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melamtz's review
3.0
It was an entertaining read for a lazy Sunday but it was missing something. I'm not sure what, maybe the whole cousin death or how Marcus seems to all of a sudden want a relationship when for the whole book it seemed like he didn't. I'm nit picking because truly it's not awful nor different from other books. There is the whole Phoebe living alone and being independent that is unrealistic but that rarely bothers me and it didn't here.
Anyways I'm really looking forward to Jane and Anthony's book, really since Sarah and Felix' book.
Anyways I'm really looking forward to Jane and Anthony's book, really since Sarah and Felix' book.
lynettifoo's review
4.0
I read the first book in the series and I liked this one a little bit more.
I love it when intimidating heroes are soft for heroines and this is that in a nutshell. The heroine is no slouch either, having abandoned an ex-fiance at the altar (two: described sexual assault) and is rich and ready to be free of marriage. What are the chances that she "befriend" a rake who is not interested in marriage either?
It's fun and then the story gets serious, bringing back a suspenseful mystery thread from the first book. That's ok but it wraps up fairly easily, eh.
Part of me balks at how quickly the heroine goes from her trauma to romance-ready but she is the one taking initiative the whole time so just be ready for that.
I love it when intimidating heroes are soft for heroines and this is that in a nutshell. The heroine is no slouch either, having abandoned an ex-fiance at the altar (two: described sexual assault) and is rich and ready to be free of marriage. What are the chances that she "befriend" a rake who is not interested in marriage either?
It's fun and then the story gets serious, bringing back a suspenseful mystery thread from the first book. That's ok but it wraps up fairly easily, eh.
Part of me balks at how quickly the heroine goes from her trauma to romance-ready but she is the one taking initiative the whole time so just be ready for that.
serenityfire's review
4.0
Trigger warning: sexual assault
I enjoyed this romance despite not having read the first book in the series (I'll have to get it now). The premise is that a self-declared spinster strikes up a friendship with a rake. I really liked the heroine, Phoebe, and how she dealt with events in her life. The book handled the sexual assault reasonably well, but I wanted to give a trigger warning for anyone wishing to avoid reading about it.
The hero was interesting, though it felt like he overcame his issues quite suddenly at the end of the novel. I found the initial courtship and female friendships in the book the best parts. Burke also does a good job with historical allusions and discussion of clothing.
I received a free advanced review copy of the book in return for a unbiased review.
I enjoyed this romance despite not having read the first book in the series (I'll have to get it now). The premise is that a self-declared spinster strikes up a friendship with a rake. I really liked the heroine, Phoebe, and how she dealt with events in her life. The book handled the sexual assault reasonably well, but I wanted to give a trigger warning for anyone wishing to avoid reading about it.
The hero was interesting, though it felt like he overcame his issues quite suddenly at the end of the novel. I found the initial courtship and female friendships in the book the best parts. Burke also does a good job with historical allusions and discussion of clothing.
I received a free advanced review copy of the book in return for a unbiased review.
justanotherbooknerd's review
3.0
This romance was perfectly fine. There were times when the writing style pulled me out of the story. However, I really liked Phoebe as a character and Ripley was great. I didn't always understand Ripley's motivations but if you suspend a certain amount of belief, you can still enjoy this story. 3.5 out of 5.
bibliophiliadk's review against another edition
3.0
INTERESTING, EXCITING HEROINE PULLS THIS BOOK THROUGH
beckymmoe's review against another edition
5.0
Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 3/1/2020.
I loved Phoebe and Marcus! Whether as individuals or together, they are just wonderful on the page. Their banter was delightful, and watching two people who are determined not to start a relationship do exactly that was a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the extra layer that the who killed Marcus's cousin, and why is he taking the blame for it? mystery brought to the story--though it has to be noted that that event isn't what brought the two of them together as the synopsis suggests; they were already "friends" (their label, not mine) before that.
The next story is heavily hinted at (Jane and Anthony; woot!) and the hero and heroine of book one (Graham and Arabella of [b:Never Have I Ever With a Duke|44151428|Never Have I Ever With a Duke (The Spitfire Society #1)|Darcy Burke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558827589l/44151428._SY75_.jpg|68666223]) play a part here, but this one could definitely work as a standalone if needed. Part of Marcus's motivation is related to events from the first book, but the pertinent details are given here so readers won't be lost.
But honestly, read both books. You won't be sorry, and it will give you something to do while waiting for book three ;)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I loved Phoebe and Marcus! Whether as individuals or together, they are just wonderful on the page. Their banter was delightful, and watching two people who are determined not to start a relationship do exactly that was a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the extra layer that the who killed Marcus's cousin, and why is he taking the blame for it? mystery brought to the story--though it has to be noted that that event isn't what brought the two of them together as the synopsis suggests; they were already "friends" (their label, not mine) before that.
The next story is heavily hinted at (Jane and Anthony; woot!) and the hero and heroine of book one (Graham and Arabella of [b:Never Have I Ever With a Duke|44151428|Never Have I Ever With a Duke (The Spitfire Society #1)|Darcy Burke|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1558827589l/44151428._SY75_.jpg|68666223]) play a part here, but this one could definitely work as a standalone if needed. Part of Marcus's motivation is related to events from the first book, but the pertinent details are given here so readers won't be lost.
But honestly, read both books. You won't be sorry, and it will give you something to do while waiting for book three ;)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
jillmlong's review against another edition
4.0
This was was a great story with strong characters. The love story of self proclaimed spinster Phoebe and the womanizing Marquess Marcus was hot, sexy and intriguing. However, I did not need the secondary plot with Marcus’ cousin scamming people out of money.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
cakt1991's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve always heard some pretty good things about Darcy Burke’s books, but I never really had the chance to try one of them. And despite rakish heroes not really being my cup of tea, other bits of the premise stood out to me.
I really like Phoebe, and the fact that she’s unconventional for the Regency period in the fact that she lives independently, despite being unmarried. Given the title of the series and the hints I gathered, I suspect this is something touched on in the first book, so while this book does stand alone in the sense of it being a contained romance, I’d like to read that one to see if it sets up the premise of the group of friends and their relationships a little better.
Marcus was a bit of a harder sell for me, because of his rakishness. I also remained unconvinced by the end that their affair could translate into an HEA, given the way the two magically go from being opposed to marriage to being ready for it because they met the right person, and while she bares her soul somewhat, he doesn’t really. But they do have a decent relationship, starting as friends first, and developing into passion.
I was severely disappointed with the mystery subplot, one of the reasons I picked up this book. While I wasn’t expecting a suspenseful whodunnit, it kind of felt like one moment, his very life was at stake because he was determined to do the noble thing and accept blame for his cousin’s murder, but then things have been settled romance wise, and the rest is set aside, with no real closure for the mystery, or at least not a satisfying one.
This was a fun romance that is objectively pretty good, and most of the flaws I see are more “me” things than anything else. If you love a steamy historical romance with a forward-thinking heroine and a rakish hero with a soft side, I recommend checking this out.
I really like Phoebe, and the fact that she’s unconventional for the Regency period in the fact that she lives independently, despite being unmarried. Given the title of the series and the hints I gathered, I suspect this is something touched on in the first book, so while this book does stand alone in the sense of it being a contained romance, I’d like to read that one to see if it sets up the premise of the group of friends and their relationships a little better.
Marcus was a bit of a harder sell for me, because of his rakishness. I also remained unconvinced by the end that their affair could translate into an HEA, given the way the two magically go from being opposed to marriage to being ready for it because they met the right person, and while she bares her soul somewhat, he doesn’t really. But they do have a decent relationship, starting as friends first, and developing into passion.
I was severely disappointed with the mystery subplot, one of the reasons I picked up this book. While I wasn’t expecting a suspenseful whodunnit, it kind of felt like one moment, his very life was at stake because he was determined to do the noble thing and accept blame for his cousin’s murder, but then things have been settled romance wise, and the rest is set aside, with no real closure for the mystery, or at least not a satisfying one.
This was a fun romance that is objectively pretty good, and most of the flaws I see are more “me” things than anything else. If you love a steamy historical romance with a forward-thinking heroine and a rakish hero with a soft side, I recommend checking this out.
pagesforsanity's review against another edition
4.0
I have a good friend who really enjoys historical/regency era romances and has read some of this author's work. I decided to give this one a try. It's the second book in the Spitfire Society trilogy. I read this without reading the first. It served well as a standalone as well.
As for the book itself, I really enjoyed it. I liked the aspect of Phoebe taking her own role when that isnt necessarily the norm. She has a good heart and you can really tell from her initial arrival in the book.
Marcus is a great alpha male who is determined to spend his life alone. Clearly we know going into the book that this would be not be the case, but it sure was fun to unravel the story and she the happily ever after.
Thank you Darcy Burke and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As for the book itself, I really enjoyed it. I liked the aspect of Phoebe taking her own role when that isnt necessarily the norm. She has a good heart and you can really tell from her initial arrival in the book.
Marcus is a great alpha male who is determined to spend his life alone. Clearly we know going into the book that this would be not be the case, but it sure was fun to unravel the story and she the happily ever after.
Thank you Darcy Burke and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
xsophiehoughton's review against another edition
4.0
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
In A Duke is Never Enough, Phoebe Lennox, now notorious for refusing to marry her betrothed, is living a somewhat life of luxury as the heiress of a late relative, away from her parents, and with no plans to marry. A lot of people have given her the cut, but she's happy with the life she has. When she comes across Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, bleeding after an argument in the park, she is immediately drawn to him, as he is to her. Marcus is a notorious rake, but hates swindlers, and his cousin is the biggest one. After discovering his cousin fleeced a lot of the great and the good, he needs to find him, and get the money back - money that even Phoebe's own father lost. Both Marcus and Phoebe join forces, denying their attractions, and strive to find Drobbit to recover the funds. However, when he turns up dead, and Marcus is immediately blamed, now they need to save Marcus from the noose, and discover who actually killed his wayward cousin.
Phoebe is one of the best heroines I've read in a long time. After being treated horrendously by her fiancee before the wedding, she jilts him because facing a life with him is unimaginable. That's left her on the fringes of society, but she's a self proclaimed spinster, and happy to be so. Her parents don't understand it, and especially when they fall into financial problems, they urge her to marry, but she won't. She's intrigued by Marcus, and happy to have some fun with him, but doesn't expect anything more, especially knowing his reputation. Marcus is very much the same - he has no plans to settle, but likes Phoebe, and enjoys her company. Being with her, and having her help him with his investigation makes him start to change his mind, and he needs to woo her - which was definitely swoony. The plot line was enjoyable, especially the mystery and investigation over Drobbit's disappearance and later death, and I liked how this showed both character's appreciation and respect for the other, rather than it being wholly about the romance. My only issue with the book is the title, A Duke is Never Enough, when Marcus was a Marquess, and not a duke - but that's just me being pedantic. I definitely will be reading more of this author in future.
In A Duke is Never Enough, Phoebe Lennox, now notorious for refusing to marry her betrothed, is living a somewhat life of luxury as the heiress of a late relative, away from her parents, and with no plans to marry. A lot of people have given her the cut, but she's happy with the life she has. When she comes across Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, bleeding after an argument in the park, she is immediately drawn to him, as he is to her. Marcus is a notorious rake, but hates swindlers, and his cousin is the biggest one. After discovering his cousin fleeced a lot of the great and the good, he needs to find him, and get the money back - money that even Phoebe's own father lost. Both Marcus and Phoebe join forces, denying their attractions, and strive to find Drobbit to recover the funds. However, when he turns up dead, and Marcus is immediately blamed, now they need to save Marcus from the noose, and discover who actually killed his wayward cousin.
Phoebe is one of the best heroines I've read in a long time. After being treated horrendously by her fiancee before the wedding, she jilts him because facing a life with him is unimaginable. That's left her on the fringes of society, but she's a self proclaimed spinster, and happy to be so. Her parents don't understand it, and especially when they fall into financial problems, they urge her to marry, but she won't. She's intrigued by Marcus, and happy to have some fun with him, but doesn't expect anything more, especially knowing his reputation. Marcus is very much the same - he has no plans to settle, but likes Phoebe, and enjoys her company. Being with her, and having her help him with his investigation makes him start to change his mind, and he needs to woo her - which was definitely swoony. The plot line was enjoyable, especially the mystery and investigation over Drobbit's disappearance and later death, and I liked how this showed both character's appreciation and respect for the other, rather than it being wholly about the romance. My only issue with the book is the title, A Duke is Never Enough, when Marcus was a Marquess, and not a duke - but that's just me being pedantic. I definitely will be reading more of this author in future.