I have a weakness for governess heroines. I love seeing children in stories, and watching as the governess transforms both the children and their guardian/parent. In historical romance, there seem to be literally thousands of such heroines. Luckily for me, I chose to start with this one. And man, am I ever glad I did!!!

The reason I liked this book so much was Anna. She was a strong, opinionated, intelligent woman in a time when it wasn't really acceptable to be those things. I seriously loved her. She had the personality to deal with the kind of unruly children that the ones in this book started out as, and she wasn't afraid of hard work. I liked that the author made her like fashion too. It just gave Anna's character more balance.

As for the hero, Anthony, it took me a while to warm up to him. I mean, he was really responsible, and did whatever he could for the people whom he considered under his protection. But he wasn't really a gentle person. He usually barked orders at people, and he was pretty used to getting his way. Luckily for him, Anna was there to help. I loved when these two got together. Their banter and arguments were great, because no matter what Anthony would say, Anna would always have something to say right back.

This novel had plenty of side characters. Firstly, the children. They started out pretty unruly, but in the end, I just loved them. They played a highly important part in the story, plus they could be quite cute at times. Then, there was Lady Putney, the children's grandmother. On the one hand, she was the typical greedy villain, out for only herself. But she'd use any member of her family to get more money, and the fact that even her grandchildren were included in this just meant I couldn't stand her. Finally, there was Anna's grandfather, Phineas. I wasn't sure what to think of him at first. I mean, he wanted to see his family get back on their feet, but the most important thing to him was Anna. Plus, he was a schemer and matchmaker, and I just ended up loving him.

I really found this book easy to read. I'd pick it up to read just a bit, but then find myself having gone through 30 pages or more. So that's a pretty good testament of the author's writing style. The book followed Anna and Anthony as he hired her to be governess to five children he'd inherited from his cousin. Along with that, Anna and Anthony had previously known each other, because Anna was Anthony's half-sister's best friend. The reason Anna was a governess was because her family had lost pretty much all of their fortune. Amidst all the children and their tricks was the attraction that had always been between Anna and Anthony. He had to deal with the fact that she could be interfering and argumentative, while she had to deal with his arrogance. I really liked it.

There was one element I don't usually care for in books, but that ended up being okay in the end. Anthony was engaged to marry a girl named Charlotte, whom he saw as biddable and obedient. I don't really like when the hero is involved with someone else, while pursuing the heroine. But their engagement wasn't announced yet. Also, it was clear that Charlotte was all wrong for Anthony. Either way, I wasn't too put off by this.

In the end, I definitely recommend this book to historical romance readers. Like I said before, Anna made a terrific heroine, and I thought Anthony's strong character was perfect for her. The children and Anna's grandfather were lots of fun to read about, too. The author's writing style made this book a breeze to get through, as well. So if you like strong heroines, governesses, or children in your historicals, go for this one.

This book is the beginning of the St. John Talisman Ring series and is a spin-off from the Julia series. The last book in the Julia series is about Sara St. John who is the half sister of Anthony Elliot in "An Affair to Remember" and sister to the St. John brothers. The first book in the series is a fun book to read and seemed more "real" to me. Anthony and Anna have had some chemistry going on with each other since they met. Anna and Sara, his half-sister, are best friends. Then, through circumstances, they are thrown together. Anna is hired to be governess to five children Anthony has inherited from a cousin. The story is not full of angst, but there are trials and tribulations with the five children, their guardian and their governess. It makes for a fun read.

Rave reviews drew me in to this bodice ripper with a grumpy H and a sort of Mary Poppins heroine. I thought the H's arrogance made him seem stupid. The heroine is grieving a loss of status, hides behind a smug façade and she's actually kind and caring. The five children were a missed opportunity, their story was not at all satisfying, and felt incomplete. The story lurched from one poorly constructed element to the next, until the disappointing ending.

I mean, add a group of kids to any story and I'm going to read it. This is more of a 2.5er, but it's on the 2.56 rather than 2.53 side of that equation, so I'm giving it 3. As always, one has to be realistic about what to expect out of a romance novel but the intrigue all happened within the last 15 pages and wasn't terribly intriguing and the villain wasn't much of a villain and then things got a little dub-con-y on and off.

I didn't hate it, but I definitely had a host of quibbles.

I always enjoy a Karen Hawkins book. This one did not disappoint.

DNF. Cutesy humor = not my thing

Entertaining book with good dialogue and interesting characters, but Anthony's continued insistence that Anna would end up in his bed and then live as his mistress made it hard for me to truly like him. This man supposedly has so much honor that he won't break an engagement, yet he wants Anna to give up all of hers. Early in the book, he states that his sister (who is Anna's best friend) would be upset if Anna didn't eat dinner with the family despite her position as a governess, but he isn't concerned about Sara's reaction if he did successfully install Anna as his mistress?

Probably the best of the series, many reviewers have already said it all
this had all what we look for, banter, passion, grandpa, scheming grandmother, and spawn of devil children always wondered how he got all he shoes replaced so quickly
this is a definite keeper for reread

i LOVED this book! it was soooo sweet and romantic. i loved the whole relationship between Ann and Anthony from when they couldnt stand eachother to Loving eachother. There wasnt really no sex scenes execpt at about almost the end and it was sooo hot and passionate.i loved it!the other scenes was really just kissing and the one in Anthony's office was just kissing passionate touching but i really wish there was more.I really Didnt like Lady Putney at all,she was just acting so evil and cruel and trying to mess up everybodys lives and i hated that but,otherwise,this was an amazing book and i would totally recommend this to everybody!!

Antony Elliot, Earl of Greyley, is desperate for help in caring for the five unruly children under his care. He hires Anna Thraxton, whose reputation as a governess precedes her. Anna, an impoverished noblewoman, accepts the challenge—viewing the Earl as another person who needs to improve his behavior. But when she begins to fall for the arrogant earl, she must reign in her feelings. The man is engaged to a meek lady whom he can bend to his will. But is this truly what he wants? When Antony finds himself yearning for the forthright governess instead of his impending bride, he questions his future. How can he extricate himself from an awkward situation? And if he does, will Anna accept him?

If you like strong heroines, this historical romance will suit your fancy and provide several hours of reading pleasure.

A nice change from the overly dramatic historical romance, this book was witty and easy to read. I'm typically not a fan of books where the governess is whisked away in a Cinderella story, but with Anna's family name and history it works because she's not really elevated above her station.

Each character is mischievous in their own way (particularly the older adults), which makes it fun and interesting. I would recommend this book, and I'm hoping the rest in the series live up to its standard.

So far this is my favorite Karen Hawkins book. Anthony is a bit crass and not socially adept but Anna knows how to deal with him and "tame" him. His dealings with the children are hilarious. He has no idea of what to do so he hires Anna (who he does not really like) to be their governess but of course romance is not far away. One of the best scenes is when Anthony and Anna are in the hallway outside of the nursery and are kissing and one of the children comes out and wants to know what they are doing - their scramble for what is going on is perfectly written. Karen writes some of the best kissing scenes as evidenced by this book. I have read this book several times and will re-read it again.