Pamela Lockhart of Distinguished Academy of Governess was a no nonsense woman. She accept the offer of Devon Mathewes, Earl of Kerrich., to find an orphan to educated so he can restore his good name in front of the Queen. She also disguise her beauty look into an old spinster cause the Earl wanted to find an ugly governess who didn't fall in love with him.

As if she would. After her playboy father stunts, she vowed never to fall for rakes in her life. So two proud and stubborn personality that hated each other at first sight. How come they can't help the attraction that pulled them together? Specially for the earl who never in his life like an ugly woman before. Not to mention her cut razor tongue that can slices you to pieces.


This is the second of the Governess series and it was a TRIUMPH! The characters are witty, funny and believable. Cleverly written by Mrs Dodd with vivid detailing of the 1800 era. I can't put the book down since I read the first pages. It was my first try of Mrs Dodd book and it surely wouldn't be my last.

After this one, I decided to bought all the other 5 books in the Governor series. Hope they were as delicious as this one.

Beginning with this Rules of Engagement I became hooked on Ms. Dodd's Governess series. It is a pleasant read if you have some lazy hours to enjoy. I, became hooked on the series because I very much enjoyed the strength in Pamela's character. But I felt Kerrich was a weak hero because seriously why would a grown man care so much about a silly childhood incident that he'd alter his whole life in order to keep the incident a secret? I also felt the transformation from cold Kerrich to warm loving Kerrich was a bit too quick. But as i said earlier the book is a pleasant read, good for a bit of escapism if you will. .

Read out of order, but it's one of my favorites in the series.

Devon is so full of himself, so conceited, so vain....it's both exasperating and amusing. When he's considering all the reasons Pamela ought to marry him, he happens to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror and adds, "Handsome. Dashing." to his mental list. He's right, but he knows it in the most concetied way. He was not, however, raised that way as we see from his wonderful grandfather. So, over the course of the book, Devon's eyes are opened about the state of his heart and he matures greatly.

He and Pamela suffer from the same emotional turmoil: an inability to trust in the fidelity of the opposite sex because of the actions of a parent. This, more than his conceit, is the obstacle they must overcome.

We see multiple aspects of Pamela's personality: the warm, idealistic young woman who loves children and just wants peace & security, the no-nonsense governness who is prim and proper and completely willing to look down her nose at her unfeeling employer, and the woman of passion who loves despite the walls she has built around her heart. Pamela is freed more than she grows as a person. And her character and kindness help guide Devon's reformation.

Beth is a delightful child, though she sometimes seems old for her age. I would like to have seen more of why Devon's best friend was his best friend. I thought the counterfeiting mystery could have had more depth. Motivations could have been stronger, and the characters involved could have been better defined.

But the romance is marvelous, and as several reviewers have noted, hot. An excellent book, rated down from 5 stars only for the superficiality of the counterfeiting plot.

Rich and arrogant, Devon Mathewes, earl of Kerrich, enjoys his rakish lifestyle, and has no wish for change. However, he has recently fallen out of favor with Queen Victoria, his friend since childhood. She wishes him to give up his roaming, and settle down to a respectable life with one woman, or she will reveal an embarrassing indiscretion he has kept secret for years. To get back in her good graces, Devon has devised a plan. He approaches the Distinguished Academy of Governesses to hire a governess. There are a few stipulations for her employment. She must be plain, dowdy, past her prime, and have given up on all possibility of marriage. Because he is just fed up with women showing up naked in his bedchamber, and throwing themselves at his handsome, irresistible self. This governess must also procure a male orphan for him to sponsor, therefore giving the illusion he has changed into a stable, respectable person, without resorting to marriage.

The young and beautiful Miss Pamela Lockhart does not meet these requirements, but she'll have to do. Disguising her beauty beneath large plain clothing, makeup and ugly glasses, she fools Devon, but not his wiley old grandfather who keeps her secret. Devon finds himself attracted to Pamela's mind, if not her appearance. And the orphan, Beth, is becoming more important to him than she should. Devon is finding it hard to concentrate on the other problems plaguing him and his family. Somebody is counterfeiting money, and it's threatening the family bank. In the end, this person may end up a threat to those he now finds he can't live without. Especially when he "uncovers" the real Pamela.

This second book of the Governess Bride series is not only one of my series favorites, but one of my all-time favorite romances as well. The strong, independent and pragmatic Pamela has aristocratic roots, but has purposefully avoided marriage thus far. The fact she basically seduces Devon the first time was refreshing, and perhaps one of the steamiest love scenes I've ever read. I love the fact Ms. Dodd's heroines are frequently not above a little assertive seduction of their own! Devon was wonderful also - he came off as being so arrogant and sure of himself, but underneath he had a big heart. But probably the best character of all was Devon's grandfather who provided so much of the humor in this book. He was a riot! The intrigue was a nice extra also, although we knew who the culprit was.

So to sum it up, this book was funny, sexy, well written, and difficult to put down. An all around winner from one of my favorite authors!! Don't miss it!