An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)

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An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3)

by Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)

4.05 of 5 stars 4.05 · rating details · 11,853 ratings · 609 reviews

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she′d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton′s famed masquerade ball - or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she fe...more

Mass Market Paperback, 358 pages

Published July 1st 2001 by Avon (first published 2001)

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Oct 10, 2008 Eastofoz rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Regency romance lovers / Tammy

Shelves: favourites, historical-regency

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! This is a fantastic read! Quinn’s best so far for me. She has an amazing way to draw you into the story from the first few pages and you’re smiling from the get-go right up to the end :) She even manages to take you on a sudden heart-breaking emotional roller coaster ride that really gives you the chills and makes you want to cry for the h/h as a couple. This contrasts so well with the rest of the light-hearted story making the situation all the more poignant.

Th...more

19 likes · like · see review

Sep 25, 2009 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009-reads, historical-romance

An Offer From a Gentleman definitely takes its inspiration from Cinderella, but it is still a sweet story with lovable characters written in JQ's own witty style.

Sophie is sweet and spunky. Benedict is a hopeless romantic. Together they make a very charming couple. I loved that Benedict spent three years searching for Sophie after their initial meeting at the masquerade ball.

The confrontation between Benedict's mother, Violet Bridgerton, and Araminta (Sophie's wicked step-mother) when Violet c...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jan 08, 2012 Erika rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fairy tale romance readers

Shelves: best-of-heroes, historical, favorite-series, favorites, auto-buy-author, ladies-of-quality, fairy-tales-retelling

Stepback cover

"I can live with you hating me," he said to the closed door. "I just can't live without you"

The Duke and I gave us a sweet romance, The Viscount Who Loved Me gave us a hilarious one, and An Offer From a Gentleman gave us a magical one.

This third book of the series is about love at the first sight that strike you like a thunderbolt and haunt you for the rest of your life. It happens to Benedict Bridgerton when he sees the beauty in silver gown with radiant smile at the Bridgerton's...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jun 25, 2008 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dreamy-heroes, favorites, desert-island-keepers, retold-fairy-tales, illegitimate-hero-heroine, hr-georgian-regency, own, across-the-tracks, virgin-heroine, my-5-star-romances

"In her heart she longed for this man, dreamed of a life that could never be."

The first book I read in the Bridgerton series and remains my favorite today :) An enchanting, touching re-telling of the Cinderella story. Sigh...

Benedict meets the woman of his dreams at a masquarade ball and spends years looking for her. One night Benedict rescues a young housemaid and thinks he may have found love a second time in his life.

5 likes · like · see review

Apr 12, 2011 ♥ Sam ♥ ~S2~Im made of awesomness rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, next-in-the-series, part-of-a-series, bridgerton-series

Whenever reading a Julia Quinn novel, it's always an all nighter for me! Forget the family, forget dinner? The only thing that would get my eyes unglued from the pages, would be a life and death emergency.

An Offer from a Gentleman has characters that are full of spunk and fire. This was the perfect Cinderella story that is tried and true. Except in this Cinderella story she is able to keep her wits about herself and remain practical except when both our hero and Cinderella come in contact with...more

17 likes · like · see review

Jun 12, 2009 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency, romance-historical, favorites, read-own, read-in-2009, ebooks

I love this "Cinderella" story. It may start off like Cinderella but this story is very unique. I love how Benedict was in love with the Mystery Girl and would never marry until he found her. How romantic! He's such a dreamer! And Sophie is so sweet. I wanted her to just blurt it out "I am the mystery girl"... Another great job by Quinn.. I totally fell in love with both characters.

Sophie is a bastard daughter of the Earl. After his death Sophie becomes the maid to her ugly stepmother and stepsi...more

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Sep 14, 2010 Shawna rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loves romance, Cinderella, fairytales, and happily ever after!

Shelves: historical-romance, julia-quinn, historical-romance-regency, library-available, series-bridgertons, brothers-sisters-cousins-family, i-read-own-faves-keepers, fairytaleesque-bb-cinderella-theme, 2010-reads, best-top-favorites, captive-kidnapped-hostage-slave, favorite-romance-couple-hh-pairings, favorite-romance-series, favorites, hero-beta, hero-im-gaga-over, hero-mix-of-alpha-beta, hero-stalk-me-baby-possessive, heroine-abused-traumatic-past-rape, heroine-i-adore, heroine-naïve-virgin-like-a-virgin, hh-social-class-wealth-matters, made-me-cry, revenge-deception-secrets-lies, sweet-romance-left-smile-on-my-face, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, hh-servant-serving-working-class, hero-or-heroine-illegitimate, hero-gentleman, heroine-beautiful-bombshell, 5-stars-or-higher, feel-good-read-pick-me-upper, star-crossed-lovers, hh-across-the-tracks, hh-rags-to-riches, heartbreaking-gutwrenching-romance, heroine-commoner-lower-class, heroine-destitute-poor, hero-nice-guy-gets-the-girl, best-faves-of-2010, masquerade-hide-your-face-identity, tearjerker-tugs-at-heartstrings, a-all-time-best-of-best-fave-dik, a-all-time-best-top-50-fave-dik

5+ stars – Historical/Regency Romance

An Offer From a Gentleman might be a Cinderella-like story, but it’s much more than just a fairytale remake. For me, this is the epitome of everything I love about romance and happily ever after.

There’s a charming, yet flawed hero, a sweet heroine with profound inner strength and resolve who overcomes all odds, powerful emotional conflict, realistic drama, lush sensuality, intense passion, and witty humor. Benedict and Sophie and the supporting cast are all...more

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Aug 31, 2009 Barbara M. rated it 4 of 5 stars

4 Stars...

"The perfect "Cinderella" story" comparison is thrown around so very often (and yours truly has been guilty of that on a few occasions) but let me tell you..."An Offer From A Gentlemen" is the Cinderella story of historical romances. Complete with the evil stepmother, evil stepsisters, the slippers (but in this case gloves), the ladies maid who's transformed for one night of living her dream, and last but not least the unbelievably handsome Prince Charming.

The only negative was that B...more

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Sep 16, 2009 Rane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance-napoleonic-era, keeper

On one faithful night Benedict Bridgerton fell in love with a masked woman in silver at no less then at a masquerade ball. She took his breathe away, and stole his heart when the clock stuck midnight and she ran away never to been seen again by him. Even with two years passing he somehow always held out hope he could find her again and feel that strong emotion she ignited in him that night, but when she comes across a helpless maid in need of help, he can’t help but feel he knows her from somew...more On one faithful night Benedict Bridgerton fell in love with a masked woman in silver at no less then at a masquerade ball. She took his breathe away, and stole his heart when the clock stuck midnight and she ran away never to been seen again by him. Even with two years passing he somehow always held out hope he could find her again and feel that strong emotion she ignited in him that night, but when she comes across a helpless maid in need of help, he can’t help but feel he knows her from somewhere before…
Sophie Beckett is the daughter of an earl and a courtesan, due to her stepmother’s hate for her, made her work as a maid, until one night where she could live as a true Cinderella and meet her own prince charming, but things wouldn’t last, now two years after leaving her stepmother’s home she comes across her prince charming once again who doesn’t realize who she is.
Sophie and Benedict have to overcome a large gap in social status and revealing truths in order to reach their happy ever after..

An Offer From a Gentleman had a darker tone then other JQ books, with not a lot of laughs or wisecracks that usually a trademark of her works, but still is able to send a deep message across, that had me reading this book non-stop.

Benedict was trying to find himself, being a middle child out of a famous family; he found it a headache, mostly dishearting to always be called Second or The Second Bridgerton. Trying to break the mold those of the ton have placed him in. Throughout the book you see Benedict flourishes, becoming and finding himself. He was charming and sometimes heartbreaking, it torn at my heart as he deals with his feelings toward Sophie and his masked lady in silver.
Sophia was a strong lead, as she stuck to her guns and her beliefs, never breaking under pressure with her stepmother’s treatment and the facts of her birth.
The love between the two were so heartbreaking sweet and breath taking, (the love scene was sizzling!) as they jump leaps and bounds in order to deal with not only their feelings, but how society at the time would judge them.

While both were great, I felt the true bump in a other wise perfect story was the fact of Benedict forcing the issue of the Sophia, a maid becoming his mistress. Installing her in his mother’s home and then trying throughout to get her into bed. While Sophia kept the truth of her being the masked lady in silver and secret for so long. I felt both were at fault for their actions and as it was dragged out throughout the story, I became frustrated with them for not telling the truth and have more respect.

The golden moments and scenes that brought a few tears to my eyes were the confused feelings Benedict had to face and his words that made you wanna throw your arms around him and hug him with all your might, and a little more about the Bridgerton’s mother Violet who is known to be popular and kind was surprising a wallflower once and how she found love and happiness with her husband.

The Bridgerton sisters were more in the forefront this time around, giving the reader glimpses of themselves with their lighthearted moments.

Overall: a deeper and a more serious story, with a look at social class in a time where there were major gaps between peers and servants. Finding one self, breaking the mold and grabbing happiness and love with both hands and finding a fairy tale happy ever after with the one you love.
(less)

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Mar 22, 2013 Lisa Kay rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-historical, theme-masquerade, authors-q, authors-j, m-pb-paperback, 2013-rlftci-group-challenge, buddy-read-rlftci, era-regency, challenge-heac-fairy-tale

Antique embroidered gloves in musée national de la Renaissance - end of 17th c. to early 18th c.

★★★★½ Recently re-read this one as a “buddy read.” While I loved the whole “seeing her across a crowded ballroom” thing, it didn't work for some of my fellow GRs “buddy readers.” It did for me; I thought that night was magical.

I did think Benedict was a bit of a jerk about the mistress stuff, but it was realistic for the era. I was thinking of knocking this down a star because of that, but this is su...more

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Jul 04, 2007 Sara ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, 2010, books-i-own, challenge-spring-2010, historical

(#3 in the Bridgerton Series)

April 20, 2010

Super cute! I forgot a lot of the details, so I'm glad I reread this book! :)

April 1, 2007

aka Benedict and Sophie: A Cinderella Story.

No, seriously. For the first like... three chapters, maybe... I was like... "Ummm... Julia? This story has already been written! It's called Cinderella. There's a movie, and everything!" (And I would know... I own the Disney animated version, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, and A Cinderella Story!)

It diverged fro...more (#3 in the Bridgerton Series)

April 20, 2010

Super cute! I forgot a lot of the details, so I'm glad I reread this book! :)

April 1, 2007

aka Benedict and Sophie: A Cinderella Story.

No, seriously. For the first like... three chapters, maybe... I was like... "Ummm... Julia? This story has already been written! It's called Cinderella. There's a movie, and everything!" (And I would know... I own the Disney animated version, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, and A Cinderella Story!)

It diverged from that story, though, of course. After all, Benedict isn't a prince. He's not even titled... but he IS a gentleman. Sophie is the bastard daughter of an earl, though he won't admit it, just passing her off as his ward. Her stepmother hates her, of course, and forces her to become a servant in the house (polishing the countess's ton of shoes is the bane of Sophie's existance).

So she sneaks out to attend a MASKED Ball at Bridgerton House and meets "Prince Charming". (Her mask covers the upper half of her face, not including her eyes.) She realizes later, when Benedict and Colin run into each other, who he is. She even knows exactly WHICH Bridgerton brother he is, as Lady Whistledown described Benedict as being an inch taller than Anthony and Colin.

Anyway, so Benedict has been annoyed lately because he just feels like "#2"--like everyone just judges him to be "a Bridgerton" and doesn't even bother to get to know him. So he is pleasantly surprised when this stunning woman (I can't remember if he calls her an angel or something else) not only knows he's a Bridgerton, but knows that he's Benedict.

This idea plays a part later, also, after some fun turns of events, Sophie ends up being a lady's maid to Benedict's mother, Violet. Violet, Eloise, Francesca, Penelope Featherington, and Sophie are having tea, and they're talking about how Anthony is the Viscount and Simon (Daphne's husband) is good at math and Colin is the funny one and they can't think of what Benedict excels at. And Sophie gets ticked off because SHE knows, and his mother and sisters don't? So she's like, "Art." And they all look at her questioningly. "Benedict is good at art." And they're all surprised.

Anyway, CUTE book.(less)

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Oct 02, 2012 Charon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, romance, favorites

I consumed this book, much to my surprise considering my low expectation for Benedict story. I adore Benedict, he's such a perfect gentleman ~~most of the time~~. I have much respect for Sophie; although I want to slap some senses into her sometimes. Violet is, however, my favorite in this book. She is just plain awesomeness. Overall, this is my favorite book in Bridgertons series so far :).

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 01, 2011 Sena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Bugün julia quinn'in sitesinde bir şey ararken rasgele denk geldim.Julia kitaplarını yazarken ilham aldığı ve ya o şarkıyı dinlediğinde ona kitabını hatırlattığı müzikleri sitesinde paylaşmış.Bu benim çok hoşuma gitti.Ve kitabı okurken bile bu müzikleri dinledim.İşte julia'nın Son Söz Aşkın adlı kitap için oluşturduğu playlist:)

An Offer from a Gentleman

"A Sorta Fairytale" by Tori Amos

Well, it is, isn't it?

"Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in my Hand" by Primitive Radio Gods

For t...more

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May 06, 2013 Sandra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, 5-star, asa, meu

Com um início bem clichê a soar a algo muito parecido com a história da Cinderela, Julia Quinn redime-se, dá a volta e faz-me acabar mais um livro dela com lágrimas nos olhos e sorriso nos lábios.
Como é que ela consegue? Não sei.
Simplesmente sei que é deste calibre que são feitos os grandes escritores. Aqueles mestres das palavras que fazem com que leitores se emocionem de tal maneira ao ponto de se surpreenderem.

Sophie é uma personagem forte e tão querida para mim que me fez ir às lágrimas bem...more

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Mar 25, 2012 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: no-politer-word-for-porn, made-me-sad

One can never go wrong with a Cinderella plot.
Well, of course the girl has to be strong-willed, courageous, not bimbotic and *sigh* beautiful, and the guy has to be dashing and debonair. Uh, that is quite a lot come to think of it, but come on, how hard can it get?! (I think I just belittled all the writers in the world) But just weaving two perfect people into a even-more-perfect romance tale and voila! You get absolute perfection (Feel free to disagree with me on that)
Enter Sophie/Cinderella...more One can never go wrong with a Cinderella plot.
Well, of course the girl has to be strong-willed, courageous, not bimbotic and *sigh* beautiful, and the guy has to be dashing and debonair. Uh, that is quite a lot come to think of it, but come on, how hard can it get?! (I think I just belittled all the writers in the world) But just weaving two perfect people into a even-more-perfect romance tale and voila! You get absolute perfection (Feel free to disagree with me on that)
Enter Sophie/Cinderella and Benedict/Prince Charming. What can I say?
Readers directly take the plunge into the Cinderella story in the first page of the book. And then the ugly (they must be ugly! The author never says though) stepsisters come in, the "Fairy Godmother" of sorts follow..... then the ball! The BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Actually it was a masquerade but come on it was a ball in it's own right) That was the best part of the book. So romantic. So mysterious. So....sad.
Unfortunately the Cinderella fairytale ends really early in the book, so fortunately for Quinn, she is unlikely to face plagiarism or copyright charges from the original Cinderella author. And henceforth comes the worst part of the story.
I was hoping for a speedy happy ending for this book, because even before the ball Sophie had already faced enough torment in her life. But oh no, Quinn just had to make it worse for her, didn't she? Before the sheepish, love-dovey expression is wiped off my face Quinn is kicked out of the house, left to resort to stealing (heck she even sucks at it), works as a god-know-what, and almost gets raped. You call this justice?! Heck, Lady Justice balances scales, and although I've never actually used a proper one before, even I know that they must be terribly faulty to dwindle such a fate on Sophie.
If anyone else thinks that the scales were ultimately balanced in the end, then it must mean that Benedict must have been worth a lot to Sophie for her to be able to get over her horrid past. But for me, Benedict couldn't really outweigh it. Therein lies my fustration - Benedict.
I can't put a finger on whether I like Benedict or not, really. Sure, he's perfect, speaks like the Devil and is SINGLE Goddamnit, but to me he's horribly flirtatious and all. After he meets Sophie, he treats her decently, but then he orders her (view spoiler) not even a night after their second encounter, I mean, who the HELL does that? Then after developing feelings for Sophie he offers her the coveted position of....becoming his mistress. Yes you read correct. I don't care what the excuses are, although, dear readers, they were perfectly reasonable ones. Try repeating that offer to a member of a Women's Rights Organisation, buster. Then there's the fact that Benedict didn't recognise Sophie in their second encounter, which is, rationally speaking, perfectly excusable since it had been over 2 years (of torture for Sophie), but
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Damn you Benedict!!!!!!!!!!!!
See, my (lack of) good feeling towards Benedict are perfectly personal. I just pity Sophie so so much. Although a fan of happy endings, the hardship that Sophie went through soured my taste a bit for this book. I mean, there couldn't really be a sufficiently perfect enough an ending, after all Sophie went through. Other than that, this book was enjoyable (fornication asides).
Afterthoughts:
Was the "offer" the book title was referring to the offer of becoming Benedict's...mistress? I best not know. Because if it were, I'll feel like throttling Benedict again.(less)

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Oct 24, 2011 Jenny E rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, have-kleenex-handy, own-book-form, romance, swoony

Do you ever read books and wonder what the heck was going on in the author's head when she wrote it? This was one of those books for me. I could not figure out why with all Julia Quinn's talent she wrote a Cinderella book. I'm wondering if she was on a deadline for her publisher and couldn't think of a better plot or what, but yeah, this was a Cinderella story, and that story/plot is old and boring IMO.

The thing is, I LOVED the characters, but the plot really took away from any enjoyment. I act...more

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Dec 15, 2009 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, quinn-j

(Bridgertons,#3) Benedict Bridgerton is the perfect prince charming! In this Cinderella story, Benedict is pining for the mystery girl, aka Sophie Beckett, he met at his mother’s masquerade ball. Sophie is the illegitimate child of the Earl of Penwood, forced to work as a maid for her stepmother Araminta. I love the tear-inducing heartfelt conversations between Benedict and his mother Violet. This story left me feeling warm and dreamy… loved it!

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Jan 24, 2008 Kathrynn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: series-bridgerton_quinn, romance-historical, funny, own, gentle-reads, 2006, reviewed

This was a delightful cinderella-type story. Wonderfully written. A true romantic romance. Ahhh...I would classify the entire Bridgerton series as "gentle reads" because there isn't rape, murder, a huge suspense plot; yet, they are so refreshing. Setting is early 1800's England, women trying to find husbands and men trying to stay single.

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May 04, 2011 Carla *Jen7waters* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cinderella, read-in-2011, favorite-heroines, historical-romance, favorite-books, steamy, favorite-authors, virgin-heroine

A Cinderella inspired Bridgerton book! OMG!!! *dances around the room* I don’t think I have to explain the plot, right? Cinderella inspired says it all. Yes?
Oh, I loved it! Loved it! The couple is so cute, and the heroine Sophie is one of my favorites of the series so far. Actually it is not fair for me to say so because all the previous heroines are great, and in my heart they’re all favorites, it’s just that Sophie had such a harsh life compared to them, and still she can be funny and brave a...more

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Jan 07, 2008 maricar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, romance, julia-quinn, series

the first time i read about Benedict was from The Duke and I. even from then i was intrigued by him (well...okay...i was intrigued by the older Bridgerton brothers). obviously, of course, Benedict is the more somber one of the lot. he's the quintessential brooding rake--who's really not a rake since he can be considered the "upstanding" one among the brothers. but, knowing how handsome and compelling he is, he might just as well be a rake. lol

i really fell in love with this story. not only beca...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Carrie Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Very nearly 5 stars, considering I let out a long, audible "Awwwwww!" at the end of it. Though Benedict was not really a character of any consequence in the first two books, I did quite enjoy him here, and Sophie was great, and I guess any Cinderella-esque story is going to be okay by me.

Random, but my favorite moment was when the Bridgertons were musing that Benedict wasn't talented at anything and Sophie got her hackles up and mentioned his art. So precious.

I am unreasonably excited for Romanc...more

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Mar 11, 2010 Lady Valee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Ok, I must admit that I thought this book would not be any close to be as good as the first 2 because I read somewhere that it was just like Cinderella. I loved this book, although I would have liked it much more without the Cinderella thing at the beginning, luckily it was only some pages at the beginning.

I'm so glad I read it anyway, I loved it. Sophie was an excellent heroine. And there are so many funny parts I wish I could comment them without making any spoilers. LOL.

I am so in love with t...more

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Sep 07, 2011 Taryn at My Secret Romance rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: emotional-angsty, favorites, historical, historical-romance, hot-steamy-romance, julia-quinn, rekindled-love, romance, the-bridgertons-series, reviewed-by-me

I am so impressed with this author. I was a little skeptical about this book. I have never read a Cinderella type story before. Sure, I've seen the movie a million times and was Cinderella for Halloween for many many years but I've never had any interest in a Cinderella story.

Until now.

What a beautifully written romantic love story. Oh how my heart ached for Sophie and Benedict. What a wretched woman her step mother was and those two awful step sisters of hers. Although Posy wasn't too bad of...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Tonileg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance

Historical English high society Cinderella story brought to life for the poor unloved Miss Sophie Beckett who is the natural daughter of the Earl of Penwood (read: bastard daughter). Sophie has had a difficult life once her father married a selfish woman and treated her like lady's maid (read: slave) until she is thrown out on the streets when she is twenty. But the night before being thrown out on the street she goes to Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball as an incognito society woman and i...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Marlene rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am liking Matriarch Violet Bridgerton as the series go on. In this 3rd book, she has given us a flavor of the personalities of the youngest Bridgerton duaghters Eloise, Francesca, and Hyacynth; but Gregory is away at school.

I am also getting a better sense of the wealth of the Bridgertons. Normally a Viscount is not the same level as an Duke or Earl or Marquess--but tin this series they are so wealthy that the lack of titles for the siblings from Benedict on does not seem to matter.
I was curio...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Kathy Davie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, romance

Third in the Bridgerton Family historical romance series. The couple focus is on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett.

My Take
It's Cinderella in Regency England and continues Quinn's format of the truly decent Bridgertons who care for people no matter their station in life. Although it certainly takes Benedict awhile, as intent as he is on making Sophie his mistress. Such hypocrisy, even if it was normal for that time period. I did like Sophie holding onto her values. It's sweet how Violet and...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, romance, regency

A retelling of the Cinderall fairy tale set in the regency time period among the British ton. Our heroine, Sophie, is a bastard (or by-blow) who was never acknowledged by her father even though he raised her as his ward. He remarries, but his new wife immediately dislikes her and one of her daughters follows her lead in cruelty. When the Duke dies, his will offers the stepmother triple the annual stipend if she cares for Sophie. Evil stepmother keeps her in the household but treats her as a lowl...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Maria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-or-stand-alone-love-story, historical-romance

I really want to give this book four stars because, truthfully, the writing is great--worth four stars or more--but the main drawback for me actually stems from the etiquette and standards of the early 1800's in which Quinn sets her story. I absolutely adore Cinderella stories (one of my all time favorite books is Ella Enchanted), and Quinn's use of the framework with the ball scene and the midnight dash is simply delightful. That first part really hooked me in.

However, the conflict with the dif...more I really want to give this book four stars because, truthfully, the writing is great--worth four stars or more--but the main drawback for me actually stems from the etiquette and standards of the early 1800's in which Quinn sets her story. I absolutely adore Cinderella stories (one of my all time favorite books is Ella Enchanted), and Quinn's use of the framework with the ball scene and the midnight dash is simply delightful. That first part really hooked me in.

However, the conflict with the different social classes and (view spoiler) really put my teeth on edge. I mean, I totally understand that these standards are historically accurate and all that jazz (I have read a few Austen books), but my modernity kept me from fully grasping that mindset. In the end, I just felt frustrated at those stupid standards of the past, and I couldn't quite enjoy the story as much as I would've liked. (On a side note, I'm so glad I was born in the twenty-first century.)

It was probably a bad idea on my part, but I actually stayed up until six in the morning just to finish this book and resolve the suspense and tension building throughout. I mean, the Cinderella storyline keeps getting recycled, imo, because of three wonderfully-complimentary elements: the injustice of an innocent girl's circumstances, the build up of suspense as the Prince searches for his mysterious partner, and the rewarding and gratifying reveal/retribution in the end. I've watched Disney's Cinderella multiple times, and every darn time the plot never fails to bate my breath and make me impatient for that satisfying shock in the faces of the step-mother and her daughters.

I've only read one other Quinn book, What Happens in London, and An Offer From a Gentleman is way less comedic and somewhat more emotional than the other. Sophie's situation is just too unfair and sad, but I admire her tenacity. Overall, I couldn't stop reading the book (gotta say: that one sofa scene is hot), but the book feels a little too drawn out, especially since we all know how the story has to end.(less)

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Jun 10, 2012 Surveysdonna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, julia-quinn

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 29, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-reads

An excellent grafting of the Cinderella fairytale (with the flavor of the Ever After Drew Barrymore movie) with a Regency romance.

And a change from the last book because this step-mother is a nasty bitch. Even her name sounds nasty - Araminta.

Quinn puts Sophie through various real-world situations - illegitimate-not-recognized-as-her-father's-child, dismissed without a reference, having to sell her hair (offstage), (nearly) being assaulted by drunken partygoers (not sure how often that happened,...more

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About Julia Quinn

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand style, competing on the the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British an...more

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Books by Julia Quinn

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)

Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons, #4)

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (Bevelstoke, #1)

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Quotes from An Offer From a Gentleman

“It suddenly made sense. Only twice in his life had he felt this inexplicable, almost mystical attraction to a woman. He’d thought it remarkable, to have found two, when in his heart he’d always believed there was only one perfect woman out there for him.

His heart had been right. There was only one.” — 83 people liked it

“In her heart she longed for this man, dreamed of a life that could never be.” — 46 people liked it

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An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3)

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