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

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Definitely another favourite here from Bea. The way the characters lives weave into the same world always gets me. I'm looking forward to seeing where Curses and Cures leads us. I was very dubious about the book and still found it rather disappointing. Especially with how the Deana-dhe were presented in the Academy of Stardom series. This book hits some deep places. It’ll make you cry and smile and everything in between. It’s dark on some levels, yet no longer enemy/bully behavior we saw in book 1, thankfully. I loved the growth for all the characters, as we all the character crossovers! I would definitely recommend this book! Bea Paige knows how to get you addicted… I’m hooked for sure. What a story!! I need my next fix!? 🤣 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.

However that didn’t mean everything was answered straight away, seeing as secrets were still being kept and mysteries were still to be unravelled.

Part One focused on the events that took place at the end of Debts & Diamonds,leading to the showcasing of two different journeys.

But if I’m the apple they never wanted to take a bite out of, then they’re the snakes willing to use me for their own gain. Review: Dark and twisty with a side of magic. While not a typical fantasy romance, this duet has mystical ties and fantasy themes. The first book in the duet is written from multiple POVs and is split between chapters in the past and present. We see how the bonds formed between them at boarding school and up until present day. 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. Honestly that scene seemed more like a fetish, and with the reason given behind it made it worse IMO with trying to justify or make it work. The heat in book 2 is HOT and many developments occur. There are scenes of MM and MFM so if that is not your thing then skip ahead! Overall, the book was written well and the characters made you love the world.With how fast everything was overcame given the resolvement resulted in happening in the blink of an eye, it made it feel rushed through. I’ll be honest, Academy of Stardom is one of my favorite RH series....that said, all the books that Bea Paige has put out since then have been not bad, but just okay. So, I was pleasantly surprised this was very enjoyable. It’s definitely the best thing she’s written since Finale. 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. 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?

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!! Which just so happen to hold importance, as it played a big part of the storyline since it carried a link between them all. 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.It needs to be known that the story was a good read to me, with enjoyable moments to be had throughout, considering Bea was able to have me read the whole book and not give up.

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. Narration was good again. Nothing more to say, same small criticisms but the emotion in this one was more intense than the others. With the different baddies and the aftermath of their chaos and destruction, the confrontation with new characters, the deaths, etc. So an emotional rollercoaster, but the narrators did a fab job bringing the characters to life in my head while I listened, I felt like I was in the studio, their home, Pen’s old family home, the bar, etc. The narration just helped prove this could be an incredible TV show and how the readers would eat every word up haha. At it’s core, this is a story of healing and transformation. Characters united by past pain and toxic emotional expression that find a way to overcome not only all of the really bad stuff that has happened to them, but they also and most IMPORTANTLY learn to overcome parts of themselves. The ways in which their trauma has disfigured their hearts and souls. This final story is all about two very crucial rescues that inspire that transformation- one of physical and mortal danger, and the other more a metaphysical and psychological one. And the most magical part of that process it that Cyn is their savior in BOTH. Her strength, her resilience, her resolve are the beating heart and soul of this story. She loves SO big and freely ,and her vulnerable strength and cleverness shines so brightly. But we should have known that Cyn would never give up- she’s always been a battered and bruised character, but never BROKEN. But Bea sure did push the limits with her- and perhaps she does in fact break. And my heart broke with her- tears for the harrowing things she experiences. But Cyn survives like a Phoenix in the ashes, emerging stronger, more clear, and most of all, better loved. The Deana-Dhe- how Bea transformed them from depraved anti-heroes into the most swoony protectors and lovers, I don't even know- but she did, and I am so madly in love with them now.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. 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 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.