I love the cover and the description and I thought I would enjoy the book more but perhaps I am growing out of these historic romance novels with superficial dialogues and sexual attraction right from the beginning that conquers all. I wish there was more focus on the character development and gradual moments of falling for each other, for their characters' strength, their morals, their kindness, their honesty or their passionate hearts. But instead it is all about sex that loses appeal to me. I am completely fine if the historic romance novels have no sex appeal at all because I do not lack that in my life. I love to relive the falling in love and the beauty of two people coming together becoming like one spiritually and physically. I think many current authors fall too quickly into a trap of superficiality and flattery rather than the substance because it is easy and quick to write and does not require much thought.

Thanks to Netgally for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

I enjoyed this story of secrets and promises. Some of those secrets are pretty obvious to us readers, but others? Wow! Eliza and Nathaniel awaken each other's libidos to such an extent they have trouble going about their daily duties. Perhaps that's why Nathaniel shows poor judgement in some of his decisions, much to Eliza's fury. As she thinks to herself in the story: Men. She would never understand them. I am eagerly awaiting the final book of this series, to see what hapless man falls under the spell of the youngest Harper sister.

I was so excited to read Eliza's story and this did not disappoint! I loved that Eliza, Diana and Verity are as strong as ever and united in helping with the social debut of Nathaniel's charge Mrs. Jocelin March.

Eliza was a strong female who learned to stand up for herself with her husband's passing and starting a business with her sisters. I liked learning more about her and what it was like for her being with Samuel and how she became a stronger person despite his treatment of her.

I was intrigued by the secrets that Nathaniel was trying to keep from Eliza and I was not disappointed at all in the reveal. Nathaniel was a complicated man who wanted the best for both Eliza and his charge Jocelin, but didn't want to hurt either in helping with Jocelin's debut in society.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5/5 ⭐️

What Happens in the Ballroom (Designing Debutantes, #2) by Sabrina Jeffries
This is the second book in this series of three sisters. This is the story of a young military widow, Eliza Pierce. Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead and her late husband's best friend hires Elegant Occasions to assist his young ward. There is angst, secrets, attraction, heat, laughs, tears which lead to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Wonderful characters Romantic Happily Ever After Page-turner.

Second in the Designing Debutantes series. I’ve read the first one it does recap enough you can read this as a stand alone. The series focus on three sisters. Their mother’s affair and eventual divorce causes enough scandal they are on the edge of society. So instead of slinking off to the country they become event planners and help introduce girls into society. The first sister married a Duke which adds to their acceptance.

Eliza Pierce is at 27 a young widow. She loves working with her sisters and has no plans to remarry. Her husband married her for her dowry but her father denied it because they eloped. He then went to war and didn’t return leaving his wife with nothing. Her husbands best friend Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, hires Elegant Occasions to help his ward, a young widow of an officer come out into society. She also has a sweet two year old son, who oddly refers to himself in third person when speaking.

There is flirting between Eliza and Nathaniel and even a suggestion of an affair as would be allowed by society rules. But Nathaniel has a lot of secrets. Some about Eliza’s husband, others about himself and his ward. It is a lot, although most are predictable. I am always someone who yearns for more conversations between characters but this book has too many. Pages and pages of talking without much happening. Also I have a real issue with one of his big secrets because he was willing to risk Eliza and her sister’s livelihood to further his goals.

I enjoyed this story slightly more than the first in the series. I like that Eliza is free to have an assignation as long as she is discrete. Nathaniel comes off a bit pompous in his manner and way of talking. But I could see the connection between the two. Thank you to Netgalley, Zebra and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)

This was cute and totally Jeffries’ style with some steam, a bit of story and a light feel. Most of this author’s books have a similar theme with a smart, independent heroine and a hero who grumbles around trying not to feel his feelings. This is the second in her Designing Debutantes series, featuring Eliza, the eldest sister. She is widowed and impoverished and works in a Regency party planning business with her two sisters. Her deceased, wastrel of a husband’s best friend is her love interest and he’s a bit of a dolt. He made many dubious decisions throughout the book but the heroine didn’t put up with his shenanigans and made him work for it. There is a satisfying element to Jeffries books because we don’t ever have a damsel in distress, doormat or featherbrained heroine and the hero is usually the one putting the wrong foot forward. I prefer this dynamic because in these m/f romance, I like to relate to the heroine and put myself in her shoes. Since I am not an idiot, I don’t like idiotic FMCs.
This story isn’t deep or angsty and is a pretty easy read. I recommend it as brain candy or palate cleansing, or for anyone who wants to dip their toe in HR but not be bogged down by history or fancy prose. I burned through this book in a day, but probably won’t remember much of it in a month. But that’s ok, I had fun.

I’m having a hard time warming up to this new series from Jeffries about three sisters who have gone into business together providing a sort of Regency era event planning/courting service. It’s totally unbelievable that they are engaged in commerce yet still get invited to all the high society functions. They would be one or the other no matter that their odious father is an earl.

Add in that we know that the hero is lying about several things to the heroine and feels bad about that, but he still pursues her for an affair. And when his lies are revealed, one of them didn’t seem to be one that could be waved away with an apology. He used the heroine and her sisters and endangered their business on which at least two of them rely for their livelihood.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Historical romance
Ms. Jeffries’ tale of three sisters making their way by helping others find theirs. Widowed Eliza started the business so that she and her two sisters could be independent of their tyrannical father and did so successfully. When former childhood friend Nathaniel returned from the war with a young woman with a young boy, Eliza had to then deal with secrets that were shockers.
She weaves a tale a friends to lovers with a little humor and lots of family interaction.
I enjoy her books and recommend for historical fans.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

Sabrina Jeffries does it again –a great Regency romance that grabs you at the beginning. Nathaniel and Eliza’s journey to their happy ever after had me cheering them on from the start. The twists and turns as they learn to trust each other despite the secrets Nathaniel kept me had mereading until I finished the story. I can’t wait to read to Verity’s story.

Thank you NetGalley, Sabrina Jeffries and Kensington/Zebra for the ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Publication date: 3/28/2023

Second chance romance!

Eliza Pierce is a widow! Happily! Her husband Samuel had eloped with her in an attempt, it now seems, to get his hands on her dowry. Not happening! Eliza’s father refused to come to the party! Now Sam is dead, killed at the Battle of Talavera. The rake she’d known as Sam's friend, Nathaniel Stanton, Earl of Foxstead, has returned as guardian to a young widow and her child. Nathan hires Elegant Occasions to introduce Jocelin into society with a view to having her remarry.
Eliza’s sure there’s some secret about Jocelin but doesn’t know what it could be. Her mind is filled with Nathan. She feels an irresistible pull towards him, although she’s no pushover.
With the little that Sam is discussed I get the feeling he had exercised sort of coercive control over Eliza. He actively did not want her “following the drum.” Gentlewomen did not do that. Although Eliza later finds out that plenty did. Whatever it was, Eliza has definitely reached the ‘Never Again’ stage.
So, we we have a guardian who wants to marry his charge off quickly. Why? Is she Nathan’s mistress? Sam’s mistress?
We have a woman who deserves better than she’s had.
We have a viscount with his share of secrets who finds himself falling in love but hasn’t quite realized it yet.
Nathan’s so busy protecting his secrets he nearly lets the biggest one slide. How he really feels about Eliza.
Maybe that’s why I felt the chemistry between between the two is not quite there.
Still, it all rounds up to make a fairly enjoyable romance, although not the zinger I usually associate with Jeffries.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

A beautiful story that is beautifully written with engaging characters. Eliza and Nathaniel have a great connection. I enjoyed their romance towards a worthy happy ending for both of them.

A Fun Read!

Nathaniel has his eye on Eliza and had for a while even though she was one of his friend’s widows. When he became guardian to a young lady with a young child he jumped at the chance to use her business Elegant Occasions to launch her for the season in order to find her a husband.

Although he could hardly keep his hands off her, he still held some secret, secrets he knew he would eventually have to tell her especially since they had started a passionate affair, one he was hoping would develop and lead to more when he was ready to settle down!

Really enjoyed the storyline which had a great twist, steamy moments, moments that made me laugh out loud and of course a HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved the first book in this series and this one was definitely its match.

Eliza was a strong, independent working woman during a time when women of her social status did not work. I enjoyed watching her handle the challenge set before her and her co-owners. She was sharp minded and quick to see positives or negatives in any given situation. Her reactions to Nathaniel entertained me from beginning to end.

Nathaniel was totally swoony! He wasn’t slow to make a move and when he did, holy heck! My Kindle was close to steaming! I couldn’t help but smile when he was so blind to a certain situation regarding someone else’s emotions towards him. Men!

Eliza and Nathaniel were incredible together. I loved the uncertainty of where their relationship was going to go. Obviously, I knew where it ultimately was going to end but getting there was so much fun. With secrets on both sides, they had a good bit to work out, especially on Nathaniel’s part. With a perfect epilogue for them and a bit of build up for the next book, this is definitely my new favorite by this author.

There is something about hero being dishonest that just bothers me so so much.
I feel personally attacked and I know it is just a book but that is something I can't get over the reader is quite aware that something is going to happen and I could guess that the dead husband was shady too.
Still, the fact hero used heroine and her livelihood does not make me sympathetic towards him or them as a couple.

I wish to read more books by this author and even finish this series.
Sadly, this one didn't work for me quite well.

Widow Eliza Pierce is enjoying the freedom of running her business, Elegant Occasions, with her sisters. Eliza is suspicious when her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, Earl of Foxstead, hires them to help an officer's young widow become part of society. Sworn to secrecy, Foxstead is trying to honor a dying wish while keeping his feelings for Eliza in check.

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.

Tropes: Working Heroine, Widow, Second Chance, Dead Husband's Best Friend, Forced Proximity

Steam: 2

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #WhatHappensintheBallroom #NetGalley

I may be suffering from too-much-of-this-author-itis, but this and the more recent ones are starting to lose their appeal. There's too much dialogue and not even story or depth of character to draw me in. They fall into bed pretty much immediately and there's no development to the relationship.

Really fun read! I adore Sabrina Jeffries books and this one didn’t disappoint! It’s a good old fashioned regency romance comfort read. Loved the dialogue and secondary characters. Eliza’s banter with her sisters was so charming. The chemistry between Eliza and Nathaniel was off the charts! So many scorching kisses. Sabrina Jeffries delivers another perfect romance novel!

When Nathaniel comes back from war he brings with him a young widow, Mrs. March, and her son. He is the guardian of the woman and wants to have her meet men in order to marry and provide a father to her son. Attracted to another widow, Eliza, since he met her, he turns to her and her sisters to help in this endeavor. As Nathaniel and Eliza get closer, secrets from the past are revealed that threaten their relationship. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. This is book two in the series and I enjoyed it as much as the first book and I am eagerly anticipating the third book. The two main characters in this book are extremely likable and you find yourself cheering for them to find their way to each other right from the start. This book illustrates the reasons why keeping secrets is never a good idea however when the secrets do come out there are definitely justifications as to why they were kept. I love the banter between the three sisters and as I stated above I am looking forward to seeing what happens with the last sister of the trio. It was lovely to see how Eliza is able to overcome her dread of relationships and marriage after her parent's example but even more so her sleezy husband. This is a great read if you are looking for a Happy Ever After and also if you are looking for a book with some twists and turns in it. Thanks for Diana and Eliza's stories, now bring on Verity's story!!!

I am posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy of this story.

Designing Debutantes Book 2 doesn't disappoint. Nathaniel and Eliza are having a second chance at love story. I can't give too much away, I want you to read it for yourself. I will tell you that Eliza is the widow of Nathaniels friend. He feels guilty about Samuel's circumstances and ultimate death on the battlefield. Eliza always thought Nathaniel was handsome & charming but Sam was everything she thought she wanted. Being thrown together gives them an opportunity to really get to know each other & eventually love conquers all. He also has a ward with a whopper of a past that he needs Eliza and her sisters, they own an event planning company, to marry off quickly and with absolutely no scandal attached. Yea, like that ever happens. Everyone gets an HEA which is just how I want it to be.

#SabrinaJeffries #WhatHappensintheBallroom #DesigningDebutantes #netgalley #KesingtonBooks