The Rake's Bride

Reformed Rakes #1

by Kelsey Swanson

A notorious rake with a ruined estate. A fortune he intends to claim. A wife he never expected to crave.

Wickedly charming and famously untethered, Rafe Hart, Viscount Blackwood, has never believed in love—only pleasure—and he intends to keep it that way. But when tragedy strikes down his beloved sister and her husband, Rafe is left with three young wards…and desire must give way to duty. This leaves him with only one way forward--he needs a wife. And with the impoverished estate he inherited, he had to find a wealthy one.

Victoria Rockford, an American shipping heiress newly arrived in London, struggles to find her place among the ton—until a dangerously handsome nobleman offers laughter, passion, and the promise of belonging. Rafe is everything Victoria shouldn’t want…and everything she does.

What begins as a calculated courtship soon ignites into something far more intoxicating. Rafe wins Victoria’s trust, her father’s approval, and her hand in marriage—without revealing the full truth of his responsibilities.

But marriage has a way of exposing secrets…

A sensual Regency romance about redemption, responsibility, and the kind of love worth reforming for.

Tropes You'll Love:Notorious rake heroReformed rakeMarriage of convenienceWealthy American heiressFish out of water in London societyAristocrat with ruined estateSecret responsibilitiesDuty vs. desire
Read in Kindle Unlimited!

This series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised.

Reformed Rakes Series
Book 1 - The Rake's Bride
Book 2 - The Rake’s Revenge
Book 3 - The Rake’s Accidental Marriage

Genres: Historical Romance

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey Swanson is a new author for me. This is only my 8th book by her. My first book by her was The Viscount's Second Chance from her Later in Life series and really liked it so I picked up her Spy Society series and LOVED that too. I wanted to definitely pick up more books by her. Ran across this new series so can't wait.

I know my reviews can always seem so one-note but I hate to repeat a book description or give anything away with something I might say. Sometimes the smallest comment can blow it. I personally don't read book descriptions anymore for that reason and most of the books I read are authors I love anyway so it doesn’t matter what it's about because they are such a good writers and I would read it no matter what. If you do read a book description, that should give all you need to know so just relax and enjoy the journey how they get there.

This book was so freakin' good. I LOVED Rafe and Victoria. I loved this story and these characters. Sex was hot. :) I've been reading this genre for years and years and think I've read all the tropes and character types, and most rakes tend to be the same. Different on the inside and don't really want to be a rake but circumstances or gossip columns decided that for him. I loved that Victoria spoke up (typical American :)) and said what she thought and didn't let him walk all over her. Rafe was such a great character. Overall a great read and I added it to my favorite books read list for March, 2026.

[pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

a reformed rake? who is great with kids? who thinks he is incapable of love while being so pathetically in love? a pretty boy who dresses well? say no more!

this got me all giddy and feet-kicky

and the bits with the kids, especially Dominic?—all great, got me a big teary, the boy was so adorable, and they both loved him aaaaaaaaaa

victoria was also awesome! we love a confident and our spoken and straightforward heroine

absolutely recommend

my only criticism is that i barely opened the book and it was already over???? scandalous! and as of now there is no book two? what am i supposed to do now, riddle me this.

also it could’ve been spicier, as in, i need more of them, can’t wait to pick up other books by this author ❤️🫶

arc received by NetGalley. thanks a lot and see you soon ❤️❤️❤️

[Cassandra]

This read extremely fast. Victoria is an american that knows the ton is after her dowery but she is hoping that she can find someone that she has at least a fondness for each other. I appreciate that they didn't fall in love immediately. I also liked how she handled finding out about his nieces and nephew. At that point, she also had strong boundaries with Rafe and didn't give in immediately to him. I LOVED that. Which honestly made their third act break up all the more confusing. I felt that it would have been discussed or worked through. I think this is my fav book by this author thus far 4/6

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafe, Viscount Blackwood, suddenly has more responsibility with little money. What he needs is an heiress and fast. Victoria Rockford is an American shipping heiress in England with her father and brother on business. She may find a husband. Rafe is a well known rake always in the gossip rags with his friends. He must change his ways to acquire a wife. Not so easy with his background. Keeping secrets, especially about three young ones, makes his courtship even more difficult. Winning Victoria will be the easiest part, the hardest will be to keep her.
Tears and laughter keep a steady pace.
Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from Netgalley.

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read an upfront fortune hunter MMC, and I really liked that as a starting point. Now, three little munchkins play a major part in this story, so if kids are not your thing, feel free to move on.

Rafe is an unrepentant rake, a viscount who inherited his poverty, but managed to get by until he suddenly became the guardian to his sister’s children. He needs money, lots of it, and fast – so London’s newest exotic diamond it is...
Grounded and outspoken, American heiress Victoria has no illusions of finding a man more in love with her than her fortune. Desperate to escape the ton’s gossip and sycophantic swains, she’s seduced by Rafe’s friendship, charm and quick wit.

No wedded bliss though. Barely married and his carefully omitted life comes crashing down on her: the run-down home, the hidden family, a sickly baby and the blunt declaration he’s incapable of love.
Still, she stays.
Why? Because she trusts her gut, sees the good in him and his potential for growth.
I loved that she didn’t hold a grudge or threw tantrums. She gets angry and hurt, sure, but she never cuts off communication – and he knows how to apologise.
For such a smooth operator, Rafe has an uncanny talent for cocking things up at the most inopportune moments. He cares, deeply, but daddy issues rendered him emotionally constipated, and I loved watching him become the man – and the father – she knew he could be.
I like that theirs isn’t instant lovey-dovey perfection, but it wasn’t a slow burn either. They’re friends and there’s passion, but their marriage needs work. They struggle through it, together, and somewhere along the line love slips in.
I also really liked the cameos by characters from this author’s previous series! It was lovely seeing them settled and stirring the pot a little for Rafe.

This was a very enjoyable read, and I’m already looking forward to the rest of this series!

[Winnifred D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: marriage of convenience; fish out of water; MMC has a Big Secret
Steam level: 3
First in a series.

3.75 stars rounded up. I would give the first 80% or so of this a solid 4.5 stars; Kelsey Swanson is getting better with each book. The writing style here is smooth and there's a perfect balance between steam and emotion, plus the MC's are both well fleshed out. You fully believe in their friendship and their strong attraction to each other. I'm not a huge fan of rakes but MMC Rafe was impossible not to like, particularly in his relationship with his young wards. MFC Victoria is also easy to root for for the majority of the book. What could have been your usual "broke aristo marrying the American for money" trope takes a backseat to realistic development of a family. It's genuinely engaging, heartfelt, and romantic.

Then there came the unnecessary third act breakup. It ticked me off so much I took a break before I read the last few chapters. I'm not a big fan of this plot device to start, but when it involves young children who have already been traumatized it sets my teeth on edge. Victoria and Rafe both behave in puzzlingly silly, self-centered ways and the HEA suffers a little because of it imo. I would have preferred if there would have been much more interaction with Victoria's dad, who's an interesting character I didn't want to leave the storyline, and if the wards had been introduced in Society.

Bottom line: this is a good HR; the 3rd act angst keeps it from being excellent.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the author, Dragonblade, and Net Galley.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wickedly charming and famously untethered, Rafe Hart, Viscount Blackwood, has charmed his way through society. But when tragedy strikes down his beloved sister and her husband, Rafe is left with three young wards. This leaves him with only one way forward--he needs a wife. And with the impoverished estate he inherited, he needs a wealthy one. Victoria Rockford, an American shipping heiress newly arrived in London, struggles to find her place among the ton—until a dangerously handsome nobleman offers laughter, passion, and the promise of belonging. Rafe is everything Victoria shouldn’t want and everything she does. What begins as a calculated courtship soon ignites into something far more intoxicating. Rafe wins Victoria’s trust, her father’s approval, and her hand in marriage—without revealing the full truth of his responsibilities.
I shouldn’t have liked this book but I loved it, Rafe is a fortune hunter full stop. He charms Victoria & even gets her shrewd father on side plus he keeps his sister’s children a secret, I should have disliked him but I loved him. So he charmed me too but as his backstory was revealed so was the man behind the façade, he thought he couldn’t love but he adored his nieces & nephew & quickly fell for Victoria but it took a near disaster to realise it. Victoria is smart, feisty & intelligent also able to see both sides of a problem, she is also pragmatic & thinks any man wants her money before her. I loved how they fell for each other, they laugh & more importantly they talk. Rafe also apologises – repeatedly as he has a knack of putting his foot in it! An engrossing romance

I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Lana Birky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rafe Hart, Viscount Blackwood, has spent years charming the Ton ladies out of their stockings, but life slams the brakes when he suddenly loses his cherished sister & her husband in an accident & he becomes guardian to their three children. The only solution is a wealthy bride who can rescue his crumbling inherited estate, provide a female influence for his three wards & accept his "never fall in love" heart.

Victoria Rockford, an American shipping heiress, is a fish out of water, & the only woman in London who refuses to be dazzled by Rafe’s wicked smile. She’s with her father & brother who in England to perhaps add a new branch to their shipping business. Victoria is bold, sharp, & absolutely done with fortune hunters…...until one very handsome viscount makes her laugh, makes her think, & makes her feel like she finally belongs.

Their chemistry is fiery - Their banter is delicious - Their differences are the exact ingredients needed to turn two opposites into a perfectly blended pair. Add in three charming children who bring chaos & heart, & you’ve got a story that keeps the pages turning well past midnight. The only stumble for me was the third‑act breakup, especially for sweet, nine-year-old Dom, who’s already lost too much & now was losing Victoria - but the journey back to love still lands with warmth & sincerity. Kelsey Swanson delivers a well‑written, nicely paced romance with humor, heat, & a hero who learns to be worthy.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first installment of the Reformed Rakes series. I always love a good reformed rake story and this did not disappoint.  Rafe Hart is charming, reckless, and completely against love at the start. But after becoming guardian to his late sister’s children, he suddenly has real responsibilities and needs a wealthy wife to save his estate.
Victoria was very easy to like. As an American heiress trying to fit into London society, she feels out of place, but she’s kind, strong, and smart. Her relationship with Rafe starts as practical, but their feelings quickly become real. Their chemistry was strong from the beginning, and the romance was very steamy.
I really enjoyed watching Rafe slowly change. He begins the story thinking marriage is only about duty and money, but Victoria and the children help him become a better man. The secrets and emotional moments kept the story interesting without being too heavy.
If you enjoy Regency romance with a rake hero, marriage of convenience, emotional growth, and lots of spice, this is a fun and satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Mojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rake is Rafe a Viscount who's just been going on living as rakes do. When he's left ward to his sister's three children everything changes, he wants to do right by them and that will require funds of which his estate is lacking. So his plan is to charm the most desired heiress of the season.

The bride is Victoria, a shipping heiress who is new to the ton life. She knows what all these gentlemen are actually after, her father's money.

When Rafe and Victoria meet their chemistry was instant, he promises her friendship and she grows to trust him. Victoria finds out why Rafe seeked to marry her after the marriage, she feels betrayed. This is where this book is not like others I've read. Victoria is smart and level headed! She is hurt by what Rafe has kept from her but she puts herself in his shoes time and time again. When Rafe reveals more about himself will she be able to overcome it?

Overall a great read and would highly recommend.

Thanks to the author, Dragonblade and Netgalley for the arc.

[Tiffany P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story of Rafe and Victoria. She was an American heiress in London with her father and brother for business. He was a rake that needed a wealthy wife to help raise his wards and replenish his family coffers. It all started with secrets and lies of omisión, but the biggest lie was to himself. While he had honorable motives and intentions, Rafe of then said the wrong thing that led to lots of unintended hurt. Victoria was married before she even discovered that she had signed up for an instant family. The story had witty banter, deep dialogue as well as silly moments. The three children played a big part in the story, between caring for illness to dealing with grief. The book had a lot of depth but also love and steam that neither expected. There were those that tried to derail their marriage, but their love won out and they got their HEA. I liked the characters in this book even when they were making annoying choices which says a lot about how they are written.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Victoria Rockwood an American heiress who is not in London for a husband!
She rich, beautiful and compassionate she has fortune hunters after her seemingly unabashed night and day! But her father a shrewd self made man can see through any pretense!
When Rafe Hart, Viscount Blackwood, has never believed in love—only pleasure comes sniffing around his most precious daughter he thoroughly vets him! But Rafe is desperate and careful admitting his depleted coffers were inherited and some other faults! But he pursues friendship with Victoria but he held back secrets! He has only known the love of a sister so he thinks he is incapable of it! But Victoria sees him differently and has hopes until those hopes are brutally shattered!
Can Rafe a man who does not know love learn how to love her and their growing family! A near tragedy with a missing child further shows Victoria that the man she needs is here already!
I did not like Rafe’s explanation but Victoria accepts it so all was well!
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion!

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the Reformed Rakes series was a steamy marriage of convenience historical romance. Trauma and lack of money bring the couple together. A marriage of friendship and passionate chemistry begins. Secrets, insecurities, misconceptions, mistaken identity, kidnapping emotional issues, and other engaging twists constantly test their relationship. They struggle throughout it all, but at a point, love overrides everything. The children were a delightful part of the story. I enjoyed having previous book characters included. I recommend reading.

[Amberreads.alot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this story about a non-spoiled American heiress and an on his way to being reformed rake. But I just couldn't get on board with Rafe's actions and Victoria's fairly easy acceptance thereof. That followed by a third-act breakup that wasn't really a breakup at all and really just served as additional childhood trauma. I like Kelsey Swanson's writing style and would pick up another book by her even though this particular story was not my cup of tea.

3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a strange relationship with Kelsey’s stories. I love most of them, in fact I have given the highest rating to several, but this one was not one of those. The conversation is boring. Really boring. I was so excited to read this book because it sounds right my alley. I did not make it through the entire story. Life is too short. Will I give up on Kelsey’s stories, no because the next one might be another high rating read for me.

[Bene_reads_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems that I enjoy more and more historical stories.
The fortune hunter/american heiress is classic but Rafe's secret and betrayal doom their marriage from the start. So the story is about the mending of their bond and discoveries.
I both liked and disliked the characters depending on the page I was reading. But, they never let me indifferent.
The writing kept me engaged in their story.
So I liked it very much.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

His actions are borne out of defiance until he is faced with true responsibilities and his pure heart emerged. She sees him but has to reconcile it with his reputation and assertion that he is incapable of love until she proves him otherwise. Lovely and enjoyable read about a not quite a rake and his perfect match.

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

[Alexia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Rake's Bride. The chemistry between Rafe & Victoria was done well and the angst was delicious. Looking forward to reading more of Kelsey Swanson's books.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

[Janiece Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Another new author for me. Kelsey Swanson is an excellent writer and author. This romance has its wonderful and delightful characters and their personalities are fantastic.
I will be recommending this book to my friends and family.
Read and ENJOY!

[Kelsey Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first installation in my newest series with DragonBlade Publishing: "Reformed Rakes"! London Society is beset by a plague of beautiful, hell-raising young men bent on enjoying life to the fullest until each faces his comeuppance in the form of a woman strong enough, kind enough, brave enough to attempt to tame him and prove the adage that a reformed rake does, indeed, make the best husband.

Rafe Hart has already inherited an impoverished estate; now that he has lost his beloved sister and inherited her three young children as his wards, his situation is dire. He must marry quickly if he is going to be able to provide for them while keeping the remaining shreds of his estate intact. Fortunately for him, an American heiress has arrived in London...and she is just the woman he needs. He must set aside his personal distaste for the institution of marriage and wed the chit as quickly as possible. What he hadn't counted on was wanting Victoria with a fire that has rivaled anything he'd ever felt before.

Coming March 27, 2026!

[Imromanticallyinvolved · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing more that I love than a reformed rake being brought to his knees figuratively and literally! And oh does Rafe fall HARD!

In depth review to follow!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible story. Rafe is quite the character, and underneath his behaviors are a whole set of childhood experiences that have shaped him. Victoria is a self-assured young woman who is strong. She knows what she wants. She is pragmatic. She knows her family's money will always play a part in her life and potentially in one day finding a mate. She is witty. She challenges Rafe's sense of what marriage can be and challenges his beliefs about himself. I loved this story!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read about a rake in need of a fortune, falling for the wife he never expected.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet historical romance. It was an enjoyable easy read that will have me looking out for more by this author 😀