Showing posts with label Diamonds In The Rough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diamonds In The Rough. Show all posts

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Diamonds In The Rough by Michelle Madow



Diamonds In The Rough by Michelle Madow
Release Date - October 28, 2014
Publisher Website - Harlequin Teen
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 448 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
All-access doesn't mean no problems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again.

Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.
The Secret Diamond Sisters was a fun, flirty, drama filled read that I enjoy immensely. Diamonds in the Rough is everything I loved about the first novel, only more. Everything was heightened. The romances were steamier. The secrets even more devastating. The consequences even more crushing. I've mentioned previously that this novel is begging to be made into a CW television show, and this sequel cemented that feeling.

This series is blending a city known for it's decadence with the type of drama that makes CW television shows so addictive. The fast paced speed in which bombshells are dropped and secrets unravel will leave a feeling of whiplash. Each time you think there is nothing else to be unveiled, Michelle tosses another element into the mix. She tortures her characters without mercy and the readers are the ones to benefit.

The first book was, I felt, much lighter in tone. The Diamond sisters were dealing with huge issues, but it came off as more fun and flirty. This book, however, is like a wrecking ball. Plenty of secrets are revealed by the end of this novel. Earth shattering ones that will forever change the people involved. This novel's overall tone is one of changes. Quite a few of the characters experience growth, and surprisingly it's the ones you may not expect. Prepare to have everything you thought you knew about these characters to be turned upside down. I found myself sympathizing with characters I didn't expect to, swooning over guys who I didn't like the first time around, and disliking some of the decisions other characters made. It's a wild roller coaster ride, and none of the characters end the novel untouched by the events that take place.

The romances are heating up and each of the Diamond sisters has a guy or two that has caught their attention. None of the potential romances have gone the way I unexpected them to. The romance aspect of the story is one of the strongest elements in Michelle's writing. She creates unhurried, realistic connections. It never feels like an insta-love situation or that things are progressing too quickly.

The fallout from this book will still be felt into the final installment. There is a rather delightful, if cutesy, aspect to Savannah's storyline that I am praying continues to be explored. The impact of one of this novel's biggest reveals has yet to be truly explored, and that has set up the third novel to be quite the scandal filled installment.

Boasting juicier secrets, more extravagant luxury, and higher stakes consequences, Michelle Madow has delivered a sequel that will truly satisfy fans of this series. They will eagerly devour this in one sitting and breathlessly wait for the final book. Michelle Madow has shown that in her world of decadently sinful Las Vegas nothing is as it seems, and all bets are off.

Sunday, August 10, 2014

New To My Book Closet


It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

There was plenty of squealing at my mailbox this week. Two books that I've been anticipating made their way to me this week. One is a retelling of a classic tale, and the other is the second novel in a sexy, scandal filled series.


Diamonds In The Rough by Michelle Madow (goodreads)
Winterspell by Claire Legrand (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Harlequin Teen and Simon and Schuster USA for these two books. 

I also was approved for an e-galley of an amazing collection of short stories. All these amazing authors, and edited by Stephanie Perkins?! Obviously, I needed it! I am really excited to read it, and I hope to get to it as soon as the weather gets a little cooler. It feels like a book to enjoy with some hot chocolate. 


My True Love Gave To My By Various (goodreads)

A big thank you to St Martin's Griffin, and Netgalley for the chance to review this.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy weekend, and happy reading!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Weekly Obsessions


The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week. Some amazing movie trailers this week!

BOOK

Cover of Diamonds In The Rough by Michelle Madow


I ended up really liking The Secret Diamond Sisters and I am very excited to get my hands on this sequel. I love the cover.  It's totally fun and captures both the scandalous and sexy qualities of the novel.

TV

Bates Motel

Three episodes away from the end of season 2 and I am HOOKED. Freddie Highmore is doing amazing things with the complexity of Norman Bates. Vera Farmiga adds layers to Norma that I didn't think would be there. The show, and the cast, are only getting better with each episode. I am both anticipating and dreading the finale. They normally have a killer twist/cliffhanger, but the wait for season three is going to be excruciating. 

OTHER

Trailer for Gone Girl 


Gone Girl is one of the top books I've read since I've started blogging. The debate over the ending aside, the twist in this book is one of the single best twists I've EVER read. Ben Affleck (whom I didn't like for Nick when he was first cast) really surprised me in the trailer. The scene where he smiles while getting his picture taken next to Amy's missing poster? That IS Nick. It's a solid trailer, and shows promise as I can already pick up a few things from the book that I hoped would make it into the movie.

Trailer for If I Stay


The second they started playing Say Something I started crying. It's beautiful, and perfect. It already has me feeling the emotions I had while reading the book. Adam's line "I'm still here and I'm crazy in love with you. Please...stay'. Ugly crying right there. I have a feeling I'll be a mess while watching this one in theatres.

What are you obsessed with this week?

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