Another delight from Darcy Burke, Because the Baron Broods is the second book in the series. Luckily, the heroine isn’t featured thaaaaat much in book one, and the opening chapters sums up her story so far. Because the Baron Broods delivers the author’s signature layered approach, with just a couple of layers more depth than the average historical romance, making this a satisfying read.

Issac, Baron Droxford, has a deep secret. Based on events in his life ten years ago he can't let it go. In Weston for a few days with his friends, he meets Tamsin Penrose. A young lady with optimism and a smile on her face, he is drawn to her light. Holding himself aloft, he never smiles or lets anyone close. To save her reputation, he announces they are engaged. Tamsin is definitely surprised by the baron, but will they be able to be friends and hope for a closer relationship in the future after they're married? Very emotional and hopeful for a happy ending. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Tamsin Penrose, happy optimistic Peron by nature, daughter to Charles Penrose, her mother left when she was eight. Her father is always busy, but her grandparents Mr and Mrs Dewhurst loved her just the same. She is cousin to the current Somerton, They share grandparents.

Every year she spends a month with her grandmother, Mrs Dewhurst. Tamsin and her friend gather during the day, Lady Minerva, daughter of the Duke of Henlow, Persephone, who was now the Duchess of Wellesbourne, Gwendolen Price, And Minerva companion Miss Ellis Dangerfield.

Since Lady Minerva or Min’s brother, the Earl of Shefford who is friends with the Earl of Shefford, Percy husband the Duke of Wellesbourne, Viscount Somerton, Evan Price, and Isaac Deverell, Baron Droxford. They all do some things together as well as know one another.

Isaac keeps to himself most of the time and usually only stays a week. This trip Tamsin catches his notice. Tamsin also decides to befriend him more and coax a smile.

Tamsin gets a letter from her father a few days after she arrives stating there will be a possible suitor arriving to convey her home early, but she puts that to the back of her mind for a time. With good news being shared she does finally tell her friends who makes sure she knows they are there for her. As she gets to know Isaac better and he gets to know her, Isaac is shocked when Mr. Octavius Brimble, purported fiancee, arrives.

With an altercation between Isaac and Brimble being witnessed by Mrs Loose Lips, as gramma calls her, Isaac and Tamsin find themselves engaged. Tamsin happy about it but not the way it happened. Isaac is resigned as he does not want Tamsin to suffer any backlash from his stupidity.

What happens next is a little meddling from loved ones, some ignoring from loved ones and a whole lot of determination. Come join as we see light, hope and love conquer all.

Darcy seems to get one character right in each book and this one it is Tamsin (it was the hero in book 1 for me). Tamsin was abandoned by her mother and her father is very disconnected. Despite this she has chosen to see positives in life and is very happy.

She is rescued from an unwanted marriage by Isaac. They get married and a big part of book is about how Tamsin tries to build a relationship with Isaac. She slowly chips away at his heart.

Isaac is someone who is withdrawn and grumpy. He left behind a woman he loved and his child when he was very young and was pressured by his family and has never forgiven himself. Except that the self flaggelation has lasted for so long that it got a little tedious to read about. If it really bothered him so much, should he have not tried to find then when he was a little older. But nope, even at the end of the book, after he realizes Tamsin means a lot to him, he's moaning his exs name in his sleep. TEDIOUS.

the steamy scenes were well written. Tamsin is lovely. I like Darcy usually, so will continue to read the series, but this is not my favorite series of hers so far.

Tasmin meets a baron, Isaac, who has a secret. Circumstances cause them to marry and thus they must find their way through both the secret and their differences. Tasmin is full of optimism and joy. Isaac on the other hand is closed off and doesn't seem to know joy. From one of my favorite authors, a well written story fully engaging and a page turner.

The second story in the Rogue Rules, Tamsin Penrose and Isaac Deverell, Baron Droxford's story is well written with a very good storyline that flows smoothly across the pages. I enjoyed seeing their story come together with its ups and downs as they worked towards their happy ending. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

just finished this one and i cannot believe how much i loved it!!! i really appreciated that tamsins joy was her choice and that it was writen in a way that gave her a lot more depth than initially expected. while isaac was his own biggest obstacle, i do appreciate that he did come around eventually. overall the story was enjoyable and the spice, once we finally got to it, was phenomenal. the only downside is that the cover is not good. give this a cutesy cartoon cover and its an A+++++++

Rating: 4.5⭐️ | 3🔥

I love a good historical romance novel and Darcy Burke doesn’t disappoint in delivering on this one!

Immediately I was drawn to reading Because the Baron Broods simply by the cover art, which is divine - so much so that I will gladly purchase a copy so I can look at it when I want.

Though a part of a series, you can read it as a stand-alone as there’s enough info thrown in to make the references to the first book relevant but not counterproductive to the plot of this particular couple’s story. If you’re anything like me you’ll want to go back and read the first book If the Duke Dares because that couple sounds fun!

In this opposites-attract scenario, Tamsin and Isaac were such a lovely couple to explore and I just couldn’t get enough of their grumpy-sunshine romance! The unfurling and evolution of the duo, individually and as a love match, kept one intrigued and turning those pages. I found myself sitting with a smile on my face as I read along as it’s just my kinda read within this genre and the romancing is most definitely swoon-worthy and enchanting! Though an excessively slow burn at times due to some inner conflict our Baron has, it most definitely heats up when it all comes down to it.

The scenery and English period aesthetic were incorporated perfectly and there was thoughtful development of other characters within their social circle to give the readers a little prelude to the potential LI’s for future books which is fun! I particularly enjoyed the rapport between the friendship group of men, not just the ladies, a few of whom’s camaraderie I found myself having a good giggle over.

A light-hearted, delightfully well-written read, I’ll most definitely be following along in the series once the remaining books are released. And I’m going back to read the first book ASAP!

Many thanks to Darcy Burke, Zealous Quill Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC.
My review is given freely.

"Because the Baron Broods" is the second installment in Darcy Burke's "Rogue Rules" series, though it works fine as a standalone. This book is the epitome of the grumpy/sunshine trope. Tamsin is cheerful, ever-smiling, and always optimistic while Isaac is constantly serious and scowling. The pair come together through mutual friends and later, scandal.

This book is loads better than the first book in the series. I wasn't as confused by all the characters and I thought the writing was better. I also liked Tamsin more than Persephone. That said, I am still not thrilled by this book. Tamsin's naivete is painful and the redemption arc for her father is too easily done. And don't get me started on Isaac. I get that we are supposed to feel sympathy for his agony over his past actions but seriously, WTF? He should feel agony. I really didn't like how it seemed like we were supposed to see certain aspects as borderline positive by the end of the book. Just no.

Do not take this to think that I think Isaac should suffer forever, I don't. He should allow himself to move on and love Tamsin (though he should certainly acknowledge the destruction he caused without trying to spin it in a positive way). But I do question that realness of that love when he is dreaming about another woman and telling said woman he loves her almost 80% into the book - and while Tamsin is in bed beside him. I just don't buy it.

2.5 stars rounded to 3 for review sites. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. These opinions are my own,

Opposites attract in Darcy Burke's Because the Baron Broods when grumpy Isaac Deverell meets eternally optimistic Tamsin Penrose during their mutual friends’ annual summer jaunt. But where their temperaments are different, Baron Droxford and Miss Penrose have more in common–which they realize as they get to know one another.

Tamsin has always believed she’ll grow into her spinsterhood, and is surprised to find out that her father has arranged a marriage for her. The idea of marriage quickly grows on her, especially as she finds herself enjoying the company of and being attracted to Isaac.

Tamsin’s surprise turns quickly into shock when her mystery prospective groom reveals himself, in the middle of her month-long vacation away from her sleepy Cornwall town. Already upsetting the moment his identity is revealed, Tamsin quickly finds the husband her father has arranged for her increasingly unpalatable as he presses his suit, and ultimately unacceptable when he tries to hurt her.

Isaac comes to Tamsin’s defense then, and nothing short of a public declaration to protect her reputation will do. This sets forth a series of fateful events, in which Isaac and Tamsin enter into a marriage of convenience.

Despite their differences and the opposite stances they take towards marriage, Isaac and Tamsin work on making their marriage work–Tamsin more ostensibly making the effort than Isaac. But that is only appearances-wise because Isaac is much more controlled in outward emotional displays.

It’s in the unfolding of their married life that it also unveils to readers how each having emotionally distant single fathers shaped their childhoods, their world views and their responses to it.

Isaac carries with him such guilt about a past he couldn’t quite get through, but Tamsin’s eternal optimism is helping him make the best of it. With them in close quarters and in small measures of bonding moments, they also fall into a physical relationship that turns up the steam as much as it furthers their emotional closeness.

The at-least-four-stars is for the marriage-of-convenience trope to lose, really. And if the read is just as sweet and sexy (yes, really!) as this one--well, it's a shoo-in.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. This review is made voluntarily, honestly, and for free.

I absolutely adored this book! Regency romance is one of my favorites, and this did not disappoint. I have found a new favorite author in Darcy Burke. After finishing, I immediately went to see what other books she had so that I could download them. I binged this book in two days.

The characters were loveable and believable. The steamy scenes were great and got me a little hot and bothered. I loved the build-up to them.

I will be recommending this book and all others by her to my fellow Regency loving friends.

I wish this book series could be adapted into a Netflix show like another popular series, because I honestly loved this book more than those ones.

Huge thank you to Netgalley, Darcy Burke, and Zealous Quill Press for my eArc copy of this book.

When I saw this book as Read Now on NetGalley I squealed! First of all — look at this cover! This series is gorgeous, I want them all on my shelves 😍

This story features a very brooding baron named Isaac, and let me tell you — he’s gloomy for a reason. It was harder than usual for me to like this character because of his past. What saved this book for me was the FMC. Tamsin is an optimist, and I admire that so much. I found myself asking why can’t I be like that — not the hiding-your-emotions part but the finding-good-in-every-situation part. Her willpower and belief in people are truly remarkable, and she is the only one who could breathe life into our brooding Isaac.

This was a slooooow burn, especially because of Isaac’s repressed feelings, but when it burned it burned hot 🔥🔥🔥 It was also refreshing to see an unusual (for the time) outlook on family and children.

I loved cameos from Persephone and Acton and seeing them so in love with each other.

There is a common thread throughout each book concerning Bane, who is the inspiration behind the Rogue Rules, and I am very curious to know his side of the story. I’m definitely continuing with the series ❤️

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Tasmin and Isaac for LIFE. They are the epitome of the grumpy/sunshine trope, and I loved watching their romance develop. It's sweet and heartfelt. Also, I'm loving these covers lately!

Opposite attracts in a steamy historical romance!!!

Tamsin is a cheerful girl while Isaac is a brooding baron. A combination their friends believe unsuitable yet they find themselves eat their words. Tamsin and Isaac found a friend in each other the moment they converse, not realizing they have been building attachment to one another. One moment of shared affection ruined by Tamsin's suitor and a busybody leading to a moment where Isaac must save Tamsin's reputation and he's convinced marriage is the only way to save it. Even though Isaac still has secrets and problems he need to tell Tamsin if he wants to make Tamsin happy and their marriage work.

The drama and the angst in this book is highlighted enough and I love it, even though I want more grovel and angst. But I can understand why the writer decided this way because it suits each character so much. This story is not a madly in love story, rather a love that blooms out of understanding and admiration for each other. It also has steamy scenes here and there🤫

The one thing I complain about is the way Isaac doesn't grovel enough and Tamsin being all love and understanding (even though it should have been that way, healthy relationship and all). I want him to FIGHT FOR Tamsin and I want her to make him do it because the thing that he did unconsciously... Bruh.. that's messed up. But then again I understand why Isaac did that messed up thing and why Tamsin the way she is☺️
So I'm giving To Love the Brooding Baron 4⭐

You must read this book if you love if you love a steamy-opposites attract-historical romance.

I love Darcy Burke's books, her characters and how easily one enters the story and is blown away in the conflict they go through
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She is the writer that I recommend whenever someone wants to start reading regency/historical romance, because I know that her books make one hooked and more curious about the genre
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This series follow a group of friends who after seeing how one of them is treated by her suitor, exposing her publicly and then disappearing to marry another young lady , decide to create a series of rules to stay away from the rogues although some being their brothers and cousins, close in their social circle.
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Tamsin Penrose is used to the brood mood of her father who prefers to spend his days working in his study on one of his research papers. That's why when she sees Baron Droxford sulking in a garden party she decides to approach him and try to make him smile.
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Isaac cannot understand why Tamsin Penrose continues to seek conversation with him, much less can he avoid talking and telling him all the things he has never told anyone.
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Surprisingly, they establish a friendship and camaraderie, but when the mysterious suitor that her father chose for her arrives, causing problems, Isaac decides to leave his serious and calm side and jumps to her aid to prevent her from being the center of scandal and ruin, saying that he is her fiancé.
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Their feelings are put to the test when Tamsin encounters Issac's past, which is not as noble as the one she thought
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This group of friends is everything, and I love the relationship and union they have between them, how they are for each other reminds me a lot of the girls from The Buccaneers. Each of these young women are so different but united in this kind of sisterhood that is ready to take London by surprise. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, see addictive books!
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Thanks to Darcy Burke and Zealous Quill press for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

A Touching Grumpy-Sunshine Love Story - 4,5 stars

I enjoyed this opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine romance novel with endearing characters, lots of emotion and spice.

Haunted and shamed by his past, Lord Isaac Droxford has spent the last decade glooming and leading a reclusive life. Only once a year does he spend a week in Weston with his friends, known as rakes, and tries to keep away from the social scene.

Tamsin Penrose normally lives in isolation with her father in Cornwall, but every August she spends a month visiting her grandmother in Weston and spending time with her friends. After her friend Pandora was publicly ruined last year, she and her friends have become wary of rakes and have even made rake rules. She has never considered marriage, but when her father writes to say she is to be betrothed, Tamsin is taken with the idea.
When she meets the brooding Isaac at a gathering again, she realises that unlike his friends, he is no rake, and she wants to protect him and make him smile.
Isaac is attracted to her cheerfulness and protectiveness, but whatever he may want, he won't open his heart to her or be intimate with her because he believes he's the worst rake of them all and doesn't deserve happiness...

A sweet and spicy love story that I am happy to recommend!

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

This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. I had not read the previous book in this series, but the author provided enough recap that I got the gist of what the background was on the characters from the previous book. Definitely a slow burn in that the characters don't kiss until way past the 50% point. Would have liked to have found out the H's big secret along with the h to create more drama, but it wasn't a huge deal. Thanks for letting me read and review this book. I am definitely interested in reading the rest of the series.

“Because the Baron Broods” is book two in Darcy Burke’s series entitled Rouge Rules. This Regency romance tells the story of Tamsin, always the optimist, always joyful, always smiling. Opposite her is Isaac, a constantly brooding baron, he never smiles, never looks for joy or happiness. Isaac is punishing himself because of his past, he considers himself the worst kind of rogue. However, Tamsin is unaware of Isaac’s past, she and her friends consider him a gentleman. Despite their opposing dispositions, Tamsin and Issac are drawn toward one another, and slowly get to know one another. Eventually they enter into a marriage of convenience after an incident, the baron didn’t want and didn’t think he deserved marriage and a family. Overall, this story was pretty good, although a bit too maudlin here and there with Isaac’s constant brooding and rehashing his past. He had been punishing himself for so long he didn’t know any other way, until he met Tamsin when some of her light began to cut through his darkness. The supporting characters, namely Tamsin’s grandmother and Isaac’s Aunt Sophie, both added love and humor to the story. Also included were characters from the first book in the series. Darcy includes some open door, steamy, intimate scenes in the story and a happy ever after. Recommended for fans of Darcy Burke and Regency romance.

Tamsin Penrose is looking forward to spending the month of August with her friends and her grandmother in Weston. Isaac Deverell, Lord Droxford was also a part of the group and Tamsin finds herself befriend Isaac as the rest of the group is teasing him about his scowls and the brooding faces he make. As they get to know each other, they realize that they have some similar things in their backgrounds- ie both of their mothers passed when they were younger. As they share things with each other that no one else in their group knows about them, they develop a friendship. When Isaac finds out that Tamsin's father has sent one of his friends to discuss a betrothal agreement he was arranging between Tamsin and himself, Isaac asks Tamsin to marry him instead. Tamsin agrees to marry Isaac because he is so focused on his estate and does not appear to be a rogue, she thinks he will be the ideal mate for her. Isaac of course, has secrets in his past that he is ashamed of and he does not share them with Tamsin initially. He knows that if Tamsin knew of his past behaviors and the fall out from those behaviors she will think he is the rogue she and her friends are desperately trying to avoid. Because the Baron Broods is a well written novel of forgiveness and serves as an example how a person's past can shape who they become in the future.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Darcy Burke is a genius! How they consistently think up these new stories will never cease to amaze me. The angst in this one was fabulous! Darcy did a magnificent job of writing about how the past impacts the present. This book was truly a great read. Darcy's spice is always amazing and I love how she hinted towards more erotic episodes later in their relationship. I love this series and I can't wait to read the next one.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Zealous Quill Press and Darcy Burke for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review