Member Reviews

Thank You to NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book. I thought it was a unique premise, with the Duke being only a recently titled member of society, and the women having been business owners. That made it feel modern, in a way. My favorite character was Geoffrey. I enjoyed all of the parts with banter between Dianna and Geoffrey. All in all, a familiar trope but with unique sub plots that make it stand out.

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WARNING SPOILERS
Sabrina Jeffries has done it again! This first book in a new series is full of characters that you’re rooting for, with problems that are relevant today. Diana and her sisters have had to deal with their parents very public divorce in the world of the ton, the end of an engagement, and the death of a husband. They manage to build a successful business in a world where women aren’t supposed to do more than keep house, and in a society where being in business is frowned upon.

Enter a man who is thrust into a title, and is responsible for taking care of his mother abs sister after the death of his father under “shameful” circumstances. Geoffrey hires the sisters to help his sister navigate her first season, but even more importantly help her realize her own confidence.

The passion between Diana and Geoffrey is swoon worthy, but their mutual respect is what makes reading about the growth of their relationship so satisfying. It makes a single girl have hope that her own Geoffrey is out there.

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After their parents' scandal ruins any chance for Diana and her sisters to make an acceptable marriage, they decide to start an event planning business. Engineer and newly minted duke, Geoffrey brings his sister to London for a season but has not clue how to introduce his family to society and turns to Elegant Occasions for guidance.

A Duke for Diana is a delightful historical romance in which the MC bring an unconventional approach to conventional society. In an era when women were ornamental and a working peer was frowned upon, this novel brings both together in a sweet, easy to read romance.

ARC via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

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This was a delightful book!! I enjoyed everything about this story including the characters and plot. I found the story to be entertaining and a quick , fun read. Sabrina Jeffries is always a solid choice for an excellent romance read. I would recommend to others!!

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Good start to new series. Diana is not looking for love and neither is the Duke. Familiar trope with. Nice twist. Look for future stories as Diana has two sisters who also need a HEA

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Soooo, I am a long-time fan of Sabrina Jeffries, so I could not WAIT to get my hands on this book.

I wanted to love this book. About 50% through it I just wanted to like it. But it just kept getting worse from there.

I loved both characters really, but the romance and the story seemed to drag until they FINALLY had sex, but even then, the sex was dull. It didn’t have a spark or connection, just like the relationship really didn’t.

I wanted it to be a slow-burn romance, but I just got the to point where I didn’t care either way. Which was a shame because there was so much potential and I want to read the other sisters' books.

I soldiered through to the end because I start what I finish but it was HARD.

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I really really wanted to like this book. And to be honest, I did like it, I liked it so much and was hooked. Until I got to about 50%, and then steadily things just went down hill.

Honestly, I loved both the lead characters and I also loved Jeffries' writing. However, although we had a really promising start, things felt like they began to drag a little in the middle. And then as I read on, I was able to maintain interest until they finally had sex.

I don't know what it was, but the intimacy felt so lackluster and dry. Even in the lead up, somehow we lost that heat along the way. The thing that made me stop reading was the way Geoffrey went about making love to Diana. The way he did not respect her body and the vulnerability she displayed, and chose his own pleasure above all.

I could not finish this book, even though I tried.

The publisher kindly provided ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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I am so excited about this new series from Sabrina Jeffries! In the first book in the Designing Debutantes series, Jefffris introduces us to the independent daughters of the Earl of Holtbury. Eliza, Diana, and Verity have started their own company, Elegant Occasions, after a scandal ruined their place in society.

Our heroine, Lady Diana, is the master of a perfect setdown. When our hero, the newly minted Duke Duke of Grenwood (Geoffrey), comes to Elegant Occasions looking for help with introducing his sister (Rosy) to society and acts the surly duke, he is firmly put in his place by Diana. Geoffrey and Diana are constantly pushed together in an effort to prepare Rosy for her debut and to help her find a husband. The dialogue between Diana and Geoffrey is very amusing and would constantly bring a smile to my face. We are left waiting until the end to see if Geoffrey will open up to Diana and if his secrets will ultimately keep them apart, but the happy ending is definitely worth the wait!

If you are a regency romance fan, I would definitely recommend this book!

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This is a good series opener by Sabrina Jeffries. The main couple was fun to follow and they were a little different than most of the other characters we’ve seen from Sabrina Jeffries so that was a nice change. I enjoyed the set up of these women who are branching off on their own to self-employed themselves that was a nice feminist cheek to be looking at this through. Series openers tend not to be my favorite books because there’s so much character introduction and set up and I think that it takes away from the core couple relationship dynamic building but I think this book balanced it pretty well and I am excited to see what the rest of the series will be like .

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A new series by Sabrina Jeffries is always something to look forward to. The "Designing Debutantes" are a trio of sisters who, faced with scandal created by their parents, open up a party planning business to be independent. I enjoyed the progressive attitude for women of the ton working. A Duke for Diana follows the seamstress/dress designer and her civil engineer / bridge designer / stud of a Duke. I liked that both Diana and Brookhouse knew what it was like to work for a living. There was instant attraction and the banter was solid and humorous. Though there was a lot of humor and steam, the book also contained secrets that slowly unfolded. I found the pacing at times a little slow.

Overall, enjoyable good start to a new series.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.

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This book is exactly the quality and fun I expect from Sabrina Jeffries. From the moment I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. It has a strong male protagonist, a smart female lead, and a great plot.

Diana and her sisters create essentially a party planning business a la 1811. Geoffrey inherits the Dukedom surprisingly and needs help launching his sister into society. While Diana helps Geoffrey’s family, love happens!

There were some great twists. You can feel the characters falling in love, finding moments to be together, and growing to care for each other despite some obstacles. This one will go into the reread pile down the road. I really enjoyed this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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As usual, Sabrina Jeffries does not disappoint!
I loved Geoffrey the newly minted Duke. He cares for his family and is willing to go to great lengths to protect them. Family is also very important to Diana and her sisters. They are very devoted to one another since the scandalous divorce of their parents.
Geoffrey hires Diana to plan the debut of his younger sister. Of course, this means that the couple needs to spend lots of time together! Diana and Geoffrey end up developing a great deal of respect for one another as well as some sizzling-hot chemistry.
This book is the start of what will undoubtedly be an excellent series. --A mysterious man has been seen lurking about the ballroom and I'm looking forward to finding out more about him.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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4.5 out of 5 stars. This was a delightful story. Three sisters banded together to start their own business - Elegant Occasions - providing consulting and support to their clients for a variety of activities (debutante balls, presentation to the queen, etc). Geoffrey, a new duke, was seeking help for his sister Rosy. He becomes enchanted with Diana as he got to know her in her assistance to his sister Rosy.

I really can't say enough about this story - very charming, great humor, with originality added in. Highly recommend. I look forward to the stories of the other two sisters in the series.

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Sabrina Jeffries brings a charming story filled with delightful characters. A blend of humor, romance and light intrigue. I give this 4 stars

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Really enjoyed this story! Marred by the scandal of their parent's highly acrimonious and public divorce, Lady Diana and her sisters were excluded from high society and have poor marriage prospects. They have found success running an exclusive business as society 'fixers' helping debutantes have glittering seasons.

Geoffrey, a new, unlikely Duke - previously in industry and very rough around the edges engages their services to help his sister Rosy navigate her launch in to society. He and Diana clash immediately, in some very entertaining scenes. As they get closer, he continues to hide a family secret which he feels impedes his marriageability quite severely.

This is the first in a new series and I'm looking forward to the next books which will cover Diana's sisters Eliza and Verity. Eliza is up next, and then hopefully after that we'll learn the mystery of the shadowy figure who's lurking around corners for Verity.

Read an advance copy from Netgalley.

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Sabrina Jeffries never disappoints. We saw the ladies of Elegant Occasions briefly in the world of Jeffries's characters - and even then - no one could deny that the concept Regency event planners sounded absolutely delightful. Diana and her sisters are forging their own path away from their troubled parents and history of scandal. Their parents bad behavior made the sisters social pariahs and really left them on their own. The ladies, however, have a passion for creating lovely events and helping others find their feet in society.

Geoffrey Brookhouse is an engineer who inherited a Dukedom as a surprise to pretty much everyone. He definitely doesn't have the social graces he's expected to have - and neither does his sister. Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to help his sister. Diana takes on the role of fashion maven for the events and coaches Geoffrey and his sister through the intricacies of society. Diana is fiercely independent and passionate about her job. She isn't certain marriage is for her after everything her family has been through. She is certain that Geoffrey is as difficult and stubborn as he is sweet.

Geoffrey and Diana are definitely fiery together. They love "sparring" aka fighting with each other - and challenging each other. I'm not always a huge fan of that trope - as I don't always see the allure - but it definitely works for them. I think because of the respect they show each other. Geoffrey treats Diana as an equal - and respects her knowledge and experience in an arena he knows nothing about it. I also loved how Geoffrey listened to Diana and took her advice. He was intractable or autocratic - just passionate in the same way Diana is.

Overall - this is regency romance at its peak.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

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Lady Diana Harper and her two sisters live just on the outside edge of London society. As a consequence of their parents' poor behavior, they have suffered the backlash of gossip and loss. But the three women have risen above and created a life for themselves by having their own successful event planning business.
It is while engaging in this endeavor that Lady Diana meets Geoffrey Brookhouse, the Duke of Grenwood and his sister Lady Rosabel.
The duke is newly minted in his new, but unexpected position, and is rather unconventional. He is not familiar with the rules of society and nobility, but wishes for his sister to enter this society and find a suitable spouse. So he needs to enlist Diane and her business to that end.
Diana and Geoffrey immediately connect and have an attraction that is illustrated with plenty of wonderful, witty banter and heat. But Geoffrey has secrets, and they are his biggest concern. The question is- can he overcome those secrets and become deeply involved or will their relationship end with the party assignment?
This is a very well written romance with interesting characters and an entertaining plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it. The end of the story hints at another of the characters having an additional story and I look forward to the next.

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I received a free copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first story in a new series by Sabrina Jeffries. Diana and her sisters are the aristocratic daughters of two feuding spouses, and ended up caught up in their parents scandal as their father divorces their mother after she runs off with another man. Unfortunately this happens with the two younger sisters are on the Marriage Mart and the scandal taints the sisters and puts them beyond the pale as marriageable ladies for that hypocritical beast known as the Ton.

However, Diana and her sisters have marketable talents which they pooled together to form Elegant Occasions, a business that allows them to use their social acumen and talents to help others navigate and have well managed Society events, and be able to be independent of their controlling father, without having to be governesses or poor companions.

Geoffrey Brookhouse is a common-born, hard working civil engineer, Newcastle born and raised, from a family of ironmongers. His father was a younger son of nobility, but rejected by his aristocratic family when he married Geoffrey's common-born mother. Geoffrey disdains aristocrats and their arrogant, entitled, snobbish ways. Little did he expect that he would actually inherit a dukedom. Not being raised in Society, he and his family do not have the polish needed to succeed in Society, and he wants his sister to marry well, namely into a title, to protect her from a scandal he is hiding from his family. Thus, he hires Elegant Occasions to help manage his sister's debut.

Initially, he and Diana dislike each other, even though they are physically attracted to each other. Geoffrey suffers from reverse snobbery and disdains Diana and her sisters for being the same aristocrats he dislikes so much, but has to be part of. But they come to care for each other as they learn more about each other and share their vulnerabilities.

I enjoyed some of the My Fair Lady elements of the story, and the relationships between the families, especially in light of how poorly Diana and her sisters were treated by their parents - they were collateral damage in the parents war with each other, and unfairly treated by Society after the divorce. After all, the sins of the mother must be the sins of the daughters too; so the daughters were seen as not suitable to wed. I liked seeing the warmth between Geoffrey, his mother, and sister, and how they in turn embraced Diana and her sisters. It felt like they needed a real mother figure since they really did not have much in terms of loving parenting before. This story did emphasize the hypocritical nature of High Society and their interactions with each other. It was nice to see a group of women rise above and beyond it, and find some form of independence as well. I also liked how the sisters were so supportive and friendly to Rosy and helped her to blossom, and that she also had her own HEA in the story as well.

3.75 stars out of five - quite enjoyable story and look forward to what happens to the other members of Elegant Occasions.

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Civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse finds himself the new Duke of Grenwood. He has a secret that could destroy not only himself but his mother and sister also. Geoffrey plans on giving his sister a London Season in hopes of finding her a husband. He hires Elegant Occasions to prepare Rosabel for her debut. However, one of the co-owners intends on molding Geoffrey into a presentable nobleman as well. Will Geoffrey’s secret destroy a possibility for a future? Or will he be forced to give up the woman he loves?
Lady Diana Harper is the middle daughter of an earl. She and her two sisters weather the scandal their parents created. Diana handles the fashion part of the party planner business she and her sisters started. Having Geoffrey as a client could boost their business, but the man proves vexing to work with. Diana cannot resist needling him into his new role. Soon sparks ignite between the two. Can Diana help Geoffrey with his secret? Or will it stand in the way of their happiness?
Geoffrey is not your run-of-the-mill duke. He grew up in the working class, so his mindset and outlook differ from other noblemen. Sometimes Geoffrey has difficulties accepting and understanding the ton’s rules and whims. I admire Geoffrey’s devotion to his family. He tries so hard to shield his mother and his sister from harm, even to the point of hindering himself. Also, Geoffrey wants to give his shy sister the best possible future. What I adore the most about Geoffrey is his thoughtfulness toward Diana and her sisters. He is always mindful of her reputation. Geoffrey does not want to add extra burdens to Diana.
Diana is such an inspirational woman. She refused to accept the professions allowed to women of her station. Instead, Diana and her sisters forged their own path despite society’s scrutiny. I understand Diana’s outlook on matrimony and relationships. Her parents’ marriage did not leave a good impression on her. Plus, Diana refused to follow their mistakes. What I admire about Diana is how she researched what a civil engineer was. She wanted to better understand Geoffrey and his interests.
A DUKE FOR DIANA is the first book in Sabrina Jeffries’ brand-new historical romance series, DESIGNING DEBUTANTES. I have been intrigued by the series’ premise since the author mentioned it on Facebook. I admire how the Harper sisters took their individual strengths and started a business, especially since it is frowned upon by their peers.
A DUKE FOR DIANA is a captivating story of two people overcoming familial obstacles to find love and acceptance. I will be continuing this series. I cannot wait to see which Harper sister is next!

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I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. These are my opinions.
This is a wonderful book. Ms. Jeffries is one of my favorite authors. I am looking forward to more in this series.

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