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intonewrealms's review
1.0
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Eleanor doesn't come from a bad family but all her parents left her were books that didn't sell for much so she becomes a ladies' companion to a quite abrasive older woman whose nephew, Lord Lavenham, comes to visit sometimes, and whom she gets on much better with. So she's horrified when her mistress forbids her from interacting with him when she sees something between them, but when he finds out, Lavenham strikes out by proposing to her. Yet his practical offer of an open marriage is quite different- and insulting- to her idealistic view, making her reject him. Eleanor decides to flee but Lavenham is determined to track her down, to where she is staying with a duchess.
It sounds like the premise where a heartless man gains one, and they say he does, but I couldn't see him. I more understood what Eleanor saw in him before the proposal, certainly not afterwards when he says to be helping her but it's always so he can boost his own ego in some way. He also acts like he's tracking her down to keep her safe but he seems pretty intent to brutally murder her at times. The duchess was totally manipulative and although that made sense, not much was done with her. When I saw I had only 3% of the book left but the couple hadn't really said a nice word to each other, and that the plot was just idling around Suffolk, I knew it wouldn't be able to stick the landing.
Eleanor doesn't come from a bad family but all her parents left her were books that didn't sell for much so she becomes a ladies' companion to a quite abrasive older woman whose nephew, Lord Lavenham, comes to visit sometimes, and whom she gets on much better with. So she's horrified when her mistress forbids her from interacting with him when she sees something between them, but when he finds out, Lavenham strikes out by proposing to her. Yet his practical offer of an open marriage is quite different- and insulting- to her idealistic view, making her reject him. Eleanor decides to flee but Lavenham is determined to track her down, to where she is staying with a duchess.
It sounds like the premise where a heartless man gains one, and they say he does, but I couldn't see him. I more understood what Eleanor saw in him before the proposal, certainly not afterwards when he says to be helping her but it's always so he can boost his own ego in some way. He also acts like he's tracking her down to keep her safe but he seems pretty intent to brutally murder her at times. The duchess was totally manipulative and although that made sense, not much was done with her.
Spoiler
I was interested in where it seemed to be going but I'd thought her schemes would account to more or we'd see her suffer or somethingrobinwalter's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cakt1991's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
While I’ve outgrown some of the tropes I used to like when I was first introduced to romance, I still love a good Cinderella story, and From Cinderella to Countess is a good one. As Burrows indicates in her introductory note, the hero is hardly a Prince Charming, but this contains the bones of why I love that trope: a heroine living in an intolerable situation finds a way out and is rewarded for the hardship she faced.
I was unsure about how to feel about the initial power imbalance between Lord Lavenham and Eleanor, and how he essentially lords over her and presses his suit, seeking vengeance when she refuses and disappears. However, I ended up finding the relationship endearing, and ultimately, I felt this was meant to be a light read not meant to be taken too seriously.
That’s further reinforced by the masquerade plot Eleanor gets involved in with her “fairy godmother,” the Duchess. It’s all rather silly, and while it feels a little drawn out, it’s pure fun in the best way.
This book is really sweet and fun. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical romance.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
While I’ve outgrown some of the tropes I used to like when I was first introduced to romance, I still love a good Cinderella story, and From Cinderella to Countess is a good one. As Burrows indicates in her introductory note, the hero is hardly a Prince Charming, but this contains the bones of why I love that trope: a heroine living in an intolerable situation finds a way out and is rewarded for the hardship she faced.
I was unsure about how to feel about the initial power imbalance between Lord Lavenham and Eleanor, and how he essentially lords over her and presses his suit, seeking vengeance when she refuses and disappears. However, I ended up finding the relationship endearing, and ultimately, I felt this was meant to be a light read not meant to be taken too seriously.
That’s further reinforced by the masquerade plot Eleanor gets involved in with her “fairy godmother,” the Duchess. It’s all rather silly, and while it feels a little drawn out, it’s pure fun in the best way.
This book is really sweet and fun. I recommend it to anyone who loves a good historical romance.
xsophiehoughton's review against another edition
3.0
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
From Cinderella to Countess follows Eleanor Mitcham as she navigates life following her parents deaths as a Lady's companion. Firstly working for Lady Bradbury, she is treated as a skivvy and told she is far below Lady Bradbury's nephew, Lord Lavenham, and shouldn't even speak to him when he's visiting. Lavenham, on his part, is intrigued by Eleanor, and confronts her after days of avoidance, and proposes a marriage between them, to teach Lady Bradbury a lesson, and prove she can't control them. Eleanor can't believe that Lavenham has proposed, and in a way that makes it sound so mercenary, so she flees in the night, and is luckily helped by the Dowager Duchess of Theakstone. The Duchess takes Eleanor under her wing, and remakes her into a mysterious foreign noble, to hide her from Lavenham and hopefully keep her close before Eleanor travels to her uncle's. This all backfires when Lavenham sees straight through the disguise, and wants revenge for the suffering he felt when she left. As he spends more time with her, getting under her skin, he realises that she isn't the hoyden he thought she was, and is alone and doesn't feel like she deserves to be happy, and he will do anything he can to help her.
This book was enjoyable, and a quick read, but I didn't love it. I really liked Eleanor's character, and felt for her having to take paid positions when she was a gentleman's daughter who had just fallen on hard times. She doesn't deserve to be treated as a servant by all those who do, including her own family members, and because of all of that, she really felt like she deserved what she got, and didn't deserve anyone looking after her. Lavenham, who's parents marriage was horrific, had always thought negatively of the idea, but knew he would need to marry eventually, if only for the succession of his title. With Eleanor, he found someone who he could talk to, and honestly felt like could have a pleasant companionship with. The way he posed the proposal though, was definitely lacking, and he was trying to make up for it all the way through the story. The chemistry was definitely there, but I wasn't as invested in their relationship as I could've been. All in all, an enjoyable book, but something was missing.
From Cinderella to Countess follows Eleanor Mitcham as she navigates life following her parents deaths as a Lady's companion. Firstly working for Lady Bradbury, she is treated as a skivvy and told she is far below Lady Bradbury's nephew, Lord Lavenham, and shouldn't even speak to him when he's visiting. Lavenham, on his part, is intrigued by Eleanor, and confronts her after days of avoidance, and proposes a marriage between them, to teach Lady Bradbury a lesson, and prove she can't control them. Eleanor can't believe that Lavenham has proposed, and in a way that makes it sound so mercenary, so she flees in the night, and is luckily helped by the Dowager Duchess of Theakstone. The Duchess takes Eleanor under her wing, and remakes her into a mysterious foreign noble, to hide her from Lavenham and hopefully keep her close before Eleanor travels to her uncle's. This all backfires when Lavenham sees straight through the disguise, and wants revenge for the suffering he felt when she left. As he spends more time with her, getting under her skin, he realises that she isn't the hoyden he thought she was, and is alone and doesn't feel like she deserves to be happy, and he will do anything he can to help her.
This book was enjoyable, and a quick read, but I didn't love it. I really liked Eleanor's character, and felt for her having to take paid positions when she was a gentleman's daughter who had just fallen on hard times. She doesn't deserve to be treated as a servant by all those who do, including her own family members, and because of all of that, she really felt like she deserved what she got, and didn't deserve anyone looking after her. Lavenham, who's parents marriage was horrific, had always thought negatively of the idea, but knew he would need to marry eventually, if only for the succession of his title. With Eleanor, he found someone who he could talk to, and honestly felt like could have a pleasant companionship with. The way he posed the proposal though, was definitely lacking, and he was trying to make up for it all the way through the story. The chemistry was definitely there, but I wasn't as invested in their relationship as I could've been. All in all, an enjoyable book, but something was missing.
elizabeth_reads_'s review
4.0
3.5 stars
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. What follows is my fair and honest review.
From Cinderella to Countess by Annie Burrows is a new Harlequin Historicals title. Based on that title, I expected this novel to be a Cinderella retelling, but that’s not really the case, despite a protagonist named Eleanor and the rags-to-riches element. Instead, From Cinderella to Countess is a story about what happens to Eleanor Mitcham after she runs from an unexpected marriage proposal and why she can’t stop thinking about Lord Lavenham, even though his proposal was shockingly unappealing.
I thought From Cinderella to Countess was a fun read, and it reminded me a bit of Tessa Dare’s The Duchess Deal, as both have a gruff and grumpy hero who has a hard time admitting how much they need the love the heroine offers. I just wish From Cinderella to Countess delved a bit more into the emotional growth of both hero and heroine, though I think the hero’s “tortured past” could use more exploration to make readers more sympathetic to his perspective. I enjoyed the writing style, except for a few abrupt scene transitions that left me momentarily confused.
I think historical romance readers who enjoy when a hero and heroine are at odds will like this novel.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. What follows is my fair and honest review.
From Cinderella to Countess by Annie Burrows is a new Harlequin Historicals title. Based on that title, I expected this novel to be a Cinderella retelling, but that’s not really the case, despite a protagonist named Eleanor and the rags-to-riches element. Instead, From Cinderella to Countess is a story about what happens to Eleanor Mitcham after she runs from an unexpected marriage proposal and why she can’t stop thinking about Lord Lavenham, even though his proposal was shockingly unappealing.
I thought From Cinderella to Countess was a fun read, and it reminded me a bit of Tessa Dare’s The Duchess Deal, as both have a gruff and grumpy hero who has a hard time admitting how much they need the love the heroine offers. I just wish From Cinderella to Countess delved a bit more into the emotional growth of both hero and heroine, though I think the hero’s “tortured past” could use more exploration to make readers more sympathetic to his perspective. I enjoyed the writing style, except for a few abrupt scene transitions that left me momentarily confused.
I think historical romance readers who enjoy when a hero and heroine are at odds will like this novel.
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