From the USA Today bestselling author of The Untouchables series comes your next Regency obsession: The Spitfire Society… Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one.Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is … 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.
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Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is a known rake and he does nothing to dissuade anyone of that opinion. When Phoebe Lennox cleans his wound after a fight in the park with his cousin, he wants to spend more time in her company, but he doesn’t go around debauching innocents. Phoebe is an independently wealthy spinster who has carved out an enjoyable life for herself, although once she meets Marcus, her life seems lonely. Can these two be friends or are they destined for more?
I’m a fan of Ms. Burke’s and love her books. The beginning of this book starts off well. I liked the witty banter between Marcus and Phoebe although after one picnic outing together, Phoebe wants more. I thought Phoebe’s character was a little shallow. She supposedly has all this wealth, but nothing is mentioned about her contributing to any charity besides a bet with Marcus early on in the story. She spends her wealth on card parties and expensive paintings. I would have liked her character to be more well rounded and not so much time spent on the sex scenes. I skipped most of those paragraphs to see where the murder mystery subplot was going. I thought that was more interesting. In any event, Marcus and Phoebe do get their HEA. I’m looking forward to reading her friend’s Jane’s story.
The Spitfire Society is fantastic. I love the sassy women of the Spitfire Society and their unabashed dislike for society norms. Phoebe & Marcus’s affair is so sweet and fiery, I couldn’t put it down. I love the unique spin this series takes on the social norms of the day. The characters and plot are fabulous and I cannot wait for the next installment.
I loved Phoebe and Marcus! Whether as individuals or together, they are just wonderful on the page. Their banter was delightful, and watching two people who are determined not to start a relationship do exactly that was a whole lot of fun. I enjoyed the extra layer that the who killed Marcus’s cousin, and why is he taking the blame for it? mystery brought to the story–though it has to be noted that that event isn’t what brought the two of them together as the synopsis suggests; they were already “friends” (their label, not mine) before that.
The next story is heavily hinted at (Jane and Anthony; woot!) and the hero and heroine of book one (Graham and Arabella of Never Have I Ever With a Duke ) play a part here, but this one could definitely work as a standalone if needed. Part of Marcus’s motivation is related to events from the first book, but the pertinent details are given here so readers won’t be lost.
But honestly, read both books. You won’t be sorry, and it will give you something to do while waiting for book three 😉
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
The spinster and the rakehell. Even though this story has an historical setting, the plot feels very contemporary by giving Phoebe the means to be fully independent from Society and The Marriage Mart. Marcus is very much a man of his times, though his best characteristics are pretty timeless: his concern over doing the “right thing”, his desire to look after the people he cares about and those he feels responsible for. I thought both parties were significantly less concerned with propriety than perhaps they should be. That was also part of what felt so ‘out of time’ for me in this story. However, I loved watching these two fall in love. The care and attention Marcus puts into his time with Phoebe to make sure that she’s not frightened in his presence was a delight to witness. I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s next for the Spitfires.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through NetGalley
A Duke Is Never Enough, by Darcy Burke, is available at booksellers on 2-25-20. Never Enough is book 2 in Ms Burke’s The Spitfire Society. The book works well as a standalone so jump right in, you can catch up later and not have missed much at all. The plot is a bit farfetched but I’ve given 4 stars for all the sass and wit, I loved it. Flirting never has so many double entendre as in Never Enough. Ms Burke has given Marcus & Phoebe a tit-for-tat repertoire that’s such fun to read. What I don’t understand is the book title. There’s no duke, Marcus is a Marquess, and why is one never enough? What’s left, Prince?
Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley has a bad boy reputation that’s mostly earned. His first meeting with Phoebe Lennox is memorable and he’s besotted right away. He has such naughty thoughts about our virgin heroine, a lot of them. Phoebe is a self-proclaimed spinster & charter member of The Spitfire Society. Her reputation is in tatters, she jilted her fiancée, but is lucky enough that she inherited money. She has set herself up to live alone and doesn’t like the idea of marriage, she doesn’t have to now. You can see where this is going. Our couple has to overcome their suspicion of marriage to get to the HEA. The journey to self-awareness is pleasant and a fun read. I’m looking forward to Anthony & Janes story, he’s an awful mess. Jane has her work cut of for her.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#DarcyBurke #Netgalley #ADukeIsNeverEnough #TheSpitfireSociety #historicalromance
A Duke is Never Enough
The Spitfire Society #2
by Darcy Burke
What do you get when a self proclaimed heiress spinster set in her ways meets notorious rake Marcus Raleigh – The Marquess of Ripely instant hot melting attraction! Ladies we might as well open a window or some kind of cool ventilation because these two just about scorched the words right of the pages!
I loved the banter these two had, their chemistry was evident from the beginning of their friendship, which in turn turned into an all consuming love affair which I totally enjoyed seeing them fall into.
Darcy Burke did a phenomenal job with this Spitfire installment the mystery of the crime really had me intrigued, almost cheated a couple of times to find the culprit by going to the end, BUT I held fast and read through like a good girl lol if an author has me on pins and needles and really into the desires these two had…..it’s a WINNER! I absolutely recommend this series and obviously ALL of Darcy Burke’s books.
ARC through authors Review Team.
Phoebe Lennox is a wealthy self-declared spinster. She was lucky to have escaped marriage to a philandering fool, and is happy to have a household of her own. Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is quite happy with his life as a consummate rake. He is not happy with the trouble Drobbit, his swindling cousin has caused. These two meet in the park just after Marcus has had a very public fight with this cousin. Phoebe helps tend his split lip. Surprise! The spinster and the rake are attracted to each other. As it turns out, they may have more in common than romantic interest. Phoebe’s father is having financial problems that seem to be related to one of Drobbit’s schemes. Before this issue can be resolved, Drobbit is found murdered, and Marcus is a suspect. Did Marcus kill his cousin? Who else could have done it?
This is a fantastic story. The attraction between Marcus and Phoebe is magnetic and the chemistry sizzles. The burgeoning romance between them is marked with charm and humor. The mystery surrounding Drobbit’s murder is captivating, and clues to the killer provided by a most unlikely source. There are surprises right up to the end of the story. The mystery is solved, and the spinster and the rake find something very special. This one is definitely a winner.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, is a Rake but likes to call himself a Libertine. He has no intention of ever getting married, he does not do relationships or commitments. His cousin, the only relative he has left, has been investing other people’s money and then says the investment failed. He is also a gambler. So he is always in debt. He meets Archibald Drobbit, his cousin, as he was going down Rotten Row. They get in a Fist to Cuffs and his cousin throws a rock and hits him in the head. Miss Phoebe Lennox, a self-proclaimed spinster, and heiress comes along and stops to assist him. They are adorable together. He enjoys teasing her and she with him. They flirt with each other.
I loved it. It was romantic, humorous, sexy, and respectable. It did have its scary moments too. It is well worth the time you spend reading it. I definitely recommend to those over eighteen.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
This story had potential but it just didn’t do it for me.
It did have the beginning of good main characters and a plot of a dastardly swindler. But I just ended up feeling like Marcus and Phoebe were wasted in this story. Although Marcus and Phoebe start out as friends who are attracted to each other. It leads to a series of racy seduction scenes. It just didn’t pull me in and so I guess it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
There’s a fair amount of time spent on the independence that Phoebe has gained. In fact, it was one of the main repetitions of the story. And there were several things that were re-hashed as well.
One character that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of is Phoebe’s friend Jane. That girl is chomping at the bit for her own freedom. And it seems she just might not be as docile as people seem to think.
Marcus is a known rake but he does have his own honor code. Of course some of his reputation has been over inflated because of gossipers. He doesn’t knowingly use people, unlike his cousin. Then Marcus goes and does an incredibly stupid thing that just had me shaking my head. Oh, I get the why of it but come on, really? But it turns out okay with the real villain exposed. And Marcus and Phoebe get their H.E.A. that includes an Epilogue.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
A Duke is Never Enough is the second book in the Spitfire Society. This has been a fun series based on women who are independent women who want to live their own life and not conform to Society’s opinions. Phoebe Lennox fled London after standing up her betrothed on her wedding day. She returns as an heiress and declares herself a spinster. She is happy living by herself and not having to worry about the marriage mart. Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley, was happy with his bachelorhood and his reputation as a rogue. He recently learned his cousin has been taking advantage of people and swindling them out of money. He is determined to track down his cousin and put a stop to it. When his cousin is found dead, Marcus becomes the suspect after his public confrontation with his cousin. Solving the murder becomes necessary for them to have a future.
This was another great book from the author. I loved all the characters and can’t wait to read Jane’s story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A tantalizing tale that you will fall in love with after the first few pages.
“He adjusted his position so that he could look at her. His dark, seductive gaze bored into hers.
“I wonder if I might kiss you.”
Again her body threatened to betray her and move toward him. “No, I shouldn’t want that.”
“An interesting choice of words.” His lips spread into a sly smile.
“I don’t want that.”
He tipped his head slightly ..”I’m not sure that’s true.. There will come a day–soon, I’d wager–when you’ll ask me to.”
Phoebe, proclaimed spinster and proud of being independent had met her match in Marcus, Marquess of Ripley and renowned rake. But he definately stirred something in her. Marcus had thought about her since she had stopped to help him in the park with his head wound. Yes, you will need to see what happened! He thought she was beautiful, but there was something more…
But Marcus has a lot on his mind. He swindling cousin who had been taking money from members of the ton had to be stopped and give restitution to those he had harmed. Unfortunately his cousin suddenly comes up dead and Marcus is the main suspect!
Can he and Phoebe’s sizzling attraction sustain as the mystery unfolds about the murder?
Darcy Burke is one of my go to authors because I know everything she writes will entertain and be a keeper!! I am loving this series!!
Notorious rake Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley is caught fighting with his swindler cousin in Hyde Park when a lovely stranger approaches him to wipe the blood from his face. He finds her beautiful and quite intriguing. Phoebe Lennox has only returned to London. She’s a self-proclaimed independent spinster who doesn’t need is a roguish handsome man in her life or so she thinks. She will not give him her name or her address so a determined Marcus sets out to find her to return her the handkerchief. Marcus and Phoebe quickly become friends neither wanting anything more in their friendship. Secrets are reviled, a romance does blooms and he’s accused of murdering his worthless cousin. A great story of two strongly independent people who will enchant you as their attraction grows and love is denied until it’s almost too late in this sizzling romance. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.
A self declared spinster (and proud of it) and the libertine Marquess.
Phoebe Lennox has no use for being a wife, thank you very much. She’s a proud and independent spinster who stops in Hyde Park to aid Marcus.
Marcus is a relentless libertine (and proud of it). He’s trying to sort out the mess his cousin Drobbit created.
Then there’s that pesky murder of said cousin and a hanky that needs returning.
Steamy, a bit of suspense and plenty of clash of wills.
Recommend.
As a widow of an abusive husband, Ellen does not trust many men. She especially does not trust her former childhood friend Charles, the Duke of Castlefield, who rejected her friendship as a young girl. I enjoyed this enemies to lovers book. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Oh this couple Marcus and Phoebe were such fun. Phoebe has resigned herself to be a spinster and Marcus does not want to be tied down. They become friends and then the sizzling benefits begin. They agree it’s only an affair. But when Marcus makes a big sacrifice and ends their affair, Phoebe finds out some interesting information and there are no obstacles to keep them apart. Will Marcus open his heart or lose the best thing he has ever had. A side note: it was fun learning about French letters, I had to Google it. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
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.
A Duke is Never Enough by Darcy Burke is book Two in The Spitfire Society Series. This is the story of Phoebe Lennox and Marcus Raleigh, Marquess of Ripley. I have read the previous book, but feel this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Marcus is a carefree person enjoying a new women any time he wants and has a few good friends. But when he confronts his cousin a fight in public happens. Then later he is thought to have done is cousin in which leads him to look into what happened to his cousin. Phoebe walked away from an engagement to become a successful happy spinster. But then she comes to help Marcus have he was injured during the fight with his cousin. Phoebe doesn’t give him her name but he ends up finding her and they become friends of sort. They end up working together to solve the mystery which of course has their feeling growing into more.
4.5
I enjoyed revisiting the Spitfire Society.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The Spitfire Society
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
This story covers the introduction of the H and h. It flows through the days and weeks following their progress towards love. I really liked the h. She is definitely a Spitfire and knows what she wants. She is never mishish and has a clear idea of what she wants for her life to be. That was until she met the H. The H even though a renowned rake was a gentleman with a capital G. He was honorable and would give the shirt off his back for the ones he loved and cared for. The H was intrigued by the h from their very first moments. He was attracted to her as she was to him. She met him the day he had an altercation with his weasel of a cousin where he suffered a small injury that she tended to. The H was trying to get his cousin to stop stealing from people claiming to be a businessman involved with investments. His family name meant everything to him and his cousin was raking it into the mud. In the meantime, the flirtatious banter between the H and h became more. The H became more and more besotted with the h. Then his cousin was murdered and he was the prime suspect. An interesting slew of events occurred. An interesting read. Enjoyable. Explicit open bedroom scenes. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Story elements: a Marquess who is a rogue, scoundrel, and rake and has no immediate plans to marry; an independent, free-spirited spinster who plans to never marry but wants to have an affair with the right man; a charlatan cousin who bilks people out of funds with phony investment schemes; a somewhat unsavory jilted fiancé; an unknown murderer; and a requisite supporting cast of likable friends, parents, and servants.
Phoebe Lennox and Marcus Raleigh have a rocky road to travel before they find a happily ever after. The story is fast-paced and engaging with some steamy intimate scenes. I felt a little more connection with Marcus as it became evident that, though he was labeled a rake and scoundrel, he sought to protect the people he cared about. He was so kind and sweet to Phoebe. Their story left me with a feel-good feeling.
I received an advance copy of this work and offer this voluntary review of what I read. All opinions stated are my own.