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jillmlong's review against another edition
3.0
This is the third book in The Spitfire Society series. You do not need to read the other two books to enjoy this book but I would recommend reading A Duke is Never Enough, it is my favorite in the series. For me, this book was OK. Anthony was the highlight of this book. He had a lot of guilt and self destructive behavior but he was an honorable man that needed some help getting out of the hole of despair. Jane was not very memorable. She was manipulative and boring.
natasjalovesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Decently fun, but nothing I haven't read many times before.
The characters weren't particularly compelling, although I did appreciate the male lead having actual alcohol problems. It's so often brushed aside in other historical romances, where they can easily quit the drink when they fall in love or their vast intake of spirits is never really commented on. I didn't appreciate the female lead's persistence when faced with a lack of sexual consent, though. She continuously cornered Anthony and pressured him into sex, despite his many refusals. It made me dislike her.
The plot was rather weak, in my opinion, and the climax was a little too dramatic for my taste. I also found it disappointing thatthe two culprits turned out to be characters we never met before, except for the one being mentioned a few times throughout the story.
I hadn't read the other books in the series or any other books from Burke, and although not necessary to do so in order to read A Duke Will Never Do, I think it might add to the experience if you have. There were so many references to characters I imagine have appeared in Burke's other novels, and because I didn't know them, it felt like they were just there as filler. They had very little influence on the actual story.
All in all, this was a decent enough read, but that's about it.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters weren't particularly compelling, although I did appreciate the male lead having actual alcohol problems. It's so often brushed aside in other historical romances, where they can easily quit the drink when they fall in love or their vast intake of spirits is never really commented on. I didn't appreciate the female lead's persistence when faced with a lack of sexual consent, though. She continuously cornered Anthony and pressured him into sex, despite his many refusals. It made me dislike her.
The plot was rather weak, in my opinion, and the climax was a little too dramatic for my taste. I also found it disappointing that
I hadn't read the other books in the series or any other books from Burke, and although not necessary to do so in order to read A Duke Will Never Do, I think it might add to the experience if you have. There were so many references to characters I imagine have appeared in Burke's other novels, and because I didn't know them, it felt like they were just there as filler. They had very little influence on the actual story.
All in all, this was a decent enough read, but that's about it.
I received a copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
cakt1991's review against another edition
4.0
I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Duke Will Never Do is my second Darcy Burke, the first being the previous book in the Spitfire Society, and I enjoyed this one much more. That one lacked a lot of substance to the characters and plot that this one delivered on so much better.
I was skeptical of the arc with Anthony descending into rakishness to numb the pain in the aftermath of his parent’s’ murder, as I feel like reforming the rake can often be done poorly. But I enjoyed the way he was portrayed, being self loathing but also trying to be a good person. Him getting together with Jane isn’t a cure-all, and while it’s rushed a bit, I like that he acknowledges he needs time to work on himself.
The Spitfire Society ladies are fascinating in their living independently on the fringes of society, and Jane is no exception. I like how she decided to stop caring about what people thought about her after a rumor ruined all her prospects.
There’s a mystery element in this one, and the way it connects Anthony and Jane, amping up the stakes for those they care about was wonderful, and provided a nice secondary conflict that was really compelling.
I really enjoyed this one, and am excited to hear that there’s more stories coming soon for the supporting characters from this book, especially Jane’s sister. I recommend this for fans of steamy historical romance.
A Duke Will Never Do is my second Darcy Burke, the first being the previous book in the Spitfire Society, and I enjoyed this one much more. That one lacked a lot of substance to the characters and plot that this one delivered on so much better.
I was skeptical of the arc with Anthony descending into rakishness to numb the pain in the aftermath of his parent’s’ murder, as I feel like reforming the rake can often be done poorly. But I enjoyed the way he was portrayed, being self loathing but also trying to be a good person. Him getting together with Jane isn’t a cure-all, and while it’s rushed a bit, I like that he acknowledges he needs time to work on himself.
The Spitfire Society ladies are fascinating in their living independently on the fringes of society, and Jane is no exception. I like how she decided to stop caring about what people thought about her after a rumor ruined all her prospects.
There’s a mystery element in this one, and the way it connects Anthony and Jane, amping up the stakes for those they care about was wonderful, and provided a nice secondary conflict that was really compelling.
I really enjoyed this one, and am excited to hear that there’s more stories coming soon for the supporting characters from this book, especially Jane’s sister. I recommend this for fans of steamy historical romance.
mom_reads_romance's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first read by Darcy Burke, and I will definitely come back for more.
What I loved most about this story was the way the two main characters found strength in each other. Each were dealing with their past tragedies, and their relationship was built on an openness and trust. I love the sort of love story where it's "us against the world." And even though they had some really heavy things to deal with (particularly the hero, Anthony), I didn't find the story overwrought with angst. It was still full of humor and felt light and fun to read.
This was the final book of a trilogy, and I do think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the other two books first. This Spitfire Society seemed more like a side story, or at least relied upon a prior understanding of it to appreciate it's significance. And it seemed that Anthony's story was fleshed out more in prior books. So, at first it felt that I was suddenly at a party where everyone but me knew each other. Once I adjusted to the fast pace of the story, I rather enjoyed it. I finished the story in a single afternoon, which I find deeply satisfying and will definitely read more from this author in the future.
What I loved most about this story was the way the two main characters found strength in each other. Each were dealing with their past tragedies, and their relationship was built on an openness and trust. I love the sort of love story where it's "us against the world." And even though they had some really heavy things to deal with (particularly the hero, Anthony), I didn't find the story overwrought with angst. It was still full of humor and felt light and fun to read.
This was the final book of a trilogy, and I do think I would have enjoyed it more had I read the other two books first. This Spitfire Society seemed more like a side story, or at least relied upon a prior understanding of it to appreciate it's significance. And it seemed that Anthony's story was fleshed out more in prior books. So, at first it felt that I was suddenly at a party where everyone but me knew each other. Once I adjusted to the fast pace of the story, I rather enjoyed it. I finished the story in a single afternoon, which I find deeply satisfying and will definitely read more from this author in the future.
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.
I raced through book 2 in the Spitfire Society series, A Duke is Never Enough, within a few hours, and as soon as the next book became available to review, I knew I needed it. This time around we follow Miss Jane Pemberton as she has announced her spinsterhood, and is enjoying living alone, in the new Marchioness of Ripley's home. One day, she discovers that Anthony, Viscount Colton, is lying unconscious on her front step, and she immediately takes him in and nurses him back to health. While under her care, Anthony finds himself becoming sober, and not missing his old roguish ways, and, above all, feeling comfortable and herself for the first time since he inherited his position and his parents were murdered. When Jane comes to him and asks Anthony to teach her how to be intimate, he finds it difficult to be a gentlemen and refuse her. When he returns home, all of his demons come rushing back, and it seems that he is being blackmailed over the murders of his parents, and returns right back to where he was. Can Jane help him to discover who is extorting him, or will he spiral out of control once and for all.
Now, I loved the previous book in this series, but I think this one was even better. Jane and Anthony had always intrigued me, and I felt their story was perfect for the two of them. Jane, who had had five failed seasons, felt so much pressure from her parents, and particularly her mother, and it was just too much for her. When Phoebe married Marcus at the end of the last book, she offered Jane her house, and it was the freedom that Jane had always needed. When Anthony lets slip that there had been a rumour of a scandal involving Jane during her first season, which is the reason she was basically put on the shelf as time went on, she's furious, and wants to find out who spread it, and why they would do that. I loved this part of the story, as well as the mystery surrounding Anthony's blackmail. Anthony has always felt guilt over his parents deaths, as he should have been the one travelling to the country when they were murdered, because of a gambling debt he couldn't repay. With Jane by his side, he finds it possible to confront his demons, and work to discover the extortionist and get justice for what was done.
The chemistry between Jane and Anthony is fantastic, and it was refreshing how many moments of friendship there was, and not only lust and desire. Their relationship developed from mere acquaintances, to friends, to lovers, in a natural manner, and it was perfect for this book. Also, how cute were Daffodil and Fern, what with how they treated Anthony, and how they pined for him after he left. Darcy is definitely becoming a favourite author of mine, and I can't wait for her next book!
I raced through book 2 in the Spitfire Society series, A Duke is Never Enough, within a few hours, and as soon as the next book became available to review, I knew I needed it. This time around we follow Miss Jane Pemberton as she has announced her spinsterhood, and is enjoying living alone, in the new Marchioness of Ripley's home. One day, she discovers that Anthony, Viscount Colton, is lying unconscious on her front step, and she immediately takes him in and nurses him back to health. While under her care, Anthony finds himself becoming sober, and not missing his old roguish ways, and, above all, feeling comfortable and herself for the first time since he inherited his position and his parents were murdered. When Jane comes to him and asks Anthony to teach her how to be intimate, he finds it difficult to be a gentlemen and refuse her. When he returns home, all of his demons come rushing back, and it seems that he is being blackmailed over the murders of his parents, and returns right back to where he was. Can Jane help him to discover who is extorting him, or will he spiral out of control once and for all.
Now, I loved the previous book in this series, but I think this one was even better. Jane and Anthony had always intrigued me, and I felt their story was perfect for the two of them. Jane, who had had five failed seasons, felt so much pressure from her parents, and particularly her mother, and it was just too much for her. When Phoebe married Marcus at the end of the last book, she offered Jane her house, and it was the freedom that Jane had always needed. When Anthony lets slip that there had been a rumour of a scandal involving Jane during her first season, which is the reason she was basically put on the shelf as time went on, she's furious, and wants to find out who spread it, and why they would do that. I loved this part of the story, as well as the mystery surrounding Anthony's blackmail. Anthony has always felt guilt over his parents deaths, as he should have been the one travelling to the country when they were murdered, because of a gambling debt he couldn't repay. With Jane by his side, he finds it possible to confront his demons, and work to discover the extortionist and get justice for what was done.
The chemistry between Jane and Anthony is fantastic, and it was refreshing how many moments of friendship there was, and not only lust and desire. Their relationship developed from mere acquaintances, to friends, to lovers, in a natural manner, and it was perfect for this book. Also, how cute were Daffodil and Fern, what with how they treated Anthony, and how they pined for him after he left. Darcy is definitely becoming a favourite author of mine, and I can't wait for her next book!
alannaj's review
4.0
I was instantly interested in this book - there was no slow start or build-up, I felt connected to the story right from the start. It was only partway through the book that I realised that I wasn’t reading the first in the series, but there was no loss of story or character to contend with - one sign of a well-written series is that you can read each book as a standalone story and not be disadvantaged and that is certainly the case here. There is enough detail that (I assume) alludes to previous plot points, but nothing is hard to follow or detracts from the story at hand.
Both main characters were likeable, relatable and well developed throughout. I was invested in their stories from the start but particularly appreciated how their backstories continued to build in an authentic way as the story progressed. The slightly less appealing parts of their characters came to make perfect sense - Jane’s pushiness explained by how she was treated by her parents, and Anthony’s self-loathing explained by losing his parents as a result of his own actions. It was endearing to see them bring out the best in each other and let go of their reservations as the story drew to its conclusion - the author did a good job of focusing on their connection without forcing it.
The book had some pretty steamy, no-detail-spared, love scenes to keep the pace of the story alive throughout. My only issue with the book, and the reason the last star is missing from my review, is that these scenes, and this part of the romance, seemed to come out of nowhere and jarred a little with how the characters had been developed up to that point - Jane had been portrayed as an innocent spinster but was instantly fully engaged with all aspects of exploring the male form, and Anthony repeatedly stated that he wanted to protect her and keep her honour intact for fear of further torturing himself, but was more than willing to give in with minimal fight. The relationship that they had felt natural, but this particular part of it felt a little rushed and maybe could have waited until a bit further into the book.
I really enjoyed the read and will be seeking out the others in the series, and more by this author, in the future.
Both main characters were likeable, relatable and well developed throughout. I was invested in their stories from the start but particularly appreciated how their backstories continued to build in an authentic way as the story progressed. The slightly less appealing parts of their characters came to make perfect sense - Jane’s pushiness explained by how she was treated by her parents, and Anthony’s self-loathing explained by losing his parents as a result of his own actions. It was endearing to see them bring out the best in each other and let go of their reservations as the story drew to its conclusion - the author did a good job of focusing on their connection without forcing it.
The book had some pretty steamy, no-detail-spared, love scenes to keep the pace of the story alive throughout. My only issue with the book, and the reason the last star is missing from my review, is that these scenes, and this part of the romance, seemed to come out of nowhere and jarred a little with how the characters had been developed up to that point - Jane had been portrayed as an innocent spinster but was instantly fully engaged with all aspects of exploring the male form, and Anthony repeatedly stated that he wanted to protect her and keep her honour intact for fear of further torturing himself, but was more than willing to give in with minimal fight. The relationship that they had felt natural, but this particular part of it felt a little rushed and maybe could have waited until a bit further into the book.
I really enjoyed the read and will be seeking out the others in the series, and more by this author, in the future.
laffingkat's review
4.0
This Regency romance is the third and final book in Darcy Burke’s Spitfire Society series. Most of the characters were introduced in the related Untouchables series, and this book occasionally refers to events that occurred in that previous series. While all of these stories interconnect, each book focuses on one couple and can be enjoyed on its own. It is, however, fun to see couples from the previous books make appearances in this book.
I wasn’t quite as fond of the main characters in this story compared to the couples in the previous books in this series. Jane was caring and somewhat sassy and certainly sexually demanding, but she didn’t make nearly as much of an impression on me as the heroines of the previous books. And Anthony was just so self-destructive and filled with self-loathing that it was painful to read. His circumstances might drive some men to such extremes, but I didn’t enjoy reading about it. I prefer romances that are light and cheerful, so the gloomy, tortured hero trope doesn’t appeal to me.
I thought the plot had some interesting twists. Two of the three mysteries are resolved at the end, while one question remains unanswered. I also loved the inclusion of the kittens, who added some much-needed levity and playfulness. If you enjoy Regency romances of the steamier variety and don’t mind tortured heroes, then this is worth a read.
Note that this book includes explicit scenes of premarital sex.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
I wasn’t quite as fond of the main characters in this story compared to the couples in the previous books in this series. Jane was caring and somewhat sassy and certainly sexually demanding, but she didn’t make nearly as much of an impression on me as the heroines of the previous books. And Anthony was just so self-destructive and filled with self-loathing that it was painful to read. His circumstances might drive some men to such extremes, but I didn’t enjoy reading about it. I prefer romances that are light and cheerful, so the gloomy, tortured hero trope doesn’t appeal to me.
I thought the plot had some interesting twists. Two of the three mysteries are resolved at the end, while one question remains unanswered. I also loved the inclusion of the kittens, who added some much-needed levity and playfulness. If you enjoy Regency romances of the steamier variety and don’t mind tortured heroes, then this is worth a read.
Note that this book includes explicit scenes of premarital sex.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and volunteered to provide an honest review.
lovelybooksblog's review
4.0
A Duke Will Never Do is the third in the Spitfire Society series from Darcy Burke. Jane Pemberton has decided to declare herself a spinster and shake off the shackles of society. She’s moved out on her own and intends to start living her life for her own pleasures. When Anthony, Viscount Colton, turns up on her doorstep beaten and incapacitated she brings him in to nurse him back to health. The two form a friendship that blossoms in to more, but can the secrets of Anthony’s past be put to rest for the couple to have their happily ever after?
I came into this series with the second book, A Duke is Never Enough, so I was excited to see Phoebe’s friend Jane get her story told. Jane is a sweet and unassuming woman who has spent her life pleasing others. She longs for something more than a life lived pleasing others, and she’s finally gotten the courage to grab that life for herself. I wasn’t sure how I’d like Jane as a heroine of her own story, because she’s a bit timid in the other book, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much inner strength and fortitude she had in her own book. I loved that Jane was carrying on with the Spitfire ideals and trying to do good in the world with charity projects as well as enjoying freedoms previously denied to her.
Anthony was a bit of a rouge in the previous book and I didn’t have high expectations for his character to win me over. In the previous book he’s prone to drinking, fights, and sleeping with sex workers. However, I do usually love a reformed rake, so I shouldn’t have been suspicious that Burke could turn Anthony into a proper romance hero in this book. I loved the raw vulnerability we get to see in Anthony’s character as he mourns the loss of his parents and his guilt over their passing. His wastrel ways are a direct reflection of his need to numb the soul crushing grief, and his ability to share that grief with Jane was one of my favorite parts of this book.
This book isn’t all about regrets and secrets, Burke also give us a wonderful and passionate affair between these two characters. Her ability to write the chemistry between Jane and Anthony is precisely the kind of “show don’t tell” style of writing I want in a novel. I love when an author is skilled enough to give me a love story that feels visceral, because I want to feel the highs and the lows with equal amounts of depth. Burke does this in spades with this book, and it was one of the most satisfying reads I’ve had this year.
I enjoyed this book so much, that I only found one minor issue in the entire novel. For me, the resolution between Jane and Anthony felt a bit rushed for my taste. I won’t give anything away, but you know that moment when the hero has been a bit of a jerk and must grovel his way back into the heroine’s good graces? Well, we get those scenes in this book, but call me a masochist, I wanted Jane to make Anthony squirm a bit more. I know he was having a hard time already, but I think Jane deserved a bit more and the grovel didn’t quite fit the crime for my taste.
Overall, I’m giving this book a 4 only marking down for the small issue I had with the ending. I loved these characters and the plot was intriguing enough to keep me very engaged. Lately, I’ve been struggling to enjoy historical romances, and I’m pleased to say that this book and its predecessor have helped to pull me out of that funk. Darcy Burke is a new to me author and I’m excited to read more from her. If you’re a fan of Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, or Sophie Jordan and you’ve never heard of Darcy Burke do yourself a favor and pick up this series today.
Heat - 4 out of 5
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
I came into this series with the second book, A Duke is Never Enough, so I was excited to see Phoebe’s friend Jane get her story told. Jane is a sweet and unassuming woman who has spent her life pleasing others. She longs for something more than a life lived pleasing others, and she’s finally gotten the courage to grab that life for herself. I wasn’t sure how I’d like Jane as a heroine of her own story, because she’s a bit timid in the other book, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much inner strength and fortitude she had in her own book. I loved that Jane was carrying on with the Spitfire ideals and trying to do good in the world with charity projects as well as enjoying freedoms previously denied to her.
Anthony was a bit of a rouge in the previous book and I didn’t have high expectations for his character to win me over. In the previous book he’s prone to drinking, fights, and sleeping with sex workers. However, I do usually love a reformed rake, so I shouldn’t have been suspicious that Burke could turn Anthony into a proper romance hero in this book. I loved the raw vulnerability we get to see in Anthony’s character as he mourns the loss of his parents and his guilt over their passing. His wastrel ways are a direct reflection of his need to numb the soul crushing grief, and his ability to share that grief with Jane was one of my favorite parts of this book.
This book isn’t all about regrets and secrets, Burke also give us a wonderful and passionate affair between these two characters. Her ability to write the chemistry between Jane and Anthony is precisely the kind of “show don’t tell” style of writing I want in a novel. I love when an author is skilled enough to give me a love story that feels visceral, because I want to feel the highs and the lows with equal amounts of depth. Burke does this in spades with this book, and it was one of the most satisfying reads I’ve had this year.
I enjoyed this book so much, that I only found one minor issue in the entire novel. For me, the resolution between Jane and Anthony felt a bit rushed for my taste. I won’t give anything away, but you know that moment when the hero has been a bit of a jerk and must grovel his way back into the heroine’s good graces? Well, we get those scenes in this book, but call me a masochist, I wanted Jane to make Anthony squirm a bit more. I know he was having a hard time already, but I think Jane deserved a bit more and the grovel didn’t quite fit the crime for my taste.
Overall, I’m giving this book a 4 only marking down for the small issue I had with the ending. I loved these characters and the plot was intriguing enough to keep me very engaged. Lately, I’ve been struggling to enjoy historical romances, and I’m pleased to say that this book and its predecessor have helped to pull me out of that funk. Darcy Burke is a new to me author and I’m excited to read more from her. If you’re a fan of Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, or Sophie Jordan and you’ve never heard of Darcy Burke do yourself a favor and pick up this series today.
Heat - 4 out of 5
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
sarahsbooklife's review
2.0
Firstly, I would like to say thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Burke Publishing for giving me access to this ARC of A Duke Will Never Do.
I struggled a bit when it came to writing this review. I think I tried about three separate times to write this review since I finished this book. Overall, I enjoyed the book but there were definitely parts of it that I really didn’t.
Rating: 2/5
I struggled a bit when it came to writing this review. I think I tried about three separate times to write this review since I finished this book. Overall, I enjoyed the book but there were definitely parts of it that I really didn’t.
Rating: 2/5
accidentalrambler's review
3.0
*ARC received via NetGalley*
Let me just kick off with emphasizing how much I enjoyed this series so far. It's been full of likeable characters and diverting romance. Darcy Burke definitely seems to write a brand of historical romance that I enjoy.
That being said, I didn't enjoy this story on the the same level as the previous two of this series. Why?
The plot was not strong with this one.
While I still very much liked the main characters, Jane and Anthony, and enjoyed their connection and budding romance, I felt as if not much happened in the first half, or even first two thirds, of the book? Then, by the end, the resolution seemed quite hectic and a bit all over the place, to be honest. A lot of things just sort of...happened but since it was all so sudden, I didn't even have the time to get properly invested.
On the other hand, the romance between Jane and Anthony was just so very pleasing to read. Their chemistry was unmistakable, their banter was fun and I loved the way they supported each other. We also got introduced to some new characters, and that introduction made me very excited for the next series by this author - I'm definitely looking forward to that!
"The Spitfire Society" is the first series by Darcy Burke I've read but the mentions of some of the characters from her previous works will surely lead me to more of her books. Overall, I enjoy the writing style, the romance and the characters and while this particular story was not my personal favourite, it still made for a good ending to this series. I'll be on the lookout for more Darcy Burke books and if you love historical romance, you should be too ;)
Let me just kick off with emphasizing how much I enjoyed this series so far. It's been full of likeable characters and diverting romance. Darcy Burke definitely seems to write a brand of historical romance that I enjoy.
That being said, I didn't enjoy this story on the the same level as the previous two of this series. Why?
The plot was not strong with this one.
While I still very much liked the main characters, Jane and Anthony, and enjoyed their connection and budding romance, I felt as if not much happened in the first half, or even first two thirds, of the book? Then, by the end, the resolution seemed quite hectic and a bit all over the place, to be honest. A lot of things just sort of...happened but since it was all so sudden, I didn't even have the time to get properly invested.
On the other hand, the romance between Jane and Anthony was just so very pleasing to read. Their chemistry was unmistakable, their banter was fun and I loved the way they supported each other. We also got introduced to some new characters, and that introduction made me very excited for the next series by this author - I'm definitely looking forward to that!
"The Spitfire Society" is the first series by Darcy Burke I've read but the mentions of some of the characters from her previous works will surely lead me to more of her books. Overall, I enjoy the writing style, the romance and the characters and while this particular story was not my personal favourite, it still made for a good ending to this series. I'll be on the lookout for more Darcy Burke books and if you love historical romance, you should be too ;)
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