Rules for a Proper Governess

By: Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Scottish barrister Sinclair McBride can face the most sinister criminals in London - but the widower's two unruly children are a different matter. Little Caitlin and Andrew go through a governess a week, sending the ladies fleeing in tears. There is, however, one woman in town who can hold her own.

Roberta "Bertie" Frasier enters Sinclair's life by stealing his watch - and then stealing a kiss. Intrigued by the handsome highlander, Bertie winds up saving his children from a dangerous situation and returning them to their father. Impressed with how they listen to her, Sinclair asks the lively beauty to be their governess, never guessing that the unconventional lady will teach him a lesson or two in love.

©2014 Jennifer Ashley (P)2014 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Ashley writes the kinds of heroes I crave." (Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times best-selling author)

A warning about this book...

This is the newest in the MacKenzie & McBride series. In this one, the heroine (Bertie) is a Cockney pickpocket who ends up as the nanny for Sinclair McBride's two rowdy children. Angela Dawe does her usual excellent job with the narration. The quality of the writing and narration was to be expected (& why I preordered the book).

The warning? Don't start listening to this book at night. I was up almost all night listening to it.

19 of 21 people found this review helpful

Sinclair Finally Meets His Match

Any additional comments?

I love this series & this is the final story...Sinclair & Bertie...Angela Dawe brings Jennifer Ashley's characters to life in a way that you feel like you're there watching it all unfold. It was wonderful watching Sinclair & Bertie find love...I have read the books twice & all the Mackenzies & McBrides will be on my "go to" list when I want something to listen to that makes me smile! A great story & great story teller!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

One of the Best!

I was honestly surprised (but why would I be?) with this book. I absolutely LOVE the first six books in the series. I've listened too many times to count, to all of them! I was not sure I would enjoy the McBrides as much as the MacKenzie's. But I should have known better; I do love "The Seduction of Elliot McBride". Jennifer Ashley delivered yet another intriguing story full of bright, full, and multilayered characters.
The overlap that occurs in each book is wonderful. Now I need to start from the beginning again, as this one is before Daniel gets married. But THAT is how much I love these books. They are worth listening to again and again.
The narrator, Angela Dawe, is amazing (per usual). This book is a must have.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Nice Story

What made the experience of listening to Rules for a Proper Governess the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the way the story started off with the two main character, Sinclair and Bertie being introduced. The way Bertie looked at Sinclair as he defended her friend, won the case but then he looked so sad. You wanted to find out why and if Bertie would become an integral part of his life.

What did you like best about this story?

The lower classes of people are always looked down on and this time was no different, but Bertie got a chance.

Which character – as performed by Angela Dawe – was your favorite?

I loved the voices for Andrew and Cat and the snooty brother-in-law, Edward. The voice she used for him, really made him seem disgusting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Cat lost her doll and Bertie went after it. She just cried for her mother. That was the first emotion you hear from her through the whole book.

Any additional comments?

Sinclair and his children were introduced to the series in one of the earlier books. I knew there was the makings of another story. This was a nice one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another winner

This was an audiobook version of my favorite Scots/English combination families, the Mackenzies and the McBrides. The performance was well done with several different accents done with precision and talent. I am glad Ms. Ashley has used the same artist for all these audiobooks. I love everything Jennifer Ashley writes about these families, but I especially enjoy the complicated men and how they find peace and love. I end up teary-eyed at least once every book!
This was true about this book and the sweet relationship between Sinclair McBride and the street smart Bertie Frazier. I don't particularly care how unlikely it would have been for this relationship to occur in real life. I empathized with poor Sinclair struggling to go on despite losing his wife, and I enjoyed the tenacity of Bertie as she struggled to be a good person despite her upbringing. The relationship between all the characters grew naturally and drew me into their world. The kids are well-written and I enjoyed their relationship with Bertie, too. Even though the mystery of who the bad guy was was obvious as soon as we are given all necessary information, it's enjoyable to watch the ending play out and the inevitable conclusion occur. Thank goodness there are so many characters from previous books woven into this book and I love seeing the entirety of the clans come together for occasions; that always is a bonus in one of Ms. Ashley's books. A-.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Wonderful addition to the series

Setting: London & Scotland, 1880's
Genre: Romance
Another wonderful installment in the MacKenzie & McBride series
I just love this series. What can I say? Gotta love a Scotsman. This one is Sinclair "Basher" McBride, known throughout London as an eloquent barrister who always gets a conviction. He's being considered for a judgeship. On the personal front, he has been widowed for 7 years and has two unruly children, Catriona (Cat), 11, and Andrew, 8. The children are known for getting governesses to quit the family's employ, post haste. Roberta "Bertie" Frasier is a 26 year old, brown-haired, violet-eyed cockney woman who becomes fascinated with Sinclair as he is prosecuting her friend, Ruthie, for murdering her employer. Bertie starts following him to his work, and to his home (stalking much?), and one day she happens to be around when the kids put themselves in danger and she saves them. The regular governess walks away and leaves the kids with Bertie. Because they behave with her, the rest of the household won't let her leave. Sinclair finds her there and insists she stay until his gilly finds a new governess - though he never actually looks. There's a mystery going on, as well as the development of the relationship. The other McBrides, as well as the MacKenzies, make appearances, but don't take over the story.
I hope this isn't the end of the series, though I don't know what characters Ms Ashley can create stories for in this wonderful Victorian world. I hope she figures something out, though, because I love it there!
The narration is really great. Angela Dawe does an excellent Scottish accent, and her English narrative isn't as laconic as in previous books. There's a good differentiation of gender and age, and consistency in the voices of specific characters across the series.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Absolutely enchanting

What did you love best about Rules for a Proper Governess?

The character of Bertie, the governess and heroine, is perfect. She is everything a fierce woman is supposed to be. She is strong, funny, HONEST, tender, sexy and clever. Dawe did an excellent job of her voice, and I really cannot say enough good things about how this character was written and narrated.

What did you like best about this story?

What I especially loved about this particular story is that the main characters of Sinclaire (sp?) and Bertie have strong feelings early on in the story. I am absolutely sick unto death of stories where the characters have very little relationship beyond a sexual nature, or hate each other through most of the story only to have it resolved the last couple of chapters. Bertie and Sinclaire love each other, even if they may not come to realize it fully; they treat each other with affection and care, and the reader can see the relationship grow. It makes for such a satisfying listen.

What does Angela Dawe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Dawe brings just the right emotion to the story, and the characters say the right thing at the right time in the right way. I did feel that there were a few times that her Scottish accent sounded a bit like Count Chocula, but that was not ALL the time. And Bertie? Bertie is just perfect. PERFECT.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If this were a film, I would say the tag line might read: She broke every rule, and it could not have been more perfect.

Any additional comments?

This is one of my all time favorite Audible listens, and I recommend it totally as a very charming, hot, fun, funny, romance novel.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Engaging

This was a very engaging storyline with well developed and interesting characters. I cannot wait to listen to the next book in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Rule #1 "Heaps of Cake"

Would you listen to Rules for a Proper Governess again? Why?

Oh yes, Reader Angela Dawe just brings all the character to magnificent life. Her Scot accent is so spot on, which is why she is so good in this series. I would not have purchased this series if another reader had read the series.
Author uses the old "My Fair Lady" theme in this story. Delicious!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sinclair was so yummy, but little Andrew just grabs your heart when he is in a scene.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Andrew flies like a missile into the Duke's arms or when Andrew is the lump in the bed to name few. When they describe the tea outing at a shop makes you want to go to England for their wonderful milk and water which makes their tea and Four o'clock tea time so great.

Any additional comments?

I have purchased/listen to this series, way out of order, and the author never gives away the plot of another story in this series. Pretty clever how she weaves but never takes away from another of a story in the series. Yes, I will end up buying all, but I chose the lighter themes or the hunkiest of the men with the strongest heroine's first.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Different twist.

It's a different twist on the traditional regency romance. Will keep you listening until you complete the story and want more.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful