During a snowstorm, widowed Juliana spends a night with Viscount Adlington. They had a great time but the Viscount leaves early in the morning without saying goodbye. When they meet again at a house party a couple of years later Juliana has no intention of rekindling things with the Viscount as she is enjoying her independence.

I really liked this one. There were a lot of tropes that I really enjoyed in this book. Initially, we have the one bed and forced proximity trope when the characters first meet. This then becomes a second-chance romance when they meet again at the house party.

I really like the way that Darcy Burke writes her characters and her books are always so much fun to read. I loved this one and would highly recommend checking it out.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Enjoyed the book although it is not my favorite of this author. It was easy to read and fun to see the interaction between Lucas and Juliana. I guess I was not happy that after their affair, they moved on to other lovers but that does play a big part of Lucas's story.

I also did not understand why Juliana was so put out and determined to punish Lucas for leaving without saying goodbye! It was just a one night stand and if she didn't really care for a relationship, what did saying good bye matter?

The Runaway Viscount is book 3 in the Matchmaking Chronicles trilogy by Darcy Burke and I have to say I think I like this one the most so far and while this is the third book, I don't think you have to read all books in order to appreciate the story. Also, I love a good snowed in, one bed available story.

Juliana and Lucas are the main characters in this book and when they find themselves snowed in at an inn things quickly heat up. The next day Juliana wakes up to an empty bed and they go back to their normally planned lives. Fast forward to a matchmaking house party that a mutual acquaintance throws and they both realize that that one night was more than just one night. Unfortunately for Lucas, Juliana has realized she was more hurt than anything and her goal is to torment while his goal is to convince her to marry him.

I enjoyed the back and forth with these two but also was a little on the fence about how I felt about Lucas' past. All in all I liked the story and will pick up more books by Burke. If you're looking for a quick and enjoyable read, consider picking this one up.

This book is under 200 pages so expect the romance to move quite fast in this tale. Widow, Juliana and Viscount Lucas meet at an inn one winter night. They are both stuck there due to the impending weather until it is safe to travel. There they form an unexpected connection that is broken once Lucas leaves one morning unannounced. Years later, the two meet again at a friends house party, but can Juliana overcome the hatred that has since bloomed in her for Lucas, even when he is desperately trying to convince her they belong together.

I have said before and I will say it again that I love to read anything by Darcy Burke. I think she has a great historical fiction writing style and keeps stories interesting. She not only has good main characters, but the supporting cast of characters are also entertaining. I would recommend her books to anyone who likes some good romance stories.

This is wonderful romance with well developed characters, which interact well throughout the story.

Although it is fairly erotic in places it blends well with the story.

Very enjoyable.

Historical romance with some unusual characters. Add in a little bit of humour and it becomes more interesting.

Darcy always writes a good story and Ihave been reading her for many years, and never failed to enjoy them. This book is also good. Her writing is clear, fluid and with enough humour and insight to help you empathise with the characters.
Now in this era, widows were fair game for a quick tumble and none the wiser and no shame, though as one character mentioned in a recent book, an assignation in the corner of the ballroom was taking it a bit far!
In this story we have the bad winters this time was noted for, and the inability to move on roads due to heavy snow, which led to people being stranded.
And here we have a Viscount who is running away from marriage, as so many of the young titled men were, mainly because they were targetted from the age of 18 by mothers with daughters to wed, with, or without , significant dowries.Those with good dowries were in the better place as were titled men without debts.
So we have a nice storyline to read with a widow and a Viscount.

What happens when a widow meets a rake? Sometimes nothing happens, but this time an affair happens.
Its a nice read, quick, simple but good, it has everything romance, spicy and a little bit of drama

-I couldn't relate to Juliana. She's a permanent liar and likes to have Lucas really uncomfortable; I especially didn't like her when she did both when it wasn't even Lucas' fault. He did leave a message. She didn't get it. Did she ask for it though? Nope.
-I also don't think taunting someone is the same as flirting. I didn't see the chemistry between the two; it was indeed lustful 100%. If they truly loved each other, how come their body permitted someone else touching them in between meeting again?
-I felt really bad for Lucas; how many times does a man need to apologize for something he's not responsible for? I liked him a lot; too bad he wanted Juliana as a wife.
-We're told more than thrice that Lucas took care of Caroline and Alicia by providing a house and staff.
-Vincent is not her "former husband"; he's her late husband. I find it really insulting when someone says "ex" or "former" when it's not the case.
-I thought the epilogue was the most entertaining part of the book. I also liked it a lot when the viscount discussed with his friend the earl and his need for a mother for his daughters throughout the party. The house party idea to play matchmakers was a good one and we get to know who's the next couple for the final book in the series.

Juliana is a widow who has her independence - she doesn't lean on a man for anything and she likes her life like that. A marriage where is expected to be in love turned out to be to a man she had little in common with

One night in an inn she meets Lucas and he shows her what pleasure should be however he leaves without a word and she's crushed.

Years later and Lucase still wants her badly but Julianna is not willing to give up her life for marriage to ruin things.

I loved that this was a regency one-night stand and that the spicy scene was so good. Julianna knows what she is about and that leaves a nice touch to the whole thing

Luke is ready for a duchess but the woman he wants doesn't want the title

This was a easy ready and one I couldn't put down -Loved

I liked Lucas and Juliana, they had great chemistry for a short book. This is a predictable second chance romance with mature (at least age-wise, not always mature in their actions) and experienced characters.

What I didn't care for was that all the plot points (a child, a death) were used solely to get the hero and heroine together. Deus ex machina.

I was invested enough that I want to seek out the other books in the series.

I wanted to love this and it has a lot of the tropes I love, but this just didn't work for me. I wasn't a fan of the interactions between Juliana and Lucas, or the pacing of the story. That being said, I would love to check out her other books, I feel like it's just this book that wasn't right for me.

The Runaway Viscount was exactly what I was looking for: a steamy, historical romance with a sassy heroine and a lovable rogue.
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis when I came across this book and it didn't disappoint. As a widow, Juliana has the freedom to pursue romantic entanglements and she sure took advantage of that when she comes across a young, handsome Viscount one night. Their chemistry and the spicy scenes are off the charts. You can't help but root for them to end up together when they come across each other again sometime later.
I enjoyed this so much that I jumped into another Darcy Burke book immediately after finishing this one. For anyone who loves historical romance, she is a must-read author.

Lucas Trask, Viscount Audlington and Juliana Sheldon met two years ago at an inn they both had stopped at due to a snowstorm. They spent a passionate night together. In the morning Lucas left without saying goodbye. It’s been two years since their night of passion. Neither one has forgotten their night of bliss.

Lucas, as heir to the Earl of Northwich, he is in the market for a wife. He is invited to Lady Cosford’s country house party where there are prospective brides to be. Juliana is friends with Lady Cosford. She is also invited and believes this will be the perfect opportunity for a discreet temporary affair to last only during the house party. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to see Lucas again.

Lucas cannot believe Juliana is at the house party. He fondly remembers her as the Mysterious Widow. Lucas has never stopped thinking about Juliana. He wants her more than ever. Unfortunately Juliana has not been thinking of Lucas in a fond manner. She refers to him as the Runaway Viscount. She is not sure she wants to rekindle their liaison. She will not make it easy for him. She will torment him a little first.

Lucas and Juliana are drawn to each other. Juliana tries to fight their attraction. The air sizzles whenever they are together. They have a hot passion that consumes. Lucas is cute when he flirts as he tries to win Juliana’s heart. They have a great chemistry. Watching them fall in love was delightful. Their back and forth banter was adorable. The author has you rooting for the couple and hoping they would be together.

Lady Cosford did not interact with her guests as much as she did in the previous book. Her playfulness and camaraderie with her guests is charming. Her intricate plots to get potential matches for her guests was missed in this story.

This is book three in the Matchmaking Chronicles series. This was a fun and enjoyable story. Overall the book was very good. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Fear and vulnerability..... Not two things to let rule your life.

Lucas Trask, the Viscount Audlington, has spent his adult life running away from responsibility, commitment, permanence and he has run hard. He has preferred to dabble along the way convinced that he would never find what his parents share. Being drawn to Juliana has his flight-or-flight (yes, I have this down correctly) mode on high alert. He will eventually inherit an Earldom.

Mrs. Juliana Sheldon has found her current situation to be ideal for her. She is a widow of independence. Her former husband made sure she would not find herself needing to depend on anyone. She is not a fan of her brother-in-law, he seems a bit creepy, reminds me of a toad right after a spring shower. ::shuddering:: she is not of the aristocracy, her father is a bookseller. Her marriage was one that started strong, with lust, be petered into a friendship of sorts. She is not sure she knows how to love or if it is possible in her life. Her parents have a strong bond, but like Lucas, is not sure it can happen for her.

His habit of running away from her brings out her sauciness and a strength I think surprises her. Together they find an ease and balance very quickly. We are gifted with Ms. Burke's sense of humor and the vulnerability she writes into her characters.

Darcy Burke writes beautiful romantic stories.
The Runaway Viscount is the third book in the Matchmaking Chronicles and I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC from Netgalley.
Widowed Juliana Sheldon and Lucas Trask, Viscount Audington, are stuck at a packed inn due to a snow storm.  They enjoy a fabulous night together except that Lucas mysteriously disappears early the following morning. They meet again two years later at a house party. Sparks still fly, but Juliana is weary of him as she has dubbed him The Runaway Viscount. What ensues is a masterful combination of trust, lust and a belief in faithfulness.

A nice short regency romance story full of banter between the two characters involved. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read and share this.

This book is a quick read. I enjoyed the premise of the plot and enjoyed the lovers to enemies to lovers trope.

Normally, I enjoy a bit more life or death drama in my historical romances and this book did not hit the mark on that. At times it almost felt like it was too quick and reaching for drama that wasn't there or didn't need to be. There's nothing wrong with a good slice of life romance but this just didn't hit the sweet spot of romantic comedy for me. I think if it had been slightly longer and the third act miscommunication had been more drawn out and in depth it would have improved my opinion immensely.
I also don't believe the synopsis encapsulates the book all that well. While it is technically right, it is misleading and definitely lead me to expect things in the plot that just weren't there and made me feel more disappointed than I would have otherwise. I was expecting a little more life and death based on it and that is just not what I got.

Rating | 4.25 stars

This was a fun, fast paced regency romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.

They initial encounter each other whilst snowed in at an inn. And then years later when Julianna is reunited with her Runaway Duke at a ball, that is subtlety acting as a regency Love Island.

“I’d be hot, but that was a small price if it meant he would be cozy” - Lucas
Now he is just the sweetest rake. And the chemistry between Lucas & Julianna was clear from the outset.

Will be reading more by this author in the future.

Themes/ tropes:
-Second chance romance
-Forced proximity/ 1 bed
-Dual POV
-Regency romance
-Novella

Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The perfect book if you’d like to try out some historical romance without too much commitment.

Thank you to Net Galley & Zealous Quill Press for this arc in exchange for this honest review.

I really enjoyed this fun and fast-paced regency romance. Juliana is a widow who finds herself stuck in a snowstorm at an inn. There she meets Viscount Audlington and they end up spending a couple of unforgettable nights together sharing a room and more at the inn, Juliana wakes to find the other side of the bed empty and the viscount gone. Not expecting to feel the pain she feels at his crude abandonment of her, she vows to not put her in the position to be hurt like that again. When they meet again a couple of years later at the matchmaking house party of friends Juliana is not ready to forgive Audliington for leaving as he did, and the viscount himself is ready to settle down and is in the market for a wife. Can it be that he knew all along he had already met his future viscountess on those snowy nights a couple or years ago?
This story moved along at a nice pace, it has characters that you can relate to, they keep you engaged and entertained throughout. The perfect read for a cold snowy night.
That you to Zealous Quill Press and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.