It was really fun to be back in this Regency time period and group of friends that author Jentry Flint created in her first book, Games in a Ballroom. I loved seeing all of the delightful friends and characters from that one and to really dive more fully into Henry's story, the Brooding Baron.

Arabella is such a fun and delightful character. She's a bright ray of sunshine and a breath of fresh air for Henry. Especially after the sorrow and heartache from his past. But I loved her goodness in helping him to see that what he had perceived about himself wasn't true. As well as the doctor who was working with his sister. I have sooo many questions and want to know who's book is going to be next and if other certain characters will be getting their own stories! Ohhh, there are sooo many possibilities and I can't wait for them all! Hint, hint, to the author! ;-)

I loved the sweet and tender love story. The healing and finding truth and understanding. Very well written!

Content: Clean. Some kisses. This book does talk about death and depression and family secrets and madness. But the author did a wonderful job and was very sensitive in how she wrote about those topics.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This was a fantastic follow up to Games in a Ballroom. It was great to learn more about Henry and Arabella and to see their relationship develop. They were both such lovable characters and I couldn't help rooting for them and their happily ever after!

A highly anticipated sequel that lived up to its predecessor! With the introduction we had to these two characters in the previous story, I was a bit surprised to learn that they would be getting their own love story, they didn't seem to have chemistry! But this book certainly remedied that. These two were surprisingly perfect together and their story was nothing short of enthralling! Between the romance there was mystery and peril that had me on the edge of my seat. This author has solidified herself as an auto-buy, I can't wait to see what comes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the arc.

This book was more like 3.75 stars for me. I liked the story, all about Arabella Latham, a young lady of the ton, who's enamored with all things Shakespeare. Arabella feels a connection with Lord Henry Northcott, who's labeled "The Brooding Baron", one of her brother's friends, and who has a very serious reputation. Henry does not care for the parties or the matchmaking; he is focused on making changes through his work at Parliament.

There's a scandal in Henry's family's past, which is the reason for his broodiness and resistance to marriage, but Arabella endeavors to push their connection. The connection is their shared love of Shakespeare. Now, I originally thought the whole concept of building the relationship around Shakespeare, and quoting Shakespeare repeatedly throughout the story, but I lost interest midway through the book. I thought Arabella was very sweet, but I felt nothing for Henry, and wished that Arabella moved on from his broody self.

It's a relatively short story, and it had its moments, but the relationship felt very one-sided.

To Love The Brooding Baron was a super fun book to read. Arabella is light hearted, witty, and full of spirit. The only man she can find to match her wit is her brother's friend, Lord Northcot, The Brooding Baron. It's fun to watch their friendship unfold but see behind the scenes how Lord Northcot holds back because of secrets from his family's past.

This is the second book in a series but it very much can stand on its own. It has some deep topics like death and mental health issues. The story is similar to a regency version of twelfth night.

Loved the mental health rep. The setting was good. Appreciate the clean romance. Thanks to the publisher for a review copy, all opinions are my own.

To Love the Brooding Baron review:

*contains spoilers* This book had a unique component that I have yet to encounter in a regency romance… mental health. I was so intrigued by Bedlam and all the details that came to light from there. I feel like the book ended a little too abruptly. I was hoping for more of a resolution with Henry’s family’s mental health issues and more of Lady Northcott’s consequences for the ill treatment of Sarah but oh well. All in all, I enjoyed this book and it kept me up until 2am because I couldn’t put it down! I’m crossing my fingers for Mr Bradbury’s love story as well as Sarah and the doctor’s.

Thank you to Covenant Communications for a complimentary ebook copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A new favorite book and author! I enjoyed revisiting characters from Games in a Ballroom, a previous book by this author, but this one can be read alone. There are a lot of fun references to Shakespeare because Arabella loves to read it and frequently participates in conversations using quotes from plays.

The book opens with a tragic story about Henry’s background and some mystery, but it isn’t too heavy and later parts of the book are funny. Henry feels like his blood is tainted so he has decided he will never marry or have an heir to avoid passing it on. He feels responsible for what his parents took from his scheming aunt, so he doesn’t stand up to her but that’s partly because he doesn’t realize she’s manipulating him. She doesn’t care about him and only cares about her dead husband’s reputation. Henry’s mom and sister were committed to bedlam, basically a prison for those accused of having a mental disorder. I kept reading to find out what reason his mom and sister were considered mad and it’s not what you might think.

I couldn’t put this down but rather than rushing I went slower than usual to enjoy the story. I also listened to some of it and highly recommend the audiobook too. The reader is excellent, one of the best I’ve listened to. She does all the voices, but the best part of her reading are the pauses and inflections she adds that give so much more depth to the story and make it feel real. 5 stars! This is one of the best books I have read this year. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

This story is so much fun! I love the premise of a "brooding baron" falling for his best friend's sister. The game of quoting Shakespeare back and forth to each other is adorable. I also love the historical issues this story brings to light.

Arabella Latham's brother promised their father on his death bed, he and his sister only marry for love. She's still looking for that spark. Baron Henry Northcott has found his spark with Arabella, but must never show it. Too much pain, fear and darkness shroud his family. Northcott begins to question the past when a new doctor insists on talking about new information concerning his mother and sister. Arabella feels a spark with Henry and steps in with concern to get him to confront the past for a future, even at the risk of putting herself in danger. I wasn't expecting it, but this book is keeper!
Recommend reading the first book with her brother and best friend's romance.
Kisses only.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was a wonderful story. I went into this book blind, not knowing exactly what it was about and I loved the discovery of it! It’s also my first book of Jentry Flint’s and I enjoyed her writing immensely.

Arabella is one of favorite heroines. Ever! She is way ahead of her time and the antics she gets herself into are so funny, but also very dangerous. Henry is the grumpy beastly baron who has secrets of his own. Not just his, but his family’s too. I loved every page.

There is some humor mixed with rather suspenseful scenes. And the romantic tension was perfect. I especially loved Henry and Arabella’s Shakespeare duel with words. All the characters were done well. And I appreciated the mental health rep and the peek into the past of asylums and how patients were treated was deplorable. (And I appreciate the reform that was made.)

I eagerly await this talented author’s next offering!

I received a Netgalley approval from the publisher. And listened to some of the book from Deseret Bookshelf. All views are my own.

I absolutely loved this book!
I loved getting to know the main characters and I felt invested in their story. Even the side characters were interesting ( I’m hoping to hear more about some of them in future books).
The plot was unique and interesting. I enjoyed hearing about mental health and how PTSD was handled back then. Makes me grateful I live in modern times.
I love how this author tells a great romance with humor added in. It’s refreshing to chuckle while reading a regency book.

This is the second book in this series, and I love that Arabella and Henry get a HEA. I loved Arabella in Games in the Ballroom and enjoyed getting to know her better and Henry too. Henry's family's back story is tragic, but I feel like the author handled this sensitive topic in a tasteful way. I really enjoyed their story, and I look forward to the next one.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley, and this is my honest review.

Jentry Flint's second book, "To Love the Brooding Baron," is a sequel to her debut historical romance novel, "Games in a Ballroom." The story revolves around the theme of opposites attract,exploring the possibility of childhood friends falling in love, and fighting against demons from the past.

Arabella Lantham and Lord Henry Northcott have been harboring secret feelings for each other, which is evident in the long glances they often exchange with one another. As they interact, their feelings grow stronger, especially for Henry, also known as "The Brooding Baron."One thing I really loved was their habit of exchanging Shakespearean quotes throughout the story when they were together. This was very clever and highlighted their great chemistry.

Arabella is a strong character and knows what she wants and is very assertive in trying to attract Lord Northcott's attention. Meanwhile, he's fighting against his feelings as he struggles to keep his family's secrets hidden to protect their reputation.

The story is effective as it weaves in the theme of mental illness, using Bedlam Asylum as a backdrop showing how historically, patients were mistreated due to widespread fear and misconceptions. The plot is filled with suspense, clever banter, loyal friendships, domineering family members, phaeton driving lessons, and hints of gothic elements.

At its core,To Love the Brooding Baron focuses on clean romance, and the journeys of two very different individuals as they fight for love and gaining freedom from their past struggles in life.

I really enjoyed this book! It was fun to see some of the characters from Games in a Ballroom again. I loved Arabella’s spunk, especially during the plot with her ‘cousin’, and I can’t believe what she was willing to do for the man she loved. This book is a wonderful romance!

Oh wow! This author stepped up her game on this slightly connected sequel! I was drawn in from the first look at the Brooding Baron! He was just so dreamy and so hard on himself! I loved the characters of this book. They were engaging and believable! I will be picking it up for my own library!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read this book! All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book deals with some harder topics, with deep emotional turmoil and a lot of heartbreak and guilt. But there is also determination and teasing and Shakespeare quoting cuteness, and swoony knee melting kisses, and healing and boundaries and justice.

Yes all of that in a stunning story that’s more than just a romance—it’s also a social and historical commentary about mental health, being willing to ask for help, and fight for those we love.

The gothic feelings, the tension, the compassion and the humanity are all incredibly done. You don’t always know who’s good and who’s bad, and I love it. This book is now at the top of my recommendation list!

Love, love, love. I was so happy to be back in with Arabella. She endeared herself to me in the first book and it was so fun getting her story.

This one covers some hard topics. I liked the way they were navigated and I felt they added to the story.

Yes we get more Shakespeare. Yes there is delicious tension. Yes I would recommend it.

3.5 stars. This was a solid read by a new author for me. I enjoyed the romance and the way the main characters connected through Shakespeare. And it was a good story. I just feel like it wasn't fleshed out enough. Too many unanswered questions and I wanted to actually see a little more realistic character growth.