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The Duke's Men #2.5
Dorinda and the Doctor
Available for the first time digitally, this sizzling short story from New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries features the dashing Doctor Worth, who appeared in What the Duke Desires from “The Duke’s Men” Regency romance series.
Dr. Percy Worth finds young widow Dorinda Nunley ravishing every time he sees her at her cousins’, the Duke and Duchess of Lyons. But he figures that a society hothouse flower would make a terrible doctor’s wife. Still, when she lets herself into his residence one morning to find him half-dressed, he’s as fascinated as he is surprised by the intrusion.
Though Dorinda’s angry when she realizes they’re victims of the duchess’s matchmaking, Percy suggests that they teach the duchess a lesson by pretending to court, then break off spectacularly at the duke’s dinner that night. But after a day together—and a very hot tumble in bed—they realize they suit each other far better than they ever dreamed. So do they go forward with their plan? Or embrace the pretense that has become all too real?
Dr. Percy Worth finds young widow Dorinda Nunley ravishing every time he sees her at her cousins’, the Duke and Duchess of Lyons. But he figures that a society hothouse flower would make a terrible doctor’s wife. Still, when she lets herself into his residence one morning to find him half-dressed, he’s as fascinated as he is surprised by the intrusion.
Though Dorinda’s angry when she realizes they’re victims of the duchess’s matchmaking, Percy suggests that they teach the duchess a lesson by pretending to court, then break off spectacularly at the duke’s dinner that night. But after a day together—and a very hot tumble in bed—they realize they suit each other far better than they ever dreamed. So do they go forward with their plan? Or embrace the pretense that has become all too real?
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2014
81 people are currently reading
903 people want to read
About the author
Sabrina Jeffries
86 books4,796 followersSabrina Jeffries is the NYT bestselling author of over 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 11 million books published in print and electronically in 25 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
She always dreams big.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 31, 2018
Dorinda Nunley is asked by her cousin to stop in and straighten up the rented rooms of the attractive Dr. Percy Worth while he's out playing doctor. Except he's not actually out: he's in and mostly naked! Will this widow get her wid-on?? (OH GOD WHY AM I LIKE THIS)
1. This was sweet! Dorinda has a History which makes connecting with the hot Doc difficult, but that issue also carries a certain amount of weight and isn't hand-waved away because it's time for Sex or Feelings: it's a necessary conversation that actually happens!
2. Percy was slightly shadowier, if only because he's apparently had his eye on Mrs. Nunley for a while and decides some trickery is in order so that they can ~~connect in ALL THE WAYS. It's fine, but simple. But he acknowledges when he goes awry which is more than I can say for many of the heroes I have read lately, so HURRAH.
3. I'm giving this 3.5 stars: it was good but it didn't quite connect. I suspect some kind of reading slump. :(
1. This was sweet! Dorinda has a History which makes connecting with the hot Doc difficult, but that issue also carries a certain amount of weight and isn't hand-waved away because it's time for Sex or Feelings: it's a necessary conversation that actually happens!
2. Percy was slightly shadowier, if only because he's apparently had his eye on Mrs. Nunley for a while and decides some trickery is in order so that they can ~~connect in ALL THE WAYS. It's fine, but simple. But he acknowledges when he goes awry which is more than I can say for many of the heroes I have read lately, so HURRAH.
3. I'm giving this 3.5 stars: it was good but it didn't quite connect. I suspect some kind of reading slump. :(
July 23, 2020
Novela muy cortita en la que la duquesa de Lyon quiere emparejar a su querido doctor Percy Worth con su joven prima viuda Dorinda Nunley. Muy sensual pero a la vez profunda porque, más allá del amor y el sexo, trata del conflicto de una mujer que no puede tener hijos y cómo tambalea su "función social" en esos tiempos. Me gustó.
January 15, 2018
I know this one is short but even so, it was more shallow than I was expecting. I felt like I was being spoonfed pablum when I was expecting a nice snack. It was sweet but not very satisfying.
Dorindra is a widow whose first husband was a completely manipulative ass.
Percy, the Doctor, was sweet and head over heels in love with Dorindra. WIth the help of Dorindra's friend, he contrives to get Dorindra alone for the day. He basically lies in order to get her to notice him. What he finds is that Dorindra has serious reasons for not wanting to marry again.
But I felt like all that was kind of glossed over in order to keep the story short.
So I was entertained and I'm glad I read it, but it was a bit silly and far fetched in the end.
Dorindra is a widow whose first husband was a completely manipulative ass.
Percy, the Doctor, was sweet and head over heels in love with Dorindra. WIth the help of Dorindra's friend, he contrives to get Dorindra alone for the day. He basically lies in order to get her to notice him. What he finds is that Dorindra has serious reasons for not wanting to marry again.
But I felt like all that was kind of glossed over in order to keep the story short.
So I was entertained and I'm glad I read it, but it was a bit silly and far fetched in the end.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 16, 2014
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book... for more, visit Punya Reviews...
Dorinda and the Doctor by Sabrina Jeffries is a very short novella in her The Duke’s Men series. It tells us the story of Dr. Percy Worth and a young widow he met over at the Duke of Lyons’ estate. TBH, I never thought Dr. Worth was going to have a separate story of his own, as short as it was. Nevertheless, I had to give it a try.
If you haven’t read The Duke’s Men yet, you might wanna start with Hellions of Hallstead Hall as this series is somewhat linked to the Hellions. Most of the lead male characters here were introduced as secondary characters in the Hellions series. ‘Duke’s Men’ is a fancy name for Manton’s Investigation, run by Dominic Manton. Dominic or Dom’s younger half-siblings (his deceased father, the viscount’s mistress’s children) also help him running this company. Though Dom’s elder brother can’t stand the sight of either Tristan or Lisette, Dom is fond of both and appreciates having them close. Thus he has been banished and disinherited. But Dom doesn’t care a whit, he has studied and happy doing what he loves best.
The Duke of Lyons, Max, was mentioned in the Hellions series. He’s also the H of book 1 of this one. And thankfully, he’s now happily married to Lisette. Dorinda, the h of this novella lives at Max and Lisette’s estate. She’s a distant cousin to Max, the daughter of a noble family fallen on hard times
Dorinda’s a$$ of a husband died a while ago, leaving her relieved. The man only cared for an heir which his ‘incompetent’ wife was unable to provide. He has plagued Dorinda all his life about it, forcing her to take various medicines and visiting many quacks. She has become so bitter that now Dorinda has no interest of marrying ever again, truly believing that children are all men want from a marriage. She has been led to believe that she’s barren, so... no thanks!
But then there was Dr. Worth who has recently come to live at the estate, working around here. Dorinda has seen him of course and has been oh-so-tempted by the handsome doctor but there is no way she was going to show her interest. If she can help it it’ll stay hidden and buried. What she never imagined was that she too had caught Percy’s eyes from the very first day they met. Percy has never come forward with his intentions thinking she’s in mourning and might not be interested in his advances.
Percy was a minor character in all the Duke’s Men books. He’s the one who treated Max’s cousin, Victor, who was returned to Max’s family after a long time, very ill and possibly dying (Victor’s story is in book 2). Max, who had no other living family member left, was overjoyed and I’m sure he was grateful to Percy for saving Victor’s life. So I wasn’t surprised to find him practicing in and around Max’s estate.
Must explain now that it wasn’t about Ms. Jeffries writing, which I always enjoy. What I found hard to believe was how fast Dorinda and Percy confess their feelings for each-other. Without any background on their previous meetings it all went over my head. Also, there was nothing much on Percy’s life prior to this, which would’ve made the story more interesting. If there were a few more chapters on the build up of their relationship, pretty sure I’d enjoy the novella much more. Personally, I thought the story didn’t add anything important to the series because as with most novella-length stories, it was way too rushed to believe in Percy and Dorinda’s big step into the HEA. It can be read as a stand-alone if you don’t care to link the other characters to the previous books (like me, LOL).
Right now I’m excited about Tristan’s story, the next in the series, and eagerly waiting for it. Meanwhile, 3 stars for Dorinda and the Doctor.
Dorinda and the Doctor by Sabrina Jeffries is a very short novella in her The Duke’s Men series. It tells us the story of Dr. Percy Worth and a young widow he met over at the Duke of Lyons’ estate. TBH, I never thought Dr. Worth was going to have a separate story of his own, as short as it was. Nevertheless, I had to give it a try.
If you haven’t read The Duke’s Men yet, you might wanna start with Hellions of Hallstead Hall as this series is somewhat linked to the Hellions. Most of the lead male characters here were introduced as secondary characters in the Hellions series. ‘Duke’s Men’ is a fancy name for Manton’s Investigation, run by Dominic Manton. Dominic or Dom’s younger half-siblings (his deceased father, the viscount’s mistress’s children) also help him running this company. Though Dom’s elder brother can’t stand the sight of either Tristan or Lisette, Dom is fond of both and appreciates having them close. Thus he has been banished and disinherited. But Dom doesn’t care a whit, he has studied and happy doing what he loves best.
The Duke of Lyons, Max, was mentioned in the Hellions series. He’s also the H of book 1 of this one. And thankfully, he’s now happily married to Lisette. Dorinda, the h of this novella lives at Max and Lisette’s estate. She’s a distant cousin to Max, the daughter of a noble family fallen on hard times
Dorinda’s a$$ of a husband died a while ago, leaving her relieved. The man only cared for an heir which his ‘incompetent’ wife was unable to provide. He has plagued Dorinda all his life about it, forcing her to take various medicines and visiting many quacks. She has become so bitter that now Dorinda has no interest of marrying ever again, truly believing that children are all men want from a marriage. She has been led to believe that she’s barren, so... no thanks!
But then there was Dr. Worth who has recently come to live at the estate, working around here. Dorinda has seen him of course and has been oh-so-tempted by the handsome doctor but there is no way she was going to show her interest. If she can help it it’ll stay hidden and buried. What she never imagined was that she too had caught Percy’s eyes from the very first day they met. Percy has never come forward with his intentions thinking she’s in mourning and might not be interested in his advances.
Percy was a minor character in all the Duke’s Men books. He’s the one who treated Max’s cousin, Victor, who was returned to Max’s family after a long time, very ill and possibly dying (Victor’s story is in book 2). Max, who had no other living family member left, was overjoyed and I’m sure he was grateful to Percy for saving Victor’s life. So I wasn’t surprised to find him practicing in and around Max’s estate.
Must explain now that it wasn’t about Ms. Jeffries writing, which I always enjoy. What I found hard to believe was how fast Dorinda and Percy confess their feelings for each-other. Without any background on their previous meetings it all went over my head. Also, there was nothing much on Percy’s life prior to this, which would’ve made the story more interesting. If there were a few more chapters on the build up of their relationship, pretty sure I’d enjoy the novella much more. Personally, I thought the story didn’t add anything important to the series because as with most novella-length stories, it was way too rushed to believe in Percy and Dorinda’s big step into the HEA. It can be read as a stand-alone if you don’t care to link the other characters to the previous books (like me, LOL).
Right now I’m excited about Tristan’s story, the next in the series, and eagerly waiting for it. Meanwhile, 3 stars for Dorinda and the Doctor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2014
Dorinda, Dorinda, what a name!
This super quickie novella (if it could even be considered such), only 4 chapters long is set shortly thereafter the events of the Book Two in the Duke's Men series with Lisette, Duchess of Lyons doing a little bit of matchmaking. She's decided to matchmake her impoverished cousin and newly widowed Dorinda with the up and coming doctor, Dr. Worth, the very man who cured Victor (from Books One and Two).
Not really feeling the forced matchmaking, Dr. Worth comes up with a plan to show once and for all Lisette needs to butt out. We know that Percy and Dorinda will end up together, but the twist is that Percy always liked Dorinda and his whole "let's have dinner with the Duchess then have a row" is all a big act to spend time with her. Dorinda is attracted to Percy no doubt, but doesn't want to ever get married again mainly because she thinks she's barren and a man would only want a woman for her womb (yay a woman who doesn't want to get married, but needs convincing from the hero!). He needs to do all he can to convince her they match and that she belongs with him and deserve a life together.
There's a very short conflict, but quick banter make up for it. This is super super super short (it ends around 64% followed by a preview of the next book) not a whole of room for character development and depth, but for a quickie that it is it's cute.
I do hope we get an update about them in later novels.
3.5/5 not for quality but brevity
This super quickie novella (if it could even be considered such), only 4 chapters long is set shortly thereafter the events of the Book Two in the Duke's Men series with Lisette, Duchess of Lyons doing a little bit of matchmaking. She's decided to matchmake her impoverished cousin and newly widowed Dorinda with the up and coming doctor, Dr. Worth, the very man who cured Victor (from Books One and Two).
Not really feeling the forced matchmaking, Dr. Worth comes up with a plan to show once and for all Lisette needs to butt out. We know that Percy and Dorinda will end up together, but the twist is that Percy always liked Dorinda and his whole "let's have dinner with the Duchess then have a row" is all a big act to spend time with her. Dorinda is attracted to Percy no doubt, but doesn't want to ever get married again mainly because she thinks she's barren and a man would only want a woman for her womb (yay a woman who doesn't want to get married, but needs convincing from the hero!). He needs to do all he can to convince her they match and that she belongs with him and deserve a life together.
There's a very short conflict, but quick banter make up for it. This is super super super short (it ends around 64% followed by a preview of the next book) not a whole of room for character development and depth, but for a quickie that it is it's cute.
I do hope we get an update about them in later novels.
3.5/5 not for quality but brevity
July 4, 2017
This was better than I expected. In the previous two books in the series, we don't see Percy and Dorinda ever together, so to come together quickly always seems rather difficult to pull off in these novellas. But I found it believable and cute and an enjoyable fast read. My only issue would be just how quickly everything did happen - in the course of 12 hours! And I do mean everything, from desire, to the rebuff, to confessing undying love, to sex, to the big misunderstanding and finally the ultimate realization how how much they love each other. I think a few days would have worked a bit better, but still cute!
June 28, 2014
Cute story. Wish it was longer.
November 13, 2017
I liked these two as a couple and wish this one could have been drawn out more.
September 26, 2019
Stars 3/4 (Kate Pearce, Maureen Driscoll, Elisa Braden)
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
Hey fellow readers I don’t summarize the books (as there are always great full summaries written that I read myself).
I only give it my personal, general, summary of 5 stars to 1 star.
3 stars: This book is worth a read but didn’t really have me excited about interacting with the book where I could not put it down. It lacks the excitement and well roundness of my personal markers for a great read throughout the book.
Development and interest in main characters, secondary characters, humorous, movement of the book, writing/conversation and romantic/sexual content (1-2 scenes or too much unnecessary).
Read it once and that is enough for me.
However, if this book is part of a series, I would read the next book (pervious book) in the series as it would still peek my reading interest.
I’ll continue reading from this author. I wouldn’t cross the author out of my potential reads in the future.
September 21, 2014
This was a nice little novella. The main characters being pushed together by match making relatives, one of the best kind of story scenarios. They decide to get along fine at a dinner they are invited too and then have a very public argument.
But there's a twist, Percy (or the doctor) has always liked Dorinda and has been trying to get close to her for months. She hasn't a clue, and thinks the argument idea is best as she has no plans to marry again and men want a fertile womb any way and she thinks herself to be barren.
I know it was a novella but my only problem with the story was it seemed a little rushed at times, but even after saying that I still have to say that I enjoyed Dorinda and the Doctor for what it was, a fun, fast, entertaining read.
But there's a twist, Percy (or the doctor) has always liked Dorinda and has been trying to get close to her for months. She hasn't a clue, and thinks the argument idea is best as she has no plans to marry again and men want a fertile womb any way and she thinks herself to be barren.
I know it was a novella but my only problem with the story was it seemed a little rushed at times, but even after saying that I still have to say that I enjoyed Dorinda and the Doctor for what it was, a fun, fast, entertaining read.
June 18, 2014
An awesome read!
A novella! A quick read filled with wit, second chances,passion and love. You can't help but fall in love with Dorinda and her Doctor. Together they make a lovely duo. A great read. I look forward to the next in this series. Ms. Jeffries is a wonderful storyteller. She brings her characters to life on the pages of her stories as well as the Regency era. A must read.
A personal buy.
AprilR
A novella! A quick read filled with wit, second chances,passion and love. You can't help but fall in love with Dorinda and her Doctor. Together they make a lovely duo. A great read. I look forward to the next in this series. Ms. Jeffries is a wonderful storyteller. She brings her characters to life on the pages of her stories as well as the Regency era. A must read.
A personal buy.
AprilR
August 7, 2014
Short, but sweet romance between a widow and a doctor. I liked both characters and thought their love story was nice if too quick for my taste. I wanted them to explore more about Dorinda's issues from her previous marriage and definitely wanted to know more about Percy's rise to his current position.
April 16, 2017
The Duke's Men Book 2.5
This is the story of Dr. Worth and the Duke of Lyons's cousin, Dorinda. Lisette schemes to get Dorinda and Percy together by sending Dorinda to his home while he is supposedly away on business. When she finds him in dishabille, she can only stare. Together, they decide to teach the duchess a lesson.
If you're looking for a sweet short story, this is it!
This is the story of Dr. Worth and the Duke of Lyons's cousin, Dorinda. Lisette schemes to get Dorinda and Percy together by sending Dorinda to his home while he is supposedly away on business. When she finds him in dishabille, she can only stare. Together, they decide to teach the duchess a lesson.
If you're looking for a sweet short story, this is it!
June 3, 2015
Cute little short story about Percy and Dorinda. While I hated her name, I enjoyed the story. I have been curious if there would be a story about him and his lady love. Unfortunately, Jeffries only chose to do a short story with his character. It would have been fun to read a full length novel featuring Percy. At least we have some closure that he gets a happy ending.
March 13, 2018
The only reason I didn’t give this book the full five stars is because of the length. While I understand this is a novella/short story, I feel like it could have been fleshed out a bit more. Other than that, a really sweet story about Dr Worth and the widow Dorinda.
October 25, 2014
TOO SHORT! I would have loved to see if dorinda really was barren though I understand that wasn't the point of the story.
May 10, 2017
A cute short story about Dr. Worth and Dorinda
April 2, 2018
A very short story. Really it only works if you've read the preceding novels, I think.
April 26, 2018
Maybe 3.5. Short and sweet. Cute.
March 20, 2019
Short, sweet and an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the other books in this series.
May 14, 2023
Available for the first time digitally, this sizzling short story from New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries features the dashing Doctor Worth, who appeared in What the Duke Desires from “The Duke’s Men” Regency romance series.
Dr. Percy Worth finds young widow Dorinda Nunley ravishing every time he sees her at her cousins’, the Duke and Duchess of Lyons. But he figures that a society hothouse flower would make a terrible doctor’s wife. Still, when she lets herself into his residence one morning to find him half-dressed, he’s as fascinated as he is surprised by the intrusion.
Though Dorinda’s angry when she realizes they’re victims of the duchess’s matchmaking, Percy suggests that they teach the duchess a lesson by pretending to court, then break off spectacularly at the duke’s dinner that night. But after a day together—and a very hot tumble in bed—they realize they suit each other far better than they ever dreamed. So do they go forward with their plan? Or embrace the pretense that has become all too real?
January 17, 2024
I couldn't sleep after I finished a disappointing historical romance novel (reading adrenalin), and found myself finishing two HR novellas, this being one of them. I thought this was written well but it didn't benefit from its short length. It's too short to really judge the story and the characters (though the characters are likable but could be lovable if reader is given time to live them). It's a non-book book, for me. But yeah, it's a great tool to come down from a case of reading adrenalin.
Read this on Scribd.
Read this on Scribd.
September 16, 2017
Delightful Short Story
Duchasses always seem to meddle. Finding the right sort of man to marry in London is the theme of this delightful story. I enjoyed it immensely.
Duchasses always seem to meddle. Finding the right sort of man to marry in London is the theme of this delightful story. I enjoyed it immensely.
February 14, 2019
A sweet novella about Dr Worth & the Duke of Lyle’s cousin, Dorinda.
October 22, 2022
heartfelt
This short story warms the heart. Two good people finding each other. Fortunately there is no kidnapping or other twists to distract the reader from the main storyline
This short story warms the heart. Two good people finding each other. Fortunately there is no kidnapping or other twists to distract the reader from the main storyline
January 27, 2023
Waaaay to short.
April 4, 2023
Short read, but it is a novella. It was cute though and still had a surprising amount of chemistry, even though there are less than 100 pages in the book.
January 28, 2024
This was a cute novella. I really enjoyed Dorinda and Percy's mini story. Honestly, I wish it was a while book. I wouldn't mind more of their story after they were married.
July 26, 2025
Short and sweet
I love that the Dr was able to find love too. This book was definitely on the game side but was very good
I love that the Dr was able to find love too. This book was definitely on the game side but was very good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews