Member Reviews
I love a good historical romance and request to read these whenever I see them up for review. This one met my expectations - it has just enough depth to keep me interested in the characters and how the story ended.
This was such a delightful conclusion to the Wicked Dukes Club series! A bungled plan leads to an unexpected love with a hero that anyone would want. Very well done, as are all of Darcy Burke's books!
For me this book was good and interesting. I read it fast, and that is because the book had a power to captivate me and keep me engaged in the storyline. Highly recommended! 4.5 stars!
I think this might be the cutest romance of the whole series! Penelope attempts to get herself pretend-kidnapped in order to ruin her reputation so she can't marry the horrible Earl of Findon, and Hugh just happens to be there to save her when things go a little bit south and the kidnapping gets a little bit real. The two of them have an instant connection, both intellectual and physical, and I really enjoyed watching the forbidden love story play out. It was just really sweet, and I really enjoyed it. Fluffy and good fun, and the way it wrapped up the series as a whole was lovely.
One Night of Temptation is the 6th book in the Wicked Dukes Club Series by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. This 6th book is written by Darcy Burke.
This book is about Lady Penelope Wakefield and Rector Hugh Tarleton and I really liked their story.
This series was so good!
I loved this book!! This is the second book I read from this author and loved! Historical Fiction is my favorite genre and this book is one reason why!!
Darcy had me at Hot Priest. Okay, Okay, Phoebe Waller-Bridge did most of the heavy lifting on that one. But this book has a Hot Priest and I’m so down. No one is reading a story with a hot priest in 2019 and not thinking about Fleabag.
This had good elements (hot priest, runaway society lady, an inn with 'the name for male rooster' in the title) but for me it was quite route.
I enjoyed that this started with what I’m calling a ‘Human Heist’ (running away). And also, I liked that Hugh (Hot Priest) is a radical feminist and pretty much just leads with that at the protagonists’ first meeting:
“...he shot her an apologetic glance. ‘I often think it isn’t fair that women don’t have the same choices available to them as men.’”
AND he says this at an Inn called The Craven Cock, no less.
This book certainly leans into conversations. The first one in particular feels very long.
From a feminist romance perspective, this book does some entry level feminism, but I personally did not enjoy the literal ‘not like other girls’ invocation.
“… Most ladies like you prefer to be the centre of attention.”
“I am not most ladies.”
I know, I know, if Penelope was real and alive in the 1800’s and hated ballrooms that WOULD be unusual. But this is historical romancelandia and we’re used to women hating ballrooms and frippery and being Bluestockings etc; and to a modern reader, it really does just read like a put down of other women for frivolity and vapidity. Some modern readers don't mind this, but it's not for me.
Then the jokes. At one point, Penelope, the heroine, makes a fairly middling joke and Hugh is absolutely floored by her wit. She jokes that “Hugh” in a British accent sounds like “You”. This plays out like a knock knock joke. I mean, no shame on Phoebe, she tried, we all hate when our jokes don’t fly. But Hugh’s response requires either complete suspension of disbelief or just belief that he is a dim wit. He says: “Wow I’ve never heard that before. Your wit is astounding.”
Astounding!
It’s an aural knock knock joke Hugh! What on earth!?
In conclusion: giving a character the personality trait of funny is a really risky move. It’s not a shoot for the moon, land among the stars thing. It either works or it doesn’t and humour is so subjective.
I reviewed this on Goodreads as well.
I adore Darcy Burke's books and have been addicted to this series. I love her heroes in specific.
This book was a fun, cute novella length romance that I wanted more of. My only complaint is that I wish they were novel length. I would have liked to read more of all her books.
Another amazing read from Darcey Burke. It was a really excellent read, I did wonder how it would be written involving a clergyman considering the sexiness of the other books but it was handled really really well. And turned out to be a beautiful love story. It was lovely to read about other couples from previous reads.
Lady Penelope Wakefield is just being used by her cold calculating father to further his political career, there is no love there. He has planned to marry her off to a horrible old man old enough to be her grandfather. It Penelope cannot take anymore and won’t marry this man and here the story unfolds. She puts her trust in the wrong person, her knight in shining armour turns out to be a wonderful man who’s a record called Hugh Tarleton love and intrigue follows. I really don’t like spoil books and prefer readers to learn for themselves by reading it, but all I will say is Darcey’s books have you gripped from page one this is no different. It’s an excellent read that you won’t want to lit down and I highly recommend it.
What's a girl to do when she's being forced to marry the old, creepy, Earl of Findon? Why, kidnap herself, of course! That's the plot of this comedy of errors Lady Penelope Wakefield finds herself in. She plots with an acquaintance (harumph!) to "lose" her earring and go in search of it while visiting a museum, there she's supposed to exit the museum and be "kidnapped" for the night so that she's RUINED by being out all night. What a scandal. Only, she actually does get kidnapped - but thankfully rescued by the kind-hearted rector from St. Giles - Hugh Tarleton.
This was a sweet, slow burn romance. Where you knew the characters wanted each other from the get go- and Penelope has more than just passing feelings or yearnings for the good rector. He tries to convince himself he'd do anything for any one of his flock - but the situation they are in... sharing a room at the Craven Cock (CRAVEN COCK!) always pushes the boundaries of acceptability. Penelope was almost badly used, so it starts out with Hugh trying to make things right for her. Ok, we'll pretend you're kidnapped for the night so you don't have to marry the Earl. Just one night. Ok, we'll have to spend the night together at the Inn. Ok instead of staying in my own room I'll stay in yours. Each inch toward the bed tore down his reserve.
Penelope was refreshing, but too trusting. Hugh, of course, is perfect. Tries his best to behave and to the right thing, but once she decides he's the kind man she'd like to marry, why not? The only thing standing between them are Her parents, the Bishop, and the Earl. Piece of cake. Fun romp.
Sweet, straightforward novella length romance. Lady Penelope, is hidebound and smothered by society rules and her parents expectations to make a strategically advantageous match, who is about to be married off to a cruel older man, Lord Finian. Unhappy at this idea, she plots with a girl she has befriended at the church in St Giles, to fake an abduction and make her parents think she has been ruined.
As the plot unravels, she is rescued by Hugh Tarleton, vicar and third son of a gentleman. He has made a life for himself caring for the denizens of St Giles, and knows the people Penelope and her friend have recruited.
Immediately drawn to each other, Hugh helps her to stay safe while she stays away from home to still be ruined as far as her parents are concerned, and they grow closer. Hugh feels she is too high born to be able to be a vicar’s wife, and tries to keep his distance, however she overturn his expectations of the nature of high born ladies by being kind and compassionate about his congregation and their needs.
Can Hugh work together with his friends to win Lady Pen for himself, and protect her from her cruel father, and the repulsive Lord Finian?
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
Also posted on Goodreads.
A Well written and entertaining story.i enjoyed Penelope story and cant to read more of Ms. BURKS stories.
Lady Penelope Wakefield decides to take matters into her own hands, after her parents have arranged her marriage to another peer who's over twice her age. She organizes her own kidnapping, but things go awry when she's rescued by Hugh Tarleton, and the two share a night that leaves an impression on both of them.
Burke's books are short and sweet, and pretty much just what you need if you're in the mood for a cute historical romance. A couple reviews I've read noted that some people were worried about a "steamy" romance with a clergyman, which I guess I understand, but I'm not Catholic, so the word rector means next to nothing for me.
I've read a couple books in this series so far, but this one might not have been my favorite. Because they're so short, there's not really a ton of development, so take it with a grain of salt. While I do like the idea that the books are being written by two authors, I do think that there's one I favor.
I received an Arc copy of this book from Netgalley and chose to post this review. All thoughts are my own.
Great ending to the Wicked Dukes Club series. Darcy Burke really knows how to deliver a story with great characters. Penelope and Hugh's story was sweet and romantic. Hugh was a hero that you can fall in love with. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
I don’t know if it was just me at the time of reading this book but I wasn’t a big fan of this one until about half way through it. It was pretty docile and a little odd. I mean the whole premise of love at first sight boggles my mind as it is. There was so much talk about sexual tension that I understand as lust but love? I did very much enjoy the second half once things got a bit faster paced and interesting. The first half was them just getting to know one another. The book is SHORT, really short, like novella length but that was ok since I was struggling at first. I am glad I read it and I doubt there’s a Darcy Burke book I won’t like but this was slow and tedious at first then just when it gets good it’s over. Very little involvement of the past series of characters except a brief mention.
Thanks you Netgalley for giving me an ARC to read. My opinions are my own and I was not compensated to write this review (or forced -LOL)
I can't believe that it took me so long to read this book, huh I had requested it and then had so many books that could not find the time, and I regret it, I enjoyed as I tend to always do with Darcy's books. So when I read the blurb I was a little way, you know someone from the rectory but then I said to myself this is Darcy and I can't imagine it being something that I would not like and I was right. I loved Hugh (Mr. Tarleton), Hugh came to Lady Penelope's rescue when she was about to be kidnapped and that began their love affair. No it wasn't one of the insta love, but as they spend time together out of necessity they began to know each other and fall in love...ahh I was in love myself..Lady Penelope was in desperate need of a plan to avoid marrying the old man her parents had picked out for her and she thinks this had made a friend to who will assist her but finds out that is not the case, luckily for her that while she was about to be abducted, Hugh comes to her rescue in more than she could have possibly wanted..Grab a copy and Enjoy! I am going to look for the next one from Ms. Burke.
Great ending to a great series written by Erica and Darcy. Wanting to be independent can sometimes backfire, as it does. As in dreams, there is a hero coming to her rescue. Sometimes lifestyles can be deceiving, and getting to know each other was a great revelation for both. Enjoyable read, nicely written.
Such a beautiful ending for this mostly lovely Series by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley.
Overall, truly enjoyed this novella.
I really enjoy reading Darcy Burke's books and love the way you are drawn into the characters. Its okay to not like them at points! Great characterisation, great descriptions, you can feel that you are actually there. Well Worth a read.
Darcy Burke has another hit with One Night of Temptation. I liked both the main characters in this story and found it a quick, easy read that held my interest from start to finish. I am looking forward to more stories from this author.