⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
I enjoyed this book. However, some issues held it back from its full potential. The writing kept the plot interesting and fresh. This was a slow burn; I felt that the first half of the book dragged. The characters were in their heads a lot, and the character development was slow. By fifty percent, the book was good, and at seventy-five, it was excellent.
I was not too fond of Charlotte until halfway through. I felt she overpowered Blayne. She didn’t give Blayne any choices. On the other hand, I liked Blayne from the very beginning. He was bighearted and held a quiet strength. The couple both have secrets; Blayne’s secret is revealed too slowly.
Halfway through, Charlotte and Blayne became three-dimensional. The attraction they shared was noticeable from the very start. Their connection was solid and grew throughout the entirety of the book. There were many themes and plot lines weaved throughout the book that kept it interesting and was handled where it didn’t get confusing. The secondary characters were colorful and stood out. As the story progressed, I enjoyed the relationship between Charlotte and Blayne more and more.
The last quarter of the chapters kept my rapt attention. This part moved fast and was captivating. The ending was satisfying. I felt the conclusion thoughtful and poignant. The first half wasn’t as strong as the second. If the book had started at the pace that it ended, this would be a five-star review.
In conclusion, the characters, writing, and end were strong. I just wanted more from the start. I enjoy this series and will read more; I felt this one needed a little more sparkle.
I received this ARC through Netgalley and the publisher. This is my honest, voluntary opinion.
This is the seventh book in the Diamonds In The Rough series. Well, readers, I struggled with reading the first half of this book. I stopped at forty-five percent and went to another book. I picked this book back up after I finished the other. I think that helped my mindset. I loved the second half and recommended this book because of the strength of the finality of the book. Just know going into the beginning of this one that it is a little shaky.
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