In his hour of need, an angel will bring light into his life. But angels are fragile things… life into everything. Like a wind of light and hope after the family’s misfortunes, she even awakens Edmund’s sleeping heart.
But a storm is brewing, and that storm has a name: Christopher Hardwicke. Edmund’s younger brother will do everything in his power to see him suffer and ruined, and his unexpected arrival foretells nothing but trouble.
Now, Joanna will have to deftly navigate secrets, lies, and the battle of wills between two stubborn brothers who have both lost too much. But while her heart secretly dreams of a happy future and seeks to bring peace in a home divided, an old enemy reawakens, threatening them all…
If you like engaging characters, heart- wrenching twists and turns, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “Secret Dreams of a Fearless Governess!”
Buy “Secret Dreams of a Fearless Governess” and unlock the exciting story of Joanna today!more
Excellent story. Wonderful characters. The storyline was never lost and was well blended into the subplots along the way. I especially enjoyed the children’s personalities. So realistic. Every feeling every emotion on display. The main romantic couple did not have a normal courtship. They did get to know each other on a personal level that lead them to deeper feelings. Complications occurred that brought our hero to his knees. He realized he loved his heroine and she loved him in return. A delightful story, entertaining always keeping you turning page after page. I highly recommend it and look forward to the sequel “A Daring Captain for Her Loyal Heart”.
Just marvelous. Intense read you will love. A book of good length and very well written. My free opinion. Thanks
Secret Dreams of a Fearless Governess by Abby Ayles is the sweet story of Joanna Warrick, the daughter of a Baron who recklessly lost all is money and she is forced to find employment as a governess and Edmund the eldest of five siblings and the son who inherited from his father and was now responsible for all of them: Christopher, for whom he had bought a military commission; Patience, who at 16 could be very unpleasant and believed herself too old for a governess, Amy; and sickly little Samuel. Joanna slowly proves her worth to the family, winning over all of them with her quiet sensible ways and ladylike demeanor. Even Edmund is attracted to her, not realizing her noble blood, believes her out of his reach.
I enjoyed this book tremendously. The plot was not outrageous; the characters were realistic, especially the teenage Patience (some things never change). The plot revolved around failures to communicate, which is pretty much real life. Ayles does a nice job moving the plot forward at a reasonable pace and making the reader really cheer for the characters without rolling their eyes over nonsensical behavior. I enjoyed the book and recommend it highly.
I received a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.
Joanne Warrick arrived at a grand home with a heavy heart in her chest and wanted nothing more than to tell the driver to take her back home but she had no home her father had died totally bankrupt. She was at this house to become the children’s governess. The Butler Jenkins escorted her to the school room and told her that she was in control because they are children and if they misbehave you must take him in hand you don’t do see that as a weakness and you be gone the way of the last governess. He asked if she had been informed of their names and she said yes they are patient who is 16 Samuel who is nine and Amy who is five and Jenkins told her she was correct and then he left her there at the door to go in she tested the children and what they should know to see what they actually did know. Lady patients was not happy with her sign in huffing the Joanna continued with her testing and blamed their brother Edmund for the reason they had had 10 governess is since her parents died which was 15 months ago when Edmund got home he sent for Joanna to dine with him. Joanna stepped into the dining room and there she met Edmund Kelt, the Earl of Hardwicke. He told her she wouldn’t be eating with the family she would take her pills the servants and he expected the children to be on a strict schedule. To find out what happens to Joanna and all the trials and tribulations that she goes through you have to read the book. It’s a good book…
This was a really beautiful story! When Joanne’s father died leaving the family with nothing she must find a job as a governess. Edmund, the Earl of Kent lost both is parents to an illness that nearly took his baby brother, Samuels life too. Now he is in charge of this two sister and two brothers. He hires Joanne and the adventure begins. He works too hard and is aloof to her but she see he truly loves his siblings immensely and want to do his best for them. His brother, Christopher comes home offer from the army and causes chaos before he leaves! Unfortunately it took another sickness to strike before Christopher realizes how much he loves his family and what a burden he’s been, he also realizes the overwhelming responsibility his brother had to take on without warning. This is a book about a family trying to move on past grief! The characters were individually different and their own persons based on age. It was an endearing book which the love amongst the characters shines through brightly. It also had some adventure and romance and plenty of mischief! I highly recommend this entertaining book!
This is a wonderful romance story. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and quite frequently lost my patience with Patience. After enjoying the extended epilogue, I feel another book in the making for the lives of this family have many more glimpses to offer
“Young lady from good family seeks a position as governess. Well-educated in French, pianoforte, deportment, drawing, history, use of the globes, and other areas.”
So begins the story of the downfallen Joanna Warrick, forced to seek work after her father lost the family fortune, had a heart attack and passed away, removing her family from society. She is hired by Edmund Hardwicke, Earl of Kelt, as governess to his three youngest siblings after his parents died of illness and he sent his oldest sibling Christopher to the army in hopes that he’ll stop acting out and grow up.
Ten governesses in a year! His criticism of the teachers has not been unnoticed. He almost makes it eleven after Joanna’s first day. However, the children stepped in for her, knowing little more than they like her. Trust builds slowly.
Edmund’s oldest sibling,. Edmund begins to fall for Joanna despite the ton’s snub. Will he still go after her after learning to love and trust his own feelings? As I’ve come to expect from Abby Ayles, this is a well written story with mysterious twists and turns that lead to a well written ending. Highly Recommended 5/5
[I received this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it]
Young Lady, in reduced circumstances due to her father’s death, finds a job & family as a governess.
SETTING: A heartwarming story of Joanna Warrick, a young Lady brought low by her father’s bankruptcy and early death, seeking employment as a governess to 3 young siblings. What they have in common: the loss of parents. Both the mother and father of the children died of an infectious disease over a year ago, and they are now being raised by their eldest brother, Edmund Kelt, the Earl of Hartwicke, whose standards are very high. When Joanna arrives on the scene, she finds out they have already gone through 10 governesses who were dismissed by the Earl, and is prepared by the butler for the need to take strong charge of these strong-willed youngsters. With a bit of trepidation, she begins her employment.
We have a young woman suffering a sudden drop in society due to business failure of her father, facing 3 children who lost both parents whose vigilant brother expects her to raise his siblings to his exacting standards. What could possibly go wrong?! Especially when the 2nd son (a soldier whose commission was bought by his brother to instill discipline into this renegade’s life), returns with a fellow soldier who catches the eye of 16 year old Patience who has led a life sheltered from society up until this point. Both of the soldiers are without other prospects, as they are not the firstborn/only son in their family. They have yet to appreciate (or care) about the results of their actions toward young women, who take their attentions as serious offers with the object of marriage. This is a recipe for disaster to the quiet household of the Earl of Hartwicke.
CRITIQUE: This is an interesting twist to the trope of a Lady brought low by the actions of her father, now finding employment as a governess. Not only does she step down from a higher role in society, but she also has a 16 year old female charge who is anxious to step out into society and enjoy male attention. How she navigates the rapids of this river she is sailing on is quite interesting, and is able to hold the readers’ attention to the end. As a clean Regency Romance, readers of all ages will enjoy this book.
Sent from my iPad
Wow, what a roller coaster of emotions, drama, suspense, excitement with lots of twists and turns. Each person has their own separate unique personality that blends in so well with the story lines. It is so enjoyable to read and see what happens next. It is an edge of your seat read. It is highly recommended. A family that has a lot of contention and needs fixed. A governess who comes in and is in the middle of it and has feelings for the older brother. A younger brother that is causing as much trouble as he can. What a mess. I received a review copy and voluntarily review it.
ONE ADVENTUROUS RIDE!!!
Lawdeee lawdeee! Man, talk about walking tall! Wow! This is an bad boy has a incredible storyline that has a refreshing plot twists that rock this baby. This is one intriguing story that has all the suspense, drama and action with a such arrogance and rules of their own. The characters are authentic, relatable and realistic. Their personalities come out to play with such individuality and qualities that balance out perfectly. The scenes are well thought out and brought together beautifully. Throw in a few twists and unexpected surprises and you have the mix for one engaging read. Abby totally nailed this bad boy with a realism rarely matched. Her insight and imagination are something to behold. You totally rocked this baby Abby. Thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.
Abby Ayles does it again! Takes us on a wild ride – a storyline you thought you have read time and again – but oh la la – this storyline is inventive, witty, funny in parts, tragic in others, with great characters who interact in an unbelievable, realistic way. Bad boy Earl has his own demons, put together with his cad, bad boy brother, who he thinks is engaged to Lady Joanna, makes Earl a jealous tyrant since he loves Joanna himself. The twists and turns of this story will make you feel like you’re on a roller coaster. Enjoy the ride!
I loved this wee romance despite wanting to shange her use of English and doubting it could go like that. Over use/missuse of the word ‘darling’. A governess who comes in to her master’s bed room at night to watch him sleep is creepy.