Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Governess Game

I honestly loved so much about this story. Very mild spoilers below.

The two wards, Rosamund and Daisy, and the havoc they wreaked. (Especially the doll, Millicent, that Daisy pretends is sick with some new horrible disease every morning and they have to hold a doll funeral. This was such a fun character-revealing touch.) The relationship between Alex and Chase, and they way they worked together to care for Rosamund and Daisy even in the mist of figuring out their feelings for each other. The way Chase's backstory affected him. Alex's love of astronomy, and Chase's support of her pursuing her passion.

The one thing that bothered me: while I loved Alex's resilience in the face of Chase's insecurities, he ends up saying some awful and hurtful things to her, and she just...takes it, somehow knowing not to believe him. Part of me is like, good for you! You absolutely see through his bullshit! And most of me is like, under no circumstances should you allow this man to talk to you this way, especially after sharing such intimate moments with him, even if you can tell he's lying to himself.

Mary Jane Wells is, once again, just spectacular. I want to listen to her read historical romances for the rest of my life.
And Tessa Dare writes the most delightful banter.

Content Warnings

fa1th_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have began to read more historical romance this year, and many booktubers have recommend Tessa Dare as a must-read. I picked this up just because I like a governess trope and this was the first book I read of hers. I now has came to the realization that I perhaps shouldn't be reading the book out of order in its respective series, because there were some reccuring characters and references to the previous book that I didn't get. But they were minor details, the book itself and its main characters were introduced nicely.

Alex was an intriguing character. She had goals and ambitions in life that she worked hard to achieve, which I could respect; and her fear of water despite being a sea captain's daughter was very interesting too. However, I don't quite think the romance between her and Chase was all that believable. They seemed very much physical attracted to each other, but Chase and his own issues definitely could use more time. He went back and forth so much I ended up grew tired of the conflict. And it just got resolved so quickly in the end. I just think the pacing of third act was kind of odd.

This book was just an overall middle ground for me. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I will try some more Tessa Dare to get a grasp of her writing.

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roseamillerg's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

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beccaand's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such a delight, Alex and Chase's dynamic was wonderful.

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