This is actually the 2nd or 3rd book in this series depending on how you read them and all have been excellent reading but this one I enjoyed a bit more due to the insertion of humor in just the right places. I laughed out loud several times to questioning looks from my spouse. The Duke and out heroine are perfectly matched and the "secret" was believable since I get frustrated at stories where all problems would disappear if one of them would tell "secret". This one, as I say, is at least believable although making the father such a horrible villain it did not really pass any logical test if examined too closely. The bottom line to all this rambling is to avoid any spoilers and to say it was an exceptional bit of reading entertainment and I am going to give it one of my rare 5 Star ratings simply because any shortcomings were overcome by the general entertainment value and a smile on my face when I finished it.

First and foremost: I hope when she’s grown up we get a book about Felicity, she may be my favorite character in any book ever.

That aside, I enjoyed everything about this book. Hunt was adorable (especially his conspiring with the girls) and such a sappy hopeless romantic. Viola overcame HELLA obstacles and adversity and managed to live a shockingly normal life so she’s pretty much my idol. There was also plenty of humor, which I always love.

All in all, I 100% definitely recommend this book!!!

A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A very sweet story of a years long unrequited and hopeless love due to Viola being a governess, for a Duke who is a very nice person.

Viola's 14 year old charge is the matchmaker. Viola is hiding a very big secret which could derail her happy ending. Navigating the pitfalls to get to her happy ending is a very charming read.

Lydia Drake is definitely an author I will continue to follow after reading this steamy historical romance novel.
I loved the character development of Viola and the dual perspective of Viola and the Duke. Lots of twists throughout the story and well ridden romance scenes.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

*****5 stars!

“Romance isn’t falling in love with a lie. It’s seeing the truth of a person and loving them for it, not despite it.”


First I would like to thank Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book! I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give it an honest review!

I absolutely adored this book so very much! It was such a swoony and charming read that had hooked me instantly, it was very difficult to put down after that. I enjoyed the wild and parent-trap-like antics that ensued in this book, it was very endearing and amusing. Felicity is definitely the best and deserves all the praise for her efforts! The relationship between Voila and Hunt was absolutely adorable and I enjoyed the mutual yearning and pining for each other, it was so beautifully written.

I also really enjoyed the entire Montagu family, they were all so unique and interesting in their own way. I liked being able to see how they fit together as a family and how eager both Agatha and Isabelle were to see Hunt happy with the one person he loved.

Voila was a character that I found to be super relatable, someone who hid themselves from those around her. I enjoyed seeing her come out of her shell when she was with Hunt and how at ease he made her feel when being herself, it only made their bond stronger. Voila was such a strong and passionate character and I enjoyed seeing her character grow and build throughout the course of the story.

This entire book was so very well written, I loved the descriptions of the scenery and character’s emotions. It was so easy to be sucked into this world while reading, which is something I like when reading a book.

I adore Lydia Drake’s books and I can’t wait to read more of them in the future! This is a book I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a sweet and charming swoon worthy romance that will leave you wanting more!

Lydia Drake has the unique ability to draw her readers into her stories.  I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of The Governess and The Duke via Netgalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. Viola Winslow is the governess to a rambunctious young lady. She first meets James Montagu, Duke of Huntington on her first day of work, and is immediately drawn to his charismatic personality and charming looks. Time passes, and her love for him, though from a distance and in a quiet meek way,continues to grow. Her charge unwittingly creates the opportunity for them to reside at the brooding Duke's residence. What ensues is a meeting of the hearts but class differences are a hindrance to their love development.

Viola is a feisty, caring, stubborn woman who knows what she wants and what's right. She gives Hunt a run for his money when he pursues her.

Lydia Drake laid the foundation of a breakthrough author. She enters the fight with a book that breaks barriers in historical romance. I enjoy her symbolism and her historical knowledge. It's not cliche where a hero is saving the princess. It's an amazing love story that fights social standing and steamy love scenes.

Amazing book! 10/10

What a cute story! I loved Miss Winslow journey of finding love and the obstacles that society put in her path to over come.

I really enjoyed this regency romance! The Governess and the Duke follows Viola, a governess in charge of 14 year old Felicity, and has pined for Duke of Huntington for 10 years. The duke has isolated himself after a failed engagement. A bit of forced proximity helps him notice Viola, who has always hidden herself in the background.

Felicity wins best wingwoman (winggirl?) and I loved how Parent Trap-esque it was. The chaos, the humour; I adored it. I also liked how James (the duke) fell for Viola on his own accord. He was interested in her character and truly loved her company.

The Governess and the Duke is the third book in the Renegade Dukes series, but can be read as a standalone, so did not hinder my enjoyment of reading. The plot was solid, the book was well written with a few plot twists and spice. I'm looking forward to more books in this series, as well as other novels from this author!

Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing, Lydia Drake and NetGallery for the ARC, these are my honest thoughts!

Duke of Huntington and Miss Winslow have known each other for 10 years. They have crossed paths on many occasions, throughout that time, but never have made a connection. After a failed engagement, Huntington removed himself from society. Viola was on a holiday,. They came together in the most unexpected way.

This book was marvelous. The growth within the characters was magnificent to see. They truly were able to know each other at the end and reach their happy ever after.

The Governess and the Duke is book three in the Renegade Dukes series, and the first that I've read. It did not hinder my enjoyment, only made me want to go back and read the first two.

Viola is a governess with secrets who has been in love with the Duke of Huntington for ten years. She hasn't spoken but a few words to him in all that time, but her infatuation is obvious to the other characters.

A bit of mischief and a little dash of the Parent Trap, and Viola's 14 year old charge Felicity and the Duke's fifteen year old sister, Isabelle, conspire to bring these two together. Felicity and Isabelle and their shenanigans are a hoot. There's even a profanity spouting Raven to round out the macabre hilarity.

Steamy scenes and a sweet romance. Viola kept her love of Hunt under wraps for years, but when he finally sees her he falls super hard.

I'll admit, the beginning took me a while to get into as there's a lot of time spent in Viola's head, but once Viola and Felicity were settled at the Hunt's estate, the pacing and story really took off.

A fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.

Miss Viola Winslow’s the new governess to a willful, wild girl of four. She has her own secret to keep and now a little girl to help raise and reach to be strong and independent.

Felicity Alice Berridge, now fourteen, did mange to become more energetic, willful, stubborn and devious. She has a natural charisma,With people mostly those she loves. Her parentage was her secret that haunts her.

James Montagu, (Hunt) Duke of Huntington, is best friends with the Duke and Duchess of Ashworth. He is kind, loyal, dutiful to family, his legacy, and tenants. On his father's deathbed made a promise to marry a "true lady" for the dukedom. His one try failed. Now he is brooding at his castle in the north.

Lady Agatha the older of Hunt's sisters, Lady Isabelle the younger one. Both are in want of friends and to see Hunt married.

What comes next is the fantasy of two fourteen year olds, a fake injury, a friend, and co-conspirator! Add into that mix a Raven that likes to spout profanity, a meddling grandmother who fears the guillotine,and station in life issues.

Can,two opposites find that they compliment each other? Will secrets harm those around? Will everyone get what they want or lose it all?

The Governess and the Duke by Lydia Drake is another regency romance featuring a handsome duke (is there any other kind?) and this time a governess with a murky past. She has had an unrequited crush on him for 10 years and he hasn't noticed her until she and her young charge are near his castle and the girl has an accident, necessitating a stay at his castle for a short recovery. Suddenly the Duke is aware of the governess in ways he hadn't been before, but a match between them is unthinkable! Or is it? Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Governess romances are some of my favorites and this one was no exception! Viola and Huntington were charming together and the writing hooked me right away.

I enjoyed this book very much—much more than the previous book in the series. Viola was a wonderful heroine: smart, caring, and resilient. After meeting James in the precious book, I really appreciated seeing his character fully fleshed out. At times I felt the book moved a little too slowly, but overall, this was a lovely read.

James and Viola's story was a beautiful read, simple yet engaging. I loved how there were no big twists of her coming from suitable parentage. Viola was who she was, and James did not give up based on her lowly background. It is a refreshing change to typical plots of this genre.

A well written, engaging book with 2 amazing characters James and Viola.

James after being rejected has been ensconced in his castle. He is kind, honorable and a little vulnerable from his rejection.

Viola is James best friends governess. She met James 10 years ago and has silently been in love with him. Felicity her pupil, is super mischievous and is aware of Violas pining and comes up with a plan for James and Viola to be together.

After some interference from interesting teens, sister, grandmother, bird, and family and twist plots there is a hea I sight.

This is a well-written, entertaining, steamy, historical romance novel. It has an intelligent, likable, enterprising, female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, engaging teenagers, an unusual pet, wit, humor, many laugh out loud moments, secrets, family drama, a heart warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is the third entry in Ms. Drake's delightful Renegade Dukes series, and it can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. Her loyal readers will appreciate the appearance of characters from the previous two novels in the series. My favorite quote from this novel is "Perhaps that is why the older one got, the more one enjoyed a tale with a happy ending."
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC, Ms. Lydia Drake, and NetGalley, who kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful novel. This is my honest opinion.

A fun read with little historical accuracy. The characters are all likeable, the pacing is good and the plot is fairly solid.

A simple, light read, easily finished in an hour.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this in return for my review.