This is the beginning of new series, the Designing Debutantes, by Sabrina Jeffries. The prologue sets up the series. Three sisters are not considered marriageable because of the scandal caused by their parents divorcing. Instead they create their own consulting business that will help organizing parties/balls, menus, clothes and preparing debutants etc. Essentially they are event planners set in set in the 1800s.

The plot of this book involves Geoffrey, a civil engineer who finds himself unexpectedly the Duke of Greenwood after a death of a distant cousin. He comes to London with the with hopes of giving his younger sister a season and finding someone for her to wed. He doesn’t realize it but he needs help as well to fit in with polite society. Lady Diana Harper and her sisters take on the challenge. Diana and Geoffrey continually snipe back and forth. He’s arrogant thinking his ways are best and she’s trying to gently fit him into society. I didn’t quite follow them in their leap to romance. She suggests she’d like to know what she’s missing by not being married but then it turns physical without any foundation of love or romance. For me it made a good start turn into an average historical romance. Usually when I read romances a particular scene or dialogue jumps out at me and nothing here made that leap.

Jeffries is a popular writer and I will look for the next in the series. But I hope to be more invested in the characters or romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books Zebra for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse has unexpectedly inherited the dukedom of Grenwood. But he has a secret that could ruin his family. Hoping to save his sister, he seeks to marry her off to a respectable gentleman. With the London Season imminent, Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to orchestrate her debut. Lady Diana Harper, fashion expert, doesn’t know what to make of the handsome, disheveled duke. She needs to make him more presentable because his fashion faux pas might spoil his sister’s chances. Yet Geoffrey’s stubbornness simply inspires Diana to ruffle his feathers, but what she really wants is to open his heart. Can Diana show Geoffrey the love and trust that his heart desires?
This was a sweet historical romance that showcased a working class that included some people of noble birth. It was a breath of fresh air. I loved how the characters assisted their families and were loyal to them. The romance between the main characters was sweet and evident, it wasn’t rushed. Hearing about the different styles of dress was very interesting. As a woman, I’m glad I don’t have to wear the dresses the women in this story wore. The plot was very sweet, and I believe any historical romance would enjoy it. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this novel. This review is my unbiased opinion.

A fun start to a new series! Geoffrey never expected to inherit and become the Duke of Greenwood but he knows that this means he can launch his beloved sister Rosy into society and find her a good husband. How to do it? He enlists the assistance of Lady Diana Harper, who has all the knowledge, even if she's kinda on the outside. They make a bargain- she'll help him with his own issues AND if she gets Rosy five suitors a day, he'll double her fee, money she and her sisters very much need. It's light, it's entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of Regency romances,

I usually really enjoy Sabrina Jeffries’ historical romances, but this one just seemed a bit repetitive and tedious to me. The main characters were appealing, but I found myself skimming long passages. The situation of three sisters who are shunned by society because of their mother’s adultery and the subsequent divorce was interesting, but solved rather quickly by their having formed a business to advise fashionable families about getting along in society. I didn’t believe that set-up and then add in another layer of unbelievability with a civil engineer-turned duke who is tormented about the circumstances of his father’s death. It’s basically a modern romance with the surface aspects of a historical romance.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I love historical romance and this book isn't the exception.
I really enjoy reading this book!
It's my first time reading Sabrina's stories, but I really feel the chemistry between the characters.

Lady Diana Harper has lived through her parents’ scandalous divorce and come out the other side stronger with her two sisters. Diana along with her sisters Eliza and Verity have created their own party planning company. Their newest client in the brand new Duke of Greenwood and his mother and sister. Diana and her sisters will help the Duke’s sister Rosy make her debut, but soon Diana and Geoffrey (the Duke) find themselves drawn to each other. But his secrets and her reluctance to marry may be difficult for them to overcome.

I loved this book! Geoffrey and Diana had such amazing chemistry. I’m really looking forward to Eliza and Verity getting their own books as well.

*thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the ARC!

I enjoyed it a lot! I think the chapters were a tad too long though. That was my only real complaint. I’m excited to read the next book!

Ok, I am a long time reader of Sabrina Jeffries and expected to really enjoy this book but it failed to meet my expectations. It isn't a bad book, or one I struggled to finish, but it just didn't hit the mark for me. The MC's were likeable and the premise interesting but the angst was not appealing and there just wasn't much going on to peak my interest. 3-1/2 stars

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When Civil Engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse unexpectedly inherits a dukedom, he feels out of his element as he tries to help navigate his younger sister's debut. He decides to hire someone to help and he meets the Harper sisters. He's intrigued with Lady Diana Harper, but her tongue is sharper than a kitchen knife. If Diana can land the duke as a new client, it will help bring prestige to their business although she immediately takes a dislike to him. He's uncouth, rude and clueless, but there's something that tugs at her about him. He's the first man that has ever peaked her romantic interests. Can these two find common ground long enough to launch Rosy into Society?

I usually love Ms. Jeffries books, but this one was a bit of a slog to get through. There was some witty banter between Geoffrey and Diana, but most of the time they were just sniping at each other. I didn't feel any connection between them and then suddenly Diana wants to know what it's like to be with a man? That didn't really make sense especially since she was adamant about not marrying. Diana's sisters were okay, but there was nothing to make them stand-out. There's no villain in the book. It's more of whether the duke and Diana can stop fighting long enough to realize they make a good couple. Not her best book, but I will still read more in the series to find out how the other two sisters fare.

Civil Engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Grenwood. He also has a shy sister, Rosabel, and wants to be sure she gets a season and a husband. With the London season approaching fast, Geoffrey Brookhouse, newly minted Duke of Greenwood, hires Elegant Occasions, an event planning venture run by three aristocratic sisters left disgraced because their father has divorced their adulteress mother.
Geoffrey was not expecting to inherit and has spent his time as a successful civil engineer. But with the dukedom comes responsibility, especially for his shy sister Rosy.

Lady Diana Harper is very good at helping Geoffrey's sister come out of her shell. A fabulous modiste helps as do invitations to all the best parties and routs. Geoffrey and Diana have an attraction to each other, but they don't act on it right away because Lady Diana is running a business and Geoffrey has some big secret he wants to keep hidden until his sister is married.

This is the first in a new series, and the sisters. Eliza, Verity, and Diana, have individual talents to help make the business a success. , The three help to make Rosy a diamond of the first water. Her presentation to the Queen is great success (apparently a very deep curtsy gets a debutante a kiss on the cheek), she gets vouchers to Almack's, has a splendid Ball, and voila, Rosy is a success.

However, before that happens, the attractive duke needs the help Diana offers to make him fit in with ton--he doesn't like it, but for his sister he does it. He and Diana try to fight it their feelings for each other. They lose.

Once upon a time, when I first discovered historical romance, I devoured everything Sabrina Jeffries had written. Over the years, either my preferences, her writing, or both have changed. I had a lot of trouble getting into this and I wasn’t an overly big fan of either MC.

Its been a while since I have gotten to read a book by Sabrina Jeffries. She has a way of making you think while entertaining you with fabulous stories that come to life.

Her she starts with a scandal to end all, throwing in a brooding new Duke with a mysterious secret, add a dash of a shy sister with a crush on a rake and add a ruined Lady into the mix. You get a delicious story that will enthralled you to the end.

Lady Diana Harper, Lady Verity Harper, and their married older sister Eliza Pierce are living the results of their mother's scandalous affair as she runs away with said lover. Their pompous, arrogant, critical father wants revenge and create an even bigger scandal by divorcing their mother.

So the sisters decide to take their lives in their own hands since society treats them guilty by association and create a business, Elegant Occasions, to support themselves. This comes about after talking to a newly made countess, who asks for their help and pays them.

As a newly made Duke of Grenwood, Geoffrey Brookhouse, brings his mother and sister to meet with the ladies of Elegant Occasions to help his sister Lady Rosabel have a debut season and find a well match husband. He is an engineer, ironmaster, and works for a living! Oh my how the high and mighty society will have a time with that!

Being brash, demanding, and arrogant is one of his best attributes besides being tall, fit, and handsome. He never thought he was in line to inherit the title and responsibility of all it intailed. Now with his father's death, the outcome of the meeting will decide how his sister will get on in society.

As the sisters have their talents for what makes their business a success, they take Rosy and her mother under their wing to make Rosy a diamond of the first water. Her presentation to the Queen, vouchers to Almack's, her Ball, and dinner all prove Rosy is right where she needs to be.

Geoffrey on the other hand is too stubborn and fights everything suggested only to get Diana to prove him a softy. As the two work to build Rosy up and her confidence, they find they have more in common. But will it be enough?

Join in on Roster Debut and find romance, mystery, adventure, and intrigue. With great witty banter, cursing, and snappy sarcasm you will laugh, pound your fist and want to box a few ears. As Sabrina weaves four stories into one magical story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy!

An engineer turned duke navigates the ways of his much hated Polite Society. Geoffrey Brookhouse together with his mother and sister must learn the manners of the ton with the help of Lady Diana and her sisters of Elegant Occasions. With every twist and turn (and banters), Geoffrey and Diana also learn secrets and equally dangerous matters of the heart.

I was so eager to learn of Geoffrey's secret! Well, it wasn't much of a secret when his family almost knew what it is about so there's that. There's not much resolve happened to the "secret" anyway. It still remained, well, a secret among them in the end. Verity was probably my favorite among the sisters (cannot wait for her own book so that they'll finally reveal the gentleman she, and that only she, keeps seeing on events!)

I had been in a reading rut but this book broke the rut! A Duke for Diana is a fun twist on a historical romance. Geoffrey recently inherited a dukedom from a distant relative. He grew up in the country and away from British society. Geoffrey comes to London with his mother and sister to debut his sister for the season. He hires Diana and her sisters to guide his family through the London season. Diana, unlike Geoffrey, was raised in society but took a back seat after a family scandal.

I found Geoffrey and Diana to both be very likable characters. Their chemistry seemed organic throughout the book. The relationship progression was enough to keep the story entertaining without feeling slow or dry. This is a great book and very comparable to the Julia Quinn books I have enjoyed in the past. This is my first book by Sabrina Jeffries but it won’t be my last.

I would like to thank Sabrina Jeffries, Kensington Books and Zebra for an ARC of this book. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review of the book.

A Duke for Diana
By Sabrina Jeffries

Geoffrey Brookhouse has just become the Duke of Grenwood unexpectedly. The London Season is approaching and he must find the right people to help his sister prepare for her first season. He approaches Elegant Occasions a company run by the three Harper sisters two of which had been shunned by the ton on their debut season when their mother ran off with another man and was subsequently divorced causing an enormous scandal in society. Follow their journey through the season and the sparks flying between Diana Harper and the Duke.

A fast moving humour steamy read and extremely well written by ms Jeffries 4.5/5

A perfectly adequate new historical series. Three sisters have to make their way in high society by working as event planners and assisting young ladies with their seasons. The new Duke of Grenwood needs assistance bringing his sister into society. He is paired with Lady Diana who insists that she help him acclimate to the ton as well.

Not a particularly rousing romance. Writing feels as formal as the relationship between the Duke and Diana.

I did really appreciate the struggle in this book - the duke wasn't a part of the aristocracy prior to inheriting the title and his lack of understanding on how that world worked was skillfully woven into the Duke's main objection to marriage. I thought that part was especially well done and was very believable.

The the hero and heroine's relationship grew as the story developed but unfortunately seemed like they grew into comfort rather than passion. It seems that this book was there to set up future stories and to establish Diana and the Duke as the foundation of the family.

I am very curious about the last couple mentioned in the book - that seems to have come about far too easily and I wonder if Jeffries will be taking them (or one of them) on a journey later on. She could have been tying up loose ends but I am hoping there is more to it.

3.5 stars rounded to 4!

I am normally quite the fan of this author but this book - while an enjoyable read - is not going to be a favorite of mine.

Books that start a series off can be pretty amazing or just kind of there and this book is the latter.

A Duke for Diana (Designing Debutantes, #1) by Sabrina Jeffries
This is the first book in a new series and it kept me reading and wanted to find out what would happen next. This is the story of Geoffrey Brookhouse (new Duke) the Lady Diana Harper (Elegant Occasions). They both have secrets and family actions that have caused problems. There is angst, tragedy, bad behavior by parents, guilt, loyalty, wit, tears, adventure, and steamy stuff to get us to a HEA. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series AN EARL FOR ELIZA.

3 stars

As the first book in a new series focusing on three sisters who start their own event business after a family scandal, A Duke for Diana has a fantastic concept for readers who love a modern historical romance. We have a working woman, a commoner unexpectedly elevated to the dukedom, some humorous siblings, and a surprisingly contemporary event planning storyline at the center.

Sabrina Jeffries in the past has been a bit hit or miss for me and unfortunately, this ended up being more in the miss category. Despite the really interesting setup, I didn't really find the romance to be particularly compelling or even really romantic. It developed in a way where I kept rereading sections to see if I had missed something between the way that the relationship was progressing. Both the hero and heroine had some fun moments, but I felt like their characterizations tended toward the bland. The side characters are far more interesting and I am honestly more excited for their books than I was for this installment.

A Duke for Diana is definitely an easy enough read if you just want to grab some historical romance, but I frankly was not blown away.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zebra for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Lady Diana Harper and her sisters have suffered the consequences of their parents' scandalous actions and are now considered all but ruined by society. Yet the women are still fully capable of conducting themselves in society, and very aware of its rules--so they turn themselves into businesswomen, starting Elegant Occasions. They're able to organize any debutante's debut and give her the best possible chance at a good marriage...

Which brings them to Geoffrey, the new Duke of Greenwood. A businessman who never concerned himself with society's rules and never thought he would be at its zenith, Geoffrey just wants to ensure that his little sister finds herself a good husband. Diana would counter that the gruff, uncouth duke is the main obstacle to this goal. She's determined to make Geoffrey not only acceptable but ideal to ensure his sister's future--despite their bickering disguising a growing attraction.

Yeah, man, I don't know about this one. There were things I liked about it... And there were things that bothered me. The attraction between Geoffrey and Diana is immediately apparent, and quite cute (he can't stand to watch her lick the tip of her pencil, for obvious reasons) but I don't... quite get why they don't get along. Yes, he's brusque, but it's nothing over the top. And he clearly loves his sister, which is quite sweet. He's obviously not a bad guy, but Diana is set against him. Why?

And there are going to be people who love this. If you're a fan of Sabrina Jeffries (this was my first book of hers, and I do want to try others) or perhaps Eloisa James, I imagine it's right up your alley. For me, it seemed kind of flimsy. Additionally, I might add that this is a very... Old school historical in some ways. Not in every way! Obviously we have people who work, a heroine making her own living, etcetera--though they're all aristocrats, technically. But the descriptions and thought process felt very old-fashioned. A lot of "oh my"s whenever something vaguely scandalous happened. That was just a bit... done ... for me.

It's cute, don't get me wrong! But I can't say that it's much more than cute. And ideally, I'd like that something more.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.