A rekindled love sends the second wicked duke to the alter. Val is a strong smart independent women. Val is a duke who is kind and has a heart. Viola the dukes sister is a wonderful character and plays a great part in this story. This is a very sweet romance. Can’t wait for the next book!

Loved the story of Val and Isabelle and their finding each other again after ten years, two bad marriages and the subsequent deaths of their spouses. Isabelle thought she was not good enough to marry a Duke and Val was determined to not remarry any time soon. There is a HEA but a lot happens before this comes about which makes this a great read. The story is well written, holds your attention and makes you pull for them to marry. It is a wonderful read and I would highly recommend this book.

When governess Isabelle meets Duke Valentine again for the first time 10 years after a fling they had in Oxford, they are still in love, even though they cannot admit it to each other.
Sticklers for acceptable social behavior in Regency England will have a tough time accepting this story, but it is a cute love story that, except for lacking communication between the protagonists, is not angst filled but fairly fast paced.

I totally loved this book - was so engrossed with the characters and the story I couldn't put it down.
Read it in under 24 hours.

Isabelle is a woman with a plan, working as a governess to facilitate this dreams her life throws her a curve ball and into Valentine Eastleigh a memory from her past. When her circumstances change how can Isabelle achieve her dreams or are her dreams changing?

What I loved about this book is that unlike a large majority of Regency Romances the storyline didn't follow the recognised plot path, women ends up in compromising position with a man and is forced to marry the man she grows to love. This was a much more thought provoking and enpowering story and personally I found it all the better for it. Isabelle is fiesty and resourceful and makes her life happen rather than accept what is happening to her.

One night of surrender. What a story. Val and Isabelle met 10 years ago, spent a night together and went their separate ways. A decade later, they are getting reacquainted again and the chemistry is still there. Just Magical. Very very good read and a big thump up to Darcy Burke for another awesome read.
I voluntarily reviewed this book provided by the publisher via Netgalley and all the opinions expressed here are all mine.

A story of a long ago encounter that never was forgotten by either party. Years ago, Valentine, Duke of Eastleigh had experienced one amazing night with Isabelle Cortland, the daughter of the head of the college. Since then he had been through a terrible marraige and was determined never to get caught in that trap again. But then he literally ran into Isabelle again.
Isabelle had married after that encounter but was now a widow and left with no money, so she went to work as a governess for the two girls of Lord Barkley. Having renovations done on he townhome, they stayed at Val's house. What are the chances? She intended to stay far away.
As fate would have it, almost after her arrival she met him unexpectedly in the corridor. "Isabelle?" She was older of course, and far more beautiful than he remembered. He blinked, closing his eyes for a moment, but when he opened them she was still there." paraphrased but he was astonished and the spark was still there! Could their love rekindle from so long ago?
Darcy Burke always writes such wonderful stories that always pull me in quickly. Such a heartwarming second chance emotional story with characters that grab you and have you desperately want to find their way to a happy ending. The secondary characters are full of life and bring a lot to this tale and I cannot wait until the next book in this series! This series is an amazing collaberation between two brilliant authors of historical romance!!

ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER is a quick but delicious story in the alternating author series Wicked Dukes Club with Erica Ridley.

It’s been a decade since Val and Isabelle last saw each other and much has changed in their lives. Yet their positions in society still, or even more so now, will keep them apart. Val is now a widower but because of the actions of his wife has no desire to enter into that particular union again. That he must eventually is a subject he has kept in the far back of his mind, in spite of being reminded almost constantly by one relative in particular. Isabelle is also now a widow and life has been less than kind to her during those years as she finds herself penniless and needs to work to support herself and her dream of opening a school for other girls like herself. Now employed as a governess, Isabelle will find herself facing Val once again and the enjoyment of that reunion is overshadowed by her need to remain a stranger to him for her reputation could so easily be ruined should their past come to light. That doesn’t mean that the emotions, the attraction or the need for each other has diminished over time, but she’s smarter now, or at least she hopes she is.

Val and Isabelle have a second chance at finding a love that lasts but there is much in their way. ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER is full of emotions, laughter and sizzling sexual tensions. I enjoyed their romance and will let you read for yourself what happens next. If you love a good story, likable characters and steamy moments then you’ll enjoy this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER by Darcy Burke is book Two in the Wicked Dukes Club Series. This is the story of Isabelle Cortland and Valentine 'Val' Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh. I have read the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Isabelle and Val meet when Val is at Oxford college where her father is the head of and sparks fly. Even though they are forbidden due the do enter into a romantic relationship. But of course due to their different levels in life they cannot be. So both go on to marry other but neither were far from the other in thoughts. Now in the their present day, Isabelle is a widower trying to earn money due to her husband's wasting it away. Isabelle also is looking to open her own school but for now is a governess. Val to is a widower whose wife cheated on him but died in childbirth. Now he is cynical on relationships. When Val invites his friend and family to stay with him for awhile he is socked to see Isabelle. Isabelle needs to keep her name 'clean' if she wants to be a head mistress so she tries to avoid Val. Val tries to stand by Isabelle's request but their feelings are just to much.
Enjoyed their story.

Val and Isabelle will melt your heart. Their story is one of a lost love reconnecting. Meeting again 10 years after one night of passion that neither could ever forget. You will enjoy this story and keep turning the pages until you are completely finished. A book you cannot put donw.

After one passionate night a decade ago, Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh, never forgot Isabelle, the intelligent, witty and forbidden daughter of a head of college at Oxford.

Once penniless, Isabelle Cortland has finally saved enough money to finance a school for impoverished girls. But when a chance encounter rekindles buried desires, Isabelle knows she can’t be a duke’s mistress and a headmistress at the same time. No longer a naïve girl,

This second book in this series is a well written and delightful read. This six book series is being written by two different authors alternating as book one by Erica Ridley and book #2 by Darcy Burke. Odd numbered titles will be Erica Ridley books and even numbered ones by Darcy Burke. They aren't exactly standalone titles but can be read as such.
The first two books blend well together since they are about the owners of the wicked dukes club.
This delightful quick read is not to be missed.
I gave this novella 4.6 of 5.0 stars for story line, plot and characterization. There are carry over characters from the first book written by Ms. Ridley but you will not be lost if you did not read that book.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Not sure why, but I don't normally care for books with second chance romance. However, this book (and another recent one I read) have made me rethink this trope. It was a smart, fun, sexy, romance. I loved the H and h. All of Darcy Burke's books are great and worth reading. Thankfully for Netgalley and the chance to review an ARC of this book. Great read!

This pair nearly broke my heart. Ten years ago, Val and Isabelle should have stayed together but neither was prepared to bridge their different worlds to make it happen. A disastrous marriage for each of them later and the widow and widower are accidentally thrust into each other’s orbit again. Will history repeat itself, have these two learned from their past mistakes, or have they been too badly hurt to risk anything now? I loved how very independent Isabelle is, even when she’s being too independent for her own good. I adore Val. He’s so sweet and charming, and that alpha protective streak is utterly swoon-worthy. The supporting cast are larger than life and I can’t wait to read more in this series.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

Isabelle and Valentine were once lovers from different walks of life, separated by life and duty. Both are widows of unhappy marriages. Neither wants to relive the experience again.

Financial troubles led Isabelle to become a governess, and when the family she works for lodges for a temporary stay at Valentine's townhouse in London, the two are reunited. Isabelle tries to avoid Valentine, while Valentine is thrilled to see his former love interest and pursues her. She finally opens up, and as they uncover each other's pasts, the two must reconcile what they are willing to let go of if they want a future together—especially after Isabelle's employer puts her life into sudden upheaval.

Valentine started out as the typical English lord, selfish and presuming in how he could solve the problems of a lower-born woman. As he evolves, he sheds some of the lordly veneer that holds him back from fully realizing their relationship. Isabelle is guarded as well, with good reason: she's been treated poorly and taken advantage of in her life. Her hesitation is perfectly in-character, and as her guard drops, it feels completely natural. Both Valentine and Isabelle are conflicted in what they want from the other, and that's where Valentine's sister and grandmother, who are both fantastic side characters, come into the story as the voice of conscious and reason.

I enjoyed how Valentine and Isabelle opened up and accepted the new, more mature, versions of each other. The conclusion felt pretty rushed, however, and while I enjoyed Valentine's sister and grandmother, their role may have been too great, taking away a bit of Valentine and Isabelle's agency. I would have also liked for the epilogue to be a proper chapter, with a small time jump forward to see how post-marriage life treats the two. That aside, the story moves at a good pace, and is a great example of how feel-good a second-chance romance can be.

I don't know why but I enjoyed One Night of Surrender than the previous book (One Night for Seduction). It was a quick and easy read with no complicated plot whatsoever. Just your lead male and female who were once sharing a passionate night, then went along with their (unfortunate, one way or another) lives. They met again under different circumstance, and trying (not so hard, IMO) not to rekindle their passion for each other. Romance ensued.

However, and know that I get it, I am a bit tired of feisty and smart female character. One can use their womanly charm (such as embroidery or what have you in that era) to be a strong female character. I appreciated the emerge of STEM ladies in various books, but I am currently in the mood for other dynamic.

Thank you author and publisher for the chance!

Out of the two Wicked Dukes so far, One Night of Surrender is my favorite which truly is surprising as I don’t normally care for the second-chance romance trope. Admittedly, this was just one encounter and then they moved on to live their lives and it didn’t seem like there was heartbreak on either side. Just bittersweet memories and a little torch for Isabelle and Val to carry.

I am a sucker for strong, independent women in the books I read and Isabelle was the perfect combination of capable and damsel in distress. Intelligent, attractive and cool-headed, Isabelle was a joy to read about. I adored Val. His banter with his sister, friends, and the thoughtful gestures he makes just to see Isabelle happy made him a perfect candidate for book boyfriend.

Once again, I found myself completely charmed by the surrounding characters and anxious to hear their stories. Val’s sister and her tendency to masquerade as a man in order to write her column will make a fabulous story and I can hardly wait to read it! Together, Burke and Ridley have crafted a delightful “world” with swoon-worthy men, whip-smart ladies, and the perfect amount of steam for this romance reader.

Valentine Fairfax and Isabelle Cortland met as she was the daughter of a head of a college at Oxford. They started a forbidden relationship that ended way too soon because Valentine is a Duke and Isabelle is just the daughter of a professor.

Ten years later, Valentine has not forgotten Isabelle. After a disastrous marriage, he vows not to be tempted to love again. Isabelle is working as a governess due to being penniless after her husband's death.

When Isabelle turns up in his home as the governess of his houseguests, Valentine knows that he still loves her. Isabelle's dream is to start her own school for impoverished girls. Her dream is almost shattered by unscrupulous employers until Valentine rescues her.

Will Valentine be able to make Isabelle his Duchess?


I loved the characters in this book. Isabelle was a strong heroine and Valentine her valiant rescuer. The secondary characters blend in well and are great.

I liked how Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley are alternating books in this series. This book blends well with the first book, yet can be read as a stand-alone.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!!

What a wonderful read, this is about old friends, who meet again after never thinking to see each other again.
The Duke of Eastleigh, had a horrible marriage and vowed to never marry again or lose his heart to anyone after his wife died.
His grandmother the Dowager wants, needs him to marry again. He and his best friend the Duke of Colehaven own a tavern
called the The Wicked Duke.
Isabelle Cortland was the daughter of the head of Oxford, and as such she learned a lot more then most ladies would.
She knows languages, mathematics, and science to name a few.
She and Val ( Duke of Eastleigh) were both at Oxford at the same time, even knowing she was off limits, they not only become friends but lovers. Both leaving to marry others, she to a Husband her father picked out and him to a lady his grandmother
liked. Both marriages turned out badly. Isabelle was married for four years and when her husband died he left her penniless.
These two meet again when a former school mate Lord Barkley and his daughters have no place to stay and Val lets them stay at his townhouse not knowing that Isabelle is their governess.
Now the drama, and rest of the book starts cause many changes happen the bring the Duke and Governess together.
I will not give away anything causes it would ruin the story.
Please do give this book a try I know your love it if you like 2nd chances, and happy ending.
I was given this book by NetGalley and am giving my honest review.

One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke
In this standalone book, one of the Wicked Dukes Club series, Val and Isabelle had a night of passion years before, but Val, heir to a dukedom felt he couldn’t marry the daughter of the head of his Oxford college. They meet again when Lord Barkley comes to stay with Val, along with his daughters and their governess while Barkley’s home is undergoing repairs. Isabelle, now a widow, is governess to the two daughters. The former lovers try to avoid one another, but when Barkley’s wife arrives and fires Isabelle, Val feels he must help her at least find new employment. While the reader “knows” how things will turn out, Burke makes the journey to a resolution both completely believable and thoroughly enjoyable. Val and Isabelle are well-drawn characters. We also meet two of the other “wicked dukes” and also Val’s sister, is an intriguing member of the family. Each has a “story” I greatly look forward to reading!

I enjoyed this story. Isabelle and Val are great characters.
It's a lovely light read to while away a couple of hours.

Val and Isabelle are a delightful couple, with great chemistry and dialogue. Side characters—Viola in particular—are equally as delightful.

Val and Isabelle’s emotional arc feels complete, but many of the other threads didn’t feel tied off by the end, from Isabelle’s goals to her time as a governess to their previous unfortunate marriages. Indeed, the plot often felt pieced together rather than cohesive, which detracted a bit from the—still satisfying!—romance.