Project Duchess

Sabrina Jeffries

Jun 2019 · Duke Dynasty Book 1 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother’s grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might conquer all . . .

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 . . .

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

Ratings and reviews

A new series by one of the Queens of historical romance, Project Duchess takes you into this series with all the dynamics of a whirlwind that is sure to set your heart ablaze! Prepare to get lost in the first of a sure to be amazing series if this first story is any indication! A mother who has several children by different husbands and one of those sons Grey, having lived through several of those stepfather's, find's that she is a widow one more time. At her request he leaves London and heads to Armitage Hall. What he finds is his destiny, he just doesn't know it yet, in the form of Beatrice Wolfe, a cousin to Sheridan, the New Duke of Armitage. She is helping with the funeral arrangements for her uncle who was married to Grey's mother, the duchess. Got that? Yes a lot of characters are introduced in this story but it all begins to form a picture of what's to come! Grey's mother wants to help Beatrice launch into society and have him help her with her "project." I loved these two! Bea is not afraid to speak her mind and she and Grey have a lot of great banter and it seems he is attracted to her but really should be beyond his touch. Filled with a myster, trying to find a murderer, oh yes it seems the Duke may have been murdered and some steamy attraction made this a wonderful romance. I cannot wait to read the rest in this series and see what happens with all of the siblings!!!

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.

I appreciated the family tree at the start of the book; I reverted to it several times to remind myself how the characters are related. What is rather unique and refreshing is the age of the young ladies - later twenties - to be introduced to London society. Grey has been a loner and rather bitter for many years and the pragmatic and sensible Beatrice is just the one to set him straight. A very entertaining romance with some mystery surrounding the deaths of two dukes. I'm interested in seeing how the stories of the other siblings develop as this series continues. I read an advance copy from Netgalley and voluntarily post this 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.