Book Review | A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke | Emily Windsor
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor is the second book in “The Governess Chronicles Series”. It is a Regency Romance featuring a prim and proper Governess with a secret past, an enigmatic Duke, and a forbidden romance that sizzles. So, read the book summary, book quotes, genre, publication date, reading age, and book review of A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor in this post below.
About A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor:
No. of Pages: 350
Publication Date: July 7th 2022 by Sentra Press
Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance, Adult Romance
Series: The Governess Chronicles Book 2
Reading Age: 18 years and above
Can be read as a standalone? YES
Buy From: AMAZON
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Summary:
A prudent governess…A passionate duke…And a house party full of prospective duchesses in Wales…“
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor
This historical romance set in nineteenth century Wales and London features a most proper Governess with a secret past, a Duke termed as “The Mean, Moody and Mysterious Dare”, and a forbidden romance that sizzles. Then with a headstrong teenager, a scandalous heir, and a house full of marriage minded ladies, this regency romance is sensual, fun, suspenseful, and heartwarming.
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Review:
With forbidden kisses on stormy nights, a house full of prospective brides, a scandalous rake of an heir, dragon folklore and cinnamon biscuits, the vocation of governess has never been so thrilling…“
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor
I discovered Emily Windsor’s splendid books with “The Duke of Diamonds” and fell in love with her stories and writing style. So, when I heard of her latest regency romance called A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke, I jumped to read it, and I am so glad that I did!
I absolutely loved reading this suspenseful, poignant, funny, and sensual romance that held me captive all through.
Things I Liked:
Title, Blurb, and Cover:
Emily Windsor’s “The Governess Chronicles Series” has titles that are like a story themselves. Just like the previous book in this series “A Governess Should Never… Tempt a Prizefighter“, this book also has a lengthy title that intrigues and promises a sensual spicy romance with a strong heroine. And let me tell you this book delivers on all counts!
The cover is typical regency romance cover that I love, and the blurb engaged me right from the first line. So, in combination Emily Windsor nails it with these three initial attractors.
World Building:
I love books with mystical, dark, atmospheric worlds, and this book checked all these boxes. The world building of this story is splendid and so realistic that I felt transported back in time!
London is featured in all its snobbish glory, and I could feel myself walking the streets with its glaring contrast between the rich and poor neighbourhoods. Then the society with its prejudices that condemned women for the slightest of mistakes while ignoring all crimes of men of power is so realistically shown.
I was also mesmerised by the depiction of Wales with its many legends, ghost stories, frightening beauty with cliffs with sheer drops to raging waves below. So, you can literally visualise the atmospheric settings that had me shivering in suspense as goosebumps jumped on my skin. The settings are a highlight of this book and I adored the gothic vibes that spooked, scared, intrigued, and held me hooked!
Plot and Narration:
The plot is straightforward but it is the narration that adds uniqueness to this story. Emily Windsor adds wit, romance, suspense, emotional upheaval, angst, social hypocrisy, and a memorable happily-ever-after through her fluid writing in this book.
I loved her simple, yet vivid narration that expertly uses poetry, and I adored the beautiful and heartfelt poems added in the story. These lyrical insertions added more depth to this story, and had me sighing in happiness.
I wait. I tremble. I yearn, Yet to me she cometh not. I lust. I languish. I burn! Yet to me she cometh not.”
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Quote
For my love is of the night, A sifting shadow forgot. I seek. I beguile. I fight! Yet to me she cometh n–”
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Quote
The expert balance of suspense, mystery, romance, and emotional development is another highlight of this book.
Right from the start, the author managed to suck me in and I could not keep this book down until the very end. So, I suggest you don’t start reading this book at night or you will be pulling an all-nighter like me!
I loved the banter, the angst, the forbidden romance, and the easy lovability of this book.
Characters:
Protagonists:
Heroine:
Isabelle is a strong heroine who didn’t compromise with her ideals. And instead chose to live as a Governess – free and independent even if it meant letting go of material comforts. I respected her determination, and my heart broke witnessing the deep emotional scars she still carried from her past. Then her patient care of the Duke’s niece had me wiping tears.
With all her admirable qualities, I prayed for a happy ending for her. So, when sparks flew with the Duke of Aberdare, I jumped in joy. And then sat on the edge of my seat giggling, and then sighing in pure romantic bliss!
Hero:
I want you,” he said… “I want all of you, Isabelle.”
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Quote
The Duke of Aberdare has earned himself the nickname of “The Mean, Moody & Mysterious Dare”. He is an enigmatic man but we soon learn that he is still tortured by a past trauma, and is a man with a gentle heart. I loved Rhys, Duke of Aberdare. He is a protector, and a mystery. So every scene with him in it was like an adventure that had me eagerly turning pages to know more!
And when he made a daring and swoon worthy rescue of the heroine, I literally swooned. He can save me any day! LOL
Then as the story progressed, so many secrets are revealed, and feelings shared. So, be ready to swoon, giggle, sigh, and want more of this beautiful romance!
When all I behold is her. When all I harken is her. When all I can taste is her…’”
A Governess Should Never… Deny a Duke by Emily Windsor Book Quote
‘Then my ardent heart is hers. My eternal love is hers.’”
Secondary Characters:
Emily’s books promise characters that leave a lasting impression on a reader’s mind. And this book is no different. While I adored the protagonists, the secondary characters also gave them due competition.
The Duke’s niece, Mari reminded me of myself as a teen. She is spunky, daring, and yet a girl still grieving her father’s death. So, when her demons overpower her, she is often misunderstood. I loved how she added fun, wit, mischief, and a depth to this story. Her grief and its manifestations will strike a cord in your heart. And will have you shedding tears for this child who is yearning for love and understanding. So, her relationship with Isabelle made me smile in delight even as I shed tears of joy.
Then there is the scandalous heir to the Duke of Aberdare, Mr. Cadwalader who is termed as “an unrepentant libertine”. I loved his character. He is a man with multiple depths to his character. A scandalous libertine on the outside, he is a caring, loyal man inside. And from the many slight references in this story, a man with many secrets. So, while I enjoyed his shenanigans, and admired his unflinching support to Rhys, I am also very eager to read his story. And hope we get his own story soon!
I am also fervently hoping to see Gwen’s story soon, and why does my heart want to see her lost love come back from the dead? I hope Emily does a story for her too!
Conclusion:
All in all, I loved every second spent reading this fun, heartfelt, and suspenseful regency romance. So, if you are looking for a sexy, entertaining, swoon worthy, and thrilling romance with gothic vibes then this is the book for you.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars and Njkinny recommends this engrossing romance novel to all adult readers.
A new release, this book is not to be missed. So, go grab it now. It is a must read Kindle Unlimited book!
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Also read the other books in The Governess Chronicles Series by Emily Windsor:
Meet Author Emily Windsor:
Emily grew up in the north of England on a diet of historical romance and strong tea.
Unfortunately, you couldn’t study Regency slang, so she did the next best thing and gained a degree in Classics and History instead. This ‘led’ to an eight-year stint in engineering.
Having left city life, she now lives in a dilapidated farmhouse where her days are spent writing, fixing the leaky roof, battling the endless vegetation and finding pictures of well-tied cravats.
Checkout Books by Emily Windsor.
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