Regency romance at its best fills the pages of The Baron and the Ballerina by Amber Mae Weston. One of my favorite genres to read, I was delighted to dive into this story, and it did not disappoint. From the very first page, the story of a poor dancer striving for a brighter future for her daughter by pursuing an eligible colonel captivated me.

The love triangle trope is given a surprising turn in this book, as the protagonist’s close friend, who happens to be a baron, becomes an obstacle to their desired relationship. I fully enjoyed the unpredictable nature of the unfolding romance between Allegra and Ben. The enemies-to-lovers trope is so eloquently combined with the slow-burning romance. Both main characters were charming in their own ways. Ben, caught between propriety and protectiveness, is both lovable and infuriating. Allegra, with her maternal instincts trumping awareness of her heart’s nature, is a layered mix of insecurity and strength. When their matchmaking scheme gets turned inside out in a delicate twist of the plot, I couldn’t help but laugh, while being thoroughly intrigued by the new direction.

I found the story heart-warming at its core. Family values and strong sibling bonds pulse in the heartbeat of the book. With an easy pace and wonderful side characters adding to the colorful nature of the narrative, this book was hard to put down. I enjoyed the spiritual takeaways about forgiveness and honesty, about doing right even when it costs something. This was a truly sweet read that I highly recommend for fans of Regency romance.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions are my own. Click on the book cover for purchase link.