Wonderful read! Humor, drama, polite society scandal, tension, and dark secrets will keep you engaged in this story. Lady Diana and her sisters because of family scandal were outcasts of society but chose open a business to support themselves by planning social occasions for the society. Their services bring the Duke of Glenwood, Geoffrey to them because he wished to find his sister a suitable marriage. Between their warring stubbornness and underlying sexual tension the sparks fly Geoffrey and Diana's story is a fun delightful read.

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,

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.

The first book in a new series. 3 sisters are basically shunned by society after their parents scandal & divorce. they start a business, Elegant Occasions & have enough friends & acquaintances that are willing to use their services that the business is going strong when we come in four years later. Diana & Geoffrey are nice, as are the secondary characters. The plot & some of the happenings are not of the 1800's but could have been if society wasn't stuck in the medieval ages. I like the idea of an event planning business, I can see where titled ladies would be good at helping others with food, fashion, & the hundreds of details a successful party needs to be a hit. These same things I like also made the book not much of a historical story, it was modern thinking enough that it clashed with my idea of historical life.

#ADukeForDiana #SabrinaJeffries #Netgalley

This book is a delight. Even though Geoffrey is a Duke and Diana is a lady, this isn't the usual stuffy ton. Both main characters are outsiders, for different reasons. This gives each a different perspective on the ton and how to live their lives, and I really enjoyed it. i appreciate seeing female characters who are fighting back against the rules and scandals that would otherwise make their lives so much less. Too many think there weren't women who fought the rules and made their own way, which is not accurate. So I am here for these entrepreneurs, especially when the scandal that affected them, was not of their making. I also liked the way Jeffries looks at family. There is family that supports you and family that does not, and you don't have to put up with the latter. In regency romances so often the main characters are bowing to the wishes or restrictions of that toxic family. Here, they are escaping the toxicity and relying on the supportive family, and I loved it. This was a quick and enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.

I am a fan of Sabrina Jeffries so I was excited to check out her new series and book. This tells the story of Lady Diana Harper and Geoffrey Brookhouse. He is an american who is in trade and never expected to become a Duke. He is trying to marry his sister off but he wants to find her a husband who is not just after her dowry, He ends up hiring Lady Diana to help him launch his sister and find her suitors. Things come to a head when he finds himself attracted to Lady Diana and she him.

This was a very interesting premise as Diana and her sisters run a party service in Lodon for the elite class. I found it a fun and interesting story and I enjoyed Diana's scenes with Geofrey. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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.

#ADukeforDiana #SabrinaJeffries #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read an advance copy of A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries. Its been awhile since I have read a Regency romance and I admit I requested this book because of the title but I am glad I did! I totally enjoyed reading this first book in the Designing Debutantes series. It was light, and fun with snappy dialogue with a bit of sizzle. This is a perfect summer read especially if you love Bridgerton!

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my must read authors. She has written some of my favorite historical romances. There were parts of this book that had the magic I look for, but it was missing something.

I enjoyed the heroine even if I felt she was occasionally irrational. She made the most of a bad situation and showed courage, strength, and cunning in her efforts to provide for herself. I liked the hero as a person but not as a fictional man. He is the kind of man that is great in reality, but I like my fictional men to be a bit more alpha.

A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries is the First book in the Designing Debutantes Series. This is the story of Diana Harper and Geoffrey Brookhouse. Geoffrey is a successful Civil engineer who has found out he is now a Duke. Not wanting the title but does want better for his sister he plans to have her find a husband. Diana's mother ran off and left them and their father had to divorce her which of course brought scandal to her and her sisters. Diana's sister Eliza has already married but her husband is leaving for the war and her other sister Verity is single like her. So they decide to form their own way in a form of a business called Elegant Occasions with each bringing something to the business. This is how she ends up meeting the new Duke Geoffrey who has come to hire them for their service. Enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from this author.

A sparkling start to a new series
5 Stars

I’ve always been a big fan of Sabrina Jeffries - she was one of the authors that first started my romance obsession - but I’d kind of dipped in and out of her more recent works. That’s why it’s great to get a fresh new series where the reader isn’t expected to know any characters or connections. This book starts the Designing Debutantes series but is a complete standalone novel with its own HEA.

The reason for the series title is because of the business that Diana and her sisters run - a sort of consultancy that aids girls coming out into society. This part of the book was interesting but never overshadowed the romance of the story with the details - although it was the glue that held the story and characters together.

I really liked Diana as a character. She was feisty and strong and always thinking she was in the right. This gave her the perfect combination of traits to bang up against Geoffrey Brookhouse, the newly minted Duke of Grenwood, and brother of Diana’s newest client. Geoffrey is a normal, hard-working chap who has found himself thrust into a world that is so foreign to him. As a result, he comes across as a bit crass, a bit rude and quite overwhelming. The perfect man for our proper society miss.

There’s an instant attraction between our couple and I was excited to watch them butt heads and dance around each other, misunderstand each other and then finally collide. This happened but then I felt some confusion which did put a damper on the sexual tension. This was because I wasn’t really sure who was doing the chasing at any one time, and who was doing the retreating. I just felt their motivations weren’t crystal clear which pulled me out of the book as I tried to understand their ultimate purposes.

With that said, there was still a spark of chemistry between our pairing and the scenes when they were together were delicious and just naughty enough to make me happy. I can always rely on Sabrina Jeffries to bring some sauciness to Society.

It goes without saying that I thought the writing was excellent - it always is with Ms Jeffries. I was immediately engrossed in the Regency and with all the characters. Although they didn’t feature heavily, I’m already looking forward to the stories of the other sisters (Eliza in An Earl for Eliza and presumably then, A Viscount for Verity). There was, too, a lot of information in this book and little snippets of Regency life peppered throughout. Always in a way that made it part of the story, but interesting nonetheless as I wasn’t aware of many. I do so like to learn more about the Regency.

I did feel the story and the urgency of the love story faded a bit towards the end of the book - especially as the spotlight moved towards Rosy and her own story. This was a bit of a shame as it took the focus off Diane and Geoffrey. But once I’d finished the book and looked back - I still felt this was a five star read. I hugely enjoyed the read and raced through the book. Furthermore, it was a an exciting start to a brand new series and I’m excited to read more and hopefully revisit our couple from this book. As a result, it’s 5 stars from me.

I loved it. The writing was witty (and spicy), the characters mature, and the struggles felt real. An excellent start to a new series!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story about three sisters running their own business in a time period where ladies just didn’t really do that, especially while in the midst of a scandal. The characters were well thought out and while reading you truly care about them.
Elegant Occasions is their business and they are hired to help a young lady come out in society that is the sister of a Duke, whom has his own scandal. Attraction starts between Diana, one of the sisters and him and the shenanigans begin.
This is a delightful romp with transformations, parties and love. If you love historical romance this will delight you! Highly recommend!

Lady Diana Harper owns Elegant Occasions with her two sisters Eliza and Verity. Elegant Occasions helps debutantes have a successful debut. Five years ago, her mother scandalized society by running off with her lover. Her father the Earl of Holtbury then proceeded to divorce her mother. Afterwards Diana’s marriage prospects dwindled away. Elegant Occasions saved Diana from having to depend on her father and allowed her and her sisters to be independent.

Geoffrey Brookhouse is a civil engineer. He is also the Duke of Grenwood. He never imagined he would inherit a dukedom. His father was the third son of a Viscount. Geoffrey inherited his title from a distant cousin. He has arrived in London with his sister Rosabel. He needs help presenting Rosy to society and finding a husband for her. He hires the ladies of Elegant Occasions. Diana promises they will make Rosy a diamond of the first water. Diana vows that by her debut ball she will be the toast of the ton.

Geoffrey is captivated by Diana’s smile. Her beauty unnerves him. They are both drawn to each other. Diana cannot stop thinking about Geoffrey. I enjoyed the interactions between Geoffrey and Diana. Geoffrey and Diana are good together.

Will Diana let her guard down and fall in love? Can Geoffrey and Diana overcome the obstacles that prevent them from being together? There are secrets that prohibit Geoffrey from marrying Diana. Can he trust Diana to keep his secret? Can Diana convince Geoffrey that she is trustworthy? You cannot help but hope they will end up together.

This is the first book in the Designing Debutantes series. Overall I enjoyed the story. The story flowed and kept you entertained. I look forward to reading the next book in the series about Eliza. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Debutantes and Dukes!

A clever read but not what I expect from Jeffries. Mostly she’s a five star read for me. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked all of the characters but the events became a tad predictable.
Lady Diana Harper and her sisters operate an event planning concern, Elegant Occasions. The women have been forced to make hard decisions, hovering as they are on the edge of society. Why? Well their mother ran off with a General, and their father is suing for divorce. Absolutely scandalous to the ton. Their mother is “married but courting.”
The three sisters all have a gift for various aspects of what is important to polite society—food, fashion and music. Talents that translate to tasteful and interesting ton functions for ladies needing or seeking advice.
As it so happens engineer Geoffrey Brooke has inherited the dukedom of Greenwood. (I love that the Duke make sure to cross the Thames at different bridges to study and enjoy their structural identities. ) Anyway being newly come to the business of Duking brings about its own challenges, particularly as Geoffrey’s sister needs guidance during her London season. This is where Elegant Occasions come into play—much against the Duke’s better judgement. Of course sparks are going to fly between the Duke who has no clue about how the ton works, and the woman who now finds herself on its edges—the Lady Diana!

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I really enjoyed this book - it was a great introduction to what I assume is a trilogy.
I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at getting ready for a debut into society.
I liked how the sisters were employed after their parent's scandal. I'm looking forward to the next two books.
Perfect for fans of Gilded Age or Bridgeton.

3.5*
I took me a bit to get into this book, it but was a bit slow moving. Halfway through it picked up and the characters started to shine. Diana and Geoffrey were a great pair. They both had secrets and baggage that held them back from the future they both wanted but felt was out of their grasp. The secondary characters are interesting and I’m looking forward to Eliza and Verity getting their HEA.

I’m a huge fan of Sabrina Jeffries’ books and this one is not exception!
Self-made civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse has unexpectedly inherited the dukedom of Greenwood. But he has a secret that could ruin his family. Hoping to save his timid sister from that fate, he seeks to marry her off to a respectable, protective gentleman. With the London Season imminent, Geoffrey hires Elegant Occasions to orchestrate her debut. Yet Lady Diana Harper, spirited fashion expert, proves more than he bargained for.
Diana doesn’t know what to make of the handsome, disheveled duke. Yet Geoffrey’s stubbornness simply inspires Diana to ruffle his feathers—by setting him on a course of self-improvement. Although there’s something endearing, even irresistible about his flaws, can a man who hates the ton tolerate a woman who makes her living catering to them? Little does either know that they have more in common than they suspect—and that two can create a society all their own . . .
This book is absolutely beautiful and engaging. I couldn´t put it down. Geoffrey frustrated me and made me laugh in equal parts and that was amazing. Diana is strong and resilient. I adored her and her sisters. The idea that three ladies of the ton could work as event planners was really interesting. I’ll be waiting for their books!
As always, Sabrina’s writing is flawless and page turner. The characters are well developed and the dialogs smart and witty. There are sweet and romantic sexy times and a few aghast moments.
I highly recommend this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love this book the characters are great and the story line is excellent if I do say so myself. I read this book my sun up to sun down.

When Diana's mother runs away with her lover and Diana's father choses to pursue divorce society shuns Diana and her sisters and considers them persona non grata on the marriage mart.  Not to be deterred and forced into an untenable mold the three sisters set up a business helping debutantes and society hostesses successfully navigate the maze that's the Ton.  Thanks to their success and reputation, the newly minted Duke of Grenwood comes calling one morning before polite society is stirring.  This definitely gets everyone's juices stirring and is a great way to kick of what appears to be a promising start to a new series by the author.
When Geoffrey's father choses to marry for love, a woman not of the nobility his family shuns him. Geoffrey himself choses to align himself with his mother's family to become a well-recognized civil engineer. Due to a series of deaths in the family Geoffrey unexpected finds himself a Duke. He wants to ensure that his sister Rosabel marries well so he's prepared to hire the best which in this case happens to be Elegant Occasions to ensure his objective. He's so enthusiastic about getting things off the ground that he shows up at the sister's house too early for polite company and then proceeds to discuss their fees and set terms. A disaster in the making or can he recover and restart his relationship with the feisty Lady Diana whom he increasingly finds more attractive than the suitable debutantes on the marriage mart.
It's fun romp as Rosabel is transformed into a swan but wants the wrong gentleman to husband, Geoffrey has his own host of secrets which as it turns out aren't secrets at all and the feisty Diana takes up a lot of head space or is it heart space? Both Diana and Geoffrey have a lot of baggage and will need to make themselves vulnerable to each other if a relationship is to be possible between them. 
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the seeing the other two sisters find their HEA.

FANTASTIC!!! A Duke for Diana by Sabrina Jeffries is the first in her new series the Designing Debutantes and what a way to start a new series. What I really liked about this book that it never lacked in the story. There was always something going on. I found this book to be very well written, easy to read, the characters delightful and so original. Sabrina is a very talented author and I always enjoy reading her books. It is no wonder she’s a New York bestselling author. This book will tell you why. This story has 3 sister who has a big scandal haunting them, a commoner that becomes a Duke, wanting a debut for a shy & loving sister, Dark secrets that could ruin them all, Ladies that started a business to get away from their father, success, being a bit of a penny pincher, always having arguments and falling in love. I am highly recommending you read this book… as I said it is really fantastic!!!

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.