The plot of this book had great potential. Georgiana, the heroine, runs her family's horse stables. She had no brothers, so her father left it all to her, and she's as knowledgable as any man about breeding and training horses. She's also 26 - practically ancient by Regency standards - so is mature, and does something meaningful with her life, although it was considered highly improper for a woman to be a horse breeder in the Regency period.Richard, the hero, served under Wellington, but the Napoleonic wars are now over. He needs a new horse, and buys one from Georgiana. He then meets up with her again in London during the Season, and is clearly attracted to her. He's also impressed with her business acumen, fine riding skills, and knowledge of raising horses. He was very likable and engaging.Georgiana is having trouble keeping her stables financially viable because the men of that time just won't deal with a woman. So her sale to Richard was very important. She too is attracted to him.These are all the elements for a great story. So, why couldn't I finish it. Quite simply, the heroine. Every time Georgiana got around Richard she was nasty, snarling, and angry. It got old so fast that I just got annoyed, and lost interest. If he frowned, she thought he was disapproving of her, and she snarled. If he gave her well meaning advice, she snarled at him, and went off and did just the opposite, often acting stupidly. Where I had been expecting a mature heroine, fighting to save her business, and perhaps finding an ally in Richard, she was just a jerk. I have said it time and again, if either the hero or heroine is totally unlikeable, and there's no indication that they're going to be redeemed, I won't finish the book.
