This was enjoyable but not as good as the first in series. I wasn’t persuaded by the low self esteem and self loathing of Chase. I also felt the two characters fell in together too easily. That said, the story was a charming one. I particularly enjoyed Millicent’s funerals and thought Alex and Chase made a good couple.

Much like Tessa Dare's back catalogue, this is a novel you can't put down once you start. The whole castof characters is an absolute delight from start to finish. Alex, much like her friends is such a won character to discover, their unwillingness to aspire to societal norms is just wonderful. Chase is such an enigma to begin with, but you tell from his first interactions with the girls that he isn't as unlovable as he feels. The way the four of them learn their way together is so heartwarming. I truly loved how Chase acted towards Alex's career/interests/hobby, particularly at the end. If only Tessa Dare never had to write "The End".

I have read quite a few of Tessa Dare’s books and have enjoyed all of them. This was no exception. She writes in such a warm descriptive style that I always feel that I am involved in the story. Both the hero & heroine were amusing believable characters and I enjoyed reading the parts that involved the heroine’s (Alex) interaction with the 2 children and her attempts to get through the emotional barriers the 2 children has erected. It would have been nice to find out more about the children’s parents as that was never fully explained. Really enjoyable, hard to put down book. Looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

I really loved this book - such a fun few hours of escapism. At first you think it's very prudish and straight laced and our heroine is a retiring but bold well-brought up young lady but after a short while you realise she is very unconventional and quite delightful. Such a upbringing and swearing like a sailor - delightful - I laughed and chuckled and couldn't put it down - I was very sorry when I finished it - I want more......

http://litsy.com/p/d3QxZTRxNzRq
Possibly the most happy I've been to get an ARC... didn't disappoint. Fun, light and sweet regency romance, with a side order of astronomy.

Tessa Dare could write about paint drying and make it absolutely fascinating. Her writing style is so unique and interactive and wonderful, she takes familiar ideas and adds so much suspense. I love the characters in this, and I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series.

I'm pretty new to reading romance novels - I've been a fan of regency historicals for a long time, and they often include a cute romance, but I am only just realising how lovely a nice fluffy regency romance can be on its own. I came across The Governess Game on NetGalley and it sounded really good, so I thought I would give it a try.

Quite simply, I loved this book. I guess I am an old romantic at heart, and I found the love story totally sweet and engaging, though of course somewhat predictable. When snarky, bookish commoner Alexandra somehow ends up in the employ of rakish, handsome Chase Reynaud, they go through the usual motions of being extremely irritated by each other, to being extremely attracted to each other, to being completely besotted with one another. I've seen this relationship a hundred times in all genres of fiction, but hey. It's cute and it works. 

What set this apart for me was the writing, which is very tongue-in-cheek. Alex's snark and Chase's self-deprecating humour made me laugh out loud on several occasions - I couldn't wait for their conversations, though the rest of the plot was fun too. Just something about the matter-of-fact way the author writes really tickled my funny bone - I'm definitely going to be looking for more of her work (to be honest, When A Scot Ties The Knot has me giggling just at the title). The secondary plots, involving Chase's wards and Alex's astronomy hobby, add a lot to the characterisation, and drive the romance forwards in interesting ways. 

I really liked the pairing of a practical, no-nonsense heroine with a slightly melodramatic hero - Jane Eyre this isn't, and I think Alex would have a fair few things to say to her fellow governess! Events progress quickly, and there's a good balance between the sweet character building moments and the steamier sections that makes it very easy to root for Chase and Alex to realise they are in love! And oh, a bookshop meet-cute AND proposal is the very nicest and romantic thing to read. 

(As a side note, this is technically the second book in the series, but it seems to be one of those series that takes a side character from each novel for the protagonist of the next, so there's nothing to worry about if reading this one as a stand-alone.)

This is just a good feel-good read - super sweet, very funny, and really romantic. If you're a romance reader, I can't recommend it enough!

This book surprised me. At first, I wasn't too sure about the way the romance between Alex and Chase started - I didnt quite believe in it - but after a few chapters I was completely hooked. The characters in this book are so entertaining, Rosamund and Daisy - Chase's two wards are absolutely darling, true hellions and I loved their eccenticities!!! Who doesn't dream of piracy and adventure? And then Alex and Chase's beautiful cat and mouse type romance! As an archaeologist I am am fascinated with history and historic places so for romantic scenes to be set in The Tower of London and the British Museum, well I'm all for that! And I cannot say how funny I found a certain scene between Chase and Alex's friend, the Duke of Ashbury!!!! It was laugh out loud entertaining.

This book was brilliant. I will definitely be keepi g an eye out for more by Tessa Dare. Her writing is just too good to miss.

5 - "So long as you're with me..." Stars!

Having discovered the awesomeness that is Tessa Dare, with the first book in the Girl Meets Duke series; The Duchess Deal and absolutely adoring it, I was eager to get started on The Governess Game, and once again the author did not disappoint.

"I don’t care if you’re gently bred, roughly bred, or a loaf of brown bread with butter… You’re educated, you understand propriety, and… you’re breathing."

We met Duke-in-waiting Chase Renaud briefly in book one, as his first interaction or should I say collision with was with Alexandra Mountbatten happened in a bookshop as part of that story. A meeting that Alex has not forgotten, and months on still thinks about in a most inappropriate way for an unmarried genteel woman.

Devilish charm simply radiated from him, like one of nature’s essential forces… Gravity, magnetism… electricity.

Once again the banter was on point, the characters likeable, in fact I'd go so far as to say lovable, because both Chase and Alex were the right amount of serious and light-hearted for you to struggle not to fall for them especially with the story the author gave them, you'll fall for them hard. Add into the mix two orphaned girls Rosamund and Daisy, who are under Chase’s guardianship, and the reason he needs Alex in the role of Governess and you have a compelling read that is equal parts funny, emotive and un-put-downable.

"If it’s a lesson in pleasure you truly want…"

Five stars from start to finish, this series just gets better and better, and I cannot wait for more. The author writes historical in such a way it feels quite modern and I would absolutely recommend you give her a try especially if Historical Romance is not usually your thing, Tessa Dare’s writing is a really good place to start.

"I’ll be damned if I let you go."

A light-hearted and humorous read, with charismatic and quirky characters, set in Regency England.

When Alexandra takes up the offer of becoming governess to Chase’s two difficult wards, passion flares between the two and she finds it impossible to reject his determined advances.

Although the two girls are suspicious of Alex at first, she gradually becomes accepted by them, and tries to encourage Chase to become more involved in their everyday life. However, because of his past difficult experiences, Chase is difficult to convince.

The story is totally over the top, not to be taken seriously, but an enjoyable light-hearted read. There is little plot to the story and it seems slightly drawn out at times, although some parts are very humorous, and I recommend the book.

3.5 stars

This is a delightfully fun story, extremely light-hearted but perhaps missing a bit of seriousness and depth for me. I adored The Duchess Deal and THE GOVERNESS GAME connects well with some of the characters from that story, providing connection but also allowing it to be read as a standalone.

Alexandra (Alex) is a very unassuming heroine, I liked her but I didn’t love her. She finds herself governess for Chase’s (heir apparent to a Dukedom) two female wards. Chase reminded me a little of Percy from A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, he was a bit of a self-proclaimed fool, a player and without a serious bone in his body. I struggled to connect with Chase and whilst I saw Alex’s connection to him, I was never sure he deserved it. I found myself a bit removed from their relationship and whilst the heat was wonderfully written, the emotions between them left me a bit disconnected.

The storyline was engaging and easy to read, I found myself drawn in and enjoying the lightness. The girls Alex was teaching and their doll in particular made me laugh and snort; the governess element was a real strength in this book.

Overall, this is a series I am fully invested in, I like the concept, I like the potential characters for the next book and I love Tessa Dare’s writing. So, whilst this wasn’t a total hit for me, it was a nice addition and I’m here waiting for book three.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

The Governess Game is a good follow up to The Duchess Deal, but I probably would have enjoyed it more had I not read both books back to back. I liked Alex a lot in the first book and I was looking forward to read her own story, but unfortunately Chase was too bland and dull for me. Here we have an infamous rake, but we never get to see of his supposedly scandalous escapades because as soon as he sees Alex he's in love and no one else will do. If this had happened in the second half of the book after they've had some time to know each other I would have been a happy bee, but since this happened basically in chapter 1 and Chase himself admits that he has zero things in common with Alex it was impossible for me to buy their relationship or even care about it. I did enjoy a lot the feminist side of the book (Alex is a governess by force, but she's actually a keen astronomer) and it was nice to see Emma and Ash again and Nicola and Penny.

The Governess Game is a very recommendable summer read and Tessa Dare's and romance fans in general will not be disappointed with this new book.

I read The Governess Game by Tessa Dare in one sitting and enjoyed it. Whilst not being particularly complex, it was entertaining and had a varied cast of likeable characters. The Americanisms in their speech, however, became irritating after a while which was a pity.

The Governess Game is the second book in the Regency romance series, Girl meets Duke. Alexandra Mountbatten is a timekeeper who who first meets Chase Raynaud, heir to the Belvoir Dukedom when they collide in a second hand bookshop. Fast forward a few months and sherhey meet again when she is setting his time pieces. He mistakes her as an applicant for the position of Governess. She declines. She, however, loses her livelihood that same afternoon when she drops her chronometer in the river Thames. Luckily or unluckily for her, the position of Governess is still not surprisingly still open and she takes the position. Duke in waiting, Chase his two small charges, Rosamund and Daisy. Both the main characters characters are shaped by their respective pasts. Alexandra was brought up by her father on a ship which sank. She was left on her own without food or water for eight days in a lifeboat until she was found. Subsequently she was sent to boarding school as her relatives who didn't want her. Chase is a libertarian rake. Years ago he was supposed to be looking after his cousin, instead he was in bed with one of his many conquests. His cousins, Antony, was murdered outside a gambling den and Chase's Uncle suffered a stroke when Chase returned with his cousin's body to their ancestress home. Consequently Chase is now heir to his deceased cousins' dukedom. He doesn't want to reproduce as he feels it would be unsurp Antony's birthright and that it is wrong to replace Antony's blood line with his own "rotting" branch of the family tree. Chase, therefore does not envisage marriage or children in his future. Instead he is a rake who pleasures women in ways that don't include penetration.

The children run away as they don't want to go to boarding school and Chase sacks Alexandra as she knew they were planning their get away. He realises he loves her but will he be able to find her? Breeches, the formidable feline makes a cameo appearance and the rest of the residents of the house at Bloom square also make brief yet humourous visits to Chase's residence and vice versa.

I enjoyed this book, it fits seamlessly with the Duchess Deal without seeming forced. It is well written and well thought out and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for an honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Available from:
Amazon UK

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
I could become highly addicted to Tessa Dares books so easily .
The Governess Game is Hilarious, witty, and full of double entendres.
It has a hero who really is no hero at all ,but in the same vein the best hero ever.
It has a heroine who is downtrodden yet upbeat and doesn’t let life , rakes or dolliside get her down .
This book is just as exceptional as The Duchess Deal , so if you liked that ,you will love this .
I laughed or cried at nearly every page .
Highly Recommended!
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

OH. MY. GOD. I love Tessa Dare so much but this book is new levels of amazing! I love Chase - he may even be my new favourite hero. So often in books do authors try to make their characters funny and end up being mildly amusing but Dare really got it right with Chase Reynaud! Amazing. I may have to read this again, a million times. The connection between Alex and Chase is beautifully written and the relationship between both hero and heroine and the girls in their care is heartening and wonderful to read. Already eagerly anticipating the next of this series!

Ok, well Mills and Boon is a publisher that I read every now and again. This book is the second part of what in theory will be a quadrillogy and my not having read the first book didn't matter as the lead characters from one do not play a major role.

The title of the book is confusing as the role of governess is not seen as a game by the heroine of the book Alexandra.  The book takes a while to get going and pick up but when it stats to make sense it is a book that you cannot put down. But the book is deceivingly long which is not something that I would normally associate with an M&B book. I read it on the kindle App on a 10" tablet and it says that it was approx. 5,000 pages. The trouble that inevitably happens that pushes the leads apart was predictable but not annoyingly so as you were hoping that Rosamund and Daisy don't go too far or get hurt. To me the twist with Chase is not what I was expecting considering that he and others continually refer to him as a Rake.

I think that a good way to round-up reviews is going to be with scores

Starting orders --> 1.5/5 This book is a slow starter as it's a marathon book not a 1,500mtr book.

Characters --> 5/5 if i could score them higher than I would. The two girls grab you by the heart and don't let go for the whole of the book, and no matter how many eulogies Chase has to give for Millicent the doll he does it with full composure and love even if he doesn't realise it at first.

Setting --> 2.5/5  There isn't much outside of Reynaud House but when there is use of known landmarks it gets at times unbelievable as even in the early 19th century there was the beginning of the tourist so certain situations are not believable and there isn't even the danger of being caught even alluded to at all.

Plot --> 3/5 if there had been the hints of danger of being caught out or even a little bit more character development for Chase sooner and deeper then maybe it would've been 5/5 as that was what was missing for me.

read the next book --> Maybe, I'll ead the blurb and the prologue but if it doesn't grab me I won't be reading it.

Final score --> 12/20

Another delightful Regency Romance from the mind of Tessa Dare. It popped into my inbox just at the right time as I had just been reading a very distressing story and needed some light relief. great characters, an interesting storyline and a happy ending. What more do I need.

A good read, different from the norm. Delightful, troubled characters, both the main pair and the children. Definitely a must for any binge reading session.