The Governess Game

July 15, 2018
When an independent spinster loses her livelihood, she reluctantly takes a governess position in the home of an infamous rake and finds herself believing in dreams."Alexandra Mountbatten had common sense. That's what her friends believed. The truth was, Alex had no sense at all--at least, not when it came to charming gentlemen with roguish green eyes." Or one gentleman, anyway. She'd met the stranger at Hatchard's bookshop and made a complete fool of herself, but that didn't keep her from dreaming about him for months. Then, on the fateful day when she met him again and learned his name--Chase Reynaud--and that he was the heir to a dukedom, she also lost her livelihood as a clock setter due to a panic attack that left her chronometer at the bottom of the Thames. Accepting Chase's offer of work as governess to his wards, two young sisters named Rosamund and Daisy, she's swept into the household. Daisy likes to start the day by announcing her doll's latest macabre death, and Rosamund is determined to challenge Alex. Relying on her own experience of being an orphan, Alex uses authenticity and ingenuity to engage with the girls, and before long the house becomes more of a home. Chase loves his wards and soon realizes he's in love with Alexandra, but after a lifetime of self-loathing, he doesn't trust himself to take care of them. Just when Chase moves forward, a misstep sends Alexandra away, forcing him to take a stand and fight for her. A sprawling cast of delightfully eccentric characters adds texture and depth to a captivating love story.Dare continues her splendid, quirky Girl Meets Duke series with wit, heart, and humor.

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August 6, 2018
In Dare’s sizzling second Girl Meets Duke Regency (after The Duchess Deal), a young woman discovers that her romantic fantasies about a handsome rake are vastly different from the reality of him. After bumping into the effortlessly charming man of her dreams in a bookstore, Alexandra Mountbatten meets him again when calling at his London home, offering to set his clocks. Chase Reynaud mistakenly believes that Alex has come to apply for the position of governess to his two precocious wards, Daisy and Rosamund—and she needs a job, so she plays along. The witty banter of the misunderstanding is the perfect prelude for their future encounters. Chase professes himself a confirmed rake who refuses to marry as self-punishment for his past actions, but Alex sees through Chase’s callous façade to the kind and generous man inside. Even as she tries to convince him that he deserves happiness, she knows that he must marry someone of suitable rank, which excludes her. Alex is an intelligent, independent heroine who is the perfect match for Chase, whose hardened heart softens as Alex reveals how much she cares for him. Sensuality and witty repartee fill the pages of this fast-paced story, which is made complete by the expertly developed characters and hints
at future installments. Agent: Steve Axelrod, Axelrod Agency.

August 1, 2018

Startled when her visit to Chase Reynaud's home to set his clocks results in being mistaken for the new governess for his two young wards, pragmatic Alexandra Mountbatten sets him straight and leaves. Then an accident sends her into the Thames, with her chronometer and, therefore, her livelihood lost in the process. She returns to the Reynaud home, dripping wet, and accepts the position. A pair of charmingly difficult girls (and one constantly ailing doll) are a challenge, but Alex is not one to give up. She knows the key is patience and love--and a bit of piracy helps. Now if she can just get their wickedly sexy, love-wary guardian to realize he needs to be part of this, too. VERDICT A ducal heir who dreads failure and a comet-obsessed sea captain's daughter with her own ghosts to slay finally give in to romance in an affecting gem enhanced by laugh-out-loud humor (the doll's various "demises" are priceless), scorching passion, and sparkling repartee. Pure reading joy! Dare (The Duchess Deal) lives in Southern California.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2018
Chase Reynaud can't believe his two young wards have set a brand-new record for getting rid of a governess: 17' hours! Fortunately, it seems a new candidate for the position has just walked in the door, and from what Chase can discern, she seems like a real pip. When Alexandra Alex Mountbatten lets herself into the next London townhouse on her list in order to go about her duties setting the clocks, she can't believe the gentleman waiting for her is none other than her Bookshop Rake. Months ago, Alex bumped into a tall, dark, and handsome stranger at Hatchards, and ever since, she had been dreaming of meeting him again. Unfortunately, Chase seems to have absolutely no memory whatsoever of Alex, and what is even worse, he thinks Alex is just going to drop everything and become his new governess! From the very first page of this whimsical and wryly inventive masterpiece, the latest in her fetching Girl Meets Duke series, following The Duchess Deal (2017), RITA Award-winning Dare reels readers in and then keeps them firmly hooked with her distinctive blend of exuberant characters, lively dialogue, buoyant wit, and bone-melting sensuality.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)