With wonderful characters and a fun premise, Games in a Ballroom was one I really wanted to love, but it fell just short of the mark. The pacing and tone are uneven, particularly in the final act, when a slow build of tension (both dramatic and romantic) suddenly ratchets up to a hundred. I rarely say this, but I think this book needs to be longer — and to either commit to one tone or find a better way to blend the comedy and melodrama. On the other hand, there are some lovely moments dealing with grief and friendship, and the friend group at the core is one of my favorites in recent memory.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Games in a Ballroom” is a delightful, sweet, playful romance of two people coming together despite the odds. Emerson is adjusting to being the head of the family, shouldering responsibilities previously held by his father and trying to guide his younger sister through a Season while keeping away potential fortune hunters (a task Arabella is quite capable of doing herself). Olivia is just trying to make it through the Season without angering her crass and ruthless father, who insists she marry a title. They grew up as friends and Olivia is convinced Emerson still sees her as Arabella’s friend only. But Emerson is determined to court Olivia and marry her, despite her father. When conventional means don’t work, he proposes something unconventional: a secret game. Olivia can’t see the harm in innocent children’s games, but can Emerson use them to win Olivia before her father finds a titled man to marry her?

Emerson isn’t exactly a rake, but he is trying to leave behind the games of irresponsible youth like gambling too much, with no support from his always gaming friend. But these ways of thinking help him bring Olivia out of her shell and he finds himself learning a pretty good fun/serious life balance that I suspect sister Arabella may be teaching another gentleman in a future book. Arabella and Olivia are delightful together, the perfect foil and support the other needs.

I cheered Emerson and Olivia’s romance on the whole way and was so drawn in after the first few chapters that I had to read the book in one sitting. Overall, a playful and romantically fun debut novel, and I would enjoy reading more from this author in the future.

I received an Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The writing in this debut author's book is done well. And the idea of playing literal games in a ballroom where figurative games happen all the time was a great premise I've not seen done before. And several games occur at different points of the book. I would like to have seen more of the game playing truthfully since it was a refreshing plot device.
The romance is a very slow burn. We see Liv's confusion over the attention given by Emerson for quite a while in the story. He could have used some more flirting I think.
I would have enjoyed more games, and though the author let the reader and Liv know why her father's choice of her future husband was not a good one, the info she was privy to never really got used to her advantage. I wanted Liv to be brave enough to at least try to stand up to her father with that info that could work against him in the long run. And I think an epilogue might have been good to help the reader know what will happen with Liv's mother. I wanted more assurance that it would all be okay.
Overall, I think this is a good first novel. The characters are interesting enough that I would like to see others get their own book.

Potential Triggers: domestic abuse
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: yes

I thought the concept was interesting and the writing was good. However, I didn’t end up feeling much for the characters. I wonder if this is a me thing or a this-is-a-new-author-who-needs-some-time-to-develop-their-writing thing.

The book revolves around a game of tag a group of young people decide to play over a Season in London to make the endless balls more fun. The underlying reason the MMC proposed the game, however, is to have the opportunity to woo his sister’s best friend, Olivia.

The writing was good enough that I was happy enough to keep reading and finish the book in two days, but at the same time, I didn’t feel like there were high emotional stakes involved in the story.

I never really saw the wild Olivia that Emerson kept reminiscing about. Or perhaps the riskiness of playing a game of tag over the Season was not adequately illustrated for me. And without understanding the key fascination Emerson had regarding Olivia, I couldn’t feel the reason he was in love with her, other than that he said he was.

My other issue with the book is the way domestic abuse/violence was dealt with. It wasn’t a negative portrayal necessarily, but it lacked nuance. Her father was volatile and violent and yet the way Olivia and her mother felt about the situation seemed to be painted in broad strokes and changed when Emerson and friends appeared to rescue them.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me, but I did like the writing style, and I think it could be a book someone else enjoys!

I appreciate being given the opportunity to read and review this book early by NetGalley.

I love finding new authors and Jentry Flint shows so much promise!!

I have been impatiently waiting to get a copy of this book and dive in. I LOVE the premise for this book. I love the concept of the games--I thought it added a lot of romantic anticipation for the main characters and also gave us a good look at the side characters. I fell in love with the side characters and CAN NOT WAIT for their stories.

The pacing for this book was great. I thought Jentry kept the storyline not only going, but progressing really well. There were some hilarious antics throughout balanced with the seriousness of an abusive father that was heartbreaking, but gave the story some real depth. It also added a sense of urgency and seriousness from this group of friends who are usually only up to mischief.

I thought this book had a fun, fresh modern feel and that the ending was somewhat of a cliff hanger. Without giving spoilers I'm not sure how some of the conflicts will pan out for these characters. Because this book had more of a modern voice I feel there will be some flexibility in the resolve, but book 2 is sure to answer some of my lingering questions. It has been a while since I've read a book that didn't fully resolve itself and to Jentry's credit: hook, line and sinker I will be here for book 2.

Thanks to the Author, Publisher & NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Overall I thought this was a sweet romance. I was a little disappointed in Liv’s mother and I absolutely abhorred her father.I laughed at a few of the antics of the supporting characters. I liked seeing Liv learn to fight for what she wanted and believed in.

DNF at 64%. This has a fun premise, but ultimately it didn’t work for me. I did like that the hero was the one who was interested and the heroine doesn’t realize it, but the story just trudged along, without much happening.

Games in A Ballroom is the first book i have read from this author. A real carte blanche... ;)


The story is told from the perspective of the two main charaters, Liv and Emerson.

Both of them had a lot of heavy stuff in their lifes going on and were pulled back in happier times while playing a secret game in the ballrooms. (And also fall in love during that..., though that felt somehow kinda like a sidenote...)

Their games and friend groups and all charaters were very nicely built. They all had depth (so much so that I was far more interested in hearing about lord northcott or bradbury's story sometimes...)

The evil chacaters were clearly defined and identified throughout the whole book.

There were many elements and very many stories which did not really feel necessary to the plot at all and were kinda randomly spread in (e.g. the pig instance..., the many childhood stories, ...) while I constantly hoped one would now get to feel a bit more of the supposed insta love...

Also most of the book could have been avoided by talking... and you know that is a thing...

But generally I liked it, it kept me entertained and engaged and the charaters are amzingly developped...

Main Characters: Clear Backgroundstory, Locigal Actions, a bit bland
Side Charactes: Clear Backgroundstwory, kinda more interesting than the main charaters
Writing Style: Very good
Content: Clean, just kissing
Violence: Medium, non graphic descriptions but abuse of family members
Would recommend: Yes, give it a try :)



***Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is an interesting premise for story - playing games like children while attending social functions. How this helped the heroine to see the hero as a responsible love match, I’ll never understand. They’re all lucky no one’s reputation became tarnished. But it was cute and kept me entertained.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Awe this book! Friends to lovers in the best way! Games are afoot and it was done so cleverly! I loved it!!

Jentry had really great character development. I was intrigued by every one of her characters, primary or secondary. Whether you were loving them, hating them, curious about them or driven crazy by them, you can’t wait to read more.
Though she did deal with some heavier topics, the uniqueness of her plot and the clever way she tied in a game of tag kept things fun and the pace moving.
Jentry’s intellect was seen not just in her one-of-kind story, but in her use of Shakespeare and her clever play on words.
I must admit, I could tell it was a debut novel, there were one or two plot things that weren’t entirely clear and a time or two where the scenes didn’t seem entirely natural. But I was wholly intrigued enough to not care and am anxiously waiting her next story.

Olivia is stuck in a very hard and abusive situation, but is able to be herself with her best friend, Arabella, and her older brother, Emerson. As Emerson coaxes her to be herself she finds her heart and her mind torn between reality and the impossible. Will she get a happily ever after? Can she save her mother? Find out when you read this brilliant debut novel.

This was such a fun read! The character interactions where fun and left me wanting more. This was a little different take on a regency romance which was kind of refreshing. I did feel like the romance could have had a little more build up and tension.
I now want the secondary characters to have their own stories!

'Games in a Ballroom' by Jentry Flint was a wonderful homage to the sweet Regency Georgette Heyer romances that I have always enjoyed. There are clearly defined villains, loveable main characters and delightful scenes from the Regency period in England. I just had a problem with the 'hook.' I didn't understand the scandal attached to the premise of games in a ballroom. That whole idea seemed farfetched and silly, even for Regency times. I am, however, invested in the characters and look forward to more about Emerson's sister and friends.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Friends, I knew this book would be amazing, and it was even better than I ever could have imagined! Jentry did such a masterful job weaving childhood games like tag and hide and seek into the story even in more serious scenes. I especially enjoyed the part with the pig. 😂 It’s beautifully written!❤️ It’s officially going on my very short list of books I’d reread. I can’t wait to get my physical copy! If you haven’t already go preorder this one! You won’t regret it!

"It is as you said," Emerson began. "Fighting will solve nothing. Valencourt has shown us his hand-more than his hand. He is hiding something darker than we know. I saw it in his eyes after I baited him about the rumor. He is desperate enough to disregard all honor in order to protect it. And now I know what I must do."

Olivia is being forced to be someone she truly doesn't want to be. Her father is trying to raise his status in the community by her marrying well and won't just settle for anyone. Olivia is afraid of her father and is much more comfortable when he is not around. She would like to be free to make choices for herself.

Olivia's father is title hungry. As they are not titled themselves but come into money from trade. He does everything in his power to match her with someone of title. He has no respect for her happiness at all. Olivia and her mother both live in fear of the wrath of her father.
Emerson is just coming back into society after his father's death. He has been trying to court Olivia but hasn't been doing a very great job of it. So he has come up with a game for them to play at dances so that hopefully she may come to see his feelings.

so many different games are being played in this book and it just leaves you wanting to find out what is going to happen next.
This is author Jentry Flint's Debut novel. I am so excited to see what other great books that we maybe seeing from her.

Games in A Ballroom packs oodles of charm, wit and fun into a delightful and short book which is super wonderful on this gloomy -10C April day. Yet it would be equally perfect on a warm summery day! It has all one wishes for in a light escapist read. The cover ,premise and title drew me in but Jentry Flint's humour and words kept me engrossed.

Set in 1815 London ensconced by rich Regency detail, we readers are flies on the wall observing bantering, matchmaking and other goings on between friends, couples and family members. Spirited Olivia Wilde wants to find a husband she loves and her overbearing father desires her to marry a title and finds dullards for her. Emerson has no title but he has plenty of heart. We are also privy to Arabella and Lord Northcott. Pigs and giggle-inducing games of tag ensue.

This book is a bundle of clean romance and humour which should attract readers of those genres as well as Regency/Historical Fiction readers.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of enjoying this incredibly refreshing book. Pure joy!

What a delightful debut novel from a new author! I loved Emerson's fun loving and playful personality. He helps Olivia find fun, laughter, and love in difficult circumstances through the usage of childhood games. If you love friends to lovers and best friend's brother tropes, this is for you. Flint's characters are human and evolving. You love the heroes and despise the villains. I could have used a little bit more resolution at the end in regards to the conflict with Olivia's father and Lord Valencourt. But, I can easily see other characters in the book getting their own stories and maybe that will come out a little more then. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it, would recommend it, and I will definitely read more of this author's works.

A favorite quote: "The true making of a man is not measured by what he can physically obtain, but by his love for the woman he would give up all else for."

What's a guy to do when the girl he wants doesn't realize he's trying to court her? Start a game of ballroom tag of course. Emmerson is desperate to marry Olivia, his sister's best friend, but knows her father won't approve.
Olivia just wants out from under her tyrannical father's control and to maybe pick her own wardrobe. Her father's horrible taste and obsession with marrying her into the nobility is ruining her season. So when her friend Arabella's brother suggests a game as a diversion she agrees.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but did find the characters to be a little immature. It also took a while to get going and dragged in some parts.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the forbidden love trope, and historical romance.

This was such a cute friends to lovers story.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this!