Offer From a Gentleman, An (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 3) Reviews

• Laugh and Sigh...Unforgetable!

  
  By A3EYEZ5NH2HFFY on 2001-07-11
  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.
  
  

• the best installment in the Bridgerton series so far

  
  By A5GYYHY2KI5CI on 2001-07-13
  "An Offer From a Gentleman" does indeed revolve around the Cinderella motif, but while Julia Quinn doesn't really veer very far from this plot device, she has breathed new life into the stock characters of Cindereall, the Prince and the Wicked Stepmother so as to make this novel really enjoyable and a fun read. Briefly, the plot unfolds as follows: the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood, Sophie Beckett, has lead a life of unrelenting hell at her stepmother's (Araminta) hands; and she decides one night to slip out of the house and to attend a masked ball. There, she attracts the attention of the very handsome and eligible Benedict Bridgeton. They spend a few magical (and romantic) moments together until Sophie spots Araminta, and decides to escape before Araminta discovers her presence. She leaves a very disappointed Benedict behind her as well as a glove with the Penwood insignia on it. Benedict tries to track his mysterious lady using this glove, but has no success in finding her. In the meantime, Sophie who has decided that she has had enough of Araminta's anger and hatred, decides to runaway. Two years go by -- Sophie has been working as a maid in the country; while Benedict, who has not forgotten his mysterious lady, spends his time attending balls and other social functions hoping to find her; when fate throws Benedict and Sophie unexpectedly together again. Benedict walks in on the attempted rape of Sophie by her employer's son and rescues her. Chivalrously, he then offers her a position at his mother's estate. Sophie is stunned and heartbroken at the same time: all her daydreaming has finally come true -- here's her prince, and he's just rescued her, and he doesn't even recognise her as the lady from the masked ball! Things take an even more ironical turn for Sophie when she discovers that Benedict has decided not to marry at all since he has lost all hope of finding his masked lady. In the meantime Benedict discovers that he has a dilemma of his own: his is growing more and more attracted to Sophie, but this seems to make a mockery of his feelings for the masked lady. How can he reconcile his desire for Sophie with what he feels for his lady?

  What will happen? Will Benedict discover that Sophie and the masked lady are one and the same? Unfortunately the path to their happiness doesn't only lie in Benedict's realisation that Sophie and the masked lady are one and the same. There's also the matter of Sophie's illegitimate birth, as well as Araminta. What will happen when Araminta discovers Sophie's whereabouts? Will her hatred for Sophie inspire her to scale new heights of malice?

  "An Offer From A Gentleman" is the third novel in the Bridgerton series, and it is the best to date. "The Duke And I" was rather good, and while "The Viscount Who Love Me" (the second book in the series) was not as good as the first one, it was still a goodish read. This novel however surpassed the first two in every way. Everything just gelled together really well -- character developments, the story line, manner in which events unfolded and were paced -- all this came together in such a way as to make for some really riveting and enjoyable reading. What was especially compelling and interesting (for me anyway) was the characters. For example, Cinderella/Sophie is not the meek and willing drudge from the fairy tale we're all familiar with; indeed when Sophie decides that she' s had enough of Araminta, she ups and leaves in order to start a new life for herself. And one cannot help but admire this character, who doesn't allow anyone or anything to curb her spirit, her sense of self worth or her principles. Sophie is someone who has experienced a lot of hard knocks, and yet she has not allowed her experiences to tarnish her in any way. I also liked that Benedict's mother, Violet figured more prominently in this novel than in the previous two, and that we got to see another side of the woman who is usually portrayed as hell bent on marrying off all her children. In this book we see the lengths that Violet will go to in order to defend and protect those she really likes and loves. I thought that the final showdown between Violet and Araminta was priceless.

  "An Offer From A Gentleman" is a really enjoyable read. If, like me, you weren't really blown away by the first two books in the series, don't hesitate. This novel is really worth reading.
  
  

• Not one of her best works....

  
  By A1WD5SERLS2Z92 on 2001-07-20
  First let me start off with "I LOVE JULIA QUINN" she is probably my favorite romance author. Almost all of her books have cheered me up and made me smile while reading them. That's why i was so excited when i found out another of her books had been published, that is until i read it. The characters were very flat and one dimentional and the plot was dismal and boring. There didn't seem to be a love story there at all. It just seemed that Ms. Quinn was trying to pump out another book quickly and didn't really care what the context was. First off, the whole illigitimate theme that was running through the entire book became boring very quickly. It wasn't a point to base the entire plot around, which eventually it became. Both sofie and Benedict didn't have much of a personality, and my favorite characters were those who were only in the script for about 2 pages. I do love Julia Quinn, and i will most likely buy her next novel, but i was very disapointed in "An offer from a gentlman" and hope that her next work will be better.
  
  

• A wonderful story

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2001-07-04
  The Bridgerton masquerade party is the hottest ticket in London during the 1815 season. Desperately wanting to attend, Sophie Becket, illegitimate daughter of a deceased earl, knows that her hateful stepmother Araminta would never allow a "servant" like her to attend. Unable to resist, Sophie serendipitously dons a costume without the consent of Araminta. At the gala event, Sophie enjoys herself especially after meeting co-host Benedict Bridgerton, but Araminta learns of her deception and throws her stepdaughter out of the house.

  Three years later, Sophie works as a maid struggling to keep her virtue until Benedict sees her. Though he does not recognize her as the woman he has dreamed of since the bash of 1815, Benedict obtains a job for her in his mother's household. He tries to persuade her to become his mistress, but though she loves her princely savior, she rejects his offer. However, he soon realizes he wants more from his beloved.

  AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN is an entertaining Regency romantic rendition of Cinderella that actually starts slow, but accelerates to SST sped once the plot veers from the fairy tale. The story line turns quite entertaining as a romantic romp with a confused Benedict struggling with loving Sophie and the mystery woman from his ball. Sophie starts off as a wimp, but once she is thrown out of the house, she becomes an intrepid lead protagonist who provides the perfect partner to the handsome Benedict. Julia Quinn offers sub-genre fans an entertaining novel.

  Harriet Klausner
  
  

• A powerhouse of emotion and sensuality

  
  By A3RX5RMRAJ8Z5B on 2005-09-14
  I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read it 3 times in 6 months. It's that good. Julia Quinn writing style is so great. You fall in love with Bridgerton family in this one. Julia Quinn once again prove herself as a best story teller among all. This is definitely one of JQ's better books, in my opinion. I loved how Sophie completed Benedict. He was lost with out her. It was magical without being goofy and childish.
  
  Both characters felt "real" and made me believe they were in love with one another deeply. Both had great senses of humor too, which is always a plus. JQ is such a master at weaving a fairy tale and this book is just that. Benedict and Sophie are such dynamic characters in their own right that it's only a matter of time before the sparks fly. If you long to be swept into the lives of two enchanting people, I highly recommend this one. This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful heroine, a person who always seems to interfere with the hero and heroine, and most of all...PASSION! From page one the characters in this charming book reached out and grabbed me. Page after page I just got sucked in deeper until I closed the book with a happy sigh.
  
  The plot moved along at a great pace. Full of enjoyable supporting characters and stories. An Offer From a Gentleman was an emotional roller coaster, and I felt all the pain and joy they did. It was written with an amazing level of intensity and feeling that my heart was pumping furiously with the palatable passion in the story. The relationship between the leads is endearing. The secondary characters are enjoyable as well. I was so engrossed, I read it in a day. Wonderfully written! And very sexy historical romance book. An Offer From a Gentleman is a book I know I will be reading for years to come. It's a keeper.
  
  
  
  
• A great book!!
  By on 2001-07-03
  I loved this book! I thought "The Viscount Who Loved Me" was really good already and that it couldn't possibly get any better, but boy was I wrong!! This is a wonderful book that gives the reader more insight onto the second brother of the Bridgerton family who was previously shrouded in much mystery. In this novel, you get to see Benedict become a "prince" who rescues the "damsel in distress". It is a wonderful story that combines the story of cinderella into a story about the second Bridgerton brother. An excellent read for everyone who loved the previous books about the Bridgerton siblings! A must read for all of those who love Julia Quinn!
  
  
• Julia Quinn Has Done It Again!
  By A2BIMGC5ARLIC0 on 2001-07-09
  In an updated version of Cinderella, we fall in love with Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett and learn what it is to hate with Araminta.

  How enchanting can life be when everyone knows you only as "Bridgerton" or worse yet, "one of those Bridgertons"? Simple, when the air is charged with excitement and you turn around to come face to face with your destiny! That's what happens when Benedict spies the Lady in Silver.

  Sophie Beckett is overjoyed when Prince Charming sweeps her off her feet and kisses her senselessly... who would have guessed that stealing away to a masquerade ball would change her life forever? Unfortunately for Sophie, bad luck holds true when her evil stepmother Araminta realizes she is the mysterious woman in silver. Turned away without a cent, Sophie must make her way on her own, for once in life happy that Araminta gave her hard lessons in servitude!

  Be careful what you wish for!

  After fruitlessly searching for his Silver Lady, Benedict tries to go on with his life and ends up becoming the savior to a servant when his vile host gets a little out of hand. Wouldn't it surprise Benedict to know he has just saved his Silver Lady? Not expecting his mystery woman to be part of the working class, recognition is not part of the deal, at least for Benedict. Sophie on the other hand, knows her savior immediately, and is more than a little concerned when he leaves her no choice but to let him "rescue" her with a job offer with his mother!

  If you've read the Bridgerton Series, you will love this latest installment. If you haven't had the pleasure, I urge you to read The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me. These characters come to life, and you will become part of the family!

  Sophie is strong, even when vulnerable and her beauty shines from within. Benedict, for all that he is the Second Son, has a presence that cannot be ignored. His charming wit and ability to persuade is astounding! When recognition finally dawns on Benedict and Sophie's past comes back to haunt her, will their fragile love survive?

  An Offer From A Gentleman is Cinderella at its best and reminds us yet again what a genius Julia Quinn truly is. Come fall in love with Sophie and Benedict, find out what's new with the Bridgertons and let's not forget Lady Whistledown! I bet I can guess her identity, but I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!
  
  

• It's an all nighter!!!
  By A32EP9DWZSV72Q on 2001-07-18
  Whenever reading a Julia Quinn novel, it's always an all nighter for me! Forget the family, chores? What the heck is that? You want dinner? Here's the take out menu - call for delivery! The only thing that would get my eyes unglued from the pages, would be an emergency, and then the book would come along with me.

  An Offer From A Gentleman has characters that are witty and humble with just the right amount of spunk and fire to their personalities. Having a Cinderella in the context of being able to keep her wits about herself and remain mostly practical except when they both come into contact with each other.

  Benedict and Sophia both seeking the loves they felt was intangible was a clencher yet their souls told them otherwise. Thank Goodness for that! This novel was fun, adventurous and absolutely heart-rendering,

  I was cheering when her step-mother got her just rewards! I guess my family is used to my laughter, tears and cheers when reading a Julia Quinn novel, and dare the person that tries to interrupt when I'm engrossed.

  Julia, I look forward to your next novel with abated breath as always! You warm the hearts of many of your fans!
  
  

• Book three was definitely a "3" for me.
  By A33J2VWP9HXDU9 on 2006-07-05
  I began reading the Bridgerton series before I knew that it was a series. After beginning with book four I decided to go in order and thereafter have been reading in sequence. Books one, two, and four are fabulous. Three, not so. In all the other books Benedict is a non-character. I agree with another reviewer, all we know about him is that he is the tallest. This is a character that Ms. Quinn definitely short changed on her way to giving him his own story. Poor guy, all he ever seems to do is just hang around his brothers while they (Anthony and Colin, Gregory is still too young) are Bridgertons with a capital "B". Benedict has no substance. What does he do all day or even all night? If you are looking for clues in the other books, you will be sorely disappointed.
  
  I almost gave up on this book. I would read a chapter and then go fold the clothes from the dryer. Read a chapter and walk to the mailbox. Read a chapter and (horror of horrors!) go watch mindless drivel on television. It did not capture me. I had to read over 250 pages !!! before I actually cared about EITHER character. Sophie was cinderella. Even so, I didn't particularly care. I forced myself to finish it because I have an unwritten rule with myself that I cannot begin a new book until I've given the current one a fair chance. It was a duty, and not one I relished until I finally became engaged in the lives of these two people. All the other members of the family were still as interesting as in previous novels. I got a sneaking suspicion that Ms. Quinn thought of Benedict as "number two" also. Her writing is wonderful. She tells her stories with wit and a charm which make me want to keep reading. But, for me, Benedict and Sophie never became my friends. He treated her, even before he began to care for her, in a manner which would never have happened in that time period. They were both incredibly familiar with one another, even in the presence of others (beginning with Mr and Mrs Crabtree) and not just while they were alone. A servant would NEVER have been so forward as to throw a candle stump at someone so high above her in rank. Yes, Ms. Quinn wanted us to see her as a spirited heroine but many, many of Sophies actions were ridiculous for a servant.
  
  It finished well, not great, just well. Frankly, I was glad to get it over with because I have a mountain of books left to read. I'm thinking seriously about changing that unwritten rule. I've run across some real clinkers from some Regency romance authors lately but not, I'm glad to say, Julia Quinn. I think this was just a hiccup.
  
  
• A Five Star 'Cinderella' Tale! Kudos for Ms. Quinn!
  By A106E1N0ZQ4D9W on 2001-12-27
  This is a MUST if you love real 'prince charming-Cinderella-type' stories! It had the wicked stepmother (worse than Cinderella's by the way) two wicked stepsisters and a chance for an illegitamate daughter of a deceased earl to attend the 'ball of the season' in style! BUT...she must return by midnight before the wicked stepmother realizes her late husband's 'love child' has duped her! Can she do it? What if the 'prince charming' of this tale was none other one of the most handsome of the famous Bridgerton brood? Benedict Bridgerton to be exact??? This is the third book in the series and wonderfully entertaining! A real twist on the 'striking midnight' cliche!

  ~Sophie Beckett was shocked herself that she was able to pull off the daring stunt and sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball, but what she didn't realize was that she captured the heart of one of the elusive Bridgerton brood forever! Now as the clock strikes midnight and she must go home to a life as dull as wood and scrub floors and wait on her wicked stepmother and sisters, she dreams of what 'could've been' had her father actually acknowledged her for more than just his by-blow with a maid so many years past. But Fate has a weird way of making dreams come true...or do they?

  Benedict Bridgerton wasn't prepared for the vision in silver that graced his mother's hall. Who was she? He was instantly in love. Just when he thought he found the love of his life, she was gone. Years later, after dreaming of the woman in silver, he comes upon a helpless woman who stirs a memory...but, it can't be her...the vison in silver...for this woman was dirty, skinny and a housemaid. But, ever the gentleman, Benedict saves her from a fate worse than death and helps to secure her a job and roof over her head. This is when things become too complicated for him to bear...who IS she? And why does she regard him as of she KNOWS him from somewhere? Why do her eyes make him think of that night at the ball? He is determined to find out and in the process he finds himself in love with the mystery woman garbed in maid's clothing. And when he does find out who she is, will he sacrifice his position in society for her? Or will he let her blow in the wind like everyone else and lose his chance at 'happily ever after'...

  Great read! The author also teases us at the end with the identity of the ever mysterious Lady Whistledown. I have the feeling the next book in this excellent series will be about her! I can't wait! Hurry Ms. Quinn! I am anxiously awaiting the next in this series!!!

  Tracy Talley~@
  
  

• Third Bridgerton Book, Second Bridgerton Son
  By A22TZUXUKA11SQ on 2006-08-09
  Sophie Beckett is a bastard and everyone around her knows it. She is the by-blow of the Earl of Penwood, though most people have the grace not to mention it to her face. Her stepmother Araminta, however, is not most people. When the earl dies, Araminta begrudgingly takes Sophie in, though not as her ward, but as a servant. When Sophie sneaks out of her life of servitude to attend a ball thrown by the dowager Viscountess Bridgerton, she never expects to meet Benedict Bridgerton, and certainly never thought that she might fall in love.
  
  Benedict Bridgerton, the second eldest of the Bridgerton clan, is forever tainted to be Number Two in the eyes of the ton. He is merely a Bridgerton who few recognize by name, but rather because of the famous Bridgerton coloring and nose. When he meets Sophie at his mother's masquerade ball, he is drawn to the fact that she has no ulterior motives for meeting him and appears to be having fun on her own. Though he knows nothing about her--including her name, he is captivated by her smile and charmed by her candor. When she rushed out of the ball at the stroke of midnight, he vows to find her and make her his.
  
  This book offers an interesting twist on both love at first sight and the typical Cinderella story. As with all of Quinn's previous Bridgerton books, it starts with a prologue to let you know about Sophie's life and how her circumstances might influence her future relationships. I have to say that, of the first three Bridgerton books, I liked this one the least. The Viscount Who Loved Me (Book 2) is much more tension-filled while you wait for the couple to get together and The Duke and I (Book 1) is a better love story by far. Still, this book has all the charm and grace of a Quinn novel and there's not much to complain about. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
  
  
• Julia Quinn at her best...
  By on 2001-07-04
  "An Offer from a Gentleman" is truly a 5+ star novel. It's apparent from the first few pages that this a retelling of the Cinderella story, and at first I thought 'how cute." But this book is classic Julia Quinn, with a strong, sexy hero capable of love (don't you get tired of men who are so incomplete they "can't" know true love?), and an intelligent heroine who knows herself and has the strength of character to follow her principals.

  Mix in the wonderful Bridgerton family and Ms. Quinn's famous humor, and you have a "stay-up-all-night-to-finish" romance of endearing charm.
  
  

• Thoroughly Enjoyable!
  By A1AS50CO86MKKJ on 2001-09-01
  This retelling of the Cinderella story, replete with wicked step-mother, two step sisters, and Prince Charming, is a well-written treat to read, and has some excellent plot twists from the original fairy tale. Julia Quinn continues her engaging tales of the Bridgerton family with her trademark style, wit, and ability to to weave a lively and enchanting story. This writer is fast joining my read-anything-she's-written list, and I'm eager to see if the next installment reveals the identity of the mysterious Lady Whistledown, society writer, whose commentary added immeasurably to the book.
  
  
• Her Worst Ever
  By A2CO63R50VAM3Q on 2004-07-05
  This is the absolute worst novel by Julia Quinn. I have always loved her books, but after reading this one I was leery of continuing to read anything by her. Happily, her next few redeemed her. I would not recommend this one at all, unless you would like to despise the "hero" and feel ashamed of the "heroine". This was definitely a disappointing novel and has made me much more cautious about reading Julia Quinn, whose storytelling I always adored. The only gentlemen I found in this book were secondary characters, not Benedict - though his name seems quite appropriate. I don't even include this book with my Julia Quinn collection, that is how much I dislike it.
  
  
• Good, but not great
  By A23SKZNP0A89M9 on 2005-02-10
  This story was entertaining, and the characters were well-developed, but this book was a Cinderella rip off. This book was my first exposure to Julia Quinn and I enjoyed it but cannot say that I loved it. I will still give this author more of a chance because it was good enough to see what else she has out there.
  
  If you're looking for a romantic novel that is very original and terribly witty I do not recommend this book, however if you're just looking for a light and easy read you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Started off so well, but then the hero turned into a villian
  By A2XIJ9ZT3SFLVV on 2006-03-27
  I really expected to like this book, as I'd really enjoyed "How To Marry a Marquis" by the same author. Julia Quinn's writing has a lovely, witty flowing style that is easy to read, entertaining and engaging.
  
  I really enjoyed the first half of this book. This was a Regency take on "Cinderella", but I didn't mind that, as one of my favorite movies is "Ever After". A good author can breathe new life into an old tale, and if anyone is capable of it, Quinn would be.
  
  My problem is with the hero. At first I liked Benedict. How could I not? He was the heroine's Prince Charming. And later, after that one night at the ball, he rescues her from being raped by three men, even though he doesn't recognize her. Many men in that time period would not have stepped in to save a servant, but he did, which led me to believe that he was honorable.
  
  But then he ruined it. He quickly falls in lust with Sophie, not realizing that she is the mystery woman who snared his heart so long ago. So his offer is to make her his mistress. Sophie refuses on moral grounds, and also because she does not want to have bastard children that will suffer the stigma of illegitimacy as she did. Good for her! What bothered me was that Benedict never offered marriage to Sophie. He looked down on her, seeing her as a plaything, since she's "just a servant". After all, servants are only good enough to bed, not good enough to marry.
  
  Some Prince Charming this is! In the original Cinderella, the hero didn't care that his lady is a servant; he loves her anyway. But Benedict just wants to keep Sophie as a sex slave until his REAL bride comes along. He never even considers marrying her (until the very end, of course). How sick! Even sicker is that he eventually wears her down (I cheated and skimmed ahead). I want my heroines to have more self-respect than this. Sophie deserved better.
  
  Even worse was the way he kept claiming that he knew better than her what was good for her. As if being a fallen woman and having bastard children, only to be cast aside when he tired of her, would be so wonderful. As if she wasn't completely in the right to be offended at his trying to keep her as little more than a glorified personal hooker.
  
  I gave this two stars only because the first half of the story was so good; otherwise it would have been one. I will give Quinn one more try to redeem herself, as I have liked her work in the past. All I can say is that I'm glad this isn't the first book I read by her, or I would never try another. Don't bother with this. The hero is a jerk who treats the heroine like a piece of property, and the heroine just eats it up. Revolting.
  
  
• Awesome!
  By A1N6OYGW0P2ZFW on 2006-09-22
  I am currently reading the Bridgerton series. This of course is book number 3. The story of Benedict. If you liked the movie, Ever After, with Drew Barrymore, you will love this book! The first 5 chapters of this book however, are practically identical to the movie. A countess marries a rich earl who has a daughter, and the woman brings with her two previous children (even the two daughters are described identically to the two in the movie, one blonde and pretty, the other dark haired and chubby, the blonde one favored). The countess hates her new step-daughter and when the father suddenly dies (also just like the movie), she turns her step-daughter into a servant and mistreats her. It was finally in chapter 6 where it took a different turn, which I was glad about. I felt this was such a sincere love story. I loved Benedict, and Sophie - and that he loved her so much, that it didn't matter how different her background was. You could truly feel their connection and it drew you to them. It was hard to put the book down when I needed to! I liked this book tremendously, and I love Violet Bridgerton. I am just anxious to find out who this Lady Whistledown is! (Apparently she is revealed in one of the other books). Also, I don't feel like you would have to read these in order really. Each book talks about the family, so if you were to read it out of order, anyone would be fine, however, the first book "The Duke and I", does of course introduce you to the family and who they are, but they don't seem to marry in any order anyway. You will enjoy this book and won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Not my favorite but still pretty good
  By A2FG29CGPQV29N on 2007-02-05
  I thought this was a pretty good read; a nice twist on the Cinderella story but with enough distinctiveness that there wasn't a sense of repetitiveness or predictability to the plot. Despite that, the story became a bit wearisome because of Sophie and her obsessive penchant for keeping secrets.
  
  Sophie is the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood. He, of course, never recognized her as such but he was honorable enough to take Sophie in and care for her. Sophie's troubles begin when her father remarries. The new wife, Araminta, moves in to the manor with her two daughters. Once Araminta discovers who Sophie is, she demands that Sophie be removed from the house. The Earl refuses, of course, so Araminta decides to wreak her revenge in other ways: By abusing Sophie and eventually relegating her to the status of a servant after the Earl passes.
  
  Despite Sophie's and Benedict's Cinderella-like meeting, there is a whole other layer added to the plot that really makes this story entertaining and heart-wrenching. After Sophie's night at the ball, Araminta discovers where Sophie was the previous evening so she fires her and kicks her out of the house.
  
  Two years later, Sophie and Benedict meet again, but Benedict doesn't recognize her as the lady from the masquerade ball. Benedict wants Sophie as his mistress, to which Sophie, of course, refuses. The plot gradually unravels to expose Sophie's secrets, Araminta's vicious abuse of Sophie, and Benedict's ultimate decision to marry Sophie regardless of her social status.
  
  To be honest, I couldn't understand why Sophie didn't want to Benedict to find out who she really was. I suspect this was all supposed to increase the tension between Benedict and Sophie but it grew tiresome and a bit boring.
  
  Sophie, however, has her good points. She stubbornly refused to become Benedict's mistress despite her circumstances. She stuck to her beliefs and vows. Sophie saw her childhood as the living embodiment of what could happen if she became Benedict's mistress and had children out of wedlock. And because she stuck to her guns, her dream was eventually fulfilled: marriage to the man she desperately loves.
  
  I highly recommend this book. It's not my favorite in the Bridgerton series but it's still pretty good.
  
  
  
• 2 problems
  By AGPKHZATTLKHI on 2001-07-16
  ...Julia Quinn has extremely good timing and wit. Her novels are
  always (with one exception I've read) funny, and enjoyable to
  read. She can make you laugh out loud, not just giggle or smile, but
  actually laugh out loud, which is a remarkable talent.

  However, she
  has two consistent problems, that are not only found in this novel,
  "An Offer From A Gentleman", but in many of them. The first
  is her wish to make her characters "deep". If we are all
  honest with ourselves, we do not read romance novels so that we can
  feel the complexitiy of the characters, and frankly, making them too
  "deep" detracts from the story, which is going to end
  perfect anyway. If they had real life problems, it would not, and
  then, it would not be a romance novel. Miss Beckett and Mr. Bridgerton
  manage to escape most of the pitfalls of being too "deep"
  very nicely, but not completely. She is a servant, and so it takes him
  a while to come 'round to the idea of marriage. But, once he decides
  he will marry her, he convientently learns that it's all right after
  all, because she was the ward (and the bastard) of the late Earl of
  Penwood. Whew. It was such a reflief.

  The second problem she
  consistently has, is her "copy editor". He sucks. As in her
  previous novel, "The Viscount who Loved me", I found quite a
  few errors that are distracting, and frankly make me wonder how much
  effort [she] puts into her books. On page 141 they have Mrs. Brigerton
  speaking when she has yet to be introduced, and it should be
  Mrs. Crabtree. On page 227, I believe she got confused about who was
  speaking, because the way it's written Miss Beckett is saying
  something she would not say. Finally, on page 242, Miss Beckett makes
  reference to Mr. Bridgerton showing her sketches he had done, when I
  distinctly remember her coming across them when he was ill, and
  looking at them uninvited. None of these problems affect the main
  plot, or make the reader fed up with the book, but if they were not
  there, the book would be a less confusing read. It would also show
  that [the author] actually cares about her characters.

  "An
  Offer from a Gentleman" begins as a Cinderella story, and
  quickly, within the first several chapters, moves beyond the confines
  of the traditional story. It's sweet, and the characters are fairly
  romantic, more so than they have been in the last few books she has
  published. I actually quite liked Sophie Beckett, but as with most
  characters, she seemed a little over-the-top perfect. Benedict
  Bridgerton was a much better hero than his brother Anthony, but I
  think that was because he was not quite as "deep".

  I
  think everyone should read Julia Quinn books, because she is a good
  author, if careless at times. She manages to make her characters
  somewhat new in each novel, while infusing the stories with
  humor. Hopefully, she will publish a spectacular next novel about
  Eloise, or perhaps Colin, the next two in line to get married. And I
  must admit that perhaps my favorite part of the book had nothing to do
  with the main characters so much as the tension betwen Colin and
  Penelope Featherington (another recurring character). I would not be
  sad to see a book about them, althogh Colin has declared he will not
  marry her...

  All in all "An Offer from a Gentleman" is a
  good romantic story, and certainly a step up from the last two novels
  [the author] has written about the Bridgertons. I hope she continues
  it.
  
  
  
  
  

• Honest and sensible romance...
  By AJFDUH3VTZDGB on 2001-08-01
  Sensible, you say? How boring! But let me tell you, after fifteen years of reading romance novels where the plot is propelled by silly people doing stupid things, I appreciate a story where conflict and resolution is believable and real. This is my second Julia Quinn novel, and she's already on my list of romance novelists (along with Susan Siezmore and Jo Beverely) who write believable, complex characters whose motivations and actions are comprehensible and intriguing.

  In this take on the old Cinderella story, Sophie Beckett is the "ward" of the Earl of Penwood. It's an open secret that she is his illegitimate daughter, but she lives in his home with modest luxury and not-quite benign neglect from her "guardian". Her life takes a turn for the worse when an evil stepmother and her two daughters (whose characters all owe a great debt to the movie Ever After) join the household, and Sophie's decline is complete when her father dies, and she becomes a servant in her stepmother's house.

  Enter, of course, Prince Charming; in this case, Benedict Brigerton. He sees Sophie across a crowded room, and the two are immediately attracted. Alas! She wears a mask, and flees at midnight, leaving only a glove behind her (no, Benedict does not cross the country searching for maidens whose hand fit the glove).

  Two years later, Benedict rescues a housemaid from being attacked by a group of drunken boors at a country house party. It is indeed Sophie, who has been on her own since her stepmother found out that she attended the masquerade and threw her out of the house. What follows is the tug-of-war between emotion, society and propriety. Benedict, who is more drawn to Sophie than anyone since his mysterious lady, and who honestly wants to protect and cherish her, asks her to be his mistress; while Sophie, who has been in love with him since the night of the masquerade, is torn between wanting to be with him, and a soul-deep abhorrence of bearing an illegitimate child like herself. The emotion between the two of them brought tears to my eyes.

  The only quibble with the book is that, after being sweetly honest and true, crashes into an ending which is both unbelievable and lackluster. But the experience is well-worth it. And one wonders who Lady Whistledown is, whose bon mots on Society head each chapter (I have my suspicions, and I'll definitely be buying the next book to find out if I'm right!)
  
  

• a very sweet and touching book
  By A13WS8O77FRTHX on 2002-01-01
  This is a Cinderella story. Which is the reason I bought this book. I love the story of Cinderella. In this book Cinderella is called Sophie. She is the daughter of a Earl & she is reduced to that of servant when her father passes and her stepmother takes over. She has two stepsisters. One just like the mother, cold and unfeeling and the other Posy who is kind but scared to let her feelings be known. They go to a masquerade ball being held by the Lady Brigerton, who is forever trying to get her children married. She has two eligible sons but neither seem very interested in marriage. Benedict the older of the two and the second son is the hero of this tale. Sophie sneaks into the ball and only has until midnight in which to live out all her fantasies. She is imediately spotted by Benedict and he spirits her away to a private terrace. The attraction is imediate and electric. The share a brief kiss but times runs out and before he knows her name she is gone. Two years later after being thrown out of her step mother's house, she is saved by Benedict from a terrible fate. He doesn't realize that she is the dream girl from the ball and is very confused by his strong feelings towards her. They both try and fight their mutual attraction for each other but passion and love win out. I really enjoyed this book and I'm going to go back and read the first two books in this series.
  
  
• not as good as the first 2 bridgerton books
  By on 2002-01-09
  not a bad read, but having read "the duke and i" and "the viscount who loved me", i found this one to be somewhat lacking in depth and character development/motivation. i'm not looking for _war and peace_ when i read romance novels, but i suppose i've been spoiled by the author's earlier works.

  still, a nice story. will find a place on the bookshelf ;)
  
  

• where was the gentleman in this story?
  By on 2002-07-06
  This book was a severe disappointment, especially since J. Quinn is one of my favorite authors. The whole problem for me stems from the 'hero'. Basically, he treats the heroine like dirt for 90% of the story. After 2 other books, I feel well-acquainted with the Bridgerton family, and I think it is fair to say that Quinn intends to present them as "good" people. I find it hard to believe that a person with even a modicum of goodness would treat anyone (even a servant) with the appalling lack of respect that Benedict shows Sophie. I would recommend that any reader skip this one (especially if you like the other Bridgertons) and move on to Colin's book.
  
  
• Best one of the bunch
  By A35W6NBKW9Z4RY on 2005-05-28
  This is easily the best of the Bridgerton series, though on JQ's website its said not to be part of the series. Which makes no sense but anyhow, that's what it says.

  Sophie has had a crappy life but it has taught her to stand on her own, while Benedict wants to be seen as something other then another Bridgerton. The two meet in a great way, at a masked ball and in typical fashion he never finds out her identity before she runs off. The book really starts to role once the two re-unite but Benedict doesn't realize who she is.

  Quinn does a great job dealing with the class difference between the two of them and Sophie's reasons for them not being together are sound and make perfect sense with the way she grew up. This is a heroine who makes the choices she believes are best, even if they don't make her happy. Benedict grows as a character (though he has his moments of bratiness).

  JQ is generally very reliable for a good book but this is definitely one of her great one. Highly recommend
  
  

• Another Winner from Ms. Quinn!
  By on 2001-07-05
  I have been waiting for Benedict's story for a while. This book was in no way disappointing. Sophie was adorable and easy to love.

  It's a spin on the Cinderella story, with some wonderful secondarly characters, returning favorites from Quinn's other novels.

  I already can't wait for Colin's story (Benedict's brother). I just KNOW he and Penelope are destined for each other, though he was a total cad for hurting her as he does in "Offer..." I'm pretty sure that will be Julia's next book, the story of Colin and Penelope.

  As for this story, it lacks the layers of some other novels....but Sophie's pure heart sustains the book for me.

  A wonderful read.

  Highly recommend all of Julia Quinn's books.
  
  

• Disappointed by the new Quinn
  By on 2001-07-20
  Julia Quinn is my favorite romance author these days, and after having laughed out loud at her first two novels in this series, _The Duke and I_ and _The Viscount Who Loved Me_, I was anxiously awaiting her latest work. However, after reading _An Offer From a Gentleman_, I was disappointed.

  My main complaint is that the hero, Benedict Bridgerton, is a very flat character; he is more a sterotypical romantic lead than a unique person. This is particularly unexpected coming from Quinn, since one of the things I admire most about her other books is her ability to write engaging characters with emotional depth. Sophie, Benedict's objet d'amour, is more of an individual, but without an equally interesting counterpart to interact with, she too falls flat. And Quinn's Cinderella plot simply goes over the same story that everyone knows without adding many new insights or unique touches. Even Quinn's engaging sense of humor seems lacking in this novel, perhaps because so much of it relies on her characterization--who could forget the Bridgerton croquet match in _Viscount_?

  Readers of the Bridgerton series may want to read this book to see what's happening with the other characters they've enjoyed in the first two books. Violet Bridgerton in particular reveals some unexpected aspects to her character. But if you're a first-time Quinn reader, don't start with this book; read either _The Duke and I_ or _The Viscount Who Loved Me_, both of which present Quinn at her witty, sensitive, five-star best.
  
  

• Couldn't put it down...
  By A2D6QD2FTAJJMI on 2001-07-25
  Everytime I got close to the end of a chapter, I told myself that I would dogear the page and finish it tomorrow. Whatever! I finished this one in ONE NIGHT! I couldn't put it down! I wasn't sure I wanted to rehash the old Cinderella tale, but who am I kidding? I'm a sucker for a happy ending and this one did not dissappoint me! I highly recommend it and I cannot WAIT to read Colin's story!
  
  
• Cinderella with a new a plot & sensual twist!
  By A3P1WJQ3SAXK4V on 2001-08-03
  When Sophie Beckett is offered the opportunity to sneak into the very same masquerade ball her stepmother and two stepsisters are attending, she arrives decked out in a beautiful, glittering gown that belonged to her fathers mother with matching demi-mask. She not only has to keep her identity hidden from the stepmother that hates her but, also from the handsome Benedict Bridgerton who immediately succumes to her charms even though he doesn't know who she is or what she looks like. Even though she feels a strange magical pull of her heart with her handsome dance partner, she knows she has to leave by midnight. She flees, leaving Benedict to spend months searching for the spectacular beauty that has woven a spell around him as no other woman has.

  Circumstances eventually bring Sophie and Benedict together once again. She has the benefit of knowing who he is and wonders at the effect he still has on her. He doesn't know that the servant he ends up rescuing from a dire situation is the woman he has spent the last several years dreaming about. Ones pulse would seem to throb and the heart clip at a rather fast rate when these two are together on the same page of the book; their chemistry is that hot!

  Sophie and Benedict are a delightful couple and I hope that Ms. Quinn finds a place for them in a future book. I haven't read the other books in this series but, I'm hoping they're as spell-binding as AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN has been.
  
  

• A Regency Cinderella
  By A2COMBYE09TAQ0 on 2001-08-03
  Quinn brings back the beloved Bridgerton family from previous books with _An Offer From a Gentleman_. Yet again, I thoroughly enjoyed one of Julia Quinn's books. Quinn takes a turn on the traditional story of Cinderella, having a glove instead of a shoe left behind. Benedict (or Bridgerton #2) plays the role of Prince Charming, searching for his elusive "Cinderella", never knowing that it is the maid he has right in front of him. Of course, there are cameos of Daphne from _The Duke and I_ and Anthony from _The Viscount Who Loved Me_. I enjoyed the fairy tale take and I hope to see more from Quinn soon!
  
  
• Clumsy take on Cinderella
  By on 2001-08-05
  I love Julia Quinn books so that's why I may be harsh in my judgment on this book. It took forever to move along and could have used lots of editing. I ended up skipping chunks of pages hoping things would move along later in the book. In the end, I must have skipped a third of the book and regretted spending...on it.
  
  

• Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4)
• The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 2)
• To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgerton Series, Book 5)
• The Duke and I (Bridgerton Series, Book 1)
• When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton Family Series)