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.
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…
Review:
A new series from Darcy Burke–whoooot!
Tobias’s backstory (from Invitation ) had me chomping at the bit to read his story–and it was just as delicious as I’d hoped! The reality of the implications of his father’s will has snapped him out of his downward spiral (thank goodness!) and put him in a marrying frame of mind. And then he finds out about his ward…
Both Tobias and Fiona are sympathetic characters, and I really enjoyed watching them get to know each other, and soon, fall for each other. Even though theirs *could* be considered a “forbidden romance” (and of course, Improper!), this still manages to be a fairly low angst romance. Fiona has led a fairly sheltered life and doesn’t know much about navigating the ton, and that along with her insatiable curiosity (oh yes, and the fact that she can’t seem to stop kissing her guardian…) almost get her into a lot of trouble–but fortunately, Tobias and some new friends are there to smooth things over.
Until she finds out Tobias’s secret…
…which he (finally! he has a few fumbles along the way…) handles like and adult and their HEA is achieved in the end. Happy sigh!
Bring on book 2 ( Impassioned ), because I am loving the men and women of The Phoenix Club!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.