I am really enjoying Lacie Waldon’s books. I loved the small town and the competition that takes place . The main character is charming and live seeing her get her hea.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

The Only Game in Town
by Lacie Waldon
Pub Date: 21 Mar 2023

I loved Lacie Waldon's "From the Jump..." and was excited to get this ARC. While I didn't have as strong feelings this time around, I did enjoy it. There are multiple points of view which was interesting especially since you get the "mean girl" as one of our narrators. I actually appreciated seeing some behind the scenes with her beyond just her mean girl persona. This book had quirky characters in a small town with community members competing against other for a monetary prize. Our hero, Carter, is the grandson of the benefactor who is an outsider to the small town. Jess, our heroine, is invested in the prize to help her newly diagnosed father who is sick. There is some insta-love stuff that goes on, but there is also a lot of cute and funny moments that happen. I would say the romance is not the main focal point either. The "game" and the happenings surrounding that is more the main story. This is a decent read, and I will still check out the next thing the author has to offer her readers.

3.5 stars

This cover caught my eye and then I saw that it was written by Lacie Waldon and I knew I had to read this one.

The premise for this novel is somewhat silly. A rich, muchloved member of this small town dies, but not before setting up a game to see who will win his fortune of 10 million dollars. Odd, a bit unbelievable, but has the potential to be heartwarming.

I really enjoyed the two main characters, Jess and Carter. They were charming and played well off each other. The downfall for this book, for me, was there were a few too many characters. There just seemed like too much was going on and it was hard to truly get to know Jess and Carter because of that.
Plus this book was over 400 pages...way too long, and it dragged at times.

This book was just ok for me. Enjoyable but forgettable.

The Only Game in Town by Lacey Waldon
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The aspect I enjoyed most about this cute, small town romance is that the third-person perspective allowed the reader to see inside the minds of several characters aside from the main couple. The reader is able to empathize with characters whose behavior is unpleasant at times and this strengthened the book.
What worked:
1. The shifting perspectives. Jess Reed and Carter Barclay might be the main couple, but there are many stories within their story.
2. Jess’s dedication to her small town of Redford, Georgia led her to make decisions that hurt her emotionally at times, but also ultimately made her a stronger person.
3. Jess and Carter’s relationship was adorable.
4. The game that Carter’s grandfather, Jasper Wilhelm, set up and the pairings he created leads to mishaps, hijinks, and often hilarious situations.
5. The reasoning behind much of Jess’ behavior and her desire to help her family and friends makes her a lovely character.
What didn’t:
1. Nikki and her friends are horrible to Jess in the beginning and she seemingly puts up with it, never fighting back. I could not understand why she would return to town when she was constantly bullied by the three women. Nikki was almost cartoonish in her villainy. Her character arc makes up for it, but it was a little ridiculous at first.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, endearing read.

Thank you NetGalley, GP Putnam’s Sons and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC of this new book by Lacie Waldon!

I adore a story about a small town! These characters felt like coming home to a big hug after a long day! Nikki was one of my favorite characters and she reminded me a lot of a character I read last summer in Katy Birchall’s book (The Secret Bridesmaid) very multi layered and “more than meets the eye”. I laughed out loud when Carter gave Jess the heimlich in one scene!

The romance is sweet and closed door, I didn’t really feel like the story focused on that as much as just a general sense of belonging and relationships/connections. This is the kind of story I look for when I want to reread a book and just feel comfort. I highly recommend and will be adding to my shelf forever. I look forward to reading more by Lacie in the future!

Book Review: The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: .5🌶️
This review may contain minor spoilers.

The Only Game in Town follows the town of Redford after the local millionaire Jasper Wilhelm leaves 10 million dollars of his inheritance to the winner of a town competition. He pairs rivals and unlikely friends together in teams of 2 - and if your partner loses out, so do you. This book includes small town romance, second chance friendship, and slow burn.

This story was a sweet Hallmark-style romance that focused on more than just the FMC & MMC relationship. I was very invested in the other "rivals'' and how each pairing was able to mend their bonds. And it was set to the fun backdrop of a field day style competition throughout the town.

I enjoyed Jess' character, and loved Nikki (plus it's my name!). Her character has more depth than I expected to see out of someone I thought was the antagonist from the start. Definitely feel a little jilted that we didn't get to see more of her romance through this book. I liked the option that was offered up in the story!

Overall I didn't love the story and some things felt predictable. The main characters didn't hold my attention like the secondary ones did. They got a few POV chapters but I would have enjoyed more from their perspective. The games and shenanigans did make me smile & I definitely think it is worth the read.

I received an eARC from NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for my honest review.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon is a funny, romantic comedy, set in a small town, that made me laugh.

Story Recap:
Redford Georgia is a quiet small town until it’s benefactor, Jasper Wilhelm, dies and leaves behind an opportunity for the residents. Jasper has devised an exciting high-stakes series of games where the winner wins Ten Million Dollars! The catch is that Jasper has already paired up the contestants, and nobody is happy with their partner.

Carter is Jasper’s nephew, and he arrives in town to coordinate and officiate the games to ensure his grandfather’s wishes are granted. He’s heard stories of Redford but never expected to spend a summer there to execute his grandfather’s will. Jess is a freelance editor who grew up with her single dad, Ross, a garage mechanic. Nikki is Jess’s arch enemy and mean girl and Jess’s partner in the games.

My Thoughts:
This book is just good old entertainment from cover to cover. I was immediately drawn into the book and I had a great time until it was finished. I loved the characters, the plot, the games, and the small town of Redford, Georgia.

I’m not sure that the plot is a believable one, but that’s just fine with me! I just went with it and so should you, otherwise, you’ll miss out on a delightful, and funny, heartwarming story. I loved how the teams were already formed by Jasper, who must have delighted in teaming up the arch-enemies. I imagine his only regret is that he couldn’t see the results of his machinations.

There are four points of view in the story, but they are well-marked and I never felt like I was confused. I liked how the different POVs gave me more insight not only into their character but all the characters in the story.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Only Game in Town to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a delightful read! Set in Redford, GA it follows Jess Reid, a freelance writer who is content with her small town life. That is until the town millionaire dies and leaves his fortune to whomever can win the game he has created. The catch? He’s already paired off everyone in town including his grandson, Carter Barclay, who is no local to Redford. The stakes are high and tensions are even higher, especially between Jess and Carter. Who will win the prize?

The author has done an excellent job of bringing the eccentric characters and small-town setting to life. The novel is full of spirit and I love the chemistry between Jess and Carter, a romance that has many ups and downs that keeps you turning the page. Overall, "The Only Game in Town" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good romance with a bit of humor and a unique twist. It's a funny, quirky, and heartwarming novel that will leave you feeling good long after you finish it.

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy on NetGalley.

Thank you to @PHRAudio for a free audiobook and to Putnam Books for a digital ARC.
The Only Game in Town has a unique layout in that it's 4 POVs. Two POVs are the MC and the love interest. The other two POVs add some varying perspective on what's going on in the town. I think if I had known in advance that this wasn't as much of a romance story as it is about a town coming together, I maybe would have had different expectations. Or maybe I was just in the mood for romance and there wasn't enough for me in this book. The story started off kinda slow because it's all about the town and the competition they're in to win $10 million dollars. Once the romance got started, it was more interesting to me. Plus by that point I really wanted to know who was going to win the money and how. It's still a feel-good story which I always prefer and I thought the ending was really cute. The audiobook was interesting because I started listening after I had started reading. Some of the characters have thick Southern accents that I didn't expect. So of course, when I went back to the ebook, I tried to hear it in their Southern voice. If you like sweet small-town stories with an emphasis on the tight-knit community, you will probably like this one. There are some funny side characters that add a little flavor to the town. Although this wasn't my favorite Lacie Waldon book, I'll definitely keep reading her books because From the Jump is one of my favorites.
3.5 stars

This book was SO FUN to read. While there are serious topics mentioned (cancer, alcoholism) Jess, Carter, Nikki, Bryce, and more have so much fun playing the game and learning and unlearning the things they thought they knew about each other. It’s an homage to chosen families and communities that take care of each other. It’s heartwarming without being cheesy. And it’s funny! Highly recommend this hug of a book.

this book is a new fav. I loved the small town and everything that came with it. I adored the unique choice of narration and the range of POVs that we got. Each character was so unique and complex. I absolutely loved the friendships, unity, and love. not just in the romance but in the small-town relationships. Waldon has a way with words that makes it so easy to fall in love with the story and characters making time fly by.

When I read the synopsis of this book, it gave me Amazing Race vibes. That intrigued me enough to pick it up.

After the town's eccentric millionaire passes, his grandson Carter and the town's residents find that he has left $10 million...to the winners of a challenge he devised. There are predetermined teams that cannot be changed and pair up unlikely candidates.

There is a side story involving the romance between Carter and local resident Jess, but the emphasis of the story is on the town and its residents.

Quirky, unique, what a fun read!

3.5 stars!

I hadn't read Lacie Waldon's other books, but I was intrigued by the small-town, forced proximity, rivals/enemies to lovers, grumpy (MMC Carter)/sunshine (FMC Jess) premise of 'The Only Game in Town." The townspeople of Redford, GA have recently lost one of their own, Jasper, who was Carter's filthy rich grandfather. Carter helped Jasper with a secret covert mission while he was alive to make the lives of Redford's residents easier with his money. Jasper's will states that the people of the town will be able to compete in a series of games to try and win his vast fortune. No one loved Redford quite like Jess, and she really needs the money for a shocking problem that has just come up. To tell you the truth, EVERYONE in town needs the money for different reasons. Unfortunately, every single Redfordonian seems to be paired up with their least favorite person, sometimes even a sworn enemy. Carter and Jess slowly start to spend more time with one another, but as the games get increasingly wackier and the stakes get higher and higher, the reality of their situation starts to sink in.

There is a lot to like about this book. It's got a lot of fun banter and tons of zany scenarios to keep readers entertained. I found myself invested in Jess and Carter's blossoming relationship, and their scenes together are great. I liked Carter's character arc, but he was a bit too self-absorbed where Jasper's fortune was concerned. I also really like Nikki's character development, even if she is an absolute jerk for the first half of the book. Jess got a little annoying at times, though. She was a really immature character, masking her real feelings underneath yards and yards of glitter and rainbows (and this is coming from someone who loves glitter and rainbows). She borders on "manic-pixie-dream-girl" territory. She's just sOoOo QuIrKy that she didn't feel like a real, grounded person/character! In fact, a lot about this book is quirky for little to no reason other than the obvious "look at this cozy, small town, don't you wish you lived there instead of the big, bad city where no one knows their neighbors?". It feels like Waldon was trying way too hard to recreate the magic of "Gilmore Girls," but with only half as much success. I thought the story dragged at some points. It might be because there are a few too many games and no clear-cut rules until the very end. It might be because there are a lot of random subplots, some of which go nowhere and are obviously only introduced for the sake of adding more drama (what happens with Jess's dad really made me angry...I hate when stuff like this gets added into stories for shock value and then gets dealt with off-the-page!!!). It could have been because of the multiple POVs that come and go willy-nilly. Jess, her sworn enemy Nikki, her dad Ross, Carter, and tons of people get a point of view here, and not all of them are necessary. Be aware that this is a fade-to-black, closed-door romance with only some making out directly on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lacie Waldon, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.

I’m not sure I’m going to do justice to Lacie Waldon’s engaging novel, The Only Game in Town. It’s amusing, relaxing, and the little bit of conflict in this story is easily handled. I like the people of Redford, Georgia, and it’s just fun to watch them compete for one week.

Jess Reid loves her small hometown. Nothing changes. That’s one reason she returned home after college, to be close to her father, Ross. He was a single father who raised her after her mother left, and they enjoy spending time with each other. But, Ross hasn’t looked too good lately, and Jess worries.

She hadn’t worried about Jasper Wilhelm, the town’s eccentric benefactor who always made life fun in Redford. He kept the town going with his events and made-up holidays. Now, that Jasper’s dead, he has one last surprise in store for the town.

Jasper’s grandson, Carter Barclay is finally in Redford. He and his grandfather had been close, and Jasper had a way of bringing out the less-stodgy side of Carter. But, Carter couldn’t ever bring himself to visit the town his grandfather loved. Now, he’s stuck here for at least a week, due to his grandfather’s plan.

Jasper Wilhelm devised one last game for the residents of Redford. He has multiple challenges for them, and the winning team will split ten million dollars. The town’s already planning their teams, until Jasper’s lawyer announces that the philanthropist matched the teams himself. Why would he form teams made of people who were feuding?

Jess wants that money to help her father. Carter thinks his grandfather intended him to win so he could continue to help the town secretly. They may be on opposing teams, but from the evening Carter rescued Jess from three of the mean girls in town, they can’t see enough of each other. Jess’ joy in life lights up the community. Carter, a stick in the mud, needs that spark in his life. But, this game may be their downfall.

There are several narrators in this charming story, but it works. Those narrators add depth, bringing the characters to life, with all their pettiness and flaws. And, the game itself! Jasper Wilhelm had a devilish streak when he invented those challenges. The Only Game in Town is entertaining. Just a refreshing change of pace.

The Only Game in Town was a cute and sweet romcom.

When Jasper died he left 10 million dollars to the town of Redford. The only catch: only 1 team could win it during a competition and he picked the teams.

I loved Jasper’s game and how it brought the town together.

I loved the most of the characters. The main characters were great and the side characters were even better.

I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a feel good romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Putnam for a copy of The Only Game in Town exchange of an honest review.

Read if you like:
🏘️ Small Town Romances
💋 Forced Proximity
💰 Rivals to Lovers
#️⃣ Multiple POV
↔️ Opposites Attract

This one has such a cute premise and I was so excited to read it! I love the idea of forced proximity with the town competition keeping them in each other’s orbit as they are competing for the money, but are paired with their enemy/opposite.

The meet cute for these characters was so fun and loved seeing the way they worked together so quickly when the mean girls came up to them.

However, this one is so much more than a romance, it’s truly about the town, the people in it, relationships, and fun challenges mixed in to help tell the story.

If you want a fun and competitive small town romance plus some, definitely check this one out from Putnam Group. Thank you so much for my ARC in exchange for my thoughts!

DNF at 30%

I tried so hard to keep reading this book. But the truly ridiculous premise, total lack of chemistry between the leads, and constantly changing POVs just made it impossible to keep reading.

A wealthy benefactor, Jasper Wilhelm, leaves 10 million dollars to a pair of residents in his small town. The catch is that they have to compete for it with a partner that he has already chosen for them. Carter, Jasper’s grandson must also compete. He is the only outsider and the residents of Redford are not sure what his motives are. Jess loves her hometown so much that she moved back and would love to use that money. Carter and Jess find themselves competing and confiding in each other along the way. Sparks fly and choices need to be made.

This was a fun romance. Good chemistry between the love interests. I loved all of the characters in the town and the small town vibe. The premise was pretty unbelievable but it made for a cute story. Not really sure about Nikki’s story, it was kind of all over the place, and the friendship with Jess’ dad was odd. Loved Carter and Jess though ❤️

3 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Only Game in Town is the perfect blend of The Westing Game and the small-town feel of Gilmore Girls.

Growing up The Westing Game was one of my favorite books, I owned a copy that I had completely destroyed from reading it so many times. The moment I read the guidelines for the game devised by Jasper Wilhelm, I was transported back to the feeling of reading the same thing in The Westing Game for the first time. Hello childhood nostalgia.

I adored EVERYTHING about this book. I loved the crazy cast of characters especially Jess and Carter, the bond that Jess has with her dad, and the crazy cast of characters that inhabit Redford. Having multiple POVs for a book like this was just perfect for this book.

Hands down The Only Game in Town is one of my favorite reads of 2023.

I'm always a fan of a small town romance, so I was really excited to read The Only Game in Town!

And overall, I found this to be a cute, charming rom com read. I wasn't overly attached to the characters or their love story, but I was engaged enough to fly through the book. I enjoyed the premise of a town competition, and the dynamics amongst all the town members.

Overall, I think this is a cute rom com and fans of small town, closed door romance will enjoy this one!

Thank you Putnam Books for the gifted copy.