Faced with a marriage she can’t abide, Lady Penelope Wakefield takes drastic measures to preserve her freedom. Her brilliant plan is foolproof until a sexy but imperious rector “rescues” her.Rector Hugh Tarleton has no patience for the Society philanthropists who seek to bestow their pity—and not much else—on his oppressed flock in one of London’s worst neighborhoods. When the daughter of a … of a marquess is kidnapped and brought to the rookery, he vows to protect her, but the temptation to surrender to their mutual desire will certainly ruin them both.
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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A great ending to a fantastic series. This is the perfect ending to this series of the Wicked Dukes Club. You always wonder how an author will handle a rector hero in a story. This was done with great respect and lovely writing. Hugh and Penelope fall in love quickly but Ms. Burke’s storytelling compels you to believe that their love was fast and ardent. A very romantic story.
I received a complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley.
One Night of Temptation is a reminder of why I continue to be a Darcy Burke fan. Burke doesn’t write damsels in distress. Her characters are fierce women determined not to be victimized. Lady Penelope is a she – ro in every sense of the word. She fights her own battles, lives her own truth and gives her heart completely. When life throws her a curveball, she refuses to surrender. Until love takes the choice right out of her hands. Hugh is not in her plans, but this spirited duo heated up the pages as they thundered their way into my heart.
Goodness! This turned out to be a delightful read. I had been concerned about this one because it concerned a rector – and frankly – I just didn’t want to read a sexy romp starring a clergyman. The author handled it beautifully and the love story was really lovely and the rector was a good and honorable man right to the end. Kudos to the author for managing to do that.
The story was also a good wrap-up for the series. We got to catch up with all of the previous couples in the series as they each played at least a small part in our current couple’s HEA. I would have loved it even more if it had an epilogue. Something 5, 10, 15, however many years into the future – maybe at a gathering at one of the Ducal estates. We could see how all of the couples had weathered the storms of life and how each couple’s family and love had grown. Maybe we could even learn that there were some really nasty things that happened to the villains in the stories – like Penelope’s father (maybe even mother) in this story.
Lady Penelope Wakefield is the child of cold, unfeeling, uncaring and cruel parents. Her only use to her father is to further his aims – since he is already rich, he’ll use her for political gain. He plans to formally betroth her to a lecherous old man who is old enough to be her grandfather. For once in her life, Penelope has had enough and decides to take action to save herself. However, having been sheltered her entire life – with no friends at all – she is extremely naïve and puts her trust in the wrong person. Instead of a ‘fake’ kidnapping, she walks into a real one. Lucky for her, she’s rescued by the most compassionate and caring man she has ever seen. As she tells him her tale of woe, she doesn’t see pity or disdain on his face. There is only compassion there and he agrees not to immediately return her to her home and parents. He’ll assist her in staying away overnight and will then return her the next day. That overnight stay doesn’t go exactly as planned and they spend a lot of time talking and getting to know each other.
Rector Hugh Tarleton comes from a well-to-do family but has absolutely no use for the people in society. Well – except for the dukes and others at the Wicked Dukes Club – but – they are all different. Hugh recognizes Lady Penelope as soon as he sees her and comes to her rescue. He can’t abide the idea that she’ll be forced to marry the man she describes, so he goes along with her staying away from home overnight so she can be ‘ruined’.
Yet, the plan goes awry and her parents manage to keep news of her ‘kidnapping’ from becoming known – even to her ‘betrothed’. That means the marriage is still in the plan. Now, she’s watched constantly, there is no way to escape. She just really wishes the earth would open up and swallow her rather than leaving her to this fate.
You will absolutely adore Hugh. He is the kindest, most caring and honorable man you’ll meet in a book. He’s the real deal. He’s a rector because that is what he chose to be – not because that is something his family expected a younger son to become. His father actually encouraged him to pursue another profession. You will also love Penelope who is kind and caring and you have to wonder how she could have possibly turned out that way given her parentage. She’s never been comforted, held, loved or cared for in any way at all.
I absolutely loved the two of them together. He’s such a hero – and she has finally learned to stand up for herself and what she wants. The wedding scene was wonderful – I won’t tell you about it because it would spoil it, but it really is great.
I highly recommend this read and I hope you love it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Love this series!
I always enjoy revisiting the Wicked Duke and its characters.
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Hugh
Part of a series: Wicked Dukes Club
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
I had an other book planned for today but as this one landed on my kindle shelves, I was eager to read the last one in The Wicked Dukes series.
I meet Hugh Tarleton in the previous books, he was already portrayed as a very kind man, always ready to help others. And Lady Penelope was introduced (for what I do remember) in the previous book. So I was not sure about her at first, she seemed content with her outcome in One Night To Remember, and here she was trying to flee her fate.
Her change of mind was explained but she was so ready to accept the society’s rules, it surprised me, then her plan to escape was what I do think a Lady could have concocted, her reactions ringed true.
their encounter which lasted a night was full of temptations and frustrations.
During their short time together they get to know another, share their dreams and expectations but they can’t rejoin together as their society’s rank separates them already.
Hugh is such a caring soul, whom others well-being take precedence before his. After naming himself her protector, he is willing to become her savior if he can free her from the major impediment that tears them apart, even if it is to let her go.
He is her champion, her knight in shining armor with the noble steed, and he did relish to ask for help when necessary.
A lovely last installment for this great series.
4.5 stars.
I was provided by the author and Netgalley an advance copy but I already had purchased this book. So here is my true and unbiased opinion.
This is the last book of the Wicked Dukes Club, which is sad because I have loved the series. The series started off awesome and ends with another awesome book. The book has an unusual hero, Rector Hugh Tarleton, who is so good and kind. Hugh rescues Lady Penelope from an attempted kidnapping and then helps her by keeping her safe throughout the night while she tries to end her engagement. I loved seeing Penelope grow into a strong, independent woman. Hugh and Penelope were such amazing characters! I loved seeing all the characters from the previous books appear at the ending since the men from the club helped each other to find their HEA. This is a MUST read series and I know I will be rereading it again. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One Night of Temptation is the sixth book in The Wicked Dukes Club by Darcy Burke. I truly enjoyed this book up until the last few chapters. Hugh Tarleton is a wonderful character. He is a man of kindness, integrity and everyone’s favorite rector. When he discovers Lady Penelope Wakefield in serious trouble in the slums of St. Giles, he does all he can to help her. Penelope is also a likable character. She’s been sheltered her entire life and groomed to make a wealthy match within the ton. When she finds herself betrothed to an elderly ogre, she makes up a daring plan to escape the marriage – a plan that goes awry. My biggest angst with this story is the blatant inconsistency with Hugh’s character. He serves more than just the people of St. Giles. He serves God. His ending actions don’t reflect that relationship.
On the whole I have loved this series. This is the first story that I felt disappointed in. Although the writing is excellent, I just didn’t feel that the character of Hugh stayed consistent with the man portrayed in the story. I was gifted a copy of this book.
This book was a real surprise for me – pleasantly so! I was a little hesitant on how a rector would live up to the handsome, devilish rakes in the other books in the series but Ms. Burke had me loving him from the beginning of the story.
Lady Penelope Wakefield was the daughter of a marquess & had grown up with parents who never showed love, tenderness or pride toward Penelope. Her father was wealthy, so the only use he had for her was to increase the family’s political power by marrying who he deemed acceptable. The Earl of Finden was his choice for bringing that power; however he was old enough to be Penelope’s grandfather & she must find a way out of the betrothal. She has a plan but it turns in to a real kidnapping in the dangerous St. Giles area.
Hugh Tarleton is the 3rd son of a wealthy viscount & he had never wanted anything to do with the snooty society people, except for his titled friends & others who owned Wicked Dukes Club. He is the rector of the Church of St. Giles, extremely handsome, kind & caring – he devotes all of his time to his parishioners & anyone else who needs his assistance. Hugh is on his way back to the church, one evening & he sees a flash of yellow & a lady with a bag over her head being squired off by two young men that he recognized from the area. Hugh stops the attempted kidnapping, sends the boys off after learning their story & takes Penelope to a safe place to discuss her reason for being a lady alone in this area of London.
Penelope tells Hugh about her father’s plan to force her to marry a man old enough to be her grandfather & he is drawn to her plight plus angry her father would do such a thing. She explains that she wanted to be gone overnight & therefore be ruined in the eyes of her “would be” fiance – Hugh agrees to protect her overnight & return her to her home in the morning.
They make the perfect couple – Hugh is swoon worthy, heart melting hero through & through & Pen goes from doing everything her parents want, to being a feisty, strong minded lady fighting for what she wants. I loved the fact that all the fantastic Heroes & Heroines from the earlier books in the series were part of Hugh & Pen’s story.
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book; all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
Lady Penelope Wakefield is going to be married to an aging earl who is the father of her deceased fiance so she takes drastic measures to preserve her freedom. Her brilliant plan is foolproof until a sexy but imperious rector “rescues” her. Rector Hugh Tarleton has no patience for the Society philanthropists who seek to bestow their pity and not much else on his oppressed flock in St Giles one of London’s worst neighbourhoods. When he rescues Pen he discovers that all society ladies are not the same.
A lovely, lovely finale of this brilliant series. I love the authors books as her characters are always very well portrayed & believable. I adored Hugh who wanted to save everyone & he certainly had his work cut out for him with his parish in a rookery. Pen was feisty & determined not to marry the lecherous Earl of Findon & she never in her wildest dreams thought to encounter someone like Hugh.
The road to their HEA wasn’t easy but it was hugely entertaining & I once again read into the night to finish it as no way could I put it down.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This unfortunately the last book in the Wicked Duke Series. I hate seeing them end. It’s been a real joy
to be able to read all six of them. The whole set is wonderful. I will re-read them over and over for sure.
This was a great way to end the series, and one I wondered about, a sexy story with a Rector ?
Well Darcy pulled it off wonderfully. This is an amazing love story.
Lady Penelope has turned down a number of offers, since her betrothed died . Her father, The Marchioness of Bramber has decided to take matters into his own hands. He intends to marry her to the Earl of Findon
her late finance’s father. A man old enough to be her grandfather !! He wants the lands the Earl will give him control over. Her family is cold and unfeeling toward her preferences. She has never felt loved or
wanted by anyone. So she comes up with a way to stop the wedding. She plans with a friend she meet at The Church of St, Giles-in-the-Fields. Her mother gives old clothes to the church. Maisie is a young girl
who helps there. They come up with fake kidnapping of her. Penelope feels certain when it comes out she
was missing for a night the Duke will not want to marry her.
Everything goes wrong, the rector saves her when an actual kidnapping happens. Rector Hugh Tarleton
is just about everything women dream about. He is kind, caring, handsome and thoughtful.
Every women should meet a Hugh once in her lifetime….
As Hugh and penelope try to stop the wedding and save her they both find what the other need.
It would be hard to say anymore with out giving away the best parts.
Things don’t turn out like they plan and Hugh has to step up to save the woman he loves.
This is a story I will re read over and over … A true romance that will have you laughing out loud, and crying at parts and being sorry it ends.. The sexy ending is well written and perfect for this couple.
This whole series is one of the best I have read in a long time…
I was lucky to be able to read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank the Author.
A new and entertaining twist to the how to avoid an unwanted betrothal trope. Lady Penelope won’t accept her father’s matchmaking without a fight. She’s daringly arranged her own kidnapping – but things do not quite proceed as planned. Lucky for her Hugh is able to intercede on her behalf, thwarting the nefarious plans of his parish inhabitants.
This is the last book in the Wicked Dukes Club series and I’ve enjoyed it so very much, I wish they would continue on forever:) Darcy Burke proves herself to be an awesome writer once again with “One Night of Temptation”!! This one is a bit unusual as it involves a Rector as the hero of the story but oh, what a handsome and worthy hero he is.
Rector Hugh Tarleton finds himself in the right place at the right time to rescue Lady Penelope Wakefield from being kidnapped by one of his parishioners in the rookeries of London. He learns that she had planned a “kidnap” and to spend a night away from home so that she’d be considered “ruined” and not forced to marry the awful man her parents have chosen for her. However, her plans had gone awry and she really was being kidnapped for real until Hugh came along. He vows to protect her but spending the night with her is filled with temptation!!
I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the slow burn, I loved it all! Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley have done an exceptional job with this series and I, as a reader, thank them for giving us such enjoyable books to read.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Highly recommend. I was unable to put the book down. Love that Lady Penelope decided to take her own happiness in her own hands. She didn’t want to follow the arranged marriage her parents want for her so she plans to fake her kidnapper with help from a ladt she met at a church she and other ladies take donations to for the poor and it doesn’t go as planned. And ends up meet Hugh when he rescue her.
Since her father has lost patience with her and arranged an odious marriage to a man twice her age, Lady Penelope Wakefield must take things into her own hands if she hopes to gain her freedom. Everything is going to plan until her friend betrays her and she winds up in the midst of a true kidnapping and is rescued by an attractive, if a bit arrogant, rector.
Rector Hugh Tarleton has lost his patience with members of high society who offer pity to his parishioners and not much else. Despite being highborn serving in one of the worst rookeries of London, Hugh is well respected and takes the kidnapped daughter of a marquess under his protection. Since she was taken in and betrayed by someone at his church, Hugh feels responsible for Penelope’s safety and very soon she has him reevaluating his preconceived notions of society ladies.
As they spend the night forced together in close quarters, their chemistry ignites and Hugh begins to wonder just how he’ll bear returning Penelope to parents who clearly don’t appreciate her. One night will never be enough, but he knows she’ll never be allowed a future with him. Unless she can take a chance on changing her fate.
This was a fun read and it was nice to see more of the quiet and kind Hugh and to see Penelope stand up for herself and create her own family. This has been a delightful series and this was a wonderful conclusion with all of the characters together again. I’m sad to see this one end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke is book 6 in the Wicked Dukes Club Series. This is the story of Hugh Tarleton and Penelope Wakefield. I have read the previous books but feel you could make this a standalone book.
Penelope’s father is setting up a marriage for her to someone that could be her grandfather, so she set a plan in motion to avoid it. But her plan goes wrong which leads her to Hugh. Hugh tries to help Penelope which leads to them getting to know each other. When they think it is safe for Penelope to return home she does but then Hugh learns that their plan didn’t work. Although he has no title to offer her which is what held him back he now doesn’t want to loose her.
Enjoyed their story.
A planned “kidnapping” turns into a real one, when Penelope Wakefield takes desperate measures to ruin her reputation to avoid marriage to creepy Lord Findon. That night she ends up in a bad part of London with her kidnappers. The local rector, Hugh Tarleton, comes to her rescue. Spending the night together in hiding from Bow Street Runners, Hugh plans to take her home the next day, hopefully saving her reputation.
But something happens that night, they fall in love.
Dang! I hated for this series to end. These short novellas moved quickly. Insert some humor with lots happening, especially between two people going against the odds to be together. I hope Darcy Burke and Erica Ridley do another series.
This one turned out perfect!
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.
Lady Penelope Wakefield has arranged to have herself kidnapped in the hope that once she is seen as ruined the man her parents want her to marry will not want her. Obviously things do not go as planned.
Hugh Tarleton is the Rector of St, Giles’church, in a very unsavoury area of London. He steps in when two of his parishioners are up to no good. He doesn’t know just how much that will change his life.
This is a witty and sweet historical romance with lovely characters . Our heroine has put herself in a lot of danger. Our hero is nowhere near her social standing so how can he possibly help.
Good fun.
This is the last book in the Wicked Dukes Club series and once again I found it hard to put down. Hugh, who is a rector was the perfect hero. I loved him from the very beginning of the book. We meet him in earlier books and Ms Burke handled the situation beautifully. It was so romantic, with spice and adventure. Pen was a great heroine, strong and brave. It was a great end to the series but have no fear, Ms Burke and Ms Ridley will continue writing more great, exciting hero’s and heroines. There was some sex in this book, but this reviewer skipped it as usual and it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this book. I received this book as an ARC.
Lady Penelope Wakefield needs to escape, her father the Marquess of Bramber has arranged a marriage for her to the Earl of Findon – the father of her deceased betrothed and a man old enough to be her grandfather with a vile and debauched reputation. Her parents are thrilled with the match and brush off Pen’s concerns, leaving her no choice but to come up with a plan to ruin herself to avoid the marriage.
She ditches her chaperone while visiting the British Museum and sets off for St. Giles to be “kidnapped” but when her ruse turns into a real kidnapping, she is terrified and unable to escape her captors. Thankfully, Rector Hugh Tarleton, sees her struggling with two men from his parish and intervenes. He offers to return Pen to her family, but when she tells him what happened and how she is trying to be ruined to escape marriage to Findon, Hugh offers to help her start a new life, but Pen is honest and says she wouldn’t be able to live the life he suggests, he asks if she really believes her plan to be “ruined” will work, yes, then he will help her and then return her to her family in the morning.
They take rooms in the inn and spend the night talking, getting to know each other and evading the runners looking for her. He is captivated and tempted by her but he has nothing to offer her, his family is well off, but socially, he cannot hope to marry a marquess’ daughter. When it is clear they are no longer safe at the inn, he takes her to the church and finally gives into the temptation and shares a kiss with her. In the morning, he returns her to her family and tries to forget her.
But Hugh soon learns that her plan did not work, she is still engaged to Findon and will be lost to him forever unless he is willing to risk all to save her.
This was such a sweet story with a lot of emotion, some action, very likeable leads, warm love scenes and cameos from the previous characters in the series. It is the sixth and final book in the series, but it can easily 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 Fitting Ending!
“Long live Hugh and Penelope!” This was such an endearing story and written in a way that made me feel part of it.
Hugh is a kind and understanding young Pastor and Penelope is a young, frightened and desperate lady. Together they fill the pages with a wonderful romance and make this a lovely ending to the series.
Darcy Burke has a knack for writing interesting and entertaining stories that one can relate to and both she and Erica Ridley, her partner in this series, have brought us six lovely stand-alones to keep us enthralled and entertained.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my voluntary review above is unbiased.