An Offer From a Gentleman

by Julia Quinn

#4 Book with a F Word

Rated 4.5 Stars

Back Cover:

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 feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other -- except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

My Thoughts:

This is a fresh modern version of the traditional Cinderella fairy tale. Complete with wicked stepmother and stepsisters, a Ball, secret identity, and the stroke of midnight. It definitely gives Cinderella a run for her money. Instead of mice and household animals as companions, Sophie Becket is loved and nurtured by the household staff. It is this loving, albeit limited family who come up with the idea for Sophie to "crash" the masquerade ball given by The Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton. There our Sophie meets her Prince Charming, in the very debonair Benedict Bridgerton. Benedict is immediately drawn to his mystery muse.

After the ball, Sophie returns to her life in servitude to her Step-monster-ish, and her two daughters. After a turn of events, Sophie find herself on her own and finds work with a family elsewhere, and the son of that family attempts to mistreats her in a most personal way. Enter Prince Charming again, who happens to be a guest at a party given by same Son, Son of a B#%&H more like. He rescues our Sophie and their unlikely relationship begins.

She from the working class and he from the ton. It could never work in the traditional marriage sense so......Benedict makes her an offer. Be his mistress. Now, this reader doesn't usually like it when Heroes make such an offer. This reader tends to begin to really dislike said, Hero. But this time, and in this situation it was done with such warmth, that This Reader loved the Hero in spite. It really was a "No Win" for this unlikely couple and he knew he couldn't live without her so........

She categorically refuses his offer. Twists and turns later, I was pleasantly surprised at how Ms. Quinn worked the situation out for Our Sophie and Benedict "Charming". I knew she would. :::nods head for effect:::

I will not go into more details, so as not to spoil it for you, but This Reader loved this Cinderella story very much. I'm now referring to the entire Bridgerton series as my Vitamin B-ridgerton, cuz it's soooooo good. (and good for you!!!)