Ever Since the Ball by Kate Ellington – Historical Romance + $20 Gift Card Giveaway
Step into the elegance and intrigue of Regency-era romance with Ever Since the Ball by Kate Ellington. This charming historical tale has all the elements romance lovers crave—an independent heroine, a dashing stranger, and a masquerade that changes everything. As part of the Goddess Fish Promotions tour, I'm excited to share my thoughts on this delightful read and offer you the chance to win a $20 gift card—details below!
Quick Summary of Ever Since the Ball:
In Ever Since the Ball, Miranda Harlake fakes a betrothal to escape an arranged marriage, but one night at a masked ball changes everything. When she discovers her mysterious dance partner is the very man she vowed to avoid, Miranda must untangle her heart from duty, deception, and unexpected desire in this charming historical romance.
Author Giveaway:
Kate Ellington will award a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Book Details
Ever Since the Ball By Kate Ellington
Published by Wild Rose Press on July 2, 2025
Genres: Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 358
Miranda Harlake's only chance to escape the detestable match her parents are arranging is a sham betrothal to her best friend, Peter, who proposes solely to save her from a loveless marriage. She gratefully accepts, though both know they'll never wed.
Piqued by her parents' scheming, Miranda secretly attends a masked ball and dances with a fascinating stranger all night. Upon discovering her partner was the insufferable George Rockford, she tries to forget the romantic evening they shared.
George, lonely despite his popularity and roguish ways, is intrigued by Miranda but she's apparently immune to his charms.
Miranda must listen to her heart and find courage to be honest with everyone—especially herself—if for once she's going to fulfill her own dreams.
Source: Goddess Fish Promotions
Excerpt: A Glimpse Into the Ballroom Scene
Before the romance, before the revelations—there’s a masked ball, a hesitant entrance, and a heroine about to step into the unknown. This early scene sets the tone for the mystery and emotional pull that unfolds in Ever Since the Ball.
Miranda fidgeted with her fan as she and Peter made their slow way up the Rockfords’ torchlit drive. Ahead, costumed guests climbed the stairs and disappeared into the elegant manor.
When they at last came to a halt, Peter opened the door and helped Miranda out.
“I’ll meet you inside after I settle the horses,” he said.
Miranda clutched his arm. “No, we’re supposed to go in together.”
“I need to see to the carriage. I forgot about that when I devised this plan.”
“But—”
“You’ll be fine. Arriving alone will give you an even greater air of mystery.”
Not seeing any other option, she reluctantly let go of his sleeve. “Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.” He jumped into the driver’s seat and gave her a wave before driving away.
Miranda hesitated at the foot of the long staircase, debating about whether or not to just step onto the lawn to wait for Peter. But then she realized she was blocking the way for people behind her. Mustering her nerve, she climbed the stairs with the chattering crowd.
Once inside, she looked for a place to wait for Peter. Miranda didn’t want to go too far into the house, as it would be easy to miss each other in the throng. She found an alcove off to the side of the front doors with a window affording a good view of the drive.
Miranda had just turned to look out the window again when she felt someone step into the alcove behind her.
Intrigued? That’s just the beginning of Miranda’s journey. Keep reading to see where one night—and one unforgettable dance—leads.
Where to Buy Ever Since the Ball
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Book Review: Ever Since the Ball by Kate Ellington
If you’re a fan of Regency-era romance with all the classic trimmings—masked balls, fake engagements, secret longings, and more than a few swoony moments—then Ever Since the Ball by Kate Ellington will absolutely charm you.
From the very first chapter, we’re swept into a world of social expectations and romantic rebellion. Miranda Harlake is a heroine worth rooting for—sharp, determined, and unwilling to settle for a loveless match, even if it means concocting a pretend engagement with her best friend Peter. Cue one of my favorite tropes: the fake relationship (yes, please!).
The tension really begins at the titular masked ball. This is where the story pivots from clever Regency setup to full-on romantic intrigue. Miranda shares a night of unexpected chemistry with a mysterious partner—and then discovers that her captivating stranger is none other than George Rockford, the man she thought she couldn’t stand. (Hello, enemies-to-lovers vibes!) Watching these two navigate their shared past, social expectations, and personal vulnerabilities was the emotional heart of the book.
Kate Ellington's writing style perfectly fits the Regency setting without becoming too dense or overly modern. Between the witty exchanges, the subtle glances, and the slightly awkward drawing room encounters, it’s easy to settle into the world of carriages and calling cards. The vibe is pure Regency charm, corsets and all.
The book pulls in some classic romance ingredients—fake fiancés, masked strangers, surprise kisses, and yes, those ever-meddling parents—but they don’t feel overused. Instead, they help the characters grow in ways that feel natural and organic. Miranda’s journey toward independence and honesty feels well-earned, and George’s quiet loneliness adds depth to his rakish exterior.
At about 350 pages, it’s a fast read that still delivers on character, atmosphere, and heart. If you adore clean-but-flirty historical romances that feel like a cozy escape into Austen-adjacent territory, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
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About Kate Ellington
Kate Ellington grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.
After graduating from college with an art degree, she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.
Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down just for fun, but soon, it took on a life of its own.
When not writing, her spare time is devoted to reading novels, taking a stroll, or baking family recipes like banana bread and apple cake.
You might also enjoy these Kate Ellington titles that I have reviewed.
Enter to Win a $20 Gift Card – Ever Since the Ball Tour Giveaway
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Ever Since the Ball
Full Tour Schedule:
June 5: Sapphyria's Books
June 12: Flippin’ Pages book review - promo
June 12: Gina Rae Mitchell
June 19: Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
June 19: The Avid Reader
June 19: Beverley A Baird
June 26: Novels Alive
June 26: DS Dehel
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Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC - a Rafflecopter giveaway
If this book sounds like your next great escape, don’t forget to grab a copy and enter the giveaway before it ends!
Thank you to author Kate Ellington, The Wild Rose Press, and the wonderful team at Goddess Fish Promotions—especially Marianne and Judy—for the opportunity to read and share Ever Since the Ball. It was a pleasure to be part of this tour!
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Thank you for sharing your review thoughts. This really does sound like a good story.
Thank you very much for your review! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the book!
The book sounds like a wonderful read. Pretty cover!
Do you prefer writing by the beach, the mountains, or somewhere air-conditioned?
I write in my air conditioned study, but I think about the book and make notes pretty much everywhere. Thanks for the question!
This sounds like a good read.
I liked the excerpt.
Thank you so much for featuring and reviewing today.