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I always find Emily’s books totally riveting, full of fun and entertaining, this is no exception.
A great story with brilliant characters especially the children.
I adored the fact she was a former actress it’s not used very often in books, and I loved it, then throwing her in the deep end with a Duke, great stuff.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review


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Miss Helena Patrick is a celebrated actress not a governess when she loses her job at the theatre she grasps the chance to masquerade as a governess until better luck comes around. She finds herself stuck in the country with a master who is afraid to leave his house with a wife who died but no one will speak of, his sister who mysteriously disappears whenever anyone wants her, and a brother who…A brother who absolutely should not be kissing her. Especially as he’s a duke. Oscar Fernsby, Duke of Kilerth, only planned to visit his brother for a few weeks. Prove the man was fine, then return to London to continue his anonymous bare knuckle boxing fights. Until a governess he thinks he recognizes but cannot place turns up at his brother’s house, blackmails him into silence, and distracts him with her beauty and strange skills. Oscar knows that something isn’t quite right. The only way to discover her secrets is to get close to her.
This is the fourth book in the series & is easily read on its own. Another well written enjoyable read but I found the pace varied, the beginning was slow but then the pace picked up until the ending, which I found to be rushed. The characters were well portrayed & I really liked Helena & the children but it took me time to warm to Oscar but I did like him at the end. I did love their journey to a HEA, not my favourite of the series but still an enjoyable, entertaining read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

An actress masquerading as a governess, what could possibly go wrong? An entertaining romance that battles the great divide of classes. A Duke and a governess (actress) cannot possibly work. Helena uses her skills as an actress to fulfill her duties as a governess, but it is her heart after all that affects each member of the Fernsby family. Her talents in stage fighting help her to connect with the eldest son, teaches the children to act helps her connect to the other children, her kindness wins over Lady Amelia and her compassion cannot help but effect the Baron. It is all of these facets together that of course make her irresistible to the Duke.
A beautiful tale that left me misty-eyed and my heart happy!

Miss Helena Patrick is fired from her job as an actress. Her only hope is the Governess Bureau. Teaching math, science, geography, etc. are not the requirements. Keeping three children entertained is her job.
Oscar Fernsby, Duke of Kilerth, has never known a governess like Helena. Her interactions with his neices and nephew are very unique. She knows his secret and he knows hers, right? They have a mutual agreement to keep their secrets, until a misunderstanding leads to a painful confrontation. The children are so entertaining, the Duke's brother is heartbreaking and you cannot help but feel concerned for his sister. Good reading in this series. A clue to the next book is in the author's last comments. Stayed up most of the night to finish.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This was a lovely historical romance! Helen Patrick finds herself without anywhere to go after losing her job. She finds herself at the Governess Bureau where a turn of luck leads her on an adventure. She finds family, friendship and romance. Despite the cover art, this is not your typical bodice ripper. It is not extremely descriptive of open door scenes. I recommend this to historical romance lovers everywhere!

Disclaimer: I got to read this as an ARC. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Miss Helena Patrick is a very skilled actress, but finds herself out of work and a home. The Governess Bureau offers an opportunity.

Our heroine finds herself in a very unusual household. One full of fears and secrets, her own just one of them. The people in the household are all very good-hearted and love each other despite the difficulties.

Oscar Fernsby, Duke of Kilerth has put his life on hold to help his brother. A terrible accident caused a lot of lives to change. Getting back to anywhere near normal will be hard.

Our hero may be a Duke but somethings even he can't control.

An emotional and fun-filled historical romance with fabulous characters.

This book is part of a series based around the Governess Bureau. Each one can be read on it's own. I'm starting to feel sorry for Miss Clarke, her ladies are not keeping to her rules. That's what makes the whole series fun.

Very entertaining story.

A down on her luck actress, Helena, decides to become a governess. She goes out to the country to take care of a widower’s children and falls in love with his brother, Oscar, who is a duke. Both of them are keeping scandalous secrets which can impair their impending happiness. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

4 stars

Another cracking read from Ms Murdoch as part of her Governess's series. Helena is suddenly sacked from the theatre and has to find somewhere else to earn her living. Luckily she encounters Elizabeth from the previous novel who points her in the direction of Miss Clarke who supplies Governess with an incredible skill.

The Baron is mourning his wife and his three children don't need tuition but play and joy. He's become almost agrophobic and his siblings, Amelia and Oscar are visiting to support him. Oscar, the Duke, thinks he recognises Helena but can't remember the details. Helena knows about Oscar's secret life and Oscar believes she'd blackmailing her wherease she feels they have reached a pact to protect each other.

My only criticism was that the pace at the beginning built slowly, the fall out when it came seemed a bit strange, sudden and out of Oscar's character. I think more could have been made of his secret. The last bit of the book went a bit quickly, though there was plenty of detail about their lves.

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

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I liked the story line. I am not sure what it was to make me wish it would go faster. Helena Patrick is an actress who becomes a governess to the three children of a widower who is just too lost without his wife since she died. His brother the duke is staying with him and helps to run his household. The duke falls in love with Helena. But can they survive him knowing her secret?

There were pieces of the book I really enjoyed. I enjoyed Helena as a character and fell in love with the kids. I enjoyed the background story of Fernsby. Overall though the book has a very slow pacing. It’s probably more realistic, but it makes for a slow read. There are some steamy scenes in the later half. They’re much more sweet than spicy.

I received an advanced copy of this book, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.