Darcy Burke: One Night of Surrender

After one passionate night a decade ago, Valentine Fairfax, Duke of Eastleigh, never forgot Isabelle, the intelligent, witty and forbidden daughter of a head of college at Oxford. However, since suffering a disastrous marriage to an unfaithful wife, the duke has vowed never to succumb to temptation again. Until the day he discovers his friend’s governess is the one woman who still haunts his dreams.

Once penniless, Isabelle Cortland has finally saved enough money to finance a school for impoverished girls. But when a chance encounter rekindles buried desires, Isabelle knows she can’t be a duke’s mistress and a headmistress at the same time. No longer a naïve girl, Isabelle won’t repeat the past. Not even for one night of surrender…

Meet the unforgettable men of London’s most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough…

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!

5 Stars 4.75 out of 6 Second chance at romance for sexy bookworms