A review by labellafigura
The Governess Game by Tessa Dare

4.0

Tessa Dare writes charming characters that you want to have in your real life. She is a favorite author of mine and I saved this book as a “treat” read. I was not disappointed! Her characters and writing is a masterclass and are truly refreshing after reading quite a few books in which the writing is not of Tessa’s caliber. Her dialogue is captivating and her writing is is witty.

I find myself more often disgruntled with the third act breakup and reconciliation. TGG is similar. The hero, who had earned my support throughout the book, said (and did) some truly terrible things to the heroine. The kind of things that cut deeply, and Tessa glides right past a few major choices that are thrown in the heroines face. I need more time. More grovelling. More than the gesture the hero makes, as cute as it was. It was like a 30 min sitcom resolution, with the hurt easily waved away.

Perhaps this is why, lately, I’ve become a true lover of the slow burn. Of the yearning and decades-long change that feels more realistic. Of a character waking up every day and choosing to change, and then rewarded with love.

I will always be a Tessa Dare fan, she is a one-click for me! But this book needed just a little bit of something extra: more of the soul mate/fated mate connection; more time spent reckoning with their own faults.