Bookshop Cinderella
by Laura Lee Guhrke
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: June 20, 2023
Reviewed by PJ
Evie Harlow runs a quaint little bookshop in London, which is the biggest adventure an unmarried woman with no prospects could hope for. Until Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, saunters into her shop with a proposition: to win a bet with his friends, he’ll turn her into the diamond of the season. The duke might be devilishly attractive, but Evie has no intention of accepting his ludicrous offer. When disaster strikes her shop, however, she’s left with little choice but to let herself be whisked into his high-society world.
Always happy to help a lady in distress, Max thinks he’s saving Evie from her dull spinster’s life. He’ll help her find a husband and congratulate himself on a job well done. But as shy Evie becomes the shining star he always knew she could be, she somehow steals his heart. And when her reputation is threatened, can Max convince her to choose a glittering, aristocratic life with him over the cozy comfort of her bookshop?
PJ's Thoughts:
I enjoy a good makeover story but I'm not much of a fan of makeovers that are the result of a bet or heroes who don't see the qualities of a heroine until after the change. Thankfully, Laura Lee Guhrke's Bookshop Cinderella takes a different path that hit all the right makeover bet notes for me.
I love that Max saw the important qualities in Evie from the start and only took the bet to show young entitled men how wrong they were. I appreciated that he was upfront with her about the bet and gave her the choice whether or not to participate, making them fully informed partners in the quest.
Evie is the kind of "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" heroine I love reading about and Guhrke does well. It was so much fun to watch her grow in social confidence as the makeover process progressed without ever losing the qualities that made her special and unique. Even more fun was watching Max, a man who after having his heart destroyed by a cross-class marriage and being determined to only marry within his class the next time, finds himself falling for Evie.
If you're looking for a fresh, fun, Victorian romance with sparkling banter, endearing characters, and a hard-won happily ever after, give Bookshop Cinderella a try. I happily recommend it.
Have you read Laura Lee Guhrke?
Do you enjoy cross-class romance?
Do you have a favorite bookshop you enjoy visiting?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, June 22 will receive a print copy of Bookshop Cinderella.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
Thank you to Forever Romance for the giveaway.
Looking forward to reading this book. It seems like it has been a long time since Laura Lee Guhrke has published a new story. I enjoy cross-class romance stories where the rich hero or heroine meets and marries “beneath them” for love. Barnes and Noble is my favorite bookstore to browse in for current titles, but I miss having access to used bookstores where you discover “new authors” whose titles are out of print. I use the Libby online ebook platform from Overdrive as my substitute platform for browsing, but it doesn’t replace the experience of “touchy feely” book browsing in a bookstore where you can spend hours reading the inside front covers and/or back covers of favorite authors or genres.
ReplyDeleteAh, bookstore romance! Can't wait! I'm glad to see a new title from this author. Start of a series? Even better.
ReplyDeleteWill love to see how they handle the fashion aspect of making her the diamond !
I find it interesting that the upper class women were limited in what they could do, and middle class women had the ability to choose where they went, what they did and generally had an easier time living their lives with no maids in sight. If someone is sincere in their love before the huge changes are made, I like cross - class romance. Not a fan of the superior man who changes a woman because she is so far beneath him.
ReplyDeleteI formerly had a couple of local book stores I loved. They are gone now. I must depend upon on line stores to find romance reads. The very large and successful independent book store here does not believe that romance books are needed by anyone and certainly not them.
Ms Guhrke is a new to me author. Thanks for the review and this book does sound interesting.
I have read this author's wonderful novels. This story sounds captivating and interests me greatly. The cross-class romance is intriguing and unique. I do visit a lovely bookstore. Page One is a delightful place to get lost in.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a fun ride of a story.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed several of Laura's books - this looks like another fun story. And I do love stories featuing Dukes.
ReplyDeleteI love Laura's books!! I also enjoy cross class books but sadly, I can no longer find them at what was my favorite bookstore since it just closed a few months ago. :-(
ReplyDeleteI have not read anything by her but I must change that since Cinderella is a trope I enjoy. I do enjoy cross class books. My favorite bookstore closed a couple years back but I found one I like about an hour's drive away in Alabama that I really enjoyed going to when we are on vacation. I decided it would be a good one to stop in when we do road trips out that way.
ReplyDeleteI read The Truth About Love and Dukes & loved it! Cross class romances are good because the forbidden aspect makes them more exciting! I go to a used bookshop that is part of the library. Thank you for the review, PJ!
ReplyDeleteI have read and enjoyed a few of Laura Lee Guhrke's books.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy cross class romances if they are handled well. Too often there is a superiority issue with the individual of the upper class. They are doing the lower class person a favor by lowering themselves to help and associate with them. Such snobbery isn't appreciated.
I had an independent bookstore I enjoyed going to, but it closed years ago. Right now, my favorite is a bookstore that carried both used and new books. It has been a song time since I was able to visit it.
Thank you for the review.
I have read Laura Lee Guhrke and she is wonderful. I love a cross class romance, especially if the man is of "lower status" than the woman, which is rare to find. My favorite indie bookstore is Love's Sweet Arrow, just outside Chicago. It's all romance!--Christine C.
ReplyDeleteI love her books! Cross-class romance is a favorite. No special bookshops nearby.
ReplyDeletedenise