I’ve never read K.J. Charles before but when I saw that cover on Twitter and then I read that blurb on Goodreads I knew I had to pre-order this book.
Alec is looking to hire the Lilywhite boys to do a job for him - steal the family jewels. Jerry Crozier has written off the Duke and Duchess of Ilvar for theft previously because of the remoteness of Castle Speight and because of the state-of-the-art safe they have the jewels in. Suddenly, here is Lord Alexander - Alec - offering them something both challenging and lucrative. Why does he want his own father’s jewels robbed, and is he on the up-and-up about the reasons? Do they do this job? Does Alec have the stomach for the type of family betrayal this requires?
"Are you going to tell us why you’re doing this?”
“Well, the money—”Crozier’s eyes narrowed sceptically, as well they might. Alec scowled. “And because he’s a terrible person and he deserves something terrible to happen to him.”
“Well, that’s us,” Lane said. “We happen to people, don’t we, Jerry?”
“Better than having people happen to us. When’s the house party?”
The scene is set, the Lillywhite boys will do the job in several months time at a party the Duke and Duchess are holding, but there needs to be an invite. Alec and his siblings are all estranged from their god-awful father and step-mother but Crozier needs him to get them in. So, the long-game plan is set in place to ingratiate Lord Alexander back into society, especially in the good graces of the Duke and Duchess. Jerry needs to be seen with Alec, and in all the right places, so it isn't suspicious that he would be a plus one to the event at Castle Speight. Of course, this simply means the two MCs will spend a large amount of time together, getting to know one another in many ways.
Alec is likeable from the outset. He’s the 3rd son of an incredibly wealthy, titled man, one who does (worse than) as little as possible for his children. Alec makes a living as an illustrator and asks for no money from his older brother, George, the Ilvar heir, who is barely keeping his head above water as is. George takes on the responsibility for his other siblings as well as his own family with little in the way of a trust to make do. Still, he has to keep up appearances for now and for the future. Alec is also stuck in the awkward position of not doing anything that could make waves for his oldest brother and his family name in society but still be able to make a living. Having a title but nothing monetary to back it up is not an easy task.
Jerry uses threats in a very civilised manner, for the most part, to make a point, although you certainly learn that you would not want to cross him or his associates. But he is cultured and clearly well educated, also incredibly certain that the ends justify the means, so I kept thinking, this dichotomy - who are you really, Jerry?
“Uh, Jerry? Ought we not to, to...”
“What?”
“Send help? I think he might need a doctor,” Alec said, with some understatement.
“Any f@ckster who tries to blackmail me may think himself lucky not to need a mortuary.” Jerry spoke with a certainty far more alarming than any threat.
What I found to be most amusing is the fact that Jerry is this 'dangerous man', a criminal, but I remember looking at the percentage I was at on my Kindle, it wasn’t half way, and I knew Jerry was already a goner on Alec and how that meant something to a man who did not believe in worrying about anyone or anything.
I can't talk further about plot without giving anything away and I certainly don't want to do that. It's best to go into this book having only read the blurb.
Overall:
Any Old Diamonds is moving, it’s romantic, sexy, with a bit of a kick, the MCs are multi-faceted, the period feels alive and affords the characters and the reader a great backdrop, the writing is stellar, the plot is gripping until the very end, the humour is perfect. That cover is a delight, the little artistic flourishes at the beginning of each chapter a lovely touch. Do yourself a big favour and grab a copy of this book. 5 Stars!
I review in depth at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.
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Top reviews from other countries
Nichola F
Another flawless jewel.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2019
A Reviewer of Books
Extremely enjoyable read - but not everyone's cup of tea
Reviewed in Australia on May 15, 2019