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The Duke of Strathmore #1
Letter from a Rake
The unconventional Miss Millie Ashton, recently arrived from India, finds England a cold and dismal place. The fashionable ladies of London society look down their noses at her and it isn't long before Millie is planning her return to the country she considers home.
When Millie befriends the high-spirited Lucy Radley, she also meets Lucy's handsome brother, 'Alex the Great' and things take a turn for the better. Alex, the Marquess of Brooke, is considered the most eligible bachelor in London, yet he appears fascinated by the independent Millie.
Against the odds, their unlikely friendship deepens. But Alex has a secret and when a love letter goes astray, it threatens to destroy all their happiness...
Can Millie and Alex overcome the obstacles in their path to find true love? Or will one miscommunication ruin everything?
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2013
1451 people are currently reading
1500 people want to read
About the author
Sasha Cottman
49 books247 followersBorn in England, but raised in Australia, Sasha has a love for both countries. Having her heart in two places has created a love for travel, which at last count was to over 55 countries. A travel guide is always on her pile of new books to read.
Sasha lives with her husband, her university student daughter and a cat who demands a starring role in the next book. She has found new hiding spots for her secret chocolate stash.
Sasha lives with her husband, her university student daughter and a cat who demands a starring role in the next book. She has found new hiding spots for her secret chocolate stash.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
May 4, 2022
FAKE Regency, if not for the story line, I would have given it a one star rating. It is so full of contemporary words and phrases all applied on present day context that put me into an alternate Time Warp wondering if the setting is Present Day or Regency England. How, pray tell, can a bureaucratic phrase like "in/at this juncture" or words like "bulletproof plan" be used as common or usual everyday words in conversations during the Regency period when the etymology of such words have NOT yet occurred?... and also the use of the word "so" in today's context? Dear Author, if you are to write about a specific timeline, please do your research (on the language/word origins on the basis of historical probability not just on the culture/customs) first?... and do try to achieve a certain level of authenticity? Plus edit before you publish? This work makes you a charlatan and insults the reader.
p.s. ~ Not recommended for the true blue Regency reader. Guaranteed to Disgust and Offend because of reasons cited above.
p.s. ~ Not recommended for the true blue Regency reader. Guaranteed to Disgust and Offend because of reasons cited above.
August 6, 2019
Millie Ashton and her family have returned to London after years living in India. Millie misses India so much, she can barely breathe. London is too stuffy but seems less so when she befriends Lucy Radley. They appear to be bosom buddies. Lucy's older brother, Alex, is handsome and every young lady is vying for his hand. He couldn't possibly be attracted to Millie, a full-figured young lady who wears a nose ring, could he?
From the moment he first lays eyes on Millie Ashton, Alex is smitten. He loves her curves and thinks she's the most beautiful jewel in all of England. He's so awestruck, he can't even speak to her at the ball. She's embarrassed and he has to make it right. But every time he's around her, he messes up. He tries everything he can to woo her but can't find the words. He enlists his brother's help but when the love letter is sent to the wrong young lady, he fears he's lost his Millie forever. Can he reveal his deep dark secret to Millie and show her how much he loves her or is it too late?
What a brilliant story! I loved the fact that Cottman's heroine was not rail-thin. She's feisty and yearns for India, her homeland. She feels lost and alone in England. There's depth to this romance, too, which I didn't expect. I fell in love with both families and can't wait to read more in the series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
From the moment he first lays eyes on Millie Ashton, Alex is smitten. He loves her curves and thinks she's the most beautiful jewel in all of England. He's so awestruck, he can't even speak to her at the ball. She's embarrassed and he has to make it right. But every time he's around her, he messes up. He tries everything he can to woo her but can't find the words. He enlists his brother's help but when the love letter is sent to the wrong young lady, he fears he's lost his Millie forever. Can he reveal his deep dark secret to Millie and show her how much he loves her or is it too late?
What a brilliant story! I loved the fact that Cottman's heroine was not rail-thin. She's feisty and yearns for India, her homeland. She feels lost and alone in England. There's depth to this romance, too, which I didn't expect. I fell in love with both families and can't wait to read more in the series.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
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June 10, 2021Started off great but quickly became pretty over-the-top, and it's extremely wordy. Skimmed a bit more and decided to set it aside.
August 6, 2019
Series: The Duke of Strathmore #1
Publication Date: 9/9/17
Number of Pages: 304
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW – Narrator - Janine Haynes
** 3.5 Stars **
I believe this was the author’s first book – and that shows, but it is a good story and I look forward to reading more by her. This is the first book of the series and does a good job of introducing the characters for at least the first four books of the series. I believe I learned more about them than I did the hero of this book. It is a typical first book in a series – with many characters and set-up of future stories, etc., so it was very busy. Our hero was a bit on the young side at twenty-three and we could easily tell that from his actions and attitudes and I didn’t really buy into the love-at-first-sight thing. I could see the instant attraction maybe – but – not instantly in love. Then, they didn’t spend enough time together to get to know each other and come to truly love each other. I thought the narration done by Ms. Haynes was done well, but – she often sounded more like she had an Indian accent rather than British.
Miss Millie Ashton is NOT at all happy about being in England. She was born in India to English parents and she’s lived all of her twenty years there. Now, her father is being made a principal of the East India Company and they have returned to England. Millie wonders if she’ll ever be warm again. Then there is English society with their silly rules and views on how someone should look. Millie certainly doesn’t meet society’s view of feminine beauty. She’s more ample in stature and society never lets her forget it. She longs to return to India where she can be herself.
Alexander (Alex) Radley, Marquess of Brooke, is also known as Alexander the Great because of his astonishing good looks, winning personality, charm, confidence, and wealth as well his being the heir to the Duke of Strathmore. Everyone, especially women, is drawn to him like a magnet. He’s also confident – but he’s struck totally dumb when he sees the goddess across the ballroom – standing with his sister.
In a romance where everything that could go wrong actually does go wrong, you have to wonder how they’ll ever come together. Mis-sent love letters, irate fathers, even more irate brothers, mishaps, misunderstanding keep you wondering what will happen to these two next.
This was a fun read, but a bit light on substance with immature characters. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 9/9/17
Number of Pages: 304
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW – Narrator - Janine Haynes
** 3.5 Stars **
I believe this was the author’s first book – and that shows, but it is a good story and I look forward to reading more by her. This is the first book of the series and does a good job of introducing the characters for at least the first four books of the series. I believe I learned more about them than I did the hero of this book. It is a typical first book in a series – with many characters and set-up of future stories, etc., so it was very busy. Our hero was a bit on the young side at twenty-three and we could easily tell that from his actions and attitudes and I didn’t really buy into the love-at-first-sight thing. I could see the instant attraction maybe – but – not instantly in love. Then, they didn’t spend enough time together to get to know each other and come to truly love each other. I thought the narration done by Ms. Haynes was done well, but – she often sounded more like she had an Indian accent rather than British.
Miss Millie Ashton is NOT at all happy about being in England. She was born in India to English parents and she’s lived all of her twenty years there. Now, her father is being made a principal of the East India Company and they have returned to England. Millie wonders if she’ll ever be warm again. Then there is English society with their silly rules and views on how someone should look. Millie certainly doesn’t meet society’s view of feminine beauty. She’s more ample in stature and society never lets her forget it. She longs to return to India where she can be herself.
Alexander (Alex) Radley, Marquess of Brooke, is also known as Alexander the Great because of his astonishing good looks, winning personality, charm, confidence, and wealth as well his being the heir to the Duke of Strathmore. Everyone, especially women, is drawn to him like a magnet. He’s also confident – but he’s struck totally dumb when he sees the goddess across the ballroom – standing with his sister.
In a romance where everything that could go wrong actually does go wrong, you have to wonder how they’ll ever come together. Mis-sent love letters, irate fathers, even more irate brothers, mishaps, misunderstanding keep you wondering what will happen to these two next.
This was a fun read, but a bit light on substance with immature characters. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 29, 2019
Suffice to say, I didn't like it and judging from the reviews, my opinion is unpopular.
The writing read like something I'd write at 16. It barely reeked of London in the 1800s. It read and felt so contemporary, so modern that it hardly felt like a historical fiction novel. The conversations between characters felt forced at times or like they were just there to fill space and kill time in other parts. The miscommunication between the characters was just, so ridiculous and done so poorly. All Lucy did was cry.
They fell inlove after speaking to each other outside of a ball twice. Once out of those two times was for an apology. The insta love was a ship I could not board. At all. Didnt understand and couldn't see where they managed to fall in love with the page time I had covered.
The characters also all read like they were 16, especially the leading male character. For a man of 23 and a rake, he's stupid and makes the dumbest most childish choices (and no I'm not referring to a main characteristic of his). He reads like a 12 year old boy instead of a grown man almost all the time. I didn't (not once) find him charming, disarming, great or charismatic. Millie sure thought he was but honestly, after everything I read I don't know what she saw. To be fair I don't know what saw in her either he'd only known the girl all of 5 minutes. Wasn't buying it.
The sex scene, God sex in romance novels really do make me uncomfortable. What with the 'stroke her heat,' and 'calling forth her wetness,' and 'gently knead her breast with his hand.' What is this girl, a piece of dough to make bread? It's not even flowery, it doesn't feel intimate all they use is the word 'want' and 'desire' and I always wonder if these authors that write these scenes have ever had sex before. Or made love before. Because surely, it's more than this? Anyway.
I almost didn't finish but I did and it ended the same way romances always seem to freaking end. I read one romance a year or try to and I think that's it for me for right now. Definitely not continuing this series.
The writing read like something I'd write at 16. It barely reeked of London in the 1800s. It read and felt so contemporary, so modern that it hardly felt like a historical fiction novel. The conversations between characters felt forced at times or like they were just there to fill space and kill time in other parts. The miscommunication between the characters was just, so ridiculous and done so poorly. All Lucy did was cry.
They fell inlove after speaking to each other outside of a ball twice. Once out of those two times was for an apology. The insta love was a ship I could not board. At all. Didnt understand and couldn't see where they managed to fall in love with the page time I had covered.
The characters also all read like they were 16, especially the leading male character. For a man of 23 and a rake, he's stupid and makes the dumbest most childish choices (and no I'm not referring to a main characteristic of his). He reads like a 12 year old boy instead of a grown man almost all the time. I didn't (not once) find him charming, disarming, great or charismatic. Millie sure thought he was but honestly, after everything I read I don't know what she saw. To be fair I don't know what saw in her either he'd only known the girl all of 5 minutes. Wasn't buying it.
The sex scene, God sex in romance novels really do make me uncomfortable. What with the 'stroke her heat,' and 'calling forth her wetness,' and 'gently knead her breast with his hand.' What is this girl, a piece of dough to make bread? It's not even flowery, it doesn't feel intimate all they use is the word 'want' and 'desire' and I always wonder if these authors that write these scenes have ever had sex before. Or made love before. Because surely, it's more than this? Anyway.
I almost didn't finish but I did and it ended the same way romances always seem to freaking end. I read one romance a year or try to and I think that's it for me for right now. Definitely not continuing this series.
June 15, 2021
It's well written if you like madcap, romps. I thought characters were all childish and self absorbed. The h dislikes London after living in India and is shows her disdain about anything English. So she's not accepted by society, and blames everyone except herself. After making no effort to fit in, she makes one friend. They act like school girls, declare themselves friends for ever then become enemies overnight. The H is no better. He's childish too and uses his illiteracy as an excuse for his poor decisions. Read rather like a high school melodrama.
July 20, 2013
This lovely, gentle Regency romance was exactly what I needed to while away a rainy Saturday (no washing or housework done as a result!) I really enjoyed the interactions between the hero and heroine. The conflicts were simple but really well woven into the story and even though you knew what the hero needed to do to set things to rights after his letter went astray with disastrous consequences, it was really well done how author, Sasha Cottman got us to that place. The hero was an alpha-type with beta qualities that made him really endearing and a nice change from some other overbearing alpha-type heroes who always tell the heroine what to do. I also loved that he was interested right from the start and it was her who had to be convinced.As for the heroine, Millie, she was the proverbial duckling who turned into a swan, but what I really liked about her, was her transformation wasn't overdone (she didn't become a diamond) and that the hero loved her and was attracted to her right from the first. It was a great message about attraction and appearances.
A thoroughly enjoyable and lovely read that I'd be happy to read again.
A thoroughly enjoyable and lovely read that I'd be happy to read again.
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September 14, 2018💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (9/14/18)!💝
March 3, 2019
Millicent/Millie Ashton has come to London with her parents from Calcutta India. She was born there. Her father, mother and brother left England to go a build the family fortunes back up. Now they are very rich and have returned home to London.
Millie is having trouble making friends and being excepted by the other younger debutants. She is miserable until she meet Lady Lucy Radley the daughter of the Duke of Strathmore and then she is introduced to Lucy's brothers Alex the Marquess of Brooke and David. They are attending a Ball and Alex falls immediately in lust with Millie. The two go on the entire book having one misunderstand after another way to much angst. When all they had to do was talk to each other. I hate a story filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. The nose ring Millie wore also, didn't work. It just didn't fit in with the Ton of 1817 no young lady from a respectable family would be wearing a nose ring.
I did love that Millie was 20 and not yet a spinster and she was not poor she had a fat dairy. I hate reading about spinsters that storyline is overdone. She was rich and from a well respected family. I love that Alex was from one of the riches families in England and from a Powerful old Dukedom.
The story had good bones but the storyline could have had more romance, sexy times something to spice the couple up. One kissing episode until the very end of the story was not enough. The sex scene came at the last few pages of the story. I also would have liked to seen the couple spend more quality time together.
Millie is having trouble making friends and being excepted by the other younger debutants. She is miserable until she meet Lady Lucy Radley the daughter of the Duke of Strathmore and then she is introduced to Lucy's brothers Alex the Marquess of Brooke and David. They are attending a Ball and Alex falls immediately in lust with Millie. The two go on the entire book having one misunderstand after another way to much angst. When all they had to do was talk to each other. I hate a story filled with misunderstandings and miscommunication. The nose ring Millie wore also, didn't work. It just didn't fit in with the Ton of 1817 no young lady from a respectable family would be wearing a nose ring.
I did love that Millie was 20 and not yet a spinster and she was not poor she had a fat dairy. I hate reading about spinsters that storyline is overdone. She was rich and from a well respected family. I love that Alex was from one of the riches families in England and from a Powerful old Dukedom.
The story had good bones but the storyline could have had more romance, sexy times something to spice the couple up. One kissing episode until the very end of the story was not enough. The sex scene came at the last few pages of the story. I also would have liked to seen the couple spend more quality time together.
November 8, 2022
Read:9/26/18
Great start but the story went downhill from there. The h was a little too selfish and way too obsessed with India.
Great start but the story went downhill from there. The h was a little too selfish and way too obsessed with India.
April 30, 2019
London 1817.
Millie's British father worked for the East India Co. in
India. Millie was born there. After 20+ years her family
returned to England and frankly she hated it. The ton's
unwritten preference included slender women. Millie
acted ashamed of her 'ample frame.' Later in the story
Millie walked daily & within a few weeks she was visibly
less endowed & had a smaller waist. To get these fast wt.
loss results did she have access to Regency equivalent of
amphetamines? Ironically the hero liked her curves.
Alex the Marquess hero got into unnecessary jams he could
have prevented if he verbally communicated better and
attempted to mature. No well-bred Regency miss would
go alone to a bachelor's abode and Millie did this twice even
though she appeared to be intelligent and have common sense.
The author sensitively explaimed Alex's illiteracy. Sorry but
this couple vacilated too much & this and other elements
made the story seem too long.
Revised again.
Millie's British father worked for the East India Co. in
India. Millie was born there. After 20+ years her family
returned to England and frankly she hated it. The ton's
unwritten preference included slender women. Millie
acted ashamed of her 'ample frame.' Later in the story
Millie walked daily & within a few weeks she was visibly
less endowed & had a smaller waist. To get these fast wt.
loss results did she have access to Regency equivalent of
amphetamines? Ironically the hero liked her curves.
Alex the Marquess hero got into unnecessary jams he could
have prevented if he verbally communicated better and
attempted to mature. No well-bred Regency miss would
go alone to a bachelor's abode and Millie did this twice even
though she appeared to be intelligent and have common sense.
The author sensitively explaimed Alex's illiteracy. Sorry but
this couple vacilated too much & this and other elements
made the story seem too long.
Revised again.
February 2, 2014
What a wonderful debut novel by Sasha Cottman. A light, charming and very enjoyable Regency romance with an original plot, an appealing, unconventional heroine, Millie Ashton, and a very dishy hero, Alex Radley, Lord Brooke. I particularly enjoyed the banter between Millie and Alex and the fact that Alex unashamedly falls for Mille. He was a nice change from the typical Regency bad boy. Highly recommended for fans of the genre. I look forward to reading Ms. Cottman's next installment!
July 30, 2013
Miss Millie Ashton has just arrived in England after spending her whole life growing up in India where her father worked. She finds London in March chilly and depressing and her sapphire nose ring and curvaceous figure draw the disdain and ridicule of the lithe London debutantes and she comes to dislike having to attend society events.
But then Millie meets Lucy Radley, a kindred spirit and through her, Lucy’s two older brothers, Alex the Marquis of Brooke and David. Millie is drawn by Alex’s blonde perfection but he humiliates her on the dance floor in front of everyone at a ball, just one more slight that she’s had to face since she came to England. However Alex apologises, more than once and Millie finds herself enjoying a friendship with one of London’s most eligible bachelors. The two of them spend more time together until a careless lack of judgement on both their parts nearly leads to Millie’s social ruin.
Alex knows that he must make amends – he realises that Millie believes that he doesn’t care for her when that simply isn’t the case. And so he decides he will write her a love letter, something that shows her beyond all shadow of a doubt how he feels. But Alex has a secret and so he must enlist some help…and that sets in motion and chain of disastrous events that tears him and Millie further apart than ever and also has the potential to greatly hurt innocent bystanders.
Having always relied upon people to help get him out of trouble, Alex is now on his own to fix this big mess and win the hand of the woman he loves.
Letter From A Rake is one of the latest Destiny Romance digital first titles and it’s a refreshing type of historical romance. Millie was born in India, her father having gone there to help restore the family fortune. She spent 20 years there before her father was posted back to London and she immediately finds herself a fish out of water. She doesn’t make friends, she doesn’t enjoy the stilted, social situations that come with the requisite backstabbing and nastiness and she wants nothing more than to return to India. Millie is also generously proportioned – it’s never stated exactly how much, but she’s described as “chubby” in the book and seems to have an hourglass type of figure, which is definitely out of fashion. She’s ridiculed, called an “elephant” so that she can hear and embarrassed by people that snub her. Meeting Lucy Radley is a blessing – the two of them are very similar and it gives Millie her first London friend and allows her to meet Alex. Despite their rocky beginning, she develops a crush on him and accepts his apology.
I never used to read much in the way of historical romance – I never found them spicy enough for my liking but then I realised that I was just reading the wrong ones! I read a lot more now and I enjoy a good story set among the ton. This one really caught my attention because of the character of Millie. She’s so interesting – a woman with a nose ring in society London! She’s also an avid reader and owns not one but two copies of the Kama Sutra. She and Alex made an interesting pair and I thought that Alex was quite a different hero to the type I’m used to reading too. Although he’s a bit of a rake (his reputation alludes to this anyway) from the moment he first spots Millie, he’s smitten with her looks and her attitude. What he likes about her is the very thing that others have snubbed her for – her generous curves, the sapphire in her nose that matches the brilliant blue of her eyes. He’s drawn to everything that makes her Millie. He probably is thrown into the path of many debutantes, all looking to snare themselves a titled and wealthy husband. Millie doesn’t have much of an interest in this, in fact the most she’s looking for in a husband is someone that will take her back to her beloved India. I found the real reason he snubbed her on the dance floor hilarious and not really what I was expecting. It was amusing to read of his incapacitation. The author also gifts him with something I’ve never before seen in a historical romance, which really seeks to complicate the plot. That was a clever addition, something definitely unexpected and something that humanised Alex, made him sympathetic and less remote. Often the heroes in romance, of any type, are very aloof and it’s hard to crack past that exterior. That can be attractive in its own right but Alex was different and he matched up well with Millie, who was also different. I appreciated that, it really felt like they went well together.
I really enjoyed this and I’m looking forward to more from Sasha Cottman – I have a sneaking suspicion (hope) what her next book might be about!
But then Millie meets Lucy Radley, a kindred spirit and through her, Lucy’s two older brothers, Alex the Marquis of Brooke and David. Millie is drawn by Alex’s blonde perfection but he humiliates her on the dance floor in front of everyone at a ball, just one more slight that she’s had to face since she came to England. However Alex apologises, more than once and Millie finds herself enjoying a friendship with one of London’s most eligible bachelors. The two of them spend more time together until a careless lack of judgement on both their parts nearly leads to Millie’s social ruin.
Alex knows that he must make amends – he realises that Millie believes that he doesn’t care for her when that simply isn’t the case. And so he decides he will write her a love letter, something that shows her beyond all shadow of a doubt how he feels. But Alex has a secret and so he must enlist some help…and that sets in motion and chain of disastrous events that tears him and Millie further apart than ever and also has the potential to greatly hurt innocent bystanders.
Having always relied upon people to help get him out of trouble, Alex is now on his own to fix this big mess and win the hand of the woman he loves.
Letter From A Rake is one of the latest Destiny Romance digital first titles and it’s a refreshing type of historical romance. Millie was born in India, her father having gone there to help restore the family fortune. She spent 20 years there before her father was posted back to London and she immediately finds herself a fish out of water. She doesn’t make friends, she doesn’t enjoy the stilted, social situations that come with the requisite backstabbing and nastiness and she wants nothing more than to return to India. Millie is also generously proportioned – it’s never stated exactly how much, but she’s described as “chubby” in the book and seems to have an hourglass type of figure, which is definitely out of fashion. She’s ridiculed, called an “elephant” so that she can hear and embarrassed by people that snub her. Meeting Lucy Radley is a blessing – the two of them are very similar and it gives Millie her first London friend and allows her to meet Alex. Despite their rocky beginning, she develops a crush on him and accepts his apology.
I never used to read much in the way of historical romance – I never found them spicy enough for my liking but then I realised that I was just reading the wrong ones! I read a lot more now and I enjoy a good story set among the ton. This one really caught my attention because of the character of Millie. She’s so interesting – a woman with a nose ring in society London! She’s also an avid reader and owns not one but two copies of the Kama Sutra. She and Alex made an interesting pair and I thought that Alex was quite a different hero to the type I’m used to reading too. Although he’s a bit of a rake (his reputation alludes to this anyway) from the moment he first spots Millie, he’s smitten with her looks and her attitude. What he likes about her is the very thing that others have snubbed her for – her generous curves, the sapphire in her nose that matches the brilliant blue of her eyes. He’s drawn to everything that makes her Millie. He probably is thrown into the path of many debutantes, all looking to snare themselves a titled and wealthy husband. Millie doesn’t have much of an interest in this, in fact the most she’s looking for in a husband is someone that will take her back to her beloved India. I found the real reason he snubbed her on the dance floor hilarious and not really what I was expecting. It was amusing to read of his incapacitation. The author also gifts him with something I’ve never before seen in a historical romance, which really seeks to complicate the plot. That was a clever addition, something definitely unexpected and something that humanised Alex, made him sympathetic and less remote. Often the heroes in romance, of any type, are very aloof and it’s hard to crack past that exterior. That can be attractive in its own right but Alex was different and he matched up well with Millie, who was also different. I appreciated that, it really felt like they went well together.
I really enjoyed this and I’m looking forward to more from Sasha Cottman – I have a sneaking suspicion (hope) what her next book might be about!
June 23, 2019
Millie had suffered the humiliation of being presented by her mother in the middle of the room, where of course everyone could take in Millie’s ample frame.
...
Rising from the chair, she managed to maintain her composure for the seconds it took for her to fall into her older brother’s embrace. He wrapped his comforting arms around her and held her close. ‘They called me an elephant’
One of the interesting aspects of this book is that it is one of the few that describes one of the lead characters as chubby, or, at least, larger than the norm. Which Millie Ashton is - curvy with obvious and large breasts unlike the pasty stick-thin English women.
Mille Ashton, and family (including a brother - important to the story) have returned to England after 'making their fortunes' in India. Well, Mille was born in India, but the rest are making their return to England. The return has proven embarrassing for Millie, who constantly dreams of returning to India. Embarrassing because her mother keeps dragging her from one party to another (so that the mother could have reunions with those she knew before the move to India) - and everyone at the parties, both women and men, treat her badly. The men by ignoring her, and the women giggling about how fat she is.
She finally meets and befriends (or is befriended by) a young woman named Lucy. Millie's future is looking brighter, until her new friends brothers wander up. Alex and David (eh, let's pretend his name is David - I think it is but can't recall). David acts all nice and stuff but Alex . . . well, he acts badly.
Alex, by the way, is one of those people women fall all over themselves trying to get close to, because he's super hot or something like that. So his actions toward Millie are all the more vile, and all the more noticeable by the other people at the party (he barely talks to Millie, then drags her out into the middle of the dance floor, then refuses to actually dance with her).
As might be expected in a book like this - there is another point of view in the story, and it's Alex's point of view. Alex has never meet a woman who he wanted to spend much time with, until, that his, when he meet the, in his eyes, gorgeous Millie. He just loves her curves, and her obviously large breasts. Unlike those English women who keep flinging themselves at him. So why'd he act like a cad? The blood that would normally occupy his brain had rushed to his penis upon viewing Millie. That's right, he developed a massive hard-on upon first viewing the woman. He refused to dance with her because he suddenly realized that there would be no way for Millie not to know he had a massive erection. And so . . ..
What was he to say to his little sister? ‘Sorry Lucy, you don’t mind if I lust after your new best friend, do you? Excuse my manners, but as my blood is currently pooled in my loins I am unable to make polite conversation.’
Millie and Alex's sister continue their friendship. Eventually Alex and Millie have a sort-of reconciliation. Then, for reasons, everything goes massively wrong. Almost ruineously wrong.
Interesting enough book. Readable.
Rating: 3.5
June 21 2019
July 23, 2013
I enjoyed this so much! Millie and Alex are gorgeous. It's so nice to read a story about people you can like and there are a lot of likeable people in this. I've been sick as sick lately. I had to drag myself out of bed to work but when I had finished what I had to, I needed a break and this was a perfect dose of R&R. Well done Sasha and hurry up with David's story!
September 2, 2013
This is a delightful debut novel, written with wit and verve. The protagonists, Alex and Millie are young and fresh and make a wonderful change from the world weary protagonists of most "Regency" novels. While Alex may be more of an apprentice rake, he is hiding a shameful secret and Millie, fresh off the boat from India, is the outsider, too plump to be fashionable and sporting a decidedly unfashionable stud in her nose.
Like the youngsters they are, they tend to act with their hearts not their heads.
What I particularly loved about this story is that both Alex and Millie come from grounded, loving 3 dimensional families. The parents of both are present and available to provide the good counsel the youngsters need.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, which was cleverly set up at the end of this one!
Like the youngsters they are, they tend to act with their hearts not their heads.
What I particularly loved about this story is that both Alex and Millie come from grounded, loving 3 dimensional families. The parents of both are present and available to provide the good counsel the youngsters need.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, which was cleverly set up at the end of this one!
September 12, 2018
I had a great time reading this story of the lovely Millie Ashton and the gorgeous Alex Radley, set in the early 1800s in England.
Millie was a wonderful heroine - I rooted for her from page 1, and while Alex had his moments (I don't know I've ever found a bloke so wrapped up in getting rid of the bags under his eyes and having a good night's sleep so he would appear refreshed) - I feel sure these are probably most typical of men of the 'ton' at the time, which means of course that the author got it all spot on.
I loved returning to Millie's story every time I put down, and picked up the book. I enjoyed the predicament Alex got himself into with the lost letter, although the 'letter from a rake' took quite a long time to work its way into the story.
Very enjoyable and I look forward to Lady Clarice and David's story.
Bravo!
Millie was a wonderful heroine - I rooted for her from page 1, and while Alex had his moments (I don't know I've ever found a bloke so wrapped up in getting rid of the bags under his eyes and having a good night's sleep so he would appear refreshed) - I feel sure these are probably most typical of men of the 'ton' at the time, which means of course that the author got it all spot on.
I loved returning to Millie's story every time I put down, and picked up the book. I enjoyed the predicament Alex got himself into with the lost letter, although the 'letter from a rake' took quite a long time to work its way into the story.
Very enjoyable and I look forward to Lady Clarice and David's story.
Bravo!
July 31, 2019
Letters from a Rake is the first book in the Duke of Strathmore series and is also the first book I have read by the author. It was a wonderful light romance to read. It was faced paced, easy to read and hard to put down. The characters were well developed and it was hard not to fall in love with them. Millie Ashton had just arrived from India and didn’t care for England since she was not the typical debutante. Alex Radley, Marquess of Brooke, was enchanted when he first saw Millie. He managed to embarrass Millie and his family due to his enchantment. Their relationship started off rough and seemed to be bumpy along the way. Will Alex be able to admit his secret to Millie and get himself out of an engagement to a different woman due to a misdirected letter? This was an enjoyable book to read and I am definitely going to read the rest of the series.
May 19, 2014
An absolutely gorgeous debut.
I read Letter From A Rake at the beginning of the year and just picked it up again. Ms. Cottman has a wonderful way with words that draws you in within a matter of minutes. Millie and Alex are characters that really stick in your mind. I didn't realize how much until I started reading again this time and felt like I was visiting old friends.
Give this lovely little number a read, you won't regret it.
I read Letter From A Rake at the beginning of the year and just picked it up again. Ms. Cottman has a wonderful way with words that draws you in within a matter of minutes. Millie and Alex are characters that really stick in your mind. I didn't realize how much until I started reading again this time and felt like I was visiting old friends.
Give this lovely little number a read, you won't regret it.
October 20, 2014
Reviewed for Confessions From Romaholics
I have had Letter From a Rake sitting on my IPad for a while and I thought it about time I read it in preparation for An Unsuitable Match. The series revolves around the Duke of Strathmore’s family and friends as his oldest children seek love. I devoured this book and the second book in one day because of the easily writing style, the straight forward plot in both of these books and the characters you want to hate but instead love
This book tells the story of Alex ‘Alex the Great’ Radley and Mille Aston who first meeting sets of a running conflict between the two. Both intelligent creatures , the hero realises he needs to set things right with the lovely Miss Ashton and set on a journey of bumbling mistakes that lead to a disastrous situation.
The plot is so simple but the author weaves her magic with her writing style and creating characters that are appealing to us readers and who don’t fit the typical hero or heroine we have come to expect in historical regency romances. It takes the story too the next level and makes it a standout for me. My particular favourite aside from the heroine was the delightful Lucy Radley who was determined to see her new friend and brother happy. She maybe a young woman seeking a suitable husband but this lady got a mischievous streak that seems so out of place that I love .
I only wished I read this sooner, as the author has a heroine that I enjoyed so much for her quirkiness and strong will nature. I loved the influence of childhood home in her appearance and that the hero loved it as well. Despite his reputation as a rake, I think this hero is a softy underneath it all. He was just waiting for the right woman and Millie Aston was that woman.
4.5 couples and I’m excited that this was her debut and that I had her next book ready to go when I finished it as there was about a year between these books and I’m curious to see if the magic continued.
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
I have had Letter From a Rake sitting on my IPad for a while and I thought it about time I read it in preparation for An Unsuitable Match. The series revolves around the Duke of Strathmore’s family and friends as his oldest children seek love. I devoured this book and the second book in one day because of the easily writing style, the straight forward plot in both of these books and the characters you want to hate but instead love
This book tells the story of Alex ‘Alex the Great’ Radley and Mille Aston who first meeting sets of a running conflict between the two. Both intelligent creatures , the hero realises he needs to set things right with the lovely Miss Ashton and set on a journey of bumbling mistakes that lead to a disastrous situation.
The plot is so simple but the author weaves her magic with her writing style and creating characters that are appealing to us readers and who don’t fit the typical hero or heroine we have come to expect in historical regency romances. It takes the story too the next level and makes it a standout for me. My particular favourite aside from the heroine was the delightful Lucy Radley who was determined to see her new friend and brother happy. She maybe a young woman seeking a suitable husband but this lady got a mischievous streak that seems so out of place that I love .
I only wished I read this sooner, as the author has a heroine that I enjoyed so much for her quirkiness and strong will nature. I loved the influence of childhood home in her appearance and that the hero loved it as well. Despite his reputation as a rake, I think this hero is a softy underneath it all. He was just waiting for the right woman and Millie Aston was that woman.
4.5 couples and I’m excited that this was her debut and that I had her next book ready to go when I finished it as there was about a year between these books and I’m curious to see if the magic continued.
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
August 4, 2013
Letter for a Rake is the kind of story that I adore simply for how sweet and enjoyable it is to read. The storyline isn’t chocked full of angst and the main characters are genuinely good people who get caught up in a bad situation that keeps them apart.
Twenty year old Millie Ashton is feeling quite the culture shock when she returns to her parent’s homeland of England. Born and raised in India, Millie isn’t used to the pretentiousness she encounters while making calls on society women or just within the city of London itself. While her parents and older brother are happy to pick back up with the lives they had left behind, Millie knows that she doesn’t quite fit in. Her looks are more on the side of buxom and brunette rather than the social ideal of blond and waifish. Her interests are more scholarly than the expected womanly pursuits of fashion and gossip. And she sports a small nose ring that is definitely not on the dress code at Almack’s. Even as one of the guests of honor at a Welcome Home ball, Millie is happier keeping herself to the sidelines rather than risking more teasing or censure from her peers. Fortunately for her, being on the sidelines will change her life more than she realizes.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
Twenty year old Millie Ashton is feeling quite the culture shock when she returns to her parent’s homeland of England. Born and raised in India, Millie isn’t used to the pretentiousness she encounters while making calls on society women or just within the city of London itself. While her parents and older brother are happy to pick back up with the lives they had left behind, Millie knows that she doesn’t quite fit in. Her looks are more on the side of buxom and brunette rather than the social ideal of blond and waifish. Her interests are more scholarly than the expected womanly pursuits of fashion and gossip. And she sports a small nose ring that is definitely not on the dress code at Almack’s. Even as one of the guests of honor at a Welcome Home ball, Millie is happier keeping herself to the sidelines rather than risking more teasing or censure from her peers. Fortunately for her, being on the sidelines will change her life more than she realizes.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
September 30, 2013
This is the perfect story for Regency Romance lovers. An easy read I couldn't put it down.
The romance is engaging. The pacing of the story is good and the plot is well thought out with unexpected twists. There is an interesting amount of historical detail throughout which enhances the book.
Millie is an unconventional heroine for a Regency romance. She was born and lived in India and so provides a fresh perspective on Regency society's constraints on women. An endearing combination of feisty and vulnerable make Millie attractive both to the reader and the hero.
Alex is a likeable rake. The insights the reader is given into his thoughts allow you to like him even when he unwittingly breaks Millie's heart.
The story is full of layered conflict which keep you turning the pages.
Whilst not a steamy romance. The ending definitely raises the temperature and gives Letter From A Rake its Happy Ever After.
I enjoyed this and would recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from Penguin Books Australia, Destiny Romance via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Sasha Cottman
September 24, 2014
Sweet Regency Romance.
Millie Ashton is raised in India and is different from the "normal" girls in England. This book takes place when she has just arrived in England. She hates it and just wants to go back to her beloved India. Millie is kinda a outcast in England and no one really gets her. She meets Lucy and becomes fast friends, then Lucy's brother Alex steps in. ( I really like him he was a sweet likable hero) Something big happens and a lot of drama and misunderstand goes down (I don't want spoil anything). In the end all get turn back to right. I just love books that make you say "aww" and that make you believe in "true love" This story was full of fun and entertainment and true love. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves a good Historical Romance like me!
Millie Ashton is raised in India and is different from the "normal" girls in England. This book takes place when she has just arrived in England. She hates it and just wants to go back to her beloved India. Millie is kinda a outcast in England and no one really gets her. She meets Lucy and becomes fast friends, then Lucy's brother Alex steps in. ( I really like him he was a sweet likable hero) Something big happens and a lot of drama and misunderstand goes down (I don't want spoil anything). In the end all get turn back to right. I just love books that make you say "aww" and that make you believe in "true love" This story was full of fun and entertainment and true love. I highly recommend this to everyone who loves a good Historical Romance like me!
May 14, 2014
The writing was okay but not very enthralling. The dialogue could have a bit more bite. What put me off was the hero, supposed man of the ton, fell in instant lust with the heroine such that he got himself into a state of priapism and found if hard to uproot himself from the floor (puns intended) and string intelligible words together in her company. He seemed very young and lacked control and sophistication. Not quite hero material.
August 27, 2018
Romantic and a little different plot line than most. No villain. No kidnapping. Nice.
September 27, 2020
So enjoyable
I loved this story. I loved how Alex fell at first glance at Millie and how he messed everything up for pride and then slowly fixed it all. Such a good read!
I loved this story. I loved how Alex fell at first glance at Millie and how he messed everything up for pride and then slowly fixed it all. Such a good read!
July 11, 2023
Recently arrived in London, Millie Ashton thinks English high society is full of empty headed, arrogant fools. But when she meets Lord Alex Radley, she falls desperately in love with him.
Fearing humiliation and rejection, she decides the only sensible thing to do is take her pride and go home to India. Men like Alex do not fall for girls like her, whereas every girl loses her heart to Alexander the Great.
Alex Radley, Marquis of Brooke rules the ton like a god, but even gods are known to fall for mere mortals. With his wealth and title, wooing Millie should be an easy task.
When his passionate love letter to Millie goes astray, Alex’s life becomes more than a little complicated. He is shocked to discover the price that everyone he loves has long paid in order to keep his secrets safe, to protect him.
Will losing the woman he loves be the ultimate price Alex has to pay when he finally confesses the truth to Millie?
Sasha Cottman writes Regency romance with strong heroines and courageous heroes.
This is a full standalone book in the Duke of Strathmore series.
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I truly enjoyed this book! It was a cute simple read. The chemistry and banter between Alex and Millie were spot on. Millie arrives in London after her father moves the family from India. She was having a hard time making friends in the beginning. She blamed her background some as well as her figure. She was a very curvaceous woman for England's standards. She then meets Lucy Radley and they become fast friends. Afterwards is when she meets our other main character, Alex Radley (Lucy's brother). It was love at first sight for him, as he has never seen a woman like her before in London. They become friends and share a stolen kiss after an evening away from a ball. The next day, Alex has to leave with his family for their annual leave for Scotland for 6 weeks. Millie throws it out of her mind that Alex has any feelings for her and attempts to move on with her life. We find out later that Alex cannot read nor write, so he elects the help of his brother to write a love letter to Millie to confess his love. It ends up going awry in the end. Alex then returns to London to find out that things are not what they seem and will need to fix things in the end with Millie to win her hand.
Overall a good read. One spicy scene towards the end of the book.
Fearing humiliation and rejection, she decides the only sensible thing to do is take her pride and go home to India. Men like Alex do not fall for girls like her, whereas every girl loses her heart to Alexander the Great.
Alex Radley, Marquis of Brooke rules the ton like a god, but even gods are known to fall for mere mortals. With his wealth and title, wooing Millie should be an easy task.
When his passionate love letter to Millie goes astray, Alex’s life becomes more than a little complicated. He is shocked to discover the price that everyone he loves has long paid in order to keep his secrets safe, to protect him.
Will losing the woman he loves be the ultimate price Alex has to pay when he finally confesses the truth to Millie?
Sasha Cottman writes Regency romance with strong heroines and courageous heroes.
This is a full standalone book in the Duke of Strathmore series.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I truly enjoyed this book! It was a cute simple read. The chemistry and banter between Alex and Millie were spot on. Millie arrives in London after her father moves the family from India. She was having a hard time making friends in the beginning. She blamed her background some as well as her figure. She was a very curvaceous woman for England's standards. She then meets Lucy Radley and they become fast friends. Afterwards is when she meets our other main character, Alex Radley (Lucy's brother). It was love at first sight for him, as he has never seen a woman like her before in London. They become friends and share a stolen kiss after an evening away from a ball. The next day, Alex has to leave with his family for their annual leave for Scotland for 6 weeks. Millie throws it out of her mind that Alex has any feelings for her and attempts to move on with her life. We find out later that Alex cannot read nor write, so he elects the help of his brother to write a love letter to Millie to confess his love. It ends up going awry in the end. Alex then returns to London to find out that things are not what they seem and will need to fix things in the end with Millie to win her hand.
Overall a good read. One spicy scene towards the end of the book.
August 5, 2023
ESP:
Creo que lo que más me ha molestado es que la base de esta trama gire alrededor de los malentendidos y la gente que asume cosas y tira millas (y gente que asume cosas y se las cuenta a la peña como si fueran verdades escritas en piedra).
Luego todo el tema de la carta...en fin, muy flojo y cogido con pinzas.
Le vi potencial a la pareja pero al final me supo a poquísimo. No creo que repita con la autora. El segundo de esta serie no me llama para nada.
ENG:
The whole plot revolved around miscommunication and people's assumptions all the time. And I'm not here for it.
Seeing it's called "Letter from a rake" I expected much more from said letter. That plot was weak at beast...
Then the couple...well, they had potential. But fell very flat for me. So for now, I don't think I'll read anything else from the author. I'm not particularly drawn to the second book of this series.
Narrator: Janine Haynes
Creo que lo que más me ha molestado es que la base de esta trama gire alrededor de los malentendidos y la gente que asume cosas y tira millas (y gente que asume cosas y se las cuenta a la peña como si fueran verdades escritas en piedra).
Luego todo el tema de la carta...en fin, muy flojo y cogido con pinzas.
Le vi potencial a la pareja pero al final me supo a poquísimo. No creo que repita con la autora. El segundo de esta serie no me llama para nada.
ENG:
The whole plot revolved around miscommunication and people's assumptions all the time. And I'm not here for it.
Seeing it's called "Letter from a rake" I expected much more from said letter. That plot was weak at beast...
Then the couple...well, they had potential. But fell very flat for me. So for now, I don't think I'll read anything else from the author. I'm not particularly drawn to the second book of this series.
Narrator: Janine Haynes
January 8, 2024
Pelo que entendi, esse foi o primeiro livro da autora, e a boa notícia é que há muito (MUITO) espaço para melhora. A escrita é sofrível, o plot twist é péssimo e terminei o livro com raiva de todos os personagens. A impressão de que eles eram personagens do presente encenando uma peça ruim, teoricamente ambientada na Regência, perdurou durante todo o livro. Nenhum diálogo pareceu crível. Não recomendo.
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March 23, 2022**DNF 50%
Ay no, no pude seguir me fastidió demasiado, además no sentí que fuera de época con las cosas que hacían los personajes y como actuaban.... los detalles son importantes y más si vas a escribir una historia de época
..... y de paso se me hizo pesadísimo leer esa traducción tan fata!!
Ay no, no pude seguir me fastidió demasiado, además no sentí que fuera de época con las cosas que hacían los personajes y como actuaban.... los detalles son importantes y más si vas a escribir una historia de época
..... y de paso se me hizo pesadísimo leer esa traducción tan fata!!
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