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Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides #1)

3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 · rating details · 1,699 ratings · 76 reviews

The Rules of Employment for The Distinguished Academy of Governesses: Always remember your station; after all, you are higher than the house servants but certainly not a member of the family. Be sure to maintain a disciplined schoolroom and to take your meals on a tray. And Bnever become too familiar with the master of the house...

Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as Engla...more

ebook, 384 pages

Published October 13th 2009 by HarperCollins e-books (first published 2000)

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Mar 12, 2009 _inbetween_ rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

ETA: I'm still shocked. I haven't pastede_in the incoherent rants I typed somewhere else and had intended to place around the one funny and countless awful quotes, so the quotes stand alone (below). Dodd must have intended "The Sheik" romance but this is the most awful non-con, see also final quote with sickening non-con language below; the book ended after her last realistic outcry for me, the following endless molestation incl. public Frenching ended with all of his "funny" pretensions actuall...more ETA: I'm still shocked. I haven't pastede_in the incoherent rants I typed somewhere else and had intended to place around the one funny and countless awful quotes, so the quotes stand alone (below). Dodd must have intended "The Sheik" romance but this is the most awful non-con, see also final quote with sickening non-con language below; the book ended after her last realistic outcry for me, the following endless molestation incl. public Frenching ended with all of his "funny" pretensions actually coming true in the end, the most clichéd "I love you" solving everything without a single thing changing.

The first in the Governess series is also the one she copied in the seventh, which I had just read before. The tutoring makes much more sense here, and a couple of occasions where Caroline quietly explains why excercising courtesy and knowing rules was a vital ability in any society, not just in a stiff Victorian one but necessary for survival rather than conforming, Wynter's overdone "barbarism" was annoying. Not only did I find his huge bare feet and djellaba unappealing, him being tanned brown is a stupid modern thing Dodd added to this series which I never minded when they were medieval knights, but find repellent in those huge tall big "hunks".

Like the other of the later series, the restrained plot serves clarity, and the heroine is more clearly visible, even though she seems to be plagued by exactly the same unjust fate as ANTR and MBT. The children are okay like in her other books, except for how it physically hurts me how she restricts the girl, and the "love" that she naturally has for them. The small details of how she concentrates on how he angles his head, strains his muscles etc. under her is nice, even if he's just generally bland to me, much like all of hers now?

His repellent and real opinions about how women needed to be ruled by their men, which he still has in later books oh how cute do the wives who really rule say as I glower, resurfaces to make a good obstacle once it's clear that he wants to marry her, and his good nature and intelligence will make him sense (even if later oh how funny he says these things still he's not a Hunt hero). Him having had only this one Beduine wife since he was 15 might also make him a virgin, even if Dodd gives her heroes their sexin from 10 years on. While I loathe the first dichotomy, I of course like the second since it makes him cute rather than the savage sexor, but then Dodd became (ill advisedly) one of my 2.5 favourites by having women on top NOT in the stupid riding-with-bouncy-breast crap but in the revelling and touching his body underneath. Indeed with him repeatedly making her touch him, even the stupid word man nipples for once is permissible, because Dodd's emancipated sensuality gets full space here, and since the heroine is a real character for once her genuine refusal begs for him coming off his high horse.

Besides the likable chauvinism of the hero, there are also fresher, crisper funny scenes than in her others I read lately.

There is also the most outspoken scene yet about the unbearable injustice of two laws for men and women and the yoke of marriage as something she should be grateful for. It was a disappointingly stupid sex ending which drags on and makes me feel sick in the end when he does so easily overpower her sexually. As it drags on and on, it becomes clear it's meant as the usual she-cant-resist him which in a Dodd book is quasi rape for me, unexpected as it, the worst possible thing after luring me with genuiness..

His eyes fluttered shut, so she let her eyes close, too. She concentrated on the way he angled his head. The tensing of his muscles in the body beneath her. The power of his shoulders held in her clutching hands. Just as each perception grew slightly familiar, she found something else changed.

"Charlotte. Again." He lifted his face toward hers. Unwillingly flattered, she bent to him. Her lips settled easily on his, at home already with his warmth, the texture of his skin… and his taste.
"More." His voice was guttural, demanding, but his caresses in her hair, along her spine remained gentle and tender.
More? Ah, she knew, or rather, she could guess what he wanted. Ignoring the flutter of good sense within her enfeebled brain, she leaned into him yet further, and slowly slid her tongue into his mouth.

This woman understood almost nothing of the skills Eastern girls imbibed with their mothers' milk. So she was surprised at his passion, horrified at her own and did not accept the fire between them with any amount of grace.
In short, Wynter would have to court her. He grimaced. It could be done, of course. Like mares, women were easily led if offered the right enticement. But how much better when a woman accepted a man's wishes without such an arduous process!

Wynter realized with a jolt she had no intention of telling him the rest of the story. He was stunned. He was most empathetic and insightful, and she was talking to him, the mate of her soul, the man who would wed her. She didn't know that yet, she ought to know he could be trusted.
Nevertheless, he would not reproach her.

She didn't exclaim, or thank him, or throw herself into his arms in an ecstasy of joy. Perhaps she didn't truly understand, or perhaps she thought him indifferent or uncaring about the attraction she felt for him. So he clarified. "Also, we both feel desire for each other. Our bedsport will be most satisfying."
Now she responded. Color swept into her face and she lowered her head like a camel about to charge.

Bringing her palm to his chest, he laid it over one of his male nipples.
He still clasped her hand to hischest and he moved it slowly in a little circle. She held herself stiffly and glared into his face. He smiled at first, but as the motion continued his smile slipped away, to be replaced by an expression of expectation. His lids half lowered over his eyes, his nostrils flared, his lips parted slightly.
The hair prickled her palm, and the nipple, at first smooth and soft, puckered under the stimulus. She knew that, for as she grew aware of the physical sensations, she found she couldn't look into his face any longer, and the response beneath her palm was echoed on his other side.
And on her. She didn't understand it. She didn't like it. But her nipples tightened, rubbing against her chemise, poking toward him as if demanding attention. He couldn't see them.

Relief burst on him. Children! She wanted children!
Of course. All women wanted children.
He was potent. He could give her children. It would be a pleasure.
Walking to Charlotte, he wrapped her in his arms. She stood stiffly, not fighting him but not permitting, either. Women were supposed to have instincts, but Charlotte didn't even know how to accept solace.
He refrained from shouting instructions at her.

I have to marry or I'll be a pariah. But yours, too. You're marrying a woman who won't have the right to demand anything from you, because you saved her. Never mind that you ruined her in the first place; you saved her when you could have let her sink, so all will admire you. You can pat yourself on the back for being so generous"—she looked down at his hand wrapped in her skirt—"oh, wait, you're already doing that! Ah, well, munificent, lucky you never have to waste another thought on your wife and her happiness. The privilege of being your wife and warming herself in your rays should be enough

He pulled her close against him as though he could overcome her objections with nothing more than his proximity. She craned her neck to see his face. His height was greater than hers, his strength far superior to her own.
The contrast between his power and hers was vast; even more weighty was the reality of the law. When Wynter was her husband he would have the right to do with her body as he wished. He could beat her, or lock her away. He wouldn't; she knew that. But he would take his conjugal rights, and if she dared complain or bemoan her fate, the men who made the laws would shrug and turn away. More important, hundreds of women less blessed in their mates would rise up against her and browbeat her into submission. She had no choice. He would have her.
Perhaps if she retracted her challenge, he might leave her alone until her unhappy wedding night.
But she couldn't. When she thought about allowing him the freedom of her body… she just couldn't. Useless or not, she had to fight him, for if she didn't she would lose some vital piece of herself.

He bent over her, an invisible shape formed of powerful threat and impossible passion. When she tried to wiggle away she found herself trapped by his knee on her skirt. More than that, she felt trapped by him and by… what? Desire? Expectation? She only knew the novelty of being this close to a man made her want to explore these inappropriate sensations.
If only she felt safe with him. If only she knew that when her limit had been reached, he would call a halt.
She tried to sit up, to dislodge him, but his upper body blocked her, his knee trapped her by her skirts and he whispered, "Shh." He delved into the slit in her underwear. "Don't move."(less)

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Jul 22, 2012 Vina Raintree rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, historical-romance, love

good story ! gag bakal rugi kalo baca buku ini! 4 thumbs! #bingung mau nulis apa lagi,, haha

dan beruntungnya, penerbit oak tree sudah memperbaiki kualitas penerjemahan mereka, sehingga buku ini bener-bener layak dibaca dengan bahasa yang setara sama GPU !... #grinn

ceritanya ini ada akademi guru privat terkemuka yang didirikan oleh Lady Charlotte Dalrumple, Miss Pamela Lockhart, dan Miss Hannah Setterington.

awalnya Lady Adorna, hanya ingin merekrut seorang governess untuk 2 orang cucu-cucu nya. L...more

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May 18, 2012 Dea Natassya rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

STUPID. astaga ni satu-satunya buku yg ga akan pernah kubaca dua kali dan mungkin bakal aku simpen di lemari buku paling belakang dan paling sudut biar ga ada yang nemu ni buku buat dibaca *maap berlebihan, tapi agak kesel juga soalnya da mahal-mahal beli terus kecewa berat sama pengarangnya; bisa-bisanya dia nulis buku yang ga ada meaningnya sama sekali.
ehm, kenapa aku selesin ni buku? salah satu alesannya karena sejauh ini aku suka buku-buku yang ditulis Christina Dodd sampe akhirnya aku baca...more STUPID. astaga ni satu-satunya buku yg ga akan pernah kubaca dua kali dan mungkin bakal aku simpen di lemari buku paling belakang dan paling sudut biar ga ada yang nemu ni buku buat dibaca *maap berlebihan, tapi agak kesel juga soalnya da mahal-mahal beli terus kecewa berat sama pengarangnya; bisa-bisanya dia nulis buku yang ga ada meaningnya sama sekali.
ehm, kenapa aku selesin ni buku? salah satu alesannya karena sejauh ini aku suka buku-buku yang ditulis Christina Dodd sampe akhirnya aku baca ni buku. aku kira cerita di dalem buku ini bakalan wow kayak buku-buku dia yang pernah aku baca, aku terus berharap kayak gitu sampe ga sadar udah lembaran terakhir. harapanku sia-sia. pikiran pertamaku waktu nyelesein ni buku cuma: WTF.
ini seri pertama dari Governess Brides dan aku bener-bener ga akan beli seri keduanya. udah keburu kecewa sama karakter-karakter novel ini yang smuanya stupid. dimulai dari Charlotte, seorang Lady yang bekerja sebagai pengasuh 2 anak Lord Wynter. oh, dia dipekerjakan oleh ibunya Wynter, Adorna. alasan Adorna mempekerjakan Charlotte karena anak-anak Wynter udah lama tinggal di luar negeri tepatnya di El Bahar, Arab. Adorna ingin Charlotte mengajarkan cucu-cucunya etiket negara Inggris yang menuntut sopan santun dan tata krama yang ketat sedangkan saat mereka di luar negeri, mereka dibesarkan secara bebas dan liar. tapi rupanya, Adorna ingin Wynter-lah yang diajarkan sopan santun oleh Charlotte.
awalnya aku suka sifat Charlotte: pinter, sopan, independen, dan punya prinsip. tapi rupanya aku harus menghadapi kekecewaan besar karena tokoh dengan sifat sebaik itu harus dipasangkan dengan satu-satunya tokoh novel cowok yang punya sifat paling mengerikan yang pernah aku baca.
ga adaaaaa sama sekali ga adaaa setitikpun chemistry di antara mereka berdua. bahkan, aku bener-bener ga tau kapan Charlotte jatuh cinta sama Wynter. astaga, ga ada satupun sifat Wynter yang aku rasa charming. mungkin ini cuma masalah selera, tapi aku suka sama tipe bad boy di novel karena pasti penulis yang membentuk karakter tipe tersebut punya something yang akan ngebikin pembaca tertarik. tapi engggaaaaa!!! Miss Dodd bener-bener gagal dalam hal ngebentuk karakter Wynter. menurut aku, dia bener-bener cowok paling stupid yang sayangnya dipilih jadi karakter tokoh utama.
sumpah aku geli sendiri sama Wynter. dari awal pas tahu dia kabur ke luar negeri pas usia lima belas tahun karena kematian ayahnya dan ninggalin ibunya sendiri, itulah yang ngebuat aku geleng-geleng kepala sama ni cowok. terus cara dia memperlakukan Charlotte yang kurang ajar banget dan Charlotte yang awalnya kliatan cerdas terus langsung berubah jadi perempuan ter-stupid di dunia karena bisa-bisanya nerima perlakuan dia, trashy abis.
bayangan aku tentang Charlotte pada awalnya langsung retak dan hancur berkeping-keping saat dia nerima lamaran kurang ajar Wynter yang ga tau adat dan sok puitis padahal bikin geli. dia yang awalnya kukira independen, langsung berubah jadi perempuan pasrah ga berprinsip.
dan, terrible sex scene. mereka ngelakuin habis mereka nikah dan cara Wynter maksa Charlotte bener-bener bikin aku pengen ngelempar ni buku (tapi ngga kok, karena aku masih berharap sama kmampuan pengarangnya) Wynter hancurin pintu kamar Charlotte yang dikunci pake senapan, nyulik Charlotte dan ngerasa bangga dengan apa yang dia lakuin pas mamerin Charlotte ke tamu pernikahan mereka, Adorna yang ngerasa tindakan itu ROMANTIS, dan juga cara Wynter ngerobek gaun pengantin Charlotte pake pisau seakan-akan isi kepalanya kosong sampe-sampe ga mikir gimana kalo sampe ngelukain istrinya. dan dari yang aku tangkep, ni kayak pemerkosaan secara halus dan aku bener-bener benci sama tipe kayak gini.
ga ada percikan cinta di antara mereka. sama sekali ga ada. author terkesan memaksa mereka harus saling jatuh cinta dan aku lebih bisa nerima kalo endingnya salah satu tokoh utamanya mati daripada happily ever after. cuma anak-anak Wynter aja yang aku suka di novel ini. selain itu sama sekali ga ada. yang aku dapet cuma rasa pusing pas nyelesein ni novel. dan juga rasa kecewa berat sama author-nya. (less)

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Apr 02, 2012 skein rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rrrrromance-novels, 2012, e-book, 1-star

T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. Not the writing but the characters OH GOD the characters.

Charlotte is the improbably prim/proper/perfect governess-cum-heiress with a secret past (OF SCANDAL) who falls for the improbably-named Wynter, the young Englishman who moved to a desert country and returned with young children in tow. They and he need to be Civilized posthaste for some vague English ceremony involving Queen Victoria: hence, Lady Miss Governess Charlotte.

... and then it gets icky.

Wynter decides early on t...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Josephina rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: brain-bleach-needed, expected-better, good-author-gone-bad, historical-romance, kill-the-characters, language-issues, romance, stop-it-author, will-never-reread, bland-or-boring

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I'm going to be honest. Christina Dodd has long been on my list of favorite authors of romance fiction. The Governess series was one of my first forays into the genre, back in the day. While I intend to give Ms. Dodd another chance, I remember liking this book a lot better back then. Perhaps because I got into romance novels after my roommate and I got dumped from long-term relationships in the span of the same weekend, so we cheered ourselves up by buying a bunch of romance novels and trading t...more

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Dec 06, 2010 Christine rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: abandoned, romance

I gave this 2 stars because as usual, Christina Dodd is a wonderful writer. In fact, that's the only reason I picked up this book -- I've never yet enjoyed an Arabian/Regency. They often involve kidnap, coersion, and rape, none of which I like. I do like strong men who go after and conquer their women, but the conquest has to be an emotional one, not a physical one. I actually thought this might end up being an emotional conquest in the end, but let's not mince words -- he rapes her and then he...more

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May 16, 2012 Hpitcher rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Anyone who likes being pushed around and treated like a possession

Shelves: historical-romance

Complete and utter hate. That is what this book makes me feel. never have I ever felt so pissed off while reading a book and had it continue for the entire thing! The writing was not that bad but the characters made you want to slap them in the face! Especially Wynter! I think I would have punched him if he even tried any of the bull that he tried with Charlotte in the book! This book was mostly him doing what he wanted without thought of anyone else's feelings and her! She just went along with...more

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May 01, 2012 Limau Nipis rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, e-books-save-trees, historical-romance

3.5 stars!

This is my first book by Christina Dodd. It is entertaining with the mix of English and Arabian customs. I find the strings of supporting characters adorable, Wynter's (the hero) childrens and such a strong character from Adorna, Wynter's mother. I enjoyed Adorna's witty character and banters.

As for the heroine, Charlotte, she is prim and proper all the way, and the perfect governess for the family. Wynter, who had lived in the Arabian desert before coming back to England seems to ratt...more

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Jul 25, 2009 Nisha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historicalromance, bluestocking-independent-spinster

I was predisposed to like this book. I mean, I love governess/bluestocking and lord kind of romances. I did work hard to like it too. But there was some things that were overwhelmingly bothersome. One, Wynter (dumb name, I think) was amazingly dumb for a man who has been exposed to 2 cultures. He was not that young when he ran away. Loving a woman does not make a man unmanly. Two, Most of the adult characters had flaws that made them difficult to like. Three, the racism. I understand the time pe...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, virgin-heroines, victorian, governess-companion

Rules of Surrender
4 Stars

Synopsis:
Impoverished and cast out from her family, Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is forced to work as a governess. Ostensibly hired to teach Lady Ruskin’s Eastern born grandchildren in the ways of English society, Charlotte soon realizes that her real assignment is to turn their barbarian father into a true English gentleman. The only problem is that the outspoken and sensual Wynter Ruskin has every intention of turning the tables and seducing the prim and proper Charlotte.

R...more

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May 04, 2012 Cbackson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought I was going to hate this, and then I, to my utter surprise, liked it. I often feel like Dodd gets the emotional arc of her novels just a smidge wrong - there's often a lot of jerky hero behavior, and the reconciliation phase gets short shrift. But I thought this book was delightful. The children weren't plot moppets. The hero's mostly-feigned ignorance about English society was funny. Three stars because I barely remember the heroine, and because the story didn't have much depth to it....more

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Oct 11, 2011 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own-it, romance

Not such a fan of the "sheikh" types. This is the 1st of a series about the governess school which has some lovely books in it. Very 1980s style of hero is our man. Lady Miss Charlotte ought to say No & mean it, not alot of resistance shown. Like the sentence that goes something like "my desert father taught me men & horses are a mans true companions, a wife is just to cook, make babies, & keep the tent clean", because sadly that idea of a wife not being a worthy companion is still c...more

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Aug 26, 2010 Lisarenee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Recommended by a couple of gals from one of my groups. Loving this series by Dodd. Read a previous book of hers and wasn't impressed so was glad they told me not to give up on her. About a group of women in the 1800's who start an Academy for Governesses. The three get their first client and the business is finally underway. The client, however, is not the average run of the mill. The children raised in the Middle East have much to learn and through in a wild father to the mix and you've got som...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Tai the Lioness rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: horrid-hero

The only thing i liked in this novel was the kids, they were refreshing. Kids are not always likable in Historical Romance, especially Regency, so accolades to Dodd on that one. However, she failed in the alphamale category. Wynter is a domineering asshole. So you found the woman you want...GREAT. However, there is no need to overwhelm her. How is it that he can be pegged as this SUPER SMART man when he cant even understand the concept of LOVE. He supposedly is the best thing ever for Darumple b...more

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Nov 29, 2010 Melody rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, disliked, heroines-who-got-on-my-nerves, heroes-who-got-on-my-nerves, tstl-characters, baby-kids, uptight-heroine, authors-to-avoid, wtf-was-that, opposites-attract, battle-of-wills, possessive-jealous-hero, arrogant-cocky-hero, disappointing, just-plain-stupid, single-parent, reviewed-by-me, virgin-heroine, blue-themed-cover, bored-me-to-tears, give-this-guy-an-idiot-trophy, alpha-hero, damn-awful, drama-queen, you-deserve-a-bitch-slap, my-fair-governess, eye-roll-inducing, plain-jane, aren-t-you-a-prude

For a historical book this was really disappointing for me. Pretty much awful to be honest. And the most frustrating because I tried so hard to like it. I had major issues with this book. Both the hero and heroine came off obnoxious and pretentious. Wynter who I tried very hard to like came off abrasive, chauvinistic and stupid. Which really confused me considering in the beginning he pretended to act inept to fool people but reading through the very end, the man was completely clueless and IMO...more For a historical book this was really disappointing for me. Pretty much awful to be honest. And the most frustrating because I tried so hard to like it. I had major issues with this book. Both the hero and heroine came off obnoxious and pretentious. Wynter who I tried very hard to like came off abrasive, chauvinistic and stupid. Which really confused me considering in the beginning he pretended to act inept to fool people but reading through the very end, the man was completely clueless and IMO never seemed to change. And Charlotte was no better. She came off stiff, snobbish, judgmental, and mean (all those remarks about his time in the desert and his way of living and the way he dressed I didn't appreciate). I understood she was a governess and was focused on following rules of propriety but that doesn't excuse her snobbish rude holier-than-thou attitude. Her cutting remarks to Wynter and his new lifestyle were neither endearing or charming. I could not understand or relate to her or Wynter most of the time.

And I understand the plot of the story was trying to fight off lust and growing feelings between two people but when the author spends so much more time (too much IMO) showing the two characters bickering and arguing then actually even 'liking' each other it gets kind of hard to believe that they love each other. Which was why I had a hard time buying Lady Charlotte loved Wynter when she hated even admitting it and spent most of the time reprimanding him or scolding him like a five-year old. It wasn't endearing in the least or sexy. And I couldn't buy Wynter loving her when he obviously didn't understand the meaning of love. It was a shame to me because the author did not focus on the actual love story and didn't show them falling in love at all but spent time page after page on the battle of wills between the two and the surrounding secondary characters. The whole pacing of the book was really odd. There was very little room left for actual romance or even love IMO. It got to the point where I almost stopped reading the book several times.

And an awkward rolling and tumbling around on the floor in a tent where the man has to physically force you to succumb to his advances is not hot, sexy or romantic, it was pretty much close to rape for me. It was totally bizarre to the point of uncomfortable when the man is ripping off her clothes and she's trying to flee. I mean what? I almost was laughing at how ridiculous the description was because I couldn't believe that was the climactic long drawn out 'love scene'. Nothing about it was seductive or romantic.

I was bummed because I was really looking forward to reading this governess series. :( I keep hearing great things about this author but so far not impressed or interested. (less)

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Mar 25, 2013 Lover of Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: avon, historical-romance, regency

It starts out with Lady Charlotte Dalrumple who is a governess, and one of the more proper ones. When a client comes in asking her to be a governess to her grandchildren, who are as she put it "savages" and needed to be put in society, well Charlotte agree's, wanting a change from helping young ladies with their come out's into society. So she is ready to accept that challenge of reforming her grandchildren. When she arrives at Autsinpark Manor, she is surprised to find that Lord Wynter Ruskin i...more It starts out with Lady Charlotte Dalrumple who is a governess, and one of the more proper ones. When a client comes in asking her to be a governess to her grandchildren, who are as she put it "savages" and needed to be put in society, well Charlotte agree's, wanting a change from helping young ladies with their come out's into society. So she is ready to accept that challenge of reforming her grandchildren. When she arrives at Autsinpark Manor, she is surprised to find that Lord Wynter Ruskin is there to meet them, and as she can tell he just as uncivilized as his two adorable children are. Lord Wynter Ruskin, ran away from home at the age of fifteen and went to explore the world filled with adventure. Of course it didn't all turn out as he had planned. He ended up back in England for the sake of his children, when his wife passed away. Even though they had known freedoms in living abroad and having no British social structure to restict anything from them. However, Charlotte takes the children in hand with grace, and naturally they fall in love with her. Having lost their own mother, and feeling out of place and very rebellious, they endear themselves to her influence. As time goes on, she realizes that the children aren't the only ones that she has to help get into society's good graces, namely Lordy Wynter Ruskin. She finds herself surrendering to the passion that builds between them, and as the society lessons go onward, she finds herself falling in love with the handsome Lord who has captivated her heart and body.

I love reading from Christina Dodd, she always brings out such a vitality to the reader, that I kept thirsting for more. I don't think I could ever get enough of her books. From the first page I fell in love with both Charlotte and Wynter, and the two children had me smiling from one page to the next. There was never a dull moment in this one. It had such a vibrance to the romance and passion between Charlotte and Wynter, that made my heart stutter with anticipation. It was definitely a treat to read Rules of Surrender and I truly fell in love with this book, the characters, the plot, the love story was endearing.(less)

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Mar 30, 2013 Nicole rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Suck-o-rama. I kept waiting for this book to get better: for character development of any kind, for the "hero" to show a tiny bit of intelligence beyond being able to do mental math, for something other than the stereotypical "Miss Priss" (yes, that's how she's described in the book in lieu of backstory) governess conquers the barbarian (after he violates her repeatedly). I'm all in favor of the occasional junk-food romance novel, but there was neither romance nor a novel here. Yuck.

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Feb 06, 2012 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-tbr-of-series, 2012-books-read

I loved it! My first book by Christina Dodd and what a great series to pick up.

The Governess Academy has just started business with 3 lovely ladies. First up is Lady Charlotte Dalrumple who is prim and proper but not only must take on two unruly children but the father too! Returned from the Far East not only do the children not understand English society the father Wynter seems to have forgotten it entirely.

The book is funny and clearly romantic. Sometimes you just want to punch them both out...more

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Dec 23, 2010 Patty rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, 2010, fiction, friendship, historical-romance, regency, governess-bride-series, women-writers, great-britain, humor

I am positive that I have read this book before. However, I was looking for a book to take on our boat and this was the only book I could find that I didn't care if it got wet.

As always, Christina Dodd has all the right elements of romance - at least the right ones for me. She had a wonderful sassy heroine, a properly dense hero who finally learned about love and she used humor throughout their story.

It was predictable, but lots of fun. I don't regret a minute.

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Dec 29, 2011 Lady Raven RAVE! rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

http://www.romancenoveljunkies.com for readers

You know its not that bad i was expecting the worst when I bought it but go figure..I think the seen everyone was talking about was a little misunderstood but that's just me...for me it was a good read I liked it and i fell in love with the children. But its up to you guys from reading the review to know if you like it and decide for yourself what you think about the book.

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Jun 16, 2012 Perdani Budiarti rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cuma-pinjam, historical, romance, reviewed

Sebuah akademi guru privat yang dikelola oleh tiga orang gadis terdengar tidak profesional pada zaman dimana cerita ini dikisahkan. Untuk mengubah image tersebut dan mendapat kepercayaan klien, Charlotte Dalrumple menerima pekerjaan sebagai guru privat dua orang anak Lord Wynter melalui nenek mereka, Adorna. Charlotte pun harus mengambil risiko menghadapi kembali masa lalu yang ditinggalkannya beberapa tahun lalu dengan menetap di rumah Lord Wynter.

Ternyata bukan hanya kedua anak Lord Wynter yan...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Pam rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Arabian/regency novel. After I read the reviews from others on this site, I wondered what I had been thinking while reading it. Prim governess meets man from Arabia, although he grew up in England. The book kind of pokes fun at England of that era.

Not terribly interested in the others in the series.

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Jul 27, 2010 Shae rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I think Lady Charlotte Dalrumple was a very interesting character in the beginning, but as the book went on she just became boring. Wynter was a ridiculous character and I didn't care for him at all. He just made me roll my eyes. The book started out pretty promising, but it just got way too boring for me.

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Dec 04, 2010 Patria rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: christina-dodd

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 10, 2012 £!M€¥ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 668, christina-dodd

awalnya gk pengen beli buku ini...hny ingin ngelengkapi sekuel buku Governess bride...gk nyesel beli juga....lumayan baguslah....gk ngebosenin..interaksi hero n heroine nya kocak, hero nya kalo ngomong sering terlalu terus terang dan vulgar..tp any way...kocak juga pada saat dia ngerayu heroine nya didepan ibu dan tamu2 ......wkwkwkwkwkwkw

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Jun 16, 2010 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, 2010, lords-dukes-etc

I didn't hate it but I didn't swoon over it either. Don't need a fan, or a tissue, don't have a smile or a gasp over the ending or anything else for that matter. Could probably use a therapist to interpret or clue me in on what the heck Wynter was about. Could be me, but the guy made no sense. Ever. Meh. I'm vexed.

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Aug 06, 2012 Nanda devi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought I was going to hate this, and then I, to my utter surprise, liked it. I don't want to be seen reading it though.
Wynter is a big asshole, but has some charms. Dodd builds up the tension in a way that frustrates and delights me at the same time.

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Jun 20, 2012 Rosalina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

sayang bacanya yg buku terjemahan,coba klo buku aslinya!
bete bgt ama buku terjemahannya,penerjemahnya aneh bin ajaib n editornya!!!!! bukannya sok bisa bhs inggris!! klo bisa di perbaiki lg semua buku2 terbitan .... (biar laku)
klo buku aslinya aku suka!! buku indonya aku ksh 1 bintang krn terjemahannya.
coba punya ebooknya :(

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Mar 23, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just LOVE Christina Dodd and the Governess Brides series. I find all of Dodd's books to have great plots, H&H that are easy to fall in love with and humor galore. This book made me laugh so many times and that what I like in a book.

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May 26, 2012 Wiwi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Mau kasih 3,5 buat novel ini...
Setelah kemarin kecewa dengan novel Tempt The Devil Anna Campbell, baca yg ini lumayan menghapus rasa kekecewaan. Walaupun ceritanya tidk terlalu kompleks, tapi baca novel ini bisa enjoy tanpa memaksakan diri buat cepat2 selesai :D
Karakternya juga kuat, mulai dari karakter charlotte, Wynter, Adorna sang nenek, dan anak2 yg menggemaskan seperti Leila dan Robbie. Lumayan menghibur.

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About Christina Dodd

Readers become writers, and Christina Dodd has always been a reader. As she was growing up, she read everything, but discovered, because she likes humor, that she liked romance best. In romance, the relationship between one man and one woman holds center stage, and that’s always good for a laugh.

A woman wants things like world peace, a clean house, and a deep and meaningful relationship based on m...more

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Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides #1)

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