A SCANDALOUS BARGAIN by Darcy Burke

Title:  A SCANDALOUS BARGAIN
Series:  The Untouchables: The Pretenders #2
Author:  Darcy Burke
Publisher:  Darcy Burke
Publish Date:   11.10.2020
Category /Genre:  Historical Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect
Received from:  Darcy Burke (as an ARC gifted copy)
Goodreads link: A Scandalous Bargain
Date completed: 11.08.2020
 
Description from the publisher:
Tricked into marriage five years ago, Thomas Devereaux, Lord Rockbourne is suddenly a widower. Rumors abound that his wife’s death may not have been an accident and given the troubling secrets Thomas keeps buried, even he isn’t entirely sure. But when a woman sees what happened, he agrees to accept her help to disguise the facts in exchange for not divulging her suspicious behavior. Their arrangement grows more complicated under the force of a scorching mutual attraction.
Abandoned by her father—a duke—after the death of her mother—his beloved mistress—Beatrix Linley has fought to become a daughter he could be proud of, that he would regret leaving. She becomes the toast of the Season until her penchant for pilfering pretty things threatens to expose the illicit past she needs desperately to remain hidden. Soon the scandal and darkness both Beatrix and Thomas fear comes to light, compelling them to finally face their demons—and potentially driving them apart forever.
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A SCANDALOUS BARGAIN is the second book in The Untouchables: The Pretenders series.  Though each story will stand on its own, the series is best enjoyed if read in full and in the order or release.
 
I already loved Beatrix from A SECRET SURRENDER when she was introduced as Selina’s “sister.” 

This is her story of recapturing her place in society and her fated love.  Thomas is an immediately character.  I loved how Bea and Thomas met.  How they each attempted to protect the other.  Ultimately, how they could not deny their futures.
 
This was a truly enjoyable read full of greed and passion, lost dreams and new ones, beautiful characters and undeniable passion.  I was entertained from the first chapter until the end and I cannot wait for the next book.  I know the “sister’s” brother, Rafe, must be next to find his true love!
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
The Untouchables: The Pretenders Series:
1.      A Secret Surrender
2.      A Scandalous Bargain
3.      A Rogue to Ruin (releases 02.23.2021)
Also from Darcy Burke:
·   The Magic of Mistletoe
Legendary Rogues series:
1.      The de Valery Code
2.      Romancing the Earl
3.      Lord of Fortune
4.      Captivating the Scoundrel
Love Is All Around Series:
1.      The Red Hot Earl
2.      The Gift of the Marquess
3.      Joy to the Duke
Ribbon Ridge Series:
1.      Only in My Dreams
2.      Yours to Hold
3.      When Love Happens
4.      The Idea of You 
5.      When We Kiss 
6.      You’re Still the One 
Secrets & Scandals Series:
1.      Her Wicked Ways
2.      His Wicked Heart
3.      To Seduce a Scoundrel
4.      To Love a Thief
5.      Never Love a Scoundrel
6.      Scoundrel Ever After
So Hot Series:
1.      So Good
2.      So Right
3.      So in Love
The Spitfire Society Series:
1.      Never Have I Ever with a Duke
2.      A Duke Is Never Enough
3.      A Duke Will Never Do  
The Untouchables Series:
            0.5 The Bachelor Earl
1.      The Forbidden Duke
2.      The Duke of Daring
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
Wicked Dukes Club Series:
2.      One Night of Surrender  
4.      One Night of Scandal  
6.      One Night of Temptation
 

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