Jennifer P. (JenniferTFFQ) reviewed Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Wynter was the best and most clueless yet cunning leading man I have had the pleasure to read about in a LONG time!! This book made me laugh and giggle at the wild antics he and his children displayed the uptight English Society. I found his mother to be refreshingly loving of her son no matter what the outcome. =)~ This definitly one of my newest FAVORITE
Helpful Score: 2
RULES OF SURRENDER is the delightful first installment in Christina Dodds trilogy of three ingenious young ladies who set up a school for governesses to seize control of their lives.
Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is hired by Lady Ruskin to make her Eastern-raised grandchildren into perfect English children. But Charlottes challenge is not the children, but their father, Wynter, whose outspoken nature, mocking attitude and unbridled sensuality, make him fascinating and dangerous to prim and proper Charlotte.
The children are lovable and bright and Charlotte can handle them, but their teasing, taunting father is another story, The wonderful cat and mouse battle of wills that ensues between Charlotte and Wynter will warm readers right down to their toes
Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is hired by Lady Ruskin to make her Eastern-raised grandchildren into perfect English children. But Charlottes challenge is not the children, but their father, Wynter, whose outspoken nature, mocking attitude and unbridled sensuality, make him fascinating and dangerous to prim and proper Charlotte.
The children are lovable and bright and Charlotte can handle them, but their teasing, taunting father is another story, The wonderful cat and mouse battle of wills that ensues between Charlotte and Wynter will warm readers right down to their toes
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book by Christina Dodd. The cold governess is forced to confront her past and manage a barbaric, yet handsome Englishman who has been away from England for too long. While instructing his children, she learns a few instructions herself. Likable characters make this a quick steamy read.
Helpful Score: 1
Great story!! I love Wynter and his misguided notions of marriage, love, and courtship.
Loved it!
I don't know about everyone else, but I hated Wynter's arrogant, condescending ways. I also hated their wedding night. When a woman screams "no" over and over, and physically fights a man off every step of the way, isn't that rape? I found it distasteful.
Enjoyed most of the book, but the ending seemed like they rushed a bit for a happy resolution which then caused it to be a bit unrealistic. I could see that Wynter was "thawing" and learning some important lessons, but he didn't really get to where I felt he needed for Charlotte to be so happy to accept him. It was an entertaining read though and I loved the kids which is unusual for me :-)
This didn't really work for me. While Wynter was very romantic and Charlotte was a good match for him, I just never could connect with either character. Further I found the primary romantic conflict - his belief that a man can never love a woman - annoying and contrived. I think given their very different background, their disparate family lives, the fact that he's been married and has two children, that he has lived in another country by another set of social rules for his entire adult life - that would be enough conflict without this love business. Charlotte's past "scandal" also seemed weak and her easy abandonment of her strict social etiquette maligned her character for me.
There were some very sexy scenes between Wynter and Charlotte which saved the book, but it was largely a disappointment. I've read Christina Dodd contemporary romance and I much prefer it to this. I feel her characterization and the understanding of the time period to be lacking.
3 stars
There were some very sexy scenes between Wynter and Charlotte which saved the book, but it was largely a disappointment. I've read Christina Dodd contemporary romance and I much prefer it to this. I feel her characterization and the understanding of the time period to be lacking.
3 stars
Debbie C. (Froglover) reviewed Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides, Bk 1) on + 384 more book reviews
One of my favorite books by Christina Dodd. The proper governess and the handsome rake. A great historical romance.
A good read.
JUDITH S. (bookworm237) reviewed Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides, Bk 1) on + 15 more book reviews
One of the "Distinguished Academy of Governess's series.....as always Christina Dodd never fails to disappoint. If you love Dodd's books...you'll love this one.
Heather A. (imabookfanatic) reviewed Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the others in the series. This was book #1.
The central problem in the book is that Wynter and Charlotte have different views on what love is. He has been taught by his adoptive Bedouin father that women love but men do not; the man is the sun to the woman, providing, protecting, giving pleasure, etc., but not loving her. Affection, companionship, friendship, etc. needs for men are supposed to be met from some other part of their lives -- their male friends, horses, dogs, etc. Providing for her physical needs is not enough for Charlotte; she does not want to be compartmentalized in his mind into a separate little box labelled "wife". One of them has to change his or her thinking for there to be a lasting marriage. I read on to find out how this would be resolved. It was a pretty good read though I'm not sure I agree that it had a realistic resolution.
This whole series was fun to read. All on my keepers shelf.
Kelly C. (IrishKelly) reviewed Rules of Surrender (Governess Brides, Bk 1) on + 154 more book reviews
great read!
very good book
very fun read when you want to just get lost in silly romance
Englands most popular governess thinks she is up to the task of reforming Lord Wynter Ruskin, but he has ideas of teaching her in the ways of love.
Before they can truly love each other they must master the rules of surrender
Before they can truly love each other they must master the rules of surrender
Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is known as England's most proper governess, a woman who has never taken a misstep socially -- or romantically. So, on the surface, she seems perfectly suited to accept the challenge of reforming English-born Lord Wynter Ruskin, sadly uncivilized by his travels abroad.
