I think it is fair to say that Virginia Heath can truly do no wrong in my book. I adored this governess/military man romance with mischievous children and loyal dog Norbert. The children were delightful and hilarious! Harry was swoon worthy and Georgie was a perfect heroin. Not to mention the welcome side characters of Tom and Ada and the great villainy of the conniving, greedy Elizabeth. I can't wait for Portia, Kitty, and Lottie's stories!

By Jove, I daresay I’m back in my historical romance era. Tallyho!

This was a fun little romp through regency England. I loved the opposites attract vibe between the two main characters. Fiery Georgie vs. strict Harry was a great dynamic, and I had a ton of fun watching them go head to head over the children’s schooling and other odds and ends. Harry’s nieces and nephews were delightful, and their loyal hound provided tons of comic relief. The scenes with the kids and their dog were some of my favorites! I really enjoyed spending time with all of these characters.

I did feel that there was a little too much inner dialogue that slowed the pacing a bit, and a lot of it felt repetitive. Otherwise this was a fun, slow burn, historical romance!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
👩‍❤️‍👨 Dual POV
⏳ Historical Romance
🔥Slow burn
❤️ Opposites attract
🐕 Rambunctious canines
🌶️🌶️

All's Fair in Love and War is book #1 in a new Regency series called "Miss Prentice's Protegees"

The series is about three friends who meet at a school for governesses - a fun premise for this time period of romances.

This story is about Georgina Rowe who has grown up under a strict military stepfather - no love and lots of rules and moving around a lot. Her stay at Miss Prentice's school is where she finds stability and friendship.

Her first job is with the nieces and nephews of Henry Kincaid's flighty sister who takes off in the spur of the moment for a trip with her husband - leaving Henry to care for her kids. Henry hires a governess (Georgina) and so you know - it's like oil and water with Georgina clashing with Henry's rules - especially in terms of how to raise and teach children.

This was an easy and delightful read. The clashing of their approaches to life (that leads to attraction and love) and cute kids made this an enjoyable read to kick off summer.

I look forward to Book #2!

Thank you Uplit Reads and SMPRomance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I really enjoyed myself with this one. After being on a Bridgerton high, this scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed. This was a solid beginning to a series and I cannot wait for the next one.

I giggled, I swooned, I even got misty-eyed and that’s a highly praised response to this glorious book.

All’s Fair in Love and in War is the first book in a new series called Miss Prentice’s Protegees by Virginia Heath. This is the first book I have read by this author and I must admit, I found it interesting and at times humorous. Miss Prentice has created a program for young women who have few prospects. She takes them in and teaches/trains them to be governesses in the homes of the rich and tonnish. It is clear that Miss Prentice was the fairy godmother for the students that were selected for her program.

Georgina Rowe was brought up in difficult circumstances where she felt that she was being crushed and left by her step father (which she was). She was left on the doorstep of Miss Prentice as one of “her girls.”Georgina learned the four D’s - however she tended to speak her mind which led her to being “let go”. When Henry Kincaid came to Miss Prentice, Georgina was given another chance.

Henry’s nieces and nephew were kids who were very active and wanted to be outside with their dog. Henry wanted them to sit at desks and learn properly. Georgina was put into a difficult position. It didn’t help that the dog (who was unmanageable at times) destroyed the school room and was an unhappy howler.

Georgina and Henry were not meant to fall in love. They didn’t even get along and they certainly disagreed often. All’s Fair in Love and War by Virginia Heath is a fun book to read!

Holding back my review due to the SMP boycott. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

All’s Fair in Love and War
Virginia Heath

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Thank you @uplitreads and @smpromance for the #gifted copy.

This novel follows Georgie. A governess who can’t find work because she doesn’t know how to hold her tongue. Until a hard pressed uncle comes to seek her services when he is left to take care of his nieces and nephew. Neither were looking for love but

I really enjoyed this book. It was a light fun read. This is the first in a regency romance series.

I loved the dynamic between Georgie and Harry. Total opposites but somehow they fall for each other. Georgie was always ready and willing to speak her mind and I adored that about her character. I did feel that it was a bit slow in the middle however the ending made it worth the wait.

Regency romances are always fun. This one does have a few open door scenes but not overly explicit.

Read if you like:
✨Regency Romance
✨Slow Burn
✨Opposites Attract

Thank you St Martins Press for the gifted book!

💛 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💛
This was such a fun, lighthearted regency era read! It has a slow burn romance, adorable children, hilarious moments, and a fun storyline. Georgie is a governess in from the well respected school of Miss Prentice’s School for Girls. She is a fiery red-head who too often speaks her mind and has an unconventional way of teaching.

Captain Harry Kincaid is an uncle who has been left with his three adorable, unruly nephew and nieces and needs a temporary governess. This is Georgie’s chance to prove herself and her methods in her first job.

Harry and Georgie could not be more opposite. Harry is a strict rule follower and Georgie wants children to experience the world more freely than she was brought up. The two clash and experience hilarious moments together.

When push comes to shove, these two opposites find love in one another, despite it seeming they cannot belong together. I loved seeing how their story played out and found it sweet and adorable.

I can’t wait for the next book in this fun Regency series!

🎧 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🩷 Regency Era Romance
💛 Governess/Naval Captain
🩷 Uncle Turned Temporary Guardian
💛 Wild, Unruly Children
🩷 Outspoken FMC
💛 Opposites Attract
🩷 Forced Proximity

This is an adorable novel to start out a new series, Miss Prentice's Protegees. Georgina and Henry were adorable and their natural chemistry flowed well off the page. The writing is sweet and I felt like I was in the world with them.

Thanks to SMP via NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful book! I love a historical romance and with so many set amongst the aristocracy, it was a nice change to have a different part of Regency England society represented, including a governess.

I had a lot of laughs at the antics of the three kids that Georgina Rowe is tasked with educating and being responsible for. I enjoyed how the relationship between Georgina and Henry grew over the book.

I think readers who enjoyed Martha Waters' Regency Vows series, or Manda Collins series will enjoy this one.

As the first in a new series from the author, I look forward to reading the rest as they are published.

When Harry is left with his nieces and nephew for an undetermined amount of time, he has to hire a governess to help out while he still works. He is "duped" into hiring Georgie and he is sure he made a mistake. But as time goes by, Georgie is more of a help than the hinderance he once thought. And much prettier than she has a right to be.

I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and light and sweet and spicy. It was fun to get lost in!

Regency romance is a favorite of mine- looking at you Julia Quinn with your Bridgerton series! Definitely a cute read if you’re looking for something along those lines! I thought this was a cute read, interesting concept.

2.5/5 stars
This story follows a young woman who helps the captain with three of his niece/nephews. I have read Virginia Heath’s books in the past and very much enjoyed them but sadly this one kind of missed its spark compared to the others. It was still a great read as the storyline was still good and I loved how kids were involved in this book. It made it so much cuter. The pacing was fast in the beginning but it did get slow towards the middle. I liked the setting and the historical accuracy of the book. This story is told from both Harry and Georgina.

Georgina is a governess who is now taking care of three young children for Harry. She was a sweetheart with mixed feelings but there wasn’t much development. Then there is Harry who I liked in the beginning but began to not like him in the end. There are quite a few side chapters but I loved the children who just made this book. They were so fun and dramatic that I just loved it. My least favorite thing about this book was the romance. For some reason, I just couldn’t feel the chemistry and it felt like there wasn’t enough screen time for the two.

The ending was ok but I just didn’t get because I just wanted a historical romance and we didn’t get the romance. It wasn’t a bad book per se because the story was good and the kids made this book but if the romance was wonderful it could have gotten more stars. I recommend reading Heath’s The Merrill Sisters because those were really great.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

All’s Fair in Love and War is a sweet Regency romance for those of us already experiencing a Bridgerton hangover. There is much to love in this sweet romance with an empowering message. Readers have a lot to delve into in this sweet story of mismatched love that ultimately comes together exactly as it should. Author Virginia Heath succeeds in creating a Regency romance with the right balance of historical accuracy and fantasy.

A spectacularly fun and different Regency romp!

Georgie is a governess (or trying to be one at least) after graduating from Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies.
Harry is a naval officer whose sister has gone on an Egyptian adventure, leaving her 3 kids in his care. He is busy with work, and has no idea what to do with the kids, and hires Georgie to look after them.

Banter, misquoting of military greats, clashes about how children should be taught, rule following/spontaneous faceoffs follow to much delight.

The children, dogs, and all surrounding characters are so well done!

This book was so delightfully charming! While I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at times, I thought the banter, mayhem, and character development more than made up for it. I adored all the characters in this book and thought everyone played the perfect part. This was my first read by this author but it certainly won’t be my last! What a wonderful beginning to a new series. Highly recommend if you’re into regency era romcoms!

All's Fair in Love And War is the first book in a new Regency romance series by Virginia Heath, Miss Prentice's Protegees. Henry Kincaid, a bachelor and a Royal Navy captain, finds himself in charge of three unruly children, his nieces and a nephew. Since he doesn't know how to manage the children, he seeks a governess's help. As one of Miss Prentice's protegees, Georgina Rowe comes highly recommended. But she is too spirited and the polar opposite of buttoned-up Henry. They disagree on almost everything, but Henry has no choice but to hire her.

All's Fair In Love And War is a charming historical romance. Henry and Georgina have great chemistry and an entertaining banter. Their sweet slow-burn romance unfolds as they spend more time together and learn about each other. There are several interesting secondary characters, including children whose antics provide a lot of entertainment. The book has many sailor jokes and puns that made me chuckle. I found the pacing a little slow and repetitive at times, but I enjoyed the story overall.

Well this story was absolutely delightful! The entire cast of characters was entertaining, lovable, and fit so well together. I truly hope the other governesses get their own books because I’m invested in this wonderful world.

This was so charming! I loved it and can we take a moment for the cover?! It was a slow burn but I enjoy those types of books! Thanks for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! Will recommend!

"All's Fair in Love and War" by Virginia Heath is a delightful Regency romance that blends humor, heart, and a clash of ideals. The story follows Georgie Gage, a governess who believes in cultivating joy and adventure in her young charges. However, she clashes with her new employer, the stern and serious Lord Rupert Trentham, who has very different ideas about how children should be raised.

As Georgie and Rupert butt heads over their contrasting philosophies, an undeniable attraction begins to simmer between them. Heath skillfully balances the comedic tension with genuine emotional depth, as both characters are forced to confront their own pasts and preconceptions.
Georgie is a wonderfully engaging protagonist - confident, principled, and unafraid to challenge societal norms. Readers will root for her as she works to thaw Rupert's icy exterior and show him the value of embracing childhood wonder.

The supporting cast, including Rupert's mischievous niece and nephew, add further charm and humor to the story. Heath's writing is lively and engaging, with just the right touch of playful banter.

Overall, "All's Fair in Love and War" is a delightful Regency romp that offers a fresh take on the governess trope. Fans of witty, character-driven romance are sure to enjoy this charming and heartwarming novel.