The Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, with most scandalous and intriguing ladies and gentlemen. A woman on a mission after two years of marriage, Sabrina Westbrook and her husband are basically estranged, but things are about to change with the winds of fate. She’s has barely spoken to her husband decides to shows up in London unannounced. Her husband Constantine Westbrook, heir to a dukedom, doesn’t recognize his shy beautiful bride who show up with demands of her own, she wants children. An enchanting story an already married couple who want the same things but are uncomfortable or unsure about to continue in their marriage. I love this new series! I have voluntarily read and reviewed the great book.

The premise of this book is very intriguing and made me want to read it immediately. The writing is good sometimes. Most of the time, the book gets too heavy on descriptions that it takes me out of the story every time. The characters are hard to follow and to sympathize with as well because they don't feel fleshed out to me. I also did not like how this book started, even if the cheating did not go according to plan, it's still cheating to me and that's one of the worst offenses in books for me. Overall, the premise really hooked me and encouraged me to read this book, but the execution fell flat and did not live up to what I expected from that premise.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for the chance to read an early copy of this book!

I couldn't resist the gorgeous cover, but if I hadn't found it on NetGalley I might not have made it past the first few pages. The author is "hunting big game" here, as Sarah MacLean might say on Fated Mates podcast, and is playing with the marriage in crisis trope by teetering on the edge of adultery. For example, in those first pages, the frustrated and lonely husband attempts to have an affair (it is not consummated). Later, there is a farcical setup between husband and wife where one party thinks they are having an affair and the other is pretending to be someone else (though there is never any physical contact during this part of the book). It was a fascinating concept, but it was a little too out there for me--I wish this had been more of a consenting roleplay between both people, rather than a deception (egged on by misguided but well-meaning secondary characters).

But again, this was an interesting concept and I would like to read more about this Phoenix Club. I didn't identify with the heroine's experience of anxiety but I did enjoy the hero's arc. He is quite uptight and hard to like at first, but you see him start to soften and become more sympathetic. And for all this I disliked the deceptive and quasi-cheating aspects of the book, I also thought there were some powerful scenes where the husband and wife open up to each other and learn how to make their marriage work. This won't be every reader's cup of tea, but it's definitely not your same old Regency romance!

I had a hard time holding my interest. It seemed a bit slow for my taste, overall the book was well written and in parts very entertaining.

I really enjoyed this book. Normally I'm not one for the unable to communicate trope, but this one worked for me. Constantine is such a big marshmallow of a hero, all buttoned up but totally ready to let go, really caring and open to challenge. Sabrina, the once wallflower, turned diamond, was sweet and savvy. There were some not-quite-believable events (Sabrina tutoring Constantine and him not working out immediately she wasn't a highly experienced courtesan but his relatively innocent wife), but the cast of characters - Brightly and his wife, Cass and Evie and Lucien and the central relationship development was great. I'll definitely be picking up more Darcy Burke novels in future.

On dull days, books like these possess the power to still make you happy (something to do with the automatic release of dopamine at the mention of love/love story)

Well, this was a well done love story for sure. Misunderstanding is the very core of this book but it is handled in a way that made sense atleast to me. Despite being married, there's a vast distance between our MCs, that at this point they don't know how to cover. And both have their own reasons (pretty valid, let me tell you) for their marriage being reduced to this state, or rather never got the chance to overcome this state.

Unlike the other books I've read recently chaste would be a gross understatement for it (well, the whole point of the story is our FMC trying to seduce the MMC, draw your conclusions)

I love Constantine, he is a marshmallow (fav kind of protagonist, I swear), so understanding, helpful, thoughtful, passionate, and asks for consent at every single stage, every goddamn time. Truly in awe.

I admire how brave Sabrina is, to battle her anxiety, insecurities, and face everything she kept on avoiding heads on takes incredible courage and I love her for that.

Lucien and Evie are such endearing characters. Helping both the MCs throughout, maybe not in the best possible way, but they had great intentions, nonetheless.

In all, it was a good read and I'm excited to read the next one in this series too.

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.

Sabrina and Constantine had an arranged marriage that might have started off ok if their parents had stayed out of it. There was attraction that could have turned to something more, he thinks she's the most beautiful woman in the world. Lies and hurtful statements made them as good as strangers. They're living separate lives until Sabrina breezes into town wanting to have a child. Being in the same house and trying to become their better selves sets things in motion. All that said, it then turns into a circus. I tried to like the story but it became to far fetched and I lost interest. By the end I felt nothing for the characters main and secondary. I don't like giving bad reviews but in this case I had to speak my mind. I like Ms Burkes work but this one was just too out there for me.

#DarcyBurke #Impassioned #ThePhoenixClub #ZealousQuillPress #historicalromance

I enjoyed this entry in the Phoenix Club series. We had previously "met" the male lead in another book of the series and knew what a stuffed shirt, rod-up-his-arse personality he had. It was nice to see this stiffly confident hero become puzzled and then enamored in spite of himself with his own wife. Their road to their HEA was a little tricky and slightly improbable in some places but it was nice to see them both arrive at it. Solid entry to the series. I can recommend if you like this trope. #Impassioned #NetGalley

I read this in a day!

This was such a fun and compelling second chance romance. Both the MCs were very interesting and I loved seeing there relationship grow in such an endearing and believable manner. Plus, the steam level in this book was just top notch. So much fun!!

This is my second book by this author and I look forward to read more from her.

This is the story of n earl and his wife. They were forced to marry by their parents. The first year of their marriage they lived apart. Coming together for intercourse. Sabrina is timid. Constantine is commanding. She decides to change into the countess she should be. Their relationship veers in many directions. They their arranged marriage into a love match. The book was excellent. I love Darcy Burke.

Our h and H... Sabrina and Constantine enter into a marriage of convenience. Which it maintains and stays in that state for two years; after which a fed up Sabrina wants marital rights and a baby. Journey along with these two as they stumble along their love lesson path. The characters are wonderful and the storyline strong & entertaining. You will watch these two as they overcome obstacles, traverse through hilarious situations, find time for a little sizzling romance and at certain points utter chaos ensues.

I am rounding up a bit on this rating. I really enjoyed this book. It was my first time reading this author and I will absolutely read her again. The book started slowly for me which is why it is not quite a solid 4.

Constantine and Sabrina have been married for two years but living separate lives and the few attempts at sex are awkward. I might be the minority but I adore books with married characters trying to redeem their marriage. Sabrina has pretty severe anxiety and social anxiety but is trying to change as she wants a baby. Constantine is quite stuffy and trying to live up to the expectations of his father. Both characters experience a lot of personal growth and overcome their issues. This book is sexy, especially the tutoring sessions which build anticipation. Constantine counting Sabrina is the sweetest thing ever and there is even a naughty kitten!

I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Simply love this wonderful story! Already married for two years, Constantine (adore that name!) and Sabrina had a true marriage of "convenience". Both having their issues it seemed and neither pushing for more.

That is, until she came to London and told him in no uncertain terms...
"I am the Countess of Aldington, and I demand my marital rights." Yowza! She had decided she wanted a child and it took all of her courage to confront him.

Constantine was shocked to say the least and wondered who had taken over his quiet, reserved, afraid of her shadow wife?

Wonderful characters, seeing how they change and get to know each other and find... could it be true love! Darcy at her best!!

This book was...ok.

I like Sabrina, especially that she stood up for herself and wasn't a total wilting flower. But I really dislike the trope of conflict only because the main characters cannot communicate. Also, even though the "tutor" was Sabrina, I really didn't like that Constantine was ok with basically cheating on his wife. And even though this is an historical romance, I just felt like it was....too much sex. This is totally a personal preference, but entire plot was sex. Take it out, and you'd have like 50 pages.

My reasons for not liking this are totally subjective, so ignore me and have fun if you want to read it.

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

This was a fascinating look into a life of a couple stuck in a marriage of convenience. Sabrina and Aldington do not have the skills or the chemistry to fix their marriage including their sex life, but the desire for a baby changes Sabrina's attitude. Her quest to seduce her husband and get her coveted child is thrilling and breathtaking.

So much passion, so much love to be found!

Sabrina and Constantine have endured two years of a cold, distant marriage that each believes the other didn't want. Finally at her wits end, Sabrina presents an ultimatum to her husband that forces them both to confront their true feelings and find the passion hidden deep in their union.

I loved the secret identity subplot, how it freed both characters to address their inner desires without fear of rejection. It was wonderful to see Sabrina find her strength, and even more wonderful to watch Constantine find his heart.

This was a beautiful romance with so much depth. I also truly enjoyed the return to the Phoenix Club and all its assorted cast of characters. This series is inspiring and enlightening at every turn, and I highly recommend these stories for anyone who loves to read historical romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Impassioned is the second book in the series The Phoenix Club and although each book can be read as a standalone it's so great to be able to read the story of each character.
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The story of Sabrina and Constantine is the one that I enjoyed the most of the two that I have read. After two years of marriage and married life in different houses, Sabrina decides to break with her fears and anxiety by daring to demand more from her marriage. Constantine is totally dislodged when his wife demands that he fulfill his obligations and give her an heir.
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Both are people of few words, correct and reserved but they decide to try to understand each other and connect with the other with different tricks, dancing around each other and learning their way to passion. As always Lucien and his friends of the Phoenix Club play an important role in the arrival of both towards the other.
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Darcy Burke wrote in such a fluid and warm way making the characters stick in the memory of whoever reads them, and this second chance to love isn't the exception. I can't wait to read the next story in this series.
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Thanks to Darcy Burke and Zealous Quill Press for give me this great reading in exchange for my honest opinion

After two years of marriage, Sabrina Westbrook has had enough. Enough of a cold marriage, enough of being alone. When she arrives in London to demand her marital rights, Constantine, Earl of Westbrook, is shocked (to say the least). The truth is they both would like a better marriage, a real marriage. The problem, neither knows how to go about it. There is help. Con’s bother Lucien and Evie, his partner in the Phoenix Club, are willing to help, and attack the problem from both sides. What ensues is a fast-paced, sometimes dramatic and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, and often steamy adventure in falling in love. We learn a lot about Con and Sabrina, as well as Lucien and the Duke, and what makes them tick. Mr. and Mrs. Haddock and a kitten of chaos are delightful and bring a bit of welcome humor to the household (it teaches Con to relax). This is a wonderfully entertaining story with engaging characters. I love the new Con (so does Sabrina). Enjoyable story and series. I look forward to more.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is a book about how a polite proper marriage turns into passionate love.
Sabrina and Constantine are practically strangers. They live separate lives and only have two yearly visits a year. This arrangement is no longer working for Sabrina so she decides to change that and thus begins the novel.
I liked watching this second chance romance unfold. It was great to see these two learn about each other and fall in love. I think the book was the perfect length as well.
If you enjoy regency romance and/or second chance romance I would recommend this.

I received an ARC of "Impassioned" from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Is there anything Darcy Burke writes that isn't 6 out of 5 stars? Constantine and Sabrina Westbrook have been an estranged married couple for a long time. Sabrina now decides to take matters into her own hands witg her awkward husband because she wants a child. Darcy Burke has done a specially fantastic job in allowing her readers to feel each inelegant word and action by Constantine and the bravery shown by Sabrina is also praise worthy. A spectacular read!