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Saddled with five unruly orphans, the Earl of Greyley, Anthony Elliot, is at his wits' end. Unfortunately, the only person willing to deal with the adorable little terrors is Anna Thraxton, governess "extraordinaire" --- and the one woman Anthony can't abide. She's too outspoken, too opinionated, and far too beautiful for his peace of mind. A woman should be meek and mild --- words that perfectly describe his prospective bride, not the flame-haired temptress who haunts his dreams.

Anna knew this job would be trouble the moment she set foot in the door --- but it's Anthony who's the problem, not the children! He's too arrogant, too sure of himself, and far, far too wonderfully big and masculine. The young girl he's courting will never be able to handle him, so someone clearly needs to teach Anthony a few things about women. But when lectures turn to kisses, igniting a passion they can't ignore, how will they resolve the battle between honor and their hearts.

DNF @ 25% on 12/20/22. Just the thinnest of characterizations and so much show-not-tell that I associate with HRs written earlier than the last 10 years or so. You’re telling me an aristocrat’s daughter who’s only been governess for a year because she’s in desperate straits is now magically THE BEST GOVERNESS IN LONDON? And I’m supposed to buy this chemistry between her and what I can only surmise is a block of tofu of a hero? No thanks.

I had originally rated this at 4 stars. I enjoyed the book - it was honestly a fun, engaging read with not-too-annoying children, a delightful heroine who knows herself and what she wants and a pretty fun plot. The romance here was full of passion, right from the get-go. There was only one thing that, during the second read, sort of rubbed me the wrong way. And that was the hero. He wasn't awful and too overbearing, he wasn't rough or abusive, but he was grumpy, prone to roar and yell and very controlling...but in a "I'm looking out for everyone's best interest" sort of way. These weren't problematic. Anna, the heroine, is a lady turned governess and because of her family connections, the hero is prone to treat her like a lady, rather than an employee. All ways except one. Pretty early on he starts thinking that he'll make Anna his mistress. He's already engaged of course - so making her his wife is out of the question...only he doesn't monologue this. He never even considers, until the last 20% of the book, the possibility of making Anna his wife if he could. This is IMHO pretty insulting. So he is all the time planning to set her up in a house, take care of her and still get married. Even after all of it is out in the open, he still plans to make her his mistress while he goes ahead and gets married and he expects her to go along with it. Even after she explains that accepting his offer would be sacrificing her honor and pride, the only things she considers herself to have left having taking a position as a governess, he still continues to persist. The man simply cannot accept that while she may be attracted and interested, she has some very good reasons for not wanting to be involved with him. That was my big issue...the moral flexibility of the hero and his lack of respect for the heroine that his actions implied. Other than that, a great book.

Un'avventura da ricordare è il primo volume della serie Talisman Ring chiamata così perché un "magico" anello permette a chi lo possiede di trovare il vero amore. Anello che passerà nella mani dei vari membri della famiglia St. John.
In questo volume conosceremo Anthony, conte di Greyley a cui vengono affidati cinque piccole pesti. Le continue marachelle impongono al conte di assumere la migliore governante d'Inghilterra: Anna Thraxton, appartenente ad una famiglia nobile decaduta che per mantenere se stessa e il nonno decide di accettare l'incarico.
La storia è ambientata in Inghilterra durante il periodo Regency, i punti di vista sono vari ma i principali sono quelli dei due protagonisti.
La trama è alquanto prevedibile e semplice ma lo stile è scorrevole e la buona caratterizzazione dei personaggi ti spinge ad arrivare alla fine.
Anna è una donna forte, intelligente e di buon senso. Anthony è un uomo che vuole avere il controllo su tutto, si è preso cura della sua famiglia da giovane e questo gli ha fatto dimenticare cosa vuol dire lasciarsi andare. Una famiglia nota per la sua irresponsabilità mentre lui ha cercato di renderli degni di rispetto.
I due si ritrovano a battibeccare per gran parte del libro e a combattere la loro reciproca attrazione.
Sono un po' perplessa per l'anello, idea intrigante ma mai sfruttata realmente, sinceramente ad un certo punto della storia ci si dimentica perfino della sua esistenza.
Simpatica anche la presenza del nonno di Anna, anche se alquanto improbabile che un datore di lavoro ospiti anche i parenti della governante.
Senza dubbio una lettura piacevole e divertente.

Out of the whole series, I think I love Anthony's story the most. It's simple, very engaging, there's little drama, and more time to bond between the family. The love that Anthony and Anna have also felt more genuine. It's easy to digest and their love story is built not only on the foundation of lust but also respect

Gave it 4 stars for enganging characters and awesome heroine

The book had a good beginning and a good ending but I found myself putting down the book several times in the middle.

Buku ini menceritakan tentang seorang pengasuh anak yang jatuh cinta ama majikannya. Klise ya, sebenernya. Bikin saya inget sama bukunya Lisa Kleypas yang Married by Morning. Cuman di sini bedanya, si pengasuh anaknya--Anna, masih keturunan bangsawan yang jatuh miskin. Sementara si majikan--Greyley, barusan dapet 'warisan' berupa 5 orang anak dari saudara sepupunya yang meninggal. Interaksi Anna dengan kelima orang anak seru dan lucu. Soalnya anak-anak ini pada awalnya kepengen banget nyingkirin si Anna dengan cara-cara jahil yang gokil. Dan si Anna ga sendirian jadi korbannya, Greyley juga.

Scene favorit saya itu pas kelima anak jahil ini 'nyembunyiin' semua sepatunya Greyley di bawah air--alias dicemplungin ke kolam. Dan Anna nekat ngambil, terus tenggelam dan Greyley yang mau nolongin jadi kerepotan gara-gara kepanikan Anna yang konyol tapi seru. Mereka berdua malah jadi kaya bergulat di dalam air.

Overall, buku ini lumayan komplit. Mulai dari genre family, drama-romantis,comedy-romance, dan ga ketinggalan...adegan smuttynya yang rasanya cuma ada 2x aja di buku ini meski sinyal-sinyal panas udah dirasakan sejak kedua tokoh kita pertama kali ketemu.

First book in the series. An enjoyable read full of humour and naughty children who are also adorable.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

An Affair To Remember is one of my favorite reads and I read it years ago and I thought it was time to get a book review done for it. This is one of the best books from Karen Hawkins. I adore this author and even though I ADORE her latest releases, there is something so heart felt and gives you the warm fuzzies when reading this one. An Affair To Remember has a mix of governess heroine, and seeing the growth and change that we see in the hero and the children that our heroine becomes in charge of.

So An Affair To Remember is the first book in the Talisman Ring series. It begins with our hero, who has inherited five unruly children who are quite the handful. in fact Anthony Elliot, the Earl of Greyley is overwhelmed with these children that he has become guardian over so he hires Anna Thraxton. Anna and her grandfather have fallen on hard times and she is need of this position. However, she doesn't only have issues with Elliot who she believes is an ass but she also has her hands full with the five children who need discipline and guidance. As she takes all in hand, she discovers a hidden passion with Elliot and a family she never expected to find.

I adored this book so much, and in my mind its a true classic and must read for any romance reader. It is one of the "Romantic Treasures" from Avon and these are probably my favorite type of romances that Avon has ever delivered. And this book is a true treasure. I do have a weakness for Governess historical's and this is one of the best out there. I adored the heroine so much, she has spunk and strong willed and creative in her methods in how she brings Elliot and his guardian children to heel. So many moments that are packed with amusement and I really love Karen Hawkins writing style. So witty and lively and the reader is always guaranteed for a good time when picking up one of her books. You can never have any doubts that this book is a classy romance that is a must read for anyone.











n  n

Reminds me of A Sound of Music

I loved it! I don't usually read books with governesses, but I'm glad I read this book.

Anna was wonderful, clever, and the right amount of sassy. She made the whole book. Anthony was controlling but likeable. The children were adorably mischievous.

This was my kind of romance!