The Governess Affair [NOOK Book]

Such a wonderful, well-written story. Can't recommend highly eno

Such a wonderful, well-written story. Can't recommend highly enough. The pins, you guys. THE PINS. Worth reading for that scene alone.

11 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Grade: A+ or 5 brightly shining stars Beautiful, poignant, and

Grade: A+ or 5 brightly shining stars

Beautiful, poignant, and skillfully written novella! I absolutely loved it!

***updated to add full review****

The Story
Serena Barton is a ruined woman. Her dismissal as a governess position leads her to demand compensation from the Duke of Clermont. Serena will not leave empty-handed. She is prepared to fight for there is much at stake. She’s aware the duke employs an unmerciful man of business, yet she bravely resolves never to be weak again.

Hugo Marshall has one grand ambition, which is to become the “richest coal miner’s son in all of England.” Once his employment with the duke concludes successfully he will have the necessary funds to actualize his dream. Hugo has worked too hard to resolve Clermont’s financial woes. Success equals a substantial fortune from a bet. Serena will not cost him his five hundred pounds.

The Characters
Serena and Hugo are incredibly well-written characters. I absolutely loved them! Serena’s spirit burns bright. She’s courageous, resilient, charming, and simply powerful. Her inner strength quietly resonates throughout the story. Serena’s sister’s fragility provides a nice contrast to her character. Frederica is a sad character frustrated with her sister’s pugnacious spirit.

At first glance, Hugo appears to be your typical hero – ruthless, ambitious, and self-serving – he’s not! Courtney Milan structures his character around a bittersweet core. What drives him is more than rising above his coal miner’s background. When I discovered what it was I found it deeply touching.

My Thoughts
I adored this achingly lovely historical romance about two ordinary-looking commoners, which Milan gently reveals in layers. Their story and romance was affective, balanced, and beautifully written. The Governess Affair deftly weaves dialogue, reflection (inner dialogue), and expressive actions (the showing part).

Hugo and Serena are heroic survivors with hopes and dreams. Physical appearance is bypassed; it’s how they make each other feel that establishes their connection. Their happy ending left me feeling triumphant for them. If this story were in paperback it would have a special place on my Keeper Shelf. It is now one of my favorite historical romances, and I’m highly anticipating the upcoming Sinister Series. Ms. Milan has gained a new fan! Overall, this is a touching novella that subtly and ultimately reveals the power of a mother’s love. If you haven’t tried this author’s work yet then this is the perfect introduction! Sincerely!

Memorable Moment

Safe, her dastardly senses whispered. He’s safe. There was something comforting about his forthright recital—comfort with an edge that only sharpened when he took a step closer to her.

“If I were a cobbler,” he said, “I’d offer you a discount on shoes.”

“Now you’ve completely lost your mind.”

“No. It would give me an excuse to measure your feet with my bare hands.” His lip twitched up. “And don’t think I’d stop at your toes.”

She had both her hands on top of his walking stick. She felt herself lean toward him, ever so slightly.

“But you’re not,” she said. “You’re the Wolf of Clermont, and I’m the woman you cannot drive away.”

“Can’t is such an unforgiving word,” he said. “I prefer do not wish to.”

8 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful!! A really great quick read.

Wonderful!! A really great quick read.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this "different" Historical Romance.

I really enjoyed this "different" Historical Romance. There were no explicit sexual scenes that made me uncomfortable and the main characters were just great!
NO perfect Duke marrying a poor woman (so almost impossible) but REAL people and the woman was a real woman that you could feel what she felt and commiserate with her while admiring her tactics!
It was like a chess game but had a very happy ending except I felt it ended to abruptly. I really enjoyed it and will be reading it again I'm sure.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Really good!

I really enjoyed reading this, I wish it had been longer, it took about an hour to read.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

poignant and brave... even though it's not your full-length nove

poignant and brave... even though it's not your full-length novel, the story's so complete and the characters so well developed that the length of the story does not matter...

i love the correspondence.. the first time and the second time under changed circumstances...

and to quote an anonymous reader who already wrote his/her comments: the PINS, the PINS, the PINS!!! it was sexy but at the same time it was so deeply moving and so very meaningful...

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Ms. Milan always seems to flesh o

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Ms. Milan always seems to flesh out her characters so well that you get caught up from the first page. This book is witty and romantic. Can't beat that combination. Can't wait for the other books in this series.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Bravo...........................

Someone wrote a regency and for once it is not about the rake of a duke falling in love with the poor but noble wallflower. Well written. Great characters. Sensitive subjects addressed. I will read more from this author.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A quick read. Great story. Can't wait to read the series that wi

A quick read. Great story. Can't wait to read the series that will follow.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Novella

This story was fun, yet emotional. It was a great set-up for the new series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Nice but not great

It was different from your typical hustorical romance. I liked that. The story of the "working" class not just the gentry. I look forward to the brothers stories.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is a wonderful story about two people who each fight for th

This is a wonderful story about two people who each fight for their honor in their own way. Both the hero and heroine are worthy characters who refuse to let the past control the future. I really enjoyed this novella.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I really loved this book and the author who wrote it! To me thi

I really loved this book and the author who wrote it! To me this is a real historical novel.....loved the people and I want to read the rest of the series.......pleaseeeeeee hurry and publish the rest!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved it

Courtney Milan novels are my favorite! I only wish this was longer than a novella.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved it

Serena and Hugo's story is not like any other regency romance. It is refreshing to not have the main love interests a duke, earl, or high society lady but rather ordinary people. Sad but sweet. 225 pages

Unique plot...enjoyable characters kj

Will read her again. Enjoyed it alot ..

A good read

Good character development and a little bit different story line kept me interested. I like this author and will look for more of her work.

I'm confused.

Why would the author settle for such a short novel when she had such dynamic characters? Usually I would be put off by a pregnant heroine but in this case the Hero and Heroine were so stubborn and so well-matched that I didn't mind. I only wish this was a full novel. Just as I really started to get into the romance it was over!

Loved this book!  This book is a novella and is a prequel to The

Loved this book!  This book is a novella and is a prequel to The Brothers Sinister series.  Although it is a novella it is a wonderful story that reads like a longer book.  I agree 100% with other reviewers that the PINS scene is worth the read.  Hugo is such a wonderful gentleman with so much love and compassion.  I recommend you read the other books in the series as they are also great books.

Oh, Courtney Milan. I really hope you never stop writing because

Oh, Courtney Milan. I really hope you never stop writing because I pretty much love everything you put out. Milan’s recently released The Governess Affair is a short novella that kicks off the start of a new series coming out this summer. While short in length, The Governess Affair manages to have the emotional depth and punch of a full length novel. 




The story starts off by introducing us to Serena Barton, said governess of the title, who comes to town demanding recompense from the Duke of Clermont for as yet unknown damages. The Duke, a selfish and cowardly man, instructs his right hand man Hugo Marshall to get rid of her. Nicknamed the Wolf of Clermont, Hugo is a brilliant and ruthless man who always gets what he wants. What he doesn’t bargain for is being attracted to the stubborn governess. The Duke’s questionable and less than honorable actions make his job even harder as his admiration for Serena grows.




As usual, I fell in love with the characters that Milan created. Hugo, despite his ruthless reputation, has more honor than he realizes. I loved the small, kind things he did for Serena like bringing her tea in the rain. And Serena, finding herself in an extremely difficult position, doesn’t give up or run away. Instead, she is determined and fearless in her quest to secure her future. The pair have fantastic chemistry and I had fun watching them trade playful barbs while fighting their growing attraction to each other. There’s one major love scene in the book that is sensual and sweet and will have you looking at hairpins in a totally new way. I also really enjoyed the clever notes that Serena and Hugo traded throughout the book. 




Milan isn’t one for easy answers or happy endings not earned and there is always a bittersweet quality to her stories. But it just makes it better when the characters do finally find their way because it truly feels like they belong together. Milan injected just enough angst into Serena and Hugo’s story to have me worried for a bit. But happily, it doesn’t last too long and the ending left me sighing and happy. While some novellas often feel incomplete, the pacing and development in The Governess Affair are anything but. While I do wish it was longer (just to have more of Hugo and Serena) it is a satisfying and complete story on its own. The last part of the book sets up background for the rest of the Sinister Brothers series and only made me want to know more. 




Another great read by Courtney Milan, one that you will not want to miss. I can’t wait for summer to come and the next book in the series, The Duchess War, to come out. The novella is currently only $0.99 in ebook format so you really have nothing to lose. Go ahead, get it, and thank me later. :)

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.