Unfortunately this installment of the Bridgerton saga didn't sit as well with me as the previous two. The first sentence was enough to get me a bit riled up. I will admit that, while I initially rolled my eyes at the Cinderella retelling, I actually ended up quite please with this take.

However, I don't think Benedict deserved Sophie, and I think he treated her like garbage. He starts off carrying on about how he would never take liberties with a <i>proper</i> young lady, but then he takes every liberty with Sophie. There was also something a little sickening about the employer/employee trope that felt a little too much like a man's twisted fantasy. My review ended up being 3 stars instead of lower because a) I read it just as quickly as I did the others, b) Bridgerton banter is my new favorite things, and c) Araminta got what she deserved (okay, she could have gotten more).

I will be 100% honest and admit that the Epilogue Part 2 was my favorite part of the entire book, other than tea time with the Bridgerton women.

All in all, I wouldn't personally recommend this one on its own, but I wouldn't encourage skipping it when reading the series either. It was very middling for me, but has not hindered my love of the series so far. I just wish book Benedict had been a bit...more like TV show Benedict. I think. Season 2 will tell.