Book Review! The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale

The Nobleman's Governess Bride (The Glass Slipper Chronicles #1) 
by Deborah Hale 
Genre: Adult Fiction (Historical / Regency Romance)
Date Published: December 29, 2017
Publisher: Self

Jane Eyre meets Prince Charming in two enchanting Regency love stories! Previously published as "Much Ado About Nuptials" and The Baron’s Governess Bride. 

Loyal Rebecca Beaton and gentle Grace Ellerby became lifelong friends while enduring the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessings of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca and Grace encounter two special gentlemen who have suffered their own misfortunes, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides! 

In “The Viscount Meets His Match” Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing. 

In spite of their many differences, Sebastian finds himself drawn to forthright, loyal Rebecca. Yet he fears his admiration for the lady could erode his good judgment and resolve. Rebecca fights her growing attraction to Sebastian, which threatens to divide her loyalties…and perhaps break her heart. If only she can help him believe in true love, there may be hope for more than one happy ending! 

In The Baron’s Governess Bride, Rupert Lord Steadwell is determined to hire the dowdiest, most unmarriageable woman he can find to care for his motherless daughters. The girls were heartbroken when their last governess eloped and Rupert does not want to risk a repetition. In her drab clothes, frumpy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby look like the ideal person for the job. 

Rupert has no idea that clever, caring Miss Ellerby is a beauty in disguise. Alarmed by unwanted advances from men in her previous positions, Grace is desperate to hide her dangerously attractive appearance and her growing feelings for her new employer. But when Lord Steadwell appears in danger of making a loveless marriage and saddling his daughters with a dreaded stepmother, Grace must risk everything to prevent it. Will a midnight kiss at a masked ball lead to scandal and ruin or will two wary hearts find their happily ever after at last? 

The Nobleman's Governess Bride is the first book in The Glass Slipper Chronicles series by Deborah Hale. It's actually two stories in one, which was a nice little surprise. 

The first story, The Viscount Meets His Match, is a novella about Rebecca and Sebastian. Sebastian is as stubborn as they come, and it causes some pretty funny moments. Rebecca gives him a run for his money in the stubborn department. These two begin an unlikely friendship that grows, and it was so fun to watch it grow. 

The next story revolves around one of Rebecca's childhood friends, Grace. Rupert is stubborn like Sebastian, but he also has blinders on when it comes to certain things. These two have a friendship that grows slowly, and it does so in the smallest and most meaningful ways. They were funny and lovely to read about, and I completely fell for Rupert's daughters. 

It seems the series might be moving through this group of governess friends who have known each other since childhood. They are like family even though they don't see each other near enough if at all anymore. I'm looking forward to more in this series. 

The ARC of The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale  was kindly provided to me by I am a Reader for review. The opinions are my own.

I have been telling stories ever since I could talk, writing them down once I learned to hold a pencil. I had my first critique partner in ninth grade. We wrote lots of stories and assured each other how brilliant they were. Our treasured friendship continues to this day. During my highschool years, I dabbled in drama, including historical plays where I got to dress up in elegant gowns from bygone eras. Later I traced my ancestors to their roots in Georgian era Britain. In the process, I uncovered enough fascinating true stories to keep me in fiction plots for years to come!

A special needs teacher by training, I left the classroom to raise my young family, fully expecting to return to work when my children reached school age. In my limited spare time, I wrote my first historical romance then began learning the skills I needed to make it sell. In 1998, my life took an amazing detour when my two youngest sons were diagnosed with autism and I sold my first book. Suddenly my writing hobby became a career that allowed me the flexibility to be at home for my boys, and my former profession became my life.

Since then, I have written more than thirty works of historical romance, inspirational romance. otherworld fantasy and historical fiction. They have been published in every continent except Antarctica, meaning my characters have made friends in places I may never get a chance to visit.

My family and I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, a place that blends history, faith, romance and a little magic! When not writing books, I walk the local trail with my husband, practice tai-chi and sing with Celtic Flavor, a group that entertains and raises funds for churches and charities throughout the Maritimes.

To learn more about Deborah Hale and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Twitter.