Katherine Ashley was Queen Elizabeth’s closest companion, but before her loyalty was bestowed upon the child of infamous Anne Boleyn, she served others of power.

As a clever and charming daughter of a Devon Beekeeper, Katherine ‘Kat’ Champernowne catches the attentions of the rising political Oliver Cromwell.  Kat would do anything to escape life with her step-mother, and Cromwell promises to educate her as a lady with a final goal of being positioned at court.

Kat’s years in training pay off and Cromwell brings her to London in service of the not quite Queen, Lady Anne Boleyn. Kat’s job is not only to follow the wishes of her lady, but to be eyes and ears as a spy for Cromwell. Her introduction at court and stay with the Tudor’s brings her attention from the ravishing, dubious Thomas Seymour, and tender John Ashley. Kat quickly demises that the men are bent by lust and power with women the casualty in men’s quest to sate their desires. Her thoughts are proven more so when Queen Anne is sentenced to death and Anne swears Kat to protect her daughter in the coming years.

Kat would give anything to protect Elizabeth from the sins of her parents past, and her own. She risks everything, including her life, to ensure that Anne’s child has her chance at becoming Queen; a journey that makes a future Queen claim that a commoner was the mother of her heart.

The Queen’s Governess is an absolute must read for those who love history and the infamous Tudors. This story is a wonderful tale of the Tudor court and how quickly royalty rises to power and falls. I will say that I found Kat’s character frustrating at times. I wanted her to prevail, but often Kat’s choices and decisions just made me angry. This book definitely got under my skin on an emotional level. There were some shocking parts to me as well, especially the fact that this book covers the majority of the heroine’s life versus just a small snippet. 

I fell in love with the time period all over again through Harper’s words, and for those looking for a story that has great dialogue and sense of the time period this book is a winner. The romance plays a very small role in the story, but it is refreshing after all the ups and downs to finally see Kat get her HEA. Definitely long overdue, and the villains just crawl throughout the woodwork on this one. Overall, an excellent read for history lovers.

Please be aware there are scenes involving sexual abuse and violation in this book, although not told in great detail, readers sensitive to this topic may be offended.  

~ Landra