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Free Fellows League #2
Merely the Groom
Can an English miss tame the wild heart of a Scotsman?
Colin McElreath, Viscount Grantham, has sold his soul to the devil—a devil of an irate English father. The powerful Baron Davies urgently requires a respectable husband for Gillian, his disgraced daughter, and he sees Colin as the perfect candidate. When Colin balks, Davies isn’t above using his daughter’s large dowry as an incentive—or applying a bit of blackmail. Colin doesn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at the irony. After a lifetime of avoiding society misses as one of the founding members of the Free Fellows League, he is about to marry one. Miss Gillian Davies is about to become a blushing bride. And Colin McElreath is merely the groom…
Book 2 of the “Free Fellows League” Series, which includes BARELY A BRIDE, MERELY THE GROOM, HARDLY A HUSBAND, TRULY A WIFE, A BACHELOR STILL and CLEARLY A COUPLE (a novella from TALK OF THE TON )
“Merely the Groom is a perfect 10!”— Romance Reviews Today “
Another wonderful story in the Free Fellows League Series! ”— The Romance Reader’s Connection “
Tender, enthralling romance straight from the heart!”—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author
“Historical romance fans are fortunate to have a treasure like Rebecca Hagan Lee.”— Affaire de Coeur “
Every Rebecca Hagan Lee book is a tender treasure! She warms my heart and touches my soul.”—Teresa Medeiros, New York Times bestselling author
“Sparkling romance and passion that sizzles…Rebecca Hagan Lee taps into every woman’s fantasy!”—Christina Dodd, New York Times bestseller
Colin McElreath, Viscount Grantham, has sold his soul to the devil—a devil of an irate English father. The powerful Baron Davies urgently requires a respectable husband for Gillian, his disgraced daughter, and he sees Colin as the perfect candidate. When Colin balks, Davies isn’t above using his daughter’s large dowry as an incentive—or applying a bit of blackmail. Colin doesn’t know whether to laugh or to cry at the irony. After a lifetime of avoiding society misses as one of the founding members of the Free Fellows League, he is about to marry one. Miss Gillian Davies is about to become a blushing bride. And Colin McElreath is merely the groom…
Book 2 of the “Free Fellows League” Series, which includes BARELY A BRIDE, MERELY THE GROOM, HARDLY A HUSBAND, TRULY A WIFE, A BACHELOR STILL and CLEARLY A COUPLE (a novella from TALK OF THE TON )
“Merely the Groom is a perfect 10!”— Romance Reviews Today “
Another wonderful story in the Free Fellows League Series! ”— The Romance Reader’s Connection “
Tender, enthralling romance straight from the heart!”—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author
“Historical romance fans are fortunate to have a treasure like Rebecca Hagan Lee.”— Affaire de Coeur “
Every Rebecca Hagan Lee book is a tender treasure! She warms my heart and touches my soul.”—Teresa Medeiros, New York Times bestselling author
“Sparkling romance and passion that sizzles…Rebecca Hagan Lee taps into every woman’s fantasy!”—Christina Dodd, New York Times bestseller
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2004
162 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Hagan Lee
34 books101 followersRebecca Hagan Lee has had many different jobs, earning her beads of experience on the necklace of life with each one, but her desire to write was constant. After graduating from college, she set out to make her mark in the world of television journalism, but somewhere along the way, she decided she was a small town girl at heart and settled in a town where the media consisted of a weekly newspaper and an AM radio station.
Seeking a creative outlet, she turned to writing romance and began to write stories far different from those in the world of television news, but not that far removed from the hundreds of episodes of Daniel Boone, Big Valley, Gunsmoke and Bonanza she had watched growing up. She decided to create stories where good guys win, bad guys lose, prostitutes have hearts of gold and the heroes and heroines who fall in love and persevere are richly rewarded with incredibly bright futures and happy endings. In her world, heroines don't die or get killed off to make way for the next episode's new love interest. Her heroines get their men and help them become ideal husbands, lovers, friends and fathers.
Rebecca lives in a small southern town with her husband, a miniature schnauzer, two rat terriers, a half dozen barn cats, and two extraordinary horses. She is currently seated at the computer working hard to make her dreams come true, or riding off with her hero into the sunset. . .
Seeking a creative outlet, she turned to writing romance and began to write stories far different from those in the world of television news, but not that far removed from the hundreds of episodes of Daniel Boone, Big Valley, Gunsmoke and Bonanza she had watched growing up. She decided to create stories where good guys win, bad guys lose, prostitutes have hearts of gold and the heroes and heroines who fall in love and persevere are richly rewarded with incredibly bright futures and happy endings. In her world, heroines don't die or get killed off to make way for the next episode's new love interest. Her heroines get their men and help them become ideal husbands, lovers, friends and fathers.
Rebecca lives in a small southern town with her husband, a miniature schnauzer, two rat terriers, a half dozen barn cats, and two extraordinary horses. She is currently seated at the computer working hard to make her dreams come true, or riding off with her hero into the sunset. . .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 16, 2020
Merely the Groom is the most Ridiculous, Unbelievable story I have ever read!! I loved bk1 Barely a Bride and gave it 5 stars. But this story is a absolute Disappointment!! After BAB bk1 I was hoping Colin Viscount Grantham would marry a women like Alyssa in bk1. Instead he marries the stupidest women I think I have ever read. The story is not believable. The author Ms. Lee would have readers believe that a Viscount heir to an Earldom would marry a women who eloped to Gretna Green with another man she barely knew. Gave up her Maiden Head/Virginity to a man she thought was her husband, but not. He steals her jewels and money and leaves her stranded with nothing in a cheap dockside Inn the Blue Bottle were all sorts of unsavory men stay. On top of that Gillian my be pregnant by this Bigamist. The Bigamist husband also is asking Gillian's father the very rich but recent lowly titled merchant for 50 thousand pound ransom. Come On this is unbelievable!!
I really love Colin in bk 1 and wanted to see so much more for him. His father the Earl has gambled away there fortune and all Colin will inherit is a title and a mountain of debt. So he goes along with Baron Davies, Gillian's father scheme and marries her. No title as old as Colin's would jeopardize giving his title to a child that wasn't his blood heir. Colin had his friends and the Free Fellows. He also, was a spy at the war office. So he was not totally bankrupt. He had managed to invest an make some money. The story makes Colin look so weak and less of a man. Gillian is just and idiot and I could not recover any respect for her and what she had done!! So why would the author write such an unbelievable story? I think I will return this story. Not worth my money.
I Cannot Recommend Merely the Groom Sorry!!
I really love Colin in bk 1 and wanted to see so much more for him. His father the Earl has gambled away there fortune and all Colin will inherit is a title and a mountain of debt. So he goes along with Baron Davies, Gillian's father scheme and marries her. No title as old as Colin's would jeopardize giving his title to a child that wasn't his blood heir. Colin had his friends and the Free Fellows. He also, was a spy at the war office. So he was not totally bankrupt. He had managed to invest an make some money. The story makes Colin look so weak and less of a man. Gillian is just and idiot and I could not recover any respect for her and what she had done!! So why would the author write such an unbelievable story? I think I will return this story. Not worth my money.
I Cannot Recommend Merely the Groom Sorry!!
July 2, 2020
This was probably my least favorite in the series. I really liked Colin in book one and looked forward to his book but it was sort of slow. Gillian was also quite weak and things moved really fast. Still okay though.
November 1, 2014
2.5/5. Plot cramped into very short span of time (about one month) during which heroine married twice voluntarily, losing her virginity to the first guy, who turned out to be a less than honourable identity-thief. The two leads met briefly twice by halfway mark, exchanging only a few words, far less dialogue/contact than between the hero and his merry male friends and even far less interaction than between the hero and his future father in law. Despite that and her dubious beginnings (which she took all in stride, none of the usual shame or trauma or heartbreak one expect from a gently-reared girl who had been deserted by her husband), she managed to get quite excited about her marriage to a stranger a few short weeks later.
Furthermore, for a guy who signed a decree not to marry without a fight, never fall in love with his wife and to dump any future wife on some rural property once the deed has been done, he all too readily embraced married life without much preamble. Well apart from the 100 pages or so of preamble when he negotiated the marriage with the father-in-law. Oh not to mention, he had no qualm sleeping with her even though she might or might not be carrying the other guy's baby (it has only been a few weeks since her previous marriage after all) and did not seem to mind that his future heir might not be his own. It must be due to the distraction of her "pointy twins" or was it "twin points" that the author likes to refer to often...? And so after 3-4 days into their marriage, it was inevitable that they both fell head over heels in love because credibility and character development are less important than wrapping up the story in 4 weeks.
Furthermore, for a guy who signed a decree not to marry without a fight, never fall in love with his wife and to dump any future wife on some rural property once the deed has been done, he all too readily embraced married life without much preamble. Well apart from the 100 pages or so of preamble when he negotiated the marriage with the father-in-law. Oh not to mention, he had no qualm sleeping with her even though she might or might not be carrying the other guy's baby (it has only been a few weeks since her previous marriage after all) and did not seem to mind that his future heir might not be his own. It must be due to the distraction of her "pointy twins" or was it "twin points" that the author likes to refer to often...? And so after 3-4 days into their marriage, it was inevitable that they both fell head over heels in love because credibility and character development are less important than wrapping up the story in 4 weeks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2015
He was a spy and someone was using his alias!
When he saw the young woman peering out the window of an inn that catered to smugglers and rough characters, he didn't know after overhearing a discussion of her abandonment by her 'husband' between the innkeeper and his wife that HE would become her husband! He was a confirmed bachelor but that all changed when he seeks the stealer of his identity and in the process finds love. I enjoyed this book! The hero truly is the knight he styled himself and his help for the damsel in distress came when they both needed it!
When he saw the young woman peering out the window of an inn that catered to smugglers and rough characters, he didn't know after overhearing a discussion of her abandonment by her 'husband' between the innkeeper and his wife that HE would become her husband! He was a confirmed bachelor but that all changed when he seeks the stealer of his identity and in the process finds love. I enjoyed this book! The hero truly is the knight he styled himself and his help for the damsel in distress came when they both needed it!
March 18, 2025
This took place early spring 1812. Book #2 in a series
about the FFL.
Colin (a Scottish viscount & spy) & Gilly (heiress of
a silk merchant w/ shipping interests) were the H
+h. Full disclosure-IMO Colin had more personality
in book #1. Gilly possessed useful skills (a facility
for #s & puzzles), she employed against Napolean
& his henchmen, to interpret enemy messages.
about the FFL.
Colin (a Scottish viscount & spy) & Gilly (heiress of
a silk merchant w/ shipping interests) were the H
+h. Full disclosure-IMO Colin had more personality
in book #1. Gilly possessed useful skills (a facility
for #s & puzzles), she employed against Napolean
& his henchmen, to interpret enemy messages.
April 20, 2021
This is the story of Colin McElreath , Viscount Grantham and Gillian Davies, daughter of newly appointed but extremely wealthy Baron Davies. When Gillian runs off with a man using Colin's alias and marries him, it ends in disgrace as the scoundrel has already married two other women in the same fashion. Baron Davies forces/blackmails Colin into marrying Gillian to save her honor and protect the work he is doing for the War Office. Colin and his comrades must still flush out the imposter but married life is not what Colin expected when he finds out the unusual talent his lovely wife possesses. Great read, enjoyed Colin's story immensely.
March 17, 2021
I really loved this second book in the Free Fellows League series. This book had a wonderful mix of action, romance, mystery, suspense and espionage. Gillian, the heroine, has been led astray by an imposter and Colin is forced to step in and try to rectify the situation and becomes her “knight in shining armour”. The romance and heat between the two was both sweet and spicy. I particularly liked the descriptions of their “honeymoon” and how the author created an emotional connection. I can’t wait to read the third book in the series.
February 7, 2018
Addictive
Well conceived characters that make you root for them. A plot that fits into the genre but has enough originality to be fresh. Well edited: few or no typos or glitches to break the mood and the fantasy. I blew my book budget buying all of the series as fast as I could read them.
Well conceived characters that make you root for them. A plot that fits into the genre but has enough originality to be fresh. Well edited: few or no typos or glitches to break the mood and the fantasy. I blew my book budget buying all of the series as fast as I could read them.
January 31, 2018
A very well written romance series.
Well I've just purchased the remaining books in this series. After reading the first and second one I am convinced the remaining books will be very very good also.
Well I've just purchased the remaining books in this series. After reading the first and second one I am convinced the remaining books will be very very good also.
June 13, 2021
Romance with tinges of ripping yarn, and scenes and plot points that are enjoyable so long as you ignore the unlikely coincidences that set them up. The setup is particularly unlikely, but on the other hand there are plenty of period details to suggest authenticity.
February 3, 2023
Simply beautiful!
Loved Colin and Gillian story. Very good plot until the end... Great to learn of more Free Fellows members joining the team. Looking forward reading the next adventures!
Loved Colin and Gillian story. Very good plot until the end... Great to learn of more Free Fellows members joining the team. Looking forward reading the next adventures!
September 23, 2023
Trouble with identity!
Using a false name to secure young women then demand ransom for them was working well till the real man whose name was being used discovered it. He rescued one young lady and set in motion to discover the scam behind it all.
Using a false name to secure young women then demand ransom for them was working well till the real man whose name was being used discovered it. He rescued one young lady and set in motion to discover the scam behind it all.
September 15, 2025
Colim's. story
Wait for it...Colin finds himself in a predictable situation where his name is used for nafavorios reasons. Great story, and a great follow up to the first one.
Wait for it...Colin finds himself in a predictable situation where his name is used for nafavorios reasons. Great story, and a great follow up to the first one.
December 16, 2016
Lots of really obvious exposition in lieu of natural dialogue dragged this down for me. And there really wasn't much of a plot to be honest.
January 3, 2018
One of the best romance novels I have read in awhile !
January 1, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this story. Lots of twists, great characters, and a bit of suspense at the end. Entertaining series too.
May 28, 2018
This book has everything, romance, spies, attempted kidnapping, espionage and laughter.
October 11, 2020
Library copy, 2nd in series, fair
November 16, 2020
Excellant audible editon re read on 11/15/2020
April 19, 2021
3.5/5 stars
December 9, 2021
This book has a VERY GOOD example of consent!
January 25, 2022
2 stars for the plot
4 stars for the raunchy bits
I read the first part over a decade ago and it was marvelous to see how the characters. a good read
4 stars for the raunchy bits
I read the first part over a decade ago and it was marvelous to see how the characters. a good read
July 21, 2024
intriguing
Story with many twist and turns that kept you captivated! Love the way that the author makes the heroine of the story so smart and spirited!!!
Story with many twist and turns that kept you captivated! Love the way that the author makes the heroine of the story so smart and spirited!!!
February 28, 2017
Nice addition to the series.
August 3, 2017
I read the first one a bit ago and I loved it. I was intrigued to read Colin's story. I also love the whole concept of a group of guys who not only made a vow to avoid marriage as long as possible and to focus on the good of England. I still get why guys hate the concept of marriage, but men are silly.
Colin has to pretty much make his own way and take care of his family due to his father's gambling issues. Gillian was seduced by a cad and then abandoned. Through some crazy scenarios, they end up being married.
The beginning was good. The middle was good and then the ending died out. The climactic part near the end was so underplayed I barely even caught it. All this build up and then it died. So upsetting. It really had a chance to be really good, but yeah...it died.
I did love the romance between Colin and Gillian. Sure they married first to save each other's reputation due to that jerk, but they did have a small lusting for each other. They became good friends and then love happened. It worked very well for the two characters.
Colin and his family need to abandon his dad. I can't stand how they just allow him to just gamble away the fortune and not say or do anything. Especially the mom...like what? C'mon people.
Overall, I enjoyed the journey of the two characters and their love story. It was okay. The climactic part at the end was a big meh. I am curious to read the other stories. I'll give this a 3.
June 11, 2020
Loved this!
I think this one could end up being my favorite. I loved Colin and Gillian. They had a unique first meeting and once it all got figured out they were so good together! And surprisingly pretty drama free. I feel there could've been some annoying angst and drama, but they trusted each other and fell in love with each other. I think Colin always wanted to love and once he had Gillian he was all in. Their romance was so sweet and spicy. They were very into each other which was really sweet. (But if you don't like sex in your books then this isn't for you.)
I also loved the other free fellows popping up through the story. Plus the newer characters. It makes me excited for the next books in the series and reading how all these free fellows find their loves.
I think this one could end up being my favorite. I loved Colin and Gillian. They had a unique first meeting and once it all got figured out they were so good together! And surprisingly pretty drama free. I feel there could've been some annoying angst and drama, but they trusted each other and fell in love with each other. I think Colin always wanted to love and once he had Gillian he was all in. Their romance was so sweet and spicy. They were very into each other which was really sweet. (But if you don't like sex in your books then this isn't for you.)
I also loved the other free fellows popping up through the story. Plus the newer characters. It makes me excited for the next books in the series and reading how all these free fellows find their loves.
July 30, 2016
The first book of this series I found 2nd hand and loved it so much I went looking for more by this author. She was out-of-print. Then about a year ago the 3rd and 4th of this series became available as e-books. I wanted to read in order so I waited until this 2nd one was available and I'm glad I did. The author did an incredible job of filling in from the previous book but I still found it worthwhile to read in order. Colin and Gillian were out of this world wonderful as individuals and a couple. This is my favorite of the quartet. It is difficult to write a forced marriage story that flows naturally without love being forced by the writer. This one succeeds. Bravo. Loved it.
October 13, 2008
The fact that it was the second in the series was not a problem. Pretty light weight, but an enjoyable way to pass a Sunday afternoon. Starts with a con-man who has "eloped" (for the third time) with a member of the ton. The only problem is that this time he has used the alias of a spy working for His Majesty's Government and the Bow street runner trying to find the scoundrel who ran off and abandoned the daughter of a wealthy ship owner is coming too close for comfort to the "real" Colin Fox.
April 7, 2010
I love the Free Fellows! Unfortunately I am reading this series out of order, I finished book 1 & 3 before reading this (book 2) so I kinda knew what happened. I love Gillian's character, smart, pretty and a genius at math! I read this on audio and Virginia Leishman did an excellent job narrating. I look forward to book 4 which contains one of my favorite characters, Miranda! I hope I can find it on audio as well.
July 29, 2018
True love at its best.
This is one of the most romantic and heartwarming novels I've read and it truly is a wonderful statement for the Free Fellows League series. After Gillian suffers though a disastrous situation in Scotland and stranded there, her own Sir Galahad comes to her rescue and thus begins one of the most heartwarming and romantic tales of true love.
This is one of the most romantic and heartwarming novels I've read and it truly is a wonderful statement for the Free Fellows League series. After Gillian suffers though a disastrous situation in Scotland and stranded there, her own Sir Galahad comes to her rescue and thus begins one of the most heartwarming and romantic tales of true love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews