La mariée en fuite: Romance historique

The Duke of Strathmore #8

by Sasha Cottman, Catherine Quarre Roger (Translator)

James Radley ne sait pas très bien pourquoi il ne veut pas que Leah Shepherd épouse son meilleur ami. Douce et gentille, c'est une véritable beauté. N'importe quel homme serait heureux de l'épouser.

Et c'est bien là que réside le problème.

Victime d'un coup de foudre inopiné, James se retrouve fou amoureux de la fiancée de son meilleur ami. Il se convainc que s'il survit à la messe de mariage, tout ira bien.

Alors que sa calèche se range devant l'église St Georges, à Londres, le matin du mariage, il surprend la mariée qui descend en hâte les marches de l'église et prend la fuite. N'écoutant que son cœur, il la suit.

Le garçon d'honneur et la mariée, essayant d'échapper à sa famille, parcourent la nature sauvage et magnifique de Cornouailles.

Mais trouveront-ils le bonheur ?

La Mariée en fuite est un livre autonome de la série des Ducs of Strathmore.

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Historical

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2019

About the author

Born 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.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot to love about this story, a hero who is just so loving and caring and does everything he can to help a heroine who is being pushed into a marriage that is not what she wants knowing that it will cause scandal and then a heroine who shows such strength when life seems to be stacked against her, make yourself comfy as you get to know James Radley and Leah Shepherd as they take a journey to Cornwall and love.

Leah has grown up in a family that that puts appearances and ambition first, she is being forced into a marriage with Guy Dannon to help him in his political career, Leah starts a plan in motion with Guy’s best friend James but when that doesn’t work she then decides to escape on her wedding day and take a trip to her grandfather’s, never realizing that she will get help along the way by James.

When James is asked to be best man at his friend’s wedding he accepts but as he gets to know the bride to be Leah he is feeling unsure about whether she should marry him, and the fact that James is falling for Leah is also a problem, but when he arrives at the church on the day and finds the bride running away, he follows and ensures that Leah safely arrives at her grandfather’s although James loses his heart to her along the way.

I am loving this series and James is going to go down as one of my favourite heroes his caring ways and the love that he shows had me smiling so much his emotions are so real and Leah after all she had been through the strength and courage she shows had me cheering her on and the love they have for each other even if it took them a bit to realize it had me sighing they really are made for each other. This is a sensual and moving story with characters that become friends, MS Cottman knows how to pull a reader in with her words this is one that I would highly recommend, I loved it.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 12th book my Sasha Cottman. I just started reading her the beginning of this year. I am really enjoying this series. I noticed the first couple chapters in the first books were a bit slow but really picked up in the middle and then has such great finishes. Once I started getting to know all the characters, the stories flowed much better and I couldn’t stop. I hate she isn't KU but I was able to snag a few for double points day and a discount with my Kindle Awards 😊 I hadn't planned on reading so many right now but I am really loving this family and all their dynamics. I'm kind of hooked now.

OMG I loved this couple, James and Leah. That guy she was to marry sounded like the biggest ass. I would have loved for her to punch him in the face, then kick him in the nuts. He was so maddening. UGH. James and Leah were so great together.

[Lori D · Rating 5 out of 5]

London 1817
"On face value, he should have been everything a young woman wanted in a husband. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not bring herself to like Guy." Leah Shepherd knew Guy Dannon was trying to court her because of her father and his strong political connections to Parliment.
But Leah could soon see the real Guy beneath the facade of civility he showed. (I know men like Guy and I could only cheer for Leah!)
The real hero James, had gone to school with Guy and considered him a friend, but as Guy relayed his thoughts on Leah and how she would be his wife, he could only think it would there would be no happiness.
As the unhappy day was upon Leah, she knew she could not marry Guy and makes a dash for it! Yes, I truly loved this part. Go Leah! James is pulling up to the church and sees her and she begs him to take her from London and Guy,
Can I just say I loved James? He had so much compassion and was so thoughtful. But everything was not perfect for him either.
Can these two truly go away and be happy? Will they fall in love and how will their families react?
Sasha Cottman has written another amazing story and with her insight into the characters, I could see the story unraveling as I turned the pages. She creates a world with her words that makes me feel I am there with Leah and James plus all of the other wonderful characters. Except Guy that is and I can only hope he gets what he deserves! Don't miss this book, trust me you will only want to read more!!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect! This author is one of my favourites (I have read all her books and rated all 5☆)
Loved it. 5☆

[Kat Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was Fantastic… there is nothing better than a runaway bride! Two of a Kind by Sasha Cottman is book 8 in The Duke if Strathmore and what a wonderful read. Sasha has such a creative mind and a way of writing that it was easy to read in this very original story. In fact I read this book in one day as I could not wait to read what was going to happen next. What an adventure. You can’t help but to fall in love with the character and fall in love with James you will!! James is every girl’s dream!!! This story has evil, dominance, a loving family, a not so loving family, a battle of wills, mistrust, abuse, kindness, scandal, misunderstandings and yes love. I highly recommend this book… it a winner!!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

[niteskycs · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

[Terrie Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of a Kind is the eighth book in Sasha Cottman’s “The Duke of Strathmore” series and each book has been a treat to read. Each story gives more insight into this close, loving family; however, the books can be read as a stand-alone.

Leah Shepard grew up in a house knowing anger and abuse at the hands of her father as a way of life. She watched as her sister was married off to an offensive husband, and now her father is in favor of Guy Dannon’s offer for Leah knowing Guy is as evil and depraved as he is. Leah is not willing to live a life like her mother’s and sister’s and sets out to change her future.

James Radley is the son of the Bishop of London and his father would like him to follow in his steps but James but would love to be an artist. His father gives him six-months to prove himself as an artist and sell his paintings or go back to University and finish his studies. He is set to leave town and start painting as soon as his friend Guy is married. As he arrives at the wedding of Guy and Leah (James is to be the best man), he sees Leah fleeing the chapel. What is a gentleman to do? By this point in the story he knows a little more about Guy’s true self – does he try to bring Leah back to the wedding or does he make sure she remains safe, where ever she is going?

Because James is/was Guy’s friend, Leah is reluctant to accept his assistance. She simply does not trust him, or any man. James’ patience and caring manner eventually demonstrate he is completely different than she expected. Their relationship brings out the best of each of them as they find true friendship and eventually, love. One line from the story that sums it up nicely: “His art stirred his heart, no doubt about it. But Leah held his soul in her hand”.

I loved this book and found myself wanting it to continue beyond the epilogue. You will not be disappointed with Ms. Cottman latest addition to the Strathmore series!

[Maria (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had other expectations. After reading the previous book, The Ice Queen, we knew where we were in the story. The author chose to show us the history previous to the marriage of Leah and James’s best friend Guy in this book. As a standalone this would’ve worked perfectly. However, I think this made the book a bit boring for me, because I was dreading to be at the stage where The Ice Queen ended. We had to read James’s interactions with his cousins Francis and Caroline and him going to Derbyshire with them. Because I already knew this would happen and that Leah eventually jilted on her wedding day (that’s in the recap) I was desperate to get to that point in the book. For me that made the second half of the book so much more appealing, because that was the point I thought the storyline really started. Don’t get me wrong, this was still an enjoyable book and the author didn’t completely repeat the storyline of The Ice Queen. She showed us James’s point of view and some different conversations and I was glad that she chose to fast forward the Derbyshire bit.

I must confess that James wasn’t my favorite hero. He was a good guy and had his sweet moments, but I would’ve liked him to be a bit more alpha and less selfish. He was the opposite of his male friends, who were awful especially Guy. I wondered what made him to be friends with such an a$$hole and thank goodness he questioned that himself during the book as well. James was very respectful towards women, so I must give him credits for this. The author did again a good job of writing lively and entertaining. I think it’s me in this case, that I wanted so desperately to get to the part where Leah jilted.

This book was set in the Regency period. I highly doubt they used the F-bomb as a cursing word back then. It felt a bit unrealistic that James would curse with the F-bomb. Another expression would’ve suited better in a Regency novel.

Safety spoilers
This book was safe. Leah was a virgin, James apparently not, no details here but for sure he wasn’t a rake. No OW/OM drama. The whole Guy thing was solved without any drama, very odd... No cheating. No sex with OW/OM. No details to previous sexual encounters with others.

[Dianne Lowe]

Good book with good story and characters. This story says much about the way some men treated their wives and daughters, especially when they were power hungry. Leah is betrothed to a man who wishes to pursue a political career. He chooses her because her father can help him. Her father agrees because he wants a fellow political son in law. Neither cares that she cannot stand the man she is engaged to. James is the son of a Duke who is a bishop in the church. He is also best friends with the groom to be Guy and therefore his best man. James begins to have feelings for Leah. When he sees her leaving the church before the wedding begins, he follows her. He then accompanies her to her grandfather’s. They fall in love. James and Leah marry. Can they find happiness? Can James pursue his real passion for painting and make a career of it?

[Lucie Et Toi Tu Lis Quoi · Rating 3 out of 5]

L’écriture était agréable. Le personnage de Leah est plutôt drôle, rebelle, avec un caractère affirmé. James, en face, m’a semblé intéressant au début en cherchant comment détourner son ami de son idée d’épouser Leah. Puis, plus l’histoire avançait, plus j’ai perdu tout intérêt pour James, que j’ai trouvé tantôt indécis, tantôt agaçant, tantôt gênant.
La narration est plutôt linéaire et il ne se produit rien de notable. L’autrice met le lecteur dans une position où il semble que quelque chose de fracassant va se produire et menacer James et Leah, ce n’est que de la poudre aux yeux.
Vraiment déçue par le peu de rythme, le manque d’humour, et la nuit de noces est clairement dans le bottom 3.
Vraiment dommage parce que le début était prometteur.

[Holly Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of a Kind is a charming period romance about a woman trying to escape a forced marriage and the groom's best man who is drawn to her. The story is entertaining, though it really brings home how little control women had over their lives during the time period. They were basically the property of their father until they were married off to the man of his choosing and became property of their husband.

This book contains graphic sexual content. Recommended for mature readers only.

The narrator is well suited to the story and does a very good job bringing it to life.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man this one was so so good.. A lot better then the previous two.. The chemistry between the characters the details of the locations, the storyline, the love, the passion.. with so so much more.. Made it a story that I just can't say enough about this one..

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just angst beginning to end!! I cannot enjoy the stress. Lol

[Leonor CS · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF.
La traducción es malísima. Los signos de puntuación no se han cuidado y ratones lo mínimo .

[Marcilla Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but it was just okay. This book kept my attention but I don't think it was memorable for me.

[Zena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story filled my heart with such gentle longing and I loved every moment of it and it's gentle characters.
It was beautifully told and so very easy to read!

[iread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of a Kind is book 8 in The Duke of Strathmore series by Sasha Cottman. This is James Radley’s story. He is a side character in The Ice Queen. I enjoyed this book but found myself lost a few times. I have read the entire series but it had been a while, so I didn’t remember some of the characters. I liked the hero James. Even though he commits a few missteps at first, he quickly redeems himself. Leah Shepherd is the perfect heroine - kind, witty and intelligent. When she finds herself in an impossible situation, she manages to overcome. Not my favorite in The Duke of Strathmore series, but a very strong 4 star nonetheless. I was given a copy of this book.

[Maxine Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of a kind is the perfect name for this book. Thank you Ms. Cottman🥰

James and Leah story is so entertaining you don’t want to put it down, have to get to the end as your heart is truly pulling for James.

Leah is promised to Guy who seems to be only in life to squash as many people as he can while trying to get to the top, once again Ms. Cottman words have you disliking him so much, you want someone to get hold of him and shake him.

Leah flight on her wedding day, sees her met up with James.

Extremely sweet story as I am not going to tell anyone the end.

Highly recommend this read.


Stand alone


I bought this book in appreciation of the authors work.

[Gervase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, my thanks to the author for a free ARC of this book. Although this is the 8th book in the series it can be read as a stand alone. With my bad memory i barely recall some of the other books that i have read in the series but the way this plot runs within the timelines of the previous book is amazing. The way the author referred to events in the previous book was perfect. Sometimes authors tend to copy and paste scenes but this was not the case here. The references were full of info yet concise. I really enjoyed this run away love story which brought a tear to my eye

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really on form

Sasha Cottman is on top form with this tale of cruelty and betrayal, loyalty and trust. I really enjoyed the slow burn and build of love between James and Leah. It is also a good to see a Regency Romance author dig into some of the unpalatable truths that surrounded the lives of some women.
Big thumbs up for this one.

[Renee Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a read that keeps your attention from first page to last page. The characters are believable and some are like. The plot was great and there was humor in the read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the emotional pull between the hero and heroine, as well as the tug-of-war between each of them and their parents. Good story. I received an ARC of this book.