I'd read Darcy Burke before and while I was a little uncertain about the description, sometimes writers can take an idea and really elevate it even if on the face it doesn't seem like it would work. Unfortunately that was not the case here for me. From the beginning of the story, as I reader I was dropped into a scene where it seemed like all the characters knew each other, and there was a lot more telling than showing on key points, such as the male protagonist dislike of marriage (basically that his family made him dislike it). The female heroine was not very compelling and seemed quite immature (perhaps if one had read previous novels, a different characterization would have been intuited). It also kicked off with a racing and betting scene that I just couldn't see a young, single woman of Quality being present at without it being harshly judged, so I had trouble getting into the novel from the outset.

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley for an unbiased review.

This was a great book with lots of action. I loved how the hero and heroine discovered their attraction to each other. There were unexpected plot twists that impacted the situation a great deal. This is the 12th book in the Untouchables series. I have not read any of the previous books and it didn't detract from this story at all. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the novels in the series.

Felix Havers, Earl of Ware, never wanted to get married or fall in love because of what he went through with his uncle. He is only interested in fun and lighthearted entertainment. His best friend's father suggests Felix marry his daughter. Both Felix and Sarah are shocked and announce they do not want to marry.

Sarah Colton is a wallflower, firmly on the shelf. She wants to open a millinery shop and live her own life. Her parents discover her plans and tell her if she doesn't find a husband on her own, they will find one for her. When tragedy strikes, will they be able to heal each other?

This was such a well-written book. I really liked Sarah's determination to live her life the way she wanted it. She was a strong-willed character. Felix was much more than the shallow person he let the public see. He was afraid of falling in love due to what he saw in his youth. I liked how Sarah helped him heal.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The duke of distraction was a little darker than other books in this genre with the unexpected murder that occurs, however that did create a unique situation in which love bloomed. I honestly loved the earl.of ware the hero of this book. He was the quintessential brooding and damaged man who needs the love of a good woman.

I really liked Felix and Sarah. I love this relationship dynamic—cheerful rake who believes himself incapable of love and an independent woman firmly decided to make her own way in the world, unless she finds a match that will truly love her. The contrast between Felix’s two halves (cheerful vs. self-loathing) is starker than I’m used to in such a character, and I think it really worked here. These characters and their dynamic carried me through when the plot stumbled.

This is the first book in the series I’ve read, and it stood alone very well—but now I find I would very much like to see Sarah’s brother find love.

I received an ARC of this book on netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book actually made me quite sad since there was a lot of potential to the story, the execution just was not as great as it needed to be. While the story does have an interesting heroine and a kind hero, it employs the tired trope of the love of the heroine being enough to save the hero from all of his problems. This is not just something that is alluded to in the story, rather something that is explicitly stated in the story and then to further the point a secondary character, the brother of the heroine, is told that he needed to fall in love to overcome his problems. This is a trope that I cannot overlook, it minimises the experiences of people with mental illnesses and wrongly places romantic love above all other types of love.

I wanted to like this book as the heroine was very fun and challenged traditional roles of a young woman belonging to the aristocracy by making hats and wanting to open a business where she could design, make, and sell hats of her creation. The hero also respects her for this and wants to help her make her dreams come true, which is wonderful to see. Overall, there were moments where I really enjoyed this book, but I cannot overlook the fact that this book promotes the idea that love can solve all issues.

I put off reading this because I did not want the series to end. This story has one of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers. I thought that Felix's and Sarah's relationship was very well written and showed how much they cared for each other before the feelings became romantic. I thought that having Felix help Sarah with what was going on in her life made perfect sense in the context of their history, and having Sarah in turn help Felix was just perfect. I would highly recommend this series to all who enjoy historical romance!

This was heartwrenching and lovely at the same time. Great storyline and the interaction between each person in the book was seamless. Pulled me right in!!

Miss Sarah Colton has consoled herself to the fact that she will be a spinster forever. In fact, she has goals and ambitions that do not include marriage. Sarah wants to open a millinery shop and sell the hats she creates. All of her plans come to a grinding halt when her parents insist she marry. As if that isn't bad enough, they ask her brother's best friend, Felix Havers, Earl of Ware, to marry her himself.

Felix likes Sarah very much, but he is not interested in marrying her. He declines, but agrees to help Sarah make a match. When Sarah loses both her parents in a tragic accident, all those plans are forgotten. Felix just wants to cheer her and her brother up so he finds himself inviting them to one of his properties. He certainly isn't expecting that Sarah may be the one person to tear down his defenses. What will happen when their time together is at an end?

Author Darcy Burke is fast becoming a go-to author for me. Her books never let me down. Ms. Burke breathes life into the historical time period, her story and it's characters. Her latest installment in her compelling UNTOUCHABLES series, THE DUKE OF DISTRACTION, is a testament to her skill. I give it a 4.5 star rating. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it is one of the best in her series, and most definitely is one of my favorite reads of 2019. The hero, Felix, and the heroine, Sarah, are just perfect for one another. Both are longing for something more, but don't seem to know it til they find it in each other. Their struggle is real and heart-breaking. I am so glad to see them get their HEA. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Sarah's brother, Anthony, gets his own story in the future.

I have never read any of the books in this series before this one. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The beginning of the book felt a bit slow. I was not sure I wanted to commit my time to these characters that just seemed to be going in circles around each other. I am very glad I stuck with the book. These characters were very enjoyable and I couldn't put the book down!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Felix never planned on falling in love and seeing what happened to his uncle and father. He does offer to help his friend’s sister, Sarah find a husband. What will happen when sparks begin to fly between. A fast-paced entertaining historical read. Great characters and great chemistry. I really liked it.

3.5 rounded to 4

It's a nice book for an afternoon. It tackles weighty issues, but does it with a light touch. It's a rather tame book that doesn't make one feel to strongly about anything.

There is the subject of death and losing one's parents, but in this case, the parents are only in about .3% of the book, so one has no opportunity to care about them. Subjectively, one understands that the children will mourn, but the reader doesn't. So, big crash of feeling.

Then there's the problem of the main characters having grown up together and not wanting to be together at all until they kiss accidentally at a house party. Then all the sudden they are all over each other. It's possible, but it would have been better if there had been a tiny amount of attraction before. Otherwise, it is like having sex with one's brother.

It has a bit of heat and a little bit of sweetness too.

I did receive an advance copy and these opinions are expressly my own.

So many emotions in this story. At times I needed a Kleenex. A friends to lovers romance that heals wounds for Felix and Sarah. I
Was very happy for Felix. The story is well written and very enjoyable.

Sarah is determined to live an independent life, and let social expectations be damned. But when everything comes crashing down around her, she realises the only bright point left, is life-long friend Felix.

I received a free copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is the twelfth book in the Untouchables series, but it can be read as a stand-alone (with the minor exception of the epilogue).

Sarah is an independent young woman, who doesn't want to marry out of obligation to family and society. If she finds love, that is a different matter; but as that has not happened yet, she is preparing for spinsterhood. Instead of sitting as a burden on her parents and brother, Sarah is determined to turn her passion for hat design into a profitable business.

Felix is her brother's best friend, and has known Sarah for most of their lives. He has always treated her as a little sister; and he takes it upon himself to try and find Sarah a man that she can fall in love with. As Felix is at the helm of many social engagements, it shouldn't be hard to round up some suitable bachelors for her... but after a simple mistake in mystery kissing game, Felix can't help but feel that no other man will be good enough for Sarah. It's only a pity that he has sworn off marriage.

This book started off as a bit of light-hearted fun, as we follow the races that Felix has arranged for the gentry; and the party designed to give Sarah more interactions with suitable bachelors.
Things quickly take a serious turn, when tragedy strikes Sarah's family; and soon Felix is the only bright point on the horizon. It was endearing to see how Felix makes it his duty to support his two closest friends, doing whatever it takes to make their grief easier. He becomes a pillar of support for Sarah and her brother, and wants nothing in return.

I really liked Sarah for the most part. She has her own opinions, and isn't afraid to follow her desires. She recognises the constraints of society, and doesn't want to upset people, but she knows that isn't the life for her. I loved her passion for building her own business; and I loved when she decided to break convention and embrace her desires. She has already resigned herself to spinsterhood, why shouldn't she enjoy passion, at least once?

The not-so-good
I wasn't a fan of the writing - it's good, but I felt the tone wasn't right for the period. It felt too modern, and too American.
On the back of that, I thought that society (and Felix in particular) came across as very flippant. I liked Felix, I just never saw him as a 19th century Duke.

There is little plot beyond the getting together of Sarah and Felix. There is a theme of grief and loss, which is very well done.
There is also a stab at something under-handed, in that Felix's odious uncle wants him to remain unmarried, so the title can go to Felix's cousin. It's not a spoiler, it wasn't subtle.

I think the thing that put me off most was the ending. Felix doesn't want to marry (as someone who is totally opposed to marriage myself, I can sympathise with him), and he has pretty good reasons why. He also doesn't like to celebrate his birthday - again, very good reason.
Despite all the time and emotional energy Felix has freely given to them, in the last few chapters, Sarah and her brother bully Felix into getting married and having a birthday party.
It was like, Sarah finally found out about Felix's background, and finally understood him; which gave her the right to ignore everything he wanted.
After starting as such a strong character, she lost a million points.

Overall, it's good for a light read, but I won't be continuing with the series.

Felix Havers, Earl of Ware, never wants to fall in love, marry or do something like that because of what he went through with his uncle and aunt. They aren't even friendly with each other and are living separately He loves to entertain his friends and when his best friend's parents suggest him to help their daughter a husband, he agrees. After he disagreed to marry her.
Sarah, Felix's best friend's sister, gave up on marriage after two seasons. If she'd ever married, she'd marry for love and for nothing else. So she saved her money to open a millinery shop and design her own hats.
During a house party they are playing a kissing game and because of an accident, they end up together ... it's the beginning of the end for both of them, their independence, their future plans ...

I absolutely enjoyed this book, couldnt book it aside. Well written, well developed characters.

#ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.,

Loved it. Felix has a heart of gold and is so much fun. Sarah is determined and lovable. I love stories where long time friends fall in love unexpectedly. This is story of determination, sadness and triumph. Once you start you won't be able to put it down.

Love, love, love this story. Felix is the sweetest man. Sarah is as tower of strength. When she gives her heart, you can't help but cheer for her. This is such a wonderful story...some incredibly sad parts. Your heart will hurt for Felix and Sarah...and you will worry for Anthony! Looking forward to the next story...

Thank you for this edited version. It reads much more smoothly than the first one I received.
I could barely finish the first ARC I got of this book and I had expected it to be much better. This is definitely an upgrade and gets 4.35 of 5.0 stars.This series has been a favorite.
I enjoyed this version much more.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This historical romance is a friend's to lovers tale.
Miss Sarah Colton has always adored Felix Havers, but also has known he has vowed to never marry.
She doesn't want to marry, she wants to open a millinery shop with a friend to provide for herself in her spinsterhood.
Felix has known emotional pain all his life, his mother died giving birth to him and his father blamed him. His uncle wants the title for his son and pushed Felix to stay single and alone.
Circumstances interfere with the couples wishes and their close contact brings them closer, close enough that both realize they are better together.
Ms. Darcy includes great interaction between a group of friends, familial interaction, vivid descriptions, bits of humor and some steamy love scenes.
I recommend this whole series for those who love historicals with humor and steam.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc.

Felix the Earl of Ware has been best friends with Anthony Colton for a long time. His Sarah Colton has given up on the pursuit of marriage and has been saving to open up a millinery shop to make her hats, but her parents have other ideas. Felix and Sarah are ambushed by her parents wanting the two to marry, it seems the perfect match, but not to Felix and Sarah. Felix is Anthony’s best friend and feels he can help Sarah find the perfect husband, a man she can love, but along the way they find themselves intrigued and slowly fall for each other. Felix is the master of adventure and Sarah is ready for the next grand adventure. They are perfect together, now how to convince them what they share is worth fighting for and grab happiness in the least expected place in each other. This my honest opinion and review after I read the book.