With a new name and an eagerness to begin a new life, Lila Jenner answers an ad for a governess and embarks on an adventure she did not expect. Hiding secrets and a past she longs to forget, she is disappointed to find out she has been employed to be a companion of a different sort: To a man who embodies both beauty and the beast. Living in a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea … of a North Sea cliff, Lord Simon Wolstenholme is cloistered away from society. Horribly scarred from battle wounds, the baron lives up to his infamous title “The Beast of Stonecliff” in appearance and attitude. Simon comes to the realization he’s been alone too long.
Lila and Simon bargain and agree to a brief dalliance. A storm rages outside, but it cannot compare to the clash of emotions between a lonely man and a distrustful woman. Secret desires are revealed, hearts are laid bare. Many obstacles lay ahead of them until they admit their true feelings, though pride could destroy the fairy tale before it begins.
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This is a captivating and heartwarming story. After having to survive by being a prostitute, Lila is looking forward to starting her new, respectable life. She went to school to become a governess and has been hired by Lord Stonecliff. Simon was horribly scarred by a cannon blast two years earlier, and he’s lonely. So he lures Lila to him with an offer to be his ward’s governess, but he really wants to offer her the position of being his temporary companion/mistress. Offended by the offer, Lila is ready to walk away when he informs her that she can’t leave until morning. She counters his offer with her own. One night to do anything he wants with her, in exchange for money, references and help getting a governess position. He agrees and they begin their bargain. Unfortunately things don’t go the way they’re supposed to, things get very intense between them, which causes both to lash out, and rain has washed away the road and she will have to stay for at least 48 hours. During that time they both bounce between baring their souls, and closing themselves off. And even though they both blow hot and cold, they both manage to fall in love. I loved both the characters, and the storyline, very much.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
The Governess and the Beast was a fantastic story that I read in one sitting. Ms. Gerrard is now on my must read list. The story was quite good with interesting characters. Plenty of heat with a solid plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a very good book by Karyn Gerrard. This is the first time reading this author and it was worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first time reading this author and I thought that she has produced an enjoyable story. The story is slightly different to other historical books that I’ve read recently and that made it more interesting. This is a story of two wounded people who are hiding from their pasts and desperately wanting to move forward into a better future. They have lies and mistrust to contend with as they learn to accept each other and to trust one another. There are some steamy scenes in this, it’s an adult historical story but it’s far more than just the steam!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book two in the Blind Cupid Series a well written story that I know I will read again sometime. Lila Jenner using another name comes to be a Governess at Stonecliff to Baron Simon Wolstenholme’s ward Christopher or so she thinks. Simon has been disfigured in a canon misfire and considers himself a monster, when he tell Lila what he really hired her for she makes a bargain with him. Reading how these two damaged people get their happy ending kept me turning pages. A well written storyline with pages that flowed smoothly from one to the other. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A beast of a man looking for companionship and a woman trying to start a new life! What started out as a bargain for one night has potential to be more than either one ever expected!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this story. A man scarred physically and emotionally by war and craving companionship, meets a woman trying to pull herself up from the depths of deprivation and despair. Very emotional.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When I was reading this book, thoughts of Beauty and the Beast, as well as Jane Eyre, came to mind. This is such a wonderfully written story and I do so love my wounded and tortured heroes!!
Baron Simon Wolstenholme has led a very lonely life since his return from the war where he was badly scarred and wounded. Society has deserted him, calling him a beast because of his scars and his gruff attitude.
Lila Jenner is hiding her true identity and trying to start a new life for herself so she takes on a job as a governess but when she arrives at her destination, it’s to discover there is no children to take care of, only the Baron who wants her as a companion of sorts.
Both have secrets and both have experienced so much heartache, you can’t help but want them to be together. Their passion is a beautiful thing to see and when I read the end, all I could do was close my eyes and smile.
I was given an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This was a seductive and steamy story about two lost souls who find unexpected acceptance, understanding, and love in each other. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but aside from that it was well written, and had wonderful characters and a captivating plot.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
With a new name Hortense Jennings and an eagerness to begin a new life, Lila Jenner answers an ad for a governess, she is disappointed to find out she has been employed to be a companion of a different sort: to a man who embodies both beauty and the beast.
In a gothic, crumbling manor on the edge of a North Sea cliff, Baron Simon Wolstenholme is cloistered away from society. Horribly scarred from battle wounds in the Boer War, the baron lives up to his infamous title “The Beast of Stonecliff” in appearance and attitude. Simon bargains with Lila for a singular night of passion. A storm rages outside so she has nowhere to go.
A new slant on Beauty & the Beast as both Simon & Lila are wounded both physically & mentally. A well paced hot novella that I read in a sitting. The characters are very well portrayed which isn’t easy in a novella. Secrets & fears, souls as well as bodies are revealed whilst the pair are stranded due to a storm. Will she stay or will she go? I thoroughly enjoyed this book & look forward to the third in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Lila Jenner has changed her name, become a certified governess and answered an ad for a position at a crumbling gothic manor house at the edge of the North Sea. She’s devastated to find that she’s actually been hired as a companion to a beastly yet compelling man.
Scarred army captain Simon Wolstenhome, Baron Stonecliff, hides away from the world, living up to the villagers’ nickname for him: the Beast of Stonecliff” in every way. But now he can no longer bear the loneliness and wants to try to begin interacting with people again, starting with a companion who could potentially also be a lover.
Lila is ready to leave immediately but Simon negotiates with her for one no-holds-barred night of passion. But Lila, who has trained herself to be impervious to emotions, is not prepared for the firestorm of feelings Simon awakens in her. Likewise, Simon finds himself not only facing emotion again but experiencing feelings he’s never had before. Soon it becomes apparent that neither truly wants to part but their pride and fears may keep these damaged and lonely people from any chance of a future together.
This was a quick and very steamy read. These two opened up to each other in very sexy but also emotional scenes. Their feelings for one another developed rapidly but given their mutual loneliness and vulnerability, it worked for this story and it was a quick and enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Beauty and the Beast with a twist.
Simon is the Baron of Stonecliff. He’s scarred from the war and lonely for intimacy and conversation. Once, he was a handsome debauched young lord. But the war changed him to a recluse and a beast.
He hires a governess under false pretenses.
Lila Jenner used to work in a nunnery. She, too has been scarred. Lila is looking to better her life and received an education.
What she gets instead is an indecent proposal she counter offers on.
One night.
Can these two lonely, scarred people searching for true intimacy find happiness?
Highly recommend.
All the feels, ridiculously smart.
The Governess and the Beast by Karyn Gerrard – A story following the Beauty and the Beast trope but with much more. Hortense is desperate for a job and lands one as a governess to a ward of Baron Simon Wolstenholme. Simon is a recluse after returning from war horribly scarred and has secluded himself in his Gothic manor. Shades of Jane Eyre gothic. What she finds is no ten year old boy to tutor but a man who is lonely and longing for companionship. Hortense is really Lila, a former lady of the night who was trying to escape her past and become respectable. Simon wanted the nonrespectable Lila to become his companion in and out of bed. This story had a lot of twist and turns but was also very emotional as the two lonely hearts get to know each other. A steamy tale that will keep you reading until the end!!