I enjoyed this book a lot. I am a massive fan of historical fiction so this book was definitely for me! I love a regency novel and this was no exception. I really like the relationship between Tessa and the dukes daughter and also the relationship with the duke an Tessa.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for a chance to review this book.

Enjoyed reading this one. The many twists and turns had me turning the page to find out more about the mysteries they suggested. I actually thought we got a reveal way too early in the plot, but that wasn't exactly the case, and I was pleasantly surprised by that explanation.
However, it's not getting more than 3 stars because the romance felt a bit forced after the initial passion (which also didn't click - the elements were there, but the dots were never joined to form a solid line, which is a shame)
Still, it's an entertaining read and I quite liked the journey throughout

An unconventional Duke, who never expected to inherit, goes off on his wanderings only to inherit his title. He comes home with parrots, plants and a treasure map, only to find his daughter, that he'd left with her maternal grandparents, to be a little brat.
After several governesses, he hires our heroine. Who applies unconventionally, seeing as she is a workhouse/ milliner's assistant.
She has little idea how to behave in society and thus treats her charge with love and understanding which surpringly works.
There is an interesting ending but I did not feel it was necessary to the plot. For me, it was too conventional.
That said, I spotted the villain but not his motives quite early.
Nice writing style with few grammar and spelling mistakes.

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Lovely cover, out of the ordinary for this category of books. Easy to read story, I'm looking forward to a next if it turns out to be a series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

I would like to thank netgalley and Canelo for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyable, but nothing new.

Tessa grew up in an orphanage after her mother was knocked down and killed by a carriage, leaving her alone in the world. All Tessa knows is that her father was a lord, and that the necklace her mother gave her before she died bears his family crest. Eager to track her father down in the hope of getting some money out of him after a lifetime of neglect, Tessa infiltrates the household of the Duke of Carlin by applying for a job as a governess and faking her experience and references. There is no real surprise when it comes to the romance which develops between the Duke and the governess, the title of the book rather gives that away, as does the fact it's pegged as an "Unlikely Duchesses" romance. The reader knows where this is going from the start!

The first half of the book is quite likeable. I enjoyed watching the bond develop between the governess and her charge, and the Duke and his daughter. When it comes to a regency romance, I prefer more of a slow burn, but barely a quarter of the way into the book the hero and heroine are already lusting after each other.

I felt the second half of the book got a little bit silly as Tessa's past is uncovered - it all seemed a little bit too neat and convenient while, conversely, the part of the book dealing with Guy's enemy got very convoluted, drawing in more characters than seemed necessary simply to make for a more dramatic ending.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I have never read anything by this author before and I'm so glad I've found her. What a lovely book that captured my attention immediately.

I was drawn to the two main characters, Tessa from the start and Guy was such a gentleman any woman would fall for his handsome charms. I loved the tantrums of Sophy, Guy's spoilt daughter.

It was a warm book a lovely historical set in Regency times.
It had just the right amount of tension and suspense to hold the reader but didn't detract from the lovely love story that it was.
I'm going to seek out the other books this lady has written and look out for her in the future,
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this lovely book. xx

There is something about a historical romance that gives a warm feeling and there is nothing to change my mind with this.

The characters are engaging and the storyline left me with a warm glow.

This was one I had difficulty in putting down.

I think this is a well rounded historical romance with aspects to suit all types of readers. It has everything from intrigue to curses to a pirate's treasure map!

Tessa James is a hard working girl who only ever dreams of owning her own millinery shop and making hats for fashionable young ladies. Tessa comes up with the plan to infiltrate the upper class to find her long lost father in the hope of a loan to live her dream. One day she over hears some ladies in the current establishment she works gossiping about an unruly four year old of a Duke. Tessa then has the bright idea to try to work as the little lady's governess. The Duke and Tessa clash immediately creating a passionate dynamic from the off.

I liked the character of Tessa as she was strong minded and the typical heroine you hope for in a historical romance. The relationship she developed with the little girl in her care was heartwarming. I also feel like her character remained constant throughout as she adapted to different situations.

I do feel the romance between Tessa and the Duke was lack lustre though. From the off the relationship definitely felt more lust at first site than love. The affections from the Duke's side seemed to stem from physical attraction and what Tessa could bring to the relationship to benefit him.

I enjoyed some side characters though found others completely unnecessary. There were aspects of the book that seemed to be added for the sake of excitement but didn't make a whole lot of sense. One standout character is Lady Sophy, the unruly four year old. She is adorable and well developed in terms of personal growth and relationships to others.

The intrigue aspect of the book didn't sit right with me as it started very late on, about 75% of the way through the book. It felt quite rushed and cobbled together. It would've either been improved by just not being included or having more time dedicated to it. I don't think it really added anything necessary to the plot and just seemed to be a space filler.

That said the length and pacing of the book was well done. No parts of the plot dragged on and I found it to be a quick enjoyable read. I think it would be perfect for a weekend to plow through and enjoy at face value.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review *

I think this was my first book by the author and I enjoyed it.

I rarely find children in books likable and here the duke’s daughter is a higher challenge for everyone, but in the end I got to see her as a significant addition to the book and maybe a necessary one because of Tessa’s job description.

The romance story between Tessa and Guy was an interesting one, to say at least. There were enough intriguing and suspenseful moments to keep me interested, and I felt the chemistry between Tessa and Guy throughout the chapters.

An enjoyable read and an author to look out for in the future.

There are so many poorly written but published novels nowadays so it is nice to read a well written book. The story was intriguing and pulled me in even though such a plot has been done many times before. The protagonists were likeable and it was nice to watch them falling in love with each other (or lusting after each after at first?).

As many other romance books, it has also an element of adventure or surprise and typically I do not like it as it often seems that the writer has run out of the plot for the romance and tries to fill pages with poorly add-ons (kidnappings, danger, etc.) to bring the protagonists together. In this case, the transition was quite smooth and has added an interesting twist to the story.

Overall I have enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read more of this author.

Thanks Netgalley for a free copy.

3.5 stars

An unusual book in some way. I was surprised that a milliner's assistant from the east end would gain an interview for a governess position with the Duke himself. I liked the fact that Guy, the Duke, was a botanist and adventurer and that he hired an unusal valet. The heroine, Tessa was keen to find her father's family and in the course of the book she actually meets her mother's as well. There's a sub plot about a Carlin Curse which actually comes to the fore towards the end.

The passion was Ok and I read it quite quickly.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this historical romance story with a touch of intrigue and a kidnapping to boot. Well written and kept you guessing about the curse being fact or fiction.

A lovely romantic novel, and the story is told in the title, but not the whole story. The reader will have to read the book to find out what that is, but it is an excellent, well plotted tale and I would recommend the novel highly. No wonder the author found a publisher so quickly, it is a jewel of a book. I was deeply engrossed in the novel, and stayed up late to finish it.

A quick read using a fairly standard format. Enjoyable nonetheless. It was a romance with duke/governess whose hidden background was revealed with a bit of murder/mystery included.