A review by keepingyouonread
Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett

3.0

Hazel, an orphan, has started a finishing school where she hopes to educate daughters of the ton and those less fortunate. When Lord Bradenton shows up with his wayward niece, Kitty, she views it as a perfect opportunity to attract other wealthy patrons and help Blade bond with his niece, who has lost her parents. 

What I liked: Hazel running a school was a new twist for me. I liked the scenes we got with her and her pupils. I also liked her friend Poppy and could see her book (if she gets one) being interesting. 

What didn’t work for me: Hazel’s rationale to have sex with Blade (and to continue to see him) seemed out of character and out of place for the time. They barely knew each other at that point, she was a virgin, and cared so much about her reputation and the school. 

To It was never clear to me why Lady Penelope wanted to marry Blade so badly and refused to release him from their agreement. And in that same theme, why Blade and Hazel were so against just marrying when they were obviously attracted to each other. 

Who should read it: you prefer a light steamy romance.