Book Description 

Jane Halliwell once dreamed of a home of her own—but those dreams (and her dowry) died with her father. Now, she works as a governess, preparing her charge for a future no longer within her reach. When her employer is murdered during a house party, however, Jane is forced back into the world of the ton. But stepping in as hostess will require working with the same lord who once broke her girlish heart.

Lord Adrian Fielding was too consumed with his job at the Foreign Office to pay young Jane much heed, but he always considered her a friend. Which is why he’s confounded by her icy demeanor now. More troubling still is his desire to melt the tensions between them. But his mentor’s murder means he must first find the culprit—and ensure Jane’s safety as she manages a house full of foreign dignitaries.

Only Jane insists on joining the investigation, and Adrian, despite all his diplomatic skills, finds himself seduced by her sharp wit and sparkling eyes. But with a vicious killer circling ever closer, will it soon be too late for their chance at forever?

My Review 

I read the first book in this series, but regrettably missed the second and third installments. Having enjoyed the delightful combination of mystery and romance, I was excited about the opportunity to return to the Victorian era with Collins’ clever characters. 

Heroine Jane has been through A LOT. She has made the most of the social decline following the death of her father several years prior, but is thrown back into diplomatic circles following an unexpected murder She quickly proves herself most competent and a worthy partner of Lord Adrian. 

If I had to describe the balance between the two genres this book straddles, I would say that the plot favors the mystery, but the romance unfolds quite naturally, despite the murder investigation. It does help that Lord Adrian and Jane have a pre-existing relationship, so they do not begin the book as strangers. However, they have not seen each other for several years, so they must become reacquainted with each other first. 

As much as this book is about a murder, the overall tone never veers into truly dark territory. There’s an element of danger, but there are no graphic depictions of violent acts. Also, the book is not all doom and gloom; there are some humorous conversations between Jane and the heroines of the previous books in the series. 

I would recommend A Governess’ Guide to Passion and Peril. I don’t think readers need to read the other books in the series in order to understand/appreciate this one, but it’s important to note that there is a larger story arc at play over the course of the series. That said, I certainly plan to catch up on the book in the series that I haven’t read yet. 

I received a digital ARC of this book from Forever/NetGalley.