יהלומים לנצח

Diamonds Are Forever #3

by Charmaine Pauls, שרמיין פולס (Author's Hebrew Name), יעל צוק (Translator)

יהלומים לנצח – רומן מאפיה אפל ומותח, טרילוגיית יהלומים לנצח.
ספר שלישי מתוך שלושה. טרילוגיית יהלומים לנצח. רומן מאפיה אפל.

האהבה שלי מתבזבזת כמו אבני חן באבק, שנעל אדישה דרכה עליהן. נדרשות הרבה שנים של סבל, ושכבות רבות של הרים, כדי לדחוס את הפחמן ולהפוך אותו לאבן יקרה. עכשיו, כשאני מלוטשת וקשה כיהלום, הוא לא יוכל להשליך אותי בחזרה אל העפר.

גברים כמוהו לא אוהבים נשים כמוני.
הם לא אוהבים.
נקודה.

אבל הוא יצר אותי.
הוא יחיה איתי.
כי יהלומים הם לנצח.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance, Audiobook

310 pages, ebook

First published September 15, 2020

About the author

Charmaine loves to write dark and edgy romance that will melt both your e-reader and your heart.

She's a mom of two teenagers, an adorable dog, and a dominant cat. Her country of birth is South Africa where many of her stories play off. Her French husband kidnapped her to the south of France where she currently lives with her family.

When she's not writing, you'll find her in the kitchen baking cakes or in the gym lifting weights (because ... all those cakes!).

Reviews

[Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series, perfect pacing and character arc. One to re-read!

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely stunning conclusion to this trilogy!!!

Wow! Zoe’s character really evolved in this book and that fact created much of my heart ache. I needed her to find her happy ending and yet it was so far out of sight. Her struggle was mine as I felt all her turmoil.





Watching Maxime trying to find answers to understanding Zoe and her changes was like a wrecking ball to my heart. Due to his own limitations, he wrestled with wanting to force her into being his Zoe again and allowing her to find her way to him in an organic manner and that alone amped the angst of this story up ten fold. Through it all, Maxime remained the type of anti-hero that I love as he slowly came into the light of what this relationship means to him.





I love when an author creates situations and characters that make me feel as if I’m right there in the middle of it all. And that’s exactly what Ms. Pauls did with Maxime and Zoe. There is little outside drama with Maxime’s and Zoe’s relationship carrying the weight of the conflict throughout most of the book. However, it is not without some action and drama that helped to get my blood racing towards the end.





This book pretty much wrecked me as I watched Maxime and Zoe struggle to find their happy ever after and then this author eased all my turmoil by giving me the perfect ending with an epilogue that eased all the struggle. I’ve loved each book in this trilogy and highly recommend to anyone who enjoys an anti-hero who takes what he wants.

Dual POV
Safe no cheating although ow makes a play towards H - he completely shuts her down - ow makes the h think something happened between her and H - doesn’t cause a separation although it does cause some angst for a short while; during short separation at beginning of book, h goes out with om and H learns of it but it doesn’t cause any drama other than a moment of jealousy with H
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the series and the conclusion to Maxime and Zoe’s explosive story.
I was literally waiting with baited breathe for this one especially after that doozy of a cliffhanger and shocking finale we were given in the previous book.

So when We left Zoe she was on a plane heading back to South Africa after escaping Maxime with the assistance of her brother
As you can imagine Maxime practically loses his mind and is totally prepared to do whatever it takes to find her and bring her back.
That old adage you reap what you sow definitely applies here as Maxime finally realises exactly what he has thrown away but in true psychopathic style, he again goes totally the wrong way about getting it all back using blackmail and manipulation to achieve his goals with disastrous end results.

The tables have most certainly turned as Zoe takes stock and reevaluates and this time it’s Maxime desperately trying to bridge the ever-widening gap and win Zoe’s affection back.
And It was actually quite satisfying to experience Maxime’s uphill battle and he really did do a great job of trying to redeem himself.
Realising he has to change and also be patient if he has any hope of reclaiming what he has so foolishly discarded.
And Zoe has defiantly changed from the naive stars in her eyes girl she once was much to Maxime’s regret.
Karma has never felt so sweet but I did start to feel a bit bad for him as time went on and he didn’t seem to be gaining any ground.

This third book was intense and all about redemption and acceptance on both sides and despite what a tool Maxime has been previously I still wanted him to get his fairy tale with Zoe and I was rooting for them every step of the way through this just wanting Zoe to give him another chance.
This series has been a rollercoaster of a ride with so many twists and turns and I was happy with where we finally arrived at such a good read.
This author always manages to deliver and this gets an easy thumbs up from me.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of Diamonds are forever (Diamonds are Forever Trilogy #3)


Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Yes! So much love for this one! What an awesome ending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ending of the two prior stories in this trilogy ended on cliffhangers so I knew that at least we would not have a cliffhanger in this story. And thankfully we did not have to wait months and months for the finale.

This portion of the story takes on a different feel than the other two books. The characters are evolving and changing. Circumstances have changed and we are introduced to Zoe’s brother.

Paul’s does a great job with the evolution of the story. Bit by bit she shows us the growth of the characters and while Maxime is still a bit of a hardcore jerk, his one true soft spot is still at the top of the list – Zoe.

Through thick and thin the characters come together for a truly wonderful ending. Paul’s even leaves the door open for another story to bloom. That one sounds just as awesome as the rest of them.

So much love for this story and the series as a whole. I just couldn’t stop reading and once again she dives deep and a bit dark but balances it with the perfect amount of light.

* Copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/diamonds-are...

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECT!
It’s worth the reading!

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really got to see Maximo evolve in this third and final book. It took drastic measures by Zoe to wake him up but that doesn't mean she made it easy for him when he did. I was pretty happy to see her push the limits. I love when a heroine pushes back instead of taking whatever comes their way.

Maximo is a very different kind of hero. He's not a good guy, but he is a good guy to Zoe...and yet he also wasn't. His character is so conflicting. Maximo is an outside the box kind of hero and that made this series more interesting. You really just couldn't predict what he would do.

I was pretty much on pins and needles this whole last book. There were so many ways the author could have taken the direction in this last book. I just had to read this non stop to find out how everything ends. I find that this author is really good with grabbing you and not letting you go until your done. Another great series!

[. (rip) · Rating 2 out of 5]

three books without a decent epilogue

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conclusion to the trilogy.
Things pick up straight after the events of the previous book.
It's essential to read the series in order.

Zoe and Maxime
Dual POV.
I liked that the Hero was mostly on the backfoot in this book.
He retrieves the heroine as you expect after she has run but he is trying everything to make it work realising that if he wants a future with Zoe he needs a different approach.
I thought the author did well showing us that the Hero, Maxime, didn't know how to love, with his messed up family it's not surprising but he does try but the things he does are not really an expression of love but of possession or control and he needs to learn to understand the difference.
He's trying to grovel but seems to either not be able to or just not anyone else version of a grovel.
He is just so incapable of translating his feelings.

I liked that although Zoe realises she can't change her situation, she's stuck with Maxime, she keeps her feelings under control, even at times giving him a dose of his own medicine.
She had sex with him but still didn't give in to him in other ways.

There is some other woman drama, but no cheating or interest from the Hero in anyone else.
No intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.

It amazes me how such intelligent men can be fooled into not seeing the harm a scorned woman can cause.

There is small other man drama.
Before Maxime shows up Zoe goes on a date, to try to move on but it doesn't go well and nothing happens.

There are links to the previous book in the series about the heroine's brother and the characters show up in this story and share in it.
There is an epilogue and one for the previous couple too.

I did feel that events took place then things were resolved between them very quickly, just with the heroine making certain realisations.
I'm not sure if it was me but it seems abrupt to me. ?.... Maybe?

ARC.

[Jen ♥]

DNF @ 51%


Welp, this was toxic. I didn't read the first two books, but I was still able to follow the story, so... Anyway, I've always enjoyed this author's writing style, and she really has a knack for writing assholes and irredeemable MMCs. I love and hate that at the same time. 🤣😭 Her stories are super toxic too, so if readers want something like that, I'm sure they're going to enjoy her works. I'm usually 50-50 when it comes to her stories; unfortunately, this one didn't work for me.

Maxime was an asshole through and through. He's a red flag in all ways. He's possessive and obsessive (in a bad way), and the "love" he has for Zoe was conditional/transactional (imo), and I'll die on that hill. His efforts didn't even seem genuine and seemed more like they were done to tame/control her even more. He's also abusive: emotional, mental, and physical; not sure if in sexual manners too. I don't particularly enjoy reading about men manhandling women out of anger or frustration. There's no acceptable reason for resorting to violence when things aren't going someone's way. And Maxime is a ticking bomb with a volatile temper. Anyway, these are all the impressions I got from the first half only. And that's probably saying something since I didn't even finish this. Maybe I'm missing something, but idc; I don't want to endure this anymore.

As for Zoe, I'm disappointed but not really surprised. Idk how to describe her aside from that she's supposed to be a good-hearted person who believed in love, fairy tales, and happy endings. But apparently after the lies and manipulations of Maxime from the first two books, she finally learned her lesson and decided to harden her heart. I honestly thought she'd show some steel in this book. Like, she's finally had enough and is now ready to stand up for herself. But nope, the hormones, body betraying syndrome, and her love for him quickly took over. Okay, tbf, she did try to "fight," but it was pathetic at most. It's laughable, actually. I'm already at the halfway mark, and I'm almost sure she's never going to find her backbone. She already gave in at this point and let her body do the talking; that's why I stopped reading. So if readers are looking for a strong heroine, I don't think they're going to find her here. This woman is all talk and no action and is willing to accept every manner of mistreatment thrown her way without standing up for herself.

Anyway, this is obviously not intended for someone like me, and that's totally okay.

[Maisha Farzana · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writer needs to write books where the heroine has a backbone and can think with her brain.. heroine forgets all the wrongdoings of the hero whenever the hero offers her sex..I mean come on..have some self respect atleast..same boring shit👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨MAJOR SPOILER✨






The evil ow DIES 🔥
by the hand of the H after she tried to poison the h. He hands the evil ow that same poison to drink so that everyone thinks it as suicide!
(There is another ow but she is irrelevant and marries the H’s younger evil brother)

I should have felt sorry (but I don’t 🙈) for the ow since she had feelings for the H and the H never really realised it and should never have kept her on as the housekeeper/cook after he ended things with her but she shouldn’t have tried to poison the h! Gosh, moral of the story— don’t think casual sex can lead to anything genuine, its a long shot and don’t even try to poison someone, duh🙄🤣

Omg 5⭐️ for that!

I have never seen the evil other women get the comeuppance they deserve in any book so far! Even when they come close to killing the h, the H only shouts or makes the ow leave but they never do anything more! Not even a police complaint!

This book was amazing! H was a ruthless manipulating basta*d but at the end of the day he was obsessed and in love with the h and never cheated or even looked at another woman.

This is like a beauty and the beast story. The H thinks he is unattractive and not handsome enough and he is the ruthless ruler of a mafia so he doesn’t lack confidence, its just he thinks his younger brother is handsome. But H oozes sex appeal and the h considers him handsome when she comes to love him.

I think I haven’t liked a mafia book,apart from Cora Reilly’s, as much as I liked this one.

This definitely sated my “evil ow not getting their just ends” trauma from other books! Oh gosh, I really am vindictive when it comes to scheming murderous ow in romance novels 🙈😂

This is the last book in the trilogy! Definitely read the other two before this because they ended on cliffhangers and this one starts off where the second book ended. I highly recommend this series! ❤️

[Vicky Sp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione in Anteprima sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYWfIFfsE...

Maxime negli anni era diventato esperto nell’affrontare qualsiasi cosa, anche la più negativa. Nel suo ambiente la verità rappresentava un’arma, uno strumento a cui solitamente ricorreva per attuare le sue tanto amate manipolazioni psicologiche, ossia quei giochetti della mente con i quali era riuscito ad intrappolare Zoe.

Ma adesso gli si stavano rivoltando contro.

Quando la guardia gli aveva comunicato che Zoe se n’era andata, tutto dentro di lui si era come paralizzato: il cuore, il respiro e persino la capacità di pensare. Persino quelle rare emozioni che solo lei era stata in grado di far emergere dalla sua anima spenta, si abbatterono come un treno in corsa sul suo corpo congelato.

Possibile che Zoe non avesse capito che sarebbe stata sempre al primo posto per lui? Che il matrimonio non avrebbe cambiato le cose tra loro? Di certo non si sarebbe potuto più mostrare con lei in pubblico, e con sua moglie avrebbe dovuto adempiere a doveri necessari ad assicurare la sopravvivenza del suo impero, ma nulla fra loro sarebbe cambiato. Anche perché senza quella particolare alleanza gli affari e le famiglie non sarebbero stati più al sicuro:

«Senza questo matrimonio, non potrei offrire protezione a Zoe. Non potrei prendermi cura di lei. Perché diavolo non riesce a capirlo?».

Per Maxime sposare Izabella non era un tradimento nei confronti di Zoe, ne era fermamente convinto perché per lui si trattava solo di una questione d’affari. Ma sapeva che lei non la vedeva in questo modo. Per Zoe era una mancanza di rispetto, un modo subdolo di volerla mettere in secondo piano, ed essendo una brava persona dal cuore puro, non avrebbe mai scelto di fare la parte della rovina-famiglie. Mai.

Ma si sbagliava, e Maxime glielo avrebbe dimostrato, anche a costo di mandare in fumo alleanze e accordi.

«Andrò a cercare Zoe. E la troverò, fosse l’ultima cosa che faccio».

🖋️In questo volume conclusivo della serie Zoe appare ferita e amareggiata. È una donna follemente innamorata che è stata respinta, e presa dallo sconforto e accecata dal dolore finisce per prendere l’unica decisione che ritiene possibile. Quella di scappare e allontanarsi da un amore tossico che le ha procurato solo dolore.

Dal canto suo Maxime va fuori di testa. L’assenza di Zoe e l’impossibilità di spiegarle le sue ragioni, gli fanno prendere decisioni pericolose e definitive, che cambieranno in modo radicale l’assetto della famiglia, riflettendosi anche sugli affari.

🖋️Maxime è un uomo disperato, disposto a tutto pur di riaverla nella sua vita, perché Zoe è sua, gli appartiene.
Farà di tutto per accontentarla, per soddisfare ogni suo desiderio e renderla felice, ma lo farà nel modo sbagliato, nel suo stile prevaricatore e di comando.
Quello che vuole è sicuramente il suo bene, ma accecato dall’ossessione che nutre per lei e non essendo capace di trattenerla a sé senza dover attuare condizionamenti psicologici, finirà invece per allontanarla.

Riuscirà a dimostrarle il suo amore senza imporre regole, limitazioni o protocolli da rispettare?

🖋️Una trilogia adrenalinica che mi è piaciuta moltissimo leggere, con momenti di suspence e azione sempre ben apprezzati. C’è anche la giusta dose introspettiva dei personaggi, che permette al lettore di comprendere le scelte da loro attuate e i pensieri che, girando vorticosamente nella loro testa, ne hanno influenzato comportamenti e decisioni, che si sono rivelate molto spesso difficili e dolorose.

*Ringrazio la CE per la copia ARC in Anteprima

[Buffyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

To recap, Zoe was kidnapped from her home in South Africa and whisked to Marseille by a French mafia underboss. Maxime’s psychopathic efforts to maintain possession of the sweet and purehearted Zoe, the one woman who can make him happy, make him a complete and utter a**hole. He has been cold, demanding, conniving, ruthless, cruel, clueless, violent, manipulative, unempathetic and *gasp* Disloyal! He is the WORST BOYFRIEND EVER!

After a litany of transgressions that have earned him the scorn of every single reader who has swarmed to these pages like bees to honey, how will Charmaine Pauls redeem him? Well, she’s not the Queen of Tortured Heroines for nothing. I watched as Zoe rose from the ashes of her humiliation, defeat and heartbreak to not merely survive, but to accomplish the impossible: she remakes a psychopath into a better man. Once again Charmaine deploys her mix of storytelling and poetry to deliver an absolutely thrilling finale. If Diamonds in the Rough (Book 2) made me want to tear my heart out to stop the pain, Diamonds are Forever is the resuscitation I needed and I prayed for!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJWMXFWg8...

(This review is based on an early copy.)

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxime’s life comes to a crashing halt. The second he discovers Zoe has gone.
Everything was planned out. He’d marry Izabella for business. He’d produce an heir of course. But keep Zoe for himself. Zoe was his.

Now she’s gone and he’s frantic. Nothing else matters. He gives up his home, his position and his future for the woman he can’t live without.

He finds her, blackmails her and drags her back. But he’s the one on the back foot. She’s opened up something inside him. And it hurts.


The way I behaved wasn’t a well-crafted lesson. I was running on pure, undiluted emotions. I allowed my feelings to control me instead of the other way around.

That has never happened. I’m not sure what to do with these feelings, these things living in my chest. It’s a godawful sensation, downright depressing. I wish Zoe has never made me feel. It hurts like a bitch, worse than the flames that melted my skin.

This is the conclusion of their story. The passion, the heat and the overwhelming desire for each other.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the author.

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This for me, was just a perfect conclusion to the trilogy.

It was a very bittersweet ending, to a bittersweet series. I just loved the way that everything played out, and felt like it was actually as realistic as it could've been.

The way that the characters developed, and matured over the series was really nicely written- and I love how the characters actually changed given their circumstance, and weren't the same people that they were at the start of the series- it was such an interesting thing to read about.

I loved how the book continuously acknowledged how messed up their relationship was, yet developed it in such a way that worked so well for them as a couple- and really highlighted the changing dynamic between the two.

I just became so invested in this story, and loved the attention to detail. The writing and pacing really worked for me, and I just ended up really enjoying the series. For my first read by CP, it went really well.

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah! I have been waiting for the conclusion to Zoe and Maxime's amazing story after that shocking cliffy in the last book. This story was filled with sizzling secrets, lies, betrayals and was filled to the brim with all the heat and chemistry we've come to expect from Pauls.

What I loved about this story was how the author was able to show tremendous character development and growth in both Zoe and Maxime. Zoe was no longer passive. She stood up for herself and made Maxime work! Maxime likewise wasn't as cold and mechanical as he was in previous books.  He realized what he had in Zoe and worked extra hard to get her back. Overall, I loved this trilogy and can't wait to read what's in store for us next for this author! 4 stars! ~Ratula 

[LeAnn]

Thank you Charmaine Pauls for this ARC!

I think this is the quickest I’ve ever read a book. I was dying to see the rest of Max and Zoe’s story!

This book was amazing. It was filled with raw, uncensored emotion. Zoe Hart is the strongest woman ever. She has been put through so many difficult situations by Maxime and at the end of every day she can never deny that she loves him.

I really felt for Zoe in this book. Maxime put her through so much sh*t. She was so lost on how to feel. She grew an iron heart and protected herself till the end. She truly proved how much she changed in the last three years. She’s a true fighter and protector of her loved ones and I love that about her.

I love how involved Damian and Lina were in Zoe and Max’s life. I loved meeting their adorable babies and I was so happy to see them happy.

Zoe fought until the very end. In this book she changed a lot. She was stone cold and it was because of all that’s happened to her. Now you can’t blame her, but I did miss the old Zoe. I think her character needed this change for her to realize that she isn’t someone who can be harsh and stone cold. She’s not someone who has an iron heart. She’s a lover and a romantic.

Max may feel like he can’t love or have a heart but he’s already showing it all to Zoe. Actions speak louder than words and I’m so happy to say he did this and both he and Zoe share that love. It may be shown differently but these two truly love and need each other.

My Favorite Line: “His darkness is a canvas for my light.”

I am honestly sad that their story is over. I needed more after the short epilogue 😭. I need to see babies and even more love between these two!!!! I wish we got to see more into Max and Zoe’s future like how we got an extended epilogue for Lina and Damian. I just wish we got to see Max and Zoe as happy as Lina and Damian.

I honestly wish there was a little more at the end of their story so we could see the beginnings of their happiness and the start of trust. I know it takes time but I hope in the future Diamond Magnate books we get to see the two of them with their own kid or kids. Who knows maybe Charmaine Pauls might write more for Zoe and Max!! God knows I wouldn’t mind another book about these two. I wanna read more about them and see their lives and love go on!! 😭💕 But here’s to hoping for the future!!! I can say that I am 100% excited for the next Diamond Magnate book!!!!😁😁

[Cécile Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES! It’s here! The perfect Grand Finale to a story that kept me hostage from the very first page.
Giving me the answers i was hoping to find.
Giving me the closure i craved.
Giving me the peace i needed more than my next breath.


When Zoe ran,Maxime was determined to do everything in his power to get her back.
Even going as far as threatening her that her brother and his family would carry the consequences if she didn’t return home with him.
And he didn’t stop there. Nope.
He made her marry him.
And even though Zoe dóes love him,she feels trapped.
Knowing he doesn’t love her,knowing he lied to her,time and time again.
She can’t trust this man,even though he makes her body sing.
The fact that he is in business with her brother only complicates matters.

Maxime needs his Zoe,more than his next breath.
But she’s changing,and he can’t understand why.
Until he tries to see things from her point of view.
Waiting for her to take the initiative isn’t working.
Trying to be patient isn’t working either.

And to make matters worse,there are threats looming over their heads he needs to deal with.
Because there are people that want to take Zoe out.
People that hate her,and the fact she is his wife.
Because handing the business and his fiancée over to his brother Alexis wasn’t enough.
No,his brother is determined to destroy him and ruin Zoe.

Can Maxim figure out how to keep his Zoe before it’s too late?
Can he figure out what love really is?
Can he find a way to keep Zoe safe?

To see Maxime struggle with emotions,something he isn’t used to,but something that Zoe brings out in him,was heartbreaking to watch
It made him vulnerable in a way he never was,but the fact that he tried to understand made me love him in spite of everything he did before.

To see Zoe struggle with her love for him,trying to protect her heart against breaking indefinitely,was devastating to see.
Her reluctance to trust in his efforts to change was understandable after all he had done.
She really tried to resist him,even though she craved his touch,because of his past manipulations.
But in spite of all that,she didn’t give up entirely.
Because of that same love.

This was a rollercoaster ride,keeping me glued to the pages,craving each and every word until the very last one gave me that closure i desperately needed

[Beautiful Flower · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know. I didn't feel it . Going home should be turning point in her life but all I get a weak girl who kept looking for fairy tale . Second book is better than this one .it is so slow.nothing important happened . It could be written better than that. Zoe is acting like a baby all the time .she repeats herself all the time he doesn't know how to love someone, control ,lies. What was totally unreasonable when she said talked about love . He did all things that prove his love .anyone could see it except her . I don't know our writer could write a book better than that .I am really disappointed

[Demetra · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars
Beta reader..you won’t want to miss the conclusion to Maxime and Zoe’s story 🙌

[AneRia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy. It picks up after Zoe manages to escape from Maxime's captivity. I'm so excited to read this book as book 2 (Diamonds in the Rough) is packed with suspense and surprises.

Upon reading the first few chapters of the book, Charmaine immediately draws me in to the scenes. The emotions in her writing just leaps off the page and gone straight to my heart. That's Charmaine's strength. She can create dramatic scenes and extract every possible emotion from you. Excitement, hurt, fury, love and even confusion.

I love... and I mean over the moon and back love how she manages to write Maxime's point of view when he was informed that Zoe escaped and how he deals with his emotions during the time that they're apart. This is the kind of possessive alpha male that I crave for. He made a decision without second thoughts and chose Zoe. These kind of men that Charmaine creates is the reason why I prefer book characters than real people. Haha! I just can't stop rooting for him and scream "Yes! Yes Maxime! Do it! Go for it! You got this!"

The wedding scene is just so dramatic and extra. I hated how Maxime handles the situation and also Zoe for not fighting back. I hated how Maxime left Zoe alone after the wedding. Basically I hate them both at this time. Haha! But I love the scene cause it makes my heart feel so many emotions and my mind think a lot of things. I imagine what I'll do if I'm Zoe and I'm forced to a shotgun wedding. And also I love the consequence of this scene. You can see that Maxime can also be a caring and a loving husband.

These are just some of the many things that I liked about this book. Now, for the things that I think could have been better or improved is the conflict between Francine and Zoe, I would have preferred for the hotel scene between Max and Francine to be revealed later on just to stir up some more emotions from the readers like more hate on Francine and maybe a bit for Max. (Haha!) But thinking about it and coming from the wedding scene, I think that Charmaine still made a wise decision on this part. Saving our hearts from more heartaches.

The 2nd half of the book is a bit of a let down for me though. I mean it's okay but coming from book 2 and the first half of this book, I expected more. More conflict, drama, action and surprises. I just think that Maxime is portrayed as a weak man in this book in order for Zoe to shine and show her strengths. Personally, I didn't like how Zoe changed. I would've preferred if I read more about her inner turmoil with her feeligs towards Maxime. The wrap up of the story is a bit too rushed for me too. Suddenly all the bad guys are dead and honestly I'm a bit confused on how those informations unfold (Maxime's brother, the other guy with the name I can't pronounce, Izabella and Maxime's mother). I'm pretty sure I read and devoured the whole book but it left me confused on those parts.

And lastly, I think Zoe's realization at the end (Wedding dress...) is a bit of a cliche and why the hell did Maxime pack up his things and tries to leave Zoe after all the sacrifices he made? It just doesn't make sense to me. It’s like Maxime is not Maxime. I'm also not able to pinpoint the climax in the latter part of the book.

And this is the last I promise! haha! Why is the epilogue so short? :( Maybe to prepare for the next series?

Overall, this book started strong but ended up a bit short of my expectation. But as a series, this is good and promising. The excitement builds up everytime a new book is released and you'll love or hate the characters that are being introduced.

Great job and congratulations to the author!
Can't wait to read your next series.

*ARC is provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that this trilogy was exciting is like saying lava is hot. To say this story was intoxicating and electric is more like it. The journey of Zoe and Maxime was powerful, energetic, dynamic, passionate, aggressive, spirited and incredibly engaging. It was riddled with secrets, half-truths, lies and betrayals at every corner. There wasn’t a point in this story that wasn’t exciting and vigorous!

The stories that Charmaine shares with us are always so rewarding because the growth her characters and the story itself undergo, is a thing of beauty. They are never superficial and rarely have many rainbows in them, and always come from the shadows of life. Plainly, they are never ordinary and seem to have a life of their own. She has the ability to pull you into the story so you feel it more than just read it. You feel the experience. She is magic!

The pacing of this story matched the ups and downs, the twists and turns, the push and pull and everything in between, fantastically. I was especially please with the growth and redemption this book was cloaked in. A perfect story-line to tie the trilogy together. This can never be said too many times, so I’ll say it once again, Charmaine Pauls has a unique style and voice. Her characters are flawed and real and their journeys are never easy nor are they ever black and white. She is an aggressive writer who isn’t afraid to take a story to the depths of hell if that’s where the story needs to go. I am always incredibly pleased by her storytelling skills and would highly recommend any of her books!

Available now! Grab your copy today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3bviIsf
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2WrJe1i
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Z0ghev
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2WWzY4j
Nook: https://bit.ly/35XqCJy
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3fOyy4e
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2ZcC7f5
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2YZyFUM

[Abstract ♥ Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS

I want to burn and go down in flames. I want him to catch me, mend me, and pretend we’re okay.

The conclusion for Zoey and Maxime's story is here!! And I can't even begin to tell you guys what a marvelous ending it was.

From that huge mess that Maxime made of things in the second book , I was like , nahhh… there is no redemption for this devil. But this author surprised me.
Ahhh… satisfaction. I finally read this book and now I can sleep in peace, lol.
This book was one of my most anticipated and I had been going crazy waiting for this epic finale!

Zoey is free of Maxime's clutches and is now staying with her brother. Maxime is going out of his mind searching for her and not to risk sounding like a bitch , but yeah he deserved it. I was so happy to see some actual progress in his character in this book! But He finally catches up to her and once again traps her. But she is not the same. His betrayal has hardened her and loved the way she shot him down at every turn! The ending was amazing and I loved the twists this author bought in this book! Can't wait for everyone to read this masterpiece by this author.

This whole trilogy is highly recommended to all the dark Romance lovers out there! If you are into Major asshole heroes then this trilogy is for you!


Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Bookbub | My Blog

[Monadh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: Got my paws on an ARC

Maxime did not suffer nearly enough

I love this trilogy! The love story between Zoe and Maxime is so intense and poignant and threaded through with darkness. That being said, this book, which was the final installment, turned out to be my least favorite, simply because I felt it didn’t quite live up to the promise oft he two previous books. But it still kept me glued to the page, so 4 ½ stars.

Book two left off after Zoe execcuted her successful escape and was on the way to South Africa to her brother Damian. Zoe is trying to pick up the pieces and to re-build her life, torn between gaining a measure of independence and overcoming her feelings for Maxime, but at the same time still missing him and unable to enter into a new relationship.
Meanwhile Maxime can’t believe Zoe managed to escape him and he comes to realize that nothing else matters but getting Zoe back. So he walks away from the family business and follows Zoe to South Africa.

I get that Maxime wouldn’t be Maxime if he became any less ruthless in going after what he wants, but still I expected a bit more in the way of self-reflection and maybe quite a bit of groveling, but he goes about getting Zoe back just in the way he did the first time, by blackmailing her and not giving her a choice. It’s once again about HIS obsession and HIS wants and not about what Zoe is feeling. Only Zoe has hardened her heart after all the emotional pain Maxime put her through, and she is recklessly giving Maxime a taste of his own medicine, keeping herself aloof emotionally and only engaging with Maxime physically, and moreover on her terms.

What I really liked was the role reversal, when due to Maxime’s fallout with his family and the attendant loss of position, Zoe for a time becomes the primary breadwinner. By channeling all her passion into designing and sewing, Zoe manages to establish a successful fashion business after all.

And despite everything that happened with his family, Maxime didn’t suffer nearly enough and it took him to the very end to realize that loving somebody means to put their happiness before one’s own.

[Stephy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it pains me to do it, I gotta give this last installment 2 stars....

This author has amazing potential, and I’ve really enjoyed her work but this book didn’t cut it for me. The beginning was strong, but this last book had no follow through. I was super disappointed because it went from being an exciting dark story to a romantic drama. It focused on Zoe becoming stronger, but she lost that innocences that I really liked about her. I also felt her being strong one minute then not being able to control herself physically around Max was really contradictory. I didn’t buy her emotionally closed off persona. It felt fake. Max was an even bigger disappointment. He was this strong mafia boss, but then he turned into this weak character giving up his whole life for Zoe. I appreciate his sacrifice, but it seemed so out of character. There was this build up in the first 2 books for him to be able to realize his love for Zoe and to be able to say it. But when he finally does it was like an afterthought. It was a let down for me. I don’t understand how this intelligent mafia boss didn’t figure out that his brother set the fire that scared him and I figured it out pretty early on. I also didn’t like the direction the story went. Again it was more like a married couple going through ups and downs then a dark series. I was at the edge of my seat in the last book with how Zoe was able to leave France, but that turned out to be anticlimactic. The first 2 books really set my expectations high, so I’m really disappointed it how everything seemed to fizzle out. I actually struggled to finish waiting for something to happen. When it came to the show down with Alexis (the biggest villain!) it didn’t happen. The resolution felt super rushed and and left me feeling unsatisfied.
I think this would’ve been better if it was just 2 books or even one. I still absolutely love this authors work and will continue to read her books. Hopefully I’ll enjoy her next book more.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5** Book two ended on a cliffhanger with Zoe flying back to South Africa, saved by her brother. I wanted Maxime to HURT after what happened in book two, so I was pleased when this book had both characters painfully maturing and drastically changing from who they were in the first book.

The only way Maxime is able to change is because he watches his Little Flower slowly turning into someone he doesn’t recognize and that terrifies him. He knows he's done this to her. In order to survive him, she’s had to evolve and change who she is…and he misses her.

I really loved the symbolism of personal growth in the clothing designs that Zoe creates. She goes from those frilly, lacy, princess-like patterns in book one, to bold, standard, mature, practical patterns in book three, and back to finding her own style in this story.

Everything in Maxime’s life has crashes around him. He’s done everything he can to hold desperately to what he believes is right. But those old patterns of living don’t stand a chance now that he lives a completely different life. It was HARD watching these two grow-up, my heart broke for both of them. their first wedding was SUCH a HUGE disaster. I actually felt badly for Maxime for once this series. He did everything that he thought she’d want for a wedding. Just like he planned her seduction, except this time around, it doesn’t work. He doesn’t do these things because he loves or cares about her, it’s about controlling her emotions and she kicks his ass. Pauls does such a phenomenal job at weaving this unique story. I don’t know if my heart could handle reading this particular series again, but Charmaine Pauls is a must-read author for me.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final book in the Diamonds Are Forever Trilogy. This is the finale of Maxime and Zoe’s story. A mafia romance that's dark and edgy. So one can write this type of romance quite like Charmaine. She pulls you in and it doesn't take long to get emotionally entangled with the story and the characters. What a story this has been with no shortage of danger or drama. This has been an incredible series that I recommend highly. I read an arc and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmmm...
I have to say I liked both characters and how they both evolved and stepped out of their molds.
That was amazing to watch, especially Maxime, our anti-hero, who had it bad...LOL
it's actually pretty difficult to evolve when you are already impacted from the birth, it's not an easy process...but this wouldn't be a fictional romance book if it didn't provide a HEA for both, the characters and readers.

so, hear, hear for HEA!

[Kathy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well another day that I sat engrossed in this series! Food didn't matter, only what happens between Maxime and Zoe! This conclusion is everything I wanted! You won't be disappointed! I'd love to share more but I don't want to spoil it for you. Run, don't walk to purchase this amazing ending!

[MsMoxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

YES!!! Finally Book 3 Diamonds are Forever is out and I couldn’t wait to dive into all things Max and Zoe!!! With the way book 2 end my mind was honestly a mess trying to figure out how Maxime would win Zoe back or if he would greedily just take her an damn the consequences of breaking Zoe!

WELP, all of my scenarios were WRONG! I had no idea the direction Charmaine Pauls would take would be so vastly different from what I expected. All of my scenarios were wrong!!!!

Did Maxime grovel?
Nope, not in his character.

Did Maxime just hunt Zoe down and kidnap her?
Not really. I mean seriously, he’s in Damian’s territory. I doubt that would be a likelihood.

So how does it all unfold? How does Charmaine Pauls take us down a path of cruelty wrapped in a gilded cage to one where our fav heroine, Zoe gets her plausible happy ending; one befitting a princess?

Maxime gives it all to Zoe! You’re really gonna have to read this and experience their harrowing journey. And yes, I mean harrowing. The mood in book 3 shifts drastically. The intensity of Maxime’s dominance over Zoe in books 1 and 2 is nowhere to be felt in book 3. There is a major shift as Maxime embodies the man of Zoe’s childhood dreams. But is it to late for Zoe? Has Maxime changed her so much that she will never be the same girl he captured three years ago? This is a profoundly emotional read as Zoe tries to understand what Maxime’s true intentions are and how he will TAKE it all from her and make Zoe his once and for all. Once he’s done there will be no doubt whom Zoe belongs to. But expect the unexpected. The start blew me away and the ending left me speechless.

All I have to say is this book gave me so many feels! I really didn’t know how to take it all in I was in that kinda shock.

Both Zoe and Maxime stayed true to their characters and I loved that. The problem is, Maxime is becoming the man Zoe wanted yet Zoe doesn’t know how to navigate THIS Maxime. She expects him to resort to old methods, yet he maintains his stoic self yet really grows as a character as he stops at nothing to get what he feels he should rightfully have . . . Zoe.

Yet this time he will not stop at merely keeping her as a possession. He will have her mind, body and soul.

So what’s the catch?

Maxime’s going to win Zoe on her terms!

Happy Reading! This was one emotional rollercoaster ride for me!