New Series, New Family, Same Fabulous Sabrina Jeffries!

Project Duchess marks the first book in the Duke Dynasty series and just like her previous series it features a big, loud, somewhat crazy family, a mystery that’s sure to span the series, and lots of steamy regency sexy times!

Grey is convinced he can’t love due to his past...until he meets Beatrice, the cousin of his half brother and the only woman to call him on his arrogance. Beatrice just wants to secure her future and forget about the assault and harassment she faced at the hands of her uncle...until she meets Grey an arrogant Duke who seems as wounded as she.

I absolutely love a Pygmalion retelling and even more so when the hero knows early on that she’s the one in every way. Sabrina Jeffries is a master at crafting wounded heroes and heroines who are still absolutely willing to fight for what’s right and aren’t afraid to fight for one another. Grey’s reaction to and affirmation of Beatrice and her experiences is spot on!

I can’t wait for more from this family and for more pieces of the mystery!

What happens when you are more alike than you think. Why a romance that just about imploded when a murder is discovered. These two have a push/pull relationship. Each must face and reveal the past in order to get to the future. Full of tension, drama, romance and danger. A nice start to a new series.

Project Duchess is the first book in the Duke Dynasty series by Sabrina Jeffries. 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.

Project Duchess is a historical romance with well fleshed out characters, both complex and relatable in their way. Grey has been through a lot, and has a hard time getting past his trust issues and allowing himself to feel. Beatrice has not had an easy life either, and is doing the best she can to live her life and support her brother and extended family. Both have emotional scars, and I feel like those wounds are what bring our couple together. They are both very outspoken and genuine- even when they are trying to avoid talking about things they would rather avoid. I loved their banter- and often found myself grinning and they verbally spared. I liked the secondary plot line, a murder mystery that continues on in the series. I spent a good part of the book trying to figure out the mystery, and while I am glad parts of it were resolved- I am eager to get more pieces to the puzzle in the next book of this series. I am intrigued and want to see all players have their happy ever after and the mystery gets solved.

Project Duchess is a historical romance with all the elements I have come to expect from Jeffries. I was fully engaged in the read and will continue on reading the author's work.

Due to circumstances beyond her control, Lady Beatrice Wolf did not have the traditional coming out that benefitted the granddaughter of a duke. For the past few years, she has simultaneously escaped the flirtatious behavior of her uncle while trying to care for her brother. Fletcher Pryde, the Duke of Greycourt, has not had the closest relationship with his mother and his half brother. But with the death of his stepfather, Fletcher feels obligated to visit and offer comfort and support. Interestingly enough the circumstances surrounding his stepfather's death are a mystery. I believe this will lay the foundation for this series.
This is the backdrop for both Fletcher and Beatrice. The hero is used to maintaining an emotional distance and does so even though he is attracted to Beatrice. The heroine who is known for speaking her mind and isn't sure she can trust the duke. But even still sparks fly..

I received an ARC through Net Galley

A lady marries three times and has five children. Mix in cousins and you have an extended family. The oldest son Fletcher Pryde, Duke of Greycourt is called to the funeral of his stepfather. He meets Beatrice and her brother Joshua, who are cousins to his stepbrother and stepsister. Yet, suspicions arise over the death of his stepfather and an uncle. It seems evidence is pointing to murder. Grey pursuing Beatrice, family drama, a murderer and witty dialogue, you can't be bored. A very entertaining book all the way around. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series.
A free copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

I’m going to say this very simply – this title had me at the mention of “new series”. It’s just that simple because Sabrina Jeffries is a go-to author of mine for Regency Romance and the beginning of a brand new adventure with her is cause for celebration – at least, for me it is. (and that cover is swoon-worthy indeed!)

PROJECT DUCHESS begins the Duke Dynasty series with a powerful, a bit darker and completely intriguing romance between two people who appear, on the surface, to be as opposite as it’s possible to be. There is some world building in this first story, there has to be really, but I didn’t find it or the snippets of background provided the least bit overwhelming.

Grey’s step-father (or at least one of them) has passed and he is reluctantly returning to his mother’s side which means he’ll also be around his siblings as well and he fully expects the usual bantering and tensions to make an appearance as well. His relationship with his mother is not the greatest, however, he does owe her respect at this time. He makes a huge mistake early after his arrival when he mistook Beatrice for a servant and not the distant family member that she actually is. To say that this meeting ended up with harsh words and very bad attitudes would be an understatement. Also, their first meeting gives an intriguing start to an interesting romantic attraction between this couple. Beatrice has no trouble at all speaking her mind and tells Grey exactly what she thinks of him – even if her emotions are speaking something else in her head.

Toss in the suspicion of murder, a new pet project that Beatrice really doesn’t want to be part of, sizzling steamy moments, interesting secondary characters and a rather large family of unusually related siblings and you have a delightful beginning to this new series. I had fun with this story. There is a lot I will not mention for that falls under spoilers, but if you love a good love story, a bit dark in places and madcap in others – then you’ll want to pick up PROJECT DUCHESS and get in on the beginning of this new series.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Talk about a murder mystery and historical romance merged together! Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries was edge-of-my-seat thrilling; full of romance, humor, intrigue and lust. I devoured this book and award it 5 out of 5 of whatever you love.

Thank you to netgalley.com for supplying an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest readers review. By chance this was my first Sabrina Jeffries novel, but by choice it will definitely not be my last.

This is the start of a new collection of novels by Sabrina, the Duke Dynasty.  I am hoping it covers the many husbands and children born to Ms. Lydia Fletcher. Project Duchess takes place soon after the death of Lydia’s 3rd husband and stars her first born son Fletcher Greycourt, who happens to be a Duke.

Immediately we fall in love with Greycourt and his jaded past. We feel sorrow for his childhood and want to ease his inner battles. Our heroine, Beatrice, enters just as quickly with her own guarded past and inner battles. She is a cousin of a brother and you soon identify that this family tree is not exactly tangled… just extremely branchy.

Whilst Lady Lydia grieves her husbands untimely death, she distracts herself by teaming with Greycourt to turn Beatrice into the young debutante she was never able to be– due to a disgusting uncle. Although Greycourt is not exactly interested in turning Bea into a lady, he has an alternative agenda– mainly the murder of his step-father and Beatrice’s brother’s guilt.

Our two find themselves together, alone, very easily and flames fly. The honesty is wonderfully romantic and the stolen moments are steamy.

Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries is set for release on June 25th, 2019. Please check with your local libraries for a copy, or purchase on all your major platforms. As usual I promote the eco-friendly electronic copies. Happy reading.

#netgalley #sabrinajeffries #projectduchess #dukedynasty #murdermystery #kensingtonbooks #historicalromance #readwhatyoulove #bookishmommyblog

Fletcher "Grey" Pryde is the eldest of an unusual family. His mother married three times, and now three of her children have inherited dukedoms. Reunited with his family for the funeral of the third husband, Grey meets Bea, a ward of his late stepfather. His mother has taken Bea under her wing and is determined to give the woman a society season, and Bea goes along with it because the dowager duchess seems like she could really use a project.


Sabrina Jeffries is an auto-buy author for me, but this one was a bit of dud. There's a side plot about how one of the siblings thinks his father was murdered, by Bea's brother no less, and Grey tries to help investigate without raising too much suspicion. But, frankly, that was the most interesting thing going on and also got the least amount of page time. Most of the book was just introducing the large cast of new characters and setting up for future sequels, which left Grey and Bea very little room to be interesting. Their arc was just "Who are you? Oh, hot. Hm, I like you after spending time with you. Let's get married!" Which is a perfectly respectable progression for a healthy relationship, but not very interesting to read about.


However, it seems like "who's doing a murder?" is going to be a series long mystery and I'm curious to see where that goes. Also, the leads for the next book met in this one, and it's "grumpy bodyguard and cheery debutante" so you know I'm going to be there for that!

This is a great start to this new series. I liked all the characters, but it was a little confusing at the beginning trying to keep all of the relatives straight. With their mother being a widow three times and each time she was married to a duke, there are quite a few relatives. Grey is the oldest and has decided that he will never risk his heart. After meeting Beatrice, he is having a hard time keeping that vow. But of course the road to love is rocky and there is a bit of mystery threaded throughout the story. I really enjoyed it.

When Grey's stepfather dies unexpectedly, Grey is forced to go home to comfort his grieving mother and siblings. It's not that he doesn't love his mother, and he loved and admired his stepfather, but he's never forgiven them for sending him away when he was a boy. Prepared to do his duty and flee, he is unprepared for Beatrice Wolfe, the sharp-tongued spinster helping with the funeral, or for the news that his stepfather was murdered, and the prime suspect is Beatrice's reclusive, war-wounded brother. Charged with helping solve the case, Grey does not object to spending time with Beatrice, but only because it means he can have her brother arrested as soon as possible. It has nothing to do with how he feels when he's around her. At least that's what he tells himself.

Tired of being a charity relation, Beatrice longs for a life and family of her own. Though she is daunted by the idea of a London season, she allows Grey's mother to make a project of her, knowing how badly the dear woman needs a distraction from her grief. Lessons in etiquette and dancing with the arrogant Duke of Greycourt are something she must put up with, even though she finds it harder and harder to deny her attraction to him. But as that attraction deepens into something more, Beatrice is stunned to learn Grey suspects her brother of murder and that he's been using her for information. Both Beatrice and Grey will have to determine where their hearts and loyalties lie and how far they're willing to go to protect their families.

I have enjoyed previous Sabrina Jeffries novels, but this one was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really liked the characters, and the banter between them was sizzling, but I can't say there was anything really original or memorable about this story. I'm all for a mystery, and it appears the mystery of who murdered Maurice and why will run the course of the series, but I felt like it needed to have more substance in this first book to set it up. It seemed like more of an afterthought against the backdrop of dancing and etiquette lessons. The sex scenes, while hot, were too flowery for my tastes. Too many "ohs" and exclamation points. But I still found it an enjoyable way to pass the time, and I may read the next book to see if the mystery deepens.

Project Duchess - Duke Dynasty book 1
by Sabrina Jeffries

WOW! I’m utterly speechless! Sabrina Jeffries has another keeper, this was very entertaining, loved the story.
A fast paced read that keeps you turning the pages wondering what secret Grey and Beatrice are keeping. As a child Grey had a very tumultuous upbringing, his mother having married not once, or twice but three times! And to Dukes no less, who died mysteriously. Grey believes that there was foul play at hand, and he means to find the culprit.

Being orphaned at a young age Beatrice, knows all about loneliness and pain. Her brother, Joshua suffers from the horrors he’s witnessed at war is a broken man. Grey believes that Joshua is a link in his stepfathers death. He keeps him close by asking for his help. When Beatrice is the funeral coordinator Grey is shocked to realize that passion is not the only thing they have in common! As her brother becomes a suspect Beatrice is torn between her loyalty to her brother, and Grey the man she’s fallen in love with! What unfolds is a story full of romance, passion, mystery, intrigue and many secrets. A story that keeps you engaged from the first to the last word!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

This was an interesting story centered on two relatable and compelling main characters. I loved the banter between the leads and their families.

This is book 1 in the Duke Dynasty series. In it we meet Fletcher "Grey" Pryde and Beatrice Wolfe. Grey has had a hard life and it has left him distant from his family. But when his stepfather passes away unexpectedly, he goes to where his family is to help them handle any issues that may arise. He doesn't expect to walk into what could be a conspiracy. His brother believes that his father was murdered. And asks for his help in figuring out who the culprit could be. Bea has lived on the estate with her brother since her parents passed away when they were children. She has also been through a lot, but she tries not to let things bring her down. When her aunt asks her to help with the funeral arrangements for her uncle, she doesn't feel as if she can say no. But she doesn't expect to meet the arrogant Grey. Or for him to decide to help her when his mother decides that she need's to debut and find a husband. And spending more and more time together just shows them how much they truly have in common. And how much secrets can hurt in the long run.

I really enjoyed this one. I usually do like this author's books and this one was no different in that respect. The characters were different and interesting enough to keep your interest. I especially liked how the side characters make you want to know more, like Bea's brother especially needs a HEA! Bea is this take woman who has been through a lot but never lets it bring her down, or to change the path she is taking in order to have some happiness in her life. Grey had a bad childhood that he has never left behind him. Until Bea helps him understand that, and helps him find clarity in what happened. They definitely are the right people for each other, and I really liked how their romance played out. The only drawback for me was that there wasn't a resolution Grey's stepfather's death. I hope that is because it will play out in the next book because otherwise I was left hanging and I don't like that LOL! Otherwise, definitely a great read and I can't wait for his brother's books!

Brilliant start to the new series. Sabrina Jeffries throws in just the right amount of saucy to hook her readers. Grey is a gentleman trying to do the right thing by his family. Beatrice is trying to hold herself together and protect her brother. She is witty and smart and has a sharp tongue that intrigues Grey. All the major players for the series are introduced and the mysterious death are yet to be resolved. The ladies are independent and sharp and should be able to give their suitors a run for their money.

I really enjoyed reading this book by one of my favorite authors. MS Jeffries does historical romance at it's best.
This one was no exception. I loved the characters who had thoughts and feelings of their own.
This book is the beginning of a new series in which held my interest from first page.
Fletcher "Grey" Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, is a handsome rake who has a reputation of a rogue. He is wealthy man with the liability of expanding his dukedom and little time of socializing. His Mother is widowed again and meets the lovely woman managing his stepfather's funeral. Her name is Beatrice Wolfe and she is a beautiful outspoken woman. She takes no nonsense from Grey who seems to want to flirt. She learned long ago not to trust men with pretty kisses and sparky words of love.
When Grey's mother needs help from him to sponsor Beatrice for her debut. It will take new clothes that are all the fashion and lots of work on presentation. But Grey is also taken with the project of getting Beatrice ready with lots of smooth talking and sneaky kisses.
They become closer in their relationship, and romance blossoms. But when Grey starts to dig in her family's secrets, she is afraid that her loyalty will be tested to them. Beatrice will have to decide if she is strong enough to weather the storm, and keep her man.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

While the premise of Sabrina Jeffries' new series might be slightly silly (the mother was married and widowed, after providing an heir, by 3 dukes resulting in sibling dukes), the story contains the charm and wit expected from one of her novels. Upon meeting the H/H are attracted but cautious toward each other. The reader gets to enjoy as the two get to know each other, finding common ground and learning the other may be just the one to ease the childhood hurts and fears that color their today. There's a little bit of mystery (besides the secrets that each keeps) and outside influences that help move things along without actually interfering in the romance. As the story takes place at the estate of the last husband duke shortly after his sudden death, the overall background tone of the story is a little somber (no parties or balls) but it doesn't weigh down on the story itself but instead lends to 2 people who prefer to stay to background find each other and romance. I look forward to the siblings stories.

Project Duchess by Sabrina Jefferies. A fast read that keeps you wondering what secrets Grey and Beatrice are keeping.
Grey, who was separated from his family at a young age had a troubled childhood, .his mother had been married three times. Each husband died, last two under mysterious circumstances. Beatrice was orphaned at a young age. Her brother, Joshua came back from the war with injuries and emotional problems. Grey’s Brother has asked him to help with the death of the last two because he suspects, Beatrice’s brother, Joshua had something to do with it. Grey is attracted to Beatrice. Romance, mystery and many secrets.

June 25, 2019 #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #ProjectDuchess #SabrinaJeffries
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC

4.5 stars. A delightful story and a great introduction to a new series by Sabrina Jeffries. A mother married and buried three husbands -- all dukes! Now three of her sons are dukes in their own right. This is the story of the oldest son, Greycourt. When he reunites with the family after the death of his last (and loved) stepfather he meets Beatrice Wolfe, a cousin from another side of the family. Grey believes he has lost the ability to love, but he certainly hasn't lost the ability to desire. Beatrice is outspoken, but sensible. They make a great combo.

The book has an unsolved mystery that will surely develop in the subsequent books. I really enjoyed the various personalities and interactions among the family members. And I am most definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.

ARC provided by Netgalley.

Grey is returning home for his step father's funeral. Not planning on marrying anytime soon, he is surprised to find himself to attracted to Beatrice. Beatrice is a cousin to Grey's half brother and helping with the funeral. His brother asks him to look into the death of his father and his uncle before him. Their deaths don't seem quite right. In doing so, he spends more time with Beatrice and falls deeper under her spell. Grey tries to deny his feelings, but everyone around him can see what he is trying to deny.

Beatrice is weary of high born men, so when Grey starts paying marked attention to her, she tries to discourage him. But she soon learns that he is only spending time with her because her cousin asked him to look into the resent death of the duke. But as she spends more time with Grey, she realizes that there is more to him than the face that he puts on in front of others.

I loved Beatrice and Grey's story! I loved watching Grey take down his walls and letting himself fall in love and reconnecting with his family. I'm so excited for the next book in the series!

What a wonderful start to this new series by Sabrina Jeffries! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting this very intriguing family which consists of a mother who married 3 times (all Dukes) and gave birth to 5 children altogether. She had Grey with her first husband, twins Thorn and Gwyn with her second husband and Sheridan and Heywood with her third husband. We also meet Beatrice Wolfe and her brother Joshua and although they are cousins to Sheridan and Heywood, they are penniless and rely on Sheridan's help.

This first book is Grey and Beatrice's story and I just LOVE how she can give as good as she gets! lol She's feisty and doesn't hold her tongue where Grey is concerned and that leads to very interesting situations:) Both have secrets that eventually come out and it will bond them even closer although the threat that there's a murderer around keeps everyone on their toes.

Having 4 brothers and being the only girl, I can appreciate all the sibling rivalry that occurs in this story and all the bickering had me smiling! lol All in all, I really loved this story and can't wait to read the other books that will come along in this series.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.