This ARC was acquired thought NetGalley but it isn't related to this review.

I really liked this book, I wasn't sure since I wasn't familiar with the author or the characters so I didn't know what to expect, so once I started read it, it was a happy surprise to see how quickly and easy was to read this book, which is always a good thing on my book, see what I did there, okay bad joke, but is always good when a book is easy to read, when you can get immerse in the story.

The characters were so likable right from the beginning and so human that once that the story starts to get complicated by say that get to the climax, you only want the best for them.

Something that I love with romance books is when one is like "grumpy" and the other is an open sunshine, but as soon as the grumpy open their heart, turns out that they are the most loving human beings, and that makes my heart so full, I love it, I think that is my favorite trope over enemies to lovers.


I highly recommend this book for those who love romance is the book, the romance in this book filled my heart with so much love, and I read it before Valentine's Day, so it was the perfect read to get in the mood.

The only reason I didn't go with 5 stars is I PREFER when this kind of books end with them having a family and living happy forever.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. This is one part of a series. I had read all of the stories and I do enjoy a good series. This was probably my least favorite. In my opinion the conversations just didn't seem to flow correctly. I would explain it better if I could. However, if you have read the rest of the series I would urge you to read this one as well.

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

A Rogue to Ruin is the third in Darcy Burke’s Pretenders series, which is in turn part of her Untouchables world. It can be read as a stand-alone, although I do think understanding the connections between the characters does make the story richer. In spite of having read the books most immediately relevant to this one, I did find I had to go back and refresh myself on who everyone was, and feel that this would have been a good opportunity to include a character guide (like a cast of characters), to help new readers keep the cast straight and have a frame of reference, and readers who are familiar but may have forgotten to refresh themselves as to who everyone is, as there are so many characters across the multiple series.

However, the romance between Anne and Rafe is a beautiful one in its own right, once separated from the minor issues of navigating the large world Burke has built. It’s such a sweet premise to have them meet in the past and have that spark, and then meet again years later now that both of their lives have changed.

While the “tortured hero saved by love” trope is not a favorite, I ended up liking Rafe for the most part; as he’s a genuinely good person, in spite of the events they have embittered him. And Anne embraces him wholeheartedly with all his flaws, and their dynamic was definitely one of the more endearing depictions of this trope I’ve read.

This is another enjoyable historical romance from Darcy Burke, one I think fans of the genre will love.

Darcy Burke is definitely one of my favorite historical romance writers! After being a little disappointed with A Scandalous Bargain I was so excited to see her back in top form with A Rogue to Ruin. I have been curious about Rafe since I got my first glimpse of him in a Duke Will Never Do and again in A Secret Surrender. The love story between him and Anne is fantastic and I equally enjoyed the mystery surrounding the death of his parents. Anne is another breath of fresh air among the leading ladies of historical romances - she is headstrong, outspoken, and goes after what she wants. I appreciated that she didn't abandon Rafe after learning of his past and instead double downs on her commitment to and love for him (this was not surprising, but the author could have easily had that as another obstacle for them to overcome - can't state enough how glad I am that did not happen). I also really enjoyed getting more of Selina and Harry. I have to apologize to Ms. Burke after criticizing having Deborah show up so fleetingly in Scandalous Bargain, it now makes perfect sense. I only wish we had gotten to see what she wrote to Selina and Beatrix! A great end to another great series!

So many intriguing layers to this story!

This story simply blew me away. We knew a little about who Rafe was from Selina's book and got a few more hints from the second in this series, but even so I was hardly prepared for the stunning revelations in store for this family! The author takes us back to the beginning, where secondary events detailed in A Duke Will Never Do (Spitfire Society #3) laid the groundwork for the romance in this book. The sheer brilliance of the author in so deftly connecting all four books is more than enough reason to read it, but if you've read either of the earlier two books of The Pretenders then you absolutely do not want to miss this one.

Selena and Beatrix were pretenders from the start, doing whatever they had to in order to survive and make a life for themselves. Rafe was always in the background, contributing and complicating in equal measure, waiting until the time was ripe for his story to play out. This book gives us an entirely different connotation of the pretender label as the truth about Rafe and Selina's history is finally revealed and it is nothing short of heartbreaking. Harry's father's reaction to the news about his new daughter-in-law nearly brought me to tears.

Throughout it all, Rafe's traumatized heart is slowly repaired by the no-nonsense blunt force named Anne. She sees him for who he really is, even when she's the last to know the specific details. I adored these two together and their romance is my favorite of all I've read by this author.

There's a very satisfying HEA in store, providing closure and peace for the entire family. I especially appreciated that the author didn't take any shortcuts with Rafe's tragic history with Anthony, allowing these two to honestly address their issues in a way that added emotional depth and realism to all the interconnected friendships between the assorted men in this fictional world.

This book is an excellent example of the author's storytelling genius. Everything I've read by her is exquisitely compelling, and this one is quite possibly her best to date. Intrigue, suspense, Regency manners, and a steamy, swoon-worthy romance - it's all here, and it's perfectly done. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Another enjoyable read from Darcy Burke. I’ve just finished the book - a romance, great characters and excellent story - having been unable to put it down. Some characters were revisited from the previous book but this book can be read as a stand-alone.

absolutely loved this book. Anne and Rafe were a perfect couple. Anne was truly a "SPITFIRE" This was the kind of book where it had me turning the page to find out what was gonna happen next. i couldnt put it down. Darcy is a new to me author, even though i have followed her for a couple years.

I almost lost interest in the book. I say almost because after picking it up again the third time to finish what I started, I found myself embroiled in everything that was happening in the book. I enjoyed the characters so much. i could be friends with. This was a very enjoyable read!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Anne Pemberton is in London for her first season, when she meets a handsome stranger, who she dubs Lord Bodyguard, at a book store. They spend their Thursday afternoons together, never revealing their true identities, and she soon falls in love. However, her parents are adamant she marries, especially after her sister Jane's perceived ruined reputation, and so she is betrothed to Gilbert Chamberlain. However, when he is arrested for extortion on their wedding day, she finds herself ruined, and in hiding with her sister. Anne can't stop thinking about Lord Bodyguard, and when she spots him in her brother-in-law's hallway, and discovers his true identity, Rafe Bowles (Blackwell), she won't let him slip through her fingers again. For Rafe, he has vague memories of his parents, before he and his sister, Selina, were stolen away to London at a young age. He has many identities, from the Vicar, to Blackwell, Bowles, and now perhaps the long lost heir to an Earldom? He can't believe his luck, but it appears that his uncle, the current Earl, may have had a hand in the fire that took his parents, and was meant to take him too. He wants to keep Anne at arms length, and not ruin her with his past, but it's difficult to do, and perhaps he needs her more than he could imagine? Will Rafe be able to discover the truth about his lineage, or will his past come back to haunt him?

After binging this series, I can safely say this was the perfect ending anyone could've asked for. Any and all questions you may have had previously have been answered, and then some. Rafe had intrigued me every time we saw him in the previous books, and learning what he got up to in the time he and Selina had been separated was lovely, as was seeing his softer side, and him being vulnerable with Anne. I just love stories like this, when the long lost heir is discovered, and it brought together the perfect mix of mystery and intrigue, with the added bonus of a wonderful romance, all neatly tied together with a bow. Anne and Rafe had a chemistry that was unreal - though they aren't my favourite couple of the series - and the moments we saw between them in the prologue were simply beautiful as a meet cute. There were some moments between them when I wanted to laugh, and others cry, but it was so real and natural. I'm so pleased with the conclusion, and the way all three main characters from the series get the closure they've been looking for. I can't wait for Darcy's next book!

This book is a story about the Pretenders.
Rafe and Anne are a perfect pair in this third book from the series.
Will a dissolution thief/earl and a lady who is a social pariah find love.
This is Darcy Burke at her best.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Rogue to Ruin is the story of Rafe, an orphan looking for the truth about his parents, and Anne, a young woman who has been touched by scandal in society's eyes. They enjoy each other's company with out knowing their true names before losing contact and then being reunited later. Rafe is determined not to be married again, but Anne seems to be taking down his walls.

I did not read the first 2 books in this series, so I feel I may have been missing some context while reading this.

I have no chill when it comes to historical romances, I read the whole thing in a day. It was enjoyable for what it was. Could it have been better researched? Yes. The characters did not behave in a way that makes sense for the era. However, I'm not looking for historically accurate, I'm looking for steamy romance. And that's what I got.

I really enjoyed reading it, it was quick and well written.

*This eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about a man who has been kidnapped when he was 5 year old and had to fight to servive from the terrible life he was living . He became very rich . He meets Anne in a bookstore and they force a friendship . When they meet later properly they have many people in common as his evil uncle . The love between them is so sweet .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another delightful read by Ms. Burke! His two sisters have been able to find love and now Rafe has the opportunity to as well, if he can let go of the past. Rafe did what was necessary to survive, and has regrets but had done good things with his wealth. Anne's life changed when she met Rafe, and she could not get him out of her heart and almost made a horrible mistake. Reunited, Anne and Rate spend time together, even though he cannot give her what she wants. Anne has no intention of giving up. The past of Rafe's family will affect their potential future as well as secrets they are both keeping. The truth had a way of revealing itself, but will it be enough?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An action packed finale to the Pretenders series. The mystery of The Vicar, and Selina’s past is solved.

Rafe Blackwell, who has a mysterious past recollects the folly while out on a picnic as does his sister Selina Sheffield who has memories of a coral necklace which is gifted to her, and she remembers her mother wearing the necklace. And thus the mystery to find out their parentage starts. The book bring in all the Pretenders together along with some of the Spitfire girls.

Meanwhile Anne Pemberton has a bad start to her season after her fiancé is found to guilty and is being transported. Before her betrothal, she meets Rafe Blackwell or Raphael Bowles (as he calls himself once he gave up the role of the Vicar, the moneylender) at a bookshop and after he thwarts the unwanted attention of two unruly fellows, form a friendship and he takes on the role of her bodyguard and they roam the city together.

Anyhow, most of the novel is unearthing the past of Rafe and his sister. Mid way through the book, their identity is revealed. The rest of the book dwells into why the crime was committed and the villains are after Rafe again.

The book is more focused on the mystery rather than romance and is well drawn out. Anne and Rafe continue their romance on the sidelines and eventually marry after some misunderstandings.

The book was a Ms Burke trademark. Good Mystery and romance.

I received this as an advance copy from Netgalley to review, but did not realise that is was book 3 in a series. This may have influenced my comments.

The H & h snatch a few hours together exploring East London over a period of 4 weeks without them revealing their identities to each other before events prevent them meeting again. Skip forward 3 months and they meet again under different circumstances. The story then progresses as Rafe tries to uncover what lies behind his memories of the time before his parents died. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Anne and Rafe and thought that the story and dialogue flowed nicely.

However, the backstory stretched my credulity to the limit. How any 14 year old boy could have sent his sister to school when she was aged 11 is a little far fetched especially when they are being brought up by a criminal in East London. To then not have seen her for 19 years is also very hard to accept. That 3 weddings have taken place in the period between Anne and Rafe’s first meetings and the resumption of their acquaintance as well as Anne’s engagement and scandalous almost wedding was just too much for me to accept. For this reason as well as a number of other inconsistencies I can only award 3 stars. The author writes well, but the storylines would benefit from being a tad more realistic.

Anne cannot choose the right man. Her fiancée is arrested right before they are about to be married. She starts to wonder if any man is who he says he is. Reformed thief, Rafe, has a chance encounter with Anne that they both cannot forget. When he later realizes that Anne is related to people who might have murdered his parents, he must decide whether to trust her. When Anne realizes that Rafe is hiding secrets from his past, she must decide whether to trust him. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Darcy Burke Publishing for my honest review.

Nothing was outwardly bad about this book, but nothing was notably good. It was overall a 'meh' read but that may just be a me-thing and those who read more historical romance than me may still enjoy.

I'm usually a fan of Ms. Burke's books, but this one was not my favorite. Anne's character was entirely too independent for the time. She flaunted society's rules at every turn and was quite aggressive in her pursuit of Rafe. I liked Rafe's character better. He endured a terrible childhood and learned the hard way how to succeed imploring criminal behavior to climb out of poverty. I liked seeing some of the characters from the previous books show up in this one. While I don't mind sex scenes in stories, I'd prefer them not to be so graphic so be warned for those readers who don't want to see them in the books they read.

I love this series and have been waiting for Rafe's book. What I didn't expect was for him to be such a sweet guy. He warms up gradually through the series of books and in this one he just makes you melt. His relationship with Anne is very slow to move through but absolutely worth it in the end. I can't wait to see who comes out of this world next!

I got it as an ARC for my honest review, and honestly, it's bad. No research went into writing it, the writing itself is stilted, and the plot is laughable even for the genre. Long lost family, so many bloody coincidences, and terrible character writing. 2 Stars.