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 … 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!
more
I believe this is one of the most romantic stories I have read in a long time. Val and Isabelle are great characters who want to reach out (although Val has a harder time) and just do not know where they want their relationship to go. Val is a darling and we could all do with someone wanting to take care of us without the stipulation of a return favor. I was blown away by how much emotion was present in this short story. Lovely.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
I enjoyed this book by Darcy Burke, it’s always nice seeing characters from other books. That is what makes series special.
Val & Isabelle are perfect together, their chemistry is believable and their history has you rooting for them. I love them and I also love Viola, Val’s sister, who played a big part in their love story.
I was given an Advanced Reader Copy but I voluntarily gave my honest review and all opinions are my own. I recommend this book, you will enjoy it, too.
Well-educated governess Isabelle Cortland thought never to again lay eyes on Valentine Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh, after they shared a night of passion 10 years ago during Val’s days at Oxford, where Isabelle’s father was a warden. Now she and her charges and employer are guests in Eastleigh’s London townhouse for a fortnight during which she hopes to avoid him. Isabelle has long dreamed of opening a school for girls and she can’t risk her reputation now, not even for the man she’s never forgotten.
After wading through a terrible marriage with a wife who wasn’t faithful to him, Val has been wary of the temptations of women. He won’t risk love again and yet when the woman he’s never gotten over turns up in his house it seems like a gift and he doesn’t want to squander it. Things have always been different with Isabelle and if there’s a chance for them to make each other happy, maybe they should take it. They both just have to decide to take that risk.
I usually have mixed feelings about second chance romances because I just wind up feeling sad about all the wasted time they could’ve been together and weren’t. These two loved each other since they first met but it took them ten years and much heartbreak to realize it and I think that made the timing work. When they were reunited, it rapidly became apparent to both of them that they couldn’t be apart again and that was lovely. They were both vulnerable and both took a chance on risking their hearts anyway and questioning what they thought their dreams were.
We’re introduced to a couple more characters in this one that I think we’ll be seeing later on in the series and I can’t wait. I loved this one and I think we’re off to a great start so far.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5
Loved it!
Darcy Burke is one of my go-to authors.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Wicked Dukes Club
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
Our next hero is this series is a wicked, handsome, seductive, rich bachelor – Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh. He married an unfaithful wife who died in childbirth but he never forgot the one night of surrender 10 years ago.
Isabelle Cortland, is a lovely, clever, extremely intelligent (her father taught her all the same things that were being taught to the boys attending Oxford) daughter of a head of college at Oxford. She married and her husband died (it was not a love match) & her father died within months of one another. Her husband left her with nothing but gambling debts & she used her inheritance from her father to pay off her husband’s debts. She becomes a governess & goes to London but even though it’s been 10 years since she has seen Val, she still remembers the night , like it was just yesterday.
Eastleigh’s friend, 2 daughters & governess come to stay with him in London as their townhouse is not finished being refurbished. The adventures begin when Val discovers the governess to be the woman he has never been able to forget & she still haunts his dreams. What will happen – can the rekindle their attraction, can there be more between a duke and governess, is there something fate has seen besides the physical draw between them?
This is a very romantic story & Darcy Burke always creates the best characters that you root for from the beginning & love after the book ends. I highly recommend this book & the series to all historical romance readers!
Ten years before, they were friends to lovers. Each went their own way, married others, but was disastrous for both. Meeting again brings back the memories of how good they were together. Is it love?
What a pleasure to read!
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke
Wicked Dukes Club #2
What a delightful second chance at a HEA Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh and Isabelle Highmore Cortland are given in this, the second book, of a wonderful historical romance series! Ten years before this book begins Val and Isabelle met and became friends in Oxford. Knowing a duke and the daughter of a warden of the university were not suited for a forever kind of relationship they did get to know one another well and then one night…became quite a bit closer. That one night stayed with both of them over the years – even when both married (rather unhappily) and tried to move on with their lives.
And then…
Isabelle arrives in Val’s home as governess to daughters of a friend staying in Val’s home. Of course they remember one another and wonder…what if…and perhaps if only…and other things. The question now is whether or not they can relinquish their unhappy pasts and find a way to be together in the future.
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely
Do I want to read more in this series? Without a doubt
I have seen a number of names dropped in the first two books that left me wanting to know if perhaps those mentioned would have books of their own AND have to say book three is one I am definitely looking forward to reading…soon!
Thank you to both Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley for the ARC as they are both writing alternate books in the series ~ This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Ten years ago, when Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh was attending Oxford, he met Isabelle, the lovely and intelligent daughter of the warden of Merton College. Though it was forbidden for the students to fraternize with the wardens and their families, these two got to be friends – and more. When they parted, neither ever thought to see the other again, though they thought of each other often during the years.
Val’s very unhappy marriage ended when his wife died in childbirth and he doubts he’ll ever marry again even though his grandmother is insistent that he does. Just imagine his shock when he greets his newly arrived houseguests and finds that their governess is the now widowed Isabelle. He can’t imagine how she came to be a governess.
Isabelle spends a lot of time trying to avoid Val because she cannot afford for their relationship to start up again because she could too easily lose her position and her reputation. Besides, she has learned that she cannot depend on any man to take care of her, she must be independent and take care of herself. She is still very drawn to Val, but she can’t let anything come of it. However, Val has other plans.
Just being near Isabelle makes Val feel alive. He knows he should honor her wishes and leave her be, but he just can’t. Somehow, he just can’t control himself around her. He constantly thinks of her and what she needs and what will make her happy and then he just arranges for them to happen.
This is a wonderfully delightful second-chance romance with two very likable people. You’ll be rooting for them the whole way through. I would have loved for them to have married earlier – or have the book be just a tad longer – and have Isobelle be expecting at the end. However, this is a continuing series, so maybe, we’ll hear more about that in future books.
I definitely recommend this novella. It is a short, lovely and romantic read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Darcy Burke is truly a wonderful writer. I really loved this story and I am loving this Wicked Dukes Club series. Two Dukes own a tavern called the Wicked Dukes. The stories revolve around themselves and their friends who frequent the tavern and are both commoners and nobles. “One Night of Surrender” is book 2 in the series and focuses on the Valentine Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh and Mrs. Isabelle Cortland, a governess for the children of his house guest, Lord Barkley. Val and Isabelle have a history and have not seen each other in 10 years. The story is beautifully written and the characters endearing. I enjoyed the scenes between Val and Isabelle. They are perfect together. She is fiercely independent, well-educated and strong. He is kind, caring and loyal .Both had previous marriages that were not ideal and both their spouses are deceased. Both also know societies rules and neither wishes to remarry. When Val does as a Duke he is expected to marry within his station. Ms. Burke writes an enchanting Cinderella type storyline of second chances and how true love can conquer all. If you haven’t had a chance to read any of her books I highly recommend this one. It is a fun and entertaining romantic read.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. It was a pleasure to give my honest opinion about the book.
This second book in The Wicked Duke Club series is as entertaining and enjoyable as the first one One Night For Seduction by Mrs Erica Ridley.
Mrs Darcy Burke crafted two wonderful main characters, from Isabelle Cortland who was able to find a way out of her predicament when she found herself widowed and Valentine Fairfax who created a club with his friend open to anyone despite their society rank.
Each faced disappointing marriage, probably because they were not fully devoted to it, having left a piece of their heart to another. But after a decade of being estranged, they have buried deeply their feeling and they tried to leave the past where it should be, in the past but their wounded hearts have a mind of their own and decide otherwise.
I do loved too the Dowager Duchess and Valentine’s sister, Viola, they added to the charm of this story.
It was beautiful story of a second chance at love for two persons who where too young to understand what they had when they first met and how love is not a servitude but a sentiment that help you accept the other and not change it.
Young lovers reunited after disastrous marriages. My favorite trope. Isabelle and Valentine, Duke of Eastleigh (Val), met ten years ago when Val was studying at Oxford. Isabelle’s father was a warden of Merton College; Isabelle would sneak into the back of his lecture hall disguised as a man. That’s’ when she caught Val’s eye. They became close friends and had one night of passion. Fast forward to the present time. Isabelle has been widowed for 6 years and is now a governess of 2 delightful tweens. Val’s wife died in childbirth (not his child…). They are reunited when Isabelle’s employer comes to London and stays at Val’s house while his is being refurbished. How can they be reconciled when they are on different ends of the social spectrum? Will they finally surrender their hearts to each other? Val’s grandmother (the Dowager Duchess) and his sister play Cupid. [P.S. I love a well-written Grande Dame.]
Meeting someone and have one night of passion and then after they was both married and left willowed they find each other again and things can go one of 2 ways
Awesome Regency romance. Ms. Burke develops the characters and storyline so that the reader can understand what caused them to be the way the are. Val, the duke, and Isabelle the daughter of a scholar and highly intelligent woman meet after a ten year gap. I received a complementary copy of this book and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
This is the second book in the Series “Wicked Dukes Club”, which will be written by Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley, two great writers. I loved the first book and I feel the same way about this book. It was nice to know who had the Duke of Eastleigh’s heart. Isabelle is an Intelligent widow who does not want to rely on anyone but herself. As soon as Val and Isabelle see each other again, you know they still care for each other. The addition of Val’s sister, Viola and his grandmother is an added plus. You will like these ladies.
I know you will like this book and this series!!!
Isabelle Cortland tripped and she stepped over the threshold the Duke of Eastleigh’s which sent her sprawling onto the marble floor. Lord Barkley who was her employer asks if she was all right she said she was fine Isabelle planned to keep herself hidden from the Duke, she had known him in Oxford and had not seen him for 10 years. Mrs. Watkins showed Caroline and Beatrice with Isabelle following. After the children’s things were put up Isabelle went to put her things up only she couldn’t remember how to get there so she walked to the opposite end of the gallery and stopped at the door which opened in front of her and there stood the Duke of Eastleigh, Valentine. He invited her to join them for dinner and she in effect invited the two girls to join them all for dinner which Val had not intended but could not exclude them. Isabelle Cortland has a number of incidents which happened to her throughout the book and to find out about these you need to read the book. It’s a good book…
Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh, never forgot Isabelle, the intelligent, witty and forbidden daughter of a head of Merton College Oxford. However, since suffering a disastrous marriage to an unfaithful wife, the duke has vowed never to succumb to temptation again. Until the day he invites a friend & his family to stay in his London townhouse & discovers the governess is the one woman who still haunts his dreams.
An enthralling captivating second chance romance that I read in one sitting. Val & Isabelle are both strong characters & so perfect for each other, they fell in love a decade ago but parted only to be thrown together again. I also loved the secondary characters especially Viola (her story should be brilliant) & the cantankerous but all seeing Dowager Duchess. A page turning often humorous long novella the second in the series.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
“One Night of Surrender” by Darcy Burke
Yes, I loved this story… the second in the Wicked Dukes Club series… and I am anxiously awaiting book 3 One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley. Now back to this story… it is a stand-a-lone read. This is another fun, light, easy, regency short story read. The kind of story that keeps you engaged and happy..
I was gifted an ARC copy of this story… and I am very thankful for the opportunity to read and share my opinion of this story.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Isabelle Cortland is in London and is entering the home of Valentine Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh, she is praying that he is not there. She is governess to Baron Barkley’s two young daughters and when the townhouse the Baron rented was not ready, his good friend Eastleigh offered to have them stay with him. Isabelle knows Val – intimately – and if he recognizes her, she will be ruined and any hope of opening a school will be lost. It has been ten years since she last saw him, so maybe he won’t remember her…
Valentine “Val” Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh is shocked to see Isabelle – she is even more beautiful than he remembers – and remember her he does – often. When they are “introduced” by Lord Barkley, he plays along with her ruse and pretends he doesn’t know her, but he has questions and will get answers!
Isabelle and Val have a history, her father was the Warden of a college at Oxford and she met Val and the two formed a friendship and eventually became lovers – but she never expected the son of a Duke to marry her and no promises were ever made. When Val left school, they both married other people. When her husband died, she learned he gambled away her dowry and she needed to find employment. She took the job as governess, but she dreams of opening her own school for girls. She is terrified that the Baron will learn of her past and she will lose her position. She had hoped to avoid him, but now she knows they will have to talk.
Val has never forgotten Isabelle, he left school and married, but his marriage was far from happy and he has no desire to repeat the experience. They talk and he learns of her past, he wants to help her, but she is adamant that he continues to pretend they don’t know each other. He is not happy, but agrees.
When his grandmother and sister become involved and the Baroness arrives with a new governess in tow – Isabelle’s life takes changes she never expected. Val knows that he should leave Isabelle alone – but he cannot walk away from her again. He offers her a job as companion to his sister Viola and later finds her a position at the lending library. She gratefully accepts, but continues to look for another teaching position.
When an adventure with Viola leads to a confrontation with Val – Isabelle knows she has to move on, but can Val let her walk away again?
This was a delightful second chance romance story about two people who were meant to be, but who didn’t believe they could be together and each suffered for it. It is well written, flows nicely, has a lot of emotion, wonderful secondary characters, some light moments and a truly romantic ending. This is the second book in the Wicked Dukes Club series, but it could be read as a stand alone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*
A lovely romance! Eastleigh meets his match when he runs into an old flame, Isabelle.
How delightful! An unexpected second chance for Val and Isabelle. Short enough for an evening read with a satisfying ending. Overall humorous with just a dash of darkness in respect to the position of governess.
I enjoyed reading an advance copy and voluntarily post this review.
– Possible spoiler alert –
Val’s grandmother was hard to read, though. Seemed she was against the idea of Val and Isabelle, then possibly in favor. At any rate, I had a good chuckle when she explained to Isabelle how the scene of Val’s appearance at Almack’s would be interpreted by the ton.