This book had all the best of Kleypas, and it was wonderful. A true joy to read! At first, the book starts the way you'd expect a bad porno to start, but thankfully it gets better from there. The premise is that the paragon of high society is going to teach the newly rich Bronsons how to act in society to get further ahead. Usually with these kind of governess stories, the governess doesn't actually teach anything. If anything, the kids get wilder but the governess is now in on it. Here, the Bronsons actually seem to learn a thing or two, and we get to see how Lady Holly teaches them their lessons and why they're important. What ensues is a fun and engaging read.

What's truly amazing is both the hero and the heroine really transform. The heroine realizes what was holding her back from accepting true love, and without spoiling too much, is the one that has to make the grand gesture. It's refreshing to see the heroine go after what she wants, even when there's a risk that she'll fail. For Bronson's part, he learns how to be gentler and more patient while also being in more control of his life.

Another great thing about this book is the supporting cast. Bronson's sister and mother, Holly's daughter, brother-in-law, and even ex-husband all had personalities and motivations and were interesting to read about. The best part, however, is that none of them detracted from the main romance that was Holly and Bronson. While I was invested in Elizabeth's budding romance and Paula's growing confidence, I never once forgot about the romance between Holly and Bronson, which was sweet and something more. ( )

I liked this book, for the most part. I like books of self-made men who challenge the aristocracy, and while this is not as some I have read (Rose by Lauren Royal, for instance), it is an entertaining and well-crafted story. Zachary is an interesting character, gentle at the same time he is powerful and conniving, and Holly is the epitome of all that is expected of a grieving widow in early Victorian society. The story is strong and compelling - until the last fifty pages, which were almost completely unnecessary and even a little bit corny. The story would have been better if she'd left it off after the wedding and left out Holly's rather cheesy near-death-experience. Still, I enjoyed this book despite its flaws. ( )

I am not extremely anxious by nature, but we all have times when life is taxing. Perhaps we are trying to clear the desk so that our vacation can actually be a vacation. And of course we all feel how we feel when someone murders children for the hell of it and the Supreme Court decides women have no right to make our own medical decisions without permission from the state. When all that happens, I know I need a little Kleypas therapy.

This was a sweeet story with wonderful central characters, and a truly unexpected last 75ish pages. It is, however, earlier Kleypas, and she was still writing some pretty darn purple prose. In a few places I shuddered in revulsion, but for the most part this was pretty great ( )

I have no idea how or why I only gave this four stars on my first read because this book is so much better. Zachary Bronson’s epic pining and doing anything to have Holly was perfect, and I also loved how she grew and became so fiercely in love as well. ( )

4.5 stars rounded up. This has a lot to enjoy. I liked the main characters individually and together, and I think they each appreciated real things about the other, and they grew as people, which is nice. I actually felt my eyes start trying to water at one or two points, which isn't very common for me. I knew they were obviously going to work out, but I empathised with their feelings and was touched. I will likely read this again at some point.

2nd read- I enjoyed this a second time as well. Kleypas is very good at writing this type of self-made hero. The characters act daftly a couple times, but on the whole are quite likable. The dead husband seems harped on a little too much, even for such a dedicated widow, but there's a nice supporting cast to help make up for it. ( )