All’s Fair in Love and War has been compared to both The Sound of Music and Pride and Prejudice, and while it’s been many years since I last saw the former, the comparisons do seem apt. Captain Harry Kincaid loves his nephew and two nieces, but it’s a complete surprise when his sister leaves the three of them and their dog in his care. Much as he adores them, he’s overwhelmed with his job at the Admiralty and can’t devote his time to the kids. So he hires Georgie Rowe, an outspoken and highly opinionated new governess who goes against all his punctuality and militaristic ways. But the differences between them are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the chaos that will ensue in the couple of months they have together. The three rambunctious kids and their dog bring more than enough energy, emergencies, lies, and shenanigans to keep all the adults busy!

This book might look like an enemies-to-lovers situation, but Harry and Georgie are never really enemies. They have different views on how to teach and discipline kids, sure, and Georgie assumes the worst about Harry due to his unfortunate similarities with her horrible stepfather. But it’s not long before they start to see the merit in each others’ ways, as well as the way the kids themselves are influencing their behavior. Georgie and Harry become friends of a sort soon enough, but as their attraction grows, so do their worries about the kind of future they could possibly have together. His naval career would make a marriage nearly impossible, wouldn’t it?

I love how All’s Fair in Love and War gets into the ways family can alter us, even without us realizing it. Both Georgie and Harry have been negatively influenced by their parents, step-parents, and grandparents in unique ways. Are they in the career they actually want, or just one that was pushed on them? Are they judging others fairly, or forming prejudices because of someone else who had a similar background? Then there are the three children: Felix, Marianne, and Grace. They’re good kids overall… but they’ve learned how to get certain reactions out of people, and it’s not always the best behavior. Sometimes it takes a new set of eyes to see what’s really going on!

Both Georgie and Harry are likable in their own ways. Georgie is opinionated and outspoken, making her fun to spend time with in All’s Fair in Love and War. She knows how to make learning enjoyable, but she’s also not afraid to put Harry in his place when needed. For his part, Harry may seem like a boring, regimented stickler, but he’s actually very kind, generous, and sweet. Georgie and Harry have a good contrast and bring out the best in each other.

And of course, I enjoyed seeing the kids and dogs (yes, plural) in action here. They bring a lot of fun and unpredictability. There is sometimes too much distraction from the romance, but it is an action-packed and enjoyable book.

All’s Fair in Love and War is a light and diverting romance about family, career, and love. From dogs and kids to military men’s (mis)quotes and career problems, it offers both fun and more serious insights. Harry and Georgie are an adorable couple of opposites, and I’m already all in on this new series. Georgie has three friends from Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies, and something tells me that Lottie may be the star of the next book… at least I hope she is!

Thank you PRHAudio, St. Martin’s Press, and Uplit Reads for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I’ve been a Virginia Heath fan since I absolutely devoured Never Fall for Your Fiancée!

While I mostly enjoyed this, it was definitely not my favorite book of Heath’s.

Georgie has been unable to find a governess job despite dozens of interviews. Then Harry is left with his nieces and nephew and is in desperate need of a governess.

They disagree over almost everything initially, but slowly develop more of a rapport. I loved seeing Georgie with her charges. Despite her difficulties in securing a position, she seemed to have a way with the children.

Harry works for the navy and is very dedicated to his career, despite it not making him happy.

My main problem with this is we were 90 percent into the book and I wasn’t sure I thought they made sense/would find a way to successfully maintain a relationship. I loved when Harry’s sister talks some sense into him once she returns, but I’d have like to see a little more development of their relationship. I’m still excited to see where the rest of the series goes!

3.5 stars rounded up

This is a fabulous fun read! The characters have such great personalities and their interactions and adventures were so entertaining. I love stories where the hero and heroine seem so opposite but learn they are perfect for each other. This is the first novel I've read by Virginia Heath and I'm so excited to read the rest of her works. I am also looking forward to additional books in this new series Miss Prentice's Protegees.

Thank you UplitReads, Virginia Heath, SMP Romance for my #gifted ARC and thank you @PRHAudio for my #gifted listening copy of All’s Fair In Love and War! #PRHAInfluencer #PRHAudioPartner #PRHPartner #allsfairinloveandwar  #virginiaheath

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐀𝐥𝐥’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐄𝐯𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 & 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

𝟰.𝟱★

All’s Fair in Love and War is the first book in the Miss Prentice’s Protegees series by Virginia Heath and I loved it! I don’t read a ton of regency era books, but that might change after reading this one. This one was so fun and charming! I found myself smiling throughout the entire book. This book had some of my favorite tropes, including opposites attract and forced proximity, and I loved the single uncle trope too! Overall, this book stole my heart and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for book number two!

After Harry finds himself unexpectedly left with his sister’s three children, he decides to hire an emergency governess to keep everything in order. Prepared to pay whatever it will cost, he goes to Miss Prentice’s School for Girls to get a governesses to get the best governess to bring order to the chaos. Due to her upbringing, Georgina thinks that childhood should be filled with laughter, adventure, and happiness, everything that hers was not. While the three Pendleton children embrace Georgie’s unconventional ways, their uncle, does not. A stickler for the rules, Georgie and Harry start to clash with one another…only to eventually fall for one another in their adorable opposites attract novel.

🎧I alternated between the physical book, and the audiobook, narrated by Eva Feiler and Shane East. I loved my time listening to Feiler and East bring Georgie and Harry to life. I thought they both did an excellent job and I really enjoyed my time listening to this one on audio. If you love audiobooks, I highly recommend this one on audio!

🩷Regency Era
🩷Opposites Attract
🩷Forced Proximity
🩷Slow Burn
🩷Single Uncle
🩷Found Family
🩷He Falls First
🩷Open Door Romance

Posted on Goodreads on May 29, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 30, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 29 2024
**-will post on designated date

I've enjoyed all the books I've read by this author so far, and this was no exception. I really enjoyed the series setup of a bunch of governesses graduated from the same school and the book setup of a governess-master romance. The rambunctious, quirky children and the cute, trouble-making dogs added some great charm, and all the naval history involved was fun too. The emotional wounds the two main characters had to work through to end up together were sincere and well-developed, and overall I just really loved it.

Don’t let this adorable Rom-Com cover fool you, this book is packed with a great story filled with romance, family, and lots of smiles. I really enjoyed reading it and I’m so glad it’s book one in a series because I was left wanting more!
Georgina Rowe is trying and failing at finding employment as a governess. She’s been the best student at Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies but after countless failed interviews she thinks she’s destined to failure. When one desperate and strinkly handsome naval captain comes in looking for a governess for his niece and nephew Georgina is told to sit quietly and let the professional take the reins. Henry offers any amount of money to hire Georgina so his life can get back to some order. Off she goes on her first assignment but quickly Henry and Georgina start to quarrel. He will bribe the kids with anything to keep them quiet and Georgina thinks the kids should be active and messy and well…kids.
This assignment is short because the children’s parents shall return in a month, but Georgina finds herself attached to not only to the children and their naughty dog, but also to Henry. The two come from different worlds and have different options on virtually everything but they can’t fight how they feel. Or can they?

I really enjoyed this story with flavors of Sound of Music! It was funny, clever, and entertaining with great chemistry. I wish there was an epilogue as I felt it wrapped up a little too fast, but overall it was a pleasant read.

I absolutely adored All's Fair in Love and War, the first book in Virginia Heath's new series, Miss Prentice's Protegees, which tells the love story of Miss Georgina Rowe, "Georgie", an outspoken governess and her employer, Captain Henry Kincaid, "Harry", an overworked but respected officer in the Royal Navy. Written with her trademark wit and charm, Heath's main characters are reminiscent of Maria and Captain Georg Von Trapp from The Sound of Music as well as Cinderella (aka The Pumpkin Lady) and her handsome prince. Georgie and Harry are sweet and quite well-matched, surrounded by endearing secondary characters that bring them closer together, including Harry's nieces and nephew who are left in his care by his bohemian older sister, when she and her husband decide to travel to Egypt for the summer months. What follows are hilarious shenanigans with the children and their big, ill-behaved dog, Norbert and tender moments that showcase Georgie's and Harry's strengths and weaknesses as individuals - and how they fit together to complete each other. It's about them finding a home in each other - where they are safe, loved and appreciated, and where loneliness is vanquished.

I was charmed by this book, and I can't wait to read the next stories in the series. Kudos to Virginia Heath for giving us a book that offers great chemistry between the main characters, warms the heart and makes us laugh. Hooray for Georgie and Harry - and Cuthbert - and their happily ever after!

A slow-burn Regency romance that was charming and enjoyable. Harry, who was over-worked at the Admiralty had his sister's unruly children and dog unexpectedly dumped on his doorstep. Desperate to get some order back in his household he rushed out to employ a governess and ended up with Georgie Rowe who had very unusual ideas on childrearing but no experiences to back it up. Clashes happened, attraction bloomed, but what about love....

I immediately liked Harry who though wanted order in his life had a soft spot for his nieces and nephew and often gave into their demands. Georgie was a little harder to sympathize with. I agreed with her views on teaching children but she was arrogant in her interviews, arguing stridently with her perspective employers that their ideas were wrong, etc. As Miss Prentice, her own teacher, told her (I liked Miss Prentice, realistic but very empathetic) just go along with the employers and then do what you want with the children because they wouldn't be checking in very much. The parents want results. Plus, Georgie didn't have any real life experience to back up her theories. . I get that Georgie's past with an at least emotionally abuse step-father meant she acted badly when faced with repression but faced with possible starvation should have meant she had a little better grip on her tongue. Ok, that wasn't placed as a possibility in this story, that would be too real, but still the idea should be there.somewhat.. Thank goodness Miss Prentice was there to help her with the interview.

Luckily both Harry and Georgie were able to grow and compromise somewhat. Opposites attract but if there isn't some compromise or agreement on some basic things, no relationship will work. This was were the slow-burn really worked for it allowed them to fall in love in a way that I could buy.

The kids were smart and cute; the dog was sometimes. Other times, his behavior was chaotic and destructive. There can be discipline without being cruel. People who let their dog run consistently wild do not have consideration for other people.

Okay, so the book hit some of my pet peeves but overall it was good. Parts in the middle dragged a bit but the banter between Harry and Georgie with the entertainment provided by the kids and dog made up for it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I enjoyed reading All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed Georgie's more modern approaches to education as well as her willingness to speak her mind. She was strong, although she did try to have some self-control around her employer. Harry had his life mapped out until his sister left him her three children to care for while she was travelling. This up-ended his home life so he hired Georgie. His very linear, strict, rule-bound life went against everything that Georgie believed. I found Harry's inner teddy bear so adorable, and I loved how he listened to those around him to figure out whether he was on the right path. I had tears as he plead his case with Georgie. Wonderful story.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Having a real mean stepfather that wants nothing to do with her, Georgina Rowe was dropped off at an exclusive school run by Miss Prentice to become a protégés governess. Only a select few are offered this opportunity and Georgie ended up being one of her finest students. The only thing was her interviews. She just couldn't seem to pass them. Captain Henry Kincaid has come home to his two nieces and a nephew and a huge dog that have been dropped off by their mother, his sister. As they are driving him crazy, he goes to the school to get a governess and with Miss P doing the talking, Georgie gets hired on the spot. It starts out rough as he is a precise man. So precise he carries two watches. Because of her stepfather being military and how they were treated, she didn’t have much for the military. As they find they are attracted to one another, they need to figure out what they really want and how to get there. Along the way, you will find humor with these children and of course the dog will have you chuckling.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

All‘s Fair In Love And War is the first book in miss Prentiss prodigies series bye Virginia Heath miss Printice inherited a home from the wealthy woman she was a Long time companion to. an inturn started the school to teach young impoverished blue blooded girls how to be companions governesses ETC. Georgie and the girls in her class are the first to graduate and everyone has gotten a job in the past 18 months except for unemployable mouthy Georgie. It seems she lets her mouth get ahead of her brain and is not good at interviewing. when Captain Henry’s flighty sister heads with her husband in search of the beginning of the Nile and leaves him with a humongous dog and three unruly children he is desperate, so Georgie finally gets a position. The only issue is Georgie has promised Miss P that she will hold her tongue in with the stern taciturn Captain Henry that is a big promise. When she first starts she is surprised to see how talented and intelligent the children are but before it’s over the children will not be the only one to surprise Georgie. Not to mention Captain Henry is finding it hard to be stern and commanding when all he wants to do is run his fingers through Georgie‘s red hair. I thoroughly enjoyed this book they have some really funny moments as well as some very sad ones who does all makes for one great book by an author I have loved for a very long time. I cannot wait for the second book in the series I know I say that a lot but that is why my TBR pile is so very big. I want to thank Saint Martin’s press for my free art copy via NetGalley. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Alright, let's dish! So, normally, Regency romances aren't the first romance I’ll grab, but "All’s Fair in Love and War” by Virginia Heath, the first book in the Miss Prentice’s Protégée series, totally knocked my socks off! It's got every trope I live for: enemies to lovers, he falls first, workplace drama, an awesome friend squad, and even adorable animals!!! Seriously, what's not to love?
Here's the lowdown: Georgie, our cheeky governess, crosses paths with Harry, the no-nonsense Navy dude. They weren't supposed to meet, but when Harry's sister bails and leaves her kiddos with him, chaos ensues. Georgie's been job-hunting since she graduated from Miss Prentice’s school ages ago, and Harry's desperate for a nanny. Enter Miss Prentice, who swoops in and suggests Georgie for the gig! Harry's instantly smitten by Georgie's beauty, but guess what? He's got baggage – an ex-fiancée who ditched him for someone else. So, he's all "nope, not gonna fall for her." Meanwhile, Georgie's wary of the stiff, rule-obsessed Captain.
So, can these two stubborn hearts figure it out and maybe even fall for each other? Grab a copy and find out! If you love a good laugh, some swoon-worthy moments, and just a sprinkle of spice, this book’s your next obsession. I can't wait to see what shenanigans Miss Prentice’s Protégés get into next!

Thank you @virginiaheathwrites, St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, clever, sweet, steamy and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

First I would like to thank St. Martin's Press for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the story of Harry, Navy Captain, who after his sister leaves her three children with him for an expedition to Egypt is in desperate need of a governess. When he arrives at Miss P's school Georgie, governess, is the only person available since she has yet to get a full time position and Miss P jumps to send George to Harry's home to help with the kids. After Georgie moves into Harry's home she learns the children, Felix, Marianne and Grace, are very bright but as they have never had formal schooling she has to figure out how to continue to teach them while also appeasing the stickler Harry. With Georgie in his home, Harry is starting to feel things he hasn't felt since his former fiancé left him and he is worried she will screw up his career. As the two spend more time together they learn more about each other their feelings grow and Harry has to decide if Georgie or the Navy are more important to him.

What I loved:
- The Kids, they are referred to as the little Machiavellians and it fits perfectly, while the adults re playing checkers these kids are playing chess
- The dogs, I am always a sucker for pets in a book and when they are as chaotic and cute as the dogs in this story you can understand why I love them
- Georgie, she hasn't been hired cause of her "opinions" on teaching and I love that she doesn't want to be a traditional teacher but one that figures out what is best for the students
- Georgie's friends, she meets the girls when she joins Miss P's school and they are a great support system for each other and encourage each other's passions

If you are looking for a historical romance with enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, great side characters and a few cute dogs then I would encourage you to pick this one up. I cannot wait for the next book in this series and learn more about all of Georgie's friends!

⭐️rating: 4/5

How fun! All’s Fair in Love and War was such an entertaining historic workplace romance between an uncle temporarily caring for three kids and the governess he’s hired to care for them. There’s so much pining and a delicious slow burn with a bit of spice at the end.

I especially enjoyed the characters! The kids are so rambunctious and I love them, they’re so fun! I also really enjoyed the main characters’ growth throughout as they slowly realized what (or who) they truly wanted. And what a crazy dog😂

A couple things annoyed me just a little, but definitely didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the story. I just wish Harry didn’t constantly refer to Georgie as a siren, vixen, or minx…it sometimes seemed like a constant rotation through those three words.

I do wish we had a little more at the ending, like an epilogue to see how it all ends up. It did wrap up rather quickly in the last chapter, and I’d love to see more of their HEA.

But overall I very much enjoyed the story and am intrigued to see whose story is next of the three best friends!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first Virginia Heath read. Historical romance is one of my favorite genres and this book didn’t disappoint! It was funny and whitty but also emotional and sweet. I really enjoyed it and want to read the rest of the series!

All's Fair In Love and War by Virginia Heath is a regency romance that is sweet, humorous in some places, and endearing.

Georgina is a protégé of Miss Prentice school for governess and Harry, is in urgent need of governess for his nephew and nieces. Both Georgina and Harry have reasons not to pursue a romance with each other, but all's fair in love and war.

This story was endearing in so many places. The children and their relationship with both their uncle and Georgina was the highlight of this book. I loved reading this story and look forward to the second book of the series.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Virginia Heath for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for All's Fair in Love and War coming out May 28, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read several books by this author. I really love her writing. She always has fun historical romances. I really enjoyed this story. It felt a little like Jane Eyre with Georgie’s backstory. I thought she was an interesting character. Harry was also fun and well-rounded. The only I didn’t really care for was around 75% of the book. It always seems like the couples in regency romances get into a big fight after they’ve spent the night together. I’m not really a fan of that trope. But overall, I loved it and I’m definitely excited for more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency romances!