What's a guy to do when the girl he wants doesn't realize he's trying to court her? Start a game of ballroom tag of course. Emmerson is desperate to marry Olivia, his sister's best friend, but knows her father won't approve.
Olivia just wants out from under her tyrannical father's control and to maybe pick her own wardrobe. Her father's horrible taste and obsession with marrying her into the nobility is ruining her season. So when her friend Arabella's brother suggests a game as a diversion she agrees.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but did find the characters to be a little immature. It also took a while to get going and dragged in some parts.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the forbidden love trope, and historical romance.

This was such a cute friends to lovers story.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this!

Jentry Flint is a new-to-me author. Games in a Ballroom was a great introduction to her writing.

The book has a whimsical aspect to it. In order to catch the fair maiden (Olivia), Emerson suggests that his group of friends play tag whenever they are at an event together. His hope is to capture Olivia's heart while he is tagging her as "it".

The book is more than fun and games. Olivia lives in a miserable home. She has an overbearing father who is overbearing and looking for her to marry a man with a title. He doesn't care about anyone else's feelings, just his own. It creates some tense moments and an extra challenge to the game.

I really enjoyed the characters. It was a reminder to me to enjoy the moment and take time for pursuits that I enjoy. I'm really hoping that there will be more stories for this group of friends.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

After the death of his father, Emerson struggles with the responsibilities that come with being the head of his household. Having grown up as childhood friends with Olivia Wilde, Emerson long ago had fallen in love with her quick wit, beauty, and passionate heart.Her father, however, insists she marry a man with a title, to increase his own standing and reputation in society. With her future looking dismal, Olivia decides to enjoy the last few months of freedom with her childhood friends. A playful, but discreet, game of tag is proposed. But will the fun ruin their reputations and hopes for the future?

This left me with mixed feelings. There was nothing wrong with the plot or the characters. I daresay, the characters were relatable and I understood both of our main characters. At the same time, though, I can’t say that Emerson or Olivia were very memorable. Their interactions were sweet, but I found myself bored during many of their conversations.

I thought the idea of playing a game of tag in a ballroom, all the while trying not to get caught by the other guests, would be fun. Instead, I found it immature and I didn’t really understand why it took a game of tag for Emerson and Olivia to have a conversation.

Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for this one. I’d recommend it to readers of sweet romance looking for a friends to lovers, slow burn kind of story.

I enjoyed this one and how unique it is! The main characters are delightful as they push through to their happily ever after in spite of the odds.

This is a mixed bag for me. I liked the writer's style, which did not feel rushed or awkward, I liked Emerson and his two friends a bit more than the ladies, though they all could have used more development. The plot device, of a continuing game amidst balls, is interesting, I didn't mind it, though it was a bit silly. I felt like there were a few plot points that were simply dropped (the pig, I expected a bit more to come of that, an allusion to a secret of Valencourt's). It kept my attention, but it could have been more than what it was, that said, if there was a follow up about Bradbury, or Northcott, I'd read them. I was provided an ARC via netgalley for an honest review.

There are plenty of times when I want a steamy romance. The bodice ripper. The one that I shouldn't read in public because things might happen that probably shouldn't in public. A lot of the time, though, I actually prefer a slow burn. After all, it took 25+ years to get my first kiss from the one I fell for my freshman year of high school.

This was such a fun read and I sincerely hope that it ends up being the first of a series because I so desperately need to see more of the Reckless Redhead and Brooding Baron and Arabella. I know. If you haven't read the book you don't know who they are and the book isn't even out until May. Trust me, though. Those are stories that need to be told. And read. And probably re-read. And, of course, I would very much love to see the HEA from the winners of the game. I think I deducted a star just because of the angst that I feel not knowing that I'll have more to look forward to.

Games in a Ballroom is a light, fun, romantic read. Centring Olivia Wilde, an heiress with an overbearing and brutish social-climbing father who is determined that she should marry a title; and Emerson Latham, a family friend and the older brother of Olivia's best friend Arabella.

The premise is simple, following the death of his father, Emerson becomes the head of his family and is struggling with the weight of his responsibilities. He has also recently realised he is in love with his sister's friend. The problem is, Olivia's father, having achieved monumental wealth, now wishes to gain social standing through her marriage. As such, Emerson is out of the running.

As Olivia decides to accept her fate, and marry a man she won't love to please her father and protect her mother, Emerson suggests a game of tag between Olivia, Arabella, and his friends, giving him a chance to spend time with Olivia and show her he is in love with her.

It is a simple premise, drawing on many common archetypes in the genre, and doesn't break the mould in any way, but- it is a fun and enjoyable read.

I think it would have benefited greatly from a little more character development and set-up in the first part of the novel. You don't really appreciate or understand Olivia's personality- Emerson describes her as challenging and witty which is why he falls for her. However, there is nothing to really suggest this at all- particularly as she practically has a panic attack about a game of tag. I actually found the supporting characters, Arabella and Bradbury far more rounded and unique. You know more about Arabella's tastes and opinions than you do Olivia's. Olivia is also painfully obtuse regarding Emerson's affections- which is cute at first, but becomes less believable towards the end, and makes her swift realisation that she reciprocates his feelings a bit less believable. Similarly, while there are a couple of references to past antics in their childhood, at first you don't really believe in Emerson and Olivia as a couple. A bit more time spent on building them up in the first chapters would have made me much more invested.

That being said, it is a short and sweet romp. Towards the end, the novel finds its way and is satisfying. If you want something Georgette Heyer-esque, this will be great. I would have loved a bit more in the ending- while it was generally satisfying, there were a few loose ends and it was a bit abrupt....However! It does seem like the ground has been laid for a sequel following Arabella and one of Emerson's friends which I would not hesitate to read. A good debut novel that was enjoyable to read, and is perfect holiday reading.

My thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with this copy for an honest review.

4.5* An impressive debut novel, Games in a Ballroom has excellent character development, solid prose, and an element of lighthearted fun to balance the heavier themes. The pranks, wagers, and games in the story are as much a running theme as quoting Shakespeare, which gives delightful contrast and insight into the characters. Jentry Flint is able to show a character's nature with a simple description of how a hand is placed at another's back. I enjoyed this romp through the ballrooms of London!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

This was a fun story with a sad, dark undertone. Family abuse can be found in all generations, and also in regency England.
Olivia lives with an abusive Father who only wishes to sell his daughter for a title. Emerson has loved her for ages, but can he win her? I love the playful parts of this story, the crazy things gentleman did at the time by betting on dopey things, and the growth in friendship that occurs.

The relationship between the characters was fun, I am hoping each of these men get their own book, along with Arabella.

This is a decent debut book. I would be interested to read more from this author.

Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint ♠️♥️ release date: May 3rd, 2022 | ARC provided by NetGalley -
As I saw this book circulating around bookstagram, I was instantly drawn in by the premise of a game of tag set in regency times. When I finally picked Games in a Ballroom up I soon found so much more than that. This debut novel is full of adventures, action, and a sweet romance between childhood friends. I loved every minute reading Games in a Ballroom and would encourage anyone looking for a fun filled historical romance to read it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eh, this was ok. The premise sounded good, but honestly there was not a lot happening in the plot, so I found myself skimming a few chapters here and there. The chemistry between the two main characters also fell flat for me, which isn't really a great thing to happen especially when the romance is a slowburn. The writing is good though and there were a few cute scenes.

Jentry Flint is a buy immediately author for me! I hope to see books soon for all of the friends in this book. This story drew me in immediately with Emerson's love for Olivia. I loved all the games he came up with to win her heart and her hand. It kept me guessing because there was no clear path to a happy ending. Olivia's abusive dad made me nervous for her mom if Olivia were to leave. That was just one obstacle they had to face. This truly was a love against all odds story, with some humor thrown in. I mean, that pig? Brilliant!
I also appreciated the short chapters that allowed for a convenient stopping place when needed. Overall, this was a 5 star book in my opinion!

the book was sort of interesting, but the story was little slow and the chemistry was a little meh for me.

This book definitely had some good points, but it didn't captivate me the way others do. Olivia and Emerson were both likable characters, but romances where the entire situation could be resolved if someone would just SPEAK UP aren't my favorite, and I didn't love the writing style. The idea of playing a game of tag at social events was a fun premise, but the execution wasn't quite as interesting as I'd hoped--but I did enjoy the faster-paced action (as well as some great "speaking up") in the last quarter of the book. Not my favorite, but still a good read overall.
3 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was really fun! I loved the characters and the plot was wholly original. The romance was sweet and fun, this is one I'll definitely be recommending for fans of clean, fun romances!

**Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this eARC

Actual rating: 3.50 ⭐
I find my pull for proper, clean historical romances where the heroine and hero hold hands for the first time at the ending scene is getting stronger, I call it the pride and prejudice impact. 😉💙

It's so nice to see a hero who wants to get married for a change. And I loved that he's the one doing all the pursuing and convincing in their relationship.

The only downside of this book was that at times it felt a little bit ridiculous. I mean a bunch of adult people going around playing tag, you're it at balls is kinda absurd, but still it was comical and funny at times.

This was the first book I’ve read by Jentry Flint and I am so happy I now have another “favorite author” to add to my ever growing list of “favorite authors.”
Games in a Ballroom was such a simple story, and yet it was the perfect regency romance. There were so many aspects I’ve yet to see in other regency books that really kept me intrigued throughout the story. I absolutely loved the concept of tag, and the other fun games the characters played, and am totally applying that to the next party I go to.
Emerson is a total swoony gentleman and has been sweetly in love with his strong yet kind childhood friend Olivia. Their love story is both light and fun while also carrying heavier themes. There were happy moments, sad moments, enlightening parts and frustrating scenes. Basically this book had a bit of everything, plus some action and the best dressed pig in human history.
I’m so glad I was able to read this book and am happily looking forward to any future books by Jentry (especially about the fantastic group of friends Emerson and Olivia have).
Make sure you go grab this gem of a book!

Something about this book bothered me. I didn’t like the main guy. Something about how he thought about and interacted with the main girl almost felt like grooming and just felt slightly icky. I just did not vibe with his character. The idea was cute but I just really didn’t enjoy the characters. Also the sister had like the “quirk” of quitting Shakespeare all the time, but most of the time it’s like stuff that’s not really recognizable quotes, just really obscure things that people just say normally without quoting anything, and then the main girl would always be able to tell her what she was quoting even though she wasn’t as well versed in Shakespeare. Also what type of girl isn’t already in love with her friends brother from the get go? Maybe it’s me being picky but it wasn’t really my favorite read. 2.5 stars

This is a charming romance story with very good characterization. I loved the game of tag they played
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.