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?
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3.5 stars
As the much-ignored illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie Beckett lived a lonely but comfortable life, until her father’s sudden death left her a virtual slave to the stepmother who always despised her. Sophie took one night for herself, sneaking out to attend Lady Bridgerton’s much talked about masquerade ball. She never expected to meet the man of her dreams, none other than Benedict Bridgerton himself. Too bad she was forced to leave at midnight to beat her stepmother home, knowing she’d likely never see him again.
Ever since meeting his Lady in Silver two years ago, Benedict has been utterly preoccupied with finding her, comparing every woman he meets to her, all to no avail. When he rescues a beautiful and strangely familiar-looking housemaid, Sophie, from a harrowing situation, he’s perplexed to find himself attracted to her in a way he’s only felt once before. He wants more with the beautiful maid with whom he feels such a strong connection, but he’s afraid to give up his search for the mysterious Lady in Silver, even as he loses his heart to Sophie.
I loved the initial set up of this book so much and was sure it would be hands-down five stars. You may risk some mild spoilers from here. I love a good Cinderella retelling, but some issues cropped up for me later, namely Benedict’s persistence in begging and trying to lure Sophie into becoming his mistress. For a while there his refusal to take no for an answer, or to consider Sophie’s feelings or how such an arrangement would affect her, made him rather untenable for me. Of course, some of the fault for this can be laid at Sophie’s feet because of her failure to be honest with him, although her behavior is rather understandable. While I can understand Benedict’s reasoning as well, he took things a bit too far. For me it took too long for Araminta to receive her just desserts, and while satisfying, I was hoping for just a bit more. I just wish Benedict in the second part of the book had been more like the charming, likeable hero he was in part one. Instead, he came off as arrogant and rather petulant when he didn’t get his way with Sophie. I also think it took him an absurdly long time to recognize her and his reaction to that revelation was totally out of line. It sort of left me feeling like I didn’t know who Benedict was as a character and that was irritating. He also never actually proposed which left me feeling cheated. He didn’t treat Sophie all that well, despite her vulnerable position in the house. Of course, this improved, but it was certainly less than heroic behavior.
I enjoyed the narration and I’m glad I listened to this as an audiobook. The story ended satisfactorily, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it less if I’d read it instead. Oh well, now on to Colin’s story.
My favorite of the Bridgerton series so far!
Hated this book, but I love the rest of this series
This is part of a series and they are great reads. Couldn’t put this book down, but that’s how every book in all of the books in this series. I own all of the books from this series and have reread them several times.
I just have to read all of Julia Quinn’s books as they are connected yet each one has its own characteristics, adventures and life trials to get through.
Author is always fun, well written and entertaining characters
I’m in love with the Bridgertons. Book three of the series featuring another Bridgerton male who meets his match reads as a Cinderella type story and I adored it. Sophie and Benedict have a hard road but their story is beautiful. All the Bridgerton family cohesiveness is once again tangled up in the story along with great humor, wit, and tons of love. A great series.
Love the time period
Always entertained by this author.
I loved it. Quiet possibly my favorite book. Thank you Julia Quinn. I was enchanted.
Sophia is the daughter of a duke but was born in the wrong side of the blanket. As a child her father took her in as his ears but none look at them and one could tell. When he decides to marry his wife come with two daughters. While mistreated by her step mom as she grew it came worse after his death. One night she decides to be free of a maid to her step mom she meets the man who at first sight stole her heart.
Benedict saw an angel a silver shimmering angel at his mom’s masquerade. When the angel runs off at midnight time of the unmasking he decides to search for her but can’t find her and worse off he didn’t get her name. But with a twist of fate he bumps into her not knowing it her
I loved this book , this author has her own special touch to this almost retelling of Cinderella . Loved it and do so recommend
All of her characters and writing are awesome!
Always enjoy her stories
Awesome book