"Wonderfully written and moving start to the Free Fellows League trilogy."

They were nine and 10 years old when they formed the Free Fellows League. Griffin Abernathy, a 17th Viscount, Colin McElreath, a 27th Viscount, along with Jarrod Shepherdston, a 22nd Earl, wrote the charter "dedicated to the proposition that sons and heirs to great titles and fortunes, who are duty bound to marry in order to beget future sons and heirs, should be allowed to avoid the inevitable leg-shackling to a female for as long as possible in order to fight the French and become England's greatest heroes." Heroism required dedication and was not to be taken lightly. Pals since childhood; friends for life.

Now the time has come for Griffin to do his duty. He's willingly and anxiously ready to leave to take up his commission in the cavalry in two weeks. As an only child, his father demands Griffin take a suitable bride and get her with child before he leaves. Should something happen to Griffin, an heir to the family must be provided. No bride. No regiment.

Lady Alyssa Carrollton decides to ignore the fuss of the London season, since she has no wish to marry. Her passion is gardening, but she too is given an ultimatum. Her mother demands she get herself betrothed to a gentleman of wealth and breeding. Only then can she dig up all the flower beds she desires.

Griffin and Alyssa's eyes meet at an evening gathering. They waltz, they kiss, they become betrothed. They share similar sensibilities and neither have delusions of grandeur. He can leave for his commission, she can have her freedom to garden. Their wedding is beautiful and the honeymoon more romantic than either of them dreamed possible. Alyssa is barely a bride when Griffin goes off to fight in a war uglier than he ever imagined. Alyssa's devotion is tested time and again for she is now a woman deeply in love.

This is a beautifully written, emotion-filled story that deeply touched my romantic heart. I savored every word and yearned for more. Thankfully it's the first book of Ms. Lee's fabulous Free Fellows League trilogy, so now I know there's more to come. Keep a look out for MERELY A GROOM in the future. I can't remember when I enjoyed a story as much as BARELY A BRIDE. It's sheer magic - romance at its very best.

Reviewed by Suzanne Tucker
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted July 14, 2003

The first delightful book about the staunchly single men of the Free Fellows League

Summary

On this, the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord 1793, we, the sons and heirs to the oldest and most esteemed titles and finest families of England and Scotland, do found and charter our own Free Fellows League. The League is dedicated to the proposition that sons and heirs to great titles and fortunes, who are duty-bound to marry in order to beget the future sons and heirs, should be allowed to avoid the inevitable leg-shackling to a female for as long as possible...