Duke will Never do was lovely, entertaining, and steaming hot story. Jane Pemberton was due to false rumors about her purity denied to get courted and a marriage proposal. She decides to have her own freedom and becomes a spinster. She wants to do great things for commons. When she finds Anthony Colton beaten on her doorstep she helps him to get better. They became friends and the attraction between both of them is undeniable. When she makes him scandalous proposal he is thorn....he could never ruin a lady. He never was marriage material but the feelings for Jane  were getting stronger day by day. If he wouldn't be in so much trouble himself maybe then...

I loved every second of this entertaining tale and can't wait for the next book in these series

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

A Duke will Never Do, by Darcy Burke, will be available at booksellers on May 19th, 2020. This is book 3 in Ms Burkes Spitfire Society series. A group of ladies, spinsters, gather together to support and advance each other. With the help of friends and society members they take their lives in hand and vow to make good lives for themselves. With no one to tell them no or society judging their actions these ladies set about to make things around them better. Besides helping each other they take up charity work, some a little controversial, but mostly women and children. I admire and commend them.

A Duke Will Never Do gives us Miss Jane Pemberton, avowed spinster. Her seasons were a flop, her parents pushing her to marry, well anyone really. She's tougher than her family thinks & moves out. I like that she's sweet and kind, not jaded by ton judgement. She's content now but realizes she may never have a family. That makes her sad but resigned. I like her just get on with it attitude.

Anthony, Viscount Colton, is a mess left over from series book 2, A Duke Is Never Enough. He's twisted himself into a thousand knots. He's a nice guy at heart, was a typical young man around town. A little selfish and oblivious but mostly harmless. He comes to realize how much Jane is changing his life for the better. He's becoming a better man and I like that guy. He's got a lot of baggage but has the good sense to finally work through it.

#DarcyBurke #Netgalley #ADukeWillNeverDo #SpitfireSociety #DarcyBurkePublishing #historicalromance

Yay, another book in the Spitfire Society series of Darcy Burke. It had almost been too long, so I kinda forgot the names of the member of the Society. The story starts with Anthony Colton lying unconscious at the steps of Jane Pemberton's house. She takes him into her home and nurses him back to health. Anthony can't recall how and when he has ended up at Jane's doorstep. He only knows that he wants to return to his drunken state, so he doesn't has to relive his parent's death. But Jane won't let him. She is determined to keep him sober. And when she realizes he knows more about her ruined season on the Marriage Mart, she needs him to find out what happened all those years ago. And, since she won't be marrying anyone, she also wants Colton to teach her some things about the intimate activities in the bedroom. After all: a spinster from the Spitfire Society certainly needs to know her stuff.
Colton can't help but admire Jane and her approach to live. Although handed with a lot of misfortune, Jane is always looking bright and sunny into the future. He wanted he could do the same. And when Jane extends her offer to help him with that as well, he hesitates. Because a scoundrel like Colton doesn't deserve a second chance, right? A wonderful read about gossip, murder, intrigues and lot of love. Four out of five stars and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

The third book in the series, ‘A Duke Will Never Do’ follows Jane Pemberton who belongs to the Spitfire Society. Jane wants to move out from her family and follow her own pleasures. Yet when Anthony, Viscount Colton, turns up at her doorstep seriously injured, she needs to take care of him. The relationship they form, blossoms yet will Anthony’s past soon come back to haunt their relationship.
This was a lovely romance with two people, dealing with this past, with great dignity. In doing so, their ability to draw from each other is all the more endearing, as it is clearly evident, the intensity of their feelings for each other. This intense romance is balanced with humour and great dialogue.
As always, with a Darcy Burke series, I find myself missing the characters in the series, but so looking forward to another great series. This has been a great series, so if you have just started to read Ms Burke’s books, this is a great series to delve into.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley. This did not impact my review.

This book begins with Jane Pemberton, a self-declared spinster who moves out of her parents house to live on her own, finds a badly beaten up Anthony, Lord Colton, on her front doorstep. She nurses him back to health both physically and emotionally, and love begins to blossom between the two.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. I don't want to sound cliche, but it really was sweet as sugar. Jane is one of the most likeable characters I've ever read, and I appreciated her patience and support of Anthony throughout the entire book. It really endeared her to me as a character. I think in historical romance everyone tries to write feisty heroines, and I think Jane was a nice change. That isn't to say she doesn't stand her ground, because she does, she just is such a refreshing character. Anthony has some issues that he has to work through that go deeper than the normal drinking, gambling, and womanizing, but even though he has those issues I felt he was still a gentleman throughout the entire story. This book was an easy read, and it focused a lot on the love story. That is the whole reason I read romance so I loved it!

My Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

One of the things I enjoy most about this author's novels is the way that each one, no matter which series they come from, or in which order you pick them up, they can be read as a stand-alone. I very much enjoy seeing characters from prior novels (and in some cases even prior series') appear in other works. It often feels like seeing old friends at a party.

I also enjoyed the way that Jane stood up for herself and took control of her own future (as much as a woman in her situation and time period could). It's always fun when you read about spinsters (or any young woman really) who not only take charge of themselves, but also go out of their way to help others. Anthony was also an interesting character, on a guilt-ridden path of self-destruction over something that he felt he could have prevented. Watching as Jane tried to help Anthony overcome these feelings (and the destructive ways he was coping with them), made for an intriguing story by itself - and the later threats of extortion and secrets being revealed would have caused this story to stand out. The kittens? Were an amusing distraction that rang true to life and offered some light-heartedness in otherwise serious moments.

Where it lost points with me is the fact that Jane seemed to take advantage of Anthony's attraction to her, and in some cases, it could be argued his alcohol-fueled mind. There were some definite moments of dubious consent in this novel that left a rather sour taste in my mouth. Just because it is the woman making the moves and pushing for what she wants doesn't make it okay. Another thing that bothers me is when two characters who are already interesting and have chemistry start having sex and that becomes the focus. I don't need numerous sex scenes to showcase their feelings for one another, nor do I think (as so often seems to happen with these stories) does sex equate to love, I much rather enjoy scenes of the characters falling in love without taking their clothes off repeatedly.

Even with what I mentioned above, this is still a novel that people are going to enjoy. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next series (I am desperate to unravel the mystery surrounding the man they call the vicar, and curious as to what happens to another character we briefly meet near the end of the story). I will definitely read more from this author!

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.

I love Darcy Burke stories. They encompass real life experiences with love makes this such a small and loyalty. This one is no different and I loved every word written.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Sweet and spicy, with one of the more affable heroes and daring heroines I’d seen in a while. Darcy Burke never disappoints!

Lord Colton shows up unconscious and beaten on the doorstep of the disgraced spinster, Jane Pemberton, She nurses him back to health and asks him to relieve her of her virginity. What ensues from there has everything you want in a historical novel you want - great characters who you wanted to cheer, a plot that made you think and had some unexpected surprises in it! I absolutely adored this book and I would highly recommend it. I will definitely look for other books from the author, as this one was my first from Darcy Burke.

Darcy Burke never disappoints and this book is no exception. It has everything we have come to expect of her romance, a mystery and a lovely dollop of erotica.
Although the second in the spitfire series it is still a stand alone novel but with characters that have been in previous stories.
Can’t recommend it enough.

This is the first book I've read from this author and I also have to say I haven't read the previous books in this series.

Okay. Starting off with the things I absolutely loved in this book: the writing. It was incredible and the only reason I read this book until the last page.

And I liked Anthony. Mostly, at least. But his character was written poorly. I thought of him as weak and unsure of himself a lot of times. He did something only when someone else told him to do it.

And the things I did not like: Jane and the lack of consent in this book. Listen, consent is something I am very sensitive about and it goes both ways. Jane was horrible in that department. She was the one pursuing Anthony and she was relentless. She was constantly pushing him to sleep with her, even though he didn't want to. I can't help but think; what if it was the other way around? (Shaking my head here).

She even went after him when he left her house, wrote him letters and then, at a party, went after him to a room where they could finally be alone.

That didn't sit well with me. This book had so much potential and I'm truly disappointed. I'm giving it two stars only because the writing was exceptionally good. I also loved the kittens. But that's about it. It's a shame because this book had so much potential. But I would absolutely love to read something else from this author!

Darcy Burke is an author every lover of romance should read. Jane and Anthony both have their own issued. She is a self declared spinster, he has been spiraling out of control since his parents death. After a fight leaves him bloody and broken on Jane's doorstep, Jane starts healing not only his body but his spirit as well. Readers will not be disappointed in this book.

This book was the right amount of salacious, cute dialogue, and romance. Some parts I had to suspend my belief- the language was used was not at at all periodical but the characters were cute. I liked how the male main went away to better himself (but only for a week??!?) to be worthy of the female lead.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given in my own words, for this ARC. This is such a great series. The characters are so multifaceted and the stories so well written. You should read the entire set.

Jane Pemberton is independent and living alone in her best friend's house, until she practically trips over the man laying at her front door. Badly beaten and drunk, he turns out to be Lord Colton. Nothing will do, but Jane take him in and take care of him. Haunted by the death of his parents, he drinks in excess to numb the pain and despair. Meeting Jane brings life and light back into his world, if he can only reach out and take it. Jane is one determined lady that won't give up.

I enjoyed this third interlude with the Spitfire Society. Jane is a young woman who decides to move out fo her parents house after failing to marry though many seasons. She is a kind, strong woman who is a good match for Anthony, the hero who turns up wounded at her door.

I loved the first half of the novel when Jane helps Anthony he’s physically (with the help of two kittens). In the second half, she takes on the more daunting task to healing him emotionally, and that changed the pace of the novel, but led to a nice payoff at the end.

Friends from previous novels make appearances, and I look forward to seeing what comes next from the author.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher for my honest review. I think I have read other books by Darcy Burke and enjoyed them. I was not disappointed in this one. The premise to the story of Jane nursing Anthony back to health after being beaten and then falling in love while trying to hide their connection to one another is intriguing. However, I don't think I was comfortable with the relentless way Jane insisted on losing her virginity to Anthony. Had it been the other way a round, and Anthony acted in such a way I feel that would not go over well at all, so why does she get to for force herself on to him, when he clearly does not want to do as she asks? The writing flowed nicely and the characters were developed. Jane's patience with him in coming to terms with his past was sweet and comforting. I think I would have given this book another star for all its qualities, if Jane did not take advantage of Anthony while caring for him. I feel them getting together could have been dealt with in a different way and still appealing.

Such a beautiful story about the redemptive power of love!

What good is a good reputation if it denies you freedom? What good is a bad reputation if people refuse to be disappointed in you? Anthony has been drinking his grief and guilt away for almost a year since the death of his parents. Jane is adjusting to her newly-declared spinsterhood, relishing her freedom but still wondering just how much it's going to cost her in the end. When a badly-beaten and thoroughly sloshed Anthony lands on her doorstep, she is determined to nurse him back to health and exact a very specific payment for her services in return.

I loved this slow-burn romance very much. Anthony is in so much pain, both physical and emotional, and I was charmed by Jane's patient attention to him and her willingness to stand up to him and force him to confront the harsh truths he's been hiding from. The story is complex and layered, with surprising connections, extortion, ruinous rumors, and even a couple adorable kittens. Every bit of it works brilliantly together to create an enchanting story that captivated me from the very start. The HEA was so heartwarming I nearly cried. I highly recommend this for all fans of regency romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

A period romance that turns up the heat.

Throughout reading, I found the relationship intriguing and sweet. I had a hard time putting this story down. I will certainly read more by this author after this book.