This was quite an unbelievable story, which isn't always a bad thing for me but is worth noting for readers who are not in the mood to suspend a little disbelief. I didn't hate the story, but it wasn't very memorable and I'm not sure I'd be able to recommend it to others as a book I liked.

The Cinderella Countess is the story of Annabelle Smith, a gifted healer and herbalist and Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton. I have a soft spot for Cinderella stories. When I read of Annabelle Smith’s piercing violet blue green golden eyes, I knew she was of aristocratic blood, even though she is ignorant of her family origins. This aha moment is reminiscent of the scene in Georgette Heyer’s These Old Shades when the Duke of Avon lays eyes on Leon/Leonie, an urchin from the French slums. The ‘lad’ pleads with the duke to unhand him: “… the light of an adjacent street lamp fell on that white agonized countenance. Great violet-blue eyes gazed wildly up at him, terror in their depths.” The adjectives white and violet-blue are clues that someone – possibly unbeknownst to them – is masquerading as a member of the lower classes.

Annabelle, unlike Heyer’s Leonie, is a grown-up who has carved out a satisfactory life for herself and her aunt, Tante Alicia. Her skill at healing even the most hopeless cases brings the Earl of Thornton to Whitechapel, in “London’s poverty-stricken East End,” to plead with her to find a cure for his sister. The physicians who attend the Ton have not been able to diagnose what ails Lady Lucy or devise a treatment. Annabelle is the perfect medicine, not only quickly deducing what is wrong with Lucy, but also restoring her spirits and equanimity.

Why is the Earl of Thornton, Thorn to his friends, so hot and bothered by Annabelle’s calm, capable presence? Thorn discusses his dilemma with his good friend Shay, the hero of the first in the Gentlemen of Honor series, A Night of Secret Surrender (for curious readers, I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but I was able to follow the interplay perfectly). One evening Annabelle steps out of character when she reacts very badly to a single glass of wine. Annabelle is so worried (she passes out after talking wildly in perfect aristocratic French) that she thinks privately she might be a lush. The earl and his friend Shay, well accustomed to strong liquor, think not. Although Shay straight out asks Thorn if Annabelle is the earl’s mistress.

‘Hell. What do you think?’

‘I don’t know what to think, that is the trouble. She looks like a sultry angel, gets drunk like a sot and speaks two languages, both in the accents of the high born. And yet she resides in Whitechapel? There has to be a story there.’

‘Don’t dig, Shay. I want her to tell me of it herself.’

‘There you go again. Who have you turned into, Thorn? I have never before known you to be so protective of a woman and one you imply you are not even sleeping with. Every unmarried female of the ton would like you to place a wedding ring on their finger and the unhappily married ones would settle for merely a turn in your bed. You have thrown off Mrs Castleton and made a fortune with every investment that you touch, yet here you are… shepherding a secretive seraph around London and keeping her well away from the wolves of society.’

In Shay’s words, has the earl met his match? Thorn is the complete package: no wonder every woman in London is after him. But there’s something about the mysterious healer that fascinates him because she’s so much more than she appears on the surface.

When Annabelle and her aunt are almost mowed down by an elegant carriage that deliberately targets them, Thorn stations a burly gentleman at their door. Days later, the bodyguard rescues them after their little establishment is torched. Thorn is beside himself, but Annabelle remains serene. Her vocation as a healer allows her to remain calm when faced with calamity.

Annabelle loves Whitechapel: it has been a refuge for her and Tante Alicia. Sophia James captures the appeal of Annabelle’s neighborhood.

It was vital and busy and ever changing, the sedate and beautiful square of the Earl of Thornton’s a far cry from here.

Here anything was possible, if not probable, and the folk who inhabited the lodgings were as diverse as the houses themselves. The milkmaids with their balance of buckets and their beautiful skin, the fish vendors, the children with their dirty faces and bare feet, the loose women, the clergy, the constabulary, the drunks. It was a tapestry of colour, form and shape, against a backdrop of violence and community.

Belle had walked these streets since she was twelve and newly come from France.

So many clues for our Cinderella Story. Annabelle is inquisitive, sensitive, brave, and wise, an old soul who is not looking to be rescued. Rather she has love and wisdom to offer to the man she loves. Will Thorn be that man? Their journey to an HEA is complicated and occasionally perilous, but they make a delightful couple.

The Cinderella Countess is the story of Annabelle Smith, a gifted healer and herbalist and Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton. I have a soft spot for Cinderella stories. When I read of Annabelle Smith’s piercing violet blue green golden eyes, I knew she was of aristocratic blood, even though she is ignorant of her family origins. This aha moment is reminiscent of the scene in Georgette Heyer’s These Old Shades when the Duke of Avon lays eyes on Leon/Leonie, an urchin from the French slums. The ‘lad’ pleads with the duke to unhand him: “… the light of an adjacent street lamp fell on that white agonized countenance. Great violet-blue eyes gazed wildly up at him, terror in their depths.” The adjectives white and violet-blue are clues that someone - possibly unbeknownst to them - is masquerading as a member of the lower classes.

Annabelle, unlike Heyer’s Leonie, is a grown-up who has carved out a satisfactory life for herself and her aunt, Tante Alicia. Her skill at healing even the most hopeless cases brings the Earl of Thornton to Whitechapel, in “London’s poverty-stricken East End,” to plead with her to find a cure for his sister. The physicians who attend the Ton have not been able to diagnose what ails Lady Lucy or devise a treatment.  Annabelle is the perfect medicine, not only quickly deducing what is wrong with Lucy, but also restoring her spirits and equanimity.

Why is the Earl of Thornton, Thorn to his friends, so hot and bothered by Annabelle’s calm, capable presence? Thorn discusses his dilemma with his good friend Shay, the hero of the first in the Gentlemen of Honor series, A Night of Secret Surrender (for curious readers, I hadn’t read the first two books in the series but I was able to follow the interplay perfectly). One evening Annabelle steps out of character when she reacts very badly to a single glass of wine. Annabelle is so worried (she passes out after talking wildly in perfect aristocratic French) that she thinks privately she might be a lush. The earl and his friend Shay, well accustomed to strong liquor, think not. Although Shay straight out asks Thorn if Annabelle is the earl’s mistress.

‘Hell. What do you think?’

‘I don’t know what to think, that is the trouble. She looks like a sultry angel, gets drunk like a sot and speaks two languages, both in the accents of the high born. And yet she resides in Whitechapel? There has to be a story there.’

‘Don’t dig, Shay. I want her to tell me of it herself.’

‘There you go again. Who have you turned into, Thorn? I have never before known you to be so protective of a woman and one you imply you are not even sleeping with. Every unmarried female of the ton would like you to place a wedding ring on their finger and the unhappily married ones would settle for merely a turn in your bed. You have thrown off Mrs Castleton and made a fortune with every investment that you touch, yet here you are… shepherding a secretive seraph around London and keeping her well away from the wolves of society.’

In Shay’s words, has the earl met his match? Thorn is the complete package: no wonder every woman in London is after him.  But there’s something about the mysterious healer that fascinates him because she’s so much more than she appears on the surface.

When Annabelle and her aunt are almost mowed down by an elegant carriage that deliberately targets them, Thorn stations a burly gentleman at their door. Days later, the bodyguard rescues them after their little establishment is torched. Thorn is beside himself, but Annabelle remains serene. Her vocation as a healer allows her to remain calm when faced with calamity.

Annabelle loves Whitechapel: it has been a refuge for her and Tante Alicia. Sophia James captures the appeal of Annabelle’s neighborhood.

It was vital and busy and ever changing, the sedate and beautiful square of the Earl of Thornton’s a far cry from here.

Here anything was possible, if not probable, and the folk who inhabited the lodgings were as diverse as the houses themselves. The milkmaids with their balance of buckets and their beautiful skin, the fish vendors, the children with their dirty faces and bare feet, the loose women, the clergy, the constabulary, the drunks. It was a tapestry of colour, form and shape, against a backdrop of violence and community.

Belle had walked these streets since she was twelve and newly come from France.

So many clues for our Cinderella Story. Annabelle is inquisitive, sensitive, brave, and wise, an old soul who is not looking to be rescued. Rather she has love and wisdom to offer to the man she loves. Will Thorn be that man? Their journey to an HEA is complicated and occasionally perilous, but they make a delightful couple.

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This is the first book by Sophia James that I have read, and I was immediately struck by the beautiful poetry of the prose and the slow, elegant way the storyline unfolded.

31-year old Annabelle is a respected, sucessful herbalist in White Chapel—so much so that she comes to the attention of the Earl of Thornton, who is desperate to find a doctor who can help his ill sister. The sparks between them are instantaneous, but there is a mystery to Anna’s past and much pain in what Thorn has had to live through after the shameful suicide of his father that keeps them at arm’s length from each other.

The characters’ backstories were deliciously intriguing and kept me reading to find out more. However, I found that I didn’t relate very well to the heroine. She was competent, kind, generous, and strong, but for some reason she struck an odd chord with me and I didn’t really empathize with her struggles very well. The mystery of her birth parents is what kept me reading, but I didn’t feel that close to her as a reader.

The romance developed gently and sweetly, and I found I enjoyed watching them fall in love with each other and learn to open up to each other. I especially liked Thorn’s sister and the plot point about her strange illness.

Overall, a good book that was entertaining.

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely story with interesting characters and a well-seeded mystery. As the title leads you to expect, this is a rags-to-riches Regency romance, but it’s both more and less than that implies.

The story begins with Annabelle slaving over steaming pots…of medicine. She lives in Whitechapel, the poorer end of London, where she and her aunt provide herbal medicine to her neighbors and anyone in need. They are certainly not wealthy, but they are well-appreciated within their community and happy with their lot in life.

In comes Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton, drawn to her humble infirmary through rumors of her abilities and a desperate love for his younger sister who wastes away. Between his distaste for his surroundings and the pink silk waistcoat, he appears little more than a fop.

The author mentions Georgette Heyer as one of her inspirations, and that meeting scene holds true to the feel as a mix of disaster, good intentions, and instant attraction make a mess of it. Still, Annabelle holds her ground, showing her to be just as contrary, forceful, and highly unusual as Thorn finds her.

We have access to both their perspectives and so learn things are more complicated than they would appear on the surface. Thorn is not the dandy he appears but seeking solace in the arms of a mistress who enjoys dressing him far more colorfully than he prefers. Annabelle, for all her skill, is nervous of the gentry, a reaction encouraged by her aunt and the strange nightmares plaguing her.

As you can see, from the start we have layers upon layers, some unknown even to the characters seeped in them. The seeding comes into play because I was able to figure out the answers based on subtle clues, subtle enough I needed the confirmation of the big reveal and yet present enough to make me anticipate the answers. There are several mysteries, in fact, starting with the sister’s illness and ending with the last obstacle between Thorn and Annabelle stripping away in time for a satisfying happily ever after ending.

The ending is where the author differs from Heyer. We are present at the marriage bed for an enthusiastic but not detailed culmination of the passion they’d been struggling with from their first meeting.

I enjoyed the blend of strong friendships and the themes around responsibility. This story does not constrain itself to the glitter of society. Instead, it presents a fuller picture of both the lives of the wealthy, from parties to mistresses and gambling, and the darker underside of London through ruffians and schemes. One of the strengths is in how the darkness is not confined to the poor areas and neither is the good. Whitechapel stands by their resident healer, making sure she has the necessities even though they come from meager stores.

Two quick notes: The author uses British punctuation (and I presume British spelling, but it did not stand out to me as I read both). I mention this because US readers unfamiliar with the use of British quotes might find the single quotes around dialogue startling. The second is an interesting development at the end that might be a stretch for some, but gives me hope. You’ll have to see what you think when you reach that point.

Clearly, I enjoyed the read, the characters, and the deeper-than-surface description of London. These aspects provided a rich story for our enjoyment with hints of more to come and intriguing teases about the two books that came before.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I tend to read all of Sophia James's books and then promptly forget them - this one was no different. Enjoyable while it lasted, but nothing of substance to stick with me.

Once upon a time (actually 1815), there was a beautiful, independent young woman of unknown origins who lived and worked as an herbalist in the worst part of London. One day, a handsome, rich aristocrat arrived at her door asking for help in curing his sister who has a “wasting disease.” Thus begins a tale that vaguely resembles the Cinderella we know with some pretty major twists. Instead of a wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Annabelle Smith lives with a kindly aunt and is being targeted for death by an unknown assailant. Lord Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton. is an unlikely Prince Charming who knows that falling in love and marrying a lowborn woman, especially one who is being less than truthful, is not a possibility in his world. However, he can’t ignore his natural instinct to protect her, so they keep being thrown together. What will it take to clear the path for a happily ever after?

The Cinderella Countess (the third book in the Gentlemen of Honor series) is not just another entry into the crowded Regency romance genre, but a compelling mystery and a love story with modern sensibilities. There are some instances that are less than historically accurate such as the Earl’s mother opening the front door and shouting about prostitutes and later the Earl himself welcoming Annabelle to his door because there is no servant present, the family estate being lost in a card game when these were generally entailed, and the Earl owning businesses which was very much frowned upon by the haute ton. However, these don’t detract from a story that features strong, well-defined characters, a series of attempted murders, and the mystery of where Annabelle really came from. This is a very worthy addition to the historical romance field.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin – Romance through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this unconventional novel by Sophia James. It is the third book in her <i>The Gentlemen of Honor</i> series. I haven’t read the other books in the series and didn’t find the story confusing or off putting. I liked the characters in the story very much and the intrigue that happens was a nice touch.
Annabelle Smith is an herbalist that works in Whitechapel. While it might not be the most prestigious part of London or even very reputable, Belle and her aunt have made a life there selling medicines and tinctures to those who need it. Belle has a reputation for helping all people and not turning anyone away. She likes what she does. Belle does not know anything about her family or where she came from. She knows that the woman she calls aunt took her in as a child and that occasionally she has nightmares, but has no recollection of her previous life. She has made the best life she knows how and is content until an Earl shows up at her doorstep looking for help for his sister. Belle is immediately drawn to him even though she knows that it isn’t a good idea.
Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton, will do anything in his power to help his younger sister, Lucy. She has been in bed for weeks and refuses to eat. He doesn’t know what is wrong and hopes that the herbalist in Whitechapel can help. What he doesn’t hope for is complications in his life, but as soon as Lytton meets Belle, he knows that complications are coming. He didn’t expect to be so drawn toward her and to want to spend more time with her. He knows that it is impossible. They come from different places and reconciling that would be troublesome.
Watching Lytton and Belle fight their feelings as they work to help Lucy get better is amusing. As readers, we all see what is going on and that they are falling for each other, but they persist in being stubborn characters and refuse to acknowledge it. When Belle’s life is in danger, Lytton jumps in to help out bringing their lives even closer.
I really enjoyed reading about a woman who is making it on her own in a notorious part of the city. Watching Belle interact with those in her community and her generous nature makes her a very sympathetic character. She is also strong willed and stands up for what she believes in. I found the end of the story very satisfying because it answers a lot of questions readers have throughout the book. Ms. James did a great job of honoring the Cinderella motif without becoming trite.

The Cinderella Countess by Sophia James is book Three in the Gentlemen of Honor Series. This is the story of Annabelle 'Belle' Smith and Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton. I haven't yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book.
Belle lives with her her Aunt, a lady that took her in and they live in London's extremely poor neighborhood. Bell has become a well known healer in her area. Lytton sister has been very sick and no doctor has been able to help her. When he learns of Belle healing skills he goes to her for help. This thrust her into his world and they build a friendship along with stronger feelings. But Belle's life is put in danger in his world and they go forward to find out why and who Belle may really be. Enjoyed their story.

London - 1815

Annabelle (Belle) Smith is 31-years-old, and an herbalist. She is being called upon by Lytton Staines, the Earl of Thornton, age 35. Lytton is seeking help for his sister, Lucy, who appears to have a wasting sickness. The doctors have not been able to help her, and having heard Belle’s good reputation with the medicines that she makes, he needs her help. She agrees to see his sister the next day.

Belle had lived in France with a woman who took her in from the nuns at a nearby church. She was also an herbalist and Belle calls her aunt. She does not know where she came from but has memories of fancy dressed people in large homes.

When Belle visits Lucy, she does not feel that she is truly ill, but is hiding a secret she does not want to face. So, Belle befriends her in a way that she hopes will get her to open up.

Lytton is quite taken with Belle and enjoys her company. She’s intelligent and is well read. Her perfect speech and knowledge of both English and French show she is of an aristocratic heritage.

When Belle is struck and injured by a carriage obviously owned by someone of wealth, she realizes someone from her mysterious past has recognized her and wants her dead. Lytton cares for her safety and hires someone to guard her. When yet another near-death disaster strikes, Lytton is determined to get to the bottom of these events and find out who is trying to kill Belle and why.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Available now: The Cinderella Countess by Sophia James
****3.5/5 stars: Liked it. As the name implies, The Cinderella Countess is great for any romantic.



Recommended readers:

If you like a Cinderella love story
If you are a historical romance lover or Jane Feather fan
Here's my Rankings:

3.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for plot
3.5/5 overall
Note: Steamy factor (3 of 5 ... little steaminess)
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Annebelle Smith has been a healer in a rough area of London for as long as she knows. With her unknown birth, she does her best to heal London's poor with the resources she has.  Her reputation grows until she is brought to heal the sister of the rich Earl of Thornton, where they both struggle with attraction and their stations in life.

As the name implies, The Cinderella Countess is the love story of different stations in life. At under $5, it's a great read for any historical romance lover.

Available now: The Cinderella Countess by Sophia James

I love the strong female protagonist in the story and the page turning plot. Excellent chemistry between H/H. Good read!

If you can buy the premise of this book - that a woman living in the poorest area of London and working as a healer would be called in to heal an earl’s sister and, of course, attract his romantic interest while having the mystery of her childhood solved, you’ll like this book. I didn’t find it at all believable. Is was all too convenient and unbelievable that this child abandoned in France would somehow end up right where the questions surrounding her origin can all be solved just in time to make a romance possible between the pauper and the earl.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I read this book within 48 hrs. I picked up this book because of the author and a great title.
I did not regret the pick. The story was not only romantic, but also well written.
Annabelle character in this book grew on me, and I have to say, if the next book of Sophia James comes in print I will be the first to buy it!
A must for every historical romance fan!

The Cinderella Countess (Gentlemen of Honor, #3)
by Sophia James

A definite buy book.

I adore this author. She is witty as well as creative. Each one of her stories has such different elements not all about sex or a plot but so many layers of enjoyment. I liked her characters in this book. I also enjoyed the way it was laid out, the only disappointment for me was not enough life in the subplot of the heroine at first. Later, the disappointment gave way to acceptance then enjoyment. Each of these characters are likable and enjoyable. I like the plot that it was a little different then the norm. I totally enjoyed the writing and just keep looking for more of it. I was sad to end the story in some ways and in others just look forward to seeing what else she will write. So if you want a very enjoyable read, you need to buy this book. I was given the ARC via NetGalley. All opinions written here are my own and totally voluntary. So buy and enjoy this good read. Regards, Anna

I really really loved this story and couldn't stop reading once I started. Thorn was sexy, rich and an Earl but more then that, the author described him as strong, honorable and perfect. The way he took care of his sister and worried about her and his family I found it sexy. Annabelle was beautiful and sweet, had a past that she was unsure of, it was like a dream that she remembered pieces of. This book was well written and it had mystery as well as twist and turns, loved it. You know Anna and Thorn will end up together but the road was sexy, sweet and never bored me. I recommend this book highly.

Annabella is know as a healer and lives in the East end of London's extremely poor neighborhood. Our heroine doesn't really remember where she came from or her past life. It's all a fog to her. Annabella lives with her Aunt, who adopted her. Our heroine has become known as one of the best healers and this is where are hero Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton comes in. His sister is very ill and he has tried every doctor and nothing they have prescribed has helped. Annabella was the last resort.

Annabella's life changes dramatically. She's surrounded by the rich and well known. But the biggest change in her life is the feelings that develop for Lytton. She and Lytton develop a friendship with the underling attraction that tugs and pulls at them at every encounter. But there is now someone that is trying to hurt and or kill Annabella. And things intensify between the two characters as they now endeavor to discover who is behind this and who is Annabella really.

I found this a nice read. It was steady and well paced. Characters all were likable. Really enjoyed Lytoon's sister. The master is pretty obvious.

From rags to riches

By the earl’s side!

Abandoned as a small child, Annabelle Smith has only vague memories of her past. Now living as a healer in London’s poverty-stricken East End, she receives a life-changing visit from the rich and imposing Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton. He needs a cure for his ailing sister and helping him thrusts Belle into his dazzling life of luxury. But it’s Lytton who makes her world come alive!

This is another first read by a previously new to me author. I had heard of Sophia James before but had never read anything by her. This surprisingly short and engaging read was to be my introduction to a maybe future go to author.

This is the tale of a young woman who knows nothing of her past. When Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton.comes to her door in need of help for his ailing sister she agrees to try but this catapults her on a roller coaster ride into previously unknown intriguing situations and danger.
I gave this book 4 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. This story has a surprise around every corner.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this quick read which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

The third in The Gentlemen of Honor series tells the tale of Annabelle Smith, herbalist and healer, who is a mystery wrapped in an enigma: even she does not know the truth of her own life, or the reason why forces are out to kill her. Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton, comes for the medicine and stays for the woman, becoming embroiled in the mystery surrounding her, and desperate to protect her. The mystery can be spotted from a mile away but that doesn’t really detract from what is overall a highly enjoyable historical romance. – Megan Osmond

3 1/2 stars.

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #4.

Annabelle Smith knows little about her past, orphaned in France at a young age. Her adopted Aunt brings her to London as a young woman and they live in the poverty ridden east end, where she works as a healer. The Earl of Thornton needs a cure for his ailing sister and visits Belle at her home. Belle's life becomes a roller coaster after meeting the Earl and maybe she will finally uncover her mysterious past.

I really did enjoy this book. I love historical romance and this one did not disappoint. I have read many novels by Sophia James, and her writing and story building are always superior, this new novel is as well. I think I would have liked to learn more about Belle though, like maybe some scenes with her interacting with her poverty stricken clients. It states in the novel that she is loved in Whitechapel, but we never get to see much interaction with her friends outside of Rose.

I appreciate the progression of the story, I didn't feel like it was weighted down, or dragging at all. There was no filler fluff, it was a smooth read. Also, not a long read, I didn't feel like I was stuck in chapters for an exorbitant amount of time. Good read, great characters.

3.5/5 stars.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, in exchange for an honest review**