In Lydia Drake’s ‘Cinderella and the Duke’ a Little Female Ingenuity Goes a Long Way [REVIEW]

She’s a lovely spinster determined to escape her stepmother’s evil clutches. He’s a confirmed bachelor with a bad—but not altogether unwarranted—reputation. One night at a ball may be all either of them needs to alter the course of their lives forever. But will they be lured into one another’s arms, or continue life as the solitary creatures they’ve always been? Find out in Lydia Drake’s enchanting new romance, Cinderella and the Duke.

Miss Julia Beaumont’s stepmother never lets her do anything. But when she takes ill and her own daughter needs a chaperone to the Weatherford Ball, she has no choice but to let Julia attend.

With one night of freedom, a pretty dress, and a wobbly-heeled shoe on her foot, she vows to make the most of the occasion and snag herself a husband if it is the last thing she does. At this point in life, she knows she can’t be too picky.

The alternative is a life of servitude taking care of her stepmother’s every whim. The only thing is, it seems every man in the room—even those who are nothing short of elderly—prefer ladies in the 18 to 20 range.

Then Julia sees Gregory Carter, Duke of Ashworth, a gorgeous rake if there ever was one, enter the scene. He’s everything any woman would want: tall, pleasing to the eye, and titled. The only problem is, nearly every woman has had him at some point. In fact, the moment she spots him at the ball, he is being pursued by a former paramour he’d prefer to avoid.

When he encounters Julia later in the evening, however, her luscious curves and clever wit make him take leave of his senses for a moment and fall under her spell… at least until she disappears into the night, carelessly leaving one shoe behind.

The magic moment they shared, however, proves unforgettable for them both. Soon, Julia propositions him. She’s not above taking life by the reins at this point in her life, and he’s certainly a worthy candidate as husband. A touch of scandal is far better to contend with than a life under her stepmother’s thumb, after all. And in this case, desperation proves the mother of invention as she designs an offer even the roguish duke can’t simply refuse.

Although I may be new to Lydia Drake’s work, after reading Cinderella and the Duke, I’m a fan. Drake’s characters rise off the page with cheeky wit, plenty of irreverence, and loads of charm, all of which makes this book a delight to read. Sure, the story itself may be a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale, but it is original enough to keep my attention throughout.

You may think of it this way: imagine Bridgerton meets Cendrillon (the original French version of Cinderella), and the result is this sexy, romantic romp that is as lighthearted as it is delicious. You will probably even find yourself saying “ooo la la” long after the last page is turned.