The cover for Diamonds in the Rough is perfect for this story. The secrets start flowing from start to end without stop. In some ways this book reminded me of the original Pretty Little Liars series, especially as the plot became more complex as characters' secret lives began to intersect and intertwine. 
 The best part of this book is that we get to know the characters so much better than in the previous book. We finally see cracks in Courtney's goody-two-shoes image, we finally get to delve deeper into the giant chip on Peyton's shoulder, and we get to see Savannah's insecurities. I love how real these characters are, Madow doesn't try to create characters that we want to be, she creates characters that could be in high school today. I can easily relate to Savannah worrying about which clique she is getting siphoned into on the first day of school, Courtney's anger with her family, and Peyton's desire to find someone she can relate to. 
 Unlike the first book, which had to spend a lot of time setting up the story, Diamonds in the Rough dives right in and within the first few chapters a huge secret is revealed which affects everyone and everything that happens. The plot becomes more complex (in a good way) as the book goes on and the characters learn more about their pasts and why their lives have turned out the way they have. It is pretty much impossible to write a real review without spilling something so the best that I can do is to say that you will not be able to put this one down until you are done with the very last page - and the author will leave you begging for more. 
 Even if you weren't a huge fan of the first book, the second one elevates the series to a completely new level and you should really give it a chance - this series is as hot as Vegas is .