The Truth About Miss Ashbourne is a charming, clean romance that will capture your interest from the first page. As you read, you realize quickly that Juliana has a decency toward others that is calming ans unusual in her forgiveness of others, especially those in serving stations below her own. As she indicates, she is somewhere between a servant and a welcome guest as a governess. She, also, let you know she chose to be a governess, loves children, and loves teaching.

The family of which Juliana had been a governess had the most charming children, a horribly jealous mother and a father who thought he was lord of the manor and servants. Juliana tried to make it work and spoke up when it did not – not her best moment, but a great one.

One of the things that came across so clearly was of the love and respect with which Juliana grew up. Her parents were a love match with her mother giving up a privileged life to be with the man of her choice. This caused Juliana’s mother to be disowned by her father. Juliana indicated her mother did not speak of a sister, nor did she belabor that she could have had a better life than the sparse one into which she married. Juliana missed her mother terribly following her loss. There seems to be a bit of a mystery surrounding Juliana’s father and his current location.

Once on the estate as dictated in the provision of her Grandfather’s will, Juliana met William, the current heir. He has a heart of gold, too. William made sure Juliana’s grandmother knew she could stay in the home in which she lived with the now deceased grandfather. He saw no reason for her to leave just because he had inherited. This allowed Juliana to get to know her grandmother and cousin well, developing into a loving relationship.

As William described his conversation with Juliana as banter, yet, Juliana thought it merciless teasing. I found it entertaining and witty. These two formed a deep friendship in a short amount of time with a tremendous amount of respect. William’s care for Juliana in teaching her to ride a horse showed his desire to share with her a part of life of which she was missing a piece. When she fell, he made sure she was cared for by the family. He even gave her dancing lessons.

Of course, every romance needs a bit of trouble. In this one, it is William’s former ‘girlfriend’ Isabel Radcliffe. She broke with him believing she could do better, but now that he has repaired his fortune, she wants him back. And, will stop at nothing to get him.

Aunt Lydia is a problem herself. You just need to read about her. All in all, this is a sweet book that you will enjoy. I did find it to be a bit long, but not sure what you would leave out. Apparently, this is Ms. Barker’s debut novel and it is worth your time for an enjoyable weekend read. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a romance set in 1820 in England. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if it'd started with her arriving at the empty house. I ended up really enjoying the story, but I didn't particularly like or understand Juliana at first. She defied her employers' wishes as to how their children should be educated and taught the children feminist principles and to resent their parents. She had so much resentment against her relatives because of how her grandfather treated her parents that she refused to spend a month with them. Even in order to receive a fortune that would allow her to open a progressive school for girls. She's in the wrong when she runs into the hero, then she's rude to him when he tries to be kind. Helping her required a lot of negotiation.

Then she's fired and has no choice except to visit her relatives. All but one are surprisingly kind. She starts to thaw, accept family and love, and become much more likable. We learn why she's had to be independent even as she works with the hero to bring about her dream of a school for girls. And, of course, they fall in love as they spend time together. But she still feels powerless, like she's "just the governess," so she makes a hurtful (though kindly meant) decision at the end that has to be overcome before she finds happiness. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.