Cupid's Choice

Guineveve Holland is definitely under her ruthless mother's thumb and is all set to not enjoy a season in London with her and her brother (Mama's favourite). She philosophically is resigned to not enjoy herself, but her situation worsens when; firstly, she begins to realize her brother is growing away into the world from her and then, secondly, Mama decides to marry her off. Guin (what an odd way to abbreviate it!)may not be to everyone's taste - those who like their heroines 'feisty' and annoyingly argumentative. She is far more a real young girl of the era, shy, retiring and especially made so by her mother's unloving snubs all through her life to date(A dreadful woman, well handled by the way.)However, the ton are kinder than they appear and several members of it decide to take a helping hand to aid this Cinderella - principally Sir Frederick Hawkesworth.Naturally the aforesaid becomes more entangled with the young lady more than he expects.I very much enjoyed this story of more than just a simple romance. It was more of Guin's development from a young girl to a young woman of character. She comes to confidence and understanding. Sir Frederick is not nearly so fully portrayed - but a well drawn gentleman nonetheless.Well written - well done.

Gayle Buck's latest Regency romance novel is a rather old fashioned one that may not to everyone's taste, as the heroine of the piece, Miss Guineveve Holland, while she is extremely beautiful, and is slightly older than the usual teenage debutante, also happens to be a very shy and retiring young woman, totally lacking in self confidence.Guinenvere Holland has always known that she was not her mother's favourite. And indeed Mrs. Holland seems to have reserved all her love and approval for her son (and Guineveve twin), Percival, the new Earl of Holybrooke. And Guineveve has grown used to putting the interests of both her brother and mother before her own, as well as fading into the background until she is needed to perform some task or the other. Now however, the Holland are in town for the Season, and Mrs. Holland has decided to concentrate on seeing that Guin is credibly launched into society, and to seeing that Guin makes a suitable match. The trouble is that Guin's expectations about her future does not match that of her mother's at all: Mrs. Holland, once a much sought after beauty but who (because of her own pettiness) somehow failed to make the advantageous match she so eagerly sought, has decided that Guin will fulfill her own thwarted ambitions; while Guin is not sure if she would like to be married at all. She would like nothing better than to return to the country and to spend her time riding about her brother's newly inherited estate. And then Guin meets the diplomat, Sir Frederick Hawkesworth, who kindly decides to take the shy young lady under his wing and to smooth her way in society. And suddenly London becomes a more magical place for Guin; who comes to the conclusion that she might like to be married, esp to someone as kind and as witty and as handsome as Sir Frederick. But does the kindly Sir Frederick return her regard? Or does he just view her as an object of pity, to be helped and then forgotten? Guin soon comes to the conclusion that she might have to armor her hopeful heart against Sir Frederick's charms, esp since Sir Frederick does not at all fulfill her mother's idea of a suitable parti...I rather enjoyed "Cupid's Choice." The novel concentrates mostly on showing us how much under her mother's thumb Guin is, and on how retiring and unsure Guin is as a result of this. And because the authour does such an excellent job of arousing our sympathies on Guin's behalf, this novel really works. The authour also does a rather wonderful job of portraying exactly how selfish, unpleasant and pushing Mrs. Holland truly is, and just how little regard she has for her only daughter. The novel also focuses on how, with the help of a few good people, Guin gradually gains self confidence and poise, so that she is finally able to take her life in her own hands and act assertively on her own behalf. As such, Guin's romance with Sir Frederick does get relegated very much into the background. But this was not, in my mind, too great a detraction