The Forbidden Duke

The Untouchables, Book 1

By: Darcy Burke

Narrated by: Marian Hussey

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Spinster Miss Eleanor Lockhart is suddenly homeless and employment is her only option. Ruined after succumbing to a scoundrel's excessive charm nearly a decade ago, she's lucky to obtain a position as a paid companion and committed to behaving with the utmost propriety. She definitely shouldn't be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation.

Titus St. John, Duke of Kendal, is known as the Forbidden Duke, a mysterious, intimidating figure who enters society just once each year at his stepmother's ball. A decade ago, he was a devil-may-care rake until his idle roguery brought about the ruin of Eleanor Lockhart - and his resulting self-imposed isolation. Now she's back, and she needs his help. But by saving her, he may just ruin her life all over again.

©2016 Darcy Burke (P)2017 Darcy Burke

Awesome read and Awesome narration..

The only book Darcy Burke has on Audible and I certainly hope it’s not the last. This was such a good book. It’s about Nora, who was “ruined” nine years ago when she was caught in the embrace of Lord Haywood, and Lord Haywood was encouraged by Lord Titus St John, who became the Duke of Kendal, to act that rakishly. Titus gave up his rakish ways when his father died but never really got over the guilt he felt over Nora’s ruination. Nora became Titus’s stepmother’s companion, and that’s where the fun started.

There was no insta-love. The love came about throughout the book. It was just so romantic.

There was no stalker, no mystery, no suspense, no murder, BUT it was a really great story. AND it was only 156 pages. AND I don’t feel like I missed a thing. I was told about the beauty of the ballrooms, the colors of the beautiful gowns and what the gentlemen were wearing, without being bogged down with pages and pages of description.

AND, which I LOVE, because I'm shallow, Nora was beautiful and Titus was gorgeous.
My kind of hero and heroine.

There was desire in this story and one awesome sex scene. A romantic sex scene NOT erotic or vulgar.

AS to the narrator: Marian Hussey did an excellent job on all the voices and she read with wonderful emotions.

I hope to see more of Darcy Burke's books on audible very soon.

Great Love Story!

In her second season naive Eleanor Lockhart was caught kissing a charming rake who had promised her marriage, but ran out on her. She was sent home in disgrace. Although living with her father is a lonely existence Eleanor thought she would be able to live out her life in spinsterhood on a small stripend from her father. But it was not to be. Her father lost his money on a business deal, and the only home she had ever known. Her father was moving into a small cottage on his sisters farm with no room for her. There was no money for Eleanor. She finds herself homeless, broke, and with no place to go.

Fortunately she becomes a paid companion to a Duchess and soon becomes her ward. The Duchess takes delight in giving Eleanor a London season, and with the help of her son, the one they call the "Forbidden Duke", Eleanor becomes accepted back into the Ton. Although there are those who still gossip about her ruination nearly a decade ago, she is accepted for the most part, even receiving marriage proposals from two suitors.

Will Eleanor accept one of the proposals and live a safe, but loveless life? Or will she risk everything to be in the arms of a man capable of utterly destroying what little remains of her reputation?

There is one explicit love scene.

This was my first Darcy Burke book, but I look forward to reading more from her. I like her writing style. Marian Hussey's narration was perfect.

Forbidden...

Enjoyable regency romance. Well written and expertly performed. There was plenty of room to have built it bigger and better yet it was just fine as it is. I truly enjoyed this book and was sad to reach the end.

Not much heat.... but well done.

I recommend it for a lighthearted listen.

Great

The book was good and the narrative was the
best I have heard. great job.

Really Great Book

If you could sum up The Forbidden Duke in three words, what would they be?

Short and sweet.
It was a great length with enough to keep the story interesting. I look forward to reading more by this author.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Forbidden Duke?

I think the love scene was fantastic. It was filled with great dialogue and maturity that fit with the age of the characters.
Even though it was one scene, it was touching and lovely.

Have you listened to any of Marian Hussey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. I like her narration. She is not the best, but does a really good job distinguishing between the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scenes with the heroine and the hero's stepmother are very respectful and warm, especially because the stepmother lost a daughter . You can see that the heroine is taking some of the grief away , but there is still feelings of loss.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to other books in the series , or at least I hope it is a series.

Okay story, Great narration.

This story was okay. I've read better HR. I like that there was no insta lust.
The characters we well matched.

No mystery, suspense or surprises, just a typical romance story.

As for the narration it was fantastic. I am a big Marian Hussey fan. She does a great job on the men's voices and reads with emotion.

Very entertaining

I really enjoyed The Forbidden Duke. it was well written and well performed. The idea of the ruined debutante and the formidable rake of a Duke was well developed and moved fluidly to the well deserved obligatory HEA! I recommend the book and audio book, they make a great pair!

Could not put this book down

Would you listen to The Forbidden Duke again? Why?

I love this story. It is the best short and sweet story I have read in a very long time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nora was my favorite character. She became the perfect lady for the man.

Have you listened to any of Marian Hussey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never listened to Marian Hussey performances before. She was good at keeping the different characters separated.

Absolutely loved it

My first time using audible and my second book. This is by far my favorite!! The narrative is awesomely done and kept me on point. Thank you! I will be reading more of your book!

Quiet and enjoyable book

I enjoyed this. There was not a lot of action. It was a quiet story that was a great length - short and sweet without any added for effect mysteries or conflict.

Tedious

Disgraced young woman's father loses his money and work is the only option. A countess requires a companion and feels compassion for the young woman and hires her. Totally unlikely scenario in Regency England.

Loved it

Loved every minute of it.
The narrator was very good.
Will definitely continue the series.

Wonderful Book!

I love a good love story with a happy ending and this is one of them.

All the characters are delightful and the narration is good. This will definitely go on my to be read again pile!

The only constructive criticism was the Epilogue which was unnecessary. I always believe in the adage "less is more".

Not what I expected...

I felt this book dragged out some parts and made it intolletably boring. But overall the book felt rushed... it lacked detail so connecting to the characters was difficult.

Overall it was just dull!

Fabulous

Lovely story and characters. Enjoyed the narration which made the plot all the more interesting