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To Educate an Earl (Dollar Princesses #3) by Gabrielle Meyer

 

Summary (from the publisher): For those swept away by The Gilded Age and The Sound of Music.

In 1886, when a scheming suitor threatens her family’s fragile reputation, Adeline Ranier is sent to England under a false name to pose as a governess for the Earl of Torrington’s five motherless children. Stripped of her title and fortune, she steps into a world of quiet sorrow and stubborn resistance—and discovers a household aching for joy.

George Stafford, the Earl of Torrington, has buried his heart along with his late wife. His children have driven away every governess, and he has no hope that Miss Ranier will be any different. But Addie’s unconventional charm, fierce loyalty, and refusal to give up begin to awaken something long forgotten in all of them—including George.

As laughter returns to the halls of Torrington Manor, Addie finds herself falling for the children—and for their father. But secrets from her past threaten to unravel everything, especially when George chooses a wealthy heiress to be his bride. Torn between duty and desire, Addie must decide whether to protect her heart or fight for the family she’s come to love.

Review: Thank you to author Gabrielle Meyer for an ARC of this novel, which is out on October 6th!

In this third book in this interconnected standalone series, we follow Adeline, who has been involved in a scandal thanks to a scheming suitor that is threatening her family's burgeoning reputation in NYC society. Addie's mother packs her off to England to serve as a governess for George Stafford, the Earl of Torrington. The Earl has never recovered from his wife's death and has closed himself off from his children. 

This book, while set during the Gilded Age and not the mid twentieth century, is a retelling of The Sound of Music and I think fans of the original musical will be very pleased with all the lovely nods to the movie threaded throughout the story. Adeline is shipped off to Europe because "this is how you solve a problem like Adeline, Addie is a governess who challenges the taciturn father of her charges, and she does indeed ultimately teach the children a few of her favorite things. And yet, the story is very much its own and differs enough from the original musical to be its own unique tale. While the original story focuses on bringing music back into the von Trapp family home, Adline brings stories and fiction back to the Stafford children. This worked so well in the story, and I loved the emphasis on reading, writing, and exploring stories to both learn and be entertained. 

It is such a pleasure to read a historical fiction book that is clearly so well researched. I am a huge fan of the Gilded Age and have read numerous non-fiction histories and biographies of the time period and it's very evident that author Gabrielle Meyer has also done her homework. This series would be such a great introduction to the time period for new readers and those who are very familiar alike. In particular, the series follows the practice of that time period of wealthy American heiresses traveling abroad to find down on their luck aristocrats to marry. I loved all the rich historical details that I know are based on actual historical accounts, such as the beautiful descriptions of Addie's sister's grand New York society wedding that included a "vehicle bedecked in a garland made of glossy ivy threaded with white camellias, violets, and satin ribbons, tied to the carriage lamps" and the wedding dress plus a "long train swept behind her bustle, scattered with silk orange blossoms and seed pearls."

Book two in this series had a lot of mystery and suspense. In comparison this is a much quieter story (not necessarily a bad thing!). I was surprised at how cruel Addie's stepmother comes across in this one, although they were some redeeming scenes in the end.  I do wish we had gotten to see even more scenes with the children and Addie bonding with them, but I did really love how Addie builds personal relationships with each of them and their father as well. 

The books in this series can absolutely function as standalone but it is SO much more fun to read them all in order! Adeline is the younger sister from book two, and it was fun to get to see characters from the earlier books pop back up and get to see what they're up to now that some time has elapsed since their story was written. The ending of this book also sets us up so well for the next book in the series, which will follow a NYC friend of Addie's who is fleeing to Europe in the wake of her father's death. I'll be looking forward to reading it next!

Gabrielle Meyer is one of my favorite closed door, historical romance authors. If you are looking for a story rich in history, Christian themes, and a happy conclusion, she is always a great choice. I particularly appreciate how artfully the author incorporates her Christian faith in her fiction in a way that does not feel like an overbearing lesson but instead quietly illustrates the beliefs of her characters in a way that feels natural and persuasive to show the value they place on their faith. 

Stars: 4.5

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