Sainsbury which is all he shall be called due to his actions which caused Phoebe to call off their wedding.. It didn't affect him but her reputation was hurt as was her feelings. She inherited enough money that she can live by herself. Marcus, the Marquess of Ripley, is going around trying to clear up debts, his cousin has made by swindling people. When Marcus meets Phoebe, everything goes up in passionate flames, including their clothes. Since she is a spinster with her own money and house, she and Marcus are safe to explore a world of passion. When Marcus's cousin is found dead, he admits to it, to prevent her father from being accused. Will Marcus be found innocent? Will love between them be a forever kind? Steamy scenes and a great story. One of the best books I have read in a long time. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review.

Phoebe rejected Sainsbury at the altar, received a huge inheritance from her aunt and had set herself up as a spinster. She meets Marcus quite by accident after he has had a fight with his estranged cousin for swindling people. Thus begins a sweet story with a murder mystery as well. An enjoyable read!

4.5 stars

"A kiss isn't a weapon or a tool, it's a shared desire made manifest," he continued. "A joining borne of urgency or emotion or bare need- or all those things. A kiss should make you tremble and catch flight, like a leaf breaking free from the tree and skipping on the breeze. More than that, the anticipation is akin to a cold winter night when the fire is just starting to blaze. You hold your hands up, eager for the warmth, knowing it will give you everything you need, that you will feel safe and whole and content. As the heat finally settles in, you twitch and laugh, your body welcoming the joy and bone-deep satisfaction it brings. For that moment, everything is right and perfect."

Whew! Marcus, Marcus, Marcus. That man could set some panties afire! Needless to say, I really enjoyed A Duke is Never Enough. I do so love the notorious rake hoisted by his own petard (look it up) troupe. = )

I really enjoyed the heroine, Pheobe. She was intelligent, assertive (but not too assertive for the times), and loyal. Great, great qualities in a person. And I absolutely love the idea of the Spitfire Society. Marcus was a rake (obv) but he was fun and entertaining and oh so patient and caring with Pheobe. Love!

Anywho. I gobbled this thing up in 1 sitting (a long sitting, but I'm a fairly moderate reader and I kept going back to the panty-melting yumminess of Pheobe and Marcus' interactions).

Definitely recommend and I cannot wait for more!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.*
*note: copy provided was an advance reader copy and may be subject to editing... quotes may be altered prior to release date*

The spinster and the rake

Phoebe Lennox deserted her betrothed at the altar and set the society gossips and London's ton on its collective ear. Gossips had a hey day and Phoebe thanked her lucky stars that she'd had enough gumption to not take that final step that would've left her shackled to a husband who delighted in inflicting pain. Society was even more shocked when she set up house by herself.
Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, draws a different sort of attention. A rake and a womanizer, although to be fair, he drew the line at some actions.
So when Marcus discovered his cousin had been actively swindling gullible ton members with dubious investments, he confronts Drobbit in the park, resulting in fisticuffs. Enter Phoebe who helps Marcus clean some blood of his face. That's their beginnings. Drobbit later turns up dead. No-one is surprised. Except Marcus and Phoebe, as Marcus is now a suspect in a murder case.
(I must say the name Drobbit conjures up an unsavory Dicken's type character, and the alliteration unfortunately sent me straight to Dobby from Harry Potter. But that's unfair to Dobby. I love Dobby whereas Drobbit is a slimey , unprincipled character skirting the edges of the ton.)
Putting that aside we have a couple who aren't (indeed shockingly aren't!) following society's rules, a relationship that builds via simple respect and understanding (friendship) with lustful interludes, disgruntled investors, a murdered Marquess' cousin, and a messy situation.
Although I enjoyed Phoebe's and Marcus' developing relationship, and Phoebe's bold move to independence, the investment scheme and surrounding mystery just seemed muddy and unresolved me.

An Author Collective 20 ARC via NetGalley

The Spitfire Society romance has a rake wagering with a spinster over some really unusual situations starting with kissing! Spinster Phoebe and rake Marcus seem like a most unlikely couple, but they are perfect.

I loved the strong ethics Marcus has when he finds out his estranged cousin is scamming people out of their money. Marcus goes as far as to threaten his cousin telling him he must return all the money he ‘stole.’ When his cousin turns up dead, of course, Marcus is the first suspect.

Phoebe has been blessed with her deceased aunt’s fortune and can live the life of a spinster. She is no longer accepted in society since walking away from her betrothed at the altar. Phoebe definitely has good reasons to do so. I love how she wants to protect others from former betrothed, too.

While Marcus is trying to bring his cousin round to his way of thinking, Phoebe is seeing problems between her parents. All of this comes together in a neat package while Phoebe and Marcus fall in love.

I absolutely loved this second novel in The Spitfire Society Series by Darcy Burke. Phoebe and Marcus are a fantastic couple and I really enjoyed their "banter" and how they became friends before transitioning into more. The secondary characters are a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to Jane and Anthony's book later this year.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. A Duke is Never Enough is the second book in Darcy Burke’s The Spitfire Society series. It could be read as a standalone but I enjoyed the first book and do reccomend read it as well. Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley has learned that his cousin has been fleecing investors and when he tracks him down to confront him about about it is injured and is aided by an intriguing beauty who won’t give him her name. Phoebe Lennox was ruined when she abandoned her cheating betrothed at the alter. She inherited a fortune from her aunt and has set up her own household and intends to live her life as she sees fit and not as society would wish. It doesn’t take Marcus long to track her down and finding that he wants to know her better convinces her that they should be friends despite his notorious reputation as a rake. There is a nice slow burn as these friends become lovers and a mystery to be solved when his cousin goes missing. I enjoyed this story very much and have just one question about the title… Where’s the Duke?
Medium Steam. Publishing Date February 25, 2020. #NetGalley #ADukeIsNeverEnough #DarcyBurke #HistoricalRomance #FriendsToLovers #Bookstagram

I really enjoyed Phoebe and Marcus’s story. Plenty of humour and action, along with a sweet romance. I loved how feisty she was and her strength to stand up for herself. It was fast paced with a great chemistry between the lead characters. Definitely recommend.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Really wanted to like this one because it was so different, but I could have used a little more old fashioned romance

Content warning: Previous sexual assault of the heroine, discussed in detail on page; she has been left with a fear of sex which is discussed and recovered from on page. Handled sensitively but not particularly in depth.

As with most historical romance series, the romance side of the plot can be read as a standalone, but there are links in the background and the side characters. The Spitfire Society books tie into Burke’s previous Untouchables series, but mostly very lightly, in that some of those characters are friends with some of these, so you definitely don’t need to have read them to enjoy this. However, I think I would recommend reading the first Spitfire Society book (Never Have I Ever With A Duke) before starting in on this, as the non-romance side of the plot more directly follows it – it’s not essential, but it adds more weight to the story if you know there’s a whole other book’s worth of stakes behind it!

So, our hero is Marcus, the Marquess of Ripley, a well-known rake with a less-well-known heart of gold. We meet him as he’s chasing down his ne’er-do-well cousin, who was the antagonist of the first book – the weirdly named Drobbit is a swindler who has stolen money from several of the ton, including the previous hero and heroine. When Marcus accosts Drobbit in Hyde Park, he is injured, and his wound is cleaned up by a mysterious lady who refuses to give him her name. Of course, this is our heroine! Phoebe Lennox is fiercely independent and has set herself up very successfully as a spinster, with her own house and money. She’s determined never to need a man, but when sparks fly between her and Marcus, it’s hard to ignore.

The connection between Marcus and Phoebe is clear, both in terms of sexual chemistry and also a genuine friendship. There’s some banter, but there’s a lot more actual conversation, which is a really nice cornerstone for their relationship. I don’t usually like a plot where the heroine has a fear of men/sex due to past trauma, but it’s all easily fixed by her passion for the hero, but this is really well averted here. Phoebe is able to let go of her fears not because she’s attracted to Marcus, but because she grows to trust him deeply. She’s the instigator of anything they do, and he is always kind, and sensitive, and very aware of needing to let her take control. It’s really well done – I love when a hero is able to put his own wishes aside and just be a safe space for the heroine. Consent is a crucial part of all their scenes, but it’s worked in so naturally that it never feels like a capital-M Moral; just a genuinely good relationship.

I also – unusually for me – enjoyed the mystery side of things! The hunt for Drobbit and his business man Osborne is kept in the background enough to let the relationship blossom on its own, rather than having Marcus and Phoebe chase about all over London looking for him. The resolution is very satisfying, especially (as I said above) if you have the weight of the first book behind it too. There were moments where I really didn’t know how everything was going to be resolved, as the stakes get higher than usual!

Darcy Burke is one of those authors who I know will always provide a great relationship and a fun read, and this book is no exception to the rule. There’s only one thing that didn’t quite work for me, and that’s the title – there’s not a single duke in this story, so what’s that about?! But anyway – five out of five cats!

Series: 2nd book in the The Spitfire Society
Rating: 4 stars

A Duke is Never Enough was a good story. I have not read the first one in the series, but I was able to read this one without feeling lost.
Ripley and Phoebe were a great couple. They were honest with each other of they wanted from their affair. She was determined to be a spinster who was going to enjoy life to the fullest. Ripley was a rake with a heart of gold. He was a romantic without him even realizing. One of the best parts in the book is when he beats up blackguard who hurt Phoebe in her past. Ripley was also trying to clean up the mess his cousin was creating due to some fake investments.
Through their secret encounters Ripley and Phoebe's physical connection began to grow into a deeper emotional one. They were both were surprised by it. They didn't expect it and for a moment didn't know how to react to this feeling. Love was a new feeling for both of them and did know if the other felt the same.
In the end their love for each other was put to the test, but luckily the truth prevailed in what they were dealing with and they were both able to find their HEA.

Thank you to the author for the ARC given through NetGalley for an honest review.

I’ve always heard some pretty good things about Darcy Burke’s books, but I never really had the chance to try one of them. And despite rakish heroes not really being my cup of tea, other bits of the premise stood out to me.

I really like Phoebe, and the fact that she’s unconventional for the Regency period in the fact that she lives independently, despite being unmarried. Given the title of the series and the hints I gathered, I suspect this is something touched on in the first book, so while this book does stand alone in the sense of it being a contained romance, I’d like to read that one to see if it sets up the premise of the group of friends and their relationships a little better.

Marcus was a bit of a harder sell for me, because of his rakishness. I also remained unconvinced by the end that their affair could translate into an HEA, given the way the two magically go from being opposed to marriage to being ready for it because they met the right person, and while she bares her soul somewhat, he doesn’t really. But they do have a decent relationship, starting as friends first, and developing into passion.

I was severely disappointed with the mystery subplot, one of the reasons I picked up this book. While I wasn’t expecting a suspenseful whodunnit, it kind of felt like one moment, his very life was at stake because he was determined to do the noble thing and accept blame for his cousin’s murder, but then things have been settled romance wise, and the rest is set aside, with no real closure for the mystery, or at least not a satisfying one.

This was a fun romance that is objectively pretty good, and most of the flaws I see are more “me” things than anything else. If you love a steamy historical romance with a forward-thinking heroine and a rakish hero with a soft side, I recommend checking this out.

Pheobe is a great independent heroine! Marcus is an honorable rogue who befriends her. I love a friends to lovers story! I can’t wait to read Jane and Anthony’s story. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Pheobe & Marcus - not interested in marriage until their unconventional friendship develops into more. Marcus the rogue has a sweet loyal side from the minute that you meet him, defending others honour. Pheobe has a backbone in the time when society means for ladies to be demure little wallflowers, but she is anything but. A great writing style and a book that is easy to read. I read this as a stand alone, but will go and look for the others in the series. Thank you for the ARC. Loved it.

Phoebe, a confirmed spinster and independently wealthy, has decided that she wants to experience what it is like to have a sexual relationship with a man and Marcus is going to accommodate her. The problem is he never expected to fall in love but he does. Events happen that cause Marcus’ freedom to be jeopardized. This is a great love story that is well written and entertaining. I would highly recommend it as a great read.

I received an ARC of "A Duke is Never Enough" by Darcy Burke from Netgalley. This is the second book in The Spitfire Society series. Marcus, the Marquess of
Ripley, meets a mystery lady when he is struck by a rock thrown at him by his scoundrel con artist cousin, Drobbit . This young lady, without a care for her reputation, stops to help him with his injury. Phoebe Lennox, the mysterious beauty, is a self declared well off spinster. When they meet again, sparks fly and there is the inevitable magnetic pull. Words are parried and the witticism is fabulous. Of course, there are problems, but nothing the two of them together can't face or handle.

Darcy Burke does not know how to write a bad book. Phoebe and Marcus are great together from the first moment they meet. I love how the Marcus' bad boy reputation is known all over London, but once he meets Phoebe, everything about him wants her. However, marriage is not in cards for Phoebe as a self declared spinster. This book will be a book you cannot wait to turn the page.

5 stars

I like the start of this new series. This is the secomd book so I'll look out for the first one, not having read that did not detract from this volume. Marcus is a lovely hero, centered, kind and though he has a rakish reputation, he obviously cares for women. Phoebe's reputation has gone after she jilted her fiancee at the altar. Marcus has trouble with his cousin who is busy fleecing everyone. Phoebe has trouble with her parents who, as well as being disappointed that she didn't marry the titled louse, are alarmed that she has now taken to spinsterhood with a gusto after her aunt left her a fortune. There's lots of good dialogue and passionate scenes.

I think you will enjoy this book and I heartily recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I like the modernization of romance, the heroes who learn about the injustices their heroine's face, and want to make a difference about it, and don't victim blame. We love to see it.
The buildup to this relationship was perfect, and I liked how strong each character was, and how they didn't let the adversity keep them apart for long.

Trigger warning: sexual assault

I enjoyed this romance despite not having read the first book in the series (I'll have to get it now). The premise is that a self-declared spinster strikes up a friendship with a rake. I really liked the heroine, Phoebe, and how she dealt with events in her life. The book handled the sexual assault reasonably well, but I wanted to give a trigger warning for anyone wishing to avoid reading about it.

The hero was interesting, though it felt like he overcame his issues quite suddenly at the end of the novel. I found the initial courtship and female friendships in the book the best parts. Burke also does a good job with historical allusions and discussion of clothing.

I received a free advanced review copy of the book in return for a unbiased review.