See also my review on 'Games in the Ballroom'.
I'm sorry Darcy but this really wasn't a 'new' storyline in any way. The title comes from what the 'over-bearing' father calls the romance male lead - Ruark. No Irish here please...
Apart from that we have the same storyline as so many others - a father wanting to get his daughter wed, wealth or title preferred, and interfering in the choice, a 'naughty' daughter who wants more than her father wants to give her.
But we didn't touch on any Societal ills or.... so it was very limited n where the story could go. It did cover gambling and fighting - bare knuckle - but much more could have been made of them to show the outcomes of these habits.

Intolerable is the third book in the Phoenix Club series, that follows a group of friends who have created a club that selects members based on their uniqueness rather than popularity. This tells the story of Cassandra and her brother’s best friend Ruark. Cassandra’s father has demanded she marry at the end of her first season, but he tends to scare away all potential suitors. When she asks Roark to assist, their mutual attraction makes it difficult to keep things simply friendly. Oh, and there’s “the incident” that happened between them weeks ago in a closet at the club, but they’re not talking about that, nor wanting to do it again.

I would rate this 3.5 stars overall. I felt the plot was interesting, but the hangups each character had that kept them from deciding to be together were fairly flat. Cassandra’s father doesn’t want her to marry for love because when her mother died it devastated him, but other than having a bad attitude all the time, there isn’t any real emotional depth to this within the story. Ruark vowed not to marry until he was at least thirty so he doesn’t make the same mistakes as his father, marrying for love and then falling out of it. He feels this is a good choice because he has had a few loves he has grown tired of in his 27 years. I think there is so much opportunity to go deep with both of these issues, but it didn’t happen. I also felt like there was something missing to their interactions as they fell in love with each other. Overall I was entertained, but I was holding my breath for the story to get to the next level, and it didn’t happen.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another winner! Lady Cassandra Westbrook has till the end of the season to get married so had her father decreed. The problem is there is no one that she would consider, plus her father is a Duke and scares off anyone before she even tries to get to know them. Enlisting her brother’s friend to fake a interest in a hope that other possible suitors may then take notice of Cass. Ruark Wexford goes along with Cass crazy idea and even shows up for a morning call at that Duke’s manor. Unfortunately the Duke is not impressed with the Irish Earl and tells him in a very cruel way that he is not allowed to court his daughter. The two keep meeting at balls, cupboards and various other events. They discover there is much that they have in common, and the sexual tension is slowly simmering.
Ruark is afraid to follow is heart and Cass will only marry for love. The story is a page turner, the characters are wonderful. Can be a standalone, but the series so far has been a very enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #Intolerable #DarcyBurke

An enjoyable read (not as good as untouchables though) however i did have to remove points for the modern slang that seemed to pop up more in this than in other books I've read of the author. I don't insist on the english language of the time but i really hate modern slang popping up (frigged for example)

I am in love with this series! I really enjoyed this couple getting to know one another and slowly falling in love following their immediate fascination with each other. They were kept apart by her family but of course that only makes him more interesting. I thought the evolving family relationships were beautiful as well and look forward to more romance in the future. #netgalley #intolerable

This is the fourth book I’ve read written by Darcy Burke, and I quite enjoy her style.
Ruark Hannigan, the Earl of Wexford, promised his father he wouldn’t marry until the age of thirty so that he’d be certain in his choice. When his best friend’s sister needs him to pose as a potential suitor to garner attention on the Marriage Mart, he’s the perfect candidate—if only he hadn’t kissed her in secret.
Lady Cassandra Westbrook can’t forget the incident between her and Wexford, and she’s having a devil of a time focusing on finding a husband. The fact that her father intimidates every gentleman has made her quest intolerable, and her two brothers who could help are proving completely worthless. But if she doesn’t settle on someone, her father will arrange an “acceptable” marriage by the end of the Season. But when Ruark sees the woman he passionately wants—despite his better judgment—swept into the arms of another man, the prospect of losing her becomes intolerable.
The best thing about this story is that there are many many kisses! So good! The sexy time are great and beautifully written. Their attraction is hot and palpable. I adored Cassandra, but didn´t care for Ruark. He keeps compromising her but doesn´t proposed because a promised he made when he was six. The plot seemed almost absurd. That frustrated me a bit and was hard for me to fall for him. I think that the author wants us to struggle a bit with the male characters of this series. Not going to happened with Constantine, he is forever going to be my favorite.
The characters are well developed and strong. I enjoyed the side characters a lot and 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.

Overall impression- strong writing from a great author, good dialogue, an enjoyable story, steamy scenes, good characters that are well done.

Some things that didn't work for me -
*the entire concept that he was supposedly a rake (although he really wasn't written as such) who would wait until he was 30 to marry because of a promise he made when he was six. What?
*the obstacles that the two had to face to be together, especially the idea of another suitor for Cassandra. They all were rather weak in my opinion and left me saying "so? what's the problem?"
*The entire storyline was good but not great, as mentioned the premise that he wasn't going to marry until thirty, which got tossed in his face so many times and brought up so much it was a bit maddening.

Should you read it - yes, it is an enjoyable read
Darcy Burke is a great author, her other works are fabulous, this isn't her best I feel, almost rushed in a way given that it is part of a series. I have not read any of the other books in this series except the prequel for it but I have heard of the storylines and read excerpts of them. I don't feel that a reader would be lost having not read the other books but it may help.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review

I just finished reading Intolerable, by Darcy Burke. This is the second book I have read in this series and it lived up the the expectations I had from it based on Impassioned, book 2 of The Phoenix Club. I now realize I really need to go back and read Book 1, not because I was lost without reading it, but because I know it too will be exceptionally good.

This book follows Cassandra and Ruark, her brother Julian's best friend. I loved Cassandra and Ruark. Cassandra was an extremely strong female lead and wanted to be able to choose her own destiny, while her father wanted to do it for her. While I will never understand Ruark continuing to honor his promise to his father, long after his father's death, other than making it a little frustrating sometimes, it didn't make me dislike him. I did thing it wasn't a great reason for him not even declaring his love for Cassandra and I for sure didn't think it was a great reason for Cassandra to tell him she would wait to wed until he turned 30. I think, however, that Ms. Burke did well in putting out there the prejudice of Cassandra's father against Ruark. Dukes at that time did not want their daughters to marry anyone Irish, so it made total sense that her father would feel that way. This books was really good and I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Well done.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first book I've read by Darcy Burke and the highest praise I can give this book is that I've instantly gone looking for more!

I was completely immersed in Intolerable and thought the characters of Ruark and Cassandra were very well written and felt real. The main conflict between the two characters was realistic, as was their interest in one another.

A brothers best friend historical romance? Yes please. In the third book of the Phoenix club series we follow Cassandras journey to love. At her brothers dismay she falls in love with Luciens best friend Ruark. Ruark has made a wow to not marry before 30, and is a small rouge.
I really enjoyed reading about Ruark and I fell in love with him and Cassandra. But sadly the rest of the plot was just meh for me. I don’t regret reading it, but it is not an amazing book

Cassandra’s father insists that she marry by the end of the Season. She is not adamantly opposed to the idea, but she wants to choose her suitors and eventually her groom. Now, if she could choose her own husband, who would he be?

Ruark was just her brother’s best friend until they kissed (in a closet at the Phoenix Club, strictly unplanned). Now neither can forget it. Their friendship and a pretend courtship leads to more. Their attraction is undeniable and their chemistry strong from the beginning, the kiss in the closet. I was fun to watch their romance and watch their relationship develop. Cassandra must stand up for herself and what she wants, and Ruark must overcome the fear of breaking a vow to his father (when he was six) and learn to recognize love. If they can get past these hurdles, happily ever after is sure to follow. This is a charming and entertaining story with engaging characters. It is full of humor, emotion, and romance (with a bit of heat), and a happy ending. Only one question – where is Prudence? I enjoyed and recommend this delightful story and look forward to the next one.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Intolerable is the third book in Darcy Burke's The Phoenix Club series. I think you should read the series in order as events from the previous books are referred to in this book, and it would give you a better understanding of the characters. Lady Cassandra Westbrook, father the Duke of Evesham has been informed by her father that if she has not chosen a husband by the end of the season, he will choose one for her. The problem is that her curmudgeonly father and protective older brothers seem to be scaring off available suitors. She asks her brothers good friend Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford to pretend to be interested in courting her with the hope of letting other gentleman see that she is available to be courted. I really liked Cassandra, she makes a good feisty heroine who is not intimidated by the overbearing men in her life, but I found the hero to be a bit wishy washy, he promised his father he would not marry before age thirty and spends quite a bit of the book wondering if what he feels for Cassandra is real and will last. I enjoyed this book and the other books in the series, but prefer a hero who knows what he wants. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: October 19, 2021. #Intolerable #DarcyBurke #ZealousQuillPress #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalRomanceSeries #HistoricalRomanceReader #RomanceReader #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

I liked the set up and the heroine but I wanted to hit the hero upside the head most of the time.
The reason why they couldn’t be together (from the hero’s POV) seemed dumb. I understood it more from Cassandra’s side. It also just seemed like he played with her feelings a lot which left a bad taste in my mouth.
The heroine was beautifully brave and I commend her for that.
I have enjoyed this series in the past but this one didn’t knock it out of the park for me.

3.5 stars for the second in the Phoenix Club series. This one focuses on Lady Cassandra, who's been ordered by her overbearing father to marry by the end of the Season.⁠
⁠
The problem is that he's so overbearing that he's scared away any viable suitors. Cassandra hatches a fake courting scheme with one of her brother's friends, Ruark. But isn't it always the case that the people we hatch fake dating schemes with are the ones we want to real date? ⁠
⁠
The real issue is that Ruark made a vow at 6 years old to his father on his deathbed. What vow is it? Ruark promised not to marry until he was 30 years old. That's to make sure that he is certain of his feelings. On top of that, Ruark has ⁠fallen in love many times in the past, but thanks to his childhood vow he has broken all of their hearts.

The writing is clear and enjoyable, the spicy scenes are fun (carriage sex but in a parked carriage? Yes please!), but it's hard to get down with Ruark, especially when Cassandra has bared her heart already. You see, romance novels are all about couples who are perfect for each other, but just can't be together. The success of a novel can hinge on whether the reader believes first - that they are the perfect match; and second - that the reason they're being kept apart is plausible. Here it is really tough to believe that a vow made at 6 years old is the true reason Ruark can't commit. Isn't he just acting like a Regency f*ckboi (oh sorry, we mean rake)?

Keeping everything in mind, this isn't a bad entry in the Phoenix Club series, just not as strong as other Burkes we've read in the past.

This is enjoyable enough, but unfortunately it just didn't draw me in as much as the first two books in the series. I like the H and h, but just don't find either truly compelling. Lady Cassandra Westbrook is sister to the Phoenix Club brothers; she's the sibling who has gotten lost in the shuffle. Her older brothers have been basically ignoring her while getting involved in others' lives since their mother's death years before. Meanwhile, her father has spent most of her life mourning his late wife in his own way. Cassandra has always wanted to marry for love and is harboring a tendre for Ruark, the Earl of Wexford. However, they can't be together because her brother and father don't approve of him, and he's a bit of a rogue.

And this is where the story just doesn't work for me. Every romance needs at least one obstacle that keeps the couple apart, realistically, just long enough until they can achieve their HEA. I actually thought the secondary obstacle--h's dad doesn't like H because dad's a bigot--was a valid one, and wish it had been explored further. There definitely was prejudice against the Irish during this time period, even those who weren't Catholic. But the Big Obstacle here is really quite silly: Rourke promised his father, who had been unhappily married, on his deathbed that he wouldn't marry until he was 30. The age was just chosen arbitrarily, and Rourke was only six when he made this deal (he had no idea what his dad was even talking about, he just wanted to please him). Now, years later, Rourke thinks this is great advice, because every three years he's made the mistake of falling in love with a woman for a few months, then breaking it off. Why, he's left behind three possibly disappointed women.

Wait, what? I couldn't figure out how this made Rourke a rogue. Granted, the girl in Ireland (whom he barely kissed) and the young woman at Cambridge (whom we are given no details about) may have been hurt by the end of a relationship lasting a few months, but the third was a skilled courtesan who was never in love with him (and he could have never married her). But his past becomes the big point of contention after Cassandra has pledged to wait for him until he turns 30. Which is "only" three years away.

Anyway, minds change fairly quickly in order for H/h to get their HEA. There is a rival for Cassandra's affections, and I was hoping he'd end up being an interesting villain, but he's super bland and underdeveloped as a character. Rourke's sister is also thrown into the mix, and I assume she might have her own upcoming book, but unfortunately she's the stereotypical bluestocking that seems to pop up in so many Regencies these days: research obsessed and into experiments with kissing. (No joke, I've read two Regencies in the past year that involve a bluestocking experimenting with kissing.)

Darcy Burke is still a writer I enjoy, I just wish this hadn't felt so much like a "bridge book" between the previous entry and the upcoming book.

Steam level: 3. The love scenes are well-written and H/h have decent chemistry.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. #Intolerable #NetGalley

Cassandra and Ruark are both captivated by each other after a chance encounter in the dark. But with Lady Cassandra's father putting off almost all potential suitors, and a promise Ruark must keep, can this pair find a future together?

Intolerable was my first Darcy Burke novel. I was slightly confused at first because it seemed characters were introduced VERY quickly. I would hazard a guess that if I had read other books in the series I would not have been as lost in the first two chapters. Still, I was able to enjoy the story without having read the other books in the series.

The characters were decently fleshed out, which was nice, and the dialogue was charming. I particularly enjoyed Cass' companion and her observations and wit.

I did find one plot point that made it hard to suspend my disbelief. How many times could one be caught in a compromising duration and NOT be forced to marry? Lady Cass seemed determined to find out!

If you enjoy Regency romance, this is a fun, quick read, and worth your time!

I received "Intolerable" from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Darcy Burke is one of those authors whose writing comes to life for her readers. This is the third book innthos series but can be read as a stand alone. Lady Cassandra Westbrook snd Ruark Hannigan, the Earl of Wexford once shared a secret kiss in a cupboard, and neither has forgotten that electrifying moment. Now they must both decide if living without the other and being married ro someone else is Intolerable, or making the ultimate sacrifice of losing their family's wishes and promises made to be together is more important. A great romantic read!

I loved the story of Ruark and Cassandra. I have read every one of Darcy's books and while this series is not my favorite, I will still read anything she publishes.
The romance is a slow burn with lots of teasers. The is some great sex scenes which I love so it was not disappointing.
You will love this book but I would read the first 2 in the series first, it helps fill in the back story but you could still read it as a stand alone .
I was given this ARC from NetGalley but the review is my own.

Roark and Cassandra have a chemistry that resounds throughout this book. It’s lovely to experience the slow burn as each encounter gets more and more steamy. As always this author creates characters with multiple layers and interesting back stories. Even the periphery characters like Roark’s sister are intriguing. This is a good romance that stands alone, however it also feeds the appetite for subsequent books in the series.

Intolerable is the third book in The Phoenix Club series but can be read separately. I think it would benefit the experience to be read in order but does not affect its clarity.

Lady Cassandra may not have started her season yet but it hasn't stopped her from catching Lord Wexford's eye. When Ruark catches Cassandra sneaking around her brother's exclusive member's club sparks fly in a darken closet. However, Lord Wexford has sworn not to marry thirty and at twenty seven his feelings for Lady Cassandra have come a bit too early in his plan. When Lady Cassandra's father decides it's time for Cass to marry will it be too late or early for Ruark?

Cassandra is an extremely likeable romance heroine. Her strong willed nature and her fight for independence from her domineering father is admirable. It's highly enjoyable reading about a character who knows her own mind so fully. Cassandra has confidence in what she wants and feels, then acts of these without hesitation.

As a hero Ruark is swoon worthy and the perfect mix of rake and kind hearted gentlemen. Though a Lord he faces backlash over his Irish heritage from the ton. I like that he never apologises or looks down on this even though it's probably all he has ever heard. He exudes self confidence and charm, both in public and private. Ruark's reasoning behind delaying marriage is both heartbreaking and very advanced for the time.

The relationship between Cassandra and Ruark is fun due to the forbidden nature and stolen kisses. Cassandra leads the relationship during the book but never emasculates Ruark. Their relationship is shown to have depth as both characters fight for it equally.

Overall I enjoyed the book though I did prefer Impassioned slightly more. I'll definitely continue with the series and I think they link excellently.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review *