carlin has scared away another governess for his four-year-old daughter. Tessa makes the mistake of telling a customer of what she thinks and gets fired from her job. Tessa dejectedly goes home lost and despaired of what she could do, but she hasn’t lost complete hope. Tessa decides to be the duke’s new governess come hell or high water. When Tessa arrives, things don’t go exactly as planned. Tessa forms an unlikely bond with Guy’s daughter and Tessa ends up caring for her too. Guy can’t understand his growing feelings for Tessa. It is unheard of to even contemplate a relationship with her. How could he even think of such a thing? Guy is a duke and Tessa is a governess. Guy and Tessa are from two different worlds they should not be together.
What a wonderful story of very different classes and people coming together. Lots of fantastic unexpected plot twists with nicely drawn-out characters. The book moves seamlessly and doesn’t slow down so that is a good thing. Unfortunately, Guy is not the best hero. He’s rude and insufferable not great material for a book boyfriend. Sure, he is handsome so at least he has that, but that’s the only thing he has going for him. So, it is hard to understand the attraction between Guy and Tessa. Like she could do so much better than him. On the other hand, Tessa is just an amazing heroine. She’s smart, feisty and even when things do look up for Tessa, she doesn’t change who she really is. Tessa is just someone to easily like and admire. It is hard not to have a bit of girl crush on her too. Still, the story is a lovely fun novel to read!

Oh my, what a fun historical novel. I loved the main couple, and how their romance twisted its way through this title. If you like historical, this will be for you, it is quintessentially all that makes the historical romance world, and quite enjoyable throughout.

I was able to read "When a Duke Loves a Governess" by Olivia Drake on NetGalley. I love a good historical fiction book and this one did not disappoint me. The main character, Tessa, is easy to like and root for. She is trying to figure out who her father is and the only clue she has is a necklace with a symbol on it. She is able to get a job as a governess to help in her search. The book is very enjoyable.

When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake
Subgenre: Regency romance
Release date: 27 Jul 2021
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Format: ebook and print
Length: 320 pages
RRP: $19.25 (print)

Guy Whitby, seventh Duke of Carlin, is new to the role and is in desperate need of a governess for his daughter. The new governess will be the latest one in a long line as the previous governesses believed that his daughter, Sophy, was uncontrollable. He is not sure what to believe but given that his parents-in-law raised (and this is a very loose term) Sophy while he was sailing the world after his wife’s death, it might be true. He never expected to be the duke, but the deaths of his father, uncles and grandfather leave him as the heir.

Tessa James is an orphan. She was brought up in the workhouse and then started to work as an apprentice in a millinery shop, one that caters to the ton. She overhears in the store that the Duke of Carlin needs another governess and decides to try her luck. Naturally, there is a back story for Tessa. She has a pendant given to her by her mother and one that can trace her family. She thinks this will be her opportunity to look at the family crests and find her father. What she does find is totally unexpected. All she wants to do is ask her father for a loan to buy a millinery shop.

After she manages to bluff her way into the Carlin household, she finds that Sophy has issues, but she is able to start Sophy on the way to behaving as society expects her to. She also explains to the duke why Sophy is the way she is and helps him connect with his daughter.

I really liked this story and, in fact, have enjoyed the whole series. Initially as I was reading, I was thinking I had read this book before. But then realised this has been the thread for the series. A young woman who has had a retail type background, becomes a governess looking for her real family, and marries the duke or earl. However, the other story threads were different for each book.

reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Tessa James has scrimped and saved in the hopes of opening her own hatmaking shop. When she hears that the new Duke of Carlin seeks a governess for his unruly daughter, she applies, hoping that working for a duke will give her to opportunity to search for her highborn father that she can ask for a loan to open her shop. Guy Whitby, recently returned from his world travels, and overwhelmed with his new ducal role, is skeptical of a young, pretty woman having experience enough as a governess, but she proves herself, forming a bond with his motherless daughter. Guy can’t help being attracted to Tessa, but he has no intention of marrying again, and knows that only a cad would seduce his employee. But his heart isn’t listening. Is a future together possible?

When a Duke Loves a Governess is enjoyable Regency romance. The scenes of Tessa bonding with young Sophy, helping father and daughter connect, are the spotlight. The developing relationship between Tessa and Guy is sweet and believable. They spend time with each other and connect on all levels. Tessa is an endearing heroine, quick-witted, determined, and practical. Guy is a very sweet guy, honorable, and strong but vulnerable in his insecurities as a father. While the romance satisfies, the suspense felt underdeveloped. More time could have been spent developing that part of the story. Despite that, When a Duke Loves a Governess will appeal to historical romance readers.

This was an enjoyable story overall. A bit Cinderella-ish with some mystery thrown in, is very predictable. I thought it was all really well done. The chemistry between Carlin and Tessa was good and the intimacy was well written and just enough to keep the reader engaged. The daughter Sophy had just enough of a part without taking away from the story which I appreciated. The surrounding characters were well done and didn't take over the storyline.
I felt this was very well written, I didn't find any inconsistencies or mistakes.

Critiques: I felt Carlin's gruff attitude and business-like manner towards Tessa seemed to fade too quickly. There was one instance where you felt his duke-like manner and then in the very next sentence, he's gushing sentiments which I felt didn't fit the scene. It was a slow-burn romance from Tessa's perspective but not from his.
-I didn't want this book to end and I felt it needed an epilogue, it seemed just to end abruptly.
- Redundancies - lots of dialogue repeated over and over

I highly recommend Olivia Drake novels, and cannot wait to read more from this series.
I received an ARC in exchange for my review

Interesting and great story.

I liked the flow and the characters. There was a great amount of conflict and interest to keep page turning.

Attractive title and cover.

Recommend.

This book was very good. I loved the rags to riches storyline for both Guy and Tessa. I will have to research more for this author because I felt like there should have been a story before this one. Some of the characters seemed to have their own stories that I should have know about. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

I received with thanks an e-arc copy of When a Duke Loves a Governess from St Martin’s Press and Netgalley. Even though I have been gifted this book for review all opinions are my own.

This is my review of When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake.

Every time I read a book by Olivia Drake and I am captivated by the writing style and the storyline. This book was no exception. I loved the tale of Guy and Tessa. The chemistry is well done and swoon-worthy. I enjoyed the plot and the twists throughout the story. I enjoy books about governesses and the men they fall for. As always cannot wait to read more by this author.

Would recommend it if you enjoy a good historical romance.

This was a good forbidden love romance that was set up to feature a noble falling for his daughter’s governess. The chemistry was evident between these two MC from the get go yet propriety causes them both to fight their attraction. The author perfectly set the stage for quite a bit of unresolved sexual tension and sprinkled in some good old angst to really make this couple work for their HEA. In addition to the main characters falling in love this story had an added mystery woven into the plot with some cloak and dagger activity. Overall the story flowed very well and I enjoyed it.

What I was slightly upset about was there was no extended HEA for the MC’s and the heroine learns a lot of shocking details about her life, yet they are not well explored or fleshed out. It felt a bit rushed and missed a great opportunity for character growth. I was also slightly miffed that the sexy scenes between the H/h were not very vivid and almost glossed over. This is a Regency Romance I expect some hot passionate scenes.

I do have to say I love the cover and the beautiful purple is what initially drew me to check out the story.

3 Stars ⭐️ | 1.5 Flames 🔥

I was provided a free copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake was book 3 of 3 in the Unlikely Duchess series. It tells the story of seamstress, Tessa James who dreams of opening her own millinery shop funded by the highborn father who abandoned her at birth. To achieve this, Tessa finagles her way into the home of Guy Whitby, Duke of Carlin as governess of his wayward daughter, Sophie. Despite their best efforts to maintain a professional distance, the two are undeniably attracted to each other and must navigate secrets of their past and threats to their future in order to live their happily ever after. This was an enjoyable read and a great end to the series. The story was well paced with plotting that made sense. It was suspenseful without being overdone with a satisfying conclusion. This book reminded me of the late 90s/early aughts books I read but with a modern flare. I genuinely appreciated this and found this book to be a bit of a comfort read. If this is what you're looking for, I would highly recommend.

This was a solid romance. Tessa is an orphan who dreams of owning her own milliner shop. Low on funds she concocts a plan to become a governess to a wayward child of a Duke. With only a pendant that has a coat of arms on it, she looks for the father who turned his back on her & her mother. As she meets the Duke, her plans take a deeper meaning.

I liked the characters. I thought Tessa and Guy were a good match. The “mystery” was decent and managed to keep my interest. This just lacked the banter and humor that I tend to love but, overall, I enjoyed the story.