James Radley cannot put his finger on why he does not want Leah Shepherd to marry his best friend. She is kind, sweet and a true beauty. Any man should want to marry her.And therein lies the problem.Like a bolt out of the blue, James finds himself headlong in love with his best friend’s fiancée. He promises himself that if he can just get through the wedding service, everything will fine.But as … will fine.
But as his carriage draws up outside St Georges, Hanover Square on the morning of the wedding, he is greeted by the sight of the bride racing down the front steps of the church.
Leah begs him to help her escape both the wedding and London and in an instant of madness, he readily agrees.
Leah Shepherd is certain that James does not like her, but as he is the only man willing to help, she has no choice but to trust him.
Taking refuge with him at her grandfather’s far-flung estate in Cornwall, Leah eventually comes to see James in a new light.
When love blossoms between them, Leah and James begin to question everything in their lives. Decisions are made and acted upon.
But actions have consequences, as they soon discover when they return to London.
For James, there are the harsh repercussions of not only abandoning his life’s calling but also stealing his best friend’s bride, while Leah finds herself scorned by her family and friends.
James and Leah are left to wonder whether that by choosing their love over duty, they have both made a terrible mistake.
In a moment of crisis when their marriage seems forever lost, James will have to reach beyond the passion of love and find the strength to forgive his wife.
But will it be enough to save their marriage and their future?
A second chance at love romance.
Two of a Kind. A standalone book in the ongoing Duke of Strathmore Series.
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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!!
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.
Lovely heroine and a great storyline.
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.
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.
Loved the story and the characters. Could not put it down because wanted to see how the story would play out. A recommended read
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.
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!