Elodie’s Reading Corner's Reviews > Project Duchess

I’m just back from Le Festival du Roman Feminin in Paris where I was lucky to meet a bunch of awesome authors, so I have a bit of struggle put back my feet on earth.
This is my second read by Mrs Sabrina Jeffries, I do remember my first one, I liked it but I had mixed feeling about the heroine.
But here, she outdid herself and crafted a great young woman, with no weak knees ( how I dislike women who become puddles of drool at the sight of a man! ). Beatrice is strong woman, she was shaped by her upbringing and the behavior of her uncle toward her. Instead of undermine her character, it strengthened it, she blossomed in a woman who speaks her mind and lets nobody thwart her projects. Sure, it renders her less prepped to face London society.
Fletcher Pryde has ressentes his family since he was estranged at ten to be raised by his uncle and guardian. Worst, his uncle abused him to have him comply to his wills. He changed him to a man who refuses any emotional involvement. Why his life is turned upside down when around Beatrice, he feels a compulsion to be close to her, to hold her, to kiss her when at the same time he suspects her to might been part of some wrongdoings.
I loved they were able to tell what they have in mind, that they do not shy away and ask instead of turning around. They are far from perfect as their faith in the other is put to test at each bend. Their trust is balanced between their certitudes and hearsay and rumors. They each time come to realize when they have made mistakes and then they try to fix them, as it often done by blurting out before thinking but words can cause great pains. Why the truce they made to be true when they are together is often challenged as they must compromise between sentiments and secrets.
As a first in a series, the storyline introduced a wide range of characters, will each of the sibling get its story?
I just wondered why Gwyn, Grey’s half sister, never had a debut, even when they were not living in England. If I figure out my sums, she is in her thirties, I do like my heroines not fresh out of the nursery which it is more a spinster’s age than a debutante’s, but she acted rather like a very young woman instead of an adult one.
In all, it was a good beginning in this Duke Dynasty series, there are plenty of great tales in the making.
I was provided an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the editor Kensington Books/Zebra but I had previously preordered my own copy, so here is my true and unbiased opinion.
5 stars