A favor leads to a wager, which leads to a makeover, which leads to love in this historical romance novel from Laura Lee Guhrke. When handsome duke Max makes a bet with some younger men of the ton that he can turn spinster bookshop owner Evie into a sought after dance partner this season, the two make an unlikely—but delightful—love match. Evie is reluctant to participate in the bet at first, but when her circumstances change unexpectedly, a stay at the Savoy and a new wardrobe from a sought-after modiste became more appealing.

I loved this one. The witty repartee, the palpable chemistry between the two, Max’s inner monologue when Evie is around and when he thinks of her—all of it combined to put a goofy grin on my face. I love that Max is able to see who Evie truly is, even before she recognizes it in herself. I also rather enjoy romance novels where one of the MCs is dead set against falling in love—and then falls head-over-heels anyway, and Max's behavior fits the bill here. Max is dashing, intuitive, and kind-hearted, and Evie is strong, independent, and intelligent. I swooned over their love story, and I hope you will, too.

I received an advance copy from Forever and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

Thanks to the author for this ARC! This book was a solid enough time. I don't read a lot of historical romances because they don't usually grab my attention, but this one definitely did! I enjoyed the tropes of normal girl meets rich guy and the FMC being a reader. There were definitely cringy and embarrassing moments that made me have to close my Kindle for a moment, but still was an overall good read. The romance was sweet and I enjoyed the setting being something different than what I'm used to. Would definitely recommend for those looking for a solid historical romance!

Plot: Evie Harlow, the unmarried owner of a quaint bookshop in London, is living her best life until Max, Duke of Westbourne, comes into her shop with a proposition. In order to win a bet, he wants to bring Evie into his world and out into society. Evie had resolved herself to a live of spinsterhood, but tragedy befalls her shop and forces her to accept the Duke's proposition. Not only does Evie find love, but she finds herself as well!

Characters: The characters are very well described and are incredibly lovable, when meant to be. The dialogue keeps a good flow and keeps the reader engaged, which makes for an easier read. I painted a perfect picture of the characters in my mind and could fully image them before me!

Plot: The story flows well and is believable. It leaves you rooting for the characters that you love and hating the villains of the story. The twists were enticing and the romance left me breathless.

Brava!

I really enjoyed this! It definitely has Bridgerton vibes, but if Daphne wasn't rich. I thought the writing was good and the story was intriguing. I wish we had more backstory from Rory and Anna. I thought they were good side characters but honestly would have love to see more from their perspective. Overall would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, period romance novel with a "rags to riches" plot line.

This book was more Pygmalion than Cinderella. The MMC made a bet with several men that he could turn the FMC into the belle of the ball. He being a duke and her being the owner of a not so prosperous bookstore. I found the writing to be nice but the story was kind of blah. Both characters were boring and the ensuing friendship turned to love just fell flat.

I finally did it, I finally joined netgalley. So thanks to them and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!

Though the Taming-of-the-Shrew-type plot (rich Duke makes a bet to turn the plain bookshop owner into the belle of the ball) I loved that our heroine knew about the bet from the start. She was in on the scheme and an active, if reluctant, participant.

Though the spice-level is low, the tension between our hero and heroine is exquisite. I finished the book in only a few days it was just so compellingly readable. 4 stars and recommend to anyone who loves historical romance.

Calling all fans of Bridgerton! Check out this historical romance. As the title implies this is like a Cinderella story where the female lead, Evie, gets the chance to be spoiled, made over, and attend the Duke’s charity ball. Now, there are some differences between this and a traditional Cinderella story: there’s no evil step mother/sisters and (à la Pretty Woman) the love interest is the “fairy godmother.” But the premise is still there. I also liked how practical Evie was, there was no classic miscommunication in this story because at the first chance of awkward Evie puts Max in his place through a long winded monologue that felt very on brand for Evie.

Overall a quick and fun read!

Bookshop Cinderella was a sweet book but I seriously needed the hero and heroine to spend more time together! I just wanted more from both of them. The writing was great and easy to get into.

Laura Lee Guhrke's Bookshop Cinderella introduces Evie Harlow, a bookshop owner and sometimes researcher struggling to make ends meet. When Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, strolls into her shop with a proposition, Evie initially does not accept his ludicrous offer. However, when disaster strikes her shop, she has little choice but to accept and let herself enter his high-society world.

Max is devilishly attractive, always happy to help a lady in distress, and thinks he's helping her out. However, as shy Evie becomes the shining star he always knew she could be, she somehow steals his heart. And when her reputation is threatened, Max must convince her to choose a glittering, aristocratic life with him over the cozy comfort of her bookshop.

Guhrke's writing is charming, witty, and engaging, transporting the reader to the streets of London and into the lives of her endearing characters. The romance between the two main characters is sweet and tender, and their journey to find their happy ending is heartwarming and satisfying.
This delightful and intelligent read will have you cheering for Evie and Max's happily ever after. It is highly recommended for fans of historical romance and fairy tale retellings!

I’ve been in a historical romance slump lately but this one got me out of it! The story is cute with a likable hero and heroine. Evie is snarky in the best ways and there banter was pretty good.

The story gets points for being well written and enjoyable characters, but it loses points in a few aspects, namely, I think, that it didn’t follow through on some tangential story lines.

For example, I felt we needed more closure on Evangeline’s experience at finishing school and with her family. She definitely had trauma from the former and tension from the latter, and none of it was resolved at all. The only resolutions came in her romantic relationships, really.

Additionally, I felt several characters weren’t consistent and instead acted in ways that moved the story how the author wanted it to go rather than acting in ways that accurately reflected their personalities and motivations. Her cousin seemed to have cared for a her a lot when they were younger and now she’s super self centered, and it felt like reading two different characters especially given how little she appeared on the page. Evie herself was also inconsistent—she clearly has a strong, assertive personality, but not when around Rory. Given how that’s the first scene we meet her, it set a poor tone for what to expect of her going forward. And all the side characters/acquaintances who gave his first wife grief for being an outsider for some reason welcomed Evie with open arms despite also being an outsider, particularly strange given how openly she talked about topics that wouldn’t have been considered socially acceptable at the time.

Lastly, the FMC and MMC reunion scene at the end was sooo cringe. I had to skip most of it from second hand embarrassment.

I Adore regency romance books. This one had all the warm and fuzziness that I wanted and needed in a romance book. I wanted a Max so bad!! I stayed up all night to finish this one.
I just reviewed Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke. #BookshopCinderella #NetGalley
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A go-to for historical romance. This was a plus for me and I will read more from her any day of the week. Read it.
They had me a bookshop

I was so excited to receive Bookshop Cinderella as an ARC because I adore Laura Lee Guhrke books. They're usually written to be in the Victorian or Edwardian era, and her books have made me really enjoy turn-of-the-century historical romance. The trail of LLG books that I adore continues with Bookshop Cinderella-- I LOVE this book, with capital letters totally intended!
Evie is the owner of a small, niche bookstore and operating on a string shoe budget. She is the niece of a baron, and was sent to finishing school, and has some lasting scars of being lesser-than from her treatment during school. She's hidden herself away at her bookstore, working to keep it afloat, and wishes to find love. The only person that seems slightly there and available is a childhood friend, but he only seems to want to take advantage of her kindness.. She is friends and does some occasional side work event planning with a woman who is the cousin of a duke, Delia. Delia has to do some last minute traveling for the owner of The Savoy, and asks her duke cousin Max to go to Evie's bookstore and help with some event planning in her absence, and he stops by with a few friends.
Later that night, Max and his friends make a drunken bet that Max can't polish Evie and take her from plain to beautiful, and acceptable to the ton. Max, unbeknownst to him is inexplicably drawn to Evie, and decides to take on the challenge. The romance between the two blossom!
How Max goes about this and their attraction was totally surprising to me, which was delightful. Laura Lee Gurhke manages to use beloved tropes and turn them on their heads, which I love. The chemistry between Max and Evie is fantastic. I loved both of them! The dialogue is absolutely fantastic, and I cannot say enough about how much I loved this book. The writing is great, the story fantastic. When I was about 75% of the way through, I was already excited to read it again and not wanting it to end. If I could have one thing, it would be an epilogue (which LLG doesn't really do much of). I love, love, love this fantastic book!
Bookshop Cinderella is the first in a new series, and I am already excited for the next book. I usually can tell who is next, and I think I have an inkling but I'm not sure!
I received Bookshop Cinderella as an ARC from Netgalley for my honest opinion, and I would highly recommend this book to any fan of books involving bibliophiles, historical fiction, romance or plucky heroines ahead of their time. You will not be disappointed!

I LOVED this heartwarming story. I loved the banter and the dynamic between the leads. I loved the emotional work the characters had to do to realize their love and find their happy ending. I loved that there was never a miscommunication even in the bet part of the story as there often is. Such a delightful, engaging, easy read!

An Edwardian story (early 1900s) with “She’s the Man” vibes. Through his cousin Delia, Max, the Duke of Westbourne meets Evie Harlow—a spinster bookshop owner. He takes a wager that he can make her beautiful (Cinderella). Evie’s transformation isn’t complete until she decides that she is up to any task. Because of Max, she sees that her capabilities are endless.

Spice level: 1 bedroom scene

Loved the story it was cute and it reminded me a lot of the movie she’s all that from the 90s. I love how the heroine was working at a bookshop. I also like her relationship between her and max they knew eachother as kids so it was a childhood friends trope. It was a bit slow in the beginning and towards the end a bit forced but overall good.

We love a Cinderella story, and this one delivered! Romantic and enjoyable. I will definitely read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I always enjoy Guhrke’s work but I thought, after the first few pages, I knew where this was going and I was wrong. This is not a She’s All That situation but Pygmalion and the book is the better for it.

this was really cute! I loved the main characters, especially Evie. The plot was fun and quick, and the character dynamics were great as well. I also really liked the Cinderella aspect of the whole thing! Overall, I would definitely recommend this book :)

If you're into She's All That set in 1800s England, this is a quick & easy read to sweep you away to the Savoy! Spinster bookseller Evie becomes the Duke of Westbourne's special project in order to win a bet. Will he be able to turn this wallflower into the gem of the season--one with a full dance card at his next ball? And what happens when the two opposites start to develop feelings for each other? The storyline is a bit predictable but I enjoyed Evie's strong spirit and her banter with the Duke.

3.5 stars

Many thanks to Forever Grand Central & Netgalley for the ARC.