Jack Barrett is an ambitious member of parliament with no time or desire for a wife. When he catches the Duke of Eastleigh’s sister sneaking inside one of London’s private gentlemen’s clubs, he’s shocked—and dangerously charmed—and assumes the role of protector, only to discover she has the means to destroy him.Social pariah Lady Viola Fairfax masquerades as a man to pen a column in a popular … popular women’s magazine. When she stumbles upon a brewing scandal that implicates a prominent MP, she seizes the chance to establish herself as a real journalist. However, the infuriating and intoxicating man may not be the radical he’s purported to be, and the more time they spend together, the more she risks the one thing she’s sworn never to do: fall in love.
Meet the unforgettable men of London’s most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough…
Wicked Dukes Club #1: One Night for Seduction
Wicked Dukes Club #2: One Night of Surrender
Wicked Dukes Club #3: One Night of Passion
Wicked Dukes Club #4: One Night of Scandal
Wicked Dukes Club #5: One Night to Remember
Wicked Dukes Club #6: One Night of Temptation
Enjoy the brand new series brought to you by USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke and New York Times bestselling author Erica Ridley!
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One Night of Scandal is book four in The Wicked Dukes Club series by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. This book is written by Burke and is very well done. I thought it started a little bit slow but once the pace picked up, I couldn’t put the book down. I really liked both of the main characters. Jack Barrett is a member of parliament and very honest and likable. Lady Viola Fairfax masquerades as a man in order to write articles for a Lady’s Magazine. Burke places the setting of this story during an actual crisis in British history. On January 28, 1817 the Prince Regent’s carriage was attacked while he was returning from opening a new session of Parliament. Two bullet holes were found in the carriage window, but no one was hurt. No one ever discovered who was behind the attack. Riots broke out across the country when the government retaliated by instilling the Gagging Acts ( the write to speech and written expression) and the suspension of Habeas Corpus. By suspending Habeas Corpus, the British government took away an individual’s right to be brought before a judge and for that judge to demand proof that the person’s incarceration was justified. Without Habeas Corpus, anyone could be accused and thrown into prison with little recourse. It was a dangerous time in England. Many people were crying out for reform.
So Burke has woven a masterful story of intrigue, danger and romance during this terrifying time. As a Parliament member Jack Barrett must step carefully through the nation’s politics. Viola finds herself ensnared in the rumor mongering of those around her and attracted to Jack.
“You are a very attractive woman, even with that bloody disguise. If anyone paid close attention to you, they’d find themselves beguiled.” “ Are you?” she asked softly. He leaned close, his face so near that she could see the faint stubble of his beard beginning to shadow his jaw. “Irrevocably.”
Loved it. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This is intriguing, romantic and amusing. Jack is determined, protective, sweet and charming. Viola is brave, impulsive, bold, stubborn and carefree. Viola has been masquerading as a man, Tavistock, in order to write a column about men in their natural habitat, a.k.a. the Wicked Duke, for a women’s magazine. One night she hears some interesting gossip that she wants to try to learn more about, so she decides to go to Brook’s. Before she makes it inside, she’s stopped by Mr. Jack Barrett, who it turns out, actually knows that Tavistock is a woman, and who she is. They discuss the reason she went to Brook’s, and Jack decides to help her. The next night he runs into her as Viola, and really notices her for the first time. Working together quickly turns into attraction, but neither is willing to admit to it, even to themselves, because neither is looking to get married, her because she likes her freedom, him because he’s not yet 35. Things start to get dangerous when Jack is implicated in an assassination attempt on the Prince Regent. The more intense the situation gets, the closer they get, and the quicker passion flares. These two make a very enjoyable couple, and the storyline is fascinating. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.
So much to love in this book!
Viola is determined to write with a purpose, even if that means risking social ruin. Jack quickly sees through her, but is intrigued enough to want to help her investigate some rumors that are hitting a little too close to home. Their push-pull relationship is delightfully rendered, with all the class and propriety we expect plus a healthy dash of heat and temptation.
I loved the way it all came to a head, with the one thing they feared most becoming the answer to all their problems as well as their prayers. It was an absolute joy to read. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke
Wicked Dukes Club #4
For two years Lady Viola Fairfax has written under the name of Tavistock providing articles for a women’s magazine. Women were not perceived capable of writing at all let alone for WOMEN so she created a disguise and went out to her brother’s pub and found stories to write. That she wanted to write meaty newsworthy political stories was not to be…for a number of reasons. When she overhears a rumor and decides to follow it, in disguise, and Jack Barrett realizes what she is up to…we…he pulls her away, listens to why she is set on following the story and finds himself offering to assist her in her endeavors. That neither Viola nor Jack ever plan to marry should make it easy to spend time together, right? Well, the time they spend together has them soon thinking about one another in slightly different ways than they expected.
This was a delightful story of two people who knew what they wanted in life and did what they could to make it happen. In the process they happened to fall in love with one another and find their HEA together. I loved the main characters and also the secondary ones. I look forward to reading book five as soon as it is out!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
This was a nice quick read on a rainy Sunday afternoon:) I’ve really been enjoying the Wicked Dukes Club series and this one is Jack and Viola’s story. I thought Darcy Burke did a wonderful job writing their story and I, who really dislikes politics, actually found it intriguing! lol
Lady Viola Fairfax, a reporter who is in disguise as a gentleman, and Jack Barrett, who is a barrister and a member of Parliament, team up together to find out who in parliament was involved in the plot to murder the Prince Regent. Amidst the intrigue and the danger, Viola and Jack fall in love and their passion is sizzling hot!!
I really enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books in the series as well….even the grandmother who is still as miserable as ever! lol
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the fourth book in the Wicked Dukes Club but it can be read as a standalone. All of the books in the series are great and this book will definitely make you want to read the rest of the series! Lady Violet Fairfax is an eccentric woman who masquerades as a gentleman (Tavistock) to gather information for the articles she writes for the Ladies Gazette. MP Jack Barrett recognizes her and together they try to solve a political intrigue. Jack was sympathetic to Violet’s need to write something of importance. The characters were wonderful; providing laughs, romance, scandal, and mystery. The story was well paced and entertaining to read. I do wish it would have been a longer story so we could see more of the characters and the romance that developed between the two. I can’t wait to read the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.