Schooled by the Bastard by Annabelle Anders

SCHOOLED BY THE BASTARD. on February 20, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 298
Goodreads

In this second chance Regency Romance by Annabelle Anders, an independent headmistress fights to keep her all-girls school open even as the only man she’s ever loved—and lost—barges back into her life.

As the daughter of a cruel marquess, Augusta Primm has fought tooth and nail to establish her independence. But now, with someone vandalizing her precious institution, and scandals turning up left and right, the school’s reputation hangs by a thread. Slowly but surely, she’s losing the fight.

Rowan Stewart, older brother to the Duke of Bedwell, is a bastard by birth, and an architect by trade. Despite his brother’s push for him to enter society, Rowan will never be subject to society’s prejudice again. Once was enough.

Until a once in a lifetime project comes along—the opportunity to rebuild the majestic Longbow Castle. It doesn’t matter that the castle is just a few miles from the school owned and run by the woman who jilted him years ago. He’s left that life behind and he’d never allow Augusta Primm to hurt him again.

But when she faces losing the dream she chose over him, Rowan must make a choice. Help the woman he once loved or abandon her forever.

Schooled by the Bastard is book seven in Miss Primm’s Secret School for Budding Bluestockings. I can honestly say that I have read each one of the books in this series, and this book can truly be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed getting to read Augusta Primm’s story. She’s been a solid character in each of the previous books and I felt like she came alive in this one. There are quite a few steamy scenes, almost to the story’s detriment. I don’t mind a few here and there, but when it starts to feel like I’m just moving through one “hot” scene after another, those intimacies can feel shallow and superficial to the plot. A long standing mystery is resolved in this book and answers the question: who is the villain that is sabotaging the school? Once that was answered I really struggled with the motivation of the villain. I didn’t really feel like this entity was believable. Other than those criticisms, I did enjoy this second chance romance.