One dowager duchess and one bachelor earl, tons of sparks and hotness. Damn right my alley!
I appreciated this story about mature characters in their forties.

Eugenia loved her late husband but she was still wondering how she could move on and thanks to her cousin, she would meet the Earl of Satterfield, Edmund Holt.
They connected immediately and I could feel this tension between these two. The earl wasn’t shy, honest and intense. There was kinda history between these and I had to say that to see that man smitten with that woman was surprising to read about. It didn’t make him less attractive but it was the fact that he accepted his feelings for her. That part of vulnerability was interesting to me.

There was little scandal in the air, a little bold with a woman who was at ease in her own body, not a damsel in distress. It was a challenging relationship with both characters looking maybe in the first place at two different things but ended falling in love deeply. 

A passionate second chance story that will melt your heart and make you root for the main characters along the way!

I loved this beautiful romance!

Edmund, now nearing 40, is ready to settle down and take a wife.  He attends a matchmaking house party, and is surprised to find Genie, a recently-widowed lady who first caught his eye twenty years ago.  Genie isn't sure she's ready to risk finding love again, so she's beyond shocked when the true purpose of her cousin's house party is revealed.  Still, she can't deny her attraction to Edmund, and wonders if lightning can strike twice.

This was a delightful romance, set some seven years before The Forbidden Duke, the first book in the author's Untouchables series.  The primary complication that they face is a huge one, especially given his responsibilities, making the story of how they work through that an emotional tale, indeed.  Their HEA is followed by an epilogue that leads right into her son's story, leaving me invested enough in the family that I immediately followed this book with reading The Forbidden Duke.  

This book is a sterling example of why this author is one of my all-time favorites for Regency romances, and I can't recommend it highly enough.  Plenty of steam, memorable characters, all the romance a reader can want.  I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

As always, Darcy Burke can bring out every emotion and detail in a novella, that will have you fall in love with the characters by the end of the first chapter. The prequel to the ‘Forbidden Duke’, follows Eugenia Aldwick, the Dowager Duchess of Kendal, two years after the death of her husband. She reluctantly agrees to attend a house party where she meets Edmund Holt, the Earl of Satterfield, having known each other from when they were young. However, Edmund requires an heir and Genie is unable to provide him one, leaving any chance of marriage impossible.
This second chance at love was delightful, with both characters bringing maturity to the storyline. The clever dialogue and humour between this delightful couple, made for such a great read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Darcy Burke for a chance to read an early copy of this book!

This short but oh-so-swoony romance is the prequel to Darcy Burke's series The Untouchables. I have to confess, I have *not* read anything in the series yet but that will change very soon! And maybe fans of the series will see familiar names, but I had no problem reading this as a standalone. (Note: the advance copy only has the Bachelor Earl story, and not the bonus scenes from the Untouchables series that are mentioned on the Amazon preorder page.)

Widow Eugenia "Genie" St John has been mourning her husband for two years and has been completely isolating herself from society. Her cousin Cecilia tricks her into attending a matchmaking house party for widows and unmarried or widowed gentlemen. Though Genie is rather reluctant to participate, she does warm up to the flirty Lord Satterfield (Edmund), who has secretly been into her forever (pining hero alert!). The forced proximity of the house party leads to a quick and steamy romance that still feels like a slow burn--the first time they kiss, Genie asks if she can take some time to think, and Edmund has a beautiful line about how he doesn't have any expectations, just hope.

There are a fewer heavier themes in this novel. As mentioned in the cover copy, Genie has lost a child, and the book does talk about her struggles. And of course, she misses her husband deeply as well. Both of our protagonists are over 40 and that sense of maturity and life experience infuses the novel; despite the acknowledgment of grief and loss, the book always has a hopeful feel.

This book is short but packs a lot of emotion (and multiple steamy scenes!!) into the pages. It left me with a smile on my face to see these two find happiness together, and I hope to see them make appearances as I dig into this series, especially in their stepson Titus's story.

An 1800 version of speed dating /musical bedrooms for widows, makes an interesting meet-cute for a dowager duchess and a bachelor Earl. Like every historical romance I’ve ever read from Ms. Burke, this is a well-written, sexy read. The only thing that would’ve made it better, is if the epilogue included a surprise baby. 

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

I received an ARC of The Bachelor Earl from Netgalley and Darcy Burke  
Dowager Duchess of Kendall, Eugenia St. John, was widowed 2 years ago at the very young age of 42. Edmund Holt, Earl of Satterfield has never married but always kept track of the young lady who had fascinated him in his youth,  Eugenia Aldwick. They meet again at a house party meant to bring together various widows and widowers who may be looking for a spouse. Sparks fly between them but there are obstacles preventing them from pursuing a future. A beautiful story of love and sacrifice.

I was definitely in the mood to read this one. Edmund, Lord Satterfield has carried the torch for Lady Eugenie for twenty years. Infatuated at first site as a young buck at a ball, he was on his way to the continent for his world tour and not interested in marriage. He's never married and attends a party for unmarried couples to find a wife or companion. Edmund feels like he has a second chance when Genie, now a widow, attends. His biggest challenge...
convince her to give him a chance.
The prequel to THE FORBIDDEN DUKE.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

I haven’t read the original Untouchables series (although I own the first several), just a few books of the spin-offs. However, while this is meant to be a prequel to that series and appears to relate most directly to the first book in the series, The Bachelor Earl is a wonderful story in its own right, also compelling me to bump the Untouchables books a bit further up my TBR.

I love the second chance love story between Genie, the widowed Duchess of Kendal and Edmund Holt, Earl of Satterfield, who once was infatuated with her. 

One of the key hurdles for them is the issue of him needing an heir, something she can’t give him, and given the way some readers have reacted to baby epilogues, especially within the context of a heroine with fertility issues, I appreciated the way it was handled here, although I think it could also be for consistency with the already established world (something of which readers more well versed in the Untouchables will likely be more aware of). 

Overall, this is a charming novella that serves double duty  as a great starting point for newer readers and a sweet treat for those well versed in Darcy Burke’s backlist.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words.  All these young debutantes and you know what i loved most about this book???  Not a young thing in sight!  This is a story of second chances to find true love.  So different than most stories.  If you believe that you are "past prime", read this story and then think again!

The Bachelor Earl
Prequel Novella to the Untouchable Series
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review.  All opinions are my own.

The Bachelor Earl was a wonderful read.  I loved how the main characters were in their early 40s.  Though they are at a mature age, they still suffered insecurities as those in their 20s.  I loved how Genie always held a special place in Edmund's  heart and never forgot her.  The timing was not right when they were young so it made it more sweet that after so many years he could finally have her and that she could get a second chance to being happy again.
Even though it's a novella the story was very well developed and did not feel rushed.

I read this just after I'd finished "A Scandalous Bargain" by this author and was in the spicy Regency Romance frame of mind. This time it was a prequel to her Untouchables series and related how Eugene meets up with Edmund at a house party intended to bring together widowed ladies with widowed and unmarried gentlemen.. Edmund knew Eugene from when they were both much younger and had never forgotten her and was pleased to meet up with her again, however she had lost her husband two years previously and had not really recovered yet and wasn't looking for a new suitor, unlike some of the other men and women. Again I was really taken by the story and finished it in one day. I really must read more of this author's stories.
I received an advance copy of this book from the author through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

The Bachelor Earl By Darcy Burke 

Eugenie The Dowager Duchess of Kendal is just starting to get over the death of her husband and decides to attend her cousins yearly house party for the week. On arriving there she suddenly discovers it’s a matchmaking party and wants to go but due to bad weather she can’t return home so must participate in the party then the fun begins. 

A thoroughly enjoyable quick read to curl up in the sofa with. It is humorous and shows how difficult it can be to start again in middle age.  I should say are a few racy scenes that the faint hearted may wish to skip past.

I haven't read any of the Untouchables series, but this novella prequel was a delight.  I feel like I need to know more of what happens with Genie and Edmund and their spin off tales.  Thank you for letting me read this fun and steamy story of love.

Edmund and Eugenia's  story is not a pretty one but it is good.
A good storyline and interesting characters make for a good tale.
It is Darcy Burke at her best and a tale for the ages.

Edmund Holt, Earl of Satterfield, has been in love with his best friend's wife, Eugenie. With her husband being gone for more than 5 years, Edmund feels the time is right to tell Genie how he feels. Genie loved her husband and mourned him deeply, but it was now time to move on. Her best friend Edmund has always been there to support her, but could there be more to his feelings?

This was a cute second-chance romance. The house party was a unique way to bring unmarried couples together. I loved Edmund. He was so loyal and supportive and I was glad that he finally had his chance for true love. It's a quick read to a happily ever after ending.

A second chance at love and a refreshing romance between mature (in their 40s) characters. Edmund and Genie seem to have different needs. Can love win the day? Enjoyable characters and enough spice to keep things interesting...and to show that middle-age doesn't mean nothing is happening in the bedroom! A prequel that will whet your appetite for the author's Untouchables series.

A bachelor Earl, Edmund, finds himself at a matchmaking house party with a widow, Genie, that he had admired from afar many years ago. Is she ready to move on, two years after her husband’s death? Is he ready to marry after all these years? I enjoyed this story about an older (in their early forties) couple. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Darcy Burke Publishing for my honest review.