An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)

by Julia Quinn

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?

Reviewed by Angie on

4 of 5 stars

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An Offer From a Gentleman was so cute! Well, it starts off quite sad because at the age of three, Sophie was delivered to her father after her mother's death. If that wasn't bad enough, her father basically ignores her because she's a bastard. Seven years later, he gets married and Sophie's new stepmother and stepsisters are awful. Sure Sophie is allowed to have lessons with the girls, but other than that they're cruel to her. Then her father dies, Sophie becomes their maid, and I'm sure you can tell where this story is going.

Obviously, An Offer From a Gentleman is a Cinderella retelling and it's a great one! The author does something totally new with the fairy tale while still having it be recognizable and magical. Sophie attends a masquerade at the Bridgerton's home, meets Benedict, runs away at the stroke of midnight, and leaves behind her...glove. The glove is monogrammed, so he follows the family crest back to Sophie's home, but only finds her stepsisters. Fast forward two years later, the two meet again but he doesn't recognize her. Sophie doesn't say anything, because she knows they simply cannot be together and it's better that he doesn't know about their one wonderful night together.

I really enjoyed Sophie and Benedict together. She's super sweet but doesn't let anyone walk over her (at least once she gets away from the stepmother). Benedict isn't a rake or a rogue, but he's also not a perfect Prince Charming. While he doesn't order her about, Sophie is quick to point out his privilege and their differences in class, when he tries to make her out to be more than she is. The only time I got a bit annoyed was when Benedict kept insisting that Sophie becomes his mistress. She very clearly didn't want that and he got quite pushy. Of course, he does come to see the error of his ways.

An Offer From a Gentleman was just a sweet read. It was a refreshing take on a classic, and I loved the changes that the author made. It was also fun to get to know the younger Bridgertons better, since they hadn't gotten much page time thus far. I came to quite like Eloise and can't wait for her book!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 March, 2017: Finished reading
  • 28 March, 2017: Reviewed