The Governess Game audiobook

LOVED

A man rose to his feet for a lady, his queen, or a divine being, and she was at least one of those- if not all threeswoon, muthafuggin SWOON! what a fantastic way to kick off smutathon. i fell too hard for this book.so what had happened was, chase is a duke and he begrudgingly cares for 2 orphans who are probably in some way related to him. 10 and 7 year old girls. after a series of strange circumstances, clock winder and aspiring astronomer alex becomes the girls' governess.both chase and the girls have spent too long feeling guilty and unloved, respectively. but the story itself really focuses on humor and acceptance and big ole fat swoons. because chase was hilarious and so so thoughtful. and while i don't typically enjoy romances that have children as a way to bring the main characters together, i fell for this one hook line and sinker. i think the reason i appreciated the children so much was their gallows humor. each night they would wake up their guardians for a doll funeral which chase would give eulogies for. here's a lovely snippet:"almighty father, we commit to your keeping the soul of millicent. ashes to ashes. sawdust to sawdust. she was a doll of few words and yet fewer autonomous movements, yet she will be remembered fr the ever-present- some might say permanently painted- smile on her face. by the grace of our redeemer, we know she will be resurrected, perhaps as soon as luncheon"and the reason i liked chase so much was that his appreciation for alex never seemed to waver. even when he wasn't able to admit his feelings to himself. i mean cmon:"Because it's damned tiresome being the one person alive who understands how truly remarkable you are"and of course, i can't forget alex. her ability to understand exactly what the girls' needed after being abandoned time and again. and her ability to see thru and call out chase's bullshit really got me. and i mean, she's smart as hell.overall this was damn lovely, and unlike most of my friends i liked this one even better than the first. 10/10 would read again.

This could also be called 40 Funerals and a Wedding. Because, there is pretty much a funeral every day. And, I loved it. I mean, sure, who doesn't love a good funeral, amIright? But, these funerals are special. And, hilarious.Perfect eulogy.Our hero in this book is a rake - my favorite kind of ye olde dude. Why are the rakes the ones who are the funniest and most relaxed, unlike all of the other dudes with sticks up their butts? Must be all the sex. Or, maybe the syphilis? Does that make you funnier? I don't know much about it, so let's just make the most logical conclusion from the evidence in romance novels: Syphilis gives you a better personality. Now, kids, go out and get ya some syphilis. It will totally help you get girls, or boys, or whatever you're in to. I'm not your mother. Do your freaky thing!Yeah, I also heard that gonorrhea gives you shiny hair. Why not go for the gold?Gah, I'm nailing this advising-the-young thing! I know all about the sex things.You might say I'm DTF - a Director of True Facts.Our heroine is a chick who is just looking for a job to wind this guy's clock everyday. And, no, that isn't a euphemism. She actually winds clocks for a living. WTF history? That was a job? It's so fucking stupid! Not like nowadays. Our jobs in this day and age are actually necessary and important to the fabric of society.Um... yeah.. important.I don't want to say too much. That last lady is my boss. Don't want to get on her bad side.What? I'm a total MILF: Mom Into Lots of Fun. However, when our clock-winder gets to the rake's house, he thinks she is there for a governess job. He is also day-drinking, in the middle of setting up a sex den, smells like a whorehouse, and has some woman's stocking hanging from a fixture....To say she is shocked is an understatement. This dude is even in his bare feet!!! BARE FEET!! "What kind of gentleman conducts an employment interview in this..." She indicated their surroundings, at a loss for the word. "....cave of carnality?""Cave of Carnality," he echoed with amusement. "Oh, I like that. I've a mind to engrave that on a plaque." And, that is how the ye olde knickers got melted back then. He's a cheeky monkey all right.He decides that he really needs this woman as a governess to his two orphaned wards, and she's just as weak as Jilly would be when faced with those hot bare feet - she agrees.The two little girls turn out to be pretty awesome as well.There is flirting and pirating and lots and lots of funerals.It's hilarious and awesome.I'm ready for the next book. I hear there is a foul-mouthed parrot. That's Jilly's spirit animal.I love him so much.

I really liked this book, but I didn't love it like book one. I found myself laughing a lot. I liked both Alex and Chase as a couple and I found them both endearing in their own way. I didn't care for the push/ pull of Alex and Chase's relationship though. Chase was what made me take a star off my rating. As charming as he was he was a bit of a chicken about his feelings. That's a huge pet peeve of mine. The fact that this book was still a 4 star read with cowardly actions is a testament to how cute this book was. I loved the girls and Alex. They were funny and outgoing. They all made a cute family. The dying doll was too funny. Also it was nice to get to see Emma and Ash again. Man I loved Ash. Overall I can't wait to read Penny and Nicola's books.

Ah this was just what I needed! Funny, sweet and steamy with adorable rakes, aspiring astronomers, girl pirates, great friends and a goat 🙌This put a smile on my face, and sometimes, that's all you can ask for ❤️

4.5 starsReview now posted 5/9/18 What an utterly delightful and effortless read! I completely adored the first book and when I saw that there was a second one and it was available to request on NetGalley I rushed to do so. Nearly broke some fingers in haste. And I was right to want it so badly. It always thrills me when I find good books and even more so when my expectations and hopes for them become reality. And for a person that hardly ever highlights, I feel like I highlighted half the book almost. "Bang. A collision of cosmic proportions." After so many years of reading romance (in it's many and varied genres), I still love the moment the two protagonists meet. The meet-cute here was delicious! And in one of my favourite settings, fictional and real-life, a bookshop! I fell hook, line and sinker from the first page.Meet Alexandra Mountbatten: "She set goals, and she worked to achieve them. Feet on the ground, shoulders squared, and head on straight. She would not-absolutely not-be carried away with romantic fantasies.Sadly, her imagination ignored this memorandum." A practical dreamer. A pragmatic romantic. A stargazer and a clock fixer. What a beautiful combination of contradictions. Also I don't recall reading another book where the protagonist is Mestiza(a person of mixed race, here part Spanish, American and Filipino) in Regency Era England. And of course Chase Reynaud:A libertine, a scandalous rake and a worthless scoundrel. An irredeemable, broken man. According to himself. "I thought you understood this from the very first day. I'm a bitter disappointment,remember. A poor excuse for a gentleman. A man incapable of understanding the consequence of stockings." Chase is in a bit of pickle. He is set to inherit a title and become a Duke. But along with all the riches and title that he doesn't want, he also inherits two little girls. Rosamund and Daisy. They greatly challenge his no attachments rule. "Chase's wards were incorrigible morbid hellions." After losing several governesses because of their antics, he's desperate. He mistakenly interviews Alexandra for a governess and offers her an astronomical amount to stay. Following an accident, she accepts out of desperation. Soon, Alex sees through Chase's nonchalant airs and efforts of detachment and into his heart. Can she make him feel again without getting hurt? "Here was a woman willing to stare into dark emptiness night after night, on the hope that someday some tiny speck might shine back. As she gazed at him, Chase found himself wishing he could reward her observation. ""I'm not worried. You said the thought of seducing me would never even cross your mind""Yes, but sometimes", he murmured,"a man acts without thinking at all.""Every woman was unique, but she was just so different. Strange and brave and clever. She made him different, too." If I could I would add all the quotes I highlighted but I fear that would probably be the entire book copy pasted on my review. The relationship developing between Alex and Chase was entrancing and entertaining and even though they both had their fair share of hardships, the reading was so easy. It just flowed from page to page. No stumbles, drama or miscommunications. They both grow and make each other better. And of course their love encompasses the two hellions wards making it that much more touching. It made me tear up, it made me laugh, it made me flash with excitement and it made me supremely happy that my daughter doesn't conduct funerals for her dolls. (My kid resurrects everything with a magic kiss.)I could not recommend Tessa Dare more and I am giddily awaiting the next book! I got an ARC!! Thank you so much Netgalley! Sadly I got approved while I was away so now I have to ignore all my unpacking and cleaning and read all my ARCs. No regrets! ** ARC kindly provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

READ MY REVIEW ON THE BLOGThis series? THE BEST. No, really. Tessa Dare writes the swooniest heroes, the loveliest heroines and the sweetest stories. I adored The Duchess Deal. In The Governess Game she surpasses any expectation I had. I didn't want this story to end.There is something about a troubled hero who thinks he doesn't deserve love, who shows rakish behavior and is totally unapologetic about it because he doesn't mislead the women. It's the bad boy thing. The man WE (or the heroine respectively) want to bring down to his knees and make him give up his bad boy ways. Chase Reynaud is the epitome of this hero. He has charm in abundance, the mischievous, handsome man with the twinkle in his eyes but if you look closer you see the darkness. “You are the worst example of false advertising. I was led to believe I was hiring a prim scold. Then I learn you’re remarkable and bold and interesting.”  Along comes Alexandra Mountbatten, a hard-working girl who is such a contradiction - she's intelligent, sensible, level-headed, yet she tends to daydream about a man she collided with in a bookstore. In her mind she creates all kinds of romantic scenarios but never meets him again. Until one day, she is doing her job, setting the time in the homes of the wealthy, when she literally runs into him. Imagine her disappointment when he doesn't recognize her. Even worse, he's a rake extraordinaire. The real fun starts, however, when he hires her as the new governess for his hellions of wards.While he falls in love with his wonderful, spirited, sweet and absolutely reasonable governess he sometimes needs a kick in the butt, however, Alexandra is happy to provide that. He hides his true feelings behind humor but she looks right through him. I was in awe of this heroine - her cleverness, her backbone, her sweetness she was the full package and the matching puzzle piece to Chase. “We should go after the girls.” “Yes, we should.” Neither of them moved. Alex bit her lip. “We’re going to kiss instead, aren’t we.” He caught her in his arms. “You’re goddamned right, we are.” I loved every single aspect of the story. The characters, the storyline, the humor, the romance, EVERYTHING was perfect in this book. PERFECT. One of my favorite parts was Chase's creative eulogies for the wooden doll belonging to Daisy, one of his hellions. “Almighty Father,” he began in a dispirited tone,  “we commit to your keeping the soul of Millicent. Ashes to ashes. Sawdust to sawdust. She was a doll of few words and yet fewer autonomous movements, yet she will be remembered for the ever-present—some might say permanently painted—smile on her face. By the grace of our Redeemer, we know she will be resurrected, perhaps as soon as luncheon.” He added under his breath,  “Unfortunately.” For most of the book I had a goofy smile on my face. I couldn't get enough of the character's banter, their connection, the explosive chemistry. I am so gone for this author's writing style, it's not even funny.I have read Tessa Dare's book before but I think this is her best series as yet. With her a warm, romantic, swoon-worthy stories she weaves magic around you that will have you think about the characters and their love long after you finish the book. I can't recommend The Governess Game enough. If you need a story that will cheer you up, don't hesitate. Grab this! “Oh, and by the way.” She stopped at the door. “While you were ill, you pissed yourself. Twice. Just so you know.”

Completely charming and very enjoyable! The characters were likable and the story was fast and easy to read. Perfect for a restful weekend 😊. The kids and the very troubled hepples doll steal the show from beginning to end 🤗!

This second instalment was even better than the first, and is worth all of the five stars I’d given! The two little girls in this story added such a refreshing and humorous aspect to it that without them it wouldn’t have been as good! I loved how the younger girl killed her doll every night so that they would all have to join hands and surround the bed to have a funeral for the poor doll!😂😂😂The entire book was so highly amusing that I just couldn’t put it down! I am in love with Tessa Dare’s work and am eager to get to reading her backlist!I have already started the third book in the series, and once again I am devouring it!

The Governess Game by Tessa DareLaugh out loud historical romance. The heroine was a professional clock setter forced to take a governess job at the loss of her chronometer. She has no idea how to teach or motivate her charges until she goes with an unusual slant that connects with the children. And of course, the attraction she feels for their ward is powerful and cannot be ignored. I loved the unusual meet-cute, the heroine profession and class as well as how those each are addressed. And humor is always my preference in this crazy world. Historical is not my typical romance genre but I will absolutely look for more of this author in hopes that the stereotypical are overridden.Loved this. Girl Meets Duke series book 2.I listened to the audio version from Libra.fm narrated by Mary Jane Wells who contributed a most pleasing accent and voice to the content.

5-Millicent-is-the-main-bitch stars!!!Can I just dedicate this short and lazy review to Millicent Fairfax, cheers to being indestructible! It's official. I am a Tessa Dare fan. I just loved how she writes her story. It's funny, romantic, and plain lovely. I adored this book just like I have adored the first one. Tessa Dare's stories really has that magic in them. You will definitely fall in love with the plot, characters, and the writing. What I really enjoy with her books is the banters, the hilariously awkward scenes which will definitely make readers laugh their ass out.I simply loved this book. All parts and bits of it.

3.5 StarsOverall Opinion: This was a fun read! I think any book would've had a hard time following the first book in the series, The Duchess Deal, because it was just that good! I still enjoyed these two's dialogue and banter, and I really enjoyed the children side characters and their quirks. I think I was just feeling a little disappointed by the end though. While I understood the H's hang-ups, it became a little frustrating when he kept on going back to them. I also wanted so much more in the end. This was another book that seemed to have their big conflict resolved right at the end and then we are instantly in the epilogue with their HEA. I don't like that style of writing at all! I think we need some time in between. Overall, it was a good read -- just not as good as the first.Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Alex and Chase's story. They literally bump into one another in a bookstore one day, and when Alex leaves she doesn't forget the handsome stranger. She is shocked to find out he is the man of the house that she is inquiring about work at, and he doesn't remember their encounter. She finds herself the new governess to Chase's two new young wards after they had been passed around many family members and ended up in his care. They bond through the young girls and their troublesome ways, and they also cannot deny the connection and strong attraction they feel towards one another. They start an affair where Chase is the teacher of things of a carnal nature, and they end up falling in love. There are some funny moments, some sad scenes, and some sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Alex and Chase in 3rd person narrative. Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.Instalove: No, they take a while to develop (or at least recognize) their stronger feelings.H rating: 4 stars. Chase. I liked him. He was pretty damaged by his guilt, but he was so sweet and caring when it counted.h rating: 4.5 stars. Alex. I really liked her. I liked how strong and independent she was as well as how confident she was in her own skin. Sadness level: Low, no tissues neededPush/Pull: Yes (view spoiler)[They both push away at times and also pursue the relationship at times. I'd say the H does more so in both cases. (hide spoiler)]Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Pretty high steam for HR tbh.Descriptive sex: YesOW/OM drama: Yes, but mild (view spoiler)[The H brings home OW to get h out of his head, but changes his mind (not before h sees them) before anything physical happens between the OW and H. (hide spoiler)]Sex scene with OW or OM: NoCheating: NoSeparation: Yes (view spoiler)[They are separated shortly, but there was no mention or suggestion of other partners during this time. (hide spoiler)]Possible Triggers: Yes (view spoiler)[ The H was a manwhore before h (not actual intercourse to avoid pregnancies)(off page except one scene - see above "OW drama" spoiler) and loss of a loved one (h and H off page) (hide spoiler)]Closure: This ending was way too abrupt for my liking. We get what I would reluctantly call a HEA ending, but I definitely wanted more closure with them as an outed and committed couple! (view spoiler)[they're married and the h is pregnant (hide spoiler)]Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers(view spoiler)[- Does Not have cheating- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM- Does have both the h and H pushing away- Does have a separation between the h and H- Does Not have abuse- Does have a HEA ending (hide spoiler)]