I am a suckered for opposites attract and these characters were wonderful and their interactions delicious. The writing was wonderfully done, it kept me invested from start to finish and I think anyone would love this

I loved these characters and the plot. The writing is rich in detail and sure to keep you engaged.
Many thanks to WOLF Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

THE REVIEW
Lady Purity Diamond is a Diamond of the First Water. She is a proper, rule following young woman, who does not allow any improprieties occur in her world. She is determined to find a proper, decent man to be her husband.

Lord Matthew Foxford is a rake and a libertine. But he is determined this season to find a wife and a mother for his daughter.

When Foxford stumbled upon Purity alone at a ball, he mistakes her for his liaison and the passionate kiss they share sparks something neither expected! Purity is mortified, whereas Foxford is determined to have her. In order to spend more time with her and attempt to win her over, he decides to ask her to teach him how to behave properly so he can attract a wife. But, of course, the time spent together softens Purity towards him and his past and Foxford finds himself no longer simply lusting after her, but wanting her for his Baroness!

When they are caught in a compromising position, Fox offers for her and they become engaged. But, even now that he has won her hand, the real trouble begins.
The beginning of the story was interesting bit a little slow to get going. And just when it started to pick up and get interesting when they got engaged, Purity’s jealousy and doubts about Fox dampened the romance for me. It was like a douse of cold water on any heat that was starting to stir. Overall, it was an enjoyable ready, but I was ready to be done and move on to a more attention-grabbing read!


TROPES
Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Ton Society, Gamma Hero, Rake Hero, Single Dad Hero, Titled Hero, Musician Heroine, Proper Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Married in Scandal, Hero Falls Hard, Opposites Attract, Three Star, Two Steam

One particular joy in this book is the use of the ‘cant’ and various allegorical and double entendre terms used by the male characters and sometimes the female characters. It demonstrates the amount of research into the era the author has undertaken and also her ability to wordsmith, in that she has used them in the story correctly and with gusto.
This is a series that I have been following – that of the Diamond family from the grandparents and parents and now to the children , and have enjoyed every book.
The storyline for this book is not trite and does not follow just the trope but is imaginative in how it takes the simple historical romance story and crafts it into something else -including schooling us about the rigid manners and behaviour expected of the Ton and their interactions, especially with the opposite sex. Even something as simple as always wearing gloves or he length of a visit, or whether you are offered refreshment are detailed here. And our heroine Miss Purity lives up to her name – as best she can despite the trials and tribulations heaped upon her by being courted by a wily Fox – who had a bad and rakish reputation.
I also liked the addition of the current events of the early Victorian era, from railways to electric lights.

In this book, the second in the series about the Diamond family, Purity, a devotee of propriety, finds her match in renowned rake Lord Matthew "Fox" Foxford. I liked this story quite a bit. Purity, despite being as proper as her name suggests, has a dry and amusing sense of humor. Fox, while indeed a rake, shows redeemable characteristics early on, making his quick devotion to Purity a bit more believable.

I enjoyed witnessing the love between the Diamond family, and their willingness to support each other through anything and everything. I also completely identify with the fear of trust and love. Following that, I found Purity's relatively easy acceptance of Fox's last secret a bit out of character. Overall, I think they work well as a couple. Purity reigns Fox in a bit and he loosens her up. Some sweet steam. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. The opinions herein are entirely my own.

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

Lady Purity Diamond is everything her name entails. She is the pure and rule abiding member of the family, and even the patronesses turn to her for etiquette. So when Lord Matthew Foxford realises that he needs to rectify his rakish reputation, and prove to family that he is on the straight and narrow, he begs Purity for help. After all, he insulted her by thinking she was a light skirt, and she set him right. But as Matthew spends more time with Purity, learning what makes her tick, and understanding her character, he soon realises that she is the one he wants - but can he convince her of that?

Well, Purity was definitely better than Clarity. I liked Purity and Matthew's story a lot more than the previous one, and actually cared about their relationship much more too. Matthew was a definite rake, but he owned it, and was honestly trying to change his ways, and be better for both himself and for Purity. Purity was a bit too annoying at first - she was so stuck in her ways, and not a likeable person, but Matthew brought out the best in her. All in all, an alright story, and has made me consider continuing the series.

She’s a straitlaced silk-stocking and he’s a scandalous fox!

Known as the “proper Diamond sister,” Lady Purity thoroughly enjoys adhering to the rules of society. Everything is right in her world when manners are minded and civility reigns. Clean gloves, no vulgarities, not a hair out of place!

Renowned for his past indiscretions, Lord Matthew Foxford doesn’t let propriety or tedious rules get in his way. Asking the prim earl’s daughter to teach him etiquette, he hopes to win her heart while loosening her corset.

Unaware of his intent, Purity agrees to turn this thundering buck into a reputable nobleman. Can she do so without falling for his seductive charm? Or will the Fox tempt her from the straight and narrow path into the garden of irreparable ruin?

Loved reading the enthralling and engaging romance story. After Lord Matthew Foxford, a handsome rake, passionately kisses Lady Purity Diamond, the prim and proper he wants her and asks her to teach him the proper etiquette,. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and riveting must read love story by the phenomenal author, Sydney Jane Bailey.

Purity was a really fun, really cute read that takes you back in time to the era of Victorian ballrooms, supper parties and just an old-fashioned way to live. It is the second in the Diamonds of the First Water series and follows the pursuit of Lady Purity Diamond by the egregious baron known as the Fox. While I enjoyed this title immensely, it did fall short for me for several reasons: Purity as a character just wasn't.... it. She is pretty and kind but very uppity in her manners and I found myself loathing her dressing down of several others in the book. Where the aunt was the bane in the first book, it was Purity herself for me that really made me want to quit the book. But, I am glad I stuck around to see the healthy relationship between Purity and her parents when scandal begins to darken the door.

I do recommend this book for any fan of romance and historical fiction, and I am looking forward to the next installment! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this book!

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

This is the second book in the series and about Purity, the sister of Clarity, and who is characterized as much more reserved and strict about following the social norms and rules, no matter how strict. Quite the opposite to the fun-loving creature that Clarity seemed.

One night, she did break the rules and at a social gathering went into a room alone to view a piece of art, when she really should have had a chaperone. There, she was accosted by a man who thought she was a woman arranged to have a tryst with him. Their encounter is infuriating, but still intrigues Purity, despite the fact the man is definitely a wretched rake. The man is very definitely intrigued by Purity and her passionate spitfire response to him.

He finds out that who she is, and because of their attraction and passionate response to each other, has determined he wants to win her as his wife. He is Matthew, Lord Foxley, a notorious rake and womanizer with the moniker of "the Fox", well known for his liaisons, who just recently returned from the continent. When Purity finds out who he is, she is put off even more because of his licentious and lurid reputation, and it does not help that someone is regularly passing on exaggerated stories about him to the gossip rags.

He works out a plan to put himself in Purity's presence, including pretending to need her to school him in etiquette and social manners to help him seek a bride, to try to win her over, knowing that while she may try to repel him, Purity is still quite attracted to him, and he hopes to tear her walls down and wear her down to where she will wed him.]

But Matthew's reputation and Purity's distrust work against them and make it very hard for Purity to trust that Matthew will be a faithful husband, and she is very fearful of having her heart broken. He also has people in his past who actively work to undermine their relationship.

I think I enjoyed this story more than the first book, because I found Matthew to be a likeable character. Purity was quite uptight and I liked their opposites attract relationship, especially as Matthew could help her loosen up and it really seemed as though he was attracted to her and became sincere in his admiration and love of her. But her distrust did become too repetitive and her lack of communication with him became overbearing at times. It felt like he was working a steep uphill battle and could never win her trust, and she would rather listen to gossip than talk with the man she supposedly cares for.

Then again, this does make the HEA all that much more satisfactory when he did win her trust and love.

There is also further depth added about other characters too, such as the Diamond parents and how they relate to each other and their children that added to some fun and enjoyable elements to the story too.

One thing that detracted for me though was there was a heavy use of cant and slang from the period to the point where it was distracting. Perhaps Matthew and his friends used it to emphasize his need for Purity's help to smooth his rough edges, but it did feel a bit over the top at times.

3.75 stars out of 5

In this early Victorian Romance, the second in the series Diamonds of the First Water, a proper young lady, Purity, tries to civilize the unseemly bachelor baron, Matthew. Can she do it without shattering her own impeccable reputation? I can't say that I loved it, but it was enjoyable. Most of the characters were relatable and the dynamics between them was fun. The chemistry between Purity and Matthew was great, and there is some interesting spice. However Purity's quest for perfection was sometimes annoying and her lack of flexibility made her a little less relatable to me. I would have loved to see Diana (Matthew!s four year old daughter) a little more - she's not there a lot and he doesn't think about her a lot, and I think he should. Also, I was not a fan of the fact that he did hide Emily's existence to Purity until very late on into their engagement. Overall, it was enjoyable. I did not read the first one in the series (Clarity), and I was not completely lost, because each book in the series is focused on one of the Diamond brother or sister.
I received this book an exchange from my honest opinion from NetGalley and WOLF Publishing.

I was given an advance copy in exchange for a honest review. This happens to be about my favorite genre. Purity, did not disappoint. It had all the parts of a great romance, in my opinion. You have a prim and proper Earl’s daughter who we get to meet in the beginning.....follow that with meeting the notorious Rake of the ton. You definitely have the components for a fantastic romance. Most of the book is taken with the characters coming together then being torn apart with the Rake’s past coming to the forefront.will they marry or call it off. All the classic pot burner stories within a story.. A great weekend read. Thank you to #NeGalley, #WolfPublishing #SydneyJaneBailry, #Purity for the advance copy.. if you enjoy historical fiction as much as I do you will want to read this one. The author has left me wanting to read more of her work.The followup books I expect to meet this high bar.

When I read about Purity's personality in the first book in the series, I was sure she would be challenged to the fullest when it came to finding love.
Purity Diamond is ruled by the rules, but she breaks rules the first time she meets, Matthew, Baron Foxford.
He has a history of several love conquests, which would scare anyone.
Her name says it all, purity, but he simply decides that it's her he wants to be with.
Then begins a delicious game of cat and mouse where Matthew, also known as the Fox, will try to conquer a resistant, Purity, whom he calls kitten and we watches him slowly undermine her defenses as he struggles with the gossip and fallout from the scandals of his past.
Mathtew is slowly showing his personality, using his intelligence, also making mistakes and seducing Purity and what you see is pure passion.
Another gem for the collection.

I must confess that this is the first book that I have read from this author, and it certainly won’t be the last! This story is a total delight, beautifully written with witt and charm, and such endearing characters that I truly felt that I had gotten to know them. The Baron , Matthew, is such a charming rake, that the prim and proper Purity could no way resist falling for him even as she tried to school him on his improprieties. Their attraction was intense, their kisses scorching! Although she adored him, she couldn’t trust him or believe in him, and it nearly cost her the love of a lifetime! One of my favorite reads of the year!

One kiss can change everything!! This is a well written story of how opposites can attract. Lady Purity Diamond believes in following all the etiquette rules and doing everything the proper way. Lord Matthew Foxford however is quite the opposite and is known as a rake and is known for not following the etiquette rules. Upon meeting Purity, Matthew decides he will ask her help to improve his standing in manners, but all the time his motives are not pure. There is intrigue, secrets and surprises in this story and you will need to read to the end to find some of the answers to questions that will arise.

I like this story better than Clarity's actually. Another opposites attract although this time it's the diamond that needs to unstiffen a bit and didn't she fine the perfect man. I enjoyed Matthews character and his antics in trying to win Purity it was great fun. The story pulled me in right from the start and ran along at a good pace. A fun-filled delightful romance that I absolutely enjoyed and is sure to make you smile. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received an advance ebook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review.

Purity by Sydney Jane Baily is the second book of the Diamonds of the First Water. Lady Purity masterfully adheres to the rules of proper society. Notorious rake Lord Matthew Foxford asks Purity for lessons in etiquette, while also hoping to win her heart. Unaware of his intent to make her his wife, Purity agrees to help him become a gentleman. She soon finds herself unable to resist her attraction to him.

There is so much going on in this book that I don’t want to spoil it by talking about the premise in too much detail. Just know I adored this couple and their entire dynamic right from the start. There were a couple bumps in the road, but the journey to Purity and Matthew’s happily ever after is well worth the read.

This book is excellent. Purity is very proper indeed.
Known as the “proper Diamond sister,” Lady Purity thoroughly enjoys adhering to the rules of society. Everything is right in her world when manners are minded and civility reigns. Clean gloves, no vulgarities, not a hair out of place!
Renowned for his past indiscretions, Lord Matthew Foxford doesn’t let propriety or tedious rules get in his way. Asking the prim earl’s daughter to teach him etiquette, he hopes to win her heart while loosening her corset.
Unaware of his intent, Purity agrees to turn this thundering buck into a reputable nobleman. Can she do so without falling for his seductive charm? Or will the Fox tempt her from the straight and narrow path into the garden of irreparable ruin?I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This was actually a very cute story between Purity and Matthew. I really loved reading it after watching Bridgerton Season 2 as it gives similar vibes.

I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope and the concept that Purity must help Matthew fit into society and the hilarity that ensues as a result. The secret kisses in private rooms and the many slaps Purity lays on Matthew.

I wish the story of Diana and her appearance in Matthew's life was discussed earlier in the book as there is a scene where Purity asks Matthew if he has any other secrets to share and he does not tell Purity of Diana, his daughter. It felt unrealistic that Purity would be so willing and understanding to accept his child when she has refused to believe him throughout the rest of the book.

The ending of the book felt very slow and almost filler to complete the book however I am now excited to read Adam's story in the next installment of the series.

I still will not get over the names of the girls: Purity, Clarity, Radiance and Brilliance and so happy two had nicknames otherwise I would not have contained myself while reading the bizarre names.

This is definitely a recommended read if you are interested in period books as there is sufficient details of love, plot, humour and smut for readers to enjoy.

London 1848

Their first meeting was indeed a surprise! He had mistaken her for a light skirt and given her the kiss of her life!!

Purity was just as her name... everything proper, never stepping out of line and one of the Diamond sisters.

He was a rake but needed to find a wife, and upon his kissing the wrong woman, he had to find a way to be around her. So a scheme began to form in his mind!

Loved this story and of course with the imagination of this amazing author, I knew it would be fabulous! Cannot wait for the next in this series!