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Designing Debutantes #1
Um duque para Diana
Perfeita para os fãs de Bridgerton , esta série é protagonizada por três jovens que decidem usar os conhecimentos de moda, comida e música para criar a própria empresa de eventos. E se elas e os clientes acabarem descobrindo o amor enquanto fazem negócios, melhor ainda. “Se você é fã de romances de época, precisa ler Sabrina Jeffries!” – Lisa Kleypas
Geoffrey Brookhouse é um engenheiro que acaba de herdar o título de duque de Grenwood. Mas ele tem um segredo que pode arruinar sua família e, para salvar a tímida irmã desse destino, pretende casá-la com um cavalheiro respeitável. Às vésperas do primeiro baile da temporada londrina, ele contrata uma empresa para organizar a apresentação dela à sociedade. Logo lady Diana Harper, a animada especialista em moda, prova que é muito mais talentosa do que ele além de convencer a jovem Rosy a sair da concha e brilhar, ela está determinada a transformar o próprio Geoffrey em um nobre apresentável. Mas ela não sabe mais o que fazer com o lindo e desgrenhado duque, que é teimoso feito uma porta e detesta com todas as forças as convenções sociais. A única coisa que Diana sabe é que a teimosia dele só a faz querer irritá-lo. Quando a faísca que se acende entre eles começa a pegar fogo, os dois precisam descobrir se é possível um homem que odeia a alta sociedade amar uma mulher que ganha a vida trabalhando para ela.
Geoffrey Brookhouse é um engenheiro que acaba de herdar o título de duque de Grenwood. Mas ele tem um segredo que pode arruinar sua família e, para salvar a tímida irmã desse destino, pretende casá-la com um cavalheiro respeitável. Às vésperas do primeiro baile da temporada londrina, ele contrata uma empresa para organizar a apresentação dela à sociedade. Logo lady Diana Harper, a animada especialista em moda, prova que é muito mais talentosa do que ele além de convencer a jovem Rosy a sair da concha e brilhar, ela está determinada a transformar o próprio Geoffrey em um nobre apresentável. Mas ela não sabe mais o que fazer com o lindo e desgrenhado duque, que é teimoso feito uma porta e detesta com todas as forças as convenções sociais. A única coisa que Diana sabe é que a teimosia dele só a faz querer irritá-lo. Quando a faísca que se acende entre eles começa a pegar fogo, os dois precisam descobrir se é possível um homem que odeia a alta sociedade amar uma mulher que ganha a vida trabalhando para ela.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2022
1968 people are currently reading
11056 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
86 books4,795 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 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 of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different 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.
She always dreams big.
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April 10, 2022
2.75
“He offered her his arm, and she took it, causing something in him to swell with pride. It was the most peculiar sensation— to be proud of having a certain woman on his arm— a peculiar sensation for him anyway.”
Geoffrey Brookhouse didn’t imagine that he would inherit a dukedom but he did and with a new elevated rank, he knows that his family would suffer from a ruinous scandal if ever a secret gets out. With this, he is quite eager to marry his sister off to a titled gentleman to make sure that she’d be protected when that time comes. Problem is, he and his family have no idea how to move in polite society. Enter Lady Diana Harper and her two sisters; the people behind Elegant Occasions. The sisters were shunned by society when their father divorced their mother who ran off with her lover. Instead of allowing themselves to be ousted, they decided to make a living that would cater to the ton and it has been a success for years. Their new task is quite easy: turn the duke’s sister into a diamond of the first water. Lady Diana has no worries in that regard for she’s sure she can do just that… but she worries that it’ll be the duke who she’d have problems with especially since he makes her feel things that she has never felt before. As they butt heads with each other, something that has never been appealing to either parties before is now mortifyingly so: marriage!
A Duke For Diana is the first book from Sabrina Jeffries’ new historical romance series, Designing debutantes. This tells the story of Lady Diana Harper and Geoffrey Brookhouse. This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I fear that I am not terribly impressed. From the description, it seemed interesting enough. A self made man who inherits a dukedom and a lady of the ton who has her own scandal. However, the book just fell flat for me. I would like to thank the publisher for granting my request for a copy but I must also apologize for I will now state why this book just didn’t work for me.
We have the heroine, Lady Diana Harper. She is a stickler for society rules even though she was shunned by the very same set of people. Her thoughts regarding marriage were relatable enough. I understood the family problem all too well. In some sense, she ought to be someone I should like. She was also very straight-forward which is a trait I like seeing in my heroines. By all means, she’s a heroine that I should’ve loved. But I just did not. To me, she comes off as an annoying girl, who sometimes acted out of character which confused me a great deal. She had only known the duke for more than a month which is why her eagerness to know his secret was frustrating. She felt too pushy at times. She was mad at him because he didn’t want to marry and she didn’t know the reasons. At the same time, her reasons for being mad at him, which I didn’t quite understand, made no sense to me. Then he finally offered marriage and she declined, and right after that, this girl was really thinking “He just didn’t want to marry her.” Huh? girl what? She is just so uninteresting and I was just so bored with her character. I also couldn’t feel her supposed love for the hero. To me, it’s just pure lust. I think the author tried her best to give this character depth, make her interesting and stand out from other heroines, sadly she has failed because this heroine was just insipid.
The hero was just as boring. This man was a civil engineer and a duke on top of that. You’d think he’d at least be compelling. Nada. He isn’t! There was nothing about him that made him swoon-worthy and I like my heroes to be swoon-worthy so that’s an important aspect. He loved his sister and mother, so I guess that’s a point for him. Oh and he is also funny sometimes. But aside from that, there wasn’t anything about Geoffrey that urged me to fall in love with him. I can understand why he kept the secret from his family: he thought he was protecting them, but then, they had every right to know for it’ll be them who’d suffer the consequences if ever those secrets were revealed. He needed to trust the people around him a bit more. He was a civil engineer but we don’t really see him doing anything that’ll show his skill as such. I like self-made heroes and the likes so I was expecting to love this hero. I wanted to love the hero but I didn’t. Just like the heroine, I didn’t feel his supposed love for Diana. The two of them were in heat at the very most, but their love just isn’t plausible. Like the heroine, I think he lacked depth and fell flat. He’s just as insipid, and I’m sorry to say that.
The worst thing is that they had no chemistry whatsoever. Sure, their banter was fun at times but that isn’t enough to save a book. Most of the time, they’re just annoying. They were instantly attracted to each other and I think that until the very end, that was all there was to it. Attraction. No love that these two characters claimed they felt for each other. I just couldn’t see how they fell in love, given that if they weren’t bickering, they were lusting over each other, and then after that the heroine goes back to hating him and assuming the worst. Sure, he revealed his secrets to her near the end but it wasn’t enough to make me believe in a deeper connection that may exist between the two of them. Maybe I’m asking for too much but I want a book that’ll make me feel a great deal: not just annoyance and boredom waiting for the book to finally come to an end.
It also speaks a great deal that I was more interested in Lady Rosabel’s transformation to a diamond of the first water and anticipation over whom she’ll end up with! Also, I couldn’t feel the family dynamic between Diana and her sisters. Their conversations were boring. I think the author wanted for it to come out playful and friendly but in reality it was just monotonous. Neither Eliza or Verity were terribly interesting people so I’m not sure I’d be interested to read the next books in the series. The idea of business wasn’t interesting either, I thought it’d be more plausible (thinking it’d be set some time during the Victorian era) but then it wasn’t, considering this was set during the very early 1800s.
There were good things about the book of course. I learned a thing or two more about the era. I also liked how present the ton is in the story: I like reading about society. It’s very fun. Lord Foxstead piqued my curiosity too…seeing the title of the next book, I have no doubt it’ll be Eliza who he’ll end up with. Not sure how that’ll happen but I am not very eager to know either. Overall, I think I just started with the wrong Sabrina Jeffries book. I think she’s quite popular in the historical romance genre and would be interested to read other books that are much more appealing. However, this book doesn’t encourage me very much to seek her other books.
By the way, I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Kensington books for the eARC! I would still encourage everyone who has the chance to read this book to give it a chance for you may end up enjoying this more than I did! I think it was a matter of preference. I didn’t like it very much but who knows? It might work for you, so don’t be deterred by my review!
“He offered her his arm, and she took it, causing something in him to swell with pride. It was the most peculiar sensation— to be proud of having a certain woman on his arm— a peculiar sensation for him anyway.”
Geoffrey Brookhouse didn’t imagine that he would inherit a dukedom but he did and with a new elevated rank, he knows that his family would suffer from a ruinous scandal if ever a secret gets out. With this, he is quite eager to marry his sister off to a titled gentleman to make sure that she’d be protected when that time comes. Problem is, he and his family have no idea how to move in polite society. Enter Lady Diana Harper and her two sisters; the people behind Elegant Occasions. The sisters were shunned by society when their father divorced their mother who ran off with her lover. Instead of allowing themselves to be ousted, they decided to make a living that would cater to the ton and it has been a success for years. Their new task is quite easy: turn the duke’s sister into a diamond of the first water. Lady Diana has no worries in that regard for she’s sure she can do just that… but she worries that it’ll be the duke who she’d have problems with especially since he makes her feel things that she has never felt before. As they butt heads with each other, something that has never been appealing to either parties before is now mortifyingly so: marriage!
A Duke For Diana is the first book from Sabrina Jeffries’ new historical romance series, Designing debutantes. This tells the story of Lady Diana Harper and Geoffrey Brookhouse. This is the first book I have ever read by this author and I fear that I am not terribly impressed. From the description, it seemed interesting enough. A self made man who inherits a dukedom and a lady of the ton who has her own scandal. However, the book just fell flat for me. I would like to thank the publisher for granting my request for a copy but I must also apologize for I will now state why this book just didn’t work for me.
We have the heroine, Lady Diana Harper. She is a stickler for society rules even though she was shunned by the very same set of people. Her thoughts regarding marriage were relatable enough. I understood the family problem all too well. In some sense, she ought to be someone I should like. She was also very straight-forward which is a trait I like seeing in my heroines. By all means, she’s a heroine that I should’ve loved. But I just did not. To me, she comes off as an annoying girl, who sometimes acted out of character which confused me a great deal. She had only known the duke for more than a month which is why her eagerness to know his secret was frustrating. She felt too pushy at times. She was mad at him because he didn’t want to marry and she didn’t know the reasons. At the same time, her reasons for being mad at him, which I didn’t quite understand, made no sense to me. Then he finally offered marriage and she declined, and right after that, this girl was really thinking “He just didn’t want to marry her.” Huh? girl what? She is just so uninteresting and I was just so bored with her character. I also couldn’t feel her supposed love for the hero. To me, it’s just pure lust. I think the author tried her best to give this character depth, make her interesting and stand out from other heroines, sadly she has failed because this heroine was just insipid.
The hero was just as boring. This man was a civil engineer and a duke on top of that. You’d think he’d at least be compelling. Nada. He isn’t! There was nothing about him that made him swoon-worthy and I like my heroes to be swoon-worthy so that’s an important aspect. He loved his sister and mother, so I guess that’s a point for him. Oh and he is also funny sometimes. But aside from that, there wasn’t anything about Geoffrey that urged me to fall in love with him. I can understand why he kept the secret from his family: he thought he was protecting them, but then, they had every right to know for it’ll be them who’d suffer the consequences if ever those secrets were revealed. He needed to trust the people around him a bit more. He was a civil engineer but we don’t really see him doing anything that’ll show his skill as such. I like self-made heroes and the likes so I was expecting to love this hero. I wanted to love the hero but I didn’t. Just like the heroine, I didn’t feel his supposed love for Diana. The two of them were in heat at the very most, but their love just isn’t plausible. Like the heroine, I think he lacked depth and fell flat. He’s just as insipid, and I’m sorry to say that.
The worst thing is that they had no chemistry whatsoever. Sure, their banter was fun at times but that isn’t enough to save a book. Most of the time, they’re just annoying. They were instantly attracted to each other and I think that until the very end, that was all there was to it. Attraction. No love that these two characters claimed they felt for each other. I just couldn’t see how they fell in love, given that if they weren’t bickering, they were lusting over each other, and then after that the heroine goes back to hating him and assuming the worst. Sure, he revealed his secrets to her near the end but it wasn’t enough to make me believe in a deeper connection that may exist between the two of them. Maybe I’m asking for too much but I want a book that’ll make me feel a great deal: not just annoyance and boredom waiting for the book to finally come to an end.
It also speaks a great deal that I was more interested in Lady Rosabel’s transformation to a diamond of the first water and anticipation over whom she’ll end up with! Also, I couldn’t feel the family dynamic between Diana and her sisters. Their conversations were boring. I think the author wanted for it to come out playful and friendly but in reality it was just monotonous. Neither Eliza or Verity were terribly interesting people so I’m not sure I’d be interested to read the next books in the series. The idea of business wasn’t interesting either, I thought it’d be more plausible (thinking it’d be set some time during the Victorian era) but then it wasn’t, considering this was set during the very early 1800s.
There were good things about the book of course. I learned a thing or two more about the era. I also liked how present the ton is in the story: I like reading about society. It’s very fun. Lord Foxstead piqued my curiosity too…seeing the title of the next book, I have no doubt it’ll be Eliza who he’ll end up with. Not sure how that’ll happen but I am not very eager to know either. Overall, I think I just started with the wrong Sabrina Jeffries book. I think she’s quite popular in the historical romance genre and would be interested to read other books that are much more appealing. However, this book doesn’t encourage me very much to seek her other books.
By the way, I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to Kensington books for the eARC! I would still encourage everyone who has the chance to read this book to give it a chance for you may end up enjoying this more than I did! I think it was a matter of preference. I didn’t like it very much but who knows? It might work for you, so don’t be deterred by my review!
June 23, 2022
A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries
Book 1 of the Designing Debutants series. Historical romance.
Geoffrey unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. He hires Elegant Occasions and Lady Diana to help his sister make her debut. Diana has significant work to do to make them ready for the society season.
I liked Geoffrey for his humor and compassion for his sister. That he actually works as a civil engineer is quite different from the usual historical romance. The same can be said about Diana and the business she and her sisters have created. That they build in specific charity donations into her fees is wonderful. The relationship between Geoffrey and Diana is beyond convention with her naivety in experience.
An entertaining story with some high society rules explained, some sexy romping and the eventual love match.
Book 1 of the Designing Debutants series. Historical romance.
Geoffrey unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. He hires Elegant Occasions and Lady Diana to help his sister make her debut. Diana has significant work to do to make them ready for the society season.
I liked Geoffrey for his humor and compassion for his sister. That he actually works as a civil engineer is quite different from the usual historical romance. The same can be said about Diana and the business she and her sisters have created. That they build in specific charity donations into her fees is wonderful. The relationship between Geoffrey and Diana is beyond convention with her naivety in experience.
An entertaining story with some high society rules explained, some sexy romping and the eventual love match.
December 30, 2023
2.5
Rounding up because the book was populated with interesting characters and charming repartee between our leads, but beyond that, the storyline was too slight.
Romance is fun but I definitely need some action— mystery, intrigue, secrets worth keeping- along with the swooning. Otherwise, I quickly start skimming.
(Reviewed 9/12/23)
Rounding up because the book was populated with interesting characters and charming repartee between our leads, but beyond that, the storyline was too slight.
Romance is fun but I definitely need some action— mystery, intrigue, secrets worth keeping- along with the swooning. Otherwise, I quickly start skimming.
(Reviewed 9/12/23)
May 17, 2022
A GOOD CONCEPT LET DOWN BY SUBSTANDART CHARACTERS
I was excited for this book. Jeffries has entertained me in the past, so I went into this one expecting to be entertained once again. Sadly, a cast of cliché and confusing characters let me down. The concept of three women owning a business in Regency England had potential. But the characters ruined in for me.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Concept: I was instantly attracted to the concept of three sisters starting their own party business after a family scandal leaves them undesirable on the marriage market in Regency England. I liked the empowerment of them being able to turn their scandal into a flourishing business which allowed them to live independently. It was a strong concept.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Diana: Our female MC was an enigma to me. I simply didn't understand her. While is is continuously described as a very prim, proper and somewhat uptight woman, she makes some very questionable decisions that jarred violently with the earlier description. I felt like her character was so at odds with herself that I did not buy it for one second. She didn't feel real.
Geoffrey: Our male MC was a gigantic historical romance cliché. One that I am growing sick of. He made decisions about other people's happiness without consulting them first. But worst of all - he allowed his dead father to dictate his own happiness for an insanely small and petty reason. Yawn. I've seen that way too often in historical romance. It's not attractive to me.
Time confusion: In the beginning of our story there was a small historical 'blunder' of sorts, that I felt was beneath Jeffries. The prologue takes place in 1807 and here the conversation at a ball falls upon... Queen Elizabeth the First. That's how she is referred to. Even though she would not, at this point in time, be Elizabeth the First yet. Elizabeth the second didn't become queen until almost 150 years later, in 1952. How could she have been known as the first when she was, as of yet, the only Queen Elizabeth. I would think it far more likely, that she would have been referred to as Good Queen Bess or simply Queen Elizabeth.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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I was excited for this book. Jeffries has entertained me in the past, so I went into this one expecting to be entertained once again. Sadly, a cast of cliché and confusing characters let me down. The concept of three women owning a business in Regency England had potential. But the characters ruined in for me.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Concept: I was instantly attracted to the concept of three sisters starting their own party business after a family scandal leaves them undesirable on the marriage market in Regency England. I liked the empowerment of them being able to turn their scandal into a flourishing business which allowed them to live independently. It was a strong concept.
👎 What I Disliked 👎
Diana: Our female MC was an enigma to me. I simply didn't understand her. While is is continuously described as a very prim, proper and somewhat uptight woman, she makes some very questionable decisions that jarred violently with the earlier description. I felt like her character was so at odds with herself that I did not buy it for one second. She didn't feel real.
Geoffrey: Our male MC was a gigantic historical romance cliché. One that I am growing sick of. He made decisions about other people's happiness without consulting them first. But worst of all - he allowed his dead father to dictate his own happiness for an insanely small and petty reason. Yawn. I've seen that way too often in historical romance. It's not attractive to me.
Time confusion: In the beginning of our story there was a small historical 'blunder' of sorts, that I felt was beneath Jeffries. The prologue takes place in 1807 and here the conversation at a ball falls upon... Queen Elizabeth the First. That's how she is referred to. Even though she would not, at this point in time, be Elizabeth the First yet. Elizabeth the second didn't become queen until almost 150 years later, in 1952. How could she have been known as the first when she was, as of yet, the only Queen Elizabeth. I would think it far more likely, that she would have been referred to as Good Queen Bess or simply Queen Elizabeth.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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November 18, 2022
Wow I loved this so much!!! It was so cute and soft. The sex scenes (3) were very good and fit the tone of the novel. They weren’t too long but I was sweating a little 👀
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I received a complimentary finished copy from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
I received a complimentary finished copy from the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.
May 21, 2022
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine (pretty evenly split)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
As far as I can tell, this doesn’t tie in with any of her prior series, so this is a great place to start!
Basic plot:
Diana, knowing society thinks of her more as a “wall-weed” than a wallflower, decides to thumb her nose at them all and begin a family business. Her sisters all have different talents and together they form Elegant Occasions. Geoffrey, the newly titled Duke of Grenwood, desperately needs help launching his younger sister into society and seeks the assistance of Elegant Occasions.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1811)
- London setting
- Both characters I took to be a touch on the heavier/larger side – Diana is described as tall and plump and Geoffrey is repeatedly described as “robust” and is worried chairs won’t hold him.
- Engineer hero, fashion loving, event creator heroine
- Mid steam – if you’ve read Jeffries before, you know what you’re going to get! 3 full scenes and some kisses
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel in the very beginning – just the lightest bit of stubbornness and bickering but it’s quickly resolved into a partnership
Ages:
- Heroine is 24, hero is 30
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel! Sometimes first books in a series can feel heavy with characters all over, or page time given to others and taken from the main couple. I didn’t find that here at all. I really loved the development of all the family members while still having Diana and Geoffrey be center stage.
Many of Jeffries’ novels have a mystery in them, sometimes running throughout the entire series – I didn’t find that here either and I loved that! (again, I love my focus on the mains haha) There was a bit of intrigue but it wasn’t constantly focused on and wondered about throughout the book and was fully resolved by the end. I wasn’t a fan of her prior series much so my expectations were pretty low for this one (plus I’ll admit the cover didn’t really draw me in!) and I think it helped this novel just take me pleasantly by surprise.
Geoffrey is an engineer and I just found him adorable. He’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder against the nobility, but now he is one and he’s trying to adjust. Sometimes he does things that just made me shake my head, but when you get to know him you see how much he carries on his shoulders. He really is trying to provide for this family the best he can. He is protecting them from toxic relations and trying to prevent scandal. He wants the best for his young sister. He’s not my usual type of hero, but I really ended up enjoying him.
Diana I loved. She’s such a lady! She’s very interested in fashion and I love the time Jeffries spent on showing us the clothing of the time without any boring information dumps. She was pleasant, smart, and resourceful and I found myself wanting to be her friend. I appreciated her attachment to Geoffrey’s younger sister and the family dynamic between the sisters.
Jeffries included a lot of fun historical facts in this novel including chalking the floor, terms used socially like what it meant to be called a mushroom, and the cure for being cropsick (eww). I like how it was woven within the characters and it felt very natural. (some authors try to include a bit too much research into paragraphs of descriptions – this flowed really nicely)
So yeah, overall I really liked this one. I found myself wanting to read it when I was pulled away. I was eager to pick it back up. I found myself smiling sometimes at the characters. It was just cute! I’m not sure if I would reread this one soon, it didn’t quite have the passion and tension I’ve REALLY loved in some of her older novels, but I am very happy to have read it.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine (pretty evenly split)
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
As far as I can tell, this doesn’t tie in with any of her prior series, so this is a great place to start!
Basic plot:
Diana, knowing society thinks of her more as a “wall-weed” than a wallflower, decides to thumb her nose at them all and begin a family business. Her sisters all have different talents and together they form Elegant Occasions. Geoffrey, the newly titled Duke of Grenwood, desperately needs help launching his younger sister into society and seeks the assistance of Elegant Occasions.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1811)
- London setting
- Both characters I took to be a touch on the heavier/larger side – Diana is described as tall and plump and Geoffrey is repeatedly described as “robust” and is worried chairs won’t hold him.
- Engineer hero, fashion loving, event creator heroine
- Mid steam – if you’ve read Jeffries before, you know what you’re going to get! 3 full scenes and some kisses
- A bit of enemies to lovers feel in the very beginning – just the lightest bit of stubbornness and bickering but it’s quickly resolved into a partnership
Ages:
- Heroine is 24, hero is 30
My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel! Sometimes first books in a series can feel heavy with characters all over, or page time given to others and taken from the main couple. I didn’t find that here at all. I really loved the development of all the family members while still having Diana and Geoffrey be center stage.
Many of Jeffries’ novels have a mystery in them, sometimes running throughout the entire series – I didn’t find that here either and I loved that! (again, I love my focus on the mains haha) There was a bit of intrigue but it wasn’t constantly focused on and wondered about throughout the book and was fully resolved by the end. I wasn’t a fan of her prior series much so my expectations were pretty low for this one (plus I’ll admit the cover didn’t really draw me in!) and I think it helped this novel just take me pleasantly by surprise.
Geoffrey is an engineer and I just found him adorable. He’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder against the nobility, but now he is one and he’s trying to adjust. Sometimes he does things that just made me shake my head, but when you get to know him you see how much he carries on his shoulders. He really is trying to provide for this family the best he can. He is protecting them from toxic relations and trying to prevent scandal. He wants the best for his young sister. He’s not my usual type of hero, but I really ended up enjoying him.
Diana I loved. She’s such a lady! She’s very interested in fashion and I love the time Jeffries spent on showing us the clothing of the time without any boring information dumps. She was pleasant, smart, and resourceful and I found myself wanting to be her friend. I appreciated her attachment to Geoffrey’s younger sister and the family dynamic between the sisters.
Jeffries included a lot of fun historical facts in this novel including chalking the floor, terms used socially like what it meant to be called a mushroom, and the cure for being cropsick (eww). I like how it was woven within the characters and it felt very natural. (some authors try to include a bit too much research into paragraphs of descriptions – this flowed really nicely)
So yeah, overall I really liked this one. I found myself wanting to read it when I was pulled away. I was eager to pick it back up. I found myself smiling sometimes at the characters. It was just cute! I’m not sure if I would reread this one soon, it didn’t quite have the passion and tension I’ve REALLY loved in some of her older novels, but I am very happy to have read it.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
May 31, 2022
Planning a debutante’s ball, making a first presentation before the Queen; how badly lit rooms really were with just candles or argand lamps, or my very favorite, chalking the floor also know as dancing out the chalk are all from scenes containing the fascinating historical details celebrated historical romance author Sabrina Jeffries is famous for including in her books.
Jeffries is the author of a number of outstanding historical Regency romances. A Duke for Diana (Designing Debutants #1) is the start of a new series featuring three aristocratic sisters who are the victims of a series of unfortunate events. Actually, the unfortunate events are the disgraceful choices and behavior their parents made, resulting in a rare divorce. Talk about the sins of the father (and mother) being laid upon the children. The ton quickly turn the sisters, Diana Harper, Verity and Eliza into persona non grata with invites drying up or the sisters being ignored at the few social events they attend.
Disgusted by the whole situation the sisters decide to take advantage of an opportunity presented to them and open their own consulting business, Elegant Occasions. Each sister shows particular flair and knowledge of a separate aspect of entertaining or rules of aristocratic behavior making them the perfect choice to throw a ball or turn a shy girl into a diamond of the first water… The aristocracy won’t welcome them to their social events but it seems as if there are a number of people who are willing to take advantage of their knowledge.
Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse inherits a dukedom he didn’t not even know he was in line to inherit, that he had no wish to inherit. He travels to London from his home in Newcastle with his widowed mother and shy sister Rosalie, determined to give Rosalie at least one London season.
The ladies of Elegant Occasion agree to take on Lady Rosalie, but Diana insists Geoffrey learn to behave closer to his new position in life.
A Duke for Diana doesn’t really plow any new ground. The sparks fly, the duke has a dark secret, Lady Rosalie seems to fall for the wrong man. Not a problem, Jeffries can probably make a shopping list sound fresh, fun and funny.
The sisters are strong, daring women who decide to grab hold of their lives. They purposely set themselves outside of society by opening their consulting business, but they now mostly live by their rules.
The duke, and his little family are still in shock by the death of the Brookhouse father and husband and their ascension to the highest realm of the aristocracy.
A Duke for Diana truly is a love story. The love between family members; the romantic love between men and women.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC for review purposes.
PS Regency ballroom floors were originally chalked at balls for safety reasons. Then the Aristos started hiring chalk artists to chalk beautiful, whimsical designs. Dancing out the chalk was another way of indicating a ball’s success. There, don’t you feel smarter; with a fun tidbit to add to the conversation at your next dinner party.
Jeffries is the author of a number of outstanding historical Regency romances. A Duke for Diana (Designing Debutants #1) is the start of a new series featuring three aristocratic sisters who are the victims of a series of unfortunate events. Actually, the unfortunate events are the disgraceful choices and behavior their parents made, resulting in a rare divorce. Talk about the sins of the father (and mother) being laid upon the children. The ton quickly turn the sisters, Diana Harper, Verity and Eliza into persona non grata with invites drying up or the sisters being ignored at the few social events they attend.
Disgusted by the whole situation the sisters decide to take advantage of an opportunity presented to them and open their own consulting business, Elegant Occasions. Each sister shows particular flair and knowledge of a separate aspect of entertaining or rules of aristocratic behavior making them the perfect choice to throw a ball or turn a shy girl into a diamond of the first water… The aristocracy won’t welcome them to their social events but it seems as if there are a number of people who are willing to take advantage of their knowledge.
Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse inherits a dukedom he didn’t not even know he was in line to inherit, that he had no wish to inherit. He travels to London from his home in Newcastle with his widowed mother and shy sister Rosalie, determined to give Rosalie at least one London season.
The ladies of Elegant Occasion agree to take on Lady Rosalie, but Diana insists Geoffrey learn to behave closer to his new position in life.
A Duke for Diana doesn’t really plow any new ground. The sparks fly, the duke has a dark secret, Lady Rosalie seems to fall for the wrong man. Not a problem, Jeffries can probably make a shopping list sound fresh, fun and funny.
The sisters are strong, daring women who decide to grab hold of their lives. They purposely set themselves outside of society by opening their consulting business, but they now mostly live by their rules.
The duke, and his little family are still in shock by the death of the Brookhouse father and husband and their ascension to the highest realm of the aristocracy.
A Duke for Diana truly is a love story. The love between family members; the romantic love between men and women.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC for review purposes.
PS Regency ballroom floors were originally chalked at balls for safety reasons. Then the Aristos started hiring chalk artists to chalk beautiful, whimsical designs. Dancing out the chalk was another way of indicating a ball’s success. There, don’t you feel smarter; with a fun tidbit to add to the conversation at your next dinner party.
February 24, 2023
3.75 rounded up.
This was a nice light read but a little bit boring. I liked the set up, three sisters plagued by family scandal start a business helping plan coming outs and parties. This story follows the middle sister, Diana, who falls in love with the newly minted Duke of Grenfield, he isn’t a stranger to family scandals and is hiding a secret. He is new to the Ton and asks the sisters to help his sister have a successful season. The heroine is a strong woman who doesn’t trust marriage, the duke is a boorish, swearing engineer who has not been brought up expecting to ever be a duke.
This had the possibility of being more humorous than it actually was. I felt like Jeffries could have leaned into the fish out of water scenario with the grumbly duke. I also didn’t really feel the passion between the two main characters, it kind of read a little flat. It was a decent book and very true to its regency time period. You can tell Jeffries is an expert on it and lots of Regency-isms were present which I’ve noticed has been missing from other Regency romances I’ve read recently.
So a good book but kind of lacked feels, swoony moments and steam.
This was a nice light read but a little bit boring. I liked the set up, three sisters plagued by family scandal start a business helping plan coming outs and parties. This story follows the middle sister, Diana, who falls in love with the newly minted Duke of Grenfield, he isn’t a stranger to family scandals and is hiding a secret. He is new to the Ton and asks the sisters to help his sister have a successful season. The heroine is a strong woman who doesn’t trust marriage, the duke is a boorish, swearing engineer who has not been brought up expecting to ever be a duke.
This had the possibility of being more humorous than it actually was. I felt like Jeffries could have leaned into the fish out of water scenario with the grumbly duke. I also didn’t really feel the passion between the two main characters, it kind of read a little flat. It was a decent book and very true to its regency time period. You can tell Jeffries is an expert on it and lots of Regency-isms were present which I’ve noticed has been missing from other Regency romances I’ve read recently.
So a good book but kind of lacked feels, swoony moments and steam.
May 13, 2022
This was a perfect “take me out of the real world” read!
Diana was such a strong, independent, fun and at times a bit quirky, heroine. I loved that she was able to step away from society’s conventions even as she made a place for herself among the ton. Her engagements with Geoffrey were so much fun.
Geoffrey was a big, burly, hero with a bit of grumpiness to round him out into the type of hero I adore. Especially when it’s apparent he is attracted to Diana. The moments when she was correcting him for his boorish ways, especially reading it from his point of view, were so cute.
The chemistry between Geoffrey and Diana sizzled from the first moment they met and things between them continued to sizzle even as their relationship grew. The conflict felt real and added some angst but nothing too heavy.
There were several scenes where this author showed her knowledge of what certain events and situations required. While this can sometimes bog the story down, that was not the case here. It was all included in a way that kept me intrigued and happily following along. I loved it all.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
Diana was such a strong, independent, fun and at times a bit quirky, heroine. I loved that she was able to step away from society’s conventions even as she made a place for herself among the ton. Her engagements with Geoffrey were so much fun.
Geoffrey was a big, burly, hero with a bit of grumpiness to round him out into the type of hero I adore. Especially when it’s apparent he is attracted to Diana. The moments when she was correcting him for his boorish ways, especially reading it from his point of view, were so cute.
The chemistry between Geoffrey and Diana sizzled from the first moment they met and things between them continued to sizzle even as their relationship grew. The conflict felt real and added some angst but nothing too heavy.
There were several scenes where this author showed her knowledge of what certain events and situations required. While this can sometimes bog the story down, that was not the case here. It was all included in a way that kept me intrigued and happily following along. I loved it all.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
May 24, 2022
A Duke for Diana feels like a return to roots for Sabrina Jeffries. Her last few series have included plotlines that spread over several books of the series, meaning that while the romances felt full and complete, the plot could feel unfinished. In this book, Geoffrey is a civil engineer who's recently ascended to a dukedom. Diana and her sisters are members of the aristocracy who were affected by scandal in their past, but who have embraced independence by providing party planning and Society guidance to members of the ton. Diana and Geoffrey are immediately attracted to each other. Although they start off on the wrong foot, they are soon making assignations and slipping away from ton affairs to meet each other. (On one particularly fun occasion they actually hook up at Almack's!)
If you like old school Sabrina Jeffries - with sexy characters who help each other solve their relationship problems and plots that don't rely on miscommunication - then you'll be pleased with this one!
4-Word Summaries:
Meg: Almack’s is banging tonight.
Laine: Common-born aristocrat and termagant.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
If you like old school Sabrina Jeffries - with sexy characters who help each other solve their relationship problems and plots that don't rely on miscommunication - then you'll be pleased with this one!
4-Word Summaries:
Meg: Almack’s is banging tonight.
Laine: Common-born aristocrat and termagant.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
May 27, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, steamy, historical romance novel. It has a likable, strong and capable female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, sizzling chemistry, secrets, supportive family, and a happily ever after ending. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this wonderful new series, of which I am a Goodreads giveaway winner, with great anticipation. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Beverley A. Crick, has a captivating voice and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
May 25, 2022
I'm ashamed to admit that this is the first book I've read by Sabrina Jeffries. What have I been waiting for? This will certainly not be the last. A Duke For Diana was absolutely delightful from start to finish!
Geoffrey is a civil engineer that has unexpectedly inherited a Dukedom. Diana runs a business with her sisters planning events and helping ladies of the ton during the season. He has hired them to help with his sister's debut.
I lovehow the author uses the sister's business and the lessons the Duke and his family need to teach so much about Regency society. I've read numerous Regency Romances and still learned things from this book that I previously hadn't known. It's done in such a way that it feels natural to the story and not like you're being hit on the head with facts.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Geoffrey is a civil engineer that has unexpectedly inherited a Dukedom. Diana runs a business with her sisters planning events and helping ladies of the ton during the season. He has hired them to help with his sister's debut.
I lovehow the author uses the sister's business and the lessons the Duke and his family need to teach so much about Regency society. I've read numerous Regency Romances and still learned things from this book that I previously hadn't known. It's done in such a way that it feels natural to the story and not like you're being hit on the head with facts.
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 14, 2025
Português
Gostei do livro, mas confesso que estou numa fase em que estas narrativas já me soam demasiado repetitivas. Apreciei a leitura, contudo, neste momento, sinto algum cansaço perante histórias tão semelhantes entre si. A leitura deixou-me com a sensação de que o livro é pouco marcante, sobretudo pela falta de originalidade que o torna previsível.
English
I enjoyed the book, but I must admit that I’m at a stage where these narratives already feel overly repetitive. I appreciated the reading experience; however, at this moment, I find myself somewhat weary of stories that resemble each other so closely. The book left me with the impression of being rather unremarkable, mainly due to its lack of originality, which makes it predictable.
Gostei do livro, mas confesso que estou numa fase em que estas narrativas já me soam demasiado repetitivas. Apreciei a leitura, contudo, neste momento, sinto algum cansaço perante histórias tão semelhantes entre si. A leitura deixou-me com a sensação de que o livro é pouco marcante, sobretudo pela falta de originalidade que o torna previsível.
English
I enjoyed the book, but I must admit that I’m at a stage where these narratives already feel overly repetitive. I appreciated the reading experience; however, at this moment, I find myself somewhat weary of stories that resemble each other so closely. The book left me with the impression of being rather unremarkable, mainly due to its lack of originality, which makes it predictable.
September 4, 2024
When their parents rocked London Society first with their affairs and then with their divorce, they left their three daughters the legacy of their public battles in the form of becoming social outcasts and branding their daughters as outcasts also. Fast forward four years and Diana, Verity and Eliza have formed and run a very successful business catering to those who need help navigating the tricky waters of London Society.
The newly installed Duke of Grenwood hasn't a clue as to how to navigate the swirling waters of London Society and fears he may just drown and take his sister and mother with him. Geoffrey Brookhouse is a successful civil engineer, but he hasn't a clue how to successfully get his sister launched into London Society and find her an acceptable husband. He needs Elegant Occasions to help make Rosie's season a success.
When Lady Diana Harper first lays eyes on the big, handsome Duke, she just knows he is going to be trouble for her, but the challenge of his problem held a certain appeal. This is the most high-ranking client they have had. Seeing to it that Rosie has a successful season will only bring more and better clients their way and may help diminish the scandal, to some at least. But first she needs to turn a civil engineer into a Duke and keep her heart out of the bargain. But Geoffery has some secrets of his own that may well doom his sister's season and their acceptance into London Society.
This book was a pleasant way to pass a boring afternoon. Not great, but passable. Diana and Geoffrey make a pleasant couple and while they both have issues to work through their attraction is wonderful to watch, but there are so many contradictions in this book that from page to page, you don't know what to expect. I wasn't a fan. 3 1/2-Stars
The newly installed Duke of Grenwood hasn't a clue as to how to navigate the swirling waters of London Society and fears he may just drown and take his sister and mother with him. Geoffrey Brookhouse is a successful civil engineer, but he hasn't a clue how to successfully get his sister launched into London Society and find her an acceptable husband. He needs Elegant Occasions to help make Rosie's season a success.
When Lady Diana Harper first lays eyes on the big, handsome Duke, she just knows he is going to be trouble for her, but the challenge of his problem held a certain appeal. This is the most high-ranking client they have had. Seeing to it that Rosie has a successful season will only bring more and better clients their way and may help diminish the scandal, to some at least. But first she needs to turn a civil engineer into a Duke and keep her heart out of the bargain. But Geoffery has some secrets of his own that may well doom his sister's season and their acceptance into London Society.
This book was a pleasant way to pass a boring afternoon. Not great, but passable. Diana and Geoffrey make a pleasant couple and while they both have issues to work through their attraction is wonderful to watch, but there are so many contradictions in this book that from page to page, you don't know what to expect. I wasn't a fan. 3 1/2-Stars
May 23, 2022
Geoffrey Brookhouse, newly inherited Duke of Grenwood, and his family need help navigating society. He hires Lady Diana Harper and her company, Elegant Occasions, to prepare his sister for her debut. But as Diana turns Geoffrey’s sister into the belle of the ball, his stubbornness makes Diana want to ruffle his feathers. The pair have a growing attraction and more in common than they originally thought.
This is the first book in the new series, Designing Debutantes. Diana's parents have created a scandal and she and her sisters are bordering on outcast status. They are overheard discussing the food and fashion at a ball by a newly married American countess who asks if she can hire them to help her plan her first ball. And thus, their business was born.
Four years later, the ladies agree to take on the new Duke's family as clients. Geoffrey's father was cast out, and their family lived far from London society. Geoffrey made a career as a civil engineer, never realizing he was in line to inherit. But he has a family secret and is determined to have his sister safely and happily married in case anything comes to light.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought there was a good balance of the sisters' business and the relationship between Diana and Geoffrey. There were some interesting historical tidbits I had never heard before, like chalking the dance floor. The characters engaged in fun banter and were able to spend a good amount of time together. I can't wait to find out about Diana's sister Verity's mystery man, but unfortunately that won't be until book three.
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Working Heroine, Matchmaker (sort of)
Steam: 3
* I received a copy from the author and this is my honest review.
This is the first book in the new series, Designing Debutantes. Diana's parents have created a scandal and she and her sisters are bordering on outcast status. They are overheard discussing the food and fashion at a ball by a newly married American countess who asks if she can hire them to help her plan her first ball. And thus, their business was born.
Four years later, the ladies agree to take on the new Duke's family as clients. Geoffrey's father was cast out, and their family lived far from London society. Geoffrey made a career as a civil engineer, never realizing he was in line to inherit. But he has a family secret and is determined to have his sister safely and happily married in case anything comes to light.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought there was a good balance of the sisters' business and the relationship between Diana and Geoffrey. There were some interesting historical tidbits I had never heard before, like chalking the dance floor. The characters engaged in fun banter and were able to spend a good amount of time together. I can't wait to find out about Diana's sister Verity's mystery man, but unfortunately that won't be until book three.
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Working Heroine, Matchmaker (sort of)
Steam: 3
* I received a copy from the author and this is my honest review.
October 15, 2022
Geoffrey Brookhouse has worked hard to become a successful civil engineer, but he doesn’t quite know what to make of the dukedom he’s just inherited. He’s also inherited bigger problems than the title Duke of Grenwood, namely a secret that could potentially destroy his family. To mitigate the potential for damage, he hopes to see his shy sister married to a proper, preferably titled, gentleman, the sooner the better. As London gears up for the Season, Geoffrey seeks the help of Elegant Occasions to organize her debut. Fashion focused Lady Diana Harper is not at all what the duke expected, but she is working wonders at bringing his sister out of her shell. Geoffrey isn’t prepared for how successful they seem to be, receiving social invitations along with Diana’s efforts to turn him into a proper duke, when he’s more interested in getting to know her on a more intimate level.
Diana is perplexed by the slightly unkempt new duke, but she won’t let his lack of societal savvy jeopardize his sister’s season. Diana can’t help wanting to get a rise out of Geoffrey anytime their paths cross, but even his societal faux pas are somehow endearing to her, and it turns out they may have more in common than either expects.
I really liked this premise, this idea of three sisters working together to make their way in the world in an original and unconventional manner, thumbing their noses at a society that has spurned them for a scandal not of their making. However, Diana doesn’t really do this. She talks a good game when it comes to picking and choosing who to associate with and not being bothered by societal cuts, but really, she’s incredibly aware of appearances and is a high stickler for following all of society’s dictates. I think a lot of the time she was also pretty unfair to Geoffrey. He’s dealing with an unexpected inheritance that completely changes his life and has settled him with a lot of debts and she starts off being judgmental of him from the start and critical of him for wanting to be careful about spending too much money. He’s just trying to be sensible and deal with things he’s clueless about and she comes off as haughty and bossy. I was glad to see Diana’s younger sister was willing to stand up to her and make her reevaluate sometimes, but a lot of the time the two sisters were also just very nosy and their incessant need to butt in too away from a romance that was already struggling to feel realized. I also questioned their sisterly bond when Diana worried about the possibility of one of her sisters tattling to their father if her changing feelings for the duke were known. I would rather have seen her confiding in them than her having to hide things from them and only telling them things when they harangued her to no end about it. I don’t have sisters myself, but if this is how it is and it means you have no privacy for your feelings then I’m kind of glad I don’t. Along these lines, Geoffrey’s younger sister was also quite vapid, which I think was intended, but I wish Diana had realized this more, instead of always criticizing Geoffrey for trying to take care of his sister.
I guess my main issue here was just with Geoffrey feeling a bit flat at times and Diana’s character hopping all over the place when it came to her feelings about marriage and her treatment of Geoffrey. In fairness, he was utterly clueless, and he kept secrets for way too long instead of trying to solve his problems as a team, though he did have a lot to be getting on with all at once and he at least did eventually realize he had friends and didn’t have to do everything all alone. Diana just annoyed me with her tendency to jump to conclusions. There are a couple of instances in which she does not allow Geoffrey any opportunity to explain himself, which she acknowledges, but she ignores her own culpability in this spat and remains angry with him anyway. In fact, there are several times where she chalks up something he said without fully thinking it through as him deliberately misleading her and never gives him an opportunity to explain. I just wanted more mature communication instead of this little tantrum. I was also super annoyed with her when she became angry with Geoffrey for mentioning marriage after their physical relationship progressed. She’d been teaching him all the nuances of society’s rules and he was just trying to follow that, and she couldn’t fathom why he might think she’d expect marriage from him. Then in the next chapter she’s back to berating him for ignoring society’s rules. This sort of behavior just made her seem wishy-washy and out of touch with reality, especially when she tried to say that her responsibilities running a thriving business with her beloved sisters was somehow equivalent to Geoffrey’s trying to right a flailing dukedom he’s just inherited, look out for his mother and sister, deal with debts he didn’t incur, and run his engineering firm. This just made her seem ludicrous and, though Geoffrey was by no means faultless, made me feel kind of bad for him.
Diana was charmingly uptight at first, but she did grate on me after a while. She kept wanting Geoffrey to confide in her, but then when he finally started trying to, she threw it back in his face without even seeming to realize what he was doing. She just went from being unreasonable to using sound logic then back to going off the deep end with nonsensical anger at Geoffrey and made it difficult to get a read on her. Their relationship seemed a bit flat just because it was bogged down by Geoffrey’s secret and all this erratic behavior and lack of communication. It made it hard to know where things stood with this couple, and yet as I was reading, I just kept wanting them to get together already and have a meaningful, uninterrupted conversation. They eventually realized they belonged together despite all this, and I was happy for that. I did enjoy the ending scenes and I liked this setup so I will still be looking for Eliza’s book. Even though I had some mixed feelings on this one, it was still a solid story with a unique premise.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Diana is perplexed by the slightly unkempt new duke, but she won’t let his lack of societal savvy jeopardize his sister’s season. Diana can’t help wanting to get a rise out of Geoffrey anytime their paths cross, but even his societal faux pas are somehow endearing to her, and it turns out they may have more in common than either expects.
I really liked this premise, this idea of three sisters working together to make their way in the world in an original and unconventional manner, thumbing their noses at a society that has spurned them for a scandal not of their making. However, Diana doesn’t really do this. She talks a good game when it comes to picking and choosing who to associate with and not being bothered by societal cuts, but really, she’s incredibly aware of appearances and is a high stickler for following all of society’s dictates. I think a lot of the time she was also pretty unfair to Geoffrey. He’s dealing with an unexpected inheritance that completely changes his life and has settled him with a lot of debts and she starts off being judgmental of him from the start and critical of him for wanting to be careful about spending too much money. He’s just trying to be sensible and deal with things he’s clueless about and she comes off as haughty and bossy. I was glad to see Diana’s younger sister was willing to stand up to her and make her reevaluate sometimes, but a lot of the time the two sisters were also just very nosy and their incessant need to butt in too away from a romance that was already struggling to feel realized. I also questioned their sisterly bond when Diana worried about the possibility of one of her sisters tattling to their father if her changing feelings for the duke were known. I would rather have seen her confiding in them than her having to hide things from them and only telling them things when they harangued her to no end about it. I don’t have sisters myself, but if this is how it is and it means you have no privacy for your feelings then I’m kind of glad I don’t. Along these lines, Geoffrey’s younger sister was also quite vapid, which I think was intended, but I wish Diana had realized this more, instead of always criticizing Geoffrey for trying to take care of his sister.
I guess my main issue here was just with Geoffrey feeling a bit flat at times and Diana’s character hopping all over the place when it came to her feelings about marriage and her treatment of Geoffrey. In fairness, he was utterly clueless, and he kept secrets for way too long instead of trying to solve his problems as a team, though he did have a lot to be getting on with all at once and he at least did eventually realize he had friends and didn’t have to do everything all alone. Diana just annoyed me with her tendency to jump to conclusions. There are a couple of instances in which she does not allow Geoffrey any opportunity to explain himself, which she acknowledges, but she ignores her own culpability in this spat and remains angry with him anyway. In fact, there are several times where she chalks up something he said without fully thinking it through as him deliberately misleading her and never gives him an opportunity to explain. I just wanted more mature communication instead of this little tantrum. I was also super annoyed with her when she became angry with Geoffrey for mentioning marriage after their physical relationship progressed. She’d been teaching him all the nuances of society’s rules and he was just trying to follow that, and she couldn’t fathom why he might think she’d expect marriage from him. Then in the next chapter she’s back to berating him for ignoring society’s rules. This sort of behavior just made her seem wishy-washy and out of touch with reality, especially when she tried to say that her responsibilities running a thriving business with her beloved sisters was somehow equivalent to Geoffrey’s trying to right a flailing dukedom he’s just inherited, look out for his mother and sister, deal with debts he didn’t incur, and run his engineering firm. This just made her seem ludicrous and, though Geoffrey was by no means faultless, made me feel kind of bad for him.
Diana was charmingly uptight at first, but she did grate on me after a while. She kept wanting Geoffrey to confide in her, but then when he finally started trying to, she threw it back in his face without even seeming to realize what he was doing. She just went from being unreasonable to using sound logic then back to going off the deep end with nonsensical anger at Geoffrey and made it difficult to get a read on her. Their relationship seemed a bit flat just because it was bogged down by Geoffrey’s secret and all this erratic behavior and lack of communication. It made it hard to know where things stood with this couple, and yet as I was reading, I just kept wanting them to get together already and have a meaningful, uninterrupted conversation. They eventually realized they belonged together despite all this, and I was happy for that. I did enjoy the ending scenes and I liked this setup so I will still be looking for Eliza’s book. Even though I had some mixed feelings on this one, it was still a solid story with a unique premise.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
May 19, 2022
Diana and Geoffrey definitely know how to push eachothers buttons and that was evident from the start!
I liked the realness of the characters in this book. It is about introducing Rosy to society, but was interesting because those helping her were scandalized from society. I felt the characters were more relatable and down to Earth. Geoffrey was my favorite due to being flustered by the frivolous details of hosting events and outfits, but having that engineering detailed mind.
The romance part was nice since the characters really pushed eachother a bit which created more of a plot. The only thing I wished was that the secrets wouldn't have taken so long to get to. I would have been nice to give the reader a sneak peak, but do a full reveal to other characters later. I think that may have brought more suspense instead of wondering randomly what could the big secret be.
I liked this book overall because the characters didn't give off a snooty society vibe and the plot kept me engaged.
Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
I liked the realness of the characters in this book. It is about introducing Rosy to society, but was interesting because those helping her were scandalized from society. I felt the characters were more relatable and down to Earth. Geoffrey was my favorite due to being flustered by the frivolous details of hosting events and outfits, but having that engineering detailed mind.
The romance part was nice since the characters really pushed eachother a bit which created more of a plot. The only thing I wished was that the secrets wouldn't have taken so long to get to. I would have been nice to give the reader a sneak peak, but do a full reveal to other characters later. I think that may have brought more suspense instead of wondering randomly what could the big secret be.
I liked this book overall because the characters didn't give off a snooty society vibe and the plot kept me engaged.
Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
April 28, 2022
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.
March 1, 2022
It has been quite a couple of years since I have read a Sabrina Jeffries novel and was delighted to have an opportunity to read “A Duke for Diana (Designing Debutantes #1). The description and author are what captured my attention and this was a likeable and comfy story.
Lady Diana Harper and her sisters are coming from an upscale family in the ton, to one of scandal and disgrace when her mother runs off with her lover and the father sues her for divorce. This placed the sisters in a very bad light amongst the ton and must secure their futures the best way they can…forming “Elegant Occasions”. Then there is Geoffrey Brookhouse, the new Duke of Grenwood, who has been raised in a trade environment but now comes into the inheritance at no fault of his own nor does he want the title. Because he has a duty not only to the title but to his sister, he enlists Lady Diana to help him with her debut to the Queen as well as society. From the description, there was an anticipation of how Ms. Jeffries would intertwine switching the backgrounds of both characters in this read…in the end, it worked very well.
I loved the MCs of this story, their insta-attraction, the angst between them and the idea of a business working for the sisters. Although the sister’s relationship did not quite fit together for me, I did like their interactions with one another and their sole purpose of being successful in their business and taking care of themselves. I also like that both MCs knew the art of working for a living. As with HRs, I do like a bit of steamy and there was a moderate amount in this story. My only drawback was Geoffrey’s secret that was drawn out a bit too long for me…I believe close to the ending. I thought it should have come much sooner.
This was a first that I’ve read of a Duke and his sister being guided or tutored in the ways of society and not already knowing much about it. I truly liked the read and thought it was entertaining, delightful, witty with a welcoming host of characters. There were some parts that did fall flat but did not detract from me liking what I was reading. The plot was well-written, but I think the “secret” could have been more developed into the mystery proclaimed in the story. A nice welcome back from a hiatus, and thank you Ms. Jeffries for the opportunity. 4-Star Recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Lady Diana Harper and her sisters are coming from an upscale family in the ton, to one of scandal and disgrace when her mother runs off with her lover and the father sues her for divorce. This placed the sisters in a very bad light amongst the ton and must secure their futures the best way they can…forming “Elegant Occasions”. Then there is Geoffrey Brookhouse, the new Duke of Grenwood, who has been raised in a trade environment but now comes into the inheritance at no fault of his own nor does he want the title. Because he has a duty not only to the title but to his sister, he enlists Lady Diana to help him with her debut to the Queen as well as society. From the description, there was an anticipation of how Ms. Jeffries would intertwine switching the backgrounds of both characters in this read…in the end, it worked very well.
I loved the MCs of this story, their insta-attraction, the angst between them and the idea of a business working for the sisters. Although the sister’s relationship did not quite fit together for me, I did like their interactions with one another and their sole purpose of being successful in their business and taking care of themselves. I also like that both MCs knew the art of working for a living. As with HRs, I do like a bit of steamy and there was a moderate amount in this story. My only drawback was Geoffrey’s secret that was drawn out a bit too long for me…I believe close to the ending. I thought it should have come much sooner.
This was a first that I’ve read of a Duke and his sister being guided or tutored in the ways of society and not already knowing much about it. I truly liked the read and thought it was entertaining, delightful, witty with a welcoming host of characters. There were some parts that did fall flat but did not detract from me liking what I was reading. The plot was well-written, but I think the “secret” could have been more developed into the mystery proclaimed in the story. A nice welcome back from a hiatus, and thank you Ms. Jeffries for the opportunity. 4-Star Recommend.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 13, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 3 of 5 Stars
Series: Designing Debutantes #1
Publication Date: 5/24/22
Period: Regency London - 1807
Number of Pages: 352
The author did an excellent job of setting up the backgrounds and characters for this new series. The series features three sisters, Eliza, Diana, and Verity, whose scandalous parents have caused them to be ostracized from society. Luckily one of the sisters, Eliza, was already married when the scandal hit, but the other two were just entering society and lost all chances at finding an appropriate marriage. Rather than letting their heads hang in shame, the ladies decided they’d blaze their own trail by starting an event planning business – Elegant Occasions. Each of the sisters had a unique talent to bring to the business, which made each event they planned very unique and special. Now, I have to admit I have my doubts about whether this would have been something three society ladies could start and make successful during the Regency period, but I’m willing to suspend my questioning nature and accept it as doable.
Geoffrey Brookhouse is a very successful civil engineer in New Market. He’s traveled the world designing and building bridges, canals, etc. He’s been running his grandfather’s Ironworks company, Stockdon and Son, for a number of years. He’s very intelligent, driven, plainspoken, and hardworking. What is a man like that supposed to do when he inherits a dukedom never expected and certainly doesn’t want? He’s going to launch his young sister into a ton who doesn’t want them and he’s going to see that she gets the future she deserves. Since he has no clue how to do any of that, he hires Elegant Occasions to assure Rosy’s success.
Lady Diana Harper has never seen or met anyone like the duke who has just come to hire her and her sisters. He curses in polite society; he is unfashionably dressed; he actually speaks of (GASP) money. Diana thinks they may have more trouble launching the duke than the sister because he is totally unrepentant about who he is. He is attractive though – and she can’t stop stealing glances at him.
There are a number of humorous moments along the way to their HEA – and Rosy adds delightful moments with her charm and beauty. However, I think it says a lot about the story when I was more interested in the scandalous parent's background story than I was in the romance between the two lead characters. Geoffrey and Diana were more like cardboard cutouts than fully fleshed, relatable characters. I found both the characters and the romance to be on the dull side and I kept waiting for something interesting or exciting to happen. Even the chase to Gretna Green was ho-hum.
This is not a book I’d read a second time, but it set up the series so nicely that I’ll definitely try the next book in the series to see where it goes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Designing Debutantes #1
Publication Date: 5/24/22
Period: Regency London - 1807
Number of Pages: 352
The author did an excellent job of setting up the backgrounds and characters for this new series. The series features three sisters, Eliza, Diana, and Verity, whose scandalous parents have caused them to be ostracized from society. Luckily one of the sisters, Eliza, was already married when the scandal hit, but the other two were just entering society and lost all chances at finding an appropriate marriage. Rather than letting their heads hang in shame, the ladies decided they’d blaze their own trail by starting an event planning business – Elegant Occasions. Each of the sisters had a unique talent to bring to the business, which made each event they planned very unique and special. Now, I have to admit I have my doubts about whether this would have been something three society ladies could start and make successful during the Regency period, but I’m willing to suspend my questioning nature and accept it as doable.
Geoffrey Brookhouse is a very successful civil engineer in New Market. He’s traveled the world designing and building bridges, canals, etc. He’s been running his grandfather’s Ironworks company, Stockdon and Son, for a number of years. He’s very intelligent, driven, plainspoken, and hardworking. What is a man like that supposed to do when he inherits a dukedom never expected and certainly doesn’t want? He’s going to launch his young sister into a ton who doesn’t want them and he’s going to see that she gets the future she deserves. Since he has no clue how to do any of that, he hires Elegant Occasions to assure Rosy’s success.
Lady Diana Harper has never seen or met anyone like the duke who has just come to hire her and her sisters. He curses in polite society; he is unfashionably dressed; he actually speaks of (GASP) money. Diana thinks they may have more trouble launching the duke than the sister because he is totally unrepentant about who he is. He is attractive though – and she can’t stop stealing glances at him.
There are a number of humorous moments along the way to their HEA – and Rosy adds delightful moments with her charm and beauty. However, I think it says a lot about the story when I was more interested in the scandalous parent's background story than I was in the romance between the two lead characters. Geoffrey and Diana were more like cardboard cutouts than fully fleshed, relatable characters. I found both the characters and the romance to be on the dull side and I kept waiting for something interesting or exciting to happen. Even the chase to Gretna Green was ho-hum.
This is not a book I’d read a second time, but it set up the series so nicely that I’ll definitely try the next book in the series to see where it goes.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 10, 2022
This is the first book in a new series by Sabrina Jeffries, and it was an entertaining read. The premise is unique and interesting, and the characters are compelling. Three sisters, disgraced by their parents’ improprieties and deemed undesirable for marriage, start their own business. They create Elegant Occasions and use their combined skills to assist others in party planning and other social events. Geoffrey, an engineer-turned-Duke, hires the women to help his younger sister during her first season, and he quickly falls for the middle sister, Diana.
Diana and Geoffrey are both great characters. Intelligent, independent, and loving toward their respective families, they have a lot in common. Both are hesitant to fall in love and marry, both are afraid to let anyone too close, and both are struggling because of things their parents did. Diana grew up with parents who fought and cheated and never took into account the well-being of their daughters. Ostracized from society, she lives with her sisters and has made a comfortable life for herself, but she longs for male companionship and love. I liked how Diana and Geoffrey showed each other that they didn’t have to do everything alone, especially Geoffrey.
Geoffrey carries a lot on his shoulders, and he has secrets that threaten to destroy his family. He is a fish out of water and has a lot to learn about being a Duke. He doesn’t care for high society even though he is now part of it, but he adores his sister and mother enough to secure their futures. He’s gruff and a little intimidating to most, but not to Diana.
Diana and Geoffrey have amazing chemistry from the very start, and their banter is fantastic. Diana challenges and questions Geoffrey, as not many others do. It takes him by surprise in the best of ways. I love their conversations, quick wit, and constant teasing. They have such an undeniable connection, and the sparks really fly when they’re together.
The story also includes some interesting historical elements that I didn’t know before, like when they chalk the ballroom floor prior to a party. That’s so intriguing, and I was really curious to see what that would look like. And there are strong messages about mental health, societal hypocrisy and prejudice, elitism, and more. It all makes for an entertaining and captivating story.
A fun, unique, and swoon-worthy romance, I would definitely recommend A Duke for Diana to readers of historical romance, and I’m eager to read the next books, which will focus on Diana’s sisters.
Diana and Geoffrey are both great characters. Intelligent, independent, and loving toward their respective families, they have a lot in common. Both are hesitant to fall in love and marry, both are afraid to let anyone too close, and both are struggling because of things their parents did. Diana grew up with parents who fought and cheated and never took into account the well-being of their daughters. Ostracized from society, she lives with her sisters and has made a comfortable life for herself, but she longs for male companionship and love. I liked how Diana and Geoffrey showed each other that they didn’t have to do everything alone, especially Geoffrey.
Geoffrey carries a lot on his shoulders, and he has secrets that threaten to destroy his family. He is a fish out of water and has a lot to learn about being a Duke. He doesn’t care for high society even though he is now part of it, but he adores his sister and mother enough to secure their futures. He’s gruff and a little intimidating to most, but not to Diana.
Diana and Geoffrey have amazing chemistry from the very start, and their banter is fantastic. Diana challenges and questions Geoffrey, as not many others do. It takes him by surprise in the best of ways. I love their conversations, quick wit, and constant teasing. They have such an undeniable connection, and the sparks really fly when they’re together.
The story also includes some interesting historical elements that I didn’t know before, like when they chalk the ballroom floor prior to a party. That’s so intriguing, and I was really curious to see what that would look like. And there are strong messages about mental health, societal hypocrisy and prejudice, elitism, and more. It all makes for an entertaining and captivating story.
A fun, unique, and swoon-worthy romance, I would definitely recommend A Duke for Diana to readers of historical romance, and I’m eager to read the next books, which will focus on Diana’s sisters.
June 11, 2022
Thanks to her parents scandalous marriage and subsequent divorce, Lady Diana Haper and her sisters (Lady Verity and Lady Eliza aka Mrs. Pierce) are all but shunned by the ton. Thankfully her older sister Eliza married before their mother ran off with her lover and was able to sponsor her sisters. But their marital prospects are practically nil and when they get the opportunity to help the Countess of Sinclair plan a ball, the idea to start their own business blooms, and when their brother-in-law leaves to fight in the war and Eliza is widowed, they move in with her and Elegant Occasions becomes reality.
Geoffrey Brookhouse, the new (and unexpected) Duke of Grenwood arrives in town intending to marry his sister, Rosabel, off as quickly as possible, to protect her from the scandal that is sure to break if anyone ever finds out his secrets. The problem is, that neither Geoffrey nor his mother knows anyone in London or knows anything about “high society” and so he has hired Elegant Occasions to plan his sister’s debut. Geoffrey is not sure what he expected, but it certainly wasn’t an immediate attraction to Lady Diana, especially since he is not in a position to marry himself at this time.
Diana has never met anyone who affected her the way Geoffrey does, she has given up on marriage because she believes she is cold, but after meeting Geoffrey, she decides that it might be time to find out if she really is cold and sets out to seduce him – for research purposes – too bad Geoffrey is thinking marriage (just not right now) and resists “ruining” her. Can Diana figure out Geoffrey’s secret and find a solution or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
This was an interesting book, which was, as always, well written and paced nicely, but it was a bit blander than the typical Sabrina Jeffries story which resulted in what I would call a “gentle read”. The book has great characters, scandal, secrets, low angst, interesting historical tidbits, a great setup for the rest of the series with wonderful secondary characters, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to Eliza’s story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Geoffrey Brookhouse, the new (and unexpected) Duke of Grenwood arrives in town intending to marry his sister, Rosabel, off as quickly as possible, to protect her from the scandal that is sure to break if anyone ever finds out his secrets. The problem is, that neither Geoffrey nor his mother knows anyone in London or knows anything about “high society” and so he has hired Elegant Occasions to plan his sister’s debut. Geoffrey is not sure what he expected, but it certainly wasn’t an immediate attraction to Lady Diana, especially since he is not in a position to marry himself at this time.
Diana has never met anyone who affected her the way Geoffrey does, she has given up on marriage because she believes she is cold, but after meeting Geoffrey, she decides that it might be time to find out if she really is cold and sets out to seduce him – for research purposes – too bad Geoffrey is thinking marriage (just not right now) and resists “ruining” her. Can Diana figure out Geoffrey’s secret and find a solution or are they doomed to be star-crossed lovers?
This was an interesting book, which was, as always, well written and paced nicely, but it was a bit blander than the typical Sabrina Jeffries story which resulted in what I would call a “gentle read”. The book has great characters, scandal, secrets, low angst, interesting historical tidbits, a great setup for the rest of the series with wonderful secondary characters, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to Eliza’s story!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
February 15, 2023
3.5 Stars
A swoon-worthy new regency romance that kicks off the brand new Designing Debutantes series from Sabrina Jeffries which follows three sisters (Diana, Verity and Eliza) who run a successful event planning business (which aims to help debutantes find suitable husbands) and the surly, stubborn Civil Engineer-turned-Duke, Geoffrey who hires them the help his sister.
But the minute Diana and Geoffrey meet, sparks fly (along with their barbs) and things only get more interesting (and sexier) from there.
As you probably know by now, I absolutely love an enemies or rivals to lovers premise and though it wasn’t as enemies to lovers-esque as I would’ve liked the tension between our protagonists was really good. I did enjoy that both Diana and Geoffrey seemed to be disillusioned by the ton and its aversion to scandal, it definitely helped to showcase just how well matched they were.
The pacing was a little slow at times, however the romance did more than make up for it, being completely off the charts. Their locations for illicit meet-ups were also surprisingly top tier. At Almack’s, in carriages and even an old Laboratory—there were soo many delicious moments that I really loved.
It’s definitely worth a read if you enjoy old school regency romances or any of Sabrina Jeffries’ other books.
And also a massive thank you to Headline Eternal for the finished copy.
A swoon-worthy new regency romance that kicks off the brand new Designing Debutantes series from Sabrina Jeffries which follows three sisters (Diana, Verity and Eliza) who run a successful event planning business (which aims to help debutantes find suitable husbands) and the surly, stubborn Civil Engineer-turned-Duke, Geoffrey who hires them the help his sister.
But the minute Diana and Geoffrey meet, sparks fly (along with their barbs) and things only get more interesting (and sexier) from there.
As you probably know by now, I absolutely love an enemies or rivals to lovers premise and though it wasn’t as enemies to lovers-esque as I would’ve liked the tension between our protagonists was really good. I did enjoy that both Diana and Geoffrey seemed to be disillusioned by the ton and its aversion to scandal, it definitely helped to showcase just how well matched they were.
The pacing was a little slow at times, however the romance did more than make up for it, being completely off the charts. Their locations for illicit meet-ups were also surprisingly top tier. At Almack’s, in carriages and even an old Laboratory—there were soo many delicious moments that I really loved.
It’s definitely worth a read if you enjoy old school regency romances or any of Sabrina Jeffries’ other books.
And also a massive thank you to Headline Eternal for the finished copy.
June 21, 2023
Drei Schwestern sind in einer schwierigen Lage, denn ihre Mutter war in einen Skandal verwickelt, der ein schlechtes Licht auf die Familie wirft und ihr Vater kümmert sich auch nicht um die drei Mädchen. Obwohl es sich für Damen ihres Standes nicht gehört zu arbeiten, müssen sie ihr Glück selbst in die Hand nehmen und gründen "Elegant Occasion", um der feinen Gesellschaft bei der Organisation ihrer Veranstaltungen zu helfen.
Und genau diese Hilfe braucht auch Geoffrey Brookhouse, ein leidenschaftlicher Ingenieur und frischgebackener Herzog, der sich kaum für die Gepflogenheiten des arroganten Adels interessiert und sicher auch nie Teil davon sein wollte. Aber nun ist er entschlossen, seine Familie zu beschützen und dazu gehört auch, seiner schüchternen Schwester Rosabel zu einer guten Ehe zu verhelfen.
Eliza ist die ältere und vernünftigere Schwester, die mittlerweile verwitwet ist und ihre jüngeren Schwestern beschützen will und die jüngste der drei ist Verity, die besonders freche Expertin für Essen. Und dann ist da noch Diana, die selbst die Wünsche der schwierigsten Klienten erfüllen kann. Doch sie hätte nicht erwartet, dass sie ausgerechnet Gefühle für Lord Brookhouse entwickelt, der keine Manieren hat und sich nur widerwillig auf die kostspieligen Empfehlungen der Schwestern einlässt.
Aber das Leben in der feinen Gesellschaft hat nun einmal viele Regeln und Traditionen, von denen wir auch zusammen mit dem Lord und seiner Schwester erfahren. Geoffrey ist schon ziemlich genervt, aber irgendwann beginnt er doch, Dianas Arbeit zu respektieren und sie arbeiten sehr gut zusammen, um Rosabels Zeit als Debütantin zu einem Erfolg zu machen. Dabei ist Diana durch den Skandal ihrer Mutter eine Außenseiterin, die alles weiß, während Geoffrey der interessante Neuzugang ist, der gar nichts weiß und noch viel zu lernen hat. Sie geraten am Anfang aber nicht nur wegen ihrer Unterschiede aneinander, sondern wegen der Chemie zwischen ihnen - und ihre verwirrenden Gefühle füreinander stellen ihre Entscheidungen auf die Probe.
Fazit
Die Enemies-to-Lovers-Romance der Protagonisten hat mir sowieso gut gefallen, aber ich mochte auch die Nebencharaktere, besonders Rosabel, die sich wirklich schön weiterentwickelt hat. Die Arbeit der Schwestern fand ich interessant, auch, wie Diana es schafft, die Wünsche ihrer Kunden mit ihren eigenen Interessen unter einen Hut zu kriegen, und auch verschiedene Geheimnisse sorgen für Spannung.
Und genau diese Hilfe braucht auch Geoffrey Brookhouse, ein leidenschaftlicher Ingenieur und frischgebackener Herzog, der sich kaum für die Gepflogenheiten des arroganten Adels interessiert und sicher auch nie Teil davon sein wollte. Aber nun ist er entschlossen, seine Familie zu beschützen und dazu gehört auch, seiner schüchternen Schwester Rosabel zu einer guten Ehe zu verhelfen.
Eliza ist die ältere und vernünftigere Schwester, die mittlerweile verwitwet ist und ihre jüngeren Schwestern beschützen will und die jüngste der drei ist Verity, die besonders freche Expertin für Essen. Und dann ist da noch Diana, die selbst die Wünsche der schwierigsten Klienten erfüllen kann. Doch sie hätte nicht erwartet, dass sie ausgerechnet Gefühle für Lord Brookhouse entwickelt, der keine Manieren hat und sich nur widerwillig auf die kostspieligen Empfehlungen der Schwestern einlässt.
Aber das Leben in der feinen Gesellschaft hat nun einmal viele Regeln und Traditionen, von denen wir auch zusammen mit dem Lord und seiner Schwester erfahren. Geoffrey ist schon ziemlich genervt, aber irgendwann beginnt er doch, Dianas Arbeit zu respektieren und sie arbeiten sehr gut zusammen, um Rosabels Zeit als Debütantin zu einem Erfolg zu machen. Dabei ist Diana durch den Skandal ihrer Mutter eine Außenseiterin, die alles weiß, während Geoffrey der interessante Neuzugang ist, der gar nichts weiß und noch viel zu lernen hat. Sie geraten am Anfang aber nicht nur wegen ihrer Unterschiede aneinander, sondern wegen der Chemie zwischen ihnen - und ihre verwirrenden Gefühle füreinander stellen ihre Entscheidungen auf die Probe.
Fazit
Die Enemies-to-Lovers-Romance der Protagonisten hat mir sowieso gut gefallen, aber ich mochte auch die Nebencharaktere, besonders Rosabel, die sich wirklich schön weiterentwickelt hat. Die Arbeit der Schwestern fand ich interessant, auch, wie Diana es schafft, die Wünsche ihrer Kunden mit ihren eigenen Interessen unter einen Hut zu kriegen, und auch verschiedene Geheimnisse sorgen für Spannung.
June 1, 2022
This new series form Sabrina Jeffries sets up with Lady Diana and her two sisters playing the wallflowers at a ball after their parents extravagances have left them barely received.to entertain themselves they critique the ball and expand upon their own ideas for throwing a proper crush of a ball… overheard by a newcomer to the tin, they are approached with the idea of helping her set herself up in the ton and plan her own party… thus Elegant Occasions is born and the Harper sisters have themselves a business!
This was such a fun premise to set up a series around. Each of the sisters have their own specialty they bring to the business, Diana knows fashion, Eliza specializes in music and Verity knows all things food!
Flash forward a few years, and Elegant locations is a huge hit! Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse and the newly minted Duke of Greenwood needs to introduce his sister to society and find her a proper husband. Growing up working class, all things with society are new to him and he turns to Elegant Occasions to help.
Diana and Greenwood immediately spark! These two are kindred spirits, both have suffered from tragedy and alienation due to their parents actions their parents actions. While Diana’s family scandal has placed her on the outside of society, Greenwoods past family drams placed him also on the outside of society in the past. Seeing Diana and Greenwood find a way to skirt society’s conventions and be together and still be themselves was a real treat to see play out.
This was a fun series start that sets up the next two sisters bookstand I can’t wait to see how Elegant Occasions evolves now with a. Duchess at the helm and Eliza and Verity’s eventual HEA’s!
A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries was released May 24th, 2022.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through TLC Book Tours and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#ADukeforDiana #SabrinaJeffries #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
This was such a fun premise to set up a series around. Each of the sisters have their own specialty they bring to the business, Diana knows fashion, Eliza specializes in music and Verity knows all things food!
Flash forward a few years, and Elegant locations is a huge hit! Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse and the newly minted Duke of Greenwood needs to introduce his sister to society and find her a proper husband. Growing up working class, all things with society are new to him and he turns to Elegant Occasions to help.
Diana and Greenwood immediately spark! These two are kindred spirits, both have suffered from tragedy and alienation due to their parents actions their parents actions. While Diana’s family scandal has placed her on the outside of society, Greenwoods past family drams placed him also on the outside of society in the past. Seeing Diana and Greenwood find a way to skirt society’s conventions and be together and still be themselves was a real treat to see play out.
This was a fun series start that sets up the next two sisters bookstand I can’t wait to see how Elegant Occasions evolves now with a. Duchess at the helm and Eliza and Verity’s eventual HEA’s!
A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries was released May 24th, 2022.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through TLC Book Tours and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#ADukeforDiana #SabrinaJeffries #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
June 2, 2022
Lady Diana Harper, her sister, Verity and their widowed sister Elza Pierce, decide to make their own way in society by starting their own business, Elegant Occasions. Not to mention they need the money to live away from their controling father and the scandal of his divorcing their mother. They become very successful in society by organizing balls, social events and come outs for new debutantes. Their newest client is Lady Rosabel Brookhouse, sister of the new Duke of Grenwood. It becomes obvious that he has no idea how to play the part of a duke. Rough around the edges he has a bad habit of cursing, Diana makes it her job to make him more presentable, so he doesn't embaress his sister. Flirting leads to kisses and more. Diana knows he has secrets, but he doesn't trust her enough to confess. Very detailed on the proper clothing and rules of London society in the Regency period. Many of them totally ridiculous. The first book in the series. I'm interested in what awaits Eliza in the next book.
Heat level 4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book
Heat level 4 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book
May 23, 2022
A Duke for Diana
by Sabrina Jeffries
Kensington Books, Zebra
Pub Date: May 24
What a fun histfic romance set in Regency London, with three enterprising sisters whose parents' scandal prevents them from making good marital matches. I loved their solution: To start a business, Elegant Occasions, that helps members of society with party planning and debuts, and gives themselves an independent life and income.
They build a fine reputation, attracting the new Duke of Greenwood, Geoffrey Brookhouse, who wants their help to launch his sister into society.
But he swears and dresses messily, needing the help of Elegant Occasions as much as his sister. While Lady Diana Harper, the fashion expert in the business, effects a marked change in both clients, she finds herself first sparring with, then attracted to, Geoffrey. He's as drawn to her as she is to him, yet scandal and secrets plague his family too, adding bloody thorns to their spicy path to love.
This first in the new Designing Debutantes series gave me happy hours of respite during a hard personal time. Romance readers will adore it and wait excitedly with me for Book 2. Can't come soon enough!
Thanks to author Sabrina Jeffries, Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SabrinaJeffries #ADukeforDiana #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #RegencyLondonRomance #enemiestolovestory #boostagramcommunity
by Sabrina Jeffries
Kensington Books, Zebra
Pub Date: May 24
What a fun histfic romance set in Regency London, with three enterprising sisters whose parents' scandal prevents them from making good marital matches. I loved their solution: To start a business, Elegant Occasions, that helps members of society with party planning and debuts, and gives themselves an independent life and income.
They build a fine reputation, attracting the new Duke of Greenwood, Geoffrey Brookhouse, who wants their help to launch his sister into society.
But he swears and dresses messily, needing the help of Elegant Occasions as much as his sister. While Lady Diana Harper, the fashion expert in the business, effects a marked change in both clients, she finds herself first sparring with, then attracted to, Geoffrey. He's as drawn to her as she is to him, yet scandal and secrets plague his family too, adding bloody thorns to their spicy path to love.
This first in the new Designing Debutantes series gave me happy hours of respite during a hard personal time. Romance readers will adore it and wait excitedly with me for Book 2. Can't come soon enough!
Thanks to author Sabrina Jeffries, Kensington Books, Zebra, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#SabrinaJeffries #ADukeforDiana #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #RegencyLondonRomance #enemiestolovestory #boostagramcommunity
June 5, 2023
Die Bewertung von #EinDukeWiederWillen ist mir ein wenig schwerer gefallen als die Bewertung von anderen Büchern. Aktuell bin ich absolut im #Bridgerton Hype gefangen, weshalb auch meine Liebe für #historicalromance Bücher wieder aufflammt. Leider sorgt das auch dafür, dass ich meine historischen Romanzen mit der Bridgerton Reihe vergleicht. Deswegen vorab; Ein Duke wider Willen ist nicht Bridgerton. Das heißt nicht, dass das Buch nicht trotzdem gut war!
Zwiegespalten bin ich dennoch, denn zum einen hätte ich mir an der ein oder anderen Stelle etwas mehr Drama erhofft, andererseits fand ich es wirklich sehr gut wie vernünftig die Charaktere waren und, dass sie Dinge wie Erwachsene und mit Kommunikation klären konnten, bevor Situationen unnötig dramatisiert wurden.
Diana ist eine starke Persönlichkeit, besonders wenn man darüber nachdenkt in welcher Zeit sie lebt. Dass die drei Schwestern hier ein eigenes Business aufgezogen haben wäre in damaligen Verhältnissen nicht einfach bis verpönt gewesen, aber gerade das macht die Story so interessant. Und Geoffrey? Ich liebe es einfach wie unwohl er sich in seiner neuen Position als Herzog teilweise noch fühlt. 😂 Die Adelige Gesellschaft und ihre ganzen Regeln sind einfach gar nichts für ihn und trotzdem ist er sehr darauf bedacht Diana nicht zu ruinieren, auch wenn es dafür in den Augen der feinen Gesellschaft vielleicht schon zu spät ist.
Ich mochte das Knistern zwischen den beiden sehr und auch dass es zu Beginn eher ein hassen als ein lieben war. Wie anfänglich schon geschrieben hätte ich mir vielleicht ein wenig mehr Drama, "oh Gott, das können wir doch nicht tun" gehabt. Vielleicht war mir Diana auch einfach ein wenig z schnell "on board" mit allem. 😂 Aber trotzdem fand ich das Buch im Ganzen sehr unterhaltsam und würde sehr gerne irgendwann auch den zweiten Band in der #ElegantOccasions Reihe über Dianas Schwester lesen. :)
Zwiegespalten bin ich dennoch, denn zum einen hätte ich mir an der ein oder anderen Stelle etwas mehr Drama erhofft, andererseits fand ich es wirklich sehr gut wie vernünftig die Charaktere waren und, dass sie Dinge wie Erwachsene und mit Kommunikation klären konnten, bevor Situationen unnötig dramatisiert wurden.
Diana ist eine starke Persönlichkeit, besonders wenn man darüber nachdenkt in welcher Zeit sie lebt. Dass die drei Schwestern hier ein eigenes Business aufgezogen haben wäre in damaligen Verhältnissen nicht einfach bis verpönt gewesen, aber gerade das macht die Story so interessant. Und Geoffrey? Ich liebe es einfach wie unwohl er sich in seiner neuen Position als Herzog teilweise noch fühlt. 😂 Die Adelige Gesellschaft und ihre ganzen Regeln sind einfach gar nichts für ihn und trotzdem ist er sehr darauf bedacht Diana nicht zu ruinieren, auch wenn es dafür in den Augen der feinen Gesellschaft vielleicht schon zu spät ist.
Ich mochte das Knistern zwischen den beiden sehr und auch dass es zu Beginn eher ein hassen als ein lieben war. Wie anfänglich schon geschrieben hätte ich mir vielleicht ein wenig mehr Drama, "oh Gott, das können wir doch nicht tun" gehabt. Vielleicht war mir Diana auch einfach ein wenig z schnell "on board" mit allem. 😂 Aber trotzdem fand ich das Buch im Ganzen sehr unterhaltsam und würde sehr gerne irgendwann auch den zweiten Band in der #ElegantOccasions Reihe über Dianas Schwester lesen. :)
March 10, 2023
2.5 stars. I don’t know what made this story so frustrating… the bad narration, or the complete disregard for historical accuracy. Either way, those two things together made this story hard to finish. There were even a few lines that the narrator read in a way that sounded like she was mocking the writing. Those moments just took me completely out of the story. I know that narration can either make or break a book, so given that a few of my friends really enjoyed reading this story, I strongly suggest avoiding the audiobook.
Safety:
-Virgin heroine
-Non-manwhore, celibate hero who “sewed his wild oats” several years before meeting the heroine
-No om/ow drama
-No scenes with om/ow
-No cheating
Safety:
-Virgin heroine
-Non-manwhore, celibate hero who “sewed his wild oats” several years before meeting the heroine
-No om/ow drama
-No scenes with om/ow
-No cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2022
After watching her parents destroy each other and their marriage publicly, Diana has little desire to marry and little ability to find a husband with the shame her parents divorce has brought to their family. She and her sisters start a business helping the Ton with their parties and events throughout the season. Diana had settled into her spinster life with her sisters when Geoffrey stumbles into her life and, for the first time, made her want things she never had before.
Geoffrey has been dealt a hard hand; his father died, he was thrust in to a Dukedom, and he has to take care of his sister and mother. He decides the best way to protect his sister from her father's sudden death is to take her to London and get her married to a gentleman. He seeks out the ladies at Elegant Occasions to help since he hasn't a clue what to do. Geoffrey is grumpy with the stress and pressure he is under, but Diana is now cowed and pushed back at him.
This book was a fun read and it felt different from a lot of historical romances I've read. I'm sure the plot is not anything new, but the way it read was refreshing and exciting. The secondary characters were fantastic and I can't wait to read their love stories.
Tropes
Historical Romances, Regency Era, Season/Marriage Mart, Ton Society, Beta Hero, Titled Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Independent Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Working Heroine, Carriage Steam, Desk Steam, Slow Burn, Instant Attraction, Workplace Romance, Sudden Nobility/Rags to Riches,
Geoffrey has been dealt a hard hand; his father died, he was thrust in to a Dukedom, and he has to take care of his sister and mother. He decides the best way to protect his sister from her father's sudden death is to take her to London and get her married to a gentleman. He seeks out the ladies at Elegant Occasions to help since he hasn't a clue what to do. Geoffrey is grumpy with the stress and pressure he is under, but Diana is now cowed and pushed back at him.
This book was a fun read and it felt different from a lot of historical romances I've read. I'm sure the plot is not anything new, but the way it read was refreshing and exciting. The secondary characters were fantastic and I can't wait to read their love stories.
Tropes
Historical Romances, Regency Era, Season/Marriage Mart, Ton Society, Beta Hero, Titled Hero, Bluestocking Heroine, Independent Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Working Heroine, Carriage Steam, Desk Steam, Slow Burn, Instant Attraction, Workplace Romance, Sudden Nobility/Rags to Riches,
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