Thank you for the book in exchange for a honest review. A nice story but not for me. Fans of Regency would love this!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A beautiful cover. A cute historical fiction romance novel. Recommend

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Clarity is book #1 of the Diamonds of the First Water series.

Born to an Earl and his wife, Clarity is a young woman that likes to have fun. She is loud, vivacious, and enjoys life. When she runs into a friend from her childhood, Lord Alex Hollidge, she is very excited to see him again. The Lord is taken aback by her casual greeting - using his first name!! The Lord was orphaned at a young age and Clarity has not seen him since the passing of his parents. Now, many years later, their paths cross. Alex is not the person she remembered. This man is rigid, no sense of humor, and quite boring.

Alex is at the ball looking for his future wife so that he can carry on the family name and not deal with any more of these balls/entertaining. Alex's rigid Aunt wants Alex to marry another; however, the more time Alex & Clarity spend together, it becomes apparent that they are destined to be together. However, will it last?

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

First born daughter, Lady Clarity Diamond, is ready to be married. She, and her sisters, and diamonds of the ton, and she finds joy and happiness in everything she does. But, she can't forget her childhood friend, and neighbour, Alex. Alex was orphaned at a young age, and being forced to become Viscount, and live with his dour aunt, has changed him beyond belief. Now, he is the shadow of the boy that Clarity once knew, and Alex finds Clarity too frivolous and carefree to be the woman for him. But when desire becomes too much, and they marry, will their differing characters ruin it all?

When I started reading this book, I'm going to admit, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes. I mean, the names of the daughters, and how cringy parts of the descriptions were, I nearly DNFed it. However, I was on a plane, and I really want to clear my NG shelf, so I persevered, and it did improve - somewhat. Clarity and Alex as people, were alright. They weren't anything special, but I did find myself invested in their relationship, and wanting them to find happiness - and see the downfall of Alex's wicked aunt. The ending definitely made up for the bad beginning, and I probably will continue with the series, but I'm not jumping at it, nor will I re-read this one.

Clarity, the first in a series about a family four sisters named after diamonds, missed the mark on too many occasions to merit a much higher rating, I'm afraid.

In this book, eldest daughter Clarity sees her old childhood friend Alex for the first time in 12 years. The friends-to-lovers trope is a major favorite of mine, but this book missed all the appropriate checkboxes. Yes, I understand the events that resulted in the situation, but it's not really clear to me why Clarity's mother didn't try harder to keep Alex in their lives (I get it but not really). Lter in the book, there are parts that try to show how much Clarity missed him, but for the most part, she moved on.

When they finally see each other again, Alex is uptight and obnoxious, and he spends much of the book being a dismissive prick. Clarity supposedly sees the old Alex in there, but ick. He is bedazzled by her but at the same time has such a low opinion of her, not seeing any true value in her as a person; that he writes her off as a beautiful and fun woman who lamentably is careless and flighty and not worth enough to be his viscountess..

I wanted Clarity to prove him wrong (and then find someone else), but I'll-be-damned, he's not actually wrong. Clarity does act before thinking and she doesn't seem to do much with her days. She isn't even especially kind--she is by no means cruel, but her tendency to put her mouth in gear before engaging her brain is aggravating.

The biggest disappointment was that when these two former besties finally do get together, it lacks that wonderful friends-to-lovers moment of "Oh! There you are!" That dreamlike feeling of "my friend is who I've been waiting for all my life."

Don't get me wrong; the book is readable and has its good points. It just isn't a keeper, and I'm not entirely sure I'd want to read book two, Purity's story.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

AFTER reading this, I am pleased to see it is a series in the making.
What I love about it, and what I think sets it apart from a lot of (really great) historical romances is the fact there is a family dynamic at play (dare I say, Bridgerton style?) and that is not just the will they or won't they of Clarity and Alex.
Clarity does not have to get married RIGHT NOW to save the world, though she is promised to someone else---that's how it went back then, even in the Diamond home.
And you know the Lord is a great book-boyfriend, as even when he is being a pill and a pain--you still think , "well if Clarity doesn't want him, I will take him."
My first novel by this author but not my last. A historical treat.

Childhood friends Clarity and Alex were separated for years. Reunited as adults, Clarity is saddened to find her fun playmate has turned into a stick-in-the-mud, and fears that they have grown apart, but as they spend time together again, he begins to find his own self.

The beginning of the book had some promise, and I enjoyed it in parts, but I couldn't root for the romance because I found Alex so unlikeable and obnoxious. I liked the struggle for household supremacy between Clarity and her in-laws, which I found the most interesting part of the plot. The romance between Clarity and Alex was okay, cheesy in parts, but one of the sex scenes was contender for the least erotically-described intimate scene I have ever read in a novel.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

After reading this book, I am very musch so pleased to see this is a series in the making.

What I love about it, and what I think sets it apart from a lot of really great historical romances is the fact there is a family dynamic at play (dare I say, Bridgerton style?) and that is not just the will they or won't they of Clarity and Alex.

Clarity does not have to get married right now to save the world, though she is promised to someone else. And you know the Lord is a great book-boyfriend, as even when he is being a pill and a pain--you still think , "well if Clarity doesn't want him, I will take him."

This is my very first novel that I have read by this author but it will certanly not br my last. This is such a historical treat.

I could not put this book down.
I have to say, that this author was never one of my favorites, but that has changed. I felt the stories were too wordy, the characters too sappy or too bratty and it turned me off, and I couldn't finish. I haven't read one of her stories in quite some time.
This book is very different. I give it 5 stars, even before all of my reasoning. This is the first book of a new series and the heroine is the oldest of four daughters of the Earl of Diamond. So each daughter is named after a quality of diamonds: Clarity, Purity, Brilliance and Radiance. The hero is her childhood friend who disappeared after his parents died in a horrific carriage accident. He was raised by his widowed aunt who always felt that the hero and heroine were up to no good because they were alwats pulling pranks. The characters meet up when the heroine is 20 years old and the hero is 24 years old. The hero has become a stick in the mud to such a degree that Puriry, the calm and perfect debutante, even thinks he is too strict and tries to be too perfect. This story is woven around how each character has to learn to embrace their childhood rambunctiousness as mature adults. The heroine is a lively and cheerful young lady, but raised to be the perfect hostess and titled wife. The hero was raised to be responsible to the extent he has forgotten to have fun. He holds himself responsible for his parents accident.
This was such a fascinating story about childhood attraction. The main characters had been friends since she was a toddler and he was five years old. Both of the main characters learn to bring out the missing parts of the other partner until they are a secure and loving couple. I could not put this book down. I felt I was in 1846 along with them. 5 stars and I can't wait for the next book!

Loved reading the engaging and enthralling historical story. Lady Clarity Diamond, a warm, lively, and enchanting young woman, can't wait to see her childhood friend, Lord Alex Hoolidge, again, but Alex has changed into a straight, unsmiling, strict man and wants a wife who takes life seriously. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, full of action and romance, and a must read love story.
I just reviewed Clarity by Sydney Jane Baily. #Clarity #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Where to start on this book! The Diamonds are a big, kooky, lovely family. They're very Eloisa James Wilde family-esque. Clarity, the heroine of the book is eldest of her family and charming and an absolute delight. So was her first suitor that proposed, I wish he was the hero of the book. Alex, the hero, is an old family friend, who after his parents die in a terrible accident, hasn't seen Clarity for about a decade. Alex is a horrible stodge of a character and I found little redeemable in his character. There have been quite a few male characters in books that I've hated, but also loved but Alex was not one of them. I don't understand what it was in him that Clarity loved so much. Their whole relationship went from 0 to 100 way way way too fast. One minute he's thinking that she's a mess and totally inappropriate for him then the next minute they're turning down other relationship interests and next minute they're both mutually in love with no conflict or anything in-between. It made no sense.
I love when a male character "breaks." Especially one that I strongly dislike but has some redeemable qualities, but I hate Alex so much when he broke I wanted it to be forever and for him to be miserable forever and for Clarity to leave him for good. He was too negative, too critical and everything he said or let his aunt or first marriage prospect say about Clarity made me wonder how did he want to marry her? That was so unsatisfying. And his aunt! I can't even get started on how the reader has no satisfaction with that part. She is terrible, and her lack of any enjoyable resolution (to the reader to make up for her terrible behavior) was disappointing. I'm 100% on Clarity's side and she should have just washed her hands of both those lame characters.
The daughters names are strange and a little off-putting, but small quibble. I liked the writing and the style, the heroine and her fun family. The Clarity and Diamond family parts were fun to read, and super charming. I just was really put off by Alex and his aunt, and their confusing behavior and glossing over of it and lack of a strong resolution to the conflicts that made up the book. I will read the next book in the series, even if this one wasn't my favorite. I did like the Diamond family, even with their odd names. This is my first Sydney Jane Baily book and if it is her first book maybe the next will be better, the series has promise!
I was sent this book as an ARC and all opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Wolf Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Clarity” is a first time read by Sydney Jane Bailey, new author to this reader. I love a good trope of friends to lovers and this story was okay for me. Lady Clarity Diamond was childhood friends with “stick in the mud” Alex, now Lord Hollidge. After the deaths of his parents, he disappeared and now has returned to society, at the bequest of his aunt, to find himself a wife. Believing he was the cause of his parent’s death; he has grown into a refined gentlemen and not the fun-loving person Clarity once new as a child. When he sets eyes on Clarity’s sister Purity as his prospective wife, she turns him down flat and recommends the aid of Clarity to shape into what he needs to be to garner the appropriate wife.

Well-written Victorian story that was fun to read. The heroine is likeable and eventually I warmed up to the hero’s character as he slowly melted into what I anticipated from the start. I enjoyed the budding romance between the angst and banter of the two characters, however there were parts of the story that had me wondering why the heroine even cared for hero as he had changed drastically from childhood. Alas, he grew up and she stayed somewhat as that carefree girl of old. In the end, it delighted me to see Alex break away from the constructs of his crude auth and finding his own way to true happiness.

I really enjoyed this book by Sydney Jane Baily. It was very well done and would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

Immediate Reaction: These names are kind of awful aren't they? Can I see past them?

The spoiler-free summary: Lady Clarity Diamond came into the world smiling and has always brightened the lives of everyone around her. When her childhood friend appears, tall, handsome, and … as amusing as a box of rocks.

All the things I loved: I really related to Lady Clarity with her fun loving personality. I am one of those sunny and perky people. The surrounding characters are so much fun, I can see how it is the beginning of a series. This story was really well written.


The things I didn't love: It was hard for me to truly engage with this story. The names are a little ridiculous and I really really disliked the MMC from the moment I met him. I really don't see what she saw in him.


Final Thoughts: Borrow it from your library, It's a pretty enjoyable read.

This book was a Netgalley ARC read

Thanks to Wolf Publishing and the author for an ARC through Netgalley.

Clarity is a childhood friends to lovers story with a few detours along the road to a HEA. I loved Clarity's witty, fun-loving personality. It took me a while to understand Alex and sympathize with him. Despite his foot dragging in the relationship, I kept rooting for him to make a move and get the girl.

There are three more sisters and a brother in this delightful family so I expect more to come from the Diamonds in the future.
4 stars

In bestselling author Sydney Jane Baily, an earl’s daughter is caught between the man who wishes to wed her and the one who desires her. A beautiful well written love story that will remain in my heart/head for a long time. There is SO MUCH happening here!…

New author, new series and a fun book to read. Clarity Diamond has always been a fun loving person, she is loved by one and all. As the eldest of the Diamond’s she decided that she would be engaged by the end of the season and finding a match isn’t a problem. At a ball she runs into her old playmate Alex or Lord Hollidge, but he will always be Alex to her. He disappeared from her life at a young age after his parents died in a carriage accident. Although the man before her is a stick in the mud! Not the fun loving boy who along with her knew how to have fun. What had happened?
Alex had to grow up to soon and life had changed dramatically for the young lord. His aunt as his guardian had no idea what to do for the boy. And the choice’s make made may not have been the best, but was well intended.
I enjoyed reading not just the romance between the characters, but the story of making the marriage work. Love that the author took that extra step and didn’t end the story at the church. I can’t wait for the next in the series. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #Clarity #WolfPublishing

I nearly quite reading this after 'a swell' was referenced a few times at the beginning a word not used in this era for a fashionable person or things being ok. However I persevered and it did get better. The diamond family were very engaging and look forward to more of their stories. However I did find it hard to warm to Alex and I certainly feel the Aunt got off far too easily but it did improve well so 3.5 would be my choice if it were possible for the rating.

Clarity Diamond and Alexander Hollidge were childhood friends and were constantly getting into mischief. Their parents had been best friends and after Alex's parents died, he had not visited their home. Alex had been taken by his Aunt Elizabeth to raise. She is a very strict, proper and no fun lady. Twelver years later Alex comes to London for the Season as his aunt has told him he needs to find a proper wife. Upon entering the ballroom, he is immediately seen by Clarity's brother, Adam. Adam takes him over to where the Diamond family. As they approach, Alex immediately drawn to one of the ladies in particular, Clarity. In just a few minutes he realizes that Clarity has not changed at all from the happy young girl he know. He also knows he needs to find a more refined and proper lady and begins to consider her sister, Purity. Alex attempts to court Purity, but finds him dull and boring. She suggests he let Clarity help him with conversation if he wants to find a wife this Season. As Clarity agrees to help, Alex continues to find himself enjoying the time with her even though he knows she is not the kind of lady that his aunt will agree for him to wed. Will Clarity's help allow Alex to find a suitable wife or has Alex's heart already found one? What will Aunt Elizabeth say and do? The only way to know is to read this well written story with very interesting characters.

London 1846

A wonderful start to a new series that will certainly be amazing if this first story is any indication!

Entertaining characters, engaging banter and a journey to a happy ever after that will have several twist and turns. Sidney has a gift for telling a delightful story filled with humor and the emotions of the characters being brought to life.

Childhood friends rediscover each other, although life has dealt them different hands, but maybe, just maybe they can reconnect and she will bring him back to the joyful boyhood friend he use to be. Cannot wait for more of these Diamonds!