5++ stars for A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke #regency #historicalromance #bookreview
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  • N. N. Light
    • Aug 10, 2022
    • 4 min read

5++ stars for A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke #regency #historicalromance #bookreview



Title: A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke

Author: Emily Windsor

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance


Book Blurb:


“So tell me, Miss Beaujeu, why should I employ you as governess?”


A question to rouse fear within the breast of any prospective governess but for Isabelle, a lady with impeccable references and tightly pinned hair, it barely raises a brow.


But this rugged Welsh duke of an employer is unlike any other: dubbed Mean, Moody & Mysterious in gossip columns, he’s known to scowl a path through London society. And why have three governesses fled his employ within the last twelve months?


"I appoint you as governess. When can you start?"


Rhys Cadogan, the Duke of Aberdare, never procrastinates. And besides, with a house party to be hosted at his coastal estate, the sole purpose of which is to find him a wife, he’s in somewhat of a rush.


But this drab-gowned paragon of a governess is unlike any other: lauded in her references, she exudes composure and intelligence, a perfect fit for his troubled niece. So why do Miss Beaujeu’s eyes also flash with a wild silvered gleam?


The Prudent Governess and the Passionate Duke.


One should never judge a duke by his Mean, Moody & Mysterious reputation or a governess by her tightly pinned hair, for beneath both tamed façades lay wildness and shared passions – not to be denied.


With forbidden kisses on stormy nights, a house full of prospective brides, a scandalous rake of an heir, dragon folklore and cinnamon biscuits, the vocation of governess has never been so thrilling…


A witty, romantic and heart-warming stand-alone Regency romance.


This tale contains sensual scenes.


The Governess Chronicles

1 - A Governess Should Never... Tempt a Prizefighter

2 - A Governess Should Never... Deny a Duke


My Review:


Hidden in a gothic castle in Wales, a governess and a duke unleash a passion so wild, it might singe the Ton. Isabelle is a governess with a mysterious past. She’s French yet does her best to hide her beauty and accent. She’s hired by Rhys, a Welsh duke, to take his niece, Mari through her first season. Isabelle is up for the challenge. She’s done her homework on the duke and discovers conflicting reports. While she agrees he has a mysterious demeanor, she isn’t prepared for the sizzle between them. Both have secrets hidden beneath their cool exteriors. Wales surprises Isabelle as does her new charge, Mari. Between the overcrowding of potential wives for the duke at the estate and undeniable attraction, passion ignites a storm with devastating consequences. Can Isabelle succumb to the love burning in her Welch duke’s eyes or will she deny herself and stick to her station?


A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke is Regency romance at its very best. Emily Windsor takes an enormous amount of time researching her books, making sure she has every detail correct. As a reader, I applaud this kind of dedication to writing historical romance. I connected with Isabelle right away. She’s such a wonderful heroine with a rigid backbone. While she’s using this as a mechanism for survival, it also keeps others at bay. Rhys doesn’t want to be kept at bay and he proves it time and again. The plot moves at a slow pace which allows the reader to totally escape and enjoy several hours of reading pleasure. This romance is also a slow-burn which I found delightful. I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially the housekeeper. These characters add depth to the story and sometimes stole the scenes they were in. Mari is a sweet young lady who has been through a difficult time and needs Isabelle just as much as Isabelle needs her. The historical accuracy is intricate and makes A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke is an unputdownable romance. Emily Windsor is a gifted writer and she swept me away from the very first page. Her narration is not only emotional and detailed but allows the reader to immerse themselves in the world she creates. Intricate details such as clothing, food, Welsh language and lore, plus scenery added to my enjoyment of the story. A Governess Should Never...Deny a Duke is an unforgettable historical romance. If Regency romance is your reading jam, pick up A Governess Should Never…Deny a Duke. One of the best historical romances I’ve read this year. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5++ stars


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Author Biography:


Emily grew up in the north of England on a diet of historical romance and strong tea.


Unfortunately, you couldn’t study Regency slang, so she did the next best thing and gained a degree in Classics and History instead. This ‘led’ to an eight-year stint in engineering.


Having left city life, she now lives in a dilapidated farmhouse where her days are spent writing, fixing the leaky roof, battling the endless vegetation and finding pictures of well-tied cravats.


Social Media Links:


For details of new releases or to get in touch, find Emily on:


Follow her Amazon Author Page, http://amazon.com/author/emilywindsor

Or become a 'Lady of Windsor' and sign up for Emily's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gehNKr


Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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