United in a common cause… infernally handsome—and far too honorable to act on their mutual attraction.
And in a desire impossible to deny…
Florian Lowell has suddenly been made heir to the Duke of Redding—a far cry from his status as a dedicated physician. Yet even with his new role as the country’s most eligible bachelor, the beautiful, fearless Juliette is utterly beyond his reach. The scandalous circumstances of his birth would destroy both their reputations if they became known. But when a more urgent danger threatens Juliette’s life, Florian must gamble everything…including the heart only one woman can tame.
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Book 3 in The Diamonds In The Rough tells the story of Juliette Matthews and Dr. Florian Lowell. If you have read the first two books in the Series then you know Juliette and Florian. This book can also be read as a stand-alone novel, but if you can I would highly recommend you read the previous books also. Sophie is a wonderfully talented author who writes beautiful love stories with marvelous characters. Her books are full of wit, suspense, with spellbinding drama, evil villains, heart-stopping peril and ravishing sensual love scenes.
Juliette is the younger sister of a Duke who spent her young life living in the slums of St. Giles. Her brother did his best to keep them sheltered and fed. Now her family is back in their place in Society and Juliette is a much sought after young lady. Her brother and sister are now both happily married and they want Juliette to find the same happiness. She is still uncomfortable in her new role as a debutante and hasn’t met anyone yet that she would consider as a husband. She wants to do all that she can for the poor people that she lived around in St. Giles. She is determined to do everything she can to ease their heavy burdens as much as she can.
Florian Lowell is one of the most respected doctors in England. He is a Gentleman by birth and heir to a Dukedom. He has devoted his life to helping the poor. He is very uncomfortable in social situations and feels time spent away from his patients is a waste of his time. Now that he is his uncle’s heir he has to take time out of days to attend Ton functions. He doesn’t like to dance and small talk and gossip are not his forte. The only saving grace is that he can see and talk to Juliette Matthews. She is not like the other young ladies in that she is interested in learning all she can to help anyone less fortunate than her. It doesn’t hurt that she is beautiful, but even though he is attracted to her, he doesn’t have time to court a woman. Florian has a secret that if it ever got out could ruin him and take away everything he has worked for. So it is best to keep Juliette at a distance if only it was that easy.
When a typhus epidemic strikes St. Giles Florian will need all the help he can get. Juliette donates 3,000 pounds of her money and joins the board at the hospital to help. As they see each other more the attraction that they both are fighting grows stronger. Juliette doesn’t understand why Florian is keeping her at a distance. The attraction is electric and Juliette knows he wants her too. Florian won’t explain why they cannot be together, he just says that he is not the person that she thinks he is. When Juliette becomes Ill Florian will do anything to save her life.
I absolutely loved Florian and Juliette’s love story. Two people who are made for each other and the forces that attempt to keep them apart. In the darkness of Florian’s secret is a madman who is determined to punish him and take away everyone who he loves. When Florian’s enemy goes after Juliette he realizes that he can’t live without her. Can he save her and keep his life’s work at the same time? Do not miss this one. I loved it!!
Flat
Despite all the altruism happening in this book, it failed to evoke any emotion and left me feeling uninspired. Correction – there was a flicker of excitement near the end. The writing wasn’t bad. The story was just repetitive, predictable, and bland.
I assumed this book was standalone, but the cover does not describe it as one, nor does it read like one. The hardship Juliette endured with her previous change of status was mentioned but not explored. Also, it seemed the history behind Florian’s and Juliette’s acquaintance was missing so
The cutting edge of Regency Era medicine.
Physician and surgeon Florian Lowell does not intend to marry. His profession is his life — even after an uncle designates him as his heir.
Juliette knows poverty first hand. Now she and her siblings are rich and slowly gaining respect from society. Her heart remains on doing the most good for others instead of the frivolous life.
Ms. Barnes reveals secrets and increases the dangers to Florian and Juliette as they discover their importance to each other. This is the third in a series and it reads well as a stand-alone. (But I may go looking for the previous Diamonds in the Rough.)
Let me just say Florian can sweep me off my feet any day. I love when he says IF he settles down he wants someone who is interested in his medical work not someone who gets squiggy about it. Juliette in the previous books was made out to be such a fragile woman when in truth, she’s the strongest of them all. She wants to learn all she can so she can help at the hospital after she donates her allowance for a year to the institution. The two are like two magnets, though both try to deny their attraction. With a series of battle of wills, a bit of suspense and sorrow this story is a perfect mix for an amazing historical romance!
The Illegitimate Duke by Sophie Barnes is book Three in the Diamonds in the Rough series. This is the story of Juliette Matthews and Florian Lowell. I have read (and Loved!) the previous books, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
When Juliette was younger she became sick and with the death of her sister she became very protected and confined. But this lead her to read and become very interested in medicine and helping others. Florian being a second son had taken up the profession of being a doctor, but then his life changed when it was set for him to inherit the title of Duke of Redding. Florian was a doctor that helped Juliette get over a illness and her feelings for him started. Now she is better in health and better financially looking to help others. Florian has feelings for Juliette but because of a past and present threat that is plaguing him, he can’t risk ruining her.
Really enjoyed reading their story and seeing how it would end….loved it!
Oh my! I just loved this third instalment of Diamonds in the Rough series!
This is Florian Lowell’s and Juliette Mathews the youngest sister of the Duke of Huntley story.
A page turner full of danger and suspense, villainous characters coming back to wreck havoc for Florian. So many secrets that if exposed Florian fears that many lives will be destroyed.
Just when he thinks his life can’t get any worse his feelings for Juliette take on a new meaning for him. He tries to keep her at a distance but she’s gotten under his skin. Their attraction is palpable and it heats up the pages! When a typhus epidemic erupts and her life is at jeopardy Florian will move mountains to save her!
“SIGH” Florian is such a GENTLEMAN this is absolutely a love story that gives you all the feels!
Sophie Barnes has a GEM of a story! Well paced lots of interesting characters and heart wrenching situations. I’m never disappointed with a Sophie Barnes book!
I’m so looking forward to the next one, Florian’s brother and the Duchess!
I recieved a complimentary copy from the author/publisher via Edelweiss. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Series: Diamonds In The Rough #3
Publication Date: 8/28/18
Danger, suspense, and romance abound in this great addition to Sophie Barnes’ Diamonds In The Rough series. I loved the earlier tales about this ‘fish out of water’ family and was afraid this was to be the last book, so I was delighted to learn that there is at least one more book coming. The characters are interesting and unique, the villain finally gets his punishment and the romance is delightful.
Florian Lowell is the most brilliant physician in England. He is always learning from the medical sciences in other lands and incorporating them into his practice. Other physicians decry some of his modern practices – probably out of jealousy – but Florian gets results. He really just wants to be left alone to practice medicine, but the world just won’t leave him be. Florian has deeply held secrets – secrets that would ruin him, his family and anyone who is closely associated with him. To add to the stress of his secret, his uncle (his mother’s brother), the Duke of Redding, has petitioned the King to make Florian his legal heir, there is a typhus epidemic in London, and the most beguiling woman he has ever met is plaguing him at every turn.
Juliette Matthews is the youngest sister of the Duke of Huntley. She has always had a delicate constitution and has, therefore, always been protected and coddled. She chafes at that. She is stronger than they think and she wants to do something with her life. She was raised in the slums of St. Giles and has no patience for the ton’s habits of making morning calls and attending balls. Earlier in the year, her older sister, Amelia, used her yearly allowance to purchase a building and set up a school for underprivileged children and now Juliette wants to do something similar. She wants to donate her yearly allowance to St. Agatha Hospital and to become a member of the hospital’s board. The fact that a board membership would bring her into regular contact with Florian Lowell is just icing on the cake.
I loved the romance between Florian and Juliette. He was so honorable and selfless that you just had to love him. He fiercely fought his attraction to Juliette – for her sake, not his. He knew that an association with him could put her in physical danger and also ruin her family. Then, you have Juliette who is so open and honest – she doesn’t hide the truth from herself or Florian. She is attracted to him and she lets him know it. How in the world can he fight against such innocent and open honesty?
I loved learning more about the medical practices during that period and Florian’s implementing some of the more creative practices from around the world. Typhus was a horrible disease and could have wiped out all of London if Florian hadn’t acted quickly and decisively. Juliette’s ideas and money contributed greatly to containing and stopping the spread of the disease. (Be sure to read the Author’s Notes in the back – they are great – very informative.)
The suspense is palpable. When Florian’s enemy threatens Juliette, he will do anything and everything to protect and save her – and she feels the same about him.
I would have loved to learn more about the street urchin that escaped from the quarantine in St. Giles. How many other people did he come into contact with? Was he found dead on the streets somewhere? Was he somehow found and treated? It just felt like a thread that wasn’t wrapped up.
Other things I wondered – What happened to the house where Juliette contracted typhus? Florian had the coach burned – would the house have been burned as well? Why wouldn’t Florian have treated Juliette in that same house since it was already contaminated instead of taking her to his uninfected home? Another thing was the conversation between Huntley and Florian as they were removing Juliette – From what I’ve seen of Huntley so far, I don’t buy that conversation. At that particular moment, he wouldn’t have cared one whit about what would happen with her reputation, his only concern would have been her survival. He’d think about her reputation later.
It seems strange to me that someone so young (23 or so) would CHOOSE to be the Dowager Duchess of Tremaine. Actually, her name would have been Viola Tremaine since peers use the title name as their last name. Anyway – she doesn’t automatically have to be the dowager. She has no children. She could just continue to be the Duchess of Tremaine until the day she dies – or remarries. Should the new heir have a wife that wife would also be the Duchess of Tremaine. One would be the 4th Duchess of Tremaine and the other would be the 5th Duchess of Tremaine (or whatever the appropriate number is).
Anyway, it is a great read – don’t let my ‘wonderings’ make you think that I didn’t thoroughly and absolutely love it – because I did love it.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”