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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i have so many emotions coursing through me right now it is hard to explain how I feel. I feel disappointed, irritated, unsatisfied. But at the same time there was some suspense, excitement, tension and suspicion. I felt the story dragged on and on in the beginning. I thought there ought to have been more concentration on the romance. The story ended with a cliffhanger that brought no justice to the wronged parties and yet I feel the suspicion was on the wrong person. I am glad that the H/h got together at the end but at a tremendous cost to the H. Now I have to wait until February 2020 for the next book to find out who the real culprit was. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this new series! Graham and Arabella’s story is a great way to kick off a new series. I really love the Spitfires with their sassiness and independence. I found the premise of this book interesting and refreshing. Two people in need of financial assistance but find love along the way. I cannot wait for the next book!
Never Have I Ever with a Duke is the first book of The Spitfire Society and a great book to start off the series with! Graham Kinsley was a secretary for Earl of St. Ives, but unexpectedly inherited a dukedom. Now as the new Duke of Halstead he is faced with the challenge of saving the estates. Arabella Stoke’s family was bankrupt, her father had made several bad investments. They had managed to keep in quiet, but she needed to marry a wealthy husband fast. Once Arabella and Graham realize their families had been swindled by the same gentleman, they start to work together to find the man. Graham is determined to find a wealthy wife, so he doesn’t have to sell Brixton Park, his ancestral house. The closer they get to finding the swindler, the more attached to each other they become. Graham must decide if keeping his estate is more important than the love he has for Arabella. The need to find a wealthy spouse troupe is a common one but the author did a great job with the storyline by adding the mystery of the swindler. I can’t wait to find out who the main character from the Spitfire Society will be in the next book! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I simply love Darcy Burke’s books. Her heroines are always brave, daring and quite modern for that historical period. They always try to help others and save themselves for the better although they would do everything for their families’ needs.
This time the struggle was huge, the missing monetary support let just one option open….to marry real quickly to save the family without giving out how very bad the situation was.
The problem though was to falling in love with someone who struggles as well with a baggage of bankrupt dukedom.
Both main characters were amazingly well fitting and fighting for the rightness. And let me tell you the attraction……sizzling through the pages.
I loved every second of this brilliant book.
Never Have I Ever With a Dukd
The Spitfire Society book 1
by Darcy Burke
Once again Darcy Burke has hit a home run with her new series!
Arabella Stoke has no choice but to marry a man of means, it’s the only way to salvage their fortunes. Her father lost everything because of a swindler and her family is suffering because of it. Having no choice she tries to make the best of her situation. Until she meets Graham Kinsley.
Graham Kinsley never thought he’d one day become a Duke, his life has taken a spin. He’s a Duke with no money that needs to replenish the coffers. He needs to find the man that swindled the previous Duke or marry an heiress. Until he meets Arabella, and he’s shocked to realize that their in the same boat . The attraction is mutual but both need a fortune to put things straight, they decide to help each other. But every time they’re together one kiss leads to another and their goal of recouping their losses takes second place. I loved Arabella and Graham their chemistry was real with witty dialogue. Loved to see them slowly fall in love and enjoyed the secondary characters. All in all this was a fantastic read that kept me engrossed in the plot. I’m never disappointed in anything Darcy Burke writes. Well done, and I highly recommend!
I recieved a complimentary copy from the author. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Enjoyable Story.
A swindler has ruined more than one family who was already in desperate straits but who is he, and can he be compelled to return the money he took? If not then both the new Duke of Halstead and Miss Arabella Stoke will need to marry for money and not follow up on the attraction between them. I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline. Great start to a new series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Never Have I Ever With a Duke is the first in Ms. Burke’s Spitfire Society series, a spinoff of her Untouchables books. It will work fine as a standalone as it nicely sets up a new group of characters for readers to love; for those who have read the original series, several favorite characters will make guest appearances here to make you smile.
I really liked both Arabella and Graham; Ms. Burke made them both very likable. She gave them as good a reason that they couldn’t be together (poverty and impending ruin in society if it is discovered) as she did a compelling one that they should (solid chemistry, helped along with fencing lessons…and an excellent recipe for butter biscuits.) Even as I wanted them to be together, I despaired that they would find a way to be able to.
I loved how Ms. Burke had the two of them working together to try to bring the swindler who caused their mutual financial distress to task; it made for some fun reading. I hate to admit, though, that though I was thrilled that they did find an HEA (of course they did! It is romance, after all…) the way that they achieved it just didn’t have the impact that I had been hoping for–it felt a bit flat. Still, an HEA is an HEA–and apparently, the secret to a happy life is “love, butter biscuits, and a dog” so–mission accomplished.
I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series, Ripley and Pheobe’s story. Is it February yet? 😉
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
When Graham Kingsley was secretary to the Earl of St. Ives, he made a good living and was happy. Now he has inherited a title. He is the Duke of Halstead, the impoverished Duke of Halstead. As much as he hates it, he needs to marry for money.
Not long ago, Miss Arabella Stoke was to marry David, Earl of St. Ives. He fell in love with and married another. Arabella holds no grudge because she believes in marrying for love. Unfortunately, her family is in dire straits, and, as much as she hates it, she must marry for money.
Graham and Arabella meet at the home of Phoebe Lennox, a wealthy heiress (just what Graham is looking for), the founder of the Sptifire Society (a group of women who intend to be very independent), and a friend of Arabella. Two things happen when these two meet. One, they discover that their financial problems may have been brought about by the same swindler. Two, even though a match between them seems impossible, they fall in love. Can they find the swindler and recoup the money he cheated them out of? Can they each move aside while the other makes an advantageous match? Quite a dilemma they face. They may need help.
Never Have I Never With a Duke is a wonderful start for a new series. I love Graham and Arabella. They are duty-bound, determined to do what is right for those who depend on them, and absolutely meant for each other. I love the way they put their heads together to solve the swindler puzzle. Now if they can just figure out that happily ever after thing. With a strong cast of secondary characters, friends and family, they might just find a way. Besides the worrisome dilemma, this is a quick and entertaining story, cute and fun. I happily recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
Two broke people, who must wed for money.
Or do they?
Graham has just inherited a title, Brixton Park and a mountain of debt or lose Brixton Park.
He needs to marry an heiress, immediately, to solve his money woes.
Arabella has been prodded by her family (they are in dire need of funds) to marry quickly.
She agrees.
Will these two broke people marry for necessity or marry for love instead?
I enjoyed this book.
Voluntarily reviewed
The title alone made me start thinking about the possibilites that Darcy Burke would use to enchant me in this story. Oh yes, I always know when I start one of her books, I should make time because it will be hard to put down! An exciting start to a new series, The Spitfire Society, grabbed me quickly from the first page. An unexpected encounter between the main characters involving a sword and a biscuit had me smiling at what would happen next!
Isn’t it always the case of a heir needing money for his bankrupt estate or a daughter needing to save her family by marrying for money that meet and find an attraction? Well such is the case with Graham Kinsley who had just inherited a dukedom. Well the title at least because the estate owes a lot of money and he needs to marry for money. Or recover the money the former duke had invested in a terrible scheme. But who was it?
Arabella Stoke is in the same situation with her father ill and only her mother and she trying to keep everything running with little funds due to somebody having swindled her father.
As these two find each other and eventually learn they have a lot in common due to having their funds taken by the same swindler, they set out to find him and try to set things right.
It seems though they may find more along the way than what they initally seek. But how could these two almost desitute people come together?
An exciting story that I highly recommend and cannot wait for more in this series!
A destitute duke willing to do whatever it takes to save his family legacy. A penniless Miss desperate for a wealthy match to save her family from debtors’ prison. They’re the farthest thing from an answer to each other’s financial woes, but the heart wants what it wants. Graham and Arabella are refreshingly different characters for historical romance. She’s spirited and independent while being devoted to her family’s wellbeing. He’s a duke who grew up without knowing the first thing about how to be a peer himself. Together, they’re sweet and clueless and adorable. I would have loved to have seen a solution where they achieve all of their goals, but I like the realism of the sacrifices they make. I look forward to seeing what in store for the other Spitfires.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.
Good, romantic, emotional read. Loved it! I received an ARC of this book.
A swindler has been busy and has effected our two main characters. Arabella’s Dad and the dukedom that Graham inherited feel pray. Together they set out to undo the wrong that has been done. A beautiful love story with mystery tied in.
Great start to a new series! You met the main characters in Never Have I Ever With A Duke in the final 2 installments of Darcy’s Untouchable Series. Graham Kinsley was the secretary to the Earl of St. Ives and Arabella Stoke was “unofficially” to be the one to marry the Earl of St. Ives. Now Graham has inherited a nearly bankrupt dukedom and needs to marry a heiress in order to save his ancestral home. Arabella’s father has lost almost everything and now Arabella needs to marry for money in order to save her family. Graham is a man with a conscience and Arabella is a woman with a heart of gold. You will love this story on how love means more than material things, I know I did. Plus I can’t wait for the next installment for the ladies of the Spitfire Society. Who will be the ones to claim Phoebe and Jane’s hearts?
This book was provided as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
NEVER HAVE I EVER WITH A DUKE by Darcy Burke is the First book in The Spitfire Society Series. This is the story of Arabella Stoke and Graham Kinsley.
Graham has inherited a Duke title with sadly all the debits that it was left. Now he is on a time frame to bring it up out of debit which are not to many options other than a marriage of convenience or find the person that swindled his family. Arabella too is stuck after her family was swindled with the same sad options but then Graham and Arabella starts working together to find the swindler.
Of course attraction and feelings start to build between these two but both are broke so financially there is no option for them together.
Enjoy their story.
Magnificent read! Arabella is desperately trying to keep the state of her family’s finances from the ton while she searches for a husband. Graham has inherited a bankrupt Dukedom and needs to repair all the damage. Darcy Burke in her inimitable style has crafted another great series. Her characters are exciting and interesting. She weaves a love story with a strong female character not afraid to own who she is. As these to plot and plan nothing can keep the sparks that ignite around them from bursting into flames. Making sacrifices for the one you love becomes an awesome event for a strong woman like Arabella and the ladies of the Spitfire Society.
I’ve been a huge fan of Darcy Burke and was really excited to reading this but I wasn’t blow away like I usually am. Don’t get me wrong it was quite enjoyable to read how the MC’s were trying desperately to find a solution for their status. Them falling for each other didn’t help the problem. I did liked Graham and Arabella together. They seemed to suit each other’s characters. It was fun to see to what lengths he was willing to go to secure her future and how she didn’t want to give him up without telling how she really feels.
Like said all in all it was a nice read and I’m definitely picking up another book by Darcy Burke in the future.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Arabella has first love left and then her intended married someone else. Now she must marry someone with lots of wealth to save her family. When she and Graham meet there is a deep attraction and something more as they work together to find a swindler who must be stopped. But Graham needs money also. You will love the way this story wraps up. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
I have read a lot of Darcy’s books and she never disappoints. This is a different kind of story as both
The new Duke of Halstead, David and Lady Arabella Stoke need to marry soon and to someone with money. Both have family’s that have lost all to the same Swindler, a scoundrel who pry’s on the weak with investment deals that are nothing but a scam. Then keeps the parties from talking what happened by blackmailing them with ruin by letting society know they are now broke.
Arabella runs into David in the park while walking her mother’s dog, Biscuit. Biscuit has ran off and she is trying to find her, dressed as a servant so no one will find out most of the servants had to be let go. David is practicing his fencing and almost hits here. He is not dressed as a gentleman but in his shirtsleeves, with an open neck. Arabella is immediately attracted to him. His is tall and sinfully gorgeous. David is shocked to see a young women pop out of the bushes right in front of him.
But as they talk and he helps her find her mistress’s dog, he finds himself wanting to know her better even though she is a servant and he knows it is all wrong.
He later finds out she is Lady Arabella, and that they have the same problems.
As these two work to find the out who stole both their families money. They can’t help how they
feel about each other. Both know they need to marry for money but the heart wants what the heart wants.
How this works out , for a HEA is a great read, I don’t want to say more as it will ruin the story.
Do get your copy, but don’t plan to do anything after you start reading cause you will not want to stop. !!
I received a ARC of this book from the author and am giving my honest opinion.
Great book! If you like Sabrina Jeffries, you will love this book as it is very reminiscent of her writing. You have a Duke who inherits the title without the funds to back it up and you have a “Spitfire” who is a penniless debutante. Both are looking for marriages to finance their lifestyles. I loved the mystery in this book. Can’t wait until the next one!