What Happens in the Ballroom

by Sabrina Jeffries, pub date 3/28/23

3.5*s, Best Enjoyed when you want a romantic escapade filled with intrigue and comedy.

Publisher’s Synopsis:

“A young military widow, Eliza Pierce is enjoying both freedom and financial success as part of Elegant Occasions. When her late husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead, hires Elegant Occasions to help another young widow of an officer become part of high society, Eliza wonders why. Is the woman a relative? Or is she the earl’s mistress and her adorable toddler his child? If so, why does he take Eliza in his arms every chance he gets . . .

Foxstead’s family situation makes it difficult for him to marry, so his visceral attraction to his best friend’s widow is an unwelcome complication. Burdened by family secrets and those of his commanding officer, he’s determined to do his duty even when it means being around Eliza every day. But how can he resist when the fetching Eliza keeps tempting him to break his own rules? For if he dares to expose the truth, will she ever forgive him? Or will she banish him from her life forever . . .“

Review:

Here’s what I really love about Sabrina Jeffries: her characters are consistently well written, the plots are almost always exceptionally tantalizing, and the romance leaves an ache in your heart until it’s requited. Often, the biggest draw for RR is that society is so strict that it makes the amorous situations a little hotter, but with Jeffries, I’m often skipping it to get back to the romance. It’s not because the adult situations aren’t delightful, but her plots and storytelling are just THAT. GOOD. 

The Designing Debutantes series has been great so far. I’ve loved both installments. A Duke for Diana, the first book in the series, was great, with a bit of a grumpy v sunshine vibe. What Happens in the Ballroom is much more of a ‘proper lady with a hidden side’ situation. 

I loved how independent Eliza was, with very little interest in giving up any of her freedoms, even though she enjoys the handsome Lord Foxstead, her late husband’s bestie…probably a little more than she should. But who is this mysterious Jocelyn that he has taken in and who is the father of her child—is it Foxstead? She can’t start anything with someone who might tarnish the reputation of Elegant Occasions, her and her sisters’ company. Heaven knows their parents did enough tarnishing that they’ve been working hard to polish out. Eliza is right. Foxstead and Jocelyn do have secrets – but are they the ones that Eliza is thinking they are? 

Foxstead is all in for Eliza, though, with no interest in Jocelyn. It’s Eliza’s curves that he wants next to him when he wakes up, her blond hair he wants to see spread across his pillow. He has no idea which woman was describing when talked about his wife being a cold harpy – Eliza is enchanting, warm, whip smart, and undeniably sensuous. But will the secrets he holds ruin any chance he may have with this incredibly exciting woman that he can’t get out of his head?

Overall, this was another great book from Jeffries. There’s one more sister left and I can’t wait to read about her and her mysterious stranger—but you’ll need to read the first two to understand what I’m talking about. 

Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books (always a pleasure!) for the advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.