I'm a bit conflicted with this book. In one way, it did what it was supposed to do, but I also just felt like it was lacking in chemistry, tension, and swoony-ness. I feel like the Cinderella trope is never fully developed in books, which is a shame, because it's such a trope with so much potential for tension/angst/simmering character development/forbidden attraction. But I just felt like this relied on the *idea* of a Cinderella trope to tell the story. For now, I'm giving this a 3-star rating, but I am definitely going to reread it this month to see if my opinion of it changes and maybe give it a 4-star rating instead:)

<i>I received this title as an ARC on Net-galley in exchange for a honest review. Thank you publisher for the copy!</i>

<b>The Good</b>
I usually don't like bet "she's all that"–esque plot lines but the open communication about the bet and them both benefiting made it work. I love their friendship and the chemistry between them. It was a bit of a slow burn but the chemistry was great.

<b>The Bad</b>
I wish their was an epilogue to the story they showed even a little of their life after marriage since it was so late into the book. I also felt as though Rudy was a very cartoonish "villian" of the story.

<b>The Rating</b>
I give this book a <b>4/5🌟 rating.</b> I liked this pairing a lot and the concept. A nice historical romance!

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Maximillian “Max” Shaw, the Duke of Westbourne, plans to remarry. He has already selected the ideal woman to be his future duchess. Max agrees to collect the research material his cousin commissioned from a certain bookshop proprietress. When his drunken comrades disparage the shop’s owner, Max bets he can transform the dowdy bibliophile into the Season’s diamond. He never factored in losing his heart to the woman. Can Max and Evie bridge the differences in the social classes?

Evangeline “Evie” Harlow owns and operates a small bookshop she inherited from her father. She also does research for authors and nobles to supplement her income. Evie feels oddly discontent with her current life. She reluctantly agrees to the Duke of Westbourne’s outlandish proposition. Evie has no interest in joining high society, but she intends to enjoy her brief ‘holiday’. She never anticipated the attraction brewing between her and Max. Will Evie’s insecurities stand in the way of her future happiness?

What is there NOT to like about Max? The man proved to be a sweetheart. I adore the fact that Max cannot resist helping a woman in need. High-born or low-born, it makes no difference to him. He does get harped on by his friends and family, but that does not stop him. I also like how Max wields his ducal title and authority. He mostly uses it for other people’s benefits than his own. What I adore the most about Max is how he noticed Evie’s true potential. Where others saw her outward appearance, he acknowledged the beauty within.

Evie is the reason why I picked up this book. Something about a bibliophile-type Cinderella sounded really good to me. I love Evie’s persistence. She refused to give up on her father’s bookstore, especially in an era when women had restricted roles and rights. Evie found clever ways to keep her business afloat. What I like the most about Evie is that she is a woman beset by insecurities. It makes her so much more relatable. She is in no way perfect. Sometimes her insecurities interfere with Evie’s dreams and wishes.

BOOKSHOP CINDERELLA is the first book in Laura Lee Guhrke’s historical romance series, SCANDAL AT THE SAVOY. I am new to this author’s works. I have seen Guhrke’s name mentioned here or there in Romancelandia for this genre. The story’s premise is what initially snagged my interest… and it did NOT disappoint. The author’s writing style really sucked me in. I could not wait for the time I allotted myself to reading (aka with no interruptions from my family and doggos). I will be checking out Guhrke’s backlist.

This was a really fun easy read. In this story we have Evie a middle class bookshop owner who is struggling to make ends meet, and feeling lonely and unsettled with her life. Into her shop strolls Max, a duke forced to stop by her shop by his cousin Delia. While there, he is intrigued by the bookshop owner who isn’t afraid to put him in his place and to treat him like anyone else. When some friends of his make fun of Evie, Max gets enraged on her behalf and ends up making a drunken bet with his friends about her being a belle of the ball if she was given the opportunity to get the same pampering and fancy clothes as the women in their class had. A lot of fun ensues as Max tries to persuade Evie to help him win this bet, and take advantage of a holiday and some training and new clothes for a month. This was a great rags to riches Cinderella story. This was my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last! I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

I’m a marketing and publicity intern at Forever Publishing, so I am reading this for work! Aaaaaaand there's a character limit on reviews here are some more words

Bookshop by Laura Lee Guhrke was my first introduction to her. I’m very happy I picked it up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It’s a fast sweet romance. I think this was more My Fair Lady (but nicer) or Pygmalion than Cinderella. Common girl/rich guy trope. She gets a makeover. There’s a wager. I enjoyed the characters so much! The dialogue was a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series.

Thanks to #netgalley for this ARC. This was my honest opinion. This book releases 6/20/23. It would make a great beach read.

Thank you, Forever and NetGalley, for being able to read this

This book was the perfect escape. Evie and Max are now two of my favorite historical romance characters! I think the reason I enjoyed this so much was that it was a light, fluffy read, but it had some good tension throughout the whole plot.

I also was a big fan of Max being honest from the start and not trying to hide anything from Evie. I get annoyed with unnecessary dishonesty in any books, but it seems to happen in Regency/historical fiction books more.

This was my first book by Laura Lee Guhrke, and I know it won’t be my last because the writing was detailed and the characters well-developed. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Scandal at the Savoy series!

I ADORED this read. Being a fan of period romances this gave me all I wanted and more.
Swoony, sweet, undeniable love between the Duke and Evie had me smiling as I read. I’m officially looking forward to my next Laura Lee Guhrke read!

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