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A review by plantladyreader
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
3.0
Another dive into the realm of historical romance for me, and once again I slightly enjoyed it! Will it be a genre I read all the time? no. But is it a nice little break from my usual doom and gloom books? yes.
This third installment in the Bridgerton series follows second eldest son, Benedict. Without the pressures of inheriting the title like Anthony, Benedict can be a little more casual with his love life. With his mother still determined to marry off her children, he makes his appearance at the balls and events of the season, dancing with the eligible women. But it isn't until his mother's masked ball that one catches his eye - and everyone else in the room. With a story that gives all the Cinderella vibes, Benedict has his clandestine moment with this woman, never learning her name or seeing half of her face, and then she disappears, leaving nothing but a glove behind.
Sophie Beckett is living an actual Cinderella story. The illegitimate bastard child of an earl, who takes her in as a child to be his ward, she is left in the care of her stepmother when her father dies. Resentful that she must continue to care for this girl, Sophie's stepmother makes her a servant. When Sophie sneaks out to go to the masked ball, she has the time of her life - a glimpse into the life she'll never be accepted in.
Forward the story, Benedict has given up hope he'll ever find his mystery woman. Sophie, working as a lady's maid in the house of one of Benedict's friends, ends up in a tricky situation, and is rescued by Benedict. Sophie obviously realizes Benedict is the man she danced the night away with years ago, but Benedict is clueless. As their relationship grows closer, Sophie wonders if Benedict will ever realize she's the girl he's been looking for...
I think the Cinderella subplot really saved this one for me - it was fun to watch Benedict be so clueless. BUT Benedict may be my least favourite of the Bridgerton brothers. While the early 19th century was very rigid with gender and society ideals, the chauvinism of Benedict was so cringey so many times. Blinded by how society would feel if he ever openly fell in love with a lady's maid, it was so frustrating to read about the ways he tried to get around it. Sophie had great moral fiber and I love how she didn't just bend to his will.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably not as much as the first two books.
This third installment in the Bridgerton series follows second eldest son, Benedict. Without the pressures of inheriting the title like Anthony, Benedict can be a little more casual with his love life. With his mother still determined to marry off her children, he makes his appearance at the balls and events of the season, dancing with the eligible women. But it isn't until his mother's masked ball that one catches his eye - and everyone else in the room. With a story that gives all the Cinderella vibes, Benedict has his clandestine moment with this woman, never learning her name or seeing half of her face, and then she disappears, leaving nothing but a glove behind.
Sophie Beckett is living an actual Cinderella story. The illegitimate bastard child of an earl, who takes her in as a child to be his ward, she is left in the care of her stepmother when her father dies. Resentful that she must continue to care for this girl, Sophie's stepmother makes her a servant. When Sophie sneaks out to go to the masked ball, she has the time of her life - a glimpse into the life she'll never be accepted in.
Forward the story, Benedict has given up hope he'll ever find his mystery woman. Sophie, working as a lady's maid in the house of one of Benedict's friends, ends up in a tricky situation, and is rescued by Benedict. Sophie obviously realizes Benedict is the man she danced the night away with years ago, but Benedict is clueless. As their relationship grows closer, Sophie wonders if Benedict will ever realize she's the girl he's been looking for...
I think the Cinderella subplot really saved this one for me - it was fun to watch Benedict be so clueless. BUT Benedict may be my least favourite of the Bridgerton brothers. While the early 19th century was very rigid with gender and society ideals, the chauvinism of Benedict was so cringey so many times. Blinded by how society would feel if he ever openly fell in love with a lady's maid, it was so frustrating to read about the ways he tried to get around it. Sophie had great moral fiber and I love how she didn't just bend to his will.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but probably not as much as the first two books.