lovely friends-to-lovers story. Reggie Spark's mysterious past is never questioned about Broderick Killoran saved her on the London Bridge. She assists with the finances of his gambling hell and helps raise his sisters and brother. Broderick discovers his adopted brother is actually the son of a marquess. So begins a chain of events that affects every member of the family and requires Broderick to question his priorities.

I enjoyed the building relationship between Reggie and Broderick. I did have a little problem believing that he never noticed her as a woman until one sudden moment. It seems to me that these things might build a little more slowly. The complications with Broderick and his adopted brother, Stephen, were a little confusing to me at first. I think it is because I did not read all of the previous books in the series. Overall, a strong addition to the Wicked Wallflowers series.

This is the first book I read in the series. Its marvelous. The author is successful in portraying a series of emotions - fear, sadness, anger, delight, hope, love, desire. across the characters.
Leaves the reader anxious to find what happens to Reggie and Broderick.

A very good read. Anxious to get through the rest of the books in the series.

3.t stars. Enjoyed it but not as much as I’ve enjoyed others in the series. This one did make me eager for the rest of the series however.

Christi Caldwell has been on my to-read list for a long time. “The Governess” caught my eye and I dove right in. This is part of a series, Wicked Wallflowers. “The Governess” is book is the third book in the series so many of the characters from the previous books appear. I didn’t feel lost but there is a very critical events that build up in this story and those events start in the previous books, so I would recommend that before you fall down the Caldwell rabbit hole like I did you have those on reserve at the library.



The heroine, Regina-or as the hero fondly calls her Reggie, has been Broderick Killoran’s right hand women. Broderick runs a gaming hall and is very successful. He depends on Reggie for everything but has never seen her as anything other than his confidant. Now that Reggie is ready to leave Broderick he starts to realize that he not only grew accustomed to Reggie but he has very deep feelings for her. Everyone around Broderick can tell that Reggie is in love with him but Broderick had never thought of Reggie that way. As Broderick’s family and gaming hall is threatened, he slowly comes to realize that he can’t control everything and despite his best efforts, he can’t always protect the ones he loves. Reggie feels that Broderick will never see her as the women she has become. She feels that if she doesn’t move on her life will always be the same. With the help from a friend she dares to separate from Broderick and the family that has slowly become hers as well.



I loved everything about this story. Once I started to read it, I could not put it down. I loved the chemistry between Reggie and Broderick. I loved their friendship and their history together. I loved the back stories which were all interesting and I could not help but feel for the characters. Once I finished this story I quickly looked for the first two books in the series:” The Hellion” and also “The Vixen”. The back stories are interesting and add to the characters but I still loved “The Governess.” I am making my way for “The Bluestocking” which already is a great story even though I have not finished it. Review to come soon!

I enjoy Ms. Caldwell’s writing, and this book didn’t disappoint. I like that this book, like many of her books, doesn’t only focus on dukes and duchesses. I love my dukes, but I also reading about lives lived in the Seven Dials and the contrast with aristocratic lives. We get all of that in this book.

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. the governess was a good book that really held my attention. there were plenty of times that h/h both frustrated me but the characters were multilayered and interesting. great book to check out.

This book generated a plethora of emotions as I read it. Fear for Broderick Killoran due for punishment for a crime he did not commit. Sadness for Reggie Spark for the abusive past she tried to hide. Delight in her ingenuity in her attempt to be her on person. Anger at Stephen for being a snitch, and a desire although he is a child to pin him against a wall. Disappointment in Broderick for his treatment of Reggie for her perceived betrayal. The story is a good one, begging to be read end to end without stopping. A tale you want to keep turning the pages on to find out what happens. Very enjoyable. I must get the next book in the series, hopefully a resolution to the series.

I received a free copy of the Governess in exchange for an honest review. The plot intrigued me and had the potential to be a great read. However, it fell shorts of my expectations. It was difficult to follow, and I had a hard time completing it.

I fell in love with Regina throughout the whole book and I came to admire her so much. I think she's definitely one of my favorite heroines from all the HR books I've read. However, the story itshelf wasn't as good as I wanted to be!There were things I didn't like a lot!

This is book 3 in the Wicked Wallflowers series. In this series we get Broderick’s story I liked it. But I book 2 is still my favorite. Looking forward to the next one I want to get Gertrude story!.

Reggie and Broderik's story gets off to a slow start, but picks up speed if you can stick with it. This take of redemption is a satisfying read and ties up several loose ends. The Governess can also be a stand alone read if you have not read the first two books in the series.

The Governess by Christi Caldwell is the third book in the Wicked Wallflowers series and you must read them in order if you want to understand the plot. This story centres on the very capable, Regina (Reggie) Spark and her love for the owner of the Devil’s Den, Broderick Killoran. He is ruthless and clever but unwavering loyal to his employees.

I loved this book. CC is so good at weaving an amazing story with well-developed characters and loads of emotion. Pick it up today. You will not be disappointed. I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. All views are my own.

Broderick - Diggory's heir and owner of Devil's Den and Reggie- works at his club as his assistant

I truly enjoyed this book that well written and the characters well defined. The author drew the reader in and kept our interest besides allowing us to experience her characters many emotions! This story had us learn their history and see how they came to be the people they currently are. It was emotionally exhausting to watch Broderick and Reggie find their HEA. The story had intrigue, suspense, betrayal, danger, surprises, "family" loyalty, some humor, love, and a loving/romantic ending/ great HEA!
I received an ARC of this novel. Thank you for the opportunity!

I received The Governess written by Christi Caldwell from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the third book of her Wicked Wallflowers series but can be read as a stand-alone. I do however, HIGHLY recommend reading the entire series since it is WONDERFUL!!! The Governess is no exception.
Reggie Spark has loved Broderick Killoran since that faithful day he saved her on the bridge. For the past 10 years, she has been his right hand in all things dealing with Devil's Den. But the time has come for her to leave, as unrequited love wares on a person. But when Broderick finds out she is leaving to open her own place, he feels betrayed. With swift cunning, he responds in the only way he knows how; with revenge. But Reggie rebounds and fights Broderick back. When their battle of wills takes place under the spotlight of the London Season, secrets are exposed and seduction begins. But Broderick is fighting the clock and the end could destroy them all.
Caldwell is wonderful at writing stories that make you cheer for the "bad guy" While this book wasn't as tragic as the first two books in the series, it was a wonderful story filled with heart and gusto. Reggie is a wonderful heroine that brings out human feelings for Broderick. I am excited for the next book in the series! #TheGoverness #NetGalley

Well, hello Broderick. It's about time for his story. He's been focused on his sisters and getting them married off. He definitely needed his very own story.
Regina was a great match for him. It's always fun when an aristocratic gentleman falls for someone he's seen often, but never really noticed.

Oh, I so looked forward to Broderick’s story and that it was with Regina, a woman he never truly saw till it was almost too late, made it priceless and perfect and so romantic.  I loved their relationship, their story, their highs and lows, and everything about the story.  Broderick has tried to marry his sisters off since book one, in the misguided guise of finding them protection, though they believe (and he let them believe) it is to earn him a connection to the ton. Now, it is his turn, though it does start off with him trying to marry Gertrude off to someone in the ton, he quickly comes to realize, thanks to Regina, that he can't ruin his sister's chance at finding real happiness. I loved the story, start to finish; the only native was I wish there had been an epilogue.  I wanted more from them. :-)  Great story and I can’t wait till Gertrude’s story next.

Hello! All that really needs to be said is that, finally, finally, finally, we have a book that presents Broderick Killoran as the hero! When he has been referenced and has appeared in past books, I know the intent is not to like this man, but I knew he was dark and dangerous. That said, those are the best kind! The most romantic! And most appealing!! Christi Caldwell does not disappoint in this book!! The chemistry between Killoran and Regina/Reggie is superb! I will read this book again and definitely recommend!!! 😀

I loved the writing style. I enjoyed the development of the characters but had a hard time really getting into this book. Apparently this was just not for me. I will definitely try another of this author’s works.

This was another amazing read. The characters, the story you stay connected right from the start,each page you turn you can’t wait to turn the next page. The range of emotions this book make you feel you know it’s a very very good read. Christi Caldwell always pulls it out of the bag, from the way the book is presented to the choice of words to the accuracy of the era. An amazing read that leaves wanting more. A full review is in Amazon with no giveaways to the plot but a well worth read.

The Governess by Christi Caldwell is the third book in the Wicked Wallflowers series, and I found out the hard way that this series really, really has to be read in order. I found myself confused by the first three chapters; as a reader unfamiliar with the world or the characters, I was dropped in without a lot of explanation. By chapter four I’d gotten my bearings, but the book never quite clicked with me.

Regina Spark has been working for years as the right hand to Broderick Killoran, the owner of the gaming hell The Devil’s Den. Broderick saved her from a life on the streets of the Dials, and she’s returned the favor by managing his affairs and supervising his younger siblings. She’s the perfect, efficient assistant and he’s the roguish boss, so of course they have both been pining for each other for awhile.

I have a feeling that a lot of that pining was developed in earlier books, but since I started in the middle BECAUSE I DO WHAT I WANT OKAY I had to take it on faith.

Even though she’s secretly in love with Broderick, Reggie doesn’t think he’ll ever return her affections. She knows her future is ultimately tied to his protection, which makes her vulnerable. She saves her money to start a business of her own, a music hall, where women of the Dials will have an alternative to prostitution.

Broderick finds out and he feels betrayed because she’ll be in competition with his business and because she’s planning on taking some of his employees with her (note: the women who work for him are not prostitutes, but again, only because they have his protection, so if something happened to him they’d be vulnerable). Broderick buys the building she wants out from under her and blackmails her in order for her to get it back.

Broderick wants to introduce his sister Gertrude to Society and help her find a good marriage that will secure her future. He knows that Reggie previously lived among the ton and he wants her to act as Gertrude’s chaperone, which she absolutely doesn’t want to do.

This is where all that backstory I needed becomes necessary for comprehension. I guess Broderick was part of an aristocratic family that got ruined? And I guess he has three sisters he’s making good matches for? And a brother Stephen, who might be the kidnapped son of a marquess?

I could suss enough out to move along with the book, but I felt like every few chapters I was getting slapped in the face with backstory and motivation for which I had no context.

Also this book has a lot of plot. A LOT. There is:

Reggie’s secret backstory.
Stephen’s apparent kidnapping.
Gertrude needing to find a husband and not wanting one.
Reggie opening the music hall.
Broderick possibly hanging for the accidental kidnapping of Stephen.
That’s a lot for one book, although some of it is left to be fully resolved in the next book, which I believe is Gertrude’s story.

TW/CW: I do want to warn readers that when do get Reggie’s backstory, it includes sexual and domestic violence.

I couldn’t get into Reggie and Broderick’s romance because I was spending so much of my time keeping tack of plot threads in my head, which was a bummer because the two have some pretty genuine chemistry. The whole “working together, secretly pining for each other” thing has been my catnip since I started watching The X-Files as a youngin’, and I wanted more of that. I wanted more context for their relationship, other than just being told they’d always been making eyes at each other from afar.

I did appreciate that while the book periodically dealt with the ton, it more or less focused on people who didn’t live among the aristocracy. I also appreciated that Reggie understood that while she had a good thing going working for Broderick, if something happened to him, she’d be just as vulnerable to being preyed upon or being forced into prostitution as she was before she met him. It was a realistic assessment of her situation, and her desire to set herself up to be secure made total sense to me.

Also this book has a lot of cats in it, which made me happy because dogs sometimes seem like the romance pet go-to. #teamcat

But while there were elements about this story that I enjoyed, I could never fully immerse myself in it because it just doesn’t work as a standalone. I would advise readers who are interested in The Governess to read the series in order. Otherwise you may feel as periodically confused as I did.

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The Governess by Christi Caldwell
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