Book Review: The Governess Club: Bonnie by Ellie Macdonald

Title: The Governess Club: Bonnie
Series: The Governess Club, Book 2
Author: Ellie Macdonald
Genre: Historical Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: September 17, 2013 by Avon Impulse

Miss Bonnie Hodges, governess to the Darrow family, is desperately trying to hold it together. Tragedy has struck, and she is the sole person left to be strong for the two little boys in her care. When the new guardian arrives, she hopes that things will get better. She wasn't expecting her new employer to be the most frustrating, overbearing, and…handsome man she's ever seen.

Sir Stephen Montgomery is utterly distracted. He should be trying to figure out how his two best friends were killed in a suspicious accident and why the new young viscount seems destined to be the next victim. But he can't concentrate on anything but his growing infatuation with the beautiful, mysterious, and utterly captivating governess.

Together they're doing their best to save the two boys, but will Stephen's feelings for Bonnie get in the way of their search for a killer?

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Nice historical with a straightforward romance and cute child plot-moppets.

The Set Up: Bonnie is the governess for two young boys whose parents just died. The children’s new guardian is Sir Stephen Montgomery who believes the deaths weren’t accidental. Bonnie knows better than to get involved with Stephen but when an attempt is made on her life, she can’t resist taking comfort from Stephen.

Why I Read this Book: Avon Addict here and I enjoyed novella one (my review) in this series.

What I Liked: This is a nice little novella that doesn’t attempt anything flashy but sticks with a straightforward story. Bonnie and Stephen have a solid romance with just enough tension with her being a servant to him being a lordship and guardian to her charges. The sex is uncomplicated without drama or forced tension and I liked that. The emotional denouement is mildly satisfying and fit the simple characters.

What I Also Liked: I’m not like Brianna as I enjoy children plot moppets in some of my romance. Bonnie’s charges are three and eight years old and very cute. Henry is the new viscount after the death of his father and his conversation with Stephen about how to make Bonnie stay is adorable. Little Arthur is three and provides the little sniffle moment at novella’s end when he finally starts talking again after witnessing the deaths of his parents. I like this little novella of family building between the four of them.

What I Didn’t Like: This isn’t an angst-filled romance and it isn’t going to stick out in the nearly 500 books I read a year but it was sweet. The identity of the killer isn’t going to surprise any reader but it was a good hour’s read that held my attention.

IMO: I liked this novella and think other fans of uncomplicated historical romance may like it too.

J9’s Rating:
3 Frogs