It’s not a place for the weak.No one here tolerates wimps.If you can’t handle it, leave.Welcome to Stark Springs, Colorado, home to the most talented young athletes in the world. When Roxie Slade snaps into a pair of skis, there’s no one on Sugarville Mountain in Vermont who can keep up with her. Not even the boys. Still, Roxie was shocked when she received a scholarship to Stark Springs Academy, … Stark Springs Academy, a boarding school that churns out Olympians in each graduating class. Entering as a high school junior, Roxie can’t wait to learn from renowned coaches and train with the fastest ski racers from all over the globe. But upon arrival, Roxie discovers that Stark Springs lives under its own set of rules, and it appears one boy plays dictator.
Ryker Black is not friendly and Roxie cannot fathom why everyone wants to be his friend. Sure, he’s gorgeous and rides a snowboard like it’s his fifth limb, but he’s cold, ruthless, and holds way too much power over the Stark Springs population. Roxie won’t put up with it. She’s here to train, and she doesn’t care about impressing anyone off the slopes. The only problem? Ryker Black doesn’t permit defiance. Not without consequences.
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This is the first book in the Stark Springs Academy Trilogy. Roxie and Ryker’s story is original, and fast paced, and twisted. Roxie is strong and smart. Ryker is enigmatic and powerful. Looking forward to listen to the next installment. Leanne Woodward did a nice job with the narration. #AudiobookObsession
Loved reading about the winter sports in this book. It was a total page turner for me and I immediately downloaded the next two books in this series.
Caught my attention from the first page kept me enthralled throughout. I love how the characters developed as well as the storyline flows till the finale.
(Review with spoilers)
First book in the series. I loved it.
Roxie receives a scholarship to study in one of the best academies in the country. She doesn’t know why it was offered to her, and she has many doubts about her skiing level. But she can’t refuse such an opportunity. The training is hard, much more than she expected. Competition is fierce. It’s difficult for her, accustomed to a friendly atmosphere, being rivals on the track but friends outside. She trains hard, but still has doubts about her performance. Until an unexpected event makes her willpower increase and she decides not to give up.
I love Roxie. She doesn’t give up, she fights. She says what she thinks, she doesn’t lie. She trusts people, she doesn’t hesitate to give a second chance. She forgives, she does not want revenge.
Initially, I did not like Ryker. He grew in me, but I don’t love him, not like Roxie. I love his tender, reflective side, how he opens up with Roxie and tells her everything that happens, what he has never told anyone. Never before has he opened so much with anyone. But he is also serious, cold, too much for someone his age. I understand why he behaves like this. He had to grow up too fast. But that doesn’t give him the right to treat people the way he treats them, or to want to control Roxie.
I love Roxie’s friends, how they are always there for her.
I recommend it.
I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest review.
I love Ali Dean’s sports romances. It’s been that way since I read the first in her Pepper Jones series and walked away totally addicted both to the romance and the feeling of really being an insider on the sport (cross country in that case). That’s probably why I glommed on Black Diamond when I saw it. If anything this book was even better than the Pepper Jones books (a very high bar as those books are so superb that I’ve re-read that series several times). So much so that I’ve addictively binge read through Double Black and Black Ice too. Why? Because not only do we once again get so far into the head of a top athlete as to really feel like an insider in the sport itself, in this case skiing, but we also get high business intrigue and a real thriller of a suspense. Roxie and Ryker’s romance in Stark Springs Academy series is also simply beautifully done. The series has reached a logical stopping point at book 3, but I’m not going to call it a trilogy as I’m hoping for more (hey, there’s precedent here: the Pepper Jones stories reached logical stopping points at times but the author still found ways to continue the series with new novels that worked beautifully). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises – each of the books in this series definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that this series is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend each book.
Roxie Slade is new to Starks Springs academy, she’s there on a scholarship and isn’t sure she belongs and is wondering why they asked her to come. She is weirded out when everyone tells her about the rules and that you just follow them and don’t ask questions. Things are definitely different in Starks Springs and she doesn’t know how she feels about it.
Ryker Black is intimidating and endearing. He has secrets and it makes him an enigma. Roxie doesn’t know what to think about him but she automatically feels the need to stay away and avoid him.
This book is full of twists and turns and the events are definitely unexpected. The girls are not welcoming, well some of them aren’t and it’s obvious where the hierarchy stands, with of course Ryker at the top. What Roxie doesn’t realize is just how high up he truly is and just how far the secrets go.
I loved Roxie and Ryker, even when they frustrated me. The two together were sweet and easy when they were alone, but separate they were distant and evasive. They were both extraordinary athletes, with Ryker being well known and Roxie trying to make a name for herself. She doesn’t know if she has what it takes but fierce determination and emotions can work wonders. I loved this book and was shocked at some of the things that happened, I thought no way this can’t be happening.
Black Diamond is a stand alone story. I preferred Ali Dean’s Kick and the Defiance Falls series (except for the Defiance Falls cliffhanger mid-series), but I do want to continue with Double Black to see what happens next. It’s definitely in the high school bully category in addition to the sports. The sports practice/competition details were a nice break from the relationship drama. The content was in the PG13 range.
I listened to the Audible version. Leanne Woodward was a new narrator for me. Her voice was easy to listen to and I will definitely listen to her again (likely later today when I start Double Black).
#AudiobookObsession
Stark Academy, is the elite boarding school for winter sports. The best of the best attend there by invitation only. Many of the athletes go on to compete in the Olympics. It is expected to obey all the rules, not the handbook. The ones given by Ryker Black. He is considered the best snowboarder and heir to the Black fortune. Roxie Slade was surprised she received a full ski scholarship. She’s there to train, to improve her skiing skills.But Ryker gets under her skin by all his rules. Ryker and his crew make it difficult for newbies just to see if they can make the cut. When Ryker shows any attention to Roxie, the mean girls in his crew, retaliated by playing a mean dangerous prank on her. Ali Dean has a great start to another sports series!
Leanne Woodward is a very good narrator. I enjoyed lIstening
. auduobookobessionreviewer
Black Diamond
Stark Springs Academy, Book 1
By: Ali Dean
Narrated by: Leanne Woodward
There are only a few that can write fantastic young adult sports romance, and for me Ali Dean is the one I go to first. This is the third series I have gotten myself lost in and I can’t be happier. Black Diamond features winter sports, and takes us to Stark Springs Academy. Roxie has a scholarship and arrives to ready to start her junior year. Hoping to find some camaraderie like she has with her friends at home, she finds just the opposite. Ryker Black, a senior, runs the school with his group affectionately referred to as the Posse. He can make or break you, so when Roxie didn’t bend to his command, she was off to a rocky start. But there is always more than meets the eye to people. And we begin to see it in this first book of the series. Dean has created a feeling inside the school that everyone can relate to. It may not have been as harsh, but there is always that group, and that one person who seems to be in charge. The book has a slight bully feel at times and it’s not just from Ryker. I love Roxie. She is spunky and has a good outlook. And her friends are amazing. Ryker took a little warming up to, but I am sensing there is even more to this young, mature adult than we know, and I can’t wait to find out! Add in all the winter sports fun, and I am hooked to Ali Dean’s writing. Again!
Leanne Woodward gives these characters the perfect narration. Each person has a distinct voice, and she nails the attitudes and feelings perfectly. She is a fabulous choice for this series.
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A great storyline! Hard to put down! Intense and Emotional! Hot Chemistry! I truly enjoyed this read! Get it and Read it!
Addicted to the collection, absolutely love it.
Each book just gets better and better every time I read a book from the collection. Wonderful characters that can be related to. These books you won’t want to put down, you’ll be hooked from the start, I enjoyed reading them. I’d recommend your books to anyone. Loaded up with a drink so I could cuddle up and read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is shocked when she gets a chance of going to the best school which brings out the best in the Olympics. What she does not expect is one big ruling the roost. No-one disagrees with him with out consequences. What will happen now? Will she put him in his place? See what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Very cliquish. Some people just expect certain things and just want to maintain status quo. Doesn’t work out for them too well. She was the oddball that no one expected. She got in on skill and scholarships. Just so happens that he likes her enough to claim her (to their dislike). She just wants his time in between school and sports. Ready for the next book to find out what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book with this author and I love the world that the author has created. Ryker being known as the “mafia boss of winter “ is brilliant and I love Ryker and Roxanne’s relationship. Strong characters with memorable twists I am looking forward to reading the next installment
Thus is the first story in the Stark Spring Academy Series. I enjoyed reading about Roxie and Ryker. It had many twists and turns in these story. I look forward to reading the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this wonderful YA read about Ryker and Roxie! Lots happening in this sports romance complete with boarding school setting and all the stigma / drama that goes with being a scholarship student. Totally hooked and could not put it down!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Roxie gets a scholarship to Spark Springs Academy which is an elite boarding school to prepare students for competing in winter sports. Though most kids enter at a much earlier age, Roxie enters on her junior year in high school. Noticing there are some peculiar attributes to this school, she soon learns all is not as it should be. For one, Ryker Black, seems to run the school and everyone in it even though he is a student there. He invites her to join his “posse” but she declines and goes to sit with her roommate. This shocks everyone in the dining hall. The more she discovers the workings of Ryker and the school she is can’t help but wonder what she has gotten herself into. As she gets to know Ryker, she starts to have feelings for him but he is hot and cold and she isn’t sure where she stands with him, nor will she be in his posse of women/friends. Yet Ryker cannot commit to Roxie. One event that could have been tragic occurs and this starts the rollercoaster between these two. Great start to this series and I look forward to reading the next one. Have to admit I was beginning to think it was a cult with all the rules but as you read into the story, more and more clues come forth. Definitely recommend. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this story and the characters. I loved how Roxie did not want to just bow down to Ryker. She was in a new school but for the most part she didn’t back down and just cater to his whims, even when her new friends starting distancing themselves from her in the middle of it. I liked the pace of the story. We get to see a lot of build up between Roxie and Ryker. There is plenty to grab and hold your attention as you go through the book. We have our typical mean girls but because of their wealth and where they stand in the social hierarchy (outside of the academy as well as in) they are more ruthless and have more means. I was definitely hoping for more of Roxie and Ryker together and we don’t get to see too much of that in here. We get to see the beginning stages of them getting to know each other and finding each other’s boundaries with what they are willing to put up with but not a lot of time of them being together. With that said, it didn’t detract from the story too much, because it fit the characters and how everything was set up. It just makes me lean toward this not being a standalone story really. We do have an ending that is not a cliffhanger and it’s a little bit of a happy for now, I just wanted more out of it at the time. I’m super excited to pick up the next story and continue their journey! This was a fantastic read!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.