Wonderful start to a new series. Persephone and her sister, along with their friends has come up with a list of rules to avoid Rakes. The reason being Persephone sister Pandora was caught in an embrace with a rake, Bane who doesn’t do the right thing and claims he is engaged. Now Pandora reputation is ruined! Their parents also need to save grace, but not really for Pandora and has through their connections offered their daughter Persephone to marry a Duke. She is livid that she is sacrificed to save the family and runs away, only to run into the man she is to marry.
The Duke of Wellsbourne, Acton has agreed to met his mother’s friend daughter to see if they would suit for marriage. The last thing he wants to be is on the Marriage Mart, with his reputation as a rake and Duke it would be a nightmare. This would be so much easier, but the woman doesn’t show up for the appointment. Only her parents, that are trying to push a marriage contract without seeing if they suit. When the father shows him a miniature portrait of Persephone, he realizes that is the woman he ran into on the way home.
He rushes off now to find her, thinking to save her. Which is the last thing she wants!
I really enjoyed that banter between the MC, a bit on the steamy side. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #IftheDukeDares

I am very new to reading historical romances and gave this a whirl. I will say that it did drag a bit for me in the beginning, but the characters were well written, and I enjoyed the story. The spicey scenes were a perfect amount, not too much, not too little. I'm eager to read more from the author.


Special Thanks to Zealous Quill Press and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*regency romance
*he’s into her first
*grumpy vs sunshine
*”your sister is now ruined and the only way our family can be saved is for you to marry a duke who’s the son of my best friend” energy
*road trips lead to love?

Enjoyable, but it’s not perfect - he’s pretty instantly intrigued, and I never got the why - I was hoping for more of an emotional connection between Acton and Persephone but we’re told more than shown. Honestly, this one began to lag for me midway, and I wasn’t all that interested.

I didn’t care for any of the characters. The relationships in this I was most rooting for was the ones of Acton and his mother and sisters.

I just never really connected with this one but I am looking forward to reading more of this series.



Thank you to Zealous Quill Press and NetGalley for the DRC

While a tad long-winded, I unexpectedly didn't mind the length! While most books would have the whole first half wrapped up in act one, looking back, I liked the way the author approached it. This is because that first half is really where the two mains really came to understand and get to know each other, and humanize one another to the point where the falling in love felt real and even inevitable. I also liked how Acton (MMC) is in the process of reforming himself as a rake--while in most rake historical romances, they are deep in the rake realm, Acton recognizes why it's wrong and is actively working on himself to become better. At the same time, Persephone (FMC) is also making strides of her own, learning how to open up and trust others beyond how they are first presented.

If the Duke Dares (Rogues Rules #1) by Darcy Burke.
Pub date: January 30, 2024

Rating: 3/5 stars

The chemistry and banter between Persephone and and Acton is there from their very first meeting, and there are continued moments of this throughout the book.

However, overall, the romance between them did not appeal to me. Something about the development of their relationship is missing for me; I never felt fully invested in what was going to happen to or between them.

Similarly, I know that the dynamic between Persephone and her parents is the central problem, and thus a significant driver of the plot, so without it, the story would not make sense. That said, I did not find that aspect of the story particularly interesting or compelling. It just fell flat for me, likely part of why I found myself having trouble becoming invested in what happens between Persephone and Acton.

The most compelling relationship in this book, for me, was the development of the mother-son relationship between Acton and his mother. The emotion in this dynamic was much more fully developed in my opinion.

Finally, this book felt overwhelming and underdeveloped from the very beginning due to how many characters (I counted at least TEN) that you are introduced to by name within the first 2-4 pages. It was just an overload of character names that did not feel necessary to be introduced right off the start when many of them played little to no role for many chapters to come.

I didn't think this book was bad, it just was not a great fit for me. That said, it was my first Darcy Burke book, and I'm definitely interested in reading one of her other books to see if maybe this particular story wasn't for me.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first book of a new series, and it opens up with a scenario that sets the premise for the series and establishes the core friendship of the female protagonists, so it would seem.

Pandora is a young debutante who believes she is being courted by an Earl, and falling in love. She believes he is honorable and likewise falling for her, and is ends up socially ruined when she is caught by a local gossip, alone with her suitor, in a scandalous embrace. When challenged to do the right thing, the Earl of Banemore (known as Bane) behaves dishonorably, declaring he is already betrothed and will not be wedding Pandora. As the gossip spreads, Pandora is ruined. She, her older sister Persephone, and their close friends come up with a set of rules to follow to prevent themselves and other young women from being caught in such situations, and protect themselves from rogues.

Persephone and Pandora's parents, the Baron and Baroness Radstock act quickly to try to save their reputations and fortunes. They had presumed Pandora, with her youth and beauty, would be their path to improving their fortunes and social clout. For years, Persephone was treated as less by them, because, in their eyes, she is less beautiful, less desirable, less worthy or capable of attracting a husband, and thus less worthy of their attention and efforts. But now that Pandora is a social outcast, they pin their hopes on making a match for Persephone, before the gossip spreads. To this end, they arrange a match with the Baroness's good friend, the widowed Duchess of Wellsbourne, who hopes to help her son, Acton Loxley, the current Duke, find a bride. He is a friend of Banes, and also reputed to be a Rogue. However, he is aware of his duty to wed and have a family, but wishes to avoid the tedium of the Marriage Mart and a Season.

Persephone (Persey) is aghast at their plans to wed her to a noted rogue, and makes plans to escape and run away when they travel to Loxley Court to meet the Duchess and her son. Acton, on his way to Loxley Court, meets Persey at an inn on his travels, in her guise as a widow and is immediately intrigued and attracted. However, she figures out his identity and rebuffs him harshly and escapes.

Acton cannot get the vibrant young widow out of his head. But arrives at Loxley Court with the intent of meeting the young woman intended for him, with the hopes of enough of a connection to form a future together. However, he is repulsed by the rapacious behaviour of her parents, who put out that Persey did not come because of illness. He is further disgusted by them when he sees a miniature and realizes that the widow he was so attracted to is the young woman he was supposed to meet. Feeling concerned for her, and the dangers she potentially could be in travelling alone, he goes after her.

As Persephone runs off to escape her parents plans for her, she did so with no clear plan, and is beset by problems. Acton finds her, and initially they are at loggerheads as he tries to convince to her accept his help and protection, but she distrusts and despises him. But he proves that he is not the rogue she thinks. He is not so much a rogue as he is a cinnamon roll hero it would seem. They go from being against each other to friends and partners working together to defy her parents selfish plans, and save her sister's reputation. While she decides she does not wish to marry a rogue, spending time together makes Persey break several of the rogue rules, as she lets herself fall for Acton. There was a bit of a road trip adventure feel to this aspect of the story. In the mean time, Acton proves he is not a rogue, and learns the truth about his past and his own family relationships which prove to be eye opening to him and changes his view of everything, including the future and relationships he wants.

This was very sweet for me, because I loved Acton, despite being a bit arrogant and presumptuous - but he ultimately was being sweet and protective. While he had a reputation for being a rogue on par with Bane, that did not come across so much in the story. I quite enjoyed the understanding he came to about his family history and fractured relationships, and his desire to heal those relationships. There was something about that storyline that was very sweet and connected with me. The renewed connection between him and his female family members was a sharp and interesting contrast between Persey, her sister, and aunt, and the Baron and Baroness.

4 stars out of 5

Needing a duchess, charming Acton agrees to meet independent Persephone. But she has no desire to marry in order to save her family from scandal. Yet fate brings Acton and Persephone together despite her best efforts. Can she open her heart to him?

I loved these characters. Acton and Persephone have great chemistry. This steamy novel is fun and entertaining.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Why did I love this book so much! I literally read it for 6 hours straight until I finished it! This is the perfect regency romance.

🌂 ❤️ Regency Romance
😞 Attempted SA (not from MMC)
😫 Childhood emotional trauma
🌶️ 🌶️ .5/5 Spice - descriptive scenes
👨 ♥️ He falls first

The storyline and arc are solely focused on the romance and how it progresses. There is character development but dont go into thins seeking something deep and thought-provoking. This book is a feel-good, witty, sometimes frustrating, romance with some good spicy scenes. If you enjoy reforming rogues and watching them fall for strong-willed ladies then this is the book for you.

This is the first book in a new series Rogue Rules. I can't wait to see what the next story is.
Persephone is being forced to marry since her younger sister was ruined and her parents are in financial straits.
She is on her way to meet her intended when she runs away from her parents. Unbeknownst to her she runs into Acton Lockley, the duke of Wellsbourne her intended. She knows he is a rake and wants nothing to do with him. He protects her and stays with her.
I loved the interaction and banter between the two main characters. There are also several interesting secondary characters.
This is a wonderful story throughout with several sub-plots and a very satisfying resolution.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and these are my honest opinions.

This is first in a new series about ladies holding fast against rogues and punishing them for their misbehavior if they can. I’m not a fan of the reformed rake trope, but I like Darcy Burke so I had to give it a try. This is a low stakes story about a rogue who’s really not that bad and just has daddy issues. Persey and Acton have good chemistry and are likable, although we’re told she’s clever and don’t really see it. The beginning was great but the back half was repetitive and only redeemed by Acton’s public groveling at the end. It was enjoyable and I’m on board for the rest of the series.

A solid 4. Took a while to get into it and the heroine, but the hero is such a teddy bear that eventually I was wondering over. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

If you are looking for an arranged marriage historical romance this book is for you. I enjoyed the plot of the story so much! I would recommend this book.

Persephone and Pandora are the daughters of self absorbed parents and when Pandora becomes ruined by a rogue, they plan to force Persephone (Persey) into a match with a Duke for financial gain. Persey runs away just to encounter the same Duke (Acton) while having multiple problems being on her own. Acton is also a rogue.
The story is a fun romp with lots of banter and good character development as Persey and Acton go through trials that change their lives. Easy fun read with a few hot kisses and steamy scenes of love.

After being ordered by her parents to marry a duke, to save her sister’s reputation and the family from bankruptcy, Persephone makes a run for it, and determines Acton to be the rogue she and her friends had expected, she jumps on the next coach, finds she is heading in the wrong direction and has lost her luggage, trying to get back she runs straight into Acton again.. Their exploits continue as she runs and he follows to protect her. After a few nights away with each other, Acton accepts that she is the one and proposes marriage but she turns him down, Family and friends get involved and a HEA is eventually completed.
An enjoyable read with strong characters and good banter.

Tropes: grumpy MFC/sunshine MMC; road trip; reformed rake
Steam level: 3
1st in the series

3.5 stars squeaked up. I will be honest that it took me several chapters to get into this. First off, the dialog and behavior are pretty modern, which is fairly typical of HR's these days, so it's not a major source of irritation, but the characters are rather flat early on and this made the modern aspects more glaring to me. The thoughtless rake; the manipulative, money-hungry parents; the beautiful, slightly passive younger sister; the bolder, less attractive older sister out to protect her: all pretty routine. Also, while there is genuine humor and sharp dialog, some of the banter between the MC's and the interior monlogue-ing becomes repetitive. By the 20% mark I was really hoping something would happen plotwise.

Thankfully, as MFC Persey and MMC Acton continue on their impromptu trip to escape her parents' scheme to force them to marry, and then try to elevate her ruined sister's reputation, dimension starts peeking through the characters' rom-com facades. Acton is a rogue who is working actively to change, and honestly throughout the book is a cinnamon roll hero rather than the cad Persey keeps assuming he is. Persey is headstrong and engaging--whenever she's not busy stereotyping men and jumping to conclusions.

I still can't give the full 4 stars, though, because I just didn't feel a fully formed emotional connection between the two. They have great sexual chemistry (it's weird that no one in either family seems to notice their obvious attraction) but there is a little something missing, even during their intimate scenes. I think for me it's the sense that Acton keeps striving to please Persey and do the right thing, but she doesn't seem willing to meet him halfway by accepting him as a fallible human being. The most emotional scenes by far are those between Acton and his mom.

One other caveat: the Bane situation didn't have much of a resolution. It's easy to feel for Pandora (until she becomes super mopey) but her storyline with Bane seems sketchy, as if it were introduced in a previous book or a prequel. I'm assuming she'll feature in an upcoming book--and maybe then we'll find out more about what Acton's former best friend was thinking?

Overall: this gets better as it goes along, with plenty of humor and sharp dialog, but the focus is more on Persey and Acton's physical relationship than their emotional one. There is a message about not judging a book by its cover, but it doesn't really come up until the very end.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own.

This was an ok read. The writing was good and there was plenty of ups and downs. I'm not sure I liked the FMC very much though and didn't really feel a connection with the characters. I didn't really feel as though Acton and Persephone themselves had much of an emotional connection before they embarked on their affair - it felt a little clinical. Also Persephone's attitude towards Acton felt a little hypocritical.
I do like the blurb of the second book in the series though so will definitely be looking forward to Tamsin's story.
I recieved an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.

Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne, has decided it's time for him to marry. He is traveling to meet a potential bride, Persephone Barclay, but he meets an intriguing young woman at an inn on the way, who claims to be a widow. When Persephone's parents show up at the ducal estate without their daughter, they tell Acton she's ill and will join them in a day or two. When he sees her miniature, he realizes she's the woman poses as a widow back at the inn. Now, he's intrigued as to why she would run away and not even want to meet him. He's a duke, after all!

Miss Persephone Barclay didn't want to be forced to marry, especially not to a rake like Wellesbourne so she runs away from her parents to escape that fate. Unfortunately, the duke soon tracks her down and promises to protect her while she travels to see her Aunt Lucinda in Bath. Along the way, her feelings about him begin to change, but she's vowed she will never marry a rake and keeps him at arm's length.

This was a sweet story and I did love the banter between Acton and Persephone. The limits that Acton goes to trying to convince Persey that he's a changed man are delightful as he bumbles his way toward his goal. I loved Persey. She was witty, fearless, and independent, and I enjoyed that immensely. Persey's sister, Pandora, and Aunt Lucinda, along with Acton's mother and sisters, round out the story nicely. Unfortunately, the fact that Persey's parents didn't face any comeuppance for their awful behavior of their daughters was a real detriment for me. Thus, the loss of a star to 4 stars.

I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Loved reading the engaging and amazing romance story. When Persephone's parents inform her that she is to wed the Duke of Wellsbourne, Persephone leaves home to avoid marriage, ends up meeting the Duke who flirts outrageously with her, so she pretends to be a widow. When Acton, the Duke of Wellsbourne goes to meet Persephone, he finds out she was woman pretending to be a widow and feels it is his duty to protect Persephone from harm. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting love story. Can wait to read the next story in the series by the phenomenal author, Darcy Burke!

Endearing couple

I adored the two main characters, Persephone and Acton. The couple's endearing relationship had me utterly smitten. And what of this unique bond between the two sisters, Persephone and Pandora, which adds to the appeal of this book? The author masterfully blends romance, humor, intrigue, and steam. I strongly recommend this book. It never drags on, and it keeps us hooked throughout our reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zealous Quill Press through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If the Duke Dares has so many laugh out loud moments as a very serious Persey works hard at not marrying the duke, or any man. She and her friends make a list of rules against rakes/rogues to try keep each other out of trouble after her sister is caught in a compromising position with a rake.

Acton learns a lot about himself once he meets Persey. While she is convincing him they would not be good together because he is a rake, he is falling mindlessly in love with her. In addition, Acton is looking around and realizing his view of life and his world has a lot of flaws. I loved the way these two became friends as they were spending time together. Acton’s best moment is his fear of rats and Persey teasing him at inopportune times. The shower of madeira is a good one, too. Great beginning to Rogue Rules Book.