Debts and Diamonds: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance: 1 (The Deana-Dhe Duet)

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The detail into Cyn's healing talents is brilliant. I really enjoy her as a character she has a different vibe from Bea's previous FMC's. You never feel like you're reading the same character with her stories. The first book had mild heat and got spicy at the end but I felt like that was what the group needed. I enjoyed the development and plots as they all found each other again. The ending left me hanging on for more and I was glad that Cyn’s secret were revealed!

There was also the case of appearances being made by her family members, which brought forth some revelations bringing more to the story from what was revealed, filling in some missing pieces when it came to Cyn’s life story. The article “Debts and Diamonds” by Bea Paige explores the surprising correlation between debts and diamonds. It delves into how individuals often resort to selling their diamond jewelry to pay off mounting debts, and how this trend has become increasingly common in recent years.However that didn’t mean everything was answered straight away, seeing as secrets were still being kept and mysteries were still to be unravelled. The world can be an ugly place- fictional or otherwise, and these characters are no stranger to it. In fact, some have contributed to it. What I’ve always found so compelling about Bea’s writing is how she never shies away from that architecture- building worlds and stories that embrace not only the grey all around us but the grey within. Pain, trauma, despair, hopelessness- it’s as much a part of our humanity as breathing. But though it all the light is ALWAYS love. Love heals, love inspires, love fulfills, love hopes. And love can transform- take the worst of us and help us find the best, EVEN in the darkness. Even in the pain. And the Deana-dhe are tragically beautiful reminder that destination can outweigh the journey, that LOVE is stronger than the worst we can face- and it’s always worth the fight. It’s worth LIVING for. And if we LIVE with love…well, Cras es noster…Tomorrow is ours. Seeing as he was my favourite it had me wishing their would’ve been a few more chapters from him, not only because he didn’t see to get as many as the others.

Emphasize the importance of financial literacy and responsible financial management in avoiding debt and making smart financial decisions. I still don’t feel like I’ve seen them be seriously formidable and scary. Call me crazy, but if I’m reading a duet where they’re the main characters, I should walk away feeling like I completely understand why they're such a big deal! So far in this world, the Breakers and the Masks have both come across as more competent, in their books. The Deana-dhe seemed more formidable in Academy of Stardom than they did in their own books. Our pain and hurt bled out with every movement, with every step across the dance floor. The Breakers never expected to love me again and I never believed we could get past our pain. Yet here we are. My Breakers are mine once more.There was always a change between the present and the past and that was done by having a chapter in the present and then immediately having one in the past. I myself had a lot of trouble with that at the beginning because I was more interested in the present, and didn't find the chapters in the past interesting. However, the chapters in the past are necessary to understand the storyline. Cyn is absolutely incredible and so strong. I struggled with really liking the guys in the first book cause they did some messed up things to her over the years but to watch them come to terms with their love was absolutely breathtaking. The lengths they will go for her was unreal and I loved every minute of watching each relationship group along side them growing as a group too. And whew those spicy scenes were hot AF. The garden moment with Arden and then the 3 minute challenge in the room next to the guests was sooooo good. IYKYK. So good!!

Add in glimpses of her humanity, which soften her edges for a brief moment before doubling down on her horror, and you’ve got the Deana-Dhe. They want me to make diamonds, a drug that has the ability to heighten the senses, and manipulate emotions. At last, we can dive into the world of Deana-Dhe and the enchanting character of Cyn. I’ve been enamored with her since we met her in the Masks world, and the Deana-Dhe have been menacingly swimming around like hungry sharks since we met them in the Stardom world. They are enigmatic, depraved, almost gleeful in the way they manipulate and terrorize others. I was so curious just what was behind their story and if, in fact, there was any redemptive qualities to these mysterious foes. Fortunately, Bea has such a keen ability to integrate humanity and charisma into even the darkest of her heroes, and Debts and Diamonds paints a compelling, empathetic, and complicated history between these four characters. I am so happy for the happiness that they have been able to give to each other. They all deserve to be loved and cherished. They all deserve to be happy and that’s what they are together. Nothing made sense in this book. Nothing. It was like they threw everything and the kitchen sink in. Characters from her other books thrown in while adding nothing to plot. What, just so they could say hi?The different POVs allow us to see the inner workings of the group dynamic and I loved it! I also really liked how the past was chronicled so we could read all the events that lead up to the present without the book being an academy romance. Cyn is a complex character. For someone unable to speak due to trauma, her actions speak louder for her. I love how she was able to help the masks in her journey of healing and love and now she is going through her own journey of healing and love with Deana-dhe. The Deana-dhe deal in favors, and Cyn owns them. And that’s how she ends up in their secluded island, developing a new potent drug for them.

I didn't expect the way that this story would go and I admit that what Cyn and Faith went through on the hands of The Skull Brotherhood was just tragic at best. And again, it made me stabby just thinking about Soren's character. I rooted for them to push through and cried for them at the end. Her doing that for her father. Giving him that gift of kindness even when he doesn’t deserve that from her just shows how much of a truly good person she is. Bea Paige knows how to get you addicted… I’m hooked for sure. What a story!! I need my next fix!? 🤣Narratively, this story felt night and day to the first in the duet- as book 1 really situated us in the history and past, leaned heavy on the origins and the turbulent intrapersonal issues between Cyn and the Deana-Dhe. The friction, the tension existed primarily between them- they were the antagonists in each other’s stories…until, well, they weren’t. The emotional energy was immersively volatile and desperate, the angst choking. But book 2 takes a different turn- a external antagonist and a heart-wrenching situation divide our quad-ruple (is that a thing?!), but their SOULS are no longer divided. Despite the horrific situation Cyn finds herself, this second book is heart bleedingly romantic- part rescue mission, part the best groveling ever. The Deana-Dhe have to save our girl, but since they do, they have a lot of making up to do for all the years of damage they themselves inflicted- and HOLY MOLY do they deliver some swoony alpha grovel. The first part of this story is all action and tragedy, and the second is richly relationally immersive. The emotional story is full of adrenaline and then just heaviness. SO MUCH HEAVINESS. There’s a horror and melancholy that permeates their progression, but one that morphs and twists into hesitant healing, cathartic trust, and and most of all, hopeful. Bea weaves an unexpectedly diverse emotional tapestry, but oh my it is so fulfilling. My heart felt so swollen with FEELING for these characters that I thought it might stop beating. Cyn a skilled witch/scientist/alchemist of the modern times, and she can create almost anything from plants. She also doesn’t speak since she was 4. stars. I didn’t dislike this book. I like this author, I love this British criminal underworld that she’s created in all of her books. I like her characters. Sadly, the Breakers weren’t in this one. But Grim and Beast were, and they were the best parts. But, I did have several issues with this story that prevents me from being able to give it 4 stars. Furthermore, it is important to note that diamonds do not hold their value as well as other investments. While they may be a girl’s best friend, The showcasing of very distinct personalities between each of the Deana-Dhe had been executed well by Bea.