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Book: His Grace's Governess

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 4, 2025

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?

As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.

About the Author

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Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from
Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing.

She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting
into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not
busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away
with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.

In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?

Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:

“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.

Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”

She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.

What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?

“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.

Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”

The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.

I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.

Happy reading!

Devoted To Hope's Review of His Grace's Governess

A story that doesn’t just tell you about love, but shows you how faith and healing work together to make love possible? That’s something truly powerful. His Grace’s Governess strikes that balance beautifully, with Eleanor Clairbridge’s quiet strength and Edmund Colhampton’s brooding sorrow providing the backdrop for a romance that’s as much about personal redemption as it is about falling in love.

What really hit me in this story was how both characters carried their pain and slowly allowed healing to touch those broken places. The way Eleanor faced her past, even as she hid secrets and braced herself against love, felt real. Her struggle was tangible, yet her resilience and quiet faith were equally powerful. I could sense that inner conflict in every moment where she prayed or wrestled with her own doubts. Eleanor prayed: “Dear God, please grant me strength to see me through these difficult times. I must help Mama. I must remain dedicated and determined. For my sake and hers.” Those prayers were as much a reflection of her internal battle as they were an example of trusting God in the hard seasons.

Let’s not forget the heart-soaked truth in Eleanor’s moment when her heart lifted, and she thanked God. This was the miracle they had been praying for. In that line, there’s so much more than a simple prayer—it’s a reminder that God is always listening to His followers, He is sovereign and miracles often come in unexpected ways.

The author beautifully intertwined faith with the characters' growth. Their journeys with God shaped their hearts and actions, and it was that growth that defined their relationship. Their internal struggles and moments of surrender felt like invitations for the reader to examine their own relationship with faith and love.

It’s not every day I encounter a story that so seamlessly combines romance with a deep dive into Christian themes. It was like walking alongside two people who were learning to trust God’s timing and to embrace love when they thought they were unworthy of it.

As the characters confronted their own fears, I found myself reflecting on my own fears, questioning how often I run from what God is calling me to because of my insecurities or past hurt. This book encouraged me to lean into even more on God and to examine the ways He is working in my life.

If you’re someone who appreciates a love story where faith is just as central as the romance itself, where characters feel real in their doubts and their growth, and where the power of prayer and God’s timing stands front and center, then this is a book for you. It’s a reminder that healing—whether from heartbreak or self-doubt—often happens when we least expect it, and that love is both a gift and a journey.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.