A Duke for Diana

by Sabrina Jeffries. Pub Date May 24, 2022

4*s. Sabrina Jeffries strikes (my heart) again!

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“Self-made civil engineer Geoffrey Brookhouse has unexpectedly inherited the dukedom of Grenwood. 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. Suddenly, Geoffrey’s sister is emerging from her shell, and he is beleaguered with social invitations and gossip! Worse, Diana is attempting to transform him into a presentable duke—when all he really wants is to make her his own . . .

Diana doesn’t know what to make of the handsome, disheveled duke. The man bristles at the very idea that his fashion faux pas might spoil his sister’s chances. 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 . . .”

Review:

Sabrina Jeffries is one of my absolute favorite historical romance writers. I adore her books and A Duke for Diana, although not one of my favorites, was not an exception. 

Geoffrey Brookhouse has recently inherited the Grenwood Dukedom from a distant cousin through his late father. However, he has a secret, one that could cause ruin to his family. He feels a great burden, and with his new found title comes the possibility of safety for his younger sister and mother. But he has no idea how to move around in society as a Duke, and as an ironworker and engineer who has spent his life building actual bridges rather than those in society, he knows even less about debuts and balls. 

Diana and her sisters, on the other hand, have made a business of debuts, balls, and other gatherings that have made their place amongst the set tolerable after they themselves endured a scandal set upon them by their own parents. The sisters and their company, Elegant Occasions, are perfectly positioned to help Lady Rosabel find a match. What the newfound Duke and Diana herself are not prepared for is the spark between them, a growing attraction that could quite possibly put them both in hot water if they aren’t careful. 

I really enjoyed this first installment in the new Designing Debutantes series. Diana is a strong character and her sisters Eliza and Verity are ripe for stories of their own. The relationship between Geoffrey and Diana is fiery and passionate, and they are both entirely too strong headed for the sake of their own hearts. Diana is proper in a way Geoffrey isn’t but is simultaneously caught in the bonds of societal expectations, and Geoffrey is protective and less than thrilled with the binds put on him by his new social standing. Each one has the ability to help the other through their own trials and tribulations, and we see an almost enemies to friends to lovers story arc that makes you root for them and their family members. 

I am very excited to start the next book in this series, What Happens in the Ballroom, featuring two prominent characters from A Duke for Diana. Keep an eye out for my soon upcoming review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the ever lovely Kensington Books for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review. I’m a bit late to the ball on this one, but it was such a beautiful read and I’m primed and prepared for the next.