Book Title: Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1)
Author: Sabrina Jeffries
Pub Date: June 25, 2019

***ARC was provided to me by Net Galley and the Publisher for a fair and honest review***

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Heroine (Beatrice Wolfe): 5/5 Beatrice has lived in the country all her life with one family member or another. She hasn’t learned the ways one acts in Society and is trying to learn from her aunt and her children. Beatrice has a tendency to speak her mind in ways not accepted in London drawing rooms.

Hero (Fletcher “Grey” Pride): 4/5 Grey plays the part of an authoritative duke who goes unquestioned very well. Until he meets Beatrice. She challenges him and might even open his battered heart again.

Plot: 4.5/5 When Grey’s stepfather dies unexpectedly, he returns home for the first time in awhile to discover his half brother’s cousin Beatrice is handling the funeral. While there Grey’s half brother believes his father to have been murdered and wants Grey’s help in his investigation. Under the guise of helping his mother prepare his half sister and Beatrice prepare for their debut the following year, he stays to investigate. While he and Beatrice fight the attraction between them, Grey learns she may know more than she’s letting on...

Personal Review: Grey is one of 5 siblings that are all half related through their mother and the series seems intent on paring a cousin on the father’s side of one sibling to another unrelated sibling. Not exactly odd for the times, just a bit of a whirlwind to keep track of the bloodlines. But there is a helpful family tree at the start of the book.

Grey and Beatrice are good together, Beatrice doesn’t allow him to get away with anything (as she should). Watching as Grey learns to trust people again was interesting but lacked a certain something as it seems to just be a switch he turns on after a few discussions with his mother and cousin.

Overall it is a good read and I will be reading the next installment when it comes out.

So many new and wonderful characters in this new series and I can’t wait for more; each more interesting and dynamic than the next.  The first book in the series has the Duke of Greycourt, or Grey for short, and Beatrice, the poor relation who is in charge of organizing his step-father's funeral. The moment they meet, sparks fly, and not the types of sparks that lead to passion...yet. He is rude and takes her for an undertaker's daughter trying to scam his family, and she doesn't let his rudeness go unchallenged.  Loved their first interaction and it sets the stage for each one after that, where passionate sparks fly. She is outspoken, independent, witty, and intelligent and he doesn’t know how to handle a woman who isn’t cowed by him.  She finds him pompous and arrogant, and rude, but also can’t keep her eyes off of him during her coming-out lessons.  And they can’t keep their hands to themselves, either.  Together they have to figure out if his step father was murdered; her uncle, who died months ago, was murdered; and if so, by whom? I enjoyed their story, it is classic Sabrina Jeffries Regency: passionate, with strong characters and plot and it is the start to what is going to be a great new series. I look forward to more.

Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries. Kensington Books, Zebra, 2019.

When Beatrice’s brother is a suspect Grey’s stepfather’s death, he agrees to help prepare for her coming out, so he can investigate the death and his growing attraction.

This is a lite, readable Regency-era romance featuring a slight murder mystery and some very general historical elements. Main characters are likeable, and the book is well written; the plot is unremarkable except for some unlikely aspects.

I did not mind reading and finishing this book but after finishing it could describe no outstanding features.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Project Duchess for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

**4.5 stars**

Wow, this book blew me away. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with this book. I'm still slowly getting into historical romance and this is my first time reading Sabrina's work. Definitely not my last for sure! But this was so different from others I have recently.

My reading tastes tend to be darker - I prefer darker the better. With that said, this book had some of those elements. And I immensely enjoyed it! It was a murder mystery and one that left you wondering "who done it" until the very end.

“"My experience is what has taught me how rare a woman you are."”


Then mix in the connection between Grey and Beatrice, a rake and a girl who has given up on romance... IT WAS EVERYTHING! I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes and who it follows and how their story plays out. I also look forward to reading Sabrina's backlist.

“"You are not merely a beauty -- you're the queen of beauties."”

Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty #1) by Sabrina Jeffries

Sabrina Jeffries has begun a new series called Duke Dynasty. The premise is that a woman who married three times and had children by each husband has three dukes for sons (each of after their separate fathers). The first book is called Project Duchess. This novel starts the series with the oldest of her sons, the Duke of Greycourt called Grey.

Grey has been called to his mother’s side for the death of his step father Maurice. He has been avoiding his family due to the circumstances of his youth and his father’s will, but now there is no impediment for him spending the time as he wishes, except for the deep feelings of abandonment when he was younger. Grey is immediately brought into the newest question of what happened to his stepfather and is asked to help his younger brother find the truth.

Meanwhile, his mother has determined his youngest sister and her cousin (on the other side) need to be prepared for their “coming out” into society. Both Gwen and Beatrice need lessons to help them gain the knowledge they need for catching a husband. Beatrice is rather bold and brash with Grey and he finds himslef entranced despite his best efforts. Beatrice doesn’t believe she is lovable and Grey doesn’t trust his heart to be loved. What could go wrong?

Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries is a good start to a new series and to a new group of people. I do not think the name is a good fit, but that is not a reason to avoid reading this fun romance. Project Duchess is a hot historical romance to read!

“Let’s get this straight once and for all. You are not merely a beauty—you’re the queen of beauties.”

Loved this one! Sabrina Jeffries—like most historical romance authors at this point—is new-to-me, since I’ve just started reading the genre, so I went into this one with an open-mind and high hopes. And came out of it utterly charmed by Grey and Beatrice, and indeed all of Grey’s many relations.

Project Duchess is the first of a new series, so I knew it would be a good starting point for me with this author. And though I had a few confused moments early on as I became familiar with the various branches of Dowager Duchess Lydia’s family, for the most part, I reveled in the dynamics of this complex and likable family. They’re definitely a group I want to revisit—and not just because there appears to be more than meets the eye when it comes to the whys and hows and whos of the central plot.

With a romance which successfully navigates naivety and arrogance, heartbreaking histories and forced futures, Project Duchess is an engaging, steamy, feel good romance with suspenseful elements. It completely won me over and made me not only eager for more of this series, but determined to find more books from this author.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Project Duchess is the first title in a new series that features the offspring of Lydia, the Duchess of Armitage. Lydia has buried 3 husbands and has the rare distinction of being the mother of not one or two, but rather 3 dukes (note, Lydia is inspired by a real life woman so this part of the story isn't completely out of the realm of possibility). Her eldest son, Fletcher (Grey), the Duke of Greycourt, went to live with his uncle when he was younger and grew up in England while the rest of the family lived in Berlin. His uncle only wanted to bleed Grey dry of what money he could and did everything he could to make him capitulate, but Grey never did. He's spent his adult life adding to the Greycourt fortune and avoiding his family, but the death of his step-father forces him to travel to the Armitage family seat where he meets Beatrice, a cousin to his brother Sherridan.

Beatrice's mother died when she was young, and she was orphaned around 10 years old when her father died fighting a duel; she was raised by her grandparents until they too died. Her uncle was the duke of Armitage until his recent death in a riding mishap. Beatrice harbor's suspicions about the cause of her uncle's death as well as of his heir, who died when the railing on a bridge gave way causing him to fall into the river below and drowned. Beatrice's older brother Joshua served in the Napoleonic war and since his return due to an injury has been withdrawn and quick to anger; she fears he may have had a hand in the deaths.

Grey meets Beatrice upon his arrival and mistakes her for an employee of a funeral home; he quickly realizes his mistake and finds out that not only is she his brother's cousin, but is also his mother's latest project. Lydia is determined to teach Beatrice everything she needs to know so she can have a come out in London with Lydia's daughter. Grey finds himself involved in trying to determine who (if anyone) is responsible for the two deaths and drawn to Isabel despite the fact he is convinced he had no heart.

I thought the romance was well done and the characters were allowed a chance to get to know each other better before either even considered they might be experiencing something more than a temporary attraction. The mystery surrounding the deaths added an interesting element and I thought Ms. Jeffries did a good job balancing the romance and mystery. I'm looking forward to additional titles in this series.

“ ‘ You realize this is madness. Pure insanity’, he said even as he worked loose the buttons of her nightdress. Perhaps he didn’t care either. ‘Is it?’ When he spread hot kisses down inside the opened placket, she nearly fainted from the anticipation of what he meant to do. ‘Feels perfectly sane to me.’ “
No one wants to be played the fool in love. But when two hearts collide, no matter how much they tell themselves they’ll be strong, the temptation is impossible to resist. And that’s just the battle Bea and Grey face in Project Duchess, the first book in Sabrina Jeffries’ Duke Dynasty series. Past secrets, conniving family members, and a fascinating murder mystery all conspire to keep these two apart.
Beatrice Wolfe and her crippled brother lived in the Dower house of her late uncle and his wife. Loyal to and reliant upon her family, Bea was happy to assist her aunt with her late uncle’s funeral. Uncle Maurice had been kind to Bea. Much kinder than the previous duke, her Uncle Armie, who had used his power over her to try to force her to his will.
Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt came to Lincolnshire after the death of his stepfather, Maurice. Despite his strained relationship with his family, he feels compelled to assist his mother with her latest “project”- preparing his stepfather’s poor niece for a London season. But Grey’s brother suspects Bea’s brother of being involved in the suspicious deaths of the last two dukes. Though Grey found Bea refreshing, entertaining, and desirable, his main goal was to make sure she wasn’t hiding something concerning the “accident” that had befallen his stepfather and the death of the duke before him.
Grey was determined to either prove or disprove that Bea’s brother was involved in the suspicious deaths. Aiding his mother in preparing Bea for society was the perfect way to investigate. He found Bea to be forthright. Her teasing tart remarks and impudence made him want to know her better. He was known for his self -control but around Bea, he was finding he had none. But the past had taught him to guard his heart. No one would ever have power over him. Whether Bea was an innocent or a schemer, she was off limits. If he kept reminding himself of that, maybe that would keep him from wanting to touch her, taste her. Easier said than done. “So much for keeping his wits about him. That was difficult when she was so refreshingly genuine. Truthful.” And enticing.
Though Bea had never met Grey, she’d heard tales of his reputation and was certain he was no better than her abusive uncle had been. Ruthless and licentious. Though he was superior, he wasn’t all that bad when he wasn’t making assumptions. He was blunt and unapologetic and he exhilarated her. She could say what she wanted with him. His advances should frighten her but they didn’t. They made her come alive. “His kisses were a delight and his blatant wicked caress an invitation she badly wanted to accept.” She hated her susceptibility to him. No handsome man with his broad experience would want a woman with no dowry and whose father was killed in a duel. Besides, the last thing she needs is Grey digging into her family secrets. But with each stolen, reckless moment alone, holding Grey at arm’s length is the last thing she wants to do.
I’ve never found two characters who were so different yet had so much in common. Bea wore her heart on her sleeve. Grey thought he had no heart. Bea blurted out her thoughts while Grey kept his feelings hidden. Bea was eager to please others while Grey avoided them. But neither conformed to rules. Both had suffered under the manipulations of family members. Both were protective of and loyal to their family, even when they weren’t entirely trustful of them. And neither could fight their desire for one another.
I loved the secondary characters. This is one strange assortment of family relationships. Ms. Jeffries gave us just enough insight into them to get me hooked. Now all of them are begging for their own stories. I’m anxious to see if Bea’s brother and Grey’s sister make a love connection. And I can’t wait for Grey’s cousin to take on her conniving mother. And there’s the underlying mystery still to be solved. I have to know why all the dukes are dropping like flies!
I love a little mystery with my romance and this series promises to have the best of both worlds. A sizzling love story that will sweep you away, an intriguing plot that will keep you riveted, and incredible characters you love to root for. A great romance plus a mystery that keeps you guessing equals one incredible story.

An enjoyable historical romance with a cast of characters from a unique blended family. Three brothers who share a mother but who have all inherited their own dukedom. The Duke of Greycourt and Beatrice meet after Grey's stepfather's passing and discover that they have much in common. Difficult childhoods bring them together but questions about whether Grey's stepfather was murdered threatens to tear them apart. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

What a wonderful book. I am a big fan of Ms. Jeffries’ work and had been eagerly awaiting this new series, but this book exceeded even my high expectations. I love that this series is about a family (like her Hellions of Hallstead Hall series); the siblings were all introduced in this book, and I am excited to read all of their stories!

Now, specific to this book: Grey and Beatrice, the hero and heroine, are just lovely. Their individual histories have resulted in issues with intimacy and trust, and I liked that the book was upfront about that and showed the characters working through their issues. There are no “big misunderstandings” as plot device—these characters communicate. They work and talk through their issues. They are mature and act like adults, which I appreciate. Finally, the writing: as always the dialogue is excellent, and the mystery that is central to the series is introduced successfully. However, it doesn’t dominate the story—the romance is the priority. I am so excited for the rest of this series.

Fletcher "Grey" Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, is trying to avoid a compromising situation with his cousin Vanessa. Her mother's dearest wish is to have the two be married but neither is eager to fall in with her plans. Their excuse to avoid that fate is that Vanessa has just delivered the news to Grey that his stepfather has just died.
Grey is devastated. He may have had conflicting emotions regarding his stepfather Maurice (who sent Grey away when he was 10 to live with his uncle who was then the Duke) but he knows that he has to go be with the family.
Everyone at Armitage Hall is shocked that the Duke is dead. He had only succeeded his brother a few months ago. His son, Sheridan (Grey's half-brother), is suspicious that both deaths may not have been accidental. Sheridan asks Grey to stay and figure out if his cousin Joshua is getting rid of the people who stand before him for the dukedom. Grey is also wondering. But he has a problem. Joshua's sister Beatrice is distracting him.
At 26, Beatrice doesn't necessarily want to be presented to society but her uncle Maurice's family has embraced her and her cousin's half-sister Gwyn really would rather not debut alone. She just wants to find a nice man, maybe a priest or a doctor. Dukes are not on her list. Even though Grey kisses like a fiend. But she knows she's not the type of woman he's going to marry. And worse, he thinks her brother has killed two men.
The first three-quarters of this book were great, setting up the series as well as letting us see Grey and Beatrice falling in love but the last quarter felt rushed and not as well edited. Very loose. This may change before the book comes out but the ARC ended with a whimper.

Three stars
This book comes out June 25th
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This book was really fun! The romance was sweet and I loved watching the two characters fall in love. I also liked the murder subplot, that will likely continue in the next book(s). The only thing that bugged me was the back and forth at the end with characters making assumptions instead of having conversations. Otherwise, the book was great!

Beatrice Wolfe has too much experience organizing funerals. When she is called upon to help her Aunt Lydia after the death of her husband, she does so without hesitation. But when Fletcher Pryde, the Duke of Greycourt arrives, and not knowing who he is, she doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind regarding his rudeness. Just looking at him, she knows exactly what a man of his ilk are like and she wants nothing to do with him.

Grey is instantly taken with the woman who gives him her blunt rebuttals to his inquisition. When his brother shares concern that the woman’s brother may have been involved in a murder, he offers to spend time with her to learn what he can. Soon, he’s battling a mixture of emotions that offer him no peace except to claim Beatrice as his own.

Poor Grey. He had an awful childhood that left him untrusting of people in general. Trying to fit in with his half-siblings, he struggles with old wounds even as he hungers for Beatrice and the satisfaction that her presence brings to him. I loved that he adored Beatrice for her hoyden ways and her straight forward honesty. The very thing that would keep her from finding a suitable husband, and the things his mother’s project would fix, were the things that drew him to her. Sigh. Exactly what I look for in a historical romance.

”She was perfect for him in every way. And all she asked was that he let her look inside his very soul.
He should let her. It meant nothing, right?
It meant everything. It meant sharing his secrets with her, taking hers on faith, trusting her to hold his heart in her hands and not crush it, the way everyone else had. Because apparently he did have a heart if he were to judge from the searing pain in his chest.”

Beatrice was amazing. She was so kind and caring, always ready to help at a moment’s notice. With the weight of the her and her brother’s world on her shoulders, she’s fighting to do what needs to be done to assure they are not cast aside and found homeless. But as suspicions of murder arise, she can’t help but worry that they are true. She was a strong heroine, determined to solve her problems in the best way society would allow. Her ability to speak her mind to Grey and stand up to him made me like her even more.

This has a lot of steam for a regency, but I LOVED it! If I want to read a flat historical romance, I’ll pull out one of my momma’s old books. Instead, this is what I want. A romance with suspense, mystery and intrigue all laced with sizzling passion. With enough uncertainty and drama to keep the story moving and a pace that matches it, I found myself reading this within an afternoon. I couldn’t stop.

Project Duchess sets up this series as we meet the characters that I assume will have their own books. There isn’t a one of them I don’t want to know more about. With the possibility for danger and mayhem as this series progresses, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first in a new series of Duke Dynasty from Sabrina Jeffries. What an interesting family this series will cover… Dowager Duchess, Lydia Wolfe has now been widowed for the third time, but over the years she has manage to bare five children, and three of her sons are Dukes! The infamous Lady Lydia has had the honour of being married to three Dukes herself! How fun, I am excited to see where this series takes us.

The begin the series, we meet the first born son of Dowager Duchess Lydia, Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt. He is a stern man that the gossips love to run through the wringer! His reputation is that of a libertine, but he has not given justice to such rumours since his early days. Summoned to his estranged families side as they drive for the third husband of her Grace. While in the country he meets the poor relation of his half brother and can’t help being mesmerized by her original nature.

Beatrice Wolfe lives a simple life and tries her best to be useful for her cousins… they are generously letting her and her injured veteran brother live in the estate dowager house while her brother acts as head gamekeeper. Being a the poor relation is difficult and is only made worse when her and her brother are suspected of murdering their uncle. Can her new relationship with her her cousins half-brother, Gray help secure her anther brothers future> Or is he cozening up to her to unlock her secrets…

I highly enjoyed this book and the characters had interesting backgrounds that brought a depth to them. I am looking forward to the next instalment in this series and highly recommend this on to start!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books (Zebra) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#ProjectDuchess #NetGalley

"Project Duchess" by Sabrina Jeffries
A lively Regency romance with some interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed my time with these characters. I liked how this story ended. But I do have some lingering questions that may be answered in the future. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion... this story is worth the read.

I loved this book! Both abused, the hero, Grey, and heroine, Bea, come together to take a chance on love. There are two suspicious murders which seem like they won’t be solved till the end of this Duke Dynasty series. I can’t wait to read Colonel Lord Heywood’s story in the novella, Seduction On A Snowy Night which comes out on September 24. The next full book in the series, The Bachelor, will be out in February 2020. I received an ARC for my honest review.

Project Duchess is an historical romance with a little bit of everything from an outspoken, independent thinking woman, a handsome alpha male duke with trust issues, to the intrigue of two possible murders. This is a quick, easy read with interesting complex characters and intriguing plot. Don't miss this story from a talented author. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Great opening book in the new Duke Dynasty series! The family tree does take some time to figure out, but is worth it. If you loved the Hellions of Halstead Hall series, you will adore this one as well. Great romance with a mystery that I assume will carry through the series. Jeffries does an outstanding job of writing the mystery in such a way that it is open ended, but doesn’t feel that way.

I can hardly wait for the future books! Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

There’s a lot going on in this book, so much so that for a while the romance takes sort of a background role to the several tragic backstories and the ongoing murder mystery. When the romance moves to the forefront, it’s somewhat unearned, especially give the complete lack of trust between the hero and heroine for the majority of the book.

All the same, Bea and Grey have some solid banter and good chemistry, which still made it an enjoyable read.

I received a digital advance copy on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely wonderful introduction to Sabrina Jeffries new series. There is an overall mystery to the series, I’ll not tell you what that is – but you’ll discover it in this book. We meet – and love – the five children of a duchess who has had three husbands – all dukes. She had one child, Fletcher (Grey), with her first husband; two children – twins – Marlowe (Thorn) and Gwyn with her second husband; two children, Sheridan and Heywood with her last husband. The series revolves around solving the mystery introduced in this book, the children learning more about their fathers, and each of them pursuing and finding their own HEA’s. I found each of them intriguing and can’t wait to get to know them better in their own stories. The next story (featuring Heywood) will be a novella, A PERFECT MATCH released in an anthology (Seduction on a Snowy Night) with authors Madeline Hunter and Mary Jo Putney. Then, in February of 2020, we get Gwyn’s story – The Bachelor.

Fletcher Pryde, the 5th Duke of Greycourt, had a lovely family life until he was ten years old. He lost his father when he was very young, so he didn’t remember him, nor does he really remember his first step-father. However, his second step-father created a happy, loving family for all of them. That idyllic family lasted until Grey was ten and the uncle his father had named as his guardian came to claim him. He even thought he might want to go with him. Then he saw his aunt and uncle’s true colors and his nightmare of a life began. He quickly walled off his heart and all emotions. He became cold and always, always in control. He also distanced himself from his family and had little interaction with them – even after his uncle died.

We first meet Grey as he’s receiving word that his step-father, Maurice, has died. He doesn’t want to, but he leaves for Armitage Hall. He’ll do his duty and then leave as soon as he can. However, he’s not prepared for what he finds when he gets there. He meets a sassy young woman standing in the hall and immediately starts making demands – as dukes do. She was having none of it and gave as good as she got. He had to wonder who that sharp-tongued woman was. Then, his brother arrived and introduced them. Uh-oh – he’d assumed she was a servant or merchant of some sort.

Beatrice Wolfe is the granddaughter of a duke, but she is penniless. She and her brother, Joshua, live in the dower house at Armitage Hall. Joshua was severely wounded in the Peninsular wars and he now acts as head gamekeeper for the estate. He is grouchy, uncommunicative, etc. – all those things we associate with PTSD today.

Beatrice has handled all of the arrangements for the funeral of her uncle, the Duke of Armitage, who has just died. She loves the family and wants to ease their way as much as possible. As she’s standing in the entryway arranging the funeral cookies, a man approaches and starts making demands and berating her. She knows he has to be the Duke of Greycourt just from what she’s heard of him. Well – he’s not going to speak to her that way.

Grey and Beatrice bicker right along with all of the other siblings in the house. It was so much fun to read because I’ve known big loving families who bickered just that way. Grey can’t believe he’s attracted to Beatrice – but he is – and he just won’t allow it. He’s in full control of himself and will absolutely not allow it. Right . . . We all know how that’s going to end.

With a mystery to solve, an acerbic brother to manage and a cruel aunt still reaching out to cause trouble, you begin to wonder if they can truly find their way to their HEA. Never fear, Grey is up to the task of assuaging Beatrice’s fears and concerns – it just takes him a while to get there.

This was an excellent read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.