Goodreads says, "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?"
Benedict, the second eldest Bridgerton brother, can't stop thinking about a mysterious woman who attended their family's popular masquerade ball. It was love at first sight, but for the life of him, he can't figure out who this elusive woman is. Enter Sophie Beckett who attends the Bridgerton's ball on the sly. She really shouldn't be there; however, she finds herself talking to the extremely attractive (and single!) Benedict Bridgerton. She knows that this is just for fun, because when the ball is over, she will go back to her normal life as the ward of the Earl of Penwood. She is an illegitimate child of the Earl and ever since he married Araminta, she has gone from a ward to even worse, a servant. Araminta and her two daughters make Sophie's life a living hell. Once Araminta finds out she attended the ball, Sophie is kicked out of the house and then two years later, her path crosses Benedict's once again. Even though Sophie is a maid, Benedict can't help to feel responsible for her well-being as she was being take advantage of, but also his undeniable attraction to her. Does he remember her from that fateful night two years ago? Julia Quinn's An Offer From a Gentleman, book three in the Bridgerton series, includes everything that readers have come to love from the Bridgertons.
Sophie is a character you can't help but feel for in An Offer From a Gentleman. She has major Cinderella vibes in this novel; obviously Quinn pulled some inspiration from that much loved fairy tale as Araminta and her two daughters play the role of stepmother and the two stepsisters very well. It broke my heart that Sophie had strong feelings for Benedict, but she knew deep down that their love could never be. Plus, she is now working as a maid, which would never be acceptable to high society. When their paths cross in the future, she finds herself being rescued by Benedict from a very upsetting situation. The big question is do they still have feelings for each other after all this time? Does he remember her as the beautiful woman who stole his heart at the ball years ago? And more importantly, even if they do still have feelings for each other could they possibly make it work against all the odds?
While I don't enjoy Benedict as much as the other Bridgertons, I enjoyed his part in this Cinderella story. He searched for the mysterious woman clad in silver from the masquerade ball to no avail. No one could place her and he didn't see her again until years later at a party where she was working as a maid. At this point, he is attracted to her, but couldn't place her exactly. As their romance develops and he comes to the realization that she is indeed the mysterious woman from the ball, sparks fly. Readers can't help but wonder how will they make this work in An Offer From a Gentleman.
I don't really care for the Cinderella or insta-love trope, but Quinn still made An Offer From a Gentleman an enjoyable read that was the perfect escape. I adore this series in that I can pick it up whenever and be reunited with the Bridgertons. The audio book narrator, Rosalyn Landor, is perfection and I can't wait to continue with the series.
So, are you a fan of the Bridgerton series? Have you read An Offer From a Gentleman? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I haven't read any of the books, but the show is so fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like the books for sure! You should check them out. I agree about the show... I can't wait for season two. Thanks for visiting, Michele!
DeleteI just bought the second book and now I'm already excited for this one! The way Quinn is able to adapt the Cinderella vibe for this book sounds really fun.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. This is my go-to series when I want a break from heavier books. It's been so much fun! Thanks for visiting, Angela!
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