Sincerely, Mildred

by Ashley Hayden

Mildred Westrick is a quiet 19-year-old working at the local salmon cannery along the Columbia River in Bresford, Washington during the spring of 1932. Her life is hopelessly dull until she writes several letters to Marty Townsend, a handsome pilot she reads about in the newspaper with plans to fly to Bresford. Doubting herself, Mildred stashes the letters, stamped but never to be mailed. However, her glamorous friend Hattie finds the letters and secretly mails them on her behalf…only for Mildred to receive a letter from Marty that he wants to see her.

When Marty and Mildred meet in person, there is an unmistakable attraction between them. She is swept up in his world of illicit champagne, luxurious parties and beautiful homes. Not everyone is pleased with the new romance, however. Mildred's bitter stepmother joins forces with the mayor of Bresford and his fashionable daughter to rip them apart, and in Seattle, there is one woman who wants nothing more than to see the couple suffer at any cost...Marty's jaded ex-fiancée, heiress Agnes Crane.

On Hattie’s wedding day, Mildred vanishes. Marty must discover who is responsible and find her before he loses her forever. Set in a time when money and class defined the rules, Sincerely, Mildred is a story about defying expectations to be with the one person who accepts and understands you, which is worth more than any fortune.

392 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Ashley Hayden was born and raised in the Columbia River Valley region in Washington State. She and her husband live on a family farm along the Lewis River with their two mini Aussies. When she isn't working or writing, she enjoys traveling with her husband to Leavenworth, Washington and exploring the Oregon Coast, as well as finding delicious red wine from the region.

Ashley is inspired by authors Kathryn Stockett, Geraldine Brooks, Fiona Davis and Sue Monk Kidd.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time in a long while I’ve read just a good hearted romance story. Inspired from an antique painting in a vintage shop, Sincerely Mildred tells the story of a small town girl and a big city guy and the missing parts of themselves they find in each other. With a little bit of action and some emotional twists, this piece - set in the time of prohibition and sequined dresses - is a good read for anyone who likes a good old fashion fairy tale.

[Nadine Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I love good historical fiction. And the fact it’s local to where I’m currently living in SW WA is a bonus! A gem for sure!

[Ashley Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are two 5 star reviews from readers on Amazon:

5.0 out of 5 stars
"You gotta love a good love story"
April 4, 2018
This book pulled me in right from the beginning. It’s a heartwarming story that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions from sadness to intrigue, happiness to fantasy and everything in between. The author made it so easy to connect with the main character, Mildred. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves to root for the underdog.

5.0 out of 5 stars
"A real romance, with real characters!"
April 9, 2018
This was a great book! It's a sweet romance with enough intrigue to hold you from the first chapter. The characters are believable, the locations well researched, and the attention to detail is evident. I hope she comes out with more!