Only Summer Nights Will Do

by Sandra Sookoo

Sometimes, the heart wants what the heart wants, even if everyone says it’s wrong.

As the youngest daughter to the Earl of Alderly, Lady Elizabeth Foster has had a rather luxurious life, but when she’s thrown from her horse on an early morning ride while woolgathering, everything changes. Lost and nursing a tender ankle, she’s ready to become a watering pot, yet when a handsome stranger comes along to render assistance, she assumes fate is nudging her into the next phase of life.

Mr. Douglas Pratt is only a member of the ton by a thread. His father is a baronet, but the family coffers won’t support a carefree lifestyle of a gentleman. He must earn a living, and since his looks are quite exceptional, he became a footman in a duke’s household, to his family’s embarrassment. When he comes upon a lady in need one morning on his daily constitutional, he immediately renders aid, but somehow there is confusion with his identity, and she assumes he’s the very duke he serves.

No amount of trying to explain will change her mind, and because he’s smitten at first sight, he prolongs the farce merely to stay in her good graces, for there’s plenty of time to admit all. Yet the more they meet each other during the summer days, the more the story grows until there’s no escape, and no chance of winning her once the truth comes out. And when it does, heartbreak will surely follow. Will class divide and the sin of omission doom their budding romance? Or will she marry the duke regardless? Perhaps the magic of summer nights will help them discover what is truly important.

214 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2025

About the author

Sandra Sookoo is a bestselling author who firmly believes every person deserves acceptance and a happy ending. Most days you can find her creating scandal and mischief in the Regency-era, serendipity and happenstance in Victorian America or snarky humor in the contemporary world. Reading romance is a lot like eating fine chocolates—you can’t just have one. Good thing books don’t have calories!

When she’s not wearing out computer keyboards, Sandra spends time with her real life Prince Charming in central Indiana where she’s been known to goof off and make moments count because the key to life is laughter. A Disney fan since the age of ten, when her soul gets bogged down and her imagination flags, a trip to Walt Disney World is in order. Nothing fuels her dreams more than the land of eternal happy endings, hope and love stories.

Reviews

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series and the books can be read an any order. I have read most of them. We have an Earls daughter and Baronet’s son on a collision course that neither could have foreseen. Lady Elizabeth has had several seasons and yet is unwed at the age of twenty-four. Her father is very tired of all the money spent and her mother wants her to make match that society and the ton will approve of. Elizabeth wants to marry for love only. She is very independent and outspoken on what she believes in neither is popular with ton men. She would rather be out in the county riding her horse and helping animals then in a ballroom. While out riding by herself to her mother horror she thrown from her horse hurting her ankle. She is a long way from home and feeling very sorry for herself till a very large handsome man comes upon her and offers his help. Douglas Pratt is the third son of a Baronet. His family doesn’t have enough money so each son must work. Both his brothers have found jobs and wives that suit them. He has tried many different jobs while he tries to decide what he wants out of life. Now he is working as a footman in a duke’s home. While on his morning walk, he hears crying and finds a most beautiful lady on the ground hurt. He offers help and as the dukes place is close takes her there. Hum, unfortunately she assumes he is the duke and when he tries to tell her he is not she talks right over him! Thinking he will never see her again he lets it be. But they do meet again and again and spend time together and he tries and yet never seems to tell her the truth. Oh, my! Misunderstanding and Lies tend to get out of hand when kept secrets. What will Elizabeth do when the truth comes out? What can Douglas do to save her, or will all be loss? You need to grab a copy and find out. This is a fast, fun story with a touch of intrigue as you know they will be found out but when and how. I love how her brother William is there for them. There are twist and turns that will have you sitting on the edge of your chair. I read it in one sitting. The epilogue is perfect and made better because it is part of the book and you don’t have to email or ask for it! Ya. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest if somewhat long review and am freely giving it.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely an amazing story from Sandra Sookoo where class differences doesn't really matter only truth does.

Douglas is trying to find a place where he belongs and find out what he wants to do with his life.. he wants to be solicitor but that requires a education and funds so he has to become a footman to earn money even though his father is baron.. and he thought he had settled on that plan until he comes upon a beautiful woman in distress and she captures his attention..

Elizabeth is determined to be a spinster for the rest of her life even if her mother wants her to wed someone in the ton, because she loves the countryside and she despises being paraded around ballrooms, she loves animals.. she thought she had her life all figured out until she's thrown from her horse and this handsome man comes into her life and takes her breath away..

Elizabeth and Douglas want a summertime fling together but what was supposed to only one night.. turns into one more time, then those nights become something neither of them can live without.. because they need each other.. desperately..

This is a slow burn but you can feel the dynamics of the characters play throughout the book.. and my favorite part of the book is when her brother steps in and decides to help them get their happily ever after..

I can't wait to see what Sandra has in store next..

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful cover. Very well written, full of drama, love, romance, steam, intrigue, family, action, twists and a fake Duke. Lady Elizabeth is at her Father's country home for a break from the London season. She's out riding when a snake crosses the path in front of her horse , throwing her to the ground. She twists her ankle and the horse is on the way back to the barn. Unable to walk, what's a girl to do but cry. Douglas is out walking and sees her and offers her some help. She mistakes what he says believing him to be the Duke and he doesn't correct her. They agree to meet up again , both keeping it secret. The more they meet the more secret the meetings become to a point of being very heated. When the truth comes out , Douglas almost loses his chance with her. Her brother, William steps in to help both get to there happily ever after. Very hard to put this book down. Curl up and enjoy. Another fantastic story by this amazing storyteller. Would recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-done witty romance with a little drama, steamy romance, mistaken identity, and a very grand gesture. On her morning ride, Lady Elizabeth Foster is thrown from her horse when it is frightened by a snake. She is rescued by Douglas Pratt, a younger son of a baronet working as a footman in the neighboring duke’s estate. She mistakes him for the duke. He doesn’t correct her. They fall for each other and carry on a secret affair. It falls apart when Elizabeth learns the truth. Is there any way to save their chance at happily ever after? Her parents have one idea, marry the real duke. Her brother William brings another idea to Douglas, hence the grand gesture. An enjoyable story with charming characters and a happy ending.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ninth book in the Diamonds of London was a delightful and well written mistaken identity historical romance. The characters were interesting, and their passion was strong. I enjoyed the wonderful ending. I highly recommend reading!

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely and engaging romance, summer nights and passion bring a wonderful and heartfelt happily ever after for Elizabeth and Douglas.