Games in the Ballroom by Jentry Flint

This delightful Regency romance comes out May 3, 2022, from @shadowmountainpub!

Games in the Ballroom is a sweet and fun romance where Emerson Latham a rich second son of an earl will never inherit a title but only wants to marry his childhood friend Olivia Wilde. Olivia’s father, though, will only accept a titled husband for his daughter. Emerson proposes a game of tag to be played at social events to get Liv to see him as a suitor and bring joy into her life while she’s being marketed to single lords.

This book was quite delightful with a lovely balance between the trials of family and the love from found family. I found the group of friends’ escapades joyful and was rooting for Emerson from chapter 1. Additionally, how can this thespian not love a book where a character is CONSTANTLY quoting the bard? Arabella gave me serious Mandella from 10 Things I Hate About You vibes.

This book is the author’s debut and is a great opening work. My only note is that some moments were heavy-handed, too presentational, and too convenient. There was a moment with a fallen bottle that turns and spins toward Emerson and Olivia thinks that its fate making its choice known, but the reader could have come to that conclusion on their own without needing it to be spelled out. Also, there is a quippy line in the climax that was far too comedic for that moment, as if this scene was directed by James Gunn rather than Kenneth Branagh.

But I’m craving an Arabella and Lord Northcott’s book! How many more Shakespeare quotes can we get? How many words will Northcott say? More than 10? Fingers Crossed.-Ford

CONTENT WARNING: Olivia’s father is abusive. On the page: throwing things and emotional abuse. Off the page: assault of her mother.