Review by Booklist Review
When Max Shaw, the duke of Westbourne, breezes into Evie Harlow's London bookshop and tries to convince her to let him give her a dazzling makeover as part of a wager he made, Evie politely shows him the door. But then the store's boiler decides to go on the fritz, and Evie has no choice but to close up shop while it is repaired. Now taking advantage of Max's offer to put her up at the Savoy as part of his Cinderella deal makes good sense, given Evie's dearth of temporary housing options. However, after six weeks living in Max's world and undergoing his promised makeover, will Evie be able to return to the quiet life of a bookseller? It has been a while since Guhrke's last superbly written historical romance, but her latest artfully constructed literary confection is well worth the wait. George Bernard Shaw himself would appreciate Guhrke's clever riff on his classic, Pygmalion, not to mention her sprightly prose and sparkling, champagne-fizzy wit.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A bet thrusts a lonely spinster into society in this enchanting Victorian London--set mash-up of Pygmalion and "Cinderella" from bestseller Guhrke (the Guilty series). Max Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, drunkenly bets his friends that he can transform "plain, unremarkable" bookstore owner Evie Harlow into a much sought-after beauty. When Evie learns of this wager she is of course appalled--but then a burst boiler displaces her from her home. Not wanting to stay with her condescending cousin, Evie agrees to let Max make her over, a deal that comes with a room at the Savoy hotel, a new wardrobe, and an introduction into society. As Evie worries she'll embarrass them both, Max grows increasingly intrigued. He likes Evie's straightforwardness and sees the beauty beneath her matronly hairstyles and adorable overbite. Evie, meanwhile, is taken by Max's thoughtfulness and flustered by his interest. Evie is opposed to marrying a peer and Max has been burned by a failed marriage, so he plans a slow courtship. When scandal breaks, however, their fragile budding relationship may be doomed. Guhrke makes the pair's romance utterly believable and easy to root for. Packed with chemistry and fun, this is a fairy tale treat. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marshal Lyon Literary. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Set in Victorian London, Guhrke's (Heiress Gone Wild) latest follows Evie Harlow, a bookstore owner who has given up on dreams of romance. One day, Maximillian Shaw, the Duke of Westbourne, steps into the shop and, hoping to win a bet, offers to turn Evie into the star of the season. Evie initially refuses his outrageous offer but changes her mind when her shop hits hard times. Max thinks he is a hero for saving Evie from a life of spinsterhood by offering to help her find a husband, but he does not anticipate falling for her himself. Can Max charm Evie and find their happily-ever-after? This fun and sexy story, recalling Cinderella and George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, does not disappoint. Marisa Calin narrates headstrong, independent Evie as she navigates this new world of glitz and privilege. She perfectly captures Evie's and Max's distinct personalities, enhancing the growing tension in their relationship. Listeners will likely enjoy the many nods to the classic tale, as well as the new additions that turn it on its head. VERDICT Smart yet steamy, this historical romance is a treat for fans of Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, or Sophie Irwin.--Elyssa Everling
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A bookstore owner is swept into a new life by a duke. Evie Harlow doesn't have much, but she does still have her late father's bookshop, after years of hard work to pay off his debts, and her dreams of romance with a childhood friend. Those dreams take a different turn when Maximillian Shaw, Duke of Westbourne, pops into her store on an errand for his cousin, with whom Evie helps plan elaborate dinner parties at the Savoy Hotel. That night, at the Savoy's famous American Bar, when he hears some young fops disparaging her, he's rather surprised and tells them she has "the potential to be an incomparable beauty," then backs that assertion up with a drunken wager that he can introduce her to society and transform her into the belle of an upcoming ball. It isn't until the next day, explaining his offer to Evie, that he realizes it might not sound quite as complimentary to her as he thought. But Evie, after a bookshop emergency, agrees it would be nice to have a short vacation staying in the Savoy, being taken to the opera, and given a whole new wardrobe. As her transformation begins, dance lessons and other circumstances bring her and Max closer, but early experiences with high society made her wary of it, and Max has his own reasons for keeping her at arm's length. As the ball draws closer, though, they may not be able to resist at least one night together. Evie and Max develop a charming chemistry that starts slow and then ticks all the historical romance boxes without feeling clichéd. Guhrke's slightly spicy new series, set against the Victorian backdrop of the opulent Savoy Hotel, is full of rich detail and side stories that will thrill historical romance lovers. Enjoy it with the newfangled drink that got the duke soused enough to bet on Evie: "something...called a 'Manhattan.' " A promising start to a cheery new Victorian romance series. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
