
Member Reviews

I usually enjoy a book by Darcy Burke, and so when I saw Improper was the first in her new series, The Phoenix Club, I had to pick it up. Now don’t get me wrong, I liked the book, but I was underwhelmed. I expected so much more than I received.
This story follows Tobias and Fiona. While both characters were likable, nothing about either of them really stood out as unique or interesting. Tobias finds himself in the all too common situation of needing to find a wife ASAP, or he’ll lose out on an inheritance set in his father’s will. Fiona was Tobias’s father’s ward, and she gets passed on to Tobias after his father’s death. She was from some little town in the middle of nowhere England and heading to London for the first time in her life and entering Society. Again, this isn’t a terribly unique plot, but there’s a lot of room to play with. The two of them together… I’m not entirely sure I believe their romance. For most of the book, they were more of an annoyance to the other, no indication of any sparks, and then boom!
Honestly, there were two highlights in the story, and both were underdeveloped. First was Fiona’s love of maps. It’s something a little different, and it is mentioned time and again. But it’s never really explained as to why she loves them so much. For something so oft mentioned, I felt there should have been some payoff or at least explored a bit more. The second is the Phoenix Club itself. Tobias is a founding member of this club that caters to men and women, primarily those on the fringe of Society. It’s by invitation only, making it exclusive and much sought after. Ms. Burke gives a few glimpses inside the club and how exclusive it is, but I felt that considering the series is built around this club and its members, it should have featured more prominently than it did.
Improper wasn’t a bad book, but it just needed to dig a little deeper. I felt like it never entirely scratched the surface, and I was left wanting a bit more. Will I continue to read Darcy Burke and The Phoenix Club series, most likely, but I’ll be hoping that future books have a little more meat to them.

3.5
Overall I liked this book but it just wasn't what I was expecting based on the prequel.
I liked the side characters and bits & pieces of the main characters. I'll definitely be continuing with this series though as I want to know more about the other characters.

tobius is a member of the phonix club who gains a ward. He also has to marry by a certain dated or lose the house that his mother owed. This house holds happy memories for him;. He works on getting both himself and his ward married but realize the only women he wants is his ward.

I really enjoyed reading Improper, the first book in The Phoenix Club series.
If you like guardian/ward, slow burn romances, with some humor, no villains, excellent side characters, then try this book.
The rest of the series will definitely be on my radar.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for review. The thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.

I honestly was a little hesitant of the premise of this book, with it focusing on a ward/guardian relationship, but it was done SO well. I’ve read several of Darcy’s book and this is my favorite of her’s so far! I loved the characters, especially Tobias. They felt very realistic and not at all shallow, which can unfortunately happen in this genre. Definitely recommend!

From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

Tobias must marry in six weeks to secure his inheritance. Complicating the situation is Fiona, his ward, who's making her come-out. Fiona is in London for the first time and has no desire to marry. Tobias is determined that she find a good match to secure her future. When attraction sparks between them, will scandal ensue?
Darcy Burke is a must-read for me. I love the light yet emotional tone of this story. Tobias wants to do his best for Fiona, but she just wants to enjoy the pleasures of the city. She doesn't know the rules or understand the dangers. I enjoyed her adventurous spirit, and her refusal to conform.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Sensual. Funny. Incredibly sexy. I loved reading this book in between my commute and my lunch breaks. The characters were delightful and very easy to fall in love with- which I did. I look forward to more of this series

I have read a few books by this author in the past and I loved them. So I had very high hopes going into reading this book. I am happy to report that this book lived up to my high expectations. I loved every page of it!

Tobias Powell, the Earl of Overton, is considered by all to be a dissolute rogue. Yet when he finds himself guardian to a young ward, Miss Fiona Wingate, whilst at the same time, needing to be married himself, he realises that he has been faced with a large challenge. He soon finds that the more time he spends with Fiona, the more he enjoys her company. Little does Tobias know that Fiona has no interest in marriage, and she is just enjoying being away from her isolated existence. She soon finds herself conflicted in her feelings for Tobias but her need for independence. I enjoyed seeing Fiona mature and in doing so, make for a more realistic relationship. Her ability to under Tobias’ conflicting relationship with his father, was only so, given her development. An entertaining read that will keep all readers smiling throughout.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Darcy Burke’s brand new book, Improper is not only the first book in a new series, but my first Darcy Burke read!
Miss Fiona is excited to escape her small village life and have a London season granted to her by a mysterious benefactor... upon arriving in London, Fiona is more interested in adventures than finding a husband.
The new Earl of Overton will see to his father’s promise and provide a season and a match for his ward, Miss Fiona. He needs to get this done and out of the way so he can focus on his own marriage to ensure he meets his fathers demands to ensure his inheritance! He only has a few weeks and his spunky ward is more distracting than he thought she would be!
I loved Fiona’s determination to do what is right for herself, even while being in a beholden position. As for the new Earl of Overton, he will do the title proud! His struggle with his growing attachment really sparks a a war with his conscience and integrity. This reformed rogue has a heart of gold!
This was a fun series into with lots of great characters that I’m looking forward to continue on with!
Improper by Darcy Burke is scheduled to release May 25th, 2021.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#Improper #DarcyBurke #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

I find with Darcy there’s always a good novel to be read! If anything I wish her works were longer.
The main female lead really cares this story well and the romantic interest certainly got me captivated.
Great stuff as always!

This was a quick, cute romance. I enjoyed it once it got going and it kept me interested. It's clear what's going to happen from the beginning, but that's often true in historical romance. It's the journey to that expected ending that's what keeps us reading. Well, me, anyway.
Fiona is a relatable heroine, if a little thin on personality at first; her obsession with maps is a little odd. A forgiveable quirk, though. Tobias is sweet and thoughtful and not so much a rake as he thinks he is. I really loved the reasoning for the will being written as it was.
Overall fun, sweet, and enjoyable and the perfect pick-me-up and palate cleanser that I was looking for.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Zealous Quill Press for providing an e-arc for review.

This is my first time reading Darcy Burke and I have a feeling that it won't be my last.
A enjoyable story. It had a great ensemble of characters that I want to know more about. The love story of Tobias and Fiona, I found intriguing and while it was a bit of a slow burn, I felt it was necessary. Will definitely be on the look out for the rest of the books in this series.

Improper has all the ingredients to delight fans of Julia Quinn's "The Duke and I".
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An aspirant with all the social rules to understand, an earl who must fix his reputation and get a wife while taking care of his father's protégé and a society attending to the new season of dances, presentations before the queen and the gossips.
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There are many good details to highlight, Tobias and Fiona are characters that fit perfectly with each other and are discovering their way around the world where they live while beginning to feel the inevitable magnetism between them.
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The story does not fail to draw the scenes and the interesting characters around them that make one wish to have the entire series In order to be inmersed in his world
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Thank to Zealous Quill Press, Darcy Burke and Netgalley for give me this beautiful book in exchange for my honest review

I adored this book and this couple! Both main characters had a lot to learn and they actually end up teaching each other quite a bit. It's a slow burn romance and as it blooms it is sweet and steamy! I can't wait to read about the estranged couple as I truly thought they sounded interesting. #improper #netgalley

I received "Improper" from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Darcy Burke is fantastic.
Tobias Powell, Earl of Overton, is suddenly in charge of finding his ward, Miss Fiona Wingate, a husband, while at the same time, needing to marry within six weeks if he wishes to retain ownership of his mother's home. Except the guardian and the ward develop an attraction. A beautiful read!

Tobias Powell is now the Earl of Overton. He receives two “obligations” in his father’s will. First, he has a ward and is responsible for bringing into society. Second, he has three months to marry, from the time the will is read. Miss Fiona Wingate, Tobias’s ward, has spent her life in the country. She has no interest in marriage, at least not soon. She wants to enjoy herself in London. Tobias has not interest in marriage, either, but if he doesn’t wed, he will lose his mother’s estate, a place he cherished. Watching Tobias try to keep up with Fiona while navigating the marriage mart is sheer entertainment. Watching the attraction between the two of them is sometimes amusing and sometimes frustrating. The story becomes very interest when we learn who will get Tobais’s mother’s estate and why the old Earl, and then Tobias, was Fiona’s guardian. I love Fiona and Tobias. There are several other characters I found interesting. Mrs. Tucket is funny. I like the way Tobias accepted her into the household. Mirabella and Lucien are here, as is Lucien’s brother Con.
There are some problems to solve, a bit of adventure (usually on Fiona’s part), secrets revealed, a fairly hot romance, and an HEA. I enjoyed this one, and I look forward to Con’s book.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Improper is my second novel by Darcy Burke and while I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much as the first one, I did find it to be an easy, enjoyable read.
Tobias is a roguish hero who is not impressed to find himself responsible for his wilful ward, Fiona. The guardian/ward trope is a favourite of mine and I enjoyed watched Fiona give Tobias a run for his money. The idea of The Phoenix Club was interesting and was a nice back drop for the blossoming relationship between the hero and the heroine. The romance was maybe a little too much of a "slow burn" for my preference - it felt like the two MCs didn't really notice each other romantically until a considerable way through the book.
Still, overall I like Darcy Burke's writing style and I look forward to future releases.

Pleasantly surprised!
It is my first book by D'arcy Burke and it won't 'the be the last. The plot is well constructed,, the dialogue witty which makes the book enjoyable and easy to read. A classical Regency love story between a reformed rake in need of a wife and a fresh provincial miss who delights în the new found circumstances. They are both caught in their own story and are unlikely to see that the answer to their own problems lies before their very eyes. Drawn to each other they are to fallow into their fathers footsteps and break the social conventions. The HEA is expected though their reckless behaviour is not.
A good story that makes you want to see what happens next.