Thanks to Boldwood Books and Rachels Random Resources for this opportunity.
About the book:
The Hollywood Governess
A governess bound by her own strict rules, a movie-star tormented by grief, a forbidden love story you won’t forget.
Hollywood, 1937
Hester Carlye has no wish to look after the pampered offspring of the rich anymore, in spite of being a highly sought-after governess. But with her elderly father frail, and the roof of their rundown cottage falling in, she has no choice but to accept a dazzling new placement.
Movie star Aidan Neil is box office gold, but after the tragic death of his wife Dinah Doyle, he needs Hester’s help to raise their young daughter Erin. Aidan and Dinah were once the perfect Hollywood couple, but stars don’t shine forever…
At Aidan’s glittering Hollywood mansion, Hester finds a family struggling with their grief. Hester knows she can help little Erin, but Aidan’s torment is palpable. Brooding and reclusive, he is far from the picture-perfect hero Hester’s seen in films. There’s an edge to him that makes Hester wonder if he’s hiding a dark secret of his own….
Was the marriage between Aidan and Dinah as perfect as it appeared to be? Was Dinah’s death really a tragic accident?
When it finally comes, the truth is more shocking than Hester could ever have imagined. And she knows that if revealed, it will destroy the family she has grown to love and ruin Aidan’s Hollywood dream forever…
The author:
Alex Weston is a debut historical fiction writer whose novels are inspired by forbidden love in 1930s Hollywood. She lives in East Yorkshire and her first book for Boldwood, The Hollywood Governess, will be published in June 2024.
My thoughts:
The Governess is experienced and competent if not still wanting to do this job. Still, her financial obligations lead her to take on the role. So, off she travels to 1930s Hollywood and her new position.
The Hollywood star is a widower whose marriage may not have been all that it appeared to be. How did he and Dinah get along? What was the cause of her death? What will happen to their young daughter?
Governess, Hester, meets young Erin and believes that she can help her. She is less sure about what is behind the grief of star Aiden.
As Hester gets to know the family, readers will be drawn in. This is a novel with good characters, a vibrant setting and a good plot. A good choice for a summer read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Links:
Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/thehollywoodsocial
Social Media Links –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556666098594
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexWeston46
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_l_weston/
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 