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.

Oh how I loved this book! I devoured it. So so good! I loved how the heavier themes were handled. I loved the characters and was invested right off. Absolutely a new regency favorite!

This was a hard book for me. I am not into gothic novels or insanity much. But I did like Arabella’s persistence and the outcome was amazing. So overall I like the happily ever after. But in the pages I struggled with the content of the story.

**Review of "To Love the Brooding Baron" by Jentry Flint**

Centered on Lady Isabella Winslow, an independent and spirited young woman who finds herself reluctantly visiting the remote estate of Baron Dominic Blackwood, a man reputed to be as enigmatic as he is brooding.

Isabella's initial encounters with the Baron are marked by tension and mystery. Dominic is a complex character, burdened by a tragic past and harboring deep-seated mistrust. Despite his aloof exterior, Isabella is drawn to his vulnerability and strength. As she slowly uncovers the layers of his character, the sparks between them ignite into a slow-burning romance.

The plot thickens as Isabella becomes embroiled in the secrets of Dominic’s estate. Unexplained incidents and lurking dangers add an element of suspense. Isabella’s determination to break through Dominic’s emotional barriers and his struggle to protect her from hidden threats form the crux of their evolving relationship.

Quite enjoyed this story of love, healing, and redemption, and look forward to more from the author.

I enjoyed this book. Although it was a little more serious than the first book I liked how Henry and Arabella feel in love and their interactions with each other. I loved how Arabella brought out the best in Henry and helped him to see himself as she sees him. I also liked that she has a fun, impulsive personality and how that helped Henry to let his fun side out. I thought the story was sweet and look forward to reading more by this author.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This was an enjoyable read. The mental health aspect was such an interesting addition to a book set in this time period. Henry and Arabella were great characters. They were opposites in some ways, but they complimented each other. I loved that Henry played Arabella’s Shakespeare game.

I absolutely love these characters! What a fantastic group of friends. I can’t wait for even more stories about these friends. Henry and Arabella are so completely opposite, yet they are perfect together. I laughed out loud any number of times while I was reading this story. That is saying something considering the very serious nature of the problems Henry faces in his family. Mr Bradbury offered a very diverting comic relief if ever things started to get too heavy. I loved Arabella’s spunk and willingness to go after the things that are important to her. Looking forward to more from this author! I will probably reread the series when the next book comes out so that I can remember all of the charming details about each of the characters in these books.

I think what sets this book apart is its emphasis on mental health. There just aren't too many main characters dealing with that in the way that Henry is. There were times I was a bit confused about what was happening but I figured it out eventually. Also learning about the insane asylums was interesting. I knew they were pretty horrible but this book really shows how horrible. Henry and Arabella are delightful separately and together which is always nice!

I loved this book by Jentry Flint! It was so exciting to read Arabella and Henry’s story, full of plot twists that make this a book that you can’t put down! Arabella’s brother tasks his friend Henry Northcott with taking care of his mother and sister while he is away. Henry recognizes he has feeling for Arabella, and just as she realizes she has feelings for him too, he starts pushing her away so she won’t find out his family secret. Jentry mastered the seamless transitions between the fun and games, the mystery and the hard topics. I also loved the Shakespeare game Arabella plays and how Henry reads Shakespeare so he can play with her. When the family secret finally comes out, Arabella puts a plan into motion to show Henry they can be together. Loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!

Read this book if you like:
Dual POV
Regency Era
Brother’s Best friend
Mental illness reform
Gothic vibes
Family secrets
Mystery
A broody MMC
A spunky FMC
Plot twists

This book encapsulates all the things I love in a regency! A swoony hero, a smart and loving heroine, mental health reps, mystery, some awful villains. I got lost in this story and did not want it to end!! I didn’t think she could top Games in a Ballroom, but she did it! Both in these series are excellent!! That brooding baron will steal your heart in no time! There is a plot (a major one) about mental health and she did this so so well. There was care and concern. Arabella was so understanding and loving about it. Henry didn’t stand a chance against her!

I had a hard time putting this book down, and finished it in just a few days. Even though it did have some Shakespeare in it, it was done in such a way that didn't bog the story down - in fact, and I'm amazed that I'm saying this, based on my opinion of the Bard, it even enhanced the story line. I've been reading a lot of nonfiction, war-based books lately, and sometimes it's just nice to lose myself in a story that doesn't hurt my heart.

I enjoyed watching the growth of both Arabella and Lord Northcott, especially when it came to Northcott's issues. It's always nice to have people you can trust in your corner, and Northcott not only had Arabella, but he had Mr. Bradbury as well. Can he get his own story next? He was hilarious, and most definitely needs his own story.

Definitely a story I recommend.

I love a good opposites attract romance! There is so much depth in this story! A unique view of Bedlam during this time.

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

The book, To Love the Brooding Baron, captured my attention quickly with its unique storyline that had me turning the pages and wanting to stay up way later then I should have.

While Jentry Flint's debut book "Games in the Ballroom" had a lighter feel to it, this story had an almost gothic mystery thing going. And I was all here for it! With Lord Northcott's family secrets and personal battles he feels as if he cannot marry. But his heart can't help but love and admire Arabella Latham.
I loved whenever Henry and Arabella were together in a scene. Anytime they were together I would get absolutely giddy when their feelings started growing towards one another. With them having fun quoting Shakespeare back and forth to each other, to when "the spark" appeared, and then their kiss. I'm smiling as I think back on it all. Jentry wrote characters that were absolutely made for each other.
This book was a masterpiece. I don't know what else I could say about it without blurting out all of the spoilers and ruining the experience of reading it. I loved it. And highly recommend it!
CW: mental health issues, suicide and infidelity (both past tense)

This doesn’t show up as a series, but I highly recommend reading Games in the Ballroom prior to reading this book. It is the story of Emerson and Olivia. Both can be read as a standalone, but it would really help tie in the characters. This book is about Henry and Arabella. It is charming and witty, but also has a little bit of a heavy heart side. The subject of mental illness in the Regency period was quite frightening and misdiagnosed. I felt the author did a wonderful job of making the story, fun and light while describing the pains and heartache of mental illness. I enjoyed the romance, the camaraderie between friends and the shakespearian quotes game. I’m curious who will be the subject of the next book. I want Bradbury’s story but also Sarah’s. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“What can I do?”
“Kiss me.”
“Kiss me…so that I might know bliss.”

I’m always in love with the Regency time period and when a layer of scandal is cast throughout the pages, I’m doubly there. The author does such a beautiful job of not only bringing to life a delightful grumpy/sunshine opposites attract romance, but she also tackles some major stigmas of the time, while coloring the character interactions with Shakespeare quotes.

The brooding baron has every reason to be an enigma to the upper crust of society and I couldn’t get enough of this Brooks’ Brotherhood tale. The longing glances, nicknames of Mother Goose/Goosey/Beasty, charming bestie Bradbury, phaeton driving lessons, billiards, Twelfth Night, and grand gestures made this book such an interesting and engaging read. Although a bit on the heavy side at times, there are threads of lightness and hope, and that sweet, sweet hint of romance, that kept me hooked. I loved Henry and Arabella and their beautiful story so much.

Content: mild romance; mental illness

I loved the first book of this series and was so excited to read this one too. And it did not disappoint. I loved this story! The characters felt real and interesting and the story line flowed well. This is such a cute historical romance.

I also found it fascinating getting a glimpse into how individuals with mental health issues were treated in this time period. I think it is great to shed light on the struggles that many people faced then and now.

I highly recommend you give this one a read! Also if you have not read the first (Games in a Ballroom) read that one too!