I received an ARC of "A Duke is Never Enough" by Darcy Burke from Netgalley. This is the second book in The Spitfire Society series. Marcus, the Marquess of
Ripley, meets a mystery lady when he is struck by a rock thrown at him by his scoundrel con artist cousin, Drobbit . This young lady, without a care for her reputation, stops to help him with his injury. Phoebe Lennox, the mysterious beauty, is a self declared well off spinster. When they meet again, sparks fly and there is the inevitable magnetic pull. Words are parried and the witticism is fabulous. Of course, there are problems, but nothing the two of them together can't face or handle.

Darcy Burke does not know how to write a bad book. Phoebe and Marcus are great together from the first moment they meet. I love how the Marcus' bad boy reputation is known all over London, but once he meets Phoebe, everything about him wants her. However, marriage is not in cards for Phoebe as a self declared spinster. This book will be a book you cannot wait to turn the page.

5 stars

I like the start of this new series. This is the secomd book so I'll look out for the first one, not having read that did not detract from this volume. Marcus is a lovely hero, centered, kind and though he has a rakish reputation, he obviously cares for women. Phoebe's reputation has gone after she jilted her fiancee at the altar. Marcus has trouble with his cousin who is busy fleecing everyone. Phoebe has trouble with her parents who, as well as being disappointed that she didn't marry the titled louse, are alarmed that she has now taken to spinsterhood with a gusto after her aunt left her a fortune. There's lots of good dialogue and passionate scenes.

I think you will enjoy this book and I heartily recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I like the modernization of romance, the heroes who learn about the injustices their heroine's face, and want to make a difference about it, and don't victim blame. We love to see it.
The buildup to this relationship was perfect, and I liked how strong each character was, and how they didn't let the adversity keep them apart for long.

I loved this story> Loved Marcus and Phoebe as a couple. They started out as friends and became so much more. This was just as good as the first in series, if not a little better. I cannot wait for Jane and Anthony's story.

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.

Like most books by this author, A Duke is Never Enough is a witty and engaging novel with mostly likable characters and an interesting storyline. I feel it is worth mentioning that the storyline doesn't really match up with the synopsis. In fact, Marcus' cousin isn't even murdered until nearly the end of the story, long after Marcus has not only met Phoebe, but has embarked on a relationship (of sorts) with her.

However, I feel that in setting up the novel the way that she did, it made more sense. Yes, Marcus is searching for answers (among other things) where his cousin is concerned, but it allows the relationship between the two to flourish before murder rears its head.

And flourish their romance did. I enjoyed watching their interactions, from the very beginning, they had an easy, teasing way between them. The way Phoebe's parents treated her was a bit off-putting, but considering the way she chose to live her life, understandable. I still haven't figured out how she was still accepted within polite society however having set up her own household as a single woman, even if she were a self-proclaimed spinster. It seemed that was just a way to make it easier for her to see Marcus in private than anything else.

And now for the things that I didn't like as much. To start, the story is called A Duke is Never Enough, and yet, there is no Duke in a central role. Marcus is just a mere Marquess. Then the villain of the story seems a little too... convenient. Sure, he's popped up here and there throughout the story, and he had a reason to want to get back at Marcus, but murdering his cousin seems to be taking things way too far.

Overall, this is a fast-paced read with a heroine who is a little more contemporary than most, but I still believe this story will appeal to fans of the genre.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Marcus is a rake and I love him in this story. He makes no bones about it and takes no shame in what is said about him. Maybe he is not all that bad. He does have a heart and when it comes down to doing what he feels is the right thing to protect others he has my heart. Phoebe is definitely a woman who knows what she wants and does not take no for an answer. The friendship between Marcus and Phoebe is sweet but as we all know it turns into something more. Marcus being surprised was quite humorous. I thought the story was fun and flirty and a wonderful read.

So apparently this is a second book in the series but, this is the first ive read by this author.
I loved it! I loved the passion and the story line, I like that the story actually had a story line and it wasnt just all passion. Phoebes past with her previous engagement has left her a self declared spinster. She had he own money and household which was unusual for a woman in that time. Marcus trying to confront his conman of a cousin and then getting blamed for his murder he falls in love with phoebes. I absolutely loved the story and will definitely read more from the author!

I do not know what to say I did not like this book. I am sorry. The one thing I appreciated with it though was that The female lead character was a little bit more modern and free that they tend to be in these books

Marcus Raleigh, the Marquess of Ripley, has a terrible reputation for being a rake and a libertine. He doesn't much mind, even if his exploits are a bit exaggerated. His current focus is on finding his despicable cousin, Archibald Drobbit, whom he's just learned is a duplicitous swindler. Marcus is determined to learn the extent of Drobbit's crimes and ensure restitution is made, but his attempts at civilized conversation end in a fist fight in a public park. The only bright spot in the whole mess is that Marcus meets a truly beguiling woman and finds himself, for the first time in his life, utterly smitten.

Phoebe Lennox has set herself up as an independent spinster since she jilted her cheating scoundrel of a fiance and inherited a fortune of her own. She won't risk worsening her reputation for any sort of relationship with a man, but all that changes when she meets the Marquess of Ripley. Their chemistry and connection is undeniable and things rapidly heat up between them, despite the fact that neither expected to ever marry, or have any sort of permanent relationship. But when his cousin is murdered, Marcus becomes the focus of the investigation and any potential for permanency between himself and Phoebe could be dashed when the truth comes out.

For some odd reason, it took a bit for me to get into this one, but I think that was all me and not the book. This was a great read and I really loved Phoebe and Marcus as a couple. She was so mature and sensible and I loved her for it. Marcus was surprising sweet and caring, especially given his awful reputation, and he delivered some very swoonworthy dialogues. This one also had steam by the boatload and I'm here for it. I really can't wait for Jane and Anthony's story now; if anyone can write a great reformed rake, it's certainly Darcy.

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

Such a delightful, heartwarming romance!

Marcus takes on his swindling cousin, determined to protect his family's name and reputation. He's nearly completely sidetracked by the beautiful yet unavailable Phoebe, a woman who revels in her spinsterhood and has no use for a man, much less a husband. That is, until Marcus eloquently describes what a kiss should be - and let me assure you, reading that paragraph alone is well worth the price of this book.

Intrigued, Phoebe starts to let her guard down just as Marcus begins to make headway on stopping his cousin. Everything comes to a screeching halt when the cousin is found murdered, Marcus is the prime suspect, and Phoebe is his only alibi.

This was a delightful, charming story, captivating right from the start and filled with an abundance of humor, heat, and heart. The author skillfully weaves all the various story threads together into a surprising conclusion and triumphant HEA. An absolute masterpiece that I highly recommend. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Will a determined spinster meets the man who makes her rethink all she knew about rakes ...

I was curious about Phoebe since the previous installment. The path she has chosen is very modern and I even wonder how she can fully live it as even after reaching the age of reason, a woman had still no right, not even to manage her own money without a man’s interference.

This said it was a fun and entertains read.
Marcus is far from being the libertine everyone sees in him. He has a heart and despite hiding him, he never let a friend down.
Why he was caught fighting in the open with his swindler of a cousin.
Upon meeting Phoebe, he is intrigued by this woman living nearly as free as a man, and refusing his advance with grace. When they engage in a wager about who will kiss the other first.
He is such a considerate man, listening and never going against his interlocutor’s will. Outside his woo to never marry, he is quite a catch if people might overlook his roguish way.
But society asks for pristine reputation, so he is saved because he is a man.
But Phoebe paid the price of her rebellion, jilting her former betrothed at the altar drove her to the fringe of her circle of acquaintances.
Still she lives a life of exceptional freedom, seeming to be accountable to noone. So once she let go of her own restrictions, she opens herself to new experiences, rather improbable for a woman of her time to enjoy as an unmarried woman.
She is fun and strong, kind and caring but so very in advance for her time ( see the talk about pregnancy prevention )

It is a charming and enjoyable r4.5 stars ead with a lovable hero and a determined heroine to set her own pace and path.

I was granted an advance copy by the author, I had long ago preordered mine.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Another wonderful and delightful novel by Ms. Burke! I enjoyed the interactions between the two main characters, Phoebe Lennox and Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley. Phoebe left her betrothed at the alter and society has not forgiven her, but Phoebe does not care, for now she has wealth and independence. Marcus never kisses and tells, but honor demands he stop his cousin from the schemes he has committed. It is because of his cousin that Phoebe and Marcus meet, and continue to do so. Marcus loves a challenge and Phoebe needs to overcome her own disastrous experiences. Phoebe enjoys being a spinster and doing what she wants. Marcus wants Phoebe, for she is unlike any woman. They begin as friends, but become something more. When Marcus' cousin is found murdered and he is the prime suspect, Marcus will do what is necessary to protect Phoebe. But Phoebe is no wilting miss and decides to fight for what she wants. They need to find the real killer before Marcus is punished for a crime he did not commit.

'Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is gracing the gossip pages for a new reason: the rumors he may have murdered his swindling cousin. His quest for answers regarding his cousin’s death leads him to an incomparable self-declared spinster, and he is—for the first time—beguiled beyond reason. Neither is what the other wants, and yet their intense mutual infatuation is inescapable.

After abandoning her philandering betrothed at the altar, Phoebe Lennox fled from London only to return an heiress who refuses to follow the ton’s rules. She won’t risk a relationship of any kind—until she meets the notorious Marquess of Ripley. Swept into his seductive embrace, her resolve falters in the face of a pleasure she never anticipated. But when the truth about Marcus and the murder come to light, Phoebe could lose everything she holds dear, including a love for all time.'
_____________________________

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

A Duke is Never Enough is the second book in Darcy Burke's The Spitfire Society series. I have not read the first in the series, Never Have I Ever With a Duke but after reading this book I will definitely be going back to read it. Not only is there romance, there is also a bit of danger and mystery. My favorite kind of book.

When the book starts, Marcus doesn't come across as the greatest guy. He is fighting to stop his cousin from swindling money out of unsuspecting members of the peerage, but he also comes across as quite a womanizer. I was prepared not to like him very much, but he turned out to be such a great character. He is generous and kind, always taking care of those around him.

Phoebe admittedly had a bit of a modern approach on life for a woman of her time, but there's nothing wrong with that. A woman with her wealth of funds could forge her own independence and I really liked her for it. Her bravery in jilting her fiancé, establishing her own independence, and going after what she wants earned my respect. Phoebe, like Marcus, also takes care of those around her and is such a great character. They're so great togther and I really enjoyed reading about them and their HEA.

A Duke is Never Enough is not the first book I have read by Darcy Burke, but it is the first in this series that I've read. I will be going back to read the previous book in this series and look forward to the next one in May, A Duke Will Never DoThis is not a clean romance. There are several intimate scenes, but they are well written. I adored reading this book and if you like historical romance, I recommend A Duke is Never Enough to you.
_____

I would like to thank Darcy Burke Publishing and NetGalley for sharing an eARC of A Duke is Never Enough with me. This is my honest opinion.

Phoebe is so lucky to have the money that she inherited. If not she might not have been able to choose to be a spinster.
Marcus makes a wonderful Rake. Phoebe believes that he made an even better lover.
I truly enjoyed reading, A Duke Is Never Enough. It left me wanting more so I can't wait for the second book in this series to come out.

This is my fair and honest review, in my own words, if return for this ARC. It's a Darcy Burke book, do i REALLY need to say more??? It has a great story line, hot heroes, independent heroines intrigue and sexy encounters. All the very best things. If there was one thing missing it was MORE TO READ.