Meet the smart, independent women who’ve decided they don’t need Society’s rules, their families’ expectations, or, most importantly, a husband. But just because they don’t need a man doesn’t mean they might not want one…

Graham Kinsley is shocked when he inherits a debt-ridden dukedom, and now he has just one month to repay a loan. He needs an heiress—or find a way to recoup the former duke’s losses. When he meets the alluring Arabella, he’s entranced. Unfortunately, she’s as bankrupt as he is, but if they work together they may be able to recover their fortunes. Though if they keep stealing kisses, they may lose their hearts instead.

Arabella Stoke can’t afford an attraction to the penniless duke who has vowed to help rescue her family from financial devastation. She needs to find a wealthy husband before her father succumbs to the stress of losing everything. However, as Graham brings them closer to finding the swindler who stole their money, the war between what they want and what they need may ruin them both.

Titles in The Spitfire Society series include – Never Have I Ever With A Duke – A Duke Is Never Enough – A Duke Will Never Do –

(there is a connection to Ms. Burke’s series The Untouchables – not necessary to have read that series, but it would add to the background knowledge and it’s a really good series as well)

Title:  Never Have I Ever With A Duke
Series:  The Spitfire Society #1
Author:  Darcy Burke
Genre:  Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Published:  August 27, 2019
Publisher:  Darcy E. Burke Publishing
My Rating:  4.5 stars

NEVER HAVE I EVER WITH A DUKE starts off Darcy Burke’s new series, The Spitfire Society with an engaging story of two people who desperately need to find rich spouses in order to save their family or family homes but end up falling for someone just as penniless as themselves.  I freely admit that I’m not only addicted to series so to start right now at the very beginning is perfect for me, but also that I absolutely love when unlikely people fall in love.

Yes, for the time period it was often necessary to find a rich husband or wife in order to save estates that have been plundered in one way or another.  Still, Graham and Arabella each have unique mindsets for the timeframe since Graham knew and worked for members of the ton and now finds himself as a Duke with responsibilities and no cash to tend to them at all.  Each has had their families swindled by the same man so there is common ground between them from the beginning.

This couple begins as friends with a common goal, once they realize that neither has the funds they were so hoping to find within a match between them.  I enjoyed that Graham wasn’t the least bit surprised by Arabella’s intelligence or her determination to be a major player in bringing the swindler to justice.  There was not only respect but acceptance of each other’s unique ways and that is refreshing in a Historical Romance.

In NEVER HAVE I EVER WITH A DUKE you’ll find likable characters, a nasty villain, unusual situations, sizzling moments, friends to lovers and acceptance of each other just as they are.  I had a blast with this one, and I’m definitely keeping an eye out for A DUKE IS NEVER ENOUGH due out in 2020.  There is a connection to Ms. Burke’s series The Untouchables should you want to go back for more information about characters you may see wandering through this series on occasion.  Necessary, no, of course not, but an enjoyable reading experience for they are really good stories that you’ll easily get caught up in.  I’d not hesitate to recommend this story to any reader who loves a good Historical/Regency Romance, a likable couple, and threads woven through this story that will continue throughout the series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Available for the Kindle