Joint Discussion: An offer from a gentleman

 

Hello all! Carole and I will be discussing "An Offer From a Gentleman" by Julia Quinn. I am in blue and Carole in purple.

Edit. Aaaaarghh stupid blogger!! I missed that the text was messed up

Author: Julia Quinn

Title: An Offer From a Gentleman

(Bridgertons #3)

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Genre: Historical Romance

Published: July 1st 2001

Format: ebook & audio

Pages: 390

Summary:

Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Discussion:

Third Bridgerton book! What did you think?

I’m glad we read it! I enjoyed it! Not my favorite of the series so far, but I liked watching these two find loveeee. 

I am a bit torn, I felt that it was 20 years old, and because of that I overlooked some of his tendencies. I do think I am happy that I did not start with these when I started reading Quinn cos as it stands now, would I have read more? Dunno

Ya - you could tell this was an older one of hers. Benedict was a jerk for a good chunk of it. WHICH men back in the day would never marry a maid...but the blackmail was uncalled for. I didn’t like that. He did redeem himself, but still...he was a jerkface. 

The blackmail was creepy. Totally creepy. I forgave him cos hey olden timey romance heroes had their weird ways. These days a romance hero will totally marry a maid, seamstress or whatever. Sure he will be all, but!!! But still. Here Benedict had other things on his mind

Very creepy and rude esp after she helped heal him back to health. I would’ve liked to see them get married and see how they introduce her to society. That would add some meat to the story and help redeem him more. I think him telling people to F off and defend his woman would’ve been delightful to see. You KNOW the ton would be meaaaaaaaan to her for sure. 

But now all they will see is a ward to the old Earl. Sure there will be gossip, but hey Lady Bridgerton is popular. I would rather see him tell people to f off.

Even being a ward with no real title would be beneath so many folks. They are terrible people. Could you imagine Mama Bridgerton and Benedict teaming up against those rich snobs? Man. I wish we could’ve seen that. I would’ve loved it. I also want to read a short story or something with Mama Bridgerton and the Maid War. Too much fun!!!

 So true. It’s like the book was just eh, no time for that nonsense about people thinking she is not good enough. Also yes the Maid Wars would have been fun!

I do feel like there were a lot of things she could’ve added to make this even better and help redeem Benedict from being an ahole and maybe develop their love more. I bet the tv show will add a lot of extra stuff so I’m kind of excited for when they get to his story someday.

OOOO I loved the ending with a certain character (not spoiling who) came out of nowhere and helped Sophie. Didn’t see that coming!!

Yes he does have ahole written on him in my eyes, I am sure the show will change it for the better. It does sound like I didn’t like it at all, but I did! It was light and nice (if I overlook certain things, at least it wasn’t a rapey 80s book). I can take some of Benedicts ways.

I’m sure they will or make him pay for and have to earn her more. Something. BUT same. I liked it. It was nice and light and Sophie deserved a HEA poor girl. F that stepmother!! MONSTER deserved to be locked away for the abuse. And yes, this for sure was a book that was written an eon ago and tbh...if this was a real romance in that time period this is how it would’ve been. Except...they would’ve never married. She would’ve been his mistress until he married or found someone different if she got too old/boring. 

But real life sucks! She would have been his mistress, had a few kids, maybe they would have been together a long time. Maybe he would have moved on. Maybe she would have been miserable cos she would never moved in his circles.

Also, her stepmother can die that stupid evil B! Ugh!!! Oh and yes that person who you talked about helped her, yes I liked that!

True! Real life sucksssss. Being a mistress is so unstable. The ton would never accept her fully. That stepmother should’ve been shipped to Antarctica. GRRRR. 

Hope they have ugly clothes in the show, lol. To show how evil the stepmum and Araminta are.

I think the stepmother’s name was Araminta and the one evil daughter was Rosalyn or something (they need to be shipped away together grrr). YEASSSSSS they should have even uglier clothing than Penelope and her family LOLL. 

Oh damn, I think you are right. How did I forget Rosalyn, eh, she was not as memorable as Posy. Posy was omg brain freeze…..you know the last kid of the Feathertons, omg I can’t spell or think. Watching tv, my bad.

Posy was the chubby daughter of Araminta that was treated poopy too. Kinda like Penelope. I think the two should become best friends. Which! Did you read the book or do the audio? I did the audio. 

I could see the actress who played Pen, but could I think of the name? Nope. I read it. Was it good in audio?

Yessss the audio was amazing bc the Queen of Audios read it...Rosalyn Landor! She was flawless and perfect as per normal. 

Ohh, I like Rosalyn Landor! Maybe that would have been better.

'

She always makes it a hair better even if it is meh. ^_^

A good narrator is gold :D So, a good book, but it has aged. Or we do not forgive things as easily?

Depends on how you look at it and feel. I enjoyed it even though it made me growl at the hero and he had to earn her love FOR sure. And yes, the narrator is gold. I totally recommend the audio but I am biased because I love this narrator. She is a queen!

He did cut it a bit late though...But he did care.

Yes. He for sure was not the best of the brothers so far. I think the show will make him more favorable...hopefully.

In the show I liked him best with Eloise. Other times, eh, did not really care. 

He is adorable with his siblings, especially with Eloise.

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. The last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.