| Title | : | More than a Governess (The Wetherby Brides #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 197 |
| Publication | : | First published August 31, 2010 |
Stephen Hastings, the third Viscount Hastings, is nothing short of perturbed when the tart Miss Thorn shows up on his doorstep. He is a man with little time and even less patience, who feels his pushover housekeeper is doing a fine job keeping his wards out of his hair. But Miss Thorn thinks differently and needles her way into becoming his governess, and eventually, the object of his affection.
More than a Governess (The Wetherby Brides #2) Reviews
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Jerrica Knight-Catania’s More than a Governess does a nice job of combining historical romance with suspenseful mystery. The writing shines in the dialog, and the large numbers of characters are easily kept apart with quick hints of background and interrelationships. There’s something inherently satisfying about traffic jams of “stalled wagons and meandering barouches” slowing the journey from London’s city to countryside, and the author portrays town and people very realistically with just the right amount of modern independence underlying traditional demands. Two troubled but delightful children need a firm hand and loving heart. One bitter bachelor needs a reason to kindle hope. And a frightened but deeply resourceful young woman needs protection from her past.
Becky Thorn makes a pleasing protagonist, with mystery in her past and determination in her present. The children are wonderful, and Viscount Hasting’s gradually descent (or should that be ascent) into love is convincingly beset by misunderstandings. The ghost in Becky’s past rears its head at vital moments, keeping the pages turning and providing impetus to drive the growing romance. Bedroom scenes are more detailed than they were in my grandmother’s day, but not excessively so, and the result is a pleasing, intriguing and sometimes exciting adventure.
I didn’t realize till I’d finished reading that this cast of characters might be seen elsewhere in other books of this series--I might look out for them. But the novel stands alone perfectly well and is an enjoyable quick read with great dialog, interesting background, and happy conclusion.
Disclosure: I bought this book a while ago and took a while to get around to reading it. -
A DELIGHTFUL AND ENJOYABLE ROMANCE!!
Bk2 in The Wetherby Brides series "More Than a Governess" is the story of Becky Thorn aka Lady Isabelle Thornton. We meet the 15yrs old Becky in bk 1 of the series "A Gentlemen Never Tells". We know that she has secrets and that she is more then a maid. We find out all of her secret in this story and what a well written and enjoyable story it is. Posing as a governess Becky meets an falls in love with Viscount Hasting. He has two adorable wards his niece Lydia and her imaginary friend Clarabelle and his nephew Max. Children always bring a story to life and make marvelous characters. The story include all the great character from bk1. A Gentlemen Never Tells, which is a great story too. If I have one complaint it would be that one of the villains in the story seems to get away, even thought it might have been a minor part she played in Becky being kidnapped by her cousin, I would have liked the story more if she had gotten her due punishment too. The major villain of the story was properly handle and punished. This was a fast paced wonderful story with great characters. Good amount of back story so it can stand alone, but I highly recommend you read bk1. This is a Mildly sensual love story between Becky and Stephen Viscount Hastings. I really love the fact that Becky and Stephen named there first child Clarabelle. How delightful!! A very enjoyable read!! I Highly Recommend More Than a Governess! -
I loved this book. So much that I am hoping to read the other books in the series
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Vikki’s Musings
I recently discovered this series on Kindle Unlimited. After reading/listening to A Gentleman Never Tells, book 1, I immediately purchased More Than a Governess, book 2. I met the heroine in book 1 and had to find out her secrets.
Becky Thorn has a huge secret. Her employer treats her more as friend than servant. While she originally started out as a maid, she is now a companion and friend to Phoebe, the Marchioness of Eastleigh. When Becky finds an advertisement for a governess, she decides it is time to move on.
When she arrives at the home of Viscount Hastings, she finds out that he has not advertised for a governess, but when the opportunity arises for her to show him how she can benefit his niece and nephew, she convinces him to give her a chance to proof herself.
Stephen is immediately drawn to his new governess in a most inappropriate way, but as a moth to a flame, he cannot stay away. As he watches Becky with the children, he has to ask himself, could she be the answer to his niece and nephews problems, but if she is, can he keep his hands of her?
Becky has a huge secret and has protected it for seven years. She finds it practically impossible to allow anyone to get close to her. I loved her bravery and ability to land on her feet. Her care and love of the two children pulled on my heartstrings. While a waif character type for sure, she has plenty of the spunky kid driving her character. I immediately bounded with her character and wanted her to find happiness.
Stephen was a more difficult character to grow to love, but by the end of the tale, that happens. Having suffered from the loss of loved ones, it makes sense that he doesn’t want to get close to anyone emotionally, but Becky gets under his skin from the start. He has a huge character arch. In the beginning, he has a terrible disposition and doesn’t show much interest in his late sister’s children. I loved watching his growth from a surly fellow to one who grows to love his niece and nephew and one who allows Becky into his heart.
More Than a Governess has a great story line, and I loved traveling the characters’ emotional journey. There is plenty of action along the way, which kept me flipping the pages on my Kindle. The romance between Becky and Stephen touched my heart, and I truly wanted them to find their happy ending. Ms. Knight-Catania writes an emotional story and is great at building sexual tension.
For me, the narration has a few issues. Ms. Turner’s voice is quite high-pitched, so her male interpretations are a bit distracting. The tone she gives the twins, the brothers of the Marquis of Eastleigh, makes them sound like young children instead of 22 year old men. However, she does read with plenty of emotion and her voice for Becky is spot-on.
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful tale of love filled with a bit of mystery and suspense. It is a great addition to the Wetherby Brides series, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. In fact, I’ve already downloaded both the book and the audio version. Happy reading! -
,More Than A Governess
More Than A Governess, by Jessica Knighr-Catania.
A great story about a young girl forced to seek her own way in a world generally hostile to women's employment.
Becky Thorn (aka Lady Isabella Thornton) flees her home at 15 after seeing her father kill her mother in a domestic argument. She finds employment as a maid to Phoebe, Marchioness of Eastleigh, eventually becoming her companion, before seeking work as a governess to the niece and nephew of Stephen Christie, Viscout Hastings.
Max and Lydia, the Viscount's sister's children, are in dire need of gentle parenting after finding their mother's body following her suicide. Through them Becky eventually calms his troubled nature, and restores balance to the children, while falling in love with Stephen.
But her past is soon discovered by David Shaw, a deranged former suitor who kidnaps Becky to be his wife, although by this time she is already married to Stephen. The denouement is a chilling adventure before things are put right. A great Recency read! -
Loved it!
More than a governess was a good story. I loved Becky and the Stephen. This was my first for this author and I love her writing. I also liked the secondary characters. The kids were cute and the h friends. And now I realize this book was part of a series but I don't feel I missed anything reading out of order. But now I will have to buy the first book about phoebe and the duke. I want to read how they got together. Great story I would recommend. -
More than a Governess (The Wetherby Brides, Book 2)
That reason for four stars is this story is like another one. It's a great story about a fifteen year old girl who run away from home after she witness the murder of her mother by her father. The love story of Isabelle and Stephen. -
Perfect
Perfect
I can't find fault with this book. I laughed, I cried and enjoyed the roller coaster of a ride which is within these pages. I will definitely be reading this one again... -
I loved this book. It is the best in the serie by far!
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Suspend Disbelief and you will Enjoy.
As a simple romance I enjoyed this story but even at it simplest I couldn’t understand why the heroine would not have divulged her origins after she became betrothed and before her marriage (was the marriage even legal under an assumed name?), particularly when she knew a family member had identified her and her secret was more likely to come out than not. Then you have a gently bred young woman of 15, working for one family for 7 years, so close that she is treated as a friend and no-one suspects that she is from the Upper Classes? A father who managed to have his daughter declared dead without a body or investigation? Should have been a scandal surely? One who was happy to have his daughter work as a maid? The implausibility of the story affects my rating.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own. -
I really enjoyed this book and would have given it five stars if not for some unresolved issues:
Stephan realised himself that Becky was in fact Lady Isabelle Thornton but she never stated it herself to him (or did I miss it?) and seems perfectly unsurprised when he asks about the death of her mother, although she does answer with some reluctance.
What happens to Mrs Brown? Did she take part in the kidnapping? What were her motives? This character's plot was apparently completely forgotten by the author. -
Not bad. I got teary at the end.
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It passed a couple of hours. Can’t say anymore than that!
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It followed in the series with the young leaving her home and being a governess to two children who lost their parents and lived with their bachelor uncle in an uncomfortable situation.
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Audible Romance Package
AUDIOBOOK: Read September 17& 18 2018
7hrs 23min
Narrator: Sherill Turner not so good
It was ok! Not very original story & plot seen a lot before. -
This books sounds like it should be a take on Jane Eyre. And I guess it is. There's the governess, coming from an unpleasant background, looking to leave it all behind plus a case of a sort of secret or unknown identity, there's her employer and the romance there, and the children.
Maybe I went in expecting More than a Governess to be really similar to Jane Eyre, but it wasn't. The romance between Becky and Stephen was fast. Too fast (insta-lust!). Not only that, but Stephen paid far too much attention to the servants, which is sort of indicative of an overall trend in the book: the characters all behaved too modernly. I was unconvinced that a woman at that time, only 22 years old, would really just throw her reputation to the wind as quickly as she does. It didn't seem consistent with the time period where losing your virtue meant losing everything. Also, the sex scenes also seemed out of place (and weren't always even with just the main characters which further threw me out of the story). They were really explicit, which doesn't bother me, but again, they seemed inappropriate for a historical, at least in this time period.
There also seemed to be character inconsistencies. Sometimes Becky is bawdy or knows things that you wouldn't think she should know as a virgin, and then other times she is virginal. The character descriptions are sort of cliche. Becky's eyes are brilliant green, and Stephen's eyes are piercing blue. I guess there wasn't at least too much description given, but every time a character looks at another it doesn't have to be their blue gaze. The book had some sloppy editing too. There was one sentence I noticed near the end where the book even changed point of views from third to first.
So, overall, I'd probably give this book 2.5 stars. It was okay. I didn't hate the book--I did bother to finish it, and you won't find me ranting about how much I hated it. But I did spend a significant portion of the book cringing, and I don't know that I could really recommend this book to other people. If you're as much of a sucker for Jane Eyre as I am, read it and see what you think, but don't expect the complexity or depth of feeling. -
If you read the first book in the series Becky Thorn will be a familiar character for you. Along with her we join Phoebe and Lord Eastleigh. We get to spend the length of the book with them, which I love seeing past characters connected with in a series. This is a stand alone so don't worry if it's your first in the series but I will warn you. You'll want to go back and read Phoebe's story too. In this book though we learn how Lady Isabelle Thorton became Becky Thorn. Why would a lady in the lap of luxury choose to leave all behind and become a maid?
In fact, this book it takes you from Ravenscroft castle to Rye where you meet Stephen Christie, Viscount Hastings. He's a piece of work in the beginning. He lacks general manners and patients when it comes to his niece and nephew or anyone else for that matter. Not that they have made it easy on him but after the death of their mother and father Stephen has become their guardian. He does not display any of the affection or finesse to raise two small children and that is about the time Becky comes calling. She wants to put her book learning to use instead of dwindling her time away as a maid. So she applies for the governess position and has been corresponding with Viscountess Hastings or so she thinks.
It is fun to watch the four try to get to know each other and for Hastings even greater fun as Becky takes the numb, grumpy nobleman and talks as his equal instead of his employee. The main thing I wish was different is Becky's secret being kept even after he wins her trust. I was disappointed he had to figure it out on his own and when the time came for him to reproach her there was nothing. It is quite a secret to keep even justified for it not to be addressed IMO. The villain was a wacked out cousin and I really liked what he added to the story. Overall I thought this was a fun read that let us enjoy an epilogue at the end to see where everyone is at two years after the story ends. This one not only has love scenes but a wickedly, funny ditty sang by the Becky and Phoebe. Enjoy! -
A confession of addiction to The Wetherby Brides series
When the heroine in this book enters the story (immediately, of course), she's already in a super-adrenilated state. As "Becky", she stays there for a large part of the book. Between fleeing her murderous father, adjusting to life as a servant after being a proper young lady, and falling in love (against her better judgment, of course!), she manages to not only stay alive, but also to succeed. Of course, it helps that she falls in with the people she does. Had she knocked on the door of a more conventional family, there would have been a very different story - perhaps one where she marries the butler, or a doorman.
But in this story, when woman meets man and the inevitable chemistry takes over, she has become the sort of woman that (once he realizes that the rules are more a set of guidelines) he not only can marry, but also, the one he MUST marry.
Up to this point in the story, while there had been a little tension, the only real danger was that her father would find her. There seemed no way that would fit in, and indeed, one of the places the book failed for me was the introduction of of the villain. Obviously, he was needed, but why he was invited to the house party, and why the couple didn't work out their guest list together created a small bump in my enjoyment. It was rapidly overcome by the pace to the final denouement. The ending was pleasant, and summed up the current story nicely, while hinting very lightly that additional stories remain to be told.
I like the way this book ties into the series, and I like the fact that by telling this story, the author has made a way to expand the series further. As series progress, I find that the characters become more defined, and layers of complexity are added......if you read all or most of the books. This series is totally addictive! Congratulations, again, to the author. -
(read again as part of The Ballroom and Beyond)
As this book begins, a woman who has listened to her parents argue watches as her father pushes her mother, who falls down a flight of stairs. Realizing she has just seen her mother die at the hands of her father, the young woman flees, and after a few days on the streets, begins a new life as a maid.
In subsequent years, she matures, but deep down, stays frightened. An option to move on (from the post of companion, which she has made her way up to) arrives with an opportunity to become a governess in a household quite a bit further away.
She arrives to find several problems. There is no lady of the house. Her employer is very irritable and unpleasant. And her charges are deeply disturbed children. The boy lashes out angrily at almost everything, and the somewhat younger girl ~ refuses to speak to anyone or hear anyone, insisting all communication go through her imaginary friend.
Very rapidly, our heroine (Becky) is able to gain everyone's trust, at least to some degree. The irascible employer, of course, falls in love with her. Just as they begin to try to discover where their relationship is headed, there is a dinner party, a man from her childhood arrives, and life becomes more difficult.
This is ultimately a happy reunion, and happy ever after story, with wonderful twists and turns that should keep people guessing. The epilogue is very well handled, in particular, as it is more years than usual down the line.
This is a slightly sultry book. It is also a joyful book, in the end. -
I always like governess stories, in spite of the fact (or maybe because of it) that it's basically falling in love with the boss. There's always the conflict of not really belonging to the servant class and not being a part of society either. In this case, it's even more of a conflict because of Becky's background.
I liked the suspense in this story of wondering when Becky's secret would be revealed and what would happen. Becky's connection with the children and how she was able to draw them out while also bringing Stephen closer to them was a touching part of the story. The interaction with the rest of the Wetherby brothers and related characters was also fun. The romance was steamy, and I loved how Stephen eventually found that he couldn't live without her. I also liked that Becky was a tough lady who went through a lot of harrowing situations, yet remained determined and sweet. She showed a lot of courage and spunk.
I do think there were too many times when people showed up unexpectedly in Becky's room--get a better lock! I'm also still wondering about the housekeeper. There seemed to be some unfinished business there.
I'll have to check out the rest of the Wetherby Brides series. -
Regency Historical . Hero is Stephan Viscount Hasting . Heroine is Isabella (Becky) .
Isabella is an Earls daughter and what she saw happen to her Mother frightened her . She just ran right out the door she was to frightened . For the past 7 yrs she was a companion to a Marquesses. While there she received a later stating that a couple would like her for a governess . Becky (Isabella) decides to take it . So she goes .
Stephan , Viscount Hastings is working in his study when one of his staff tells him there is a lady at the door for the governess position . He was ready to throw her out . Stephens housekeeper tells him she put the ad in the paper . She advised Stephan that taking care of the house the kitchen and the two children are 2 much .
Becky make headway with the children but they are disturbed by something in the past . Becky is also threaten by her cousin and kidnapped.
Won't tell you more . You need to get it and see why Becky ran ? What did the children see and why was she kidnapped -
Read as part of the Timeless Quills Timeless Collection. The Wetherby Brides, Book 2
Lord Hastings is having trouble raising his troubled niece and nephew. Becky Thorn comes to interview for the Governess position. You can guess what happens.
However Becky is keeping a secret. She is not a governess, but a Lady on the run from her father who she watched kill her mother 7 years ago. When her pass come back to haunt her, it makes keeping the new life she has found more difficult.
I do wonder what happens to Mrs. Brown and her motivation for the things she does through out the book. The children were lovable. Their issues were relatable and I was charmed by them.
Happy reading,
Frankie -
Not a bad regency era romance. The only thing that struck a jarring note with me in both this and the first book was the familiarity with the servent class. Members of the aristocracy generally did not treat them as friends.
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enjoyable fluff
