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A review by mallorypen
Any Old Diamonds by KJ Charles
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When I tell you that all of my reading journal entries for this book were done in all caps … I enjoyed the HELL out of this book!
What I adore about KJC romances is the B plot could stand on its own. The relationships themselves are so compelling - complex, richly built and cleverly developed - but the jewel heist hiding a murder investigation all the while was a story I would read regardless of the tension between the conspirators. The family dynamics of the Duke and new Duchess; the exiled children; Cara making her siblings promise not to forget the horrible things done by their father … it had the potential to be melodramatic and overwrought, but KJC balanced it so perfectly into believable motivations across the board.
But then, the relationship - Jerry and Alec. What a fun ride from uncertain co-conspirators to those D/S overtones to uggggghhhhhh kicking my heels and blushing over the Yearning™️ and intimacy!! Here is a short list of the things I all-caps’d in my reading notes:
- AND YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN ME. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY. FUCK YES!!!
- WHAT THE FUCK (re: the twist)
- HE SAW THE PORTRAITSSSSSS AHHHHH
-JERRY RECOMMENDED HE TAKE THE FALL FOR THE ROBBERY SO JUSTICE COULD BE SERVEDDDDDD THAT BOY IS IN LOVE
What I adore about KJC romances is the B plot could stand on its own. The relationships themselves are so compelling - complex, richly built and cleverly developed - but the jewel heist hiding a
But then, the relationship - Jerry and Alec. What a fun ride from uncertain co-conspirators to those D/S overtones to uggggghhhhhh kicking my heels and blushing over the Yearning™️ and intimacy!! Here is a short list of the things I all-caps’d in my reading notes:
- AND YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN ME. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS GOING TO SAY. FUCK YES!!!
- WHAT THE FUCK (re: the twist)
- HE SAW THE PORTRAITSSSSSS AHHHHH
-JERRY RECOMMENDED HE TAKE THE FALL FOR THE ROBBERY SO JUSTICE COULD BE SERVEDDDDDD THAT BOY IS IN LOVE
There were such great breadcrumbs throughout the novel about Jerry’s approach to life (not sorry and no regrets) and MacGuffins for the mysteries that made this such a great read.
It was also fun seeing some familiar faces - the Morton family, the Lazarus family, and the Jack And Knave - that rooted me right back into the world without needing all the backstory.
And as always - Cornell Collins is the GOAT.
It was also fun seeing some familiar faces - the Morton family, the Lazarus family, and the Jack And Knave - that rooted me right back into the world without needing all the backstory.
And as always - Cornell Collins is the GOAT.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicide