Review: The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

Publisher: Self-published
Where did you get the book: Purchased
Release date: Out now

This review contains minor spoilers

Three months ago, governess Serena Barton was let go from her position. Unable to find new work, she’s demanding compensation from the man who got her sacked: a petty, selfish, swinish duke. But it’s not the duke she fears. It’s his merciless man of business—the man known as the Wolf of Clermont. The formidable former pugilist has a black reputation for handling all the duke’s dirty business, and when the duke turns her case over to him, she doesn’t stand a chance. But she can’t stop trying—not with her entire future at stake.

He cannot give in…

Hugo Marshall is a man of ruthless ambition—a characteristic that has served him well, elevating the coal miner’s son to the right hand man of a duke. When his employer orders him to get rid of the pestering governess by fair means or foul, it’s just another day at the office. Unfortunately, fair means don’t work on Serena, and as he comes to know her, he discovers that he can’t bear to use foul ones. But everything he has worked for depends upon seeing her gone. He’ll have to choose between the life that he needs, and the woman he is coming to love…

*blurb taken from Goodreads*

I say this with the honest truth. I do believe I’m actually falling a little in love with Courtney Milan’s writing. Bar one title of hers, I’ve loved each and everyone — and I’m going to stop myself before I turn this into a squee fest.

This GEM (ok, I’ll stop now. I promise) of a novella is the prequel to the start of Milan’s new The Brothers Sinister series. Hugo Marshall is an ex pugilist and coal miner’s son who ‘works’ for the Duke of Clermont. He’s his man of business, and he ties up Clermont’s loose and untidy ends. Hugo doesn’t do it for Clermont, but for himself where he has Clermont in a tidy box. But things become very untidy when Serena Barton appears, causing trouble for Clermont. Hugo has been instructed by Clermont to get rid of Barton, but what Hugo wasn’t expecting was Serena’s stubborn nature, and the attraction that flares up between them.
Serena Barton wants justice for herself, and she’s going to get it one way or another, and the Wolf of Clermont is not going to stop her. Serena I just loved. Milan has a way of making each of her characters unique and they always have depth and originality. Serena was a woman who had been taken advantage by the cruellest of way by men as a governess, but what Clermont did to her didn’t break her. It made her stronger and I admired Serena so much. When she stood outside Clermont’s place of residence, she was resilient, she was brave, and she didn’t let Hugo best her in any way.

The courtships between Milan’s heroes and heroines are always full of meaning, and Hugo’s and Serena’s spar of wits was incredibly entertaining. Hugo made threats to Serena in the form of making life uncomfortable for her and her sister, but he hated doing it. It’s not until he falls in love with her – even if he doesn’t realise it at the time – that he asks her to marry her.

Serena and Hugo’s romance was delicious, and their love scene was so full of trust and acceptance that it was utterly romantic. How Hugo was so patient with Serena, and how he let her control things…It was wonderful. I could have hit him over the head, though, when afterwards he leaves her, and tells her they are better apart. When Serena was begging him with her eyes for Hugo not to leave her… that part got me a tiny teary.

I didn’t understand after learning about what Clermont did to Serena, how could Hugo not kill him straight away. Also, when he found out about Serena’s true situation, I was then a little worried that nothing would happen to Clermont. But shame on me for thinking that. Milan ties up that plot in a very satisfactory factor, and you know I hate violence in my books, but by god I cheered when Hugo smashed his fist into Clermont.

The ending was more than satisfactory for me, expect that I want more Milan books! All in all, this was a damn good read with intelligent characters and writing that leaves you wanting more.

I give The Governess Affair an A+