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.more
Poppy Garrison has to be one of my most favorite characters, Jen Turano has created! She refuses to follow the rules to the chagrin of her grandmother. All of Poppy’s mischief’s had me laughing out loud. And poor Reginald! He’s tasked with the misfortune of giving Poppy etiquette lessons.
True to Ms. Turano’s style, and creative humor, Diamond in the Rough is a book full of historical New York society, humor, along with a hero and heroine that are as compatible as macrons and barbecue.
Ms. Turano is very good at bringing the character around to self-discovery. Poppy is all wrapped up in who she is as the daughter of the owner of Garrison Farms. A young woman who loves horses and is quite happy staying out of the formal part of society. But as she goes through different circumstances she begins to learn more about herself. I love how Ms. Turano does this. Especially with all the fun, ridiculous, mishaps she places her characters in.
I’ve been reading Jen Turano’s books since her first book, A Change of Fortune, and each book keeps getting better and better. This book can easily be read as a stand alone, but you will want to read the first book, Flights of Fancy!
I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher in association with Ms. Turano’s street team. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I believe that this has been my favorite book that Jen Turano has ever written. I laughed from start to finish. I would have loved to have a friend like Poppy to go through a season with. Every character was so well written. I can’t wait for book 3 in this series. Though this book still makes you know that you would have wanted money if you lived during these times. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano is the second book in her American Heiresses series. Poppy Garrison accepts financial help from her grandmother for her family. In exchange Poppy must join her for the New York social Season. Trying to make Poppy into the crème of society is a challenge. There is trouble everywhere that she goes. Reginald Blackburn, second son of the Duke of Sutherland came to New York to help his cousin find an American heiress to marry. Because of his very British manners, Poppy’s grandmother hires him to teach Poppy etiquette. Will Reginald be able to turn Poppy into a Diamond of the First Water or is she too much of a Diamond in the Rough? This book is hilarious! I caught myself laughing out loud several times. Earning some strange looks from my husband! I loved the way Poppy never backed down from a fight but stood for what she thought was right. She wasn’t afraid of what people said about her. She stayed true to herself. Some of the situations that she found herself in were hilarious but she made the best of the situation and kept on going. We could learn a lesson from her. Don’t let the situation overcome you; overcome the situation!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Another just plain fun book from this author. I could sympathize with the main character. I’m a klutz…have been all my life. She gets involved in so many “catastrophes” that her grandmother is seeking help. Poppy is such a great main character, and I love the things that come into play from previous books…especially the mention of someone getting stuck because of an interesting bustle! This author is always sure to get giggles and outright laughter from her books. Reginald is wonderful opposite Poppy. The story, characters, and faith theme all combine for another winner of a read from Ms. Turano. No one in Christian Fiction produces a novel like hers. Go buy any of her reads…and have fun! This is one of her best yet.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Deligtful! That is the word I would use to describe Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano. I absolutely loved this book! It was everything I was hoping it would be! Poppy was charming, up-beat, humorous, and a magnet for mishaps. All of these things made her perfectly imperfect and easy to like. Reginald reminded me of a stodgy Carrie Grant type character, who underneath his stiff collar personality, had a heart of gold! The combination of these two characters was non-stop entertainment and laughs! I loved every page. There was a bit of a mystery thrown in to this story, which just added another layer of interest for me. I was smiling at the end of this book and already craving another book in this American Heiress Series!
This story is wondrously funny, the word pictures kept me page-turning, and never expecting what is about to happen next.
Talk about putting a square peg into a round hole, well, we take a farm girl and put her into elite society in NY City in the 1880’s. She is soon rubbing, or falling, shoulders with the who’s who in America, along with some British aristocrats.
We have family blackmail, assaults, guns going off, horses in Central Park lake, etc. Could just picture this as a movie, but be aware along with glorious laughs there are a few gasps as we wonder if our Poppy will survive.
A don’t miss delightful read!
I received this book through Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.
This is book 2 in the American Heiresses series – You do not need to have read book one (Flights of Fancy) to know what is going on. Poppy has got to be one of my most favorite characters that the author has created. She had me laughing from the beginning. My heart went out to her. I am a klutz and through no fault of my own – end up making a fool of myself pretty reguarly. When Poppy falls into financial difficulties – her grandmother agrees to help her out – but she must be presented into the New York society. Which proves to be disasterous. (Comical but disaserous) Her grandma enlists the help of Reginald Blackburn. He is enlisted to teach her proper etiquette. He is second son to a duke – and is visiting the United States. They get off to a rough start – but they become in tune and comical. I always love the setting that the author writes in – she is so knowledgable of it. If you enjoye humor, sweet romance and a light read – this book is for you.
I received a copy of the book through the author – all thoughts are my own.
This is the second book in Jen Turano’s latest series and it does not disappoint. It includes all of the whit and charm as her other books — everything you have come to expect from her. If you haven’t read Flights of Fancy, there is no need to worry about starting with the second book and feeling lost. While some of the characters and references carryover to this book, you won’t be lost or feel left out of the fun.
The story is about Poppy Garrison, an heiress more comfortable on a horse farm than the ballrooms of NYC society. She is everything her name inspires — a bundle of charm and energy. Her goal is to get through the season without embarrassing herself or her grandmother beyond redemption so that her grandmother will provide the financial support her parents need for their expanded horse farm.
When she meets Reginald Blackburn, she isn’t thinking about relationships and certainly not about marriage. But she can’t help being charmed or attracted. Who can blame her when she is faced with an attractive man with a British accent? Reginald is even less interested in marriage and less interested in Poppy who is nothing that suits his life as the second son of a Duke.
The antics that ensue as the two cluelessly fall in love are typical of everything that a book by Jen Turano is known to offer. Misunderstandings, humor, a little bit of danger, reconciliation, friendships, and, of course, love.
When the family business of charming, but mischief-prone Poppy Garrison falls into financial difficulties, her wealthy grandmother offers to save it on the condition that Poppy abandon the only home she’s known and be presented into the formidable New York City society scene. But Poppy’s woeful (yet oddly cheery) ineptitude in the face of complicated etiquette rules and dance steps threatens to make her debut season a world class disaster until her grandmother enlists the guidance of Reginald Blackburn, a sophisticated British gentleman with a secret. Initially, Reginald and Poppy go together about as well as escargot and clotted cream, but in time, their mutual antagonism begins to fade in a most surprising fashion.
Diamond in the Rough is a delightful read, thanks in part to the sumptuous Gilded Age setting, witty banter, and classic Jen Turano mishaps such as wardrobe fails, unpredictable animals, and ballroom mayhem. But what really makes this story shine is Poppy’s character arc.
Despite numerous debacles, the longer Poppy continues in society, the more she begins to adapt to new situations and people, learning more about herself and her talents in the process. She finally comes into her own when she discovers the depth of poverty and need in the city around her and is inspired to do something about it. Poppy’s journey serves as a good reminder that God can use challenging or undesirable circumstances as opportunities to serve Him and love others.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy hilarity, sweet romance, and an uplifting message.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher, but was not obliged to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was ready for a light-hearted book when I opened Diamond in the Rough and its opening line let me know quickly that I had the right book. I can always count on any book by Jen Turano to provide me with plenty of giggles and maybe even a restrained belly laugh or two and this book was no exception. As usual, this book takes place mostly among the high society of that era.
With a leading lady who cares little for the demands of high society and who seems to be followed by trouble with a capital T, and a starched, impeccable, and proper English hero, readers can be assured that Diamond in the Rough is a recipe for disaster blended with lots of fun. I loved Poppy whose good intentions sometimes tripped her up but her good humor kept her likeable. It was such fun watching Reginald fall under Poppy’s spell and lose some of his starchiness. I also loved some of the secondary characters, especially wimpy Murray whose entire persona changed due to his association with Poppy and Reginald.
Loved, loved, loved this book! As long as the author will keep writing them, I will most assuredly keep reading them!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author through Bethany House Publishers. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
I had so much fun reading Diamond in the Rough. I basically laughed my way through this engaging historical fiction. I adore Turano’s unique characters and all the mayhem that they encounter. Amidst these mishaps within the events of New York City society, the most interesting romances develop. Perfect matches are sought after and all becomes fair in love. Truly, one of Turano’s best. Although this is book 2 in the American Heiress series, it certainly can be read as a standalone. I am already impatiently awaiting book 3. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I had a chance to listen to the audtiobook:
What a fun listen! Although I had already read this novel, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this humorous story again. With a clear voice and good pacing, Andrea Emmes did the narration. She did a good job using different character voices. This story is filled with wonderful characters and it was fun to revisit. I especially enjoyed all the laughs. I was given a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
“The oddest things happen when I least expect them.”-stated by Poppy Garrison, heroine of “Diamond in the Rough”, at a dance in 1885 for the New York elite, after her tiara gets stuck on her partner’s jacket while dancing a difficult Quadrille.
Jen Turano’s books can always make me laugh, and I think I giggled and laughed out loud throughout most of this book. Poppy Garrison is a heroine like no other. She’s strong, compassionate, and impulsive. She would seem to be the perfect “American Heiress” for a titled British gentlemen looking for a beautiful, sweet bride with a comfortable inheritance. But, as Poppy says, odd things happen to her. (I mean, who else would a duck fly into and knock her off her horse?) Poppy’s grandmother persuades Reginald Blackburn, the second son of a Duke, to give Poppy lessons in fitting in the New York society and become a “diamond of the first water.” It’s a learning curve for both Poppy and Reginald and their story is a sweet one.
All the characters in this book held my interest and I cared about all of them finding their “happily-ever-after”. There’s even a touch of suspense that makes the ending that much better.
I love a book that makes me laugh, yet still has a sweet spirit to it. I think this may be my favorite Jen Turano book I’ve read. This “American Heiress” series will be a fun one to follow.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
‘You must have realized by now that I’m not always keen to follow rules.’
Well, if you have never read a book by Jen Turano, you are definitely missing out on a wonderfully funny, delightful and rip roaring good time. Miss Poppy Garrison (don’t you love that name?) wants to help save her family from financial setbacks, so she accepts what she truly believes is blackmail from her grandmother to have a social season in New York. Poppy, however, is not the least bit socially adept and misfortune and chaos seem to follow her everywhere. Now, at the same time Poppy is having her season and quite ruining it, the Earl of Lonsdale comes to America in search of an American heiress, accompanied by his cousin, Reginald Blackburn, the second son of a very well known duke, a fact he does not broadcast. Somehow or another, Reginald finds himself roped into teaching Poppy all the social intricacies of the day by her grandmother! How did that happen? Well, when two people are thrown together all the time, certain feelings are bound to develop.
Poppy Garrison is a law unto herself and crazy exploits ensue in every direction in this book. I declare to goodness, I loved it tremendously! I was eating lunch out one day and reading this book and just burst into great laughter. Out loud! And I didn’t care one bit what people thought about me. Turano’s books are so good that I find myself going back and reading passages all over again just so I can laugh some more. Her trademark dry humor is the absolute best! Her books are so vividly written, that they run across the screen in my mind like a play, while I enjoy every single sentence. I highly recommend not only this book, but every one of her books! They are so much fun!
My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.