Review: Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1) by Sabrina Jeffries
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Series: Duke Dynasty #1
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Published June 25th 2019 by Zebra/Headline Eternal
Goodreads Synopsis
From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother's grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might conquer all . . .
A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher "Grey" Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey's focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather's funeral, he's shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn't interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . .
Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn't exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest "project" schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey's charms to his wounded heart, she's having trouble keeping him at arm's length. But once Grey starts digging into her family's secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her heart . . .
Goodreads
Review
In Project Duchess, we see a sheltered young woman find love and happiness with a guarded and rakish Duke. Beatrice Wolfe has lived most of her life in the countryside, with her grandparents, and later her uncles, who all have held the title of Duke of Armitage. When her Uncle Maurice, the 4th duke, dies, in suspicious circumstances, the many children of his wife, Lydia, current Duchess of Armitage, but formerly Duchess of Greycourt, and Duchess of Thornstock, descend on the estate. Lydia's eldest son, Fletcher "Grey" Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, has had a difficult upbringing, once he had to return from Germany to England to take up his position, and has never really given any thought to finding a bride. Meeting Beatrice, who's outspoken, and smart, and beautiful, starts to make him reconsider his past position, and once Lydia takes her in hand, and decides to mould her into the perfect society lady, fitting for a Duke's granddaughter, Grey finds himself becoming more and more involved, but the closer he gets, the more pain it could cause them both when secrets are revealed?
Ever since I was approved for book 3 in the series, without realising it was a sequel, I've fallen in love with Sabrina's writing. I immediately bought books 1 and 2 as soon as I had finished Who Wants to Marry a Duke, and loved learning more about characters we see in book 3. Lydia Fletcher has been unlucky in love. Three times she's been married - all to dukes, mind - and she's now thrice-widowed. Once might be understandable, even twice, but when it becomes clear that foul play has been at hand, though no one accuses Lydia, her five children all join forces to start to look into the matter. When Grey, the eldest and most reserved of her children, comes to Armitage Hall to be with his mother and siblings following his step father's death, he's surprised to meet Beatrice and her brother, Joshua, and shocked at how much he's attracted to Beatrice. He's wary, though, of letting anyone in, and has been since childhood, but with Beatrice, he comes to terms with his past and shows his more vulnerable side. Beatrice was sheltered, and had only been able to rely on Joshua and her grandparents when they were alive. Now with only her brother, who looks to be the prime suspect in Uncle Maurice's death, she has to help protect him, as he's done her in the past. The romance was utterly perfect between the couple, and I loved how they grew and flourished with each other. Project Duchess was definitely setting the stage for the rest of the series, but was so good in its own right.
Dates Read:
Rating
4 Stars
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