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…
| Title: | What Happens in the Ballroom |
| Author: | Sabrina Jeffries |
| Series: | Designing Debutantes (Book 2) |
| Pages: | 293 |
| Genre(s): | Historical |
| Trope(s): | Friends to Lovers Temporary Relationships |
| Point of View: | Third Person, Past Tense |
| Location: | England |
| Setting: | Regency, 1812 |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 28th March, 2023 |
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An Earl for Eliza
This is the second book in Jeffries’ Designing Debutantes series focussing on three sisters who open an agency to help young debutantes make their debuts into society. We had middle sister, Diana’s story in A Duke for Diana and now we have the story of oldest sister Eliza. As to whether the stories stand alone – in terms of the romance, absolutely, yes. However there were characters mentioned, and discussions of things that had happened in the first book that weren’t re-explained. Having said that, I have read the first book and I couldn’t remember some of the things I was expected to remember.
Eliza Pierce is a young widow whose marriage has put her off men for good. Well, except for her husband’s best friend, Nathaniel Stanton, the Earl of Foxstead – the last man she should really fall for, and not just because he’s the biggest rogue that ever lived. I liked Eliza as a heroine and it’s always fun to have a widow as a heroine as they definitely were able to have the most fun of all women of the Regency. Eliza’s plans to have an affair with Nathaniel were totally understandable – as was her failure at keeping herself from falling in love.
I had a bit more trouble figuring out Nathaniel’s motivations. At times he seemed to be following his lust in wanting only an affair with Eliza. At other times, I wondered whether he had some sort of unrequited love for Eliza even before she had been married. I think I would have been happier if that angle had been pursued. Nathanial also had a whole host of secrets which were ultimately the reason for the conflict between our couple. These weren’t too egregious although I admit to getting myself all confused when things were came out.
“I liked our pair as a couple both in and outside the bedroom – or the carriage house!”
With Eliza being a widow, there were many more possibilities for Nathaniel and Eliza to be together. We still got some nice teasing and building of the sexual tension before their first encounter – in a carriage in a carriage house – oh my! It was fun and sexy, and I liked our pair as a couple both in and outside the bedroom – or the carriage house!
Sabrina Jeffries always manages to suck me into the lives of her characters and the dazzling world of Regency England. She weaves her words so seamlessly that you don’t even realise that you’ve fallen in love with the characters and have such rich detail of the world around them as they themselves fall in love. She’s one of, if not my favourite Regency romance authors and I’m always delighted to read a book of hers. While this book might not be my favourite of hers, and it also has one or two niggles, it still entertained me and I was always happy to pick it up and read just a bit more. And now I can’t wait to read Verity’s story – presumably with the dastardly Phantom Fellow that’s been following her around for two whole books now. But for Eliza’s story, still a solid 5 stars and a recommended read if you enjoy rich, detailed Regency romances.
As an aside, the absolute gall of the publisher to use Bridgerton to sell this and other historical romances. Ms Quinn wishes she had the talent, skill and gravitas that authors like Sabrina Jeffries, Lorraine Heath, Eloisa James and others – all of whom I’ve seen denigrated by a connection to Bridgerton – have. Just because someone sold their books and suddenly became popular doesn’t mean they are the ultimate idyll of historical romance authors. McDonald’s is popular and has its time and place but that doesn’t mean it should be used to sell a Michelin starred restaurant dining experience.
* I received this book in exchange for my honest review *
Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas).
At home in front of a crowd, Jeffries is a sought-after speaker, as evidenced by her 2010 gig as emcee for the National Romance Writers of America’s 30th Anniversary Awards Ceremony.
Whatever time not spent speaking to organizations around the country or writing in a coffee-fueled haze is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music.
With over 9 million books in print in more than 20 languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics (she has a Ph.D. in English literature) for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
She always dreams big.
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Designing Debutantes Series:
1 Comment
Rolé @ Hooked By That Book
13 April 2023 at 9:14 pmGreat review. I also enjoyed this book a lot. I can’t wait for the third sister’s book.