Book Review: Diamonds & Deceit by Leila Rasheed

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Publication Date: January 7, 2014

Series: At Somerton #2

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

Acquired From: Public Library

SYNOPSIS

A house divided...

London is a whirl of balls and teas, alliances and rivalries. Rose has never felt more out of place. With the Season in full swing, she can't help but still feel a servant dressed up in diamonds and silk. Then Rose meets Alexander Ross, a young Scottish duke, Rose has heard the rumors about Ross's sordid past just like everyone else has. Yet he alone treats her as a friend. Rose knows better than to give her heart to an aristocrat with such a reputation, but it may be too late.  

Ada should be happy. She is engaged to a handsome man who shares her political passions and has promised to support her education. So why does she feel hollow inside? Even if she hated Lord Fintan, she would have no choice but to go through with the marriage. Every day a new credit collector knocks on the door of their London flat, demanding payment for her cousin William's expenditures. Her father's heir seems determined to bring her family to ruin, and only a brilliant marriage can save Somerton Court and the Averleys' reputation.

Meanwhile, at Somerton, Sebastian is out of his mind with worry for his former valet Oliver, who refuses to plead innocent to the murder charges against him--for a death caused by Sebastian himself. Sebastian will do whatever he can to help the boy he loves, but his indiscretion is dangerous fodder for a reporter with sharp eyes and dishonorable intentions.

The colorful cast of the At Somerton series returns in this enthralling sequel about class and fortune, trust and betrayal, love and revenge.

-From Goodreads

REVIEW

I absolutely flew through Diamonds & Deceit. It was such a wonderful read, and I have to say that I enjoyed it much more than the first novel. Therefore I can easily give Diamonds & Deceit 4.5 out of 5 stars.

There were a lot of things to love about this novel. There was a lot of great character growth in this sequel, particularly from Charlotte, even though it didn't happen until the very end. It was fast paced and contained a good number of twists and turns to keep your interest. And it was filled with emotion that made you feel as if you were part of this world. While the romance was a key plot point, it didn't dominate the story. It fleshed out the other emotions--particularly the betrayal and venom that came throughout the story--in a way that made the novel feel very real. There was mystery and tragedy. A beautiful, breathtaking story that I'll gladly read again.