An Amazon Best of the Month SelectionA USA Today BestsellerA Publishers Weekly BestsellerNew York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries features an irresistible family in a series to savor, as the grown children of a thrice-married dowager duchess piece together the stories of their fathers–while pursuing passions of their own . . . Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s … their fathers–while pursuing passions of their own . . .
Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. But as a man, it’s torment to be so very close to the beauty he’s fought to ignore . . .
With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out. But Joshua is unmoved by her attempts at flirtation, and the threat of blackmail still hangs over her. With danger closing in, Gwyn must decide which is the greater risk: deflecting a scoundrel’s attempts to sabotage her—or revealing her whole heart to the rugged bodyguard she can’t resist . . .
“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!”
—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
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I’m really enjoying this series about the children of a three-times duchess. Don’t forget to take a look at the family tree listed in the front of the book, especially if this is your first book in the series, because you’ll need it to keep track of who’s who.
If you did read Project Duchess, you’ll remember Major Joshua Wolfe, the grumpy, injured war-hero brother of Beatrice, the heroine from that book, as well as Lady Gwyn, half-sister to the hero. Joshua is a Marine on half-pay because of his injury, severe damage to his leg which isn’t glossed over or even improved on in any way in this book, something I really like. There are a few too many heroines with Magical Healing Ointments out there. Instead, it’s shown to us that Joshua is permanently disabled and living in chronic pain… but that he is also still a very capable man, and an excellent match for clever, independent Gwyn.
Gwyn and Joshua are thrown together when a mistake from Gwyn’s past comes back to haunt her, in a situation which is deeply unfair and gender-specific. It doesn’t take long for the chemistry between them to flare, but there are complications… not least that Joshua doesn’t think a major on half-pay is at all a suitable match for the sister of three dukes.
This is a romance, so you can trust that everything works out all right, but there are a couple of twists and turns along the way to keep things interesting. Five stars for an excellent addition to this fascinating series.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
This is the second book in the Duke Dynesty series by Sabrina Jeffries. There are many characters, but the author thoughtfully provides a family tree, as Lydia Fletcher has survived three husbands and with 5 children, 2 nieces and a nephew, the reader needs this to remember who is who, especially when those with titles, have more than one name and nice names to boot.
The villain from the last book, Captain Lionel Malet, is back. After failing to kidnap an heiress last year, he is now blackmailing Lady Gwyn Drake, who 10 years had thought she had been in love with him, but her twin brother, Duke of Thornstock (Thorn), realizing that he was just after her inheritance, had bought him off. When Major Joshua Wolf, injured in battle and presently on half pay from the War Dept and currently living on the Armitage estate, sees Lionel attacking Gwyn, he forces him off the property and when he tells Thorn what happens, he is offered the job as bodyguard for when the family goes to London. The family is going to London because Gwyn and Thorn had been living in Berlin, so now at the age of 30 she is soon to have her debut and presentation in Court.Also to be presented is Beatrice, Joshua’s sister who is now married Gwyn’s half brother the Duke of Thornstock (Thorn). (See why you need the family tree?). Joshua accepts the job, because he wants to go London to try to get back into the Royal Marines. But once they get to London, Joshua and Gwyn, find danger, Joshua is give a new professional opportunity and they both fight off an attraction to each other because of misconceptions. They do end up with HEA, but the mystery of who has killed the last two Dukes of Armitage will continue into the next book.
Sabrina Jeffries is one of my favorite authors. Her characters are always real and fascinating and the plots captivating. I like the cover, because that scene actually happens in the book, though the male model is lacking the “dark curls dotting his upper chest”. I won a paper copy of this book from Kensington Books, via Goodreads.com, but also an ARC from NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries is book Two in the Duke Dynasty Series. This is the story of Gwyn Drake and Joshua Wolfe. I have read the previous book but did feel this could be a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Gwyn is being blackmail and threaten by Lionel Malet a man who she had made a long ago past mistake with that now he keeps threading to reveal. Malet has even tried to kidnap her but didn’t succeed. Now her twin brother who is a Duke has assigned Joshua to be her body guard when they are in town. Joshua was injured in war and waiting for the home office to reinstate him but while waiting he is a gamekeeper for the Duke’s estate. Gwyn and Joshua are both attracted to the other but try to not show it due to their status and the serious issue going on with them both. But it becomes to hard for both of them to do and they start to give into their feelings…but danger is still there for them. Enjoyed their story!
Secrets often cause one problems and they always seem to find their way to the ears of others. Especially youthful indiscretions caused by a blackguard! Lady Gwyn Drake is being blackmailed by Lionel Malet, the man that she wanted to forget. But he is determined to obtain funds from her to keep his mouth shut. When she meets with him to ask for more time, he manhandles her and luckily their estate groundskeeper, Major Joshua Wolfe comes to her rescue. Gwyn has long been attracted to him but she does not want him to know what was going on with Malet.
Joshua is cousin to the current Duke and is doing his job until he can return to duty. He had been terribly wounded and still had problems with his leg but when Gwyn’s brother the Duke of Thornstock requests he be her bodyguard while she is in London, he agrees. He wants answers though as to what is happening.
I loved these two and they were a perfect match. He, the wounded soul striving to get back to his work to feel useful I think. She a little wounded at what happened when she was young and trying to trust which was hard. Intrigue, humor secrets and an explosive attraction that will only make you sigh. Don’t miss this story or anything written by this author. She is amazing!
I read books by Jeffries before but none of them got me so confused as this one. Even though we get a family tree at the beginning this book is for me all over the place. This is my first book of this series and from the beginning, I didn’t know what to think.
First things first, if I got this right, the heroine’s mom married three times, once even with the hero’s father. So, she’s his stepsister but not blood-related. Hero’s sister is married to heroine’s stepbrother so again, they are relatives but not blood-related. See? I know there’s no incest but I just got so confused with all of them marrying each other and there were so many names that I just couldn’t follow along.
The hero is such a bae, really. I have nothing against Joshua. He has a lame leg because he was hurt in the war and thinks himself unworthy of Gwyn but does and says all those nice things to her…*sigh*
Gwyn, on the other hand, …for a girl such age she is so whiny and naive words can’t describe. She wants Joshua but lies to him from the beginning and when I had hoped she will tell him the truth about her past what did she do? Oh, she told him, alright, she just didn’t tell him all. They could’ve been a couple waaay sooner if they just communicated better.
There were just so many things that could have been improved. With all those relations, secrets and lying I just didn’t feel connected to the MCs. I didn’t feel any passion between them because other things needed my attention so their relationship really wasn’t anything special and wasn’t even in the spotlight.
3 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall Rating:
******
Oh my goodness! I don’t think it’s possible for Sabrina Jeffries to write a bad book! I love them all!
This book is book 2 in the series and it just keeps getting better! Major Wolfe was the perfect, swoon worthy hero! Gwyn was a perfectly sassy, smart and stubborn heroine. The two together had chemistry off the chart and could cause an explosion! It was fantastic!
Both have baggage, secrets and trust issues. Each for reasons of their own, watching the secrets come out one by one allowed the character growth that truly drew me in! It’s 2 am and I had to stay up just to find out what would happen, what they were both scared of:
I’m not going to tell, no spoilers here. But what I will say is this book was amazing! I loved it!! Do I recommend? YES! A thousand times yes! Will I keep reading? Based on this ending….and the snippet of the next book…YES!!! If you love grumbly hero’s with hearts of gold, and heroines with intelligence and strength, READ THIS BOOK!
This is the second book in Sabrina Jeffries’ Duke Dynasty series. I liked the chemistry between Gwyn and Joshua. He doesn’t think he is good enough for her because of his rank and his war injury. She doesn’t think she is good enough for him because of her past. I did think the pace of the story dragged a bit in places. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
What a great entertaining story! Gwyn is a force to be reckoned with, she’s knows her own mind and is willing to express it and she’s no shrinking violet, wanting to learn to shoot…not exactly the role of a lady. When it’s time for her debut into social, a little later than norm at thirty she has to handle a problem from her past. Major Wolfe is not ready for his newest assignment as bodyguard to such a spitfire. This book has it all, great banter, fun characters, sexual tension, blackmail, humor, wounded hero and high spirits, a really engaging story.
Lady Gwyn Drake thought when she was young that Lionel Malet was in love with her and wanted to get married but she quickly learned that her twin brother, Thorn, the Duke of Thornstock turned him down. Now , ten years later Malet was back in Gwyn’s life trying to bribe her about their time together. When Thorn is concerned for Gwen’s safety as she is about to make her debut, he decides to hire Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper to be her personal bodyguard. Joshua was a Major in the Navy and is quite capable of protecting Gwyn even with his disability.
The more time Gwyn and Joshua spend together, the more the sparks start to fly. Joshua likes the spitfire that Gwyn is but he doesn’t feel he is worthy of such a lady. Too bad Gwyn has other ideas! It will take a lot for these two strong minded individuals to realize that they are perfect for each other, even with all their flaws and questionable pasts.
I just adored this story! I loved Gwyn! I loved her forward way of thinking about how woman should be able to behave. I really enjoyed Joshua too. He is such a loyal and honest person and he really deserves the world. Great new addition to this series!
The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries is a Regency romance to which I was given access to Chapter 1. The story starts off with a newspaper announcement and escalates from there…with blackmail. It is an intriguing start. I was given this chapter by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinion is solely my own. #netgalley #thebachelor
I honestly did not realize this was only a chapter excerpt when I requested it from Netgalley. I tired to read it with an open mind and enjoy even though it was short. It seems like a good story that had promise. Exciting characters and a blackmail story I’m sure will lead into a relationship between her and her rescuer. All in all it had promise and one day I’m sure I will read the rest.
The Bachelor is the second book in the Duke Dynasty series by Sabrina Jeffries. If you haven’t read the first book, will you be totally lost? Yes…and no. I didn’t read the first one, and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. However, I did feel a bit lost. I got very confused as to who was who, since the mother of our heroine herein was married three times, so there were multiple half siblings along with other relations to try to figure out. But it was well worth the time I spent, befuddled though I was!
Lady Gwyn Drake had a physical relationship with a man who turned out to be a reprobate when she was young; she didn’t tell anyone in her family because she wanted to protect their reputations. So when said scoundrel shows up years later threatening Gwyn with blackmail, she’s understandably upset. While she is being manhandled, Major Joshua Wolfe, her family’s gamekeeper, comes to her rescue. When he escorts her home, she informs her brother the man was attempting to kidnap her for ransom. Her twin brother Thorn requests that Joshua accompany them to London for the season to act as Gwyn’s bodyguard. When given the choice between being guarded by Thorn or Joshua, she chooses Joshua; she believes it will be easier to slip away from him to pay her blackmailer. Thus begins a fun flirtation on Gwyn’s part and then a burgeoning romance between the two as danger approaches.
I absolutely loved Joshua, as he is my favorite type of hero. A damaged, gruff military man, he is lost since he was injured while serving his country in the Royal Marines. His leg was severely damaged and he was stuck with half-pay, unable to go back to his previous duties, but perhaps there was another way he could serve…He was very self-conscious about his injury and was afraid Gwyn would be turned off by the damage. He was a strong, stubborn and protective man. Gwen was quite the interesting heroine. She too was a stubborn one, a good match for Joshua. She was very attracted to him and teased him unmercifully. When the two finally gave into their attraction, the result was combustible. Their chemistry was off the charts. When the situation with Gwyn’s blackmailer came to a head, there was much suspense and excitement. Besides Gwyn’s relationship with Joshua, her connection with her twin Thorn was very complex and touching. Dive right into this fun story; just be sure to read the first book beforehand.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The Bachelor by Sabrina Jeffries is the first book I’ve read by this author in some time, and I’m asking myself why.
Gwyn and Joshua were such a great couple. Growly, grumpy and a bit reclusive, Joshua is delicious. He’s also struggling with physical and mental wounds from war. Gwyn is a fiesty and fierce heroine with her own secrets who can match Joshua’s temper when necessary.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this historical romance as well, and I loved the rest of the family, especially at the end when we saw more of them together.
I’ll definitely need to get back in the Sabrina Jeffries game.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***
The Bachelor, by Sabrina Jeffries, will be available at booksellers on 2-25-20. Bachelor is book 2 in Ms Jeffries Duke Dynasty series. I’ve read an excerpt of the story and am intrigued with beginning of the story. I’m interested in finding out how the story goes from the first chapter on. Will Lady Gwyn one-up her blackmailer? Will Major Wolfe stop being mysterious & kiss our heroine? Will Gwyn grow up & take responsibility for her actions? Can’t wait to find out.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this single chapter excerpt advance reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley #SabrinaJeffries #TheBachelor #DukeDynasty #KensingtonBooks #Zebra #Romance
Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family’s reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor Malet appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it’s Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate’s gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out.
This is the second book in the series about the five children of Lydia who married three dukes. Yes it could be read on its own but seriously why would you & miss out on a brilliant series. I make no bones about the author’s books being must reads for me, they never disappoint, they are well written, very well researched, characters who jump out of the page at you & lovely romances. I’d loved both Joshua & Gwyn in the previous book & absolutely loved the road to their HEA, it wasn’t smooth but it made for a first class read. I can’t wait for Thorn’s story, which is next & there’s also the mystery as to who is targeting the family
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Joshua Wolfe – enough said! A military man who is injured and brooding all of the time. Does that not make you tremble? It does me. Joshua and Gwyn’s love story is so sweet in that they confide in each other (most of the time) and know each other’s weaknesses and thereby bring each other around when they see the weaknesses come out. The dialog is so funny – that scamp Joshua, who does not laugh or smile, was smiling quite a bit. I bet you will not look at bows and arrows the same again. I loved this story. I thought it was heartfelt and warming.
We still do not know how the mystery will be solved but must wait for Thorn’s story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this story.
This is the second in a series, and I didn’t get a chance to read the first book. This is the story of Gwyn and Joshua. Gwyn is preparing to have her season, to meet eligible suitors. But she has secrets she doesn’t want anyone to know. Joshua is a war hero, wounded in battle, and unable to go back to war. And he feels no women would want him beyond his scars. They both feel the attraction to each other. But neither feels that they are good enough for the other. When Gwyn is in danger, Joshua is set to be her bodyguard.
This story was interesting right from the start. The characters are wonderfully written and Gwyn seems like a strong and resilient women. I was drawn into the story and did not want to put it down. After reading this, I need to go back and read the first book, the story of Beatrice and Greycourt. This seems like a series i definitely want to read more of. And I’d definitely recommend it.
3.75 stars–THE BACHELOR is the second instalment in Sabrina Jeffries adult DUKE DYNASTY historical romance series focusing on the children of a thrice-widowed dowager Duchess, and her extended family of nieces and nephews, by marriage. This is thirty-year old Lady Gwyn Drake, and thirty-one year old, British Marine/gamekeeper Major Joshua Wolfe’s story line. THE BACHELOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gwyn and Joshua) THE BACHELOR follows the building relationship between thirty-year old Lady Gwyn Drake, and thirty-one year old, British Marine/gamekeeper Major Joshua Wolfe. Ten years earlier Gwyn’s brother Thorn paid off one of her suitors to protect his twin and the family estate. Fast forward to present day wherein said suitor has returned in an effort to blackmail our story line heroine who is reluctant to reveal the truth, to her brother, about what happened years before. Witnessing the back and forth between Gwyn and a man he didn’t know, Major Joshua Wolfe comes to Gwyn’s defense, only to find himself hired by Gwyn’s brother Thorn to protect our heroine from a possible abduction, a story Gwyn told her brother to hide the truth. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Gwyn and Joshua, and the potential fall-out as Gwyn’s blackmailer follows the family to London, to demand more than Gwyn is willing to pay.
Lady Gwyn Drake believes she is a tarnished spinster with no hopes of love on the horizon but discovering Major Joshua Wolfe has been hired to protect our story line heroine, Gwyn finds herself falling for a man to whom she has lied, time and again. Major Joshua Wolfe is damaged goods having been injured in a battle on the seas. Surviving on a partial pension from his Marine days, Joshua gladly accepts Thorn’s offer of a job, to protect the woman with whom he will fall in love. A cross-country trip to London to present Joshua’s sister as Grey’s duchess, and Gwyn’s presentation as a potential wife, are the perfect set-up to hide the truth as to Gwyn’s need for a personal bodyguard.
The relationship between is Gwyn and Joshua is one of immediate attraction but neither one is looking for any long-term commitments. Gwyn’s limited history with men, and her age, means her prospects of finding love are few and far between; and Joshua struggles in the face of his injuries, and the possibility that he may never be able to afford a wife. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Dowager Duchess Lydia Fletcher; Gwyn’s twin Marlow ‘Thorn’ Drake, and their half siblings Sheridan Wolfe, Heywood Wolfe; Fletcher Grey and his wife Beatrice Wolfe (Project Duchess #1). The requisite evil is Captain Lionel Malet- a man willing to sell anything for a price.
THE BACHELOR is a story of betrayal and vengeance; deceit and blackmail; romance, relationships, family and love. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are charismatic, feisty and energetic.
Sabrina Jeffries’ The Bachelor is book 2 of the Duke Dynasty series. It is a wonderful tale about Lady Gwyn Drake, a woman with secrets that not only shatters her family’s good name but her chances for love and happiness. And as for Joshua Wolfe, he is a disabled marine who suffers flashbacks after hearing loud noises. These challenges don’t stop their attraction to each other. There is a faint family mystery threading throughout the series.
The handsome scarred military hero and the pampered independent twin sister of a Duke work through their distrust issues and overcome a threat of blackmail and painful pasts to grow closer to another. Their character development and chemistry between them are wonderful. I thoroughly enjoy the book and looking forward to Sebrina Jeffries’ next book: Say Yes To The Duke in September 2020. I received the ARC copy of The Bachelor from Author’s Umbrella for my honest review.
Story intrigued me from the beginning. The characters captured me by the end of the first chapter. Very enjoyable, light read.