Wednesday, October 16

Audiobook Review: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

The Governess of Highland Hall (Edwardian Brides, #1)Author: Carrie Turansky 
Narrator: Velda Dehmlow
Title: The Governess of Highland Hall
(Edwardian Brides #1)
Genre: Historical Romance, Christian Fiction
Pages: Audiobook
Published: January 1st 2013
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)



Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from financial ruin. The last thing he needs is the distraction coming of a kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families--common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?


Needed a book about a governess and this was the first thing that popped up that caught my fancy. Didn't realize it was a Christian Fiction at first...but then I was in too deep and I had to find out what happened next. 

The story follows Julia and William. Julia and her parents just came back to England from many years over in India as missionaries/doctors because of her father's failing health. To help her family financially she decides to get a job at Highland Hall to be the governess of William's two kids and his two young cousins. William is widowed and his cousin died leaving Highland Hill to him. The two have secrets and have past wounds that hinder them to trust others. 

This was super Christian-y, but not the worst I have read. It didn't overshadow the story or our characters, so it was easy to glance over for the most part. There were some parts that I had to skim through because it dragged on and on and on about God. I get it. I do, move forward pleasssssssse. 

I did enjoy watching Julia and William get to become friends and then they started falling for each other. It was slow, but it made sense. Different social classes, different personalities, and they are employer-employee. It worked well for a slow burn. 

The side stories were fun, but I did get annoyed with Mrs Emmett and the other idiot. Grrr! The motivations they had made barely a lick of sense to me. Horrible, horrible. I was also mad they really didn't get the karma they needed. (Spoiler but not spoiler). Not cool. I hate lose ends. 

Sara's little romance was cute. I was cheering for her the whole time! I wanted more of her story!

Now...the ending annoyed me. It was too perfect. Perfect solutions to real-life problems. What are the chances??????? Not likely and it all seemed too suspect to me. Meh. 

The narrator was good. I liked her. I would listen to more by her. She did well with different accents and made everyone sound different. 

Overall, this was not bad. The Christian aspect didn't hinder the story or characters, but there were some bits that made me skip forward because I was bored and annoyed. The side characters were fun except for the two. Ugh they deserve some sort of punishment! The ending left me rolling my eyes. Too convenient if you ask me. I'll give this a......mmmm....2.  







About a Governess. BINGOOOOO! lol

5 comments:

Sophia Rose said...

You are really going to town on that Bingo chart.

I don't mind inspirational fiction if the story doesn't bog down. Too bad about the boring spots and the loose ends at the end.

Carol said...

Sorry this one wasn't great. I tend to avoid Christian fiction because it can be so heavy-handed.

Melliane said...

Ohh too bad

Blodeuedd said...

I do avoid Christian fic as much as I can

Carole Rae said...

Sophia, same. When it bogs down the story...eh.

Carol, I'm okay with them so as long as they don't over-do it.

Melliane, I know :(

B, they always sneak up on me D: