Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty Book 1)
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I can barely think of a single thing that I enjoyed about this book. The blurb definitely drew me in, but sadly, the plot and characters are terrible. How I managed to hold on till the end is beyond me, but I did, so there is something somewhere in this mess that I found compelling.
Fletcher 'Grey' Pryde has always been a guarded individual. He's had a difficult childhood, and spending time away from his family has made him rather aloof. Finding a wife is, of course, the last thing on his mind while he continues to expand his dukedom. But when his second step-father passes away, his presence is required at his funeral. There, he meets a lady who immediately captures his attention. She's none other than Beatrice Wolfe. Luckily for him, she's also not looking for any sort of romance. That's to say, she doesn't believe in it, just like Grey. So there's nothing to worry about, is there? Even if he's to spend a mighty lot of time in her presence helping his mother on her latest 'project' to make Beatrice presentable for London society? You and I know that won't be the case, that they would eventually feel tremendous lust and feelings for one another in the face of a mystery.
The past of both our MCs are not delightful. One faced child abuse, another sexual harassment. Their past moulded them both to be who they are in this story. These aspects are respectfully handled by the author, but how the two came to be... it's another story entirely.
We see here something pretty common in historical romances nowadays: an outspoken lady and a man who finds amusement in the lady's tendency to speak whatever comes across her mind. She becomes a lady that he hasn't met before, making her unique among the aristocratic society. They will come at each other with words, making their disagreements known, but they feel so attracted to one another that they can't keep their hands to themselves. Eventually, they fall in love.
I'm not making fun of this very cliched storyline. I can appreciate it if written right. So what's wrong?
The characters. They are what came out wrong. Other than Joshua, I can't find myself caring about any of them. What's sad is that all the men seem to have the same personality (very dominant), and all the women too (very forthright). It makes this world that the author has created very boring. And predictable. If Grey and Beatrice were any better, it could have salvaged the whole thing. But no, they aren't. Because they are the MCs, they are the biggest problem in this book.
Beatrice Wolfe is a very sensitive individual, and extremely fickle-minded. Half the time it's because of her that I'm left confused by what the matter of disagreement is about. Granted, she didn't have a very good past, rendering her pretty touchy when it comes to a man's attentions. But let's take a look at this, shall we?
And then later on...
I can never understand completely what she wants. This goes on for pretty much all the times they try to keep their touching to just... touching. It makes me frustrated as a reader, and it makes me very annoyed by Beatrice for being the stereotypical female that the men in our society see us as. And Grey. Dear, dear Grey. Lustful from the beginning, all the way to the end when he initiates a session of sex out in the woods when there's a pressing matter at hand. And what's hateful is that Beatrice actually agrees to it! The characters have so obviously become some sex-starved individuals who only want to get their urges satisfied no matter the situation. I'm sure even if their family were stuck in a burning house, they'd still continue to have sex without a care in the world.
And dear old Grey is really as arrogant as they say. Yes, he's had a difficult childhood, but him not being considerate of others enough despite that... I mean, a man's life is at stake, for goodness' sake. There's a right time to be selfish, and there isn't. And if it's in the process of sacrificing Beatrice's loyalty for her family without proper reason, and the happiness that comes with it, Grey comes out to be a terrible person.
The murder mystery isn't any good either. It's a failed attempt to make the whole story more interesting. Grey and his brother are extremely judgemental, suspecting without looking for hard evidence. I find myself looking out for their suspect rather than be suspicious along with them.
I certainly do not recommend this book to anyone, but I still look forward to reading the next book (on Joshua). Hopefully, my impressions of Sarbina Jeffries' skills will change in that one.
by A Floret's Breath
Fletcher 'Grey' Pryde has always been a guarded individual. He's had a difficult childhood, and spending time away from his family has made him rather aloof. Finding a wife is, of course, the last thing on his mind while he continues to expand his dukedom. But when his second step-father passes away, his presence is required at his funeral. There, he meets a lady who immediately captures his attention. She's none other than Beatrice Wolfe. Luckily for him, she's also not looking for any sort of romance. That's to say, she doesn't believe in it, just like Grey. So there's nothing to worry about, is there? Even if he's to spend a mighty lot of time in her presence helping his mother on her latest 'project' to make Beatrice presentable for London society? You and I know that won't be the case, that they would eventually feel tremendous lust and feelings for one another in the face of a mystery.
The past of both our MCs are not delightful. One faced child abuse, another sexual harassment. Their past moulded them both to be who they are in this story. These aspects are respectfully handled by the author, but how the two came to be... it's another story entirely.
We see here something pretty common in historical romances nowadays: an outspoken lady and a man who finds amusement in the lady's tendency to speak whatever comes across her mind. She becomes a lady that he hasn't met before, making her unique among the aristocratic society. They will come at each other with words, making their disagreements known, but they feel so attracted to one another that they can't keep their hands to themselves. Eventually, they fall in love.
I'm not making fun of this very cliched storyline. I can appreciate it if written right. So what's wrong?
The characters. They are what came out wrong. Other than Joshua, I can't find myself caring about any of them. What's sad is that all the men seem to have the same personality (very dominant), and all the women too (very forthright). It makes this world that the author has created very boring. And predictable. If Grey and Beatrice were any better, it could have salvaged the whole thing. But no, they aren't. Because they are the MCs, they are the biggest problem in this book.
Beatrice Wolfe is a very sensitive individual, and extremely fickle-minded. Half the time it's because of her that I'm left confused by what the matter of disagreement is about. Granted, she didn't have a very good past, rendering her pretty touchy when it comes to a man's attentions. But let's take a look at this, shall we?
"Beatrice," he finally said, "I honestly don't know what we're doing. But I swear I don't generally behave so... recklessly. And I certainly have no intention of taking advantage of you."
Unsure whether to be pleased or alarmed that he claimed to act differently with her than with other women, she rounded on him. "So you mean to marry me."
His lips opened and closed repeatedly as if he were seeking words to set her at east. Apparently, he didn't find them.
"That's what I thought." She buried her disappointment. He must never see it. "A duke can only dally with a woman like me, not marry one."
And then later on...
... she said, "I wasn't asking you to marry me." She attempted to sound unconcerned as she struggled with her fichu. "Dear Lord, for a man of your reputation, you certainly take these things seriously."
I can never understand completely what she wants. This goes on for pretty much all the times they try to keep their touching to just... touching. It makes me frustrated as a reader, and it makes me very annoyed by Beatrice for being the stereotypical female that the men in our society see us as. And Grey. Dear, dear Grey. Lustful from the beginning, all the way to the end when he initiates a session of sex out in the woods when there's a pressing matter at hand. And what's hateful is that Beatrice actually agrees to it! The characters have so obviously become some sex-starved individuals who only want to get their urges satisfied no matter the situation. I'm sure even if their family were stuck in a burning house, they'd still continue to have sex without a care in the world.
And dear old Grey is really as arrogant as they say. Yes, he's had a difficult childhood, but him not being considerate of others enough despite that... I mean, a man's life is at stake, for goodness' sake. There's a right time to be selfish, and there isn't. And if it's in the process of sacrificing Beatrice's loyalty for her family without proper reason, and the happiness that comes with it, Grey comes out to be a terrible person.
The murder mystery isn't any good either. It's a failed attempt to make the whole story more interesting. Grey and his brother are extremely judgemental, suspecting without looking for hard evidence. I find myself looking out for their suspect rather than be suspicious along with them.
I certainly do not recommend this book to anyone, but I still look forward to reading the next book (on Joshua). Hopefully, my impressions of Sarbina Jeffries' skills will change in that one.
by A Floret's Breath
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