I'm not a huge romance fan but this was a fun book. I enjoyed the whole story and the characters.

Well-educated and sheltered, 35 year old Olivia Pool is finally free to pursue her own path after her controlling father’s death. She’s trying to live both for herself and her sister who died 13 years before. A chance of fate lands her as the governess of Juliana Edwards, the ward of Grayson Grier.

Mr. Grier is a 44 year old former soldier with a group of friends with failed marriages or a string of love affairs. He wants to do well by Juliana and seems to think that guilt and duty are all there are to life.

This was a slow burn and a very long book with many repeated themes. The character arcs were satisfying but it took far too long to get there. This didn’t need to be 500 pages. The drama with Grayson’s brother, former lover, and Miss Howell didn’t change Grayson and Olivia’s class difference, which isn’t even as insurmountable as they think. After all of their honesty and the long slog, their third act misunderstanding didn’t fit their personalities or their maturity. I like seeing older LIs, and any parallels to the awful things Mr Rochester does to Jane Eyre aren’t found here. But it’s still unnecessarily long for what is essentially a highly readable but simple story.

I really enjoyed reading this book.
Most of the characters are engaging and likeable. Main characters, Olivia and Grayson, are so delightful. Loved getting to know them.
A very enjoyable read that will make you smile.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a wonderful book about two people who fall in love, but because of their class differences, try not to act on it. There are several interesting sub-plots to the story. I highly recommend this 5-star read from Ms. Barnes.

Will they let love pass by them by fear of the hearsay…

It seems like it could be the thematic of this series, flawed distrustful men and women down on their luck, damaged by their past.
Sure, this book is a bit longer than the author accustomed us to, but it never felt too long. It was necessary to introduce Olivia, to present the mouse like version of herself and how far she comes from when she arrives at Grayson’s estate and began to open herself to seek for more, to reach beyond her sheltered and closed existence, to live, for once, a little for herself.
With a whole life cut from the world, with few to no interaction, free to roam the country but with no means, employment is her only option.
By a twist of fate, she lands on her feet with a new world full of possibilities if she is able to grasp them.
Grayson has spent the last decade making do for his previous failing, unable to forgive himself his last selfish act. Since he is all duty and work.
Yet even to please his ward, he is not certain about her new governess, even more as she unsettles him, difficult to believe someone can be so innocent when she ignites such a fire in him.

This is no rushed romance, more the building of a already made family. As for the romance part there is Grayson and Olivia but there is also Juliana, his ward, Nathan his brother and the ladies interfering in their relationship.
Their “courtship” is hampered first by their position as employee-employer but also by their inner struggles as they fight the instant pull they sensed during their initial encounter. They are drawn to the other but can not imagine a way out of their predicament, Grayson so determined to get his heart’s content while fulfilling his duty so he dismisses any lasting relationship option with his ward’s governess while Olivia is unable to believe she might be deserving of more because of her status as an employee.

Difficult to tell more without spoiling this awesome story, the main couple needs time to ascertain their feeling and works a way out of their present situation, they make mistakes and misunderstandings keep them apart, and while love blossoms, they are still in an impossible situation if they do not want to cause a scandal.
5 stars from this story of exploring life beyond one’s own walls.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I didn't love or hate this book. I found it kind of bland. Grayson was 44 years old and had taken on the task of caring for his late friend's daughter. He promptly left her at his estate and basically ignored her. He was her only family yet did not treat her like a daughter. She ran off every governess and this did not garner his attention. Along comes Olivia who understands her finally.

Olivia is a 35 year old spinster who had to leave her home after her father's death. She had a list made up by her deceased sister of things to experience and she wanted to do them all to honor her. It took forever to get started on the list and get through all of the items.

The love story seemed almost secondary to all of the other things happening in the book.

Mr, Grier and the Governess, by Sophie Barnes. I absolutely loved this love story and the writing in this book. Olivia and Grayson’s love story was very thrilling to read. I honestly have to say how I love reading historical romance novels that comes together like this one has. I was very pleased that how the story read so easily for me.
The writer didn’t supply the story with meaningless jargon that had no pretense to the story at hand. I appreciate that the writer kept the wording simple. This was another effect that helped the story flow with easy comprehension. Olivia and and Grayson read so carefully and gentle. I was honestly swept away into the story and when I looked up the story ended.
I enjoyed all the characters and definitely Grayson’s brother Nathan. Each character brought some form of entertainment to the story that stirred the excitement to a high pitch level. I recommend this book with two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

With no family or money, Olivia sets out for a housemaid position but finds it has already been filled. The kind housekeeper and butler decide to help her and set her up as governess to the ward of the house. She's highly educated, but very sheltered due to her upbringing. Grayson returns home when he hears of the new governess and is baffled by his attraction to her. She's slowly working on her sister's list of dreams and finds ways to incorporate them in her experiences. It's a slow burn romance that's very sweet aside from meddlesome neighbors, an ex-mistress, and mischievous brother.

I like Olivia Pool, a Vicars's daughter; Olivia is highly educated and left destitute after her father's death. Olivia takes a coach to Sutton Hall in search of work as a maid! Hasn't she come down in the world? Given her education, Olivia quickly becomes Governess of Mr. Grier's young ward, Miss Edwards, an extraordinary young lady whose studies include French, German, Algebra, and catching live mice! Julianna not only is learning everything a young lady set to begin her debut in London should know for success, but she also breathes biology, a most unusual subject for wealthy ladies of the ton! This behavior allows for amusing conversation and unique entertainment. Throw in Mr. Grier, who is the middle-aged, owner of Sutton Hall, guardian to the excellent Julianna, and the employer of Olivia. Too good to be true. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
I highly recommend it! Thank you, #Netgalley #Mr.GrierandtheGoverness

I received an ARC of Mr Grier and The Governess written by the amazing Sophie Barnes from Netgalley. This is the second book in The Brazen Beauties series.
Olivia Poole, a very well educated vicar's daughter, has fallen on hard times after the death of everyone in her family. She sets out to be a maid in some household vut becomes a governess instead. Grayson Grier, a land owner, has had more than his share of problems and troubles, doesn't believe in love nor that he will ever find love, until he meets his ward's governess, the esteemable and fascinating Miss Poole. I absolutely adored this story as it focuses on a slightly older couple and reminds us that love is possible at any age. Another special fact about this book was the pleasant atmosphere among the servants at Mr. Grier's household. I would definitely recommend this book for its wonderful characters and different storyline.

When a misunderstanding leads to near tragedy this dutiful governess almost loses everything.
Olivia is about to fall for her employer who in turn falls for her.
When a benevolent 'on-the-shelf' governess falls for her stern employer in this master and servant Regency romance, they both risk losing their standings in society...or worse.
He’s the dutiful guardian…
She’s the breath of fresh air he needs…
Olivia Poole knows her time for marriage has passed, so she accepts the position of governess to Mr. Grier’s ward. However, she cannot reject the vow she once made her sister – that she would live her life to the fullest. Armed with a list they created together, she determines to honor her promise. But being a governess and an adventuress isn’t so easy. Least of all when the only man she would ever consider for her last challenge happens to be her employer.
Although Grayson Grier mourns the loss of his rakish days, he is determined to do right by his ward. But when he meets Miss Poole, the prim and proper governess seeking employment, something about her begs to be challenged. Ignoring his better judgment for once, Grayson hires her on the spot – a decision destined to tempt him at every turn. For what he did not anticipate was her list, or the fact that his name would be on it. Right next to kissing.
This book by Sophie Barnes is quite good.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I like Sophie Barnes. I have purchased quite a few of her books. Most of them I have loved reading. But one or two have been a little tedious to read. 'Mr. Grier and The Governess' falls into the tedious category. Forty-six chapters for a romance novel seems a bit long to me, although if the plot were interesting, that would be overlooked. My dislike is the way how both main characters seem caught up in self-pity. She's trying to live life for her dead sister more than for herself. He's carrying survivor's guilt, wearing it like a second skin. There are sparks, but both are hung up on status. I get that was important at the time, and it's a common historical romance trope...but for some reason, in this book it annoys me. Slow burn romances can be fun to read....but not this time for me. I made it to almost halfway through, but I couldn't push anymore to finish it. It just wasn't working for me. This is one Sophie Barnes book I wouldn't recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley for this arc, which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Olivia Poole is the daughter of a pious vicar. When her father dies, she decides to follow her diseased sister’s list of experiences. She needs to find a position to support herself. She answers an ad for a maid’s position at Sutton Hall. Instead she becomes becomes Julianna’s governess. Grayson Grier is the master of Sutton Hall. He has many responsibilities. Olivia and Grayson are very aware of each other.

The book is well written. The heroine is strong. She has to make her own way. Her father made sure she is well educated. The hero is brooding. He has women wanting to marry him as well as guilt regarding his father. He has to raise his ward to be a perfect lady. There are many misunderstandings. It was very satisfying to watch the story unfold. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

A fabulous Regency romance, with brilliant characters there well drawn. The writing is excellent as well. I would recommend the book highly. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.