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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When the richest man in small town Redford, Georgia, passes away, the townspeople expect a funeral and then food. They do not expect a multistep competition for his fortune. Jasper Wilhelm was always eccentric, though, and he loved that town.
A game with a $10 million prize? Who wouldn’t want to participate, even if it means being paired up with your enemy?
Jess Reid has the small town spirit. She’s bubbly, full of life, and helpful, and she left a job in New York to come back to her hometown, to her father, to the people she loves. And, despite being paired with the woman who has made it a mission to make her miserable since high school, Jess is motivated to win that prize.
Carter Barclay is buttoned-up, proper, and from the big city. Estranged from his parents, his grandfather, Jasper, was the last family that Carter had, and now Jasper seems to have plans for him from beyond the grave. Carter expected to return to Atlanta shortly after the funeral, but now he’s stuck in Redford as part of the game for the foreseeable future. And he finds himself continually drawn towards outgoing Jess.
Who will win the game and take home the big prize? Will Carter and the townspeople remember what truly matters?
This one will give you the warm fuzzies.
If you are a fan of small town romance, check this one out. The small town here is not just the backdrop of the story; the community itself and how its individuals respond to the demands of the game are central to the plot. Redford is full of colorful characters, as we see in many small towns and small town settings, and they can be outspoken, stubborn, and entertaining. They can also be caring, supportive, and heartwarming.
The opposites-attract relationship between Carter and Jess warmed my heart. From him coming to her rescue when they first meet, to a starlit boat ride, to a caretaking scene, they kept me grinning.
I would be remiss, however, if I did not mention the multiple points-of-view used in the book. Much of it is written in dual POV—Jess and Carter—but there are a handful of chapters written from the perspectives of two secondary characters. I can see why those choices were made but don’t know that those perspectives were necessary to the overall narrative and character development of the story.
I received an advance copy of the book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
A game with a $10 million prize? Who wouldn’t want to participate, even if it means being paired up with your enemy?
Jess Reid has the small town spirit. She’s bubbly, full of life, and helpful, and she left a job in New York to come back to her hometown, to her father, to the people she loves. And, despite being paired with the woman who has made it a mission to make her miserable since high school, Jess is motivated to win that prize.
Carter Barclay is buttoned-up, proper, and from the big city. Estranged from his parents, his grandfather, Jasper, was the last family that Carter had, and now Jasper seems to have plans for him from beyond the grave. Carter expected to return to Atlanta shortly after the funeral, but now he’s stuck in Redford as part of the game for the foreseeable future. And he finds himself continually drawn towards outgoing Jess.
Who will win the game and take home the big prize? Will Carter and the townspeople remember what truly matters?
This one will give you the warm fuzzies.
If you are a fan of small town romance, check this one out. The small town here is not just the backdrop of the story; the community itself and how its individuals respond to the demands of the game are central to the plot. Redford is full of colorful characters, as we see in many small towns and small town settings, and they can be outspoken, stubborn, and entertaining. They can also be caring, supportive, and heartwarming.
The opposites-attract relationship between Carter and Jess warmed my heart. From him coming to her rescue when they first meet, to a starlit boat ride, to a caretaking scene, they kept me grinning.
I would be remiss, however, if I did not mention the multiple points-of-view used in the book. Much of it is written in dual POV—Jess and Carter—but there are a handful of chapters written from the perspectives of two secondary characters. I can see why those choices were made but don’t know that those perspectives were necessary to the overall narrative and character development of the story.
I received an advance copy of the book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I started this book at just the right time. I was looking for a sweet light-hearted book, and that’s exactly what this is.
Jess is from a small town called Redford. When the mayor dies, his grandson Carter visits Redford for the first time. There’s a fortune up for grabs, but to receive it residents must compete in a series of silly games.
This book was silly. And definitely more of women’s fiction than a romance. But I enjoyed the light-heartedness of it and the overall message about community taking care of its people, even when you don’t always agree.
If you like reading about challenges and games, or small-town romances, grab this one this spring!
Jess is from a small town called Redford. When the mayor dies, his grandson Carter visits Redford for the first time. There’s a fortune up for grabs, but to receive it residents must compete in a series of silly games.
This book was silly. And definitely more of women’s fiction than a romance. But I enjoyed the light-heartedness of it and the overall message about community taking care of its people, even when you don’t always agree.
If you like reading about challenges and games, or small-town romances, grab this one this spring!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Only Game in Town
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Author: Lacie Waldon
GR: 3.59
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Nothing ever changes in Redford, Georgia. That's what freelance editor Jess Reid loves about her hometown—and part of what keeps her from leaving. Content taking care of her father, a car mechanic who singlehandedly raised her after her mom skipped out, Jess is resigned to a safe, unremarkable existence...until Jasper Wilhelm, the town’s eccentric benefactor, dies suddenly and leaves behind the opportunity of a lifetime. Financial advisor Carter Barclay has been too busy to visit his grandfather in Redford, but he’s heard countless stories about the town and its zany residents from Jasper. A small, insular town in Georgia is the last place Carter expects to be spending his summer—but it seems his grandfather had one final trick up his sleeve. At the funeral, it’s revealed that Jasper has devised a massive, high-stakes game for the people of Redford, with the winning duo taking home his entire fortune. The catch? He’s already taken the liberty of pairing them up. As tensions of all kinds rise between Jess and Carter, and the life-changing prize looms closer, the two must decide what they’re willing to risk to change their lives. A love story full of spirit and hijinks, The Only Game in Town is a funny, quirky homage to the people we get to call home.
My Thoughts: This was a cute twist on a romance story. Jasper, the town’s most supportive member passes away and a good chunk of his fortune will be won in a game. He picked the teams ahead of time and with good reason behind each pair. This really is a unique twist on a romance story and I loved the premise. The focus is on the game with relationships and romance happening in the background.
The story is told from multiple POVs, which makes it more interesting. Once you get the characters down, then it is relatively easy to follow. The characters were well developed, had intertwining relationships, witty banter, chemistry among the MCs, and creatively spun. I strongly disliked mean girl Nikki in the beginning, but by the end she really grew on me. We have the two main characters but the supporting characters also play big roles in the storyline. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, flowed well, and the pacing was spot on.
I received the arc for the digital book but ended up listening to the audiobook when it came out. Brittany Presley is one of my favorite narrators, she and the other narrators do an amazing job with voice variation and really immersing you into the story. I would highly recommend picking up this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Author: Lacie Waldon
GR: 3.59
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Penguin Group and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Nothing ever changes in Redford, Georgia. That's what freelance editor Jess Reid loves about her hometown—and part of what keeps her from leaving. Content taking care of her father, a car mechanic who singlehandedly raised her after her mom skipped out, Jess is resigned to a safe, unremarkable existence...until Jasper Wilhelm, the town’s eccentric benefactor, dies suddenly and leaves behind the opportunity of a lifetime. Financial advisor Carter Barclay has been too busy to visit his grandfather in Redford, but he’s heard countless stories about the town and its zany residents from Jasper. A small, insular town in Georgia is the last place Carter expects to be spending his summer—but it seems his grandfather had one final trick up his sleeve. At the funeral, it’s revealed that Jasper has devised a massive, high-stakes game for the people of Redford, with the winning duo taking home his entire fortune. The catch? He’s already taken the liberty of pairing them up. As tensions of all kinds rise between Jess and Carter, and the life-changing prize looms closer, the two must decide what they’re willing to risk to change their lives. A love story full of spirit and hijinks, The Only Game in Town is a funny, quirky homage to the people we get to call home.
My Thoughts: This was a cute twist on a romance story. Jasper, the town’s most supportive member passes away and a good chunk of his fortune will be won in a game. He picked the teams ahead of time and with good reason behind each pair. This really is a unique twist on a romance story and I loved the premise. The focus is on the game with relationships and romance happening in the background.
The story is told from multiple POVs, which makes it more interesting. Once you get the characters down, then it is relatively easy to follow. The characters were well developed, had intertwining relationships, witty banter, chemistry among the MCs, and creatively spun. I strongly disliked mean girl Nikki in the beginning, but by the end she really grew on me. We have the two main characters but the supporting characters also play big roles in the storyline. The author’s writing style was complex, humorous, flowed well, and the pacing was spot on.
I received the arc for the digital book but ended up listening to the audiobook when it came out. Brittany Presley is one of my favorite narrators, she and the other narrators do an amazing job with voice variation and really immersing you into the story. I would highly recommend picking up this book.
Yet another super cute story from Lacie Waldon. This is my third book of hers that I’ve read and she is always a solid storyteller. The Only Game in Town is a perfect read if you want a feel good story that takes place in a small town and includes a wild cast of characters. I enjoyed the four person POV that helped perfectly capture some of the relationships in the little town of Redford, GA; our heroine Jess, her father Ross, male interest Carter, and nemesis Nikki.
The death of town benefactor Jasper Wilhelm causes the townspeople to go a little crazy at the chance of winning $10 million dollars; the only catch? They have to play his game and agree to a blind partner match to win the money. The townspeople are what made this book so much fun. Every side character has a story (and probably a feud) that makes them important to the town. There’s so much humor and hijinxs between the characters and the banter between all four character perspectives is spot on. I found myself loving the challenges and the interactions between team members as they competed. Each challenge reveals a little more of our narrators and what makes them tick. A closed door romance, Jess and Carter’s relationship is secondary to the story of the town, but sweet and fulfilling nonetheless. I would love a romance for Ross, his book seems inevitable what with the storyline he’s been given (single, hot, young dad? Yes, please!) Even Nikki could have her own book with as much of a character arc as she’s given. I’m so happy I picked this up and know Lacie Waldon will continue to write creative and enters stories in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The death of town benefactor Jasper Wilhelm causes the townspeople to go a little crazy at the chance of winning $10 million dollars; the only catch? They have to play his game and agree to a blind partner match to win the money. The townspeople are what made this book so much fun. Every side character has a story (and probably a feud) that makes them important to the town. There’s so much humor and hijinxs between the characters and the banter between all four character perspectives is spot on. I found myself loving the challenges and the interactions between team members as they competed. Each challenge reveals a little more of our narrators and what makes them tick. A closed door romance, Jess and Carter’s relationship is secondary to the story of the town, but sweet and fulfilling nonetheless. I would love a romance for Ross, his book seems inevitable what with the storyline he’s been given (single, hot, young dad? Yes, please!) Even Nikki could have her own book with as much of a character arc as she’s given. I’m so happy I picked this up and know Lacie Waldon will continue to write creative and enters stories in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Up until the time of his death, Jasper Wilhelm had been working with Carter Barclay to financially help the people in the town of Redford, Georgia. Instead of leaving all of his money to Carter to continue their work, Jasper devises a series of contests in which partners are paired together based on their loathing of one another; the prize being $5 million each. Book editor, Jess Reid suddenly realizes that she must win the money when tragedy strikes her family. Jess is partnered with Nikki who stole Jess's last serious boyfriend while they were in high school, and they haven't gotten along since.
For some reason, it was difficult to get into the story in The Only Game in Town. The game aspect of the plot is fun and the characters are well developed. Unfortunately, there are just too many characters to keep track of and the different challenges seem to go on forever, making the pacing feel uneven. Also, the game itself as well as the attitudes of the players, the romance between the protagonists, and the juvenile pranks all seem pretty immature for adults. I found it tough to like The Only Game in Town, even though all the elements are there for an enjoyable romance, the execution of those elements just seems to be missing something important.
For some reason, it was difficult to get into the story in The Only Game in Town. The game aspect of the plot is fun and the characters are well developed. Unfortunately, there are just too many characters to keep track of and the different challenges seem to go on forever, making the pacing feel uneven. Also, the game itself as well as the attitudes of the players, the romance between the protagonists, and the juvenile pranks all seem pretty immature for adults. I found it tough to like The Only Game in Town, even though all the elements are there for an enjoyable romance, the execution of those elements just seems to be missing something important.
The Only Game in Town was a cute and sweet romcom. I loved Jasper’s game and how it brought the town together.
I loved the most of the characters. The main characters were great and the side characters were even better.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a feel good romance.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Putnam for a copy of The Only Game in Town exchange of an honest review.
this book was SO FUN and SO CUTE but multiple perspectives in third person only really works if ur characters are not all in the same room together all the time and don't all sound almost exactly the same. however i cannot justify anything less than 4 stars for the adult rom com westing game bc i love lacie waldon with all my heart and i will continue to read and love everything she writes forever