Another enjoyable read by Ms. Burke, weaving her words with the main characters, who we have met in previous novels and bringing along those who have achieved their happily ever afters. Jane left her home, after defying her parents, showing her determination and strength, not bending to someone's will. Anthony holds onto the past very deeply, punishing and blaming himself, getting lost in alcohol and fights to numb the pain. Things change when Jane nurses him back to health, for they develop a bond between them, both having their own scandalous reputations. Though Anthony's was earned, Jane's was through deception. Jane lives in the present and helps Anthony overcome his own demons, both being an affair and falling in love with each other. The past weighs heavily on Anthony, which impacts his relationship with Jane greatly. Still truths will be revealed and more than one character will be affected and impacted by the truths.
I received this novel as an ARC from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know I've said this in reviews before, but Darcy Burke is definitely one of my favorite historical romance authors! A Duke Will Never Do is well written and none of the pages are wasted on unnecessary plot or dialogue. Once I got started with it I found it difficult to put down. Having the story alternate between Anthony and Jane provides insight and background into what both are thinking and going through. I loved that Jane never let Anthony get away with brushing her off and she always pushed him to open up. She proved her devotion and support through her actions rather than just her words. Anthony's transformation throughout the story is well earned - he's not completely "cured" by the end but he's finally able to face up to his past and look into the future. It was also good to have him slip up because then we got to see him see how far he was falling and what he was giving up by doing so. As always, it's good to have another book in which the women support one another rather than compete over men. The rumor regarding Jane is probably the only weakness in the entire book - if that depiction of her had been going around I find it hard to believe no man tried to take advantage of her.

I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming Pretenders trilogy (especially book 3)!

Jane decides to set herself up as a spinster after failing to find a husband and not wishing to take the one out forward by her parents. She moved into a house provided by her friend Phoebe, who had just married. She finds a severely beaten man on her doorstep and recognises him as the brother of her friend Anne. She decides to nurse him back to health and keeps him in her house for a week.
Anthony has spiraled into a depression after the death of his parents, drinking to excess and picking fights. A mutual attraction starts between the two and Jane comes up with a novel way for him to pay her back.....
Much spicier than the normal Regency romances that I read and enjoy, however this is an integral part of the story and is treated in a more romantic way than pure erotica. I will be looking for other books by this author.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Oh Darcy Burke, I wasn't sure of this series when I started it several months ago, but you have done such a fantastic job of keeping the story between the three friends connected. This final of the Spitfire Society books was perfectly steamy. Anthony's tortured heart was wonderful to watch change as he learned to love himself and Jane. I am very excited that we got just a small peek at some other characters to glimpse into upcoming series, as well. I am rounding this up from 3.5 stars.

This read as a classic historical showing many of my favorite “romance-isms.” Some of it left me cold, but overall, a solid read.

The good stuff: This one features all our favorite tropes. Protagonist shuns the elite in a show of feminism? Check! Nursing a handsome, but beleaguered Duke to health and emotional stability? Check! Woman makes the first move? Women banding together for good? Everyone gets a HEA? Check, check and check. This one will probably scratch all your genre itches.

The not so great stuff: Consent. One of my favorite parts of romance novels is the framing of the relationships, sexual and otherwise, as a meeting of equals (even when it would not have been the cultural norm). This book misses the mark a bit in this regard. While making the leading lady the instigator of the relationship was a solid opener, it quickly devolves into feeling like Jane is pressuring Anthony while he is physically injured/in substance recovery. I can't say anyone does anything they don't want to do, but it skirts the line in a manner not necessary for the progression of an otherwise great story.

This was my first book by this author, and while I am not 100% in love with this one, I am interested in reading more of her works. I am hoping this was just a minor wobble since the rest of the book indicates this series would be very fun to read.

I really loved this novel. I've been on a historical kick lately, and 'A Duke Will Never Do' was absolutely perfect. I adored Jane and Anthony and rooted for them the whole time!

Darcy Burke writes a compelling Regency. Great story complete with a repenting rake, an enticing spinster and of course a HEA.

Another great romance from Darcy Burke! This is the third book in the Spitfire Society series and we finally get shy Jane's HEA. Its always nice to get payoff when you have gotten to know characters from previous novels. However, I don't think you have to have read the first two to enjoy A Duke Will Never Do. Jane, our heroine is going to be the spinster that her two best friends tried and failed at (Don't get to attached to that spinster title Jane). She is doing her thing when Anthony, Viscount Colten shows up wounded on her door. Of course Jane agrees to nurse him back to health, but she wants something in return.... seduction! Whats a hero to do?! My only criticism, and its more personally taste for the moment, is I am ready for a non-grief stricken hero. Seems like I have had several of those in a row now. But I loved Jane and Anthony and would recommend this book to any lovers of romance.

4 stars

Gppd story. Anthony, our hero is wracked withe guilt. Jane has had to be resigned to the life of a spinster due to a poor season. She finds out her season was ruined by a rumour, Anthony works on his drinking habit. They are aided by characters from the first book and we are introduced to characters for the following books. The romance is well paced and the frisky scenes are well written.

I like Darcy's writing and she always delivers. Looking forward to the other stories. The Spitfire Society continues to do it's good works and thrive in an era not known for feminist power. It's a quick read and I think you'll enjoy it.

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

Exactly what I was looking for. Predictable but enjoyable. I'll likely read another in this series shortly. Lighthearted and easy reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this book.
This is a quick and easy read. Even though it's a historical romance, the language isn't difficult to understand. The characters are lovely and have wonderful chemistry together.
The plot itself was fast paced and intriguing with each character having their own mystery to solve. I liked that most issues were resolved, except I would've liked more grovelling from Jane's parents, just to be spiteful.
3.5 - 4 stars

It's always surprising when a Rake thinks they are horrible yet won't take the innocence of a lady. Quite gentlemanly if you ask me. Especially when it's the Lady who is asking the Rake to take it.
I love that we get to witness Anthony's growth in, A Duke Will Never Do.

This is one of the best redemption stories I have ever read. Anthony is so down on himself for what he perceives (and probably rightly so) is a wrong that he thinks he could have prevented. You might remember Anthony from a previous story – he was not a very likeable person. Well, don’t tell Jane that because she is a genuinely good person who holds Anthony up and boosts his self-confidence. I love their interactions. Sweet and sexy. The scene at the end shows Anthony as the gentleman that he truly strives to be. Loved it!

This book opens up with a handsome man unconscious on Jane Pemberton's doorstep. From there, you know it has to be good. Jane quickly comes to realize she recognizes him as her friend, Sarah's, brother Anthony. Anthony has had a difficult year after the death of his parents and some other personal issues. Jane, herself, has not had it easy having recently declared herself a spinster and moving out of her parents house to live out her days on her own. The two come together and find they have more in common than they might think.

Burke writes a fun, sexy tale about two people who are feeling lost and alone. It is a joy to see them come together and reconcile their pasts in their own ways. While this book is part of a larger series, it reads well as a standalone. I would definitely recommend.

I absolutely loved Anthony and Jane. It was such a feel good romance that absolutely had me in chains. So this book focuses on Jane who is a self-confessed spinster who rescues a rake (my words) Anthony who she proposes a very steamy preposition ( so not dropping spoilers). You need to read it 😊

This is my favorite book so far of The Spitfire Society. Ms. Burke has written an entertaining and uplifting story of loss, grief, pain and redemption. When Anthony Colton ends up on Miss Jane Pemberton's doorstep severely beaten, Jane has him brought inside and installed in one of the guest chambers in her home. Having declared herself a spinster, she enjoys the quiet and solitude of her home, but Anthony begins to awaken her desire for something more. She nurses him back to health and he can't thank her enough. As a "payment" she wants him to make love to her. It was a great premise to the journey these two lonely people travel to their happily ever after. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Elizabeth E. Review Darcy Burke's A Duke Will Never Do:
This is the third franchise on 'The Untouchables: The Spitfire Society' book series, which focus on women, who were mocked and shunned by the patriarchy society, and how they support each other and get back on their feet in the society.
Set in the 19th-century London, the story revolve around young lady, Jane Pemberton, who is disown by her parents due to her inability to get married. This is cause by a vicious rumour, which is circulated among the menfolk, that she is a 'loose woman' during her first season in the marriage mart and the rumour ruined her prospect in finding an eligible suitor.
As a result of her single status, she declare herself a spinster, which further ruin her, until she meet a notorious rakehell, Anthony, on her door step, unconscious, their meeting is a blessing in disguise for both of them. She help him and also bargain with him to deflowered her and this lead to an awkward relationship between them, which helps them to fight their inner demons and overcome them.
This is a scintillating and intense romance novel that emphasizes the merits of love and good comradeship among women. It showcase the good aspect of feminism.

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!

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 real 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.

Definitely an enjoyable historical romance! Very fast paced, full of steamy moments, and all together heartwarming. You pick up a story like this for the fun and romance aspect of it all but I also really enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the grieving process the hero goes through.