The worst Bridgerton book I’ve read so far (which is just the three). Quinn goes directly for a Cinderella story, and while Sophie is a perfectly enjoyable heroine, Benedict is mostly pretty unpleasant so there’s no real enjoyment in the way the love story unfolds. Not surprised to hear they’re skipping this book for the TV adaptation. ( )

Julia Quinn’s Cinderella. Unoriginal, predictable, occasionally cringey. But gosh darn-it it’s my favorite Bridgerton novel so far. ( )

I read and loved the first two books in this series a couple of years ago. Then the TV adaptation threw me with its not-the-way-I-read-it interpretations and promotion of inconsequential characters to central roles. But I digress.

As its cover declares, this is Benedict Bridgerton's tale, and its narrative delves into the life of the second-oldest Bridgerton and the woman who captivates his heart. It's a modern-day Cinderella story, with a first act that mirrors the classic fairy tale, and experiencing Julia Quinn's ingenious adaptation of this familiar story to her world was an absolute delight.

As always, the dialogue is vibrant, but the most poignant moments are found in Sophie and Benedict's innermost thoughts, a treasure that can't be fully captured in a screen adaptation. And there is a sizzling, kindle-melting, intimate scene between the couple, an element I always enjoy more in writing.

If you've read and liked the first two books, you'll know what you're in for, and you're sure to enjoy this instalment. If you know the series from the TV adaptation, it's highly recommended to go back and read the books from the beginning, as the differences are substantial. In this reader's opinion, the written originals are the definitive version of these stories. ( )

A classic Cinderella story, complete with absent father, wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and handsome not-quite-prince, but a Bridgerton is close enough. Sophie was, officially, an earl's ward, but everyone in their house knew she was his daughter - including awful Araminta, her beautiful and cruel elder daughter Rosamund, and her kind but weak younger daughter Posy. Sophie toils for Araminta, but spends one magical night at a Bridgerton ball, and falls in love with Benedict, who is also entranced by her. She flees at midnight, leaving behind an embroidered glove; cut to a few years later, and Sophie has left Araminta's house and is working as a maid at a house where Benedict attends a party and rescues her from certain harm.

He doesn't recognize her from the ball, but of course she knows him - and knows they cannot marry, and she refuses to be his mistress, due to the pain being a bastard caused in her own life. Benedict's family is unusually supportive, especially his mother Violet and brother Colin, and after a suspenseful scene in which Araminta has Sophie thrown in jail for theft, and Benedict (and Posy, and Violet) play a role in freeing her and setting her life back on course.

Quotes

She'd fallen in love with the wrong man. She could never have him on her terms, and she refused to go to him on his.
It was hopeless. (ch. 14)

Now she was forever stuck between two worlds, with no clear place in either. (ch. 15)

But if she was so certain that she'd done the right thing, why did it hurt so much? It was as if her heart were perpetually breaking. Every day, it tore some more, and every day, Sophie told herself that it could not get worse, that surely her heart was finished breaking... (ch. 18)

Love could not conquer all. At least not for her. (ch. 18)

"Nothing is ever as complicated as it is in one's mind." (Colin to Benedict, ch. 21) ( )

Almost bought a copy, and then remembered that library digital collections exist! Julia Quinn does Cinderella, except Bridgerton. Sophie's a great character but big oofs on how Benedict gets her to come to London. ( )