Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano is a delightful Historical fiction novel. Jen Turano is known for her style of romantic humor.

Poppy Garrison is brought to New York by her grandmother in exchange for settling her parents debt. As Poppy tries to make her way into the New York Four Hundred season, the things that trip her up are hilarious. Grandmother wants to shape her into the Diamond of the First Water, and as such hires Reginald Blackburn, cousin to Earl of Lonsdale. to tutor her. The Earl has come to America in search of a rich heiress. Reginald, keeping his own aristocracy hidden, find himself agreeing to tutor Poppy in all things proper. Poppy, independent and spirited, finds herself in more scrapes and a propensity to many funny predicaments. When stuffy Reginald starts to see Poppy in a new light, the romance blooms.

Diamond in the Rough was entertaining and light hearted. An easy read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

I adore Jen Turano's writing. She brings the Gilded Age to life and creates remarkable and remember able characters to life. With her second addition to her American Heiress series, Diamond in the Rough, this is no exception. Poppy grew up on a horse farm in Pennsylvania and is having her season in New York. She is completely out of her element and falls, literary, over and over again on her face. She keeps getting into scraps and allowing me to shake my head in laughter as she tries to save her reputation. She transforms by the end of the season but shows her heart by wanting to do good for those less wealthy. On the other hand, Reginald, the hero, keeps his true identity a secret, but is always there to rescue Poppy. There romance appears a little disjointed, but I believe Turano wrote their romance this way on purpose. It made their happily-ever-after a little more sweeter. As for the plot, I really enjoyed spending time with these characters. I got so wrapped up in their lives that I even googled Fifth Avenue mansions during the 1890's to have an idea of how HUGE these little homes actually were. I love this story and can't wait to get my hand on the final installment. Thanks for another wonderful story, Turano.

I received a complimentary copy of a Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

When I think of historical romances that make me laugh out loud (even in public), I think of Jen Turano. This one was no different. Though this is the 2nd book in the American Heiresses series, it could easily be read as stand-alone. Though the main character from the first book is referenced and a couple of minor characters in the first book have appearances in this book, there is enough information given that you're not missing anything if you haven't read "Flights of Fancy". (Though you should read it - it's fantastic!)

This book follows the life of Poppy Garrison, whose parents own Garrison Farms. When the bank calls in their loan early, Poppy chooses to allow her grandmother to bail them out in exchange for debuting in society for a season. Her grandmother desperately wants Poppy to become a "Diamond in the First Water", but Poppy always seems to find herself in the most ridiculous of predicaments, making her more of a "diamond in the rough". This lends to the hilarity of the book and makes the romance aspect that much better. In spite of the frivolity, though, there is a good spiritual thread and a bit of drama included and the characters are well fleshed out and likable as well. This book truly has it all!

There were a few sub-plot stories that tied up a bit TOO neatly for my liking, which is why this one got 4 stars instead of 5, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the story-line and I believe that Poppy and I would have been the the very best of friends.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH by JEN TURANO is a delightful read. Taking place in New York in the late 1800's, it is a period novel, reminiscent of Jane Austen. There is romance, intrigue and humour, all wrapped up in the social scene of the New York Four Hundred.
Poppy Garrison is staying with her grandmother Viola for her first New York season, and Viola is fast losing hope that Poppy will ever become a diamond of the first water.
Reginald Blackburn comes to New York from England to help his cousin, Charles, the Earl of Lonsdale, choose a wife amongst the heiresses of New York society. Rather stuffy and tending towards being morose, he is asked by Viola, in desperation on her part, to tutor Poppy in the correct way to behave in society. This leads to him having to turor a string of young ladies who all want to become Charles' countess. I am not going to tell you any more of the story as I do not want to spoil it for you.
I love the characters, especially Poppy, and I love the Christian message of forgiveness and of making something that has eternal value of one's life as opposed to the frivolities of the social set.
It is a really fun book and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

"Any smidgen of hope that her entrance into New York high society would be deemed a rousing success died the moment Miss Poppy Garrison's tiara became firmly attached to the sleeve of her dance partner."

With that opening, we begin the second installment of the American Heiresses series, and find Miss Poppy Garrison in New York City, living with her grandmother, Viola, participating in the Season. Viola is determined to show Poppy that being accepted into high society is desirable, and while Poppy was perfectly content living on a horse farm in Pennsylvania, she discovers that she doesn't hate it. However, mayhem and adventure seem to find her no matter how hard she works on her decorum and poise. Reginald Blackburn, travelling companion to Lord Charles Lonsdale, is charged with teaching Miss Garrison to fit in to this world of heiresses and money, and yet he finds himself admiring her unflappability in the midst of the chaos that follows her.

"I've always felt that misfits are far more interesting than normal folks."

I love that Poppy has such a firm grasp on who she is, and what is valuable in the people around her. The people she is drawn to turn into such rich characters and the relationships that develop throughout the book from such inauspicious connections really made this book great for me. Poppy owns up to her mistakes, but she is never ashamed of who she is or the accidents that befall her. She loves others and has a tender heart to those she learns are living in wretched conditions.

"I think you'll eventually discover that you're delightful just the way God made you, my dear." "You seem to be an original, my dear, so perhaps you won't feel the need to wait so long before you abandon what's expected of you, embracing who you truly are and who God meant you to be, instead of trying to embrace a sense of who others want you to be."

I love that, even with an entirely new set of characters, by using the same setting as a previous series, Ms. Turano is able to sneak in a cameo of a favorite character from past novels and use her to deliver wisdom from the position of experience.

This book was one of those rare finds where you don't want to put the book down, but you also don't want it to end too soon! I loved watching Poppy find herself even more fully, and I enjoyed watching her build up those around her as she did. I always love Ms. Turano's grouping of friends who enjoy being together throughout the mayhem she puts them through, and this cast of characters is among her best. I can't wait to hear Beatrix Waterbury's story in the third book!

I give this book 5 stars. Between Diamond in the Rough and Flights of Fancy, American Heiresses is becoming my favorite Turano series!

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun read! This isn't your typical Regency romance either. Poppy is a bundle of surprises -- always trying to do the right and honorable thing, but finding herself in crazy situations! There's romance, but of the clean variety, and many great historic details woven into the story. Even if you're not usually a fan of this era, you'll probably love the book!

'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.