I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

Clarity Diamond and Alex Hollidge were fun-loving childhood friends, but lost touch when Alex's parents died in a carriage accident. In the years between, Clarity grew into a popular, beautiful woman, who continued to be sunny-natured, joyful, and fun-loving. Orphaned Alex was raised by his dour aunt, and blamed his own mischievous childhood antics for his parents deaths. He had cut ties with the Diamonds, and became an overly somber young man. He took on his father's title as viscount, and focused all his time and energy into excelling in his studies, and learning to manage his estates, while under the management of his aunt. He and the Diamonds meet again, when he re-enters Society to seek his perfect wife.

Unfortunately Alex has lost all his sense of fun, and has become overly serious, and lacking in any social grace. He is is incredibly rude, and dismissive of Clarity and her family at several points, considering her to be too frivolous, while he is searching for a suitable viscountess, to continue his line, and manage his household. Despite this, he is very attracted to the fun, and beautiful Clarity, and as a consequence, blows hot and cold. He runs between kissing her passionately, to berating her behaviour, or rudely insulting her.

To be frank, I could not fathom how Clarity could even find herself loving him, let alone even liking him. He is changed beyond recognition from her childhood friend. This is part of the reason I did not like parts of this story - his behaviour was so rude and dismissive of her that for her to love him while he treats her and her family this way made me question her own sense of esteem.

When he comes around and realizes he loves her, and values the joy she brings to his life, he is still clueless about the nuances in his own household, and how the relationship he has with his aunt, and her role in his life and household completely undermine Clarity, and his relationship with her, until it is almost too late. I wanted to beat him with a shoe - clueless man! Maybe Clarity was a bit overly sunny and perhaps a bit frivolous, but that does not mean she is stupid, or should be so devalued, or treated like she is unable to take care of or think for herself.

Eventually his eyes open, but I do not feel that he groveled sufficiently in the end, or that the aunt truly got what she deserved, considering how she almost ruined the man by stealing all his joy and spirit, and ran his life.

On saying that, this was written well, and I was engaged in the story, and enjoyed the development of the various characters, and their interactions, especially within the Diamond family. Also, the storyline of Alex's struggle with his sense of self, and his guilt and perceptions about his parent's death, and how it affects his relationship with Clarity and her family.

3.25 stars out of 5.

I consider this book in two parts. Clarity's pursuit of Alex in the first and their marriage in the second.
Alex was a happy mischievous child, always in to scrapes and pranks with Clarity as children. After his parents' death in a carriage accident, attending school and raised by his aunt, Alex, now Viscount Hollidge, controls his emotions and lives by society rules. Clarity Diamond is a diamond of the first water. Vivacious and fun, she is popular and has more than one suitor. Alex does not approve of her behavior, but finds himself drawn to her nonetheless. THOSE KISSES!!!...maybe instrumental in changing Alex's mind, they belong together. Once together will they stay. Alex has a lot of personal issues that are detrimental to understanding Clarity and she has insecurities when it comes to making Alex happy. Add an interfering aunt, it may be the downfall of their marriage. A nice start for a new series.
A Victorian romance with heat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book even though I had a little trouble getting into at first but by the 10th page I was hooked and I didn't put it down until I read the last page. well written with wonderful characters.

Clarity is Sydney Jane Baily’s first book in the Diamond of the First Water series. It’s about the Diamond’s oldest child Clarity and her childhood best friend Alex. They spent a lot of time together until tragedy happened and Alex’s parents were killed in a carriage accident. Twelves years later, they meet at a ball, while Clarity is still the same Alex has completely changed and is now a stick in the mud. Each is seeking to marry she wants to find love and he wants a wife that he won’t love.

This is a fun story about friends to lovers and finding out that what you think you want, isn’t what your hear truly desires. It’s also about acceptance of oneself and others. There are many touching moments between Alex and Clarity both in their past and present. I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to Purity’s story and if what she was told by the “seer” becomes her reality.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Romantic & Heartwarming Start to a New Regency Romance Family Saga!

Clarity is a Regency gem! Completely charming heroine? Completely unlikeable hero (who you often want to throttle)? Must be a match made in friends-to-enemies-to-lovers heaven!

The Diamond family are endearing from Sydney Jane Baily's first note describing their family history and how they came by their unique last name. As a welcome change from many romance novels (including most of my own! whoops!), the Diamond parents are both still living and thus available to guide their four daughters and one son, as well as show them a wonderful example of what a "love match" really looks like.

The Diamonds are all wonderfully crafted characters but the two siblings we see the most in this first book in the series are Clarity, the eldest, and her next closest sister, Purity. While Clarity is an exuberant, verbose young woman, Purity is her practical counterpart. She is excellent at providing her older sister with practical wisdom and offering the hero, Alex, Lord Hollidge, wonderful set-backs, such as describing his partnership with her at a ball as "Like dancing with a stick." When Lord Hollidge is of a mind to select Purity as his bride (the reader will quickly rankle at his reasons for passing over Clarity), Purity does not allow that delusion to last long and her rebuke was one of my favorite scenes.

But who is this Lord Alex Hollidge and why is he such a stick in the mud? He grew up alongside the Diamonds, for their parents were fast friends. As children, he and Clarity Diamond were the best of pals until a tragic accident took the lives of his parents...and left Alex under his aunt's guardianship. Alex's aunt is the Cinderella's stepmother character of the book and she does a wonderful job fulfilling this role. She has shaped her nephew into a cold, socially awkward, joyless man who is only interested for what a wife can do for him (provide an heir and help manage his estates, of course) rather than in finding an emotional connection.

However, to his great annoyance, Alex finds an emotional connection with Clarity--one he very much does not want and tries to ignore. Scorching desire blossoms between Clarity and Alex no matter how they try to resist it. Their enemies to lovers chemistry is red hot! Gradually Alex evolves from his original status as "A beast of the forest brought in by mistake" to a man finding healing in the renewed friendship and, later, arms of a now-grown-up woman who he comes to cherish in a whole new way.

I won't spoil the mid-book twist but Clarity is a story of healing and redemption. It has wit and steam and so much suspense I had to speedread the second half in one go and ignore the clamor of my family!

Clarity is an emotional, romantic ride, and it will leave you desperate for more of the delightful Diamonds! I cannot wait for Purity's story.

Lady Clarity Diamond, is the daughter of an earl, but her ability to brighten the lives of everyone she meets, is not having any such luck with her childhood friend, Lord Alex Hollidge. Since the death of his parents and his absence from her life, she has often thought about the fund times that they shared. Yet the Alex of old has disappeared, and instead, he is devoid of any laughter, only wishing to marry to have an heir. His aunt dictates his life and Clarity is not someone that she sees as being appropriate for him. Yet as Alex spends time with Clarity, he remembers glimpses of his past, and finds that his attraction to her is not easily dismissed.
The story is detailed with Clarity and Alex, struggling to connect with how they once were. I felt sorry for Clarity whose ability to bring out happiness in everyone, struggled with Alex, and it felt as if he would bring her down with his misery. I have to give it to her for her persistence, as her strength of character was amazing. I felt that introducing Alex as a mischievous child, at the beginning of the book, ensured that I didn’t give up on him, as the book progressed, as gradually the old Alex was revealed. I loved reading about the other siblings in this book and look forward to seeing them in books to come.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and WOLF Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Clarity" is the first book in Sydney Jane Baily's series, "Diamonds of the First Water." This particular book centers around Clarity, the oldest daughter in a noble family. Clarity is known for being fun-loving, cheerful, and sometimes impetuous. Growing up, Clarity was best friends with Alex. However, after Alex's parents died, he's sent to live with his aunt who hates anything she deems fun and frivolous. When Alex and Clarity again cross paths, he is blown away by her spontaneity and soon finds himself helpless to resist her. Along the way, they must decide if they are able to resist their temptations.

I enjoyed that this was a quick and easy read. However, the love scenes were rather cheesy and I didn't really like Alex. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This story is a non traditional regency romance, with realistic emotions, and a HEA. There are graphic sex scenes, which I’d rather were just referred to as they didn’t add to the story, rather just delaying the progression. The ending felt as though it should’ve come earlier in the book, as it felt as though the story was being wrapped up, only for it to continue for another 1/3, though it was elements which had to be told to answer questions the reader would be left with otherwise. It feels as though the author may be gearing up to do a series of books on the diamond siblings, however not enough of the character of them was visible to make the reader want to seek this out

DNF at 20% I couldn't connect with the characters, especially Alex, and the plot didn't grab me. It's a well-written book but just not for me.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Clarity Diamond and Alex Hollidge were childhood friends. Always getting into trouble together. Their families were close friends. Unfortunately Alex’s parents die in a carriage accident. His aunt keeps him away from the Diamonds. He doesn’t see them again until he is grown up and looking to marry. He is very somber. Charity is grown up but is happy by nature. Alex wants to marry someone serious. He thinks he shouldn’t have fun. He feels responsible for his parents death.

He feels Charity is reckless and not an appropriate Viscountess. He can’t stay away from her. They marry because they love each other. His aunt tries to undermine her with the staff. She leaves him to go to her parents estate while she’s pregnant. He goes after her. I loved the story, I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next Diamond book.

This book has a lot of things going on in it. Childhood friends Clarity and Alex have not seen each other in many years, since his parents died and he went under the care of his stodgy aunt. When they meet again, Alex has changed a lot from his rambunctious and joyful youth and is now very cautious and series. He's looking for a wife, and the boisterous Clarity is not a contender, even if they're both very much attracted to each other. The first third of the book deals with them courting others but not being able to resist each other. Alex blames himself for his parents' death and Clarity tries to make him see that it was merely an accident and that he should seek joy in his life. The second third deals with Clarity and Alex as newlyweds with his overbearing aunt still running the household and Alex growing more and more worried and stern over Clarity's health and safety. They fight and make up but then still need to deal with the meddlesome aunt in the last third of the book. Overall, it seemed like too many things happening over the course of too long a period of time. While each part was well-written and you could feel for the characters, it just felt like it was too long of a story for a single book.

"Clarity" is the first in a series by Sydney Jane Bailey, and also the first book I've read by her. It won't be the last. The blossoming of love between Clarity and Alex was a pleasure to read, and watching him reclaim his own personal happiness was wonderful to see. I didn't care much for his aunt. She allowed her own marital tragedy to control her life for far too long, and to the detriment of her nephew, who she claimed to love. Stiff upper lip attitude was not what he needed when his parents tragically died. I couldn't even muster up a little pleasure for what happens to her toward the end. I was just glad she would be out of Alex and Clarity's home. Having said all that, I'm looking forward to the next installment of the series. I also intend to read Bailey's other books, as I enjoyed this book so much.

Clarity by Sydney Jane Bailey provides a delightful escape into Victorian England. Carefree Clarity reunites with her childhood friend Alex and sparks fly. The author takes us through twists and turns to arrive at a satisfying happily ever after. Sensually level: steamy!

Clarity and Alex were childhood friends. She was always happy and he was fun loving. Now it is time for both of them to wed. She is still happy and smiling. He is a stick in the mud. Can their love and hidden passion make a happy union. I enjoyed this book and will be watching for the next book

She’s a fun-loving earl’s daughter and he’s a titled stick in the mud!
Clarity and Alex are meant to be the best option in romance. Clarity is fun loving just as she was a child.
Firstborn daughter of a prominent family, Lady Clarity Diamond came into the world smiling and has always brightened the lives of everyone around her. This social season, she’s decided to find a husband amongst her flock of suitors. And then her childhood friend appears, tall, handsome, and … as amusing as a box of rocks.
Alex was fun loving as a boy but after living with his aunt he is no longer that way.
Lord Alex Hollidge’s heart turned to stone, and the laughter died in his eyes the moment he was orphaned. Taking up the mantle of a viscount at a young age, he has known nothing but responsibility and the tragedy of life. Now, it’s time to take a wife. Pity the lovely Lady Clarity is too frivolous to be his viscountess.
With everything—and everyone—telling Alex and Clarity to stay apart, and both of them promised to others, will their smouldering desire be snuffed out before it can blaze into love?
Love is the last thing that entices them to be together.
This sometimes comical story is a good one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.