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Merry Men #3
A Rake's Reward
Sara has come to England on a daring quest to recover long-buried family jewels. The dilemma: the jewels are hidden at the estate her grandfather lost to a callous young buck in a game of cards years ago. Gaining access will not be easy, especially when the dangerously handsome Lord Reath distracts her at every turn.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2004
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Bond
69 books204 followersMeredith Bond's books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget. She is currently living in Europe enjoying the Bohemian life. I write a blog on writing and self-publishing that is published every Sunday at www.meredithbond.com/blog/posts
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 5, 2017
1.5 stars
I read this for the Regency square for Romance Bingo and it was also my Kindle Freebie pick.
The beginning felt very scattered, I'm not sure reading the first in the series would help or not but I felt lost. The hero was a smiling grey-eyed villainous/virtuous/vexing/etc. viscount (oh yes, I did get tired of the v-words) and the heroine was a slightly TSTL oblivious American. As a beastly American myself, I usually enjoy the slight disdain and attitude American heroine's can throw towards their nobility heroes but this heroine acted so clueless and oblivious, I wound up finding it annoying.
I found myself kind of confused by the time placements. Apparently, the hero won the heroine's family estate from her grandfather in a card game, which I think was before the heroine was born. This disgraced the family, so the heroine's father moved to America and took his wife's last name instead and talked mad sh!t about the nobility forevermore. The hero went to the continent as badly behaving rich-y dudes are wont to do for 10? 4?yrs, I'm not sure, before he decided he wanted to give back the estate. Again, I'm not sure but he spent 2?yrs thinking about trying to give the estate back and another 2?yrs searching for the heroine's father to do so. In case it isn't clear, I have no idea the ages of the hero and heroine :/
Beau Brummell makes a couple villainous appearances and the hero from the first book and obvious future heroes also show up. It's supposed to be a little bit of Romeo and Juliet but the depth and characterization was sorely lacking; I felt no connection between the hero and heroine. You can see the general layout for the story but the substance was missing and most of the time I was wondering what the point was.
The writing is technically readable but if I didn't have to finish it for Romance bingo, I probably would have started skimming after 30%.
I read this for the Regency square for Romance Bingo and it was also my Kindle Freebie pick.
The beginning felt very scattered, I'm not sure reading the first in the series would help or not but I felt lost. The hero was a smiling grey-eyed villainous/virtuous/vexing/etc. viscount (oh yes, I did get tired of the v-words) and the heroine was a slightly TSTL oblivious American. As a beastly American myself, I usually enjoy the slight disdain and attitude American heroine's can throw towards their nobility heroes but this heroine acted so clueless and oblivious, I wound up finding it annoying.
I found myself kind of confused by the time placements. Apparently, the hero won the heroine's family estate from her grandfather in a card game, which I think was before the heroine was born. This disgraced the family, so the heroine's father moved to America and took his wife's last name instead and talked mad sh!t about the nobility forevermore. The hero went to the continent as badly behaving rich-y dudes are wont to do for 10? 4?yrs, I'm not sure, before he decided he wanted to give back the estate. Again, I'm not sure but he spent 2?yrs thinking about trying to give the estate back and another 2?yrs searching for the heroine's father to do so. In case it isn't clear, I have no idea the ages of the hero and heroine :/
Beau Brummell makes a couple villainous appearances and the hero from the first book and obvious future heroes also show up. It's supposed to be a little bit of Romeo and Juliet but the depth and characterization was sorely lacking; I felt no connection between the hero and heroine. You can see the general layout for the story but the substance was missing and most of the time I was wondering what the point was.
The writing is technically readable but if I didn't have to finish it for Romance bingo, I probably would have started skimming after 30%.
November 16, 2015
This was a delightful regency that has been revised from its original publishing date. I am so glad Ms. Bond is bringing this series back. A Rake's Reward has me hooked.
Lord Reath has an atrocious reputation. Some of it deserved, of course, and some of it not. But he is back from India and trying to make amends. Sara arrives from America. Yes, she is a spitfire who has no filter when she speaks to the ton!
The conversations between these two had me chuckling out loud. The secondary characters are interesting and loveable. I hope to see more of her aunt in another tale.
Bond's light, sweet prose carries you through the story while you root for both the heroine and the hero then stamp your foot when things don't go their way. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Lord Reath has an atrocious reputation. Some of it deserved, of course, and some of it not. But he is back from India and trying to make amends. Sara arrives from America. Yes, she is a spitfire who has no filter when she speaks to the ton!
The conversations between these two had me chuckling out loud. The secondary characters are interesting and loveable. I hope to see more of her aunt in another tale.
Bond's light, sweet prose carries you through the story while you root for both the heroine and the hero then stamp your foot when things don't go their way. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
September 24, 2016
Sara Whatley returns from America to be presented to society by her aunt Lady Darlington. At least that is the front. In reality she has no desire to be married and is hoping to go to her father’s old estate of Wyncort to dig up the family jewels. Her grandfather lost the property in a card game to Viscount Reath.
Sinclair Reath on the other hand, is trying to track down the heirs of the estate so that he may return it.
Fate keeps throwing them together… literally.
Sara has been raised a republican and she has little respect for the gentry. She refuses to give him her hired carriage, he knocks her off her horse in the lane, and then in London he finds her unchaperoned in the street and standing right opposite Beau Brummel’s favourite club. Gasp. Her aunt is passing Sara off as a cousin but in Reath’s presence, she forgets and calls her ‘Aunt’.
He hatches a plan to escort her to the balls in order to protect her from gossip, both about who he is and what she has done. Plus, he gets cachet as he’s with Lady Darlington’s protege and he can find out where her brother has disappeared to and transfer the property.
Pity, as he’s already imagining his children in the nursery of Wyncort.
***
Reath is supposed to be the rake of the title. His friends tease him about having four lovers at one time but he seems very proper, a little mischievous, and certainly ready to settle down. He’s been off in India for ten years and has probably amassed a fortune although it’s not mentioned.
***
Hmmm… this was published in 2004 as a mass market paperback under the Zebra Regency name. I’ve never heard of that before… but evidently it ceased in 2005. Damn… imagine having your book tied up in a publishing house that no longer exists?
One thing, the author was quite clingy with V words. Reath is described as: the venial viscount, the variable viscount, the villainous viscount, the vexing viscount, the virile viscount, the valiant viscount, the vexatious viscount… once I noticed it, it quickly got very annoying.
I can’t for the life of me work out why Sara who is so intelligent wouldn’t just marry a rich American instead of travelling all the way to England to dig up some jewels that may not even exist. Her father doesn’t believe it and says her grandfather was demented by then. And she and her father are supposed to hate titled society. It makes no sense.
2 stars
this is listed on GR as book 3 but inside the book it is put as book 2
Sinclair Reath on the other hand, is trying to track down the heirs of the estate so that he may return it.
Fate keeps throwing them together… literally.
Sara has been raised a republican and she has little respect for the gentry. She refuses to give him her hired carriage, he knocks her off her horse in the lane, and then in London he finds her unchaperoned in the street and standing right opposite Beau Brummel’s favourite club. Gasp. Her aunt is passing Sara off as a cousin but in Reath’s presence, she forgets and calls her ‘Aunt’.
He hatches a plan to escort her to the balls in order to protect her from gossip, both about who he is and what she has done. Plus, he gets cachet as he’s with Lady Darlington’s protege and he can find out where her brother has disappeared to and transfer the property.
Pity, as he’s already imagining his children in the nursery of Wyncort.
***
Reath is supposed to be the rake of the title. His friends tease him about having four lovers at one time but he seems very proper, a little mischievous, and certainly ready to settle down. He’s been off in India for ten years and has probably amassed a fortune although it’s not mentioned.
***
Hmmm… this was published in 2004 as a mass market paperback under the Zebra Regency name. I’ve never heard of that before… but evidently it ceased in 2005. Damn… imagine having your book tied up in a publishing house that no longer exists?
One thing, the author was quite clingy with V words. Reath is described as: the venial viscount, the variable viscount, the villainous viscount, the vexing viscount, the virile viscount, the valiant viscount, the vexatious viscount… once I noticed it, it quickly got very annoying.
I can’t for the life of me work out why Sara who is so intelligent wouldn’t just marry a rich American instead of travelling all the way to England to dig up some jewels that may not even exist. Her father doesn’t believe it and says her grandfather was demented by then. And she and her father are supposed to hate titled society. It makes no sense.
2 stars
this is listed on GR as book 3 but inside the book it is put as book 2
April 30, 2018
I liked Meredith Bond's book, A Rake's Reward (Merry Men Quartet, #3). This story has interesting main characters. Sara Whately travels to America to stay with her Aunt Darlington to be presented to society. She is used to speaking her mind and has to learn how to behave as a proper lady. Lord Reath has returned from India wanting to right some wrongs. These two meet on several occasions but don't realize how their pasts connect them to each other. I enjoyed how the story progressed and would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical romance.
April 22, 2024
The consequences of youthful folly, is something I hazard everyone has felt at one time or another. Lord Reath was a gambling rake, who had reformed. He is trying to make good on a gamble he won as a youth. Sara is an American, outspoken, confident, with no filter. I felt she was portrayed as bumbling and naïve a bit too much. Their escapades are entertaining. I enjoyed the story. The narration was well done. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.
September 18, 2019
I wish these historical books from Zebra Regency were still in print. These are 1/3 the size of the newer novels so this was a quick read. More plot and character building then the newer Regency romances that contain pages of steamy sex instead of just a fun good book. I liked Sara’s innocence and Reath’s desire to right a wrong from his past. I will buy more from this author.
April 6, 2018
Good plot and characters, I would of preferred a full ending, i.e. The wedding plus snap shot one year later with their son. Etc..
March 24, 2017
This was my first read by Meredith Bond but it won't be the last. A great story with Lord Reath redeeming himself from the sins of his youth and Sara saving her family....with his help.
Heartwarming ending.
Heartwarming ending.
September 5, 2016
A Rakes Reward ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Merry Men Quartet #3) Written by Meredith Bond
A wager gone bad. Sinclair Stratton, Fifth Viscount Reath was quite unscrupulous as a young man. Reath won an estate in a card game ten years back from Lord Wynsham. Although he won it fair and square it proved to be a monumental defeat for the the Wynsham family. Shortly after the win Reath's father sent him to India. Reath finally returned after his father death. His mission was to return the estate to its rightful owner. Reath has valiantly tried for two years but has been unsuccessful and he truly does not realize was he loss of the estate has done to this family.
Sara Whately an American comes to England to stay with her aunt Lady Darlington. Sara's father left England to escape all the aristocracy. Although titled he abandoned that along with England. Sara plans to return to her father's former home Wynsham in search of a family treasure of jewels. Sara has live her whole life in somewhat poverty and despises he man won won her father's home.
As an American arriving in England she has no knowledge of acceptable behavior. During several of her misbehaving she meets up with Reath and he protects her from her ways of error.
This story develops an endearing relationship between Sara and Sinclair. He loves her for her spunk and she finds herself in love with him as well. My only regret about the story that was when these two finally get together the story ends. I would have wanted to see more about their lives.
Sent from my iPad
(Merry Men Quartet #3) Written by Meredith Bond
A wager gone bad. Sinclair Stratton, Fifth Viscount Reath was quite unscrupulous as a young man. Reath won an estate in a card game ten years back from Lord Wynsham. Although he won it fair and square it proved to be a monumental defeat for the the Wynsham family. Shortly after the win Reath's father sent him to India. Reath finally returned after his father death. His mission was to return the estate to its rightful owner. Reath has valiantly tried for two years but has been unsuccessful and he truly does not realize was he loss of the estate has done to this family.
Sara Whately an American comes to England to stay with her aunt Lady Darlington. Sara's father left England to escape all the aristocracy. Although titled he abandoned that along with England. Sara plans to return to her father's former home Wynsham in search of a family treasure of jewels. Sara has live her whole life in somewhat poverty and despises he man won won her father's home.
As an American arriving in England she has no knowledge of acceptable behavior. During several of her misbehaving she meets up with Reath and he protects her from her ways of error.
This story develops an endearing relationship between Sara and Sinclair. He loves her for her spunk and she finds herself in love with him as well. My only regret about the story that was when these two finally get together the story ends. I would have wanted to see more about their lives.
Sent from my iPad
August 10, 2016
A Rake's Reward by Meredith Bond is a fun historical romance. Ms Bond has delivered a well written book with lovable characters. She added drama, a bit of suspense, humor and steam to make an entertaining read. I enjoyed A Rake's Reward and would be happy to read more from Meredith Bond in the future. A Rake's Reward is book 2 of the Merry Men Quartet Series, but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
August 30, 2016
I loved that this was a relatively clean historical romance. There is no sex in this one which I really liked but if the story isn't good then it isn't a good book. In this books case I loved the story and the characters. All of the main characters held my interest but the secondary ones were just as interesting. This is just a really good book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes clean historical's.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes clean historical's.
August 23, 2016
Sarah has come to England to be presented into society and to find her Grandfather's lost jewels. Her only problem is that the family estate is owned by someone else. When she meets the owner and starts to fall for him, can she forget what this man did to her family or can she use this to find the jewels! Read it and see!
August 13, 2016
The author's habit of placing unnecessary (and sometimes inapplicable) descriptors starting with "v" was distracting and precious. Not a bad novel, but the writing sometimes left something to be desired.
December 8, 2015
Love this story! She did a great job with the characters and plotline.
Full review here:
http://litworldinterviews.com/2015/12...
Full review here:
http://litworldinterviews.com/2015/12...
August 15, 2016
2.5 stars
August 26, 2016
Good innocent read!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews