Wit and Sin

http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2016/10/review-governess-was-wanton-by-julia.html

Mary Woodward is a highly sought-after governess with a talent for guiding her charges through the season and promoting good matches. Eric Bromford, the fourth Earl of Asten, is a father at his wit’s end and desperate for Mary’s services. Eric isn’t your typical lord. He’s widower and a doting father who cares very much for his daughter’s happiness, education, and general well-being. He simply cannot understand why Eleanora is suddenly unhappy and picking fights with him, which is when Mary enters the picture. Mary is quick to spot the problem – or rather the people causing the problem – in the earl’s life, but that isn’t what makes things complicated. Rather, it’s the attraction she and Eric feel toward one another that threatens to turn both their worlds upside down. A romance between an earl and his daughter’s governess is a dangerous proposition, but some passions burn too hot to be ignored…

The Governess Was Wanton is a delightful historical romance with a Cinderellatwist. This second book in Julia Kelly’s Governess series is fast-paced, sweet, and engaging, thanks mostly to the endearing lead characters.

It’s clear from the start that Mary and Eric make a great match. They’re both intelligent, hardworking, caring people and if it weren’t for the difference in their stations, no one would bat an eyelash at the two of them falling in love. But since this is 1850s London, the two of them are rocked by their initial physical attraction to one another. Eric is honorable to a fault and would never abuse his position of power by seducing Mary. For her part, Mary knows that to give into her desires would lead to her ruin. The sexual tension is electric, but it’s their growing emotional attachment and the way they come fully into their own in each other’s company that really sold me on their love story. Add in some fairytale villains and a lovely teenage fairy godmother and you have a solidly entertaining story. There may not be much that’s fresh or new about The Governess Was Wanton, but it is unquestionably entertaining. Ms. Kelly has a smooth writing style, the dialogue was excellent, and the characters made me smile more than once. I adored Mary and Eric’s romance from beginning to end and I’m looking forward to re-reading it in the near future.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.