A historical romance about finding freedom. Abby is a classic bluestocking, acting as a governess for a family friend, whose move to London with the family she works for brings her into contact with Dolph - a reluctant Duke who is grappling with the loss of his elder brother and the scars of his childhood.

Abby is disillusioned with all of Society, and has a strong distrust of the aristocracy. Her values - intelligence, freedom, equality - are directly opposed to those of the upper classes. Although not explicit in the text, as an autistic person I found many reflections of myself in Abby: her intrinsic questioning of authority and societal norms, and her difficulty in following social rules and scripts.

By pure coincidence, I ended up reading this book at the same time as the mystery novel ‘Gaudy Night’ by Dorothy L Sayers. Both wrestle with the implications of marriage as a patriarchal institution that requires women to give up their independence in a time where wives are the property of their husbands. And yet marriage is seen as the ultimate way of expressing love, and acts as a way to indicate commitment. Through the course of the books, the suitors of Abby and Harriet Vane (of ‘Gaudy Night’), Dolph and Peter Wimsey, prove that they can forge their own reality of what their marriages will look like, without the women losing themselves in the process. I found this to be a really interesting dimension of ‘The Duke’s Proposal for the Governess’.

This was a lovely book. It features a likeable heroine, a tortured hero, and emotional musings on scientific and social progress.

I’m not really a history romance girly, but I thought I would give this book a shot and it did not disappoint. It was exactly what I wanted. It was easy to read. It was fun and I would definitely read more from this author in the future as I did enjoy her writing style on the way she explained situations.

A cute read, but not a particularly memorable one unfortunately. I did enjoy Abigail's sweet and funny charge Iggy, and a spirited heroine is always fun.

It was lovely to read a historical romance with a truly feisty leading lady, Abigail was everything you want in a main character, she knows what she wants and isnt afraid to go after it. I liked how the relationship between Abigail and Randolph was a slow build and they took time in learning about each other.
I also enjoyed the setting, seeing and reading about historical inventions that we now take for granted and how amazing people would have found these at first.

Thank you to Mills and Boon and Eleanor Webster for granting me an arc copy of The Duke’s Proposal For The Governess to review.

It’s been a while since I read a book that comes with homework. I had to double-check some historical events from this book as I didn’t realise how early they occurred. Hat’s off to Eleanor Webster for teaching me something new. I enjoy when authors include some historical titbits like this in books; feels like finding a video game Easter egg concealed within the words of the story. I feel like I have been charmed by this regency romance and the world contained with its pages.

The romance pacing felt natural and engaging- reflecting the soft growth of the attraction between Dolph and Abigail is very natural, building from friendship and mutual respect. Dolph sees his equal in Abigail early on in their acquaintance, they have some very interesting conversations based on shared interests which forms a solid basis for the attraction and chemistry developing later in their relationship. While there is a forbidden element based on their statuses in life Dolph being a Duke and Abigail a vicar’s daughter and governess, appearing as an issue to everyone else, not the couple involved.

Abigail is a character ahead of her time attitude, behaviours, and intelligence. It’s cleverly crafted around her character though not to seem outlandish for the regency’s era. Her sense of presence immediately shows she believes herself the equal of a man, capable of standing her ground and world-wise knowing when to play by the rules of society or when to give them a piece of her mind.

Dolph does come with the aristocrat huffy attitude, but it dissipates swiftly revealing the man behind the Dukedom. An intelligent, astute, considerate, and forward-thinking man who doesn’t find an equally intelligent woman threatening. He has been through a lot of loss in his life that’s left a few scars too and uncertainty in himself, which only add to his character’s appeal.

The Harrington family was a delightful rumbustious mix on the page. I got quite a few chuckles out of the antics of Iggy and his canine companion. I love the brotherly bond forming between Iggy and Dolph growing out of their mutual curiosities about the world and the chaos it brings.

I feel like I have been charmed by this regency romance; for the world contained with its page boosts a host of engaging characters and edgy history that creates an interesting marriage of convenience plot.

It is a lovely Regency historical romance with an independent female protagonist, Abigail, fighting against social inequalities. Randolph is grieving for the unexpected loss of his mother and brother, now struggling with his legacy as a Duke. The social distance between the couple conflicts with their friendship and romantic feelings. Still, they have an undeniable chemistry and understanding of each other, making society's requirements something to be ignored. The dialogue is witty, there are historical events to authenticate the story, and the simmering forbidden romance is delightful. I like this story's characters, the family dynamic and the romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I think I was put off from the beginning by the fact that Ms Webster clearly doesn't understand how 'titles' work. A Duke - no matter how recently he succeeded - would not introduce himself by the courtesy title held while his father was alive, nor would he or anyone else use both titles together.

Another concern is that this story draws rather more heavily than it should on Georgette Heyer's work - Iggy's interest in steam engines, and the incidents with the dog in Chapter 2 are directly if loosely adapted from 'Frederica'.

More generally, Ms Webster has some work to do on historical accuracy. There are too many anachronisms in this book: although she doesn't give precise dates we are supposed to be - broadly speaking - in the Regency period. As an example, 'orange blossom and lace' are features of US weddings in the 20th century, not weddings in England in the early 19th century.

My thanks to the publisher for the ARC I received.

After the death of his beloved brother and mother, Randolph Lansdowne, Duke of Elmsend, feels his life is empty. So he’s in no mood to entertain his distant relatives, the Harrington family while they’re in London. Then he meets Abigail Carstens, their governess. When her reputation is in jeopardy he does the unimaginable he proposes!
A very well written book with strong characters & a well paced story. I really liked both Randolph & Abigail who were attracted to each other from their first meeting & I loved the chemistry between them. I liked how the author mixed dealing with grief interlaced with some wit & of course two people falling in love. An interesting & entertaining read
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This was such a cute and heart warming book to read. No prudish misses and some occasionally blunt good sense. Abby manages to open the duke out to be more human and more caring and this is the backdrop for the reforms that are talked about for the house, estate and parliament. If you want to cheer yourself up and enter a world of hope for a few hours, this is the book for you.

I enjoyed this book very much. A believable romance, with engaging characters. Will be looking out for more from this writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

After the death of his Mother and Brother, Randolph, Duke of Elmsend feels that his life is empty. He meets Abigail, the Harrington families Governess. When her reputation is in trouble, he proposes. Even though he offers her a ring, he is not sure that he can offer a real marriage.
This is the first book that I have read by Eleanor Webster and it definitely won't be the last. I really enjoyed the story, it was a lovely Regency romance with a great cast of characters. A truly lovely read that I highly recommend.
💖The Duke's Proposal for the Governess is due for release on 28th September.
💖 Thank you to Mills and Boon, netgalley and the author, Eleanor Webster for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Randolph, Duke of Elmsend, has lost his mother and brother, and wants nothing to do with socialising for as long as he can get away with. So when very distant relatives, the Harrington family, arrive on his doorstep, begging entry into the Season, Dolph is at the ends of his wits. But the family's stunning governess, Miss Abigail Carstens, has drawn his attention, and he finds himself inexplicably proposing. Will Abigail accept and become his duchess, or is her family history too much to contend with.

A new author for me, and an enjoyable story, nonetheless. I liked Dolph and Abigail's relationship, which started as a sort of friendship, though they were clearly attracted to each other. Dolph's only remaining family was his older sister, who was a stalwart of the ton, and had very particular views on how those in society should act, and just who should be allowed in the Season. She was adamantly against helping Miss Harrington, and to a certain extent, Abigail, too. However, Dolph convinced her to help, though it was a ruse to keep Abigail close, and convince her that society would accept a vicar's daughter, and she had nothing to worry about. It was funny to see him get jealous when she was admired by others, and I liked how she allowed herself to be open to the option of Dolph, before accepting him wholeheartedly. A lovely Regency romance!

I just loved this storyline where she didn't quite fit into his world, and he didn't quite fit into hers. But through her strong and unconventional thinking, he was able to find himself again and find love. A lovely storyline with a lovely romance.