What I Loved:

Diana and Giles. Banter, banter, banter. I love good enemies to lovers, and Diana and Giles are no exception. The two of them exchange barbs and sarcastic quips while the tension slowly sizzles underneath. I love how they are fiercely loyal to friends and family, and that drives them together even while they pretend to hate each other. I love how each character grew as a person from the last book, and were fully fleshed out in the best way. Diana and Giles (in my humble opinion) are even better suited than Hugh and Minerva, and that’s saying something.

The Mysteries. I am a sucker for a good mystery (hence half my blog being cozies). While I did not go into Never Rescue a Rogue thinking it would be anything more than a fun historical romcom, the “serious” mystery was delightful. I love Diana’s secret life as a newspaper columnist that seeks and find secrets like its nobody’s business (ha) and it was even better watching her put that to use to help Giles with his dark family past. Giles, in turn, is tortured by a secret, but not for his sake: for the sake of the people suffering around him. As they delve into Giles’s past, it is a match made in heaven.

The Character Development. I loved book one in this series, but basically hated Diana, Giles, and little sister Vee. They were all annoying, obstinate, and one-sided. However here, every character (even Vee) had time to shine. This is not a series that suffers a book 2 slump.

What Didn’t Work as Well:

The Pace. I loved Never Rescue a Rogue, but the pace was pretty erratic. The beginning was a slow burn that I was into, but can see why others would think it dragged, then the middle is a lovely crescendo as the mystery comes together. However, the end speeds through like a train, with the ultimate ending almost feeling like it wasn’t “won.” If you can get through the beginning, it is worth it.


That is really all. This book may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved the blend between mystery and romance, hot glances, witty banter, and frenemies to lovers.

I adored the first book, but this one has my whole heart. It was so funny, the banter was great, and I loved the pining. Diana and Giles were everything. Their love story was so much fun and even better than the romance for Hugh and Minerva. I'm extremely excited for the next installment in this series and I highly recommend!!!

I adored Giles and Diana's story! I had a feeling they would be paired from watching them in the first book in the series. Heath did NOT disappoint! Such a fun read!

Virginia Heath is an author I enjoy and Never Rescue a Rogue did not disappoint. I enjoyed the first introduction to the Merriwell sisters and I thought the second book in this series kept the wit and banter sharp and the romance percolating. I was gifted this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Virginia Heath has just proven to me again, that she knows what the historical romance lovers want. This book was absolute perfection, and I was so excited for this story since I first read Never Fall for Your Fiancé and these two characters met for the first time.

Never Rescue a Rogue was everything I hoped it would be and more. Let me start out by saying the banter between Diana and Giles was *chef's kiss* perfection! I have been so excited for their story, because they are
the definition of enemies to lovers. They give off Darcy and Lizzie vibes and were just a perfect duo.

Pair that enemies/rivals to lovers theme, with an investigative reporter and a man with a dangerous secret who team up to learn about all the skeletons in the Sinclair family closet and you get a perfect book. It truly was an epic adventure to go on and along the way the tension between these two turned into passion. While at times you could predict the way the story would go, it still had some twists you wouldn't have expected. Plus the way Giles got so protective of Diana as the investigations continued, truly gave off touch her and you die vibes.

I would also like to point out that Diana as a heroine was incredible. Not only was she in a position not usually given to women at the time, she took it further and was willing to expose the misdeeds of those who harmed innocents and it was absolutely a girl boss moment. And while Giles wished she wouldn't put herself in danger at times, she refused to give up on what she believed was right.

Overall the Merriwell Sisters series just keeps getting better and has place on my all time favorite books list. Not only does Heath develop beautiful romances, but gives us some amazing depth to other side characters (when I tell you I loved the Dalton side romance!) and I love that she gives hints of the next book. All I can say is if Venus is going to have a romance with who I think she is, I will be screaming. It will be everything I want it to be, especially since their first interaction screams enemies to lovers or at least for Venus.

Never Rescue a Rogue is the second book in the clever and romantic series The Merriwell Sisters by Virginia Heath. Not only is this book a historical romance, but it is also a romantic comedy, one which is actually funny. In the first book we were introduced to the oldest Merriwell sister Minerva. This time around the story is centered around Diana, the prickly middle sister who has a secret life she keeps from her siblings. I really liked the first book, but I loved this one!

Everyone thinks that Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair are just perfect for each other. They, however, only put up with each other to keep the peace, as Giles is the best friend of Diana's brother-in-law. Their pointed barbs cannot mean they are secretly attracted to one another...can't they? Besides, Giles loves his life as a bachelor, and Diana loves her job working for the newspaper; she vows to never get married, as she enjoys her freedom. As it just so happens, they each have a secret they cannot reveal. When Giles' father, the hateful Duke of Harpenden, dies, Giles just knows someone will discover the secret of his parentage and attempt to blackmail him. And who appears to do just that but his evil Uncle Gervais. If Giles loses the dukedom, all those who depend on it will be ruined. Diana, the "nitpicking grammarian" and news bloodhound, is his best hope of finding proof before Gervais does. Will their bickering drive them apart as they work together, or actually bring them closer?

If you enjoy romantic stories with witty banter and totally enchanting characters, you will adore this book as much as I did. The story was a lot of fun, but it was the lead characters and engaging repartee that made it special. Diana told her family that she was a grammarian at the newspaper where she worked, but they suspected she wrote the gossip column. Little did they know she was actually the Sentinel, a reporter who digs up dirt and exposes criminals. They would be livid if they knew the danger she put herself in! She was one tough cookie; she had to be with the criminal father the siblings had. With the experience she had with men in the past, marriage wasn't something she was interested in. Giles seemed to be a jovial, carefree and fun loving bachelor. However, his father was a cold and unloving parent; when he died no one shed a tear for him. The Duchess was hateful to Giles before she died years ago. On her deathbed, she told him the truth of his parentage. His father was rich, but didn't take care of his tenants on his estates. Giles was afraid if the rumor about his parents was true and he lost the dukedom to Gervais, once again the tenants would be neglected. He knew Diana would be able to help him track down clues. In the past Diana and Giles acted like they found each other extremely vexing. And they actually were vexing, but it hid their attraction. Their time together forced them to discover their true feelings. I totally fell in love with Giles when he realized how he really felt...and actually confessed instead of keeping it to himself. I just about swooned! The heat between them was extremely hot, yet funny and sweet. The secondary characters were so incredible. Once again, I absolutely adored Dalton the butler, with his scrimshaw peg leg, a missing eye and mangled hand. Oh, and his ever present pistol. This time around I adored youngest sister Vee, as well. She was whip smart, but a rather inept chaperone. I cannot wait for her story. I may be wrong, but I do believe I just might know who her paramour will be... I am totally enjoying this series.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

We tell elementary aged children that when someone is picking on you, it's because they must have a crush... I think it's the entire premise of the enemies-to-lovers troupe (which is my favorite, by the way)… It builds so much chemistry... and, as expected, Diana and Giles need each other as much as they dislike each other. Which begs the question - duty or disdain? Which will win out? Can Giles put things aside and ask for help from Diana? And what happens when they do? They fall in love... duh! It's a romance novel, silly!

3.5⭐️

Never Rescue a Rogue is a frenemies to lovers historical romance, following the middle Merriwell sister Diana, and her brother-in-law's best friend, Giles Sinclair.

While I did not read the first book in the series, this can be read as a standalone, and I nevertheless enjoyed it. Unfortunately, this did mean I was a bit behind on which characters were who, and struggled a bit with keeping up.

Diana was a likeable character to me, she was strong and a clear feminist. Giles was also very charming, but in the end, it was Dalton and Vee that took the cake. Giles' butler and Diana's younger sister provided the real comedy, and I couldn't help but love them both.

I really liked the combination of the family mysteries and the romance. All the detective work led to more action than what I've recently been reading in historical romances, which was a good type of different. In the end, it did come together well, although at times I was confused with all the names and dates going around. There were many revelations right at the end, and while it did give some comedic value (I would pass out if I were Mrs. Townsend), it was a predictable and slightly rushed ending.

I did like the frenemies to lovers trope here. I always love banter, and it was so endearing how the whole family could clearly see what the two of them refused to admit. Giles' love proclamations were very adorable, and there is one spicier scene:)

While a bit slow to get into, this was an enjoyable read! And as many have mentioned, if you liked reading or watching Bridgerton, you may enjoy this as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Happy release to Virginia Heath!

Diana and Giles are friends and love to tease each other. They are secretly attracted to one another.
Diana is involved in dangerous work as The Sentinel and other newspaper writings!
Giles is told at a ball of an engagement presumably his!?
He confronts his father and his father has decided to wed to produce a legitimate heir?
Giles gets worried as a great many people depend on the Estate for their livelihood.
He knows the next in line is an evil reprobate who would drain the coffers dry!
In a moment of vulnerability Giles confessed the “Dirty secret!” He trusts Diana and she laters shares a secret of her own!
I love how stubborn they are and how Diana is afraid but takes a leap of faith in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty by Giles of his parents ever wedding and his evil uncle threatening to bring charges and take it all!
Can a forgers daughter and a possible Duke have any kind of future!!?
This story has so many layers it takes a while to unpack!
It is a wild ride of nonstop action! Surprises, villains and victories!
Love the chemistry and the subplots! You would have to stay up all night but totally worth it!
I received a Netgalley copy and thankful I did! Bravo!

This is the first book I have read, from this author. With the understanding, it was a Historical regency romance novel, I was excited to read it. The beginning was pretty good, but quickly turned to nothing of real value or necessity, and I became quite bored. I also became tired of everyone being called a wretch. There were also some phrases that weren’t historically accurate and used out of reference. But I trudged on, about 65% of the way through, I could see the story starting to pick up the pace and become interesting. I really like the character Giles, he was well defined and personable. Diana just irritated me. Some of the jesting was fun and entertaining, but at times just rude and insulting. As I was really looking forward to solving the mystery of rightful heir, I came to chapter 30. It was a very intimate and descriptive sex scene. Now one may call me a prude, but I don’t need a play by play. I had searched prior to getting this book, to determine if it contained sexual content, and found nothing that lead me to that conclusion. If a book is labeled steamy or beyond, I don’t read it! There were innuendos throughout the book that threw up some red flags, but I hope they would all be discrete. I ended up skipping chapter 30 and some of 31, for steamy romance So in a nutshell, I think it was a good story, but I would tighten up the dialogue, revamp Diana, and make it a closed door romance. Then I would have given it 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As soon as I started the book I knew I was going to like it. Diana and Giles’ banter was to die for!! I loved Diana’s character and how fierce she was and loved her storyline. I enjoyed the book and I thought it was such an easy and fun read! If you enjoy romance and want to start reading historical romance as well, I would recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a nice story. It's considered an enemies to lovers trope but I don't really believe that Diana and Giles were ever enemies. Diana is a very independent, strong willed young lady whose learned to take care of herself. Her father abandons her and her sisters, leaving them to fend on their own.
Giles is the son of a Duke, whose father completely ignores him growing up. So their relationship is non existent. Giles also has a very scandalous secret his father is trying to keep quiet.
So both have daddy issues. Both have secrets. And both are attracted to one another.
They end up trusting each other enough to tell each other their secrets. They then work together to solve Giles's problem. The adventure begins.
As I said it was a nice story. But I found it a little predictable, a little boring. I felt it lacking in chemistry. I liked the banter between the two, but that was the extent of their chemistry.
3 ⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

What a swashbuckling good time this regency romance is!
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This is book two of the Merriwell Sisters series and I loved this one even more than the first.
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For fans of:
Romance
Rogue who really isn’t a rogue
Women who want to make a difference
Acquaintances to lovers
Swashbuckling adventures
Open door adventures
Family relationships
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I had this read before pub day but the election has had me on the bird app a lot lately so I apologize for the late review. This one was so fun and I just loved Giles and Diana. I cannot wait for book 3 for a peek back at these two.
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The hugest of thanks to @netgalley and @smpromance for the e-ARC.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

If there is a Bridgerton-shaped hole in your life that needs filling, then look no further than Virginia Heath’s sparkling Regency romantic comedy, Never Rescue a Rogue.

Their nearest and dearest might think that Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair belong together, but the two of them can barely stand to be in the same room together, let alone contemplate the thought of spending the rest of their lives joined in holy matrimony! Besides, even if they could pause long enough not to exchange scathing comments to one another, the two of them are enjoying life far too much to give up their freedom for the shackles of matrimony. Diana adores working at a newspaper and she will not surrender it for the sake of marriage, while Giles loves the bachelor lifestyle far too much to pack it all in and find a suitable bride. However, when fate forces the two of them together, might they realize that their friends and family have been right all along about the two of them being soulmates?

When Giles’ father dies, the true circumstances of his birth risk being revealed by a nefarious miscreant willing to expose him. Giles needs to uncover the truth fast and decides to ask for help from the best investigator he knows: Diana! Giles knows that Diana will leave no stone unturned to get to the truth and he needs her drive and tenacity to discover the secrets of his past. However, the more time Giles spends with Diana, the more he finds himself attracted to her! As resisting temptation soon becomes impossible, will Giles find himself giving into his attraction to Diana? Will he find the courage to tell her how he really feels? Or will pride, fear and a dangerous enemy intent on maximum destruction end up putting paid to any hope he might have had of a future with Diana?

Virginia Heath never fails to imbue her wonderful Regency romantic comedies with razor-sharp repartee, laugh out loud hilarity, intense emotion and swoon-worthy passion and she has outdone herself yet again with Never Rescue a Rogue. Fun, flirty and feel-good, this entertaining Regency tale is spiced with wit, intrigue and sensuality and will enchant readers and keep them eagerly turning the pages as they find themselves falling in love with feisty Diana and gorgeous Giles.

A first-class Regency romance that will brighten up every reader’s day, Virginia Heather strikes gold yet again with her latest novel, Never Rescue a Rogue.

I love the continuation of a good series. Never Rescue a Rogue was just that. Giles and Diana's story is a fun one of friendship, banter and eventually swoony romance. You can tell from the beginning that there's more to their relationship than what initially meets the eye but it takes them a while to give in to their true feelings.

Giles has a battle to determine his status as the new duke and Diana is the daughter of a known forger. They've been friends who banter for a bit, but while working together to try to track down a mystery, they are brought together and find they share more than friendship.

I really enjoyed the storyline to this book. In addition, the characters were well developed and detailed. Everything flowed well and made for an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

I love stories with strong, independent female characters and this read definitely had that. Not only was Diana, the mc, and intrepid individual but all the other female characters had gumption. I enjoyed the dialog between Diana and Giles as they bounced between love and hate. The story was fast paced with some interesting plot lines that kept me intrigued. I am curious to see how Diana maintains her investigative reporter persona once she becomes a Duchess since she will no longer be able to keep her wallflower identity. I will have to follow up with the next book to see how that evolves! Absolutely no hardship there!

What a fun and interesting book! I wish I had known Virginia Heath's stories had so much humor in them earlier. I would have been reading them sooner. This is an only son who's difficult father suddenly dies and he finds himself inheriting his father's Dukedom unexpectedly. He's been burdened with the knowledge ever since his mother died four years ago that he was not her son but some harlot his father loved. Ack, if his Uncle Gervais suddenly appears from banishment and knows, Giles will be jailed or deported and stripped of the title he doesn't deserve! What to do?

Diana Merriwell is a reporter for the London Tribune correcting grammar and contributing gossip for the scandal pages occasionally. In reality she's one of Charlie Palmer's best investigative reporters in secret. No one knows who the Sentinel is but all assume it's a man. Her sister Minerva married Giles Sinclair's best friend Hugh Standish. Hugh's mother Olivia pretty much adopted Minerva's sisters as her own and they all live with Hugh. She and Giles have a bickering relationship but underneath really like each other. Diana's father was a forger who betrayed his girls and Diana finally blackmailed him to leave them alone. She's highly suspicious of men and never lets one get close...until Hugh.

Hugh is determined to get the estate modernized and profitable once again after his miserly father neglected it. He feels like he's under a ticking clock never knowing if he'll get found out. When the Standish family come to visit Diana finds herself helping Giles sort and organize the estate accounts that a complete chaos. They become friends and eventually secrets get shared. Eventually when his Uncle Gervais Sinclair shows up with his son Galahad it hits the fan. Hugh finds himself spilling everything to Diana and she goes into her Goddess of the Hunt and Hunter of the Truth mode for him. She's fearless and he calls her the Fearsome Kicker of Hornets as well. This tale of finding the truth is exciting and a great read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars!

Gah! I absolutely adore the Merriwell sisters. In the first book, we met the eldest sister, Minerva; and in this one we meet Diana, middle sister of the trio.

Diana and Giles share witty barbs to each other, adamantly stating how they can’t stand each other; while their friends and family try to get them together, believing they’d be a good match. Diana is to set on her freedom and working at the newspaper to even consider a relationship, let alone with Giles. And Giles is a consummate bachelor. But both have secrets. And now Giles’ secret is threatening his very dukedom. Enlisting the help of Diana, they work together to unravel the truth of Giles parentage. And the more time they spend together, the more their attraction becomes palpable.

So what happens? Will Giles save his Dukedom and win Diana’s affection? You’ll have to one-click to find out.

I can’t wait for Vee’s story… and boy, do I hope to see more of Gile’s cousin, Galahad.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press ad Virginia Heath for the opportunity to read and review this book!

This is a fairly generous 3⭐️ for me - Giles was darling and the ending was cute .. However. I found this installment less interesting than the first overall, saw nearly every twist or revelation coming a mile away, and the language was often too modern for the times, taking me out of the moment, as well as repetitive in the extreme. How many times can you say something as hokey and noticeable as “so-and-so wore an expression like butter wouldn’t melt in the mouth” (😵‍💫) in one book and have it not be annoying? (The answer is 1, but it appeared 4 times.) The author also beats the details of the main problem to death, much like the first book, which again = annoying. I won’t be finishing this series and this author’s style is really not for me.

<i>Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book.</i>

Title: Never Rescue a Rogue
Author: Virginia Heath
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Diana Merriwell and Giles Sinclair only tolerate one another for the sake of their nearest and dearest. Everyone believes that the two of them are meant to be together, but Diana and Giles know that their constant pithy barbs come from a shared disdain—not a hidden attraction. Diana loves the freedom of working at the newspaper too much to give it up for marriage, and Giles is happily married to his bachelor lifestyle. But they do have one thing in common—the secrets they can’t risk escaping.

When Giles’ father, the curmudgeonly Duke of Harpenden unexpectedly turns up his toes, it’s only a matter of time before someone comes crawling out of the woodwork who knows the true circumstances of his only son's birth. As the threat of blackmail becomes real, Giles must uncover the truth of his parentage first, or else he and all those who depend upon him will be ruined—and dogged bloodhound Diana is his best hope at sniffing out the truth. As Giles and Diana dive into his family’s past, the attraction that the two of them insisted wasn’t there proves impossible to ignore. Soon, the future of the Sinclair estate isn’t the only thing on the line…

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one was a lot of fun, too. Diana is exactly the kind of character I like to read: unashamedly herself, she goes after what she wants to do—no matter what anyone says or thinks about it. She and Giles were a joy to read about, and their witty barbs made me alight several times. This is a fun read!

Virginia Heath lives in London. Never Rescue a Rogue is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)