Saturday, March 4, 2023

Review: Laura Lee Guhrke’s BOOKSHOP CINDERELLA

 



BOOKSHOP CINDERELLA

Historical Romance

AUTHOR: Laura Lee Guhrke

RELEASE DATE: June 20th, 2023

PUBLISHER: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

ISBN/ASIN NUMBER: 9781538722626

RATING: 4.5

AUTHOR LINK: https://lauraleeguhrke.com/

 

 

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.


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