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The Governess Club: Louisa (The Governess Club #4)

Ellie Macdonald (Goodreads Author)

3.49 · Rating details · 99 Ratings · 21 Reviews

For fans of Christina Dodd and Elizabeth Boyle.

Louisa Brockhurst is on the run—from her friends, from her family, even from her dream of independence through the Governess Club. But sometimes it's easier for her to hide from those she loves in order to escape the secrets of her past.

Handsome but menacing John Taylor is a prizefighter-turned-innkeeper who is trying to make ...more

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Kindle Edition, 1st Edition, 304 pages

Published October 7th 2014 by Avon Impulse

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Aug 24, 2014 Lover of Romance rated it really liked it

Shelves: genre-historical-romance, regency

Louisa Brockhurst is on the run, every time her past comes closer to haunt her, she leaves. So she abandons her closest friends, and decide to make a fresh start, and she finds herself at a local inn asking John Taylor for a job . John Taylor, is a retired prizefighter, who has built this inn from the ground up and is proud in his establishment, but he knows it needs work. When he sees Louisa walk into his place, and asking for a job, he knows she is the answer to his prayers. He needs someone t Louisa Brockhurst is on the run, every time her past comes closer to haunt her, she leaves. So she abandons her closest friends, and decide to make a fresh start, and she finds herself at a local inn asking John Taylor for a job . John Taylor, is a retired prizefighter, who has built this inn from the ground up and is proud in his establishment, but he knows it needs work. When he sees Louisa walk into his place, and asking for a job, he knows she is the answer to his prayers. He needs someone to help care for inn, and even though she isn't very adept as a maid, he sees a passion and fire within her that he can't wait to ignite. As John and Louisa get a comfortable routine going on, they know that there is a dangerous desire building between them. And just when Louisa starts getting comfortable, fate gets her say, and her past comes back to haunt her, but will she be able to face her past with John at her side or will she go on the run again and leave the one man that holds her heart?

Louisa is the fourth installment of the Governess Club. In the previous books we have seen a sisterhood of these four women, and Louisa is the one that I least understood. After, recently having read Sara I was very intrigued by how Louisa's story would go. I will be honest, I had a hard time with Louisa as a character. She isn't easy to like, she has a very harsh side and can be a bit demeaning to others, I couldn't really connect with her much at least until the end. Now the hero of the story: John, well I adored him. He was way too good for Louisa. He was a good sport, and had such patience and understanding with Louisa, and he is the type of hero that is good for Louisa. He isn't afraid to show his true feelings toward Louisa, and is willing to fight for her and fight with her to gain her trust and respect. He is tough and resilient and his character just appealed to me so much. I think it was the way he held himself and the way he was with Louisa, who made me want to wring her neck. She tended to get on my nerves, but John, as a character has a calming effect on the reader, and made it worth the read. I will say I did eventually like Louisa, but not till the very end.

I really liked the way this story was formed though, the plot was well built up and I felt like it had a solid foundation. Even though I had issues with the heroine, I really liked everything else about the story. It had some interesting scenes that take place, that keep you entrenched in the story. I liked seeing how this series wraps up in the end, and you might need a few tissues for the ending!! A HEARTWARMING ROMANCE!! ...more

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Sep 10, 2014 Farrah rated it really liked it

A lovely conclusion to the Governess Club series, The Governess Club: Louisa was a nice and sweet read and I rather enjoyed it.

Louisa has me a bit torn. For the first 80% of the book, I didn't like her. I understood that her past made her wary of men, but I didn't think that excused how rude she could be, to everyone. And, heaven forbid she ask for forgiveness when she realized that what she said had been unnecessarily harsh. Then, there's the fact that she simply left her friends, without givin A lovely conclusion to the Governess Club series, The Governess Club: Louisa was a nice and sweet read and I rather enjoyed it.

Louisa has me a bit torn. For the first 80% of the book, I didn't like her. I understood that her past made her wary of men, but I didn't think that excused how rude she could be, to everyone. And, heaven forbid she ask for forgiveness when she realized that what she said had been unnecessarily harsh. Then, there's the fact that she simply left her friends, without giving them any indication that she was okay and for some reason, that never struck her as needlessly cruel. And, finally, it irritated me that she continually judged John by the same scale that she had assigned to the man that had turned her bitter, even though he had proved early on that he was a kind, honorable man. It made it seem like he had to continually prove himself to her, just so that she could give him common courtesy. However, she had a very satisfying moment later in the book where she looked in the mirror and saw what a bitter woman she had become. And, in that moment, things changed for her and she suddenly became much more likable. Still not my favorite character, but I ended up being okay with her.

John was absolutely adorable. This man might have been physically intimidating, with his formidable size, but he was really a kind, sweet man who was remarkable gentle. Oh, I just loved him. And, I really liked how he didn't just take Louisa's crap with some lame excuse. He didn't create a conflict about it. He would simply tell her that her behavior was unwarranted and that if she wanted to discuss things rationally, he would be waiting. He was just wonderful and I totally adored him.

The romance was good. Despite my issues with Louisa, I liked how they were together. John's simply goodness forced Louisa to acknowledge that she might just have been wrong about him and his gentle urging helped her face her past and come to terms with it. Basically, he made her a better person and I thought that was very sweet. And, they definitely had chemistry from the moment they met and it certainly turned the heat up.

The plot was fast paced and I was kept engaged the entire way through. I enjoyed the story and I loved how the ending wrapped up all their stories.

The Governess Club: Louisa was an enjoyable historical romance that I quite liked. It was a lovely conclusion to the series and an overall great read. Romance lovers, this book, and the series as a whole, is one worth checking out.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
...more

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Sep 04, 2014 Lexie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks-owned-read

So I ended up not disliking Louisa as much as I thought and in truth I can understand why she was the way she was (even if I'm a little astonished by some of it).

Also I would forgive almost anyone if John told me too. The big galoot :sigh:

+++

Oh Louisa. I remarked in the last novel, "Sara", that I wasn't looking forward to Louisa's novella because she was so blunt (almost cruel) towards Sara. In truth I did want to know why Louisa was so straight forward about most things, but the very picture of So I ended up not disliking Louisa as much as I thought and in truth I can understand why she was the way she was (even if I'm a little astonished by some of it).

Also I would forgive almost anyone if John told me too. The big galoot :sigh:

+++

Oh Louisa. I remarked in the last novel, "Sara", that I wasn't looking forward to Louisa's novella because she was so blunt (almost cruel) towards Sara. In truth I did want to know why Louisa was so straight forward about most things, but the very picture of evasive with her own life. Seriously look up "evasive" in a Dictionary, you'll see almost any conversation Louisa has with John in this book for certain. And while her tongue is just as sharp here as it was in Sara's story, its helpful to read the why of it.

Feeling betrayed by her friends because they found happiness, and feeling especially betrayed by Sara who she thought of them all would become a spinster and grow old with her, Louisa has been gone for about 2 months at the start of her story. She's been traveling here and there, doing this or that odd job and changing her name as often as possible. She doesn't take the apparent dissolution of her dreams very well in fact, but very quickly finds a new one at John's inn.

John meanwhile is a hulk brute of an ex-pugilist who is trying to prove that he can be more then his past brawling days. And while he's running a (very) modest inn to some satisfaction he can't quite get his head around how it could be more. In waltzes Louisa, who within two weeks of being hired on as a maid tells John how to improve things and then gets promoted to partner in the business.

I appreciated that Louisa wasn't a shrinking violet. Many of the issues I had with her advice to the others stemmed from the fact she had a very narrow idea of how things should be and should turn out. If its not a situation where you can come out on top, well don't get in the situation. Either manipulate things to your best possible outcome or its not worth it. We see her manipulate John several times, but he calls her on it. Tells her point blank he'd, well if not happily at least willingly discuss anything she'd like.

Oh and would she please consent to marry him? That would be lovely.

It was entertaining, and oddly romantic, how often John tried to convince Louisa to marry him. He was content to wait for however long she liked...as long as it happened eventually. Not today? Well that's okay, let's do the books and have a tumble and then maybe...? No? Okay well keep at it John! (His earnestness reminds me a bit of another book I read recently where the guy was gung-ho for the marriage and the woman was like 'Wait? What? No! Sexy times!')

Of course Louisa's past catches up with her and some most of the issues I had with the novella began here. Without spoiling anything, you find out why she originally fled and in all honesty I was really surprised that she had remained ignorant of the going-ons in society. (view spoiler). MacDonald and I spoke about this part of the story and really some of it comes down to how strongly you believe that Louisa could remain separated (practically amputated) from society to not have found out the truth.

And the Epilogue? It made sense on so many levels. It was a wonderful way to wrap up the Governess Club stories and okay I got a little teary-eyed at one point. ...more

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Sep 11, 2014 Julie rated it liked it

Shelves: avon-publishing, e-book, historical-romance, edelweiss-review

Louisa- The Governess Club # 4 by Ellie McDonald is a 2014 Avon Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

It's my understanding this is the last book in this series. If that is the case, it is fair to say the series ended on a relatively positive note. This is Louisa's story, the founding member of “The Governess Club”.

Now that the other members of the club have moved on with their lives by getting married and startin Louisa- The Governess Club # 4 by Ellie McDonald is a 2014 Avon Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

It's my understanding this is the last book in this series. If that is the case, it is fair to say the series ended on a relatively positive note. This is Louisa's story, the founding member of “The Governess Club”.

Now that the other members of the club have moved on with their lives by getting married and starting their families, Louisa is on the run, hiding from everyone she knows and keeping her true identity a secret. When caught out in a storm, Louisa stops at the first inn she comes to. Here she meets gentle giant, John Taylor. John needs help with the inn and for room and board and a little money Louisa agrees to stay and work as a maid. She passes herself off as a widow to avoid suspicion. However, she is not all the great at being a maid , but proves very capable with managing the finances. Before long she and John are nearly full fledged partners, but the simmering attraction between them could cause Louisa to panic and flee once again. Can John convince her marriage is not as bad as she believes it to be?

A few things that didn't work so well in this one was the abrupt way Louisa's very serious problem was wrapped up. All that time leading up to her heart wrenching confession made it seem sort of anti-climatic when it was cleared up so quickly and with very little upset. The other issue of course is my usual displeasure of the modern terms and curse words used in a historical setting, too frequently.

My thoughts on the plot:

Initially, Louisa is so cautious and independent, the only emotion she seems capable of is anger and frustration and can be bit shrewish. She is all business when it comes to the inn, never once letting her guard down. Under these circumstances it was hard to warm up to Louisa in the beginning, but I instantly loved John. John's character is just what any woman would want from a man. In an age when marriage was akin to slavery for women, as Louisa suggested, John treated her with incredible respect and love. Once Louisa finally releases all her secrets, John doesn't even blink an eye. He is sticks with her through thick and thin, proving to Louisa that true love is real and marriage to him would bring much joy, peace and satisfaction. The story was really good and as is tradition at the end of a series, Louisa is reunited with her former Governess Club alumni, all of whom are well adjusted and living their own happy ever afters. Overall, an enjoyable read. This one gets 3 stars. ...more

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Aug 29, 2016 Melanie rated it liked it

This is book four in the Governess Club series and second full-length novel in it. Like the previous story, I found this one well written and plotted and the characters in it were the ones that intrigued the most. How often do you have a bold headed hero? Not that often, and if I'm honest, I can't name one!

As for our heroine, I found her rude, but still intriguing. t took me most of the book to warm up to her and even when I got to know her better, I thought she was a bit too real.

I think this a ...more

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Sep 03, 2014 Arshia rated it it was ok

Review copy by Edelweiss.

Umm I was really hoping that I would like Louisa by the end of this story but that just didn't happen. I understood why she ran away from her family and why she was so prickly. However, she was a little too bitchy for my taste. Comparatively John was a complete sweetheart. He was a really good man and he was very considerate of Louisa.

Something else that bothered me was a minor plot line in the epilogue. It was never resolved

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Jul 16, 2018 Dottiebears rated it liked it

Shelves: disguised-as-something-else, ruined, series

I was torn on this rating. Overall I really liked the book. Liked the premise, liked the "not a titled aristocrat" as a hero, liked the turning around a business, LOVED the hero, John.

Louisa on the other hand was rude and downright hateful for most of the book. John could have done much better than her. I couldn't understand why her friends were looking for her when she was so nasty to them. She got better at the end of the book but I still didn't like her much. She came across and selfish and u ...more

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May 12, 2017 Shauna rated it it was amazing

I had to convince myself to read this one as Louisa is the most annoying character in the series. So of course it ends up being my favourite and I adore her now.

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Jul 27, 2017 Annie rated it did not like it

Oh Louisa, it is women like you who give a bad name to feminism. It had so much potential, John was so good, the whole business partners setting was so good, but Louisa. Oh Lousia.

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Sep 16, 2014 Tin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014

Disclosure: I received this review copy via Edelweiss as part of the blog tour. Thank you to Ellie MacDonald and Avon Impulse for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.

* * *

I have been waiting to read Louisa's story ever since I read about this stern, no-nonsense member of The Governess Club. Louisa always seemed so cold and distant, and I wondered about her. Louisa's story begins where Sara's story ends -- and Louisa has run away from Ridgestone and has found herself at The Beefy Buzza ...more

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Oct 12, 2014 Stevie Carroll rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-elsewhere

Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and the Unread:

This is a series that has improved with each book, at least in so far as it mirrors my taste for independent heroines. We hadn’t seen much of Louisa in the first two books, although she made quite an impression in the third, Sara’s story, with her actions at the end greatly influencing the finale to Sara’s bid for independence. Louisa’s story opens some time later, and it’s not immediately apparent what has happened to her in the meantime, Previously reviewed on The Good, The Bad, and the Unread:

This is a series that has improved with each book, at least in so far as it mirrors my taste for independent heroines. We hadn’t seen much of Louisa in the first two books, although she made quite an impression in the third, Sara’s story, with her actions at the end greatly influencing the finale to Sara’s bid for independence. Louisa’s story opens some time later, and it’s not immediately apparent what has happened to her in the meantime, or what led to her sudden departure from the Governess Club’s home. But never fear, all is gradually revealed as Louisa settles into the latest in a long series of new homes for her.

Having left the Governess Club because she could see its end approaching when the third of her friends was about to get married, Louisa finds herself out of luck, out of money, and outside in the rain. She seeks shelter at an inn, run (though none too expertly) by former prizefighter John Taylor, who offers her accommodation in return for cleaning duties. Although she has no experience of the work, Louisa accepts the job, and is soon proving herself to be better at suggesting improvements to the way the inn is run than at working as a maid. When she sees that John has no head for accounts, Louisa takes on that responsibility and becomes a partner in the business.

The inn thrives under Louisa’s management, combined with John’s talent for making their customers feel welcome, and in spite of, or perhaps because of, the attraction that is building between the two of them. Louisa is no innocent and has been passing herself off as a widow, so she offers John another deal – a sexual relationship with no expectation of marriage – and John takes her up on that, although he hopes to eventually change her mind about marrying him.

I love the fact that the story features a hero who is both working class and bald, and a heroine who has come down in the world considerably, although I feel that some of her attitudes come across as a little too advanced for the period without further explanation and backstory (always a problem in shorter novels). Having recently read one historical story about women becoming interested in prizefighting, I was cheered to find another, even if that subplot served mainly to bring more players into the story. Of course, that’s when Louisa’s past catches up with her as the menfolk associated with the Governess Club finally find her after months of searching – on the same night that her estranged family call at the inn. That means that she has another decision to make – faced as she is with a problem she would have previously solved by running away.

This story gives us a great ending to the series, although I could have done without the final chapter, set some years later, in which we’re told exactly what’s happened to all the main characters and their various children and wards. I’d definitely consider reading longer novels by the author, as I feel some of the issues I had with this series could have been overcome with more filling in of the story and, dare I say it, more research into certain aspects of the characters’ backgrounds. ...more

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Oct 09, 2014 Gaele rated it really liked it

Shelves: avon, edelweiss, reviewed

The wrap-up installment of this lovely historical romance series, Ellie Macdonald has managed to bring all four of her characters full circle and bring them all a happy, if unexpected ending. After the end of Sara, we were left with a cliffhanger and several questions – all surrounding Louisa and her disappearance.

Far from my favorite of the four, Louisa is sharp tongued, judgmental and not always the nicest person to deal with. Her attitude and behavior toward Sara was pretty horrid, carrying The wrap-up installment of this lovely historical romance series, Ellie Macdonald has managed to bring all four of her characters full circle and bring them all a happy, if unexpected ending. After the end of Sara, we were left with a cliffhanger and several questions – all surrounding Louisa and her disappearance.

Far from my favorite of the four, Louisa is sharp tongued, judgmental and not always the nicest person to deal with. Her attitude and behavior toward Sara was pretty horrid, carrying a bit of the snob along with her. Surprisingly, Ellie Macdonald managed to explain many of her dislikable behaviors with her backstory and history, and while I didn’t always agree with her approach, she was easier to understand and make allowances for after I finished this book. And, her story was quite astonishing, making her own behavior and secrecy completely in keeping with her choices, even when those aren’t the most endearing.

John is wonderful: a former champion prizefighter who is always willing to help out those in need as he quietly works to run his small tavern: his manner and open nature keep his tavern full although not always well run. When Louisa appears and makes arrangements to work for room and board, the two start a cautious relationship, soon brought to business partnership.

But John is fascinated by her: her brains, her no-nonsense approach to business matters and her work ethic. Less fascinating, but still something he will overcome is her unwillingness to admit to her feelings for him, or consent to marry him. She is hiding something, and John wants to be there and support her, make a life with her, and offer her his protection and heart. Of course, her life does catch up with her – England is a small place after all: and John is wonderfully stalwart and steadfast, even as she is reeling from learning what had happened after she ran.

I still did not entirely see how Louisa could have remained unaware of the situation after she ran, even with her brother’s assistance to shield her, but I wanted to believe for her sake – and that is, perhaps best attributed to Macdonald’s writing and skill in involving us so completely in the character at the moment. With a lovely epilogue that wraps up the whole series, these are fun and enjoyable characters that will be read and reread by many.

I received an eArc copy from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
...more

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Oct 14, 2014 Miriam rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, series

Louisa wasn't the easiest heroine to like. She was cold, distant, and abrasive. The hard facade she presented to the world shielded her secrets from one and all, but it didn't hide the passionate woman she was. That woman appeared more often than not. That woman took my breath away. Her strength and competence shone bright in those moments, and it helped soften her hard edges a lot.

Man, oh, man, did Ms. Macdonald write Louisa the perfect hero though. A lesser man would have hurt her physically ...more

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Aug 20, 2015 Cara Ross rated it it was amazing

I have read all of the Governesses books and so far Louisa’s story is my favorite of all the Governess books. I have come to feel like they are a part of me! maybe it’s because I am a Nanny, maybe it’s because I am British, but I think it’s really because this series is so wonderfully written and that it really does just blows me over with such wonderful story lines that I fall in love a little with each book.
But let’s get back to Louisa’s story. The book is well written and flows seamlessly; th ...more

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Nov 06, 2014 Kelly rated it liked it

I'm ambivalent about this book... On the one hand, I loved a lot of things about it -- the hero is wonderful; it's fantastic that it takes place in an inn that provides employment to both characters; and I loved that the heroine isn't always patient and kind. But, on the other hand, I had a hard time understanding many of the heroine's motivations (mostly, I suspect, because I started reading this series with book 3, and I suspect that this book relies on a lot of characterization provided in th ...more

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Oct 03, 2014 Jaci rated it really liked it

I really enjoy Ellie's books, her characters are passionate, intelligent and not typical romance heros and heroines. First of all the hero is bald and his name is Giant Johnny. He is an ex-prize fighter who won a inn named The Beefy Buzzard in a fight. The heroine Louisa arrives at the inn broke and running from a scandal in her past. She talks him into letting her work there. She is a strong character who is not the most likable heroine, but as you get to know her you realize she has survived o ...more

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Oct 14, 2014 Sassy Moms Say Read Romance rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this series. Ellie did a great job at keeping the reactions and culture of the time period correctly.

John is such a lovable character and I could see his caring heart as well as his love for Louisa clearly. Louisa is a strong character that at times could be a bit stubborn.

They make this story flow quickly and easily. It really was no effort reading this story.

I am sad to see this series end.

Happy Reading... Adri

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Oct 26, 2014 Lindsey rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance-2014

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but the second half did nothing for me, accept for the last few pages that catches you up with everyone and their families.
I was hoping for a bit more. It was ok. I enjoy the first two books of this series so much more.

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Jan 24, 2015 Monique Kelly rated it it was amazing

this one was the best of the series!

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Jan 16, 2017 Carolyn rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2017

I did not like Louise and the excessive sex scenes were gross.

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Sep 10, 2014 Tessa's Books and Tea Room rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle, net-galley

Check out my review at Tessa's Books and Tea Room! @Tessa_books
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About Ellie Macdonald

Ellie Macdonald

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Ellie Macdonald has held several jobs beginning with the letter T: taxi driver, telemarketer, and, most recently, teacher. She is thankful her interests have shifted to writing instead of taxidermy or tornado chasing. Having traveled to five different continents, she has swum with elephants, scuba dived through coral mazes, visited a leper colony, and climbed waterfalls and windmills, but her favo ...more

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