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A review by elizabeth_reads_
From Cinderella to Countess by Annie Burrows
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.