If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a romance novel cover took a long, luxurious bath in bleach, A Lady’s Lessons by Liza Friend is your answer. The art style is a faint, pastel watercolor wash that whispers “Paris” but screams “printer ran out of ink.” Our lovers appear as ghostly outlines wandering toward a melted Eiffel Tower, perhaps seeking the rest of their facial features. The typography, in a refined gold script, floats precariously over the white void—half vanishing, half clinging on for dear life.
There’s an undeniable irony in the title. Yes, this cover is a lesson—specifically, in how to make sure your audience can’t tell what’s going on without squinting. The romance may be timeless, but unfortunately, the visual impact has already faded into the mists of oblivion.