A Duke is Never Enough is the second installment in Darcy Burke’s Spitfire Society series. The story follows Phoebe Lennox a woman who had decided to live her life as a self-proclaimed spinster after narrowly avoiding a horrible marriage. She meets Marcus Raleigh, the Marquess of Ripley (what a tongue twister of a name!), a notorious lothario and the two strike up a friendship that turns to more. When Marcus is accused of a crime that has ties to Phoebe, will he be able to clear his name without threatening Phoebe?
This is my first experience with a Darcy Burke novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. The characters were well-developed and the chemistry between them was palpable. Phoebe is the type of heroine I’m looking for in my romance novels these days. She is intelligent and confident in her decisions; she’s thrown off the mantle of society’s expectations and living her life as she pleases. After a sudden inheritance she has moved out of her parents’ home and lived in her own home declaring herself a spinster at the tender age of twenty-five. Marcus is a well-known rogue in London society, but Phoebe doesn’t let his past stop her from enjoying a friendship (and more) with him.
Eventually, these two submit to their desires and it nearly lit my Kindle on fire with how hot their passion was. Darcy was able to write love scenes that were both extremely passionate and tender. I loved that Marcus was a very kind and attentive lover with Phoebe since she had some personal issues to work through. While these scenes were steamier than I expected, they were written so well that they fit very well into the story and helped to further deepen our main characters’ connection.
I only have two minor complaints for this book. First, there were a lot of side characters introduced in the first half of the book and it became hard to keep track of them. Not having read the previous book in the series (which I intend to correct immediately) I assumed some of them came from that novel or will appear in the next installment. Several times I had to go back to make sure I understood who a character was talking to especially because titles, nicknames, and given names were all used. The second minor issue is that this book is named A Duke is Never Enough and yet our hero is a marquess. I kept wondering where the Duke in the title would come in, but never got my answer.
Overall, this book was a wonderful read and I found myself devouring it faster than some more prominent titles I had recently picked up. The pacing, plot, and characters far exceeded my expectations for this previously unknown to me author. I would suggest this series to anyone who enjoys novels by Jennifer Ashley, Maya Banks, or Kerrigan Byrne. This gets a 4-star rating for me and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment. Content warning for descriptions of sexual assault which happened prior to the story.

Overall – 4
Heat – 5

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.

I've read a lot of Darcy Burkes books and just like all the others I really enjoyed this one.

It has the perfect mix of intrigue, scurrilous characters and some quite steamy romance! There were a few red cheeks and hot necks while I was reading this one. The perfect few hours of escapism. Will keep recommending and enjoying this series! Can't wait for the next one!

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.

A Duke is Never Enough is a really lovely historical romance. It's very unique in that the main characters are actively trying to become friends. Eventually they have an affair but neither is looking for love or marriage. Usually when a historical has the main characters as friends they've known each other since childhood. I really enjoyed how refreshing Marcus and Phoebe's friendship was. There was little angst in the story which worked because it allowed time for the friendship to deepen. I also enjoyed the depth that was given to how women were treated during this time period. This is not a clean romance. There are sex scenes which are very well written. This is a great book for when you want a break from the heavily agnsty historical romances. Five out of five stars.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in the Spitfire Society series, has engaging characters, including some from the first book and from other books by the author. Burke never disappoints in characters, plots and lively banter. It can be read as a standalone, but then you miss Arabella's story.

Wealthy Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is an unrepentant rake, but an honorable man. The same can not be said for his cousin, Archibald Drobbit, who has been running a investment scam and has cheated many people, including some of Marcus's friends. He tracks him down and confronts him in the park, and when his back is turned, the scoundrel throws a rock at Marcus's head. Among the witnesses is Phoebe Lennox, who comes to his aid. She is infamous herself, after leaving her aggressive, repulsive and philandering fiance at the altar. After the scandal, she had left London to stay with her great-aunt Maria, became her aunt's heir and returned as a wealthy and self-declared spinster. She and her two friends Jane and Arabella, formed the Spitfire CLub, meeting at Phoebe's fashionable home in Cavendish Square.

Marcus and Phoebe develop a unusual friendship. Phoebe is the first woman who has ever left him wanting more and Phoebe had never had a male friend. But their friendship is put to the test, not only by society but a murder.

While Phoebe's repulsion to men is explain, aside from Marcus's father drumming into him to have no attachments, without any family or heirs, there is no explanation, why he did not feel compelled to find a wife. That is the only con to the story. I am looking forward to reading about Jane in the next Spitfire book.

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Another ‘spitfire’ meets her match and in a thoroughly enjoyable way. Phoebe and Marcus embark on an affair that end up at the altar and having them quite besotted.

I have to admit, I went back to book 1 to figure out some of the characters just like their story, that panned out well for me… going back and referring to Graham and Arabella

Full of mystery, intrigue and loads of passion, the second in the Spitfire Society series is the story of Phoebe Lennox and Marcus Ripley, both of whom we met in the previous books.

It was a simple, enjoyable friends to lovers story with a murder thrown in for good measure and many additional characters making an appearance and demanding their own story. 

Thankfully the wait for Anthony and Jane will not be too long.

I seen so much about this author and all the books Darcy Burke has written. I am so glad I finally read something she has written and can’t wait to read other books by her. This is the story of Marcus and Phoebe, two strong characters that through a fluke came together. The story has several points going for it! Love is blind, mystery and some evil......a great read.

Need a smutty romance? You came to the right place! A Duke is Never Enough is an easy read with a good dash of sexiness between (you'll never guess) a Duke and a self proclaimed spinster. Add in a murder, and you have yourself a pretty good quarantine read!



Only two problems for me
1. Some of the language used during the sex scenes was definitely from the wrong time period.

2. Murder only mattered for about twenty pages.

Adored Phoebe and Marcus' story. A rake and a spinster thrown together cause so much more than sparks. A lesson in learning to love full of laughter, passion, and murder. Definitely recommend

I was pulled into this story, right from the first page. The characters of Phoebe and Marcus are well written. Phoebe is an intelligent, independent woman who after breaking her betrothal, for the right reasons, is trying to figure out her way through the society. Marcus is a rake but an honorable person. As Phoebe and Marcus get closer to each other, the chemistry between both of them is just explosive and turns the pages on fire. There is also an element of mystery to this story which enhanced it even further. I adored this book and highly recommend it.

The is only one major gripe I have with this book. I don’t understand this fascination that some authors have with naming all their books with dukes in the title. I get that it sells more but seriously this book has nothing to do with a Duke. It is only a click bait, nothing else. I feel bad because the story is so beautiful and you need to trust that the story is going to sell for itself, not just because it has a clickbait title.

This is book two in The Spitfire Society series and I would recommend reading it as part of the series. I am excited that Anthony is finally getting his story and cannot wait for the third book in this series.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I've been reading a lot of historical romance lately and when I read the summary of this one, it caught my attention. I thought the story was interesting and the characters kept the story moving. I look forward to reading more from this author!

A Duke is Never Enough features a fantastic romance between a woman determined to forge her own path and a notorious rake caught up in a family scandal.

After refusing to marry an unfaithful man, Phoebe Lennox flees London leaving the philanderer at the altar. When she returns, it’s as an heiress who refuses to bow to society’s demands. Phoebe has no interest in any relationship that would hinder her freedom, but when she meets Marcus Raleigh, the charming Marquess of Ripley, she finds herself tempted to throw caution to the wind. But as things heat up between the two, Marcus finds himself embroiled in scandal when his thieving cousin is murdered and he is considered the prime suspect. With time running out to find the real killer, Phoebe and Marcus are in a race against the clock before their chance at a future disappears.

Phoebe and Marcus’s relationship is initially built on their mutual attraction but due to some bad experiences in Phoebe’s past, things progress fairly slowly between them. I didn’t mind the slow burn aspect of their romance though as it provided the pair the time needed to get to know one another and form a deeper connection. Their relationship is filled with banter and I loved watching them slowly fall for each other despite their determination not to enter into a relationship. I also really enjoyed the friendship the pair developed over the course of getting to know one another. I particularly loved that Marcus understood Phoebe’s hesitations and that he put the decision in her hands on when their romance would progress further. Once things do advance physically, it’s very well done with just the right amount of steaminess and some excellent scenes.

The plot surrounding the murder of Marcus’s cousin was very interesting, but I will say the blurb is a bit misleading as the murder does not occur until over halfway into the book. Prior to the murder, Marcus was working on tracking his cousin down with the occasional assistance from Phoebe. I enjoyed the hunt for his cousin but I will say knowing ahead of time he would be murdered did take a bit of the suspense out of it.

Overall I really enjoyed A Duke is Never Enough and I am looking forward to the release of the third book in the series, A Duke Will Never Do.

A DUKE IS NEVER ENOUGH is the second book in the Spitfire Society series. Though part of a series, it will stand on its own.

This is definitely a romance, but there is also a touch of mystery and danger as Marcus searches for his missing cousin and the money the cousin has been defrauding from the gentlemen of the ton.

Marcus is a rake. He drinks. He partakes in the pleasures of available women, including those in the brothels. He is friends with the madam of one of the best of those brothels. Some might not like him for those traits, after all that’s what happens to a rake. They are often not accepted into the parlors of polite families. Those families don’t know that he also is generous to those around him. That he is kind and helpful.

Phoebe intends to be a spinster. She doesn’t have to depend on a man. Though it is hard to believe the ton would still accept her after jilting her fiancé at the altar, after all her own parents didn’t, that is literary license.

I thoroughly enjoyed their story together. I loved the way they worked together, loved together, and laughed together.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: A DUKE IS NEVER ENOUGH
Series: The Spitfire Society #2
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC / errors excused
Received from: Darcy Burke

5 steamy stars
4 romance
4 plot
4.5 character development
4.5 writing

Loving The Spitfire Society books. Darcy knows how to write regency romance. This book, I think, is her steamiest book that I've read. I fly through her books. I've purchased and read many of her backlist to keep me from withdrawals.

Can’t wait for Jane and Anthony’s story The Duke of Distraction May 2020

Jane - ran from marriage and living in Pheobe’s house
Anthony, Viscount Colton - Marcus friend who drinks too much, is lost and has ghost from the past (loss of parents)

I was given an ARC of this title from Darcy Burke Publishing via Netgalley

A Duke is Never Enough is a super sexy historical romance featuring an unconventional female and a rogue. Phoebe Lennox, member of the Spitfire Society and self declared spinster, comes to the aide of rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley. Bleeding after battling his scoundrelly cousin, Marcus is intrigued by the lady who is bold enough to be seen with him. Breaking society's rules, the pair become friends and Marcus begins to teach Phoebe all about passion. The highly sensual story is peppered with danger and suspense for an entertaining read. This story is perfect for readers that like their HEA full of heat. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

This was sort of a reverse of what usually occurs in these love stories. Phoebe was the one to push for what she wanted. Poor Rip had no choice but to oblige her. Lol. I felt bad for him with the problems his cousin caused. And her father was a man needing a snack up the head. Throw in some suspense with a murder. In all a very nice read.

Personally , I was really interested when I read the Blurb : I mean an independent heroine in a historical romance novel with a little of mystery !! Sounds Really Cool ! 

But Unfortunately , I didn't like it that much . 

The Writing style was very good , as well the plot, but I was expecting something different from the " Usual "  Historical Romance scenes and characters . 

Simply , there was nothing new or unique . 

To keep it short , If you love reading historical romance , you will definitely like this one .

But If you are searching for something different , you won't find this book interesting .

** I've read this novel without reading the previous book in the series , and didn't find any difficulty in catching up with the story .

The sexual tension is definitely obvious whenever Phoebe and Marcus are together. So it comes as no surprise when they begin an affair. A man of honor, Marcus is also dealing with his cousin's shady investment of other people's money. When Marcus is accused of his cousin's murder, he stops the affair, except Phoebe won't let him go. A non-stop riveting romance.

<b>INTERESTING, EXCITING HEROINE PULS THIS BOOK THROUGH 💪</b>

This book had some original things that I was really fond of, but it also had some things that I have seen too often in Historical Romance. So all in all, it was a good book but not a great book.

<b>👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍</b>

<u>Phoebe</u>: The female lead was super interesting and original because she was truly independent and cared nothing for society norms. She was a self-proclaimed spinster, had left a guy at the altar and lived by herself and by her own means. That was something I had never encountered in an HR book before and I really enjoyed it.

<b>👎 WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE 👎</b>

<u>Plot</u>: Most HR are the same when it comes to the plot - emphasis is on the romance, everything else is secondary. This book was no different. The romance was definitely the primary plotline and the mystery of Marcus' cousin was the far inferior plot, which hadn't been evolved enough to actually be interesting or captivating.