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caitybell's review
3.0
I have been a longtime fan of Skye Warren and her Dark Romance books. Her Endgame Trilogy and Masterpiece Duet series' are at the top of my Dark Romance list and I recommend them all the time to people. Her writing is clear, sensual, with a dark edge that sizzles with every page. And, the best thing, all of her books are pretty much in the same world. This means we get cameos and a sense of familiarity with each new book that she writes, even with introductions of new characters.
The Diamond series is centered around the next North brother to get his own story. Elijah is next up to the batting plate. With a tortured past key to any Warren alpha man, his story starts years before the main plot in this book, as a young man, in the inclusion of "prequel" chapters at the start of the book.
The second POV we get, Elijah's love interest, is Holly. Like Elijah, we meet her as a young girl in the prequel chapters. This is where their story begins, their lives entwined and headed to a dark obsessive love years later as adults.
The actual book, after the prequel chapters, heads quickly towards disaster when Holly is kidnapped and held in a cell where Elijah is also imprisoned. Thus begins a sick and sensual game between Elijah, Holly, and their captor, and she has no idea who to trust.
It's a captive romance, sort of. The book's pacing was a bit shaky, the timeline wonky and I now find myself deciding that the prequel chapters were my favorite in the book. Warren's books are quick, easy reads, spicy, and full of danger. Diamond in the Rough was no exception and had everything I expected from Warren. However, I still am not sold on Elijah and Holly's affections. Reading their alternating POVs made me feel like I was trying to line up two puzzle pieces I knew went together, but I didn't have the sides lined up right. I have absolutely no doubt that in the future books in this trilogy Warren will banish any kind of insincerity or disbelief I have in these twos' story. Elijah and Holy have a long road ahead of them.
The Diamond series is centered around the next North brother to get his own story. Elijah is next up to the batting plate. With a tortured past key to any Warren alpha man, his story starts years before the main plot in this book, as a young man, in the inclusion of "prequel" chapters at the start of the book.
The second POV we get, Elijah's love interest, is Holly. Like Elijah, we meet her as a young girl in the prequel chapters. This is where their story begins, their lives entwined and headed to a dark obsessive love years later as adults.
The actual book, after the prequel chapters, heads quickly towards disaster when Holly is kidnapped and held in a cell where Elijah is also imprisoned. Thus begins a sick and sensual game between Elijah, Holly, and their captor, and she has no idea who to trust.
It's a captive romance, sort of. The book's pacing was a bit shaky, the timeline wonky and I now find myself deciding that the prequel chapters were my favorite in the book. Warren's books are quick, easy reads, spicy, and full of danger. Diamond in the Rough was no exception and had everything I expected from Warren. However, I still am not sold on Elijah and Holly's affections. Reading their alternating POVs made me feel like I was trying to line up two puzzle pieces I knew went together, but I didn't have the sides lined up right. I have absolutely no doubt that in the future books in this trilogy Warren will banish any kind of insincerity or disbelief I have in these twos' story. Elijah and Holy have a long road ahead of them.
anna_via's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
haneyhayespr's review
4.0
adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Diamond in the Rough is a great tale that is for those seeking a raw and gritty story of resilience and redemption, with trauma, struggle, and, ultimately, hope.
Warren’s words with Jason Clarke and CJ Bloom’s voices. Chef’s kiss. I already prefer these narrators, but the pairing couldn’t be any better.
Five hours, for me, flew by so quickly that I just wanted more.
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Diamond in the Rough is a great tale that is for those seeking a raw and gritty story of resilience and redemption, with trauma, struggle, and, ultimately, hope.
Warren’s words with Jason Clarke and CJ Bloom’s voices. Chef’s kiss. I already prefer these narrators, but the pairing couldn’t be any better.
Five hours, for me, flew by so quickly that I just wanted more.
madiandthat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
haneyhayespr's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Diamond in the Rough is a great tale that is for those seeking a raw and gritty story of resilience and redemption, with trauma, struggle, and, ultimately, hope.
Warren’s words with Jason Clarke and CJ Bloom’s voices. Chef’s kiss. I already prefer these narrators, but the pairing couldn’t be any better.
Five hours, for me, flew by so quickly that I just wanted more.
qwassont's review against another edition
3.0
Engaging and interesting, a little too insta love but I’ll be reading the next one.
lianareadsblog's review against another edition
5.0
If you love dark romance with a very suspenseful and thrilling romance, read this book now because I loved every second of it. It’s darker than I thought but I couldn’t stop reading till the last page.
I need more of Holly and Elijah especially since I found out who he really is and can’t wait to read the next books in the trilogy.
It’s steamy and stormy beautiful and more than suspenseful.
I need more of Holly and Elijah especially since I found out who he really is and can’t wait to read the next books in the trilogy.
It’s steamy and stormy beautiful and more than suspenseful.
atwade's review against another edition
2.0
Started off strong, mediocre overall.
Read two months ago but took it off my shelves.
Read two months ago but took it off my shelves.