A little bit Cinderella and a lot more “My Fair Lady”. I really enjoyed this story of a shop owner who falls in love with a Duke. Of course, it doesn't start out that way and there are many obstacles along the way but I did cheer for an HEA and was not disappointed. This was well written by an accomplished Historical Romance author. I highly recommend this book!

Gosh, I love Laura Lee Guhrke. Her historical romances always satisfy. If you're looking to fall deep into another world, with all the delightful tropes of Romance, her books are for you. This particular one I love because the heroine is a smart, hard-working bookshop owner. From the very beginning, and throughout, she holds her own. Because her life has been difficult, because she has had to run a barely surviving bookshop on her own, she doesn't take many risks. When a Duke comes, and offers her a Cinderella story, she discovers how much more to life there is outside of working all the time. I also love the hero of this story because he never hides the bet he makes about turning the mousy bookshop owner into someone men would want to dance with at a ball. I was worried this was going to be some love story based on a lie, which I never like, but the Duke tells her exactly how they can both profit (and really, mostly her) from her wardrobe transformation, and attendance at fancy events. The two have a lot of chemistry together, and some steamy scenes, but most importantly, they just seem to really listen to each other and care about each other a lot. It's very sweet. There's really nothing to complain about this book except maybe that I wish there were more!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

This was ok. I liked the premise, but the dialogue was pretty boring and there weren't any real sparks between the two leads. For fans of historical romance, it's a good palate cleanser.

I received an e-arc from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review!

Thank you!

This was such a fun story to read. I was excited to get an e-arc ahead of time. I literally could not put the book down since it was a Victorian time take on Cinderella with a twist! I loved it! Who doesn't love Cinderella stories? Oh and bookshops!

The main character Evie Harlow is her own person who runs her own business which is a bookshop was fun to see in this time period. She wears what she wants and is okay with being called a 'spinster.' She does what she wants compared to what society wants her to be. I loved this!

So when Max comes into her life with the deal, things change for her! It was fun to see her get a taste of fun and dress shopping and eating new foods. I loved her reaction to seeing the electronic lift for the hotel. I did love the connection that Evie had with the dressmaker Vivienne being on your own and working away.

I will say there were a few giggle moments when I was reading this story. One was from Evie to Max "And how do you know so much about women's clothes?" Plus there was another moment regarding to 'red satin garters' which made me chuckle at how that went down. Another moment was when Evie was talking to Max and she said "I enjoyed defying their expectations." Go woman power!! Loved, loved that!

Another thing I liked was when Max was teaching Evie how to dance. I love this. I love dancing so this made my day or night (when I was reading it)! The movements, the moments and the music during this part of the book was so fun.

Other than Max and Evie, there was Evie's friend who she grew up with named Rory. I think Evie had a slight crush on him but in time realized he was not worth her time. I did not like the Rory character because he seemed fishy to me. I just wanted to point that out on how I felt about Rory.

There's one more character that pops up which is Max's cousin, Delia who is such a joy! I loved her gumption and experience she has. I wonder if there's a story about her?

It did feel like a friendship to a slow burn with Evie and Max which I enjoyed. Does their relationship have a happy ending? You need to pick this quick, light, fun and sweet romance book up to read to find out what happens to Max and Evie.

I really really liked it! I look forward to more from this author!

I love romance novels. However I'm super picky about them. Unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me. The story was good, but the writing style just put me off.

This was a fun historical take on the "She's All That" movie. Take a frumpy girl and turn her into a stunning beauty.

Evie is running her father's bookshop since his passing and is seemingly happy as a spinster - until the boy next door comes home and sparks her attention. He's a nerer'do well, so thankfully her head is turned towards Max, the Duke of Welbourne. He's in the bookshop on behalf of his cousin, Delia, to get some research for a fancy dinner. His two friends poke fun at Evie and her plain, unwealthy ways. In the end, a bet is placed to see if the Duke can make Evie the belle of the season. The rest of the story follows Max and Evie's romance as he tries to make her fit into his world. The characters were fun and the secondary cast was interesting, too. This is titled as the first of a series, I'll be interested in reading more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a digital, temporary ARC in return for my review.

i received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Evie Harlowe runs a quaint little bookshop, but when the Duke of Westmore propositions her help to win a bet with his friends to make her the Diamond of the Season, she can't resist to his offer especially after her shop is damaged. She has no choice but to be whisked into the high society world of the ton, and let the duke transform her into the bell of the ball.

After a very slow beginning for me, I found myself really getting into this book. What a fun historical take on She's All That, I hated that Evie was made to feel ugly by those young men who made the bet but was extremely surprised at how much Max didn't act stuck up or snobby. He truly cared for Evie and tried to make her life better especially when he saw how hard she worked. He was a super sweet hero, and I loved the subtle moments between them like when he was teaching her how to dance. There was a gentleness and a kindness to their relationship. They were friends and lovers. If you want a good guy hero who doesn't really screw up badly then you may want to give this a try.

Overall, an engaging read just wish it had picked up a little faster. If it's going slow in the beginning for you stick with it because it gets better a little over 25 percent in.

Max and Evie start their romance to counter a bet. They learn to work together to come out as winners. Through the time they learn to get to know each other and along the way Max teaches Evie the wonderment of firsts.

I thought this was a nice, easy read. I recommend.

After an embarrassing visit to Evie’s bookshop thanks to some arrogant aristocrats Duke Max is determined to prove a point to them by betting he can turn Evie into the Belle of the season. The problem is Evie has no desire to try and integrate into high society, especially with her unsuccessful past. When her bookshop ends up flooded Evie gives into Max’s “charity” and agrees to go along with his bet. From a luxurious hotel suite, a new wardrobe and dancing lessons Evie begins to think maybe high society isn’t ALL bad. But the more time Evie and Max spend together, the more sparks fly. But with the unexpected appearance of an old friend from Evie’s past and Max’s plans to court Lady Helen their lives seem to be on different paths. Can Max and Evie ever end up having a happily ever after?

I absolutely love a Cinderella story!! This book was super cute and I can’t wait to read more from this author 💗

Evie runs a bookshop in London that she inherited from her father along with all of his debts. She works hard but dreams of fun and romance and is pining after her childhood friend Rory who is back in London but is a charming cad. She takes on other side hustles like working with her friend Delia to research ideas for parties. When her friend Delia has to dash off to Rome, she is left planning an exotic food dinner party with Delia’s cousin Max, the dashing Duke of Westbourne. Max and his friends come into her shop and his friends are super rude and disrespectful to Evie.

Later over many Manhattans, Max’s friends are talking trash about Evie and how plain and boring she is. Max disagrees and they make a wager that he has to turn into an incomparable beauty by his end of season ball.

Evie is at first appalled by the idea, but after her water boiler explodes, she’s like well, I’d like to make those dipshits eat crow and having a holiday at the Savoy sounds fun! So she lives her best life buying gowns, shopping at Fortnum and Mason for tea and soaps and treats, dancing lessons with a hot Duke, kissing a hot Duke and falling in love with the hot Duke.

He decides he wants her to be his Duchess and properly court her but when scandal arises they have to decide if they want to live happily ever after or go their separate ways.

It has been a while since I read any of Ms. Guhrke's books and this reminded me of all that I have enjoyed of her in the past. Set just before the turn of the century, this late Victorian era historical was a delightful Pygmalion romance between a Duke and a bookstore owner. Our hero has married disastrously outside of his class before and is currently pursue a highly eligible Earl's daughter when a drunken bet with her brother has him agreeing to turn our bookshop owner into the bell of the charity ball. Our Eliza Doolittle, Evie, is not quite so rough around the edges having been to finishing school but she needs a new wardrobe and some dance lessons. While Evie hesitates to agree at first, a little convenient flood in her apartment/bookshop forces her to agree to a make-over vacation. This could have been a forgettable little historical rom/com but the witty dialogue and believable chemistry made for an enjoyable weekend read. The Gibson girl vibe added a uniqueness not found in the cookie cutter regencies that overfill the genre. Light on my personal steam scale, the mains do enjoy one intense hookup.

I loved this one SO much!!Not only did it have echoes of a from rags to riches Cinderella story, but it also reminded me of the 1964 film titled My Fair Lady in which a flower seller is turned into a lady for a wager.

The banter between the Duke and Evie is fantastic - I could not help but smile at it. The slow burn is delicious - as is the gradual realisation of their attraction for one another. This is a story I will definitely reread - and savour each time.

This was a very fun fast read and great for anyone who liked the movie she’s all that but historical and if the main character actually knew about the bet. The romance was fun and it was great to see Evie come out of her shell and push herself to try new things and how Max and Evie fall in love. The villain was pretty obvious and I really enjoyed Delia his cousin she was super fun.

Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

Hmm, it was ok. I thought it would be a bit more feminist but it done how didn’t quite get there for me, the main character did seem to be batted around by the “hero”’s needs & preferences. I struggled to like him.

3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
This book is a Pygmalion retelling in a Historical Romance setting.
Unlike other Pygmalion retellings, Evie knew about the bet from the start., which I appreciated since the third act conflict wasn't the same as other retellings.
I enjoyed this book but I didn't rate it higher because the writing style wasn't my favorite. Additionally, to me, this wasn't a Cinderella retelling as the title of the book would suggest.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a unique Pygmalion retelling.

Bookshop Cinderella by Linda Lee Guhrke

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

If you love historical romances, you MUST read this book! I read this entire book in a car trip - thank God - because I could not stop.

This Victorian era romance is a spin on “10 Things I Hate About You” except Evie knows that she is the brunt of a between Max and several acquaintances. She mingles with the aristocracy, makes friends, and, of course, falls in love with Max.

Max is the Duke of Westbourne and has piles of money. He is also a kind man and becomes friends with Evie along the way. Of course, he also falls in love with Evie.

Naturally, there are plenty of twists and turns along the way…

a diverting and lighthearted enough makeover bet romance, love the pretty pink cover, and that's all I have to say

I was a fan of the heroine - while constrained by society and stuck in compromising situations, she made choices that deviated from the norm and was courageous.

I absolutely adored this book. It took two of my favorite tropes (makeover and Cinderella) and milked them for everything they were worth, perfectly. Evie is an overworked bookstore owner, who has managed, despite debt and sexism, to keep her family's business open, years after her slightly inept father's death. Unfortunately, that leaves her rather overworked, often taken advantage of by friends and relatives who see her merely as a workhorse, and in a massive need of a break.

Enter Max, a duke searching for a new wife, after his cross-class first marriage ended in disaster. He thinks he's picked out the perfect aristocratic bride, but becomes quite distracted when he meets Evie on an errand. Enchanted by Evie, despite himself, he defends her attractiveness to other men of his class and enters into a bet, with Evie's agreement (after an accident at the shop leave her with some free time on her hands--and the potential monetary wards of the bed are definitely tempting) to make the upper classes swoon for her.

What ensues is the most fun couple of weeks of new clothes and good food and opera performances, allowing them both to appreciate fun things in life if you are lucky enough to get them .As well as a relationship that grows closer and closer, even though Evie initially has no interest in Max and Max is determined to marry of his own "class." There is so much pining and so much charm and wit and the book is just a whole lot of fun. Totally recommend. And want the clothes.

This was a fun romance although for me, it was set in a time which I don't normally do for this period romance. I tend towards Regency and Victorian romances, so this one forced me out of my comfort zone into a time when I am a little less familiar with the societal rules and norms of the time. For example, there were washrooms and cars and electricity. But at the same time, still limits on being together as a man and a woman even if it was for something as simple as dancing lessons.

I liked both Max and Evie, and the complication in their romance was founded on something that I appreciated for both of them. Rory was annoying, but he's supposed to be, and I was so glad that he got found out without any of the attempted physical violence that is often a trope in these romances.

The relationship between Evie and Max grew through interaction and friendship, and the Pygmalion theme didn't irritate me as much as I had feared it would. Oh yah, I also realized that this was a Pygmalion retelling of sorts, and I really don't get behind those. Despite loving almost every movie that has ever done the popular kid transforms the unpopular (She's All That, Can't Buy Me Love, etc.) I usually struggle with book forms. This one, not so much. Maybe because Max doesn't really try to teach Evie to be better. He realizes that she has it in her, guides her and then lets Delia do the rest.

All in all, a good romance.