Sophie Reads YA: Zealous Quill Press

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Intolerable (The Phoenix Club #3) by Darcy Burke

11:00

Intolerable
Series: The Phoenix Club #3
Author: Darcy Burke
Published October 19th 2021 by Zealous Quill Press

Goodreads Synopsis
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. 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.

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.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Cassandra Westbrook is the debutante of the season, and her father, the autocratic Duke of Evesham has decided she will marry by the end, no matter what her choice is. Cassandra hasn't found any man strong enough to stand up to her father, and dare to court her, apart from Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford, but he's only doing it to help Cassandra. However, after a night spent together at the Phoenix Club, and a secret kiss in a cupboard, neither of them can stop thinking about the other. But Ruark promised his father he won't marry until he's 30, and he can't break that promise - or can he?

After finishing Impassioned, I wanted to start Intolerable straight away, and am really glad I did. I liked the previous book, but this one was so much better! Cassandra and Ruark were the perfect couple for this book, and for each other. Both had vulnerabilities which were explored in the book, and they overcame trauma from their pasts, especially their childhood's without a parent. I really liked how they had a friendship first, before it became romantic, and that they spoke to each other about a lot of things, though the truth about why Ruark was waiting until 30 wasn't revealed until closer to the end. I'm intrigued by the next book, and hope that we see more of Cassandra and Ruark, just as we saw how Sabrina and Cosntantine's romance was progressing here.

Dates Read:
November 13 2021

Rating
3 Stars

2021 New Release challenge

ARC Review: Impassioned (The Phoenix Club #2) by Darcy Burke

10:00

Impassioned
Series: The Phoenix Club #2
Author: Darcy Burke
Published August 24th 2021 by Zealous Quill Press

Goodreads Synopsis
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.

In nearly two years of marriage, Sabrina Westbrook has barely spoken to her husband and shared a bed even less. Both activities would require they actually live together. As it is, the Earl of Aldington attends to his seat in the House of Commons, while she and her crippling social anxiety tend to his country house and gardens.

Their arrangement is quite civilized, and their letters are painfully polite. Their twice-yearly visits are…awkward. But, if Sabrina can muster the necessary courage, all of that is about to change. Starting tonight.

Heir to a dukedom, Constantine Westbrook knows his duty: to country, to family, and to the shy, retiring wife whose beauty stole his breath the moment they met. Whose arousing, enticing body he’s never seen in the light of day. Or any light at all.

However, there’s something different about the woman who shows up in London unannounced. For the first time in their marriage, Sabrina has a request. No, a demand. But wanting and having are two different things. And to give Sabrina her heart’s desire, they’ll both need a few lessons in love…
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

For two years, Sabrina Westbrook has been the Countess of Aldington, but she never wanted to marry, and her relationship with her husband, Constantine, is awkward to say the least. But Sabrina is adamant that it is all to change. She wants children, and she's willing to overcome her social anxiety to become the Countess, and future Duchess she needs to be, as well as submitting to her husband's attentions, if there's going to be any children. Constantine Westbrook fell head over heels with Sabrina when they met, but learning that she was forced into the marriage, and how cold she is when they're together, has made him see her less and less. But when Sabrina turns up in London, unannounced, demanding a baby, and so different from the woman he married, Constantine is blown away. Can they reconcile their differences, and fall in love, or is their marriage doomed?

After reading other books by Darcy, I was drawn to this one, and though I liked it, I wasn't completely blown away by it. The characters were okay, but I didn't really like Constantine, or how angry and cold he was. He blamed Sabrina for not wanting to marry, but never spoke to her about it, or about her life with her cruel parents. This book was definitely one where if they had just talked about their issues, everything would've been solved. Sabrina was so much better, and I liked how she was stepping out of her comfort zone, and becoming a new and improved version of herself, but not too different that she lost everything that made her Sabrina. The plot line definitely picked up after the half way point, and by then I was more invested in the plot line. I'm glad I have a copy of the next book, because Constantine's sister, Cassandra, definitely intrigues me.

Dates Read:
November 10-12 2021

Rating
3 Stars