Abbys
10 de julio de 2001
Laugh and Sigh...Unforgetable!
FINALLY! ...Like many of you, I too have been anxiously waiting for this book. I have loved both THE DUKE AND I (1st book of the series) & THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVE ME (2nd book). The Bridgerton's are all adorable LOT. I enjoyed each and every one of them... So naturally, I expected to love this book just as much. However, I am surprise that it has exceeded my own expectation. I read it late last night after I got home from work, 11:30pm and finished it just an hour ago, 7:30am. Try as I might, I just couldn't put it down. Embarrassingly, I still have that Tingle-Goosebumps feeling, not to mention a silly smile is still imprinted on my face! To think I haven't even slept yet...and I have duty at 3pm again today. HA! I will be daydreaming of Benedict and Sophie then. I will definitely read this book again tonight! I tell you this book is dreamy! Romance story telling at its best! It's been a long time since a book thoroughly affected me this way. Truly a heart quenching, heart warming read. The Editorial Reviews pretty much sums up the book synopsis so I'll just throw in my opinion of the book without summarizing it:At first, I thought this book is going to be another RETELLING of a CINDERELLA story, which I don't mind at all. I thought I'd pretty much know what will happened next and how this book will end but I was wrong. Ms. Quinn is truly such a gifted writer. She knows how to use the fairy tale Cinderella story we all know and love.... then she molded it with her own ideas, filling it with humor and hearty twists for a spunk of uniqueness. There is no "Dark-Past", "Bad-Boy", "Rakish-Rogue" image here for Benedict Bridgerton, which was a refreshing change of character from the books I've been reading lately. He is actually normal and very Gentlemanly-Decent and Proper. Sophia is no over-uppity, spunky-witty noblewoman. She struggled all her life. Struggled to find happiness. She does have principles and values yet she is also human, weak to a fault esp. when her heart is concern. She wanted to be loved and to be accepted all her life... She longed to BELONG... That was her weakness, of which she felt when she's with Benedict and his family. Oh, how she makes me teary. The confrontation, confession, revelations were all heart quenching. The ending was a great relief! I normally would prefer lots of updates and apprearances of the heros/heroines of the previous books in the series. In this book however, there is very few appearances of Anthony and Dafne... and even none of Simon and Kate yet I still give this book a 5 stars rating. You see, despite that small niggle, I still felt satisfied and complete with this book. There was updates of their children and that seems to be enough. Probably because Benedict and Sophie's love story caught me deeply, overwhelmed me that it made me forget about the others. Or probably it's just Ms. Quinn's style of writing that just leave her readers fully content in the end.The Lady Whistledown Gossip Column is as always the added intrigue not only in this book but all throughout the entire series. I tell you, the more I read, the more I know for sure who this person is. I can't wait to read the next book on this Bridgerton series. I am assuming it's Colin's and Penelope? Hmmm.... I honestly don't want this series to end! I fear it is close to its end. Ugh~ Well, I suggest you all start ordering Julia Quinn's BRIDGERTON SERIES. It is definitely a PLEASURE and a DREAMY read.Ver másVer menos
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Danae Morriah
2 de agosto de 2024
Loved it!
Bridgerton: An Offer from a Gentleman - Julia Quinn - "In her heart she longed for this man, dreamed of a life that could never be."4.3/5I was not ready for the captivating powers of this book. I finished all 400 pages of this book and less than 48 hours and was ready to forgo sleep to make it less than 24. Going into this novel, I was skeptical of Benedict's story. He hasn't been a character that substantially stood out to me in this series like let's say, Colin or Anthony. Between the show and the mentions of this novel that are impossible to escape if you're on socials, I was wary that book three wouldn't spark my interest as much as book two. After all, I relate most to Kate and Anthony's love story. Also, the fact that I didn't enjoy the first book made the right of enjoyment that much more, given the odds.Benedict and Sophie's story was captivating from beginning to end. In the opening scene, I was caught in the Cinderella fairytale. Sophie's story was beyoncé, between the treatment of her father, the cruel treatment of her stepmother, and the lost hope of a future. I wanted to pull her from that tragedy. The desire and Sophie to seek what she could have is what drew me to her. All she wanted was the love she never felt, and a sign that her future wouldn't resemble her present. The choice to go to the masquerade party was a stepping stone to changing her future and even though we knew from the fairy tale, how the story would unfold, I found myself excited for the possibility.The only thing that kept this book from a perfect score was Benedict's forcefulness. I get that he was smitten by Sophie and didn't want to lose yet another person he found a connection with, but he forced her to be with him (physically not romantically) and then demanded she work for his mother, so he could still have access to her was to controlling for my taste. I suppose Benedict Richardson never heard of the phrase "if you love them, let them go and if they come back they were always yours" because the way he was blocking Sophie from any life without him went beyond protection.Don't get me wrong, a hint of dominance in the name of protection can be attractive. For instance when Benedict insisted on her staying with him through the storm and in that sense, not taking no for an answer was appealing (even gave me Anthony vibes). However, his demanding she works in his mother's house or else he make her life harder than it already was, was too much.Besides that, I found their love story to be a page-turner because it fit within the error it was written in. And because of the Cinderella, poorly treated bastard child narrative, I'm excited for Benedict's season in the television series. It has the potential to incorporate elements from Queen Charlotte and Sophie May indeed be the hidden mystery of a child because of the way she will look. I'm overly excited about how this could play out. But until then... Let's explore Colin and Penelope.Favorite Quotes:• I can live with you hating me," he said to the closed door. "I just can't live without you.• It was strange, to find a woman who could make him happy just with her mere presence. He didn’t even have to see her, or hear her voice, or even smell her scent. He just had to know that she was there.• They say that a smart person learns from her mistakes,” she interrupted, her voice forcefully ending his protest. “But a truly smart person learns from other people’s mistakes.• A man only got one shot at declaring himself to his true love; he didn't want to muck it up completely.• He needed her the way he needed airFavorite Characters: Sophie, Penelope, Benedict, Anthony, and Violet Bridgerton
Ruth Anderson
24 de marzo de 2014
A sparkling retelling of Cinderella, Bridgerton-style, 4.5 stars!
From her earliest childhood memories, Sophie Beckett knew the truth of her parentage, and as a consequence, her place relative to the world of the rarefied English ton -- strictly outside the elite ranks of that social whirl. As the bastard daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie knew she rested behind the thinnest veneer of respectability -- claimed as the earl's ward, but with the truth of her parentage write clear on her features, until her tenth year Sophie enjoyed a life that, although lacking the emotional security of family ties that she craved, provided for the physical needs of food, shelter, and education. But everything changed when her father married a widow with two daughters, and Araminta, the new countess, taught Sophie what it meant to be shamed for possessing antecedents well and truly out of her control. For four years, the girl was further ostracized, hated by the woman she'd hoped to look on as a mother and ridiculed by her daughters Rosamund and Posy. With the earl's sudden passing, Sophie found herself unacknowledged and penniless, thrust into a life of servitude, at the mercy of Araminta's every whim. Six years pass, and her dreams worn thin under the grinding heel of Araminta's shoe, when invitations to the famed Bridgerton masquerade ball arrive, Sophie seizes the chance to, for just one night, be something more than a scorned illegitimate daughter -- to be just her, a woman reborn, a world of possibilities at her feet. It was just one night -- and one night couldn't possibly cause any harm. But sneaking into the masquerade, arrayed in a dazzling silver gown, Sophie underestimated the power of one night to transform her life forever, for she never counted on meeting Benedict Bridgerton...Benedict, the tall, lanky, impossibly handsome second Bridgerton, is heartily sick of society in general and his mother Violet's matchmaking schemes in particular. But when he spies a mysterious woman in silver at his mother's masquerade, he knows his life has changed forever -- for this woman, known to him only by her winsome smile and electrifying presence, this woman, over the course of one brief encounter, captures his heart forever. When she flees the ball, leaving only a monogrammed glove as a clue to her identity, he's devastated, and spends months searching for her among the ton, to no avail. And as the months become years, he becomes convinced his once chance at a love match to rival his parents' has passed -- sure, that is, until he rescues housemaid Sophie Beckett from the unwelcome advances of her employer at a country party. But Sophie is a servant, a wholly unsuitable match for the younger brother of a viscount...isn't she? Be that as it may, she's the only woman to make his heart sing since the long-ago masquerade, and so he proposes an audacious scheme -- Sophie will become his mistress. However, Benedict never reckoned on Sophie's horror of inflicting her illegitimacy on a possible child, or the secrets she's been holding dear. When the truth is finally revealed, will true love conquer all, or will social conventions shatter the promise of a love that flowered one magical night, when a masquerade gave an unlikely pair the courage to reveal their hearts?The more I read Julia Quinn, the more I become convinced that this woman can do no wrong. The Bridgertons have quickly become one of my all-time favorite fictional families, and with this third installment, Quinn blends her trademark warmth, wit, and humor with a fairy tale retelling that is at once both literal and wholly new. The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me, which showcased the love stories of Benedict's sister Daphne and brother Anthony, respectively, are essential fairy tales in and of themselves -- delightfully romantic, humorous, heartfelt confections that establish Quinn as a gold standard in romance. But with An Offer From a Gentleman, Quinn takes the conceit one step further, weaving the tropes of the Cinderella story -- the evil stepmother and stepsisters, shoes, a ball, secret identities -- into the Bridgerton world and making the classic tale her own.Lest her retelling become too literal, Quinn introduces Sophie and Benedict, sparks fly -- and then circumstances conspire to keep the would-be lovers apart for two years. And this time jump is one of the things that impressed me the most about this retelling of Cinderella, revealing Quinn's determination to thoroughly test the fairy tale trope of love at first sight to the max. Both Sophie and Benedict construct ideals, fantasies that arguably see the best potential in each other but just as arguably fall short of reality. For Sophie's determination to keep her secret, reveals the great irony of the title -- Benedict's offer to make Sophie the maid his mistress means that in perhaps the most important respect -- respect of Sophie as an individual, regardless of social station -- that he is no gentleman. His pressure to get Sophie to acquiesce to his plan is inexcusable and short-sighted, but it's a testament to Quinn's characterization and plotting that he still emerges as a hero worthy of keeping company with Simon and Anthony. This Bridgerton, of the charmed life, loving family, and hidden artistic bent, is desperate to be known and loved as an individual, yet is just as susceptible to the social pressure to marry well until he realizes that in Sophie he has a woman who'd love him if he were a pauper -- and how, therefore, could he do any less in return?Perhaps it is the comfort of familiarity, but with each successive installment that I read of Quinn's Bridgerton series I fall more and more in love with this delightfully quirky, passionate, close-knit family. Even more than the previous two installments, this novel showcases their legendary family bond, and gives their matriarch Violet a chance to shine, far beyond merely urging each of her children in turn towards matrimony. It could be tempting, with Quinn's breezy writing style and irrepressible sense of humor, to gloss over the weightier themes of family and belonging, of seeing, being seen, and being truly accepted as one is, that she explores within the pages of Benedict and Sophie's story, but that is what makes her books such gems. She blends the heady flush of new romance with a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to make a relationship last beyond the thrill of discovery and the first rush of passion. An Offer From a Gentleman is romantic escapism at its finest, yes -- but escapism laced with thought-provoking nuggets shedding light on identity, self-worth, and the respect of one another required to make a relationship work that once again elevates Quinn's storytelling from the realms of the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Jess
23 de diciembre de 2011
An Offer From a Gentleman
...he tugged at her fingers, pulling her closer - only by an inch, but somehow it seemed she was only a kiss away. "Come," he said. "Dance with me."She took a step forward, and he knew his life had been changed forever.**********Who knew that the often forgotten Bridgerton, known best as "Number Two", would end up being my favorite of the series so far?! When I first started this book, I honestly just wanted to hurry through it so I could get to book #4, Colin's story. Instead, I found myself completely taken with Sophie and Benedict and their version of Cinderella. Sophie is the bastard child of an Earl who only claims her as his ward and never acknowledges her as his daughter. She lives with him and one day he brings home his new wife and her two daughters. The Cinderella theme is strong with the basic set up of the story, and I loved every second of it. My heart went out to a young Sophie, after her father died, her horrible stepmother was forced to keep her in the house if she wanted to get her full yearly "salary" from the earl's estate. But Sophie's status, which was already low by London standards, was knocked down to the bottom of the barrel, as she became a slave in her own home.One night, the other house servants surprised Sophie and got her ready for the Bridgerton masquerade ball and for the one, and probably only time in her life, she truly lives and attends the ball on her own. Benedict sees her across the room and as is always the case, the rest is history. At least...for the night. They spend every minute together, he teaching her to dance, and she seeing only Benedict in front of her, and not "Number Two" or the "tall" Bridgerton. But the dream ends at midnight, and when her stepmother finds out where she went, she leaves the only home she's ever known and struggles to survive on her own.Cut to two years later, Benedict and Sophie's paths finally cross again, but he doesn't recognize who she is, other than the obvious, that she's now a servant. Their love story starts again and with their different class standings getting in the way, it's a hard path for these two but while they're finding their way together Benedict gives Sophie something she's never had. A family. He gets her a job in the Bridgerton home and Sophie, for the first time ever, feels welcomed and a part of a family.**********"I think I'm going to kiss you," he whispered."You think?""I think I have to kiss you," he said, looking as if he couldn't quite believe his own words. "It's rather like breathing. One doesn't have much choice in the matter."**********I adored how Benedict fell in love with Sophie, the servant and was ready to make her his when he realized just how much he loved her. The truth of who she was, including being the masked woman he fell for two years ago at the ball, comes out and feelings are hurt - but of course it doesn't take long for Benedict to go after Sophie.I loved the take on a Cinderella story, and it was very similar in theme yet it stood out on its own at the same time. The Bridgerton family continues to make me laugh and fall in love with each of them a little bit more with every book. Each story ends with an epilogue that takes us far into the future and I so enjoy getting to see where the couple is and what they're doing. Another winner in this wonderful series, and I love that the book I just wanted to hurry up and get through ended up being my favorite of the series. At least my favorite to this point!Blog Rating: 4.5/5
Miranda
21 de abril de 2026
A Fresh Take on a Timeless Classic
While I started the Bridgerton books after I watched the Netflix series, I absolutely fell in love with them! An Offer From a Gentleman is one of my favorites, so far.It is definitely one of Julia Quinn's most fairy-tale infused books and it works! It has all the charm of a classic fairytale wrapped up in the chaotic embrace of the Bridgerton family.💕 What Made My Heart HappyThe Cinderella energy is so cute. Masquerade ball, mystery girl, midnight magic — it’s whimsical without feeling cheesy. Sophie is a very lovable character, while also being very quick-witted. Benedict is peak golden retreiver who needs to get it together. He is charming and clueless in a way that is both endearing and annoying.🌼 Why It’s Not Quite a FiveI will say, the way that Benedict figures everything out had me screaming. Still, the vibes are so good that it barely matters.🎀 Final ThoughtsThis book is sweet, romantic, and full of that cozy Bridgerton sparkle. If you love a fairy‑tale retelling with heart, humor, and a swoony hero who eventually gets himself together, this one is such a treat. A solid, feel‑good four stars.Ver másVer menos
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Kitt Katt Reviews
8 de mayo de 2024
Needs editing - far too many typos and missing words
I didn't realize before starting this book that it was going to be a Cinderella retelling... but it worked. Quinn has a way of drawing readers in and wanting to read her entire series immediately, one book right after the next. In this story, however, I found I didn't like Benedict as much as I thought I did. He was overbearing and selfish, and without giving away spoilers, I was surprised by how he forced certain actions and behaviors on Sophie, and by unscrupulous means. By the end of the story he redeems himself and becomes a hero of sorts, but his behavior is still puzzling to me. Quinn is an excellent storyteller, but I feel sometimes her writing gets lazy, and I wonder if that's because her books have become so insanely popular that she doesn't have to try as hard? For instance, the repetitive use of the words jaunty, bastard, by-blow and mutinously (in all their forms). There are some awkward sentences as well, such as, "It was sad, really, she thought as she sat down on her bed, her hands still torturing a hopelessly mangled handkerchief."; "Sophie did as he asked, and the moment her eyes touched his..." (can eyes touch each other?) Then there's the inconsistency when Benedict is fencing with Colin-Benedict's sword skitters across the floor, but at the end of the scene it reads "Colin reached out and plucked Benedict's foil from his hands." (By golly, it's a magic sword!).I am also stunned by the amount of typos, missing words and missing punctuation in this book. It's as if editors don't exist anymore. For example: "...he realized with wry twist of his lips..."; "Sophie was suddenly gripped by a fierce urge touch him..."; "Phillip made a huffy sound, then turned his friends and..."; "'Let me give you some money before you go, Sophie, Lady Bridgerton blurted out." (no end quotation); "...dowager vis countess's birthday" (shouldn't that be viscountess's?); "...he'd begun to think of the painting he was working on his studio." As an avid reader, it's maddening to read a book put out by a big name publisher that has so many glaring errors.All that being said, I will continue to read the rest of the books in the series, because I do care about the characters and I do enjoy the stories.Some of my favorite passages from the book:"Her hand flew to her face, as if she could actually touch that sorrow, as if it were solid, something that could be massaged away.""A strange roaring filled his head, as if two enormous seashells had been clapped to his ears...""Her lips parted, and the soft rush of air that crossed them was the room's only noise."

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An Offer From a Gentleman [TV Tie-in]: Bridgerton: Benedict's Story, The Inspiration for Bridgerton Season Four

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Laugh and Sigh...Unforgetable!

Loved it!

A sparkling retelling of Cinderella, Bridgerton-style, 4.5 stars!

An Offer From a Gentleman

A Fresh Take on a Timeless Classic

Needs editing - far too many typos and missing words