A DARK MAFIA ROMANCE
Girls like me, we know how to survive.
We each have our own little ways, but we acquire those skills at the same tender age.
If you ask me how many times a person can die, I’ll tell you many times. As many times as a man stabs you in the stomach with betrayal and wrings out your heart with lies.
Girls like me, we live.
We don’t get a choice.
We step over the cliff and fall.… choice.
We step over the cliff and fall.
Eat, sleep, die, and repeat.
(Diamonds in the Rough is Book 2 of the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. Book 3, Diamonds are Forever, which concludes the story, will be released in September 2020.)
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~~ 4.5 DARKLY SPELLBINDING STARS! ~~
“She’s the light to my hell, the hope to my infernal darkness.”
Charmaine Pauls delivers a shimmering second installment in the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER trilogy!
With each new book this mega talented author pens, she continues to astound me with her writing prowess, and she has effortlessly secured herself a spot on my list of favorite romance authors. This dark and twisted mafia romance is brimming with discord and desire, chilling suspense, secrets and betrayal, and a plethora of scorching hot erotic interludes that’s guaranteed to leave you PANTING for more!
This is a SPOILER-FREE review so I am not going to offer any juicy plot nuggets. But picking up right where DIAMONDS IN THE DUST left off, with our heroine in GRAVE peril after that scream-worthy cliffy, take it from me that Maxime and Zoe’s dark romantic saga continues with a bang! For Zoe has done the unthinkable. She has fallen head over heels for her ruthless captor but she’s still never felt more alone and afraid, bereft and despondent, which has literally pushed her over the edge! Because how can she reconcile the fact that the man who has stolen her life—and her heart—is incapable of love. Or IS he?!
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH was a total binge read for me and I could not bear to put this masterful dark mafia romance down. Ms. Charmaine truly does not pull any punches with this tempestuous coupling, in which in the aftermath of Zoe’s dramatic act of desperation, she discovers she can no longer resist her dashingly diabolical captor who reels her in with an equal blend of cold hearted cruelty, twisted kindness and tender devotion. Gah! By the end of book one I was so invested in these enemies turned lovers and my obsession for them grew by leaps and bounds in this second installment! Their relationship is complicated and complex, tumultuous and torrid, breathtaking and gut-wrenching ! My heart positively ached for Zoey as she acclimated to her new life in her gilded cage and offered blind obedience to her ruthlessly sexy captor in exchange for her brother’s life.
“Here I am, a prisoner of my own making, bound to the heart of a merciless man.”
Maxime and Zoe’s chemistry is so COMBUSTIBLE, ELECTRIFYING and OH SO WICKEDLY WANTON you will be left writing him ecstasy! Maxime’s sadistic proclivities were as kinky as ever but this time around Zoey is practically putty in his big masterful hands. And I was a captive audience as I bore witness to her willingly submitting to this mesmerizing mafia underboss’s sinfully deviant seduction, which was laced with an intoxicating blend of pleasure, punishment and pain! Maxime continues to dole out exquisite rewards and harsh lessons as he sees fit but it’s like one step forward two steps back with this couple because every time they grow close, his love-starved mistress is still subjected to his rejection as emotional intimacy continues to be a hurdle that Maxime struggles to overcome. His therapy sessions shed new light into his damaged, warped soul, as well as his dysfunctional background, and the heavy burden of family’s expectations that have shaped him into the immoral mobster he is today. But is this self-professed psychopath capable of transformation in the name of love?
While the plot wasn’t quite as action-packed as in book one, the emotional layers to this book were utterly mind blowing. The MCs ever evolving dynamic was heartbreakingly, HAUNTIINGLY beautiful, wildly dysfunctional and tantalizingly toxic…and I lived and breathed every insanely addictive moment! I relished the dichotomy’s of both these characters—especially Maxime who was an unapologetically ruthless mafia enforcer who felt incapable of empathy or love yet his treatment toward his captive more often than not belied all that. For beneath the cold, aloof exterior lurks a tortured soul that I believe aches for salvation.
And as much as Zoe grapples with her feelings of guilt and shame for succumbing to her traitorous feelings for her disarming captor, he too wages an inner war from within. Demonstrating his self-destructive, masochistic tendencies as he continues to bend her to his will while at the same time lavishing his princess with grand luxuries and helping her pursue her fashion designer dreams. The metamorphosis of this couple as their relationship reaches new heights was fascinating.
I adored Zoe’s courage and compassion, her beautiful gentle spirit, her inner resilience and boundless hope and how against all odds she continues to see the best in others. Especially Maxime! Even when he can’t give her what she yearns for most in the world. TRUE LOVE. Yet just when you think this big bad mafia don and his precious “little flower” have reached an understanding…. BAM! Prepare for a devastating twist that will completely topple both their worlds.
“I hate him as much as I love him, but I hate myself more for loving him.”
And while Maxime’s shocking act of betrayal is not entirely out of character, the depth of his deceit is like a punch in the gut!
“This isn’t a fairytale kind of love. It’s a love forged with thorns, pain, and suffering.“
Can Zoey, who thrives on Maxime’s adoration and affections, even when its doles out in small doses, ever forgive him for his treacherous manipulations? And can we as readers look past it as well and find love in our hearts for this gloriously magnetic anti-hero after his true duplicity is finally revealed? That remains to be seen but I do know that my heart splintered in a trillion pieces for this innocent angel whose love and loyalty towards Maxime was turned against her in the worst possible way! But, as the old adage goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and ultimately that’s exactly what happened in Zoe’s case! For the sweet naive hopeless romantic that Maxime once could effortlessly control can no longer turn a blind eye as her heartless keeper finally pushes her to her breaking point. But is he fully prepared for the consequences of his deplorable actions?
Ultimately, DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH, which unfolds at a breakneck speed from start to finish, truly gave me emotional whiplash. And the reverberating impact CANNOT be underestimated! This book evoked so many confounding feelings in me and by the time the palpable plot culminates in a shattering crescendo, putting my heart once again in limbo with another nail-biting cliffy, I was left in a delicious trance!
Can’t wait for the EPIC final act!
This is book two in a trilogy; so read it in order.
This book is action pack with complex characters, twists and turns.
I was glued to this story and am anxiously anticipating how this story will end.
Dark, decadent and so well written.
This puts an antihero on a whole other level.
Ends in a cliff hanger and I Need to know what will happen next. I am volunteering to leave a review and recommendation for this book and series.
Unimaginable betrayal is the best way to describe Diamonds in the Rough #2 book of the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy. Charmaine Pauls has me so consumed in their story. I had many sleepless nights turning the pages til the very end… or so you would think it ends, but there is more to come in the final book, Diamonds are Forever. Zoe and Maxime have both stolen my heart and frustrated it even more. The anticipation to finish this trilogy is all in the feels and killing me. My hope is that we receive a strong and HEA in the true ending to this dark romance, that I know Charmaine will deliver to us.
Diamonds in the Rough is the 2nd book in the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy and Charmaine Pauls took us on an intense mind-blowing ride with this one. The story continues where the first book left off and Maxime, the selfish, heart-less hero and Zoe, the optimistic heroine, two complex characters with a complicated relationship, will be tested in this novel.
The story was fast paced, emotional and dark and I was hooked from beginning to end. Full of passion and heat, the story is also packed with angst and will have you frustrated at times wanting to throw your kindle. Then the cliff hanger ending will leave you anxious for the next book. This Dark mafia romance was well-written and detailed, filled with devastating twists you won’t expect, and give you all the feels as you experience everything these characters go through. Worthy of a 5 star rating, this story will leave you breathless and wanting more and I would highly recommend it to all lovers of dark romance.
An amazing and thrilling series so far!
WOW! This story is getting more suspenseful, more thrilling and sexier as we get closer to the conclusion. Zoe and Maxime still know how to keep me captivated and highly entertained with their intense passion, emotionally charged interactions and their fight for love. There were many times that their interactions left me breathless.
Zoe is growing more with the the story. She is becoming a stronger more fearsome woman but really all she is looking for is Maxime to acknowledge that he does love her. He seems to show it in his own way but words have power and he’s not ready to give her that yet.
Their story is dark, dangerous and suspenseful with completely shocking twists and turns that make our heads spin. This amazing author leaves us readers in suspense not knowing what will happen next.
This story just keeps getting better and I cannot wait for more!
This book is so good make sure to buy the entire series!
“Be careful of what you wish for.” – This is what I told myself when the drama finally happened. I love possessive alpha male characters. I adore them and I am obsessed with them. But sometimes, it becomes predictable and sometimes I want the element of surprise.
In the middle of the book, I thought this is another story wherein the only problem is the hero’s inability to fall in love. And I told myself, I need some drama and heart wrenching scenes cause I’m starting to predict where the story is going to. I wanted a good cry and I’m wishing for another woman plot twist and Oh my gosh I didn’t expect that Charmaine will actually deliver and throw that in this book! As if Francine is not enough! I wanted to punch Maxime in the face! How can he be so cruel?! My heart really breaks for Zoe. But I really appreciate that Zoe is a woman with good character who stands by her principle. She’s not a cheater and I admire and applaud her for that.
Charmaine is really good in making you engrossed with her story and also the way she writes is just so captivating. I can’t wait for the final book. This series is so good, it deserves to be put in my re-read shelve!
If you are looking for a series to get your emotions so revved up that you can’t think straight? Read this series.
I’m not sure I can even put into words. I’m feeling betrayed just as much as the heroine is feeling it. I wanted to cry and lash out just like she wanted to. And that ending! Oh man, was that cruel to end that way.
September can’t come fast enough for the next book to release. I say all these things in a good way. The fact that I am feeling this strongly proves what an outstanding job the author did to make these characters come alive.
This author writes edgier stories and she writes dark enough to push at the boundaries I have set for myself. I find myself nervous but excited to see what she will bring to wrap up Maxime and Zoe’s love story.
Maxime and Zoe are still in an untenable situation. Zoe is finding that she’s falling in love with Maxime. Maxime believes he can’t love anyone. The twist in the end is shocking and I wanted to kick Maxime. I am eagerly awaiting the next book to see how this couple’s story turns out.
Good Lord does Maxime need beat. I fell in love with him in the last book and hate him in this book. That ending was a total blind side and I hope Maxime earns Zoe’s respect and trust back. I can’t wait until September. This has become my Favorite series of 2020. Charmaine you are so talented
How does this keep happening? Lol Once again I am in shock!! So listen, this trilogy is so unpredictable I don’t even know if you guys should be reading reviews. Seriously. Someone is going to slip up and tell you something that will ruin the stoooooooop it moment in these installments that quite honestly, I loathe but love at the same time. I mean … who reads a Charmaine book and expects rainbows and unicorns? amirite? This one though … it’s extra people! You’ve been warned 🙂
Even tho I am not going to give away anything that happens in this story, I want to take a few minutes of your time and talk about Charmaine’s skill. This woman is a powerhouse. When I reviewed the first book in this trilogy I was so incredibly stunned at her wizardry that I stated “I don’t think she can out-do what she’s written here as the beginning of this journey. Well, clearly, her skill has no bounds. She has a way of pulling the reader into the darkest shadows in a story and make them adore the darkness. Her stories are exciting and passionate and never predictable. READ HER WORK!
I have zero clue the direction this story is taking any more LOL but I am looking forward to it. She twisted my mind seven ways to Sunday with the ending here so I am like *blank stare* right now. I have no doubt she will blow me away!
OMG I did not any of this coming it consumed me the twists and turns lies betrayal will break you and have your heart racing a mile a minute I can’t even guess what’s next I’m so nervous.
Zoe and Maxime are fire together and the passion is out of this world I’m not sure what to think anymore of Maxime but I do still love him and Zoe you go girl prove your strengh and I cannot wait to see what happens.
I devoured this book in a day. It’s angsty and super hot. The dubious consent makes me uncomfortable at times, but in a good way. This series makes me feel so torn in half. One part of me loves Max and I just want to hug him and love him. The other part of me wishes Zoe would just kill him! He definitely deserves it. I hope he can redeem himself in the final book. I feel so bad for Zoe. Her loneliness just drips from the pages. I want to be her friend so bad. She just breaks my heart. I can’t wait for the last book in the trilogy. I need it so bad!
Diamonds in the Rough is book two of the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy, although I did find this book a bit more tamer than Diamonds in the Dust it was still a great read. Maxim is the anti-hero I love to hate.
More lies. More violence. More angst. This book was just more.
This trilogy is perfect for all of my dark mafia romance lovers. Diamonds in the Dust is needed to be read prior to this book as DITR is not a standalone.
I cannot wait for the conclusion to Maxim and Zoe’s story on September 15th!
Welp, it’s happened…..this book has ruined all other book’s for me lol. As soon as I finished reading this book, I honestly went through my book list trying to find a book similar to this series. How am I supposed to wait patiently until the final book is released?!? I tried so hard to prolong reading this novel but that heart-wrenching twist, OMG!! Is it wrong to say that I truly hope Maxime AND his family all face a fiery end lol? To think, my heart went out to him and he does what he does to Zoe and thinks it’s going to be “all well”; it’s truly mind-boggling. I understand it is the family way of things, but I believed Maxine marched to the beat of his drum. The way he stood up for Zoe was, in his way, showing his affection for her but his “duty” got in the way.
I cannot praise this series and this author enough! This book/series is dark, sexy, and OFF the charts hot! Yes, the chemistry between Zoe and Maxime is panty-melting but, in my opinion, what made Maxime attractive was the way he protected and defended Zoe. He couldn’t show her the love she sought but he tried to show her in other ways. I can’t wait until the release of the third and final book in this series! Anxious to read it and sad to see it end.
oh Zoe! How can you be so naive? Don’t you realize that your big heart is just leading you to heartbreak? Can’t you see that Maxime is just playing you?
oh Maxime! How can you be so cruel? Don’t you know that she is the one who will bring your heart to life? Can’t you see that you are hurting the one who believes?
Book 2 in this trilogy… how will it all get resolved when there are so many obstacles in the way?
Great series so far!!
Zoe and Maxime’s tumultuous relationship continues with more lies, evasions, violence and sexual depravity than you can imagine and it completely blew my mind. As Zoe reluctantly learns to behave as her captor wishes she and Maxime form a reluctant truce but the behavior of unseen enemies will bruise and batter her spirit leaving Zoe struggling in her lonely world. I was moved to tears when a devastating betrayal destroys Zoe’s battered heart and I have never hated a character more than I loathe Maxime and the world he comes from. I will be holding my breath for the last book in this brutally captivating series and I’m anxious to see if the author will be able to redeem Maxime’s black unfeeling heart. I read an early copy of this book and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
Diamonds in the Rough by Charmaine Pauls is book Two in the Diamonds are Forever Trilogy. This continues the story of f Zoe Hart and Maxime ‘Max’ Belshaw, so you really need to read the previous book ‘Diamonds in the Dust’ before starting this one. Zoe has been in a situation not really of her doing and she has tried to stay strong. Even when her feelings for Max started to become more. Although Max seems to want her to have all that she needs he doesn’t see what she needs most is him. Max has his own issues that seem to keep him tethered to his family situation. I really have a love / hate relationship with Max. But this has been a page turning series that still have another book to coming up to continue their story. Love this author’s writing!
This is dark mafia romance is the second book in the Diamonds Are Forever Series. To fully understand the story I recommend that you read the first book in the series, Diamonds In The Dust. Remember this is a trilogy so it does end with a cliffhanger. This book is full of lots of fast action, danger, and dark elements. Once you start reading you’ll find it hard to put it down. If you like mafia romances, you’ll love this book. Zoe and Maxime took me on one wild ride that was emotionally charged. So many twists and turns that I felt like I was on a roller coaster at times. Magically written, Charmaine is a master of words. A great addition to the series and can’t wait to find out how the story ends in the third and final book. I read an arc and voluntarily chose to review it.
Innocence and naivete are both a blessing and a curse. Zoe learns that in painful clarity during Diamonds in the Rough.
Lies and manipulation are the currency of the new world she has been treading water in. She has no way of truly surviving. She will lose herself.
Her love should be a balm and yet it poisons her from the inside out. Charmaine Pauls has definitely given us more feeling, more angst, and more heartache.
I am absolutely sure that this is only going to hurt more. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I wonder just how good Diamonds Are Forever is going to be.