From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother’s grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might conquer all . . . A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded … Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . .
Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest “project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart, she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her heart . . .
“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!”
—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
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This book starts a new series by amazing author Sabrina Jeffries. There are a lot of characters, but thankfully, there is a Family Tree at the beginning to help keep the characters straight.
Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5 the Duke of Greycourt is the oldest of 5 siblings and step-siblings from his mother, Lydia, who has wed and lost 3 Dukes. When Grey was just 10, he was taken away from his mother, step father and siblings who were living in Prussia, to fulfill his father’s will of learning to be a Duke in England by his uncle. However, both his uncle and aunt were cruel and he learned to hardened his heart. Years later, he has made himself a wealthy, but outwardly cold and arrogant duke. However, when he learns that his mother’s third husband has died, he comes to her aid. There he is both confronted by his brother Sterling, who not only needs his help dealing with the finances that the previous duke had squandered but, also to prove that his father was murdered. Sterling suspects his cousin, wounded Major Joshua Wolfe who lives in the Dowager House with his sister Beatrice. From the beginning, he finds Beatrice a feisty challenge, and the more times that they are together, he finds it very difficult to guard his heart. Meanwhile, with all this going on, his aunt is trying to force an engagement between him and his cousin Vanessa, neither of whom agree. There is a HEA. but also a cliffhanger.
3.75 stars–PROJECT DUCHESS is the first instalment in Sabrina Jeffries’ adult, DUKE DYNASTY historical romance series focusing on the children of a multi-widowed dowager Duchess. This is Fletcher ‘Grey’ Pryde, Duke of Greycourt, and Beatrice Wolfe’s story line.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Grey and Beatrice) PROJECT DUCHESS follows the search for the truth. The mysterious death of his step-father Maurice finds Fletcher Pryde, the fifth Duke of Greycourt and his half-brother Sheridan Wolfe, the fourth Duke of Armitage struggling with what happened and why but duty called and Grey found himself preparing his mother’s latest project, Beatrice Wolfe, for her social debut. When information about the last person to have possibly seen his step father alive comes to fruition, Grey begins an investigation of his own. What ensues is the building relationship between Grey and Beatrice, and the potential fall-out as family secrets reveal a more sinister and heart breaking possibility at work.
The relationship between Grey and Beatrice begins acrimoniously as Grey’s reputation as a womanizer precedes his introduction to our story line heroine. From the outset, Beatrice doesn’t trust Grey’s attention or ministrations, and the not so veiled accusations against Beatrice and her brother, of potential involvement in his step-father’s death. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Grey’s half-siblings: Sheridan Wolfe, Heywood Wolfe, Marlow ‘Thorn’ Drake and his twin Lady Gwyn; Grey’s cousin Vanessa; their mother Dowager Duchess Lydia Fletcher, and Beatrice’s brother Joshua.
PROJECT DUCHESS is a story of family, betrayal, secrets and lies. The premise is engaging; the characters are colorful and energetic; the slow building romance struggles with issues of trust and presumptive guilt.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC in return for an honest review of this book.
I am not a reviewer that likes to rehash the plot. I figure you’re already read the publisher’s blurb, not to mention several of the other reviews that will do likewise. What I can tell you is that I read for enjoyment and entertainment. I found this book to be just as entertaining as the rest of Sabrina Jeffries books. She’s launched a new series that I will be eagerly looking forward to. I found Project Duchess to be a good read with some new Regency tidbits that I was quite unaware of. Grey and Beatrice both have issues from their past that they’re dealing with, but it doesn’t make the book so dark or overly dramatic as to put one off. It’s a spicy romance with the HEA that I’m looking for when I pick up a ROMANCE novel. I recommend this book if you are a fan of Regency romances.
Wow! What a way to start a series! Project Duchess is the first book in the Duke Dynasty series and has set the bar very high! The Duke of “Grey” Greycourt’s mother has married three dukes and has had children with each. The family connections were a little confusing, but the author put a family tree in the front of book that made it very easy to figure out. Grey is the oldest child of the family and when his stepfather dies, he returns to his family. He has distanced himself from his family because he was hurt when his mother and stepfather sent him to England with his uncle when he was a child. The time he spent in his aunt and uncles house were not the happiest and he didn’t understand why his family had sent him to live with his uncle. His youngest brother, the Duke of Armitage, suspects that his father was murdered and ask Grey to stay and help him investigate. Beatrice Wolf is the Duke of Armitage’s cousin and is helping organize the funeral. Both dukes suspect Beatrice and her brother Joshua of murder. Beatrice is sassy, bold and an independent woman and is not afraid to say what she thinks of Grey. The Duchess of Armitage is helping Beatrice to prepare for a London Season and Grey gets “recruited” to help with the duchess’s “project.” As Grey and Beatrice spend more time together, they realize that they have a lot of things in common. Will Grey be able to prove Beatrice and Joshua’s innocence? Was Grey’s stepfather murdered? The suspense of the story made it so hard to stop reading in the middle of the book. There was so much drama, family bantering, wit, suspense and romance in the book it kept my attention throughout. The book leads the reader into the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A new series by one of the Queens of historical romance, Project Duchess takes you into this series with all the dynamics of a whirlwind that is sure to set your heart ablaze! Prepare to get lost in the first of a sure to be amazing series if this first story is any indication!
A mother who has several children by different husbands and one of those sons Grey, having lived through several of those stepfather’s, find’s that she is a widow one more time. At her request he leaves London and heads to Armitage Hall.
What he finds is his destiny, he just doesn’t know it yet, in the form of Beatrice Wolfe, a cousin to Sheridan, the New Duke of Armitage. She is helping with the funeral arrangements for her uncle who was married to Grey’s mother, the duchess. Got that? Yes a lot of characters are introduced in this story but it all begins to form a picture of what’s to come!
Grey’s mother wants to help Beatrice launch into society and have him help her with her “project.”
I loved these two! Bea is not afraid to speak her mind and she and Grey have a lot of great banter and it seems he is attracted to her but really should be beyond his touch.
Filled with a myster, trying to find a murderer, oh yes it seems the Duke may have been murdered and some steamy attraction made this a wonderful romance. I cannot wait to read the rest in this series and see what happens with all of the siblings!!!
3.5*
Review originally published at Romancing Romances.
I received an ARC through a giveaway, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
This is the first book in a brand new series about… Dukes!
Grey was a great character, I liked how fierce he was, how he grows throughout the book, how he deals with some things that are problematic (although here I do think some things could have been different, but I’ll expand on that next).
I wasn’t a fan of Beatrice… I didn’t connect with her. I understood some of her reactions, I think she had to go through a lot, and she handled herself the best she could, that’s not the point. I just… didn’t like her.
I liked the middle part of the book the best. The beginning felt a bit slow, and the end was rushed without actually having much happen… It did leave me with enough interest to read the next book in the series, especially since I liked the secondary characters more than the main ones. Joshua and Gwyn have a great chemistry, and I can’t wait to read their story.
Now, this is important. This book handles forms of abuse. Abuse from men towards women. Not rape, but still sexual abuse. Unwanted touching, blackmailing, disgusting comments… Beatrice did have to endure a lot from someone she should have been able trust: her uncle.
Grey is super concerned if the heroine was raped – spoiler alert – she wasn’t. And, of course, he is relieved but, at the same time, it ends up being a bit of a dismissal of the other things Beatrice had to go through. Heroes, especially in (today’s) historical romance, seem always ready to go and defend the heroine’s honour (“let’s go and punch/hurt/kill the aggressor” kind of thing) and, even if it’s something protective, in a way it almost diminishes Beatrice’s role in standing up to herself – which she does.
Apart from that, I did enjoy the book enough to want to keep reading the series.
Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries is book One in the Duke Dynasty Series. This is the story of Beatrice Wolfe and Fletcher ‘Grey’ Pryde, the Duke of Greycourt.
Fletcher’s mother has married three times to different Dukes, that has produced 5 children (him being one of the 5) but now her last husband has died. Fletcher was taken by his Uncle when he was young which turned his world upside down…he started keeping his distance from his mother and siblings. Now in their present day he steps forward to do his duty to his mother now that her husband and his step-father has died. This lands him to meet Beatrice who is the granddaughter of the Duke but he misunderstands who she is at first. Of course Beatrice isn’t like anyone he has met before which set the tone of their relationship.
Loved this book.
Project Duchess is the first book in the new series Duke Dynasty. Fletcher ‘Grey’ Pryde, the Duke of Greycourt has an unusual family, being the eldest of his stepsiblings, two of which are also Dukes. His mother was widowed and remarried two other Dukes and went to live abroad with her third husband.
Due to these circumstances, Grey had not seen his family for several years while he was increasing his holdings however the death of his stepfather sent him rushing to his mother’s side. This enabled him to meet the Wolfe cousins, Beatrice and her brother Joshua. Bea helped her aunt and cousins, Grey’s mother and brothers, to organise the funeral. On his arrival, Grey mistakes her for a servant and acts toplofty and rude until his brother explains Beatrice’s connection. Due to the uncertain circumstances surrounding his stepfather’s death, and the previous duke who passed away a few months before, Grey accepts his brother’s suggestion to remain with his family at Armitage Hall under the guise of helping Beatrice and his sister Gwyn in their debut in English society. Little did Grey realize the number of family secrets which will be uncovered, including whether he is able to trust his heart on someone else’s hands, such as Beatrice.
Sabrina Jeffries is a talented writer and I always pre-order her books. This series has the potential of keeping the readers stuck to the book in order to glean more information to the mystery surrounding the family. Reading this novel brought nostalgic memories of the Hellions of Halstead Hall. A must read!
Like all Sabrina Jeffries (Secret of Flirting) series, the new Duke Dynasty series focuses on family: in this case half-siblings trying to discover the truth behind the deaths of their fathers- and trying to mend the bonds between them. This family promises disfunction, chaos, and five equally headstrong brothers and sister planning to discover the truth behind old family secrets.
Grey is the oldest, and the most distant. He has become cynical and hardened, and works to keep his distance from everyone- family included. Grey’s belief is that by burying his emotions he can protect himself from pain and betrayal, lessons he learned as a child living with his abusive aunt and uncle. The shocking news that his stepfather has died brings Grey back into his family’s orbit- and finds him agreeing to help his half-brother discover the truth behind the death. Grey is the epitome of a man who was abused as a helpless child and is determined to never be at anyone’s mercy again. He projects a ruthless air, arrogant and focused. It’s a front everyone believes, but it cracks almost immediately when Grey meets Beatrice Wolfe, his half-brother’s cousin and a woman who says what she thinks and doesn’t play the games he’s used to from women. Beatrice stands up to Grey, calls him on his rudeness, and in general treats him like a man instead of a duke. In short, she’s exactly the kind of woman Grey never expects to meet (maybe didn’t even believe was real) and is perfect for him. Except she only wants to marry for love and he refuses to believe in love.
As light and sweet as Project Duchess is, Jeffries also deals with some heavy and emotional issues. Grey was abused and bullied by his aunt and uncle, blames his mother and stepfather, and has never told anyone what happened to him- meaning his mother has no idea why he stays away from the family as much as possible. Beatrice has been abused by her lecherous old uncle and never told anyone for fear they would blame her. Her brother Joshua has returned from war a changed man with dark secrets he won’t share. While we don’t know the stories of the rest of Grey’s siblings yet, you can tell that they are also trying dealing with issues of their own. Jeffries handles these dark issues sensitively but also doesn’t brush them aside. She balances the complex emotions of her characters, their past and present, and allows their individual healing processes to begin through love. The connection between Grey and Beatrice is powerful and delightful, and watching them slowly find their way to each other was a wonderful journey for me as a reader as much as for them as characters.
Project Duchess is a must-read winner: mystery, murder, and mayhem promise the give readers a wonderful series in Duke Dynasty. All of Sabrina Jeffries’ talents are on display here and I already can’t wait to read the next book!
New Series, New Family, Same Fabulous Sabrina Jeffries!
Project Duchess marks the first book in the Duke Dynasty series and just like her previous series it features a big, loud, somewhat crazy family, a mystery that’s sure to span the series, and lots of steamy regency sexy times!
Grey is convinced he can’t love due to his past…until he meets Beatrice, the cousin of his half brother and the only woman to call him on his arrogance. Beatrice just wants to secure her future and forget about the assault and harassment she faced at the hands of her uncle…until she meets Grey an arrogant Duke who seems as wounded as she.
I absolutely love a Pygmalion retelling and even more so when the hero knows early on that she’s the one in every way. Sabrina Jeffries is a master at crafting wounded heroes and heroines who are still absolutely willing to fight for what’s right and aren’t afraid to fight for one another. Grey’s reaction to and affirmation of Beatrice and her experiences is spot on!
I can’t wait for more from this family and for more pieces of the mystery!
Project Duchess – Duke Dynasty book 1
by Sabrina Jeffries
WOW! I’m utterly speechless! Sabrina Jeffries has another keeper, this was very entertaining, loved the story.
A fast paced read that keeps you turning the pages wondering what secret Grey and Beatrice are keeping. As a child Grey had a very tumultuous upbringing, his mother having married not once, or twice but three times! And to Dukes no less, who died mysteriously. Grey believes that there was foul play at hand, and he means to find the culprit.
Being orphaned at a young age Beatrice, knows all about loneliness and pain. Her brother, Joshua suffers from the horrors he’s witnessed at war is a broken man. Grey believes that Joshua is a link in his stepfathers death. He keeps him close by asking for his help. When Beatrice is the funeral coordinator Grey is shocked to realize that passion is not the only thing they have in common! As her brother becomes a suspect Beatrice is torn between her loyalty to her brother, and Grey the man she’s fallen in love with! What unfolds is a story full of romance, passion, mystery, intrigue and many secrets. A story that keeps you engaged from the first to the last word!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Project Duchess is the first book in the latest series by the phenomenal Sabrina Jeffries. And it shows what a master of her craft Ms. Jeffries truly is. Imagine a family where three of the brothers are Dukes. (You’ll have to read the book to see how this could be possible!) Imagine a family, or two, with dark secrets. Imagine some unexplained accidents. Imagine if those accidents, and some other deaths that happened before now, are really murders. Imagine a man afraid of emotions falling for a woman who speaks her mind. There is heartache and laughter; mystery and assumptions; love and misunderstandings. It’s all here waiting for you to come pick it up and read. And this is just the beginning!
This is book 1 in the Duke Dynasty series. In it we meet Fletcher “Grey” Pryde and Beatrice Wolfe. Grey has had a hard life and it has left him distant from his family. But when his stepfather passes away unexpectedly, he goes to where his family is to help them handle any issues that may arise. He doesn’t expect to walk into what could be a conspiracy. His brother believes that his father was murdered. And asks for his help in figuring out who the culprit could be. Bea has lived on the estate with her brother since her parents passed away when they were children. She has also been through a lot, but she tries not to let things bring her down. When her aunt asks her to help with the funeral arrangements for her uncle, she doesn’t feel as if she can say no. But she doesn’t expect to meet the arrogant Grey. Or for him to decide to help her when his mother decides that she need’s to debut and find a husband. And spending more and more time together just shows them how much they truly have in common. And how much secrets can hurt in the long run.
I really enjoyed this one. I usually do like this author’s books and this one was no different in that respect. The characters were different and interesting enough to keep your interest. I especially liked how the side characters make you want to know more, like Bea’s brother especially needs a HEA! Bea is this take woman who has been through a lot but never lets it bring her down, or to change the path she is taking in order to have some happiness in her life. Grey had a bad childhood that he has never left behind him. Until Bea helps him understand that, and helps him find clarity in what happened. They definitely are the right people for each other, and I really liked how their romance played out. The only drawback for me was that there wasn’t a resolution Grey’s stepfather’s death. I hope that is because it will play out in the next book because otherwise I was left hanging and I don’t like that LOL! Otherwise, definitely a great read and I can’t wait for his brother’s books!
Brilliant start to the new series. Sabrina Jeffries throws in just the right amount of saucy to hook her readers. Grey is a gentleman trying to do the right thing by his family. Beatrice is trying to hold herself together and protect her brother. She is witty and smart and has a sharp tongue that intrigues Grey. All the major players for the series are introduced and the mysterious death are yet to be resolved. The ladies are independent and sharp and should be able to give their suitors a run for their money.
OMG this story was such fun! What a great background! Lydia Fletcher has been wed three times, each time to a Duke. She has given birth to 5 children in total (3 dukes, a spare and a daughter). This book is her first son’s story, Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, the 5th Duke of Greycourt.
Grey has spent much of his life resenting his mother and stepfathers because he was forced to live with an uncle after his father’s death. His family didn’t realize that Grey was being treated poorly. Now, years later, Grey has proven to everyone that he has become a successful Duke, yet has no interest in taking a wife. When Grey’s second stepfather passes away unexpectedly, Grey shows up at his mother’s side. Imagine Grey’s surprise when he meets Beatrice Wolfe, the young woman who is organizing his stepfather’s funeral and they end up having a fun, entertaining meeting and Grey is instantly smitten.
Bea has had a hard upbringing especially after losing both of her parents and having to live with her Uncle Armie while her brother was in the service. Now that her uncle is dead, Beatrice isn’t sure what is going to happen to her. Grey’s mother would like to help Bea, along with her daughter, Gwen have their coming out and she thinks it would be wonderful if Grey could help. As Grey and Bea spend more time together the attraction starts to grow until they both realize that they may have found something that neither of them was ever looking for. Of course things from the past always have a way of causing trouble and delaying these two from finally getting their happy ending but eventually do.
I just adored Bea. She has a heart of gold and a mouth like a sailor! She has a tendency to tell it like is and that is what drew Grey to her. Grey is tall, dark hair, beautiful cerulean blue eyes and he sounds completely delicious! The chemistry between these two was so much fun! I loved this story and can’t wait for more books in this new series!
What a wonderful start to a new series! I loved it.
Fletcher Pryde, Duke of Greycourt aka Grey, has learned that his stepfather, the only father he really knew, has died. He travels to Lincolnshire to support his mother, Lydia, half-brother Sheridan and the rest of the family which includes cousins Beatrice Wolfe and her brother Joshua who was injured in war. Sheridan believes his father may have been murdered and wants Grey’s help to solve.
To help his mother he agrees to stay at Armitage Hall. She decides he must teach his sister, Lady Gwyn, and Beatrice to dance. Grey thinks Beatrice is hiding something and is determined to find out. He’s particularly wary of Joshua. He falls for her, but won’t marry her or will she change his mind?
There is so much going on in this “can’t put it down” book and I won’t spoil it. I appreciate the author’s originality as it’s wonderful to read something different. I can’t wait for the other brothers and sisters to get their HEA!
I was given an ARC by the publisher at an author/reader event and no one asked me to write a review.
Fletcher ‘Grey’ Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, is the eldest son of Lydia Fletcher, his father died when he was a baby & his mother went on to marry two other dukes. Lydia’s third husband Maurice Duke of Armitage has recently died after falling from a bridge late at night. Grey travels to Lincolnshire to be with his grieving mother & agrees to assist her with her latest ‘project’ – schooling spirited, unfashionable distant cousin Beatrice for her debut.
Sparks fly when Grey & Beatrice first meet & continue to fly each time they meet as well as their lively banter their attraction grows. Greys younger half brother, Sheridan thinks his father, Maurice may have been murdered so the pair begin to look at likely suspects. A captivating start to a new series, there are lots of new characters to meet, I especially liked the family tree at the start, so the start of the book was slow so that it enabled me to fit who was who into place. The mystery surrounding Maurice’s death isn’t solved, so this is obviously going to run through the series, which by the way I’ll definitely be reading. I love the authors books & this didn’t disappoint. A well written, well paced book with strong characters. Both Grey & Beatrice have had difficult childhoods, the closer they came the more we learned about this. I also particularly liked the attention to detail & the historical facts the author gave about funerals.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I appreciated the family tree at the start of the book; I reverted to it several times to remind myself how the characters are related. What is rather unique and refreshing is the age of the young ladies – later twenties – to be introduced to London society.
Grey has been a loner and rather bitter for many years and the pragmatic and sensible Beatrice is just the one to set him straight. A very entertaining romance with some mystery surrounding the deaths of two dukes.
I’m interested in seeing how the stories of the other siblings develop as this series continues.
I read an advance copy from Netgalley and voluntarily post this review.
“Project Duchess” by Sabrina Jeffries
A lively Regency romance with some interesting twists and turns. I enjoyed my time with these characters. I liked how this story ended. But I do have some lingering questions that may be answered in the future. I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion… this story is worth the read.