* book review *

title: All’s Fair in Love and War
author: Virginia Heath
pub date: May 28, 2024
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
genre: regency romance

Starting off 2024 strong with this lovely book!!

This story has everything that makes a fun, heartwarming, enjoyable read:
- Structured pacing
- A strong FMC and a sexy, broody MMC
- Rambunctious children with a faithful, goofy pup
- Loveable side characters who add just enough drama to keep things interesting

As a Sound of Music lover, I was absolutely thrilled to read a governess who falls for her employer (who happens to be a captain) romance.

Georgie is a strong FMC who (in her own words) has trouble suppressing her inner Joan of Arc. I love how she chooses to teach the children.

Captain Henry Kincaid is a sexy MMC who adores his nieces and nephew. Their relationship was such a fun one to read!!

The children got up to hilarious shenanigans, and I loved how well rounded their characters were! This story wouldn’t have been half as good without them! Throw in a goofy pup and you’ve got a perfect combo.

My only complaint (and the reason I didn’t give a full 5 stars) is that Harry’s POV could be a little rambling at times, but more importantly, Harry is SUCH and UNSEXY name!! For reference, his full name is Captain Henry August Kincaid, and she chose to call him HARRY. Who thinks Harry is sexier than Henry? No one that’s who.

Despite the unsexiness of the name Harry, I would still highly recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC!

I am charmed! It's impressive when the start of a new series gives you both background on the characters you'll see in future books that goes beyond some info-dumpy bookends and a well-developed story between the main characters. I was engaged in Georgie's story while also enjoying the glimpse into the lives of her friends, who we'll certainly see in the rest of the series.

At 16 years old, Georgie Rowe was sent to a prestigious school for governesses by her loathsome step-father, the only relative she had left after her mother died of small pox. The story starts in earnest six years later, as she's the last of her friends to be hired. She's set to join Captain Harry Kincaid's household after his free-spirited sister dropped her three rambunctious children (and dog) with him before she took off for Egypt. Harry is the opposite of a free-spirit, which helped him rise in the the ranks of the Navy quickly. He has crushing responsibilities that necessitate strict time management and order. Georgie is a bit of a rebel, but she works hard to navigate managing the exacting Captain and energetic children who aren't used to traditional schooling. Of course, the fall in love, but it's a slow descent. That's not to say this is boring at all - there is a big location change and lots of fun moments with the children and secondary characters. Georgie's got some trauma in her background and while there aren't full flashbacks, we do get her recollections of her abusive stepfather.

As a slow burn enthusiast, I loved this story. There's good romantic tension without painful angst. There's a tiny bit of miscommunication, but it's handled with a grand gesture. There's also a dog that steals the show a few times, which always speaks to my animal-loving heart.

I can't wait to see Georgie's friends again in their books!

this was a delightful read! truly charmed by all the characters, georgie was a fantastic mc and i loved her personality, her inner monologue was very entertaining
i honestly had a lot of fun reading the children’s antics, the whole family dynamic was so wholesome and harry was charismatic even through his flaws.
i really liked how the whole story progressed and it was a really satisfying ending
i am excited to read the rest of this series! one of the best historical rom coms i’ve read in a while

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for a review.

As someone who loves a history romance I really enjoyed this book! It was cute and witty, had great banter between characters and really had great side characters as well as main characters. Slow burn romance and spice was closed door, which I think was well done. Overall very fun and easy read!

This was my first book by Virginia Heath and I have found a new favorite author! I’m fairly new to this genre, but I loved every minute of this book and I wanted it to keep going.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

Really cute romance! I liked the characters and the slow burn was very very slow burn. Thanks for the arc! 4.5

cute story. I like the governess storyline. I thought that the chemistry was a little lacking. The characters seemed a little flat. Overall cute but not a big wow.

This is the start of what promises to be a fun series. I did find it a bit slow, though, and wished it would've been a more streamlined that moved at a faster pace.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

dnf / 1 star

unfortunately, despite a promising beginning, this book didn't fulfill my expectations.

the plot of the book moved very slowly, with the story taking a lot of time to unfold. it felt like it wasn't going anywhere exciting or significant.

additionally, the characters felt superficial and underdeveloped, which made it impossible for me to connect with them in any way.

as a result of that, i couldn’t find the motivation to continue reading and i had to dnf it.

thank you to netgalley and st.martin’s press for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

While I wanted to enjoy All's Fair in Love and War, I just could not truly fall in love with the characters. The longing and interactions between the characters did not stir the same excitement or joy I've found in other regency romances. I found myself constantly walking away from the story and not truly wanting to come back to it. It was an okay book, but I likely will not be rereading it.

This is the start of a charming new series featuring governesses. This first book features hard to find employment Georgie as she lucks out when Captain Kincaid desperately needs a governess for his nieces and nephew. Kids are educated, love is formed and some spiciness is enjoyed. I hope an epilogue or beginning chapters from next book is added as this ends abruptly. This is a slow read and would recommend getting from library when you need something easy to read.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

All's Fair in Love and War" by Virginia Heath earns a solid 4 stars for its delightful Regency romance. The unique dynamic between the governess and the children's uncle adds a refreshing twist to the genre. The banter, wit, and slow-burn romance make for an enjoyable read, and the characters, Georgina and Henry, are endearing with their playful interactions. This book is a perfect choice for fans of historical romance seeking a mix of opposites-attract tropes and found family dynamics.

Virginia Heath never fails to disappoint with her historical romances and this is no exception. I really enjoyed the book and am happy to recommend it.

Hello Book friends!

Today I’m reviewing All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath. In this Regency romance we follows governess Georgina Rowe blue-stocking, unconventional educator, sunshine darling, and naval captain, Henry Kincaid, a stickler for rules, punctuality, but has a soft spot for his nieces and nephew. 💘

In a nutshell, this one book friends is one you won’t want to miss.

Now, let’s chat about the book itself.

Have you ever seen the movie Sound of Music? If you haven’t the synopsis can be found here. It’s a classic movie from 1965 following a nun turned governess, played by Julie Andrews, where she brings music, nurturing order, and love to a gaggle of children in need of something more than a tight run ship.

Although All’s Fair in Love and War is not based on the movie, the premise of the book reminded me of it. Where two people are in desperate need of something, the captain a governess, and the governess a job. It’s the perfect setup to a swoon-worthy story about the journey of seeing people for who they truly are, and the willingness to take risks outside of your comfort zone in order to find happiness.

A delight of a book, romance readers who love the tropes opposite attract, sunshine + grump, and found family, this is a regency novel that checks all the right boxes for those who love a good historical romance.

I'm a fan of Virginia Heath's other novels and All's Fair in Love and War did not disappoint! Henry and Georgina were fun and enjoyable main characters and played off one another quite well. The banter, wit, humor, and over the top scenarios and events made this Regency historical romance fun, playful, and a quick read.

I like that while this is a governess/employer romance, he’s the uncle, not the father. It’s a solid setup, and Georgie and Harry are both likable characters. She’s an endearing spitfire who somehow doesn’t grate on me, and he’s a laughable dork.

This is a slow, slow burn. There’s some repetition, like the plot is treading water. I think the story could use some more memorable moments to punch it up, though that may take away from the light, humorous tone.

This was super cute and a perfect read to start the new year. If you like Bridgerton- it’s a similar vibe. Likeable characters, good banter, a loveable dog- will be a great little regency romance to start off the summer when it comes out at the end of May. Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s for the ARC!

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

4/1 rounded down to 4/5

Virginia Heath's "All's Fair in Love and War" is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that introduces the charming chaos of the Pendleton household. Former naval captain Henry Kincaid is left in a quandary when his sister impulsively joins her explorer husband in Egypt, leaving him to manage her three lively children and a giant, unruly dog. In a bid to restore order, Henry hires Georgina Rowe, a governess with a refreshing approach to childhood.

The novel's strengths lie in its well-crafted slow burn romance and the portrayal of believable, fleshed-out children. Each child is given their unique personalities, complete with age-appropriate intelligence and choices, adding depth to the narrative. Heath skillfully brings character development to the forefront, elevating the story beyond the typical romantic comedy genre.

Georgina Rowe, with her unconventional educational ethos, serves as a breath of fresh air, challenging the staid and rule-bound nature of their uncle, Henry. The interactions between the characters are both humorous and endearing, providing a delightful balance of romance and comedy.

Heath's descriptive writing and thorough historical research contribute to the immersive experience of the novel. The vivid settings and well-drawn characters create a world that feels authentic to the Regency era.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. Internal monologues are plentiful, sometimes slowing down the pacing, particularly in the early chapters. Additionally, the occasional interruption of conversations, where a dialogue begins on one page and is not continued until several pages later, can be a bit jarring.

The pacing, especially in the beginning, may feel slow for some readers, and the reveal about a certain character happens rather quickly, disrupting the flow. Despite these minor issues, "All's Fair in Love and War" succeeds in delivering an engaging and heartwarming story that combines romance, comedy, and historical authenticity.

In conclusion, Virginia Heath's novel is a charming addition to the romantic comedy genre, offering readers a delightful escape into a world of love, laughter, and the unpredictability of family life.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an eARC of this book via NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Publishing: May 28, 2024
Series: Miss Prentice’s Protegees #1
Pages: 384

I have become a fan of author, Virginia Heath and her books. Not because I’ve received them via eARC, but because they have been quite refreshing and delightful. The Merriwell Sisters were a good series, and I was looking forward to reading this first in a new series. “All’s Fair in Love and War” is a well-written and entertaining story that had me smiling from one ear to the other. Georgie and Harry are likeable characters with sub-characters that complement them well in the book. The inner monologues, light banter, clashes in personalities were witty as the main characters weave through family dynamics as their love for one another gradually elevated in their relationship. There is attraction, slow burn romance and humor in this captivating historical romance. I do love a bit of steamy in my HR reads and there was a moderate closed-door intimacy towards the end of the story. I absolutely adored this story and thank you Ms. Heath for allowing me to have fun reading this book. Recommend.

I found myself smiling so often as I read this, not because of what was happening in the story, but from the sheer joy of reading such a beautifully written book. Over and over again, I’d read a certain passage and just stop, take a deep breath, highlight it, and then read it again; savouring everything, every word.