I usually love Victorian romances, but the tone and pace of this one didn't sit as well with me, for some reason.

I will probably still give the rest of the series a shot but it doesn't have quite the draw I'm used to, and given the multitude of titles in this genre, I might not prioritize it.

That being said, I did like the governess twist which I haven't seen as much in novels.

Another regency winner by Virgina Heath.
Fun and cute read with amazing atmosphere ,promising great banter,humorous scenes and funny characters with great chemistry!
Will always recommend her books especially to people starting to read historical romance!


*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I have not read Virginia Heath’s previous series (yet), but I’ve heard good things and decided to take a chance on this start to a new series. It was a good choice as I enjoyed it very much.

Georgie is recently trained governess with unconventional ideas about how to educate her future charges hired by the straight-laced, strictly regimented military man, Harry, to care for his nieces and nephew unexpectedly left in his care. The two could not be more opposite in their approach to life, and despite clashing over their approach to structure, they are even more unsettled by a growing attraction between them.

I loved Georgie. Her spirit was so endearing to me and her inability to keep her thoughts to herself was both comical and admirable. It lead to some great banter between her and Harry once she was in the home to care for the children. I also really loved that she got to know the children and had confidence in her belief that there were better ways to advance their education than a rigid classroom based on their personalities. It was clear she took her work seriously and truly cared.

I liked Harry as well. On the surface, he seems very dour and buttoned up, but it’s obvious in his interactions with his nieces and nephew that he’s really just a big softie inside. I liked that he (eventually) allowed Georgie the freedom to run her lessons as she saw best fit and trusted that she had the children’s best interest at heart. I also thought it was funny to be in his head as he fought the battle of attraction to Georgie and lost it spectacularly.

I did struggle a bit with pacing and things feeling a bit repetitive at times as Georgie and Harry danced circles around their emotions and growing attraction. That said, I did appreciate the slow burn of the romance. It felt true to the characters and their respective personal histories for things to go the way they did.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

England - During the Regency Period

Georgina Rowe finds herself literally dropped off at Miss Prentice's School for Girls after her stepfather, a strict, unemotional military man who made Georgina and her late mother's lives miserable, decides she needs a profession. Destined to become a governess, nevertheless, Georgina's rather unwavering ability of blunt speech has made her, after her years of training, unemployable. Miss Prentice knows that Georgina is well educated, and should make an excellent governess, despite numerous potential employers turning her down. So when an officer from the Admiralty begs Miss Prentice for help, she sends Georgina.

Captain Henry Kincaid (Harry) is at wit's end after his older, flighty sister runs off to Egypt with her husband, depositing her three offspring with Harry. He loves his nephew and two nieces, but his work at the Admiralty demands most of his time, and the three, and their large, unruly dog, are a handful. Thankfully, he's been rescued by Miss Prentice in the form of a rather lovely, red-headed young woman named Georgie. At least he thinks he's been rescued.

Georgie's theory about children is that, unlike her upbringing, they should be happy, have adventures, and be cherished by their family. So, with that in mind, and a trio of devil-may-care children, and their silly dog, Georgie begins to work her magic. However, Harry, remember, he's a Naval officer, is much more dedicated to strict rules which results in some butting of heads with this governess. What's worse is that he's also attracted to her. What could go wrong?

ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR is a truly delightful tale of two very opposite people who both learn a little bit about each other's needs and wants. And the children bring quite a bit of fun into the story with their own different backgrounds. A totally entertaining romp ensues.

If I could I would give this 4.5 stars! This had me in all my feels! I loved Georgie from start to finish. I really felt connected to her and her strong headedness, fiery personality and the struggles she overcame.

Our MMC was the epitome of a grumpy sunshine! The love he had for his family could melt the coldest heart and he’s a dog lover what more could you want?!?

This was one of the best historical romances I’ve read in a long time!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Virginia Heath for the eARC of this amazing book!

This is a very charming story! Coming into this, not gonna lie I thought the characters will be quite one dimensional but very pleased to see that it's not the case at all. The characterization felt multidimensional and is fleshed out very well.

I thought the Captain will be an overly stoic and alphahole kind of character, but no! He's a very disciplined man but really love his nephew & nieces very well, and this is shown multiple times throughout the story with how he treated them to ice cream and comforted them. Georgie too, I thought she'd be a manic pixie dream girl who is super quirky at first. While yes she did have some quirks, she was shown to be a very capable governess on her own. Both lead casts are very wholesome and endearing, and for me actually felt like actual real people. Very enjoyable to read!

I also really like the rather unusual setting - the MMC is a naval captain and there's a lot of references on this. One of the scenes even took place on a boat. They're also both commoners. so it does feel quite refreshing to be away from the ton for once.

Story beat wise, the first 1/3 to me is a bit slow moving, but the endearing cast helped to make it enjoyable. I do appreciate the slow burn as it makes the relationship feels more real. The last 1/3 part has some angst and I really enjoyed this part. Again, have to hand it to Georgie that she doesn't just become a simpering mess. The resolution also feels very satisfactory in terms of career and life choices for both leads.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to read more!

When Georgina finally gets a governess job with a stuffy naval officer as her boss, she is hard pressed to suppress her real personality. Henry is immediately attracted to Georgina and tries to deny the attraction. Georgina keeps him on his toes as she manages to rein in the unruly children. Knowing the job is only temporary does not stop Georgina from getting very attached to them all. Henry has to choose between his naval career and a life with Georgina. I received an ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my honest review.

All's Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
Rating: 3/5 stars

Aspects of this book were very enjoyable. I think if you enjoy regency romances, this book could be a great fit for you. This is my first book by this author, but this story left me feeling intrigued by her other books, which I now want to read.

Georgie and Harry have some very sweet moments together, but I did feel that their individual characters, as well as their relationship, could've been a bit more developed to make the story more interesting and emotionally compelling.

I enjoy historical romances with the basic premise of this one: man falling in love with governess he employs to look after the children in his care. But I found the specifics of this particular situation a bit less convincing.
Additionally, I found the writing style of this book made it a bit difficult to enjoy. The paragraphs felt very long for a historical romance, at least compared to what I'm used to reading.

Despite the few things I personally didn't enjoy, I don't think this was a bad book. And I do really recommend it to people who enjoy regency romances, many of whom I think will find they enjoy this story!

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

This is one of my first regency romances that I have read and I really enjoyed it! We have a lot in our library and I just haven’t picked them up but I will in the future - especially by Virginia Heath. I loved the slower burn of the romance after reading a lot of insta love books in the past it was fun to see the characters get to know each other through out the book and it’s a unique predicament they are in. I think at times it was a bit slow but that was probably just me not being as use to this kind of book! The writing was top notch though and I really felt like I got immersed into regency era while reading. Will be purchasing for our library!

This was such a cute read. I absolutely loved it! A fun and lively rom-com for fans of The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Nanny McPhee.
This book is such a breathe of fresh air!
I was constantly giggling and smiling.
The characters are so fun and I was instantly taken by the realism of the story. The tension and pining was silly and fun.
Georgie reminds me a lot of myself and I feel I relate to her in many ways. I always seem to enjoy a book more when I feel a personal connection to the characters!
I think this is a book that will become a favorite for many! I’m looking forward to picking up another Virginia Heath book:) I highly recommend!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Net Galley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first regency romance and I enjoyed it! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this.

A charming regency romp! Loved the slow burn romance and how the characters were thrown together. Throughly enjoyed and will be looking forward to see the next instalment with one of Georgie’s friends.

A sweet, predictable Regency romance with a grumpy naval officer, his rambunctious nieces and nephews, and the governess who comes in to bring order and light. The story moved somewhat slowly with a lot of repetition - there are a lot of passages about the captain's need for order and the educational theories of the governess that occur over and over and slow down the plot. I skimmed a lot of that. Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars for me, rounded up to 3. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Griffin for the ARC.

All’s fair in love and war was a fun read, and thanks to NetGalley for the arc! The characters were delightful (I love Henry and Georgie so much), and we love a historical romance! Would recommend for a fun read!

After reading the Merriwell Sisters trilogy last year, I so excited to see a new Virginia Heath book coming. All's Fair in Love and War was just as fun. The FMC is a governess who is hired quickly by a punctual, particular Naval officer who has unexpectedly taken over guardianship of his nieces and nephew (and their big, frog-catching dog!) while his sister travels abroad. They both come into the relationship with military-associated baggage from their upbringing to work through. Highly recommend this book if you like rom-com style Regency romances with lovable side characters, witty banter, and (intentionally!) misattributed military proverbs.

I really enjoyed this terrific Regency romance, the first in a new series from Virginia Heath. I have read other books by the author, but this would stand alone as well. The author manages to bring fun and freshness to the “governess/guardian” trope through deft, believable characterization and a plot that moves quickly enough to keep it interesting but also allows space for character development. Recommend for fans of Julia Quinn, Eloisa James or Martha Waters.Thank you to St Martin’s and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a new series from Virginia Heath and starts with the story of orphaned Georgie Rowe, abandoned at 16 years of age by her uncaring stepfather, the Colonel. Luckily a new opportunity opened up for her, and he jumped at the chance of shedding the responsibility of Georgie after her mother died from smallpox. Georgie somehow was accepted into a school run by Governess-extraodinaire, Miss Prentice. After being dragged around to various military barracks and then abandoned, at least now, she was given a home, a chance to make friends, and a way to learn to make a living for her future.

After several years at the school and becoming a protegee of Miss Prentice, Georgie is ready to proceed with being a governess, but is unable to secure a position as she has strong feelings about how children should be raised and cared for. She has suffered the lack of care, love, and militaristic discipline of the Colonel and determined not to allow that for her future charges, but lacks the guile and diplomacy to stay quiet about her strong views during her interviews. Over 30 failed interviews... she has set a record.

Captain Henry Kincaid is in quite a conundrum. He is a hardworking, disciplined fixer for the Admiralty; procuring supplies for their various naval ships and voyages, and on a rapid path for advancement. He had screwed things up years prior and not only had his heart broken by a fairweather fiancee, but lost a promotion and a ship in the process, and is determined not to lose his opportunities again. However, a massive wrench... or 4.. was thrust into his plans when his flighty, impulsive sister drops her near-feral children and their wayward dog at his home to care for while she gallivants off on an adventure with her husband to Egypt. He loves his wild, willful, manipulative nieces and nephew with all his heart, but needs to arrange for their care so he can focus on his career in the Navy. To this end, he goes to Miss Prentice and ends up hiring Georgie to be their temporary governess.

This starts an opposites attract, enemies to lovers dynamic, with Georgie and Harry being at loggerheads from the beginning. She is convinced he is a younger, more handsome version of her hated stepfather. An uncaring, career fixated man, who believes too much in discipline, time, schedules, conformity... She had enough of that growing up and when faced with his expectations of her position and her role with the children, she rebels and they clash. But she wants to provide the children comfort, creativity, stability, and loving care, as well as education. Initially, Harry meets her low expectations, and Georgie angers, flusters, and distracts Harry, making him yearn for things that distract him from his planned course in life. But as they grow to know each other and see each other around the family they both care for, Georgie sees the caring, loving man beneath the uniform, and Harry starts to wonder if having his own ship and getting promoted is what his heart desires.

This is a very cute, comedic love story, with a lot of childish and canine hijinks and mischief. There are manipulative, but adorable children, and an overgrown, overexuberant, undertrained canine to pile on the cuteness, and then throw in a puppy version of the misbegotten canine as well. This story is chock full of pithy and cute dialogue, self deprecation, and humorous situations. It is definitely falling into the family friendly Rom-Com spectrum of romances, and I have to admit that I enjoyed it in that context. It makes for a nice change from the steamy, edging more towards erotica romances I have been reading.

I also connected with Harry especially after reading "Harry would have to arrive at least two hours early. Probably six, just to be certain, as time had a habit of filling itself and his was always accounted for." As I have a chronic hatred for being late, and would rather be an hour early than a minute late, I felt sympatico with him. Also with the dogs...

"It made no scientific sense, defying all the laws of gravity, but for some reason, a floppy Norbert was now quadruple the weight of a stiffened Norbert, and no matter what the five of them tried, the lax muscles had rendered him immovable. Almost as if he were now part of the very fabric of the floor itself and there forever." That was my Toby whenever he sensed a bath coming his way, to a "T".

4 stars out of 5 - and my heart was absolutely, shamelessly taken by the two dogs, and how their humans were with them.

All's Fair in Love and War is another fun, sweet Regency romance by Virginia Heath. Our protagonist, Georgie, is a fiery, young, new governess sent to help Harry with the unexpected arrival of his unruly, but charming, nephew and nieces. It definitely has some of The Sound of Music vibes to it, but I am all for it. I am excited by this new series and look forward to more to come! If you like sweet, Regency rom-coms, then you will enjoy this book.

I am a huge fan of Virginia Heath, and especially the ones with these fun bright covers and clever catchy book titles! I was really excited to read All's Fair in Love and War, the first in a new series!! All's Fair in Love and War is a great read-- I absolutely loved it. I love the snappy, sassy and clever dialogue. I love the story, the setting-- and I love, love, love the characters in the book!
Henry, our MMC, is a naval officer, who thrives with the rigidity and order of the Royal Navy. Early in life, his grandfather took care of raising him and gave him order in a family of flighty Georgian era bohemians. He has a sister, who is the exact opposite and just like Henry and her parents. Imagine his surprise when Henry's flighty, adventurous sister drops her kids off at Henry's, for an extended visit.
Georgina is a governess who can't quite find the right position, educated in the most sought-after, exclusive girls schools. She abhors too much order and rigid men, who remind her of her loveless stepfather, a navy man himself. She's had dozens of interviews, but even with a fabulous resume, her unwillingness to take a spare the rod, spoil the child attitude towards children makes it hard for her to find a job. Enter Henry, who is desperate for a governess for his sisters children!
A lot of chaos, humor and hijinks ensue! Like I said before, Virginia Heath's writing is fantastic and this is a funny, poignant, and fun book full of vivid descriptors, emotion and just everything that you want in a romantic comedy set in the Regency period. I just adored All's Fair in Love and War and can't recommend it enough to any HR, RomCom or romance fan!

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin Publishing Company. This story has romance, mystery, drama. This story will have laughing one minute, angry the next, and back to laughing. This is a great read for a mature audience. Harry likes his life to be planned out, he doesn't have time for distractions or anything else. But when his sister drops the kids off to sail on an adventure with her husband. What is he going to do? Well hire someone to help. Thats where Georgie comes into this story. And life is not dull when someone brings in energy and a different dynamic in life. How will everyone get along and what happens when duty is called to play? This book can be read anywhere!