Valentinian (Val) Worthington is a carefree charmer who finds himself the Duke of Millbrooke after his father’s sudden death. The lighthearted bachelor must quickly assume his responsibilities as head of the family, caring for his widowed mother and two younger sisters, also he must learn to run the dukedom. Miss Eden Snow lost her father in a riding accident, and her mother’s death followed shortly thereafter. The new Viscount Brownley orders her off his estate, and she becomes a governess happy employed, spending the past five years educating Lady Traywick’s daughters, Verina and Justina. Accompanying her charges to visit their cousin, a duke, Eden hopes to escape the duke’s notice, but Val is drawn to the attractive, intelligent woman.
The fourth book in this series about a group of cousins. I really thought Val & Con would be the last to have their stories, as they are the two charmers who are also very protective of their siblings & cousins. So I was surprised to read Val’s story so early in the series – I’m certainly not complaining! I’ve loved Val in the earlier books & I loved not only how he was determined to do his best for the dukedom but how he didn’t put on any airs & graces. He thanked his servants & treated them really well. I also loved Eden, one strong woman who had a very happy childhood but then went through a difficult patch. I also loved how she wasn’t afraid to butt heads with Val. Another well written delightful romance which once again I read straight through finishing it at silly o’clock
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

I think I have read all the Worthington novels, and this is another good one. I really enjoy the Worthington family and the relationship between the siblings and the one they are building with the cousins. The characters are well written and lovable. The banter and affection jumps off the pages. The heroine, Eden, in this one was frustrating at times. She was fighting her feelings so hard that it was making her go back and forth with how she treated Val. It was unfair and frustrating to read. I really enjoy Alexa Aston books. I haven’t read a bad one yet. I started this book and couldn’t put it down until I was done. This was a class difference (although she was born to the aristocracy), he falls first, friends to lovers story with good characters and a HEA. These books really just leave me wanting more.

This was an enjoyable regency romance between a Duke and a governess. I can imagine myself picking up more in the series when I go to my cabin this summer. The romance was sweet, but I found myself loving the familial relationships even more. The reason that this book is three stars for me is, firstly, the beginning was rough. I understand that the author was trying to foreshadow that tragedy was going to strike, but it almost felt silly, as if the mother could see the future, and the way she wasn't even surprised when she returned to deliver the news about her father. Also, I don't understand how Eden did not have any hesitation riding horses after not only did her father die in a riding accident, but her mother was paralyzed. It felt a little far-fetched that she just continued riding without pause. I also felt quite turned off when Val says, more than once, that he has enough experience for them both ... I understand it in the context of the time, but it felt like an odd thing to include in a romance. I was a little surprised at how quickly everyone accepted the marriage, and it may have been a bit hard to believe. It would have been more believable if there had been someone to voice hesitation. But, overall, it was an enjoyable read.

I feel terrible Dnf-ing an Alexa Aston book, but I just couldn't. I'm disabled myself, and sometimes the way a character who's disabled is portrayed just rubs me the wrong way. And then the father AND the horse in the first chapter... I'm sorry.
Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

4.5 stars
This is such a fun, entertaining, good read. I love Val and Eden’s romance and the way that it played out. These two are fun to spend time with. Val is swoony. It was fun getting to see him fall and be the hero I can’t wait for it to be Con’s turn. I love spending time in this world and with this family. I am looking forward to what comes next. The story is easy to read and get into.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I felt so bad for Eden and her family. They were dealt one blow after another. Eden is so resilient to have made her stronger instead of fold in on herself. Val is so kind. He cares for his family and the people around him. So when extended family comes to stay for a while it's no problem. The instant attraction that he has for Eden is what dreams are made of. Even though she tries to let him down. In the end she sees things his way. I enjoyed reading this novel very much.

Friends, Family Wonderful Romance Story.
A sad beginning to this amazingly romantic and intriguing story.
A first sight attraction with a slow budding romance fills the pages between the new duke Van and the very capable governess Miss Edan Snow
Both are wonderful characters that slowly come together through many obstacles to finally accept their love for each other.
I thought this to be a delightfully enjoyable story from the start to the HEA.

Miss Eden Snow was supposed to have her debut, but her father died in a tragic accident just before they were to go to town. Her mother died shortly after and her cousin who inherited her father’s title orders her off the property. Thanks to Lady Traywick she is offered a position as the governess to her daughters Lady Verina and Lady Justina.

Valentinian ‘Val’ Worthington has lived a carefree lifestyle and has not had to worry about anything thanks to his father. Now with his father passing he is the Duke of Millbrooke and feels like he is completely unprepared. He knows that he wants to do things differently than his father and must take care of his mother and two sisters.

Val’s mother is having a difficult time with his father passing so he asks his Aunt Agnes, Lady Traywick to stay with them for an extended stay. She agrees and ask if her daughters and Miss Snow can come and stay too. Val is instantly drawn to Eden and the more he learns about her knows she would be the perfect Duchess. Will Val convenience Eden that she is more than a governess and would be the perfect Duchess?

I absolutely loved Eden and Val’s story!! It was so much fun, very delightful and such a wonderful story!! I liked how they started off as friends and really got to know each other before they fell in love. The secondary characters were so delightful and really added to the story. This is truly a fantastic and fun series!! I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series!!

A beautiful love story between a Duke and a governess.
When Val’s father passes away, he becomes the Duke and the support for his mother and sisters.
His sisters have to delay their come out so their cousins and their governess Eden come to stay for the summer.
Val and Eden develop a strong friendship but she has doubts as to the extent of their future.
Enjoyable journey with good characterization.
Like the family dynamics and extended family of cousins that are brought into the story.

I so love this author’s Worthington family series! Val gets his turn as he becomes a duke, yet unprepared due to his father’s shenanigans. Eden is a governess, having to become one after her parents death. I adored Val falling first and his inability to not be close to her. I hurt for Eden and all she went through and felt the author wrote her fears beautifully. All four cousins were so adorable and could fell their energy jumping off the page. This author’s style of writing leaves me feeling warm and cozy and I enjoy how she puts so much into her characters without being overwhelming. The scene with Miss Penelope was so precious- a big man with a bigger heart. Val and Eden’s chemisty was so swoon-worthy and I hated to see the story end!

I received this story for free and these are my own views.

Newly inheriting his dukedom, Val realizes that he must settle down and see to his estates. Since his father has left him well off, he decides he does not need to marry for money and can marry for love. Governess Eden is happy to spend time with her charges at their cousin Val's house for the summer. Val is instantly smitten with Eden's beauty but comes to know her graceful and intelligent side as well. Can Val convince Eden she is good enough to marry a duke? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I liked that this book was a slow burn and you saw the relationship develop, despite Eden’s hesitations. I also liked that Val didn’t see any class distinction between him and any other people. He was just a man with his faults and strengths.
I felt it too easy to have both Eden’s parents suffer from a horseback riding accident. Personally, I would have come up with something else, like a heart attack or any other cause of death.
Val, the duke, is a very down-to-earth, amiable and friendly man despite his rank. So he doesn’t look down his nose at Eden, who is a governess. She, however, is quite prejudiced towards any man with a title, after having experienced being harassed by her previous employer. So you can imagine the duke having a hard time convincing Eden that she is more than just staff. He treats her like a guest, tries to make her happy but she won’t have any of it. Will he succeed? Of course, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens next.
Eden was more difficult as a person. She was very wary of Val trying to befriend her and she rebuffed his acts of kindness as much as possible. Then, when they finally had an honest conversation about that and he asked her to be friends, she again was hesitant, not knowing how to be a friend. I found that strange, but maybe it is to be expected when somebody grew up an only child without any friends around.
There is a lot of non-communication between family members. Val’s father, the previous duke, didn’t have any relationship with any of his children. And apparently neither did they have with their mother, which might be common in those days but also very sad.
Eden didn’t have any friends, growing up, so she was also quite lonely and not used to confiding in a friend. But the book paints a good picture of how things were in those days between adults and children and also between the various social classes.
The pace is a bit slow but it is a nice read without any angst but with a happily ever after. The book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. There is one sexual intimate scene after marriage.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am learning that, in my opinion, Regency romances are some of the most beautiful stories ever written. They always fill me with hope, butterflies and happiness. An Unforeseen Kiss is no different. I love this book so much.