One Night of Scandal

Info Dumping but Great Characters

Even though I had an issue or two with a book, I found this to be a delightful read. I didn’t like what felt like info-dumping at the beginning of the book, telling us all the heroine’s background fairly quickly, nor did I feel like the mystery at the core of the story was resolved. But I thoroughly enjoyed the believable and relatable characters. The hero is utterly swoon-worthy, and I love how protective he was of the heroine nearly as soon as they met when he figured out she was disguised as a man. They certainly had some adventures with fun twists and turns. While I do enjoy the trope of a woman disguised as a man so she can take part in the men’s world in historical romance, I do think it is a bit overdone. A fairly high percentage of Regency romances show the heroine desiring the freedoms granted to the men of the times that were denied to the women. I don’t think so many real women of the time felt that way as much as it is shown in fiction! I am sure it existed, but not to the extent seen in fiction. We put our modern sensibilities on people/characters in the past because we imagine they must be more like us and our society than theirs. Anyway, I did enjoy the story and the couple after I got past the initial stages. The author has excellent writing skills… but I wish she would forgo the info-dumping!

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

A wonderfully written, strong female lead that is both intelligent and independent. Really enjoyed this action packed, emotionally thrilling and engaging adventure filled with danger, intrigue, witty banter and unrelenting passion…. a exciting read from beginning to end.

Lady Viola is the sister of a duke and the granddaughter of a dowager duchess, but that hasn’t helped her reputation since the day years earlier when she left her fiancée at the altar. She’s been a walking scandal ever since, and it doesn’t seem to bother her a bit. She wants to be a writer, and report on important events in London, but must hide her identity in order to be published.
Jack is a barrister and respected member of the house, an MP, who is a bit of a reformer at a time when it’s dangerous to espouse his beliefs toward that end. He and Viola often see each other at The Wicked Duke tavern, as Viola’s brother is one of the owners, and she goes there in disguise to obtain story ideas for her newspaper column. Viola thinks no one has discovered her ruse, but Jack has known since he saw her backside one evening as she bent over, and what a backside it was….
These two are thrown together over a story Viola pursues that has Jack in the middle and puts both in dangerous territory. Their few weeks working in close proximity to each other also gives both a chance to warm up to the other, and that heat bursts into a flame!
Really good story with intrigue, romance, twists, and action. I highly recommend it.
I read this as an arc which affected my review in no way at all. My opinions are my own.

One Night for Scandal is the fourth installment of the Wicked Duke Club Series co-written by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley. I have thoroughly enjoyed series so far, though this one fell a little short of the mark for me and I suspect it was due to the short length of the book barring any real attachment to Jack and Viola for this reader. Overall, I enjoyed their characters and the way that their relationship bloomed but I didn’t feel as attached as I did in her brother Val’s story. I love the whole “woman masquerading as a man” trope and my greedy little reader self wishes this story to be longer so I could enjoy Tavistock’s bumbling investigations for longer!

My favorite part of this book is the side characters. Of course, I love cameos of old characters but my highlight was how absolutely charming Jack’s father was. We only meet him briefly, but it is clear from that scene as well as Jack’s inner dialogue that man is a loving, supportive father that we don’t see very often in historical romance. Admittedly, the typical abusive father trope may be historically accurate but I truly cherished this change of pace. Additionally, I loved the change in Viola’s Grandmother for this book. We saw her stern countenance in Book Two (Val’s Book) but I felt that you could really see her love for Val and Viola in this book, gruff as she may be.

This series really is fun and perfectly suited for some light summer reading, provided you have a fan to keep you cool as some of the scenes definitely get a bit steamy. Just as a note, this can be read as a standalone but for maximum enjoyment, I highly recommend starting from book one!

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley (Thank you!). This doesn’t affect the content of my review; all opinions are my own.

Great story as well as well developed characters. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Dynamite High Five Stars! Darcy Burke is truly one of the most magnificent storytellers of this era, she knows how to weave a tale, keeping the characters interesting, adds in conflict that takes the characters and readers’ on quite a ride! I am just so taken by this tale and I absolutely loved Jack and Viola and what a love story! Truly a wonderful tale that you’ll want to add to your library!

It’s Darcy Burke’s turn to write the latest installment in the Wicked Dukes Club series. I can’t believe we are on book four already! This every two weeks release schedule is spoiling me. The heroine of the story is already familiar to those who have read One Night of Surrender since she is the sister of the hero. I liked that there was such a close relation to the main characters of these two books because it gave me a better feeling of connection in the series. It’s official that the “not your average HR heroine” is the main theme of the series since Viola dresses up as a man and goes to the Wicked Dukes Club in order to get information and one day write the kind of article she truly wants. Jack is a good hero, but his lady is stealing the spotlight and I think that he doesn’t mind at all. He is supportive of her. I liked the shenanigans these two were into and in my opinion, they have the most well-developed relationship in the series so far. The book was very easy to read and the flow was good. I would recommend the title.

The fourth novel in the Wicked Dukes Series, this story revolves around the Duke of Eastleigh’s sister who has a mind of her own, and it isn’t about marriage, running a household or having babies. Rather, Lady Viola’s inquisitive mind takes her to her brother’s pub, masquerading as a man, where she attempts to draw the gentlemen out in order to write news with substances for her newspaper column. However, when she decides to break the rules and enter a gentlemen’s club, Jack Barrett decides that it’s time to step in and save her from herself. Only Viola doesn’t think she needs saving. Jack realises that he is not going to change Viola’s mind, but determines to protect her from the many possible dangers that abound in London after dark. Their investigations lead them into political intrigue, accusations and cover ups, but by that time, Viola is no longer sure that she wants to remain a spinster. Experiencing Jack’s protectiveness as well as his willingness to allow her to be the woman she was created to be, Viola finds that she longs to experience a lifetime in the company of the sworn bachelor. This novel is well written, gives one an understanding of the politics of the day, is romantic and has a surprising end. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

This is another well rounded book in the Wicked Dukes Club book 4. Its not just a romance it has plenty of plot twist and witty humor Viola Fairfax is smart and strong minded she seeks justice in a very corrupt political climate even if she has to disguise herself as a gentleman to do it. Jack is a gentleman with his own scenes of just as a MP he feels a need to protect Viola as she pursues a very corrupt member of Parliament.

Viola Fairfax is no shrieking rose she has been cast out of society over a broken betrothal and her constant need to write no lady of the time was allowed such a choice. Now she writes for a women’s magazine disguised as Samuel Davis Tavistock her latest news headline has her on the trail of a corrupt Member of Parliament and its dangerous and treasonous. She sneaks into Brooks a gentleman’s club but is soon found out by Jack Barrett another MP. Jack Barrett what could a women and not just any women. What could she be doing sneaking into a mens club she’s the sister of the Duke of Eastleigh Valentine. Now they will have to work together to find the corrupt M.P. and keep themselves safe too. Not to mention they have a instant romantic connection.

I found this book exciting and intense with all the plot twist. And the real life political drama of the time.

I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book and this is my honest review

Oh my goodness this series keeps getting better! Jack and Viola are adorable. I absolutely adore Viola with her need to investigate and willingness to do whatever it takes. Jack is her perfect counterpart, with his ability to see through her and his need to protect her (mostly from herself). This book is fabulous and I cannot wait for the next book.