Happy Friday, friends! If you are a fan of contemporary romance with a little historical mystery and treasure hunting mixed in, you will love the book I’m featuring today! It’s A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson, the third and final book in her Georgia Coast Romance series. I’m linking up with Hoarding Books for First Line Friday to share the first line and my review!

“Penelope Jean Hunter loved every wedding she’d ever been to. Except her own.”

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

What a great first line! I don’t know about you, but I have to keep reading to find out what happened at Penelope’s wedding!

The Basics

Title: A Dazzle of Diamonds

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance (Book 3 of 3)

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues–until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot–and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job–and falling helplessly in love.

My Thoughts

This story certainly lives up to its name – it is dazzling! I loved Penelope and Tucker’s relationship and the chemistry between them. Marriage of convenience, or in this case dating relationship of convenience, is one of my favorite storylines, and it’s done beautifully in this story. The Southern charm and history of Savannah lends itself to the treasure-hunting element of the book, this time focused on smuggled goods from the Civil War. It’s a beautiful story of friendship that turns into a love story, and whenever I had to put the book down I couldn’t wait to jump back in!

Penelope, who always has a plan for everything, is afraid that pursuing a relationship with Tucker will ruin their lifelong friendship and send him running like her father and ex-fiance. Tucker, a strong yet gentle veteran, believes that he isn’t worthy of her and feels like he has something to prove, to his father and to the whole city as he runs for mayor. The history of the treasure and long-ago love story woven in adds just the right amount of sparkle to the story. This is the last book in a series (see my reviews of the first book here), but all three books can be read as stand-alone novels. I highly recommend this book (and series) to fans of Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, and Rachel Hauck!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!