This was pure fun in the best ways. Evie is every bit the tenacious, strong-headed independent miss you’d expect in a Cinderella story. She has made her own way overcoming her hardships and surviving in a man’s world, saving and running her father’s business. I appreciated the 90’s film plot, as She’s All That was always a movie I really enjoyed. The premise that a woman would be made over simply because of a drunken wager, is at once comical and insulting and the author truly played that to precision. Capturing both of those reactions in tandem. Watching the Duke continuously set himself up for heartache as he pushed her towards others, was a delightful little bit of angst in an otherwise happy tale. Additionally, we have no ugly step families… but a bright cast of supportive women to guide them along. From Evie’s sister-like friend Anna to Max’s ever-helpful cousin Delia. This story will have you chuckling, and leave you with glow as bright as any glass slipper.

Don't threaten me with a Cinderella retelling, because I will always have a good time, and Bookshop Cinderella was no exception!

Romances in a historical setting are very hit or miss for me, and I haven't found one I have LOVED in too long of a time. Bookshop Cinderella broke my miss streak and it was an absolute hit!

In this novel, we follow our fmc Evie who is a self-proclaimed spinster. She supports herself by running her late father's bookshop; however, she is slowly but surely working herself into the ground. Enter the Duke of Westbourne--Max. Max makes a bet that he can turn Evie into the Belle of the Season in a few short weeks. In return, Evie gets a much-needed vacation.

I liked this book for a myriad of reasons, but an immediate reason was that Max's bet was never a secret from Evie. He was completely upfront with her about his intentions and I loved that she was never in the dark! I hate that trope.

If you like Brodgerton or Jane Austen novels, I think you'd also enjoy this read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc for my honest review.

Evie Harlow runs a little bookshop in London, which is the best an unmarried woman of her age and social standing can expect. When Max, Duke of Westbourne, enters her shop to proposition her to help him win a bet to turn her into the diamond of the season. She's initially insulted, but she has no choice but to accept when some unexpected events occur. As Evie and Max spend more and more time together, their feelings start to change. Will they let society dictate who they love? It's an entertaining historical romance that questions the societal constructs of the time.

This was a very fun & fast paced read. Great for anyone who liked the movie She’s All That (or obviously Cinderella), but historical and if the main character actually knew about the bet. The romance was above average 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. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

WOW! This book is SO GOOD! It is romantic, moving, sweet, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Bookshop Cinderella", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an emotional journey with this Cinderella-esque and Pygmalion-esque story!

Firstly, this book has such a beautiful and lovely cover!

This is the first book I have read by Laura Lee Guhrke, and it certainly will not be my last! Her writing is full of so much heart, visceral, detailed, and unique. I felt truly immersed in the time period the book takes place in, and the author's world-building is spectacular: her storytelling jumps right off of the page, as do the characters in this book.

(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh my goodness, THIS BOOK!!!! Evie owns a bookshop, and, one day, in walks Max. He has made a bet with his friends that involves Evie becoming the "diamond of the season" (quoted from the synopsis of the book). Soon, something happens to the bookshop, and Evie agrees to help Max, and the two work together so he can win. Neither could either have imagined just how much this will change both of their lives.

Evie and Max are truly perfect together, and bring out the best in one another. This friends-to-lovers romance truly is a Cinderella story. The more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings start to become, and I so hope to see them again in a future book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this novel, and to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sending me a beautiful physical ARC as well, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Bookshop Cinderella was a cute historical romance. It gave me major She's All That vibes but I'm glad he actually told her that he was going to give her a makeover and why he was doing it. While there were some predictable moments that made my eyes roll, overall it was a sweet story and I'd be curious to check out future works from this author.

This one fell flat for me. The characters were one dimensional and lifeless. Max wants to save Evie from a life of toil in a bookshop and from being a spinster. The same actions she finds annoying her in family, and yet she humors Max and let's him spoil her. Didn't do it for me.

This was my first Laura Lee Guhrke and I really enjoyed it. Excellent banter and interactions between the hero and heroine, and bonus points for the heroine owning a book shop. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series.

The thing I love most about her books though, it’s that it’s never just about the romance. There’s always so much more. It always make these characters relatable to me in some way. And I could see myself in these characters. It was beautiful. Plus, the way they love each other was absolutely breathtaking.

Adorable historical romance love story. This book was a little bit outside of what I am used to but I was pleasantly surprised!

This book fallows the life of Evie who runs a small book store that was left to her by her deceased father. When her bookstore floods and unlikely friendship with a Duke develops. Max offers Evie his help and comes clean about a bet him and his friends made about her.

The more Max and Evie spend time together and get to know one another the more tension builds because they begin falling g for one another without admitting it to each other.

They are from different worlds and Evie does not with to take on the responsibilities of a duchess. But at the end she cannot help how undeniably in love she is with him.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (grand central publishing) for my copy of the book.

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

I am so happy that I buddy read this book with @picture_pretty_books @wearecompletelybooked and @sogladtoreadyou 🩷 Thank you lovely ladies for our fun conversations!

Evie is a bookshop owner who has been struggling for awhile to stay afloat, and of course, matters get worse for her as the book progresses. I wish we got more of the bookshop in this book than we did. Unfortunately it was more focused on the romance and the Cinderella plot line of turning her forms rags to riches rather than business owning.

Max’s friends make a bet with him that Evie has to go to a ball and dance every dance that night with society’s most eligible bachelors. I loved that Evie was strong enough and determined enough to see this bet through the end. And I did love that Evie was in the know about the bet the entire time rather than being blindsided by that later.

Bookshop Cinderella wasn’t that long, but I did feel some scenes were a bit wordy and could have been cut in half. But alas, I still enjoyed the story. I liked both Evie and Max’s characters. And I liked the “villain” of the story, although I felt that was sort of added in just to add extra layers to the story and could have been fleshed out more.

Overall, I think the story was super cute and I loved watching Evie grow and mature through the situation and overcome her station. The romance seemed natural and the chemistry was palpable, especially in the short few chapters towards the end that had some spice. So if you’re looking for a cute romance that is both unique and filled with fan favorite tropes, than this is a book you need to add to your TBR!

Lovers of historical romance, rejoice! Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke is an absolute delight. This Gilded Era romance is perfect for fans of Lisa Kleypas and Joanna Shupe. Evie Harlow owns a small bookshop and earns a small but adequate income to support herself in London. One day, Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne walks into her shop, and her life changes forever. After he hears his friends disparaging the shop owner, he and his friends place a bet--can the duke can transform the bookish miss into the belle of the ball?

A vacation at the Savoy Hotel, new clothes, and dance lessons provide Evie with a respite from her ordinary life. The budding friendship with the duke doesn't hurt, either, but when those feelings evolve into something deeper, Evie is faced with question: could a bookshop girl transform into a duchess?

While it definitely indulges in "Romance Math" (how are there so many handsome, single dukes in England?), Bookshop Cinderella is an immensely fun reading experience! It's a wonderful additional to my historical romance shelf.

I have really enjoyed several of the books I've ready by Laura Lee Guhrke but this one lacked some of the heat and emotional heft I've seen in her other books. The first half is slow and while the second half picks up a bit, the romance is still a bit rushed at the end. Evie is a really great character and I appreciated that she agreed to help Max with his wager because she recognized it as an experience she couldn't pass up. I did get annoyed that all the men in the story, even Max at times, let her down. And I never really felt the connection between Evie and Max. I finished this a couple weeks ago and am having trouble remembering any specifics. Overall a rather unmemorable and lackluster story. I'm giving it 3 stars but just barely, more because the quality of the writing is better than 2 stars and not because I'd necessarily recommend the book.

Overall a solid friends to lovers historical romance inspired by Cinderella and My Fair Lady/Pygmalion! I really enjoyed Max and Evie’s sweet slowburn relationship there was the right amount of angst thrown in.

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Laura Lee Guhrke gives us an unusual romance between a young lady bookshop owner and a high society duke in 1896 London. There are menaces from their families and associates that neither anticipated. Frothy romance with unusual setting. Enjoy Bookshop Cinderella.

Anything with a Cinderella vibe, sign me up. Add in some She's All That vibes and the fact that Laura Lee Guhrke also happens to be one of my favorite historical authors - Bookshop Cinderella had the makings of a perfect historical romance read for me! Evie was relatable - she was reluctant to leave her comfort zone and reluctant to participate in a bet wagered about her.  
 
Max, on the other hand was a breath of fresh air - he didn't try to decieve Evie into the wager. He was up front and provided her the tools with which to win - and improve her station in life (outside of her comfort zone). Together, they were a historical power duo - their banter was witty, the chemistry was great, and they packed the perfect amount of swoon!  
 
I also loved the con man / smarmy childhood friend subplot - it added a layer of chaos and intrigue that I really, really enjoyed. Overall, if you're looking for a really good historical romance to kick off fall with - pick this up!

Laura Lee Guhrke has been one of my favourite historical authors for a while now and I am so glad she has new books coming out. I love this story and the characters and I look forward to reading more from her!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

I love a good romp through a historical romance, and I was especially excited since our FMC is a bookshop owner. Basically unheard of through her times! While I enjoyed the idea behind the bet and the similarities to certain 90's romcom movies, I couldn't quite feel the chemistry and classic YEARNING between the two mains. Dukie doesn't feel like enough of a character to hold the title of MMC, if that makes sense. I didn't quite blame her for running away so much. All-in-all, it was good but I don't think I'd reread.

I got a ARC for my honors opinion so here it is.

I’m not one to read too much of historical romance but this book was so wonderful to read. The beginning did had a bit of a rocky start but it ended up being a wonderful book. I do wish we got a bit more for the ending. But overall it was a wonderful book.

I absolutely love that Laura Lee Guhrke did the wager trope without making it the catalyst for the third act breakup. The transparency and teaming up of the MCs to win the bet was a great way to bring them closer together without her being under false pretenses.

I thought that both of their backstories were believable and interesting, and I loved the side characters. The plot held my attention and I binge read this book!

The romance was so sweet and I appreciate that it was a bit slow burn and didn't take over the plot. I thought it was really well balanced between the character development and their obvious attraction for each other. This was a total win for me.