I LOVED THIS! It was so much fun - the romance was just right, the characters well done. It was funny and adorable and I just gobbled it up. I can't wait to get a paper copy! I especially liked the contemporary feel, even though it was set in the regency era. Almost like a modern Georgette Heyer.

Hilarious, sweet, and entertaining! A great cast of characters that really give extra life to the story! Hugh is an adorable rakish cinnamon bun that has such a depth of character. Minerva is strong and independent with a heart of gold. The lies just snowball for them but it makes for a lot of entertainment! There was actually a twist that surprised me about Mrs. Peters. Everything else was rather predictable but well written and still entertaining. I can’t wait for more books in the series! The Meriwell sisters need HAEs too! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath is a romance novel set in the early 1800s that follows the story between Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham, and Minerva Merriwell, a struggling woodcut engraver that has to care for her two younger siters, Diana and Vee. They meet unexpectedly one night, when Hugh is struggling to come to terms with his mother and her husband coming soon to visit him and the fabricated fiancée he elaborately created two years ago in order to escape his mother’s matchmaking. Seeing as his fabricated fiancée has the same name as our protagonist, he decides to offer her the opportunity of a lifetime, pay her to pose as his fiancée while her mother and her husband are visiting from America. While Minerva stays at Hugh’s country estate with her sisters in order to prepare for the ruse, the time spent together begins to develop into shared feelings for each other.

I have to start by saying that this was a delightful surprise for me, seeing as I have never read anything by the author, I didn’t know what to expect. But, she managed to capture my attention with the banter between Hugh and Minerva, and the building tension and attraction for each other. I liked how the secondary characters were equally interesting as the main characters, offering entertainment to the story. The pacing of the book was also very well done since the plot was developing smoothly and quickly made the reader want to continue reading. Lastly, another element that I enjoyed very much was the humor and sarcasm added to the most of the scenes, which made the story even more entertaining.

To my understating, this is the first book in a series called The Merriwell Sisters, and I cannot wait to continue the series when the Diana and Vee’s books come out!

*ARC kindly provided via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Late November 1825 Lord Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham receives a letter from his mother who resides in America. She announces that she and her new American husband are on their way to England to meet Hugh’s long suffering fiancee. Hugh is beside himself because his beloved fiancee of the last two years is a complete fabrication that he created to get his meddling mother out of his hair. During the last two years he has elaborately written to his mother about “his Minerva” and how something dreadful always comes up to postpone their nuptials. Well Hugh’s mama is no dummy and she has had enough. Hugh believes himself to be unworthy of marriage, believing all the men in the Standish family line to be philanderers and he doesn’t want to break a woman’s heart like his father broke his mothers. Unexpectedly Hugh meets Minerva Merriwell and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime. He will pay her to pose as his fiancee while his mother is visiting. Minerva goes against her better judgement and accepts Hugh’s offer because she is destitute after her scoundrel of a father left her and her two sisters to fend for themselves. Minerva and her sisters arrive at Hugh's country estate and the deception and hilarity begins. As they spend more time together Hugh and Minerva begin to develop feelings for each other, but they deny it to themselves and everyone around them. As their house of cards begin to fall will the two be forced tell the truth to Hugh's mother? After an awkward declaration will Hugh and Minerva be able to find their way to each other or will Minerva take the money and run?

This was a charming and delightful read. The banter between Hugh and Minerva is fun and the secondary characters are entertaining. I really liked both Hugh and Minerva and the story is told through their alternating perspectives. This is a fun read for anyone who enjoys a Regency romance and strong female characters. Hugh's mother is an absolute gem and his butler has a funny dry wit. This book is the first in a series called The Merriwell Sisters. I'm looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what happens to Minerva's sisters Diana and Vee.. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Virginia Heath for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect read for those who enjoy fake relationship trope and some endearing family bonds included. Hugh hires Minerva to pose as his fiancee in front of his mother to escape the clutches of marriage but they are absolutely attracted to each other right from the start. How long can they stay apart? Also Minerva's two sisters have such memorable personalities that they were very refreshing. Hugh and his wild/blatant but fun lies were hilarious and the extent to which he describes situations is quite enjoyable. I liked their banter and wished it had more romance elements.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-ARC.

What a lovely romance! I loved the banter between characters, the way that the whole ruse comes together, and the way that family is so important in this story.

Sometimes regency romances can be hard to buy when they feel too contrived, but this one, even though it is essentially the fake dating trope, never feels forced, or really like insta love. The characters are initially attracted to one another, yes, but their affection and ultimately love develops in a lovely way throughout the book.

Also Payne is the English butler of my dreams. Absolute favorite.

If I’m being nit picky then I wouldn’t have minded a bit more steam in this one (so much hinting. Not enough doing!) and also the character of Vee made me want to stab out my eyeballs.

Hugh and Minerva are perfection though!

*****5 Stars!


“Some things aren’t meant to be understood, they just are. That is enough.”

First I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this wonderful book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give it my honest review.

Hugh Standish was never the sort of man who ever wanted a wife, he was convinced he wouldn’t make a decent husband to anyone. To stop his match-matching mother from pushing and interfering in his romantic life, he invents a tale of epic all consuming love with a young woman named Minerva to please his mother and stop her meddling. At first he didn’t think his fabricated tale would come around to haunt him, not until his mother informs him she is bound on a ship to England to meet his Minerva. With his mother’s pending visit, he knows his farce is soon to implode around him--there is only so much he can do to ensure his tale doesn’t fall apart right before his eyes.

Minerva Merriwell, a young woman struggling to support not only herself but her two younger sister’s ever since their wastrel of a father abandoned them years ago. Work for Minerva is few and far between, thus leaving the Merriwell sisters nearly penniless. It wasn’t until Minerva had a run in with the handsome Hugh Standish did she and her sister’s have a chance. Believing running into a young woman named Minerva to be fate, Hugh asks her to pose as his fake fiancée while his mother is visiting. Minerva is a woman of sound mind and knows this scheme was absolutely absurd, but the offer was far too good to pass up.

With miscommunication after miscommunication that tangles up their deeply seeded story, Hugh and Minerva begin to develop genuine feelings for one another but can they trust one another when their relationship started on a lie?

Never Fall for Your Fiancée is one of the most adorable books I’ve read in quite a while, I was sucked into the plot instantly. The pacing of this book was very well done, I enjoyed how quickly it dropped us into the story but it wasn’t too fast that one felt confused while reading it. Each and every chapter kept me on the very edge of my seat wondering what sort of situation their fabricated love story was going to leave them in next. I loved the natural build-up of their feelings for one another and the constant tension flying back and forth between Hugh and Minerva; the tension between the two characters had me desperate to continue just to see where the two might end up.

The humor of this book was another aspect that I thoroughly enjoyed. Not only was this book charming, sweet and absolutely adorable, but it was very witty and sarcastic as well. The jokes and sarcastic comebacks were all so well placed and sometimes unexpected, which I really liked. I loved how the author put in so much detail into the world around them--I was completely and utterly immersed. I felt as if I could see each place and item down to the very detail in my mind, which made for a very pleasing reading experience.

For such a fast paced book the character development was very well done, it is so clear to see the change in all the characters from the start of the book to the very last chapter. It didn’t feel forced or like a hasty afterthought, there was a lot of thought and careful maneuvering to get the characters to where they ended up at the end of the book.

It was an absolute joy to be given the chance to read this book and fall in love with all the characters. This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who has a great love for historical romances that will make you feel all warm inside and leave you wanting more. I cannot wait for the continuation of this series, I look forward to seeing what the Merriwell sisters get up to next!

This was a really sweet book. I liked the fake engagement and the dynamics of the group. It was light hearted and fun! I loved Minerva and Hughs relationship and how it deepened over time. It was lovely.

There was one open door scene and I had mixed feelings about it, but I don’t want to give any spoilers away so I’ll leave it at that.

All in all a fun regency romance and I will definitely read more from this author.

Yes read it. I received an ARC and then forgot to give feedback. I remembered I enjoyed it so I decided to read it again. Enjoyed just as much the 2nd time!

It was a nice story line. It wasn't outrageous, insipid or insubstantial. Very pleasant characters - so much so that I can hardly wait for the next 2 to be released!

A very entertaining historical romance with a classic fake dating/marriage of convenience plot. Although the reasons for the characters entering into said fake dating felt a little thin, their banter was well developed, and their connection grew to feel believable over time. Lots of humorous moments to amuse.

The fake engagement trope is one of my favs 💍! Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham, wants his match-making mother to leave him alone. So he invents a fiancé, who’s beautiful, and charming, an accomplished horsewoman, who’s name is Minerva. Naturally, when she visits from Boston, Hugh needs to find someone to play his fiancé, and when he meets Minerva Merriwell, based on her name alone, they strike a deal.

The premise, Hugh making up a fiancé, is of course, pretty wild. But this book is so much fun! As soon as Minerva and her two sisters, Diana and Venus, show up, Hugh starts to second guess this plan. Then the actress he hired to plays his fake fiancé’s mother shows up, his friends Giles, and finally, his mother and step-father. Everyone is trying to ensure Hugh’s mother stays in the dark.

Hugh and Minerva argue and bump heads but they also work together to pull off the deception. Their banter and chemistry is fun and light-hearted. As they spend more time together and actually to get to know each other, they start to think of each other differently, not just the fake fiancé, and not just the man paying her to play a role.

This was a fun, fast-paced, and light hearted read. While I personally wish it had been steamier, it was a cute historical romance that I would definitely recommend! 💕

✨Publishing date is Nov. 9, 2021✨

✨Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for a free copy of the ebook, in exchange for my honest review.✨

I enjoyed this fun story. Cute and a nice piece of escapist reading. Just what I wanted on a beach day.

4 Stars! This was a really cute historical rom-com that is the first in a new series ‘The Merriwell Sisters’ and can be read as a standalone, with a HEA ending. Although I found some of it completely unbelievable, I still really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it! It was fun, with a few twists and had me smiling quite a bit. I wish it had an epilogue because I can’t stop thinking about how the story will continue & if Hugh’s friend and Minerva’s sister are the next couple!? I loved Minerva & Hugh, even if I wanted to slap him at times.(Which would be difficult to do, seeing as he’s a fictional character!) I look forward to reading the rest of the series and hope they come out soon!
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc!!

It’s a one fun romantic historical fiction novel.
Therefore, it follows the same story-line of aristocrat bachelor in need of a bride, and in no way wants one. It’s the fake dating that makes this a fresh and fun romantic interlude in the mid 1800’s. And how the Earl of Fareham comes up with his own charade of a tale to keep his doting mother at bay from marrying him off is absurd as it is hilarious. Though, it seemed unlikely that Minerva would agree to pretending to be an earl’s fiancée until said nobleman makes an offer she can’t refuse.

With only a few concerns about how plausible Hugh and Minerva could keep up their act without his parents finding out the truth and a chapter that was confusing on the logistics of where the characters were and how they got there (the ball chapter is the one I’m referring to) I enjoyed Heath’s story.

Filled with absolute laugh out loud moments and a thimble full of steamy romance Virgina Heath’s first book in a series dedicated to the Merriwell Sisters will enchant readers from the opening page.

Lastly, I loved how she created three very unique women who carry themselves in their own way. I cannot wait to read Dianna’s story as she seems the most feistiest of the three. And my hope is that the youngest sister of the three has a character arc to rival her sisters.

Plus, I really like the worldbuilding, and how the author can create a world that has the capability of making us vicariously live through it.
Henceforth, it was quite a good read.

So the tired old trope of a hired fake fiance(e) or spouse still has legs. This was a fun, lighthearted caper that was predictable and yet still enjoyable. I don't quite understand how the uncooperative youngest sister suddenly started playing along once the hero's mother showed up, but otherwise no complaints. The supporting characters were entertaining, and it was refreshing to have a heroine who wasn't magically good at everything. In fact, I can't recall another book where the main character is tone deaf.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

A fun, witty and sweet historical romance rec.

Loved this so much! I instantly fell in love with all of the characters (except Vee…ugh) and I really hope a sequel is coming soon.

It is so obvious from the beginning that these two are doomed with their master plan to fake a relationship but that’s what made it so hilarious!

I don’t want to say too much more because I think going into this book with as little information as possible is the best way to enjoy it.

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress @smpromance for sending this ARC my way.

Be sure to add this one to your anticipated reads list!

Who wouldn't enjoy a delightful rom-com with a little historical fiction? Hugh Standish is the Earl of Fareham and has a meddling mother (she lives in America with her husband, Jeremiah) that has been hounding him about getting married. After all, he is thirty years old! So, he creates this fantabulous charade of a fake fiance', Minerva. He carries this charade on through elaborate letters filled with intrigue and romantic interludes. But, Hugh's mother, Olive, and her husband, Hugh's stepfather are heading to London for a visit.
Thank goodness fate stepped in and Hugh bumped into Minerva Merriwell, yes - a real-life Minvera! I'm not going to give away any spoilers, because I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. It was a perfect way to end my summer with a fake fiance', romance, passion, heartache, and family drama (a lot of it). Minerva is a hopeless romantic that dreams of a knight in shining armor that will whisk her away from her hard life and Hugh just might be her knight.
This was my first book from Virginia Heath and I truly enjoyed the dialogue between the characters and how a knight in shining armor just might not be absolutely perfect - because how boring would that be?


Thank you, Virginia Heath, Net Galley, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader's copy.

Fun, easy historical romance. I think fans of Bridgerton will enjoy this. I enjoyed the characters, but their dialogue was a little inconsistent. Somethings they said were very historical, while others were more modern. If you like a good rom-com, this will fill you up!

This book was a fun way to lose myself for a few days, but I can't say that it completely wow'd me.

There were many delightful aspects: I enjoy the fake engagement and forced proximity romcom, there were many laugh out loud moments, some delightfully crazy characters, and the chemistry was pretty good.

Some areas became a bit farcical and outrageous, and I feel like it was just going in circles a bit, or maybe went on for a tad too long. At 368 pages, there was just a few too many bad decisions and comical twists. It was definitely a comedy of errors! A few of the characters were a little hard to read or enjoy, but as a series, they could grow on me. I was also left with a few unanswered questions at the end...but maybe they'll be answered in books to come.

Overall, this one is a light and comical regency romcom, guaranteed to lift your spirits! I'd still give the whole series a try.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Griffin for the advanced read in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. I enjoyed this historical fiction about a fake engagement. The banter was lively and chemistry wonderful between Minerva and High. I didn't like the bedroom scene and skimmed that part. I can't wait for book 2 and hope we see Diana married off next!