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Cinderella in Mink
Nicola Rosten was used to the flattery and deference accorded to a very wealthy woman. Yet Barnaby Grayson mistook her for a down-and-out and set her to work in the kitchens. Should she tell him the truth? And how would he react?
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1973
3 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Leigh
113 books66 followersaka Rachel Lindsay, Janey Scott, Rozella Lake
Roberta Leigh was the most frequently used pen name of an author who also published novels as Rachel Lindsay, Rozella Lake, and Janey Scott. Her birth name was Rita Shulman.
Leigh was one of the first romance writers to introduce strong, career-minded heroines who wouldn't be bossed around by the hero.
Leigh had her own film company and wrote and produced 7 TV series for children. She would also "write" the music for her series, although this usually involved her humming or singing the tune into a tape recorder, after which someone else would arrange and write a score.
She studied oil and watercolor painting with Diana Raphael and Michael Chaitow, who her interest in abstract art. Her work has been exhibited at the Podbury Gallery and Finnegan's Gallery in London.
In 1948, she married Michael Lewin and they had a son, Jeremy. Her husband passed away in 1981.
Roberta Leigh was the most frequently used pen name of an author who also published novels as Rachel Lindsay, Rozella Lake, and Janey Scott. Her birth name was Rita Shulman.
Leigh was one of the first romance writers to introduce strong, career-minded heroines who wouldn't be bossed around by the hero.
Leigh had her own film company and wrote and produced 7 TV series for children. She would also "write" the music for her series, although this usually involved her humming or singing the tune into a tape recorder, after which someone else would arrange and write a score.
She studied oil and watercolor painting with Diana Raphael and Michael Chaitow, who her interest in abstract art. Her work has been exhibited at the Podbury Gallery and Finnegan's Gallery in London.
In 1948, she married Michael Lewin and they had a son, Jeremy. Her husband passed away in 1981.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 2, 2025
London 1973
Twenty one year old Nicola Rosten was the heiress to a cereal fortune. She lost both her parents and her beloved godfather was a surrogate father to her. He also controlled her affairs.
She was engaged to her third fiancè Jeffrey (the other two were fortune-hunters).
She was at a society fancy-dress party dressed as Cinderella, when she discovered her fiancè kissing another woman in the library.
In tears she ran away in the foggy night. She reached the river Thames' Embankment and a concerned woman believing Nicola a homeless waif led her to a nearby hostel.
The hostel was a shabby, time-worn place. A man in his thirties introduced himself as Dr Barnaby Grayson. He ran the place. A haughty young woman, Joanna, was his assistant.
Barnaby was left a small legacy and the council gave him the house to use as a hostel. He used his inheritance to buy the furniture and everything else. They had 35 non permanent residents. They helped people down on their luck settle in jobs before they send them on their way.
Nicola introduced herself as Nicky and fed them a lot of lies about her identity and what her life was like. She complained about the place, the food, the beds, the fact that she had to share a bedroom with three other girls and the fact that she had to wear unflattering clothes. She had to work in the kitchen and laundry. Poor little rich girl!!!
A psychologist was visiting the centre for group therapy to help the girls find their footing.
All the residents had to follow the rules.
During the day Barnaby worked at the hospital and was at the centre in the evenings.
All the girls liked and respected him.
Nicola let her godfather know her whereabouts from the beginning. She did not want to return back to her real life yet. She was bored with it and did not want to face her faithless fiancè either.
The other girls told her that the only reason Joanna put up with them all, was because of Barnaby.
She wanted him and she meant to have him.
SPOILERS
As the days slipped by Nicola found herself in love with him. They kissed but Barnaby put a stop to it.
He said it was wrong, that it was madness.
He suspected that the older gentleman (godfather) visiting her was her ex lover. It was at that time that Barnaby went out of his way to avoid been alone with Nicola.
Nicola decided to stay at the hostel as long as it took to make Barnaby realise he loved her as much as she loved him.
One day she asked him to go to the pictures together and so they did. Afterwards they went dancing and had a wonderful time. He told her that she was the only girl that made him feel that way.
It was Barnaby's birthday and the girls wanted to surprise him.
Nicola asked her godfather to drive her to a bookstore to buy Barnaby an expensive book.
But the day ended in disaster.
Twenty one year old Nicola Rosten was the heiress to a cereal fortune. She lost both her parents and her beloved godfather was a surrogate father to her. He also controlled her affairs.
She was engaged to her third fiancè Jeffrey (the other two were fortune-hunters).
She was at a society fancy-dress party dressed as Cinderella, when she discovered her fiancè kissing another woman in the library.
In tears she ran away in the foggy night. She reached the river Thames' Embankment and a concerned woman believing Nicola a homeless waif led her to a nearby hostel.
The hostel was a shabby, time-worn place. A man in his thirties introduced himself as Dr Barnaby Grayson. He ran the place. A haughty young woman, Joanna, was his assistant.
Barnaby was left a small legacy and the council gave him the house to use as a hostel. He used his inheritance to buy the furniture and everything else. They had 35 non permanent residents. They helped people down on their luck settle in jobs before they send them on their way.
Nicola introduced herself as Nicky and fed them a lot of lies about her identity and what her life was like. She complained about the place, the food, the beds, the fact that she had to share a bedroom with three other girls and the fact that she had to wear unflattering clothes. She had to work in the kitchen and laundry. Poor little rich girl!!!
A psychologist was visiting the centre for group therapy to help the girls find their footing.
All the residents had to follow the rules.
During the day Barnaby worked at the hospital and was at the centre in the evenings.
All the girls liked and respected him.
Nicola let her godfather know her whereabouts from the beginning. She did not want to return back to her real life yet. She was bored with it and did not want to face her faithless fiancè either.
The other girls told her that the only reason Joanna put up with them all, was because of Barnaby.
She wanted him and she meant to have him.
SPOILERS
As the days slipped by Nicola found herself in love with him. They kissed but Barnaby put a stop to it.
He said it was wrong, that it was madness.
He suspected that the older gentleman (godfather) visiting her was her ex lover. It was at that time that Barnaby went out of his way to avoid been alone with Nicola.
Nicola decided to stay at the hostel as long as it took to make Barnaby realise he loved her as much as she loved him.
One day she asked him to go to the pictures together and so they did. Afterwards they went dancing and had a wonderful time. He told her that she was the only girl that made him feel that way.
It was Barnaby's birthday and the girls wanted to surprise him.
Nicola asked her godfather to drive her to a bookstore to buy Barnaby an expensive book.
But the day ended in disaster.
November 22, 2013
A young wealthy heiress masquerades as a woman "down on her luck". She takes refuge in a youth hostel run by a dedicated doctor who is helping young adults get back on their feet. There is a deliciously evil OW that wreaks havoc galore and had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The "big misunderstanding", which typically has me rolling my eyes, was very credible and painful.
This was a fun romp back through the 70's and had me thoroughly entertained. My only disappointment was I felt the ending was too abrupt. (I so wanted to spend a few more pages on watching evil OW get her comeuppance.) It was also light on the sexual interactions and chemistry, but the storytelling more than made up for it. (Both traits of vintage HPs)
If you are looking for something light and fun to entertain you for a few hours, then this one should do it. I highly recommend.
This was a fun romp back through the 70's and had me thoroughly entertained. My only disappointment was I felt the ending was too abrupt. (I so wanted to spend a few more pages on watching evil OW get her comeuppance.) It was also light on the sexual interactions and chemistry, but the storytelling more than made up for it. (Both traits of vintage HPs)
If you are looking for something light and fun to entertain you for a few hours, then this one should do it. I highly recommend.
July 2, 2020
This was nothing like the typical RL book. The hero was a really nice guy. Yeah, I'll let that sink in.
November 3, 2014
This one was pretty nice. Most of the story was about her adapting to ordinary life as she pretended to be a poor cook. The hero was a nice man and you could see him falling for her but not acting on it as he thought she was a down and out girl being helped at the mission where he worked as a doctor. He also thought that she was trying to get away from a sugar daddy and he kept seeing her with a wealthy older man who was actually her butler. There is an evil OW who causes problems. This one was nice in that even though it was an older Harlequin there was actually a whole lot of interaction between the hero and the heroine and it wasn't just the heroine's story with a romance on the side. I recommend this one.
July 28, 2022
"Cinderella in Mink" is the story of Nicola and Barnaby.
Rich heiress gets cheated on by greedy men, and is mistaken by a poor waif due to her wearing a costume for a party. She is then rescued by a kind doctor who runs a women's shelter and tries to become a hardworking waif. She then desperately falls for him, there's some drama followed by HEA.
Did not enjoy this at all. Skimmed it.
SWE
1/5
Rich heiress gets cheated on by greedy men, and is mistaken by a poor waif due to her wearing a costume for a party. She is then rescued by a kind doctor who runs a women's shelter and tries to become a hardworking waif. She then desperately falls for him, there's some drama followed by HEA.
Did not enjoy this at all. Skimmed it.
SWE
1/5
December 1, 2025
I do not hold out much hope for a lengthy marriage for these two 😬
April 10, 2019
Published in 1973, this book is probably one of the best Vintage Romance Reads that I’ve read recently. I had taken a break from Vintage Romance and was hoping that 99 Percent Mine would be a palate cleanser. That didn't work so I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this.
Some of the gender conventions have aged but not in a bad way here. The heroine was too focused on the hero giving her purpose but since the hero was pretty great I gave her a pass. The hero is a doctor running a shelter and while the romance is never convincing, he comes across with grace and humour.
It was such as change from Ms. Leigh’s other book which I read (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...) that I was likely predisposed to like this. Recommended for romance readers looking for a old fashioned love story.
Some of the gender conventions have aged but not in a bad way here. The heroine was too focused on the hero giving her purpose but since the hero was pretty great I gave her a pass. The hero is a doctor running a shelter and while the romance is never convincing, he comes across with grace and humour.
It was such as change from Ms. Leigh’s other book which I read (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...) that I was likely predisposed to like this. Recommended for romance readers looking for a old fashioned love story.
September 30, 2007
It got a little rushed at the end, but it was everything I wanted it to be.
November 20, 2014
I think it's kind of awesome that I like a Harlequin Romance that was published when my parents were in high school.
This one was so well written. Definitely one of the better ones I've read.
This one was so well written. Definitely one of the better ones I've read.
July 31, 2015
Likable characters, interesting yet different plot, intelligent OW causing some problems and misunderstanding. There was a very obvious inconsistency.
January 1, 2023
Nicola Rosten was used to the flattery and deference accorded to a very wealthy woman. Yet Barnaby Grayson mistook her for a down-and-out and set her to work in the kitchens. Should she tell him the truth? And how would he react?
August 10, 2022
Really liked this one! The heroine is mistaken for homeless after leaving a party in a costume, and so through this she meets the doctor hero. I really liked their back and fort banter and enjoyed how they fell in love.
Read
December 9, 2015Enjoyed this book. I would probably re-read this book in future.
June 24, 2023
3.75 Stars
I like Nicola in here, she is a little different from the others heroines from RL. Although I like most of her heroines, they are always pitiful and doormats.
And I think Barnaby is the only H of RL that didn't sleep with the OW in the book, although he have affections for her. And like always, RL rushed the ending for the HEA, if the HEA for the OW I bet she would have much more page.
And I bet that the H would do nothing for the cow of the OW for trying to make mischief. The first time that Nicola told him about his engagement to the OW he didn't denied. But like always, RL's H are dumb for the lies of the OW.
I think Barnaby is the only of RL that I have some respect. And I did like that after pushing Nicola away he went to search for her each night for 2 months. That showed that he really care for her unlike most of RL's Hs.
Note:
Roberta Leigh aka Rachel Lindsay, I always thought that she hate her heroines and love her OWs. Her OWs has much sexual power over the Hs. They alwasy have much more deep feelings for the OWs than the hs. I don't see HEA for any of her hs in future, I would bet that Hs HEA rest in the OWs. I don't know why she didn't turn her OWs in hs, but I guess in a way she did, because you can see who has the upper hand and power over the Hs.
I like Nicola in here, she is a little different from the others heroines from RL. Although I like most of her heroines, they are always pitiful and doormats.
And I think Barnaby is the only H of RL that didn't sleep with the OW in the book, although he have affections for her. And like always, RL rushed the ending for the HEA, if the HEA for the OW I bet she would have much more page.
And I bet that the H would do nothing for the cow of the OW for trying to make mischief. The first time that Nicola told him about his engagement to the OW he didn't denied. But like always, RL's H are dumb for the lies of the OW.
I think Barnaby is the only of RL that I have some respect. And I did like that after pushing Nicola away he went to search for her each night for 2 months. That showed that he really care for her unlike most of RL's Hs.
Note:
Roberta Leigh aka Rachel Lindsay, I always thought that she hate her heroines and love her OWs. Her OWs has much sexual power over the Hs. They alwasy have much more deep feelings for the OWs than the hs. I don't see HEA for any of her hs in future, I would bet that Hs HEA rest in the OWs. I don't know why she didn't turn her OWs in hs, but I guess in a way she did, because you can see who has the upper hand and power over the Hs.
April 17, 2019
I remember that this is the first harlequin that I read years back in my teens. And my impression is, "the guy is so old"😅
But when I reread this again, my first impression is, "i hate this girl. Why did I like this book before?"
But the author made it ok. I like how she amade the two of them separated so that Nicky can straighten her life and knew her feelings are true and not some suspension bridge effect (it is not the correct terms but this will do).
But boy... I do need an epilogue
But when I reread this again, my first impression is, "i hate this girl. Why did I like this book before?"
But the author made it ok. I like how she amade the two of them separated so that Nicky can straighten her life and knew her feelings are true and not some suspension bridge effect (it is not the correct terms but this will do).
But boy... I do need an epilogue
abrierto-to-read-hr-other
May 14, 2022Nicola Rosten was used to the flattery and deference accorded to a very wealthy woman. Yet Barnaby Grayson mistook her for a down-and-out and set her to work in the kitchens. Should she tell him the truth? And how would he react?
December 1, 2025
So dated and so unpleasant. I hate stories based on lies and miscommunication. The heroine was an unpleasant dimwit. The hero was so sweet:- he deserved better than the spoilt and stupid heiress. No wonder Mills and Boon used to have such a bad rep.
July 4, 2019
Both the H/h were likable and I liked the h's spunk and confidence and even her insecurity along the way.
April 25, 2021
I almost DNF'd this! Glad I hung on. I do think the ending was too abrupt, maybe I just needed an epilogue.
April 23, 2022
Sweet and simple love story. Nothing grand or shocking. It was from the 70s so I like the niceness of it and the zero sex scenes. Nicely written as U can get lost in Ms Leigh's writing.
September 28, 2025
This was a fun clean old fashion harlequin romance with a good dose of humor.
Tropes including:
mistaken identity
doctor romance
evil other woman
Heiress in disguise
Forced proximity
Tropes including:
mistaken identity
doctor romance
evil other woman
Heiress in disguise
Forced proximity
November 24, 2025
I didn't feel the vibes
May 21, 2020
initially borrowed this from my local library before purchasing my own copy from a local bookstall to add to my collection. I so enjoyed this 1970s Cinderella story of rich girl Nicole mistaken by Barnaby as the maid. I absolutely loved the 1974 Mills and Boon cover shown in the Russian edition on Goodreads site!
June 2, 2025
This is the most un-Roberta Leigh of her books that I have ever read - the hero is not a playboy, but a decent man who is beguiled and falls deeply in love. The heroine is mistaken for a down and out due to her Cinderella costume and ends up in a hostel where the hero, a doctor, tries to help unfortunate young people. She's feisty, but becomes a better version of herself and I loved how she was unphased by her emotion.
5 stars
5 stars
September 17, 2016
This just bored me silly. After several starts, I had to force myself to finish this. The H was admirable but the h was an annoying twit. Deception to such a degree is never my thing.
April 19, 2017
Good one, ended too abruptly though.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews