Georgiana Marland has spent the last several years teaching at a young ladies' academy, so when she receives a letter from a distant relative offering to take her in as a ward, Georgiana is ecstatic. But while her new life has the trappings of a fairy tale - handsome men, beautiful new dresses, and a new family - it also requires a lot of work if she is to be the belle of the Season. And her new guardian's handsome nephew, Lord Ryburn, is meant to help her, and keep his eye out for a wife. He just doesn't seem to realize she might be right under his nose.

This novel had all the makings of a fun Regency story - Cinderella story, two old biddy rivals battling it out through their young wards' success on the Marriage Mart, guardian/ward class differences, and at least 3 possible couples waiting in the wings. The writing is good, and I have to say, the scene with Hugh's drawing is lovely.

But I have definite issues with the romance part - which is bad in a romance novel. Hugh seems to spend most of his time being mean to Georgiana, and not just battle of wits and words mean, but genuinely kick a puppy who can't fight back mean. There are occasional moments of him being kind, but he never really does anything to atone for his earlier nastiness. Plus, there aren't any love scenes. There's not enough sexual tension; there isn't even a KISS. How can there not be a kiss in a romance novel, I would like to know?

I simply cannot keep a romance novel without any kissing - particularly not if it's not a Jane Austen or a Heyer or something. The writing isn't up to that challenge. ( )