Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Governess Game

Yes I'm, once again, reading a Regency romance, do not perceive me.

This is the second book in the Girl Meets Duke series and IMO the best one (I can say that now that I've read all three that are out so far). It's not really enemies-to-lovers, more like 'we really don't like each other and don't want to spent time together to oops we might be attracted to each other, to oh no we kissed and are now falling in love'.

But I really enjoyed the dynamic between Alexandra and Chase, their snappy dialogue was great fun and the development of their romance was believable. There's also a little bit of hurt/comfort in this book, which I'm a sucker for. The plot, narrative, character progression and romantic tension all came together brilliantly to make this a really enjoyable romp.

Content warnings for death of a parent, panic attacks, grief, violence, period-type sexism.

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anoveldestination's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

I usually don't like romance books with children, but the doll funerals in this might've changed my mind. Those scenes were the absolute cutest. Chase stole my heart from the beginning of this book. I also loved Alex. I think she's the strongest, most relatable, and unique heroine in all of Tessa Dare's novels. I love how rational and confident she is. With two characters I love, it's no surprise that their romance and this book are now my favorites.

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emfass's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-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

4.5

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.

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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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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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