This is the second book of the Designing Debutantes series, and my first book by this author. The book can be read as a standalone and was absolutely a delight to read and I will definitely be going back to read the first one. Eliza is part of Elegant Occasions, started by a trio of lovely, enterprising ladies who have taken up party planning in lieu of working as governesses. Eliza is a young military widow and is enjoying being part of Elegant Occasions. Her deceased husband's best friend, Nathaniel, is guardian to a young war widow and comes to Elegant Occasions for help with introducing her into society in hopes of finding her a husband. Eliza and Nathaniel are strongly attracted to each other, but Eliza senses there are some secrets being kept. Nathaniel has completely fallen for Eliza, but he is burdened by his family secret's. Despite the chemistry and attraction between them, their journey to love is a bumpy one, with many challenges to overcome.
The story was entertaining and well-written and I enjoyed the build up between the characters. The dialogue was fun and witty with some humor mixed in. Overall, an enjoyable read!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I liked this one, it was short and sweet and had all the elements I look for in a romance.
It was an unusual storyline, one I hadn't really seen before. It did get a little convoluted and confusing in the middle, which I think made it not read as smoothly as it could have.

But it was good, and I look forward to the last installment!

In the second installment of the captivating "Designing Debutantes" series, author Sabrina Jeffries introduces readers to the eldest Pierce sister, Eliza. The series revolves around the scandalous past of the three sisters, who, instead of retreating from society, choose to become event planners, introducing young ladies into the high society circle. Eliza, a young widow at 27, is content with her independence and involvement in the family business, Elegant Occasions.

The story takes an intriguing turn when Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead and her late husband's best friend, seeks the services of Elegant Occasions to assist his ward, a young widow herself, in navigating the complexities of society. Eliza finds herself drawn to Nathaniel, and a flirtatious connection ensues, teetering on the edge of society's acceptable boundaries.

While the book has moments of predictable elements, it shines with its delightful portrayal of the heroine, Eliza, as a strong, independent woman, unafraid to explore her desires. Sabrina Jeffries masterfully crafts characters with depth and charm, and readers will find themselves engrossed in the interactions between the leads.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers may find issue with the extensive dialogues that dominate the pages without significant events occurring. Additionally, Nathaniel's penchant for keeping secrets, even at the risk of endangering Eliza and her sisters' livelihoods, may be difficult for some readers to overlook.

Nonetheless, the chemistry between Eliza and Nathaniel is palpable, adding charm and wit to the narrative. Jeffries' signature style of smart and independent heroines, combined with reluctant heroes, makes the story engaging and enjoyable. The absence of a damsel in distress or a featherbrained heroine allows readers to relate to the characters and immerse themselves in the unfolding romance.

"What Happens in the Ballroom" is an easy and entertaining read, perfect for those seeking a lighthearted Regency romance. It offers the perfect blend of humor, steam, and storytelling, making it an excellent choice for readers looking for a delightful escape. While it may not be a deeply emotional or angsty tale, the book provides an enjoyable experience, suitable as a palate cleanser or a brief respite from more intense historical romances.

In conclusion, this is a delightful addition to the series, showcasing the transformative power of love, redemption, and the importance of trust in a relationship. Fans of historical romance will undoubtedly find themselves enthralled by the playful banter, steamy romance, and endearing characters in this entertaining tale of secrets, society, and second chances.

thank you to netgalley and Kensington books for the ARC.

What Happens In The Ballroom is book two of the Designing Debutantes series but could be read as a stand-alone (it does set up book three). Nathaniel brings his ward, Jocelin to Eliza and her sisters wanting them to introduce her to society and find a husband for the young mother. Nathaniel and Eliza are attracted to each but will their budding affair survive Nathaniel’s secrets.

What I liked: I really liked this one and felt like the characters were engaging.

If you read book one, you see a glimpse of Diana and her husband.

Eliza isn’t sure she wants to remarry after seeing her parents’ unhappy union and her own first marriage. Her coming around to the idea was thought out.

What didn’t work for me: I wish Nathaniel had confessed the secret a little earlier in the book. His motive for bringing Jocelin to the sisters seemed weak.

Eliza and Nathaniel’s first sexual encounter seemed a bit random for the time period.

Who should read it: historical romance fans this was cute and because Eliza was a widow, there’s no innocent virgin act.

Eliza is a war widow enjoying her freedom, and working with her sisters to run Elegant Occasions, a party planning service. When her husband's friend, the Nathan Stanton, Earl of Foxstead shows up on her doorstep with his ward in tow, Eliza is immediately wary.

It takes awhile for the characters' secrets to be revealed; the first half of the book sets the scene, and introduces the slow burn between Eliza and Nathan. The book picked up in the second half as Nathan's secrets are revealed, and he and Eliza must come to terms.

I can't wait for youngest sister Verity's story! The first two in the series have definitely been appetizers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't like the book that much....
This is the second book in the Designing Debutantes series. It stands alone fairly well, although the origins of the sisters’ business begin in the first book.

This book was a little dry for me. The characters already had an attraction to each other but, for me, there wasn’t quite enough development of their relationship. I did think the story improved a bit in the last third as all the secrets were finally revealed and the male character is little dolt but female character have strong personality which I like most.

I think Sabrina Jeffries writes fantastic historical romance, and this one was no different! The characters were great, and I look forward to the next book. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Wonderful story! Eliza helps run Elegant Occasions with her sisters and her late husband’s friend, Nathaniel, asks for help with his ward, Jocelyn. However, he harbors a few secrets and they cause a lot of strife with his romance with Eliza.

Jeffries writes such great stories and this is no different. I love this series and can not wait to uncover who Verity’s Phantom mystery man is!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In this next installment of the "Designing Debutantes" series, Sabrina Jeffries tells the interesting story of Eliza Pearce and Nathaniel Stanton. Eliza has been a widow for a couple of years and she runs Elegant Occasions along with her sisters to keep herself affloat and occupied. When her late husband's close friend Nathaniel, Earl of Foxstead, seeks her help in increasing the marriage prospects of war-widow Jocelin March, whose father is Nathaniel's commanding officer, she along with her sisters, embark on the difficult journey of preparing Jocelin for the ton.

Both Eliza and Nathaniel find themselves drawn to each other irresistibly inspite of their respective reservations. Sparks begin to fly but are hindered from rooting well because of the many secrets each of them hold. Will they allow their mutual secrets and past experiences stand in the way of their heart's desires?

Actually, I felt this book had a great start than the previous one. The characters were very well etched out, with the readers getting a very clear idea on the basic motive of every one of them. The author has also made the story interesting through the various charged interactions between the leads. However the earlier momentum doesn't carry throughout the book. The final conflict in the story wasn't very well defined and so, it actually seemed contrived and not very logical for the confines of the story. It doesn't help the those scene are protracted and slow down the pacing of the story- telling.

Leaving aside this issue, I had an enjoyable experience reading this book. There were some steamy scenes, as is usual for Sabrina Jeffries, which create a delicious tension between the leads and helps keep things interesting and tantalizing. This book, though not excellent, is a good addition to author Sabrina's feather.

What Happens in the Ballroom is an enjoyable regency romance. Eliza Pierce is a young widow that enjoys working with her sisters planning events and helping the gentry find spouses as part of “Elegant Occasions.” One day, her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, stops by to hire Elegant Occasions to help find a husband for his ward, a young war widow. Mrs. March is young and mysterious. Is Nathaniel in love with her himself? What secret are they trying to hide? Will Nathaniel and Eliza be able to put the past and secrets behind them to forge a future together?

I loved the romance of this novel, the setting, and the characters. The flirting and banter between Nathaniel and Eliza was very fun. This book was a quick read. This book did have two steamy love scenes in it. I guessed the secret, but I really wasn’t sure if I was right until the end.

This is the second book in the Designing Debutantes series. It was fine to read it as a standalone, but I definitely want to go back and read the first book, A Duke for Diana.

Overall, What Happens in the Ballroom is a delightfully fun regency romance.

Book Source: Review Copy from Kensington Books. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the TLC Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Really enjoyed this exciting and engaging romantic adventure. Highly entertaining, fun filled, emotional journey filled with witty banter, heart racing twists and so many fun and intriguing charters.

I like Sabrina Jeffries but some books more than others. I was looking forward to Eliza's story as she was set up as a widow whose marriage maybe wasn't as perfect as it appeared. In this book, she is hired to find a husband for a young woman whose husband was also in the military. The man hiring her is her dead husband's friend, Nathaniel Stanton, Earl of Foxstead. And he's being squirrely. Because he has a secret. Well, lots of secrets. WAY too many secrets for me when it gets just. so. dramatic. Also just. so. dramatic? Nathaniel and Eliza getting together. I wish we had less back and forth and more after the two are together so we could be better assured of an HEA.
Why three stars when I'm being so snarky? Jeffries is a good writer. I made it through the book and connected with the characters enough not to hate either one. And I'm still looking forward to the next book in the series.

Three stars
This book came out March 28, 2023
Followed by What Happens in the Ballroom
Borrowed as ebook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Eliza, an impoverished widow from the peerage, runs a business with her sisters, named Elegant Occasions. Eliza is very independent and has little interest in marriage, although she's seriously tempted by Lord Foxstead, her late husband's best friend. When Nathaniel, Lord Foxstead, wants to hire her company to launch his ward into society to find a husband she can't refuse. But no one knows the mysterious Jocelyn, who arrives with a 2-year old son, and claims to be a war widow who'd grown up following the Army. Eliza can't take a chance with a woman who could conceivably tarnish the reputation of Elegant Occasions. After all, the sisters have worked extremely hard to overcome the work of their parents' escapades. The chemistry between Eliza and Nathaniel is wonderful. There were a lot of family secrets on both sides which led to conflict. When the secrets finally are exposed, they're not quite what Eliza expected – and yes, there are several HEAs.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I struggled with this title. I did finish it, although I am not totally sure why as I never totally felt the connection between the characters, which is a shame, as I think this one had a lot of potential, it just didn't work for me.

I am unable to recommend this title.

When Nathaniel the Earl of Foxstead comes back from military duty with his ward enlists the help of Eliza and her sisters at Elegant Occasions to help introduce her into society. Eliza has no qualms even if seeing the Earl brings up uncomfortable feelings and memories. The attraction between Nathaniel and Eliza can’t be ignored and they give in to their past feelings for each other. But Foxstead’s story seems vague at times and Eliza is determined to find out the truth about him and his ward. Will they get in each other’s way by trying to protect themselves from the past or can they move on to a new future?

This historical romance had a lot of steam and twists in the plot that made me enjoy reading it!

This is the second book in the series but could be read as a standalone.
Eliza, an impoverished widow who is from the peerage runs a business with her sisters, named Elegant Occasions. When Nathaniel, her deceased husband's former best friend wants to hire her company to launch his ward into society to find a husband she can't refuse. The chemistry between Eliza and Nathaniel is wonderful. There were a lot of family secrets on both sides which lead to conflict.
I love Eliza's relationship with her sisters and the fact that she is a strong independent woman. Simply Devine!

Here’s what I really love about Sabrina Jeffries: her characters are consistently well written, the plots are almost always exceptionally tantalizing, and the romance leaves an ache in your heart until it’s requited. Often, the biggest draw for RR is that society is so strict that it makes the amorous situations a little hotter, but with Jeffries, I’m often skipping it to get back to the romance. It’s not because the adult situations aren’t delightful, but her plots and storytelling are just THAT. GOOD.

The Designing Debutantes series has been great so far. I’ve loved both installments. A Duke for Diana, the first book in the series, was great, with a bit of a grumpy v sunshine vibe. What Happens in the Ballroom is much more of a ‘proper lady with a hidden side’ situation.

I loved how independent Eliza was, with very little interest in giving up any of her freedoms, even though she enjoys the handsome Lord Foxstead, her late husband’s bestie…probably a little more than she should. But who is this mysterious Jocelyn that he has taken in and who is the father of her child—is it Foxstead? She can’t start anything with someone who might tarnish the reputation of Elegant Occasions, her and her sisters’ company. Heaven knows their parents did enough tarnishing that they’ve been working hard to polish out. Eliza is right. Foxstead and Jocelyn do have secrets – but are they the ones that Eliza is thinking they are?

Foxstead is all in for Eliza, though, with no interest in Jocelyn. It’s Eliza’s curves that he wants next to him when he wakes up, her blond hair he wants to see spread across his pillow. He has no idea which woman was describing when talked about his wife being a cold harpy – Eliza is enchanting, warm, whip smart, and undeniably sensuous. But will the secrets he holds ruin any chance he may have with this incredibly exciting woman that he can’t get out of his head?

Overall, this was another great book from Jeffries. There’s one more sister left and I can’t wait to read about her and her mysterious stranger—but you’ll need to read the first two to understand what I’m talking about.

Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books (always a pleasure!) for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review. To be posted 5/11/23

Thanks to Kensington Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily and without compensation.

This is the second book in the Designing Debutantes series. I enjoyed the first book, A Duke for Diana, and was looking forward to this second instalment.

The action picks up when Nathaniel meets his best friend's widow again, after some time apart and realises that he has always suppressed an attraction to her, but he has secrets that could damage her. Eliza has always felt an attraction to Nathaniel as well but her commitment to her sisters and their business means that she has little time to think of romance.

The story unfolds beautifully with little tidbits about each of the characters being revealed throughout. I enjoyed the way the two get to know each other, however, I thought the dialogue was a little stilted at times and felt there were some pacing issues.

Still, I look forward to the next book and enjoyed this one.

This book was a little weird, to be honest. To begin with, it was almost painfully obvious from the beginning who Jimmy's father was, but I didn't mind that. I knew how it was going to come into play later, so I went along with it. What bothered me (aside from the many secrets and half-truths told throughout most of the book) was the fact that Eliza was prone to bringing up her ex-husband at the oddest times. About to sleep with Nathaniel? Let's talk about my ex. Just finished sleeping with Nathaniel? Let's talk about my ex. Nathaniel wants to have a serious conversation, let's bring up my ex.

I get it. He was a scoundrel, and you aren't missing him all that much, but man girl, let it go already. You claim to have moved on, found yourself, and refuse to be put back into the box your husband had forced you into, but your words show otherwise.

It was also irritating the way that Nathaniel continuously kept putting his ward Jocelin's future and feelings above those of Eliza, whom he claimed to love or at least like and respect a great deal. Funny, I wouldn't have thought he liked her at all, considering he not only put her reputation and that of her sisters and the business they had built in jeopardy with his deceit, but he also had no compunction whatsoever about sleeping with Eliza and not taking any precautions against pregnancy.

Of course, we later have the big fight where part of the truth is revealed, Eliza gets mad that he won't reveal the whole truth (even though what she learned was bad enough), so she takes off to parts unknown, instructing her friends and family not to tell Nathaniel where she went because heaven forbid he try and make things right. Chaos ensues, the whole truth finally comes out, and our two main characters can finally have their happily ever after.

While the formula is not new to the genre, I did enjoy the way this author went about presenting it. I am looking forward to Verity finally making her own match in the next book.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Thanks to Kensington books and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I have really been enjoying this series from Sabrina Jeffries, with Nathaniel and Eliza being my favorite pair so far.

This book had more twists than Jeffries previous books and while I saw the first one coming, the second one was very out of the blue! But totally made sense because *romance*. I can't wait for the third novel, these characters are lovely.