#Review: WHEN A DUKE LOVES A GOVERNESS by Olivia Drake

 

3 of 5 stars

Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, feels out of his depth when it comes to his young daughter. How can a 4-year-old child disrupt a household so badly? When his wife dies in childbirth, Guy sailed the world gathering specimens for his scholarly pursuits, leaving the infant in the care of his in-laws. But when he is thrust into the role of Duke by the deaths of his father and older brother, he returns to England to take up the mantel and the care of his daughter. He's now in desperate need of a governess for Sophy as she's driven away too many of them with her bad behavior. When Tessa James appears to apply for the position, Guy is suspicious of her qualifications, but hires her anyway. Little did either of them know, their lives would be changed forever.

I've read other books by Ms. Drake and have enjoyed them. I was on the fence with this one though and had to suspend belief right at the beginning that a duke would hire a governess with such sketchy qualifications. I did love the interactions with Tessa and Sophy as she taught the little girl that not everyone will leave her especially her father. The mystery "The Carlin Curse" that ran through the book wrapped up quickly when the villain spills all his secrets to Tessa thinking he'll get away with another murder. I thought the romance between Guy and Tessa took a backseat to the mystery in this book. The newly discovered family relations was a nice touch bringing Tessa's life full circle back to her dead mother.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.