Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 37: Guest Naomi Craig and a Review of Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

THE BOOK

To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become. 

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy’s grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for. 

THE REVIEW

Turano’s take on pairing a no frills Poppy with etiquette lessons from Reginald, who is straighter than a ruler, will leave the reader laughing out loud at some of the antics and conversations the two of them have. Turano is a go-to author for readers of historical romance because her characters are always uniquely funny and standout-able (even if that’s not a word). There’s a bit of mystery thrown in for spice, but the quirks of falling in love amid unusual circumstances will keep the reader entertained long into the night. 

The often hilarious, and always swooning romance writing style of Turano will have readers coming back for her next book in the series!

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

THE AUTHOR

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/or on Twitter at JenTurano @JenTurano.

Purchase Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano here.