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norwayellesea's review
5.0
A beautiful story set against a stunning Hebridean backdrop.
After her employer labels her a Jezebel, forcing her to leave her job and accommodation, Lydia Farnham is homeless, jobless, and penniless… Her only option is to take a job in Scotland. Reluctantly, she accepts the position and, travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides hoping this job will last long enough for her to get back on her feet. However, once she's settled at Ardmore, she realises she may have finally found a place to call 'home'.
Widower, Alasdair MacDonald needs a governess for his daughter, Mairead who is both sickly and strong-willed. When the new, English governess arrives, he is instantly attracted to her but wary about her ability to educate his daughter and her commitment to stay. Despite his reservations, his daughter thrives under her pupillage and adapts well to live on the island, offering him the hope that he may have found a woman to fulfil his dreams and desires.
It's a familiar trope, yet Ms. Tinley has written an enticing narrative that creates a delightful love story built on hard-earned trust. Both protagonists have issues from the past, and I enjoyed how the two worked together to erase presumptive views of each other. Both are attractive people but have insecurities. Mairead and the other supporting characters bring the rugged island setting to life and I enjoyed the inclusion of Gaelic words and phrases introduced within the dialogue, as Lydia embraces life in the remote location and works hard to integrate within the close-knit community and learn the language.
Overall, A Laird for the Governess is the first book in the Lairds of the Isles series, which will hopefully promise, more surprising and intriguing tales to come.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical***
After her employer labels her a Jezebel, forcing her to leave her job and accommodation, Lydia Farnham is homeless, jobless, and penniless… Her only option is to take a job in Scotland. Reluctantly, she accepts the position and, travels to a remote island in the Outer Hebrides hoping this job will last long enough for her to get back on her feet. However, once she's settled at Ardmore, she realises she may have finally found a place to call 'home'.
Widower, Alasdair MacDonald needs a governess for his daughter, Mairead who is both sickly and strong-willed. When the new, English governess arrives, he is instantly attracted to her but wary about her ability to educate his daughter and her commitment to stay. Despite his reservations, his daughter thrives under her pupillage and adapts well to live on the island, offering him the hope that he may have found a woman to fulfil his dreams and desires.
It's a familiar trope, yet Ms. Tinley has written an enticing narrative that creates a delightful love story built on hard-earned trust. Both protagonists have issues from the past, and I enjoyed how the two worked together to erase presumptive views of each other. Both are attractive people but have insecurities. Mairead and the other supporting characters bring the rugged island setting to life and I enjoyed the inclusion of Gaelic words and phrases introduced within the dialogue, as Lydia embraces life in the remote location and works hard to integrate within the close-knit community and learn the language.
Overall, A Laird for the Governess is the first book in the Lairds of the Isles series, which will hopefully promise, more surprising and intriguing tales to come.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of Harlequin Historical***
melodicfate's review
4.0
I have a weakness for governess romances. I also have a weakness for Scottish historical romances. So, you bet I was excited to read this. Lydia, our governess heroine, was kind, strong, and very intelligent. She was also very beautiful, and many of the men at her posts tried to take liberties, forcing her to be fired by awful employees who always blamed her and not the man. Alisdair, the laird hero, was very strong, protective of his people, and very mindful of his duties. His daughter, Mairead, was very weak and unable to walk due to a fever she'd had two years before the start of the book. She'd refused to learn lessons, so Alisdair was forced to put out an add for a governess to come out to their remote island in Scotland.
This book was emotional with humor, sadness, and romance. I loved watching Lydia acclimate to her new environment and circumstances on the island. Watching Alisdair grow and heal from past mistakes and unhappiness with his first marriage was interesting, though very slow-going. I loved the community made up of all the people in the laird's castle. Watching Mairead and Lydia's bond grow made for wonderful reading, too. As for the romance, it was slowly built and well-paced, given both characters' pasts. I quite enjoyed seeing them get their happy ending.
If you're looking for a quick Scottish historical, I recommend this. It's not particularly steamy, so keep that in mind. What it doesn't have in steam, though, it makes up for in heart.
This book was emotional with humor, sadness, and romance. I loved watching Lydia acclimate to her new environment and circumstances on the island. Watching Alisdair grow and heal from past mistakes and unhappiness with his first marriage was interesting, though very slow-going. I loved the community made up of all the people in the laird's castle. Watching Mairead and Lydia's bond grow made for wonderful reading, too. As for the romance, it was slowly built and well-paced, given both characters' pasts. I quite enjoyed seeing them get their happy ending.
If you're looking for a quick Scottish historical, I recommend this. It's not particularly steamy, so keep that in mind. What it doesn't have in steam, though, it makes up for in heart.
onebookmore's review
5.0
I loved A Laird for the Governess! It’s a wonderful historical romance with layered and interesting characters, a beautiful setting, a found family like no other, and a fantastic love story. The story takes place on a remote Scottish island, which is new for Lydia Farnham, a governess from England. It sounds beautiful and so different from the hustle and bustle of city life that Lydia knows. The author does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in this remote and vivid world where Lydia finds more than just employment.
The people who live on the island all know each other and form an amazing community and support system. They treat each other like extended family, and the care, support, and love they show each other is so heartwarming. These are people who will do anything for each other, and it is the first time that Lydia feels a sense of belonging. I love how they bring Lydia into their fold and welcome this young, independent woman with no ties. They definitely show her what it feels like to belong.
Lydia is such a wonderful protagonist, as is Alasdair, and I enjoyed their stories both individually and as a couple. Lydia is brave and intelligent, and she is an amazing teacher! She’s the type of educator who gets to know the student and understands that there are so many strategies to help a learner excel. She is patient and understanding, and that extends past the schoolroom. I love the scenes where she is working with Alasdair’s daughter. She uses teaching strategies that are clever and fun and feel more like play than work.
Alasdair is a fair and kind leader who is burdened by events that happened in the past. He loves deeply and has a strong sense of duty to his people and his land. He’s the type of person that puts everyone else’s needs ahead of his own. Both Lydia and Alasdair learn a lot about themselves throughout the story, and I like how their growing relationship helps both of them face their fears and insecurities and learn to open themselves up to love.
The romance between Lydia and Alasdair is slow-building and lovely. Both have reservations, secrets, and fears that hold them back, and they really fight their feelings. Lydia doesn’t want to risk her job, and past employment issues keep her wary, and Alasdair’s previous marriage scarred him. However, their growing feelings for each other are clear, and the more time they spend together, the more difficult it is for them to ignore it. I like how they slowly grow to respect and trust each other and that they develop a friendship before it turns into more. They spend so much time getting to know each other, and I think it is a great foundation for their relationship, especially since they are both so skittish.
Alasdair’s daughter is absolutely delightful, and her loving, sweet, and curious nature is infectious. She is also so determined and rambunctious, and the scenes between her and Lydia are darling. I also really enjoyed the scenes with them and Alasdair. He loves his daughter so much, as does everyone, and they all dote on her. I would too! She’s adorable.
A Laird for the Governess is a great book for readers who like historical romance. It’s a character-driven story with strong themes about acceptance, belonging, healing, and finding love, and the romance is swoon-tastic!! Special thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The people who live on the island all know each other and form an amazing community and support system. They treat each other like extended family, and the care, support, and love they show each other is so heartwarming. These are people who will do anything for each other, and it is the first time that Lydia feels a sense of belonging. I love how they bring Lydia into their fold and welcome this young, independent woman with no ties. They definitely show her what it feels like to belong.
Lydia is such a wonderful protagonist, as is Alasdair, and I enjoyed their stories both individually and as a couple. Lydia is brave and intelligent, and she is an amazing teacher! She’s the type of educator who gets to know the student and understands that there are so many strategies to help a learner excel. She is patient and understanding, and that extends past the schoolroom. I love the scenes where she is working with Alasdair’s daughter. She uses teaching strategies that are clever and fun and feel more like play than work.
Alasdair is a fair and kind leader who is burdened by events that happened in the past. He loves deeply and has a strong sense of duty to his people and his land. He’s the type of person that puts everyone else’s needs ahead of his own. Both Lydia and Alasdair learn a lot about themselves throughout the story, and I like how their growing relationship helps both of them face their fears and insecurities and learn to open themselves up to love.
The romance between Lydia and Alasdair is slow-building and lovely. Both have reservations, secrets, and fears that hold them back, and they really fight their feelings. Lydia doesn’t want to risk her job, and past employment issues keep her wary, and Alasdair’s previous marriage scarred him. However, their growing feelings for each other are clear, and the more time they spend together, the more difficult it is for them to ignore it. I like how they slowly grow to respect and trust each other and that they develop a friendship before it turns into more. They spend so much time getting to know each other, and I think it is a great foundation for their relationship, especially since they are both so skittish.
Alasdair’s daughter is absolutely delightful, and her loving, sweet, and curious nature is infectious. She is also so determined and rambunctious, and the scenes between her and Lydia are darling. I also really enjoyed the scenes with them and Alasdair. He loves his daughter so much, as does everyone, and they all dote on her. I would too! She’s adorable.
A Laird for the Governess is a great book for readers who like historical romance. It’s a character-driven story with strong themes about acceptance, belonging, healing, and finding love, and the romance is swoon-tastic!! Special thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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