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.Graham Kinsley is shocked when he inherits a … a debt-ridden dukedom, and now he has just one month to repay a loan. He needs an heiress—or find a way to recoup the former duke’s losses. When he meets the alluring Arabella, he’s entranced. Unfortunately, she’s as bankrupt as he is, but if they work together they may be able to recover their fortunes. Though if they keep stealing kisses, they may lose their hearts instead.
Arabella Stoke can’t afford an attraction to the penniless duke who has vowed to help rescue her family from financial devastation. She needs to find a wealthy husband before her father succumbs to the stress of losing everything. However, as Graham brings them closer to finding the swindler who stole their money, the war between what they want and what they need may ruin them both.
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For years it was assumed that Arabella Stoke would marry David, the Earl of St. Ives, as their fathers were best friends and while they had never formally betrothed them, hoped they would marry. But David fell in love and married another, leaving Arabella in a position of needing to marry before the ton learns that her family is on the brink of financial ruin.
Graham Kinsley, was introduced to reader in the Untouchable series as the secretary to St. Ives, but now through a series of unfortunate events, is the new Duke of Halstead, at title he never imagined he would inherit and one he is completely unprepared for. Graham takes over the dukedom and learns almost immediately that the estate is mortgaged to the hilt and the bank is threatening foreclosure. Further investigation reveals that his estranged Uncle made some very questionable investments and lost a fortune – leaving Graham with no way to repay the bank. He has three choices, marry a heiress, find the man who bilked his uncle and get the money back or sell Brixton Park, the unentailed property before the bank takes it. Selling is out of the question as the Park held sentimental value to Graham’s father who recently passed away – turns out the Park was designed and built by their direct descendant who was wrongfully accused of seducing his brother, the Duke’s wife, cast out of the family.
Graham and Arabella meet and soon learn they are both looking for a rich spouse and that both their relatives had been swindled by the same man. The attraction between them is strong, but neither can afford to marry for love – or can they? Working together Graham and Arabella set out to find the man who scammed their families and regain their lost fortunes. If they succeed, they can act on the feelings growing between them, but if they fail, they will have to walk away from what is possibly the love of a lifetime.
I thought this was cute story with some twists that I did not anticipate, some steamyish love scenes, some mystery and a bit of a cliffhanger ending for a secondary character who will be featured in the next installment.
Will two persons who have been wronged find a future together or be torn apart forever.
I do love Mrs Darcy Burke writing style, the words flow easily and her characters are always more complex than they appear at first, and they are the kind whom always try to save the day.
Arabella and Graham find themselves sharing the same circumstances, both reaching bankruptcy because of bad investments by their kin. And in London society when reaching destitution, wealthy spouses if often the answer, too bad their attraction can bring nothing to another as they are both in need of money.
Arabella who once loved a man her family considered not worthy of her, has now very few other choices left than find a willing rich husband-to-be, if only it could be the charming new titled Duke of Halstead.
Graham Kinsley inherited unexpectedly a dukedom his family has been banished generations ago. But it is not the prize he could have expected as it is debts ridden. He can only hope the lovely lady who bewitched him is the heiress is seeking after.
So when both learn of their common situation, will their combined efforts be enough to regain their family’s loss.
I loved both main characters, they were straightforward and true to themselves, and once their secret was known by the other, they left poise behind and work together, even take risk to protect another. Both will face danger and ruin to save another.
Arabella is not afraid to go for what she wants, even if I find her bit too bold for the period, she is one to be admired for her honesty.
Graham having been a commoner before coming to be titled, is a good man, he assumes his duties probably better than his predecessors and tries to set everything right. And he will without any gratification sacrifices himself if it can save the woman he came to love.
What I do love in Mrs Burke’s stories is that not everything resolve in the heroes’ way, as not everything is black and white.
Now I am very much eager to learn more about Ripley, there is something about him that calls me.
A 4.5 stars read.
I was granted an advance copy by the author but I had previously to It preppy own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Wow! Love this book. Another great book by Darcy Burke. I was unable to put the book down! Each page has you wanting to keep turning to found out what’s going to happen. It has twists and turns you wouldn’t expect. You can connect with the characters on a real level with their problems are real. life is a struggle and it’s not always easy and you can feel this with the hero and heroine.
Graham Kinsley, the new Duke of Halsted, has found himself in financial troubles thanks to the last duke. He now has to finance the ancestral home and the house his great-great-grandfather built. Graham’s side of the family was disowned because of a lie. He does not want anyone to know if his financial problems but it has been suggested to marry an heiress. So the first name given to him see seems out only to find she does not want marriage. The line person he has met that makes his pulse race is in the same position as him.
Arabella Stoke wants independence. She wants to be like her friend Lady Phoebe, free of having to marry. Now with her parents close to debtor’s prison. That before she met Graham Kinsley. However, upon learning he is in the same situation that option looks bleak.
Together they find out the same man caused both their problems. So they hatch a plan to get the money back that was swindled. Come along on the titillating ride which takes them from fencing lessons to ballrooms, and a masquerade courtesan ball. Find out who the dastardly villain is related to. Will they get the money back or have to wed other people to survive? Can they find a way to be together? Only reading this adventure will you know. Great characters, wonderful settings, and witty banter abound on your journey
R rated scenes. Otherwise a nice romance with the usual obstacles to love.
Arabella Stoke is no longer in a position to choose marriage for love. Her family was swindled and now is debt ridden. She must marry a man with wealth to help her family. Graham Kinsley, the Duke of Halstead inherited a bankrupted title and estates. He must marry a wealthy heiress to dig the Dukedom out of debt. He has only a short time before the bank takes Brixton Park built by his great great grandfather and was his deceased father’s pride and joy. Both Arabella and Graham join together to find the man who stole their money and in doing so they connect in so many ways. The story takes the reader on a very exciting journey and ends with a HEA. I’m anxious to see what becomes the Marquess of Ripley and Phoebe.
Graham Kinsley, secretary to Earl of St. Ives (as his father before him), is shocked to learn he is now the Duke of Halstead. His ancestors built Brixton Park and because of a lie, the family was banished. Graham is now the owner of a bankrupt, debt ridden dukedom with no way out except for the sale of his beloved legacy – or marry an heiress. He has a month to recoup the previous duke’s losses and repay the loan. He meets Miss Arabella Stoke whose family is in the same dilemma and at the hands of the same swindler. If they work together, Graham can save his beloved estate and help the dukedom and Arabella will not be forced to marry for money. But the more time these two share, they are in danger of losing their hearts as well as their financial means. Finding the thief who stole from them and a number of others in society is a dangerous game while trying to hide their financial straits. Situations force Graham and Arabella together and their attraction blossoms into love. She cannot save his estate nor can he help her family. While searching for the answer, Arabella and Graham realize the most precious prize is the most enduring – Love. With love, they can overcome adversities together and find joy! Valuable and wise lesson and what is the most valuable in life!
Excellent regency romantic suspense. The blurb gives readers a good idea what to expect form the story. Ms. Burke gives us characters they we feel for as they struggle with what is expected of them in this time period. Graham has suddenly become a Duke but the Dukedom is broke. Arabella is being forced into a marriage due to a swindler. The characters are unique and give the readers the idea of how families had to rely on finances not love. My only issue with this particular story is it seemed slow in some areas which is unusual for books by Ms. Burke I received a complementary copy of this book and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Burke.
This is book one of a new series by Darcy Burke, but has many returning characters from a previous series. Arabella Stoke and David, the Earl of St. Ives, had been betrothed by their fathers at a young age, but David had fallen in love with another and married her after the death of his father. While Arabella was not very upset, since she wants a husband who will be in love with her, her father took it badly and along with some gambling and bad investments, has put the family in dire financial straits, and instead of manning up, had fled to the sick bed.
Graham Kinsley, who had been David’s best friend growing up and his secretary, suddenly inherited a debt-ridden dukedom and has become the Duke of Halstead. He has a month to pay off the mortgage of Brixton Park, which his great great grandfather had build for his brother, the duke, but a lie by a vicious woman had separated the brothers and their heirs. Since then, the Kinsley’s had worked as secretaries for the Earls of St Ives. Now Graham must marry an heiress or find the swindler who stole the money from the previous duke, Mr. Stroke and many others.
Arabella and Graham meet under unusual circumstances, and find an immediate attraction- could this be my other half? Does he/she have money? What will win out, love or money?
The characters are very appealing and plot twisted. While Arabella never becomes a Spitfire Spinster, we are introduced to Miss Phoebe Lennox and Miss Jane Pemberton, who formed the Spitfire Society. But how long will they really remain spinsters?
I read an ARC from NetGalley.com. This is my voluntary and unbiased review.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This is the first book of The Spitfire Society series featuring Arabella Stoke and Graham, the new Duke of Halstead. Arabella’s family was suffering from financial struggles due to her father’s ill-advised investments and gaming debts. The only way for them to escape the situation was for her to marry a wealthy man. Graham suddenly inherited an impoverished dukedom from his relative, who left behind huge debts and financial obligations upon his death. And the only way for him to rescue the dukedom was to marry an heiress. While they were both desperate to find their respective advantageous marriages, they decided to join force to investigate the swindler who took away their money and wished to retrieve it without resorting to loveless marriages. Their romance continued to grow the more time they spent together.
Although the plot sounded intriguing, I found their romance lack a bit of sparks and chemistry, their falling in love was not so convincing, as they were both looking for other prospects who could potentially rescue them from their destitution. However, I enjoyed both characters as they were honest and responsible, trying their best to support and help each other through their difficult time. It also helped that Darcy’s writing style was pleasant with easy flow.
I’m actually looking forward to the next book featuring the infamous rake, the Marquess of Ripley, who played quite a significant role in this book, and Phoebe, a member of the Spitfire Society who had no interest in matrimony.
I tend to really like Darcy’s book however this one I didn’t find as enjoyable. Not that I didn’t like just not my favorite. So we meet Graham who unfortunately inherited a title along with a whole lot of debt, so he needs to marry for money so he needs an heiress. Unfortunately for him he meets Arabella and they are attracted to each other but her family also needs money and she also needs to marry for money, so these two try to ignore their feelings for each to try and help out their family, but will they be able to do so? And can they really turn off those feelings?
rcvd an ARc at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
Desparate times call for desperate measures when Arabella’s family become destitute from her father’s bad investments. Graham Kinsley, the new Duke of Halstead, is also destitute. They become allies in finding the swindlers. As they plot their revenge, the attraction between them becomes more intense. Both know they need to marry for money, but they only want each other.
What a close call for an HEA. Another 5 Stars book.
Such a great story! Two really likable main characters are thrown into a difficult situation through others bad decisions. It has excellent plot execution with a bit of mystery. Great character development of both main and secondary characters. The secondary characters are memorable and I hope they have their own stories to tell!
I received a copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spitfire or not, Arabella is determined young lady loyal to family.Wishes are wishes but reality is on her mind and she will not let herself fall for a duke who is in need of many. Or will she?
Duke unexpectedly, in dire need of an heiress, to save a dukedom, Graham knows Arabella is not an option, but does his heart knows?
Trying to find a man responsible for both their families poverty may bring them closer, but what after?
My five stars and my recommendation are for feisty Arabella, for honorable Graham, for loyalty, for love.
But mostly for that easy style of Darcy Burke which makes you wish to read, and read, and read till the end and after that.
Waiting for another story with some other spitfire…
The first book in the new Spitfire Society Series, ‘Never Have I Ever With A Duke’, is terrific! Graham has just inherited a dukedom that is a nightmare. It is nearly bankrupt, deliberately left so by the previous duke. He is losing staff daily, and must discover just who has swindled the estate out of a substantial amount of funds and attempt to recover them.
While in pursuit of this swindler, Graham is thrown together by chance with Lady Arabella, whose family has also been victimized by this same thief. It’s so bad her depressed father has taken to bed, her mother has let staff go, and she is dressing as a maid to walk their dog in the park. All this is to keep society from learning they are nearly destitute and probably ruining Arabella’s chance at a decent marital match.
It’s a shame both Graham and Arabella need to marry wealth, because they are completely enthralled with each other. As they team up to attempt to assist each other their attraction only burns hotter too.
I loved this story and its twists and turns. It also has a few interesting characters I hope have stories of their own! I highly recommend it and am looking forward to the next.
Never Have I Ever With a Duke by Darcy Burke is the first book in The Spitfire Society series and definitely worth reading if you love historical romances.
Graham Kinsley is shocked when he inherits the dukedom, but along with it comes an estate that is debt-ridden and he must find an heiress to marry in order to pay down the debt before he loses it all.
What he doesn’t intend to find is friendship, love and attraction when he meets Arabella, but unfortunately she is as destitute as he is and will bring nothing of value to the marriage so he must continue on his quest in marrying an heiress.
Arabella Stoke doesn’t have time to dwell on her attraction and growing feelings she has for Graham, but instead she must find a wealthy husband that will help her family find financial stability once again.
However in the process of trying to solve both of their financial problems, their wants are becoming stronger than what they need.
I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books in this wonderful series!
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Highly entertaining, sexy, fun and engaging romantic adventure filled with longing, love and undeniable passion….. was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this emotional thrill ride!
Loved it thank you
A really good story. I loved how Graham and Arabella initially met, and the progression of their friendship into so much more. I can always count on Darcy Burke’s books capturing my interest from the very start, and this one was no different. Wonderful read, and can’t wait for the next in this new series!
Graham Kinsley never expected to inherit a dukedom, especially a debt ridden one. Now his only solution is to marry a wealthy heiress to payback a loan and survive. Graham meets Arabella Stoke and the attraction is mutual, he finds out her father was swindled out of his money and offers to help. Arabella knows she can’t afford an attraction to the penniless duke even one who’s vowed to help rescue her family from financial devastation. Will they marry for love or money? I love Graham and Arabella their great characters who are willing to do anything to save their families. An excellent romance story with a few twists and turns and one I voluntarily read and reviewed.