Full Disclosure: I received this advance reading copy of the book from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, in exchange for my honest review.

3.75/5 stars

Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath proved very well-written, particularly compared to other period romances. A mixture of romance and mystery, Heath’s novel explores how two individuals with similar dispositions—Diana and Giles—come to finally realize that they love each other. However, events from Giles’s past come to light that could threaten his livelihood and his future with Diana. Fans of the Bridgerton and the Wallflowers series will enjoy this read.

Another disclosure: I requested this book without realizing that it was the second in The Merriwell Sisters series; therefore, I sometimes felt confused about some of the mentioned relations. I also became confused during scenes of dialogue between the two protagonists. Their voices were very similar, which made it sometimes difficult to identify who was talking. That being said, I would very much like to read the first book in the series so that I may discover more about the other sisters and their past.

Genre: historical romance, late Georgian era (post-regency)

1826. Diana Merriwell excels at digging up information. In fact, she’s so good at it that despite her insistence that her only job at the newspaper where she works is proofreading, she’s actually the strongest contributing member to the gossip column and secretly the investigative reporter known as The Sentinel. Giles Sinclair loves nothing more than displeasing his miserly father, the Duke of Harpenden. The duke was a man of many secrets, and Giles’s potential illegitimacy is one of them. But just before the duke dies unexpectedly, a flurry of activity has Giles worried that several of those secret could be uncovered by the wrong sorts of people (and relatives), so he enlists the help of the journalist who has wheedled her way under his skin and stuck there.

First of all, I did not read the first book (Never Fall for Your Fiance, featuring older sister Minerva Merriwell and Hugh, Giles’s best friend), which I rarely do. On the one hand, it’s clear that I’m reading a book with well-established characters and I potentially missed out on some backstory. On the other hand, Virginia Heath does an excellent job with callbacks and introducing the right level of detail for this story to flow smoothly. I was never lost, I just felt like I may have been missing out.

Diana and Giles have a classic enemies to lovers relationship, only it’s encouraged along by Diana’s family. Her younger sister Vee and sister Minvera’s mother-in-law Olivia in particular recognize the antagonism for attraction. But Diana wants none of it because she’s worked so hard for her independence at age 23….only she *is* intrigued at the feelings Giles stirs in her. But truly one of my favorite things in romance is watching a hero fall head over heels first and spend half the book pining. Watching Giles's true character and pining nature unfold through the book was a joy. This is a slow burn, but I found that more than acceptable as I was caught up in the late Duke’s secrets and watching Diana and Giles argue and then kiss and pretend it didn’t happen.

I am going to recommend you read book one first, but that’s just because I now want to go back and read it because Minerva and Hugh sound like excellent characters, too, and now I’ll excitedly wait for Vee [and Galahad’s???] book next.

I loved Never Fall for Your Fiancée and this was one of my most anticipated books this year. It was a little slow for me, but I’m not sure that wasn’t me and not the book. Once I really got into it, I enjoyed it! I loved Diana and Giles’ banter in the first book and I’m glad we got their story! Diana is my favorite kind of heroine; strong, smart, strong-willed. She protests her family and her heart at all costs. I can’t blame her for being nervous around men with a father like hers. I enjoyed the mystery element of this as well. I really hope Vee is getting her own book as well!

After reading Never Marry Your Fiancé, in Heath’s second book, we follow the middle Merriwell sister, Diana. Headstrong, fierce, and independent, Diana has no intention of tying herself to anyone, including the handsome Duke Giles Sinclair, whom she clearly has no feelings for.

A whirlwind of truths and lies, Diana willingly digs into the young Duke’s past to help secure his future. But it comes at a cost, which will either force Giles and Diana a life apart or possibly bring them together. Stay for the banter and see if these two strong-willed characters will finally give in to their deepest desires.

I had a few concerns with Heath’s novel that I think needs to be addressed. My first concern is the aggressive and mean spirited reaction Diana has towards one female character in the beginning of the novel.

“Pamela was crying again because apparently she did that a great deal and at the slightest provocation. Diana was seriously tempted to go shake the girl by the shoulders and tell her not to be such a pathetic victim all the time” -Advance Readers Copy Never Recue A Rogue, Virginia Heath

Authors are able to create independent, feministic thinking characters without having to resort to being physically violent and verbally abusive. I was really taken aback my this reaction and made me dislike Diana as a character.

There was also some transphobic dialogue about a character (Lord Stifford) that I wondered why Heath decided to use in her novel.

“Stifford’s an odious little oik who I am convinced wears a corset under his coat as I am sure I have heard it creak a time or too when we’ve played bollards.” - Advance Readers Copy Never Recue A Rogue, Virginia Heath

Why did the author choose to have Giles make these comments several times in the novel? What is it that Heath is trying to convey by having her main character say that a character wears a corset in a negative way? It feels like a microaggression toward the LGBTQ+ community and should be addressed by the author and publisher.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

Just like the first in this series, very charming. Loved watching the two dummies figure out what everyone else already knew. The banter was delightful, the mystery angle was just enough to be interesting but not overpower the love story. Could have used more heat and intensity in their connection.

Giles Sinclair, the newly elevated Duke of Harpenden, has a serious problem. He's working against time trying to undo and compensate tenants and staff for the wrongs perpetrated by his late father, but his time may be up. A long-lost evil uncle shows up on his doorstep, claiming to have evidence that will upend and destroy the Sinclair family. Diana Merriwell is not one to let sleeping dogs lie so when Giles confides in her "the Dirty Secret" he's recently found out, she's determined to help him out of his current predicament. These two claim to be barely tolerable of each other, but circumstances throw them together and they are finding it hard to resist temptation. Can Giles unravel the mystery and finally be able to declare his feelings before time runs out?

This is the first book I've read in the series, and even though I hadn't read the previous Merriwell's sister story, I could follow along easily enough. Both Giles and Diana are engaging characters, and I loved their caustic banter with each other. I got a little tired of the constant use of "skeleton's rattling" and "hornet's nest kicked" sayings and felt some different wording would have sufficed. The story moved along well, but my favorite character was the butler, Dalton. He was hilarious and added so much depth to the story. After so many twists and turns, Giles and Diana finally got their HEA. I can't wait to read Vee's story.

I became interested in the Merriwell sisters after Never Fall For Your Fiancé and was excited to read this next installment in the series. That being said, as a reader there is some trepidation when it comes to expectations for a new series. To my delight I needn’t have worried! I felt very connected to Diana and her determination to make her own way without asking for help. I also connected to Giles and his mental health struggles due to familial matters throughout the book. The characters stood out on their own and when put together sparks fly! The chemistry between them is fun to read and you can’t help rooting for them as a potential couple. In my opinion the author’s writing has progressed immensely between the first and second book, and I think this second one is better than the first! Thank you so much St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

“If you are brave enough to wield it, the truth is always the most powerful weapon against evil.” - Diana Merriwell, Goddess of the Hunt and Hunter of the Truth

This review is brought to you by NetGalley! I am honored to have been sent an early copy of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts and feelings.

Virginia Heath has done it again! Never Rescue a Rogue was a delightful part two of the Merriwell Sisters series. With Hugh and Minerva happily married with a baby on the way, they step aside to let a prickly Diana and jovial Giles take the center stage in this “frenemies” to lovers novel. Though clearly everyone sees their undeniable attachment, these two stubborn characters like to torture readers with their constant denial and bickering. This superficial friendship takes a sudden depth when Giles enlists Diana to help him solve a case that could either save him or leave him penniless and in total ruin. The two must embark on this quest while also fighting the urge to give in to their buried burning for one another.

I loved the alliteration in this book, among the many other literary strategies to engage a reader and make the whole experience pleasant. A story is only as good as the presentation, and I feel that Mrs. Heath does this very well. I also appreciate that while there are challenges that the characters inevitably face, the plot is fairly simple and to the point. Readers are not taken on a journey that leaves them feeling motion sick and ready to jump ship. This book is also full of humor, and while our main lovers have a few spicy words for one another, Giles’s BUTLER is the real master at work. It was so fun to get more insight on the side characters, such as our butler Dalton, Vee, and Olivia, as it added a little more depth to the romantic comedy.

While I overall enjoyed the book immensely, what I did struggle with was the repetitive use of idioms, two in particular. While investigating the Sinclaire family drama, there were too many references to “skeletons rattling.” And as Diana hunted for the truth, “hornets’ nests were kicked.” These two phrases are fine, but they were overused. The repetitive nature felt like an inside joke that grew less and less funny. If other idioms took their place, or if they were simply scratched, I believe this would have been much more fun to read. Instead, I was left rolling my eyes a few times!

I cannot wait to read part three of the Merriwell Sisters, and I know Heath is going to lift the characters off the page so wonderfully, as I have seen her do twice now! “And if you want my opinion”, you should read this book as soon as it hits the shelves!

4 / 5 Stars

I liked the first book in this series but absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED this one. It was probably my favorite new release of the year. The banter was fantastic. The heroine was smart, strong, and knew her own mind. The hero was totally charming and endearing and not just the typical rake. Best of all, I loved that he didn’t unnecessarily fight his feelings for her even as he did the typical hero move of trying to push her away to protect her. The familial relationships were both heartbreaking and touching. Five star read.

Heath's witty storytelling continues in Never Rescue a Rogue, with wonderful banter between Diana and Giles. It's very similar in style to the first book, though the pacing of the story better matches the "mystery element" that drives most of this plot. This is a perfect romance for the reader who prefers to focus on chemistry and the journey to falling in love, rather than on what happens behind closed doors.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I liked the cover enough to break away from my current NA streak! It was a fun tale and I edited the clean plot and language.

This was a pure delight. It was a perfect blend of romance, comedy, banter and the banger chemistry. This is a well-written, fun romance. I truly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Diana and Giles. Great chemistry between them. Well done. It is thoroughly riveting story, full of lively humor and romance, gorgeously evocative and I loved the compelling family ties among the characters which make the story more fascinating and heart-warming. I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I loved every word of this book. It was clear from the beginning that Diana and Giles cared for one another, even if outwardly they only barely tolerated each other. Diana was so smart and relentless it was impossible not to adore her. And Giles was such a gentleman; he always put her well-being first, even when she didn’t. I loved the bickering, the sleuthing, the cast of wayward characters. Heath’s writing was phenomenal in this enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn, historical romance. I recommend it to everyone! I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

**Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and Virginia Heath. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***

Virginia Heath is back and letting Diana and Giles take center stage. Diana's biggest issue is trust and the past year has thrown her for a loop. She has a brand new family, new responsibilities at work no one can know about, and her brother-in-law's best friend to spare with. When Giles needs help, Diana uses all her skills and abilities to make sure his history doesn't come back to haunt him. Giles is trying valiantly to not compromise his best friend's sister-in-law and fix all the mistakes his father has left in his wake. The duke and his headstrong reporter find their stride and fall in love in this must read!

I have to admit I was very hesitant going into this book whether or not I would enjoy it, wanting to have more of a backstory I chose to read the first Merriwell sisters book prior which put me off a bit even though their meeting in Never Fall for Your Fiancée caught my attention.

However, I was pleasantly surprised how much more I enjoyed this book after getting through the first couple of chapters. Giles and Diana felt much more compatible and had more chemistry in my eyes, they had me eating out the palm of their hands.

Some things I adored in this book:
Diana being a headstrong, hardworking woman.
The things Guile’s learned about his mother and how alike they were
The banter between everyone was really fun to read.

There were only a two things I didn’t quite care for, at times the sleuthing seemed to drag a little. And miss Vee, unfortunately I still cannot take a liking to her.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Love at first sight in denial.

In Virginia Heath's, Never Rescue Rogue, we follow the story of Diana and Guiles. They are the troupe of love at first sight but both being stubbornly in denial of wanting to actually be together. The ever suspicious Diana is always willing to do whatever it takes to uncover the truth and exactly the help Guiles needs to lie his family's dirty secrets to rest.

I read this book before I read Heath's first book in the series (Never Fall for Your Fiancee) which I immediately read when I finished Never Rescue a Rogue.
I am so glad I picked up thos book. From the beginning I got swept into Diana and Guiles. I wanted to know how we would end up with a happily ever after and I was not disappointed.

My biggest takeaway away from this book is that love is manifested in many ways. Diana shows love by taking care of and rescuing. Guiles shows love through actions of trust, like sharing deep secrets and asking for help. They both needed these .anifestatikns of love to realize the deep feelings and attachments they had developed.

The first question I ask myself is, would I read this book again. My answer is absolutely yes. The second question is, would I like to watch this book as a movie. Again, absolutely yes! Please please pick this one up Netflix!

Almost exactly a year ago (3 days off) I read and reviewed “Never Fall For Your Fiancé”. In this review I said, “It was funny and sweet and I have a feeling there will be a sequel. Perhaps with Hugh’s best friend Giles and Minerva’s sister Diana? I sure hope so, because I’ll read the heck out of that.”

Well, there was a sequel, it was with Giles and Diana, and I just read the heck out of it. It was so good. Who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers story?

We met Giles and Diana in the previous book and knew from the chemistry that they would definitely get their own story. And lo and behold, here it is. The book starts off with both Giles and Diana hiding huge secrets. When Giles is in trouble they decide to trust each other with those secrets and team up to find evidence that will help Giles.

Working so close together causes them both to realize just how much they truly care for each other. Predictable? Yes. Amazingly fun? Absolutely! The banter and tension between these guys is *chef’s kiss* beautifully done. And the secondary characters were a hoot.

I find that I truly enjoy Heath’s witty writing style and I look forward to Venus’ story. Because c’mon! Vee was definitely having some serious eye connection with Giles’ newfound cousin. Calling it now: Vee and Galahad are HEA in book three. I’m sure I’ll be here reviewing it same time next year.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this was fun! Better than the first book in the series because Giles and Diana’s vitriol were fabulous! A bit too dramatic with the unveiling of the mystery at the end, but fun all the same.

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

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

3.5 stars, rounded up

i enjoyed this book! virginia heath’s writing style is very easy to read. much like the first book in this series, i liked the speed of the plot and the tropes used; also much similar to book one, i found that the characters were a bit flat, and the dialogue felt somewhat juvenile at some points. regardless of this, i really liked this book! i loved diana and giles (especially diana, she was one of my favourites in ‘never fall for your fiancee’ as well), and it was nice to see more of vee in this book (though her character seemed quite inconsistent from how she was portrayed in the first book). over all, i liked this book; it was an easy read, and if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll almost certainly like this one as well :) (it also has gotten me super excited for vee's book!!)

Firstly, I’d like to say how much I adore this cover! It’s so lovely and I couldn’t stop staring at it while reading the book.

Secondly—this book! I was nervous because this has been an anticipated read of mine but I had no reason to be. I enjoyed the main characters and their relationships. Author does such a beautiful job curating these endearing and wonderful characters with seemingly real personalities and ambitions. I absolutely busted out laughing so many times! This book was so fun, witty and honest!

Any who, I AM SO HONORED I GOT THE CHANCE TO READ THIS NOVEL. It hooked me immediately and I love how much we focused on all the side characters as well.. I really enjoyed the storyline and wow my heart melted so many times because Giles was so charming.

I think this one even topped so many other historical romances this month, and I can't wait to tell everyone to buy it when it's in stores or be annoyingly persistent about it when I’m at the library.

I adored Giles and Diana and the atmosphere so much and I hope the author continues putting out more books like this!