He pressed a finger to her lips. ‘When I look in your eyes, I see my heart reflected back to me. You feel it too, Cora tell me you do.’
Cinderella at The Duke’s Ball is an enchanting and beautifully written Regency romance.
To change her ordinary life!
Cora has one Season to find a husband and save her family from poverty! So, when her modest dress order is accidentally replaced with an above-her-station gown, she grabs the opportunity to wear it. The Duke of Harlow’s ball is ideal for meeting a perfectly nice gentleman. Until the duke himself asks her for the first dance! Their connection is undeniable, but she knows Declan must “marry well,” and she doesn’t reach the high echelons expected of his position. As the clock strikes midnight on their time together, will this Cinderella get her happy-ever-after…?
I’m a sucker for a Harlequin Historical romance. I can devour these books in one sitting; they are often just fun, swoony reads. This book hooked me in because of its title. I love a fairytale reimagining, because I enjoy seeing how an author will take a beloved classic tale and make it their own. I enjoyed this book. There is this Jane Austen-isk feel to the dialogue and pacing in this story. I found the tone and conversations in this book quite different from other historical books I have read. The dialogue just felt more proper and very articulate. I am not saying this as a criticism, but it makes for a different reading experience. The banter flows wonderfully, but there isn’t a lot of humour in it. Think BBC Jane Austen movies that you may have watched. The pacing of this book also is a bit slower. There aren’t any major drama events unfolding (besides the one incident near the end of the book, aka the third-act breakup). This book really focuses on Cora and Declan’s growing relationship. There isn’t a whole heck of a lot of other side stories happening at the same time. It’s a much gentler read, and I liked it.
The romance in this book was quite interesting. There is this insta-love feel to Cora and Declan’s love story. These two meet at a ball and know immediately that they are in love with each other. The problem is that Declan’s a Duke and is expected to marry someone from a well-connected or wealthy family. Cora is unknown in London society and isn’t from a well-connected or wealthy family. Their love story is really about whether they are both willing to fight for their relationship and face whatever consequences that might occur if they choose to let society know that they are courting. I do love a great forbidden romance. Watching as the two MCs sneak away to have a hidden lusty moment together is pure catnip for my soul. That heightened fear of whether or not they will be caught just gets my heart pounding.
Overall, this is a quick, well-written romance that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen novels.
Thank you, Harlequin Historical, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.