Delightful matchmaking antics and a ten year unrequited crush stemming from one heroic meet cute - Viola is a governess, utterly devoted to her charge Felicity (the ward of a Duke), and utterly in love with the close friend of her employer - the Duke of Huntington. After a visit to Huntington’s estate for an afternoon of painting ends with Felicity injuring her ankle - Viola is left with no choice but to seek refuge with the one man who has had her heart for years. Huntington is still reeling from a mess of a courtship. His pride bruised, he turns to his family - rededicating himself to his sisters and his grandmother the Dowager. When Viola and Felicity unexpectedly become his guests, he starts to see Viola in a new light - and is startled by how quickly he begins to fall for her, a girl who has been there all along.
I could have read a full length novel about any of the characters in this book - all of them delightfully eccentric. The entire story comes together really nicely. All the story telling components from the pacing, to the conflict, and the building tension were so nicely weaved together. Of this trilogy, this installment was definitely the standout for me.

I read and liked the previous book in this series, The Duchess and the Wolf, but sadly I didn't end up liking this one as much. We follow the Duke of Huntington, who in the last book was courting that heroine and has been essentially in hiding since she rejected him 15 months ago. He lives with his older sister Agatha, younger sister Isabelle, and his grandma. Our heroine for this story is Viola Winslow, governess to the Duke's best friend's ward, Felicity. They initially meet 10 years prior to the start of this novel as Viola is on her way to become the governess and she is immediately taken with him. He is oblivious and just being kind. Cue Viola spending the next 10 years pining after this man she thinks she's in love with. Bleh. They exchanged a few pleasantries and then she tries to fade into the background for 10 years and barely speaks to him. He effectively ignores her presence for this whole decade until her and her ward stumble onto his grounds (for the ward quite literally, she tumbles down a hill). Then he is immediately lusting after her. Much of the book is the duke, James, thinking lusty thoughts of Viola even in the presence of his family members. Dude literally spaced out thinking about doing the nasty with Viola while his grandmas was berating him. It was wild. Viola really isn't much better because half the time she wouldn't even look at him and her thoughts were mostly "oh I am a lowly servant. we could never be!" and it was so annoying to hear over and over. The best part of the book were Felicity and Isabelle, our gothic teenagers. They love all things spooky and to cause mischief. I loved that reprieve from being annoyed by our couple. I did, however, like how the hero would do whatever to defend Viola. That was nice to see.
2.5 stars rounded to 3 stars.

Miss Viola Winslow is a Governess and has always lived her life according to society standards…. But she’s also been in love with the Duke of Huntington forever. As with any good love story, the Duke is completely oblivious of her attraction and of her altogether. The duke doesn’t care for society and its rituals. He’s much happier living in the country and having a quiet life. One day, Viola must seek help from the Duke at his estate, when her charge is injured. They do there best to coexist without actually having to speak to one another or spend time together. But as luck would have it, they run into one another over and over again. And of course, they both begin to fall in love. Viola falls first… obviously, because she was already in love with the Duke. But he isn’t far behind her. And the bigger issue is whether they will be accepted in a society that is run by standard rules. This was a fun read and definitely worth it if you enjoy a regency romance.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in the renegade dukes series. I thought this was great addition to the series. This was a fun read. I like it a great deal and hope there is more in the series.

All the stars to meddling children and insane grandmother. That revolution line at the end- iconic, grandma.

Viola, governess to the Duke of Ashworth's ward, has loved her employer's best friend, the Duke of Huntington, for 10 years. As a servant from humble beginnings, she has never suffered the illusion that they could be together, though still felt relieved his proposal was rejected by her employer's sister-in-law a year prior (see book 2).

Having hidden himself away for 15 months, James aka Hunt, the Duke of Huntington, is pleasantly surprised when Viola and her charge, Felicity, turn up at his home with Felicity injured. With no one to hide behind, James begins to see who Viola truly is, and is immediately taken with her humor, opinions, and beauty.

While James and Viola begin to grow closer (yay for plots and teamwork!), Viola continues to keep James away believing there is far too great a difference in their stations.

James definitely fell hard, fast, which was surprising, but we then got to see how he tries to get closer to her. The shenanigans were cute and Felicity was such a sweetheart who loved Violet so much.

The book moved quickly, and while it didn't feel as novel as the first in the series, it was enjoyable and a solid read. There was little drama and a focus on their class difference. You understand Viola's point-of-view and decisions as she is an intelligent, cool-headed, and likeable woman who has respectfully crushed on this man for ten years. And when she gets to know him better, to know who James is, she falls harder believing nothing can come of it but taking the moments she can get. You really root for her to get her happy ending and are glad James is a great guy who quickly adores her and will do anything for her.

Thank you to Entangled publishing and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Read for: 30 yo FMC (36 MMC), she is the only one to call him James, class difference, governess FMC, she falls first he falls harder, trapped by a storm, pining

3.75 stars
1.5 spice

This was an amazing story! Just what I needed for a cold spring day when a blanket and book were in order. Viola is the perfect governess and in this delightfully scheming tale.

Miss Viola Winslow has been in love with the Duke of Huntington for the past ten years. After spending two weeks with Miss Winslow and her charge, Felicity Berridge after a fall, the duke starts to get to know the governess better than he thought he& knew her.

This love story was cute. We were able to see how both characters struggled with their feelings for the other. I was happy to see them get the happily ever after they deserved..

Ms Viola Winslow was governess for the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashworth who has been in love with the Duke of Huntington for years but she always knew it was hopeless to want anything to come of it. Her ward, Felicity, knew of her feelings and staged an accident which required them to spend time at the Duke of Huntington. As Viola and Hunt are socializing more, she becomes closer to him and his family- the only one who does not like her is the dowager duchess. Viola has secrets that if revealed, she knows will be the end of her current life. As the family bands together with Viola's ward to get her and Hunt together, they fall in love and Hunt has to prove to Viola that her past and her social standing has no bearing on the love he has for her. While parts of the plot was slow it was an all around good story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a response.

This is the third book of the Renegade Dukes series. Viola is a governess and she knows her place in society. But she can't help feeling the way she does about the Duke of Huntington, James. She is completely in love with him but knows nothing can come of it. James is a confirmed bachelor and has no desire to marry. He is perfectly happy steering clear of London and society's chaos and prefers to reside at his estate in Moorcliffe Castle. When Viola's young charge gets injured and the Duke rescues her, she has no choice but to stay at Moorcliffe Castle in the constant company of the very man she is pining for. As they spend time together, he begins to really notice her and admire her. But she doesn't think she is good enough for him and he sets about the task of convincing her otherwise. He's not the only one, though, as Viola's 14 year old charge takes it upon herself to act as matchmaker and was determined to help her governess get her true love! Simply adorable!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Love love love it. The characters love. The story love. The world this is set in LOVE. I adore historical romance and this has gone to the top of my list of favorites of all time. I can’t wait to read more from this author as soon as possible.

This was a good historical romance novel, and I really liked the characters in it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

This novel was a delightful historical romance with engaging characters. Viola’s character is very independent and I loved that about her. There was a balance of humor, romance, and drama.
Many thanks to Entangled and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion. .

A wonderful story telling of a romance. Viola has had an unrequited love for her duke until one day he finally wakes up and sees her thanks to her charge. Would recommend this book!

Viola has been crushing on the Duke of Huntington for ten long years, since her first day as governess to his neighbor's ward. Now her charge is fourteen and plots to have them invited to stay at the Duke's castle. James quickly takes notice of her and wonders how he never noticed her in all these years. Class difference is a major concern. His family is the history of England, she is the first in her family to read. Viola especially doesn't want their romance to have negative consequences to his family. The two teenage girls are delightful and funny. This is a sweet story with some spice . I haven't read the first two books in the series and I didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This romance centers around Viola who is a governess and James, the Duke of Huntington, a man she has loved from afar for a decade, When Viola and her charge of ten years is the Duke and Duchess of Ashford’s ward named Felicity - a fourteen year old who loves gothic tales, who tries to play Cupid between her governess and the determined-never-to-marry Duke of Huntingdon. Felicity She provides many funny scenes - especially when she teams up with the Duke's younger sister.

The Duke of Huntingdon is best friends with the Duke of Ashford, so Viola has crushed on his since she began to work for the Ashfords, but Huntindon would never notice her, let alone consider her for his duchess given she is a member of the Ashford staff.

Everything begins to change when Felicity hurts her ankle on a sketching tour near the Duke’s estate, throwing the Duke and Viola together as Felicity recovers. James has been holed up in his estate for over a year after a been over a year. When he sees the accident which causes Felicity to get hurt, he goes to help only to realise that it's his best ward and her governess. It is at this moment he starts to see Viola's attractiveness. This story takes James on a journey of self-awareness to understand his personal happiness shouldn't be sacrificed for familial duty. At the same time, Viola overcomes her shyness and general awe of him with James' help and he then falls harder when he sees how interesting and intelligent she is.

There is some angst along the way, but the beauty of the Romance genre is knowing you will get a Happily Ever After at the end. This book is the 3rd in a series, but I hadn't read the previous two and it reads just fine as a stand alone.

TWs: toxic relationships, childhood trauma, parental loss along with mentions of child abuse, death, and pregnancy

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

I just reviewed The Governess and the Duke by Lydia Drake. #TheGovernessandtheDuke #NetGalley

Who doesn’t love to watch a Duke fall in love with a Governess? Lydia Drake embraces this dynamic in her newest release in the Renegade Dukes. Drake’s writing is engaging and endearing as this couple basically gets their second chance at romance. Drake does a wonderful job building this relationship through forced proximity, as this Duke is enchanted by a governess who with her ward is stranded at his estate unable to travel with an injury. I love that Drake’s characters are understandable and interesting and from the main characters to the secondary ones they all feel like they are part of her world.

I found this romance to ultimately be one that is so sweet and charming. I love a class difference romance. I love one about two people discovering each other. And I love that these two build a relationship of trust so when we get to any moments of conflict there is never a misunderstanding between the two of them that is the drive to pull them apart.

Lydia Drake is definitely a wonderful historical romance author whom I would highly recommend. I really love and have been charmed by this series and am excited to continue to watch Drake’s writing grow.

Thank you so much to Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great read! I enjoyed this a lot. I was getting a bit tired of the same kind of historical romances that featured main characters in similar classes. It was refreshing to read something different this time around. While the governess falling for a duke is not such a new trope, the author created an original take on it. I liked that Viola and "Fluffy" were able to get to know each other, and I liked that he was a true gentleman. However, the ending felt a bit abrupt. yet I loved that the duke's sister also got her own happily ever after. It was rather sweet. I am looking forward to reading more from this other.

A very cleverly written romance. The side characters are all a lot of fun. Exactly what you expect from a romance. Nothing groundbreaking but a fun read that hits all the right notes.

Scandalous romances, forbidden love and ghosts. What a wonderful series! I had already read the first two parts of the Renegade Dukes and this one was yet another great addition to the series. Although you can read them all as standalone, it is more fun if you read the previous books as well. Because Miss Viola Winslow is the governess of the duke of Ashworth (from Cinderella and the Duke), who is looking after the Felicity.

James, the duke of Huntington is a dear friend of Rafe (from the Duchess and the Wolf) and of Ashworth. Therefore, you’ll recognize more of the characters in the story, if you have read them all. If not, you’ll still be able to enjoy the budding romance between James and Viola and the marvelous antics of Felicity and Isabelle (Hunt’s younger sister).

So yes, it is a wonderful story. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Lydia Drake's "The Governess and the Duke" sweeps readers into a captivating world of romance, intrigue, and societal expectations. Set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, this novel weaves a tale of forbidden love and the challenges faced by those who dare to defy convention.

At the heart of the story is the compelling relationship between the enigmatic Duke of Pembroke and the resilient governess, Miss Emily Goodwin. Their initial encounters are marked by a palpable tension, as societal boundaries threaten to keep them apart. Drake skillfully develops their dynamic, infusing it with longing, passion, and undeniable chemistry.

What sets "The Governess and the Duke" apart is Drake's adept portrayal of the Regency period. From the opulent ballrooms to the sprawling estates, the author brings this era to life with vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world of elegance and propriety, where every gesture and word carries weight.

Beyond its romantic allure, the novel also delves into themes of class disparity, duty versus desire, and the struggle for autonomy in a society dictated by strict norms. Emily's journey from governess to confidante and lover is a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

Drake's prose is elegant and evocative, capturing the essence of the time period while infusing the narrative with modern sensibilities. The dialogue sparkles with wit and intelligence, adding depth to the characters and their interactions.

While "The Governess and the Duke" follows a familiar romance trope, Drake injects it with fresh twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter unveiling new revelations and challenges for the protagonists to overcome.

In conclusion, "The Governess and the Duke" is a captivating tale of love and defiance that will enchant fans of historical romance. Lydia Drake's impeccable research and engaging storytelling make this novel a must-read for anyone craving an escape to the sumptuous world of Regency England.