Flawless

by Tilly Bagshawe

Diamonds are forever... aren't they?

The diamond business isn't just about elegant women and their rich husbands... at least not for Scarlett. As stunningly beautiful as the jewellery she designs, Scarlett is determined to succeed.

But before long Scarlett realises that beneath the glittering surface is a world of shady dealers and insatiably materialistic women, who will do whatever it takes in pursuit f the perfect stone. Even if it means sacrificing everything they have. Will Scarlett get sucked into this world of greed and lust or will she emerge with her heat and her business intact?

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Audiobook

483 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Matilda Emily N. Bagshawe was born on 12 June 1973 in England, UK. She attended local all-girls Catholic schools near her family home in Surrey. She was a single mother at 17, but she won a place at Cambridge University and took Persephone, her ten-month-old baby daughter with her. As a journalist, she went on to enjoy a successful career in London, and contributed regularly to The Sunday Times, Daily Mail and Evening Standard, before turning her hand to novels. Her first book, Adored as Tilly Bagshawe, was a smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 2005, and she hasn't looked back since.

Tilly is married Robin Nydes, a US businessman, and the couple have two sons together, Zac and Theo. The family divide their time between their homes in London and Los Angeles. Tilly is also the sister of the writer and politician Louise Bagshawe.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab book to take you away from reality and into the lives of the super-rich.

Five stars.

[Cortney - Bookworm & Vine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for trashy British chick lit, so when Flawless came into the bookstore, I immediately set it aside for myself and started it that night.

But, I was little disappointed... it was just OK. The book was at least 100 pages longer than it needed to be, and Scarlett (the main character) was annoying and sanctimonious. Actually, at the end of the day, all the characters were pretty awful in their way (except maybe Nancy, the sassy best friend).

I still finished it and enjoyed it somewhat.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author, as I always know that when a read one of Tilly's books, I know that I'm in for a treat. Pure indulgence on so many levels, it's got everything.


If you haven't read a her books before, then I highly recommend that you do.

[Tinea Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, another page turner from Tilly!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

n all of my reviews, I say something about building characters and setting being the reason I love books. That's exactly what this book is. Honestly, the actual storyline of this book is awful. There is little plot development, which could make the book feel slow and tedious. You're not really attempting to find action throughout the book, you're focusing on the relationships between the five main characters. Oh what characters!

Tilly Bagshawe has fully gone into the lives of each one of these characters. They are full and real and complicated. This is playtime for me. I'm just enveloped in character development and loving every minutes of it. Anyways, here they are: Scarlett Drummon Murray, Jake Meyer, Danny Meyer, Brogan, and Diana. Scarlett is out main protagonist. She is just starting out as a jewelry designer. She is attempting to find out who she is without the influence of her family. Jake and Danny are dealing with fake diamonds, but Danny falls in love with the wife of one of the biggest diamond mine owners in the world. Finally, Brogan and Diana are a wealthy couple that own most of the diamond mines in Africa and Russia (see the connection?). The lives of all of the characters are all mixed together and you learn about each one through introspection and the words and actions of others. It is just so much fun to learn about each one of them.

We also travel through a few wonderful country's and some naughty bedrooms, which make the story fun to read and day dream about. Who needs a thick and interesting plot when you can picture the characters so fully that their day to day lives are easily exposed to your own imagination?

[Louise Hartgen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm afraid I've picked this up, put it down, tried again, put it down again, and in the end given up on it in just pure annoyance. I think what really gets to me about Tilly Bagshawe is that she's trying to be Jilly Cooper, only she really doesn't have the panache or the good storytelling skills. Scattering around posh brandnames and frequent dropping of clothes doth not a Jilly Cooper make!

The brothers in this story had me, they're lovable rogues, but I liked them, and I cared about what happened to them. The villain is, of course, a scumbag, but then what else are villains for, and he is at least rather an interesting scumbag, and his wife's interesting too. And then in strides miss upper crust brand name, judgmentalism on a stick with an over developed social conscience and an undeveloped common sense, and within five minutes I just wanted to kill her. Yes, lady, if you go up to a powerful business tycoon who is rumoured to crush people who cross him at a party and tell him he's the scum of the earth in front of everyone, then your business is indeed very likely to suddenly go down the toilet! I mean gees, just how stupid can you get? Even more stupid, apparently. I won't spoil the story if my bile hasn't stopped you wanting to read it, and anyway I can't spoil it altogether because I didn't finish it. And that's what really gets me. There are characters in here I'd like to know what happened to, but because of Miss dipstick I'll now never know. I hate it when a book does that to me. So yeah, I'd say Flawless isn't an apt title! I found it very far from Flawless myself!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea behind this book would make for a great tv show, but I don't know where this book went wrong, probably the 20th time I heard the SAME EXACT speech from Scarlett about the troubles in the diamond mines.
Problems I have with this book:
1. Every character is selfish and self-righteous and soooo annoying!
2. Long, unnecessary descriptions that have you thinking, "get on with it!"
3. Besides Jake and Diana, the characters don't grow or have any major revelations.
4. Scarlett is barely likeable with her judgemental and narrow minded-ness, and she doesn't even realize she has these qualities.
5. All the characters spend so much time whining and brooding it makes you want to roll your eyes!
6. During a chapter of Danny brooding in LA, the author calls him Jake which makes me wonder if she even knows her characters or if I should blame that one on the editors.
7. This book could have been cut down by about 100 pages.
8. Very little communication which causes stupid misunderstandings which leads to even more brooding.
9. Whatever happened to the Russian miners that Scarlett never ceased to brood about and got someone killed over?
10. The best character, Aunt Agnes, is only present in two chapters of the book, yet she's the one who predictably saves everything.
11. And really, the ending. Way to wrap it up in the cheesiest possible way that makes you want to throw up.

[Luxie Ryder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the most part and thought the central story was engaging, but it was way too long in my opinion. With all of the extra information we got at random points and segues into stories about characters I had no interest in, I do wonder if the author had a word count requirement. The book was well written and extremely funny in parts, but I found myself skimming over what i began to refer to as 'filler'.

Some of the people who needed a telling off didn't get one and should have had their comeuppance.

The ending had a bit of a Richard Curtis feel about it (or rather, Richard 'bloody' Curtis, as I refer to him). That may or may not be a compliment, depending on how you feel about twee story lines in Richard Curtis movies! The twins' double wedding thing was way too sweet for my teeth.

This is a great beach book and I recommend it for those who don't want to get too engrossed in what they are reading so can put it down/pick it up as and when. I could also see this making a fun romcom movie.

3.5 stars

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the glitteringly ruthless diamond business, Scarlett Drummond Murray is a force to be reckoned with. As stunningly beautiful as the diamonds she works with, Scarlett is determined to make her mark on the industry with her fabulous jewellery creations. But to do so she must battle through a world that is steeped in greed and corruption. Blazing a trail from London to Beverly Hills, Scarlett is plunged into the world of shady diamond dealers and the stunningly beautiful women for whom they all compete, in business and in bed. All of them are prepared to sacrifice everything in pursuit of that one, elusive, perfect stone. No matter what the cost. Will Scarlett be blinded by the brilliance of the temptation that surrounds her? Or can she keep her nerve - and her principles - and make it to the top with her heart and her business intact?

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I read the back cover of what it was about I thought it would a good read, but the minute I opened the book and started reading it, it was a bore, I had to force myself to finish the book! Despite it's appealing premise dictated on the back cover it was a complete snore, definitely not worth the 11$ I paid for it, I say pass on this and pick something else, preferable something that will hopefully be a lot better to read.

[K H Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! Keeps you involved!

I really like the way this author draws you into the story so quickly and keeps you there. The reader can relate so well to the characters. I have read other books by this author and have never been disappointed yet. The language is a bit strong at times, but otherwise, it was worth the read.

[R Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read

Reminiscent of a Sidney Sheldon book which is high praise indeed. Good characters that get you invested in their story and a story that makes you want to keep reading

[Mike Butterworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book to read and set in the UK and America all about a young jewellery entrepreneur who set up in business with a jewellery person who seduced not only the young entrepreneur but also his clients. A good book to read but near the end became slightly different.

[Sandy Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

This was a fun read. TB is as good and enjoyable as Sidney Sheldon! Romantic and sexy. I loved every bit of it!

[Ruhi Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bedazzling

I couldn't get enough of the book. It kept me flipping pages to see what happened next. An amazing read as always, Tilly Bagshawe has done a brilliant job once again....

[Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abandoned after about 70 pages. So dull i can’t read another page

[Valerie Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It kept me going.

[Marilyn Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
But then, I'm hooked on Tilly Bagshawe and on books she's written.
This story had me wanting to get back to the book every single day!

[Dr Renu Bharadwaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romantic story w

Romantic story at times without direction and too many F words
Good time pass only in the says of lockdown

[Neha Setia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't wait to reach the last page of this one - and not in a good way.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book in 2010 and read it on vacations.
super relaxing.
I throw it away while doing the houseworks.
For any age.

[Tabassum Awan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! Good timepass and lighthearted

[Joyce Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice surprise

I started this book quite awhile ago. Couldn't quite get into it. Picked it up two days ago and couldn't put it down. Thoroughly enjoyed the story. You will too.

[Jacqui Engstrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read for summer days. Totally predictable but enjoyable.

[Audrie Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant

A page Turner as always easy reading and hugely enjoyable ..not usually fan of chick lit but for Tilly Bagshawe will make the exception ...

[Olnega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read, I had a great time reading it. If you want a something easy and lighthearted

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flawless is a perfect book for the times when you need to escape the daily grind but don’t want to bog yourself down in a serious, convoluted book. This book is exaggerated fun – the hunks are hunky, the women beautiful, the baddies bad and the plot interesting but easy enough to be remembered. While not as much fun for me as Adored (which was perfect escapist fare), this book is still a very good beach read.

Flawless centres around the diamond industry – the heroine, Scarlett Drummond Murray designs jewellery; the Meyer twins (Jake and Danny) are diamond dealers and the baddie, Brogan, owns diamond mines. This is how all the characters link up initially, at diamond dinners and trading stones. Scarlett sticks out somewhat in the diamond business, as she runs a campaign for Trade Fair diamonds (diamonds that are not the product of war, where workers are fairly treated). This gets her into a lot of trouble with a number of people, mainly Brogan. Then strange things start to happen – her tyres are slashed and her shop burns down. Scarlett then moves to L.A. to work with Jake Meyer, but their relationship is topsy turvy…

I’m sure you can guess what happens from there, but that doesn’t make the journey of the book any less fun. While not as good as some of her other books, Flawless (also known as Perfect in some areas) is above the standard for chick lit. Bagshawe puts in the ethical message about Trade Fair diamonds as well as having several plot threads running. Flawless doesn’t quite hit the wild peaks and troughs of this kind of genre, but it’s still solid, containing passion, intrigue and fiery arguments. The characters are likeable and flawed enough to make things more memorable. Some of the turns of phrase are clichéd (in particular, the sex scenes) but you do notice this less as the book continues.

A light story, good for escapism.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com

[Ajita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarlett Drummond Murray designs and sells her own jewelry in her store in Notting Hill. She also leads a campaign called 'Fair Trade' to prevent diamond traders from selling blood diamonds and to get better working conditions for those who work in the mines.
Jake Meyer, a diamond trader Scarlett dislikes, is a womanizer. He and his introvert twin brother Danny own Solomon Stones. Jake works on the east coast of the US and Danny on the west coast. They love each other but at the end there’s always a competition between the two brothers.

Scarlett and the Meyer-brothers piss off Brogan O’Donnell, a rich diamond trader. Scarlett and her campaign are after O’Donnell because of the bad working conditions in his mines and Danny Meyer gets involved with O’Donnell’s wife Diana. Brogan is a powerful man and does everything (illegal) in his power to destroy them. Therefor Scarlett and the brothers must work together to prevent bankruptcy.

In Tilly’s books the characters are often stereotyped. There’s a womanizer, a villain disguised as a rich man, an arrogant brother and there are innocent characters whom you sympathize with the most. Flawless has all this but still I find this book a little different. Scarlett isn’t a brain-dead rich kid, like her brother, who lives of her parents' money and does everything to please them. She shows character. She may be a little naïve but she’s fierce. What annoyed me in some of Tilly's books is the amount of characters and POVs but in Flawless it isn’t that overwhelming. There’s something shameless about these books. They're maybe a little too glamorous and shallow but it’s a fun ride anyhow.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book after reading and enjoying Scandalous by the same author, and this one did not disappoint. Set in both London and LA, the story follows a woman named Scarlett who designs high-end jewelry while working to ensure fair trade conditions for diamond miners and the countries that are ravaged by the diamond business. There's a lot going on here, including Scarlett's interactions with a major diamond cartel owner, her relationships with her family and her best friend, as well as the developing relationships with a pair of brothers who deal in diamonds.

The strength in this book is in the descriptions and in the relationships, not so much in the full development of the plot. We end up with four major characters (Scarlett, her best friend, and the two brothers), a few medium characters, and a lot of minor characters, and it's the relationships and events that happen amongst the web that makes up the bulk of the book. Some of the plot lines felt a bit "plunked down" instead of happening organically, but I was more than entertained enough to enjoy the book anyway. There was also a LOT of fair trade whining from Scarlett, and while I appreciate both the actual information/situation and Scarlett's obsession with it, overall it seemed a bit much for what is to be an entertaining fiction. The effect would've likely been stronger with fewer sermons on the topic.

Overall, a solid and entertaining fiction, and one that I enjoyed thoroughly. I'll likely read another by this author in the future.

[Standards Malaysia]

Set in the glittering world of international diamond dealing, FLAWLESS follows the fortunes of idealistic young designer Scarlett Drummond Murray as she battles her way through the snake pits of greed and corruption in the jewellery business. From London to Beverly Hills, New York to Cape Town, Scarlett finds herself plunged into a world of ruthless mine owners, shady diamond dealers, and the stunningly beautiful women for whom they all compete, in business and in bed. All of them, in their different ways, are prepared to sell their souls and sacrifice everything in pursuit of that one, elusive, perfect stone, no matter what the cost. But is Scarlett also destined to be blinded by the brilliance of the temptation that surrounds her? Or can she keep her nerve - and her principles - and make it to the top with her heart and her business still intact?