This had me captivated from start to finish. I got lost within these pages.
Rating: 5/5
She was forbidden to love him.
He only wanted her heart.
Can a childhood game bring them together?
London, 1815
Olivia Wilde has resigned herself to never finding a love match. Her father has insisted she marry a man with a title, but the men her father deems acceptable are either boring or are only interested in increasing their own diminishing coffers. With her future looking dismal, Olivia vows to enjoy the last few months of freedom with her childhood friends, including Emerson Latham. His devilish smile and flirtatious teasing stirs up feelings she knows she cannot entertain.
Emerson is struggling to rise to his responsibilities after his father's death. Though he is still learning his place, one thing he knows for certain is that he wants Olivia Wilde to be his wife. Emerson had long ago fallen in love with her quick wit, beauty, and passionate heart. Yet, without a title, he will never be permitted to court Olivia openly. But he has a plan that may give him a chance to court her in secret.
As the Season kicks off, Emerson proposes a playful game of tag. Olivia's friends are delighted by the idea, though Olivia is wary. After all, the game must be played in secret as they tag each other at dinners and balls. As the romance builds between Olivia and Emerson, so does the risk of being discovered. Not only are their reputations at stake, so is their safety if they are caught by Olivia's strict father.
Can their love find a happily ever after before the game ends?
Content Warning: Psychological Abuse
I was given an ARC of Games in a Ballroom through Shadow Mountain Publishing asking that I read it and feature it on my page. I couldn't have been happier for this opportunity! Thank you!
Oh, this one was so cute to read!
As soon as I read the synopsis for this one, I knew I was going to love it! A historical romance featuring a friends-to-lovers trope? Sign me up!
And this did not disappoint. This had me captivated from start to finish. I got lost within these pages. I never felt bored. And it was just such a great heartfelt romance between two friends!
This had me captivated from start to finish. I got lost within these pages.
It was so delightful bouncing between our two main characters. We get to see both sides of this slow-burn romance, Emerson trying to woo Olivia, and Olivia only believes Emerson’s playing games. I appreciated how Emerson treated Olivia, especially in how he didn’t force his love on her and encouraged her to do what she wanted, not what was expected of her. He was so caring and tender towards her! Aww! I just loved it all! I also felt so much for Olivia and her overbearing father. It was hard to see how condescending he was towards her or who he wanted her to marry. I wanted her to get a happily ever after!
We get to see both sides of this slow-burn romance, Emerson trying to woo Olivia, and Olivia only believes Emerson’s playing games.
This also gave me similar vibes to another Shadow Mountain Publishing Proper Romance, A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright. You can check out my review for this one here. which I read last year and also loved entirely. It was mostly in regards to some of the settings we see. A majority of this book takes place within balls which immediately reminded me of A Captain for Caroline Gray. It also was similar in terms of the slow burn romance we see.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance and enjoys the friends to lovers trope!