3.5 stars!
A second chance romance of two people that were too young to understand that have fallen in love with each other and now meet again.
Isabelle and Val shared one night ten years ago and then each moved onto their designated lives. Ten years later, both are widowed and carrying scars from the past. In this novella, sparks fly again and two wounded souls learn to love (again).
I enjoyed this novella a lot, as it wasn't that one left the other years ago but that they simply didn't think they could be together and moved on. A good novella in what seems to be a delightful series!
*I was given an ARC on NetGalley*

Former lovers find one another again, and find that this time they are perfectly matched. A quick read for lovers of romance, with a satisfying ending. Darcy Burke creates a fast paced romantic tidbit that is sure to please lovers of the genre.

This was a lovely novel, both characters were charming. I really enjoyed it.

Isabelle is governess to Lord and Lady Barkley’s two daughters, whom she is very fond of. She is daughter of an Oxford professor, and has been educated in Greek, science, maths, and a curriculum more usual for a man in the Regency. She has come to London with Lord Barkley and the girls, and has had to move into the the Duke of Eastleigh’s residence, as their house is not ready to move into.

Isabelle knew the Duke, Valentine, when he was at Oxford, and they were intensely attracted to one another, since then she has been widowed and left an orphan, and her inheritance has gone to pay her late husbands debts. She has worked as a governess and saved money to open a girls school. She is very anxious that Valentine should not see her/recognise her, as she still has feelings for him.

In the last ten years, Valentine also married, his wife was unhappy and behaved badly, and died in childbirth. He is being strongly encouraged to marry again by his grandmother, the Dowager Duchess. When he recognises Isabelle he is fascinated all over again. He wants to spend time with her, and help her, and make her happy. When she loses her position, he helps her to find employment and a place to live, as they spend more time together, they realise they love each other. Is this love enough to overcome their differences, and their fear of being vulnerable again.

I enjoyed the fact that they didn’t misunderstand each other repeatedly, and that Valentine respected Isabelle’s intelligence and opinions. I also liked the way his family were not an impediment to the relationship as is so often the case.

Recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own

Also posted on Goodreads

i actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.
Yes, it was predictable but in the very best way. The villain was clear from the outset and, although there was mention of previous heroines, it didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books in the series.
I did call the majority of the "big reveals" before they happened but it didn't take away my enjoyment and I still couldn't put it down.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this mainly for the unique way in the telling of a romance that began 10 years in the past. So many of these stories include chapters of flashbacks but this was all kept in the present. The young romance was evident without having to clearly spell it out. Creatively and refreshing done!

Following up on Erica Ridley’s first in this series, I decided to try out Darcy Burke’s contribution. I had never read Darcy Burke before, but was pleasantly surprised by her contribution to the series.

This is another shortie, so I was able to breeze through it in a couple of before bed sessions. The first one, I had a hard time putting it down but really needed some sleep, so reluctantly left it for the next day. The first half is filled with so much emotion, I got those little heart flips and pulls in empathy with the character’s struggles.

This is a second chance romance, two characters from different worlds who had a fleeting romance ten years before when the Duke was still at college and Isabelle was promised to another. Their night of surrender ten years before left an indelible mark on both their hearts, even though both went on to marry others.

Years later, both widows, a chance connection brings them back into each other’s orbit.

Val is a Duke, but not by any stretch of the imagination a stereotypical one. He is handsome and rich, sure, but he is also kind, thoughtful and bookish. His concern for Isabelle’s situation is genuine, and his overtures are not just about getting back under her skirts.

Isabelle, after her husband died, has been forced to work as a governess but dreams of becoming a headmistress of her own school. Or maybe a librarian. She knows succumbing to her desires where the Duke are concerned could be disastrous to her career ambitions. She is a smart, sexy, and likeable.

The thrust of the book is mainly, at first, a will they/won’t they…and then a bit of a I love you but can’t be with you kind of plot, but in short form its enjoyable. There aren’t huge character arcs, as this is more about the characters overcoming external obstacles. There are nice Regency era details, one scene at Almacks, and one out shopping, but most scenes are either at private homes or at the Wicked Dukes pub.

This can be enjoyed as a standalone, as references to Ridley’s book are limited. I think this is also a book that can be enjoyed by readers new to historical romance and interested in a look at what the genre is about.

I really enjoyed this book, would read it again, and will definitely be on the look out for more Darcy Burke!

★★★★★★ 4.75 out of 6 Second chance at romance for sexy bookworms

Relatively okay (2.5 rating) . This is my third book from this series and I can honestly say that it ranks third if I were to rate the books in order of how much I liked it. I enjoyed the other two books I have read (One Night For Seduction and One Night of Passion). This one is okay in the sense that it is a second chance love story so it has that message of hope and love. I am just not into the characters having married and becoming widowed in between their separation. It is not my ideal romance but that is just my preference. In fairness, this book does
have an interesting enough storyline and is written well. P
I have NetGalley to thank for my copy and the chance to read this book.

Another delightful story from Darcy Burke. A governess in difficult circumstances meets again with a young, handsome duke. They have both lived through difficulties in the intervening years. Can they reconnect? Should they? It may sound formulaic, but it is not. Burke's characters are multi-dimensional and fresh. She makes me wish I could meet them off the pages and visit places like the Wicked Duke tavern. I'm not a fan of graphic sex scenes. One Night of Surrender is a "Goldilocks" book when it comes to sex scenes: not too much, not too little, but just right.

I will keep an eye out for more of Darcy Burke's books.

Love this author, love her books. However, this was OK, but not one of her best. It was about love a second time around, but I could not get the feeling of a strong bond from their first love and so I found it hard to engage with the lead characters especially the hero.

I almost missed this one! As a great fan of Erica Ridley and all of her Dukes, I had already read One Night for Seduction and One Night of Passion. That's when I realized she was co-writing this series with Darcy Burke. As my first encounter with Darcy Burke was with Captivating the Scoundrel (and currently still struggling to end the book...) I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book. But it was a great read! One Night of Surrender is about Valentine Fairfax (or Val to friends), how has been friends with the daughter of the headmaster during his years of study in Oxford. As a Duke, he was supposed to marry someone with a title. Because his grandmother, the dowager of Eastleigh, will not expect anything less. She is hilarious by the way, so keep on reading in One Night of Scandal, if you want to read more about her.
Val's marriage was a disaster however, and he vowed never to marry again. Much at the dislike of his grandmother. When he helps out a friend in need, by offering a place to stay during a renovation, he is shocked to find out his old friend Isabelle is the governess to his friend's children.
Isabelle has learned the hard way never to trust men. Because they can spend your money and leave you penniless. So after her disastress marriage, she is determined to stand on her own feet and to open a school for girls. But when her employer suddenly sacks her, she has nowhere to stay and no stable income. Can she rely on Val to help her out? Or will she lose her independence after one night of surrender? Find out for yourself in this wonderful read. Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

A interesting take on past lovers. Val and Isabelle have a past and it is affecting the future. They parted and never expected to see each other again. This has passion and romance as the two decide they both can love and marry after all.

First love, never forgotten! _____3.5 stars

Ten years earlier, when a student, Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh had shared a night with Isabelle Highmore, the intelligent daughter of an Oxford College warden.
"They’d stolen their one night together and knew it would have to last them forever."
Now they've met again. Isabelle's a widow, Isabelle Cortland, and the governess for the children of a friend. Both have been married before, both marriages were untenable. Their meeting is a complete surprise. The attraction between them fairly lifts of the page.
When Isabelle is discharged from her position (think jealousy, followed by unwanted attention by the children's father) she turns to seeking a job, any job, even as a barmaid at of all places The Wicked Duke, owned by, you've guessed it, Val and his friend the Duke of Colehaven.
That idea doesn't sit happily with Val. He takes charge, or attempts to. What we see is the struggles by both Val and Isabelle where their relationship is concerned. Isabelle wants independence. Val wants? Well Val is conflicted about what he wants, apart from Isabelle in some fashion, except maybe marriage.
This all made for an exciting storyline, but even after a second reading I was not entirely satisfied and have questions about their relationship when they were younger. Was Val happy to have one night with Isabelle and leave? Was Isabelle really ok with that? Was dukely duty a consideration? Val and said to her, "he didn’t wish to wed for several more years." And now, Val it appears is concerned but not willing to commit and Isabelle still wants her independence. Sudden steamy interludes are becoming a habit, with Isabelle more often than not the protagonist. I guess 'you can't fight true love' is the message. Or maybe that the love they have is enduring even if they don't realize it and after all 'love will conquer all.'

A NetGalley ARC

This was a great novella. I loved the second chance love story. The writing was fast paced and sucks you in immediately. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Can I just say that I love Darcy Burke's books? I enjoy her writing style and she can write characters that speak to me and are the kind I can relate to. I was so happy to find out that she and Erica Ridley decided to collaborate on this series. The heroines so far have not been the average HR heroines and they have interests that weren't so usual for their time.

The main characters of the book are Valentine Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh, and Isabelle, whom I believe doesn't have a title when we first met her. They spend a night together a decade ago and later went on their separate ways. Both got married to other people and their spouses were pieces of work, for different reasons. Now, their spouses are dead and Isabelle is working as a governess, while Valentine owns the Wicked Dukes club. Isabelle has plans to open a school for impoverished girls and she is trying to find the money for it, but won't accept Valentine's offers and willingness to help for various reasons all of which you will find when you read the book. I liked that she stood on her ground and did whatever she could to make it through. She has set her mind on something and she will do whatever she can to see it happening.

To be completely honest, my favorite character in the book was Valentine's sister. She is a very interesting character and I hope that she will get a book one day. Overall, the book was enjoyable and I would recommend it.

4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publishers in exchange for a honest review. This in no way affects my opinion of the story or the characters.

Darcy Burke is an author I've read quite a lot, and in my experience it's usually a hit or a miss. This is a hit for sure. I absolutely adored this second-chance romance between an independent, bluestocking governess and a sweet, kind and charming Duke. And no readers, he isn't a prolific rake sleeping with everything that moves - *cue gasp*.

Valentine and Isabelle first meet in Oxford (or some school I forgot), where he was a student and she was the daughter of the warden. They became friends and one-time lovers in school, and continued to hold that tendre for each other. They parted ways, simply because there is no future for a warden's daughter and a future duke - or so the young, naive lovers thought at the time.

10 years later they meet again, when a friend of Valentine's (some creepy dude) moves in with his daughters and governess in tow. 50 points to Gryffindor for guessing who the governess is! That's right, Isabelle! Hooray!

From here begins the second-chance romance between our MC's. It's quite adorable to say the least, and fleshed out enough that you connect with both characters individually rather than just as a couple. I loved that while Valentine wished to initiate a liason or was tempted to test the waters with Isabelle, he instantly respected her wish to maintain distance between them. It was obvious that she was doing so out of what she thought was right, but he never pushed or tried to seduce her into giving in. Consent and respect FTW!

The pacing and the writing style is very easy to read so you don't feel overwhelmed or wrought out at any point. The secondary characters are wonderful as well and I can't wait to read about Val's sister!

This is a perfect novella when you're looking for something sweet, cute and fluffy to deal with that latest GOT episode! Go for it! :D

Lord Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh, and Isabelle Cortland shared one night of passion 10 years ago before parting ways forever. That is until Isabelle comes back into Val’s life as his friend’s governess.

If you’ve read enough of my reviews, you’ll know I am not a fan of the second chance romance trope. Sometimes I feel like it works in a novella, but it didn’t here.

Val and Isabelle are perfectly lovely people. Their affair ended for reasons that are never really given (there’s the usual about him being a duke and her not being part of the aristocracy at all). Because of this, it was an easy read but not a very engaging one. Their thoughts revolved first around the past and then over why they couldn’t be together when they really could.

A regency with all the right ingredients--a smart woman with her own plans, a brooding nobleman with a past, and a deft balance between 19th century realities and the 21st values of intelligent women readers.

London - 1817

Mrs. Isabelle Cortland is employed by Lord Barkley and his wife as governess for their daughters Beatrice, 13, and Caroline, 10. Lord Barkley, his daughters, and Isabelle are temporarily staying at the home of Valentine Fairfax, the Duke of Eastleigh, while renovations are being completed on the Barkley home.

Isabelle is hoping that she will not encounter Valentine during their stay. Ten years ago, the two of them spent a night of passion and Isabelle has never forgotten that night. Isabelle is the daughter of an Oxford head and extremely well educated by her father. Her dream is to one day open a school for girls.

However, when Valentine and Isabelle do meet, they both know they are still attracted to one another. Isabelle had been married, but when her husband passed several years ago having gambled away the family funds, she had no choice but to take a position as a governess. Valentine had also been unhappily married and his wife has passed away.

When Isabelle meets Valentine’s sister, Viola, and their crotchety grandmother, she is impressed with Viola’s friendliness and independence. She also says she wants to introduce Isabelle to her friends. She can’t help but be somewhat intimated by their grandmother.

One day, Isabelle learns she is to be replace by another governess because Lady Barkley is jealous of her and wants her out. Eager to find a new position as soon as possible, she applies as a barmaid called the Wicked Duke owned by Valentine and his friend, the Duke of Colehaven, and is accepted. However, this does not go down well with Valentine and he steps in to make some changes.

Is there a way that these two people can be together? They are so much in love.

I liked this book very much and found it to be yet another delighted historical romance by a talented author.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Oh my historical romance god...I fricking loved this book. I can't believe this is my first Darcy Burke book. Where have you been hiding?!?

This story was amazing. Though both MC's have had a difficult life since they last seen each other,when fate intervened and they cross paths again it was as they never left each others sides. I love the side characters especially Viola. The pace of the story was well written, banter funny and steamy moments I was blushingly like a little girl and I was sad to read the words THE END because I just wanted this story to go on and on... PERFECTION 😍

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

What a great second chance romance! They knew each other once upon a time and shared one amazing night together. She’s maybe the smartest woman in England and he’s definitely a duke that no one is wants to cross. Their reunion is spontaneous, and he’s not willing to let this second chance go to waste. It’s a pretty great read, with just enough sexy to check that box as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.