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mastersal's review against another edition
2.0
I bought this book back in April 2018, so it’s only taken me (nearly) 3 years to get to this. After finishing it I realize there was a reason why …
The book follows our dour duke and our wistful wallflower heroine. Why are they dour and wistful? Who cares? A week later I don't remember which is a sure sign that the book didn’t work for me.
Basically, the romance follows a friends-to-lovers trope which is leavened by an unnecessary dash of Cinderella. The author explains that this was part of an anthology where authors were to use fairy tales as inspiration. This is supposedly not based on Cinderella but it might as well have been for all the difference it made. I do know that the fairy tale nods actually took away from the story rather than added to it. There was a side plot with the heroine’s family which could have been removed to focus on the romance.
There was nothing in the plot or the premise which gave me red flags but the writing !! I can’t tell if the author was taking the piss or if the writing was just overly purple / bad. It just came across as awkward to me which gave me a headache while I was reading this.
There were gems (see what I did there!) like:
“One whose multi-faceted inner beauty flowed far more brilliantly than Miss Milbourne’s exquisite outward countenance.”
The book follows our dour duke and our wistful wallflower heroine. Why are they dour and wistful? Who cares? A week later I don't remember which is a sure sign that the book didn’t work for me.
Basically, the romance follows a friends-to-lovers trope which is leavened by an unnecessary dash of Cinderella. The author explains that this was part of an anthology where authors were to use fairy tales as inspiration. This is supposedly not based on Cinderella but it might as well have been for all the difference it made. I do know that the fairy tale nods actually took away from the story rather than added to it. There was a side plot with the heroine’s family which could have been removed to focus on the romance.
There was nothing in the plot or the premise which gave me red flags but the writing !! I can’t tell if the author was taking the piss or if the writing was just overly purple / bad. It just came across as awkward to me which gave me a headache while I was reading this.
There were gems (see what I did there!) like:
“One whose multi-faceted inner beauty flowed far more brilliantly than Miss Milbourne’s exquisite outward countenance.”
geekxgirl's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 Stars
I'm gonna low-ball this rating simply because I personally did not enjoy it. I found it entertaining at first but by the time I hit 45% and we were STILL at the birthday party for Aunt Theodora I began to mark this as a novella in my mind and wondered if anything would actually happen of interest at this point.
What we did do was end up spending the first 30% of the book with endless diatribe from both the hero and heroines introductory scenes, respectfully ofcourse. And then being alone together so conveniently he lays a kiss on her and instantly decides he's going to marry this chit. When majority of his inner monologuing was stating how against marriage he was due to the death of his first fiancé and then the horrible woman his family wanted him to marry now. So I was a little baffled at the change of heart.
I didn't buy in to the convenient "we were childhood friends" trope because honestly it didn't amount to diddly squat here. It was a base of reference more than it was anything. There was no reminiscing about old times together. A vague reference to how she met him at age five and instantly fell in love. Five. FIVE years old. Whatever. And mind you this was our heroine Jemmah's frame of reference when it came to when she began loving the hero Jules. Authentic romantic love? Hm, nah brah. Don't buy it. And ofcourse he's just soooo smitten with her. And yes, I could see how he missed her in some ways and how they did have certain things in common but all that was mentioned as things they had in common in the past. We're told ten years has passed since life and family separated them so I'm so confused how this landslide of feeling could occur with an familiar stranger more or less.
And worse was the silly Cinderella-esque trope with the heroine Jemmah playing the unfortunate ugly duckling/family servant/troll under the bridge roll with her embittered and selfish mother and sister. When infact she was a sweet forgiving person who was quite beautiful and blah freaking blah.
It was all too in your face silly and too sweet for my taste. I like a little more romance and steam and this had nada. A few kisses but forget anything interesting
I'm gonna low-ball this rating simply because I personally did not enjoy it. I found it entertaining at first but by the time I hit 45% and we were STILL at the birthday party for Aunt Theodora I began to mark this as a novella in my mind and wondered if anything would actually happen of interest at this point.
What we did do was end up spending the first 30% of the book with endless diatribe from both the hero and heroines introductory scenes, respectfully ofcourse. And then being alone together so conveniently he lays a kiss on her and instantly decides he's going to marry this chit. When majority of his inner monologuing was stating how against marriage he was due to the death of his first fiancé and then the horrible woman his family wanted him to marry now. So I was a little baffled at the change of heart.
I didn't buy in to the convenient "we were childhood friends" trope because honestly it didn't amount to diddly squat here. It was a base of reference more than it was anything. There was no reminiscing about old times together. A vague reference to how she met him at age five and instantly fell in love. Five. FIVE years old. Whatever. And mind you this was our heroine Jemmah's frame of reference when it came to when she began loving the hero Jules. Authentic romantic love? Hm, nah brah. Don't buy it. And ofcourse he's just soooo smitten with her. And yes, I could see how he missed her in some ways and how they did have certain things in common but all that was mentioned as things they had in common in the past. We're told ten years has passed since life and family separated them so I'm so confused how this landslide of feeling could occur with an familiar stranger more or less.
And worse was the silly Cinderella-esque trope with the heroine Jemmah playing the unfortunate ugly duckling/family servant/troll under the bridge roll with her embittered and selfish mother and sister. When infact she was a sweet forgiving person who was quite beautiful and blah freaking blah.
It was all too in your face silly and too sweet for my taste. I like a little more romance and steam and this had nada. A few kisses but forget anything interesting
cam411's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
toni_lee's review
5.0
Excellent short story
A quick fun read for the summer, the characters are relatable and enjoyable as well as their budding romance. On to the next!
A quick fun read for the summer, the characters are relatable and enjoyable as well as their budding romance. On to the next!
sassysmutlover's review
5.0
Another great fairytale feeling book! I love when wallflowers find love with someone that no one thinks they would. It was clear from the moment they saw each other that they were going to be together. I loved Aunt Teo and Lady Lockhart because they were definitely not women to be messed with.
Jemmah has let her mother and sister walk all over, but she finally had enough. I loved her from the start and when she stood up to her mother. She never held anything against anyone and didn't look down on herself.
Jules has decided to put off marriage until he felt like he had after his past. You have to love him because he makes it quite clear what he wants and that he will do whatever it takes to marry who he loves.
There are many characters that made me want to know more about them.
Jemmah has let her mother and sister walk all over, but she finally had enough. I loved her from the start and when she stood up to her mother. She never held anything against anyone and didn't look down on herself.
Jules has decided to put off marriage until he felt like he had after his past. You have to love him because he makes it quite clear what he wants and that he will do whatever it takes to marry who he loves.
There are many characters that made me want to know more about them.
alisonb's review
3.0
2.5-3 stars
This was a novella that was inspired by a French fairytale. I really liked the premise of the author’s inspiration. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the hero and heroine as most of their time connecting over being the ones left out in their respective families, is done in the past that we do not see.
I found the villainesses, the Dowager Lockhart, and Lady Lockhart the most interesting. When they were on page there was a nice tension to the story.
I will give this author another try- perhaps not in this series, but I won’t base my opinion of an author on one work.
This was a novella that was inspired by a French fairytale. I really liked the premise of the author’s inspiration. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with the hero and heroine as most of their time connecting over being the ones left out in their respective families, is done in the past that we do not see.
I found the villainesses, the Dowager Lockhart, and Lady Lockhart the most interesting. When they were on page there was a nice tension to the story.
I will give this author another try- perhaps not in this series, but I won’t base my opinion of an author on one work.
taisie22's review
3.0
Jules, Duke of Danridge, is trying to escape a party when he stumbles across a friend from his childhood, Jemmah Dament. Jemmah is the mistreated younger sister who slaves for her mother and older sister, only occasionally allowed out to a party. Their meeting leads to more as Jules decides Jemmah is the one for him.
This is a fairly short read, loosely based on an old fairy tale, Diamonds and Frogs, by Charles Perrault who also wrote Cinderella. The stories are somewhat similar.
This wasn't a bad story, but I didn't think it was good either. I didn't find the numerous odd similes humorous or realistic. That Jules is kissing and falling in love with Jemmah within five minutes of meeting her after ignoring her for long years was unbelievable. I felt the same about Jemmah's mistreatment - why didn't her aunt rescue her sooner if she had control of Jemmah's mother's finances? Why didn't we ever meet Jule's niece who is discussed a lot? I know this was a short story, but surely more time could have been spent on some development and made this a better story in the long run. I did like the author's explanations of how she chose the names for each character in the notes at the end.
This is a fairly short read, loosely based on an old fairy tale, Diamonds and Frogs, by Charles Perrault who also wrote Cinderella. The stories are somewhat similar.
This wasn't a bad story, but I didn't think it was good either. I didn't find the numerous odd similes humorous or realistic. That Jules is kissing and falling in love with Jemmah within five minutes of meeting her after ignoring her for long years was unbelievable. I felt the same about Jemmah's mistreatment - why didn't her aunt rescue her sooner if she had control of Jemmah's mother's finances? Why didn't we ever meet Jule's niece who is discussed a lot? I know this was a short story, but surely more time could have been spent on some development and made this a better story in the long run. I did like the author's explanations of how she chose the names for each character in the notes at the end.
choirlady76's review against another edition
5.0
Another smashing hit from Collette Cameron.! A Huge 5 Stars! A Diamond for a Duke is a delightful and well-written tale. Lots of passion, romance and sweetness abound from the pages. You are going to love Jemmah and Jules story. Jemmah is often very mistreated by her mother and sister and thinks she's never capable or worthy of a Duke's love, that is until she meets Jules. He shows her what real love is all about!
Cameron's writing is impeccable, a very deep rich tale, with well-written characters who are fully developed, the scenery is so beautiful throughout that you feel as if you're really there. Cameron's splashes of humor and wit will keep you turning the pages long into the night. I welcome you to open the pages and begin this beautiful journey and watch passion and love ignite between Jules and Jemmah.
Cameron's writing is impeccable, a very deep rich tale, with well-written characters who are fully developed, the scenery is so beautiful throughout that you feel as if you're really there. Cameron's splashes of humor and wit will keep you turning the pages long into the night. I welcome you to open the pages and begin this beautiful journey and watch passion and love ignite between Jules and Jemmah.
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