Cover Image: Project Duchess

Project Duchess

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Member Reviews

Historical romances are a relatively new genre for me (especially mass market romances), so I’m not familiar with all of the popular authors. Unsurprisingly, this is my first Sabrina Jeffries book. Also unsurprisingly, I’ll now be adding her to my must-read list.

This is the first title in a new series that weaves together stories of an extended family of siblings, primarily. There’s misunderstandings, repressed emotions, murder, laughter and love. Jeffries creates strong females who are unique for the time period, but not egregiously out of place. Her men are proud, wounded and strong, unafraid to eventually show a little vulnerability.

I would compare the feel of this world to Grace Burrowes’ Windham’s or Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton’s, except it totally stands on its own merit. I cannot wait to read the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Fletcher Pryde, the 5th Duke of Greycourt, has been summoned to the country to help his grieving mother whose third husband has just died. Grey's mother has married three different dukes and given birth to five children. Grey is her eldest child, and the one estranged from the family as he was sent to live with his paternal relatives when he was ten.  When his brother seeks his help with the strange circumstances surrounding the recent death, he reluctantly agrees. 

Beatrice Wolfe is no stranger to death and funerals. When her aunt asks her to assist with the funeral of her husband Beatrice agrees. When she meets her aunt's firstborn son, she knows as a poor relation, she has no business feeling attracted to him, even if she is the granddaughter of a duke they can never be together. 

Sabrina Jeffries is one of the best wordsmiths in her genre, and this book is the start of another brilliant series. A beautiful blend of mystery, romance and steamy hot sex scenes. 

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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1808

Lydia Fletcher has been married to, and widowed by three Dukes. They are the 4th Duke of Greycourt. the 2nd Duke of Thornstock, and the 3rd Duke of Armitage, who has just passed away. Lydia has been able to give children to each of these men.

London

Fletcher (Grey) Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, age 34, has returned to his London home to find his cousin, Vanessa Pryde, waiting to see him. She is a lovely woman whose mother, Grey's Aunt Cora, would like to see the two of them marry and won’t even hear of Vanessa marrying anyone else. But Grey and Vanessa disagree with this. They are just friends and wish for their relationship to stay that way.

Grey learns that his stepfather has just passed away and his mother needs his help with assisting his stepbrother, Sheridan, age 28, as he takes up the mantle of the 4th Duke of Armitage.

Lincolnshire

Miss Beatrice Wolfe has not cared for the Duke of Armitage as he always tried to make passes at her. She is supposed to help her cousin, Sheridan, as he deals with his grief at losing his father. Beatrice and her brother, Joshua. live in the former dower house on the Armitage estate. He aunt Lydia had promised to give her a debut in London. She looks upon Beatrice as her project.

Sheridan has inherited an estate with debts whereas Grey’s estate is very wealthy. When Grey arrives and he and Beatrice meet, she feels he acts arrogant and she doesn’t care for him. But as Grey and Beatrice get to know one another, they spark an attraction.

Sheridan thinks his father had been murdered and he thinks that Beatrice’s brother, Joshua, may be the guilty one.

This book was complicated and confusing. Too many characters to keep up with. The first part of the book throws lots of characters at the reader, slows down in the middle, and picks up in the end. The attraction between Grey and Beatrice was so fast and sexual that it was huge turn-off.

Sabrina Jeffries is a prolific and popular author. I have read several of her books, some of which I enjoyed, and others not so much. I’m not sure that I will stay with this series as it just isn’t my cup of tea. However, I’m sure that others of her fans will love it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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Fletcher Pryde, the Duke of Greycourt, is called to the country after his stepfather dies quite suddenly. He meets Beatrice Wolfe visiting Lincolnshire helping her Aunt (Grey’s Mother) plan her husband’s funeral. Beatrice gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Grey with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind no matter how attracted to him she is. He agrees to help his mother and the hoyden and unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. He can’t help but be attracted to her, but they have wounded hearts to heal. I loved this romance story of two wounded souls I voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent book.

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Sabrina did it again. I had my doubt about her new series but I am hooked. This book is very funny and has all the family drama that we love from sabrina jeffries.

I am so happy she included a family tree because it gets complicated. Grey Pryde family is complicated his mother married three dukes. Therefore, this family has three dukes brothers. Grey has just lost his stepfather when he finds out that his mother new project is to make Beautrice Grey's younger brother cousin into the bell of the ball. Beautrice is not related to Grey via blood only marriage. So guys its a great series and I can't for the next book.

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Another great book from Sabrina Jeffries. It will not disappoint.

I received this ARC for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

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This book has it all...murder, mystery, romance and sex! It was hard for me to put this book down. I loved Beatrice. She was smart, opinionated and kind. I look forward to reading more about this family of duke's.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

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3.75 stars--PROJECT DUCHESS is the first instalment in Sabrina Jeffries’ adult, DUKE DYNASTY historical romance series focusing on the children of a multi-widowed dowager Duchess. This is Fletcher ‘Grey’ Pryde, Duke of Greycourt, and Beatrice Wolfe’s story line.


Told from dual third person perspectives (Grey and Beatrice) PROJECT DUCHESS follows the search for the truth. The mysterious death of his step-father Maurice finds Fletcher Pryde, the fifth Duke of Greycourt and his half-brother Sheridan Wolfe, the fourth Duke of Armitage struggling with what happened and why but duty called and Grey found himself preparing his mother’s latest project, Beatrice Wolfe, for her social debut. When information about the last person to have possibly seen his step father alive comes to fruition, Grey begins an investigation of his own. What ensues is the building relationship between Grey and Beatrice, and the potential fall-out as family secrets reveal a more sinister and heart breaking possibility at work.


The relationship between Grey and Beatrice begins acrimoniously as Grey’s reputation as a womanizer precedes his introduction to our story line heroine. From the outset, Beatrice doesn’t trust Grey’s attention or ministrations, and the not so veiled accusations against Beatrice and her brother, of potential involvement in his step-father’s death. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


We are introduced to Grey’s half-siblings: Sheridan Wolfe, Heywood Wolfe, Marlow ‘Thorn’ Drake and his twin Lady Gwyn; Grey’s cousin Vanessa; their mother Dowager Duchess Lydia Fletcher, and Beatrice’s brother Joshua.


PROJECT DUCHESS is a story of family, betrayal, secrets and lies. The premise is engaging; the characters are colorful and energetic; the slow building romance struggles with issues of trust and presumptive guilt.


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I have been a reader of Sabrina Jeffries for quite some time. I really love her books.



This one had a heaping dose of...it couldn't happen...just in the main premise of the series.

See in Regency England...there are were only about 60 non royal dukes..so how a woman could have been married to as many as Mama Lydia did was a bit of a stretch...and then to produce all these young handsome rakish Dukes is an even bigger improbability.

But I'll forget that because this is fiction and romance and not totally based on reality.

Getting into the story was not the easiest thing as there was a lot and I do mean a lot going on at the onset, but once you settle in, its a good read.

I even learned something. What you ask? There is such a thing as Funeral biscuits. (AKA Cookies) Seriously, they are a thing. Check out this link for more info http://historiccamdencounty.com/ccnews153.shtml . And while I'm at it, I didn't know that many women didn't attend the funerals of their loved ones because of their delicate sensibilities. Wowzas!



The story itself is part romance and part mystery, as there is a question in his half brother's mind that the current Duke that had died might have been murdered and the prime suspect would be Bea's brother.



I loved Grey and Bea. They were strong and likable characters that made this a fun read as a roundabout investigation brings the two of them together and apart.



The story also touches on abuse on a few levels that happened in the pasts of both main characters, which made for some interesting reading.



I like how the mystery is what is going to tie all the stories in this series together. I look forward to seeing how all the things play out.

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A c!ever set up for a new series by Sabrina Jeffries. A woman married 3 Dukes and has an heir from each marriage (and daughter as well). The first of her brood we are introduced to is Fletcher Pryde, the 5th Duke of Greycourt, known as Grey..
His upbringing has left him skeptical of others and closed off to love but when his step-father dies, loyalty brings him back home, Once there he is quickly introduced to his mother's project, Beatrice Wolfe.
Beatrice is a niece of Grey's step-father and has lived in the property since the death of her parents. The newly widowed Duchess wants to help Beatrice enter Society and asks Grey for his expertise in decorum. He stays to help his mother while also assisting his step-bother solve the mystery of latest Duke's passing. But once the lessons begin, who is really being taught the necessities of life?

This book was a good start in what looks to be a fun series.

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Oooh, a mystery, wrapped inside a romance! This one was a little formulaic...plain speaking (unsuitable for marriage to a duke) heroine and an emotionally stunted aristocrat who can't keep his hands off of her. They jump into all kinds of steamy situations even with the investigation of a mysterious death or two hanging over their heads.
Drama? Check.
Sex? Yep.
Common Sense? Well...
But who reads a sexy historical romance novel for common sense anyway? Enjoy this one with a glass of wine in your comfy clothes. Bonus: this book has a cliffhanger ending which will pick up in the next one in the series!

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Project Duchess is my most favorite book of the summer so far! Beatrice and Grey make an excellent pairing. This was not the same cookie cutter story we expect of the genre. Kudos to Jeffries for a great summer read!

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This is exactly what I expect from a historical romance. There is a meeting, instant attraction and instant dislike. A problem arises, forcing the two primary characters and love interests to work together, then that attraction cannot be denied. But can it be attraction alone? Is love possible?

What's great about this book is the original spin Sabrina Jeffries puts on how the couple falls in love. While it is common to have a confident woman who is able to see the good in a man, and a business focused man who doesn't want to fall in love. Here, once love is ignited, Beatrice's secrets create an almost insurmountable obstacle.

I especially loved the murder mystery aspect to this series. Without giving too many details, let's just say that the plot is very intriguing once the characters are firmly introduced. I really enjoyed reading Beatrice and Grey find each other and love. The dialogue was written very well, with what I can only assumed to be practiced ease. Sabrina Jeffries is very good at using her characters and their words to move the story forward.

I'm so glad this is a new series and can't wait for the next installment. This is a suspenseful but enjoyable romance that will have your heart racing, in more ways than one.

*Special thanks to Sabrina Jeffries, Netgalley, and HF book tours for a copy of Project Duchess in exchange for an honest review.

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Project Duchess introduces readers into the regency world of five siblings, the same mother but different fathers, all lost to them at a young age. Except for one until he to died. This is where the story starts. There was a lot of things going on in the book and although it was well written and the characters quite compelling it also felt confusing at times because of so many sub plots. This also contributed to maybe the almost lukewarm romance between Bea and Grey. The sexual chemistry was fantastic however because of the mystery needing to be solved, the romance part almost felt hurried. Still the whole book was wonderful especially in the way everything fell into place . It also made me curious how the next four sibling will find their own HEA.

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I found Sabrina Jeffries years ago and I just love reading her stories. The Project Duchess is yet another of her book I have loved. Grey and Beatrice have so many ghosts to their pasts and yet the two come together and chase the shadow dispelling those ghosts away. Their love is quiet and strong at the same time. One of my favorite reads.

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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 . . .
This is the first book in a new series from one of my favorite authors. I really loved all of the characters from this new series. I tore through the book as quickly as I could. I really loved everything about Grey and Beatrice as the author unraveled them and their painful pasts. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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Emotionally thrilling, sexy, fun, witty and engaging journey for two intriguing charters that were not looking for forever and no longer believe in love for different reasons. Really enjoyed this engaging and exciting reading experience.

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This is the first book in a new series. Many times In a 1st book you lose the story in trying to introduce all the characters. I didn't find that the case here. Sabrina keeps the story and dialogue flowing, easy to follow.
This story is about a family of half siblings. The matriarch of the family had been married 3X. All 3x to dukes. All 3x having a Male offspring. So we have 3 half brothers who are all Dukes.
This is about the Duke of Greycourt, or Grey. While attending his step father's funeral, he meets Beatrice
. She is a cousin to one of his brothers. She is the granddaughter of a Duke but has been raised in the country with no formal training. She is considered a hoyden. She has no trouble telling Grey exactly what she thinks.
Grey finds this refreshing and is intrigued by Beatrice. But first he must find out if she or her brother had anything to do with his stepfather's death.
The adventure begins from there. This story kept me going from start to finish. I didn't want to put it down. It flowed so easily. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.

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The first book in the new series Duke Dynasty by Sabrina Jeffries is so good! Here we meet all the siblings of Fletcher Pryde (Grey), the 5th Duke of Greycourt, after the death of his stepfather, Maurice. He arrives at Armitage Hall and mistakes Beatrice Wolfe, for a servant. She is the granddaughter of a duke, and a cousin to his stepbrother Sheridan (the son of Maurice). Beatrice instantly puts Grey in his place, and so the story begins to get very interesting. Sheridan believes his father has been killed and his uncle before him, and thinks that Joshua, Beatrice’s brother may be behind the murders. Grey agrees to uncover all that he can from Beatrice but soon finds himself fascinated by her.
The story was made all the more enjoyable with all the secondary characters, each given ample time in the book, to reveal their personality and to have you wanting to find out more (hopefully in another book). With siblings such as Thorne, Gwyn, Sheridan and a cousin, Vanessa, who Grey’s wicked aunt, keeps trying to marry him to, there is plenty of entertainment. Both Grey and Beatrice are such engaging characters and their ability to understand the other, is well delivered. Their pact to be honest with each other, made for interesting reading, as they revealed their insecurities and past hurts.
I can’t wait to read more in this series, and to uncover more about the mystery overshadowing the family.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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An enjoyable read but at times the amount characters made it confusing. I am looking forward to future installments in this series.

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