Another great book from Darcy Burke! This had a unique twist, a LI that had made a vow not to wed until he was 30, and it was great to see how she resolved that. I am enjoying this series and will be interested to see what the next book brings.

A sweet and sweeping romance that makes you feel as if you've been sucked into the story yourself!
I adored the writing in this book. It had the perfect amount of romance. And of course, loveable characters. Thank you Darcy Burke for a pleasant regency romance.

Cassandra's father insists she marry this season. But Ruark, the man she desires, promised his father he would wait until the age of thirty to wed. When another man courts Cassandra, is Ruark willing to let her go?

If you like Darcy Burke, you'll enjoy this novel. The style is consistent with the other books in the series. The chemistry between Cassandra and Ruark is strong. The book is a fun and steamy read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Ruark Hannigan, the Earl of Wexford, was a very good-looking man, and also a friend to Lucien, the second son of the Duke of Eversham. But the Duke found him unacceptable because he was Irish and his mother was a Catholic but had converted when she married his father. He just did not want him as a son-in-law.
The Earl had promised his dad on his death bed that he would not marry until he was thirty. He still had three years to go. He enjoyed pugilism and was good at it. He was also a member of the Phoenix Club. He was starting to enjoy Cassandra, which was not good
Lady Cassandra Westbrook had been told by her father if she was not married by the end of the season he would find one for her. The Duke was so rude and almost evil, suitors would not come around. Why would they want to get treated badly? She liked the Earl very much but knew how her father felt.
I thought this story was lovely. The characters were humorous and so caring. Cassandra enjoyed helping people. There were some thrills and it was funny in spots, also there were some surprises. Ms. Burke has always been a favorite writer of mine and I loved this book and the series as well. I have never been disappointed. I am anxiously awaiting the fourth novel.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed this marvelous book.

Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford loses his heart easily and has put off marriage so he can be sure of his choice. Lady Cassandra Westbrook enlists Ruark's help as a faux suitor to help her gain attention and find a real candidate for husband. If only they hadn't kissed in secret! Now the idea of ending up with anyone but each other is intolerable.

This is the third book in the Phoenix Club series (plus a novella). While it can stand alone, it takes place on the same timeline as the other books. I have not read book one, Improper, but it seems like Ruark's and Cassandra's history (and kiss) begin there...although I don't know if it takes place on-page.

This is an entertaining story about two likable characters struggling to find happiness. Ruark is quick to infatuation and plans to honor a dying vow to his father to wait until he is thirty to marry to make sure he knows his own heart and mind. Cassandra is feeling pressure from her grumpy father to make a match, but his "intolerable" antics are scaring suitors away. She just wants a chance to get to know someone and make a real connection. Ruark and Cass have great chemistry and I enjoyed watching them get to their HEA.

Tropes: Brother's Best Friend/Best Friend's Sister, Fake Courtship

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #Intolerable #NetGalley

4.5 stars

I was keen to like this one as I'd been looking forward to Cass and Ruark. IMO it wasn't quite as great as the previous book 2. Ruark keeps falling in love and he'd promised his father that he wouldn't marry until he was 30. Cass is very enamoured of her brother's friend but her father doesn't approve.

In this book I was pleased that the author got some communication going between Ruark and his mother, his ex mistress and Cass herself. Cassandra's Dad comes out of it a bit better than we have seen before. The other characters are still intriguing, Evie, Lucien and Prudence and it looks like Prudence is the next book.

Warning there's lots of passionate scenes for those that prefer to avoid them but I actually like them :)

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

Cassandra is having trouble finding anyone brave enough to court her because her father the duke is so intimidating, so she asks Ruark to pretend to court her for an afternoon and then let everyone know her father was very pleasant(which he definitely is not!).
Now all of this would mean nothing is several weeks ago they hadn't shared a kiss in a dark closet that neither one can stop thinking about.
Ruark is best friends with Cass's brother Lucien and he knows he has no business courting anyone especially Cass when he still has another 3 years before he feels he's old enough to know his own mind and marry(like he promised his father), but he can't seem to stay away from her. Does this mean he's in love or will it fade in a few weeks like every other time he's thought he was in love?
If you want a heroine who knows her own mind and a hero who confusing infatuation for love this is the story for you.

After reading Impassioned (book#2) I was waiting with 'Impatience' (😜) for this book.

First few pages I did not get absorbed into it like the first two books in the series; but after a while I did!

Ruark and Cass were sweet. The promise made as a child to a loved one weighs the child's heart a lot. It tends to grow and become a keen obsession in many as they grow up. While Ruark was confused and tried to stick to the promise, I liked how Cass readily accepted and was all set to wait.

I expected Ruark to focus his attention on Cass and lose the match - it all felt a bit rushed to me but happy how it all works for everyone.

Waiting for Pru's book!!!

Society’s most exclusive invitation...
Welcome to the Phoenix Club, where London’s most audacious, disreputable, and intriguing ladies and gentlemen find scandal, redemption, and second chances.
Every three years, like clockwork, Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford loses his heart. Alas, he promised his father he wouldn’t marry until the age of thirty so that he’d be certain in his choice.
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.
This is the third book in the series. While quite good the storyline was repetitive in that there were times I felt as though I had already read it.
Darcy Burke writes a excellent romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This is book three in the Phoenix Club series and is Cassandra and Ruark's book. Ruark is Cassandra's brother Lucien's best friend. I love this series and am desperately waiting for Lucien's happily ever after. Ruark is loveable and fun as a hero.

This book should be read as part of a series and not as a standalone. There are many complex character relationships and events transpiring over multiple books. This book ends on a cliffhanger, setting up Prudence's story next.

It felt good to be back with the Phoenix Club gang. I absolutely loved all the siblings relationship development that we got in this book and the friendships that Cassandra made.

However, I was a bit underwhelmed by the central romance between Cassandra and Wexford. Individually, both of them are good characters and I liked the friendship element in their relationship but I just felt the romance to be a tad bit bland. A major part of which can be because the plot itself was negligent. I mean, I know marriage was a huge deal back in a day but I was a bit bored hearing all the marriage stuff again and again. It was fun in the beginning but got very repetitive after a certain point.

Anyways, it was an overall decent read but not the best that I have read from the author.

Ah! I have no words!! Definitely my fave of the series so far and an overall fave too! I already loved Cass from the earlier books but I did not expect to love Wexford as much as I did. I really enjoyed getting to know him, especially seeing him stand up for their relationship. Their chemistry is amazing! Darcy has outdone herself. But man the ending made me so sad that I have to wait months for the next book. I can’t wait for Prudence’s story to finally find out what’s been going on with her all this time.

Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review..  


 Intolerable was a good read I can't compare the first two books. What I read I did enjoy the story, I will differently read them 4 star 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read. 









Happy Reading Lisa 📚

We always buy Darcy Burke for our library. Our patrons adore her books. You can start here, but you'll want to go back and read the first two books in the Phoenix Club series.

This story was full of both hits and misses. Lady Cassandra Westbrook was definitely a hit. Her personality more closely matched that of her brother Lucien, in terms of boldness. She carried the romance.

Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford, is the best friend of Lucien and he is well aware that Lucien's sister, Cassandra, is off limits to him. A chance encounter at the Phoenix Club changes all of those good intentions. If only Ruark didn't have so many issues to work through though...

His firm stance of not getting married until the age of thirty wasn't really flushed out. I was hoping his mother could shed some light on the odd deathbed request by his father but it was pretty flimsy. Ruark thus came across as extremely immature and not worthy of Cassandra.

The writing was good as usual but I wish Ruark had more substance to him. I had little confidence in him being able to handle any future marriage conflicts. He needed to show more growth by the end of the story to make this an overall hit.

Unfortunately the title of this book says it all for me. It was angst upon angst upon rehashed angst to the point I lost any interest in the characters and the story. I have enjoyed other books in the series, but this was a big no for me. If you love angst, this book may be for you. 2-1/2 stars

Thank you to the publisher and netGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

The chemistry between Ruark & Cassandra was palpable from the very beginning. I loved reading the evolution of their attraction and the pull between them. You could see the inevitability of their love and yet the both had so much to overcome. Ruark' self-doubt is such an insurmountable hurdle that any can relate to, making it all the more compelling. I loved how Cassandra's family evolved throughout the story, coming to a place of true love & support. My only negative is that the next book is not out for another year! I need to know what happened to Prudence, that twist at the end was definitely a surprise. It will nibble at my brain for a long time while I wait.

Darcy Burke does it again! This is the second book in the Phoenix Club series and it is just as fun and well written as the others in the series.

Cassandra and Ruark were smitten from page one. I just loved their chemistry. The amount of pining for each other is enough to make anyone swoon. We get to see the previous main characters from the series throughout the book. It's nice to get to see all the stories woven together. I cannot wait until the next in the series is out in January. I still have my fingers crossed for an Evie and Lucien book!

Intolerable by Darcy Burke is the third book in the Phoenix Club series. This story centers around Lady Cassandra Westbrook, who’s intimidating father has scared away most of her suitors, and Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford, her brother’s best friend, who made a vow to his father on his deathbed not to marry until he was 30.

Darcy and Ruark first meet accidentally when she sneaks into the Phoenix Club. They share a kiss and neither can shake the moment from their minds. However, Cassandra’s father and brothers declared that Ruark isn’t suitable for her, and try to get her engaged to someone else. Ruark has doubts about whether or not he actually loves Cassandra and if that love can last. Cassandra is a great heroine. She is bold and is not afraid to fight for what she wants. I loved reading her scenes with her brothers and father. Their family dynamic as a whole was really fun to read.

The book could be a good standalone. I haven’t yet read any of the other Phoenix Club books, but I absolutely will go back and read the first two. Additionally, this book ends with a cliffhanger, so I have to read the next one to determine what happens to Cassandra’s companion, Prudence.

Tropes include:
Best friend’s little sister
Fake relationship

I was invited to read an ARC of Intolerable, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #Intolerable

If you read Improper, the first book in The Phoenix Club series, you might remember when Cassandra snuck into the club with her friend and protagonist, Fiona. While there, Fiona had a steamy encounter with her ward and future husband. Intolerable clarifies what happened to Cassandra when she was separated from Fiona at the club, and it involves a passionate kiss from Ruark.

After reading the first two books in the series, I was excited to read Cassandra’s story. In the previous books, she stood out as a vivacious and charming woman, as well as a supportive friend, and I enjoyed learning more about her character. Cassandra is so understanding and sympathetic, and she fights for her happiness even when things seem hopeless. She is brave and sincere and a bit lonely, especially since her mother died when she was young, her brothers are a bit older than her, and her father is demanding yet distant. She is a woman who yearns for love, and she finds it in her brother’s best friend.

Ruark made a death bed promise to his father not to marry until he was thirty, and he intends to keep that promise. Ruark has fallen in love a few times but maintains his reputation as a rake. When he realizes he has developed feelings for Cassandra, he becomes conflicted and uncertain. Does he truly love her? Will that love fade, as his father suggested before he died? Ruark cares too much for Cassandra to risk it. With her father’s pressure to wed soon, can Cassandra prove to Ruark that they have found the kind of love that lasts a lifetime? And can they both prove to Cassandra’s family that their love shouldn’t be forbidden?

Though their relationship is forbidden by Cassandra’s family, neither Cassandra nor Ruark can deny their feelings for each other. The only problem is, because of that deathbed promise and the doubt Ruark’s father instilled in him, Ruark doesn’t trust his feelings. Most of the story revolves around the couple trying to overcome these emotional and familial obstacles, and their journey proves complicated. However, Cassandra is steadfast, patient, and determined, which is stronger than the seeds of doubt that were planted in Ruark at a young age. They have explosive chemistry, and the reluctance and forbidden aspect of their relationship fill their connection with even more sexual tension.

The character development in this series is fantastic, and this book is no exception. Cassandra and Ruark are the focus of the story, but the other characters, including Cassandra’s family and friends, as well as Ruark’s mother and friends, are also dynamic and layered. And I’m dying to find out more about Prudence, who has been a companion in all three books. What happened to her? Hopefully, we’ll find out more about this secretive yet lovely character in future books in the series. I also like that the characters from the first two books have minor roles in this story. Though each book can be read as a standalone, they are all connected by The Phoenix Club.

The Phoenix Club is a hugely popular place for people who don’t necessarily feel like they fit in. As always, I found the club and its founder fascinating. It sounds like a compelling, beautiful, and slightly scandalous club, and I can see why it is so appealing to these characters. For Ruark and the other founders, it’s a place of belonging and acceptance and a place to let go and have fun without the stifling social constraints they all face. The story also explores other means of entertainment, including balls and boxing matches, which proves problematic as Cassandra passes out at the sight of blood and Ruark loves to box.

Intolerable is a captivating addition to The Phoenix Club series with dynamic and layered characters and an interesting storyline. I’m eager to see who will be the focus of the next book, and I would definitely recommend this story to readers of historical romance! Thanks so much to NetGalley, Zealous Quill Press, and Darcy Burke for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.