e Cinderella Countess is a M&B Historical romance written by Sophia James. Annabelle is a herbalist, an independent, determined and strong willed woman which was almost unheard of! Lytton Staines, Lord Thornton calls on her to try and help his little sister, Lady Lucy who has taken to her bed and refuses to eat. As she enters the palatial town house she feels as though she recognise stage sumptuous surroundings. As the novel progresses she really has a Cinderella rags to riches storyline as it turns out her long lost grandmother is the Dowager Countess Annalena Tennant-Smythe, but will Belle get her Prince?

The third novel in the Gentlemen of Honor series, I enjoyed, and always appreciate, how Sophia manages to make historical references. Annabelle , for example gave Lady Lucy Mary Wollstonecraft’s Book about suffrage and women’s rights - a hot topic of the period. As always a little dog was one of the characters that added a sense of humour and warmth to the novel.

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Anabella is a strong-willed woman, quite independent for the time and outspoken. I really loved her character and her bluntness was refreshing. The Earl was classically quiet and broody and we all know he would succumb to the inevitable charm of Anabella, but their journey was captivating and entertaining. 

The plot was easy to follow and the twists and turns were unexpected in most cases, but it kind of bothered me that there was simply no way for me to deduce certain mysteries as the information wasn't artfully hidden for the reader  - this is a general beef of mine. The writing was good and I felt immersed into the time period without feeling out of my depth. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and I would recommend it to anyone in the lookout for a new swoony romance.

I love nothing better then a rag to Richie’s, Cinderella style romance novel and this does not fail. A tail about two people brought together in completely different circumstances but yet understand each other perfectly. One a wounded war hero in need of healing, one a healer in need of friendship. Their love blossoms quite quickly and they realise they are not so different and find they can fight to be together overcome all obstacles. It’s a truly heart warming feel good story, that you can immerse yourself in. The cover looks beautiful, it’s well presented,a really lovely read.

Annabelle is a herbalist who was called to help Lord Thornton sister who had taken ill. The first time she met lord Thornton she felt an attraction toward him. Until disaster strikes and her life is in danger. She finds out that she is a long lost heiress......... Their is more to this book than happy ending. I got sucked in from page 1
This book will make you believe in happily ever after.

I enjoyed this book because as well as an engaging story and characters the author has such a clear style of writing. The story was not over complicated but there was plenty happening and the characters’ feelings and motivations explored well. I look forward to reading the next novel by this author,

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. An impoverished girl known for her herbal remedies and work amongst the poor, and a rich and compassionate Earl.. The ending held no surprises. A really enjoyable and well crafted story.. Would recommend.

The Cinderella Countess is the third book in the Gentlemen of Honor series by Sophia James. It can easily be read as a standalone book.

Annabelle Smith is a healer living in the poorer parts of London. She has a very good reputation for being excellent at her job and it is that reputation that brings a gentleman caller to her door.

Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton is that gentleman. He is at his wit's end because his sister is ailing and no other medical person has been able to do anything to help her. He hopes and prays that Annabelle will be the one who can.

From the moment she accepts the job Annabelle's life changes in ways she never could have dreamed. The title of the book will make you think that only wonderful things could happen, but that's not the case. I won't give spoilers but suffice to say that the storyline takes a dramatic turn at one point and from then you will realise that this book is definitely much more than just your normal Cinderella type romance.

I enjoyed everything about this story. Right from the start, I was hooked and as the story developed I was more and more engrossed. For me, one of the signs of a great book is when I don't want to put it down. This book was one of those books. I wanted to read it in one sitting, and even when it was finished I wanted to read more. This was such a lovely story with a strong independent heroine and the perfect hero. As different as chalk and cheese theirs was definitely a case of opposites attract. This was such a feel-good story that I was left with a big smile on my face when I finished it. I can't recommend it enough.

I was really interested to read this one because of the heroine, who is a herbal healer in Whitechapel. I love herbalism, and was interested to see how her lifestyle was going to fit into that of the ton (because let's be real, we know how this one's going to end from the title). And Belle was great! She's a really fierce, caring woman who constantly puts her practice above her personal happiness, and it was lovely to see things work out in a way that never dimmed her light - falling in love doesn't change her need to help people, it just allows her to see that occasionally she can let people help her back. This is exactly the kind of heroine I like in romance. 

Thorn, the hero (properly Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton, which is perhaps the world's least romantic name), is cast of your fairly standard Earl-ish stuff. He's sweet, but trapped by his responsibilities to his family and estate, and it takes Belle's freer outlook on life to get him to warm up and rediscover fun. I really liked that he had some great friendships - you don't always see male bonding in romance, so that was nice, and it made me keen to look up the earlier books in this series to read the stories of his friends. There is a sense of continuity in this book, with references to the marriages of two of Thorn's friends, but it never impeded the storyline. 

The chemistry between the two main characters is a little more subdued than I was expecting - though they clearly fancy the pants off each other on first meeting, they are both determined not to do anything about it, and their first kiss comes very late in the game. This allows space for both of them to fall in love with each other's personality and mind, and you get the impression that this is going to be a really strong, supportive, and emotionally frank relationship, rather than one based around lust. I can really imagine Belle and Thorn being happy together! Though there is an element of rags-to-riches, we really don't follow the Cinderella storyline to a T (not a shoe or stepsister in sight!), so there's plenty of originality in the story. It's a really lovely, fluffy read, and one I recommend to fans of the genre. Four out of five stars!

“She was an enigma, sometimes this and sometimes that and then something else entirely…”

Healer Annabelle Smith works in Whitechapel, and under normal circumstances would never come into contact with Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton, however, Lytton needs her to attend to his sister, and Annabelle’s life will be changed forever as a result.
One of the things I always love about Sophia James and her books is that her characters are always somewhat different from the norms of Regency society, and Annabelle is no different. From the outset, she has an air of mystery about her, and her lack of knowledge as to her family history is as much a part of the story as her emerging attraction to Lytton.
As a result of a strong plot, the meeting of Annabelle and Lytton is plausible, and their budding relationship is believable, although, the reader is inclined to sympathise with both of them as they believe that society would not accept them as a couple. Indeed, the depiction of the rich/poor divide between their world is well written, and the description of the streets of Whitechapel where Annabelle resides paint a vivid picture of life in London for the poorer classes of society. Despite these differences, Annabelle and Lytton are well suited, and the natural progression of their relationship is enjoyable to the point that you want them to find happiness against the odds.
As the plot progresses, there is a genuine sense of mystery and tension as Annabelle’s past is slowly unraveled, and this works well with the ongoing romance elements of the plot,.
As this is the third book in the ‘Gentlemen of Honour’ series, it is an added bonus to regular readers of the author that Shay and Celeste and Aurelian and Violet make appearances in this book, but, the story is a stand-alone in its own right, and there is no need to have read the previous instalments of the series to follow this one.
An enjoyable book with a good, fast-paced plot and likeable characters, this is another excellent story from Sophia James.

An elegant Earl is not the usual visitor at Miss Anabelle Smith’s rented accommodation It is her reputation as a healer that draws him to her, but when they meet there is instant chemistry. The plot is fast paced and has clever twists, which gradually reveal the puzzle of Anabelle’s former life.

The romance is charming. Lytton is an honourable character and Anabelle, self-reliant and kind, they deserve their happy ending, but are their backgrounds and the conflicts that befall them too diverse and numerous?

This is the third book in the ‘Gentlemen of Honour’series, but the first one I have read, and it is a good standalone read. However, the characters from previous books, who feature briefly here, make me want to read their stories too,

Romantic, full of secrets and simmering passion this Regency romance is the perfect escape for an hour or two.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Annabelle Smith has only vague memories of her past as she was abandoned as a small child in France. She now lives as a healer in London's poverty-stricken Whitechapel, she receives a life-changing visit from the rich and imposing Lytton Staines, Earl of Thornton. He needs a cure for his ailing sister Lucy.
A well written charming rags to riches romance that held my interest al the way through & I read it in a sitting. Whilst Belle only had fragments of memories it was obvious to the reader where her past lay. Lytton & Belle were attracted to each other & his protectiveness highlighted his growing feelings. I enjoyed hoe her past was revealed & also her journey to her HEA. Whilst this is the third in the series it could easily be read on its own. There are still a couple of recurring characters who I would love to have their stories too
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Cinderella Countess was my first historical book that I have read. I must say it was very well written by Sophia James, being most enjoyable and entertaining. I honestly don’t know how Mills & Boon deliver such beautiful books. It’s always my last book that I read that becomes my favourite, until I find my next read from Mills & Boon book from their collection. Above all every author that writes for Mills & Boon is extremely gifted with writing characters to love and a plot to keep readers turning the pages non stop there’s that buzz of wanting to know more about all of their authors.

In The Cinderella Countess a rag to riches story, that starts in London 1815, with horse carriages that appear like a fairytale. Very rich, good looking, Lytton Staines Earl of Thorton arrived at Annabelle Smith’s house in need of a physician to help with his sister that is sick. Belle had a kind heart she helped others that were extremely poor. With her herbal medicines she attended to the Earl’s sister. I couldn’t help myself from feeling sorry for Belle when hurtful rumours are said of her that she is a witch. Deep down Belle would have liked to live with the Earl in his grand house surrounded by water . I could clearly picture this grand house. But will Annabelle’s thoughts become of anything? Lots of scenes happen, beyond any reader can imagine. The Cinderella Countess by Sophia James comes highly recommend by me!

About author Sophia James, love of writing was formed by reading Georgetta Heyerdahl in the holidays at her grandmothers house.