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melodicfate's review
4.0
I have a weakness for governess heroines. I love seeing children in stories, and watching as the governess transforms both the children and their guardian/parent. In historical romance, there seem to be literally thousands of such heroines. Luckily for me, I chose to start with this one. And man, am I ever glad I did!!!
The reason I liked this book so much was Anna. She was a strong, opinionated, intelligent woman in a time when it wasn't really acceptable to be those things. I seriously loved her. She had the personality to deal with the kind of unruly children that the ones in this book started out as, and she wasn't afraid of hard work. I liked that the author made her like fashion too. It just gave Anna's character more balance.
As for the hero, Anthony, it took me a while to warm up to him. I mean, he was really responsible, and did whatever he could for the people whom he considered under his protection. But he wasn't really a gentle person. He usually barked orders at people, and he was pretty used to getting his way. Luckily for him, Anna was there to help. I loved when these two got together. Their banter and arguments were great, because no matter what Anthony would say, Anna would always have something to say right back.
This novel had plenty of side characters. Firstly, the children. They started out pretty unruly, but in the end, I just loved them. They played a highly important part in the story, plus they could be quite cute at times. Then, there was Lady Putney, the children's grandmother. On the one hand, she was the typical greedy villain, out for only herself. But she'd use any member of her family to get more money, and the fact that even her grandchildren were included in this just meant I couldn't stand her. Finally, there was Anna's grandfather, Phineas. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first. I mean, he wanted to see his family get back on their feet, but the most important thing to him was Anna. Plus, he was a schemer and matchmaker, and I just ended up loving him.
I really found this book easy to read. I'd pick it up to read just a bit, but then find myself having gone through 30 pages or more. So that's a pretty good testament of the author's writing style. The book followed Anna and Anthony as he hired her to be governess to five children he'd inherited from his cousin. Along with that, Anna and Anthony had previously known each other, because Anna was Anthony's half-sister's best friend. The reason Anna was a governess was because her family had lost pretty much all of their fortune. Amidst all the children and their tricks was the attraction that had always been between Anna and Anthony. He had to deal with the fact that she could be interfering and argumentative, while she had to deal with his arrogance. I really liked it.
There was one element I don't usually care for in books, but that ended up being okay in the end. Anthony was engaged to marry a girl named Charlotte, whom he saw as biddable and obedient. I don't really like when the hero is involved with someone else, while pursuing the heroine. But their engagement wasn't announced yet. Also, it was clear that Charlotte was all wrong for Anthony. Either way, I wasn't too put off by this.
In the end, I definitely recommend this book to historical romance readers. Like I said before, Anna made a terrific heroine, and I thought Anthony's strong character was perfect for her. The children and Anna's grandfather were lots of fun to read about, too. The author's writing style made this book a breeze to get through, as well. So if you like strong heroines, governesses, or children in your historicals, go for this one.
The reason I liked this book so much was Anna. She was a strong, opinionated, intelligent woman in a time when it wasn't really acceptable to be those things. I seriously loved her. She had the personality to deal with the kind of unruly children that the ones in this book started out as, and she wasn't afraid of hard work. I liked that the author made her like fashion too. It just gave Anna's character more balance.
As for the hero, Anthony, it took me a while to warm up to him. I mean, he was really responsible, and did whatever he could for the people whom he considered under his protection. But he wasn't really a gentle person. He usually barked orders at people, and he was pretty used to getting his way. Luckily for him, Anna was there to help. I loved when these two got together. Their banter and arguments were great, because no matter what Anthony would say, Anna would always have something to say right back.
This novel had plenty of side characters. Firstly, the children. They started out pretty unruly, but in the end, I just loved them. They played a highly important part in the story, plus they could be quite cute at times. Then, there was Lady Putney, the children's grandmother. On the one hand, she was the typical greedy villain, out for only herself. But she'd use any member of her family to get more money, and the fact that even her grandchildren were included in this just meant I couldn't stand her. Finally, there was Anna's grandfather, Phineas. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first. I mean, he wanted to see his family get back on their feet, but the most important thing to him was Anna. Plus, he was a schemer and matchmaker, and I just ended up loving him.
I really found this book easy to read. I'd pick it up to read just a bit, but then find myself having gone through 30 pages or more. So that's a pretty good testament of the author's writing style. The book followed Anna and Anthony as he hired her to be governess to five children he'd inherited from his cousin. Along with that, Anna and Anthony had previously known each other, because Anna was Anthony's half-sister's best friend. The reason Anna was a governess was because her family had lost pretty much all of their fortune. Amidst all the children and their tricks was the attraction that had always been between Anna and Anthony. He had to deal with the fact that she could be interfering and argumentative, while she had to deal with his arrogance. I really liked it.
There was one element I don't usually care for in books, but that ended up being okay in the end. Anthony was engaged to marry a girl named Charlotte, whom he saw as biddable and obedient. I don't really like when the hero is involved with someone else, while pursuing the heroine. But their engagement wasn't announced yet. Also, it was clear that Charlotte was all wrong for Anthony. Either way, I wasn't too put off by this.
In the end, I definitely recommend this book to historical romance readers. Like I said before, Anna made a terrific heroine, and I thought Anthony's strong character was perfect for her. The children and Anna's grandfather were lots of fun to read about, too. The author's writing style made this book a breeze to get through, as well. So if you like strong heroines, governesses, or children in your historicals, go for this one.
jegka's review
2.0
The storyline was (predictable but) ok. I guess I read this to take a break from mysteries. It was pleasant enough but the characters were rather thin. Their whole development was in their reputations. They were what they were because she said so. Mischievious, domineering, irresponsible...but little example was given to support the acusations. The children did some naughty things, but they went from "devil spawn" to angels with little for the reader to go on except being told they were better. I would have liked to have been given more evidence to come to that conclusion for myself. It is supposedly the first of the series (even if it is a sequel to Seducing Sara...see, more you just have to take her word on) so maybe the rest of the series is better developed. I felt a bit like I was reading the author's notes instead of the finished novel. ("Tricia becomes more agreeable...children become more cooperative...Ruppert becomes redeemable...)
smiley7245's review
3.0
This was a fast paced enjoyable book, but there were quite a few plot devices that I can't stand: men who refuse to understand the meaning of the word no and secret keeping. While I enjoyed how Anthony grew because of his acquaintance with Anna, his stubborn refusal to listen to her when she said no to things was unpleasant. Also, I could not stand Lady Putney; she tried to use the children for their wealthy, which is precisely why her son did not leave them in her care. She lied to Charlotte to help further her designs on the children. I loved how attentive, firm, strong, and gentle Anna was. She was a great character. And I really liked her friendship with Charlotte. I enjoyed seeing Charlotte finally stand up for herself and claim what she wanted, Rupert, Anthony's cousin. This was enjoyable and I look forward to more from this series and this author.
ssejig's review
3.0
Anna Thraxton, governess extraordinaire, is the only one who can help the Earl of Greyley who has just become the guardian to five young menaces who have already managed to run off several nannies. But Anthony doesn't want Anna to come. Though she is a nanny, her family is good ton and she is a good friend to Anthony's sister. He's also super attracted to her. Of course, Anthony has to get married and he's already picked out his future bride. She is not Anna. Anna is too loud, too brash, and too attractive. But the children, with the help of Anna's grandfather, may have other plans for him.
arielkirst's review
5.0
This book was de-lightful.
The characters were sassy, and fit well together, had good chemistry, weren't too schmoopy.
At times, the guy was too forceful, and super didn't understand the word no, but it never got rapey, and the heroine definitely was able to say "you can fuck right off" well enough.
The characters were sassy, and fit well together, had good chemistry, weren't too schmoopy.
At times, the guy was too forceful, and super didn't understand the word no, but it never got rapey, and the heroine definitely was able to say "you can fuck right off" well enough.
anscott85's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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