Reviews * Giveaway
The Governess by Kristen McKendry
Book Description:
Independent young Kate Porter envisions a future far greater than the middle-class existence she's always lived, and her work as a governess is simply a means to an end. The glittering world of a society wife calls, and her new position as a private tutor for the children of Mr. Alonzo Colaco is a step in the right direction. She merrily imagines the grand house awaiting her—but when her new employer meets her at the train station driving a gaily-painted gypsy wagon, Kate suspects her new job as a children's tutor will not be all she dreamed.
Instead of the mansion she anticipate, Kate finds herself living in the woods in a refitted train car and teaching the charming children of Alonzo, a tinker by trade. After trying in vain to secure another job, Kate is left with little choice. She must simply bide her time until a better position presents itself. Before long, however, she finds herself abandoning her petticoats and preconceptions in favor of the joys of a simple life—and the possibility of true love. But when opportunity knocks, will Kate really be ready to walk away from all she's come to care for to pursue her high-society dreams?
Andrea's Review:
The Governess is an enjoyable story. I was pulled in from the first sentence. How could you not be interested in what was happening with this sentence?
"It is obvious to me that you cannot be trusted. "
Kate wasn't very endearing when she was focused on status and wealth, and that can ruin a story for me; however there were glimpses of a better person inside that kept me going.
Alonzo was quite likable. He was a bit mysterious but had a good, kind heart. He was an excellent father.
I really liked the lessons Alonzo and his children taught by their example. They helped each other and those around them, even though they didn't have much themselves.
I couldn't help but think about how if this were a modern day story it would be the beginning of a murder mystery. No way would a single young woman in her right mind accompany a virtual stranger to his home off the beaten path. Kate did have some misgivings, but mostly it was for propriety-not safety. How the times have changed. :)
I saw the end coming, but it was still a good, fast read.
Rorie's Review:
This was such an enjoyable book to read. It was one of those "read in one day" kind of books that I love so much. (But it's a good thing they don't come around too often, otherwise I'd never get anything done!) (Have I said that already? I feel like I have.)
Anyway, enough of the parentheses. I enjoy reading Regency-era romance novels, but the thing that always gets me about that time period is all of the crazy restrictions placed on women. How to dress, how to talk, how to act. I think I would go insane if I had to live back then. This book takes place in Canada, and seems to be a later period than Regency-era - they have trains in this book - but the poor women still have those ridiculous restrictions.
While Kate is completely shocked at her new employer's living conditions, she gradually gets used to it. This is where I can relate a whole lot more. Walking around barefoot, simple, comfortable clothes on (no bustles required to live in the woods!) I'm not sure how I would feel about living in a train car and having to use the bushes for a bathroom and the icy-cold river for a bath, but it would definitely be an adventure.
Alonzo and his children were endearing from the start. I had pretty much guessed early on the secret that Alonzo kept from Kate until near the end of the story, but it didn't negatively affect the story for me at all.
I plan on reading more of the author's books, since I enjoyed this one so much.
Tarah's Review:
This book was interesting to me because it isn't very often that you read a book (or I guess that I read a book) where the "poor" relation is snobby. Even though it took a while for me to warm up to Kate, I was intrigued enough, and liked Alonzo and his children enough to keep going. That being said, I need to state that her feelings were totally understandable. Maybe not for this day and age, but when, as a woman, all you had to look forward to were making a good match and having "connections" it isn't surprising that she had such snobby feelings.
I can see myself rereading this, and telling my book-reading friends about it. In fact, I'm already curious as to what they will think about Kate and her story.
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Author: Kristen McKendry
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: October 2016
ISBN: 1524400386
Source: We received copies from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Deseret Book
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