Dreams and determination!

Tessa James, a milliner apprentice with dreams and a driving ambition, finds herself unemployed when she unwisely challenges her boss and walks out. Urgently needing employment amongst the ton she ends up as a governess to the daughter of Guy Whitby, the Duke of Carlin.
Tessa was brought up in a foundling and is determined to find out who her father is. Her only clue? A locket with a coat of arms.
And then there’s the matter of what Guy’s aunt refers to as ,’The Carlin Curse.’
Interesting beginnings. I liked the Duke but Tessa just didn’t do it for me.

A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley

I really enjoyed this story and the writing. It flowed smoothly and made reading a real pleasure. The background of Tessa made for a different situation from other stories. I liked the struggles she went thru in order to make a life for herself. She never lost sight of her dreams. Guy too, had dreams he had followed, was now burdened by obligations, which included a young daughter. When Tessa and Guy are put together, sparks fly despite their differences. The story is well put together and is easy to follow with no extra side lines. I have read this author before and this time once more, she doesn't disappoint. I highly recommend reading it.

This is the third book in the 'Unlikely Duchesses' series, but they are all unrelated, and stand alone.

It is your typical noble vs commoner story, with several predictable twists, but I found it to be enjoyable and a very fast read - perfect for taking on vacation. The characters are interesting, you see real growth (at least in the main characters) and you find yourself rooting for them to have their HEA.

Overall, it's a good story, and I recommend it as well as the other two in the series.

I struggled with the storyline in When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake, book three in her Unlikely Duchess series. The heroine and hero were likeable characters but there was no explanation as to why Guy abandoned his mother-less, newborn daughter to travel abroad on a scientific exploration. Tessa was a different situation. Orphaned at a young age, knowing nothing about her origins other than a necklace her dying mother gave her, raised in a workhouse, and with little schooling, yet I didn’t understand how she was able to pass herself off for a governess. I understood the necessity of her mission and her goals as they were worthwhile, yet the pieces of this puzzle didn’t fit together for me.

I have very mixed feelings about the book. There were some aspects that I enjoyed, the hero and heroine were both quite likable, and the scenes with the duke’s daughter, Sophy, were quite good as they added depth and dimension to the story. My heart went out to Sophy. It’s easy to see how this terror of a child was misunderstood, left with her mother’s lenient parents, became a wild-child, and getting anything she wanted; never learning what the word “no” means. Tessa had enough understanding and experience, more than any trained governess, to understand and deal with young Sophy. It was her patience and that understanding that paid off, in re-training Sophy to become a semi-behaved, controlled child.

Ms. Drake wrote a charming, clever, and interesting story. She provided a tale containing humorous escapades, attraction, sizzling chemistry and intriguing characters giving Tessa, Guy and Sophy a chance to get their HEA. The Earl Next Door might appeal more to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

When A Duke Loves A Governess is the third title in the Unlikely Duchesses series which starts off strong and had me completely hooked early on. While I’ve loved the earlier stories in this series Tessa’s and Guy’s story could stand on its own, although I will always suggest reading a series in order if at all possible.

Tessa grew up as the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat… although his exact name has never been revealed to her, the only proof she has is a necklace with a crest and her now-deceased mother’s word. Tessa is, has always been scrappy, never allowing her circumstances to hold her back and she is extremely determined to open her own millinery shop. The only trouble is finding the funds to do so. She will set about finding the father who abandoned her and her mother years ago in the only way available to her… find a way to enter into the ton’s world and search from within for information. As she overhears a conversation about a certain wild child and the father who is desperate for a governess to stay and not run terrified of this small girl a plan unfolds in Tessa’s mind. She has no idea that this decision is about to change lives, bring danger to them all, or set her on the path to a lifetime love with one very special man.

Guy, the new Duke of Carlin, is more of a scholar than an aristocrat but circumstances have recently sent his world into a tailspin. Returning home after years he’s discovering that aside from becoming the Duke a lot more has changed in his world… namely his daughter, Sophy. She has become an entitled, spoiled, holy terror under his in-laws’ care while he was gone and the sweet little baby he remembers is nothing like this mini-tyrant. He’s desperate enough for a governess that will actually not be run off by his daughter that he hires Tessa, even though he has very strong misgivings about her and her “experience”. What Guy didn’t know is that Tessa is more than a match for Sophy and will have no trouble keeping her under control, changing that attitude, or from doing the snooping she’s intended all along. Watching them navigate the passion and the suspicions between them was a fascinating journey. When danger comes along it adds another layer to an already intriguing storyline.

I loved Tessa. She’s strong, capable, determined with a softer side that shows with Guy. Sophy is indeed a terror when we first meet her, it was endearing to watch her become a little girl with boundaries and a much nicer personality as time went by. As for Guy, I liked him but had to keep in mind throughout the story that this is a time period where fathers didn’t always stick close to home but did, in fact, spend years abroad allowing others to raise their child. As a couple Guy and Tessa worked, each bringing out the best in the other… eventually.

Oh, I absolutely loved the cover for When A Duke Loves A Governess, that color just draws the eyes to the book.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I sincerely appreciated receiving an ARC of this title from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was an enjoyable read, and I love the governess trope, but I had trouble connecting with the heroine, Tessa. I was very intrigued by her humble origins, but of course she ended up being a long lost member of the nobility. I ended up feeling like that was a trite way to wrap up loose ends. In my opinion, the author missed an opportunity to explore a different sort of heroine and showcase a woman more representative of the era.

I loved the explorer hero. As a spare son, he had no expectations of claiming the title, and lived his life pursuing his interests. I think his curiosity for the lesser known places of the world added depth and dimension to his character, and I wish it had figured more prominently in the plot.

I love steamy scenes. This story had a few, but U found myself skimming them. There just seemed to be a clinical detachment in the way the interactions were described.

I really wanted to love this one more, but felt I needed to be honest.

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.

I enjoyed When A Duke Loves A Governess by Olivia Drake. It is the well-crafted story of Tessa, a low-born woman looking for her father so she can gain the funds to open a milliner shop, and Guy, the newly minted Duke of Carlin who needs a new governess for his spoiled 4-year-old daughter. The story hit all the buttons for me with suspense, mystery, witty banter, character chemistry, romance, and passion. The characters are likeable, even spoiled Sophy who becomes a much better person under Tessa’s guidance.

I definitely recommend When A Duke Loves A Governess. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Thank you to Olivia Drake, St. Martin’s Publishing, and Netgalley for an advanced copy. I voluntarily read the book and gladly leave my unbiased opinion.

When a Duke Loves a Governess is the third book in the Unlikely Duchesses series. It was another great read in this wonderful series. It had warm welcoming characters and an intriguing storyline that pulls you in and keeps you captivated until the end.

Such a fun read! The heroine, Tessa, was born to a nobleman that doesn't know she exists. Then she loses her mom at a young age and is forced into an orphanage and workhouse for most of her childhood. There she spends her life in the cramped back room of a millinery shop, working for a horrible boss. But this is where she discovers her love for hats and dreams of one day opening her own shop. One day, fed up with her boss, she quits and sets out to find her highborn father and get a loan from him to open her own hat shop. In the meantime, she has to find a way to feed herself. She stumbles upon a job as a governess to the Duke's misbehaving daughter, and with a little bit of deception and hard work is able to get the position. Of course with this forced proximity the pair cant help but fall in love. It was such a fun, swoon worthy romance! I look forward to more from this author!

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

A good, solid Historical-Romance with a suspense sub-plot. It all works very nicely, but I just didn't feel the passion. I understood the heroine's need for independence and her reluctance to give up her dreams of owning her own shop. But, she was not willing to try and understand what the hero needed.

Tessa James works in a millinery shop and dreams of owning her own shop some day. If she can track down the lord who is her father, she can persuade him to give her a loan, she hopes. When she is fired, that quest takes a backseat to the need of finding another job. She hears about a Duke whose daughter is a terror and has run off six different governesses. Tessa decides to apply and is determined not to be number seven. One little problem: she has no references. Being the governess in a Duke's household would give her opportunities to search for her father.

When Guy Whitby found out he was the new Duke of Carlin, he was half-way across the world and when he got home he found a four year old daughter who was a power unto herself. Sophy was a very unhappy child and Tessa knew that she could help this family. Guy had no other options and hired her. This determined and beautiful woman was just what this Duke needed in his life.
3 1/2-Stars

I really enjoyed this book and read through it quickly. I barely put it down before picking it up again because I couldn't resist. I loved Tessa right away (she reminded me of me lol) This young woman had guts and brazenly fibbed in order to get the job, but she got it and thrived at it. She had a hard childhood, becoming an orphan at an extremely young age when her mother was killed by a carriage. She goes on to make it on her own. I loved the storyline and plotlines in this one. I would however start from the beginning book even though this can be read as a standalone.

Tessa does a bold thing for the day and opens her own shop. She does need a loan though but does not know who her father is. To find the answers she goes in as a governess in a world that has them. Guy hires her because his daughter has scared others so this might be the last chance. As time goes on you know what is next, the love slowly consumes them both something or someone comes to crash it. Turn the pages to see it either survive or crumble when under attack.

WHEN A DUKE LOVES A GOVERNESS by Olivia Drake is book Three in the Unlikely Duchesses Series. This is the story of Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin and Tessa Jame. I have read the previous books which did add to my enjoyment of this one but I do feel its a standalone book. Guy has returned home to find that while he was a way Sophy his daughter has made ever governess run off. So he ends up hiring Tessa someone he not sure about but feels he has no choice. Tessa is working to start her own business but needs money to of course use toward this so she needs to find the man that sired her which leads her to be a governess to get close to society to find him. I am a huge fan of Ms. Drake's writing so I highly recommend this book and her writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the chance to read an early copy of this book!

This is a fine Cinderella romance, but I found it trite and predictable, with a too-stupid-to-live heroine. Not my cup of tea.

The story begins with Tessa James finding out that the Duke of Carlin, Guy Whitby, has lost another governess. It’s like…the fifth?? How bad could the kid be that the governesses keep quitting?!? But Tessa has a plan. She is sick of her job at the hat shop. She’s put down and abused on the daily and if she wants to open her own hat shop, she’s going to need to make more money.

But is she a governess or trained at all? No, but that won’t stop her. She lived in an orphanage for years and knows how to take care of children even when they’re being unruly.

So, she makes up a story and tricks her way into the house and guess what?? She gets the job! She can hardly believe it. Yes, Sophy is definitely going to be a challenge but she is up to the task.

While she’s teaching Sophy how to be a little more refined, she ends up spending time with Sophy’s father, the Duke. And it eventually turns into a hell of a lot more than talking despite the fact that he thinks she’s lying about who she is and her qualifications.

During this time, Tessa is also on the lookout for any information about her father. She’s never met him but based on what her mother said when she was dying, she knows he’s in the upper echelon of society and she plans to use the Duke’s connections and his library to figure out who he is. Tessa plans to ask her long-lost father for a loan so she can reach her ultimate dream: opening a hat shop.

But Tessa’s truth eventually comes out and the Duke is none too pleased. Fortunately, Tessa has already made a lot of progress with Sophy so qualifications or not, she can clearly do that job. And if he has feelings for her or thinks she’s beautiful, well that’s…whatever.

The Duke has other things to worry about when someone breaks into his home and steals his journals from his journeys abroad. While there isn’t anything valuable in them, he still wants them back. The person who stole them is likely looking for a map to a hidden pirate treasure and he expects they have nefarious motives.

Despite all this, Guy and Tessa form a strong bond, but can he put society’s expectations that he marry someone of high rank behind him? And can Tessa accept that she belongs in his home and his life no matter how she grew up?

Tessa and Sophy were definitely my favorite characters in this. Tessa takes no prisoners. She barges into that house and while nervous, tells the Duke what she can do. And she does not let Sophy get away with anything. And it’s a good thing because taking away the scissors from Sophy (she was cutting up books) ends up saving Tessa’s life!

And Sophy is a little spitfire. At the beginning, she has no rules and wants to do whatever she wants, but as Tessa learns more about her, about her past, and gives her some rules, she becomes happy and so completely wonderful. Such a cute bean!

While I generally liked Guy, there were some moments where I was like “cool your boots, my dude! You will not tell her what to do!!’ But luckily, he comes around in the end and admires Tessa for exactly who she is.

I am giving When a Duke Loves a Governess 3.5 out of 5 stars. If you like historical romance with well-developed heroines, I really think you’ll like this one!

When a Duke Loves a Governess by Olivia Drake is available now!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review.

When a Duke Loves a Governess is book #3 in the Unlikely Duchesses series. You can read it as a stand-alone story, although some characters from the previous books show up in this one.
Tessa James has saved every single penny, working hard, in order to open her own millinery shop, something she's planning to do as soon as she's able to get a loan from the man who sired her - a lord whose name Tessa has no knowledge of. Learning that the Duke of Carlin, is desperate to find a governess who won't run away from his daughter, Tessa sees a chance to earn and save more money as well as to be in contact with the aristocracy.
Guy Whitby wasn't raised to be the Duke of Carlin, being more interested in his biology research. He's just back from a research tour around the world, and has to put up not only with the responsibilities of his title, but also with his young daughter's tantrums. The interview with Tessa James seems a bit strange, but he approves of her methods (not beating the young girl to punish her) and hires Tessa.
The story has many twists and kept me interested for the whole of it. I'm not sure if this is the last instalment of the series, but if it is, congrats, Ms Drake!

When a Duke Loves a Governess
By: Olivia Drake
Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️
Blurb: 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.

This is the third book in the series. You don’t need to read the others to enjoy this one. However, my favorite is the first one, The Duke I Once Knew! This historical romance has class difference, secret identity, and mystery. I was vested in Guy & Tessa as a couple. However, the plot was a little farfetched - a milliner’s assistant pretending to be a governess hired as a Duke’s daughter’s governess. If you like mystery, with a side of romance you will probably enjoy this book.

Thank you to the publisher for providing the ARC.

There is gossip aplenty in the millinery shop where Tessa James works. Today's is about the new Duke of Carlin. Apparently his daughter is a terror and has chased away several nannies, the most recent left just this morning and had lasted only four days. As Tessa is listening to the conversation she gets an idea. She's been trying to locate her father, the only clue she has is a gold pendant engraved with a coat of arms. Her mother gave her the pendant as she was dying and she never removes it. If she could get the position of governess she would make more money and put her goal of owning her own shop closer to reality. She would also have a better chance of finding out who the coat of arms belongs to.

Her boss Madame Blanchet startles her out of her musings and she pricks her finger. Unknowingly getting a tiny spot of blood on the brim. When Madame spots it, she immediately says Tessa will forfeit her wages to pay for it. For Tessa that was the last straw and she quits.

We meet her friend Orrin who works for the newspaper as a typesetter, as he catches her packing up. She has a plan and she hopes everything falls into place. Being the governess to Lady Sophy is her goal.

Guy Whitby never expected to become the Duke of Carlin, his father was not the heir, his uncle was. There were a series of unfortunate occurrences that led to him holding this position. His Uncle Sebastian and his son Charles died when their yacht capsized in the Isle of Wight. Following that, his father came down with a deadly stomach ailment and now Guy's grandfather died of a heart attack, leaving him all the responsibilities of the Dukedom. His Aunt Delia, Lady Victor her son Edgar and her companion Avis Knightly also reside in his home. Providing a stream of visitors he really doesn't care about. He didn't have the heart to tell her he has no intention of marrying again.

Guy's daughter Sophy is in desperate need of discipline and he was having a great deal of difficulty administering it. The guilt of having left her for so long with her grandparents a burden he feels he needs to compensate for. When Tessa arrives he is desperate for someone to take her in hand. He doesn't like that she is young but finally agrees to a trial week.

From the start Lady Sophy puts Tessa through her paces, with tantrums and trying behavior at bath time as well as throwing bedclothes to the floor at bedtime. An exhausted Tessa doesn't get to find paper to forge a letter of reference falling asleep instead. She almost loses her position but manages to convince the duke she's the best choice as she can give Sophy the transition she needs.

The first hint of attraction between Tessa and Guy comes after Sophy throws a rock through a conservatory window, that act of destruction also comes with a revelation into why Sophy appears to hate her father.

Some flirting as Tessa is caught eyeing him and he realizes just how beautiful she is. Now things are going to get interesting. Tessa encourages the duke to explain the origins of the plants and birds. Combining a sort of biology and geography lesson. We are introduced to Jiggs here as well, he's the duke's valet as well as a jack of all trades.

There's just so much going on even in the background. We have some interesting characters there. Lady Victor is petrified something will happen to her son Edgar now that he's the Duke's heir. Her companion Avis Knightly becomes a friend to Tessa. It's from Avis that Tessa learns a more of what Lady Victor calls the Carlin Curse and also that there are books on English Heraldry.

This is a cleverly written tale, with many twists and turns revolving around Guy and Tessa. There's mystery, laughter, tears and so many surprises. I couldn't put this book down.

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.