REVIEW: The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon

The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon: In the small town of Redford, Georgia nothing really changes until the town’s benefactor, Jasper Wilhelm, dies. There were two things Jasper loved, the town of Redford and a good prank. His grandson, Carter Barclay, had never visited Redford but Jasper had told him many stories of the town and its people while they worked together anonymously helping the town and its people. Carter thought Jasper would leave his fortune to him so he could continue helping the town but after the funeral, he discovered Jasper had another idea. Jasper had conceived a round of challenges for the people of Redford and the winning team would win his entire fortune.

“People behave badly here because we’re family, not because we’re actually at war. Think of it like brothers. They love each other, but they pick on each other and wrestle and fight because they can, because they know they’re stuck together for life…”

Freelance editor Jess Reid was raised by her single father in the small town of Redford, Georgia. She loved her hometown, the slow pace of life there, and even the eccentric townspeople and their silly feuds. She was excited about the challenge until she heard her partner was her life nemesis, Nikki. In order to win, the two had to work together and cooperate with each other and Jess really needed to win that money to help her sick father.

The cheerful Jess and the grumpy Carter had a fun first meet which was followed by Jess’s entertaining tour of Redford. It was a great way to introduce the side characters and give us the townspeople’s background and their grudges. The book was told from several non-main characters’ points of view, which I actually liked since we got a look at some of the other teams and their perceptions of the challenges.

The people of Redmond were a total hoot! I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading and even burst into laughter a few times. I really enjoyed the book and hope to see Nikki get her own book in the future.

Book Info:

Publication: March 21, 2023 | G.P. Putnam’s Sons |

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.