I received The Duke of Ruin by Darcy Burke from NetGalley in exchange for a far review.  This is the 8th book in her Untouchables Series and a continuation from Book 7, The Duke of Ice.  While it can be read as a stand-alone, the first chapter might be confusing without reading Book 7.
Simon Hastings, Duke of Romsey, volunteers to tell Diana Kingman that his best friend is jilting her.  With her in distress, Simon offers to help Diana flee London.  But, when they are recognized on their trip to obscurity, Diana and Simon's choices are limited to just one; marriage.
Both Simon and Diana are battling demons and yet, they are both just nice people.  But more than that, they want to help each other.  As they travel, their feelings for each other begin to grow.  But, when it comes time to marry, both feel they are not good enough for the other.  Once, they head home to face Simon's past, they work past those feeling to love.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I also enjoy reading all of Darcy Burke's books.  She engages the reader and their senses.  The slow burn of the story is wonderfully timed and plays well with the characters of the book.  You can sense that neither Simon nor Diana would “jump into bed”.  I can’t wait for the next book!  #TheDukeOfRuin  #NetGalley

This story was lovely. The characters, the story, the dialogue, all of it was lovely. I read the entire thing in one sitting. I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next. 

I think I've been waiting forever to find out exactly what happened with Simon's wife, so I was thrilled to read his story and finally find out. I thought the way in which it was revealed was wonderful. Simon is the sweetest, most gentle hero in this entire series thus far. I adore him.

Diana definitely deserves a hero as wonderful as Simon. Her life has been very difficult, and after Nick's callous treatment in his own story (Don't get me wrong, I was cheering for Nick and Violet the whole time) I was concerned for her. She deserves a happily ever after. Poor Diana was dreadfully mistreated by her cruel father. She needed rescuing, and Simon was the perfect one to do it.

Now all I can do is wait for Verity's story! *ah!*

When his woman is bold, simon feels the need to explain himself, "she found his waistband, then the buttons of his fall, undoing first one side and then the other until the front of his breeches dropped open. He was nude beneath, his ***k jutting proudly toward her. “I pulled these on in a hurry,” he explained. “When you knocked on the door.” He sounded hoarse, as if his throat were constricting." I liked this book, I really liked Simon.

I do wish that the person who writes the description blurb for the book would read it first. Diana’s father is a cruel man who abused her throughout her childhood and into her young adulthood. He most definitely wants her to be betrothed to a “decent” duke and would be appalled at any suggestion she marry a duke who is “loathsome”. Diana needs to escape because she is breaking her betrothal to the Duke of Kilve because he loves another, and her father will be outraged and punish her severely.

Along comes Simon, Duke of Romsey, Kilve’s best friend. Simon is called the Duke of Ruin by society because he is believed to have murdered his wife. He agrees to help Diana runaway to her cousin’s in order for her to figure out her future. He does this because of Kilve’s guilt over the broken betrothal.  He is not interested in marrying and he is distraught over his wife’s death, which he can’t remember because he was drunk at the time.

This road-trip trope is entertaining and well written. It is a standalone book although we were introduced to Simon and Diana in Kilve’s book, THE DUKE OF ICE, so it was nice to see them hoping for their own HEA. I can recommend this book to ALL romance readers for a most enjoyable read. You may also want to read the other books in the Untouchable series.

The Untouchables Series:

#1 - The Forbidden Duke
#2 - The Duke of Daring
#3 - The Duke of Deception
#4 - The Duke of Desire
#5 - The Duke of Defiance
#6 - The Duke of Danger
#7 - The Duke of Ice
#8 - The Duke of Ruin
#9 - The Duke of Lies
#10 - Coming soon!

Wow Ms Burke is totally does it again!  Wonderful series that just keeps getting better. 

These are two wonderful characters who embark on a road trip. The historical insights were great.  

I thought it was a fabulous read. I found myself totally invested in their future and Really rooted for real happiness for them.

I absolutely loved Diana and Simon's story!! When reading The Duke of Ice, my heart was aching for Simon. I was so glad to see that his story was next. Diana is his perfect mate!

After losing his wife, Simon has turned around his life and given up drinking. He blames himself for her death, as do others, but has made the best of his situation. He does a favor for his best friend and never imagined that it would get him married!! 

Diana is trying to get away from her horrible father. She just wants to disappear and enjoy the rest of her life. With Simon's help, she gets away, but circumstances demand that they marry. Can this unlikely duo turn their unplanned marriage into one of mutual love and understanding?

I'm so excited for the next book in the story! It will feature Diana's cousin Verity. Just when she is ready to move on with her life, her husband returns from the dead! How exciting!! Look for Verity's story in May.

I personally asked to be able to read and give a fair and honest review for this ARC.  I always watch for certain authors.  Darcy Burke is one of those.  I was slightly disappointed in this book.  All the parts were here for a great read.  The story line, the characters, the setting....however, I found it a bit less than I thought it could be.  There just didn't seem to be as much as there could have been.  A good book but in my opinion, not a great book.

We meet up with Simon and Diana as they run away to begin a journey of redemption. The images of their ride and local inns ring vivid in your mind. It is like you are a part of their wonderful journey through the characters they meet and the little jaunts they participate in over the days. Simon and Diana are both dealing with emotional matters and lean on each other for support and eventually love. Emotions run high when Simon realizes he can love again and let’s Diana into his heart. Diana fortunately has a knight in shining armor when Simon fights for her against her tyrannical father. Another fantastic story full of love and redemption.

Great story from Ms Darcy Burke. i like the hero comes the the damsel in distress rescue story.

The Duke of Ruin, started out where the Duke of Ice ends. I think it would be helpful to read the Duke of Ice, there is quite a bit of references made from it.
Simon is hurting and hides it well. Diana is desperate to leave her father's house for good that she'll do whatever it takes. Simon decided to help her, not knowing that she's the one that will be able to heal his broken heart.