Etiquette with the Devil by Rebecca Paula

Title: Etiquette with the Devil (The Ravensdales #1)

Author: Rebecca Paula

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

Published: August 31, 2015

My Rating: 3/5

Source: NetGalley

Clara Dawson always followed the rules, until one terrifying night when her inheritance is stolen and the man responsible is left for dead. Desperate to outrun her troubles, she accepts a governess position at the crumbling gothic manor of the mysterious Ravensdale family. Caring for three orphaned children gives her a purpose, but her vulgar employer, Bly Ravensdale, holds dangerous secrets that may shatter Clara's newfound safe haven. Yet this stubborn brute compels Clara to abandon her etiquette at every turn, and she can't stay away.

Disowned by his family, Bly Ravensdale travels the globe as an explorer and agent of the British Crown until his brother’s passing leaves him saddled with three young wards. Charged with returning them to the family's vacant ancestral seat in the English countryside—the one place he wishes to avoid at all costs—Bly quits the role of spy to play family man. But a man nicknamed Devil rarely gets a clean start in life, even with the aid of the prudish yet lovely governess, Clara. Despite her cold exterior, Bly finds himself drawn to her, even as an enemy from his deadly past resurfaces seeking vengeance. Can he protect all that he has suddenly come to hold dear?

**I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Clara Dawson has applied for the position of governess at the house of the Ravensdale family, escaping from a past of mistreatment and solitude. She's a bastard, people have always looked down on her, so she tries her best to follow the rules and be appropriate, because that's all she has.

The governess' new home is full of secrets and adventure, and her employer, Bly Ravensdale, is as mysterious as they come.

Bly has been a spy of the British Crown for 15 years, until the day his brother and sister-in-law pass away and leave him with a rotting house and three uneducated children. Now it's Bly's mission to make the mansion an appropriate place for the children to live and secure their education, which is why he hires a new governess. But this proves to be a very difficult task, since enemies from his past are still following him and the people of this town hold a huge grudge against the Ravensdales, for leaving them to their own devices while going away to India.

I really loved both Clara and Bly, and also the children, especially little Grace. They were amazing characters with many secrets that we discover along the way. As the story begins, Clara has a lot of bruises and stitches, she also gets a lot of flashbacks from an attack, something I really wanted to know about. Bly also has a very dark past and, while we don't get too many details, we do get to know more about him and everything he's been up to.

Reading about the mansion was very fun. I mean, they even have a tiger! And I loved reading about Bly. He might not like his situation, but he's definitely great with the children and treats them so well. There's also his friend Barnes, who keeps them company, and it's very entertaining whenever they're together, especially if they're hanging from a balcony while swordfighting. Bly is just like a little boy, running around the house with a sword.

This book consists of two parts. I really loved the first one, it's very beautiful and a lot of fun! But then something happens and the second part starts, aaand... it kinda broke my heart.

But don't let that keep you from reading it, there is a happy ending to this. And the story is beautifully written, a really nice read for any fan of this genre.

Thank you for reading! Bye-Bye! ♥