I found great enjoyment in reading this book. The author consistently excels in creating delightful banter among the characters. The additional intrigue of a missing person/murder mystery, along with unexpected twists, added substance to the storyline. Marcus's tender care for Phoebe after all the events was exceptionally heartwarming and beautiful.

First of all a big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

I’m not normally a fan of historical romance. However. This was absolutely brilliant. I absolutely loved Phoebe and Marcus’ relationship. I loved the plot and the romance and I devoured it in one sitting. I loved it.

Hello

Apologies for the late notice, but I have decided not to review this title. While I am certain it's obvious by now, I wanted to also clear this off NetGalley, so it's not showing as open for either of us.

Thanks,
Laura

An intriguing love story with a strong, independent female protagonist and a rakish Marquess who redeems himself in course of this sexy romp.
Both characters were very likeable and it was a delight to follow them putting conventions aside to develop their relationship from "unsuitable for each other" to "couple of their dreams".

A Duke is Never Enough ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is gracing the gossip pages for a new reason: the rumors he may have murdered his swindling cousin. His quest for answers regarding his cousin’s death leads him to an incomparable self-declared spinster, and he is—for the first time—beguiled beyond reason. Neither is what the other wants, and yet their intense mutual infatuation is inescapable.
After abandoning her philandering betrothed at the altar, Phoebe Lennox fled from London only to return an heiress who refuses to follow the ton’s rules. She won’t risk a relationship of any kind—until she meets the scandalous Marquess of Ripley. Swept into his seductive embrace, her resolve falters in the face of a pleasure she never anticipated. But when the truth about Marcus and the murder come to light, Phoebe could lose everything she holds dear, including a love for all time.

This is the second book in the Spitfire Society trilogy and can be read as a stand alone.
I enjoyed the character created in Marcus our “hero” but found Phoebe less likable, too modern for the setting. Although all in all I did enjoy the story once I got past this and find myself ready to read on to the third book.

I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you NetGalley, Darcy Burke

A Duke is Never Enough is the second book in The Spitfire Society series by Darcy Burke. It can easily be read as a standalone book, but if you haven't read the first one I can definitely recommend it, I loved it just as much as I loved this one. Darcy Burke is definitely one of my favourite authors and her books never disappoint.

Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley is a known rake in London. He enjoys a good time and he enjoys women. He doesn't want to marry and he doesn't keep a mistress but he's not averse to visiting a local brothel when the need arises. He may have a rake's reputation but one thing he doesn't let pass him by is people taking advantage of and swindling other people, especially if the swindler is his cousin. After a contretemps with said cousin in a very public park, Marcus moves to a quieter area of the park to tend his wounds. It is where he first meets Phoebe Lennox. She offers to clean up his blood and he is mesmerised by her. They part with her not having told him who she is but with the wager that he wouldn't be able to find out. He sets out to prove her wrong and he does just that.

Phoebe is a member of the Spitfire Society, a woman happy to have her independence, living her life as she wants and with no intention to marry. Her one attempt at pleasing her parents by marrying went awry when she jilts the man at the altar. She has very good reason to do that but even if people would listen she would still find herself the centre of scandal. It became the perfect opportunity to acknowledge her desire to be a spitfire and she enjoys the freedom she has because of it. It also helps that a rich aunty left her a lot of money enabling Phoebe to buy her own home and live in comfort.

Phoebe and Marcus are instantly attracted to each other and are equally intrigued by each other. It isn't long before at her request Marcus shows her the thrill of intimacy. A thrill that she hadn't experienced before. They both know that the other has no intention of marrying and are happy to have their secret liaisons.

While their affair continues Marcus is still keen on finding and stopping his cousin from swindling and that brings a darker suspenseful element to the story especially when said cousin is found dead and Marcus is the main suspect. Of course, he isn't the murderer and happily, I didn't figure out who it actually was until the author revealed it.

I loved the passion between Marcus and Phoebe and not just the steamy bedroom scenes they had, but the passionate nature of their relationship. Their feelings for each other went far past that of just the physical even if they didn't realise it.

The suspense of the story kept me intrigued right up to the end, and the epilogue was just perfect for all those that had been affected by Marcus' cousin and cohorts. Also, of course, for Marcus and Phoebe. I really enjoyed their romance. I enjoyed the whole book and am very happy to recommend it.

A very bold heroine, Phoebe has inherited a fortune, broken her engagement to an odious man her parents liked, left her parents home to live in a mansion she purchased, and declared herself a spinster. Somehow she is still accepted at some society events and not completely ostracized. Marcus is a diehard rake until meeting Phoebe. They start an affair which isn’t meant to last. There is a tepid mystery thrown in with an unsurprising ending. Very irritating were all of the characters mentioned with a few lines of backstory from past or future books. I had even read the first in the series and mostly didn’t remember these people.

I always enjoy books by Darcy Burke. I thought this was a great book. I loved Marcus and Phoebe together. I love how Phoebe stood for what she wanted out of life and didn’t follow the standards of those times.I knew Marcus was a lot softer and hard than what he initially came across to be. Thank you for allowing me to read this book and I look forward to reading more from this author

The Spitfire series is a terrific addition to the Regency genre and I can't wait for the next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This one surprised me. While it was a stereotypical historical romance. (I mean that is why we read these right) it did have some suprising moments that made it worth while.

Phoebe and Marcus were lovable characters in this book. The author did a great job with the plot and romance here. I was truly engaged into the book till the end. I have to read more by this author soon!

I loved this book! I have yet to read a Darcy Burke book I didn't love. The characters are well developed and relatable. I was really rooting for Marcus and Phoebe and was intrigued by their unique positions in society. It was a great read and hard to put down!

The spinister and the rake. Phoebe left her betrothed at the alter and have been staying away from relationships ever since. Marcus a rake and now rumors are he killed his cousin for swindling the upper crust out of money. it was a fun read seeing the relationship develop with Phoebe and Marcus. I enjoyed every moment of it.
It was a very sexy and steamy romance and I look forward to reading more from this author.

While the characters in this new “Spitfire Society” novel are likable, and the romance moves along at a good clip, the plot is not very compelling. I read romance novels for escape, and this one just wasn’t interesting enough to keep me out of my own world for very long.

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

In all fairness I have to say upfront that I've never read a Darcy Burke book that want 5 star. She's one of my very few go-to authors.
Phoebe is a spitfire. In fact, she's a founding member of the Spitfire Society. She's strong willed and whip smart. And no pushover. Having been cheated on by her betrothed she leaves him at the altar. Phoebe has those typical parents who think she should have just married him anyway. (Her father has made some investments and needs the funds). Phoebe is strong enough to stand up to them although it makes her sad.
Marcus is a known rake. He is disreputable although he's secretly trying to find a criminal and bring him to justice. (The cause of many people's bad investments). Marcus is loyal and funny. He's not known for his morals, but nobody cares to look beyond what is presented.
Marcus and Phoebe become friends and start spending time together. Her parents are disapproving and London society is all whispers about this strange set of events.
I liked them both. Fun characters with extreme loyalty to friends and family. They're good people who deserved every happiness.... Even Phoebe's parents finally came around.

A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke is a fun and steamy romp through Regency England! Warning: spoilers ahead! You’ve been warned!
Heroine Phoebe Lennox is over Society and their ridiculous rules. She abandoned her betrothed at the altar after he nearly raped her shortly before their wedding. Of course, no one questions his behavior, but many scorn her for jilting him. A financial gift from her Aunt allows her to be independent, much to her parent’s despair.
Hero Marcus Ripley is your typical rake; he doesn’t do long-term relationships and doesn’t see marriage in his future. As we meet Marcus, he’s threatening his cousin, who is swindling peers out of their fortunes. This is important as a large portion of the book focuses around Marcus’s interactions with his cousin, who is eventually murdered (of course Marcus didn’t do it, but he is the primary suspect).
While fighting with his cousin during the fashionable hour in Rotten Row, Marcus is mildly injured; Phoebe is there and she tends to his head wound. Marcus is instantly drawn to her, but alas, she refuses to tell him who she is (she’s fully aware of who he is and his unsavory reputation). He vows to find her and return her kerchief, which she assumes he won’t.
Fast forward and Marcus indeed finds her, rather easily, and they begin to develop a friendship. Friendship turns into more as Phoebe decides Society already scorns her, so why not have an affaire and enjoy what Marcus can give. Their affaire turns into love, but of course there is a small matter of Marcus’s cousin being murdered. The real villain was somewhat obvious, but it made for a good storyline, regardless.
This was my first Darcy Burke novel and it will be far from my last. I loved the chemistry between these characters, the steam of the sex scenes and how Darcy wove their story together seamlessly. I plan to go back and read the novels that came before, as well as her upcoming book (releases in a week!).
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for free in return for my honest review.

What a rompingly great Regency read! I do have a soft spot in my literary-loving heart for independent women who have oodles of gumption, and boy does Phoebe fit the bill!
Thank you for letting me read this book - I'm looking forward to how Anthony is going to be redeemed!

I enjoyed the story of Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley and Lady Phoebe Lennox.Marcus is a notorious rake and he doesn't show his feels well. He like to protect the people that are his friends.

After Lady Phoebe abandoned her philandering betrothed and fled to London. She finds out that her aunt has left her as an heiress. So she get herself an house in London and becomes a spinster by choice.

When Marcus meets Phoebe it is after a fight with his cousin. His cousin has thrown a rock at his head and it started to bleed while he ride off after the fight. Marcus notes that its bleeding and stop to get off his horse. Phoebe see him and asks him if she could tend to his wound. Since Marcus is a rake he flirts with her. When Phoebe is done with wiping the wound and it stop bleeding. They part way with out telling there names. Marcus is intrigued by her and he vows to find Phoebe.

I enjoyed this entertaining story it had me laughing quite a lot. All the characters were quite fun and entertaining.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

This book was so fun to read. I always enjoy this author and how she makes the banter so enjoyable between the characters. The added drama of the missing person/murder mystery and the twists and turns certainly gave it more meat. I also just loved how tender Marcus was with Phoebe after everything. It was so heartwarming and beautiful it truly made me melt. Just a great read. #adukeisneverenough #netgalley

A Duke is Never Enough is the second installment in Darcy Burke’s Spitfire Society series. The story follows Phoebe Lennox a woman who had decided to live her life as a self-proclaimed spinster after narrowly avoiding a horrible marriage. She meets Marcus Raleigh, the Marquess of Ripley (what a tongue twister of a name!), a notorious lothario and the two strike up a friendship that turns to more. When Marcus is accused of a crime that has ties to Phoebe, will he be able to clear his name without threatening Phoebe?
This is my first experience with a Darcy Burke novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing. The characters were well-developed and the chemistry between them was palpable. Phoebe is the type of heroine I’m looking for in my romance novels these days. She is intelligent and confident in her decisions; she’s thrown off the mantle of society’s expectations and living her life as she pleases. After a sudden inheritance she has moved out of her parents’ home and lived in her own home declaring herself a spinster at the tender age of twenty-five. Marcus is a well-known rogue in London society, but Phoebe doesn’t let his past stop her from enjoying a friendship (and more) with him.
Eventually, these two submit to their desires and it nearly lit my Kindle on fire with how hot their passion was. Darcy was able to write love scenes that were both extremely passionate and tender. I loved that Marcus was a very kind and attentive lover with Phoebe since she had some personal issues to work through. While these scenes were steamier than I expected, they were written so well that they fit very well into the story and helped to further deepen our main characters’ connection.
I only have two minor complaints for this book. First, there were a lot of side characters introduced in the first half of the book and it became hard to keep track of them. Not having read the previous book in the series (which I intend to correct immediately) I assumed some of them came from that novel or will appear in the next installment. Several times I had to go back to make sure I understood who a character was talking to especially because titles, nicknames, and given names were all used. The second minor issue is that this book is named A Duke is Never Enough and yet our hero is a marquess. I kept wondering where the Duke in the title would come in, but never got my answer.
Overall, this book was a wonderful read and I found myself devouring it faster than some more prominent titles I had recently picked up. The pacing, plot, and characters far exceeded my expectations for this previously unknown to me author. I would suggest this series to anyone who enjoys novels by Jennifer Ashley, Maya Banks, or Kerrigan Byrne. This gets a 4-star rating for me and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment. Content warning for descriptions of sexual assault which happened prior to the story.

Overall – 4
Heat – 5