The Governess Game: Girl Meets Duke

Written by Tessa Dare

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells

He’s been a bad, bad rake—and it takes a governess to teach him a lesson

The accidental governess

After her livelihood slips through her fingers, Alexandra Mountbatten takes on an impossible post: transforming a pair of wild orphans into proper young ladies. However, the girls don’t need discipline. They need a loving home. Try telling that to their guardian, Chase Reynaud: duke’s heir in the streets and devil in the sheets. The ladies of London have tried—and failed—to make him settle down. Somehow, Alexandra must reach his heart . . . without risking her own.

The infamous rake

Like any self-respecting libertine, Chase lives by one rule: no attachments. When a stubborn little governess tries to reform him, he decides to give her an education—in pleasure. That should prove he can’t be tamed. But Alexandra is more than he bargained for: clever, perceptive, passionate. She refuses to see him as a lost cause. Soon the walls around Chase’s heart are crumbling . . . and he’s in danger of falling, hard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Aug 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780062672148

Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen historical romances. A librarian by training and a book-lover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children, and a pair of cosmic kittens.

[d20blacksmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rarely leave reviews but I loved this story so much that I just had to leave one. From the very first scene with the "funeral" I was hooked. This was incredibly well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of the stories set in this world and I highly recommend to anyone, don't sit on the fence with this one. It was worth every minute of listening.

[jjojolara17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I very rarely say anything about a book but this one was really good and funny. I was thoroughly entertained

[jowjowf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mary Jane Wells doing justice to a delightfully frothy concoction of banter and improbability.

[Laurie Anderson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As usual, this author’s stories are adorable, witty and funny. But not the least bit realistic or historically accurate. But that’s ok as they are completely entertaining.

[jdavenport090 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My new favorite series!! I listen while working thru my ear buds and I find myself laughing out loud. People think I'm crazy. Great writing!!!

[elena butura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mi-a plăcut mult povestea, dar cred ca cel mai mult a contribuit felul cum este citita. Superb ! Am sa mai caut cărți citite de persoana asta. ❤

[א ג · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing story. Narrator is the top of yhe line. Loved it the second time too

[c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so funny & narrator made it even more engaging! I don’t read romance, but have been in the mood lately & I’m so glad I started here!

[Sue Bastian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such fun! Tessa Dare picks up the baton from Georgette Heyer and runs into a bit of salacious boggery… but despite that, she’s funny and her stories are sweet although they follow that predictable trope of falling in love battling demons, messing up, surrendering and begging for mercy. Still, it’s fun reading.

[Corinne · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Audio: 5/5
Story: 3/5

Overall a 3.5-star book.
The audio narration was delighful.
I liked Alexandra and Chase's story quite a bit. It was funny and sweet. Although, Chase is not my favorite character.
But I liked Alexandra a lot. She's strong, smart and knows her own mind.

[Franka · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not bad, but I hoped for more. Funny, witty, but didn't feel the chemistry.

[Ciarra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love everything! The narrator is awesome! The story is cute and funny!

[Helen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm in love with the characters and the story. The narrator does an excellent job too, although she talks a bit too fast sometimes. This has got to be one of my favorites of Tessa Dare's books.

[Jessica Piscia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best Narator.... excellent inflection.
Many laughable moments.
I thouroughly enjoyed this read.

[Annie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I believe this was the first book I’ve read from the author and it will not be my last. I was captivated by this book. The authors way with words was just so enjoyable.

“Someone had taught him a lie, etching it not only on his mind, but in his soul.”

“His eyes held a clash of emotions. Doubt, mixed with a desperate yearning to believe. Denial, warring against desire. Push, tethered to pull.”

Let start with Alexandra. I loved her character. She was not your typical wallflower, regency romance heroine. She was smart, witty, cultured, worldly, tender and unbelievably forgiving and a hopeless romantic. I loved her background. She had a rough life that came with deep scars and yet she pushed on. Then there’s Chase, the rouge who deep down just doesn’t know how to love. Not that he doesn’t or can’t, he just doesn’t know how to express it and doesn’t believe himself worthy of it. He comes off as a complete cad at the beginning but there are all these little hints into his true character. Alex and Chade slowly get to know each other and their chemistry is hot. The 2 girls play a super cute role in the story and the way Alex treats and handles them just makes her al the more loveable. Chase is constantly pushing Alex away. Hurting her without even realizing it I think. However the last one is bad. After proclaiming his love for her he tries to send her away. Tries to shield himself by running away. What she says hit a spot in my heart. Maybe bc I’ve felt it.

“I don’t believe for a moment that you meant anything you just said. I know you better than that. You’re a good man with a loving nature. But even if I can dismiss your words, that doesn’t mean they don’t hurt.”

And with that Alex had the courage and bravery I came to expect from her and she leaves. The ending was all the sweeter bc Chase didn’t run after her as soon as he realized his mistake.

“It will be too late, she’d told him. It would be too early, as well. If he had any hope of ever regaining Alex’s trust—and her love—he had to prove he deserved it. Not only to her, but to himself.”

He actually did what he needed. Tried to prove to himself and her that he was worthy. This was truly an enjoyable read.

[Marie Gibbs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story! Excellent reader! Will be looking for more from Tessa Dare

[Kayla Brunson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While I didn't love it as much as the first book in the series, This was a great story!
I loved the characters and the romance was downright awesome.

[Athirah Bt Maridan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator does an excellent job! Love it so much

[Lori Garrahan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely adored this. The narrator, the MCs, the humor. Perfect.

[Cindy Robert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this! Love it more than the first one. It is highly entertaining and heartwarming at the same time.

[ROSVI C. GAETOS · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A delight to read! Great characters Wonderful narrator with engaging accent!!

[nmelachrinou · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

By far the funniest love story. I enjoyed every minute of it. Excellent narration too

[jennifer slaughter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book. The characters were well written. Narrators did a great job

[Annie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I began reading this after I finished all of Julia Quinn's books. Maybe I was so used to a style that this was a little bit different for me and I prefer Julia Quinn's book but I would still give this a four-star.

[carvanz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook: Narrator – Mary Jane Wells

Another amazing performance by this narrator! She always does the hero and heroine to perfection. Sometimes the secondary characters can be a little iffy for me, but I’m just being picky by saying that because even her iffy is so much better than others best. I will never hesitate to one click an audio if this narrator is listed on the credits!


I loved almost everything about this story! The heroine was a perfect counterpoint to the hero, the children were so freaking adorable and funny with their little idiosyncrasies. The journey to a relationship and their struggles was believable and entertaining to read/listen.

However, for the first time since I can really remember, the fact that this hero was a player (I really want to call him worse but refuse to give a particular website a reason to banish me forever) really, really bothered me. As in a lot! I’m not a fan of such traits in a hero but I can usually get past them, especially if once he meets the heroine she’s all he sees or thinks about. And while that is basically true here, there was at least one time that was not the case. And while he didn’t do anything with the other woman, it still bothered me.

Otherwise, I absolutely loved this book, the characters, the chemistry and the outcome. So, one star for that hero’s poor choices – even if that was who he was and the author had no choice but to write him as such – and the fact that I don’t have to like it. It’s still an amazing four stars and I almost want to add that lost star back again simply because of the children!

Dual POV

[Antonela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Laugh out loud historical romance I enjoyed every second of it.

[dreamcakes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narration was amazing as was the storyline. It was absolutely heartwarming.

[Lisa Silva · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely marvelous listen! The narrator was superb. Interesting from beginning to end.

[Leslie H · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic plot, interesting characters and a wonderful love story.

[momalwaysreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the second in the series by one of my new favorites, Tessa Dare. I loved this one as well and I think I may have found my new go-to genre!