I was really excited for this book. The premise seemed like so much fun; I loved the idea of a small town competition with the suggestion of a love story.

However, this was a DNF for me. The characters were very juvenile, the plot about the town abandoning their day jobs for the competition felt very unrealistic, and I couldn’t understand the MC’s subservience to her nemesis. Breaking into the bar to make sandwiches was one thing - but then when her nemesis - who is her age - starts hitting on the MC’s Dad, I was done. The hint of a romance for the MC felt like an after thought and therefore lost any build up. There was too much focus on the nemesis who just felt too ridiculous to be a real person.

It’s possible the book gets better, and maybe it’s just not for me. I don’t want to ruin the experience for anyone else that might enjoy it more.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of the book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Only Game in Town really was like a mashup of Sweet Home Alabama and The Westing Game, a combination I didn’t know I needed, but very much enjoyed. It was sweet, not spicy, and the town of Redford becomes a character too.

This was cute! Women’s fiction with a side of romance. The story with the game was fun. I ended up switching to the audio and enjoyed it. I would round up to 4 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙚, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧...

📍 Read if you like:
• Small Towns
• Opposites Attract
• Adventures
• Father/Daughter Relationship
• Closed Door Romances

This is the third book I have read by Lacie, and honestly, they were all so incredible. To all my romance lovers or those wanting to get into the genre, I would highly recommend checking out her books. They always take you on an adventure around the world.

I LOVED the small town setting and in this case the genuine relationships between the characters. We got multiple povs in this book - not just the hero and heroine - we also got some of the side characters’ povs.

Jess and Carter are complete opposites, but they make the perfect match:

~ 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬 left her editing job in NY to care for her father. The father/daughter relationship in this story was so strong and wholesome. I loved Ross and his genuine personality.

~ 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, on the other hand, is a financial advisor with a very corrupt family empire, except for his grandfather Jasper. Suddenly, Jasper passes away and leaves his will to the town people… but there’s a catch - they must compete in various challenges. The last duo will then split the money.

Oh man, this book was entertaining ASF. I loved each of the challenges the characters had to go through, especially the racing in Barbie cars. Also, the scavenger heart was so fun. Unfortunately, Jess is paired with Nikki - a bully who embarrasses Jess in front of everyone. She gave me 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 in a sort of 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 setting.

I really think Bryce’s character was so underrated. He was definitely one of my favorite side characters, alongside Ross. He is paired with Carter and he’s just so entertaining.

The Reford setting was so well described and I loved the games these characters had to play to win the ultimate prize. I do wish the story itself focused a bit more on the romance - but hey, that’s just a me thing. The book itself was such a joy of a ride. Jess and Carter were great characters and I loved their chemistry so much. Highly recommend this book!!
Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for the free gifted book and PRH Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review, all thoughts are my own!

This was really cute! Having spent time in small town Georgia, I could easily picture Redford with it's main street shops and colorful characters. Jess is your predictable sunshine heroine and Carter is not really a grump, but definitely on the stoic side of the spectrum. Of course, being in Redford with all of these people (and Jess!) will unlock his sunny side in due course.
The games set forth by the deceased (Carter's grandfather) weren't anything tricky or elaborate, so if your looking for an "Inheritance Games" type of story full of puzzles with romance added in you can keep looking. They are enough to keep the plot moving along and keep Carter in town long enough to get to know everyone.
I enjoyed Waldon's writing and felt like I had a good image of all the characters in the story. A fun and funny closed door romance.
Thanks so much for the ARC!

this was beautiful and so amazing especially as a daughter who was super close to their father but recently lost them to cancer this really struck a cord with me and was just overall super beautiful

Thank you to Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this book.

This was a very sweet book. If you enjoy the occasional Hallmark type movie this book is really for you. The characters were very likable, it was set within a small quaint town, and there were lots of interesting townspeople featured through out. I enjoyed the premise of the book and found it to be very satisfying in the end.

This is my first Lacie Walden book and I am officially in love!

She created such a beautiful and funny story that you can’t help but be sucked in. I am a sucker for small towns - especially with mountains and the image she created for “The Only Game In Town” made me wish I could visit and meet all of the locals!

This was written with multiple POV - our two main characters, Carter and Jess, along with Jess’s dad, Ross, and her nemesis, Nikki.
It was interesting seeing all the different thoughts and to see how they perceived what was going on around them. All four had a distinct voice and I think it definitely helped to push the story forward!

If you love small town romance, family dynamics, feuding towns people, and an eccentric millionaire who dies and leaves everything to the town he loves? This book will make your week!

you know, I don't think I love Lacie Waldon books. I've tried a few, but I cannot connect with them like I can other authors. It feels like I'm just reading to read the books and not reading to enjoy the story and get caught up in it. Basically, this book took a while for me to finish as I just didn't connect with it. Nothing particularly wrong, but definitely better books out there.

I loved this book! It read like the perfect Hallmark story of the town I would LOVE to live in with people I would love to be my neighbors!

The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon took a minute to pull me in. I was expecting a romance, but quickly came to realize that this book is more about the town than the relationship between Jess and Carter. While both Jess and Carter grow through this book, it’s the town with its quirky characters and humorous stories that was truly the star of the book. Overall, this was a fun story, filled with funny moments and ridiculous challenges; however, it was not the romance I was expecting.

Note: this book has some innuendo, but is closed door.

*Thank you to Netgalley, and the author and publisher for an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

This amazing book was a great mix of The Amazing Race meets Big Brother challenges meets Hart of Dixie super cute small town! Being from a small town myself, I loved the setting and side characters with all the background!

The love between a dad and his daughter, the mean girls from high school, the gossip, and most importantly, the big move back to her hometown, was all so reminiscent of my own story and all the memories my own hometown brings each time I go back!

This story was truly a gem!

This was absolutely adorable! Waldon has shot right into an autobuy slot with this one. The characters were fun and quirky, the story original. Just loved it!

In “The Only Game in Town”, when Jasper Wilhelm, Reford’s odd benefactor dies, his nephew Carter is called upon to oversee his last will and testament. However, there’s a catch – the townspeople need to compete in several games to win Jasper’s remaining fortune. Among the players, freelance editor Jess Reid catches Carter’s eye, sparking a potential romance. While the romance takes a back seat to the plot, Jess is a character worth rooting for, and her potential love interest in Carter is a pleasant addition. The only downside is that the romance feels a bit rushed at times, and it could have been more developed. Overall, “The Only Game in Town” is a great read, with Lacie Waldon skillfully portraying the intricate dynamics of a small town while also highlighting the importance of community and friendship. However, I would say this is more contemporary fiction than that of a romance novel.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

When the quirky town benefactor passes away, he sets up a game for the zany small town residents to participate in to win his money. Carter, his grandson, thinks the game is rigged in his favor but he can’t help but feel guilty as he falls for one of the residents, Jess. Jess is determined to win, even being partnered up with her nemesis. Will the game bring the townspeople closer together or tear them apart?

This was such a fun read. I loved all the characters in the small town. They each felt like they could be my own neighbors. Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

DNF! The premise didn’t interest me, I wasn’t hooked by the beginning at all & unfortunately I’ve seen some negative reviews from other bookstagrammers I trust — so I’m going to move on to another book. I liked THE LAYOVER by this author though, so I do think I’ll give her another try with FROM THE JUMP.

3.5 stars RTC
Jess moved back home to her small town Georgia life and to be near her father. She's barely making ends meet but loves her surroundings and neighbors, with only the exception of mean girl, Nikki. Being paired with Nikki in a game to win 10 million dollars is just one nightmare among many for the locals. Add in a stranger, Carter, and everyone is feeling competitive and grumpy.
While this isn't my favorite Lacie book, I did find enjoyment in scenes throughout: the sandwiches, jeeps, and night-time chats, for example. I don't understand the need for Ross's POV and the abundance of character introductions made for a semi-rough beginning. I loved Lacie's previous travel romances so I pushed through and thought the second half was much more in line with my expectations. She has a knack for fun and quirky characters.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I've given this author's books four and five stars and was excited to dive into this third one! I think I had a bit too high of expectations. I did have a good time reading and the concept was really fun. The multiple POVs seemed a bit random at first, but started to make a little more sense as the story continued.

The romance was a bit more of a slow burn, which I don't normally go for but I liked these characters. Yes the ending was a little bit cheesy, but it really had me grinning and chuckling.

Overall, I'll continue to pick up this authors books and will recommend them to fellow readers!

3.5 stars rounded up

I absolutely adored Waldron’s previous novel, so I was very excited to read this one. While I enjoyed it, it wasn’t as much of a hit for me. The small town is charming and there are some fun characters here. That being said, the whole premise is so unlikely and the main character is just SO quirky that it had me rolling my eyes at times. And the love interest simply didn’t have enough chemistry to make it up for me. The book was fine, but won’t stick with me.

Small town romance? A town-wide game? Opposites attract? What's not to like? This was such a sweet, fun, wholesome read and I ate up every minute of it.

The Only Game in Town has all of the tropes/vibes you love in a typical small town romance, but it also goes above and beyond with a unique voice that absolutely captivated me. For example, this novel is multi-POV and features the perspectives of people outside of the main couple. This isn't something I've ever seen in a romcom and I loved it.

If you're looking for a fun spring/summer read, consider The Only Game in Town!

-----4/5 stars

Thank you to netgalley and the penguin for providing me a with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.