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Diamond Girls #1
Diamonds
Bryna feels his eyes on her.
Hot, seductive, enticing.
He’s at least ten years older than her seventeen years, and he knows exactly what he’s doing to her with that look.
Walking away would be the smart thing to do…
But she can’t. Not that first night when he takes her home and claims her body. Not when he shows up in her life again with expensive gifts to win her trust. Not even when she’s falling for him, and everything else is falling apart…
Find out how Bryna goes from golden girl to gold digger in this tantalizingly scandalous first book in the USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s All That Glitters series.
Hot, seductive, enticing.
He’s at least ten years older than her seventeen years, and he knows exactly what he’s doing to her with that look.
Walking away would be the smart thing to do…
But she can’t. Not that first night when he takes her home and claims her body. Not when he shows up in her life again with expensive gifts to win her trust. Not even when she’s falling for him, and everything else is falling apart…
Find out how Bryna goes from golden girl to gold digger in this tantalizingly scandalous first book in the USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s All That Glitters series.
246 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 19, 2015
927 people are currently reading
4924 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Linde
101 books11.1k followersK.A. Linde is the New York Times, USA Today, #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wren in the Holly Library. She is prolific in both romance and fantasy and loves the blend of the two.
She has a Masters degree in political science and bachelors in philosophy from the University of Georgia. In her previous life, she was a head campaign worker for a presidential campaign and the coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, and son.
She has a Masters degree in political science and bachelors in philosophy from the University of Georgia. In her previous life, she was a head campaign worker for a presidential campaign and the coach of the Duke University dance team. She loves reading fantasy novels, traveling to far-off destinations, and dancing in her spare time.
She currently lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her husband, and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
April 24, 2015
5 stars!!
Diamonds is one of those books that was hard for me to put down. Once I started reading, I just had to know where this story was gonna go. I love books like that. I love when a story like Bryna’s comes along and it’s so messed up, and at times such a train wreck you can’t look away. And I mean that in the best way possible.
Bryna is a 17 year old high school student, but she is mature for her age, both in looks and attitude. She’s adjusting to living with her fathers new wife and her new stepbrother, her boyfriend is a Hollywood star and she is the queen bee at her school. Yet she wants more, craves more. One night while out alone at a club, she meets him. A gorgeous stranger. Sparks fly.
What was supposed to be one night with a handsome stranger turns into more. Bryna carries on a relationship with this older man, Jude. Jude is separated from his wife. He’s very hesitant to share any personal info with Bryna, which is fine with her. She doesn't want him knowing her age or who her father is etc.
So this relationship of sorts stays secret. Secret rendezvous, secrets about lives, jobs, ages, etc. But one thing among all the secrets is real. The feelings Bryna is starting to develop for Jude. She is starting to care about him, want more. What started as just a fling is changing in her head and in her heart.
Things are going good for this couple… but what happens when the secrets are found out?
Bryna was one of those characters I was not crazy about at the beginning of the book. But she completely grew on me. By the end, she was actually one of my favorite people in this story. I still have mixed feelings about Jude, but I can’t wait to see what happens with him in the next book.
The connection these two had was primal. It was hot, sexy, forbidden. It was steamy and angsty to the max and it’s exactly the type of books I was in the mood for. This book won’t be for everyone. K.A. Linde’s books aren’t for everyone. If you can’t handle the angst, the age difference etc then you might not love it like me. But if you are in the mood for a book with exquisite writing, characters you will hate to love and love to hate with a taboo feel and one that will completely draw you in, I would highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed it. The end did leave off in a cliff hanger, but Gold will be out soon enough and I can’t wait to see what happens!
Diamonds is one of those books that was hard for me to put down. Once I started reading, I just had to know where this story was gonna go. I love books like that. I love when a story like Bryna’s comes along and it’s so messed up, and at times such a train wreck you can’t look away. And I mean that in the best way possible.
Bryna is a 17 year old high school student, but she is mature for her age, both in looks and attitude. She’s adjusting to living with her fathers new wife and her new stepbrother, her boyfriend is a Hollywood star and she is the queen bee at her school. Yet she wants more, craves more. One night while out alone at a club, she meets him. A gorgeous stranger. Sparks fly.
She held on to her confidence and met his dark gaze. The gaze of the devil incarnate tempting her to sin, offering her an apple from the Garden of Eden. Perhaps he was a snake. But if sin tasted this good, then she understood why Eve had thirsted for knowledge.
What was supposed to be one night with a handsome stranger turns into more. Bryna carries on a relationship with this older man, Jude. Jude is separated from his wife. He’s very hesitant to share any personal info with Bryna, which is fine with her. She doesn't want him knowing her age or who her father is etc.
So this relationship of sorts stays secret. Secret rendezvous, secrets about lives, jobs, ages, etc. But one thing among all the secrets is real. The feelings Bryna is starting to develop for Jude. She is starting to care about him, want more. What started as just a fling is changing in her head and in her heart.
One day, she wouldn’t have to hide from him the things everything else would already know about her, but she didn’t think she would be able to share the things only he knew about her heart with anyone else.
Things are going good for this couple… but what happens when the secrets are found out?
Bryna was one of those characters I was not crazy about at the beginning of the book. But she completely grew on me. By the end, she was actually one of my favorite people in this story. I still have mixed feelings about Jude, but I can’t wait to see what happens with him in the next book.
The connection these two had was primal. It was hot, sexy, forbidden. It was steamy and angsty to the max and it’s exactly the type of books I was in the mood for. This book won’t be for everyone. K.A. Linde’s books aren’t for everyone. If you can’t handle the angst, the age difference etc then you might not love it like me. But if you are in the mood for a book with exquisite writing, characters you will hate to love and love to hate with a taboo feel and one that will completely draw you in, I would highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed it. The end did leave off in a cliff hanger, but Gold will be out soon enough and I can’t wait to see what happens!
April 20, 2015
3.75 ~ 4 Stars
"You won't trust me with your secrets, so how can I trust you with mine?"
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K.A. Linde creates a rich self-important heroine in seventeen year old Bryna Turner. Bryna comes for vast wealth and is what I consider a “mean girl”. She is in her last year of high school, dating Hollywood’s heartthrob, Gates Hartman and is pretty much at the top of her game.
While out on the town one night she meets Jude a hot handsome stranger who she begins a steamy relationship with. He’s older and has given her the attention she feels she has been lacking in her life. Jude is separated from his wife and doesn’t want to know personal details about Bryna. These two don’t get personal but do get hot and heavy.
”She held on to her confidence and met his dark gaze. The gaze of the devil incarnate tempting her to sin, offering her the apple from the Garden of Eden. Perhaps he was a snake. But if sin tasted this good, then she understood why Eve had thirsted for knowledge.”
Bryna turns her back on her minions, her hot boyfriend and hopes to clear the air and have something real with Jude.
”She needed to be secure in their relationship before she let him know that she was in high school…or that she was only seventeen. Small, minor details for later.”
Bryna thinks she’s got everything taken care of. She’s friend zone’s her boyfriend, she's battled with her evil step brother, Pace, who’s my FAV character of this book!! (I love the way K.A. Linde delivers a bad guy!).
The story ends with a bang as all the secrets come out. This story does have a cliffhanger ending but K.A. Linde gifts readers the first chapter of the next book Gold which will be released on July 7th. In the next book, Bryna will be a freshman at Las Vegas State still processing the events that occurred in this book and moving forward.
Overall, this story is fast paced and kind of reminded me of The Keaytn Chronicles but with a heroine with a lot MORE growing up to do. I’ m interested to see where the author brings us next and hope that somewhere along the way Bryna learns some valuable life lessons (that’s the mom in me) and finds true love.
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*ARC provided by K.A. Linde for an honest review*
"You won't trust me with your secrets, so how can I trust you with mine?"
[image error]
K.A. Linde creates a rich self-important heroine in seventeen year old Bryna Turner. Bryna comes for vast wealth and is what I consider a “mean girl”. She is in her last year of high school, dating Hollywood’s heartthrob, Gates Hartman and is pretty much at the top of her game.
While out on the town one night she meets Jude a hot handsome stranger who she begins a steamy relationship with. He’s older and has given her the attention she feels she has been lacking in her life. Jude is separated from his wife and doesn’t want to know personal details about Bryna. These two don’t get personal but do get hot and heavy.
”She held on to her confidence and met his dark gaze. The gaze of the devil incarnate tempting her to sin, offering her the apple from the Garden of Eden. Perhaps he was a snake. But if sin tasted this good, then she understood why Eve had thirsted for knowledge.”
Bryna turns her back on her minions, her hot boyfriend and hopes to clear the air and have something real with Jude.
”She needed to be secure in their relationship before she let him know that she was in high school…or that she was only seventeen. Small, minor details for later.”
Bryna thinks she’s got everything taken care of. She’s friend zone’s her boyfriend, she's battled with her evil step brother, Pace, who’s my FAV character of this book!! (I love the way K.A. Linde delivers a bad guy!).
The story ends with a bang as all the secrets come out. This story does have a cliffhanger ending but K.A. Linde gifts readers the first chapter of the next book Gold which will be released on July 7th. In the next book, Bryna will be a freshman at Las Vegas State still processing the events that occurred in this book and moving forward.
Overall, this story is fast paced and kind of reminded me of The Keaytn Chronicles but with a heroine with a lot MORE growing up to do. I’ m interested to see where the author brings us next and hope that somewhere along the way Bryna learns some valuable life lessons (that’s the mom in me) and finds true love.
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*ARC provided by K.A. Linde for an honest review*
December 18, 2015
WARNING: This review may be spoiler-ish.
Bryna is a teenage girl who had everything in her life. Born and raised in Hollywood, with a director father and an actress mother. Bri had a spoiled life, she's also dating a famous actor and she's the most popular girl in her school, a true Queen Bee.
Her life is perfect until it isn't anymore. Her parents break up and not just that, but her new stepmother and her children move into the house with her and her father who's away filming movies. Her stepbother is a perv who, according to her, wants her and her friends are too stupid.
One night she goes out because she wants to escape this cruel life and she meets Jude. A much older handsome man who hits on her even though he wears a ring. He claims to be seperated. She trusts to believe him and they start a relationship that consists of him being gone and appearing whenever he liked, calling her whenever he was in town to have sex while giving her many expensive gifts.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't like this book so much, but that's maybe because I didn't like the heroine. She was honestly insufferable. She was shallow,she had such a big idea of herself and not just that but she was just so stupid. I couldn't stand her.
Beside that, I didn't feel the connection with Jude & I didn't like him. I prefered her ex, Gates. But I understand that the reason was to see Bri's journey. How did she end up being a gold digger in book no2, Gold? What made a rich girl who could afford everything become a gold digger?
Overall, it was a good read, even though it made me frustrated while reading it, but now that I've sat down and thought about it, I understand the purpose of her writing. And even though I didn't really enjoy Diamonds, Gold was so much better and it's worth it if you want to try the series!
"My tolerance for married men is very low."
"Daddy issues?"
"Like you'd never believe."
Bryna is a teenage girl who had everything in her life. Born and raised in Hollywood, with a director father and an actress mother. Bri had a spoiled life, she's also dating a famous actor and she's the most popular girl in her school, a true Queen Bee.
Her life is perfect until it isn't anymore. Her parents break up and not just that, but her new stepmother and her children move into the house with her and her father who's away filming movies. Her stepbother is a perv who, according to her, wants her and her friends are too stupid.
One night she goes out because she wants to escape this cruel life and she meets Jude. A much older handsome man who hits on her even though he wears a ring. He claims to be seperated. She trusts to believe him and they start a relationship that consists of him being gone and appearing whenever he liked, calling her whenever he was in town to have sex while giving her many expensive gifts.
I'll be honest and say that I didn't like this book so much, but that's maybe because I didn't like the heroine. She was honestly insufferable. She was shallow,she had such a big idea of herself and not just that but she was just so stupid. I couldn't stand her.
Beside that, I didn't feel the connection with Jude & I didn't like him. I prefered her ex, Gates. But I understand that the reason was to see Bri's journey. How did she end up being a gold digger in book no2, Gold? What made a rich girl who could afford everything become a gold digger?
Overall, it was a good read, even though it made me frustrated while reading it, but now that I've sat down and thought about it, I understand the purpose of her writing. And even though I didn't really enjoy Diamonds, Gold was so much better and it's worth it if you want to try the series!
Want to read
July 8, 2016FREE today (7/7/2016)! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Oooooh lookie FREEE! I meant to read.
Book 1 in duet. Rest of series follows different H/he.
FREE today (7/7/2016)! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Bryna feels his eyes on her.
Hot, seductive, enticing.
He’s at least ten years older than her seventeen years, and he knows exactly what he’s doing to her with that look.
Walking away would be the smart thing to do…
But she can’t. Not that first night when he takes her home and claims her body. Not when he shows up in her life again with expensive gifts to win her trust. Not even when she’s falling for him, and everything else is falling apart…
Find out how Bryna goes from golden girl to gold digger in this tantalizingly scandalous first book in the USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s All That Glitters series.
Book 1 & 2 are a duet, rest are stand-alones but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: Diamonds - Bryna’s story
Book 2: Gold - Bryna’s story (conlusion)
Book 3: Platinum - Trihns’s story
Book 4: Silver - Stacia’s story
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day, I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 500 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
Oooooh lookie FREEE! I meant to read.
Book 1 in duet. Rest of series follows different H/he.
FREE today (7/7/2016)! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Bryna feels his eyes on her.
Hot, seductive, enticing.
He’s at least ten years older than her seventeen years, and he knows exactly what he’s doing to her with that look.
Walking away would be the smart thing to do…
But she can’t. Not that first night when he takes her home and claims her body. Not when he shows up in her life again with expensive gifts to win her trust. Not even when she’s falling for him, and everything else is falling apart…
Find out how Bryna goes from golden girl to gold digger in this tantalizingly scandalous first book in the USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s All That Glitters series.
Book 1 & 2 are a duet, rest are stand-alones but most enjoyed if read in order:
Book 1: Diamonds - Bryna’s story
Book 2: Gold - Bryna’s story (conlusion)
Book 3: Platinum - Trihns’s story
Book 4: Silver - Stacia’s story
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day, I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 500 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
April 27, 2015
4 STARS! ★★★★
"You won't trust me with your secrets, so how can I trust you with mine?"
Diamonds is just one of those books that took me by surprise despite having these characters that are far from my ideal preferences; leading a rich and glamorous life, having everything at their beck and call. I'll admit that I had my reservations after reading the blurb because I wasn't sure if I wanted to read a series about a potential gold-digger, let alone a teen heroine but I swear that shiny cover pulled me in. And boy oh boy, I'm so glad I took that chance as I was left gobsmacked by the end of it and I almost pissed in excitement seeing how everything started to unfold!
If there's one thing I learnt after dipping into her Avoiding series, it's this: If anyone can write one helluva trainwreck of a story well, it's KA Linde. She's the only author I know who's an expert in driving her readers insane by making her characters do the unthinkable and there is just no telling which way the story can go at all. If you think you had it right, you're most probably wrong. It goes without saying that Kyla Linde does non-traditional, controversial romance like it's her second nature, it's no surprise that she's deemed the Queen of Angst.
Diamonds centers around 17-year old Bryna "Bri" Turner; daughter of a renowned director and living with her stepmother, she's nothing short of wealthy and drop-dead gorgeous who's got everyone on her leash. Bri is a typical Queen B with a huge capital B; guys want to have her, girls wanna be her. She's been attached to Gates, her best friend who turned into famous young actor. But one night out at a club, she met Jude, a much older handsome stranger who gave her the attention she craved for and thus begin a forbidden affair that set off the wheels in motion for the trainwreck to come.
I'm just gonna flat out say this: Bryna is indeed an unlikeable heroine. I'm sitting here cracking my head thinking if I have anything nice to say about her but the truth is, I don't. But did that deter me from enjoying this read? Amazingly not. THIS is where Kyla Linde works her magic on her readers because she creates these characters that you'll love to hate and hate to love. Bryna may have been a A-class b*tch but make no mistake, she owns it like she means it. Now that's something I admired because in the context of this plot, the author has totally nailed the characterization. The fact that if an author can make me like a character I was sure I'd hate, that truly takes some mad skills and she did just that.
Nothing makes me more giddy when a book catches me off-guard and although I saw the trainwreck coming from a mile away, the author still managed to pull the rug under me by slapping me with a huge revelation at the end! Thank goodness for the teaser chapter of the sequel, Gold and I'm antsy to see what's next for everyone. Now with all the cards laid out, who will be the first one to strike?
Overall Diamonds is easily a fast-paced, entertaining and angsty read that will get you hooked from start to end. Her writing is like crack because once I got on it, I couldn't get down from the high. A word of caution is that the book does have some themes of , so if those are breaking points for you, I suggest you stay away. But if you'd know KA Linde by now, you should know that she will push boundaries, she will frustrate her readers but in the end, you still can't help but ride on this crazy intense train and love the hell outta it.
If you're a fan of this author's Avoiding series, I would urge you to give this a shot because it got the same elements; completely angst-ridden that will leave everyone divided between all the men in this series. It's like Team Jack/Ramsey/John all over again but we've got some new contenders and each to their own had me loving and hating them equally ;)
Also is it July 7th already?!
Diamonds is the first instalment of the All that Glitters series. The sequel, Gold is due on July 7th, 2015.
"You won't trust me with your secrets, so how can I trust you with mine?"
Diamonds is just one of those books that took me by surprise despite having these characters that are far from my ideal preferences; leading a rich and glamorous life, having everything at their beck and call. I'll admit that I had my reservations after reading the blurb because I wasn't sure if I wanted to read a series about a potential gold-digger, let alone a teen heroine but I swear that shiny cover pulled me in. And boy oh boy, I'm so glad I took that chance as I was left gobsmacked by the end of it and I almost pissed in excitement seeing how everything started to unfold!
If there's one thing I learnt after dipping into her Avoiding series, it's this: If anyone can write one helluva trainwreck of a story well, it's KA Linde. She's the only author I know who's an expert in driving her readers insane by making her characters do the unthinkable and there is just no telling which way the story can go at all. If you think you had it right, you're most probably wrong. It goes without saying that Kyla Linde does non-traditional, controversial romance like it's her second nature, it's no surprise that she's deemed the Queen of Angst.
Diamonds centers around 17-year old Bryna "Bri" Turner; daughter of a renowned director and living with her stepmother, she's nothing short of wealthy and drop-dead gorgeous who's got everyone on her leash. Bri is a typical Queen B with a huge capital B; guys want to have her, girls wanna be her. She's been attached to Gates, her best friend who turned into famous young actor. But one night out at a club, she met Jude, a much older handsome stranger who gave her the attention she craved for and thus begin a forbidden affair that set off the wheels in motion for the trainwreck to come.
I'm just gonna flat out say this: Bryna is indeed an unlikeable heroine. I'm sitting here cracking my head thinking if I have anything nice to say about her but the truth is, I don't. But did that deter me from enjoying this read? Amazingly not. THIS is where Kyla Linde works her magic on her readers because she creates these characters that you'll love to hate and hate to love. Bryna may have been a A-class b*tch but make no mistake, she owns it like she means it. Now that's something I admired because in the context of this plot, the author has totally nailed the characterization. The fact that if an author can make me like a character I was sure I'd hate, that truly takes some mad skills and she did just that.
Nothing makes me more giddy when a book catches me off-guard and although I saw the trainwreck coming from a mile away, the author still managed to pull the rug under me by slapping me with a huge revelation at the end! Thank goodness for the teaser chapter of the sequel, Gold and I'm antsy to see what's next for everyone. Now with all the cards laid out, who will be the first one to strike?
Overall Diamonds is easily a fast-paced, entertaining and angsty read that will get you hooked from start to end. Her writing is like crack because once I got on it, I couldn't get down from the high. A word of caution is that the book does have some themes of , so if those are breaking points for you, I suggest you stay away. But if you'd know KA Linde by now, you should know that she will push boundaries, she will frustrate her readers but in the end, you still can't help but ride on this crazy intense train and love the hell outta it.
If you're a fan of this author's Avoiding series, I would urge you to give this a shot because it got the same elements; completely angst-ridden that will leave everyone divided between all the men in this series. It's like Team Jack/Ramsey/John all over again but we've got some new contenders and each to their own had me loving and hating them equally ;)
Also is it July 7th already?!
Diamonds is the first instalment of the All that Glitters series. The sequel, Gold is due on July 7th, 2015.
July 4, 2015
Kyla knows how to pull you in and leave you gasping. I have been looking forward to reading this series for months and I am definitely not disappointed.
Bryna isn't an easy character to love, but I can understand her. She is a sad, neglected girl looking for love. Unfortunately, it's in all the wrong places and it ultimately leads to trouble. The plot is completely engaging and owns you. I was torn about what I wanted for our Queen B and was so happy I could jump right into Gold when I finished.
Bryna isn't an easy character to love, but I can understand her. She is a sad, neglected girl looking for love. Unfortunately, it's in all the wrong places and it ultimately leads to trouble. The plot is completely engaging and owns you. I was torn about what I wanted for our Queen B and was so happy I could jump right into Gold when I finished.
October 23, 2023
It's pretty clear even from the tiny description why I picked this book up. I haven't had a pleasure of reading a K. A. Linde book before, and let me breakdown the reason why I'm on the fence about it I want too again or not...
In Diamonds we follow the story of Bri, seventeen year old high-school student, cheer-leading captain, with the movie star boyfriend. Gonna tell you right off the bat that Bri drove me insane for mmmmmmm, 95% of the book. She has a few minor flaws and one really big one. She is SO full of herself. SO FULL. I know for a fact that if she went to school with me someone at some point would have dumped a plate of food on her head. Being full of herself also means she treats everyone in her life like trash. Most of the time it's for no reason at all besides the fact that she wants to. By the end of the book I did start too warm up to her a little, but just barely. Bri also insist that since her family is rich that she is not a gold digger... Personally, I beg to differ.
Bri without a doubt likes the finer things in life. I know if a man I recently started seeing was giving me gifts like Tiffany necklaces, no matter what he's social stand was, I wouldn't be able to accept them (Ok, ok that last statement might be a lie, idk, sadly this has never been a problem for me before). Bri however is like "Oh Tiffany's! This is too much... *blush* but I deserve it". Seriously Bri... Don't be a dick. I'm only giving her that 5% because of what her personality was like when she was with Jude. Not when he was buying her gifts or spoiling her; just when they are talking one on one. She is not a leading lady that will be one you can easily relate too, if you even can at all. That statement isn't even necessarily a negative. I don't think all characters have to be ones you can relate to. I was waiting for the moment when we would discover so deep dark secret that would explain why she was such a brat... but it never happened. This all brings me to Jude. Our very mysterious, rather wealthy, leading male. Even though he is both very much present while being very much not, I still really enjoyed his character. He had me wanting this book to be 100 pages more just so we could get more time with him. Linde has him sounding all sorts of babely as well (and we all know that never hurts). All that being said the characters both sadly felt a little flat for me. Their relationship was also my biggest issue with the book. Don't get me wrong when I say this, I really enjoyed it, but I just didn't fully believe it. I didn't believe they were madly in love, that they could even get away with this type of relationship, or that they got away with a few of the events that happened. I had a lot of trouble also believing their attitudes towards things, and struggled to understand besides the obvious reason (sex) why the two even had a connection.
As far as the storyline goes the book takes off right away with no need for any real build up (this was a plus in my opinion). At the beginning the two meet at a nightclub, instantly go straight into a relationship, and we get a lot of straight away smut. The middle of the book is filled with random stolen moments, a few huhs?, and a handful of sexual encounters. I felt like there were a lot of strong scenes but all were ultimately throw together. This kept the story from flowing as smoothly as it could have. Again I feel like maybe with 100 more pages we would have gotten more out of both the characters and the plot.
At this point in time you're probably questioning my rating... Well that's and easy question to answer: First the story is very entertaining and had me wanting desperately to know how it would all end. And second is the twist ending. I thought with how the story was playing out, and with a few of the secondary characters that I had the big twist figure out... I was wrong and was happy too be so. Because let's be real; you know at some point in time both their secrets will come out... But I loved! how they were both revealed. Overall Diamonds was a fun, entertaining, and quick read that made for an excellent filler book. It's a book that I fell you with either love or flat out hate.
So, will I be continuing with the All That Gillters Series??? More than likely, yes. I'm hoping that with the rest of the series we will get a few loose ends wrapped up and unanswered questions resolved. Also praying for some massive character development, because this series has major potential.
In Diamonds we follow the story of Bri, seventeen year old high-school student, cheer-leading captain, with the movie star boyfriend. Gonna tell you right off the bat that Bri drove me insane for mmmmmmm, 95% of the book. She has a few minor flaws and one really big one. She is SO full of herself. SO FULL. I know for a fact that if she went to school with me someone at some point would have dumped a plate of food on her head. Being full of herself also means she treats everyone in her life like trash. Most of the time it's for no reason at all besides the fact that she wants to. By the end of the book I did start too warm up to her a little, but just barely. Bri also insist that since her family is rich that she is not a gold digger... Personally, I beg to differ.
Bri without a doubt likes the finer things in life. I know if a man I recently started seeing was giving me gifts like Tiffany necklaces, no matter what he's social stand was, I wouldn't be able to accept them (Ok, ok that last statement might be a lie, idk, sadly this has never been a problem for me before). Bri however is like "Oh Tiffany's! This is too much... *blush* but I deserve it". Seriously Bri... Don't be a dick. I'm only giving her that 5% because of what her personality was like when she was with Jude. Not when he was buying her gifts or spoiling her; just when they are talking one on one. She is not a leading lady that will be one you can easily relate too, if you even can at all. That statement isn't even necessarily a negative. I don't think all characters have to be ones you can relate to. I was waiting for the moment when we would discover so deep dark secret that would explain why she was such a brat... but it never happened. This all brings me to Jude. Our very mysterious, rather wealthy, leading male. Even though he is both very much present while being very much not, I still really enjoyed his character. He had me wanting this book to be 100 pages more just so we could get more time with him. Linde has him sounding all sorts of babely as well (and we all know that never hurts). All that being said the characters both sadly felt a little flat for me. Their relationship was also my biggest issue with the book. Don't get me wrong when I say this, I really enjoyed it, but I just didn't fully believe it. I didn't believe they were madly in love, that they could even get away with this type of relationship, or that they got away with a few of the events that happened. I had a lot of trouble also believing their attitudes towards things, and struggled to understand besides the obvious reason (sex) why the two even had a connection.
As far as the storyline goes the book takes off right away with no need for any real build up (this was a plus in my opinion). At the beginning the two meet at a nightclub, instantly go straight into a relationship, and we get a lot of straight away smut. The middle of the book is filled with random stolen moments, a few huhs?, and a handful of sexual encounters. I felt like there were a lot of strong scenes but all were ultimately throw together. This kept the story from flowing as smoothly as it could have. Again I feel like maybe with 100 more pages we would have gotten more out of both the characters and the plot.
At this point in time you're probably questioning my rating... Well that's and easy question to answer: First the story is very entertaining and had me wanting desperately to know how it would all end. And second is the twist ending. I thought with how the story was playing out, and with a few of the secondary characters that I had the big twist figure out... I was wrong and was happy too be so. Because let's be real; you know at some point in time both their secrets will come out... But I loved! how they were both revealed. Overall Diamonds was a fun, entertaining, and quick read that made for an excellent filler book. It's a book that I fell you with either love or flat out hate.
So, will I be continuing with the All That Gillters Series??? More than likely, yes. I'm hoping that with the rest of the series we will get a few loose ends wrapped up and unanswered questions resolved. Also praying for some massive character development, because this series has major potential.
April 20, 2015
The angst queen delivers once again with, Diamonds, a sexy, refreshingly addictive story that left my chin on the floor. Bryna is a hard character to love, yet I did it easily. Wealthy. Pretentious. Abrasive. Emotionally vulnerable yet wise beyond her years. She's far from the girl next door, yet she has a magnetism about her that I couldn't help but connect with. The trials and tribulations of her family life, her elite prep school reality, her faltering romance with an up and coming Hollywood actor all bring compelling drama and captivating layers to this angst-ridden story. But nothing was more alluring than the sexually charged chemistry between Bryna and Jude, a mysterious older man that has no idea Bryna is a 17 year old high school student. And she has no idea what secrets he's hiding behind the expensive jewelry and sultry words he lavishes her with.
Diamonds is pure decadence. Bryna has everything and everyone she could ever want at her fingertips. She's the queen. Her life is the epitome of opulence and indulgence. Except it isn't. This is a story about how secrets and lies and broken hearts can push the girl who has everything to want more. This book is sexy and angsty and absolutely infuriating. The ending left me stark raving pissed. It's brutal but just so damn fantastic. I can't wait for more of the glitz and glamour and raw trepidation Linde surely has in store.
I'd say K.A. Linde has diverted from the norm with Diamonds, but let's be really honest... does she even have a norm? She's consistently delivered something new and original with every single story she's published. Diamonds is no different. With her magnetic characters and her propensity for pushing boundaries and gripping the reader with an angst-ridden plot, Diamonds delivers all the common denominators we've come to expect from this author... And so much more I never saw coming. Wholly entertaining and utterly consuming, K.A. Linde's Diamonds is a sexy, evocative story that will leave the reader stunned and ravenous for more.
Diamonds is pure decadence. Bryna has everything and everyone she could ever want at her fingertips. She's the queen. Her life is the epitome of opulence and indulgence. Except it isn't. This is a story about how secrets and lies and broken hearts can push the girl who has everything to want more. This book is sexy and angsty and absolutely infuriating. The ending left me stark raving pissed. It's brutal but just so damn fantastic. I can't wait for more of the glitz and glamour and raw trepidation Linde surely has in store.
I'd say K.A. Linde has diverted from the norm with Diamonds, but let's be really honest... does she even have a norm? She's consistently delivered something new and original with every single story she's published. Diamonds is no different. With her magnetic characters and her propensity for pushing boundaries and gripping the reader with an angst-ridden plot, Diamonds delivers all the common denominators we've come to expect from this author... And so much more I never saw coming. Wholly entertaining and utterly consuming, K.A. Linde's Diamonds is a sexy, evocative story that will leave the reader stunned and ravenous for more.
July 9, 2016
One word: HORRIBLE!
Where to start?
First of all, the heroine is a slut. Pure and simple! She is 17 years old and acting like that? Please! I understand that sex can be a coping mechanism but in that particular situation it was just her being a slut. And don't get me started on the whole "Mean Girls" thing.
"She smiled with approval at her two subjects." Subjects? Subjects????
I was just waiting/hoping that there was some screwed up reason that made her like this. It must have been, right? But, no! Her only struggles were that her extremely rich and famous daddy wasn't coming home for Christmas because he had to work. UGH!
And then, there is her -main- love interest. A cat would have gotten a bigger reaction out of me. And I don't even like cats! All we knew about him was that he was cheating on his wife, because he SO was, even if the heroine was just too stupid to see it and that he was treating Bri like a whore, getting her very expensive gifts just because she slept with him. Nothing else! We knew much more about her stepbrother than her "boyfriend".
There was NO connection, no matter how hard the author tried to convince us that there was.
There is NO WAY, I am reading the 2nd book.
Where to start?
First of all, the heroine is a slut. Pure and simple! She is 17 years old and acting like that? Please! I understand that sex can be a coping mechanism but in that particular situation it was just her being a slut. And don't get me started on the whole "Mean Girls" thing.
"She smiled with approval at her two subjects." Subjects? Subjects????
I was just waiting/hoping that there was some screwed up reason that made her like this. It must have been, right? But, no! Her only struggles were that her extremely rich and famous daddy wasn't coming home for Christmas because he had to work. UGH!
And then, there is her -main- love interest. A cat would have gotten a bigger reaction out of me. And I don't even like cats! All we knew about him was that he was cheating on his wife, because he SO was, even if the heroine was just too stupid to see it and that he was treating Bri like a whore, getting her very expensive gifts just because she slept with him. Nothing else! We knew much more about her stepbrother than her "boyfriend".
There was NO connection, no matter how hard the author tried to convince us that there was.
There is NO WAY, I am reading the 2nd book.
April 22, 2015
Oh dear..
I'm afraid this is about a 17 yr old, little rich girl, who dominates all things cheery, meets an older man who fucks her hard and buys her attention.
This is just the sort of story I avoid, as I can't stand whiney, over indulged high schoolers.
Read the fucking blurb properly next time, Janey!
I'm afraid this is about a 17 yr old, little rich girl, who dominates all things cheery, meets an older man who fucks her hard and buys her attention.
This is just the sort of story I avoid, as I can't stand whiney, over indulged high schoolers.
Read the fucking blurb properly next time, Janey!
April 22, 2015
I hated this book !
Bryna is a mean and shallow girl. She spends the book whining and bitching about people, she thinks, whom are below her financially. She hates poor people and simple things. She thinks she deserves the best, and the best is everything that is expensive. In the end of the book, I had expected her to be different. No, she is way worse. How could anyone connect with her ? Or liking her a little bit ? She's insufferable.
Jude is a cheater and I have no words for this asshole.
So this is the purpose of the book: Make the reader hating a 17 years old girl who is obviously emotionally unstable ? So sick.
Read
April 21, 2015DNF
WARNING: Didn't know but this book is all about adultery/cheating/infidelity
October 29, 2014
A sexy, beautiful mind-fuck of a book.
You think you know K.A. Linde--you have no idea. Amazing.
(Little Satan-spawned writer!!!)
You think you know K.A. Linde--you have no idea. Amazing.
(Little Satan-spawned writer!!!)
May 11, 2015
3 stars
I'm not going into a book report about this story.
I don't know what the heck I just read.I'm in a place where I want to throttle ALL of the characters but at the same time continue to read.In other words:I'm f@#king annoyed, angry and intrigued.Bryna annoyed me but at the same I had to know what her next move was going to be.So sue me for being curious. We've already established I'm not Ok in the head.Jude was just.I don't know what to say about that man other than a certain part of his anatomy should be removed because that bastard was wrong on sooooooo many levels.
Did I love it? No
Will I read part 2? Yes
I have to know what's going to happen with this train wreck.
I'm not going into a book report about this story.
I don't know what the heck I just read.I'm in a place where I want to throttle ALL of the characters but at the same time continue to read.In other words:I'm f@#king annoyed, angry and intrigued.Bryna annoyed me but at the same I had to know what her next move was going to be.So sue me for being curious. We've already established I'm not Ok in the head.Jude was just.I don't know what to say about that man other than a certain part of his anatomy should be removed because that bastard was wrong on sooooooo many levels.
Did I love it? No
Will I read part 2? Yes
I have to know what's going to happen with this train wreck.
October 26, 2015
Diamonds had me a little scared at first... okay, so the fear really all stems from The Avoiding Series, but I can’t seem to help but chew off my fingernails whenever KA Linde announces a new release... there is a reason why she is the Queen of Angst.
So I went in to Bryna’s story a bit nervous and although it was angsty, I found myself so captivated by the story that I just could not put it down. I wanted to know everything there was to know about Jude. I wanted to know what he was hiding, whether or not he could be trusted... Just how Bryna’s house of cards was going to crumble... all of it.
I wanted to know it instantly and yet I wanted KA to drag it out till the very last second.
At just seventeen, Bryna is playing a dangerous game with her relationship with a man who easily appears at least ten years older. A man who has no idea that the woman warming his bed is still a high school student. It becomes clear that Bryna isn’t the only one keeping secrets though.
And since this is a series, expect a bit of a cliffy ending.... but don’t fear the worst. I think the ending was the perfect closure for the start of this series and opens up book two to be focused on more pressing issues, like WTF is going to happen NOW!!!!
I can’t wait for the next installment and love the new feel to this story. With each book I’ve read by KA I can definitely feel her vibe there – but what I love is that it never feels the same. Each book takes on a slightly different voice and although her angst is always high – the story is always refreshing. The only thing I need now is book two!
So I went in to Bryna’s story a bit nervous and although it was angsty, I found myself so captivated by the story that I just could not put it down. I wanted to know everything there was to know about Jude. I wanted to know what he was hiding, whether or not he could be trusted... Just how Bryna’s house of cards was going to crumble... all of it.
I wanted to know it instantly and yet I wanted KA to drag it out till the very last second.
At just seventeen, Bryna is playing a dangerous game with her relationship with a man who easily appears at least ten years older. A man who has no idea that the woman warming his bed is still a high school student. It becomes clear that Bryna isn’t the only one keeping secrets though.
And since this is a series, expect a bit of a cliffy ending.... but don’t fear the worst. I think the ending was the perfect closure for the start of this series and opens up book two to be focused on more pressing issues, like WTF is going to happen NOW!!!!
I can’t wait for the next installment and love the new feel to this story. With each book I’ve read by KA I can definitely feel her vibe there – but what I love is that it never feels the same. Each book takes on a slightly different voice and although her angst is always high – the story is always refreshing. The only thing I need now is book two!
September 14, 2018
Oh. Hot. Damn.
This book is ridiculously sexy, super hot, and HAS A FREAKING CLIFFHANGER THAT KILLED ME.
I've been putting off reading this book (it's in A Love Thing anthology that I bought months ago), mainly because the device I was reading it on kept dying before I could open the app. I finally put enough charge on it to get to this story, and it was the best one so far!
Diamonds is a tale of a young high-schooler falling for for an older (30-something) year old man. Right off the bat we have a juicy story that is all about forbidden love!
This book gets hot and steamy - R-rated steamy. It's a mix of dominance, crazy hot sex, and sexual exploration. Throw in a romantic story line, an evil step-brother and the rich and famous and you've got yourself a home run!
I did really enjoy this book. It was the perfect mix of drama and sexiness that it somehow worked. Was it slightly creepy? Yeah, the age gap was a little much, BUT...I simply wrapped my mind around her being a tiny bit older (like, college age) and I was able to accept that this book can be just as sexy. It does cross the line a little bit, which is where readers might step back from this story, but it's still awesome! I 100% want more K.A. Linde in my life now as soon as possible!
The one interesting part of this story was it felt like a YA story/author (due to the way Bryna's mind was working in the book) but with a Fifty Shades of Grey-esque plot line thrown in. Honestly, it's the Fifty Shades of Grey book I wanted in my life, because it's WAY better and seems way more realistic. It was so addicting I finished it in a couple hours and I'm now clammering for the next book. Seriously. I need this book. If K.A. Linde wants, I'll read every single book she has on catalogue just to get this next book.
Overall, this book is HOT HOT HOT! If you're looking for a forbidden love with lots of angst, this is the book for you!
Five out of five stars!
This book is ridiculously sexy, super hot, and HAS A FREAKING CLIFFHANGER THAT KILLED ME.
I've been putting off reading this book (it's in A Love Thing anthology that I bought months ago), mainly because the device I was reading it on kept dying before I could open the app. I finally put enough charge on it to get to this story, and it was the best one so far!
Diamonds is a tale of a young high-schooler falling for for an older (30-something) year old man. Right off the bat we have a juicy story that is all about forbidden love!
This book gets hot and steamy - R-rated steamy. It's a mix of dominance, crazy hot sex, and sexual exploration. Throw in a romantic story line, an evil step-brother and the rich and famous and you've got yourself a home run!
I did really enjoy this book. It was the perfect mix of drama and sexiness that it somehow worked. Was it slightly creepy? Yeah, the age gap was a little much, BUT...I simply wrapped my mind around her being a tiny bit older (like, college age) and I was able to accept that this book can be just as sexy. It does cross the line a little bit, which is where readers might step back from this story, but it's still awesome! I 100% want more K.A. Linde in my life now as soon as possible!
The one interesting part of this story was it felt like a YA story/author (due to the way Bryna's mind was working in the book) but with a Fifty Shades of Grey-esque plot line thrown in. Honestly, it's the Fifty Shades of Grey book I wanted in my life, because it's WAY better and seems way more realistic. It was so addicting I finished it in a couple hours and I'm now clammering for the next book. Seriously. I need this book. If K.A. Linde wants, I'll read every single book she has on catalogue just to get this next book.
Overall, this book is HOT HOT HOT! If you're looking for a forbidden love with lots of angst, this is the book for you!
Five out of five stars!
April 29, 2015
I've known since this book was just a thought that it wasn't Polly friendly, but I promised to read it anyway SOOOOO
Kyla:
Kyla:
April 26, 2015
This is what happens when I get bored—I end up reading shitty books like this one, and then regretting so.
Her stepmother, Celia, had destroyed everything sacred, walked
across every line, and forced Bryna’s father to leave her mother.
Vows were supposed to mean something, and Celia hadn’t cared about them.
Why blame the girl when it was your dad who was unfaithful?
“I’m..... we’re separated.” He slid the
ring from his finger and held it out in front of him. “Honestly, I forgot I had it on.”
Dude, You can do better than that.
The person in front of her was a man. And completely delectable. At the youngest, he was in his late twenties. No less than ten years older than her seventeen years.
You're still in high school?
They took the elevator to the top floor and walked into a large suite apartment. It was immaculately decorated but didn’t have a scrap of personal touch to it. No pictures of the wife he was separated from. Nothing to suggest he was anything but an affluent businessman.
Or a serial killer.
Love. That was the biggest four-letter
word out there.
Do I love Jude?
DO YOU EVEN KNOW HIS LAST NAME?
This was what she wanted to be doing next year—cheering on the sidelines, hanging out with football players, and overall, being the most desired person at the school.
She choked down the pain. He’d been disgusted with her. She had thought that when she finally told him that she was still in high school, it wouldn’t matter because they would be on equal footing.... equally in love.
You are really dumb, aren't ya?
How wrong would it be for him to take me right here with his wife in the other room?
God, I’m sick.
“I know things are bad, but can’t you at least think about Alex for once?” Felicity asked, drawing Bryna’s attention back to the conversation.
“Who is Alex?”
“He’s our son,” Felicity said.
“You can walk out of here with me right now, promise to come home to be with me and be a father to Alex, and never see her or anyone else ever again, or I’ll alert the authorities, and you’ll never see your son again.”
Yes, it can.
August 9, 2015
In Diamonds, you meet Bryna, a wealthy seventeen-year old girl in Los Angeles. Her life is anything but typical, far outside anything I have ever been (and probably will ever be) privy to, but nonetheless fascinating. At seventeen, I was still without a driver's license, while Bryna is out clubbing and dating hot movie stars. Work it, girl.
As an outsider, you might think Bryna has everything—money, a nice car, luxurious clothes, popularity, hot guys falling all over themselves for her. But really she's lonely, due to a father who's too busy with his movie career to play an active role in her life, a drug addict mother, and a stepmother who "ruined her life" by breaking up her parents.
Bryna meets Jude at a local night club and both of them are instantly drawn to one another. At a glance, she can tell that he's much older than her seventeen years, so she keeps her age a secret (I smell trouble!). She wants to go home with him. He wants to take off her clothes. After a quick call to break up with her movie star boyfriend, Gates, she spends an erotic and passionate night with him, beginning a string of secret rendezvous dates with Jude. Bryna keeps Jude's identity from everyone, including her annoying stepbrother, Pace.
I enjoyed some parts of Diamonds by K.A. Linde, but the writing in this book wasn't as strong as what I've seen in some of her previous ones. Some lines in the book almost made me want to put the book down for good.
She cried out as he filled her. For once, she didn't feel empty or hollow. She felt completely and totally full. Of his cock.
She gasped at the abrupt change. Fuck, he has a huge dick.
I would like to know how Bryna attracts all of these guys! Can she give me some pointers? Because seriously, dude, she has a diamond-encrusted vagina. Jude is all up in her, Gates clearly isn't over her, and there is something going on with Pace that I can't put my finger on. He acts kind of like a grade school kid who shows his affections by throwing rocks at the girl he likes on the playground. To be honest, I found Bryna to be whiney, and if I were I dude, I would not hit that.
If I had to choose a guy for Bryna, I'd choose Gates. I think Gates was my favorite. He seemed to be the most level-headed one of the lot, even though he made some mistakes. Gates and Bryna's relationship/friendship was probably my favorite element of this book. Bryna knew Gates before he was propelled into movie stardom. Gates knows all the personal things Bryna keeps hidden from everyone else. They understand each other and still care deeply for one another.
Bryan and Jude. I felt nothing for them as a couple due to the lack of relationship development. The author told me that their "chemistry was electric" but I didn't buy it. To me their relationship felt purely sexual, and there was no emotional depth at all. But maybe that was the point. Maybe Linde wanted to create a juxtaposition between Jude and Gates, highlighting history and depth between Gates and Bryna. Maybe? I don't know. But with so much focus of the book being on Jude and Bryna's forbidden romance, I wanted to know what Jude saw in Bryna and why Bryna couldn't stop thinking of Jude (especially after one night).
I will read Gold (All That Glitters #2) for the same reason I finished Diamonds: I must know what happens next.
2 stars - but I want to continue the series.
* I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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March 7, 2021
Audible Premium why are doing this to me??!!..
..this was an extremely surprising read because this is not a romance IMO...we have our spoiled heroine who after being disappointed by her parent's marriage and after she breaks up with her famous boyfriend- they are all somewhat Hollywood actresses, directors, and such btw...- anyways she seeks attention with sex centered relationship with married..oops separated much older man..she is 17 btw and he is I think in his 30's...
so little girl looking for attention and an older guy in a midlife crisis..why does this sound so familiar??
he leaves her after his wife gives him an ultimatum, they have a kid together...
the end..and I didn't read the blurb or anything before reading this and imagine my surprise...
I guess the heroine has another book with HEA or something..I didn't know this is a prequel with a different hero..
can't say that I want to read more...
hmmm...
1,5 stars
..this was an extremely surprising read because this is not a romance IMO...we have our spoiled heroine who after being disappointed by her parent's marriage and after she breaks up with her famous boyfriend- they are all somewhat Hollywood actresses, directors, and such btw...- anyways she seeks attention with sex centered relationship with married..oops separated much older man..she is 17 btw and he is I think in his 30's...
so little girl looking for attention and an older guy in a midlife crisis..why does this sound so familiar??
he leaves her after his wife gives him an ultimatum, they have a kid together...
the end..and I didn't read the blurb or anything before reading this and imagine my surprise...
I guess the heroine has another book with HEA or something..I didn't know this is a prequel with a different hero..
can't say that I want to read more...
hmmm...
1,5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
free-signup-auth-newsltter-etc
November 6, 2021📕free 6 Nov 21📕
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April 25, 2015
2.5 someone needs a hug stars.
This one kind of reminded me of the Jackie Collins bonkbusters I used to read by torchlight under the sheets when I was 13. My mum didn't like me reading trash you see...she'd truly despair if she saw what I read now. But anyway.
Poor little Hollywood royalty rich girl is money wealthy but affection poor. Even her friends are not true friends and her high school boyfriend (who happens to be a movie star btw) is away filming all the time and doesn't seem to care whether she sees anyone else or not. She meets a mysterious rich, older guy in a club and they begin an affair. He's obviously hiding a few secrets and she hasn't told him her age or that she's the daughter of a famous film director.
Bryna, our 17 year old heroine is bitter, mean and shallow. I can't imagine we were supposed to like her, but it made it hard for me to invest in this story when I'm irritated by the main character. This story seemed a long way away from the author's utterly brilliant On the Record series that balanced the forbidden affair theme with real, relatable conflicts. This one felt pretty far fetched and superficial to me.
There's a second part to this, but I've read enough; this is one more for the YA or Jackie Collins fans I think.
This one kind of reminded me of the Jackie Collins bonkbusters I used to read by torchlight under the sheets when I was 13. My mum didn't like me reading trash you see...she'd truly despair if she saw what I read now. But anyway.
Poor little Hollywood royalty rich girl is money wealthy but affection poor. Even her friends are not true friends and her high school boyfriend (who happens to be a movie star btw) is away filming all the time and doesn't seem to care whether she sees anyone else or not. She meets a mysterious rich, older guy in a club and they begin an affair. He's obviously hiding a few secrets and she hasn't told him her age or that she's the daughter of a famous film director.
Bryna, our 17 year old heroine is bitter, mean and shallow. I can't imagine we were supposed to like her, but it made it hard for me to invest in this story when I'm irritated by the main character. This story seemed a long way away from the author's utterly brilliant On the Record series that balanced the forbidden affair theme with real, relatable conflicts. This one felt pretty far fetched and superficial to me.
There's a second part to this, but I've read enough; this is one more for the YA or Jackie Collins fans I think.
Want to read
May 16, 2015IT'S LIVE http://www.amazon.com/Diamonds-All-Th...
January 15, 2017
I think that I can honestly say that when it comes to NA, I am either a love it or hate it. It's very rare that I find a NA book that I have lukewarm feelings towards. Diamonds was no exception. I absolutely LOVED it! Diamonds has been on my to-buy list forever, but I just couldn't pull the trigger because of my love/hate relationship with NA. Thankfully a friend decided for me and bought it first. She liked it and thought I might like it, so she threw it in a stack of books we exchanged. I started it last night thinking I would read a little bit before my husband came home, and well, I ended up devouring the whole thing. Granted it's a short book (219pg), but I finished it all in about two hours. Once I got started, I just couldn't put it down. The whole thing is SO ridiculous and over the top, but I loved it. It is definitely one of those love-to-hate kind of books because nearly everyone in the book (ok, everyone. literally) is awful, but I couldn't get enough.
I hated Bri. First of all, she is the daughter of multi-millionaires, lives in Beverly Hills, goes to some fancy private school, and drives a freaking Aston Martin. She's only 17, but she is the "queen bee" of everything in her life. In reality, her life isn't is pretty empty. She doesn't have any real friends, her real family is absent (father is a film director who is halfway around the world and her mom is 100% not involved in her life), she is stuck dealing with her step-mom and step-brother (who she HATES because her step-mom is the reason why her parents' marriage busted up), and her movie star boyfriend is touring the country on his new movie. It's all a perfect storm of First World Problems. She wants to "escape" her life for a night, so she goes to this fancy night club where she gets picked up by this mysterious older man, Jude (who btw is wearing a wedding ring but is "separated."). They have a whirlwind night of crazy sex, but then he disappears the next morning and she doesn't hear from him for five weeks. OF COURSE he shows back up in her life because he misses her and wants to keep seeing her (aka screwing her). Being the 17 year old that she is (which btw he has no idea how old she is), she picks up everything he is dropping and agrees to pretty much be his side chick. He buys her all these fancy gifts and takes her on a ridiculous vacation all while keeping her at arms length. She starts to fall for him, and things get CRAY. The truth about both of them starts coming out left and right and the crazy explodes everywhere. The book is left on a huge cliffhanger where everything is so effed up.
Back to hating Bri, HATED her. First of all, why is she trying to be a gold digger? She is super rich herself, so she doesn't NEED this dude being her sugar daddy. Granted, she didn't start off trying to be a gold digger, but she sure doesn't turn down any gifts. I also hate her inflated self image. Girlfriend, you have ZERO friends. Sure, you are the "queen bee" but that is because everyone is terrified of you because you are psychotic. It was so infuriating to hear her talk about herself, but again, couldn't get enough.
Don't get me wrong, Jude is just as bad. This dude is OLD (not in the real world, but in regards to Bri) and he is messing with this young girl. Yeah, she doesn't ever tell him that she is 17 and he "assumes she is older because they met in a bar," but COME ON. The girl acts like she is in high school, so if he looked past her "long blond hair and perfect body" then he probably could have figured out quick that this girl was at the very least not 21. Jude sounds super hot, but is such a dick. I mean, he is at the bottom of the totem poll of disgusting men. He is married ("separated") and is very obviously lying to this girl who is following him around like a puppy. Someone needs to give him a swift kick in the junk to remind him that he needs to remember that his wiener can get him in a ton of trouble.
Another thing that made NO sense about this book is the fact that NO ONE questions Bri's age. She is always going to bars and clubs. Yes, she mentions that she has a friend that gets her on the lists for these exclusive places, but at one point, they even go out of state and she goes to a bar. NO ONE EVER QUESTIONS HER OR ASKS FOR AN ID. Secondly, Jude takes her on this extravagant vacation OUT OF THE COUNTRY. Yes, private jet, I got that, but anyone that has ever been to an airport ever knows you still have to show ID. Never at any point does anyone say "oh hey wait this chick is only 17 and is a minor and traveling out of the country." The whole thing had me wanting to pull my hair out.
It probably sounds like this book falls into the "hate" part of NA for me. NOPE. Everything that I mentioned are things that I hated, but are also the reason why I loved it. It was so ridiculous but it was so awesome. If you can get over all of that plus the whole 17 year old with someone way older during the SUPER scandy sex scenes, then you need to give this a shot. Seriously, guys, I never LOVE NA books like this and I LOVED it. I am going to buy the sequel ASAP because I read the first few chapters, and I need to read more of the drama.
I hated Bri. First of all, she is the daughter of multi-millionaires, lives in Beverly Hills, goes to some fancy private school, and drives a freaking Aston Martin. She's only 17, but she is the "queen bee" of everything in her life. In reality, her life isn't is pretty empty. She doesn't have any real friends, her real family is absent (father is a film director who is halfway around the world and her mom is 100% not involved in her life), she is stuck dealing with her step-mom and step-brother (who she HATES because her step-mom is the reason why her parents' marriage busted up), and her movie star boyfriend is touring the country on his new movie. It's all a perfect storm of First World Problems. She wants to "escape" her life for a night, so she goes to this fancy night club where she gets picked up by this mysterious older man, Jude (who btw is wearing a wedding ring but is "separated."). They have a whirlwind night of crazy sex, but then he disappears the next morning and she doesn't hear from him for five weeks. OF COURSE he shows back up in her life because he misses her and wants to keep seeing her (aka screwing her). Being the 17 year old that she is (which btw he has no idea how old she is), she picks up everything he is dropping and agrees to pretty much be his side chick. He buys her all these fancy gifts and takes her on a ridiculous vacation all while keeping her at arms length. She starts to fall for him, and things get CRAY. The truth about both of them starts coming out left and right and the crazy explodes everywhere. The book is left on a huge cliffhanger where everything is so effed up.
Back to hating Bri, HATED her. First of all, why is she trying to be a gold digger? She is super rich herself, so she doesn't NEED this dude being her sugar daddy. Granted, she didn't start off trying to be a gold digger, but she sure doesn't turn down any gifts. I also hate her inflated self image. Girlfriend, you have ZERO friends. Sure, you are the "queen bee" but that is because everyone is terrified of you because you are psychotic. It was so infuriating to hear her talk about herself, but again, couldn't get enough.
Don't get me wrong, Jude is just as bad. This dude is OLD (not in the real world, but in regards to Bri) and he is messing with this young girl. Yeah, she doesn't ever tell him that she is 17 and he "assumes she is older because they met in a bar," but COME ON. The girl acts like she is in high school, so if he looked past her "long blond hair and perfect body" then he probably could have figured out quick that this girl was at the very least not 21. Jude sounds super hot, but is such a dick. I mean, he is at the bottom of the totem poll of disgusting men. He is married ("separated") and is very obviously lying to this girl who is following him around like a puppy. Someone needs to give him a swift kick in the junk to remind him that he needs to remember that his wiener can get him in a ton of trouble.
Another thing that made NO sense about this book is the fact that NO ONE questions Bri's age. She is always going to bars and clubs. Yes, she mentions that she has a friend that gets her on the lists for these exclusive places, but at one point, they even go out of state and she goes to a bar. NO ONE EVER QUESTIONS HER OR ASKS FOR AN ID. Secondly, Jude takes her on this extravagant vacation OUT OF THE COUNTRY. Yes, private jet, I got that, but anyone that has ever been to an airport ever knows you still have to show ID. Never at any point does anyone say "oh hey wait this chick is only 17 and is a minor and traveling out of the country." The whole thing had me wanting to pull my hair out.
It probably sounds like this book falls into the "hate" part of NA for me. NOPE. Everything that I mentioned are things that I hated, but are also the reason why I loved it. It was so ridiculous but it was so awesome. If you can get over all of that plus the whole 17 year old with someone way older during the SUPER scandy sex scenes, then you need to give this a shot. Seriously, guys, I never LOVE NA books like this and I LOVED it. I am going to buy the sequel ASAP because I read the first few chapters, and I need to read more of the drama.
July 13, 2020
4 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
Video review available in Week 28: Jul 5 – Jul 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Video review available in Week 28: Jul 5 – Jul 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
April 25, 2015
★★★ 3.5 stars ★★★
Diamonds definitely takes a dip into the early synapses of K.A. Linde's controversial mind. Though I respect the diversity of her writing over the years, I feel that this book unquestionably brings us back to her roots. This series will once again polarize her fans and readers to epic extremes. Love. Hate. Frustration. Anger. She characteristically makes it difficult to like any one character too much, especially the heroine. The ambivalent emotions her readers will feel for any one person is what makes this book interesting; it's what makes her writing interesting. She's not afraid to alienate the reader. That is what pushes them to want more. They want to connect. They want to "like" a character so much that they become trapped in a world that frustrates the hell out of them, but a world they can't bring themselves to leave. It is also why K.A. Linde is one of the very few authors I will tolerate a love triangle from. The ambivalence leaves it possible for me to change my mind, instead of just stearing me towards the direction that I'm "suppose" to go.
Diamonds is fast paced entertainment. It's not an epic romance, or tear jerker. And it won't leave you connecting with any deep seated emotions. It's angsty. It's frustrating. It's hot, and I had fun reading it. I wasn't so much in love with this book as much as I'm in love with where it's going. You can't really call it a prequel because it's not pre-anyting, but it's definitely the beginning. Instead of just telling us what made Bryna the person she will become, with Diamonds, we get to live it. I can't wait to meet the character that this book created.
So, to the fans of K.A. Linde who have missed toeing the line between love and hate...
Welcome Home.
READ ON!
Diamonds definitely takes a dip into the early synapses of K.A. Linde's controversial mind. Though I respect the diversity of her writing over the years, I feel that this book unquestionably brings us back to her roots. This series will once again polarize her fans and readers to epic extremes. Love. Hate. Frustration. Anger. She characteristically makes it difficult to like any one character too much, especially the heroine. The ambivalent emotions her readers will feel for any one person is what makes this book interesting; it's what makes her writing interesting. She's not afraid to alienate the reader. That is what pushes them to want more. They want to connect. They want to "like" a character so much that they become trapped in a world that frustrates the hell out of them, but a world they can't bring themselves to leave. It is also why K.A. Linde is one of the very few authors I will tolerate a love triangle from. The ambivalence leaves it possible for me to change my mind, instead of just stearing me towards the direction that I'm "suppose" to go.
Diamonds is fast paced entertainment. It's not an epic romance, or tear jerker. And it won't leave you connecting with any deep seated emotions. It's angsty. It's frustrating. It's hot, and I had fun reading it. I wasn't so much in love with this book as much as I'm in love with where it's going. You can't really call it a prequel because it's not pre-anyting, but it's definitely the beginning. Instead of just telling us what made Bryna the person she will become, with Diamonds, we get to live it. I can't wait to meet the character that this book created.
So, to the fans of K.A. Linde who have missed toeing the line between love and hate...
Welcome Home.
READ ON!
August 3, 2015
3.5 stars
There is one thing that Ms. Linde knows how to do and that's the ability to make me dislike her characters but with that being said, I was glued to the story. Diamonds is about the story of an adolescent girl, Bryna, who wants to rule. Either it's with her click of friends or with the men in her life; she goes after what she wants to get the proverbial crown on her head to call herself Queen B. At a party, Bryna meets a mystery man. Their love affair is a catalyst of yearning, longing and need...even if it's one sided. It's instant attraction on both parts and from that moment there are plenty of highs just as there are plenty of lows. You see, Bryna and her mystery man have secrets. Secrets that will destroy their worlds. Those secrets will change everything and everyone. How will everything play out? You're guess is as good as mine.
Diamonds is angsty and sexy with more angst. Even though I didn't care much for the characters, it didn't draw me away from the story. Gold, which is the next book, will be one I'll be patiently impatiently waiting for.
There is one thing that Ms. Linde knows how to do and that's the ability to make me dislike her characters but with that being said, I was glued to the story. Diamonds is about the story of an adolescent girl, Bryna, who wants to rule. Either it's with her click of friends or with the men in her life; she goes after what she wants to get the proverbial crown on her head to call herself Queen B. At a party, Bryna meets a mystery man. Their love affair is a catalyst of yearning, longing and need...even if it's one sided. It's instant attraction on both parts and from that moment there are plenty of highs just as there are plenty of lows. You see, Bryna and her mystery man have secrets. Secrets that will destroy their worlds. Those secrets will change everything and everyone. How will everything play out? You're guess is as good as mine.
Diamonds is angsty and sexy with more angst. Even though I didn't care much for the characters, it didn't draw me away from the story. Gold, which is the next book, will be one I'll be patiently impatiently waiting for.
May 1, 2015
Start to new series for KA Linde, a favorite author of mine. She steps up the dirt & grit in this one. Both Jude and Bri are the kind of characters you hate to love because they have such crappy qualities to their character. Oh they are most definitely entertaining and shockingly interesting in their self-absorbent and selfish ways. Indeed they border on disgusting most of the time -- but never boring. Hard to say I loved this book because I didn't. However, it kept me glued to my chair and intent on seeing it through to the end. I hate that readers are left with a cliffhanger not knowing if or how the "Queen Bee" will ever salvage her current lifestyle and get a happy ever after in Sin City!
October 27, 2015
GAME. SET. MATCH.
Oh snap! You did it again, Kyla Linde!
The entire time reading I could feel it all building. OHHHHH, the feels of it all! And silly me thought I had it all figured out. But, boy oh boy was I wrong. So. Damn. Wrong. Linde ripped the rug out from under me and made me fall on my ass. G'damn that was freaking awesome.
April 23, 2015
K.A. Linde is one of my go-to authors. She's one that never disappoints and each story in unique. This one, I didn't know what to expect. I was a bit skeptical after reading the blurb, but wow did this book blow me away. I just started reading today and could not put it down.
You should not like Bryna, but you can't help but like her. She is someone that knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. And the males in this book? You have your pick of three hot ones--Gates, her longtime actor boyfriend; Pace, her overbearing stepbrother and Jude. Oh, Jude. I shouldn't like you either with your secrets, but I do.
This book is hot, hot, hot and sets things up brilliantly for Book Two, Gold. I cannot wait to see what angst is in store for Bryna and her men.
You should not like Bryna, but you can't help but like her. She is someone that knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. And the males in this book? You have your pick of three hot ones--Gates, her longtime actor boyfriend; Pace, her overbearing stepbrother and Jude. Oh, Jude. I shouldn't like you either with your secrets, but I do.
This book is hot, hot, hot and sets things up brilliantly for Book Two, Gold. I cannot wait to see what angst is in store for Bryna and her men.
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