Series: Designing Debutantes #3
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Published January 23rd 2024 by Zebra
Goodreads Synopsis
With a fresh new hook for readers of Regency romance by Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, and Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries returns to the Dazzling Debutantes series featuring a trio of ladies who defy social constraints by starting a business as party planners to the ton. The creative force behind London’s most dazzling events, these young women know plenty about fashion, food, and the perfect setting—but there is always more to learn about love…
As a viscount’s heir, Rafe Wolfford is obligated to take a wife someday. But she must be the right sort of wife—not too independent, and not inclined to delve into his escapades as a spy. The forthright, perceptive Lady Verity is altogether the wrong choice. But Rafe’s courtship is merely a ruse to discover whether Verity or anyone else associated with Elegant Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French. That mission is all that matters—until fate, and desire, intervene.
After enduring one disastrous engagement, Verity won’t easily open her heart again, preferring to devote herself to Elegant Occasions. Rafe is charming, handsome, and kisses like the very devil, but she knows he’s harboring secrets. Still, when her ex-fiancé tries to ruin her reputation, Rafe offers his hand. For the sake of her family and business, Verity has little choice but to accept. Yet turning this arrangement into a true marriage will require daring and trust—which neither will embrace easily, making surrender all the sweeter . . .
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Mounting onto his biggest mission to date, Rafe Wolfford needs to come out of the shadow's and step into the light of the ton. A viscount's heir, he's been working for the military during the war, spying and discovering spies in return, but when his uncle is injured and left for dead, he's out for revenge. He knows that someone linked to Elegant Occasions is leaking crucial information to the French, and was responsible for his uncle's injuries, and so Rafe has infiltrated their events for the past year. He thinks he done so without notice, but Lady Verity knows that Rafe and her mysterious Phantom are one and the same. Verity is happy being unmarried and working for the business she set up with her sister's following their parents' scandal, but she is still drawn to Rafe whenever they meet. However, she was left with scars following the very public jilting she received, and it's clear Rafe is hiding something. Can she open herself up to heartbreak again?
This book was the best ending to the Designing Debutantes series that I could've asked for. I knew that Verity's romance with the Phantom would be special, and it really was. We'd seen Rafe in his various disguises in the previous book, but only Verity had noticed him, and realised it was the same person each time. From the moment she met Rafe as himself, she knew he and the Phantom were one and the same, but Rafe was still none the wiser. Seeing both of them flirt around each other, while slowly falling in love was special, and it was so good to see how Rafe joined the family. He was an orphan, who had only really known his uncle and though he was definitely a caring guardian, he was a military man, and Rafe was forced to join up too young as well. I had guessed at who the villain was early on in the book, but there were that many twists and turns that I started second guessing myself at times. There was one big reveal that I didn't see coming, but it was definitely worth it! I can't wait to see what Sabrina writes next.
Dates Read:
October 15-16, 2025
Rating
4 Stars
