Merely the Groom (Berkley Sensation) [Paperback]

Rebecca Hagan Lee (Author)

Book Description

Series: Berkley Sensation | Publication Date: April 6, 2004

Barely a Bride introduced the dashingly debonair--but staunchly single--men of the Free Fellows League. Now, in the second book, another confirmed bachelor is about to discover the unexpected pleasures of matrimony.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425195252
• ISBN-13: 978-0425195253
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,155,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Charming Tale -, July 27, 2004

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merely the Groom (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)

Setting - England, 1812 --- In the second installment of Lee's 'Free Fellows League' Colin McElreath (Viscount Grantham) becomes the second victim to become leg-shackled in marriage - a state that to the young adolescent boys who had originated the league considered as a fate worse than death. Now grown up and working as a spy for the war office, Colin had established his spy persona as a smuggler working out of the Blue Bottle Inn. It was on one of his nightly excursions that he spied a lovely lady keeping vigil in an upper room of the inn and wished that it were for him that she kept said vigil - that wish would somehow became prophetic in more ways than one.

When Colin and his fellow Free Fellows learn that a Bow Street runner is closing in on Colin Fox (Colin's alias as a spy) they discovered that someone else had been using that name to seduce unsuspecting young woman into elopement and ruination. One woman's father was determined to hunt him down. Baron Davies, is no man's fool and when Colin is dispatched to try and convince the Baron to call off the hunt, the Baron decides that now that his daughter has been compromised, a husband is required to save Gillian's reputation and Viscount Grantham, whose financial situation was less than promising, but whose title was old and honorable, would fit the bill. Marriage to his daughter, or the Baron would continue his investigation thereby totally compromising Colin's cover - and after all, marriage with a handsome dowry and Gillian Davies would certainly be worth the sacrifice.

Once again, Ms. Lee has crafted an engaging and darling Regency-era novel set in the midst of the Napoleonic conflicts. With the use of the prologue that is a repeat from BARELY A BRIDE, the first book in this trilogy, one has no problem with this book standing alone. Though the marriage was 'forced' the two protagonists were 'known' to one another and their mutual attraction turned out to be their destiny. I loved that it allowed Gillian, who had made a foolish mistake in being such a romantic and eloping with the wrong person, was given a second chance at love. Colin, whose old and honorable title and empty pockets, due to his fathers gambling addiction, was truly Gillian's 'knight in shining armor' - her true Galahad. The intrigue subplot of the cad who had left Gillian in such dire straits, ended up playing a very small but secondary part in what was primarily a very loving and romantic read that is sure to warm many a readers heart. --- Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.hsitoricromancewriters.com ---

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved her series, but agree with arguments, February 15, 2005

By 

L. Perrault "RegencyLover" (WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Merely the Groom (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)

I've read all of her books, but I agree that the editing is flawed and the minor details are unresearched. I am currently trying my hand at writing a regency romance and I strive to find accurate accounts: such as when the little season begins, down to details of dress and eating. It's disappointing that Ms. Lee didn't put as much effort into it. But the story is very touching and I enjoyed both the characters. Don't analyze it too much and you'll be fine.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good - but not quite good enough for more stars!, June 18, 2005

By 

J. Brennan (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Merely the Groom (Berkley Sensation) (Paperback)

For me this book dragged a little too much in the first half. Just too much repetitive discussion about the Freefellow works, too just general discussion without much intensity. Then Colin and Gillian finally marry and this couple that barely knew one another are passionate and quickly fall in love. I don't know it just did not quite have it for me. I think there should have been more focus on the end of the book and more reason to really feel the love and also more build up to the solving of the other Coin Fox mystery. Ok and I will read the others in the series but not quite more than 3 stars for me.