The Governess

 

About the Book: 

She’s spent years running from the pain of her past. Is facing it the only way to save her future?

Fiona Campbell has done everything possible to mold herself into the perfect English governess. Determined to forget the tragedy she endured as a young girl in Ireland, she devoted all her energy into building a new life for herself. And she succeeded brilliantly--until the day she fell in love with Lord George Roderick, Baron of Cheswick, thereby risking not only her heart and reputation, but her livelihood, as well.

Fiona’s world is shattered when she learns that George has abandoned her to enter an engagement with the Honorable Sienna Clarke, a woman that receives his family’s full seal of approval. Despite George’s insistence that his love for her has not wavered and he will eventually make a way for them to be together, Fiona harbors doubts that his words will ever come to pass. Desperate to escape the situation, she applies for a new position elsewhere, only to be ignored at every turn.

George has always been the son his father could count on. He’s done everything his family has expected of him, but the idea of marrying anyone other than Fiona is unthinkable. Determined to set things right, he takes matters into his own hands, little dreaming that his actions will have the opposite effect of what he intended.

When a chance encounter with a childhood acquaintance provides Fiona with an opportunity to return to Ireland, she struggles with the decision. Should she remain in Roderick Glen and hope for love to prevail, or return to her native country and face the painful memories that have haunted her for years?

This third book in The Ladies of Roderick Glen series gives us another glimpse into the lives of the villagers as they reconcile faith with love, heartache, and the wistful longing for home.

My Review: 

Author Kristie Self has written a story that I can see being made into a movie and a series for bookclubs to enjoy discussing too. The many characters and the details of the lives of those living in Roderick Glen, England, County Clare, Ireland, as well as the main couple, Fiona Campbell and George Roderick make this an intriguing story. Ms. Self did an excellent job in weaving details of Fiona’s hidden past into the story with themes of loss, bitterness and hatred, love, faith, forgiveness, and redemption. This is the third book in The Ladies of Roderick Glen and you will want to read the other two books to fully enjoy the characters and the ongoing stories of some of the other characters who are part of the community and Cheswick Park. I was happy to return to see how everyone was doing. As in life, not everything goes according to plan and there are some very sad moments. But, there are also happy times, new arrivals, and possible romances on the horizon. After reading The Governess, more questions are left to be answered so I am looking forward to seeing what will happen next. Thank you to the author for a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.