✍️ One Sentence Synopsis: It’s not over until the fake mother who has had too much brandy sings… really badly.

💭 Overall Thoughts:
This is a witty, light hearted fake engagement/forced proximity regency love story with some definite comedic relief.

Hugh, a duke trying to evade his mother’s push for him to marry invents a fake fiancee.. whom he never thought his mother (currently living across the ocean) would have to meet. That is, until she decides to come visit. Enter Minerva… her sisters… and an over the top actress hired to play Minerva’s mother.

It is a bit over the top and predictable but in an overall cute way. There are definitely some times you want to shake the main characters— communicate people!— and also some times when the characters are just a bit too whiney. Overall though, it’s a fun read and a good one to escape to.

What I Liked:
👍 The witty banter and comedic elements— it’s such a comedy of errors.
👍 The fact that in time Hugh and Minerva help each other grow through their relationship.

What I Didn’t Like:
👎 The plot was a bit over the top in seeming farfetched in general but also almost anachronistic.
👎 Some of the secondary characters just get a bit too whiney…


💞Read this if you liked: Bridgerton

⚠️ Content Warnings: death of a parent, family estrangement/ abandonment

How utterly adorable! I couldn’t put this down. The writing went right into the plot and just didn’t stop. Hugh was thoughtful and sweet and NICE. Minerva was everything a strong, smart, independent heroine- love interest should be. I laughed out loud so many times, and “awww’d” quite frequently. Charming and just so readable. Love this. Five stars. Only—I need more!

Hugh isn't looking for a wife, but his mother has other plans for him. Even if she's all the way across the ocean, she's determined to find him a partner. This leads Hugh to invent a fake fiance to keep his mother away. But soon his mother is coming to visit and expects ot meet the love of his life. With just his luck, he runs into Minerva, a girl with the same name as his fake fiance. She's struggling to support her family ever since her father left and when Hugh makes her an offer she can't refuse, she has no choice but to stay with him at his home and pretend to be his fiance. As Hugh and Minerva try to keep their stories straight with Hugh's mother, they spend more time together and wonder if everything they say is truly a lie.

This was one of the first historical romances I've ever read and I enjoyed it a lot! It was so nice to be swept away into 1800s England with Minerva and Hugh. I loveee a fake dating trope and luckily enough this one also had some forced proximity going on. It was so entertaining and funny to watch Hugh and Minerva try their best to keep their lies in order only for his mother to continue prying. Minerva is a strong and independent woman and I adored her! Hugh on the other hand is a playboy who seems like he wishes he could break free from the past and what he considers to be his fate. At certain parts of the novel, I felt like the momentum slowed down and I wasn't as interested. I wish I had some more intense moments! Still, this was an adorable book and great if you love historical romances!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars
What I liked:
~light, easy, predictable read

What I didn’t like:
~The constant referral to being “cursed with his father’s bad blood” got annoying after a while. We get it. No need to continue to refer to it.
~The lack of communication between characters, particularly Hugh and his mother, and Hugh and Minerva. So many issues could have been prevented if only they spoke honestly with one another. When they finally do, the book just ends.
~It was slow to progress and for large chunks of the story it felt like nothing really happened.
~I don’t think it was honest to the time period in regards to relationships and reputation, especially what will happen to Minerva’s reputation when the whole charade ends.
~I’m not sure I liked Hugh. It’s hard to like a guy who goes to such lengths to continue to lie to his mother.

Honestly, I just didn’t like it as much as I was hoping to. It had a lot of potential, but it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

It was good! I enjoyed the writing and the flow. The plot was a little predictable and some themes were repeated to the reader a little too redundantly at times (I feel some readers like this while others do not), but it was super cute! It had some really fun and funny moments. Giles was my favorite. His character was always saying what I was thinking. I would recommend this to anyone wanting a fun historical romance.

As I began this book I was quite skeptical if I would like it, as I typically do not enjoy historical writings. However, I was thoroughly surprised to have liked this book as much as I have. I read this entire book in less than a day (began around 9 last night, finished around noon today). The writing was beautiful and very clear. I enjoyed the characters that were introduced and the plot was very clear. Although the title does point to how the book ends, I was kept in suspense of what would happen next. With the role that Minerva, the sisters, and the paid actress had to play, there was always some new surprise in every chapter. I enjoyed the forced proximity trope that was created and how the entire truth came out in the end. Further, I enjoyed the way the author used the characters to create an unlikely love story of the poverty-ridden girl and the Earl to create a knight-in-shining-armor type of romance.
(Copied from Goodreads)

This book was truly adorable!

I usually read dark, dystopian novels, or mysteries, or adventures or something intense. But everyone once in a while, i crave a light, fun romance novel and this fit the bill perfectly. It was exactly what I was in the mood for and it did not disappoint.

I won't summarize the book, since the publisher can do it better than I. What I will say is that it was such a fun, funny, charming book and I loved it.

I loved the characters and might have developed a little book crush on our leading man. I always enjoy a good fake fiancee book and this one was done well. There was romance, there was humor, there was family. I am hoping to read another book with these characters - I really enjoyed being in their world.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.

Omg, I loved loved loved this book! It was so ridiculous and witty and such fun. I loved the use of the fake fiancée trope here, especially when they didn’t throw any crazy last minute misunderstandings that would take a long time to clear up. The characters were great; flawed, but loveable hero? Check. Beautiful, but poor heroine who is intelligent and realistic? Check. Fun cast of zany, loveable, but also crazy family? Check. Cheeky servant that’s been with you forever? Check. And, throw in some crazy family secret that’s actually not so secret; how can you not enjoy that? Great start to the series!!

This book was an incredibly fun regency romp! I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes historical romances!

I would give this 3.5 stars. I received an ARC from Net Galley (thank you!). It’s a sweet book with some solid laugh out loud moments. It had some echos of the Duke and I (from the Bridgerton series) but not in a bad way. I liked the main characters but I wasn’t in love with Hugh’s obsession with what he inherited. There seemed to be no thought to him being his own man which undercut what a strong character he was right up until the end…

This book was so much fun! I love a good fake dating trope but the added yearning of regency era just put this over the top. The characters were so fun and the smut was pretty great. I loved the side characters as well and can’t wait to read all the books about them. I was a bit put off by how quickly the end wrapped up because it felt out of character but overall great book.

Hugh and Minerva are an interesting take on the fake relationship. Hugh has been lying to his mother for two years in an attempt to stop her from matchmaking. He's gone to great lengths to invent a fiance (along with backstory, side characters, and drama). When his mother surprises him with a visit - he knows he's deadmeat unless he comes up with something. A chance encounter with a woman with the same first name as his made-up fiance gives him an out. That being said - throughout - I couldn't escape the thought that their entire masquerade as an engaged couple was pretty much pointless. It was clear Hugh's mother was totally on to him.

The farce of it all was kind of overwhelming and lost any sense of believability for me. Because the encounters between Minerva and Hugh lost some meaning because of all the lies and dramatics. I also didn't love Minerva.

This was a DNF for me at about the 70% mark - so maybe the end made it better? I can't say!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

This historical romance is perfect! I love the tropes used to tell this story and Hugh and Minerva's love story is witty and fun and wonderful. This book is the first in a new historical rom-com series from Virgina Heath. Hugh, a handsome earl hires Minerva, a fake fiancée to keep up a lie he's told to his mother for almost two years.

The last thing Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, ever wants is a wife. Hugh invents a fake fiancée to keep his mother in America. When Hugh learns his mother is on the way he decides he needs someone to play the part while his mother visits.

I loved Minerva and her sisters, both their names and their stories. They are fierce and feisty and full of character and is the perfect foil to Hugh.

This book is just charming. I love a good fake engagement plot, and this one is excellently done, with practically everything going wrong from suspicious mothers to drunk actresses, all on top of the growing feelings both of our main characters are quick to deny or ignore. All of it is a bit absurd, but that's rather the point, isn't it?

I loved Minerva and her sisters. They are all so different, and yet you can tell they've really been brought together by the suffering they've endured, even as they bicker. Their relationships with each another feel very authentic--which was a relief to read, since I tend to be more dissatisfied than not with portrayals of siblings in books.

And, of course, the romance! Hugh and Minerva are so deliciously frustrating as they dance around each other, but their reservations and misunderstandings are always valid. Well...most of the time, anyway. Hugh's hang-up on his "Standish blood" got old very quickly, especially given how clear it is that he's the last man in the world to be unfaithful to someone once he married them, and I wish Minerva was a little bit more forceful when dealing with his insecurities, but he's so genuinely good that it's impossible to stay upset with him for long.

My main criticism is how quickly the novel wraps up. After tangling everything up and getting absolutely everyone involved, Hugh and Minerva get out of the whole mess a little too easily for me. The romantic conflict takes a bit of work (although not as much as I would've liked), but after that point, I think they should've had to struggle more than they did to satisfy everyone. But I am a sucker for a happy ending, and I my stomach was in knots trying to figure out how they'd get out of the mess they'd made, so I can't be too upset that it works out in the end.

This one has all the absolute chaos and miscommunication I'd hoped for in a fake engagement plot, and it sets up the next book in the series fairly neatly. Very excited to see where the series goes!

A fake fiancee, a lie to destroy them all, and 50 pounds to seal the deal. Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, is determined to remain a bachelor because he believes that he was not meant for love just like his philandering grandfather and father before him. When his mother becomes ever more persistent on finding him a match he lies and invents a fiancee to hold off his mother, except now she is coming to visit him to meet his fiancee and Hugh has to find a woman to play the role of his fake fiancee for his mother. He runs into Minerva, and coincidentally she has the same name as his fake fiancee and he sees that she desperately needs money so he offers her this job opportunity which she accepts. Hugh finds that he is getting more than what he bargained for when Minerva arrives to his home with her two sisters in tow, Diana ( a rude and very accusatory young woman who speaks her mind regardless of the situation and sense) and Venus “Vee” ( a bookish and overly shy and sensitive individual who constantly throws tantrums and needs to be coddled). Minerva is essentially the mother to them and has to be responsible and despite the fact that her two sisters barely tolerate her doing this Minerva points out that they won’t be able to even afford rent next month and that she doesn’t have a choice, they need the money that would enable them to live for the next two years without worry. To add onto the issues, Hugh’s mother appears two weeks ahead of time and is try to catch them out of the lie. Hugh and Minerva find that they are falling for each other despite Hugh believing that his blood is cursed and that he will never be able to commit to anyone let alone love anyone. Lots of drama, misunderstandings, and arguing ensues and finally wraps up with a happily ever after for everyone. I would have to say my biggest gripe with the story would be my annoyance at Minerva’s sisters and of course Hugh blaming all his issues on his “cursed blood” and actually cheered when Minerva called him out on it. She accurately notes his issues and calls him out for his behavior and tells him to own his own actions and take responsibility. The resolution to all of the problems was okay and overall this was a fine romance read. If you are looking for a light romance read with drama then this is definitely for you.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Having watched [but not read- yet] Bridgerton, I was in the mood for a bit of historical romance, so I was very excited to get approved for this.
While this was a very good Regency Era fake dating rom com, there was nothing that really demanded I sit down and finish it. Hugh was fully realized and enjoyable, pathological lying, sorry, embellished story-telling aside. I liked that Minerva was tough and witty, and desirous of employment- not just a man, making her very different than other RE heroines.
Giles and Diana seemed pretty spicy. I hope they are the stars of the next book. Unfortunately, Vee overshadowed them both, and left me with the impression she's a simpering idiot (though she does have her moments. ) I don't want more Vee.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Great for Bridgerton & Jane Austen fans

This book is fun with great escapades and wonderful characters. Lord Fareham, Hugh, prides himself on seducing the women, attending wild parties, and generally being the humorous guy. Hugh believes his father and grandfather were scoundrels and he refuses to marry and hurt his wife like they did. It is his mother’s wish that Hugh find a bride and settle down. She lives in America, and he appeases her with a tale of a woman he plans to marry. He does not have one until the day he rescues Minerva from a man who refuses to give her the money she has earned. Hugh has the brilliant idea to ask Minerva to be his fake fiancé. His mother is coming to plan the wedding and he needs someone quick. He never guesses she had two sisters that would be coming along, and they all need to be taught the ways of a refined woman. Minerva is beautiful and feisty and refuses to be at Hugh’s beck and call yet she desperately needs the money he will pay her to keep the sisters fed and together. It is a battle of wits.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 stars

Hugh and Minerva were a fun couple to read about. I love the accidentally falling in love trope so this was right up my ally (along with forced proximity). Hugh and Minerva had great banter and chemistry. And I love the idea of the hired actress to play their mother. It added an extra layer to the lie and drama in the group! I also really enjoyed how Hugh’s mother didn’t believe the relationship and was working on uncovering the truth. Kept me guessing of when the lie would finally unravel.

The only complaint I had was that I wish Hugh and Minerva had more outings or forced proximity for the charade. They really only had one outing by themselves. And then a dance. Otherwise most scenes seemed to take place at the dining table. I would have loved to see his sister more in it. Or even an ex lover? Just to add that extra layer of spice. Overall it was a fun light hearted romcom that I would recommend!

Sometimes, you have to embrace the fickle finger of fate and accept the what-ifs to let the cards fall where they may. We cannot predict the future and, more often than not, we cannot direct it either. In which case, why fight it?”


Never Fall for Your Fiancé is book one in Virginia Heath’s new series The Merriwell Sisters. It is a story of fate, misunderstandings, family drama, and love. This story of course follows the trope of fake relationship to love as the title suggests; However, it is so much more than a simple romance. I adored the characters and all their unique eccentricities.
The MCs in this story are Hugh Standish the Earl of Fareham and Minerva Merriwell a impoverished lady who might be the daughter of a gentleman. Hugh finds himself in a pickle when his mother writes him a letter informing him of her pending arrival to London. Why is this a problem? Well his mother is coming to meet his fiancé and help with the upcoming nuptials. She is excited to finally meet Hugh’s fiancé whom she has heard numerous stories about over the last 2-years. The problem is…there is no fiancé. Hugh has created, with great detail, a fiancé —- someone who doesn’t even exist.


“ His fake fiancée was only ever meant to be temporary—a way to stall his mother, avoid falling out with her and hurting her feelings yet again, and to give himself some time off. He hated arguments more than he hated introspection, and he hated disappointing people.”


Why would Hugh create a fiancé? Hugh believes that “A man should only enter into a marriage when he had every intention of honoring his vows. Such a noble undertaking obviously required two attributes that, thanks to his ancestors, Hugh was fairly certain he didn’t possess: eyes that didn’t wander and a heart selfless enough to be capable of great love.” So because Hugh believes he can never honor wedding vows he has strictly avoided his mother’s matchmaking attempts and he has avoided any type of relationship where he may be trapped into marriage. Simply put he has lived the life of a rogue.

Now Hugh finds his house of cards is perilously close to collapsing and he is loathe to disappoint his mother just about as much as he is devoted to avoiding Parsons trap. He is out wandering the streets pondering his situation when he stumbles upon a woman in need of assistance. A beautiful woman who’s name just happens to be Minerva, the same name of his fake fiancé, it’s as if fate sent her.

Minerva is a woman trying to survive in the early 1800’s when her mother has died, her father left, and she has two younger sisters to support. She is doing the best she can and usually lives an honest life. So, when she is approached by an Earl and asked to be his fake fiancé, she immediately wants to say no. However she has bills overdue and the Earl is offering enough money to pay all her past due bills AND still have money for food! It’s a hard offer to pass. This is how she and her two younger sisters find themselves whisked off to the country with roles to play to help the Earl out of his web of lies.

What could go wrong? What will go right? With amazing supporting characters Hugh & Minerva’s fake betrothal takes on a life of its own. Two years of lies all come to a head, banns are soon being read, wedding dresses designed, and family secrets brought to light. What will be the final outcome? Does love stand a chance between Hugh & Minerva?

This story was a very fun and flowed very smoothly. I loved all of the characters and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I am hoping Hugh’s best friend and fellow rogue is brought to his knees by love!

The chemistry between Hugh & Minerva build slowly and this book is not packed with frivolous sex scenes. What sexy times these two do have are full of emotion and the perfect climax (pun intended) to a delicious slow burn!

If you enjoy historical romance with sexy rogues and strong women then I urge you to give this book a try!!

4.5 Stars

Honestly, this seemed like it would be right up my alley. I have tried on multiple occasions to pick up this book and it is just not working for me. I hate that I have to rate this book. In all fairness....this is a well written book. The premise is fantastic. For me...I choose to put it down and not finish it because I didn't love it.