I’m sad to say that I did not like this book. I loved Virginia Heath’s previous series but this one just fell short. Same old tropes and plot lines that got old really fast. I will not be continuing on with this series.

3.5 Stars.
I really liked the Merriwell Sisters series from this author; So I was very excited to give this new series a try. Georgie as a character was interesting, but I wanted a little more about her issues with her stepfather especially in the context of him being a military man when her love interest is a Navy man. Harry, the love interest, was also an intriguing character. I felt like we got a lot more about his family history. I also liked that we see the hints of close relationships with his nieces and nephew and that he can relax and enjoy life sometimes. I just thought that the parts where he is really thinking about intimacy in general and in relation to Georgie were a bit out of character. It was a little much. Also a little much was the height thing. He is tall of course, which, whatever, at least that wasn't overly harped on. However, we were never given a break on how petite and short Georgie is. I am getting pretty tired of this dynamic in every single book. Luckily, I thought that their relationship (once you kind of ignore the height thing and his expositions on intimate relations) was actually pretty cute. It's clear that they care for each other emotionally and a senario in the last 20% ish really showed how they work well together.
I will definitely be continuing on in the series to see how her friends from the governess school find their happy ever afters.

I loved The Merriwell Sisters series by Virginia Heath so this was a no-brainer request for me. I usually love a "dad falls for the governess" storyline but this fell a bit flat. I liked Georgina but the plot overall was a bit boring, unlike her previous series. Not sure if I would read the next book in this series, choosing to leave this as a one and done.

A charming rom-com with a unique Regency twist, I enjoyed All is Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath.

It was refreshing to read a Regency romance that focused more on the middle class rather than the aristocracy. The novel offered an insightful look at how deeply women — especially young girls — were dependent on the men in their lives for financial and social stability. This heavier theme was nicely offset by the lively and vibrant atmosphere of Miss P’s school, which added a lovely dash of charm and humor, though I do wish it had been given more attention in the narrative.

I’d give the book a solid 3.5 stars, and with a few editorial tweaks, it easily could have been a 4. The plot itself was strong, the dialogue was sharp and entertaining, and the supporting cast had great potential. However, the storytelling sometimes felt uneven. Whenever the main characters engaged in conversation, the narrative would often veer off into extended internal monologues or lengthy backstory — which disrupted the flow. I found myself skimming at times, waiting for the dialogue to resume. These info dumps could have been more effectively integrated through interactions with the side characters, who were sadly underutilized in that regard.

Despite these issues, I was invested enough to stick with the story through to the end.

This book is a bit out of my comfort zone in the sense that … it’s a little more comfortable and cute than I’m used to! 🤣 Thus I will put aside my own preferences and review this book objectively. The characters have a slow burn romance that is enjoyable to follow, and the banter is sweet. Virginia Heath does a really good job with this particular genre, and the cover is fitting and appealing to readers.

This regency romance was adorable! I love a governess plot because men interacting with kids is always precious. Georgie and Harry were both incredibly likable, and both had a lot to learn, so the story felt balanced well between their character growth and their romance.

This was such a charming and adorable read. I adored it! IF you're looking for a fun and lively rom-com, then this is for you. The characters are so fun and the tension was just right. Thanks for the ARC!

Give me a historical romance set in London any day! I love slow burn romances and this one was perfection. The banter, the romance, the grumpy love interest — love love love! Wish I could read it again for the first time!

In this delightful story where Mary Poppins meets Mr. Darcy, a sunshine-souled governess squares off against a storm cloud of a naval captain in the drawing rooms of Regency London.
Georgina Rowe is the kind of governess who shows up with a twinkle in her eye and a lesson plan that includes tree-climbing, giggling fits, and the occasional perfectly aimed sling-shot. Enter Henry Kincaid—grumpy, rule-bound, and completely unprepared for his new role as reluctant guardian of three delightfully feral children and one dog that may or may not be part horse.
Their worlds collide when Henry, drowning in Admiralty paperwork and sibling abandonment, hires Georgina in desperation. What he doesn’t expect is a governess who believes discipline is best served with a side of delight and who teaches the children astronomy by starlight and poetry through puddle-jumping.
Cue the sparks. And the chaos. And the growing realization that while he thought she was the storm, she might just be the calm he never knew he needed.
This book is equal parts charm and chuckles, with a touch of yearning and just the right dose of chaos. It’s a delightfully fun Regency romp, dressed up in witty banter and misbehaving children. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and by the end, you’ll be ready to adopt a few wayward children and a giant dog of your own!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars

[ thank you @smpromance for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]

This was super cute! My first book by this author but won’t be my last! Harry & Georgie had great banter, loved the opposites attract trope. The dogs & kids were cute as welll even with all the chaos at times!

All’s Fair in Love and War is everything I want in a historical romance: sharp banter, a swoonworthy slow burn, and characters with real heart beneath their polished exteriors. Virginia Heath brings her signature wit and sparkling dialogue to this delightful tale of rivals-turned-something-more, set against the backdrop of Regency-era society.

Any Virginia Heath book is one I’ll read. I absolutely loved get previous series and I’m so excited about this one.

The book follows a governess named Georgie who is finding it difficult to be placed for a job due to her outspoken nature and finally the woman who has trained her finds a position with a man in desperate need of a governess. He comes to the school in search of a governess for his sister’s 3 children who have been unceremoniously dumped on his door while is sister gallivants out of London. When Georgie is offered up for the position, she agrees to get the opportunity to finally having a position. Only she doesn’t realise that the man is in the Navy and very particular about keeping time. As they continue through the month, they struggle to get their bearings with their differing views on how to teach the children and the indeed tension been the two.

I really liked how well the characters were written. Harry and Georgie were fun to watch as they struggled to raise the children that weren’t their own. Also Harry coming off as hard and punctual (or a hard boiled egg, IYKYK) and then showing his softer sides as well was one of my favorite sides of the book. The kids were adorable and such little manipulators that they really added a fun element to the entire story. I like how they each had their own personality that didn’t overwhelm the book. I am so excited to read the next series in the book because these friends seem like they would get into all sorts of fun regency trouble!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All's Fair in Love and War is a charming, witty historical romance full of sparkling banter, endearing characters, and just the right amount of tension. Virginia Heath crafts a delightful enemies-to-lovers tale that had me smiling from beginning to end. A truly fun and heartwarming read!

This romance brings together a governess who can't get a job because she's too forthright with her opinions during interviews, and an overworked navy captain who lives for order and control, unlike his free spirited older sister, whose children he must mind for some months.

So, to begin with, these things were too implausible for me to accept:
-A governess was a terrible job for a single woman. She would never be part of a home's staff and not part of the family, no matter how high born she might have been. So, she would not eat with the family, she would not have a room in the same part of the house as the family, etc.
-A governess speaking so opening to her employer would have been booted out the door with likely no references.

Then, the things I did not like:
-the hero is too utterly boring for words, despite the author trying to make him sympathetic: (he’s a softie for dogs) and he hates his job
-Georgie is unable to curb her tongue, ever??? Is she a child??
-Did I mention how little I cared for what's his face the supposed hero?
-No servant during this period would ever call their employer by his first name. Ever.
-The story was just too long.
-Little acknowledgement of how precarious a position a governess is in with respect to termination and to assault
-Repeated descriptions of Georgie being compact, and stumpy, tiny, etc.

Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This was a lovely quick read that I really truly enjoyed. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. This book is perfect for anyone who loves a good slow burn romance. The bantering scenes between Georgie and Harry will have you giggling and kicking your feet in excitement.

Thank you to @virginiaheathwrites and @macmillanusa for gifting me a copy of the book.

In my historical romance era and loved ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR by Virginia Heath. A governess finds herself working for a navy admiral who unexpectedly gained custody of his three nieces and nephews. He’s nothing like she expected and as she gets to know him better, he goes from 1/10 likeable to 9/10 likeable, maybe even 9.5! It was an excellent read.

This was a fun romcom, that had excellent banter! I won't say this is my favorite read ever, but it was pretty enjoyable.

I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

Virginia Heath is almost single-handedly fueling my Regency romance addiction and nursing my Bridgerton hangover. This book is absolutely delightful and I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Utterly delightful. It's funny. It's a bit silly in all the best ways. It's a little spicy. Absolutely loved. I have a new favorite author to add to the list.