I’m feeling a bit conflicted about this book. There were a few things that just didn’t “do” it for me yet there were so many wonderful parts. In fact, most of it really was wonderful. So I’ll give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟 even though I don’t think it’s going in my keep pile.

We have, of course, another Duke. Edgar, the Duke who has gone into trade. He finds out about his 9 year old twins a few months ago and has gone through many a governess without success. Enter, Mari rhymes with starry, who really was a wonderful and lovable character.

I loved the children! And this surprised me as I usually won’t choose a book purposefully that has children involved (wow I sound heartless 😂😧) but I really enjoyed the scenes with them and how they pulled everyone’s relationship together.

The heroine was amazing. I loved her spunk and I adored how she interacted with her charges. She’s funny, her dialogue entertaining, optimistic.

The things that bothered me about this book are rather small. Some of the wording was a little modern and honestly I’m not a stickler for historical accuracy at all. But when I read “You wish” I definitely rolled my eyes...

I felt there was a lack of depth to Edgar. He had so much potential. He is a likable character but he was just...his presence felt thin. He has a painful past but I didn’t feel the pain. He walks with a limp but I swear it’s only mentioned like twice in the book. I literally forgot he had a limp until I read where he discusses the whole situation that caused it. He holds back so much emotionally and has so many rules for himself because of his relationship with his father and it’s an ongoing battle in his relationship with Mari. Yet I didn’t feel his pain and struggle like I did with other characters I’ve read (I’m thinking of Eloisa James When Beauty Tamed the Beast hero with his limp and cane, just such an integral part of his character that I can clearly picture. Or the hero from Sabrina Jeffries The Truth About Lord Stoneville or King from The Rogue Not Taken, these heroes had daddy issues and I felt their pain. I could see and understand why they acted the way they did, I didn’t really get that same feeling here) Edgar had some of these things but it just wasn’t as deep as I wanted I guess. As usual, I’m greedy and wanted more! Haha.

However, despite my complaints it really is a sweet and wonderful story. It’s worth reading just to get to know the children.

Finally, something I’ve been thinking about is allllll the Dukes. I don’t mind Dukes but really what has happened to the viscount, the earl, the Marquess, the baron, the gentleman??? I get Dukes are most powerful but sometimes I find myself starting to get annoyed that every book has a Duke. And it will be entire series with all Dukes. 3-5 Duke best friends. Lenora bell obviously comes to mind with reading this book. I think she’s written 5 books so far and every one is a Duke haha. I guess with the governess and Duke combo it makes me roll my eyes a little. I read how publishers push Dukes because that’s what sells but really what choice do I have to buy if I go I the store and they all have Dukes in the title 😂 Still, I’ll never turn down a Duke, I just might have to space them out a bit hehe