Review: Laura Lee Guhrke’s first book in her new “Scandal at the Savoy” series is the perfect feel-good read! 

 

“Bookshop Cinderella” is a “She’s All That” meets Julia Quinn opposites-attract romance that alternates between Evie Harlow’s and Maximillian Shaw’s points-of-view. 

 

Chapters written from Evie’s perspective were very enjoyable to read! As a bookstore owner, Evie is very knowledgeable and independent during a time period when women were supposed to be neither. Because she is a woman ahead of her time, she is treated like an outsider by members of high society and made to think that she will live out the rest of her life as a spinster. That is, until she meets Maximillian Shaw, the Duke of Westbourne. 

 

Years after the devastating death of his first wife, Max is in search of a new bride, preferably one that he won’t get too attached to. When he stumbles upon Evie and her shop, he makes her an offer—he’ll make her the diamond of the season and they’ll both share the winnings from a bet he made with his friends. The more time he spends with Evie, the more he realizes that there is no escaping love. 

 

I absolutely loved Evie and Max’s chemistry! Little moments in the book where they snacked in the kitchen with one another, practiced dancing together, and snuck looks at each other during fancy dinner parties made my heart flutter. I also appreciated that Max never attempted to change Evie to meet society’s expectations. Instead, he loves her for who she is and makes her aware of the beauty she always possessed. I hope that Evie and Max will make an appearance in the  next “Scandal at the Savoy” book!