"Diamond in the Rough"

Book Description from the publisher:

When Miss Poppy Garrison accepts her grandmother's offer of financial help for her family in exchange for Poppy joining the New York social Season, she quickly realizes she is far less equipped to mingle with the New York Four Hundred than even she knew. As she becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, becoming the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs her to be looks more impossible by the day.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, is in New York to help his cousin find an American heiress who can help save his family's estate. But when his very proper British manners lead Poppy's grandmother to request he teach etiquette to Poppy, he quickly finds himself in for much more than he bargained for.

And while they couldn't be more opposite, Reginald and Poppy just might find they have more to teach each other than they ever could have expected.

My Review:

I am a huge fan of Jen Turano's novels - they have romance, a little bit of mystery, quirky characters and so many laugh out loud moments!  Poppy is such a fun main character and I loved how she is portrayed throughout the book.  Poppy is completely out of her element in the midst of the social season in New York and I found myself laughing so many times and also feeling sorry for her, but yet not being to not laugh.  Poppy's grandmother, Viola, is quite the lady and quite intimidating and yet Poppy has the backbone to handle her and all of the situations that arise!  I liked Reginald from the very first encounter with him and he is another great character throughout the book.  The time period and societal expectations are so vividly described that the story really does seem to come to life.  I really enjoyed reading about and learning more about the elite societal scene during this time and it's fun to learn about something so different than what I am personally used to.  I highly recommend this book, as well as all others by Jen as they are hilarious and heart-warming.  

*Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy of this book.*