Never Fall for Your Fiancée book starts off with a simple, albeit probably absurd, premise of hiring a stranger to avoid actual marriage. Minerva and her younger sisters are almost out on the streets, this could save them.

I wanted to write Hugh off, especially with his insistence that his Standish bloodline made him unfit for marriage. Ultimately, I realized that it boiled down to a simple truth that still exists today. As children we fear becoming our parents and making their mistakes.

This cast of characters was a riot. Minerva's sisters were bold personalities, especially Diana whose book I can't wait to read. I loved the on going pranks between Hugh and his mother and the running jokes around Minerva's hired mother.

Watching this farce unravel while simultaneously seeing a real relationship develop could not have been more entertaining. This was a slow burn and lots of laughs.

Thank you so much @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC, Never Fall for Your Fiancée is out November 9th!

Why you should read:
✨Fake but *not* fiancée
✨A snarky butler
✨Reformed playboy Earl
✨Matchmaking mother
✨Secrets and scandals
✨Midnight rendezvous and codewords
✨Family Pranks

A very well constructed story of a man and women pushed towards each other who end up falling for each other. But their love and life are far from perfect and far from calm. The situations that unfold for them are challenging and deserve a partner

The premise of this book sounded adorable and likeable, but the characters and story just fell flat. I loved the idea behind the book, but there were times the storyline was just too blah. The characters were only decent but then they got to be too dull. The plot also got to be a little wordy and you didn't get a chance to really become attached to the characters or the story. It seemed like such a nice story, but overall, it just got to be mediocre at best. Probably would've rated it a 2.5 stars if there were half stars but rounded up. Also, the cover art was lacking, there seems to be a huge push of cartoonish cover arts that's taking over books lately and it really doesn't help the book. Anyway it was just all too cheesy and boring for me to want to recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley the ARC!

I was initially worried when I saw the size and the number of chapters that at some point to pacing of the plot would slow down drastically but that was not the case. I loved the motley crew of Minerva's "family" and that Minerva herself was not a typical definition of a lady, i.e. she has two left feet and no talent for music, as was common for the age. It was nice to read about Hugh's internal struggle between being the rake society expects him to be and the noble, good-nature earl who is kind to his staff and tenants. His mother and step-father are also fun characters to read about. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Thank you to SMP Romance and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book - all opinions are my own!

I am happy to report that I actually really enjoyed this book, which came as a pleasant surprise!

If you like:
- A charming rake of a Hero (Hugh) who falls helplessly (even if a bit resisently) to our heroine
- A quick- witted, funny, and smart Heroine (Minerva)
- Fake dating with a slow burn romance (the payoff is worth it!)
- Meddling mothers and family escapades
- A witty and hysterical servant/butler (Payne) who isn't afraid to call it like it is

...then this story is for you! I overall really enjoyed this historical romance and am secretly hoping we get additional books that follow Minerva's sisters!

Rating: 4 stars!

I was drawn in by the cute cover and description but alas, this book is not for me. The characters are oh-so-flat, the dialogue is stilted and awkward, and the writing stumbles along with almost entirely telling. Also the hero and heroine's connection is 100% 'oh no she's hot' and 'oh no he's hot.'

Hugh has lied to his mother for literal years about a fake fiancee (who is battling consumption and then in mourning for her unexpectedly dead fictional father) and now has to produce a fiancee when his mother arrives. Or, y'know, tell her the truth? But I guess not. But miracle of miracles he immediately stumbles over a woman who clearly needs money and who also shares the name Minerva with his fictional fiancee. What are the chances?

DNF

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an e-arc for review.

Once the story got going, it was a sweet and funny Regency romp of a book! I loved the two MC’s banter and chemistry! The character growth they both go through is great. The “mother” was hilarious and the real mother is smart and witty! It has a ton of cute moments and a spicy scene.

"Never Fall for Your Fiancee" by Virginia Heath
A Georgian Rom-Com MUST READ !!
"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."
and, Oh what fun to read as Hugh manages to continue to 'jump from the frying pan into the fire'.. and bringing those he cares for the most…. Right along with him. I do hope you enjoy this 'super change of pace' historical romance read as much as I did. I do want to share more of my joy in this story, but I fear I might spoil your joy as you discover what is around each bend in the road. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley.
This review expresses my honest opinion.

Never Fall For Your Fiancee is a fun romp through old time England. The story was hilarious and would make a fantastic movie, so many twists and turns and deception plus then a wonderful ending. The characters were all so interesting and unique. I was sad when it ended and look forward to reading more by the author.

This was a fun addition to the Virginia Heath catalog. I do love a good fake fiance storyline and Minerva is a great heroine.

3.5/5

Never Fall for Your Fiancé is a witty, cute, historical, romantic comedy.

I really enjoyed the plot and writing style of this fake-dating trope and first of a series following the Merriwell sisters. This was a nice, enjoyable read with low spice and lots of humor. I also enjoyed the side characters as well. It was difficult for me to get into the book at the beginning and I felt like there could be more chemistry between Minerva and Hugh.

If you’re a fan of Bridgerton and want a quick, easy, light-hearted historical rom-com then definitely give this one a shot!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée is a perfectly acceptable romance, but it's ultimately disappointing. It's full of one-note characters: minus her lack of riding ability, Minerva is a Mary Sue. Hugh is a rake who has conveniently tired of raking two years ago, totally incapable of monogamy because his father had a mistress which of course dooms him to disappointing anyone he'd marry with his wandering eye, and just wants to be England's Best Landlord Several Years Running in peace. His mother Olivia is a textbook overbearing mama, and Minerva's sisters are 1 - a loudmouth who tends to give more details than she should when trying to maintain a cover story, and 2 - a seventeen year old who's going on seven.

It's full of revelations made too early in the narrative arc and last minute plot additions that are meant to heighten the drama but don't function well. We're getting things resolved at 97% of the way through the book that absolutely should have been worked out before the Black Moment.

Anyways, this is an inoffensive, low-steam romance novel if you're not looking for a lot of depth or growth from your characters. Fairly frothy, very light.

Book received for free through NetGalley

An adorably cute book that was easy to get into and fun to enjoy.

What a delightful book! The author has taken historical romance to another level, combining the best of that genre with the wit of a rom-com! The characters were adorable, often hilarious, and always passionate! Minerva was awkward, clumsy, beautiful, and endearing; Hugh was charming, noble, and so nice! What I loved most about Hugh was that he had a reputation of being a scoundrel, and, haunted by the scandalous behavior of his ancestors, the last thing he wanted was to burden any woman he took for his wife with an unfaithful husband. It tore him up inside, and led to many misunderstandings with Minerva, It was great fun to watch Minerva and Hugh play out their false engagement, especially when they became tangled up emotionally. The rest of the characters brought more fun and complications to this fabulous story, and I look forward to more books in this series!

3.5 rounded up to 4
Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham has never wanted to get married. His mother became obsessed with playing matchmaker and in turn Hugh invents a fake fiancée, Minerva, to get her to back off. When his mother is due for a visit and he happens to meet a beautiful woman named Minerva he decides to offer to pay her to pretend to be his fake fiancée.

Fake dating, slow burn. I found myself completely unable to put this book down. The story was very compelling and I couldn’t help but devour it. This is the first in a series and I’m guessing the next books will cover Minerva’s sisters which I’m very excited for Diana’a book if that’s the case.

STATS:
OVERALL RATING - 4 / 5
CHARACTERS - 5 / 5
WRITING - 4 / 5
PLOT - 4 /5

"But the truth is, I love you and it terrifies me."
- Hugh Standish, Never Fall for Your Fiancée by Virginia Heath

Pride and Prejudice but if the main characters were Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley. It's my very first time reading historical romance and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book was light-hearted and such an easy-going book to read. I found myself laughing out loud at whatever the characters were saying because it's really hard to deny that they weren't lovable. I think above the plot, the characters were what drew me towards this book the most. Like I mentioned this is my first historical romance therefore the writing style threw me off a bit but it was fairly easy to understand as I tread on.

Some of the tropes that were made use of in this book were close proximity, fake dating, miscommunication (no matter how infuriating) and that iconic dancing-with-the-love-interest scene. I keep insisting on this but the characters, specifically the relationship between Hugh's mother and Hugh as well as Giles and Diana, were my favourite. The banter was entertaining and the tension between the latter pair is something I definitely want to read about in the future!

Maybe, I'm just biased but you should certainly read this just so you can get to know Giles.

PROS: Dual POV, a woman who stands up for herself, severely entertaining characters and several tropes
CONS: Writing style may not be favored by most
FINAL THOUGHTS: If you're into historical romance with women who stand up for what they want and have a secret admiration towards grovelling men then this book is surely for you!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with this e-ARC!

Never Fall for your Fiancee'
by Virginia Heath
Pub Date: Nov. 9th ,2021
St. Martin's Griffin
The first in a new historical rom-com series, a handsome earl hires a fake fiancée to keep his matchmaking mother at bay, but hilarity ensues when love threatens to complicate everything. ( #1 Merriewell Sisters).
Bristish humor, a fun, quick read. I enjoyed this rom-com.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC.

3stars

I am unfortunately DNF-ing this one at 83%.

This had all the trappings of something I would love - fake dating/engagement, forced proximity, a rogue hero, and quirky, convoluted scheming. But in execution, there was far too much telling and not nearly enough showing.

We are constantly being told that the hero is a scoundrel. He can't possibly love. He's flighty and lacks substance. But we never once see him act that way on page. And you keep getting hints of some dark family past - but for me personally, 83% is way too long to drag that out.

I also grew frustrated with vast amount of miscommunication in here. Not only are secrets purposefully being kept by all parties, but they keep having half conversations that lead to more misunderstandings.

This is told in dual perspectives, so it was crazy frustrating to read a dialogue where the main character would tell each other half truths or misinterpret statements and then think to themselves 'if only I could do something about this!'...

Unfortunately, I've just lost too much interest in the characters to put through to the conclusion.

Hilarious hijinks and mishaps ensue when Hugh, the Earl of Fareham, pays Minerva, a down on her luck artist taking care of her 2 younger sisters, to be his fake fiancée in order to appease his meddling mother. The plan gets messier when they start to have real feelings for each other.

There’s just something about regency era romances that bring the drama and the steam! If you are a fan of Bridgerton you will love this one. I was hooked from the beginning. A fake relationship – what could go wrong?? Well for Minerva and Hugh almost everything goes wrong even the fake part of their relationship. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun Regency romance with a fake dating trope.

Never Fall for Your Fiancée had a wonderful cast of characters with plenty of personality. I also enjoyed the witty banter and funny situations in the book.

I thought the plot was on the simpler side and the conflict did get tiresome after a while.

Overall, this is a great start to a fun new series. Minerva’s sisters and Hugh’s friend will hopefully make for some fun books in this series.