This entangled romcom is a delightfully good time, though it harbors enough seriousness to make the word "romp" inapplicable. Not only is the heroine Minerva scraping to make ends meet to keep her family fed, she faces threats from the past that could cause her and her loved ones serious harm.

She's rescued by Hugh, who's incorrigible in a way that's supposed to be charming (and, annoyingly, kind of is). He's created a fake fiancee to keep his matchmaking mother at bay. He's happened to call her Minerva. So when he effects a street rescue of an actual Minerva, well...it's a contrived setup, and it still works and is very charming. This is a series opener, and readers will look forward to seeing the ongoing adventures of these sisters, whose care for each other is evident.

I struggled with this book a lot. I gave up at 27%. The characters just fell flat for me and I didn’t like the writing style as it wasn’t compelling enough to continue reading as I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. The premise was one of my favourite tropes, but the execution fell flat.

Historical romance meets the "fake dating" trope is such a clever mix and thoroughly entertaining! Hugh, the Earl of Fareham, is attempting to fool his mother into believing that he is settling down. He makes up a fiancee named Minerva. Lucky for him, he meets a Minerva right before his mother comes to town, and bribes her into helping him. With the addition of an actress pretending to be Minerva's mother, utter chaos ensues, and navigating the lies and stories Hugh told his mother in the past was a challenge for everyone involved.

I loved that the heroine, Minerva, is taking care of her younger sisters and is resistant to helping out the Earl of Fareham at first. Hugh is relatively shameless with his charade, so it was nice to have Minerva balance that with worrying over his poor mother's feelings.

Great side character fun: The side characters such as the sister, Diana, and Hugh's friend, Giles, had great chemistry and their verbal sparring was perfect for any enemies-to-lovers fans out there. If those two are getting a book of their own, then I will love to read it! Scenes with the actress, impersonating Minerva's mother, were pretty hilarious and added a lot to the romcom vibe of this book.

Overall, this was a fun read, but I wasn't feeling super attached to Hugh as a hero of this story. I would have loved more chemistry and time with these two characters alone, perhaps seeing some more character growth from Hugh as well. Hugh's perceived flaws and fears about falling in love were a little bit farfetched and fit into a trope that I am not a huge fan of. The plot and scenarios were a little bit stronger than the romance in this one.

I am happy with the end and would recommend this to historical romance readers!

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in return for my honest review.

This book was like a bag of chips: light, airy, and a treat to read. Hugh Standish, Earl of Fareham, does not want a wife. But as his mother is determined to see him wed, even from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean—he has maintained the lie of Minerva, his perfect fiancée, for several years. When he learns that she is on her way for a visit, however, he’s stuck—and hires the first Minerva he encounters.
Minerva Merriwell has been struggling to support herself and her two younger sisters ever since her father abandoned them years ago. She has her own scars and no time for love. But when the Earl of Fareham offers her money to pose as his fiancée for a few days in the British countryside, the deal is just too good to pass up.
What follows is a romantic comedy where nothing goes right, and yet somehow it all does in the end.
The book takes place among the fun-loving British aristocracy of the spillover from the end of the Regency era. I felt that there was too much being hung up on silly things and old fears that they don’t communicate (but easily could have), but then without those ridiculous reasons there would be no “rom com” genre. The characters do deepen as the plot progresses. While no one seems to speak in a manner that would be authentic to the period, the details do seem realistic- clothes, customs, houses, etc. In the end, there are enough misunderstandings and bad timings to be worthy of the genre, and it is fully enjoyable and readable!

I really enjoyed this book (and it definitely made me want to rewatch Bridgerton). I loved the dynamic between Hugh and Minerva and I can't wait to see them pop up in the books about the other sisters.

I laughed out loud a couple times while reading this book, a true sign of how funny it was at times. I loved Jeremiah and his little background comments (Payne too!).

I would've liked some references to slavery (particularly considering Jeremiah was American). I know this book was set after 1807 (the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade) but it was set before the 1833 abolition of slavery in British colonies and the 1864 abolition of slavery in America. It obviously didn't fit the genre of the book but I do think historical fiction should reference it (if only to have a conversation about abolition or something).

Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Definitely quick and easy to breeze through and a great pick you love historical romance.

It's a cute historical romance book, great for a summer light reading. However, it is quite slow in places.. and the characters and their pasts & life stories are a bit... typical.

I thought it was cute, but a little slow in parts. Overall, it was a fun and flirty escape and I was cheering for true love. I would recommend for those who enjoy a lighthearted, over the top historical romance.

The book blurb for this one sounded "meh" and I almost didn't start it. I am so glad I did. If you want to read something that is super fun with heart, this is a winner. The hero is sweet, but thinks he is a rouge. The heroine is tough, she has had to be. And it is a lovely comedy or errors to bring these two together. There are twists and turns and you are waiting to see how the house of cards will finally fall, and what the fallout might be. I can't wait to see what happens to Diana, I hope she gets her own story soon!

Hugh, Lord Fareham’s mother is on the way from America to meet his fiancée. Only Hugh has made up a fictitious one named Minerva. Our Minerva is struggling to make ends meet, pay the rent and feed herself and her two sisters. Hugh meets Minerva in the street and offers her 40 pounds to play his fiancée. Considering a few shillings will pay their rent and put a small amount of food on the table 40 pounds is a fortune. She can’t turn it down. The hijinks begin as, predictably, Minerva and Hugh begin to fall for one another. This is a wonderful romp that involves an alcoholic Drury Lane actress playing Minerva’s mother, the quintessential English butler, a belligerent sister and an adolescent and belligerent other sister. Minerva has been praised for her singing voice - she is tone deaf, for her grace in dancing- she has two left feet, and skill as a horsewoman- she is deathly afraid of horses.
It is that rare thing: a farce that works and makes you laugh out loud. I would recommend this book to my patrons.

When Hugh Standish, Earl of Farehame, gets himself into a pickle by convincing his mother in Boston that he has secured himself a fiancée over the course of their writings for two years. When he hears she’s on her way for Christmas, he has to find a way to make it seem like he wasn’t lying in order to keep his roguish lifestyle as it is.

Minerva Merriwell is an artist and the sole keeper of herself and her sisters Venus and Diana after the death of their month and abandonment of their no-good father. When trying to collect payment for an advertisement she had completed from a withholding old grump, Hugh swoops in to help her.

It just so happened that the fake fiancée he created was also named Minerva and he may have found the answer to his prayers with the pert miss. He explains the situation and they strike a deal. 20 pounds in exchange for posing as his fiancée for a few weeks. Minerva cannot help but take the deal as it could set her and her sisters up for at least a year, with one caveat that he also takes her sisters in for the duration of the charade. It also helps that Hugh seems to be handsome and “nice”, a word that Hugh detests.

What should be a simple two-week deception turns into a month of whirlwind of mishaps, close-calls, and a growing and undeniable attraction between the scandalous Mr. Standish and his fake fiancée. Will they be able to fight their attraction in favor of their business deal or will they be pulled together by the people and feelings that are pushing them together?

Although slow at times, Never Fall for Your Fiancée was a great summer read. It wasn’t super heavy and the pace was relatively consistent. It was never boring, only slow at times. There are definitely parts of the book that could have been shortened and that would have made it better, but otherwise it was a good read that I would recommend to any romance enthusiast looking for a good strangers to lovers historical romance!

An excellent historical rom com that entertained and delighted with witty banter between not only the main characters but secondary characters too. Although the plot was predictable, the story and quirky characters made me smile while reading.

Never Fall for your Fiancée follows an Earl and an artist as they fake-date their way through an elaborate lie to the Earl’s mother. It was fine.

I don’t know that I actively disliked or liked much about this book. The premise was predictable, the humor was fine but also a little predictable, the details of the era were done thoughtfully. I think for new entries to the historical romance genre it would work fine, but I was truthfully quite bored, and it ended up taking weeks for me to finish the book. Still, I have hope that the sequel (presumably about the heroine’s younger sister) will be more interesting?

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced reader copy!

The dialogue was snappy, but it got a little long and drawn out. It is light read and has some funny moments. I didn’t hate it and will probably read the following book in the series, because the author did a good job investing me in the characters.

Unfortunately, this felt far too predictable for me to make my way through the whole book. I do enjoy the new fun historical romances instead of just swooning over the top period pieces....but find a different type of character to write please.

Wow! This book is INCREDIBLE! It is romantic, witty, fun, heartfelt, pulls at your heart strings, quite steamy at times, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Never Fall for Your Fiancée", I was whisked back in time, and went on such an incredible journey with this story!

This is the first book in Virginia Heath's new "The Merriwell Sisters" series, and I can't wait for the next books! Ms. Heath's writing style is simply amazing! It is visceral, vivid, engaging, and I could envision each and every moment throughout the book. Her characters all feel like such incredibly real people, and, as the reader, I really feel like I got to know all of them. Each interaction felt authentic to who they are as people, and I was hooked from the very first page.

Hugh is a caring and witty man who often puts up a front which presents as selfish as only concerned with what is good for him. Sometimes his actions match this front, however, he truly is a good person. He also believes that he does not want to ever marry, for extremely personal reasons. He fears he will follow the same path he thinks his grandfather and father did, will not be able to stay faithful, and will end up hurting the woman who becomes his wife. Hugh's mother is constantly trying to play matchmaker, and Hugh has invented a fiancé in order to make her stop. The last thing he expects is for her to come visit with short notice, and Hugh is caught in his own lies. When he happens to meet a girl named Minerva (the same name he gave his fake fiancé), he comes up with a plan for his mother's visit. Never could he have imagined how this meeting will change his life, and, perhaps, even point him in the direction of what he really wants in life. Can a web of lies, and pretend love, lead to actual love? Will Hugh admit his true feelings to himself before it is too late?

Minerva is such a sweet, caring, intelligent, mature, and witty woman, as well as a talented artist. She has raised her two younger sisters ever since the death of their mother, and their father abandoning them. Having been hurt in the past, she understandably is very careful with who she does and does not trust. One day, when Minerva asks for payment she is owed from an employer who refuses to give it to her, Hugh steps in and demands the man pay Minerva. Soon, Hugh tells Minerva of his plan, and asks her to play his fiancé throughout his mother's visit. Minerva and her sisters really need the money in order to survive, and though she has her doubts, she agrees. Never could Minerva have imagined how this decision will change their lives forever, and perhaps lead her to true love. Will she admit to herself her true feelings for Hugh?

(Possible Spoilers!)
Oh I love Minerva and Hugh together! The two of them truly balance one another out beautifully, and bring out the best in each other. They challenge each other, and respect and care for one other. Both of them have their own fears and doubts, and, together, they are able to work past them, though it is not always easy. Their chemistry grows and grows, and, just, simply...WOW! You truly pull for them!

I so wish there was an epilogue in this book! I do not know if one will be included in the final version of the book or not, but, regardless, I so, so hope we see Minerva and Hugh in future books in this amazing series!

If you enjoy historical romance, I HIGHLY recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next, and I absolutely did not want to put this book down! I found myself reading into the very early hours of the morning. I am eagerly awaiting the next books!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and to St. Martin's Press for sending me a physical ARC as well, it is incredible! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Looking for a fun, quick, light hearted read, you should check Never Fall For Your Fiancée out.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC.

Never Fall for Your Fianceé was absolutely perfect on paper for me. I love a fake dating trope and marriage of convenience trope, and this was a prime contender.

I loved the premise and the characters in this one, and I blame my current reading slump for not being as into it as I should have been. I made my way through it, but I found it a bit slow at times.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was delightfully surprised with how much I enjoyed this novel!

Since all the rage is Bridgerton lately, I had decided to delve into that series giving up about midway through because one of the books annoyed me (Eloise was WRONGED). Still though, I have a soft spot for this genre but I wasn't ready to pick back up the Bridgerton series so this book was it!

It scratched the Bridgerton itch and actually was far better than those books IMO.

I freaking loved Minerva. She's my kind of sassy heroine that I like to see in romance novels.

If you enjoy historical romance and/or Bridgerton you should pick this one up, I think you'll also find it a winner.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is a typical historical romance about an earl who is constantly being plagued by his mother to get married. So what does said earl do? Of course he makes up a fake fiancee called Minerva. Everything is going well until the earl's mother decides to come back to England for a visit. In desperation, the earl strikes up a bargain with a complete stranger whose name happens to be Minerva. Hilarity and misunderstandings ensue. If you like quick, light-hearted historical romance, you'll enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book In exchange for my honest review.
Never Fall For Your Fiancé is a delightful fake dating trope set during regency times. Hugh needs to get his meddling mother off his back so he can continue on being a rakish bachelor and man about town. He invents a fiancé “Minerva” and writes to his mother about being besotted but then makes up quite comical scenarios that they have to survive and or endure before they can make it to the alter. Unbeknownst to his mother, who lives in America, Minerva isn’t real but as one silly situation follows another she starts to wonder what’s going on so she books passage home to meet this “fiancé” or catch him in the lie she thinks he’s spinning. Cut to Hugh actually meeting a woman named Minerva and he convinced her/ paid her to come pose as his fiancé to satisfy his mother. Hilarity ensues and eventually both Hugh and Minerva come to realize that maybe the fake relationship has become real.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.