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The Duke of Desire

(The Untouchables #4)

Darcy Burke (Goodreads Author)

4.10 · Rating details · 729 ratings · 108 reviews

Ten years ago Ivy Breckenridge's life was ruined. She had to reinvent herself, and now, after painstakingly making her own way in the world, she's nearly forgotten the dreams of home and family she'd once nurtured. Until one man peers into her soul and awakens every one of her hidden desires. But no matter how good he makes her feel, she can't trust him-alone by choice is ...more

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Kindle Edition, 290 pages

Published March 28th 2017 by Darcy Burke

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Mar 20, 2017 Caz rated it really liked it

Shelves: aar, arc, romance-1800-1850, 4-and-5-star-books

I've given this a B+ at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars.

The Duke of Desire, the fourth book in Darcy Burke’s series, The Untouchables , is quite possibly my favourite of them all so far. I will admit that when I read the blurb, I was doubtful. After all, the idea that the eponymous duke is a kind of Regency Era sex-therapist who helps couples to liven up their love lives by sleeping with the wives and helping them to learn to find and give pleasure – is certainly most unusual, not to mention unlikel ...more

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Mar 25, 2017 Becca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-complimentary-copy, kindle, favorites, on-my-shelf

The Duke of Desire is Darcy Burke's fourth installment in The Untouchables series. I had never read Burke's books before discovering this series and now I am going to her backlist and adding all her books to my TBR pile and eagerly anticipating every new installment in what has turned out to be a new favorite series for me.

For those of you who have been following this series, The Duke of Desire has a slightly different feel. As the title implies, there is more sex in this one, but both character The Duke of Desire is Darcy Burke's fourth installment in The Untouchables series. I had never read Burke's books before discovering this series and now I am going to her backlist and adding all her books to my TBR pile and eagerly anticipating every new installment in what has turned out to be a new favorite series for me.

For those of you who have been following this series, The Duke of Desire has a slightly different feel. As the title implies, there is more sex in this one, but both characters has have many layers that surprised me. When I first started this novel, my first thought was "this is weird." Not what you'd expect me to say since I gave this 5 stars eh? Well, let me explain. The first impression of the hero was a bit off-putting for me. He is a man who sleeps with married women to help them "discover pleasure" with their husbands. What? Now, I don't approve of this personally, but in the hero's mind, it was his way of helping others. He would only participate if he had the husbands' approval also. When I was reading, I kept thinking "what the heck is this ?" The hero is like an 19th century sex therapist for married couples. Now, don't be put off by this. KEEP READING. While I was put off by this in the beginning, by the end I was singing "Burke is a genius" and "this is marvelous."

To avoid spoilers, I'm not going to tell you why the Duke, West, behaved the way he did. All I'm going to say was that he was the perfect match for the heroine, Ivy Breckenridge. Ivy. Wow, she had so much more depth and resilience than I realized. She comes across as prickly and pessimistic at the beginning, but West's persistent, gentle pursuit melted her resistance and turned her into the hopeful, strong woman I always knew she was from when I first met her early in the series. Each of these books in this series have always surprised me. I love how in each book, there are secrets about each character that are revealed that make me love them more. Nora, Aquilla, Lucy, and Ivy all had burdens to bear, and Burke did a brilliant job in each book delving into those struggles and then creating heroes that perfectly matched them.

This book is primarily character-driven. Ivy has shadows from her past that come back to haunt her, and the duke has emotional needs that he hasn't quite figured out how to meet. With each other though, all the pieces start falling into place and it makes for a shockingly romantic story that I did not anticipate. There are really sexy sex scenes in this book, but there are also powerful emotional scenes that are even more romantic here as you reveal all of the layers within each character.

Overall, this book surprised me. Initially, the hero seems to be all about sex and the heroine seems to be a man-hater. However, Burke once again surprised me with the depth of characterization, and I adored the ending and want to go back and read this again. If you haven't read this series before, I recommend you start earlier than this book. While it can primarily be read as a stand-alone, there are explanations of how the heroine met her friends and where all the "Duke of___" naming came about that isn't fully explained here and may be confusing to those new to the series. Also, all the other books in this series have been really good and you wouldn't want to miss them anyway. For those who have been reading this series, this is yet another installment you don't want to miss. Burke has landed on my auto-buy list with this one.

An excellent, unexpected, and deeply romantic story. 5 stars.

Thank you to the author for an ARC to read and review. All opinions are my own. ...more

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Mar 28, 2017 Sissy's Romance Book Review rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-read, 5-star, arc-author-publisher, own-arc-author, own-gift, series, trt

The Duke of Desire 'The Duke of Desire' by Darcy Burke is book Four in the "The Untouchables" series. This is the story of Ivy Breckenridge and Sebastian Westgate, Duke of Clare. I have read the other books in this series but feel this is easily a standalone book.Ivy has settled into be a companion while her close friends have married and started a family. Ivy has issue with men and at first it would seem hard to get past. West has a reputation of 'helping' married women by sleeping with them. S ...more

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Jun 19, 2020 Sarah rated it really liked it

'Ten years ago Ivy Breckenridge’s life was ruined. She had to reinvent herself, and now, after painstakingly making her own way in the world, she’s nearly forgotten the dreams of home and family she’d once nurtured. Until one man peers into her soul and awakens every one of her hidden desires. But no matter how good he makes her feel, she can’t trust him—alone by choice is better than alone by necessity.

With a notorious reputation for training married women in the art of passion, Sebastian West 'Ten years ago Ivy Breckenridge’s life was ruined. She had to reinvent herself, and now, after painstakingly making her own way in the world, she’s nearly forgotten the dreams of home and family she’d once nurtured. Until one man peers into her soul and awakens every one of her hidden desires. But no matter how good he makes her feel, she can’t trust him—alone by choice is better than alone by necessity.

With a notorious reputation for training married women in the art of passion, Sebastian Westgate, Duke of Clare, is reviled by some and celebrated by others. He doesn’t allow anyone close enough to see past his charming exterior. When Ivy uncovers the man beneath, the seducer is suddenly the seduced. Enraptured by her mind and spirit, he wants more but revealing his darkest secrets is a price he won’t pay.'
_______________________________

The Duke of Desire is the fourth book in Darcy Burke's The Untouchables series and is a historical romance.

First I must say that I really enjoyed this book and it has been one of my favorites from the series that I've read thus far. I'll be entirely honest and say that I was of two minds when approaching this book. On the one hand, I was looking forward to starting the book because I wanted to learn more about Ivy's backstory after it being hinted an through the last two books. But on the other hand I was dreading reading it because of the cheesy title and accompanying storyline of the suave hero that is god's gift to women. Triapsing about London, teaching women the wonders of satisfying sex, and changing their lives and marriages for the better with the power of his magical dick.

As you can tell it was difficult for me to start the book without a negative mindset, but I've enjoyed her other books, so I pushed my dread aside and kept an open mind. And I'll admit, I did give a few eye rolls when we first met West(Sebastian), but I really came to love his character after Ivy gave him such a set down. After that, he became a much more likeable character to me as he seemed to be more cognizant of how inflated his ego was. I agree with Ivy that the Duke of Debauchery would have been a more apt name for Sebastian.

Ivy was quite standoff-ish and cold when the book begins, but she has a good reason. Given the forshadowing from the previous books, Ivy's backstory was along the lines of what I had expected, but there were other aspects to it that were not quite what I had and I enjoyed reading the reveal and surprises that followed. But I'll say no more because I don't want to give any spoilers.

I maintained a suspension of belief toward West, but he really did grow on me as the book progressed. I found the reasoning behind his rebellion to be a bit of a strange jump, but it worked within the confines of the story and everyone responds differently to things, so why not? He really is a great character once I got past the weird sex therapist thing.

These characters are very well portrayed and things came together perfectly between them. In the end, I really came to love Ivy and West despite my hesitence at the start. The pacing was great although the ending did resolve a bit more easily than I was expecting and so it seemed to feel a bit rushed, but that could have just been me.

I recommend The Untouchables series by Darcy Burke from what I have read so far and I look forward to reading more from this series. Onto book 5 next, The Duke of Defiance. ...more

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Apr 10, 2017 Sieravonne rated it it was ok

Shelves: darcy-burke, 0-i-find-it-daft

I just find it stupid that a man needs to make a demonstration (by bedding a married woman) so that he could help the woman and her husband have a happy marriage via reaching mutual pleasure. He didn't need to engage the act with those women, he simply can teach their husbands on how to pleasure their wives.

I am a bit disappointed because I was really looking forward to this book but it was a let down.

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Apr 13, 2017 Sara rated it liked it

2.5 stars.
One thing that kept bothering me throughout the book:
How could he have slept with all those women and not gotten an STD?
I thought they had french letters back then?

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Mar 24, 2017 Isha Coleman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads

I love reading Darcy Burke. Her stories whether contemporary or historical are masterpieces that blend a bit of classic romance with a smidgen of modern day wisdom. What I find hard is reviewing without exposing too much.

My personal title for The Duke of Desire is "So Speaks the Heart". Why? Ivy and Sebastian needed to learn to see past the subterfuge and listen to that inner voice that sees inside to the heart. Their connection was bigger than them both. They could have it all, if they opened ...more

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Mar 30, 2017 ~Mandi~ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mandi-s-challenge

4.5

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Apr 01, 2017 Dot Salvagin rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: romance readers

Here is a yummy romance not to be missed. We have a Regency style sex-therapist in the guise of the Duke of Clare, and yes that sounds a bit strange but trust me it all works in the hands of this terrific author. Then we have a ladies’ companion, Ivy, who has a scandalous past but is totally charmed by the Duke.
This is the first book I have read in this series and I was not lost. Characters from the previous books make appearances but all is well explained. However I do wish to read their stori ...more

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Mar 21, 2017 Tracy Emro rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. *I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by the author*

3.5 stars rounded up

I liked this book, but I did not love it. I just couldn't connect with Ivy, she was too bitter and at times too hostile for me to really like her. The more I read about her backstory, the more I wanted to like her, but it just never happened for me.

West on the other hand was almost perfect - I loved him, even though I found his affairs to be disconcerting, he isn't a traditional rake - he is a self *I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by the author*

3.5 stars rounded up

I liked this book, but I did not love it. I just couldn't connect with Ivy, she was too bitter and at times too hostile for me to really like her. The more I read about her backstory, the more I wanted to like her, but it just never happened for me.

West on the other hand was almost perfect - I loved him, even though I found his affairs to be disconcerting, he isn't a traditional rake - he is a self styled Regency era Sex Therapist - he sleeps with other men's wives for two reasons, one he likes to help people (ok?) and two because he really likes sex (that is more believable). At least this is what he tells people, but by the end of the book, the reader realizes that there is a lot more to it than that.

West meets Ivy at a house party, he is in between affairs and is intrigued by her. Ivy on the other hand wants nothing to do with West and repeatedly and forcefully tells him to leave her alone. Lucky for her, West isn't willing to walk away. The more she pushes him away, the more he is pulled back to her.

When West intervenes and helps a young woman at the house party that Ivy considers a friend and offers to help the local workhouse find a new schoolmistress, Ivy reluctantly begins to like West. When the house party ends, Ivy figures her association with West is over. She is going to Bath with her employer and he is going back to London.

So when West shows up in Bath, Ivy is more than a little taken aback and if she is honest with herself, a little thrilled. She doesn't believe anything can come of their "friendship" and she is still trying to push him away. But when the past Ivy has tried so hard to put behind her comes calling - West is the hero she needs.

As I said, I liked the book, the storyline was unique (I can honestly say that I have NEVER read about a hero like West), the love scenes were steamy (however, the first one seemed more instructional than sexy, which reminded me of West's "occupation" and therefore was a bit off putting), the secondary characters were great, the villain was well done, the story flowed well, was really well written and there is a very sweet epilogue. ...more

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Oct 03, 2017 Trish R. rated it liked it

I didn’t like this book nearly as much as I did the others. I just can’t get that West sleeps with sooo many women so he can teach them how to get more pleasure with their husbands and then to teach their husbands how to give and get their own pleasure AND, as West says, “because I like sex” and I like helping people. It was all too much! And, then, he tells Ivy he can “change her life” by making love to HER. He thought a lot of his own prowess. I had to skip the pages where he told Ivy what, an ...more

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Mar 19, 2017 Maria Dariotis rated it it was amazing

Ivy Breckinridge has a secret that if revealed will ruin her life and she can't afford to start over again-not after everything she's been through. Dreams of love and family are not for her.
Sebastian Westgate is the Duke of Clare he has only one passion and that's to bring pleasure to women and teach them the art of sexual satisfaction. But there's more to him than the facade of a philander. Until he meets the very intriguing Ivy who challenges him and he so loves a challenge, until she puts hi ...more

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Mar 28, 2017 eyes.2c rated it liked it

Shelves: regency-romance, netgalley

Hidden desires!

3.5 stars.

Ivy Breckenridge is a woman with secrets. When she and Sebastian Westgate, Duke of Clare, or rather, the Duke of Desire, so named by Ivy and her friends, meet at a house party something zings. (Really, these house parties seem to be designed, in novels at least, to be hot beds of gossip and extra martial, or not so extra marital, intrigue.)
I really liked West and Ivy. Ivy on the outside is a blue stocking who holds her feelings in check, for good reason as we painfully d ...more

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Mar 20, 2017 Romance Novel Giveaways Lauren Seiberling rated it it was amazing

I really loved this book!!!

I'll admit that I'm not that educated on the time period, and I felt West's "occupation" was a bit odd, but I appreciated that it was sort of a "measuring stick" to show how he changed when he met Ivy.

I felt lots of emotions for Ivy, and I liked her independence. Her insistence on keeping things proper made the tension between she and West absolutely delicious, and when they were alone together, even in passing, sparks. Lotsa sparks. I especially loved the Blind Man's ...more

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Mar 22, 2018 Kari Maass rated it really liked it

I love the untouchables!

Ivy is s lady’s companion. At a House party, she meets West, The Duke of Clare or the Duke of Desire as she nicknamed him. She and her friends named him the fourth untouchable. West performs a service to the the married ladies by instructing them in the arts of pleasure, for themselves and their husbands. Until he meets Ivy. All he can think about is bringing her joy and happiness. It is what he does after all. He soon discovers that she brings him joy and happiness. How ...more

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Nov 04, 2017 Christy Carlyle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017-tbr-challenge, regency-historical-romance

I love Darcy's characters. They're richly layered and likeable. Relatable, even when it's a handsome duke who basically offers sex ed. There was a great element of will they-won't they here. Sure, it's a component of every romance, but the dance of possibilities and building attraction is done particularly here. Also, as a English lit lover, I enjoyed the Goldsmith book/quotes/chats between the hero and heroine. Bonding over literature? I'm here for it! Always.

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Mar 24, 2017 Dee Deacon Foster rated it it was amazing

The folly of falling in love and the subsequent ruination keeps one in the shadows. The opportunity to infuriate one’s Mother keeps the other in the ton’s limelight. Neither want anything to do with love or marriage.

Ivy Breckenridge is quite content with her life as a lady’s companion. The position affords her the opportunity to remain in the shadows, a place she’s most comfortable with since having attention ruined her life many years ago and forces her to keep a secret even from her dearest fr The folly of falling in love and the subsequent ruination keeps one in the shadows. The opportunity to infuriate one’s Mother keeps the other in the ton’s limelight. Neither want anything to do with love or marriage.

Ivy Breckenridge is quite content with her life as a lady’s companion. The position affords her the opportunity to remain in the shadows, a place she’s most comfortable with since having attention ruined her life many years ago and forces her to keep a secret even from her dearest friends. Though her friends want her to share the bliss they have come to know as married women Ivy adamantly refuses to have anything to do with love or marriage. When she catches the eye of The Duke of Desire will she stick with her vow? And what happens if her secret comes out? Can she reinvent herself all over again?

Deemed an Untouchable (those who are out of reach for wallflowers) with the nickname of The Duke of Desire, Sebastian Westgate “West”, the Duke of Clare, does his best to vex his mother, the woman who made his childhood miserable, the woman who can’t seem to love him. Affairs with married women and the gossip it elicits is certainly one way to drive the woman mad. Another way – vowing never to marry and letting the Dukedom fall to a cousin. A seemingly innocent house party just may have West reconsidering his decision – IF he can get the lady to agree.

There are so many parts of this story that I love! Ivy – brought to the lowest of lows she has survived and even thrived in her life. West – has a high opinion of himself but you soon see the selflessness within him and the hurt he carries. Ivy’s actions towards someone from her past (you go girl!). West’s reaction to his Mother when she infiltrates his home (though he should have physically tossed her out on her ear). West’s conversations with the husbands (two former Untouchables) of Ivy’s two best friends had me laughing out loud. Last but not least (okay – there are many more I could list but why ruin the fun for everyone) the marriage proposal had me wanting to smack West upside the head and shake sense into Ivy.

I adore Darcy Burke’s books and this one is no exception! Ms. Burke writes book four in The Untouchable series, The Duke of Desire, in a way that it can be read as a stand-alone. However, I highly suggest adding the others to your to-be-read pile - you won’t be disappointed. Now patiently waiting (cue drumming fingers on table) to see which Untouchable falls next. ...more

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May 21, 2018 Edwina " I LoveBooks" "Deb" rated it liked it

I really have mixed feelings about The Duke of Desire. Dukes just didn't act like this in public and didn't freely talk about having intercourse with married lady's of the Ton. My feelings are mixed because there is another side to Sebastian Westgate Duke of Clare. He is gentle, kind and considerate. He does not judge and doesn't seem to be proud of anything other then talking about his sexual prose with married women.

Ivy Breckendridge employed as an Ladies Companion, would not have so freely ta ...more

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Apr 03, 2017 Kelly The Sassy Book Lover rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-all-time-favorites

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review

Just like every book by Darcy I was up to 2 am reading the whole book in one sitting. I loved it from the start because they both were different from what others saw. I was not expecting Ivy's past to come to light the way it or the reasons for the way West acted. I could picture everything as it happened especially a certain scene involving a shirt be removed. I was not expecting his mother and loved when he put her in her place ...more

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Oct 06, 2017 Melanie rated it really liked it

This is the fourth book in The Untouchables series, and I believe the most fun out of the four, and the reason for it was the hero.Now, that said, I have to warn you that in reading this story, you need to suspend your imagination waaaaaay up high, and only then you’ll be able to enjoy it.

I truly liked both Ivy and West from the start, but by the end of the story as their characters grew and their stories came to light, I loved them and their happily after was worth the road they traveled togeth ...more

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Mar 05, 2018 Maggie Whitworth rated it really liked it

This book is a real addictive read

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Nov 16, 2019 Amy ~ Love At 1st Read rated it it was amazing

“I’ll give you one chance to change my life, Clare. Just one.” He unfolded himself from the chair, rising above her and stepping so close, she could feel the heat of his body. “Please call me West when we’re alone.” He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I’ll accept your challenge. And I promise you that once won’t be enough.”
What do you get when you add one debauched rake and one guarded wallflower? A fabulous romance that will keep you riveted from the first page to the last. I love wallfl “I’ll give you one chance to change my life, Clare. Just one.” He unfolded himself from the chair, rising above her and stepping so close, she could feel the heat of his body. “Please call me West when we’re alone.” He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “I’ll accept your challenge. And I promise you that once won’t be enough.”
What do you get when you add one debauched rake and one guarded wallflower? A fabulous romance that will keep you riveted from the first page to the last. I love wallflower stories. Some are shy. Some are intellectuals. And some are just plain rebellious. But Ivy Breckenridge was a wallflower out of distrust and an attempt to protect herself. She’d grown accustomed to living on the periphery and thought she was content to be alone. Until she met West, the Duke of Desire. Flattering her. Flirting with her. Tempting her. She’d fallen prey to someone like him once and her life had been ruined. But there was more to West than her preconceived notions. He was charming, considerate, forthright. And oh so tempting! Could he be her last chance to have something, if only for a short time?
Sebastian Westgate, Duke of Clare had accepted his moniker of The Duke of Desire. Lord knows he’d earned it. He loved women. But once he had an affair with a woman, he no longer wanted her in that regard. No emotional attachments of any kind and no desire to maintain the affair. He thrived on change and provocation and excitement, and life had taught him that marriage was none of those. And then he met Ivy. The most fascinating woman he’d ever met. And the first woman he’d encountered that didn’t seem to want him. Her sharp tongue and intelligence intrigued him. He liked her obstinacy and liked needling her. She was wound so tight and he liked the challenge of making her unwind. He could do that for her. But could he walk away? With each clandestine meeting, he became more and more captivated by her. Being seen as a philandering rake had never bothered him before, but now it was beginning to annoy him. Ivy had changed him. He just didn’t realize to what degree.
Darcy Burke is the queen of un-put-down-able books! Her Untouchable series especially is charged with emotion and humor and filled with wonderfully flawed characters. Ivy and West were so deserving of love. Past events had affected them both greatly. There was so much more to both of them than how they first appeared. I loved how their back stories unfolded slowly throughout the book, making me connect with them and love them even more with each chapter. This entire series is perfection. Each one can be read as a stand- alone but you’ll want to read them all. You’ll adore these quirky and unconventional wallflowers. And you’ll fall in love with the men they’ve deemed “untouchable”.
...more

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Mar 22, 2017 Book Gannet rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star-review, regency-romance

I found this a thoroughly enjoyable, sumptuous Regency read with a strong-willed heroine and a surprisingly caring hero (considering his reputation). Neither are quite what they seem and I loved the slow, steady way in which they transformed each other as the book progressed. It’s a slow and delicious seduction that drew me in right from the start.

Ivy has no intentions of ever marrying, and she has excellent reasons for this. She may seem cold to some, unimportant to many, but she’s worked hard I found this a thoroughly enjoyable, sumptuous Regency read with a strong-willed heroine and a surprisingly caring hero (considering his reputation). Neither are quite what they seem and I loved the slow, steady way in which they transformed each other as the book progressed. It’s a slow and delicious seduction that drew me in right from the start.

Ivy has no intentions of ever marrying, and she has excellent reasons for this. She may seem cold to some, unimportant to many, but she’s worked hard to turn herself into the perfect, boring lady’s companion, despite her beauty. But as has been shown in the previous books in this series, she’s also capable of great loyalty and there is far more to her than the facade she presents.

I liked her. She’s strong and intelligent, more repressed than cold. Her past is terrible in many ways, but the way in which she rebuilt her life was admirable. I really wanted her to find happiness, even when I wasn’t certain how she possibly could. This did leave me feeling like a few things were brushed aside a little too swiftly towards the end, but I mostly didn’t mind too much.

Because West was worth it. He is certainly a curious character, a rake with a reputation for sleeping with married women – and it’s not a lie. Which makes a change. Yet he’s not a cad, he’s almost a Regency sex therapist. I’m not entirely convinced about the believability of his helpful nature and how grateful everyone apparently is afterwards, but it was certainly different. And it let him be a sexy rogue without being an actual reprobate, so that was good.

I liked how he saw past Ivy’s walls and coaxed her out, pushing her up to a certain point but never taking things too far. He has his own issues with his past – mostly his mother – but his heroic rescuer streak made up for any of his less good qualities. And then there was that walk… *swoon* He’s an amazingly supportive hero, making him an excellent match for Ivy’s more independent qualities. I loved the two of them together.

The tale is mostly split between a country house party and the social interactions of Bath, across the autumn (not fall!), complete with an array of interesting entertainments and activities to keep things interesting. And although couples from earlier books in this series do make some appearances, it stands alone well enough, while hinting at the next few heroes yet to come.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. The story is romantic, the characters are likeable and have wonderful chemistry and seemed perfect for each other, all wrapped up in a lovely Regency setting. I think this was possibly my favourite Darcy Burke book yet – I can’t wait to read the next one.

(ARC provided by the author via NetGalley.) ...more

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Mar 22, 2017 Janet rated it it was amazing

Ten years ago Ivy Breckenridge’s life was ruined. She had to reinvent herself, and after painstakingly making her own way in the world, she’s now a lady’s companion. She attends a house party with Lady Dunn & meets The Duke of Clare a man who peers into her soul and awakens every one of her hidden desires. But no matter how good he makes her feel, she can’t trust him, she can’t trust any man, alone by choice is better than alone by necessity.
With a notorious reputation for training married wome ...more

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Mar 24, 2017 Debra Martin rated it really liked it

After Ivy Breckenridge's life is ruined when she was a green girl, she has reinvented herself as a companion and does her utmost to be proper in every situation. She has finally found some peace after surviving a horrific time on her own and she's vowed never to marry or let a man rule her or her emotions again. Sebastian Westgate has been nicknamed the Duke of Desire for his numerous affairs. He's a rake and once he sets his sights on Ivy, he's the one to be disappointed by her lack of interest ...more

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Mar 21, 2017 Ira rated it really liked it

"The Duke of Desire" is the forth book in the series - and I loved it just as much as I loved the other books!

Well, I was a bit miffed at our hero, the Duke of Desi...,pardon, Duke of Clare's in the beginning because he was very insistent and very seductive and, well, let's face that fact once more, right: seduction was fine in those times - if you didn't happen to be a woman, then it just meant that you were completely and utterly ruined.

Unfortunately Ivy Breckenridge is a woman - and one who ...more

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Mar 30, 2017 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star, arc, histoical, owned, sta, reviewed

West and Ivy are both against marriage for their own personal reasons that we learn about as they get to know each other. He is known for his many affairs with married women, so his nickname fits him quite well. But there is so much more to him and the reasons he does what he does - until he meets Ivy at least. Ivy's past has colored her view on men like West, and at first does what she can to avoid him, but little by little, he wears her down. I love the friendship that develops along with the ...more

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Sep 17, 2017 Corrine rated it really liked it

4.25 stars. I didn't love it as much as Lucy's story and I was kind of disappointed how easily Ivy's issues with Clare and men of his ilk were resolved, but this was still a good, fast read.

(I will say I couldn't help but roll my eyes over the reason behind Clare's debauchery. Andrew and Ned had FAR more believable and understandable reasons behind their reputations.)

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Apr 28, 2018 Susan rated it it was amazing

Certainly a different kind of Duke. Loved West and Ivy’s story. ❤️

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Lauren marked it as to-read
Feb 02, 2017

Feb 06, 2017 Nicole rated it really liked it

I received this book from net galley for an honest review. Thank you!!

I have read this series from the first novel and it is a wonderful series. The author, Darcy Burke, does a good job with the characters and the plot. Even though each story is it own, it still brings back some of the characters from the previous books in the series. Each story builds on the other.
Ivy Breckenridge was ruined ten years ago by a man who promised her marriage and then left her. She was forced to leave her family a ...more

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Geo Marcovici marked it as to-read
Feb 08, 2017

Kelly rated it it was amazing
Feb 08, 2017

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Feb 12, 2017

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Rachel Davidson rated it really liked it
Feb 27, 2017

Feb 28, 2017 Elaine rated it really liked it

Shelves: fave-authors, kindlefire, regency

Very enjoyable read. 4*

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Joon marked it as to-read
Mar 02, 2017

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Mar 07, 2017

Aleen ~Lampshade Reader marked it as to-read
Mar 16, 2017

Mar 18, 2017 Thai Holman rated it really liked it

I've always said this genre was not for me.
Then I read a few that I loved then opened me up more. I actually enjoyed this. I didn't fall head over hills in love but I did like it. I loved the characters the and story and it did not drag at all.
I will recommend this. Especially for this genre and fans of this type of read. Readers will love this. So one click now.

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Kimia Safavi marked it as to-read
Mar 18, 2017

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Mar 19, 2017

Gina rated it really liked it
Mar 19, 2017

Mar 19, 2017 Kim Vanravenswaay rated it it was amazing

Another great name for West world be, the Duke of Rescues. He is constantly rescuing someone. Whether it's a couples sex life, or a damsel in distress. Ivy was very surprised to see what a kind man West really was.
West is awed by Ivy the first moment he sees her. And then he takes the time to get to know her. He has a lot of female friends, but they only become friends after having a session with their husbands and West. So it is quite new for him to start out as friends.
The Duke of Desire, is a ...more

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Mar 20, 2017 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, 4-stars, review-books

Such an interesting Historical Romance. As most of you know, I’m still pretty new to this genre. But, I must say, it really is nice to mix up genres every once and a while.

The Duke of Desire was an intriguing read. I loved the writing style and found the plot of the story to be really interesting. West had the most interesting job, teaching married women the art of passion and love making. While his job was totally unconventional, I loved discovering that there was more to this man that what mee ...more

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About Darcy Burke

Darcy Burke

1,390 followers

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guit ...more