The Governess Game

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

He’s been a bad, bad rake - and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried - and failed - to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart....without risking her own.

The infamous rake

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education - in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling....and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

©2018 Eve Ortega (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Pure, Sheer, Absolute Delight

This is the loveliest romp I've read in some time. Everything about this wonderful novel is exciting and funny and sweet and intelligent and a ripping good story.

Tessa Dare has exceeded all expectations with the delightful, intelligent characters of Chase, Alexandra, Rosamond and Daisy (as well as Chase's brother and Alex's friends and the exceedingly unhealthy Millicent.) The plot draws brilliantly on each of their special personalities to weave an only slightly fanciful plot that nevertheless captivated and enthralled me form the moment I started reading. I won't give any spoilers, but there is also just enough suspense that I never once felt like I was sure what would happen next (except, of course, the HEA... but that's just a given.)

And it was all done with a most generous sprinkling of laugh-out-loud funny moments (as well as a fair amount of gasp-worthy surprises)

Mary Jane Wells renders every single character with exactly the right note of respect for their individual personalities and exactly the right tone to give them each distinct voices. She did a simply brilliant job. I have rarely heard a more perfect narration.

Buy this. Listen to it. Let yourself laugh and gasp and sigh at all the right moments. Then do what I'll do in a couple of weeks... listen to it again.

15 people found this helpful

You can't stop smiling!

I'm not giving you absolutely any spoilers. Mainly because you just have to read/hear it for yourselves. The story is sweet, sad and as always FUNNY. Don't forget full of heart. Not only is the writing brilliant the performance doesn't miss a beat. I can't wait for the next one....But I suppose I must.

6 people found this helpful

Witty Little Romance Novel Perfection

When Tessa Dare announces a new novel, I preorder it. Every time. The day of the book’s release, I drop everything I’m doing (including everything else I’m reading) to gorge myself on her regency romance goodness. In fact, when it comes to Ms. Dare’s novels, I automatically buy the print and audio version of each new release. It’s always money well spent. Her stories are among those I listen to and carry around in my purse to read when I need a shot of hope, humor, and strength.

And if I’m particularly needing a dose of calm, I pop on my headphones and let Mary Jane Wells read me into a blissful state of tranquility. She’s the perfect narrator to voice Tessa Dare’s plucky, sweet, intelligent characters. I want to drizzle her voice over ice cream and shamelessly eat it after avoiding carbs for a month. It feels that decadent.

Both novels in the Girl Meets Duke series are my favorites. I love them so. Please don’t make me choose one over the other. Instead, you should definitely read them both and decide for yourself. Be warned, though. If you have a weakness for men whose external gruffness is proportionate to the hugeness of their big, stupid hearts, proceed with caution. You are in danger of becoming addicted to Tessa Dare’s heroes. What about her heroines? Well, they’re amazing. They remind me of all the best parts of all my closest female friends. Courageous, smart, vulnerable, caring, resourceful, and tough. And the secondary characters? They’re things of genius. In The Duchess Deal, Kahn the sarcastic butler, Emma’s group of misfit friends, and Britches the devil cat will all steal your heart. In The Governess Game, Chase’s orphaned charges (and wannabe pirates), Rosalind and Daisy, nearly steal the entire show. I wanted to adopt them both, especially Daisy, who concocts ghastly deaths each morning for her precious baby doll, Millicent, just so Chase will have to hold her hand at the daily funerals as he eulogizes her.

Really. If you haven’t read these two stories yet, I’m not sure what you’re waiting for. Go! Read them already. You won’t be sorry.

20 people found this helpful

Charming but not necessarily for everyone.

I do like Tessa Dare's writing (she writes period pieces with modern ideologies so they're not very realistic but they are certainly more emotionally healthy than most romances) but this was the first one that I debated returning. It wasn't the the author's fault; the story had good chemistry and hysterical exchanges. I just don't particularly enjoy the favorite staple of the romance genre where children are always necessary to make relationships better (no insult intended if you do - get married, have babies is very much the time-tested happy ending of romances). This book just happened to take that a step further and make children a LARGE part of the story (which made the romance aspect seem rushed and a bit disjointed to me). So! If you're looking for a good romance about becoming a partner to a man who already has children, I think this would be a favorite listen. If having children around for about 70% of the story isn't what you're looking for, I would maybe reconsider. Mary Jane Wells is a superb narrator though.

4 people found this helpful

EXCELLANT NARRATION BY MARY JANE WELLS

The Narrator Mary Jane Wells was superb and she brought each character alive and made the story fun romantic and lively.I couldn't put my kindle down. Excellent story. I had laugh out loud moments with chase's two Wards Rosamund and Daisy. They were excellent secondary characters that gave the story that added depth that Historical Romance needs. You will also, understand there deep felt sadness and pain.

Chase and Alexandra were a wonderful couple. The story is realistic there instant attraction is believable. They have wonderful banter and you will love both characters. The story is sensuous and sexy but not erotic. A really good mix of love play.

If I had anything complaints it would be the end. I wanted more and I didn't want Chase, Alexandra, Rosamund and Daisy's story to end.

7 people found this helpful

Brilliant story!

I really enjoyed Governess Game, especially the little girls Rosamond and Daisy. They truly stole the show. The way Mary Jane Wells narrated them was perfection. Honestly, I'm just a huge Mary Jane Wells fan.

Tessa Dare has such a unique take on historical romance that is both refreshing and unique, but still stays true to the things you expect in historical romance. I highly recommend this book!

1 person found this helpful

Did not disappoint!

After The Duchess Deal, I have been anxiously awaiting this book. The narrator made me laugh over and over at her portrayals of the characters. This book will be listened to over and over. Thank you audible for another well done nook.

1 person found this helpful

Mary Jane Wells as narrator makes this book

Come alive .The story Is not that entertaining
But the way the narrator holds it together with her enthusiasm really helps

1 person found this helpful

I love a strong woman!

Alexandra Mountbatten is one of those strong, plucky heroines that you cannot help but fall in love with. Just ask Chase. The soon-to-be Duke hires her on the spot (by accident) to be the governess for his two girl-child wards. Soon the whole staff, the willful children, and Chase are all under Alex’s spell! I loved this book so much; it was everything I love in a book! Smart, funny, and sexy!

Wonderful Sequel in a great series

Book 1 of this series, The Duchess Deal, was a perfect spin on the Beauty and The Beast theme with terrific, funny banter, wit, romance, steam and great characters well developed and artfully drawn by Ms Dare. This 2nd book brings all of those people back together and continues in the same well written manner with perfect narration. Loved it!