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    Project Duchess
    Project Duchess
    Project Duchess
    Audiobook9 hours

    Project Duchess

    Written by Sabrina Jeffries

    Narrated by Beverley A. Crick

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    From New York Times best-selling 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, fifth duke of 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....
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJun 25, 2019
    ISBN9781980001171
    Project Duchess
    Author

    Sabrina Jeffries

    Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of several Regency-set historical romance series, including the Royal Brotherhood, the School for Heiresses, the Hellions of Halstead Hall, the Duke’s Men, and the Sinful Suitors. When she’s not writing in a coffee-fueled haze, she’s traveling with her husband, caring for her adult autistic son, or indulging in one of her passions: jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, music, and costume parties. With more than nine million books in print in twenty languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world. She always dreams big.

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    Reviews for Project Duchess

    4/5

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    • 4/5
      Project Duchess is the first book in Jefferies NEWEST series “Duke Dynasty” and I am such a fan for Sabrina Jeffries and she is pretty much an auto-read author since she was one of my very firsts adult authors to pick up. Now lately I never know if a regency will work for me or not but this book was so delicious in every way and I just didn’t want to put it down. There was something so sweet and connecting about this story that I gravitated towards and I have no REGRETS in any way because once again this author has delighted me and I am more than happy with that. Every time you offer to do whatever I wish, you tempt me, Beatrice. So don’t offer unless you mean itIn Project Duchess, our story sets off when our hero has come to his family’s estate when he hears that his step father has been killed and rushes home. He has had a great distance from his family and mostly that is due to his own actions and decisions and what happened to him when he was young and sent away from his family. Now having lost the only real father he ever really knew he is devastated and regrets that they weren’t able to mend fences before he was killed. When he arrives he meets a cousin of one of his step brothers, Beatrice, who is sassy and smart and doesn’t hold back with him and he finds her refreshing and wanting her like a breath of fresh air. Beatrice is in training to have her come out under the guidance of Grey’s mother. But there is a murder to solve and Beatrice’s brother is their primary suspect. Can he get to the truth without compromising the love that is forming between himself and Beatrice? or will that bride be burned unable to be rebuilt? What I want is to make love to you. What I want is to show you what it feels like to need someone so desperately that nothing else makes sense, that the mere thought of seeing that person makes one’s heart race.Project Duchess was a stunning story and I was really captivated by the sweet and fun bantering that these two had whenever they were near to each other but at the same time, there is powerful chemistry that is built between them that really stuns you in all the delightful ways. I truly didn’t want to let go of what these two had together. The chemistry that slowly forms between them is powerful from their walks in the woods, to Grey teaching her to dance and the slow passion that forms into burning desire was captivating. I honestly found myself caught in these fiery moments between these two. I had forgotten how well that Sabrina Jeffries crafts these steamy moments between a couple and she did it just right for these two. At last he’d found a woman who could not only know him thoroughly, but could accept him for what he was–a man with flaws and fears, but a man still capable of loving.The story itself is highly engaging and I was really curious about this murder mystery that is brought into the story and found wonderful balance with the romance itself. It is so intricately placed into the story that we find the ways that these two come together and see what is really going on with her brother Joshua. We also see a delightful connection form between Gwen (Grey’s sister) and Joshua and they are book two so I love the little teasers and their book I have a feeling is going to be explosive.Overall I found Project Duchess to be a truly entertaining and edge of your seat fun….a true pleasure to read and become engaged in!! You can’t go wrong with this one here, so grab it up, settle in with a nice cup of tea and embrace this love story bound to curl your toes and leave you with a smile!
    • 3/5
      For probably the first two thirds of this, the characters were irritating me. It seemed like every time they even started to get on the right track they would then do something stupid. Just a bunch of leaping to conclusions with no allowance that they might be wrong, or being wishy-washy, or saying the exact worst thing, lol. It just felt like too much. But the last third picked up quite a bit. I think there was less 'huge secret' keeping and they could just be more genuine. So it just ekes out a third star.
    • 4/5
      I like the concept of a family that has three different Dukes, children by different fathers. Add in the mystery of who might have killed them off as well as Sabrina Jeffries and you have a pretty good new series. Grey is the oldest son. He's been estranged from the rest of his family who were in Prussia in his stepfather's role as the English ambassador. Now they're back in England and he's having trouble with the reunion, still angry over the treatment of his guardian. When his mother takes Lady Beatrice Wolfe under her wing for the new Season, Grey isn't happy, especially as he sees her brother as a possible candidate for the murderer of his step-father. I liked both Grey and Beatrice and the murder-mystery is interesting though it doesn't look like it's going to be resolved until the end of the series. Meanwhile, the story is entertaining in Ms. Jeffries' inimitable style and a good read.
    • 4/5
      Good opening to the new series. These are the stories of the children of Lydia, a duchess who has been married three times, each one a duke. She has five grown children, four sons, and one daughter. The oldest son, Grey, was with her first husband, twins Thorn and Gwyn, with her second husband, and Sheridan and Heywood with her third husband. Three of those sons are now dukes, themselves. This is the story of Fletcher Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt.Grey had a relatively normal life until he was ten years old. His father died when Grey was young, and his first stepfather not long after that. His second stepfather was a kind and loving man for them all. When Grey was ten, his uncle, who was named guardian by Grey's father, came to claim him. This set in motion a chain of events that left Grey alienated from his family and determined to always be in control of his emotions. The book opens as Grey receives word of his stepfather's (the Fourth Duke of Armitage) death and his mother's plea for him to come for the funeral. He doesn't want to, but despite everything, he still loves his mother, so he goes, but plans only a short stay. Those plans get derailed when he arrives and meets Miss Beatrice Wolfe, his half-brother's cousin.Beatrice is the granddaughter of a duke, but the poor relation in this family. She and her brother, Joshua, were the wards of the Third Duke of Armitage and occupy the dower house. Joshua is a veteran of the Peninsular War, where he was badly wounded before coming home to become the estate gamekeeper. He is a grouchy loner who avoids people whenever he can. Beatrice loves her family and helped Lydia and her family learn the ropes when Maurice became the fourth duke. She stepped in to help with the funeral arrangements and is engaged in that process when Grey arrives. He does NOT make a good impression.I loved the first meeting between Grey and Beatrice. He is very much the top-lofty, arrogant duke, and Beatrice doesn't put up with that attitude. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her stand up to him. Grey is taken aback at first, but then intrigued and captivated. It's evident that there are sparks between them, but neither one wants to admit it. Beatrice knows that there is too big a gap between them for anything to become of it. Grey wants nothing to do with anything that threatens his control over his emotions.I enjoyed the development of Grey and Beatrice's relationship. Their plans to avoid each other are complicated by Lydia's plans to take both Gwyn and Beatrice to London for the Season. Lydia recruits Grey to assist in teaching both women what they need to know to survive a London Season. It doesn't take long for Grey and Beatrice to discover that they have much in common, from unpleasant events in their pasts to their preference for straight talk. I loved their pledge to each other that they don't hold back when speaking to each other. Both of them are very quick-witted, and I liked the banter and teasing between them. The more time they spent together, the greater the sparks between them grew, providing both sweet and steamy encounters.However, the possibility of a future between them has complications and obstacles. Sheridan believes that his father was murdered and that Joshua is the most likely suspect. He recruits Grey to help him investigate, which puts Grey in an awkward position as his feelings for Beatrice grow. Can he discover the truth without endangering his relationship with her? There are some heart-wrenching and amusing moments as Grey, Beatrice, and Joshua work their way through this dilemma. Grey also ends up the attempted victim of his selfish and greedy aunt as she tries to manipulate him into an engagement with his cousin. The timing was especially bad, but Grey comes through with the perfect solution. In both cases, Grey and Beatrice had to decide whether they were able to trust each other. I liked that they overcame by talking to each other - once the initial hurt and anger faded. The ending was great, and I loved their big moment at the end.I thoroughly enjoyed the entire family. It is obvious that there is a great deal of love between all the members, even though some have a harder time showing it. The teasing indicates that they don't take themselves too seriously. When there are problems, there is always someone available to help with support or advice. That's not to say there are no problems. Joshua's attitude is a prime example and makes it easier for him to be suspected of murder. At the same time, Sheridan's focus on Joshua was a bit irritating as his suspicions had no evidence to support them. The sniping and arguing between Thorn and Gwyn appears to be caused by something in their past, which I hope will be addressed in a later book. It looks like the question of the murder may be a continuing theme through the series. I am intrigued to see how that develops.
    • 5/5
      This Rebel ReviewsFletcher Pryne, 5th Duke of Greycourt aka Grey's step-father Maurice has passed and his mother has begged him to come to comfort her and go to his funeral. When he gets there he meets the lovely Beatrice the cousin of his step brother Sheridan who is poor and lives in the Dowager house. Greycourt's mother has decided to help her prepare for her come out into society to find a husband and Grey is going to help. He doesn't expect to find himself drawn to Beatrice but Grey has sworn never to give his heart away. Will he finally be able to get over the past or will he lose the women he loves?I was in love with Grey very soon into the book and his cousin Vanessa(she isn't in it much but have my fingers crossed she gets her own book in the series and I already ship her with one of Grey's half brothers(she is the cousin on his fathers side, his mother is the one who was married to three dukes and had children with them all). I love books with sibling and cousin or close family relationships. I loved Grey and his brother and sister and how they teased and laughed and just reminded me of my own family. I love Beatrice and Grey's first meeting. I felt there connection from that first meeting. There is a mystery running though this book and from what I am deducing the whole series. I love Beatrice and Grey's bargain that they always be themselves around each other. Both Beatrice and Grey have hurts and traumas from their past and I love watching them open up to each other about them and start to heal. Grey doesn't want to marry for love because of his past. He is so scared to show his past to anyone. I loved the heat and the sexy times in this book. In this book Sabrina Jeffries delivered everything I love in a romance, relateable realistic characters, steamy scenes,and a hero and heroine who understand and love each other flaws and all. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I want to give a thank you to whoever designed the cover. It is so classy and romantic unlike some covers that I feel are more smutty then romantic. I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Net Gallery and Kensington Books.Heat Rating: HotRating: 5 stars
    • 3/5
      The Dowager Duchess was famous for her projects.This new series is premised upon a Duchess whose been widowed three times. All three husbands were dukes. The now Dowager Duchess has five children and three of her sons have inherited Dukedoms.In the first of the series Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt meets Beatrice Wolfe when she manages his stepfather's funeral. Beatrice is a cousin and she and her brother Joshua have depended on the generosity of the Duke of Armitage.Beatrice is a feisty, single minded young woman who is not a all threatened by Grey.Grey's mother, the Dowager Duchess decides that she will present Beatrice in the upcoming season and seeks his assistance in readying Beatrice for her debut. This project is important to the Duchess, giving her something to do as she grieves the loss of her husband.Of course there's an attraction between Grey and Bea, but neither wants to acknowledge it, until they do. Meanwhile Grey's brother, Sheridan Wolfe, the 4th Duke of Armitage, is suspicious about his father's death. This adds another layer of intrigue and becomes a source of contention between Bea and Grey that has the potential to destroy the fragile trust that's building between them.I must admit that I wasn't that sold on Grey and Bea but I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes.A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley
    • 5/5
      This was an absolutely wonderful introduction to Sabrina Jeffries new series. There is an overall mystery to the series, I’ll not tell you what that is – but you’ll discover it in this book. We meet – and love – the five children of a duchess who has had three husbands – all dukes. She had one child, Fletcher (Grey), with her first husband; two children – twins – Marlowe (Thorn) and Gwyn with her second husband; two children, Sheridan and Heywood with her last husband. The series revolves around solving the mystery introduced in this book, the children learning more about their fathers, and each of them pursuing and finding their own HEA’s. I found each of them intriguing and can’t wait to get to know them better in their own stories. The next story (featuring Heywood) will be a novella, A PERFECT MATCH released in an anthology (Seduction on a Snowy Night) with authors Madeline Hunter and Mary Jo Putney. Then, in February of 2020, we get Gwyn’s story – The Bachelor.Fletcher Pryde, the 5th Duke of Greycourt, had a lovely family life until he was ten years old. He lost his father when he was very young, so he didn’t remember him, nor does he really remember his first step-father. However, his second step-father created a happy, loving family for all of them. That idyllic family lasted until Grey was ten and the uncle his father had named as his guardian came to claim him. He even thought he might want to go with him. Then he saw his aunt and uncle’s true colors and his nightmare of a life began. He quickly walled off his heart and all emotions. He became cold and always, always in control. He also distanced himself from his family and had little interaction with them – even after his uncle died.We first meet Grey as he’s receiving word that his step-father, Maurice, has died. He doesn’t want to, but he leaves for Armitage Hall. He’ll do his duty and then leave as soon as he can. However, he’s not prepared for what he finds when he gets there. He meets a sassy young woman standing in the hall and immediately starts making demands – as dukes do. She was having none of it and gave as good as she got. He had to wonder who that sharp-tongued woman was. Then, his brother arrived and introduced them. Uh-oh – he’d assumed she was a servant or merchant of some sort.Beatrice Wolfe is the granddaughter of a duke, but she is penniless. She and her brother, Joshua, live in the dower house at Armitage Hall. Joshua was severely wounded in the Peninsular wars and he now acts as head gamekeeper for the estate. He is grouchy, uncommunicative, etc. – all those things we associate with PTSD today.Beatrice has handled all of the arrangements for the funeral of her uncle, the Duke of Armitage, who has just died. She loves the family and wants to ease their way as much as possible. As she’s standing in the entryway arranging the funeral cookies, a man approaches and starts making demands and berating her. She knows he has to be the Duke of Greycourt just from what she’s heard of him. Well – he’s not going to speak to her that way.Grey and Beatrice bicker right along with all of the other siblings in the house. It was so much fun to read because I’ve known big loving families who bickered just that way. Grey can’t believe he’s attracted to Beatrice – but he is – and he just won’t allow it. He’s in full control of himself and will absolutely not allow it. Right . . . We all know how that’s going to end.With a mystery to solve, an acerbic brother to manage and a cruel aunt still reaching out to cause trouble, you begin to wonder if they can truly find their way to their HEA. Never fear, Grey is up to the task of assuaging Beatrice’s fears and concerns – it just takes him a while to get there.This was an excellent read and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
    • 4/5
      I was happy that I asked for Ms. Jeffries book, this is the first book in this series and with how she started it lets me know that I will be looking forward to reading the rest. We meet Grey a standoffish Duke. He is that way because he was raised away from his family since the age of 10 and now doesn't really let anyone in. We meet Beatrice who is sort of a relation to him since she is his half brothers cousin. These are instantly attracted to each other but both feel that they would not suit. She is penniless and even though she is 26 an age that would be considered on the shelf has not even had a debut. Grey offers to assist both her and his sister on the ways of the ton and while spending time together they cannot deny a chemistry but they have multiple problems that will put a damper on things. 1) he is trying to get info on her brother to prove or disprove that he killed his uncle which would be Grey's stepdad. 2)Greys manipulative aunt trying to force his hand on marrying his cousin...How will they overcome it? Grab a copy and enjoy! I personally can not wait on reading more from this family.Rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
    • 3/5
      I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.This was very clearly the first in a series, setting up all the siblings and step-siblings and cousins who will go on to get their own books. There was even a family tree, although the format of it doesn't really work on a Kindle. Some of these minor characters (Wolfe, Vanessa) were much more interesting than Grey and Bea, the hero and heroine here. Grey's character was inconsistent and hard to understand and he acted dishonourably. Bea was supposed to be practical and sensible and behaved without a thought for her future and well-being, There was a also a mystery (lots of the step-father figures had died, query been murdered) which was investigated in a faintly hysterical fashion by Grey and his step-brothers and this remains unsolved to be carried on to the next book.I'd be interested to read Wolfe's story, but this one wasn't great.