The Forbidden Duke Review: Darcy Burke's Regency Romance Will Make You Swoon

Book Information

Title: The Forbidden Duke
Author: Darcy Burke
Series: The Untouchables #1
Genre: Historical Romance (Regency)
Heat Level: 3/5 (Steamy)
Length: 44,000 words
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Tropes: Second chance romance, redemption, spinster heroine, brooding duke, social scandal

Book 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.

My Review

Hot! That is the first thing I think of after I finished The Forbidden Duke. Bravo to Darcy on her latest release. Every book I pick up from Darcy is a winner for me. This book is touching and racy at the same time. Our heroine, Nora, is strong minded and strong willed, but she has a black mark against her from years ago that the ton continues to hold against her. Her father is no help in redeeming herself, as he just lost everything and can't even afford to keep supporting her any longer. So Nora is forced to figure out a place to stay, answering a request to be a companion for Lady Satterfield. Truly her luck sees an about face. Lady Satterfield sees the real Nora and commits herself to giving her the "season" that she missed out on. The hero, Titus, is trying to right a wrong which has haunted him for years. He blames himself for Nora becoming an outcast from society and will do whatever is in his power to change society's mind. Enter Lady Satterfield, who coincidentally is Titus's stepmother. She enlists Titus's aid to help get Nora to be seen as a vital catch. Once Titus meets Nora, he has other plans of his own - how to get Nora to be his.

What Makes This Book Special

The second-chance romance trope is handled beautifully here. Both Nora and Titus carry genuine guilt and regret about their past, making their redemption arc feel earned rather than convenient. Burke doesn't shy away from the social consequences of scandal in Regency society, giving real weight to Nora's situation. Character Development: Nora's transformation from resigned spinster to confident woman is believable and satisfying. Titus's evolution from guilt-ridden recluse to devoted hero feels natural. The Romance: The chemistry between the leads is palpable, and their emotional journey is just as compelling as the physical attraction.

Series Context

As the first book in The Untouchables series, this sets up a fascinating premise - what happens to people society has deemed irredeemable? Each book focuses on characters with scandalous pasts finding love and redemption. This book establishes the world perfectly while telling a complete, satisfying story that doesn't feel like setup for future books.

Content Notes

Heat Level: 3/5 - Steamy historical romance with explicit love scenes
Triggers: Past scandal, social ostracism, family financial ruin
Recommended For: Fans of second-chance romance, redemption stories, Regency historical romance

Final Recommendation

I truly enjoyed this book. The storyline was unique and Burke's writing continues to impress me. I recommend this book for all historical romance lovers. It is a must read for 2016. Perfect for: Readers who love seeing characters overcome past mistakes
Series fans will love: The setup for future "untouchable" characters
Skip if: You prefer lighter historicals without social scandal elements

My Rating:

★★★★☆
4 out of 5 Stars - Highly Recommended

More from The Untouchables Series

Reading Order:
1. The Forbidden Duke - This review
2. The Duke of Daring - Read my Review
3. The Duke of Deception
4. The Duke of Desire
5. The Duke of Defiance
6. The Duke of Danger
7. The Duke of Ice
8. The Duke of Ruin
9. The Duke of Lies
10. The Duke of Seduction
11. The Duke of Kisses
12. The Duke of Distraction

Love books by Darcy Burke?
See more Darcy Burke books I've read and loved — maybe your next favorite's on the list.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Forever Book Lover!