"He wanted to kiss her again, more than a starving man wanted food. He wanted to stoke all his latent cravings, be consumed by them, and then be remade into something new that was hers and hers alone. For the first time since he'd returned, he sensed a home." But Lord Rayne knew he was not good enought for Lady Julia, a true diamond and it could not control himself around her for long
What he did not expect was the determination of a woman in love and that was Julia in spades (well in a diamond, which was his moniker of his four friends). She knew they were meant to be and she will almost stop at nothing... dressing as a lad, stowing away or whatever it took.
Wonderful, that is the word for this exciting journey for these two, who cannot deny the spark that ignites between them. The banter back and forth and the situation they find themselves in is priceless. Wendy LaCapra at her best with her amazing storytelling and creation of characters you cannot help but love as they melt your heart....

4.5 rounded to 5

This was my first book by this author. I haven't read the first two books in the series, but I did buy them. If I find a lot of their beginning story is found in either of those books I will add a note here. This book can be read as a standalone but I do feel like it would be better reading this in order. The characters from the previous books know or are related to these main characters and there is plenty of history going on that you don't get the full information for reading this book. Enough is given that you aren't lost, and it doesn't feel like you're reading a mini book within a a book with the background, but still it would probably be helpful.

The book starts with our hero, Rayne, attending his sister's wedding. His sister is marrying the heroine, Julia's, brother. You find out that they have a history, a kiss, that has ended badly. Rayne left the scene and goes to live in America. He's been gone for two years and has returned to see his sister settled and finish his affairs before returning to America.

Julia has tried to heal her heart after Rayne broke it into pieces. Yet she has never forgotten him or searched elsewhere for love. The book doesn't really have an enemies to lovers feel like you would think though. She decides she wants him. She makes a plan with a mutual friend to abduct him.

This book is a little dark. The hero does brood, he has issues, dark desires and he doesn't want to pull Julia into his life but he struggles keeping away from her. There's a lot of internal thinking, which I do like, I feel like it really lets me know the characters more and what they are feeling. I would have liked a bit more dialogue in the book because I really like that too. But still, it's pretty balanced.

I really enjoyed this book. I've already bought books 1 and 2 from this series, just based of how much I liked this novel. It's so wonderful finding a new to you author that melts your heart. I adored the steam in this novel. I highly recommend her!

Diamond in the Rogue by Wendy LaCapra is book Three in the Lords of Chance Series. This is the story of Graham Laithe, Earl of Rayne and Julia Stanley. I have read the previous books which added to my enjoyment of this book so I do think it helps if you read the previous books. The incident between Graham and Julia did happen in book 2 the 'Heart's Desire' but with that said you could make do with this as a standalone.
Graham kissed Julia about 2 years ago and then left for America. Now he is back for his sister's wedding who happens to be the brother of Julia. In addition, to that Julia and his sister Clarissa are good friends. So he is set to meet Julia again but he knows he has feelings for her but doesn't feel he is what she needs. But Julia knows differently and works to change that.
I always enjoy Ms. LaCapra's writing so this book was a pleasure to read.

This book was ok but really hard for me to rate because I haven’t read the the first two books in the “Lords of chance” series. You kind of have to have read them in order to follow the premise of this story and understand the redemption of Lord Raine and his feelings for Lady Julia.

Lord Raine kissed Lady Julia and thereafter humiliated her and her family. After this he fled to America. After two years in America he returns to see his sister get married to one of his former best friends who is also Lady Julia’s brother. Lord Raine and Lady Julia both have feelings for eachother but he doesn’t want to admit it to her because she deserves better than a destroyed man.
Somehow they both end up on a journey through England together and throughout this journey they get to really know eachother. Lady Julia figures out why Lord Raine is this closed off person and how she can help him through his heart-ships and become the the person he is really supposed to be.

I really liked their journey together and they are very sweet as a couple. But I think that Lady Julia was really gullible and naive in the beginning and suddenly she turns a 180 and become the most mature and knowing woman. It was a bit confusing.
I also really liked the estate of Periwinkle Gate and the many different people and animals that live there. It is a very special and secret place that is closed off to the “ton” and other judgemental people. It would be really great to get the story of this place and I hope we do in Lord Farrings book.

I can recommend this book if you have read the other books in this series and if you like drama, great plot lines and a very sweet lovestory with a sweet HEA.

I got this book from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful story of love and redemption!

Rayne has been gone for two years, and Julia refuses to pine for him. But when he returns for the wedding of his sister to her brother, one look proves that the spark is still there, despite everyone's better judgment. Rayne knows he's not good enough for her, but Julia doesn't let that get in her way.

I loved Julia's determination and inner strength that allowed her to stand up to Rayne despite his mountain of regrets and insecurities. There's a slight hint of BDSM in their relationship, just enough to prove to Rayne that Julia is his match. Rayne isn't a sympathetic character in the least, until he's seen through Julia's eyes. From her viewpoint, he's transformed into the hero she deserves.

Their history that played out in the first two books was touched upon enough in this book to make it a true standalone, though those who have read the other books will have a better understanding of all the players in this tightly-connected circle of friends. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

In an act of revenge, Graham Laithe, Earl of Rayne kissed Lady Julia Stanley and was sent packing to America. Now nearly two years later he’s back to settle his affairs and to see his sister married, until he meets up with the alluring yet innocent Lady Julia again. He doesn’t regret their first kiss, but he was never good enough for her. Lady Julia has had two years to forget the moody and mercurial Earl of Rayne. But one look, and she knows they’re meant to be together. Be damned with his and her brother’s objections, she’ll just jump on the back of Rayne’s departing carriage and compromise them both thoroughly.
This is the third book in this delightful series, it could easily be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading the series in order. The book was well written & flowed really well. I really liked both Graham & Julia although they both did annoy me at times. I loved the verbal banter between the pair & their attraction sizzled. The road to their HEA was strewn with obstacles but it made for a very satisfying, enjoyable read & I look forward to Farring's story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the next book in the Lord’s of chance series. In this one we have Rayne and Julia’s story, In previous books Rayne had left the country after he almost ruined Julia. Julia has finally decided that she wants to fight for whom she wants. I did enjoy the story a great deal but I never really understood why Rayne didn’t like his home. I mean all it needed was some decoration. Looking forward to Farring’s story.

Graham Laithe, Earl of Rayne is back from New York to give his sister Clarissa away in marriage to Lord Markham. He has been gone for a year and a half, but has no intentions of staying, he just wants to take care of estate details and return to America. He left suddenly and under a cloud, his long friendships with Markham and Bromton seemly over and his relationship with Farring strained. But the thing that truly haunts him and has kept him away is Markham’s sister, Lady Julia Stanley. The woman who declared she loved him and whose kiss changed him - the woman he can never have.

Julia had worked hard to put her broken heart back together and to forget Rayne, but now he is back and all those feelings come rushing back. But it is clear he doesn’t want her – or does he? With a little meddling by Farring and a bit of daring by Julia, she will find out one way or the other if there is a future for them.

Farring wheedles Rayne into delivering the carriage to his step-grandmother, the dowager duchess, at her estate – Periwinkle Gate and while he would rather not, Farring is the only one of his friends who hasn’t turned on him and besides, he really likes the dowager duchess. He agrees and sets off. But Farring isn’t done – he convinces Julia to tag along – disguised as a footman. He tells her that Rayne has feelings for her, but doesn’t feel worthy, if Julia loves him, as Farring believes she does, she needs to go with him and convince him that their love is worth fighting for.

All goes well at first, but when weather turns bad and Julia is discovered sooner than she hoped, Rayne has to decide – keep her with him or send her home. She tells him that she is going to Scotland to elope and gives him the first name that pops in her head – Viscount Belhaven, her former governess’s lost love. Rayne is gentle with Julia that first night, caring for her and making sure she is warmed. He agrees to take her with him to Periwinkle Gate and hopes that he can keep his feelings for her in check. For her part, Julia wants Rayne, she has always wanted Rayne, but as an innocent, she is not prepared for his raw sexuality and is a little frighten by the feelings he invokes in her. But, as they travel, she becomes convinced that they are meant to be, but is having a hard time convincing Rayne.

Finally, they reach Periwinkle Gate and finally they give into the sexual tension that has been simmering between them and Rayne asks her to marry him – YES! They set out for Gretna Green, but before they even wed, her lies are revealed and Rayne begins to close himself off from her. And when her family finally catches up with them, it seems like their HEA will be over before it even begins.

This was a well written, complex story of second chances. Rayne is a tortured soul with a tendency to brood, while Julia is a happy soul with a knack for seeing the bright side. They are proof that opposites attract and have the potential to have soulmate type love story – that is if Rayne can get out of his own way and Julia doesn’t give up. I really enjoyed this story, it was a bit heavier than I expected, but not depressing or dark and I did feel like Rayne’s poor self-worth issues dragged a little too long, but in the end, I was happy with the outcome, liked the characters, delighted in the steamy love scenes and I am now even more anxious to read Farring’s story than I was before!! This is the third book in the series and while it could be read as a stand-alone, this is an interconnected series and for maximum enjoyment and character understanding, I would recommend reading the books in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Wow! This series just keeps getting better. Wendy LaCapra’s latest book ‘Diamond in the Rough’ follows Lady Julia and Lord Rayne, who share a memorable kiss before her season. However, Rayne’s friend Brompton insists that he leaves before he ruins Julia. Yet Julia declares to her sister and brother and their partners, that she loves Rayne. His sudden departure to New York for several years, embarrasses her, yet his return for his sister’s marriage to his friend, Lord Markham (Julia’s brother), finds him once again, mesmerised by Julia. Events coordinated by his friend and Julia, put the couple together once again. And it is from then on, that the romance begins to become heated.
I was hooked from the very beginning. Rayne’s intense feelings for Julia, fall from the pages. It was hard to pull myself away from this book. Julia is so determined to unravel Rayne, despite his determination to shield her from the ‘real’ him. Both of these characters were mesmerising! The intensity of their feelings for each other, could either spell success or despair. This book will stay with me for quite some time.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Rayne and Julia’s book is long awaited and worth every second of the nail biting . Excellent series addition.

Rayne has always had problems with his control, of his need for Julia more than anything, to him she’s perfect ,a pure diamond, something he can only dream of and aspire to be part of her life .
His other problem is he will never be the person she deserves, his needs are dark , his heart is not capable of love and he has nothing to offer her.

Julia just wants him , no if , no buts , no money , property just him and his heart forever.
Simple? Never.

Buckle up this is one heck of a ride to discovery for these two , full of great dialogue and wonderful situations.
Excellent book

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Rayne has returned home to try and right the wrong things he has done. Waiting for him is his biggest regret Julia. Julia is a firebrand and a tempest determined to get her way. Rayne is tormented by his past and yet drawn to the light that is Julia. These two fierce opposites struggle with their desires and hurts throughout the entire story. They fight for their love and their family. They have to learn to accept each other as well as the things that are important to them. It is a wonderful story filled with ferocious fights and ultimately getting it right.

This is my voluntary review, in my own words for this ARC. One part of a series, of which i have read all so far.

It has been two years since Lady Julia has seen Lord Rayne...and the chemistry and passion she feels for him is still there. A friend talks her into a wild adventure where she poses as a servant and kidnaps Rayne so that she can discover how he really feels about her. This steamy romance novel is part of The Lords of Chance series, and although it sort of works as a stand alone, my gut tells me it is better read as part of the series. There are many layers to both Julia and Rayne - much of which is discussed in a previous book or books so I was missing a few pieces of the puzzle. Overall, a spicy romance novel between two enjoyable, independent characters !!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of Diamond in the Rogue for me to read and enjoy. As always, my opinions are my own.

This totally can be read as a standalone but I felt reading the previous installments would have helped Rayne's anger/ shame in life. So reading this one felt like i was missing some details to understand what separated them two years ago. Julia is one wild heroine and absolutely forward for her times which is really good. She decides to abduct Rayne and force his hand in marrying her with absolutely no planning. There is quite a lot of steam factor! The initial chapters have an amazing chemistry between the two lead characters and it keeps the readers totally hooked.

Thanks to netgalley for providing me an advanced copy!

Not having read the first 2 books in this series left me confused at the beginning of this book. There was so much angst with Rayne that was a little over the top at times. Lady Julia was a firecracker and certainly not the norm for Regency young women. That was a good surprising twist in the story. Without posting any spoilers, I got tired of the angst between both of these characters throughout the book.

While the writing was well-done, I don't think I'll be picking up anymore of the books in this series.

Will they be able to mend the rift left after their years apart or will pride cost them all ...

Mrs Wendy LaCapra has a wide palette with which she paints complex characters with many layers.
From Rayne to Julia, none is easy to comprehend fully at first glance. Themselves are ambivalent about their own desires. One moment they doom the other to hell, and the following minute they want to hold tight the second.
Julia was very young when she first was attracted to Rayne, then he left. But since, never a man was able to rise her interest like he.
But when they meet again, she herself is unable to decide if she wants him in the lions’ den or to embrace her.
Rayne knows he has reacted under anger, why he left with no wish to return.
But for his sister’s weeding he is back, and ready to apologize before his definitive departure.
It was without counting on the meddling influence of his only remaining friend.
Their relationship is like oil and water, when in closed space, all their discussions turn to a battle field and up to them to mend fences.
There is no doubts, except for them about their feelings but they keep so many things unsaid or under strict contrôle, their trust is not easily won.
Rayne seing himself as unworthy of Julia is their biggest challenge, while he lusts after her, he thinks of little else, therefore when the passion quiets a little, he is unable to see the end of the tunnel.

My only complain is I would have liked a bit more details about their past issues as they are what shaped them. All along the story, I grabbed the main for Julia, still I did not really captured Rayne’s so intense dislike of his childhood home.
Why I felt I missed something about Rayne’s anger and Julia’s nightmares.
I do not know if it is because I haven’t read the first book in this series.

Yet, Mrs LaCapra delivered a touching tale of the damages miscommunications and distrust can bring, and sometime you must overstep society’s bounds to go after what you hold dear in your heart.

« “Anything worth having is worth some inconvenience.” »

As it may prove, only a little boost might help reveal what was hidden deep in one’s heart.

« You aren’t a battle I’m going to win. “What am I, then?” “You’re the life I choose to live.” »

4.5 stars for this se and chance tale.

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Entangled through Netgalley, and purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This is the third book in the Lords of Chance series by Wendy LaCapra. There were things going on from the previous books that I didn't understand at first, so I'll probably go back and read those books.

In an act of revenge, Lord Rayne kissed Lady Julia and was sent packing to America. He's back to give his sister away in marriage and settle his affairs before returning to America. But when he sees Lady Julia the time and a distance apart has done nothing to dispel how he feels about her.
Lady Julia has given up on love because she'll only ever love Lord Rayne. Seeing him at her brother's wedding makes it easier for her to follow through Farring's idea and kidnap Rayne, compromising them both.

Whenever possible, put the good things about a book or author up front.
Criticize the book, not the author, if you don’t like what you’ve read. Explain why.
I really enjoyed this book. They are both in love with each other and have a hard time expressing their true feelings. And every time they talk, they seem to argue. Rayne doesn't think he is good enough to be a husband and especially not for Julia. For her, there is no one else. I enjoyed that this book moved at a quick pace. Right away there is an adventure as they travel to deliver a carriage. Finding themselves in such close quarters makes it harder to deny their feelings. The Lord and Lady also shared some steamy scenes.

I'm glad I requested this ARC from Entangled Publishing and was introduced to a new to me author. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series. And is Farring getting his own book?

#DiamondInTheRouge #NetGalley #EntangledPublishing

While I don't normally enjoy historical reads...this book was pleasant and easy to enjoy. The characters had a nice chemistry as well as a nice give and take between themselves. LaCapra managed to make me enjoy a historical romance.

I absolutely loved Lord Rayne and Lady Julia. Only true love can heal the hurts of his soul and Julia is the only one capable to do that. Ms. LaCapra knows how to add all the perfect elements of a wonderful romance story.

Ooooh I loved this one! Lord Rayne had malicious intent when he first kisses Lady Julia. Their chemistry was palpable - even back in the staid period they were in. The complex path to their romance was such a fun one. I loved all the supporting characters and the non-traditional path they helped them find on their way to true love. This was my first read from this author but it definitely won't be my last.