Publishers Weekly
12/18/2023
Sparks fly between Lady Verity Harper and Col. Rafe Wolfford in Jeffries’s scintillating third Designing Debutantes Regency romance (after What Happens in the Ballroom). The pair meet at a charity auction that Verity organized with Elegant Occasions, the party planning business she and her sisters started after their parents’ scandalous divorce made them social pariahs. Rafe attends the event in hopes of insinuating himself into Verity’s inner circle and rooting out if someone in her family is a spy for the French. Intrigued, Verity invites Rafe to a seaside house party. Also in attendance is Verity’s slimy former beau, Lord Minton, who takes her into a bedroom and kisses her against her will. Though Rafe has a longtime aversion to marriage, he steps in to protect Verity’s reputation by claiming that they are already engaged. Though Rafe is reluctant to surrender his heart to Verity, he can’t deny his attraction to her and sets out to be a good husband. But what will happen when Verity learns the truth about why they met? Verity is a formidable heroine whose refusal to be cowed by anyone is sure to endear her to readers. The hint of espionage and mystery adds allure to the romance. It’s hard to put this down. Agent: Pam Ahearn, Ahearn Agency. (Feb.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Sabrina Jeffries:
“Bestseller Jeffries launches her scintillating Designing Debutantes series with this witty Regency romance…again proving her mastery of historical romance, complete with bold, determined characters whose sparring only highlights their sexual tension. Historical romance fans will be riveted.” —Publishers Weekly on A Duke for Diana
“This book was an absolute delight, one of my favorites by Jeffries in quite some time.” —The Romance Dish on A Duke for Diana
“The characters’ chemistry is strong, and the mystery of Nathanial’s connection to Jocelin keeps the pages turning. Jeffries delivers.” —Publishers Weekly on What Happens in the Ballroom
“That perfect combination of history, romance, and good character development.” —Regency Reader on A Duke for Diana
“Jeffries is an expert in the Regency era…where women were expected to be pretty, quiet, and boring. The thing that makes all of Jeffries’ heroines stand out is that none of them are quiet and boring. Pretty? Often. But the women she writes about are spirited, intelligent, devilish, brave, independent, and politically and culturally savvy. They are true heroines; sheros, if you will. And Olivia Norley is definitely a shero.” —BookPage on Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“Sabrina Jeffries is touted as a master of romance—and the first novel in her new Duke Dynasty series is as steamy as they come…a witty, scintillating read.” —Woman’s World, Editor’s Pick on Project Duchess
“An excellent blend of great characters and witty dialogue make this a delicious first in a new series.” —BookPage, STARRED REVIEW on Project Duchess
“The chemistry is as intense in the bedroom as it is in the science lab in Jeffries’s intoxicating third Duke Dynasty Regency romance…Jeffries’s perfect blend of romance, mystery, and suspense is sure to have series readers anxious for more.” —Publishers Weekly on Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“Who Wants to Marry a Duke is a story of love and commitment, risk and vulnerability, and ultimately, the courage to trust. Its sparkling banter, unique hero and heroine, and intriguing mystery make it irresistible.” —Ausetenprose on Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“Jeffries’s riveting first Duke Dynasty regency has a little bit of everything: an independent, forthright woman; a handsome duke with trust issues; and a mystery…Complex, intense characters heat up the pages with scintillating love scenes amid the intrigue. Jeffries continues to impress, and romance fans will eagerly await the next book.” —Publishers Weekly on Project Duchess
“Readers will love Grey and Beatrice, and the nicely paced, intriguing plot will keep them engaged…An appealing historical romance from a fan favorite.” —Kirkus Reviews on Project Duchess
“Olivia’s scientific gifts will draw in and delight fans of bluestocking romances, such as Tessa Dare’s A Week To Be Wicked.” —Library Journal on Who Wants to Marry a Duke
“Best-selling Jeffries brilliantly launches her new Duke Dynasty series with another exemplary Regency-set historical brilliantly sourced from her seemingly endless authorial supply of fascinating characters and compelling storylines.” —Booklist on Project Duchess
“Beautifully showcases the author’s gift for creating vividly etched characters (including a well-matched pair of protagonists) and then expertly placing them within a tautly constructed plot spiced with danger and plenty of red-hot sensuality.” —Booklist on The Bachelor
“Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author on Project Duchess
“Best-selling Jeffries, whose literary brand is synonymous with smart, sexy historical romance, wraps up her Regency-set Duke Dynasty series and the investigation into a series of ducal murders that began in Project Duchess (2019) on a high note with a perfectly fashioned love story rich in smoldering sexual chemistry, sharp wit, and a dash of danger.” —Booklist on Undercover Duke
“Fans will delight in revisiting Sheridan’s large family in this heated, twisty tale of love and deception.” —Publishers Weekly on Undercover Duke
“I have been wanting Vanessa and Sheridan to pair up since book one. She is the perfect contrast to his stuffiness… Undercover Duke is a brilliant conclusion to a fun, entertaining series.” —Romance Junkies on Undercover Duke
Library Journal
12/01/2023
In this final installment in the "Designing Debutantes" trilogy (following (What Happens in the Ballroom), Verity Harper finally finds her Phantom. After several undercover adventures as an English spy, Rafe Wolfford realizes that the only way to foil his most recent foe is to portray the person he least likes to be—himself. Assuming his role as heir to a viscountcy, he must infiltrate society and uncover a traitor, one who is somehow entangled with the Harper sisters and their matchmaking business, Elegant Occasions. When he goes courting, he finds there is also more to Lady Verity than meets the eye. Jeffries completes her trilogy with a heartwarming historical romance full of intrigue, wit, and independent women. The fast pace and playful banter perfectly balance the steamy love scenes and exhilarating espionage. It is manageable, though not ideal, as a stand-alone, due to the amount of backstory it references. VERDICT This novel will appeal to readers seeking an engaging Regency romance that pairs spirited socialites with swashbuckling excitement. Recommended for fans of Grace Burrowes, Sophie Irwin, and Cathy Maxwell.—Lauren Hackert
