A Duke for Diana: A Witty and Entertaining Historical Regency Romance

Sabrina Jeffries

May 2022 · Designing Debutantes Book 1 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author comes a dazzling new series perfect for fans of Bridgerton, featuring a talk-of-the-ton trio of young women who’ve eschewed working as governesses to utilize their talents for fashion, food, and music, by running their own party planning enterprise, Elegant Occasions. And if they, and their wealthy clients, happen to find love along the way, it just makes their efforts all the more rewarding…

Goodreads Summer Romance Reading Recommendation

Self-made 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 timid sister from that fate, he seeks to marry her off to a respectable, protective gentleman. With the London Season imminent, Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to orchestrate her debut. Yet Lady Diana Harper, spirited fashion expert, proves more than he bargained for. Suddenly, Geoffrey’s sister is emerging from her shell, and he is beleaguered with social invitations and gossip! Worse, Diana is attempting to transform him into a presentable duke—when all he really wants is to make her his own . . .
 
Diana doesn’t know what to make of the handsome, disheveled duke. The man bristles at the very idea that his fashion faux pas might spoil his sister’s chances. Yet Geoffrey’s stubbornness simply inspires Diana to ruffle his feathers—by setting him on a course of self-improvement. Although there’s something endearing, even irresistible about his flaws, can a man who hates the ton tolerate a woman who makes her living catering to them? Little does either know that they have more in common than they suspect—and that two can create a society all their own . . .
 

Ratings and reviews

I thought this was a pretty good start for this new series and in general a good read. I thought the writing was good and the concept behind the romance fun. I have to say that I wasn't overly in love with either of the main characters. There were elements of both that I liked but neither caught on with me and honestly, I was not shipping them at all. Still as I said, this book sets up the series in a promising way and I hope that the next couple will click with me. This is my volitional, objective review.

I just loved this fun story. Diana was so fun! I really enjoy a sassy, smart female heroine and she really gave it good to Geoffrey. Geoffrey was a genuinely nice guy but was very reserved because of things in his past but with Diana she brought out his more fun side. Together these two just sizzled with chemistry. Great start to a new series.

Civil engineer Geoffrey is hiding a secret. When he unexpectedly inherits a dukedom, he's determined to marry off his sister before the family is ruined. He hires Diana, an earl's daughter who's fallen from grace, to train his sister to make her debut. Despite Geoffrey's lack of polish, Diana can't resist her growing attraction to him. What will she do when she learns the dark truth? Sabrina Jeffries' books are clever, witty, and innovative, and this one is no exception. I love Diana. She's a mix of pragmatism and idealism, navigating a sometimes ruthless society and making a place for herself in it. Geoffrey is similarly on the edge, learning how to walk the tightrope between outsider and insider. His frankness is refreshing, and I love how unrepentant he is about swearing in front of ladies. He knows he'll have to regulate himself better if he wants to fit in, yet he also recognizes the rules for the nonsense they are. This is a fun, satisfying read from one of the best in the business. Can't wait for the next book in the series! Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

SABRINA JEFFRIES is the New York Times bestselling author of more than fifty novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over nine million books in print in more than twenty-one languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world. She always dreams big.