Thank you to the publisher for a free copy, received in exchange for a fair review!

Alexandra Mountbatten, daughter of a sailor, is proud of her practical nature, her business setting clocks in rich people's homes, and her love of astronomy. She isn't too proud that despite these practicalities, she has a slightly embarrassing and completely unrealistic fantasy. One revolving around a certain man she only knows as "The Bookshop Rake." Alexandra knows in heart the man with the heart-melting smile who accidentally made off with her book when they collided at the bookstore is probably a good-for-nothing rake of the first order, and someone she'll never encounter again, even if she dreams he has her book secretly tucked into his breast pocket and also dreams he'll see her again.

Alexandra's dream is just that, until she does run into Chase...in his own home. Utterly alarmed, especially since she interrupts the man himself while he builds what appears to be a sex-den, Alexandra can't believe that she finds herself suddenly hired on, as a governess...

Chase Reynaud may not have Alexandra's book tucked into his jacket, but he does have two problems: two rambunctious, unteachable girls who he is suddenly in charge of and a title he doesn't actually want. He's Chase, the renowned lover and rake of the London set, he's not respectable! He can't really be in charge of anyone!

What follows is an utterly delightful and utterly romantic story of mistaken identity, a "rake" who is really just a big cinnamon roll, a comet, plucky children, pirates, and more. This is Tessa Dare at her finest, and I ate up every minute of this story.

Alexandra is a wonderful heroine, and I loved reading about her childhood growing up on her father's ship. Alexandra is 'mestiza,' which I'm sure many readers will not be familiar with (in Alexandra's case, her father was American, her mother was from the Philippines, her grandfather was Spanish, her grandmother also Filipino), and I appreciated the discussion of her heritage and its ramifications on Alexandra's life in London during the time period.

Spoiler alert!

Spoiler

Chase is a 'rake' but does not have penetrative intercourse with any of his lovers (not since his cousin died). He isn't a virgin, but does want to protect himself and his lovers from venereal disease and pregnancy. I liked this nod to reality and that it made his first time with Alexandra that much more special.