Book Review: Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano|HonestlySpeakingOnBooks
Book Review: Diamond in the Rough
by Jen Turano
I devoured this book on impulse because the cover was just so beautiful (although my dad didn’t think so) and because I’ve been wanting to read one of Jen Turano’s creations for quite a while especially after reading the many glowing reports on her work.
I didn’t bother to read the first book of the series as I thought I’d be fine without it and I don’t think it would’ve affected my reading too much even if I had. Isadora Delafield from Flights of Fancy is mentioned once or twice but only in passing.
Although I had had high hopes which weren’t met in the end, the story was quite sweet and cute with the usual happy ending.
This is my review on Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano.
On The Back:
When Miss Poppy Garrison accepts her
grandmother's offer of financial help for her family in exchange for
Poppy joining the New York social Season, she quickly realizes she is
far less equipped to mingle with the New York Four Hundred than even
she knew. As she becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after
another, becoming the diamond of the first water her grandmother
longs her to be looks more impossible by the day.
Reginald
Blackburn, second son of a duke, is in New York to help his cousin
find an American heiress who can help save his family's estate. But
when his very proper British manners lead Poppy's grandmother to
request he teach etiquette to Poppy, he quickly finds himself in for
much more than he bargained for.
And while they couldn't
be more opposite, Reginald and Poppy just might find they have more
to teach each other than they ever could have expected.
My Review:
Miss Poppy Garrison is about to make her debut into high society joining the New York Four Hundred at twenty two years old.
She soon discovers that it’s not quite as simple as she’d first hoped. After getting her tiara stuck on her dance partner’s sleeve and disrupting the Gypsy Quadrille, she continues to get tangled up in clumsy accidents which make becoming the diamond of the first water appear impossible!
Enter Reginald!
Reginald Blackburn poses as a simple travel companion to Lord Lonsdale, his cousin.
His identity as the second son of the Duke of Sutherland kept a secret, he begins his search for an American heiress suitable for the role as the wife and countess of Lord Lonsdale who desperately needs to marry for money to save his estate.
After Poppy’s grandmother, Viola, requests him to teach Poppy proper etiquette, he discovers just how improper she really is. Unfortunately, his cousin takes an interest in Poppy, making Reginald even more determined to make her become the lady he thinks she ought to be.
Poppy was a relatively enjoyable character. Although her personality is stubborn and rebellious, she’s still very ladylike with natural grace. She could be a bit predictable at times along with whiny but as a heroine, I suppose she was fair and believable.
Reginald started out as the perfect hero, tall, dark and handsome but he did begin to become a bit of a bore towards the middle of the chapter.
I found the relationship between the two to be a bit lacking in some ways.
It was the usual frenemies to lovers plot but the two didn’t seem to be very close as friends and yet suddenly they fall in love....? I wasn’t a big fan of that although I’m sure that that’s probably up someone else’s alley just not mine.
But of course, the romance was completely squeaky-clean which I appreciate!
In the end, without being too critical, I’d say it was a simple yet sweet romance with a bit of the comedy that Jen Turano is apparently known for.
I had expected more which is why I was a bit let down but, all in all, it was a fair read.
I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys cute and clean romances!
Sarah E
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