A Stallion for the Scoundrel

Ladies of Accomplishment #4

by Sariah Drake

A hoyden runaway…

An equestrian with an unexpected fortune…

An ancestral home hanging in the balance…

She is eager to buy.

When the long-lost ancestral home of Notting Grove emerges back onto the market, Clara Thornton wants nothing more than her family to claim it. Against her brother’s wishes, Clara sets out across the countryside to submit an offer on the property. What she does not expect, is running into her childhood rival, Rowley Moir, who is determined to ruin her plans.

He is unwilling to sell.

Rowley Moir is an equestrian at heart. Having recently come into a fortune due to the death of his adopted father, Rowley is looking to focus his efforts on training his beloved horses. But when his childhood bully shows up without warning, she becomes an unwanted distraction from his work. When Clara Thornton helps him uncover a twisted murder plot, they must join forces to save them both.

This closed-door Regency romance is the fourth novel in the 'Ladies of Accomplishment series. Each book stands alone, so readers can jump in wherever they please.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2024

Reviews

[Mary Ansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was glad to read this book, since it is the continuation of a series with lively, likeable characters. The heroine is the "middle sister" of a large, somewhat unconventional Regency family. Although some of the events described in the book were too suspenseful for me, I enjoyed the happy ending. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[CORINNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

Another great read from a favourite author

I loved the wild unacceptable nature of Clara going against the grain

Poor Ro what a time he had what a mischievous pair

Can’t imagine being part of such a large family as Clara nightmare 😂 what were those twins like!!

This series fast becoming a favourite of mine

Thank you ☺️

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in this series. Enemy to lovers. A strong female lead who defies tradition, and a male with a complicated past. Emotional read which had me feeling for the characters, being part of their lives.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed "A Stallion for the Scoundrel". Having read other books in this series, this was not one of my favorites, but it was still an entertaining and clean read. Clara Thornton wants her brother Henry to purchase their family's ancestral home, but he isn't interested. Impulsivity and boldness had always been Clara's downfall. Perhaps this time it will result differently as Clara sneaks away and stays with her aunts who live near the property? Near her aunt's home, an accident with the carriage occurs, and Clara soon encounters her childhood friend/nemisis. While Rowley Moir and Clara were childhood friends, they did not part on friendly terms. Rowley is an equestrian at heart and hopes to achieve a long hoped for dream of winning a local race. Clara is shocked to discover that Rowley is now the owner of her childhood home, having received it as an inheritance from his stepfather. There are 3 interested parties who want to purchase family home, including Clara. She gets Rowley to agree to sell the home to her brother after the horse race, but what to do when her brother's letter arrives stating that his only interest is in Clara's ruined reputation with a scoundrel and the rumors that are circulating while she is there. Clara's brother insists she returns home immediately, Rowley reveals dark secrets of his past, danger rears its ugly head, and the twists and turns keep coming. Clara comes up with a plan to save Rowley's reputation as a scoundrel after their overhearing of a plot to kill him.
I figured out the villains & their intention early on in the book, though the details were rather melodramatic. While I did enjoy Aunt Nancy's joyful attitudes, I found some of the schemes Clara and Rowley concocted were a bit unrealistic. Overall, an interesting read.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is book 4 in the Ladies of Accomplishment Series and can be read as a standalone. A Stallion for the Scoundrel is told through Clara and Rowley's pov and is a dramatic childhood rivals romance.

CW: brief mentions of abuse, guilt, loss, and pg-13 level violence
Spice: more than a sweet kiss but not extremely detailed

With the opportunity to reclaim Notting Grove, her family's ancestral home, Clara is ready to do whatever it takes to secure it. She is bold and impulsive, often without a care about what the ton will think. When she's reunited with Rowley, her childhood friend turned rival, he makes things more difficult than she anticipated. The last thing Rowley expected, or wanted, was to be reunited with Clara, who knows how to get to him. Yet, under the hurt and antagonistic feelings that they have, neither can deny their history that pulls them together. I liked how they challenged each other and you didn't know who was going to have the upper hand. Even when they didn't care much for each other, it was fun to see them work together and get upset on the behalf of the other. I liked how Rowley had to confront his past in order so that they both could have an opportunity to be more than friends. Though I wasn't surprised by the motives of the culprits, I was surprised with the way things were resolved. This was another good addition to the series and I can't wait for the next book.

[Margaret P Medberry]

Clara Thornton is the most hot-headed of the Thornton sisters and desperately wants the family to repurchase their old estate of Notting Grove that their late parents had lost through bad investments. So, without her brother’s permission, she sneaks out to Notting Grove to represent the family as bidders on the property. This is, of course, not something young ladies should be doing but Clara has never cared much for her reputation. She grew up as a tomboy and got into constant trouble as a child. When she arrives at the estate she discovers that her old friend turned enemy Rowley Moir is the owner. Rowley was the pastor’s son and although he secretly liked Clara, she always managed to get him into trouble that resulted in severe punishment. He has harbored major resentments toward her ever since. Rowley has other secrets that he has kept to himself, including some major childhood trauma.

Once again, Sariah Drake has created a dramatic and wildly romantic story that refuses to let the reader take a bathroom break. Her attention to the details of the period, the set up of characters that have major obstacles to overcome, and the various twists and turns of the plot just keep those pages turning. I have become such a fan of her books and this one does not disappoint.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏇A Stallion for the Scoundrel🏇 by #SariahDrake is a novel about duty and giving yourself a second chance to be free.

** I would like to express my thanks to ☆ Sariah Drake ☆ & ☆ BookSirens ☆ for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review **

The author is back again with another wonderful book! This time we get a glimpse of childhood rivals looking past their differences to achieve the same goal. This novel like the author’s other novels were well written and the characters development and growth were enjoyable. First, with the MMC being an absolute butthole in the beginning and turning out to have such a dark backstory *cries*… I forgave him. The MFC’s growth as well from overcoming prejudices and looking past old time grudges this was a treat to read.

I was on a rollercoaster throughout this novel! From reuniting to childhood enemies, to tense dinner parties, and trying to prevent murder this book made me turn the pages. Especially regarding the backstory of the MMC, I didn’t expect that plot twist or the pain it would make me feel. The action at the end was also not expected and I was biting my teeth to see how it would end.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to be on their toes while reading!

Repost of Review from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Zzhv2Kk...

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has become one of my favorites. I have loved every single one of the books in this series. I keep thinking I’m going to start getting bored because how can she improve the story?

Clara was hilarious. The fact that she defied all what society wanted her to do and be made her unique. I laughed so much throughout this one, even more than I did with the other books. That’s saying a lot because they’re all pretty funny.

The one thing I love is that Sariah writes her MC or FC with flaws. Many times when you read a romance novel, the female or male character isperfect in height, wait, looks, and personality. You feel for these characters and the insecurities they have because you can understand them.
Their insecurities may not just be looks, but some things that happened in the past that make them struggle with PTSD. In all cases, true kindness and love, helped them conquer their fears.

Read this entire series. I hope that this author can someday put these books in audiobook form. They need to come to life.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free, and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

[Angelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific entry in the Ladies of Accomplishment series. While this is still a sweet romance, it is a little darker than the others. When Clara Thornton finds out the old family estate, Notting Grove, is up for sale, she tries to talk her brother into buying it. When he refuses, she decides to go to the house and see if she can talk the owner into selling it to her.

To her surprise the new owner is Rowley Moir, the stable boy who was her best childhood friend. And he hates the sight of her. When they find out one of his houseguests is trying to destroy his reputation, the two have to join forces to defeat the villain.

Ms. Drake does a masterful job of weaving the stories of the past and present to tell the story of two people who, probably more than anyone in the whole series, deserve their happy ever after. Rowley and Clara are damaged souls who could find their healing in each other if they could put their anger aside.

I loved this book. The story of love and redemption was so beautiful I found myself in tears by the end of it.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read all of the books in this series and this one was a bit of a departure for me. First of all, Clara is not an accomplished lady. She is not artistic or intellectual like the previous heroines. Additionally, Rowley is not much of a scoundrel. Clara came across as a spoiled brat when she fought with her brother Henry in the beginning of the story. Rowley's character started out well. However, he was too emotionally burdened to be much of a hero.

I actually read this book quickly because I had many questions. Clara and Rowley were childhood frenemies. As adults, they were still fighting. Clara began to realize that something was wrong with her old friend and she wanted to help him. I was frustrated because I could only guess at what the problem was. The romance of Clara and Rowley definitely took a back seat in this story. Taking the fact that this is a closed-door romance into consideration, the love story still fell flat. On the bright side, the book was interesting and I could not put it down.
I received a free ARC from BookSirens and this is my honest review.

[Carolina CHC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sariah Drake’s “A Stallion for the Scoundrel” is a mixed of sweet, dark and humor in a story that is well balanced until the end. Whether you like the characters or not on these series, this particular regency clean romance is an enjoyable read.

Rowley and Clara har been childhood friends whose relationship ended in unfriendly terms when they were yet children. Now that Clara is returned to recover her family home she is shocked to discover to her dismay that the new owner is no other than her childhood nemesis. She is willing to do whatever it takes to make Rowley sell her her childhood home back to her family but as she schemes how to succeed she will be tangled with nefarious people who only want to harm her “nemesis”

This books is a quick read that will entertain you from start to finish.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Erin Angell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eager to start Clara’s story since she is the most outgoing and headstrong of the sisters. I enjoyed the story especially the Aunts, and I enjoyed the “enemies to lovers” trope even if I thought the level of animosity was on the extreme side for our hero. As the book progressed I found out why that level was extreme. I like how the author brings in stories where everything isn’t just peaches and cream and both parties have to work for what they find. I enjoyed the companionship with Clara and Rowley and I think their story is the most genuine given what both characters face and their resolution.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book about the Thorntons. Clara was a fairly unknown character to me at the start of this book. She didn’t feature much in the other books.

I have to say, although still good, this is my least favourite book of the series. I liked the story, but didn’t love it as was the case with the previous books. It didn’t speak to my heart as the others did.

Clara and Rowley are definitely out of the box characters. Rowley’s past is dark and consuming and Clara is like a bulldozer.

Both need each other to equalize.

Still worth the read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure why I’m so surprised by how every story in this series gets better and better.

Clara is a horrible trouble maker who doesn’t know how to keep her tongue, her manners, or anything else for that matter, in check. Rowley is her once childhood friend turned enemy. They do not get along anymore, and she doesn’t know why. There is so much more depth to this story than just a strictly enemies to lovers story. It truly brings more to the table than just wonderful sizzling scenes, and trust me there are definitely sizzling scenes. Read this book! You won’t regret it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but became frustrated with the reason for the hostility between the two main characters. I felt they held onto childhood actions way too long. The separation wasn’t their fault. I did feel for the hero and the abuse he was put through. I thought that the heroine’s plans were not always thought through enough and glad when the hero decided to win the race anyway. There were several villains to add drams. I enjoyed the aunts. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MyFairLady Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story from Sariah Drake! I was completely heartbroken by Rowley’s tragic history! 💔 But then the witty, confrontational banter cracked me up!!!
For example, this conversation between Rowley and Clara made me laugh out loud . . . “I apologized. I would like to take it back.” “I do not accept,” Clara said with a huff. “Your apology is mine now, to do with as I please.”
Such a great enjoyable read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leann Arave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story that intrigued me to the very end. There was a lot of dimension to this book. I thought the author did a good job of pacing and keeping the story interesting. The characters were charming. I enjoyed childhood friends/enemies and the connection Clara and Rowley had. I have read some of the others in the series and this one might be my favorite The others are also good This is a clean, wholesome romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Peggy Shumway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this Regency Romance, A Stallion for the Scoundrel. The book was a page-turner, with a flowing narrative, well-developed characters, and natural dialogue. The editing was also top quality. Although I’m not a fan of aggressive romantic inclinations for female characters in a Regency, or revenge themes with the principle characters, I still admired Clara’s confident personality and how her relationship slowly developed with her love interest. I recommend this novel to those who like fast-paced stories that keep readers interested.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara is a strong hard headed independent woman with convictions. She wants to reclaim her childhood home. Rowly owns the home through a gift from his adopted father. All is not as it seemed with Rowly and his dead adopted father. The house holds very bad memories for him. Clara and Rowly had a past childhood together , and now can they be an enemies to lovers romance?? Clara and Rowly uncover a devious plan concocted by jealous relatives of his adopted father!!! Will Ro survive all the rumors and diabolic plans . Suspenseful story with intrigue and emotions run high.I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion .

[Carol P - H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically this is a sweet and clean regency romance. However, it chronicles the reunion of two incorrigible young miscreants who were inseparable during childhood and found catching up with each other as young adults both challenging and heartbreaking. It has non-stop action with a series of flashbacks to explain the couple’s past history from both perspectives. I thank the author for an advance review copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Rayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another great book in the Ladies of Accomplishment series. I have read them all so far and enjoyed the combination of historical romance and mystery/suspense.

Clara was an interesting and stubborn character (like her sisters before her) and Rowley had a backstory that made for some mystery to keep the story engaging.

I look forward to the twins’ stories to round out the family series.

Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carolyn Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Ladies of Accomplishment series! The history between Clara and Rowley in this enemies-to-lovers romance makes for a compelling read. The childhood hurts these two experienced tug at the heartstrings. I love how the two set aside their animosity to work together. And there's just the right balance of mystery with secrets being revealed at just the right time.

[Fiona Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional roller coaster. The leads are quirky and unpredictable and the story has unexpected twists. The pacing slowed a little towards the end, but the historical world was well-drawn and overall it was a good read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book, but I find that at the end, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It took a while for me to like the characters. At first, the extreme dislike between the two MC was a bit over the top, but it got more reasonable as it went along (as one would expect). I received this as an ARC and my opinions are my own.

[Nancy Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an interesting read with a storyline different from the norm. The characters are likable.
Twists and turns along the way to a HEA. I recommend it.
This book was received from the author through Voracious Readers Only.

[Ami Jacobs]

This was quite the suspenseful story! It was clean and uplifting & had a happy ending, but there was also a thread of apprehension & a mystery hinted at throughout most of the story. Things don’t get resolved until near the end. I enjoyed it immensely!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were the best of friends… and the worst of enemies… and a lot of love in between. She is spirited, mischievous and he is strong and gentle. Funny, witty, emotional plus a murder plot to foil. Exciting and engaging read!

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This love story was exciting and original. It was full of drama, action, intrigue, mystery, and suspense with attempted murders, horse racing, a horrible childhood, and an old friendship ruinited. I highly enjoyed the beautiful romance that blooms despite all obstacles. I highly recommend reading!

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining book with an amazing plot, a lot of intrigue, delightful characters, and lovely horses.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stallion for the Scoundrel is another clean regency romance in the Ladies of Accomplishment series.
I found this book very entertaining with an interesting plot and characters.
If you are looking for an easy-to-read book that will give you a few chuckles along the way this is for you.