An Offer From A Gentleman

I loved watching the first season of the Bridgerton series, so I jumped on the bandwagon and read the first book followed by the second book featuring Anthony and was swiftly disenchanted with the series. I did not like him. Not one bit. But when Audible offers up the third book as a freebie audiobook, you sometimes have a change of heart.

This was an entertaining story that focuses on Benedict Bridgerton, the second oldest son. Benedict and Sophie Beckett meet at a masquerade ball with a Cinderella-like encounter. As one does. The two have a connection but Sophie leaves suddenly to not incur the wrath of her evil stepmother (she's got an evil stepsister too) leaving Benedict not knowing the true identity of the woman who captivated him. Years later, they meet up again, but he is unaware that this is the same woman he was enamoured with. But Sophie remembers. Unfortunately, since their initial meeting Sophie's social standing has drastically changed and now her social status may hinder the growing feelings between the pair. 

Benedict is a good male lead (despite one instance where he was an obnoxiously overbearing and selfish arse) and Sophie's complicated family life made things interesting. It's fun to get a peek into the Bridgerton clan and Quinn offers up some characters you'll love to hate.

This was a fluffy, predictable, and utterly unrealistic romance, but that was why it was entertaining. Skillfully narrated by Rosalyn Landor, this light retelling of Cinderella has made me rethink giving up on this series when I'm in the mood for an easy-going, fluffy read.

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Julia Quinn

Genre: Romance, Historical

Series: #3 from the Bridgerton series

Type and Source: eAudio from Audible.ca

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Run Time: 12 hours, 22 min

Publisher: Recorded Books

First Published: November 30, 2016

Book Description from GoodReads: Will she accept the offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball. Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, waltzing 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. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. If he offers her his heart, will he sacrifice his only chance for a fairy-tale love?