A Duke for Diana - (Designing Debutantes) by Sabrina Jeffries (Paperback)

An engineer elevated in rank to a Duke. A young woman forced to 'lower herself' to working due to the folly of her parents. They seem so far apart in status...but are they? Reeling from his elevation to the Duke of Greenwood, Geoffrey is terrified that secrets surrounding his father's death might bring his newfound title crashing down around him. He is keeping those secrets from his mother and sister so they don't have to worry. He wants his sister settled with a husband before the secrets are revealed. After Lady Diana Harper's parents blow their reputations, and those of their three daughters out of the water by divorcing, the sisters Harper learn that society can be very cruel! After disagreements with their father, the daughters are forced to work in trade to make ends meet. They choose to be the premiere party and coming out purveyors for 'The Season', and are quite good at their endeavor. Elegant Occasions is born. Geoffrey chooses Elegant Occasions to help his sister navigate The Season. The air between Geoffrey and Diana vibrates with tension when they meet. Will Diana be able to work with Geoffrey? Will Geoffrey's sister be able to make a suitable match? Will more reputations be ruined? Will love be able to work its magic between these two headstrong people? I love the magic Ms. Jeffries works into her books. This book was no different. Lots of heart, heat, and a fabulously crafted story. I can't wait for the other books in this series.

This was a perfect “take me out of the real world” read! Diana was such a strong, independent, fun and at times a bit quirky, heroine. I loved that she was able to step away from society’s conventions even as she made a place for herself among the ton. Her engagements with Geoffrey were so much fun. Geoffrey was a big, burly, hero with a bit of grumpiness to round him out into the type of hero I adore. Especially when it’s apparent he is attracted to Diana. The moments when she was correcting him for his boorish ways, especially reading it from his point of view, were so cute. The chemistry between Geoffrey and Diana sizzled from the first moment they met and things between them continued to sizzle even as their relationship grew. The conflict felt real and added some angst but nothing too heavy. There were several scenes where this author showed her knowledge of what certain events and situations required. While this can sometimes bog the story down, that was not the case here. It was all included in a way that kept me intrigued and happily following along. I loved it all.