1.5/5⭐️ (rounded up to 2)
I'd recommend this if you enjoy:
- Regency romances
- British characters
- Multi POVs
- Time travel
- Short romances
- Historical romances
- Spicy scenes
(DNF at 48%)
This book follows Mickie, a costume designer who ended a relationship with her cheating ex. When she picks up an arifact, she's transported back in time to when it existed. There she meets Sebastien, an entitled guy who was promised a woman to marry but sleeps with whoever he wants when his sexual needs aren't satiated.
This story has a lot of info-dumping which has been difficult to follow. The scenes have introduced characters the FMC is working with and other job-related tasks. As well as referencing the historical period the story is set in. But the writing is taking me out of the story as it's been 'the FMC did this and that' leaving a lack of flow between the day-to-day adventures of the main character.
It also jumps so fast from the FMC being transported back in time after picking up an artefact and meeting Sebastien, to her sleeping with him without thinking much of it. It doesn't feel like the story had direction as it seems like there's this set up of a whole historical plot line just to make it not a purely smutty novel.
Overall, I wasn't a fan of this book. The spice happened too quick and Sebastien was unlikable. I know he didn't want to get married to the girl he was promised but him sleeping with whoever he wanted because his needs weren't met with his lover didn't sit right with me.
The one thing I enjoyed was the talk about the costumes. I found that interesting but I probably won't pick up the rest of the series. I get this is a prequel but not for me unfortunately.
*I read this book as a free e-book via Netgalley and I'm voluntarily leaving this review* Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1) 3.25/5 ⭐️ Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1) Mickie was in charge for getting all the costumes ready for the fundraiser for the Theater Ball. Her so-called boyfriend had other ideas when he walked into the shop and locked the door. Some of her so-called friends knew about Brandon's reputation with other women but not Mickie. When she attended the Ball in disguise, she was shocked at what she saw that was taking place in her shop. She decides to go down a different path after what happens. But where will this path take her? A very steamy romantic read. Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1) 📚 Book Review: Betrayal in the Ballroom by Audra Hershey
✨ Prequel to: A Timeless Masquerade ✨
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
💡 Two timelines, two masquerades, and two heart-wrenching betrayals. When Mickie and Sebastien cross paths across centuries, they have a chance to rewrite their tragic pasts, but only if they can overcome the lies and heartbreak that tore them apart.
Why You’ll Love It 💖
⏳ Time Travel Romance: Seamlessly blending the mystery of time travel with the regency era’s elegance, this novel delivers a breathtaking story that will satisfy your historical romance cravings.
🎭 Masquerade Balls: Both Mickie and Sebastien’s fates revolve around grand masquerade balls, where intrigue, deception, and romance blend beneath the disguise of anonymity.
💔 Betrayal and Redemption: This novel explores how deeply betrayal can scar us, but it also shows the incredible beauty in finding redemption and a second chance at love.
🔥 Steamy and Passionate: With a mix of regency-era propriety and modern-day heat, the passion between Mickie and Sebastien is undeniable and fiery.
Perfect for:
✨ Fans of time-travel romance.
✨ Readers who adore the regency era, full of ballrooms, scandals, and high-stakes romance.
✨ Anyone who loves a passionate enemies-to-lovers arc with rich historical details.
✨ Dive into the world of #BetrayalInTheBallroom and discover a love that transcends time itself! ✨.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1) This story is the prequel to A Timeless Masquerade.
I loved this story of Mickie who is a brilliant costume designer. She anonymously attends the fundraiser masquerade ball held by her theatre company. She discovers that her long time boyfriend is having affairs with anyone he can get.
She has been offered a new job elsewhere so takes that and disappears out of her former boyfriend's life.
The story also tells of Sebastien Wellington in Kent England in 1812. He is the son of the Duke of Wellington and is considered to be a bastard as his father married a foreigner and that marriage is not recognised by English society. He is sent to Waverly Court to marry the spoilt young woman he was promised to at the time of his birth but finds that she and her father are trying to marry her off to anyone with a title who will have her.
Sebastien sets out to ruin their plans.
As Mickie and Sebastien grapple with love and loss in their separate timelines, they emerge wounded and bitter. Filled with regrets about romance, Mickie focuses on a new career, while a spurned Sebastien plots villainous vengeance targeting his unfaithful fiancée.
Will they succeed? What will happen?
You will need to read A Timeless Masquerade to find out.
Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1)
Two timelines… Two intimate romances… Two masquerade balls… Before Mickie and Sebastien meet and find true love, they are unforgivably betrayed!
London, Modern Day. Costume designer Mickie will finally come to the fundraising masquerade ball. But her masked attendance results in the heartbreaking discovery that her Prince Charming is a double-dealing Don Juan!
Kent County, England, 1812. Sebastien Ferrer Wellington may be the son of a Duke, but the circumstance of his birth makes him a scandalous one. For that his fiancée spurns him, and her father secretly seeks another match. To maintain the engagement, Sebastien ruins his fiancée’s reputation – but once she cuckolds him as a false fiancée, he no longer wants to marry her.
As Mickie and Sebastien grapple with betrayal and loss in their separate timelines, they emerge wounded and bitter. Mickie focuses on a new career, while Sebastien plots villainous vengeance against his unfaithful fiancée.
But when they meet In Regency England, their next chapter offers the possibility of solace in each other's arms, with a future filled with true love across time!
BETRAYAL IN THE BALLROOM is the prequel to A TIMELESS MASQUERADE, a standalone Regency steamy time-travel romance bringing the midnight mystery of the masquerade and an erotic enemies-to-lovers romance!
Read BETRAYAL IN THE BALLROOM and begin the story of true love across time told in A TIMELESS MASQUERADE today! Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1)

Not really romantic... definitely betrayal, hate-screwing, and meaningless encounters for sex, but probably laying the foundation for A Timeless Masquerade. But the writing is jumpy and some of the historical and plot blips really irritated me.
2.25 ⭐ out of 5 Betrayal in the Ballroom: A Steamy Regency Time Travel Prequel (A Timeless Masquerade Book 1)