Mini Book Review: Seducing the Governess by Margo Maguire

Title: Seducing the Governess
Author: Margo Maguire
Number of Pages: 384 pages
Release Date: 22 February 2011
Publisher: Avon
Source: review copy provided by publisher through NetGalley
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle Store, Book Depository

Grade: 2 stars

Novellus malus!

Goodreads appetizer: A Proper Governess Should Never. . .

Assist a handsome stranger, alone on an unfamiliar road . . . unless the rake happens to be her new employer.

Take a position in a crumbling manor . . . especially if the household staff has been replaced by unruly former soldiers.

Allow her young charge entrÉe to her heart . . . for once done, it will be impossible to maintain proper distance.

Permit her charge's uncle a breathtaking kiss under a star-lit sky . . . henceforth she will most certainly lose composure whenever he is near.

And above all, she should never, ever fall completely, irreversibly in love with her employer . . . for nothing good can possibly come of it.

My thoughts: I was so excited about this novel. The premise sounded wonderful and the cover was titillating, however I have to admit I did not finish reading this one. The reason for that is more personal that critical: I read about 16% and it was exactly like a steamier retelling of Jane Eyre: down to the way the hero and heroine meet (the heroine startling the hero's horse and thus causing him to fall and injure his ankle), the auster looking manor, the gruff hero, etc.

I did not find it engaging or interesting to read on, so I gave up. There are so many great exciting and original(!) romances I thought I wouldn't waste more time re-reading a modern new take on Jane Eyre.

Plot: 4/10
Characters: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Cover: 8/10

Buy it: