The Diamonds were one of the biggest girl groups in the 90s who disbanded right at their peak. 20 years have passed and a lot has changed for each of them. But is a reunion a possibility? Angel’s seeking to kick start her solo career, Carmen’s family fall into trouble, Jade’s hoping for more recognition this time around and Doreen wants a second chance to enjoy the life without the drugs. Will things help or hinder reconnecting?

This book was definitely different to what I initially anticipated - a fluffy story about an old girl group of the 90s like Destiny’s Child or TLC. Instead I got something much better - 4 women with real life complexities! The pacing was generally good but felt a bit rushed at the end for me. Overall enjoyable, but something just missed the mark to rate it higher.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.

3.5⭐️

This feels like the best Behind the Music! Loved getting to know the Diamonds and seeing the different ways that female friendship manifests. Intermission is a winner.

Good book, I liked the style of writing and the different characters voices.
The pace of the book was good and kept me reading.

"But happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”

𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿
i will say that the cover is eye catching, but its not my favourite.

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
Sisterhood
Black women
Music
Life
Fame

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I really enjoyed this! i love reading books with multiple storylines, following multiple characters. a girl band has broken up and we get to follow each life, after the event.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀
each woman was interesting in their own way, i cant actually say that i have a favourite. i love that i wasnt waiting for a specific characters chapter, they were all so good.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
i feel it was great writing, kept you hooked and turning the pages!

𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗱?
it was probably 100 pages too long!

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲
“We just took a long intermission, and everyone knows the part after intermission is the best part of the show.”

Interesting book, needs a little more polishing sadly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book.

After 20 years, the Diamonds are offered a fresh start by way of a reunion.

The real world pushes these women to the limit.

I enjoyed this book. It was detailed but also fast-paced.

It offers the nostalgia of the 90s era girl group

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me this Advanced Readers Copy of Intermission by Phyllis R. Dixon!

This was my first book by this author, but if she keeps writing like this it will not be my last. This book centers on a girl group who after the challenges of life get back togethere for a reunion tour. It seems like some of the women have go on to have successful careers and one is still living in the past. This book was very well written and I feel like we got a good reading of each character through flashbacks and current day. This was a great book and a quick read.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)

This book is about a talented all-girl pop group from Memphis, was poised for 1990s stardom until betrayal tore them apart. Now, years later, fate has brought them back together for a second chance at success.It weaves a compelling narrative of four women grappling with their past, present, and future in the cutthroat music industry. Amidst lasting secrets, unspoken betrayals, and new temptations, this story immerses readers in a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with drama, passion, and the pursuit of dreams.

The heart of the novel lies in its richly developed characters, each distinctly unique, with their strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. Angel, the ambitious diva of the group, exudes talent but struggles with her own insatiable ego, a flaw that proves to be a major obstacle in her solo career. Carmen, once the group's peacemaker, now faces personal challenges as a mother, testing her patience and resolve. Doreen, the former drug-addicted member, now a pastor's wife, yearns to recapture her passion for performing without compromising her newfound stability. Lastly, there's Jade, the wallflower of the group, whose determination to be recognized ignites a journey of self-discovery.

The novel skillfully explores the complexities of female friendships, especially when fame and ambition come into play. The dynamics among the four women are palpable, and the intricacies of their "sisterhood" make for a captivating and emotionally charged narrative. The author's portrayal of their past and present interactions beautifully illustrates the evolution of their relationships and the scars that linger from past betrayals.

The story effortlessly transports readers into the glitzy and unforgiving world of the modern music industry. The challenges faced by the characters, both old and new, feel authentic and relatable. As they navigate the demands of celebrity, the narrative delves into the price of fame, the pressure to conform, and the compromises one must make to stay afloat in an ever-changing landscape.

The author's prose is engaging and evocative, drawing readers deep into the emotional lives of the characters. The dialogue feels natural, and the descriptions of performances and behind-the-scenes struggles paint vivid pictures in the readers' minds.

This is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the power of friendship. It captures the essence of personal growth, the pursuit of dreams, and the courage to confront one's past to shape a better future. The conclusion offers a satisfying resolution that feels authentic and believable.

Overall this book is a captivating and emotionally charged read that will resonate with anyone who has faced adversity while striving for success. With its relatable characters, well-constructed plot, and a touch of nostalgia for 1990s pop music, this book is a compelling page-turner that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next note in the journey of The Diamonds.

This book was pitched as Destiny's Child meets Waiting to Exhale. There was not much focus on the group as singers. 90% of the book was about the members 20 years after they disbanded & the current issues they are each going through. There were some moments where it was slow but overall it was a quick, predictable read. I would read from this author again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story follow girl group, Diamonds. The 4 members had success in the 90’s but fast forward 20 years each of the members have the own issues they must navigate while getting ready for their reunion tour. You get the POVs of Carmen, Doreen, Jade and Angel and the very different lives they lived after the break up of the group. It was fast paced and kept me engaged. A solid 4 stars

Thank you Kensington Books, Dafina and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for the arc

This was a quick and easy read anyone who grew up loving girl groups and in the 90s will love this! It feels very nostalgic. Although the stories behind each of the members were unique it was predictable and fell flat at times. Otherwise it was enjoyable read!

I liked the premise of following a reunion between the members of a 90s girl group, but it’s not for me. The story was really slow moving and I wasn’t drawn in by the members’ individual arcs.

Jade, Angel, Doreen, Carmen were the Diamonds back in the 1990s. They went their separate ways just as the group was about to hit and it hasn't been easy for any of them. Now, they are about to do a reunion and each woman has her own story to tell. Yes this does have serious vibes from a variety of "girl groups" which can be both distracting and engaging. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A light read.

First I would like to say thank you to Kensington Books for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was honestly a major disappointment. Not at all what I was expecting. If you like books were stuff just happens then sure, this is for you.

The Diamonds are a girl group from the 90s that breaks up at the peak of their fame. The story follows their lives after the break-up. Angel (Angela) is the most famous, as she continues to pursue her music career, while her bandmates return to their relatively normal lives. They are all going through unique struggles, and Angel decides to try to get the band back together for an anniversary tour.
The story was unique in the back stories of each of the characters. Carmen is slowly going broke after her son gets in legal trouble. Doreen is trying to balance being a pastor's wife and a corporate powerhouse. Jade is raising a foster daughter and trying to run a restaurant. Angel is the star, who is trying to stay relevant. Much of the story revolved around their current lives, and I felt like it took a little too long to get to the reunion part and find a resolution.

I received a complimentary copy of Intermission by Phyllis R. Dixon and this review is my personal opinion.
This my first time reading a book by this author, however I can say with certainly it will not be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of sisterhood and a bond between these women. Each woman had their own issues and problems but in the end, the love they had for each other prevailed. I loved this book and would highly recommend it to be enjoyed by others.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the blurb for this novel, Dreamgirls meets Waiting to Exhale by way of Destiny's Child and was not entirely disappointed. Any child of the 90s who enjoyed these will like this book.

Felt like I was reading a (D list) reality tv show, “Intermission” started by giving me the vibe of a certain “surviving” girl group, but then quickly flipped to a production of stars that were no longer living amongst the bright lights. Well written, but a bit slow, “Intermission” had a little story line reminiscent of all the usual star drama. A few too many characters, made it difficult to keep the storylines straight in the beginning but by mid book I was able to mentally correlate them with each story. I was pleased with how the author went off the beaten path for a bit, but disappointed that she still went with a happily ever after. Good book, decent drama, 4 stars.

The Diamonds, are successful girl group from Memphis, TN . The members of Diamond are Jade, Angel, Doreen, Carmen, a diverse group of women who come from different walks of life. Carmen makes the decision to leave the group, which results into a 20 year hiatus for Diamond. In the 90’s, Diamond was on the brink of stardom when everything suddenly crumbled due to drama within the group. This book showcases the perspective of each group member and what they have been up to for the past 20 years. Most of the members have put the reason for their breakup on Angel, whose flamboyant personality can be a bit much to deal with. Each woman has gone through their own issues, but they will soon be brought back together when Angel sets up a 20 year anniversary reunion tour. As the story unfolds, readers truly get to see who actually was the cause behind the break-up for Diamond and maybe Angel is not the reason as to why financial issues occurred within the group.