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BOOKWORM REVIEW: The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon


RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥

Carter Barclay's grandfather was the rich benefactor of the small town Redford. Jasper Wilhelm was very wealthy and also very eccentric. When he passed away, he set up the passing of his inheritance into a contest: the couple who wins a series of games will take the prize. 

The catch? He has created the pairs himself. Among Carter's competitors for the inheritance is town journalist Jess Reid, and while winning is his ultimate goal, he cannot help but be drawn to the townie. 

This book was a love letter for small towns. It is about finding a home that is more than a roof over one's head. It is about belonging and being embraced by your found family. Add a layer of competition, and you got yourself a fun read!

Unfortunately, the romance takes a backseat to the main theme, but the focus on the community of Redford is so overwhelming that I completely forgot about it. While the love story is understated, the chemistry between Carter and Jess is undeniable. The rivals-to-lovers vibe amidst intense competitions was so fun to read.

Even though we get closed-door romance, this standalone read should entertain small-town fans.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Lacie Waldon, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

ABOUT THE BOOK

One small town, one big prize, one handsome stranger...

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.

MEET LACIE WALDON

Lacie Waldon is a best-selling author with her head in the clouds--literally. A flight attendant based in Los Angeles, Waldon spends her days writing from the jump seat and searching the world for new stories. Her novels, THE LAYOVER and FROM THE JUMP, have received critical praise and have been featured by USA Today, Buzzfeed, PopSugar, Forbes, and many other publications.

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