Lessons in Loving is a sweet and most enjoyable addition to the Oztorical genre. It moved a little slowly at times, but it wasn't too much of a concern. I loved the concept, and Kate and Tom match up beautifully. I may just have to check out the rest of Peter McAra's backlist now.

Kate becomes a governess to a grown man, Tom. He lives far from any close towns and Kate becomes very close to Tom during the time she is spent teaching him how to become a gentleman. I loved this story, thought it
was very good and hope to read more from this author.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Wanted: Governess. Properly qualified in English, to instruct male pupil in rural location.
Sydney, 1902. Desperate for a job, Kate Courtney travels to the faraway New England Ranges to interview for a governess position. She is greeted by wealthy landowner, ruggedly handsome Tom Fortescue, and is shocked to find that her new charge isn’t a small boy—but the grown man.
It was Tom’s mother’s dying wish that he find a refined, elegant, English bride to marry. But a country man with country manners can never win a lady fair. Tom needs Kate to smooth away his rough edges, make him desirable to the English rose he wants to marry.
But the more time Kate and Tom spend together, the closer they become, and Tom has to decide between the dreams of his childhood, and the reality that is right in front of him.

*3.5 stars*

I had a lot of hope for this novel and for the most part it lived up to expectations. I don't read a lot of historical romance novels but I always give them a go when they are set in my native Australia.

The premise of the story is executed pretty well - a young lady travels to central NSW sheep station to be a governess - not to a child, however, but to a man who is in need of lessons in reading and writing if he wishes to woo any prospective woman...

Kate is a pretty decent character who, sadly, suffers from one of my pet hates - internal dialogue. Added to the 'insta-love' she has with Tom, it really did annoy me in some small way. Tom, himself, was just a little too perfect a human specimen for me to take too seriously, although his story-arc was good fun and I did enjoy the way his character grew throughout the story.

The setting was good but could have used just a little more detail to really bring the NSW Outback to life.

However, for all those negatives, this was still a charming story and I was able to put some of those bugs to the back of my mind and just enjoy the story for what it was.


Paul
ARH