Intolerable was a good book, but not the best in the series in my opinion. I loved Cass and Ruark. They are adorable together. Their story is a good one. I just felt the conflicts were dragged out a bit much, and she gave herself to him too easily. I could have taken 100-150 pages out of the book and still got the story, so that made it hard to make it through the book. I will be interested to see what happened with Prudence and Glastonbury. I hope they connected after the fight and not while he was courting Cass. I am also still excited to read Lu’s story. Hopefully it comes soon!
This book could be a stand-alone, but is so much better when read with the previous books in the series in order.

Thank you Zealous Quill Press and Darcy Burke for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

#DarcyBurke #Intolerable #NetGalley

I have been looking forward to Ruark’s book since the beginning of the series. Not because he is much more handsome, or rich, or funny than the others, but because while he is the best friend, the others seem to malign him. I wondered why because he seemed to be such an honorable, good-humored, likable man. We’ve also met Cassandra before as well, and I really liked her. So, I was really excited to see the two of them finding their HEA in this book.

When he was six years old Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford, made a deathbed promise to his father and he has always remembered and kept that promise. Ruark isn’t supposed to wed until he is at least thirty so he would be sure he knew his own mind. Ruark has found himself ‘in love’ several times and always said goodbye to the lady because – well – he wasn’t thirty yet. Then, there was an ‘incident’ in a broom closet at the Phoenix Club. Now, that lady he can’t seem to forget no matter how hard he tries – and he really does try. Except, he’s still not thirty, so nothing can happen.

Lady Cassandra Westbrook, daughter of the Duke of Evesham, sister to Constantine Westbrook (Impassioned), and sister to Lucien Westbrook, founder of The Phoenix Club, is being prodded – not very softly – by her father to wed this season. But then, he doesn’t make it very easy because his growl intimidates any potential suitors. Cass wants to marry for love, but she’s not found anyone who makes her heart flutter. Well, not anyone other than that rogue Ruark who kissed her in a broom closet.

It wouldn’t matter if Ruark and Cassandra were in love – her father would never, ever, accept him as a suitor. Neither would her brother Lucian. When Ruark pretends to court her – at her request – her father insults him in the worst possible terms. Yet, Ruark handles it all gracefully.

Many twists and turns – delights and setbacks – happen along the way to their HEA, but it was delightful to see them finally get there because I truly liked each of them separately and together.

For me, I found the promise of a six-year-old and an adult’s blind acceptance of it a bit hard to swallow. I can understand the self-doubt his father’s words would cause, but it mostly sounded like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Then, Cassandra totally accepted everything about Ruark – but when she heard he’d been ‘in love’ before, she suddenly wanted no part of him. That just didn’t seem like much of a reason for that extreme reaction.

I definitely recommend this book and this series. Now, I’m looking forward to the next book – which (from the hints in this book) will feature Viscount Glastonbury and Prudence Lancaster. Can’t wait.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story and how our 2 main characters fell in love, but then had several obstacles to overcome. Both characters were really likeable and the kind of people one would like to be friends with, and the secondary characters were also well-written and made you want to read their stories too. My only complaint is there were numerous, quite explicit, and rather long sex scenes (some lasted around half a chapter) and it was just too much. It would've been better if either they weren't in, were just alluded to, or were kept to under a paragraph so you could skip those bits if you didn't want to read them. Otherwise a quite enjoyable story

Ruark falls in love with his best friend’s sister but is unsure it will last. Cassandra is unsure she is in love with Ruark. Both fight the inevitable. I received an ARC from NatGalley and Zealous Quill Press for my honest review

I've enjoyed all of the Phoenix Club books but this one is my favorite so far. I love an Underdog story. It's so fun to see how they turn around peoples thinking of them. If they don't then most don't care. Rurak is an Earl, so I'm still a little confused by Cassandra's father.

Truth be told, I wasn’t in a historical romance mood. BUT. Ever since reading Improper (book one in The Phoenix Club series), I have been impatiently waiting for Cassandra and Ruark’s (Earl of Wexford) story. Needless to say that when I saw the opportunity to read it before its release date (October 19th), my impatient self jumped on the occasion. How could I not? I abandoned all my other plans for the day and spent it reading Intolerable. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. I LOVED THIS BOOK.

There is something about Darcy Burke’s writing that I just adore. Her writing style is amazing in its simplicity. It’s so easy to get lost in her stories, which are entertaining, fun, and absolutely irresistible, and to forget everything else… Not only was the romance in this one delicious (and I will go back to this point) but one thing I love in this series so far are the secondary characters. Darcy Burke knows how to make them interesting and knows how to make you care for them, which I feel is not so easy to do. From beginning to finish, Intolerable was awesome and it met all my expectations & more! Cass and Ruark had a sizzling chemistry and the angst! It was so good, I melted and turned into a puddle. Seriously, this book made me go from one emotion to another in a matter of seconds, and I loved it. On top of that, the tropes in this book were some of my favorites—best friend’s little sister? Yes, please.

Overall, Intolerable is my favorite book in the series so far, and Darcy Burke keeps making me want more, which means that I’m really excited for Indecent (coming next year)!

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.

Finally, Cassandra has a chance at courtship, but, frustratingly, it’s not with the impulsive and irresistible Irishman her father detests and she desires. However, 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.

Darcy Burke writes wonderfully romantic historicals. This book is no different. I love both of the characters. They are both headstrong, smart and passionate. A terrific build up to the romance and they have wonderful chemistry together.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc.