Once Upon a Broken Duke

Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation #7

by Sandra Sookoo

Decisions have consequences as do actions, but does a man’s past mean he’s stuck in a prison…

Michael Charles Banshire, the sixth Duke of Darkemore—is a man who keeps to himself due to his disfigurement and mental anguish gained at the hands of a villainous foe he had never managed to capture or put down. That failure drove him to his estate in Cornwall, where he’s remained in isolation for two years until rumors his quarry was seen in London draws him out. This is his last mission even though he’s been shunned by the Crown.

Lady Evangeline Farnswood, widow of the late Earl of Marklesfield, is hunting for a new husband, but not one of her brother’s connections. When one heated embrace at a rout leads to an odd and impromptu engagement to a man of dubious morals and darker character, she wonders what she’s agreed to and who exactly her soon-to-be new husband is. Especially when rumors speak of restraints and toys during carnal play.

The farther Darkemore drags Evie into the gray and questionable world in which he resides, the more she begins to protest, but since she is the key for him to get close to the mark who’d eluded him, he can’t let her go. Though they use passionate encounters to mask emotions and hide from truths, that forced proximity hurtles them closer to the edge of danger than they’re willing to go. Everything comes into sharp relief on a stormy night when life changes, betrayal rears its ugly head, and survival is nearly impossible.

…or can a willingness to change set him onto a new path despite everything horrid?

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2026

About the author

Sandra Sookoo is a bestselling author who firmly believes every person deserves acceptance and a happy ending. Most days you can find her creating scandal and mischief in the Regency-era, serendipity and happenstance in Victorian America or snarky humor in the contemporary world. Reading romance is a lot like eating fine chocolates—you can’t just have one. Good thing books don’t have calories!

When she’s not wearing out computer keyboards, Sandra spends time with her real life Prince Charming in central Indiana where she’s been known to goof off and make moments count because the key to life is laughter. A Disney fan since the age of ten, when her soul gets bogged down and her imagination flags, a trip to Walt Disney World is in order. Nothing fuels her dreams more than the land of eternal happy endings, hope and love stories.

Reviews

[Nanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard book for me to get into; the characters did not act like one would think knowing their backgrounds. I have read all the books in this series, they are filled with suspense, danger, passion, and love. Michael Banshire is the sixth Duke of Darkmor. He was a spy for the crown till his last mission, when all his metals and awards were taken. It was the only mission he didn’t finish and only because he was so badly injured, he almost died. The traitor he was after known as “The Jackal” is an Englishman and part of the ton. Viscount Echerson best friend of the Earl of Marklesfield. Michael wants to finish his mission and them escape to his county estate to never be heard of again. To get close to Echerson he plans to meet and use the widow of Marklesfield. Lady Evangeline Farnsworth is looking for her second husband after a horrible ten-year marriage to a friend of her father. Her late husband took pleasure in beating her; she has suffered much at his hands. Now she hopes to find someone to love. When she sees Michael across the room at a ball, she asks about him, then goes to speak to him. She finds him very handsome, even with his arm in a sling. Her friend tells her there are rumors about him being dark, reclusive and has odd sex habits. She asks him to dance as he can’t with his injuries. He suggests meeting privately to “talk”. When they both show up, he is planning a seduction to get information, but she offers him carnal pursuits instead. Of course, they get caught as they are at a ball in the library naked. Michael tells them all they are getting married to save them both. Now the rest of the story will be full of suspense, as he sets out to find and kill his enemy. These two will learn a lot about what is really important and what is not. Lies, misunderstandings, secrets, and half-truth cause many problems. I found it very unlikely that a woman who had lived through all Evangeline had with her ten-year marriage would just fall into the arms of a stranger with such passion and recklessness. Why would a man set on a mission of revenge and self-destruction ask a lady to marry him knowing he is using her for his own reason's? I had a hard time with how we each acted toward each other. This is a fast-paced story with lots of steam, danger, and twist and turns. If a book every needed and epilogue, this one did for sure. This is my opinion and am freely giving it. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. If you have followed this series, grab your own copy, and see how the story engages you.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous, Devious, Delightful, Steamy

Once Upon a Broken Duke is a passionate, emotionally charged, and unapologetically steamy addition to Sookoo’s Disreputable Dukes of Club Damnation series. This installment captured me from the first page and never let go.

Michael Charles Banshire, the tormented sixth Duke of Darkemore, bears the scars of both disfigurement and personal failure, living in self-imposed exile on the rugged Cornish coast. Shunned by the Crown after a mission gone wrong, he’s determined to make things right—even if it’s the last thing he does. When word reaches him that his quarry has resurfaced in London, he sets his plan into motion, inadvertently derailing Lady Evangeline Farnswood’s own hopes of freedom and love on her terms.

One impulsive embrace is all it takes to spark scandal and bind them in a dangerous engagement. Evangeline is thrust into Darkemore’s shadowed world—fraught with secrets, peril, and whispers of carnal indulgence. Their forced proximity crackles with heat, every encounter simmering with passion and longing. I felt deeply for Evvie, whose yearning for love after enduring a terrible marriage was so palpable, and for Michael, whose pain and isolation left him convinced he was unworthy of happiness. Watching her pierce the armor around his heart, even when betrayal and heartbreak threatened to tear them apart, was both moving and exhilarating.

Sookoo once again proves her gift for taking the darkest of emotions and transforming them into luminous, redemptive love stories. The intensity of the emotional stakes pairs perfectly with the high steam level, creating a romance that is as scorching as it is heartfelt.

If you crave brooding heroes, resilient heroines, and stories that turn shadows into light, Once Upon a Broken Duke will leave you breathless. A dangerously steamy, unforgettable journey into love and redemption—I can’t recommend it enough.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 7 in this series of Disreputable Dukes Club series and it was AMAZING..

Can a broken Duke be mended? With enough love and passion he can be especially when he meets someone who has been through just as much as he has been.

Lady Evangeline Farnswood is finally a widow to Earl of Marklesfield and she can finally find a marriage this time around for love or nothing at all but what she definitely didn't expect was to fall into scandal with the darkest Duke in London and she definitely didn't think he would be the one she would fall in love with but not only does she fall in with him but he introduces her to passion that she never expected to have before.

Michael Charles Banshire the sixth Duke of Darkemore sets his eyes on a beautiful widow to lure out his enemy and return to the darkness however once he sets his eyes on the beautiful widow she tempts him out of the darkness into the light where he sees a future that he never expected to have, because he is just too broken inside and out and because of the things he has done but with her light anything is possible..

These two go through many ups and downs throughout their marriage including betrayal and misunderstanding.. but what brings them back together is the fact that they need each other than they need their next breath..

This story had tears of both sadness and joy but it had a beautiful ending.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

I can't wait to read the next book from Sandra Sookoo.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the author. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Banshire, Duke of Darkemore, was a spy for the crown till his last mission. He had never failed to complete his missions; he was injured so badly that his target, a traitor known as the Jackal, escaped. The Prince Regent, angered and embarrassed, took his status as a spy and all his metals and awards. He is still determined to find this traitor and take him down. Lady Evangeline Farnsworth endured an abusive marriage to the Earl of Marklesfield for ten years. She is ready to find her next husband, someone who will treat her well, and whom she could come to love. When Michael learns that Viscount Echerson (the Jackal) was the best friend of the Earl of Markelsfield, he plans to use the widow to get to his enemy. They meet at a ball. Evangeline has heard the rumors of Michael’s depression, darkness, and his carnal proclivities. Curious, she asks him to dance. His injuries make that undoable, and he asks he to talk privately. Their talk turns steamy and they are caught. They wed, but do not have what you would call a fairytale marriage. From here, Evangeline tries to understand her husband and make something of their marriage. Michael continues his quest to find and kill the Jackal. Will he succeed, and how will that success affective him, his wife, and their future? This is a dark and intense story. Lies, misunderstandings, secrets, suspense, betrayal, and seeking revenge wear on both main characters. The members of Club Damnation are here, concerned for the couple. Fast-paced with danger, twists and turns, and steamy romance make this one hard to put down.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have two broken people:
Michael Charles Banshire, the sixth Duke of Darkemore—is a man who keeps to himself due to his disfigurement and mental anguish. We also have Lady Evangeline Farnsworth widow of the late Earl of Marklesfield.
Michael seeks his nemesis who caused his life threatening injuries and feels this will be his last mission when this man is eliminated! Evangeline aka Evvie has complicated past with said nemesis due to his friendship with her late husband!
Evvie survived beatings and trauma from her first marriage but sees hope and redemption in Michael! This two have explosive chemistry that leaps off the pages.
Michael is driven by revenge and Evvie just wants live and a family! Can there ever be hope for them? The enemy grows bold and makes threats! When Evvie’s life is on the line can Michael focus on the one person who sees his darkness and brings light? Bravo well done!
I received an ARC copy from Booksprout for my unbiased opinion!

[Kat Tolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! Sandra Sookoo is one of the best authors of today and her books never disappoint me. Once Upon A Broken Duke has the real feel of the regency era, wonderful characters that just come alive and has very vivid writing. I can picture this whole story and characters in my mind while reading this book. This story has a broken Duke who was a spy, an abused widow, revenge, being used to draw someone out, a marriage of convenience, being held at knife point, many injuries, being left for dead, suicidal, good friends, a traitor to England, wanting to finish a mission that was not completed, failing at a mission and falling in love. I very highly recommend this book as it is a fantastic read!!!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is such an amazing difference from other historicals. It keeps me engaged, entertained and on edge every book. This story shows how marriages have to cope with varying obstacles (like all books in this series) and how the couple overcomes to be better people even if some don’t think they deserve happiness. Yeah, looking at you Michael. This story was heartbreaking. Sandra writes beautifully and her stories pulls everything out of me to give me the HEA that I always so hope for.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seventh book in the Disreputable Dukes of Vlub Damnation series was an intense and exciting historical romance. It was full of secrets, lies, danger, suspense, scandal, strong emotions, and passions. The characters were amazing and had good depth. I really enjoyed this steamy, heartfelt, incredible journey to love and redemption. I highly recommend reading!