This book felt so long and that is never a good sign. Upon reading I thought this was going to be about Pandora and I was very interested in seeing where it was going. However, It quickly shifts to her sister Persephone who was just not interesting.

Another fantastic story by Darcy Burke. The author has an incredible talent to tell the story and keep it entertaining.

“If the Duke Dares” is a light and entertaining historical romance that will keep you wanting to finish the book in one sitting.

I have read so many books by the author and I’m still being surprised by original stories that she is publishing.

Definitely recommend it.

The first story in the Rogue Rules, a great start to this series. Persephone Barclay and Acton Loxley's the Duke of Wellesbourne's engaging story is well written with a very good storyline that held my interest until the end. I want to read the next story.

Darcy Burke never missed! Such a fast-paced fun read!

Absolutely can’t wait to see where this series goes!

I can't wait to read the next one. This book was so lovely. A great read that I didn't want to put down. Please give us more!

Sportochick's Musings: This is one of my favorite types of Historical Romances. It moved quickly, was unconventional, and full of surprises.

Once again, I was delighted by author Darcy Burke's writing in this very entertaining "If the Duke Dares" Book 1: Rogue Rules. She has a way of making historical romance lively and fun while staying close to historical accuracy.

The primary characters are a flirtatious rogue, Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne and Persephone Barclay whose parents continue to let her know she is not as pretty as her younger sister. Both carry the plot with their robust characters and honestly the secondary characters just added the finishing touches to this beautifully written book.

I recommend this entertaining book and give it 4.5 STARS.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of If the Duke Dares!

If the Duke Dares is a quick, fun read for lovers of historical romances with strong fmcs and roguish love interests.

The first book in a new historical romance series, If the Duke Dares follows Persephone on her escape from an arranged marriage to infamous rogue, Acton, Duke of Wellesbourne. Persephone is stubborn and adamant on making her own decisions regarding marriage. Her stubbornness gets her into various sorts of trouble, only to be rescued by her intended fiancé, Acton. Acton’s interactions with Persephone lead to self-reflection and a change of heart that results in a reformed rogue chasing after, and falling for, the stubborn Persephone.
The interaction between these characters was quite funny and the scenarios they found themselves in was tropey but enjoyable. Where I struggled with this book was the fmcs characterization. I love a strong-willed and independent woman in a historical romance but Persephone’s moral condescension and judgmental attitude became too much at times…until her personality changed altogether once the characters arrived in Bath. The drastic 180 was a bit of a turn off for me, it felt like the author needed to insert the “romance” aspect of the book but couldn’t make it fit with the current characterization so she just stuffed it in and altered the characters instead. That being said, Acton’s development as a reformed rogue was enjoyable, I loved seeing how his self-reflection lead to a full “reformation” - how he endeavored to fix not just how he interacts with romantic partners but also with his friends and family. His character development was very heartwarming and made me connect to his character.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot and the dynamics between the two main characters, their antics were funny and I liked how their interactions spurred development. That said, the second half of the book fell flat for me once the characterization changed and the plot was just Persephone being stubborn but still wanting to have sex with Acton. Her character didn’t develop in the same depth as Acton’s which made the resolution feel awkward and rushed. Had her character strived to change her perspectives as much as Acton did, I probably would have enjoyed the story more.

Persephone Barclay has a major dislike for rogues, especially after one refused to marry her sister who was caught in his embrace. Persephone's parents are forcing her to accept a betrothal to a rogue duke, without her permission.Tired of their manipulation, Persephone runs away. Fortunately or not, she accidentally encounters her soon to be betrothed, Acton, Duke of Wellesbourne. He has a lot to learn to be a considered a reformed rogue. Persephone is just the lady to teach him, even if she has to break the Rogue Rules. Humor and lots of passion.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

A rogue can‘t change, can he?

I really enjoyed this start to the new series! The plot was very good, with wonderful characters, romance, steam and some unexpected twists. I especially liked the chemistry between the two protagonists, their transition from enemies to friends to lovers, the way Persey stood up to Acton and his attempts to reform himself.

After her sister Pandora was caught in a compromising situation with a rake, Persephone Barclay and her friends draw up a list of rules for dealing with rakes.

To avoid social and financial ruin, her parents scheme to marry her off to a duke who is in fact a friend of the rake who compromised her sister and who is a rake himself. Persephone resists their plan and runs away, only to run into her future fiancé by chance at an inn.

Acton and his friends are known rakes, but he knows that it is his duty to marry and sire an heir. So he agrees to meet his mother's friend and her daughter Persephone. When she doesn't turn up, he realises that she is the woman he met at an inn the night before, the one who couldn't abide him and who was immune to his charms. He decides to keep her safe and help her reach her destination, and Persephone reluctantly accepts his support...

If you like sweet and spicy historical romances with reformed rakes and determined heroines, you certainly enjoy this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I believed I read another Darcy Burke historical romance and enjoyed it. However, this one, didn't do it for me. I felt that the chemistry between Acton and Persephone felt forced. It was also quite dull and thought that it could have been shorter than how it is. I didn't also enjoyed the smut 🌶🌶 that much to be honest 🙈.

~thank you netgalley for the e-arc~

If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke is an adventurous historical romance.

Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne, is a charming rogue in need of a duchess. When he encounters the captivating widow Persephone Barclay, he is completely distracted from his search for a bride. Little does he know, Persephone is the very bride he is supposed to meet, but Persephone has absconded from home in order to avoid marriage to the rakish duke.

When circumstances force Persephone to pretend to be someone else, it leads to a series of humorous and romantic encounters with Acton. She is surprised to find another side to him and the lengths he will go to safeguard her reputation and that of her family, as the adventure takes them across the country to Bath where more challenges await the duo.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read quite a few books by this author, and enjoyed them all. But I think this one is the best one yet!

I loved this book. I’ve read a few of Darcy Burke's books and always enjoy them. Acton and Persephone (Persey) were perfect for each other. When Persephone’s sister is ruined after she is compromised by a ‘Rogue” and he refuses to do right by her, the sisters and their friends decide to create some Rogue Rules. meantime, an arranged marriage is being set up for Persephone with a Duke, who is also a member of this Rogue set. Persephone decides to go on the run only for the Duke to follow after her and insist on chaperoning her and she of course does not trust him but the story grows from there. I really enjoy Darcy’s characters, there is always a sense of humour (some genuine laugh out loud bits). A great book.

In the book, If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke, the Duke of Wellesbourne, namely Acton Loxley, has a new mission of acquiring a wife. However, this was not his choice but his mother's, who has arranged for a meeting with the bride's family. On the other hand, the bride-to-be, Persephone Barclay, is not enthusiastic about this arrangement for several reasons. Firstly, the husband-to-be has a very bad reputation, and secondly, her parents have financial problems and she knows that they are using her for their selfish reasons so she decides to take off. However, as fate would have it they happened to meet with no other than the one person she is running away from. Her efforts to avoid him are proving to be futile since she has found herself in an awkward position and in dire need of help as well as protection and now she does not know whether to accept his help or to decline it, since there are some rules she must not break come what may. Will she accept this much-needed help? will the rules be broken with the charming duke? will there be a match? let's find out in the book If the Duke dares by Darcy Burke.

What I like about the book is that it is not only fascinating, but the author has managed to put across some life lessons, such as that, given a chance, the worst can be the best and that sometimes all people need is a little push in the right direction, and all will be well.

I rate this book, If the Duke Dares by Darcy Burke, 5 out of 5 stars.

I recommend this book to those who love positive reforms. I also recommend it to those readers who love romance books with lessons to be learned.

I've read other works by this author, since she has collaborated with my fave Erica Ridley, so this "universe" felt familiar. The two leads are not perfect, and their parents have definitely let them down, so there is some growth in addition to the love story. I often side-eye stories with a "my love can change him" theme, but this one was a bit more complex than that. I am curious to read the next book(s) in the series to see where it's headed!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

For fans of regency romance and the Bridgerton-vibe, this book will hit the spot. I found that while I enjoyed the book, Persephone's character in the second half of the book felt a bit changed over night with attraction to Acton. Fans of the Isle of Synne series by Christina Britton will enjoy this.

A super cute story where something good can come out of something bad, and sometimes parents are trash. I read this in one day and was never bored with what was going on

I love Darcy Burke’s books! I was so happy to read another one of her books and I liked this one as well. It had many twists and turns and some very unexpected twists.
Persephone is a strong-willed woman who takes issue with the way her uncaring parents try to ‘sell’ their eldest daughter to a known roguish duke to settle their financial problems. Her younger sister found herself ruined by the hands of a rogue who is friends with this duke, so she doesn’t want to get married off to another rogue. So she decides to take off and when she accidentally encounters this duke, she tells him off for his behavior. Acton, the duke of Wellesbourne, isn’t used to such a reaction and starts wondering if he really is a cad and that is the start of a change in his behavior and attitude toward others. He was actually brought up by his father who taught him to ignore and suppress all kind of emotions and just do whatever he wanted and live for his own pleasures, without considering anyone else’s. He was a duke, after all, so who would hold him accountable? Dwelling on emotions only weakened a man’s constitution, he was taught. But did it? I really liked to see Acton overthinking his past life and actions and wanting to be a better man. You see him struggle with what he was taught and those same emotions fighting to be felt and acknowledged.
Persephone knew exactly how her parents felt about her and her sister. She wasn’t having it and took matters into her own hands.
Persephone and Acton taking their relationship to the next level was a let-down for me. Persephone abandoning her principes and Acton for behaving the same way with a woman as he had done many years before and undoing all the changes he professed to have made. It just didn’t fit the story. These scenes detracted from the essence of what they stood for; were the complete opposite of how they viewed life and of who they were trying to be. In this case it would have been perfect had he stuck to being a reformed rake and show her respect by not going there, and her for proving you can be worthy of a man without a physical relationship.
I liked everything else, though. (Okay, I had to get used to their names but that is a minor detail.) The secondary characters were a good addition to the book. Acton getting to know his mother and sisters, whom he hadn’t seen in many years, and building a relationship with them was beautifully done! I loved it and it was very honest, realistic and given the proper attention. Aunt Lucinda was such a trooper! She really stood up for the sisters and I loved her every step of the way! Acton’s two friends were briefly mentioned and I was immediately curious about his friend Droxford. So happy to see the next book is about him; I can’t wait! The fate of his former friend Bane was left open, so I’m wondering if there’s a story there but maybe we’ll find out in one of the next books.
I can honestly recommend this book to anyone. The story is well developed and has depth, self-reflection, love and personal growth. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
I received and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and I am grateful for this opportunity. Thank you Darcy Burke, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a delightful historical! Persephone's sister Pandora is ruined by a rake, so her parents put all of their hopes in Persephone to have a successful marriage. They insist she meet with a Duke as a potential match. However, Persephone has had enough of her parents' bullying, and attempts to get away. She unexpectedly runs into the Duke, and there is where the story takes off. I laughed while reading this book! I also was moved hearing the backstories of both Duke Wellsbourne and Persephone. It felt like an adventure for the first half of the book, before it moves to Bath amid societal gossip and machinations. While If the Duke Dares doesn't reinvent the wheel, its execution of a familiar regency story was excellent. I also will add that this book contains the best scene involving rats I have ever read. I will be eager to read the next installment in this book series!

Thanks to the publisher for the gifted copy.

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of If The Duke Dares written by the amazing Darcy Burke via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is the first book in the Rogue Rules series and what a start. Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne has been asked by his estranged mother to visit her to meet a potential bride, that possibly being Persephone Barclay, who along with her friends has no desire to be forced into a marriage with a dastardly rogue. She runs away from the machinations of her selfish parents and inadvertently meets Acton who then decides to protect her til she reaches her intended destination. I loved this story so much because of its uniqueness, as well as its prosaic language and vivid descriptions. An absolutely wonderful story!