There is a brilliant chemistry between Aleksei and Allison that plays out perfectly throughout the story. I loved how Allison helps Aleksei as they try to uncover secrets within Russian society. The story moves steadily and I easily became invested in the characters and story. Allison was a strong character and held her own against Aleksei as they worked together to solve the mystery. I admired how Allison wanted her independence and to be treated as an equal something which she had tried so hard to achieve.

I think with the story being set in Russia it gave it a little extra special something. There is enough detail to pull you into the story and enjoy every moment. From Governess to Countess has a few twists and turns along the way to keep things interesting and is sure to leave you with a smile. It didn't take me long to read and was a lovely way to spend an evening.

Four stars from me!

With thanks to Mills and Boon & Netgalley for my copy.

I really enjoyed 'From Governess to Countess'. The book is well written and shares some real insight into Russian monarchy and lifestyle. I loved the characters and I didn't want it to end,.

Romance with a side of murder mystery.
Allison Galbraith is a woman in a man’s field. After her reputation is tarnished in England, she is offered an opportunity to work as a governess in Russia. Count Aleskei Derevenko is a soldier who following the suspicious deaths of his brother and his wife must return to St Petersburg to look after their children and hires herbalist Allison as a Governess and to help solve the murders.
An immersive read dropping the reader in to the extreme glamour and scandal of Russian court life, which is very different from the more straitlaced English regency. Marguerite Kay adds descriptions about the palaces and cameos from historical figures which helped to show the differences. I found myself looking up the places and people to as their stories were just as fascinating.
The characters were likable and not the typical regency stereotypes. The murder mystery was a great addition and didn’t have a predictable outcome.

I enjoyed reading this novel and always do enjoy book stories by this author. The descriptions of Imperial Russia were lovely and the main characters interesting and well matched. The murder mystery was also a good framework for the plot. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.

New beginnings, romance, redemption and mystery in St Petersburg.

Herbalist Allison Galbraith is hiding away in London after a scandal tarnished her professional reputation. One day she is visited by a mysterious woman known only as ‘The Procurer’ and offered the opportunity to travel to St Petersburg and get her life back on track.
Enter the dashing Alexei, officer of the Russian army and ‘His Illustrious Highness’ Count Derevenko who has employed Allison, publicly to be governess to his late brother Michael’s children, but privately to investigate his suspicions that Michael’s death was not as natural as it appears.
As we see St Petersburg through Allison’s eyes, the reader is transported to Russia through vivid, sumptuous descriptions of buildings, palaces, gardens, ducal barges and sleighs and a ‘guided tour’ up the river in a rowing boat (one of the most romantic scenes in the whole book). Indeed, so richly detailed are the locations that I was surprised to read that Marguerite Kaye has actually never visited Russia, but has clearly done a great deal of research and created a wonderful landscape in which to set her story of the mis-matched, but perfect for each other herbalist and Count.
Allison is well created and believable as a woman wanting to be respected in a male dominated profession; the scandal that ruins her reputation is not particularly her fault, but, naturally, society would take the side of the (male) physician. Her reaction to Russian society is a delight as she is put in situations she would never expect to find herself in (“standing in the foyer of the Winter Palace…on the arm of a disturbingly attractive man she had met for the first time today. And she was wearing a dead woman’s ball gown” is a wonderful quote that sums up Allison’s change in circumstances quite perfectly in one paragraph)
Similarly, Alexei, the brooding hero, suddenly finding himself without a battle to fight in the army and the reluctant guardian of his orphaned nieces and nephew, is richly crafted, and, together, the pair really do come to life as the story progresses.
The murder mystery element adds an extra layer to the story (and some interesting points about poisonous plants!), but what I loved about this book was it’s glorious Russian setting and watching Allison and Alexei fall in love with each other, neither expecting a happy ever after. There are some poignant quotes about falling in love and realising what your life would be like for Allison and Alexei without each other, but it would spoil the wonder of the story if I quoted them in this review.
As always, the author writes with rich historical detail which makes the book a joy to read (and could encourage further reading about St Petersburg at the time the book is set), and, adding in a likeable hero and heroine who you believe in and want a happy ending for gives the story a heartwarming and enjoyable quality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next story in the series.
Thanks to M&B for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

From Governess to Countess is the first book in the Matches Made in Scandal series by Marguerite Kaye.

Allison Galbraith is a herbalist, she's always known that she would never be able to compete with the male-dominated physicians. They have tried to bring her down at every opportunity. When one finally succeeds she withdraws from society until she is approached by a woman known as the Procurer. This woman offers her a job, no questions asked, somewhere away from London where nobody will know about her scandal. A chance to start anew. Allison accepts the opportunity.

Count Aleksei Derevenko has hired Allison for her skills as a herbalist, with the ruse of being hired as a governess for his 3 wards. She never dreamt that her new life would be starting in Russia! She also never dreamt that her employer would be an impossibly handsome man whom she feels an immediate attraction to. Aleksi immediately feels the same attraction to her. They both try to push it aside because neither have any intention of marriage, they want their independence. Plus focus has to be paid on the real reason Aleksei hired Allison. He believes his brother, father to his wards, was murdered. He needs Allison's herbalist skills to figure out if perhaps his brother was poisoned, and if so what herbs could have created the poison and how they would have been administered.

What follows is the fascinating story of Allison finding the answers to Aleksei's questions, as well as their relationship becoming stronger and more passionate despite their efforts to control themselves. We see Allison's relationship with the children go from strength to strength and there are some wonderful moments with them and the family dog! Was Michael murdered, if so who did it? What of Allison and Aleksei, they are totally different classes, plus they both want their independence to do different things, so surely there is no way they can have their happy ending...or is there?

I loved this story. Marguerite Kaye has the fabulous talent of setting the scenes and describing in beautiful detail the places where the story is taking place. I loved being able to visualise Aleksei's palace in Russia, the rooms, the grounds, the carriages. The description of the clothes, from the livery of the staff, Aleksi's uniform, to Allison's gowns, I could picture them all. So we have the perfect setting for romance, a fabulous mystery to solve plus a totally unexpected twist thrown in. From start to finish this story kept me captivated and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

3.5 Stars
Allison Galbraith is hiding in the country when The Procurer visits her with a proposition, to become the governess to three children. So Allison travels to St Petersburg where she meets Count Aleksei Derevenko who has hired her for her skills as a herbalist as well as a governess.
An enjoyable read with strong characters. The pace of the story is very good, there is mystery & romance which kept me turning the pages. Aleksei & Allison were immediately attracted to each other & working together to look into the Duke & Duchess’s deaths means they spend time together & the attraction grows. Alexsei was everything you wanted in a hero, honourable, gorgeous & caring. Allison was a strong intelligent woman but I didn’t warm to her, I felt she was a twenty first century woman in her mannerisms & the way she behaved.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Looking for a romance read?

If you're a fan of a simple love story, without the arrogant male lead (a cliché that can become dull) and without a spineless female character.... You just might enjoy this read.

Allison is a selfless herbalist, but the physicians in England have stifled her efforts. Her false reputation precedes her. But when a Count in St Petersburg offers her a position as governess to his wards, she is hopeful of a second chance.

This is a love story combined with a simple murder mystery. I liked the book, it was a simple distraction. Though for someone who appreciates history in historical fiction novels, the history wasn't much of a character in the tale told. There were customs, traditions, but it wasn't substantial. Nonetheless, a suitable holiday read I'm sure.

I received this book through NetGalley.