Book Review: Intolerable (Darcy Burke). #Intolerable #NetGalley

I received a copy of Intolerable by Darcy Burke from NetGalley for review. I have read both books of the Phoenix Club series and I loved them. I was excited to read the third installment, Intolerable. This book focuses on Wexford and Cassandra’s romance.

The characters of Lady Cassandra Westbrook and Ruark Hannigan, Earl of Wexford are the protagonists of this story. I have read the previous installments, so I was interested to see these characters get their own story. Cassandra and Wexford had a moment in a closet a while ago. Since then, they have kind of walked on eggshells around each other. Cassandra’s father wants to get married this season much to her frustration; she doesn’t want to hurry. Cassandra asks Wexford to pose as a potential suitor to buy time for her and find a suitable match.

There is a good character arc for Wexford. He has promised his father to stay unmarried till he is thirty so, that he is sure of his mind. He has a bit of a history of falling in and out of love fairly easily. He worries that it could happen again; he seems unsure because of this. I think it is easy to relate to his predicament. He is wary of it constantly and pushes Cassandra away because of it. Cassandra, on the other hand, is completely confident and sure of what she wants. It is a different sort of opposites attract situation, I would say.

Their romance is not exactly slow-building because of their history, but it didn’t seem unrealistic either. When they start spending more time together, which they have avoided since their moment, the sparks start flying left and right. The story has a nice flow and tone that keeps you engaged. I wish Cassandra and Wexford got more time together in some parts of the story. Wexford has a soul-searching arc, while Cassandra is more of a flat character. It works well in the context of the story, though I feel. The setting and the romance make it really difficult to put the book down once you start.

The story delivers exactly what it promises; an engaging and passionate historical romance with good characters. I have enjoyed the writing style of Darcy Burke; it has an ease to it. The pace and flow of the writing don’t stagger, and it keeps you hooked. I can’t wait for the next installments. It is the kind of story you could read over the weekend. It’s a sweet historical romance, and I enjoyed it.

*Click on the book cover above to get a copy.