I have read all of Darcy Burke’s books and always enjoy them. This one wasn’t my favorite, it just felt like something was missing. That being said I look forward to the next. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

Graham has inherited a debt-ridden dukedom, so he needs to enter in a marriage of convenience with a heiress to help him repay the loans. Some time later he meets Arabella and they both become very attached to each other, but as she is destitute and is also searching for a rich husband to help her with her family debts, both try to fight their growing feelings. Will they find a way to have their HEA?
I did not connect much with the characters, but i still think it is a good read for lovers of historical romance.

Pros: the characterizations, hands down, and an ejoyable play against the usual the tropes (but not in the stereotypical "she's not like all the <i>other</i> girls" and "he's a <i>rebel</i> gentleman" way" you usually see). They're both pragmatic and practical about it, even if they waver between various feelings of guilt and embarrassment and acceptance about. For Arabella, marrying for wealth is the only way to rescue her family, even if she'd rather have an option for love or independence; it's the only option left. Graham's searching for another way for the money, but he knows marriage is the best way and he has to marry eventually anyway, right?

Spoiler-y pros: {SPOILERS} I really appreciated that Arabella had been in love before and had no regrets or apologies about it, only a wistful remembrance about what might've been (and I was super surprised that he never did a surprise return for a conflict during the book considering he left England to make his fortune. Maybe he'll eventually be a character in a sequel?) and that Graham struggled with ~emotions and feelings~ before Arabella ever did. Also, I'm so happy that Arabella gave zero cares about St. Ives and had no bitterness, even when Graham felt awkward about his bff's role in her life. {/SPOILERS}

Cons: A few of the motifs felt forced, or at least placed for future series set-up. The plot meandered a bit and felt a little flat, especially considering it has one of my favorite things (a con man/scheme). However... it also ended on a really good set-up that's going to make me search out the second book. (Even if I'm not sure how much I like the proposed pairing.)

<b>tl;dr</b>: This a was a solid, unconventionally fun 3.5 series starter that not only enticed me to look for book #2, but also convinced me I need to go look for more of Darcy Burke's stuff.

Disclaimer: Thanks Netgalley & publisher for the free ARC, with no incentive or coercion on your parts!

Goodreads shelves: bookshelves: historical-romance, netgalley, 3-to-4-stars, 4-stars, arc-read, family-matters, friend-tp, i-ship-it, read-in-2019, you-go-girl

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
This historical romance is well written. The main characters are extremely likeable and as a reader it's easy to empathise with their situation. Graham and Arabella have good chemistry together and I was relieved that the story ended the way it did. Not having read any of Darcy Burke's books before I can see the world that she has created and where other characters might be headed. It's a great start to the new series and I'll be keeping an eye for more.
3.5 stars

This was another fun read by Ms. Burke. Graham Kinsley never expected to inherit the Halstead dukedom, but he finds himself saddled with a debt ridden title and no way to pay off the debt. He believes the former duke was swindled out of large amount of money and there's only one clue to find the swindler. When he meets Miss Arabella Stoke, he learns her family has suffered the same fate. Graham and Arabella agree to combine forces to bring the scoundrel to justice and recover their lost fortunes.

Graham and Arabella were both well-defined characters and their love of family was front and center throughout the book. Their destitute circumstances are basically the only obstacle that keeps them apart in the book. That was a little light plot wise, but it didn't stop them from falling for each other. I actually thought the Marquess of Ripley was a much more interesting character and I look forward to reading his story.

I absolutely adored this charming historical romance novel. It was beautifully written and engaging and the story sucked me in completely. There was good character development for Arabella and Graham and I felt I was transported back to the 1800s. At times the dialogue felt a little modern but apart from that I have little criticism. I loved the slow burn romance build up and felt the disappointment between the H/h when they found out neither had any money. There was interesting and amusing banter between the main characters and their small set of friends and yet these side characters did not detract from the central romance - rather they enhanced it. I assume the author is writing books about all the friends - which I look forward to reading. There are some steamy sex scenes that are tastefully written, and a very nice HEA. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is the new series by author Darcy Burke. She has dubbed it The Spitfire Society. In the time period of this series, the women of English society were expected to marry well and not necessarily for love. A couple of women (Phoebe Lennox and Jane Pemberton) who have inherited a great deal of money and have not either chosen to marry or have not found anyone worthy of them, have formed the Spitfire Society. Spinsters who choose not to marry and enjoy a life of independence. They’re wonderful and supportive of their friends but enjoy their independence. They also support the choices of those who choose to marry.
This is the story of Arabella Stoke and Graham Kinsley, Duke of Halstead. It begins in London, March 1819.
Arabella’s father has been swindled and they are destitute. He’s become bedridden and she and her mother have done their best to keep society from finding out they’re bankrupt. It’s imperative that Arabella marry well and quickly. She’s resigned to this, but it is not what she wants. Marrying for wealth is not an easy thing to do in this society.
Graham has recently inherited his Dukedom. The past duke left him a mountain of debts and two huge properties, mortgaged to the hilt. Both families were swindled by the same villain. Each is hiding the fact they are without funds. Graham may survive the issues but marrying a wealthy woman would certainly end his financial problems and he now feels a need to provide an heir.
Many of the characters from “The Wicked Dukes” are featured as well. Graham was David, Earl of St. Ives secretary for years before inheriting his title and the debt he has chosen not to disclose to his friends. Arabella was betrothed to David as well, but the two did not know each other, the marriage was arranged by their fathers while they were children. David fell in love and married another after his father died (if you’ve read The Wicked Dukes series this will be familiar to you, but it’s explained in this book as well). So, Arabella and Graham are in the same circles, but have never met.
Darcy Burke has a real winner to begin this new series. I love the familiarity from the characters and the new situations she’s invented. The characters are totally relatable and endearing. Each character has his/her own unique personality and it’s a real joy to see them interact. The storyline is well written and interesting. The obstacles are realistic, for the times. The conversations are interesting and well done, the romance is sometimes provocative and when appropriate really hot.
Buckle-up Buttercup and grab a copy of this marvelous new series. It’s interesting, romantic, and a lot of fun!

I've read several of Darcy's other books, so I'm always interested in what she's writing. Especially when it's a new series.

I liked Arabella and Graham well enough. They're both good people who are loyal to their families and friends. I liked that they worked together to figure things out and that Graham was open to Arabella taking an active role. There are several characters from the previous series and it was fun to see them again.

Plot wise, it was a bit bland. There's a lot of inner monologue and some telling instead of showing. Sadly, I didn't really get the jump from friends to lust to love between Arabella and Graham and that left me wanting more. As much as I liked the characters, I didn't really care what happened to them outside of their HEA.

Overall, it was a good start to a new series and I'm definitely eager for Phoebe and Ripley's story.

**Huge thanks to Darcy Burke for providing the arc free of charge**

Secretary Graham Kinsley never expected to inherit a dukedom, but now he finds himself saddled with one, and riddled with debt. He has one month to repay the bank loan or he'll lose the unentailed property lovingly designed by his great, great grandfather. The new Duke of Halstead is determined to prevent this and restore his legacy, and marrying an heiress is the best solution he can come up with. When he meets Miss Arabella Stoke, he finds himself enchanted. Unfortunately, she is also impoverished and in need of a wealthy suitor to save her family, and in a hurry given her father's failing health.

If they work together, they may be able to recover their fortunes from the swindler who ruined them. If they can keep their hands off each other. As they get closer to finding the swindler, it becomes even more apparent that they'll both have to make some tough decisions, and risk broken hearts.

I loved that Arabella wasn't the typical simpering, blushing miss and Graham wasn't the typical impoverished, low born man elevated to luxury. These two had some unusual circumstances you don't read about much and that was refreshing. Their story was also very realistic in that there was no perfect, pretty solution and that was also refreshing. We're also left with a few loose ends to hold until the next book and I'm very much looking forward to it after how much I loved this one.

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

• Provided by NetGalley •

I was up last night reading this, I knew beforehand that it’d be one of those books where hero is finding a heiress but ends up falling for a heroine not suitable for his initial plans and he gives her some shit and there’s angst and a big confession and voila!

Well this book was that and much more. I loved Arabella’s character, hats off to Mrs Darcy’s writing, it was indeeeeed good.
Graham as a hero, I found him realistic and straight-laced. Breath of fresh air!


But the HEA was a little too realistic for me because no lose ends were tied which left me a bit sad but overall I enjoyed this♥️

Smart, independent, family-oriented are all words that describe Arabella. She knows what she wants and even though there is some trepidation, she goes after it. Love these characters in stories. Graham is just too sweet and how could you not like him. Theirs is a story of “we can’t, but we need”. Their friends are great and when they are talking you feel like you are sitting there with them. A wonderful love story.

Looking forward to Ripley and Colton’s stories (and Phoebe and Jane)!

Graham and Arabella are so cute together. Graham is not used to the social expects of being a Duke. The way that she helps him without belittling him is perfection. I liked how the end of this book ties into the next book in this series. Now I can't wait for it to come out.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Sweet and spicy, with one of the more affable heroes and daring heroines I’d seen in a while. Darcy Burke never disappoints and this new series looks intriguing... watch this space!

Will two persons who have been wronged find a future together or be torn apart forever.

I do love Mrs Darcy Burke writing style, the words flow easily and her characters are always more complex than they appear at first, and they are the kind whom always try to save the day.

Arabella and Graham find themselves sharing the same circumstances, both reaching bankruptcy because of bad investments by their kin. And in London society when reaching destitution, wealthy spouses if often the answer, too bad their attraction can bring nothing to another as they are both in need of money.
Arabella who once loved a man her family considered not worthy of her, has now very few other choices left than find a willing rich husband-to-be, if only it could be the charming new titled Duke of Halstead.
Graham Kinsley inherited unexpectedly a dukedom his family has been banished generations ago. But it is not the prize he could have expected as it is debts ridden. He can only hope the lovely lady who bewitched him is the heiress is seeking after.
So when both learn of their common situation, will their combined efforts be enough to regain their family’s loss.
I loved both main characters, they were straightforward and true to themselves, and once their secret was known by the other, they left poise behind and work together, even take risk to protect another. Both will face danger and ruin to save another.
Arabella is not afraid to go for what she wants, even if I find her bit too bold for the period, she is one to be admired for her honesty.
Graham having been a commoner before coming to be titled, is a good man, he assumes his duties probably better than his predecessors and tries to set everything right. And he will without any gratification sacrifices himself if it can save the woman he came to love.

What I do love in Mrs Burke’s stories is that not everything resolve in the heroes’ way, as not everything is black and white.
Now I am very much eager to learn more about Ripley, there is something about him that calls me.

A 4.5 stars read.

I was granted an advance copy by the author but I had previously to It preppy own copy. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://m.facebook.com/429830134272830/photos/a.431529027436274/443817702874073/?type=3&source=54&ref=bookmarks