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The absolute beauty and magic of a Cinderella inspired tale mixed into the Bridgerton universe. I’d heard good things about this book and I was not disappointed. The tenderness and anonymity of the ball scene is incredibly sexy and intimate (even if Julia Quinn’s obsession with gloves and hands is a little much at times). Love at first sight, no matter how irrational, remains a favourite trope of mine. The reunion of our lovers, Sophie caring for Benedict during his ailment at the cottage, and the spunk and sass that she feels comfortable to share during this time is beautifully captured. The entire Bridgerton family instigating and investigating, determining Sophie’s origin story leads me to believe that if they’d even attempted to unmask Lady Whistledown, P would have stood no chance.

Not to say I have no issues with this novel. I do think I could do with less chauvinism, kidnapping, pressuring women to become mistresses etc. but I fear those themes and tropes run deep in the regency romance genre. I doubt Quinn writes sinless characters, and I doubt she would want to. And despite this, it did not make Benedict and Sophie’s love story any harder to adore.