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.

Tobias Overton needs to marry to satisfy a clause in his late father's will. Miss Fiona Wingate is Overton's new provincial ward, also thanks to his late father. This book introduces the Phoenix Club, which was a bit confusing initially. There were a lot of characters introduced quickly, as they will most likely be followed throughout the rest of the series.

The story was a slow start for me but I came to love Fiona and her spirit. Tobias was also a character who grew on me as he grew up throughout the story. Together they question London society and all of the rules that everyone must follow to be viewed as successful. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exhange for an honest review.

DIDN'T IMPRESS ME 🤷‍♀️

In all honesty, I have always felt slightly underwhelmed by Darcy Burke, but usually I have still managed to feel entertained. That was not the case here, sadly. I didn't find very much to like I'm afraid and it just left me disappointed. Only good thing is that it didn't take me too long to read...

👎 What I Disliked 👎

Plot: This book really needed a plot. There was pretty much none. It was so thin and flimsy that this book pretty much felt like a collection of situations that served no higher purpose. I definitely needed a lot more.

Maps: Fiona has a sweet, funny thing with maps - she absolutely loves them. I found it very interesting and original. But it was also just so very thin. We never find out she loves maps. Or what it is she loves about. A handful of times we hear her talk about wanting to look at maps. And then that's it. I really wanted it to be elaborated upon, to have it play some part in the plot or in Fiona's character. But it ended up being just a strange, inconsequential add-on that served no purpose.

Circular: Too much of this book was just repetition. The same conversations, the same thoughts, the same hang-ups (especially on Tobias' part) and it just felt like it went around in circles.

This wasn't my first Burke book and I wasn't disappointed by this one.

The story is about Fiona and her guardian Tobias. Tobias is charged with marrying Fiona off. Instead, they fall in love with each other.

It was a good read but a slow burn. There are many secondary characters who will get their own books soon.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.

Darcy Burke did it again! This fast paced tale is wonderful! Fiona comes to London, ward to a young Earl, Tobias. She is fun loving, and very delightful. Tobias believes it's his responsibility to get her married...but he is also trying to get married. Oh it's quite a sweet adventure which iwill not spoil for you. We have so many fabulous secondary characters I dreaming of stories for ALL of them!

I truly enjoyed this story by Darcy Burke. I have not read many of her books but will be after this. It was a quick, light, read with humor and romance. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

This Regency was fairly run of the mill as far as the plot goes. Heroine doesn't want to just be married off, but wants her independence instead. Hero is a misunderstood rake who was wronged by his father. There's a timeline involving inheritance forcing matrimonial decisions to be made soon. Ostensibly, it was historical, but more in the fantasy world of the Regency than in the actual 1800s.

This is the first book in the new Phoenix Club Series. I felt that the book definitely spent a lot of time laying the groundwork as the first book in a new series and with the introduction of the characters. So much so, that the romance took a backseat.

Tobias Powell has inherited the title of Lord Overton following his father's sudden death. His father's will requires him to marry within three months of his death or forfeit his mother's house, the only place he ever felt of as home. Tobias as somewhat of a reputation of a rake and is feeling the pressure to rebuild his tattered reputation to find a while, all while taking Fiona under his wing as his ward. Fiona has no desire to marry and wants to experience all London has to offer during her season.

This is a very, very slow burn book. There is one open door scene that comes at 80% through the book, with only two somewhat chaste kisses before that. I think the author really missed an opportunity for more angst and build up to the one scene that we do have. I enjoyed this book, but I did not love it. I felt it really lacked chemistry and depth between Tobias and Fiona, as the stage was set for the series with all the other characters being introduced. That being said, I will be reading the other books in the series.

Improper ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome to the Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, and intriguing ladies and gentlemen find scandal, redemption, and second chances.

Dissolute rogue 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.

This was probably my favorite HR by this author. Most HR books these day either capture my interest at the beginning just to get bogged down in messy plots and sub plots that frankly bore me and I lose interest halfway thru. It will often take me weeks to get through the book. Fortunately for me this book took off from the beginning and never let me down.

Another aspect that I appreciated was that women’s rights, property and lack there of without marriage were brought up amongst the characters. A little to forward thinking considering the time period, but appreciated none the less. It’s a known fact that women’s rights were nearly non existent, and something we still fight for today.

I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you NetGalley and Darcy Burke

This is a very good read. It has humor, romance, a plucky heroine and a handsome hero. I've enjoyed Darcy Burke's books in the past but I think this one is my favorite so far. It is billed as the second book in the series but it is actually the first. The short FREE prequel (Invitation) sets up some of the characters and the Club, but you really don't need all the pre-info to enjoy this “2nd” book. However it is free so why not give it a read. I look forward to more books in the series especially about Cassandra who is Fiona's dear friend and Lucian, Cassandra's older brother as well as Prudence the companion, Con the oldest brother to Lucian and Cassandra and more of Mrs Renshaw, hm-m-m. If you are in the mood for a fun HR then don't hesitate, this one is delightful.

I don’t know what feel flat for me in this new series. I think it moved a little slower than I like. The premise of the ward and guardian is SO good, but the build up just took too long with less tension that I have come to expect. It was a fine story, but wanted more.

<b> Underwhelming </b>

<u>Synopsis: </u>

In accordance with a stipulation in his father's will, Tobias must wed in the next 5 weeks or forfeit inheriting the estate his mother brought into the marriage, one that holds priceless sentimental value.

Tobias has been delaying marriage because he hoped to find a wife he could potentially love, one who embodied wit, kindness, and caring. Instead, to pass the time- romantic he is, waiting for Mrs Right- he'd been whoring around the last two years and developing a reputation. See, Tobias has been crossed in love before by a lady he thought he loved.

But this isn't Lord Overton's only problem brought about by the will of his father; he has also inherited a ward, Miss Fiona Wingate. A panglossian & seemingly naive- though later <i>far too forward</i> for a country miss- orphan from Shorpshire. Tobias must play guardian for her during her first season and endeavors to wash his hands off the responsibility by seeing her wed soon. Oh, and if he fails to marry, his mothers estate goes to her!

Tobias and his three pals are co-owners & leading members of the Phoenix club, an exclusive gentlemen's club that also admits married women and spinsters. Fiona and her new friend Lady Cassandra are obsessed with the idea of sneaking into the Phoenix Club and they take it to incredible heights.

<u>What Charmed: </u>

♡Premiss of a ward and guardian romance sparked my interest.

♡I liked Fiona’s little quirk about cartography, though I felt it should have been developed further.

♡Tobias is cordial right off the bat towards Fiona- a lot of these HR's have the leading man act as a jerk.

<u>What Marred:</u>
✗What is so great or special about the Phoenix Club? Weird that Fiona was so fixated by it, it proved to be quite run of the mill operation.

✗A young ward would have her own establishment, no way would it be proper for her to reside with bachelor who she is not even related to, even with a companion.

✗ 1 dimensional characterizations. The characters don't come alive, they all fell flat.
I had lukewarm sentiments towards all the characters, not a one stood out, and I really did not care one whit about them.

✗ Fiona and Tobias are just void of chemistry.


<u>The Brass Tacks: </u>
I found this arduously slow, I had to really honker down to the point I set a goal to get through 10% a day. I didn't feel enough depth to the characters to come to care about them, and the romance didn’t come off organic, actually rather forced and underwhelming. There was no hero's journey or substantial plot to speak off. Overall, it makes for a staid read.

<b>I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!</b>

. Loved. loved Loved This. One. So. Much! I have loved all the books I've read by Darcy Burke, . But I think this one is my favorite so far. A must read

I really recommend reading the invitation (0.5) before this one. I didn't and struggled to figure out what the Pheonix Club was, for like half the book. Darcy Burke's books are touch and go for me. I love some of her books but then hate others. But I also think that speaks to her talent as a writer; she definitely doesn't write the same character or story over and over again. I was bound to hate one or two with so much variety, and I did not love these two.

Tobias, Earl of Overton, inherits an earldom, ward, and an order from his deceased father to marry in 6 weeks, or he loses part of his inheritance. Fiona Wingate is Tobias's ward and searching for freedom and adventure after growing up in the country and losing everyone she loves. But Tobias is up against a deadline, and if he misses it, Fiona gets that inheritance, so not only does he want to marry, but he also spends most of the book forcing her to find a husband. When they do profess their love, it's somewhat unbelievable.

This story brought up a lot of interesting dialogue around women, rights, property, and marriage. I loved how the characters discussed the inequalities of women's rights in 1800s England. I was really disappointed with the way the story was resolved. It was completely contradictory to the issues brought up by all the characters earlier in the book. Widows also didn't automatically inherit after their spouses died, so frankly, the ending didn't make sense and negated the whole point.

Overall, I didn't care about Tobias and Fiona. The whole phoenix plotline also didn't read as exciting as the characters apparently thought. I was also a little bit more invested in the minor characters and their stories. Both Tobias and Fiona were too immature to enjoy.

3 1/2 stars. This new romance from Darcy Burke has a romance between an Earl and his ward. The Earl, Tobias, has to marry to keep his inhertance. However, its hard to find a wife when your ward is drawing all your attention! This book had a great promise and at times was funny and romantic. It just wasn't my favorite by this author. I do recommend for fans of this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC for my honest review.

I was really looking forward to this and it was fine. Easy and not totally noteworthy.

Basically it felt forced; from the Phoenix Club to the Overton agreeing with Fiona all the time, it didn't come naturally. There's a scene at a ball where Fiona overhears someone complaining generally and decides it's about the club and that's the only thing it can be about. Her friendship with Cassandra and later scenes with Overton where they just gush over other like "you're great... no, YOU'RE great" got to be a bit much and while they said a lot I didn't see what exactly made anyone great.

Guardian ward trope was ok and the one unique wrinkle to this story was the entailment/will and the friendship between their fathers (which still feels iffy, like it was thrown in there).

Again, easy and quick fluffy read.

I'm a fan of Ms. Burke and usually devour her books in one day. Unfortunately, IMPROPER didn't engage me early on. It took me a few days of picking up and putting down to get through it. The beginning was a bit slow and I almost stopped reading, but I'm glad I didn't stop. It took to the half-way point before there was real chemistry between Tobias and Fiona. I think the beginning could have been a lot more interesting if we had more than a glimpse of the Phoenix Club owners who were Tobias's friends. With that said, I'm excited to read the next book in the series about the stuffy older brother of one of the owners.