Diamond in the Rough

by Christi Caldwell

Lady Diamond "Glain" Carmichael, paragon of propriety, is horrified when she discovers her headstrong younger sister at the Royal Colonnade Library reading books that would enrage their ducal father. Worse, this disaster-in-the-making has been abetted by an outspoken, opinionated librarian named Mr. Abaddon Grimoire.

Abaddon clawed his way free of a life of poverty and crime thanks to the refuge he found at the Royal Colonnade Library, and he's determined to help other people find their escapes as well—in the pages of the library's books! He issues Glain a challenge: Spend a fortnight exploring the volumes on the library's shelves; if after two weeks, she still wants to prevent her sister from visiting, he won't interfere.

Abaddon soon realizes that beneath Glain's icy veneer beats the heart of a loyal, loving, and passionate woman, and Glain comes to see that Abaddon's devotion to books is a respect for truth and learning. A former guttersnipe and a duke's daughter aren't the stuff of matches made in Mayfair, but perhaps happily ever afters aren't just for fairy tales!

Note: This will be the first time Diamond in the Rough is available worldwide to readers. Previously, this story was half of Yuletide Gems, a novella duet originally published as a library exclusive in 2022.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Romance, Adult

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!

Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't often rate or review romance because I kind of feel like it exists on a different rating scale than most other books for me. But I had to write a quick review for this one because I've mostly only seen positive feedback on it, and I simply don't get that. I understand that there are some aspects of it that are personal preference (I really don't care for the male mc). But Christi Caldwell is a well-known and prolific romance writer, so I was shocked at the poor quality of this piece. Frankly, it read like a first draft. The ebook at least had noticeable proofreading/word-choice errors and sentences that were grammatical nonsense. But worse than that, the writing was unpolished and unimaginative. "He explored like the most patient explorer" is a real line from this. Why use a simile if you're not actually going to compare "explore" to something else?! I honestly feel that two stars is a fairly generous rating.

P.S. It was marketed as somewhat of a holiday read, which is simply not the case.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my 90th book by Christi Caldwell. I read 2 of her books in 2013 but didn’t pick her up again faithfully until 2015. She is such a good author and I love her writing. She always has great stories and depending on the book, well written sex scenes. Except I have to say lately, her new Seven Deadly Sins books have been super freakin' hot.

This was short but cute. Interesting storyline. Glain and Abaddon were cute together. quick read.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a short read, but very emotional. Glain was once happy and carefree, until her mother was sent away and her father, the Duke of Devonshire, took control of her life. Once her mother died, Glain's life became even more restricted. What people saw on the outside, is a cold hard diamond. Her young sister Opal, loves the lending library and runs away every chance she gets. Glain continually follows her to bring her back home before their father finds out. The owner of the lending library, Abaddon Grimoire grew up on the streets, but he considers himself equal to a Duke's daughter. He challenges Glain to read whatever she wants to read. As Abaddon breaks down her defenses with kisses, he dreams of the impossible, a life together.

[Ann Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Great book and great characters. The trope was an interesting one. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the series.

[Pomelo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5 stars
Steam level: Open-door scenes

Thoughts:
Diamond in the Rough is a fun, quick read for the holidays. There was a lot of emotion packed into this novella. So many moments were memorable.

Glain and Abbadon are a sweet match. She's icy because of her upbringing and will to protect her family, and he's initially judgemental out of self-protection and because he has lived a life outside of the peerage. It's only natural that Abbadon would have terrible opinions of someone belonging to the upper class. After Glain delivers a most magnificent setdown upon Abbadon, witnessing his growth into a more accepting and loving role to Glain felt so satisfying, and the resulting angst was lovely.

Additionally, I love the way literature was incorporated into their romance. Books as a means to get closer made the relationship feel so special. It felt uniquely intimate for Glain to allow Abbadon access to her deepest desires, and for books to be the means by which they get closer was incredibly romantic and validating.

I did feel that this book could have benefitted from a longer page count to add more to the relationship development. However, as a novella, it still worked, and I enjoyed it a lot!

I'd recommend this for historical romance fans who are looking for a quick, lighthearted, and romantic read.

I was provided with a complimentary e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Read if you like:
- Hot librarian vibes
- Class differences
- Self-made MMC
- Titled female lead
- Choosing books as a love language

[DD · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a new series, Is kind is elder daughter to the the Duke of Devonshire, a particularly to his duke who expects utter obedience from his three children.Diamond has learnt to hide her natural character to confirm so the the Dukes wishes, but her younger siblings havent, so Diamond has made herself unmarriagable in order to stay home and protect her siblings.

But Opal her sister is determined to visit the local library to find interesting books, and learning her sister has snuck out Diamond follows her and meets Abbadon the man who runs the library, an ex street tough polished a little.

While story is ridiculous of course but a fun way to pass an evening. Do wish authors wouldn't use some words in books,, it adds nothing and detracts readers enjoyment.

I do wonder about calling the hero a bad one though

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick historical romance surrounding books and falling in love is such a huge comfort read for me. glain and her siblings are controlled by a duke, their father. they are set to follow the sexist mindset of women in the kitchen while the men rule the house. its toxicity seeped into how glain and her siblings were brought up and how they're living now. knowing that she needs to protect her sisters by staying in the house loner, glain portrayed herself as self-important and aloof which even earned her a moniker of "the ice princess." meanwhile, abaddon has raised himself from the streets and became the proprietor of a library. it was adorable watching them interact and fall in love.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glain is known throughout the ton as an ice princess, but really her spark was totally snuffed out by her overbearing duke of a father. When her sister runs off to a lending library, she crosses words and wits with the manager there. Abaddon knows that as someone who grew up on the streets, he’s not suitable for a duke’s daughter, but they start a flirtation that turns into more anyway. I liked how Abaddon was not impressed by Glain’s status and prodded at her to reveal her hidden depths. Enjoyable quick read.

[Gorgeous Zaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Diamond in the Rough by Christi Caldwell, and oh my god, what a book! What a start to a new series. It was absolutely amazing—so captivating. I loved every bit of it. I can’t wait to get Opal’s story. It’s going to be incredible, and I’m already counting down the days until her book is released!

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice novella but I don’t understand why there are so many typos. I dropped a star because of the errors, several times it took me out of the story. I also would have enjoyed this book being fleshed out more. I’m sure more will be revealed in the rest of the series but I’m not sure I’ll read more.
I love Christi Caldwell but this one felt different.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely romance of different class and two people that open their hearts to love. Glain and Abaddon have something special together, a wonderful story of hope and heart. This is a beautiful story and the start of a new shining series.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, sweet, mid spice

It's a Caldwell, so you get what you expect. Underworld character (reformed), heiress (icy) meet at a circulating library and fall in love. Not much character of world development, but an enjoyable read.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamond

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Christie's books are books you won't want to put down. The characters are very engaging. Diamond is very protective of her siblings from their very strict father. I can not wait to read first Opals story.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

fuckin adorable

3.5

[Marci Marin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series, Ms Caldwell is so good

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of missed editing mistakes in this. A lot. The evil father did t get a satisfying comeuppance honestly. Also, wrapped up with a surprise out of no where.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Cute

I read this thru KU. I really had no idea what to expect from this one but I thought if was super cute, not too spicy, and a quick read.

Hence, 4 stars.