The following two books are both part of their respective series and while I liked them both enough for their own merits, even bearing in mind the flaws I've perceived in them, they were not as bad or as fascinating that I feel like writing the amount of text I usually do in my comments.
The Governess Club: Bonnie by Ellie Macdonald, is the second story in a small collection of four novellas about four friends who happen to be governesses. The first one wasn't that great or outstanding but it was concise and, sometimes, it's enough to know the story won't be very big. In this second installment, Bonnie is the governess to two boys, who are devastated after the death of their parents. The estate affairs have not been solved yet but Bonnie cannot leave, as she promised to her friends, because she can't stand to leave the boys. Finally, their new guardian arrives and is caught unaware over what happened. With time, he starts doing what is necessary and Bonnie seems to be a great help...
Since this is a novella, the development is quick and, of course, there are some things that feel under done. I liked the setting up, that felt fluid, and the hint of romance was also believable. I also liked the relationship Bonnie had with the boys and her sense of duty and caring. It's not a big surprise to know the death of the boys' parents wasn't really an accident, and the investigation the new guardian does is understandable. I only wish the romance had been dealt with with more...skill, which I think the author has. Thus, this was a fine story, but not memorable.
Grade: 6/10
Take Us There by Louisa Masters is the fourth and final installment in the Joy Universe series. In this story, Dominic Hurst is getting used to the work and the demands that come with it, of being the new director of Joy Universe, after the debacle which happened in the previous book. He moved with his teenager daughter and things are going well, so much that he even starts dating a teacher at her school, Oliver. The problem is that someone is not a nice person and starts creating problems...
Since I've liked the previous books in the series, this too was easy and pleasant to read. I'd change a few details but as a whole, this delivered once more.Dominic and Oliver are, as all the key characters before them, competent and fair in their jobs and the conflicts sound realistic. Sometimes, a bit too much which might bring in the feeling that something is happening out of nowhere...Their relationship is cute but it wasn't as romantic as I would prefer. This feeling comes since book #1, which I think kind of had a more balanced romance (to me) and at some point they need to face some issues which were, again, a little forced. Still, it was a good enough way to finish the series and it's one I actually liked reading quite a lot, if I think about it in general terms.
Grade: 7/10
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