Darcy BurkeReseñas

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An interesting plot twist, not one I've read before. The story was an easy read and would be good for the beach or traveling. At first, I didn't like the hero, then I felt almost sorry for him. I began to like him and then didn't like him at all. He redeemed himself in the end. The Heroine was a little grating, she's always happy. You understand why but it got old before it got better. Her friends rogue rules were a bit much. Pretty much any man worth having was rogue-ish and not to be avoided. They had the usual compromising situation that wasn't really a true compromise. Just getting caught walking in the garden was enough for some old hens to spin into a full-blown affair. There was an HEA that I liked, they were an unusual couple with a modern take on married life.

#BecausetheBaronBroods #DarcyBurke #RogueRules #ZealousQuillPress

Racy book, where socially shy wife marries her overbearing hubby. Until she decides that she's not going to wait around for his 2x annual visits, so she heads to London intent on seducing him so she has a child.

Because the Baron Broods by Darcy Burke
Rogue Rules #2

Two people who thought they would remain single forever just might find something that will work better instead…maybe…

What I liked:
* Tamsin Penrose: lives with her difficult widowed father, isolated, may have abandonment issues, has never had a season, looks forward to the month she spends with her grandmother and friends, a good friend, begins to question her future when she receives a letter…and meets Droxford. She reminds me of a bubblier Pollyanna.
* Isaac Deverell, Baron Droxford: good friend, a bit aloof, morally resolute, made a vow to himself when 17 years of age, trained as a lawyer, lost mother in childbirth with his brother, lived with rigidly religious father, uncle paid for his higher education, did not expect to be a Baron, carries guilt and regret, conflicted in more than one way
* That Isaac would not allow Tamsin to be ruined and though his reasoning was given…wondered if he really did like her more than he realized
* Tamsin’s grandmother: gardener, loving, kind, truly loved and appreciated her husband
* Isaac’s Aunt Sophia: loving, kind, goodhearted, generous, wise, matchmaker
* Getting to see the friends of Tamsin and Isaac – both groups in book one of the series and no doubt will show up again in the future
* The Burrows couple addition to the story and how they met in Marrywell [a reference to the Marrywell Brides Series by Darcy Burke]
* The way it all came together in the end though there were times I wondered what the two main characters saw in one another and whether or not they would find common ground
* Thinking about and wondering which of the supporting characters will show up in the next book

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The expectations of women, the power given to men, that scandal was so easily created by gossip, and thinking about how difficult life must have been without so many things – including contraceptives

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars½

Slightly overwrought. He could NEVER propose…because he had encouraged another to play with HER nearly a decade ago. OH! The horror!!!!!
No chemistry, no sense. She gets a second chance at a season and throws it away as easily as if she’d been pursuing her pleasures for the past decade, when, in fact, she’s a virgin. Just didn’t track. The pieces might have worked but they were shoved together without credible growth.
Not interested in trying out further books.

UPDATE: Actually, just read “Her Wicked Ways” and WILL try out further books.

The only other DB book I’d read, I gave 2 stars and put her on my “avoid” list. Don’t remember why this particular book ended up in my TBR holds but decided to give it at least a quick skim. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this story which was not a run-of-the-mill rehash of Regency ballrooms and salons. Instead, deals with trying to stretch your meager resources and slowly overcoming a lifetime of lessons in arrogance. Takes the FMC an absolute age to move past lust into love but the journey was worth it and also rather believable.
Now reading the next book, involving the FMC’s brother. DB is off my bad list.

DNF
Her bait & switch was disgusting and the discussion afterward perplexing, basically “Oh, gee, I guess I understand why that was wrong.” Yeah, sexual assault is wrong.
Otherwise, kind of a snoozefest. Could be good for others but just not my jam.

If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke
Rogue Rules #1

Nice introduction to a new series by an author I love ~ The Rogue Rules list and there creation along with potential male and female main characters are provided early in the story ~ I want to read all their meet-cutes and romances that will lead to the couples in this series finding their happily ever after.

What I liked:
* Persephone Barclay: older sister, always made to feel “less” by her parents, clever, humorous, caring, kind, strong, protective, independent, impetuous, free spirit, more than she has been told she is
* Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne: raised by his father, mother left with his sisters when he was young, a rakish-rogue, amiable, friendly, protective, flirtatious, may be ready to settle down, introspective and contemplative as the story progresses
* Pandora Barclay: Persephone’s younger sister, the “pretty” sister, fell in love with the wrong man, has a lot to overcome emotionally, will probably have a book of her own
* Lady Lucinda Barclay-Fiennes: aunt of Persephone and Pandora, widow, wealthy, loving, kind, there for her nieces, doesn’t understand her brother and his wife
* That the pace picked up at about fifty percent as it was a bit slow before that
* That Persephone was willing and able to stand up to Acton, speak her mind, tease him, and state her needs
* The rat incident…and the way Acton foretold a few issues that cropped up
* The way Acton reconnected with his mother and sisters
* Knowing that there are more books to look forward to in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The obnoxious, mean, clueless, abusive self-centered parents of Persephone and Pandora
* The rake that “ruined” Pandora and thinking about the double standards for men and women in society

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars½

The Make-Believe Widow by Darcy Burke
Matchmaking Chronicles #4

Returning to the Cosford’s house party where matches are often made, we meet an earl who desires a mother for his daughters but prefers never to fall in love again love again and a make-believe widow afraid her secret will come out and thus believes she must remain unwed.

What I liked:
* Charlotte: innkeeper’s daughter, had big dreams, trains young women to become maids, good friend to the Cosfords, dreamed of having a husband and family in the past, is afraid to share her past and that would be required if she were to ever marry
* James: Earl of Rotherham, widow, father of two young girls, seeking a wife, prefers a marriage without love, has trust issues, caring, kind, makes a mistake that nearly costs him future happiness
* The Cosfords: matchmakers who hold house parties to help men and women find partners forever or just for a while, love one another deeply and want that for their friends as well
* The games and entertainment at the party
* The honest communication between James and Charlotte – most of the time
* That Charlotte was open about what she did and did not want
* The time Charlotte and James spent at the Oak and Ash Inn
* The backstories of Charlotte and James and how they were impacted by them
* That both main characters had good parents and happy childhoods
* The conversational landscapes ;)
* Wondering if there will be another book in the series

What I didn’t like:
* Cousin Sleaford the Sleazy – he was the focal point of my dislike in this book

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review

4-5 Stars½

Matching the Marquess by Darcy Burke
Lords in Love #5

Marywell’s annual marriage mart is the setting in which Rebecca Sweet is to find a woman Benjamin Nash, Marquess of Creslow, may choose to marry. Will she succeed in her matchmaking attempts to set up a new business and if so, who will he marry?

What Iiked:
* Rebecca: widow, unhappy childhood and marriage, would love to love and be loved and start a family
* Nash: widow, loved his wife and lost her painfully, unwilling to open to love again, needs an heir
* The meet cute prologue to the story – sizzling chemistry between Nash and Rebecca
* Returning to Marywell and seeing some of the characters from previous books in the series
* The fears that both characters were dealing with and how they faced them
* That the couple seemed to genuinely care for one another – I could see them together and happy
* The mention of a few older people that also found or might find partners
* Knowing there is another book to look forward to.

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about loss and grief and how they impact those dealing with them
* Remembering how horrible Rebecca’s mother truly was

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke
Lords of London #3

On a train to Salzburg, I read this charming friends-to-lovers tale of two people who meet again after less than a decade apart. Leah escaped a bad childhood to become a paid companion to Lady Norcott and enjoyed the experience…not so much her next job working for a relative of the woman.

With family issues to be resolved by Leah, some skullduggery to be exposed, money to be found, matches to be made at the annual marriage festival in Marrywell, and romance brewing…it was a perfect way to spend hours on a train. In fact, the story I read on the train was much better than the hour I spent in Salzburg walking about while worrying about getting lost. I didn’t see the sites planned on in the city but did enjoy spending time with Leah and Phin.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars½

What a lucky day it was for readers when terrific romance authors Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley decided to coauthor the Lords in Love series, alternating the writing of each book. Romancing the Heiress is the third book in the series and the second written by Burke. It’s just as delightful as the previous two entries.

We get to revisit the town of Marrywell, a town which specializes in exactly what its name implies: an annual May Day Matchmaking Festival. The festival draws crowds from London and beyond with its fair maidens, gentlemen looking for brides (or just a bit of fun) and its beautiful botanical gardens created and maintained by the Radford family. The local merchants greatly benefit from the influx of visitors and packed-to-capacity inns and dining spots and the botanical gardens are a big part of the town’s appeal.

Leah Webster grew up in Marrywell with good friends and the love of her life, but she couldn’t wait to leave. Her mother was cold and cruel and her father failed to protect her. She took the first opportunity to escape the pain and humiliation, first becoming companion to elderly Lady Norcott, and upon her death companion to Genevieve Selkirk, Lady Norcott’s great niece. Lady Norcott was loving and Leah was happy with her; the Selkirks – not so much, but even though this wasn’t the exciting, fulfilling life Leah dreamed of as a young girl it was better than unceasing torment. She’s back in Marrywell now, after five years away, under the guise of finding a marriage match for Genevieve but more so to see the unrequited love of her life. She’s barely heard from him since she left but her love still burns bright.

Phineas Radford – Phin – is kind of a knucklehead in that he doesn’t realize he is the love of Leah’s life and that if he sat down for a minute and thought about it he would have that “Aha!” moment and realize how much he cares for her, too. But for right now he’s focused on trying to save his estate and properly maintain the family gardens without the funds to do so. His maternal grandfather created them; Phin’s father wasn’t talented or particularly concerned about them, and Phin discovered shortly before his father’s death that he had poorly invested and gambled away all the family money. Phin loves the gardens and wants to honor his grandfather’s memory, as well as properly care for his grandmother and retain the estate. With few funds and inadequate staff, the state of the gardens has suffered, but Phin is too ashamed to confess what happened and admit he needs help; he doesn’t want to let the town he loves down.

Regency novels are so much fun. We have rules and changing morals and schemes and intrigue today, but in the Regency Era the rules could be so rigid and demanding on the one hand while on the other hand something like a nobleman marrying an heiress solely for her money so he could retain his estate was a perfectly acceptable practice. So off Phin goes, surprised that he is feeling something that seems to be more than “just friends” when Leah is around yet diligently embarking on a plan to capture a rich bride and save his estate and gardens and not fail the town. Leah keeps telling herself and everyone else that she is over her feelings for Phin, Phin wanders around not knowing what’s up half the time, and the Selkirk family isn’t very nice. All of this makes for a delightful story, with fingers crossed for an HEA and at times wanting to shake some characters and yell wake up already!

A bonus in returning to Marrywell is experiencing the fun of the festival, the beauty of the countryside and spending a little more time with Sadie and Law from the first book. The plot moves smoothly along, you’re not always quite sure who is up to what, and there are definitely a couple of steamy, swoony, satisfying encounters. Thanks to Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley for providing an advance copy of Romancing the Heiress as part of their review crew for my heart-pounding reading pleasure and honest opinion. I loved this book and both previous books in the series and can’t wait for the next book. All opinions are my own.

Beguiling the Duke is the first in the new 7-story series Lords in Love alternating between authors Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley. If Beguiling the Duke is any indication, every romance in this series is going to be perfect. Both satisfyingly readable in their own books and series, put Burke and Ridley and together and you’ve got a winner!

Sadie Campion is practically an old maid. Yes, she’s only 24 but it’s the Regency Era and if you’re not married by then it’s probably not going to happen. This year’s matchmaking festival in her town of Marrywell is her last chance. Her first and only appearance at the festival was so horrible and humiliating she’s avoided it since, but she desperately wants her own home and family to care for, rather than the ungrateful father and brothers who love her but think her sole purpose in life is catering to their whims. So she’s determined to brave it again in the hopes of a life of her own – and just maybe, maybe, some love. Until . . . .

The Duke of Lawford’s carriage breaks down near Sadie’s father’s estate and he and his servants appear on their doorstop looking for help. There are no rooms available in town because of the festival so the Duke and his men stay with Sadie and her family. There is an instant tickle of attraction between them but she mostly thinks of him as the rude Adonis and because she’s cleaning the door when he meets her, he thinks she’s just the very attractive housekeeper. Soon, though, she’s wondering how many ways he could make her heart skip and he’s wondering if he will ever think of her lips as anything but kissable. He has no intention of ever marrying, however, and she has no intention of marrying a Duke and having to live the life of a Duchess, but he likes her and offers to escort her to the festivities in order to possibly elevate her chances of a good match.

Beguiling the Duke has everything you could want in an historical romance. That unstoppable attraction between two people who have experienced hurts and loss and who think their futures are inevitable, except for this mysterious magnetic pull between them. Add in misunderstandings and interference from townsfolk and people from the Ton and Law’s staff and even Sadie’s father, who thinks having her daughter marry a Duke would be the best thing to happen in a long time and you are in for a terrific read.

The dialogue is rich and sweet, Sadie and Law are charming and lovable and shy at times with each other and confused about what is happening between them. Add to the sweet some heat and spice and intrigue and as I said – perfect!

Thanks to authors Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley for allowing me to be part of their Review Crew and for providing an advance copy of Beguiling the Duke for my swoony pleasure and honest opinion. I honestly loved it and can’t wait for the remaining books in the series; all opinions are my own.

Summary
Since being widowed less than year into her marriage, Juno Langton has found joy and a career in helping young ladies prepare for their Season. She accompanies her current charge to a house party with the purpose of helping match the young lady with the Duke of Warrington. Both the Duke and Marina are quiet, shy people and fail to make a connection. But when the Duke finds himself thinking more about Juno, he can’t deny she brings him to life. Juno isn’t looking for marriage, but she can’t deny the attraction between them. What starts as an attraction will grow to be much more!

Tropes: Widow, titled hero, class difference, Marriage mart, Opposites attract, Matchmaker, house party, grumpy-sunshine, Country setting

The Plot : The first part of the book was Juno trying to get the Duke and Marina, her charge, to make a match. I felt bad for them both as they clearly weren’t suited, even though their personalities were very similar. That time did allow the Duke and Juno to get to know each other, especially in the Orangery. I loved how the Duke spoke his true thoughts and feelings to Juno; he didn’t have a lot of angst about falling for her cheerful personality. Their banter back and forth was adorable and made me laugh several times. This was an easy read and I was glad there was no drama between Marina and Juno over the Duke as I kept fearing there might be.

The Heroine : Juno Langton is a cheerful, look at the sunny side of life person. After being disowned by her family for her first marriage and having said husband turn out to be a drunk who died less than year into her marriage, she found a way to still have a fulfilling life working with young ladies. She is optimistic and funny and the exact opposite of Dare.

The Hero : Dare, the Duke of Warrington is a grumpy, set in his ways man who sees no reason to pretend to enjoy anything or anyone. He prefers to spend his time alone and outdoors. He know he must marry so he tries to make it work with Marina, but he finds her companion annoying, too cheerful…and intriguing. He softens his edges around Juno and when he realizes she understands him better than anyone, he can’t let her go!

The Steam : Slow to build, but passionate when they finally come together!

Stand Out Moment : Probably when he appears in her room to some fun and just takes sweet and dirty to her!

Who Would Like This : Anyone who appreciates a fun, opposites attract trope turned passionate!

Final Thoughts : It was a great, quick read with a cute romance between the two main characters!

The Heroine
Jessamine was in love with a man her parents didn't approve of, so they paid him to go away, leaving Jess devastated and angry. She vowed never to marry to spit her parents. So she devoted herself to the prospect of spinsterhood and avoided all the men her mother pushed at her. Jess is very smart and stumbled upon an opportunity to decode messages which led to her being asked to assist the Foreign Office in a case that involved secret, coded messages. But being partnered with Dougal is rattling her and pretending marriage is all too easy and real. She starts to realize that maybe she would be lonely in her spinsterhood and that she has some pretty strong feelings for Dougal.

I liked Jess quite a bit, however I was a little frustrated at her drive to be a spinster, even with Dougal since she was clearly attracted to him, he was a kind man, and she had been attracted to him for years. I was hoping she wouldn't resist as much as she did.

The Hero
Dougal MacNair has been serving the Foreign Office for years, but, with the death of his brother, he will need to step down from serving and become the Viscount Fallin. The prospect of that is not appealing in the least and he is angry about it, sad about the death of his brother and battling two failed missions. Dougal has always completed his missions alone, but having to work with the beautiful Jess isn't so bad until he can't stop thinking about her. He never planned on getting married, but with becoming the heir, he will need to marry and produce an heir.

The Plot
Neither Jess nor Dougal planned or even wanted to get married, but pretending to be a married couple comes to easily as does their attraction to each other. I was disappointed that their mission only lasted a few days and small part of the story. I was hoping it would be a bit more of an adventure, but it started and stopped abruptly without any real drama. I kept thinking they were going to find something or get caught or that Jess would have reason to suspect Dougal of being a double agent. But, alas, nothing. When they got back to London, I again thought maybe, maybe, someone they knew was the bad guy, someone I would never suspect. Or that Jess would be kidnapped by the couple they were investigating or the real double agent. But no. So although the romance and the plot were fine and I enjoyed it, I was bummed that there wasn't more adventure! More danger!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Georgian Era, Country Life, Season/Marriage Mart, Beta Hero, Detective/Agents to the Crown, Illegitimate Hero, Soldier/War Hero, Titled Hero, Detective Heroine, Spinster Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Fake Relationship, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity, Sudden Nobility/Rags to Riches, Suspense/Danger/Murder

Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke
Lords in Love #1

Duke meets country woman and sparks fly – can they find happiness or is the societal divide too large to overcome?

What I liked:
* Sadie: mid-twenties, only daughter with four brothers and widowed father, taken for granted, works hard, ready to settle down, eager to meet her match and start a home and family of her own
* Lawford: duke, brother, father sounded a bit overbearing, on his way to meet his almost betrothed, rather taken with Sadie, begins to realize what he wants and be willing to go for it
* The concept of the Marrywell Mayday Matchmaking Festival
* That Sadie’s family slowly began to realize they were taking advantage of Sadie
* The side romance between Mavis (Sadie’s maid) and Holdon (Lawford’s coachman)
* The introduction to a new series I believe will center around the Festival
* That it was a bit predictable and also a bit like a fairytale – a solid story but not my favorite by this author

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars½

Insatiable by Darcy Burke
Phoenix Club #8

Saying goodbye at the end of a series is never easy and as Lucien, the person who The Phoenix Club centers around, was a book I have been waiting to read. I had hoped, in book one, that he and Evie would get together but sadly…that did not happen as Evie found her partner in a previous book. In this book a chance was given to see all the previous characters in the series and find out how they were doing, and that was nice as all are doing well.

This book finally explains why his Lucien’s father has treated him differently than his siblings, provides a romantic partner-wife for him, deals with the silent partner that co-owns The Phoenix Club, and uncovers a treasonous spy in the midst of the group. Lucien must deal with stress from the co-owners demands, club issues, his father, and the woman that starts to occupy his mind.

Katherine ‘Kat’ Shaughnessy is Ruark’s half-sister in London to get away from a scandal that occurred at home. She has some quirky behaviors, is outspoken, very curious, interested in mating rituals of mammals that has extended most recently to humans. She is different from her sisters and perhaps not understood well by her mother. Staing with Ruark and his wife Cass seems to be a good situation for her.

I had trouble understanding why Rourke was drawn to Kat but maybe it was because she was true to herself, open, honest, willing to put herself out there, pheromones were high, or something else. She seemed rather naïve for such a worldly world-traveled man but perhaps that, too, appealed to him. For whatever reason, he seemed to understand her and they were well suited and seemed to work well together being able to meet one another’s needs verbally, physically, and emotionally if not quite socially since he was an extrovert and she was seemed to be overwhelmed in large gatherings.

I enjoy this authors book, have enjoyed this series, and look forward to reading what she writes next even though this book was perhaps my least favorite in this series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC- This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars½

Lucien and Kat's story blends romance, humour and intrigue.
Kat cleverly confides in Lucien about her research, which makes his mind spin with the idea that she might actually experiment with a man who isn't him. Once they kiss their attraction to one another can't be denied and this leads to a few steamy scenes in clandestine locations. For me, there were too many scenes like this but I know lots of readers who actively seek it out and it's easy to skim past if you don't.
Kat appears to be on the autistic spectrum and I thought that the author represented it quite sympathetically. As they say, if you know one artistic person you know one autistic person. Kat's unique and latest obsession is researching mating rituals which leads her to yummy Lucien. She also has trouble with crowded places but has some coping mechanisms despite not being allowed to stim in public. I enjoyed the humour she brought and how Lucien appreciated her way of thinking.
The mystery had me intrigued and guessing to the end.

The widowed Juliana Sheldon and the bachelor Lucas Trask, Viscount Audlington, spend a passionate night together in a snowbound inn, but she wakes the next morning to find that he has left. Two years later they meet again at a house party organised by the matchmaking Lord and Lady Cosford. Juliana has neither forgotten nor forgiven Lucas, so she sets out to torment him and make him jealous. Lucas regrets leaving Juliana the way he did and thinks of her often, so he is determined to renew their liaison. Marriage does not seem a possibility to either Lucas or Juliana but, as well as the enormous lust they feel for one another, they enjoy each other's company.

This short book is written in bland, simple language using a narrow vocabulary. There's a lot of sex, not a lot of plot, and not much tension.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

A snowstorm encounter!

After a brief and passionate liaison at an inn, widowed Juliana Sheldon saw no more of her charming and very satisfying sexual partner, Lucas Trask, the Viscount of Audlington. Lucas left no word about his abrupt departure from the Pack Horse Inn. He just faded into nothingness and memories, thus becoming her Runaway Viscount.
That is until a house party five years later! Lucas is there and Juliana is determined to punish him. She’s angry!
I found it hard to relate to the first half of the book. I guess I was somewhat taken aback by how willing Juliana was for a sexual encounter with a complete stranger with nothing to recommend him but sparkling eyes and a pleasing smile. However the next half picked up, and this novel of a Second Chance Romance became just that. Still, a five year gap? One wonders!

A Zealous Quill ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

The Runaway Viscount is a short but well written regency romance which puts a lot of emphasis on the banter between the main characters. I also loved that Lucas stays true to his ways thrice in the book (which was funny towards the end.

I liked Juliana's approach to life; the whole I have a settlement so that I can live and not have to deal with men I don't have to. I like her approach to things which is very if I can't change it, I won't dwell on it and make myself miserable.

The Runaway Viscount by Darcy Burke
Matchmaking Chronicles #3

Engaging, entertaining, escape into an excellent story that provided a delightful way to spend the day.

What I liked:
* Juliana: widow, independent, settled, interested in moving on with her life though determined not to marry…or so she thinks, her interaction with Lucas impacts her more than she realizes at the time
* Lucas: viscount, heir to an earldom, wants to marry for love if and when he settles down, accused of rakish behavior, his interaction with Juliana in a snowstorm changes his life
* The Cosfords and their matchmaking events that always provide at least one engaged couple…if not more
* The entertainment at the house parties, the camaraderie of the guests, and the potential that lurks within
* The mature communication between Lucas and Juliana – equals in more ways than one
* That both main characters came from loving accepting families
* The secret that Lucas eventually reveals
* The trust between Lucas and Juliana
* Thinking about the next book in the series and wondering how that story will play out
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* There wasn’t anything that I disliked…amazingly enough!

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Impeccable by Darcy Burke
The Phoenix Club # 5

The book before the last in this series sees Evie, once a courtesan protected by Lucien, find her happily ever after. I had expected Evie to end up with someone else and though surprised, can see her quite happy with the man she married in the end and look forward to reading the conclusion of this series when the next book is published.

What I liked:
* Evie: patroness of the Phoenix Club, good friend of the club proprietor, keeps secret her past as a courtesan and her French origins, daughter of a Chevalier, arrived in London as a baby, strong, intelligent, formidable, and loving
* Gregory: second son, even tempered, interested in education, and learning new information, has a contemptible older brother and sister-in-law, smitten with Evie, perseverant, quick study, loves animals…and Evie
* Lucien: good friend, giving, takes care of others, has a difficult relationship with his father, faces issues with the Phoenix Club’s future by the end of this book, will hopefully figure out the problem and find his happily ever after in the conclusion of this series
* The meet-cute that sees Gregory and Evie rescuing a puppy
* The relationship of Evie with her sister – very close and loving and there for one another
* Hearing more of Evie’s backstory
* Seeing characters from previous books in the series
* The surprise Evie and her sister have at the end of this book and who provided the surprise
* Wondering how the series will conclude

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like: Gregory’s sibling and sister-in-law, the behavior of the Hargroves, and the treatment Lucien receives from his father
* Having to wait for the book that will end this series and having to say goodbye to the characters

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

5 stars

Not much plot, enjoyable nonetheless. The romance doesn't particularly ring true. Doesn't really seem like she will or can forgive him for all his past deeds. It's never really shown that she deals with it or has changed her opinions or views about his actions. I felt like it was just ignored in favour of the romance moving along. Audrey could've been the type of character I love but she fell flat. She had the appearance of spunk with no actual spunk. Jagger was very woe is me. And the Jagger/Lockewood thing drove me mental. Pick a name and stick with it. I understand why they didn't but it annoyed me.

Well, dammit. This was on its way to being a solid 3 star read, despite being a spinster-by-choice book (not my fave), up until the end. The book lost me when Lucy randomly becomes convinced that Andrew loves her and believes (I think?) that he is going to commit suicide, or at least be supremely reckless, due to her refusing to marry him. What??? He is basically an ass to her for most of the book, and I was cool with that cuz I thought we were going to get some good angst and groveling, but instead she rushes to his side?? And then they have this exchange:

“I love you, Lucy. I was an idiot.”
“Yes, you were. But I understand why.”
Now he pulled back and looked at her in wonder. “You do?”
She nodded. “I think so. You’re still deeply wounded by your family’s death. And, I think, you’re scared to allow yourself to love anyone.”
He stared at her in wonder. “How is it you understand me so completely?”

THAT SHIT WAS OBVI TO EVERYONE FROM THE BEGINNING BRO.

Now, I love me a woman in pants, and I’m still going to pore over this authors catalog for other spinsters, but dang, I just feel like the wrong person did the chasing in the end.

Irresistible by Darcy Burke
The Phoenix Club #6

Spying, deciphering secret messages, pretend-marriage, and romance abound in this story of two people sent on a mission to determine whether or not treason is in play and if so, who the culprits might be.

What I liked:
* Returning to the world that centers around the Phoenix club
* Jess: a spinster wannabe, unwilling to marry as her parents wish her to do, great puzzle solver, seeks adventure, a bit of a bluestocking, and more beautiful than she thinks, she is rather taken with Dougal
* Dougal: spy for his government, loves his family – all of them, wears more than one hat-identify, plays parts well, rather taken with Jess, wants to find out why his last two missions went wrong
* Getting to see Evie and Lucien and finding out they have upcoming stories of their own to look forward to.
* The Chessmores: a delightful, quirky, amorous, and welcoming couple who were there for the “Smythes”
* The Smythes: two people playing a part that fall for one another…against their better judgements
* Dougal’s relatives Robbie and Robbie’s family – wonder if there could be a spinoff series for them?
* Dougal’s father: a good man that I would have liked to know more about
* Lady Pickering and Lord Kent/Torrance: rather in the background but intriguing people
* What Jess found in the translation of the Chessmores’ letters
* Wondering if Kat will show up in a future book
* That Dougal and Jess did eventually manage their HEA
* Knowing that there are at least two more books to look forward to in this series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like…but for the most part this was an easy feel-good story

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars