Dr. Jason Callum is a small-and-large animal veterinarian. He has always had feelings for Erin Bellini. When his best friend jilts her, Jason steps in to help Erin deal with the aftermath. He hesitates when she proposes a fun yet emotionless fling. Jason wants forever. Can Jason persuade Erin to take a chance with them? Or will she break his heart?
Erin Bellini handles the business part of her family’s vineyard and wedding venue. She is devastated when her fiancé breaks up with her days before their wedding via email. Erin decides a ‘revenge fling’ is what she needs. However, the man she has in mind balks at the idea. Will Erin’s no-strings-attached fling turn into true love? Or will she ruin her friendship with Jason?
Jason is an absolute doll. I love his concern over Erin’s wounded feelings. Even though he felt conflicted between his two friends, Jason knew that Erin needed him more. He had no ulterior motives in helping her. What I adore the most about Jason is his morals. He continuously refuses to take advantage of Erin when she is most vulnerable. Instead, he holds back his wants and desires until she is more receptive to them.
I had a tough time connecting with Erin. She came off too bossy and pushy for my tastes. I understand, even empathize, with Erin’s need for revenge. However, I did not like that she was willing to jeopardize a friendship to achieve it. I like Erin’s closeness with her sisters and family. They look after each other. Also, they are not afraid to step into another’s business when the need arises. What I like the most about Erin is her willingness to adopt and care for the stray she found. That really helped me warm up towards her.
THE BEST MAN PLAN is book one in Jaci Burton’s new contemporary-romance series, BOOTS AND BOUQUESTS. The premise of the story intrigued me enough to want to read this book. It did not disappoint. I like how the author incorporates dogs into the story without them dominating the plot. Of course, being a dachshund mom, I adore that one showed up briefly in the book.
THE BEST MAN PLAN is a fun and cute friends-to-lovers tale. I cannot wait to see which Bellini sister is next. I hope the author plans to pair Brenna with Finn.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After a fateful meeting nine years ago that lead to being found in a compromising position, and a failed proposal, neither Olivia Norley, or Marlowe Drake, the Duke of Thornstock, have met. When Thorn's half brother, Fletcher, the Duke of Greycourt, hires Olivia to discover whether his late father for poisoned, Thorn can't help but be suspicious. He always believed Olivia had planned for them to be discovered, and was in cahoots with her stepmother about blackmailing Thorn, and doesn't want to see his brother hurt. So, he tags along with the group, and involves himself in Olivia's experiments, with an apparent purpose for him to keep an eye on her, but really he is more and more intrigued, and doesn't want to be away from her. After an incident in which it seems she is at risk, he whisks her off to his own estate, with a companion of course, and neither can deny their attraction any more.

Everything about this book just drew me in from the get go. I adored Olivia, who wasn't like most society misses, and after she refused Thorn's proposal all those years ago, she fared fairly well, but cared only about her love of chemistry. She wants to be a chemist, and by developing a test to detect arsenic in bodies, this would be the push she needs. Thorn, on his part, was standoffish at first, but as we learn more about him, and understand why he was so suspicious of Olivia, he definitely grew as a character. He's also a secret playwright, using his life in Germany, and his experience with Olivia as inspiration, but he doesn't want anyone to know the truth. Olivia adores those plays, and he gets a bit jealous when the 'named playwright' meets her, and she swoons. Both he and Olivia want to deny their chemistry, but it's clearly difficult, and they were made to be with one another. I loved them together, and can see how both characters will continue to grow in their future relationship. I hadn't realised this was the third book in a series when I requested it, but it wasn't necessary to read the others as we learn enough about all the characters here. I do think if I had read the other books in the Duke Dynasty series, I might have picked up some quirks of the different characters, and I will be trying to read them at some point. Sabrina's writing was flawless, and I look forward to book 4!

Olivia, a spinster chemist, becomes involved in trying to find out if a Duke was poisoned to death. In doing so, she must spend time with Thorn, a man who mistrusts her. As the investigation continues they realize they both had misconceptions about each other. I loved the book and can’t wait to read Sheridan’s story next! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

I enjoyed this novel by Ms. Jeffries. She brings together two people with different interests and whom have made assumptions about each other based on their past meeting. Olivia is intelligent, for she is a chemist, but avoids polite society. Thorn lived overseas and when he returned to London, he needed to readjust, which led him to meeting Olivia. Thorn keeps secrets though and has a rather big one. Thorn cares about his family, which is why he needs to determine if his father was murdered. Thorn's half-brother Grey hires Olivia to determine if his father's death was murder. Thorn liked Olivia when they first met, but he is suspicious of her. As Olivia and Thorn reconnect and get to know each other, both realized they misjudged the other. As they work together to discover the truth behind the deaths of Thorn's mother's husbands, they become closer. Olivia believed she would be a spinster and a chemist, but seeing the rare couples in love helps to decide if she does marry, it will be to someone who loves and respects her. Thorn does not believe in love, but wants Olivia in his life. Hopefully both will get on the same page. I also enjoyed the mystery component of the novel and look forward to discovering the truth.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I LOVED IT!!!

This is the second book that I read from the author and I see that it has a romance / mystery style that is resolved as the series progresses.

I really liked the characters, they were both adorable and their fun conversations have a lot of chemistry and sexual tension.
Also, he is a duke and I love dukes.

I will definitely continue reading the author and continue with the series.

I liked the book but I thought the ending was rushed. And that lessened my enjoyment. I really liked the romance but I thought the story should have been rounded up more.

Thorn and Olivia's first meeting proved an attraction existed between them. Their second meeting was pure antagonism. Nine years later they meet again and their emotions are still seesawing. Olivia is a chemist whom Thorn's half brother Grey has enlisted to prove whether his father was poisoned. Thorn invites himself along to keep an eye on Olivia, distrusting her motives. I enjoyed very much the continuing story of romance and mystery in this family.

The third book of the Duke Dynasty Series continues on the line traced by the anterior two and keeps it open for the next chapter. Sabrina Jeffries is a competent writer and she takes us through this instalment with her usual style.
In this book you’ll find a handsome Duke very into theatre, a strong-willed chemist that goes against the role society wants her to submit to, you’ll see how they fight and fall in love among a crime investigation, you’ll find old characters, you’ll meet new ones.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley. This did not affect my review.

Olivia Norley and the Duke of Thornstock's paths crossed at a ball where a compromising situation and blackmail leave both parties annoyed with each other. Thorn spends the next 9 years making up for his bad reputation, and has never forgiven Olivia for their past. Ironically, Thorn sees her at a ball his sister, Gwyn, is giving , and wonders why she just randomly popped up there when he hasn't seen her for 9 years. Thorn's brother, Grey, has hired Olivia to look into some discrepancies regarding his father's death. This pushes Thorn and Olivia together more than they would like. He doesn't trust Olivia's intentions and doesn't think she is capable of doing what his brother hired her to do. The more time that they spend together the more Thorn sees that he has misjudged her.

I liked this book, but I felt like the ending was a little rushed. I also felt like Olivia let Thorn off too easy for the things he did wrong. I wanted her to make him work more for her forgiveness. I didn't feel like he groveled enough to get her back. That being said, I enjoyed the characters so much. Olivia being a chemist was a great added layer to her as a character. She never wanted to go to society events, and would rather be reading a scientific journal or doing experiments. Relatable. Thorn was a dynamic character as well, and had his own thing he enjoyed doing (I don't want to spoil that for readers). He really grew a lot throughout the book, and overcame some things that were not very likeable about him in the beginning. Now, we get to Mrs. Norley. Oh man, I did not like her in the beginning. I just thought here is another one of those match making mommas that are in every book, but by the end I could see how fiercely she loved Olivia. She might have been her stepmother, but she really loved her like a daughter. Overall, a really solid read, and another great book from Sabrina Jeffries.

Ms. Jeffries has created a family all romance readers would love to be part of. Olivia and Thorn are great characters with so much going on between them. The reader can feel the chemistry that pulls these two together. Ms. Jeffries creates characters that could be in any family and are so relatable. Readers will not be disappointed in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC

This is the third book in the “Duke Dynasty” Series. Sabrina Jeffries did a great job in giving you enough of the back-story that it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Although, the murder mystery, will make you want to read the rest of the series.

I loved the characters, the heroine, hero, their families, and friends. There were lots of moments humor and banter. Olivia was not your normal heroine was Lady Chemist, that was unwilling to compromise her values and bow down to the hero. Thorn, was also unorthodox Duke, his cynicism, duties, and true passions.

The attraction between Olivia and Thorn's was undeniable. Unfortunately, I didn’t really buy into their “love” which is why I gave it three stars. The love story includes second chances and misunderstandings.
It was an enjoyable read and I recommend it. I actually can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Who doesn't like a likable, smart opinionated woman? Olivia has that and more. She sticks up for herself throughout the story. Enter Thorn...a Duke. Olivia is using her chemistry background to help solve a mystery. Thorn isn't a fan of Olivia's and makes his opinion known. Will love conquer all? Will the mystery get solved? To be cont......

This book was thoroughly enjoyable. Thorn and Olivia are a good couple and interesting characters on their own. I had very much liked Thorn in the earlier books in the series, and I liked that Olivia was intelligent and had goals of her own (other than getting married). I felt the mystery element of the series was handled better in this book than it was in The Bachelor, too. Mysteries are not really my thing, but it was much better executed this time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

This book was a mixed bag for me. I really liked Olivia the chemist. I wasn't as enthralled with Marlowe the hero. He doesn't take responsibility for his own actions through most the story. It is a huge leap to believe that he wouldn't understand that he was as much to blame for the initial circumstances of getting caught. No matter where he is from, it's not as if the rules were vastly different for him to be so surprised that he can't be caught kissing debutantes.

He was unpleasant through so much of their interactions, the line for me crossed from banter to petulance. I think Olivia deserved a better man.

As usual, Jeffries did an amazing job. The intrigue and deception in this book keep you wanting to read more, It was almost impossible to put it down. Steamy, romantic scene just made it even better. This is a must read.

This book begins with the Duke of Thornstock, Thorn, conversing with his older, half-brother in a ballroom. His brother, Grey, is also a duke which honestly seems a bit far-fetched, but their camaraderie is good enough that you will overlook it. It does get confusing later in the first chapter when Thorn is described as the stepson of the British ambassador making the reader wonder how he can be the stepson if he’s younger than Grey. The only logical conclusion is that their mother has married three times. Once you get past the confusing family ties, the book is delightful! Thorn gets wine spilt on him by Olivia Norley, a debutante who would rather spend her time as a chemist. They get caught in a compromising position, but she politely refuses the proposal he’s bound by honor to make the following morning. It takes another nine years when they run into each other, but sparks fly this time! I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but it’s a fun read that leads to a cliffhanger which means there is a sequel and I can’t wait to read the next one!

What a enticing read. I really enjoyed having a female character with a spine. Olivia is unimpressed by titles and knows exactly what she wants in life. She knows she is skilled and doesn’t need society to tell her to marry and give up her dreams. And although Thorn considered her work a hobby at first, he quickly changed his way. Olivia deserved happiness and I am glad she found it.

I love Sabrina Jeffries stories. They encompass real life experiences with love makes this such a small and loyalty. This one is no different and I loved every word written.

You are in for carriage rides full of hilarious banter and steamy, steamy laboratories....

Olivia is true to herself in a world that wants women to fit specific mold.

Thorn is caught between two versions of himself and struggles with who the “true Thorn” is.

Nine years after their initial meet and a big misunderstanding, they find themselves back in the company of one another and are forced to re-evaluate their feelings for each other and their undeniable chemistry.

This was my first book in this series and I already want to read the rest! Although it helps to have read the previous books, you can still enjoy it as a stand-alone.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was interested in reading this book based on the premise of the heroine being a chemist and the hero Duke being a secret playwright. Each feels like they don't fit into society at large but find understanding, companionship, and love with each other. Additionally, their story is a second chance love story. The prologue set 9 years before the main story explains the initial attraction and misunderstanding between them that they must overcome.

This book is the third in a series, and there's an overarching mystery of family murders to be solved. Ms. Jeffries was skilled in giving the reader enough of the back story to make this easily picked up without reading the previous stories. However, the ending resolves only a piece of the mystery, so if you crave absolute resolution, that won't happen until later books.

This was the first book I've read by this author, and I enjoyed the story and the family dynamics. I may go back and read the previous books to catch up on the stories of the other couples who appear in this book. That said, I thought there was a lot more lust than love between these two characters. I never really *felt* the depth of their relationship. For me, that was the main reason this was a 3 star read. It was certainly enjoyable and promising enough for me to pick up another one of her books in the future.