Governess Viola WInslow has been pining after her employer's best friend, the Duke of Huntington for the past decade. After a mishap during an art tour with her precocious 14 year-old charge, Viola finds herself stranded at the Duke's country home. And like... what if they fell in love?

I did enjoy this, but there were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. The first is a personal problem, and it's that I never love the dynamic when the heroine has been pining after the hero for years. Or, at least I need the dude to be pining as well. It just felt slightly one-sided, and he had to catch up to her depth of feeling over the course of just a few days, and I don't think there was enough relationship development here to really justify it.

The other thing that didn't quite work for me was the third act conflict. It was strange because the issue is really baked in here, it's a big leap for a duke to actually marry a governess, and I'm fine with them dealing with that. However, they both knew this issue going into the relationship, and it seemed like they had both made their peace with it and decided to proceed anyhow. But then Viola has a fairly sudden change of heart, and I don't know that it made a ton of sense.

Somehow, my favorite part of this was actually the side characters, specifically the friendship between Isabelle and Felicity, and their ill-fated matchmaking attempts.

Overall, I do think this is a fun historical romance, and if the issues that I had aren't things that typically bother you, I do highly recommend this.

**eARC provided by Netgalley and Entangled

This was a fun historical romance story! I loved the way Viola's ward was playing scheming matchmaker for her governess and how she roped others in Hunt's family to help her push the two of them together. I liked the set up of Viola being governess not for the hero as is the usual setup but for her employer's friend. It was a good way I think to side step having to address an employee/employer power dynamic. And I really liked Viola and Hunt together. I would definitely be interested in going back and reading the others in this series

First I would like to thank Lydia Drake, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely mine.

I really wanted to like this book. I enjoy a good historical romance every now and again but this one felt forced. The writing is great don’t get me wrong. It’s just a personal thing.

I was about a third of the way through it and I DNF’d it. Partly because the cover doesn’t match the description of the Hunt and that always drives me crazy. Then I felt no connection to the characters. They listed after eachother but I didn’t feel any of the burn between them.

For my warming portion: There will be sex scenes I just never got to them just imaginations on both parties. Also at least 5 f words.

Thank you @entangled_publishing and @netgalley and @the_lydia_drake for my gifted digital book. My thoughts are my own.

If you enjoy historical/regency romance, then you will enjoy book 2 in the Renegade Duke series, which is out now!

A shy governess falls hopelessly in love with a dashing duke! Her love goes unrequited for years, until her young charge helps things along!

I really enjoyed this romance with its likable characters and fun storyline! Viola is an intelligent female, with convictions that are ahead of her time. The Duke is kind and struggles with a deathbed promise made to his father. The two teenage girls provide lots of laugh-out-loud moments, making this an overall engaging and witty story!

Read this if you enjoy:
Forced Proximity
Friends to Lovers
Opposites Attract
A Bit of Steam with your Romance

James and Viola met when she came to be governess to his best friend’s ward. Viola has been in love with James since they met ten years ago. She knows nothing can come from it, can it? What is a precocious ward and a rather dramatic sister (or two) decided the governess and the duke belong together? Viola and Felicity spend time at Moorcliff Castle when Felicity injures her foot. She becomes fast friends with James’s sister Isabelle and Viola and James learn a lot about each other. There are some ruts in the road to their HEA. Grandmama is quite class conscience, and there is an uncomfortable trip to her childhood home. James has his work cut out for him. Can he convince Viola that he loves her and wants her to be his wife, and duchess? A delightful romance with dynamic characters. James and Viola are great together, and Felicity and Isabelle are adorable and steal the show. The audio version of the book was made quite entertaining by Kate Sanders’s narration.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This book was charming and delightful. I loved every second of James and Viola's story. Sweet, funny, emotional, steamy and with the perfect touch of angst to just make all the feels and swoon bigger and better, this was a simply wonderful romance.

I picked the Governess and the Duke because I love a governance romance! I really enjoy children as part of a romance and this book was no exception.

Felicity and Isabelle who are the Duke's sister and the heroine's charge were my favorite part of this story. They quickly bond over a pension for gothic things and create general mayhem. I liked that Felicity truly wanted her governess to be happy and wasn't above a little match making to make it happen.

Another interesting aspect of this story was that Viola was not working for the Duke of Huntington who she falls for. He lives at a neighboring estate. I think this is the only governance romance I have read where that is the case. Unfortunately, the actual romance didn't fully work for me. I felt like the Duke did a 180 and fell for Viola too fast after not noticing her. Then the obstacles between them felt a little contrived. I ended up feeling like this book was really long when it really wasn't because I think it was just a bit longer than it needed to be.

I overall enjoyed aspects of this story and am curious about the rest of the series. I loved the secondary characters the last part of the book was just a bit slow paced for my taste.

The book The Governess and the Duke was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Lydia Drake. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

I loved seeing Viola become the strong woman on the outside that she has always been on the inside! She made it through such difficult times and was still a lady of poise, strength and grace as well as being just plain kind. Hunt! Her Adonis, her god in human form - it took him long enough to ‘see’ her. Thank goodness Lydia Drake provided a cheering and support group for the poor guy. Their ‘cute-meet was adorable and unforgettable. Hunt just needed a little ‘push.’

Viola is an adorable governess to Felicity. While Felicity is a hoot! Viola basically raised the little imp. Although the little one was a ward to the Duke of Ashworth, Viola allowed and encouraged her to be herself while making sure she would still become a respectable, young lady.

Lydia Drake writes the best romances with some mischievousness and just the right amount of angst to keep you interested and waiting to see what happens next. Felicity and Isabelle are quite the duo. Should Ms. Drake continue this series, these two should have the liveliest of romances when ‘finding’ their mates! The Renegade Dukes series has been fantastic and delightful to enjoy.

*Spoiler* Please allow one caveat – I disagree with throwing in the Ms. Sims issue just to stay politically correct and pacify those who need pacifying. Leave that in the genre in which it belongs. Thank you!

The Governess and the Duke by Lydia Drake, book three in the Renegade Dukes series, is a sweet, slow burn romance with some unrequited love between two people from very different backgrounds. Governess Viola Winslow and James Montagu, Duke of Huntington, deal with meddling family and loved ones, including manipulative teenagers and snobbish, small minded matriarchs on their journey toward having an unexpected future together. There is also a background of abuse and assault in Viola's background, and when her secrets come to light, she deals with her feelings of shame, though what it reveals is her strength and fortitude to James. The dynamic between Viola and James is a perfect mixture of slow burn and sizzling chemistry. The supporting characters add a quirky yet realistic flavor to the tale, making it all the more enjoyable. I highly recommend The Governess and the Duke to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I have been waiting for this book, which I presume is the last in the series, unless Drake goes toward a few years and gives as books for Felicity and Isabelle.
Viola Winslow, Governess to Felicity, has harbored a secret crush for the Duke of Huntington for 10 long years.
Felicity has noticed and engineers a meet cute between them.
Felicity herself is a great character, an Earl's abandoned by-blow being raised by a Duke and Duchess we met in the first book. She is a rambunctious teenager, and I hope we see her future.
We have met the Duke in the previous book as a man whose proposal is rejected, so he has gone home to pick his wounds for over a year, surrounded by his grandmother , an older sister and his 15 year old sister. The 2 older siblings are in their 40's, so the mother, who died giving birth to Isabell must have been in her 40's. The previous Duke is also dead, and this Duke, called Hunt, feels very responsible and knows he must marry well.
Enter Vila and Felicity and our story basically begins. Felicity and Isabell act like long lost sisters, neither of them have any friends their own age, and when they learn they both love macabre books and poems it is a match made in heaven. They make many attempts to bring the couple together. Will they succeed? You must read the book to find out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for my EARC.
This is my honest opinion and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book was an absolute joy. The author is fairly new and I'm happy to see that she's written a couple of other books that I can look forward to reading. I was melting when I read about Viola's first meeting with the handsome duke. She had my complete sympathy as she pined after a man who was completely unreachable because of his lofty social status. Then years later, due to some odd circumstances, Viola found herself in the duke's presence once again. She was mortified because she was more attracted than ever AND could he possibly be returning her feelings? Although James knew of Viola for many years, he had never truly seen her as anything beyond a governess. Once he fell for VIola, he fell hard. After that, all they had to do was admit their feelings for one another! Of course, this was easier said than done.
One of the things I loved best about this book was the humor. It was funnier than most books in this genre but it was not obnoxious slapstick. The story didn't have a salty parrot, instead it had Cornelius, a truly wicked raven. I also enjoyed the girls, Felicity and Isabelle. They were ridiculous and chaotic. The cameos of Ashworth and WInters were also amusing. I really need to check out their stories. On the flip side, the story was also very emotional. I was wiping my eyes constantly during the last several chapters. This steamy tale of unrequited love was top notch!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I was swept away by the romance between Miss Viola Winslow, a governess, and the Duke of Huntington, James Montague. I found myself rooting for their love, which defies societal expectations amidst the charming backdrop of Moorcliff Castle. Viola's long-hidden affection and the duke's unexpected tenderness had me turning pages eagerly. Their journey is filled with humor, heartfelt moments, and the thrilling tension of secrets on the verge of revelation. As a lover of historical romances, this book perfectly blended wit, romance, and emotional depth that enchanted me until the very end.

The Governess and the Duke is the third book in the Renegade Dukes series.

Viola Winslow is a governess and is on her way to work for the Duke of Ashworth. On the way their she encounters a friend of Ashworth's, the Duke of Huntington whom she falls madly in love. But with their stations being so far apart she hides her feelings. Ten years later, Viola and her charge, Felicity, are on a sketching trip, where Hunt rescues Felicity after she falls down a hill and injures her ankle. Hunt convinces them to stay and his home while recovering.

Felicity has a zest for life, and these antics get her into all kinds of situations which are not deemed appropriate for someone in society. Realizing that Viola is in love with Hunt, she instigates situations for them to be together. Add to that Hunt's sister Isabelle who is also in the same league with her own pursuits in the macabre makes for an extremely funny story with them working hard to make a romance come to life.

Hunt is a confirmed bachelor with no interest in marriage, especially after his last attempt to marry. He prefers to stay at his estate at Moorcliff Castle with his family. Now that there are two additional guests, Hunt begins to see Viola in a more favorable light.

While visiting the castle, Viola gets a letter from her sister. Viola needs to visit her without anyone knowing the reason since she has not been honest about her past. When the truth is ultimately revealed will they be able to contain the scandal.

This was great fun. The cast of characters was entertaining with their different interests and antics. Felicity and Isabelles antics were over the top and kept me laughing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Publishing: December 26, 2023
Series: Renegade Dukes #3
Pages: 354

This is the third book in the series and another enjoyable read by Lydia Drake. The story is about Viola Winslow who must lie and keep secrets to better her situation and gain employment. There is a prologue that introduces her to the Duke of Huntington on her way to the Duke of Ashworth’s estate to become governess to the Ashworth’s young ward. It is this brief travel that Viola finds herself attracted to and falling in love with James Montagu, Duke of Huntington at first sight. She knows nothing can come of the two getting close as her station is so low that he would not give her a first thought. Ten years have passed and the two meet again under different circumstances. Felicity being the wayward ward, injures herself on the Montagu estate, Moorcliff Castle and the two inadvertently become the houseguests of James and his family.

James Montagu has resigned himself to the country after his proposal was rejected by Susannah Fletcher. One his grandmother sees as an embarrassment to the Montagu family. After witnessing two women on his grounds and one of them taking a tumble, he rushes to their aid and realizes that it is his friend’s ward and governess. Old sparks between the two rekindle and as the two unlikely guest resides at his estate, it gives him a chance to learn more about Viola Winslow.

This was a very enjoyable book but a bit slow burn in the romance area. The two come from different stations, however that does not deter them from falling in love and overcoming societal norms on marriage. I wished that Viola’s story of her upbringing was spelled out more to give the reader a backdrop on why she had to have secrets. I loved the sister, Isabelle, and Felicity plots to bring the two together. Hunt was truly loving and caring when it came to Viola, and it was so touching. An enjoyable and entertaining read.

A very cute historical romance.

I liked the way the relationship developed and the connection between the main characters. I liked the other books a bit more than this one. I do recommend.

Set mostly in Northumberland in 1817, The Governess And The Duke tells the story of wallflower governess Viola Winslow and James Montagu, Duke of Huntington, whom she fell in love with ten years earlier. While these two are lovely characters, the show was nearly stolen a few times by Viola’s charge, the irrepressible 14 year-old Felicity and James’ sister Isabelle, who is fifteen. Of course there are swoonworthy scenes in this story, but what really movedit along was the antics these two girls got up to. I was very glad they weren’t in my care! I loved the setting, Moorcliff, a rambling castle with a pssible ghost, extensive and beautiful grounds and plenty of gorgeous, rugged countryside. The story itself is entertaining and engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

I have a little conflict or love hate with the difference classes within the historical romances, I like them when they have the right level of angst but when it is also only pinning from one side it can get a little frustrating
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Luckily we have great characters like Felicity and her accomplices trying to break those conventions, so it didn't hurt as much.
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Besides, who doesn't like a good duke falling in love with the intelligent and beautiful governess who puts her heart into taking care of her charge?
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Obviously one is captivated by Viola and wants her life to begin to shine, for the Duke to realize that he cannot let this love pass and Lydia Drake does not disappoint.
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It gives us a beautiful steamy and passionate romance between two people who deserve to be happy, in addition to leaving us hooked on other incredible characters.
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Thanks to Lydia Drake and Entangled Publishing LLC for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, & was happy to see this addition. I was hooked after reading just the prologue. It’s easy to say the Duke also had Viola from the start. Despite being miles apart in social status, these two really like each other. It doesn’t take much to fan the flames when they’re in close proximity after years of acquaintance. It’s a frequently used trope, but it doesn’t seem trite in this story. There’s plenty of wit, funny situations, & interesting characters to keep this one feeling fresh. I adore Felicity, & think her relationship with Viola is almost as endearing as the love story itself.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read & review an advance copy.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, fun, steamy and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.