wounded hero returns home to find that woman he was writing love letters to the whole time is someone completely different. this surprised me with how emotional it made me. truly a joy to read

Thank you to Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for my review copies!

. . . . . . . series info . . . . . . . .

I think it’s important to note that I have not read the other two books in this series, and there is a chance I might have liked this more if I had.

. . . . . . . book review . . . . . . . .

I was really confused by the title of this one, since for the first two thirds of the book the FMC is not a diamond and the MMC is not a duke…

I also was initially annoyed by the FMC because she falls in love with two different men in the span of the prologue. I think this was meant to show how young she was…but that also icked me out that I was meant to ship this couple when they meet when she is too young to be out in society and he is a grown man who has returned home from war.

I never really recovered from my initial reaction to the books set up, but I was intrigued enough to stick with it until the end. I liked the last third - when they were both adults - and I’m just kind of baffled by the choices made before that.

Outside of the romance, I really liked both characters, so it was satisfying when they came together at the end.

🎧 I always love Mary Jane Wells narration. She’s probably why I stuck out this book until the end even though I wasn’t loving it.

I devoured this book in one sitting...it was that good. I loved the connection between Wesley and Ellie. It started when she was a young girl and he took the time to train her to be a better pirate. And when she discovered his finance stopped sending letters, she did it for her. But it was when he came home, injured at war, that their connection really grew. She didn't let his anger drive her away. When she knew she had someone who could help him, she did everything to get him there. He may not have thought he needed Ellie, but she proved that he did.

This book was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and I was a bit upset when I got to the end. Definitely a book I will read again.

This was a fun play on the (occasionally written to death) Beauty & The Beast. I loved the characters and their depth, which really kept the story from feeling repetitive. Both of them accept each other at face value, when no one else does, and seeing the slow growth of their friendship to companionship was quietly swoony.

My first Christi Caldwell, happy to read more!

Cute retelling of beauty and the beast with an age gap that was touched on. Loved it overall and would definitely recommend. I felt like the family still treaded the main character as a child though and didn’t realize all she did for everyone.

This was a bit of "Beauty and the Beast" with a touch of Cinderella thrown in which means it was a great novel as far as entertainment goes. The romance was so slow burn I was almost bored but good writing and a few surprises kept me going to what I thought was a great ending. The heroine had some secrets of her own and I felt that if she had shared them early on it could have moved things along a bit better IMHO but the ending was really good EXCEPT in most historical romance novels we get an epilogue that tells us how the furute went and this one ended on a happy note but in the middle of nothing and I really would have liked to have gotten a few more weeks/years down the timeline so overall I am giving this 4 Stars since I really was entertained even with the few minor frustrations.

Coming back to give my review, I honestly remember nothing about this book. I know it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but truly not much else.

I adored Wesley and Ellie's story!! This book was so good!! I just didn't want to put it down, but a girl has to sleep, LOL!

Christi Caldwell enchants her readers with her spellbinding new historical romance, The Diamond and The Duke.

Wesley Audley might be a hero, but on his return from the Napoleonic Wars, he vows to keep everyone at bay. Scarred from the horrors of the battlefield and broken-hearted, Wesley is determined to keep polite society at arm’s length. But there is somebody Wesley just cannot seem to cut himself off from. Somebody determined to forge their own path and who has got under his skin and wrapped herself around his previously impenetrable heart: Ellie Balfour.

Unlike other women in society, Ellie wants to be the mistress of her own destiny. Independent, headstrong and with a penchant for meddling in other people’s business, Ellie has no intention of ever marrying and wants to spend the rest of her life doing as she pleases. But from the second she meets Wesley, Ellie finds herself drawn to him and their tentative friendship quickly gives way to a passion neither one of them was expecting.

Can Ellie and Wesley vanquish their demons and triumph over their own fears and insecurities for a future together? Or is their love simply not meant to be?

Christi Caldwell’s The Diamond and The Duke exquisitely blends wit, passion, emotion and sensuality in an irresistible historical romance that will sweep readers away. Ellie and Wesley are two beautifully drawn characters it is impossible not to care about and fall in love with and I was completely invested in their powerful and poignant love story.

A captivating historical romance form a wonderful storyteller, The Diamond and The Duke is another triumph for Christi Caldwell.

4.5 Stars
Loved this story so much! Ellie was a breath of fresh air, sweet, quirky and I loved how she spoke her mind! She has no plans to marry and give up her independence and rights as she was treated horribly by her now dead father, but she’d make an exception for one man: Wesley.

Wesley came back from the war a broken man, both physically and mentally. He is hurt and angry, and everyone tiptoes around him except for Ellie.

The Diamond and the Duke was such a delight! Unrequited love, shared pain, and love letters (unbeknownst to Wesley) bond these two. I relished their interactions and was so moved by the comfort and love they provided each other! While still being deeply emotional, I appreciated the story was low on ridiculous drama!

BOOK REVIEW: The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell
Series: All The Duke's Sins | Book 3
2024 Publication Date: February 20

⭐️⭐️⭐️

T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2024

T.I.M.E. BEST BOOK REVIEW:
A testament to those who find love early... And love forever... ✨😎✨

♡ T.I.M.E. TIP: Although this is a cumulative series, you can read this regency romance book series as standalone books since they are interconnected romance books… Meaning each book focuses on a different couple from the same "world" of the Audley family... But interconnected romance is still a cumulative series... As for me, I always recommend reading a series in order, when possible. And with this series, I do think it will enhance your reading experience to be fully immersed in the world-building to fully embrace the interconnected romance bonus element as you read... ✨😎✨

Pages: 303
Genre: Historical Romance
Sub-Genre: Regency Romance | Hidden Identity Romance | Interconnected Romance | Steamy Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶 (Mild Spicy)
Time Period: 1806 (Regency Era)
Location: London (England)
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: A Ravenswood Novel Series by Mary Balogh ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TV Series: Bridgerton ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BOOK QUOTE:
"Those problems they may have with you? Those belong to them... You are who you are, and you shouldn't make apologies for it..." — The Diamond and The Duke by Christi Caldwell

--------------------

All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Lady Eleanor Balfour (aka Ellie) had decided it's her destiny to be a spinster. Being abused by her father for many years, she does not wish for a husband to treat her the same as her father did. Understandable. But Wesley, a soldier, comes back from war wounded and with likely PTSD. Wesley finds himself forming a bond with Ellie who can’t stand to see Wesly suffer.

I’m glad to venture back into regency romance with The Diamond and the Duke. Ellie, having known Wesley through family, has felt a connection with him and even wrote to him while he was away at war. Upon Wesley’s return, Ellie refused to let him lie around in his darkness. Ellie also stood up for Wesley to others in times where he could not stand up for himself. I loved how their relationship developed from one where Wesley knew Ellie to be nothing of his brother-in-law’s sister, to a companion, to a confidant, and to be his bride, of course with their share of obstacles in their way. I also loved how Ellie accepted Wesley, after his return, scars and all.

With this being the third book in this series, and not having read the others, I don't believe anything was ruined for me for the other two books, which I'd like to circle back to. One of my goals this year was to read more historical romance and I'm glad I found this author and enjoyed her work. Looking forward to more of her titles!

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You enjoy regency romance with a strong-willed heroine, some banter, and on the lighter side of spice.

A big thank you to Berkley Romance and the author for letting me review this advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

Christi Caldwell is slowly but surely becoming one of my favorites in historical romance. This is the second book I’ve read from her, and the second one I’ve absolutely adored. In THE DIAMOND AND DUKE, self-proclaimed spinster Ellie has her heart set on marrying only one man — Captain Wesley Audley. Wesley is a broken man, having returned from the Napoleonic war and unable to forget the horrors he’s lived. Ellie is hellbent on nursing him back to life, with hopes that he’ll see what’s right in front of him. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
I adored these characters so much. Having previously met Ellie in an earlier book in this series, I knew I’d love this book even more because of her. Both of these characters have endured so much, have lived through trauma of different sorts, and each one is broken in their own ways. I loved how helping Wesley helped Ellie see that not all men are like her father. I wasn’t expecting so much emotion from this story, but it truly grabbed me by the heartstrings on more than one occasion. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Bottom line — a beautiful and emotional story that was truly a delight from start to finish. I’m on a mission now to read everything that I can get my hands on from this author. 5 stars.

The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell, book three in her All the Duke's Sins series, is a wonderful story about an injured war hero, secretive letters, and love at first sight. As a young girl, Ellie Balfour felt she didn’t fit in with her family, so when her sister-in-law‘s brother, Wesley Audrey takes the time to notice her as a girl and encourage her tomboy ways, she falls hopelessly in love. Fast-forward a few years, Ellie is no longer young girl, and Wesley has returned from the Napoleonic wars broken and scarred. Ellie plans to never marry, having her reasons for becoming a spinster; ones she does not care to share, with anyone. There is only one man who could possibly change Ellie’s mind about matrimony; except, he is a broken shell of a man, cynical, and ravaged by war. She refuses to allow Wesley’s rudeness to prevent her from helping him heal. Ellie still finds Wesley incredibly attractive and yearns to give him the strength to heal and carry on, while hiding from her debutant duties, as she is ready to face the ton and marriage mart. Ellie is successful but in doing so, she loses Wesley; until she becomes the diamond of the season. Wesley returns to the ballroom to fight for her affection.

I respect Ellie’s decision not to marry. After years of enduring her father’s abuse, she did not want to exchange one for another. Women had no rights in that time-period. I admire how Ellie refused to allow Wesley to wallow in darkness; never treating him as an invalid, but as a whole person. She wasn’t afraid to face off with Wesley; standing up to everyone on his behalf since they were treating him in ways that was making him to see himself differently. Sometimes takes a kindred soul to help another confront their mental demons and heal, and Wesley needed that. Watching their relationship build over time was wonderful, as Ellie divulges her secrets to Wesley things start to shift from friends to more; making you want to root for them. The Diamond and the Duke is a captivating story filled with raw emotion, fiery passion, and an unwavering belief in the power of love.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell is a GEM.

Lady Eleanor Balfour (Ellie) is a new favorite historical romance heroine. Ellie is kindhearted, strong-willed, intelligent, and bold. She is my favorite type of sunshine character, sunshine after a storm. Her childhood was filled with abuse from her father, and she has no intentions to marry; she doesn’t want a man to have legal power over her. She also has maintained her childhood crush on Wesley Audley well into adulthood and cannot see herself falling for anyone but him.

Wesley has come back from the Napoleonic Wars injured; he is scarred both physically and mentally from his experience fighting. Despite his callousness and attempts to isolate himself from his family, Ellie (his brother-in-law’s sister) is a persistent force giving him tough love and unconditional support through their unlikely friendship. Ellie is the only person who can get through to him.

After she makes her debut, he realizes his feelings for Ellie are less than platonic. With Ellie trying to avoid marriage and his desire to be close to her, they begin a fake courtship. But when a love from the past returns, Ellie fears there will be no happily ever after.

This was my first book by Christi Caldwell, and I really enjoyed Ellie and Wesley’s story. I struggle with the unrequited crush trope, when the FMC is left pining for a man who doesn’t notice her, but this worked for me since it started off in her childhood when the duke should not have been looking at her as a love interest. The other tricky trope for me is when the hero/ heroine thinks they are exchanging letters with someone, but someone else is writing the letters. However, I think this was also done well and liked that the 3rd act breakup didn’t really happen because of that.

Wesley and Ellie share many tender and vulnerable moments. Ellie is just a wonderful human. She really forces him to look at his situation and make positive changes to improve his circumstances. The character ARCs in this book were very special. Ellie learns to forgive herself, accepts she was not at fault for her abuse and repairs her sibling relationships. Wesley learns to accept his new appearance, allow his family back into his life and be grateful for his future. He is alive and luckier than most.

The grand gesture/ ending was fitting. Ellie put up with a lot of grumpy from him and she deserves all the good things.

I do wish I had read the first 2 books in the series first because prior incidents are discussed and I think it would have been helpful.

“You were on every line of every page. I know that now.”
Things
•Setting: 1805 Leeds, England
•Dual POV
•Friends to lovers
•Grumpy (him) sunshine (her)
•Fake courtship
•Age gap (10-15 years?- unsure of exact)
•Epistolary- he thinks they are from someone else
•“Who hurt you?”
•Fear of marriage
•Read if you enjoyed: The duchess and the deal

Trigger warnings: physical and verbal abuse as a child, injured from war, possible PTSD from combat.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free e-book; all thoughts are my own.

The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell is book Three in the All the Duke's Sins Series. This is the story of Eleanor “Ellie” Balfour and Wesley Audley. This was a very beautiful story of people with scars inside and out. If you haven't read Ms. Caldwell's writing then you are greatly missing out. I love her writing so much and highly recommend it.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Diamond and the Duke by Christi Caldwell is the third book in her Regency Romance series, All the Duke’s Sins.

Lady Ellie Balfour is the youngest daughter of the cruel Duke of St. James, now thankfully the late duke. She bears the scars of his rages and also the misguided guilt of believing she deserved them because she was a willful child. She was always scheming. When one of her schemes goes awry—or maybe not—leading to the forced marriage of her brother (the new duke) to Cailin (illegitimate daughter of the kindly Duke of Bentley- see book two: Desperately Seeking a Duchess), Ellie isolates herself from her family. Her solitude is broken by the arrival of Cailin’s brother Wesley, a soldier in Wellington’s army.

His kindness to her during those difficult weeks after the wedding is something she will never forget. She falls half in love with him then, but he must return to the war. And when she learns that he is heartbroken because the woman he loves has ceased writing to him, Ellie takes up her own pen and writes, pretending to be that woman. This goes on for more than a year. And then, Wesley is terribly injured on the battlefield.

He returns home a broken man. A scarred, pain-wracked veteran with PTSD. His family, who all love him dearly, are barely able to look him in the eye. Their pity is devastating. He wants nothing more than to be left alone. But there is one person who continually imposes her company upon him, refusing to treat him with pity or disdain: Lady Ellie Balfour.

Ellie helps him through his darkest hours, asking nothing in return. He doesn’t know the guilt she is carrying for deceiving him, the love she bears him, or that fact that she, too, is scarred by violence. Her sunny disposition, wit, and matter-of-fact pronouncements have him (and everyone else) fooled.

Wesley has to find his way back to the world of the living. Ellie has to break out of her own prison of silence and shame. And the only way to do that is with each other.

A poignant, moving love story. There are more siblings in these families. Who will be next?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s one of your Monday numbers? Mine are: 1 day off work & 3 kids off school bc of Presidents’ Day, 1 cup of coffee, 2 bags under my eyes, 60 degrees as a high for today.

The Diamond & the Duke by Christi Caldwell has the weight & warmth I was really looking for when I picked it up a few months ago—you know that feeling when you want to pick up a historical with that certain kind of tone…

There’s a lot of emotional heft to this one, as heroine Ellie Balfour—first introduced to us as a teen—struggles with a decision she has made that has caused giant ripple effects within her family.

That’s when she meets Wesley, future duke, & when she first fancies herself in love with him.

She feels such a kinship with this man that, later, when she believes it’s a matter of his life or death, she pretends to be the woman he loves in letters to him.

The plot of this book gets complicated by Wesley’s return & his realization that the woman who he thought loved him has moved on, Ellie Balfour is older, beautiful, & now fancied by many others, & he is struggling with a body devastated by war. Also that pesky matter of those letters…

The unconventional leads stand out in this book. The author plays with beauty & the beast & the ugly duckling stories & both are underpinned by leads who have both overcome quite a lot to get to where they are by the end of the book.

But I struggled with the decisions the leads made & the plot itself, & my incredulity had an overall negative experience on my reading.

Still, I enjoyed Caldwell’s writing style & the measured warmth of it all.

3.5 ⭐️. Out tomorrow!

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess, a white woman wearing a green & white patterned dress, holds the ebook up in front of a gray wall.]

Ellie Balfour has never felt like you fit in with her family, so when her sister-in-law‘s brother, Wesley Audrey takes the time to notice her as a girl and encourage her tomboy tendencies, she falls hopelessly in love.

Fast-forward, and Ellie is no longer young girl, and Wesley has returned from the Napoleonic wars broken and scarred. Both have changed, but they find comfort in each other. Ellie still finds Wesley incredibly attractive and yearn to give him the strength to heal and carry on, well hiding from her debutant duties, as she is ready to face the ton and marriage mart.

Ellie is successful but in doing so, she loses Wesley… that is until she becomes the diamond of the season, and Wesley returns to the ballroom to fight for her affection!

There were so much in the story to love! From the Androes thorn in the lions, paw relationship between Ellie and Wesley, to the torrid nature of their relationship due to their married siblings. I loved how real Wesley struggle to recover was depicted, and how much Ellie had to work to let him in originally.

Having missed the second book in the All The Duke’s Sins series, that tells of the romance between their siblings, I was worried, I would feel like I was missing a major part of the story, but found it quite easy to jump into this book.

Christy Caldwell is a master at creating real gritty characters that you can’t help but love and Wesley is definitely in that club. This was an HEA that I couldn’t help rooting for from their adorable meet cute!

Thanks to Berkeley Publishing for my e-book review copy. Opinions are my own.

#TheDiamondandtheDuke #ChristiCaldwell

I’ve enjoyed all of the books in the All the Duke’s Sins series and I was glad to see that with Book 3, the series is still going strong.

This book had an injured war hero, secretive letters, love at first sight, and a HEA! I also liked that there was a little teaser about Hattie’s story at the ending of this book.

I recommend you read this book if you like Bridgerton, witty banter, and charming heroes.