I enjoyed this book, it was well delivered and had a cast of great characters. Tobias is a scandalous rogue with a bad reputation, Fiona his is ward and a country miss entering London society. Tobias father even from the grave is dictating his life, for he must marry in 6 weeks or loss a portion of his inheritance. He aims to marry Fiona off this season, even though she has not desire to marry before she has added some adventure to her life, As they get to know each other, they find they get along well and they find their happy ending. This story also shows what little choices a lady had in this time period. I look forward. to reading the rest of the series.

Love This book. Darcy Burke is one of my top go to romance authors . Hot, intriguing, suspense. Her characters are both lovable and hateable! She weaves a story than brings you into her world .

I really like this story! This is the second book I’ve read written by Darcy Burke, and I’m really enjoying her style.
Tobias Powell, Earl of Overton, has just inherited a sheltered, proper young ward for whom he must find a husband. And that is only the start of his problems. His father’s will demands Tobias marry within the next six weeks, or he’ll lose his mother’s house, a treasure so dear that Tobias can’t consider defeat. Surely he can rehabilitate his scandalous reputation, secure a match for his ward, and find the sophisticated woman of his dreams before it’s too late. Except his ward is a hellion who cannot behave. She can, however, make him laugh.
Provincial Miss Fiona Wingate is eager to swap her boring small town for an exciting London Season. Until she realizes her new guardian, a dashing earl, plans for her to wed with the utmost haste. Fiona has no interest in marriage—she’s only just been liberated from her lifelong isolation! But when she causes a near scandal and Tobias comes to the rescue, an unexpected attraction sparks between them. Except romance between a guardian and his ward would be most improper.
I love stories between guardians and wards. They can be so scandalous! But this one seems almost too sweet. Their attraction is slow and step by step. This book is for romantic souls who doesn´t need too much fire in the relationships. I loved the second half of the story, the first one was a bit dense, but enjoyable all the same.
There are few sexy times, some nice kissing and witty dialogs. The characters are well developed and strong. The side characters are really interesting; I’ll be waiting for the next book in the series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book had the potential to be a great romance but in my opinion it missed the mark. My main issue is that the relationship between Tobias and Fiona felt really weak. I didn't really care about the characters or their romance. I think this is because the characters didn't feel fleshed out. There really wasn't a plot and the secret club business was honestly boring. I had trouble getting through this book because it was so slow. Underwhelming book and I do not think I will continue with this series or this author in general.

Tobias Powell, Earl of Overton has a short time to find a wife, or he risks losing the one thing that is dear to him. When he takes Fiona Wingate on as his ward and must present her to society so she can attain her own marriage, his life becomes even more complicated. How can he arrange a marriage for his ward when his feelings for her become improper?

Fiona isn’t interested in marriage but knows she doesn’t have much choice. She never expects to fall in love, especially with her guardian. But as they get to know each other, their growing attraction becomes irritable.

Fiona has a fantastic personality, and I love her sense of humor. She doesn’t take herself, or the silly societal rules, too seriously, which is refreshing. As she is from the country, she lacks the polish and refinement of most of the other characters in the story. This does contribute to her problems and highlights the differences between Fiona and some of her new acquaintances.

Tobias is a rake that is desperate for a wife. He has a lot of baggage, especially in relation to his feelings about his father. Theirs was a complicated and seemingly loveless relationship, and it causes problems for Tobias throughout the story. I like that Tobias finds some resolution in regard to his father. I also like how liberal-minded Tobias is. His feelings about women, spinsterhood, and various other topics are very forward-thinking and show that Tobias is a great match for Fiona, who shares his opinions.

The romance is slow-building and forbidden, which leads to a bit of angst and a lot of sexual tension. Fiona and Tobias have great chemistry, and they get along so well. She is interested in maps, and he does everything he can to support her interest. However, he is so distracted by the pressure to find a wife that he doesn’t see the wonderful woman in front of him for much of the story. Fiona, in turn, does not want to rush into marriage and instead craves the freedom that she’s never had. Because of their stubbornness, their relationship doesn’t even begin to develop until about halfway through the book.

There are several parts of the story that I wish were explored more. For example, I wanted to know more about The Phoenix Club and those who run it. I felt like the club and many of the characters had so much potential but were a bit underdeveloped. That being said, there are other parts that are laugh-out-loud delightful, which made up for some of the slower parts. Also, I have a feeling these characters will be the protagonists in future books, which I'm excited about.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Darcy Burke for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

(Will post links closer to due date.)

Improper by Darcy Burke follows Tobias, a notorious rogue of an Earl and his ward Fiona, a newcomer to London from a small country town. Relationship between the two would be improper in most social circles of the time but he two of them find themselves hopelessly drawn together.

This book was throughly enjoyable! The characters were upbeat and fun to read with cute banter and silly, awkward situations to navigate. I admit at about half way through I wasn't able to put the book down! It was refreshing to read Fiona especially. She was in charge of her own mind and body and didn't apologize for being herself.

Overall, I'm very excited to see what is next for the Phoenix Club since I noticed a couple seeds being planted for other future relationships out of their circle! I'll be checking out the next in the series for sure!

This first full-length installment is more or less enjoyable…with a major caveat. Building on some familiar tropes, such as guardian/ward, reformed rake hero, and the hellion heroine new to society, they come together to create a delicious and scandalous historical romance.

I found Tobias fairly sympathetic and easy to root for, both from reading his backstory in Invitation and from the way he reacts as he’s navigating the challenges his father placed in his way. In spite of the reputation he’s gained and that he did view marriage with some element of practicality, I appreciated that he hadn’t given up on the possibility of at least learning to love the woman he would marry, which was a nice change from the overly jaded rakes.

Fiona is also easy to root for, having left her village for the first time to experience her first real taste of freedom. Even as marriage is expected of her, and some of her shenanigans press the issue, I appreciated how she stood her ground.

They have pretty good chemistry, and some of their romantic interludes are really well-written. However, as the story went on, especially towards the end, I feel like something had been lost. It turned into a “he wants to marry her without love, but she won’t have him until he declares it” sort of story, which on its own has always been a pet hate of mine. But the way it just changed the tone of their motivations, especially hers? Like, what happened to not wanting to marry because of freedom? I mean, I understand how life-affirming it can be to find someone who loves you who you happen to love in return, and there’s the whole inheritance plotline to deal with. But I feel like her wanting her independence went out the window, and surely there’s a way that could have been acknowledged while still having her HEA.

I did really enjoy this book, in spite of any flaws with the execution of the ending. This is a great first book in what is projected to be an eight-book series, and one I would recommend to anyone who loves historical romance.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Darcy Burke is one of my "look for" authors. So, never did I think I would ever be giving a review like this for one of her books. I am sorry to say, I got about 65% through the book and just could not finish it. I could find no excitement in this tale. It was so bland that I forgot who the author was until I decided I couldn't finish it. I hate to write a review like this as I know how much work it takes to write a story. Maybe it is just me and someone else will find differently.

Improper features a delightful romance between an earl trying to reform his reputation and his ward.

Tobias Powell, Earl of Overton, has had nothing but problems since he inherited his title. First he finds out his father's will demands Tobias marry within three months of his father's death or he will lose his mother's house, the place of all of his happy childhood memories. Then he learns he has inherited a ward, a young sheltered woman, along with his title. With less than six week's until his father's deadline for the house, Tobias is sure he'll be able to marry off his ward and then find himself a wife. But Miss Fiona Wingate has no intention of marrying and derails all of Tobias's plans.

Two years ago, Tobias was on the cusp of a betrothal when the woman chose a man of higher rank than Tobias. Since then, Tobias has had a hard time letting anyone else in and has kept his relationships to physical only ones becoming known as a rake in the process. I do recommend reading the prequel novella, Invitation, as you get to see these events firsthand which help you understand Tobias's character. Fiona spent her life in a small village in a family that didn't have a lot of money. She didn't necessarily have a bad life, but her family wasn't one full of affection. Fiona had an unusual interest for a woman, she loves maps, but I enjoyed her clear passion and enthusiasm for it.

Tobias and Fiona's relationship initially starts off as a normal guardian and ward relationship with no impropriety. They both found each other attractive but didn't think of each other as a potential partner. As the two got to know each other, Tobias encouraged Fiona's interests and I liked how he made sure she could experience everything she'd missed out on. Fiona is determined to live life to the fullest while in London and she doesn't want to marry as she believes that would ruin her plan. I liked how much these two frustrated each other with their opposing plans as it led to some great moments between the pair. The change in their relationship to a romantic one did come somewhat out of nowhere but I wasn't bothered by it. Ultimately I was happy with the direction their romance took and thought it was well done.

Overall Improper was an excellent read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a great historical romance.

Tobias has 5 weeks to meet, woo and marry a woman in order to save his mother's house as his father left a condition in his will that gives the house away if he can't, at the same time he has to give his ward Fiona her first season as his father was her godfather and protector and the responsibility has passed to him.
We basically follow Fiona's hijinks as she tries to have as many adventures as possible before her guardian gives up or gets fed up and sends her home.
Tobias however is trying to make sure she can do what she wants to do or learn what she wants to while she's under his care, for example she loves maps so he takes her to see the biggest collection of them in the city.
Tobias is really a romantic and his situation makes him randomly swing between autocratic and sweet after he has time to consider his decisions, Fiona's recklessness frustrates and titillates him adding to the emotional stew.
I really liked both characters, Fiona's spark and Tobias's desperate attempt not to go up in flames.

Improper by Darcy Burke is a delightfully romantic tale. Fiona Wingate leaves the country to have her first season which is provided by Tobias, the handsome Earl of Overton, her new guardian. He wants her to find a husband as soon as possible, but Fiona wants to have a bit of an adventure before settling down and getting married. Can Tobias resist the improper Fiona?

Tobias Powell is now the Earl of Overton. Unfortunately due to stipulations in his father's will, he has a ward to launch into society. At the same time he needs a wife in six weeks or he'll lose his mother's home, the only place of happy memories when she was alive. Miss Fiona Wingate wants her freedom, not marriage to someone she doesn't love. When Fiona enters society, society isn't ready for Fiona. After each escapade,Tobias is angry one minute and laughing the next. Sometimes he and Fiona are laughing together. Can an Earl marry his ward? A funny, witty, charming Regency
Romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book

Even though I knew what the outcome of this story would be, I really enjoyed how they got there. Tobias is so sweet and understanding. I love how Fiona owns her mistakes and accidents and is able to laugh it off. I really enjoyed reading, Improper.

Will their different goals bring them of the same path ...

When I read the prequel Invitation, the narrative left so many open leads, I wondered who will be featured and how.
So the one to open the series many possibilities is Tobias, the rejected suitor.
Two years have passed since his heart had been broken and his reputation tarnished, since he did everything to match his labeled behavior of a profligate.
Yet now he is stuck in the limbo of the ton, but now in want of wife, very soon, he must clean his blackened name. All the while courting a potential countess, but he needs first to determine whom she could be. He has a vague notion of what she could be like, but outside that, he struggles to put a face on his idealized spouse.
Fiona is like a child on Christmas Eve, eager to open her gifts, curious to see everything and a bit reckless if encouraged to look behind the wrap. Thus her many errors and mistakes. But she just wants to savor her time in the city, taste and try everything she might never have other means to discover, and make friends too.
Sure at first, she runs and jumps everywhere like a kid in a toy shop. But when she learns how her behavior can impact her life and those around her, she must reflect on what she really wants and the price she I willing to pay.

Their romance is no insta attraction, it is slowly built as they come close, sharing their loneliness, their hopes and expectations. When Tobias is at time high-handed, Fiona is foolhardy. Why they have to confront their own conduct, Tobias to realize he is pushing her toward a path she does not want without listening to her hopes and Fiona to leave her childlike demeanor to open her eyes on what she really wants to be and to do as a grown up woman.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen foreplays and lovemaking scenes.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

The story brings up restrictions that woman suffered under during the Regency era of having to marry and having little other recourse. Much of the first half of the book brings out the character for the series. I enjoyed the latter part of the book where the romance between Tobias and Fiona grows. The secondary characters sound interesting and I look forward to their stories. There is a twist to the story as to why Fiona becomes Tobias fathers ward. I had not read the first book .5 so was not familiar with the significance of the "Phoenix Club". Since the series is about this, I would have liked more of a recap of why it is important.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley thank you.

Oh yes, another new series from Darcy! She launches The Phoenix Club series, about rakes and women with a disre­putable reputation. Lucien and Tobias have opened a very exclusive, invitation only club for all kind of men and women, who are shunned by the ton for some reason. And the club is the talk of the town. When Tobias' financed left him for an earl, his reputation (and therefore also his relation with his father was in ruins. And now, after the death of his father, he has inherited two major problems.
1. he must marry within a few months or he loses the property of his childhood home
2. he must introduce his father's ward (and now his ward) to society to get her into the marriage Mart.
Tobias has difficulty to decide which problem is bigger: finding a suitable wife with his current reputation or keeping his provincial ward out of trouble, before she ruins her reputation. The feisty Fiona certainly keeps him on edge!
Funny, cute and of course very entertaining. I can't wait for the next part in this series! Four out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Net galley for providing the arc.

A most enjoyable regency romance. A fairly standard tale but no criticism of that - knowing how it will end does not detract from the book any way. As always, Darcy Burke knows how to entertain her readers.

This was my first read by this author and the first in a new series. The story was a little predictable in places and was drawn out in others. This story is about Fiona and her guardian Tobias. Tobias is charged with marrying Fiona off. Instead, they fall in love with each other. I’m giving this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As the first book in a new series, the author used a lot of time laying the groundwork for continuing books and introducing characters. Unfortunately, it felt like so much time was given to these things that the central plot, the romance, was almost lost. Both Fiona and Tobias felt underdone and I ended up being more interested in other characters such is Lord Gregory, Lucien, or Prudence.

The romance in this book is a slow-burn but with a lack of tension and build-up that makes that kong of storyline work. It’s sweet and enjoyable but there’s a lot of waiting for something to happen. I didn’t love it. I think the next books in the series will end up being better with more time for a central love story without so much time spent building the space.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

I won’t deny there was a part of me that shied away from the relationship between the two characters and worried about the morals of him taking advantage of his ward. However, it was wonderfully written, I liked the characters, there was anticipation as we got so close each time to the crescendo of the two characters coming together and then falling back from each other making us desperate to finally see them United. It addressed their relationship before feelings and desire were involved and ensured there was consent and mutual desire. It was a book that I didn’t want to put down, I wanted to see how it played out. I really enjoyed the complexities of Fiona and watching her come to grasps with what she wanted and why.

Published on goodreads and to be published on Instagram.