The Duchess of Kendal, having grieved her husband's loss for the past two years, is now poised to rejoin society. Enticed by her cousin's intimate gathering, she views it as an ideal opportunity to test the waters. To her surprise, the house party is exclusively attended by widows and eligible bachelors, with the aim of forging matches by week's end. Uncertain if she's prepared for a new romance, Genie finds herself drawn to Edmund, Earl of Satterfield. Edmund, delighted by Genie's presence, recalls his missed chance with the captivating debutante during his Grand Tour. As they navigate this potential romance, both mature individuals express their desires openly, making for a satisfying conclusion despite my eagerness for quicker resolutions. Fyi, it's a novella.

I reviewed this title for All About Romance. My review can be found at this link: https://allaboutromance.com/book-review/the-bachelor-earl-by-darcy-burke/

I hadn't realised that this was quite a short book. Though there was a one-sided history behind the relationship, it did still feel a bit quick.

On the whole it was an okay read, it felt repetitive in regard to both the characters inner woes and the obstacles keeping them apart.

Not logical at all but throughout the narrations for both characters , there were just loads of questions. They were constantly asking questions of themselves and it really bugged me.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

This was a really quick, and joyful read. Genie, the Dowager Duchess of Kendal, has mourned the loss of her husband the last two years, and is now ready to re-enter society. When her cousin hosts a small house party, she thinks this could be the perfect chance to see if she can manage it. But it seems the house party is wholly attended by widows and bachelor men, with the hope that by the end of the week, matches will have been made. Genie doesn’t know if she’s ready to be with someone other than her husband, but is drawn to Edmund, Earl of Satterfield. Edmund, for his part, is overjoyed that Genie is there. When he was about to start his Grand Tour, he was entranced by the beautiful debutante, but missed his chance. Will now be the time for him. I loved that the couple were older, and knew what they wanted. They also spoke about their issues, and though I wanted them to solve it all quicker, it was the perfect ending for them!

THE BACHELOR EARL is the thirteenth book in the Untouchables series and a prequel story. Since I’m a rare Darcy Burke reader who has not read any of the other Untouchable stories, I am in a unique position to affirm that this does stand alone without knowing the other characters and their stories.

What a beautiful second-chance love story.

Eugenia “Genie” has already had one love match and lived twenty years with her husband before losing him and going into mourning. Edmund was infatuated with her back then, when they were so much younger, but he didn’t pursue her. She was “the one that got away” without ever knowing it.

As I said, I haven’t read any of this popular series, but now I want them ALL.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: THE BACHELOR EARL
Series: Untouchables #13
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Darcy Burke (as an ARC gifted copy)

This was an enjoyable novella. The characters had depth. The romance had some spice but overall the characters themselves took center stage.

This is my first book by this author. I can tell you, it definitely won't be my last! I liked the fact the story features an older couple. While I always love the traditional stories of debutantes and first loves, this was a refreshing change. Eugenia and Edmond were interesting and well-developed characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. Eugenia is still mourning the loss of her husband whom she loved very much. Edmond has admired Eugenia since he was young and now has his chance. Will Eugenia let him in and allow herself to love again? A wonderful story that pulled me in from the start and kept my interest till the end. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more by this author.

I received a free copy via Netgalley and am voluntarily providing my review.

To have your sense and emotions awaken in the most delicious of ways, two years after the passing of her husband, her first jaunt into society, now, that was not what Genie had expected at all. Well, what do you know, I thought they were going take it slow, you know, get to know each other first, but man, oh man, they have been swept away, on an exotic journey one of renewing themselves of all the flavors of love. It was a totally enticing, enthralling, scintillating, and delicious read. This book should have a caption saying SSS (sweet, Sexy, and Sizzling) read at your own risk.🔥

It's a nice change to see a romance where the hero and heroine are a couple in their forties. The author does a lovely job of expressing the poignancy of a widow returning to society after losing a beloved husband. For example, when Genie meets a gentleman at the house party she's attending, she thinks to herself:

"He looked to be the same age as Genie, with some gray streaking his dark hair. He was attractive in a distinguished, mature way. What did that even mean? It meant she hadn't considered anyone attractive since she'd met Jerome almost twenty years ago."

This deftly written book has all the things I love in Regency romance, yet the older couple provides welcome variety.

I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.

This was short and sweet-it was a nice story to recover from the heavy material I have for my classes. As always, Burke delivers on the romance and heart. I appreciate the depth she gives to her characters in her writing-it makes her work all the more believable and enjoyable.

When I was younger I used to be embarrassed every so often by songs I liked because they were, according to my peers, lesser. Now as a middle aged woman, I feel no shame about the books or movies or music that I like and I have become an unapologetic romance reader.

I haven't read many of Darcy Burke's books, but even in my short acquaintance with her work, I've yet read a Darcy Burke book that I haven't enjoyed and this title is no exception. I adore her books; they are entertaining and fun, and a lovely break from the day to day.

My thanks to Darcy Burke, Darcy Burke Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for allowing me read this advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read any Darcy Burke books in what feels like forever!!!!.... So I thought it fitting that I read this prequel of the Untouchables. It's the story of Edmund, the Earl of Satterfield, who became enamored with Eugenia (now the Dowager Duchess of Kendal) during her season twenty years ago, but he was young, - age 20 to her 22, leaving to the continent and an idiot for not pursuing her. Now, he has been given a second chance at love.

Eugenia loved her husband the Duke of Kendal and continues to mourn him. She feels she will never be able to find that love again. The Duke extracted a promise from her that she will remarry and although she is not looking for love, she attends a house party hosted by her cousin, that turns out to be a - current tinder event - sorry don't know how else to call it. Edmund see's her and realizes he is still crazy about. Now....If only he can convince her that she can marry for love twice in one lifetime.

This is a cute and well-written novella. The characters are wonderful and the romance sucks you in. I now want to go back and read all the books I missed and learn about the other characters. I hope you’ll read and enjoy the book as much as I did.

The Bachelor Earl by Darcy Burke
Rating 4
**WARNING: Spoilers are contained within this review.**
Summary: Genie, the Dowager Duchess of Kendal, arrives at an unusual house party, but she does not know it is unusual. Her husband passed away two years prior and this was to be her first outing back into Society since his death. Her cousin is hosting this party and failed to inform her the guests are all widowed woman and widower/bachelor men. The purpose of the party is for the guests an opportunity to form an attachment, temporary or permanent. One guest, Lord Edmund Satterfield, has loved Genie for two decades, but never approached her as he is two years her junior and was not ready to take a wife when she was the toast of the marriage mart.
The story is Edmund convincing Genie to have an affair with him, in the hopes that it becomes more (do not worry, it does, eventually).
I give the story a 4-star rating for the following reasons:
1. I have read other books by Ms. Burke and have enjoyed Lady Satterfield (aka Genie) in these books. She is a kind woman who is looking for those who need and deserve her help. It was lovely to get to read her backstory.
2. The story was a novella, which I generally do not enjoy as much as full novels. While there were things I felt could have had more pages dedicated to it, this story felt complete for the most part.
3. There is a fair amount of steam between Genie and Edmund. Having read Ms. Burke’s other work, I feel this would have been even better in a full blown novel, but considering its length, it was appropriate.
If you, like me, have enjoyed reading about Lady Satterfield in Ms. Burke’s other works, I recommend you grab a copy of this novella, too.
I received a free Advance Reader Copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

For those who love second-chance romances, look no further than The Bachelor Earl by Darcy Burke. This is the story of the Dowager Duchess of Kendal, Eugenia, and the unmarried Earl of Satterfield, Edmund Holt.

Satterfield had held a torch for Genie ever since he laid eyes on her during her first Season. He never acted on his feelings and went on with his life as a bachelor. It was refreshing that this story didn’t have Edmund pining away for years on end. It was a realistic take on moving on when facing a missed opportunity. Genie went on to marry a Duke whom she loved and Edmund lived his own life.

There wasn’t a need for the typical dastardly villain, horrible spouse, or vengeful family member to create a gripping story. It was the simpleness of figuring out how to move on when life doesn’t turn out quite like you imagined.

Edmund and Genie’s life was far from perfect and it was clear their life together would be not be free of challenges but they had both life experience and a new found appreciation for life that would see them through.

A perfectly charming romance!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was an ok book, a nice second chance story that moves a bit fast (but then again, it is a novella) and is rather sweet. Since this is a prequel, I am tempted to read the Untouchables series as well.

Was a highly entertaining adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists, exciting turns and undeniable passion. Really enjoyed this emotionally thrilling journey.

The Bachelor Earl (The Untouchables #13). By Darcy Burke. 2020. Darcy Burke Publishing (ARC eBook).

Eugenia Aldwick’s debut season ended with a proposal the led to a happy marriage to the Duke of Kendal and motherhood to her step-son for twenty years. Now, however it has been two years since her beloved husband has died and yet she still mourns him. But with a bit of cajoling from her cousin, Cecilia, Lady Cosford she decides to try to re-enter society gently by attending Cecilia’s small, country house party. But when she arrives she finds the guests are comprised entirely of widows, widowers, and bachelors; all of whom have expectations to make matches during their stay.

Edmund Holt, Earl of Satterfield, has always regretted not pursing Eugenia during her season. But he never made his feelings known and he never held resentment towards Kendal in their work together in the House of Lords. But now the Dowager Duchess is at the party and he can’t help but let hope spark for a second chance and convince her to take another chance at love.

A charming and romantic second-chance novella for The Untouchables series. It stands as a prequel and as this was my introduction to the series and the wonderful characters, it works well for a starting point.

A beautifully written historical romance novella with excellent historical details. A lovely addition to the series and it can be read as a stand alone. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for my honest opinion.

A great read! Loved the story line, really well done, strong writing. And unique, really liked that the characters were older and the house party angle was different. The cover art does not do it justice. Liked how the story line dealt with recovering and moving on from having a loved one pass and the fact that you can actually find love again or just enjoy yourself without guilt. A quick read at only 90 pages (e-book) but within those pages it doesn't lack and the character depth is mostly sufficient. I did however feel that we needed a bit more to Genie's character before having her jump in with Edmund and then later on saying she was always bold enough to go after what she wanted. Overall I highly recommend.

What a treat. A second chance at love for two mature adults, not quite seniors, but on their way. Second chances are one of my favorite tropes, especially when they are older couples, a little worn and tarnished. I adore Genie and Edmund.

Although I have read many of Ms Burke's other series, I have not read any of the Untouchables, so this prequel was a good place to start.

Two years after the death of her beloved husband, the Duke of Kendal, Eugenia St John is still in mourning, because theirs had been a love match. Ay forty-two, she is willing to live the rest of her life alone, despite her husband's dying wish for her to find someone else to love. But her cousin, Cecilia, Lady Cosford, tricks her into coming to a house party, not telling her that the guests are all widows, widowers or never married men.

Edmund Holt, Earl of Satterfield, had admired Genie when she first came out, twenty years ago, but he was young and off for a grand tour of the continent and when he returned, she was already married. Edmund never married, because he only wanted to marry for love and no one had ever stirred him like Genie. He came to the party to find a potential wife to provide him an heir, but all he wants is Genie. Genie does not believe she can give him children but wants children to mother. Will they take the path of love or necessity?

I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.