So we are back at the Ton, I so know that I could not have lived around that time I would have been gossipped about so much. Anywho so we meet Phoebe and I have to say, I liked her, she stood up for herself and left her stupid fiance not caring that the Ton would criticize or gossip or whatever it is that they would do. But luckily for her she ends up getting money from an aunt and can now return and live how she wants. Good for her! Then we have Marcus, who also did not care or would succumb to the ton, only thing that bugged me was all the time he spent in the brothels, I don't understand how these people didn't get a lot of STD's, well I guess we don't for the books we read. So these two meet, Marcus is determined to confront his cousin on swindling people, so you have to give it to him to be honorable enough to care. As they spend time together there feelings on never wanted a relationship starts changing, Marcus's way sooner than Phoebe..Who will be next?, Doesn't matter I will be reading it.

rcvd an ARC at no cost to author...(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions ( )

A Duke Is Never Enough, by Darcy Burke, is available at booksellers on 2-25-20. Never Enough is book 2 in Ms Burke's The Spitfire Society. The book works well as a standalone so jump right in, you can catch up later and not have missed much at all. The plot is a bit farfetched but I've given 4 stars for all the sass and wit, I loved it. Flirting never has so many double entendre as in Never Enough. Ms Burke has given Marcus & Phoebe a tit-for-tat repertoire that's such fun to read. What I don't understand is the book title. There's no duke, Marcus is a Marquess, and why is one never enough? What's left, Prince?

Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley has a bad boy reputation that's mostly earned. His first meeting with Phoebe Lennox is memorable and he's besotted right away. He has such naughty thoughts about our virgin heroine, a lot of them. Phoebe is a self-proclaimed spinster & charter member of The Spitfire Society. Her reputation is in tatters, she jilted her fiancée, but is lucky enough that she inherited money. She has set herself up to live alone and doesn't like the idea of marriage, she doesn't have to now. You can see where this is going. Our couple has to overcome their suspicion of marriage to get to the HEA. The journey to self-awareness is pleasant and a fun read. I'm looking forward to Anthony & Janes story, he's an awful mess. Jane has her work cut of for her.

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

#DarcyBurke #Netgalley #ADukeIsNeverEnough #TheSpitfireSociety #historicalromance ( )

A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke
The Spitfire Society #2

Marcus Raleigh, Marquess or Ripley, is furious with his cousin for fleecing men of their money through a bogus investment scheme. When he confronts Drobbit there is a scuffle that sees spinster Phoebe Lennox coming to staunch the blood. The two are attracted but neither has any intention of ever marrying and so they eventually decide to be friends...but...there is potential for more...if they get their ducks in a row.

What I liked:
* Phoebe’s intellect, independent spirit and willingness to pursue what she feels is best for herself
* Marcus’s warmth, sense of right and wrong and the spark and sizzle he and Phoebe brought to the story
* The way the mystery of who killed Drobbit is revealed
* Wondering if women really had the freedom in 1819 that Phoebe had in this story

What I did not like:
* Sainsbury...for more than one reason
* Drobbit...though I wondered if he might have been redeemable if he had lived
* Pretty much what I was meant not to like ;)

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

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

4-5 Stars ( )

The spinster and the rake

Phoebe Lennox deserted her betrothed at the altar and set the society gossips and London's ton on its collective ear. Gossips had a hey day and Phoebe thanked her lucky stars that she'd had enough gumption to not take that final step that would've left her shackled to a husband who delighted in inflicting pain. Society was even more shocked when she set up house by herself.
Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, draws a different sort of attention. A rake and a womanizer, although to be fair, he drew the line at some actions.
So when Marcus discovered his cousin had been actively swindling gullible ton members with dubious investments, he confronts Drobbit in the park, resulting in fisticuffs. Enter Phoebe who helps Marcus clean some blood of his face. That's their beginnings. Drobbit later turns up dead. No-one is surprised. Except Marcus and Phoebe, as Marcus is now a suspect in a murder case.
(I must say the name Drobbit conjures up an unsavory Dicken's type character, and the alliteration unfortunately sent me straight to Dobby from Harry Potter. But that's unfair to Dobby. I love Dobby whereas Drobbit is a slimey , unprincipled character skirting the edges of the ton.)
Putting that aside we have a couple who aren't (indeed shockingly aren't!) following society's rules, a relationship that builds via simple respect and understanding (friendship) with lustful interludes, disgruntled investors, a murdered Marquess' cousin, and a messy situation.
Although I enjoyed Phoebe's and Marcus' developing relationship, and Phoebe's bold move to independence, the investment scheme and surrounding mystery just seemed muddy and unresolved me.

An Author Collective 20 ARC via NetGalley ( )

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. A Duke is Never Enough is the second book in Darcy Burke’s The Spitfire Society series. It could be read as a standalone but I enjoyed the first book and do reccomend read it as well. Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley has learned that his cousin has been fleecing investors and when he tracks him down to confront him about about it is injured and is aided by an intriguing beauty who won’t give him her name. Phoebe Lennox was ruined when she abandoned her cheating betrothed at the alter. She inherited a fortune from her aunt and has set up her own household and intends to live her life as she sees fit and not as society would wish. It doesn’t take Marcus long to track her down and finding that he wants to know her better convinces her that they should be friends despite his notorious reputation as a rake. There is a nice slow burn as these friends become lovers and a mystery to be solved when his cousin goes missing. I enjoyed this story very much and have just one question about the title… Where’s the Duke?
Medium Steam. Publishing Date February 25, 2020. #NetGalley #ADukeIsNeverEnough #DarcyBurke #HistoricalRomance #FriendsToLovers #Bookstagram ( )