The Governess Game

Chase Reynaud needs a governess for his two challenging wards, but no one will stay in the position for long. Alexandra Mountbatten, who initially refused the job, finds herself accepting the role after an unfortunate turn of events leaves her without other options. The two young girls in Chase's care have developed a morbid daily ritual of staging elaborate "funeral" scenes, testing the patience of every adult around them. Alexandra approaches their education with unconventional methods, determined to reach the troubled children while maintaining professional boundaries with their guardian. As Alexandra works to help the girls heal from past trauma, she and Chase navigate an increasing attraction that complicates their employer-employee relationship. Their different social classes and life experiences create obstacles they must overcome. The story explores themes of found family, healing from loss, and the transformative power of acceptance. Through the lens of a Regency romance, the novel examines how people can grow beyond society's expectations to forge their own paths.

Readers highlight the witty banter between leads Chase and Alexandra, with many praising their chemistry and character development. The daily "funeral" scenes with the children emerged as a standout element that added humor while advancing the plot. Readers appreciated: - Balance of humor and emotional depth - Strong female protagonist who works as a clock repairer - Complex child characters who avoid typical tropes - Historical accuracy regarding women's occupations Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers noted the plot follows familiar romance patterns - Several mentioned the ending felt rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (40,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) Representative review: "The children's mock funerals had me laughing out loud, while the romance built naturally through small moments. Chase and Alexandra's professions added fresh elements to a familiar framework." - Goodreads reviewer

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The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare A seamstress strikes an unconventional marriage bargain with a scarred duke who needs an heir, resulting in a series of encounters that challenge their arrangement.

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite A female astronomer forms an unexpected connection with her patron as they work together to translate a groundbreaking scientific text in Regency England.

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📚 The book features a unique twist on children's mock funerals - the main character's young charges hold daily "funeral" ceremonies for their dolls, naming each one "Millicent." 🎯 Author Tessa Dare wrote this as part of her "Girl Meets Duke" series, where each heroine has an unusual occupation for the Regency period. The protagonist, Chase, is a clock-setter and amateur astronomer. ⏰ The profession of clock-setting was a real and important job in the 1800s, as public timepieces needed to be manually synchronized to maintain accuracy across towns and cities. 💕 The novel subverts the classic governess trope popularized by "Jane Eyre" - instead of a brooding, dark hero, Chase Reynaud is charming and sociable, creating a different dynamic from traditional governess romances. 👑 The book reached #5 on the USA Today bestseller list upon its release in 2018 and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly.