This was a fun and fast paced book set in the Grrk Oak universe. I wish we got more Cam and Adalyn but the little sprinkes we got were great. I will admit that the only things that I liked about this book was Josie and Matthew. I know the hook of this story was the fake engagement, but I could not understand why Josie let her absentee father and PR boss lady dictate her life when he didnt acknowledge her existance until he was forced to in the epilogue of the last book.

I am interested in reading more books from Elena Armas in the future but hopefully they're not related to this dad character.

Elena Armas brings another cozy, heartfelt romance in The Fiancé Dilemma. Warm, funny, and impossible to put down. A perfect pick for rom-com lovers.

The Fiance Dilemma 💍


⭐️⭐️.5

🌶🌶

Romance

Synopsis:

Josie Moore has been engaged four times and five if you include the absentee father who kept her existence a secret until very recently. So when her father decides to announce his retirement with a splashy magazine piece about the family, Josie realizes her romantic history is a complicated PR issue.

Matthew Flanagan is in the mud, literally. Not only has he been fired from his job, but also the tires of his car are stuck in the muck after taking a wrong turn as he enters Green Oak, North Carolina. So, he grabs a duffel with his essentials and goes in search of a place to crash until he gets his life back on track. But instead, he finds his best friend’s sister, Josie, greeting him as her fiancé.

What starts as a big messy misunderstanding quickly turns into an arrangement with Matthew playing a new role as doting fiancé. A fifth engagement—and a stunt, at that—makes Josie’s stomach turn, but every dilemma requires a choice between equally undesirable alternatives, and Matthew doesn’t seem to mind becoming one more number in a colorful list of grooms-that-never-were. Despite the ring on her finger, Josie knows this is only temporary, even if the rest of the small town believes that the fifth time’s the charm.

Review:
The fiance dilemma was an anticipated read for us we were so excited to receive an ARC.This book is the second book in a series following The Long Game. We felt that this book fell flat for us, there was no context to Josies breakups in her past engagements. There were some cute moments but overall the plot felt slow and very generic.

We would like to thank @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Fiance Dilemma is the third in a series of small town romance novels by Elena Armas. While the author states that this can be read as a stand alone, you may want to read The Long Game first. I may have jinxed myself by not reading The Long Game before this one, but I'll get into that later.

Synopsis: "Josie Moore has given the opposite sex plenty of chances. Four exactly, if you count all her failed engagements, and five if you include the absentee father who kept her existence a secret until very recently. So when her father decides to announce his retirement with a splashy magazine piece about the family, Josie realizes her romantic history is a complicated PR issue. Matthew Flanagan is in the mud, literally. Not only has he been fired from his job, but also the tires of his car are stuck in the muck after taking a wrong turn as he enters Green Oak, North Carolina. So, he grabs a duffel with his essentials and goes in search of a place to crash until he gets his life back on track. But instead, he finds his best friend’s sister, Josie, greeting him as her fiancé. What starts as a big messy misunderstanding quickly turns into an arrangement with Matthew playing a new role as doting fiancé. A fifth engagement—and a stunt, at that—makes Josie’s stomach turn, but every dilemma requires a choice between equally undesirable alternatives, and Matthew doesn’t seem to mind becoming one more number in a colorful list of grooms-that-never-were. Despite the ring on her finger, Josie knows this is only temporary, even if the rest of the small town believes that the fifth time’s the charm."

My Thoughts: While this one wasn't for me, if you're in the market for a small town, fake dating trope with no third act breakup, this one would work! I usually love all these tropes, but I just couldn't connect with these characters and the story felt like it dragged on and on but nothing really happened. Maybe it was because I hadn't read The Long Game first, but it fel like I jumped into the relationship with Josie and Matthew without getting to see how their love started. I wasn't impressed with Josie and how she let the PR girl and her dad walk all over her and dictate what her every move should be. I also didn't love how Josie wouldn't take no for an answer from Matthew when he didn't originally want to be part of the fake engagement plot. While I normally don't love the third act breakup conflict, it just felt like there was no tension or anything to resolve and I felt my attention waning. And if you, like me, don't love open door scenes, there are spots you will want to skip over or just skip this one all together.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Elena Armas delivers another charming romance in The Fiancé Dilemma, blending fake engagement hijinks with themes of family, second chances, and unexpected love.

Josie Moore is a heroine you can’t help but root for—smart, funny, and a little unlucky when it comes to love. With four failed engagements already behind her, the last thing she needs is more gossip. But when a family PR crisis pushes her into a fake engagement with Matthew, her half-sister's best friend, the setup promises both chaos and sparks. Matthew’s steady, grounded presence plays perfectly against Josie’s messier, more impulsive energy, creating a dynamic that feels both entertaining and heartfelt.

Armas balances humor and emotion well, weaving in small-town charm and family drama without letting it overwhelm the romance. I especially enjoyed how the story explored not only romantic love but also Josie’s evolving relationship with her father and her own sense of identity.

That said, the pacing felt a little slow in parts, and some of the conflicts could have been resolved more quickly. Still, the banter, chemistry, and warmth of the story more than make up for it.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a fun, flirty, and heartfelt romance that delivers exactly what you’d expect from Elena Armas—plenty of banter, swoony chemistry, and just enough drama to keep the pages turning. The fake-relationship premise is always a favorite, and Armas adds her own spin with sharp dialogue and a couple that feels easy to root for.

What I especially enjoyed was how the emotional layers unfolded beneath the lighthearted setup. The characters aren’t just falling in love—they’re working through fears, insecurities, and family expectations, which makes the story more engaging than a straightforward rom-com. The pacing is brisk, the humor lands, and the romantic tension is addictive.

That said, some moments leaned a little predictable, and the drama toward the end felt a bit rushed. But overall, this was a delightful read that balanced humor, heart, and romance beautifully. Fans of Armas’s previous books and anyone who loves the fake fiancé trope will definitely enjoy it.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a fun, flirty, and heartfelt romance that delivers exactly what you’d expect from Elena Armas—plenty of banter, swoony chemistry, and just enough drama to keep the pages turning. The fake-relationship premise is always a favorite, and Armas adds her own spin with sharp dialogue and a couple that feels easy to root for.

What I especially enjoyed was how the emotional layers unfolded beneath the lighthearted setup. The characters aren’t just falling in love—they’re working through fears, insecurities, and family expectations, which makes the story more engaging than a straightforward rom-com. The pacing is brisk, the humor lands, and the romantic tension is addictive.

That said, some moments leaned a little predictable, and the drama toward the end felt a bit rushed. But overall, this was a delightful read that balanced humor, heart, and romance beautifully. Fans of Armas’s previous books and anyone who loves the fake fiancé trope will definitely enjoy it.

I wanted to read the book, BUT the trigger warnings now have made me shy away, and this isn't the book for you anymore. Im sure it will reach a good audience. However, I am currently protecting my mental health.

I thought this was a cute and quick read. I liked the call backs to book 1 and how the books were connected. I wasn't the biggest fan of Josie and how she felt like she owed this to her father. I liked our male main character, Matthew, and wanted to see him get a happily ever after.

Josie Moore has a messy romantic past—four failed engagements and a father who suddenly reappears in her life. When his public retirement announcement puts Josie in the spotlight, things get even more complicated. Enter Matthew Flanagan, who arrives in Green Oak, North Carolina, during his own personal crisis. A misunderstanding leads him to pose as Josie’s fiancé, and what starts as a farce quickly turns into something deeper, with sparks flying in true small-town romance fashion.

I’ll always have a soft spot for Elena’s books—her debut pulled me out of a reading slump, and ever since, I’d happily read anything she writes. While this one took me a little longer to get into, I still devoured it in a single day. The multiple failed engagements added a unique twist to Josie’s story, and the small-town setting paired with the chemistry between Josie and Matthew made it an enchanting read. Sweet, heartfelt, and charming—I can’t wait to see what Elena gives us next.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an enjoyable reading experience.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a fun, steamy romance that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Elena Armas delivers a story full of witty banter, chemistry, and unexpected twists that make the slow-burn romance all the more satisfying. The characters felt fresh and relatable, and I enjoyed watching their relationship evolve amidst the chaos and misunderstandings. It’s a perfect blend of humor, tension, and heartfelt moments. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves contemporary romance with plenty of sparks and a happy ending!

DNF, I didn't love the first in this series so I'm not too surprised that I couldn't get into this one. I just couldn't really get behind the FMC unfortunately, it all felt really juvenile. I think at this point this author just isn't for me but I can see how this series will be loved by many!

Thank you for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

Josie and Matthew made the sweetest couple even if I didn’t see the chemistry at first. I felt that this book was so much better than the first book in this series. The fake dating trope has always been one of my favorites and I feel that Elena executed it perfectly with this book. If you’re looking for a sweet small town rom com with a misunderstood fmc and a passionate and considerate mmc (did I mention he’s blonde) then this is the book for you

Elena Armas does it again with The Fiancé Dilemma! This book is pure romantic comedy gold. Josie’s chaotic love life and her “perfect” PR solution lead to a hilarious fake engagement with Matthew, and the chemistry between them is off the charts. What starts as a simple misunderstanding evolves into a heartwarming second-chance romance, and Armas expertly builds the tension and emotional depth. The characters are so lovable, from the quirky small-town vibes to the sweet (and sometimes awkward) moments between Josie and Matthew. Their banter is witty, the storyline is fresh, and I loved the unexpected twists, especially with how the community gets involved. If you’re a fan of fake engagements and second chances, this book is an absolute must-read. I couldn’t put it down!

A testament to a second chance at true love when you’ve all but go one up on it…or maybe the fifth chance?! Unfortunately Josie has been plagued with failed engagements (plural!), and after a big miscommunication she now finds herself in a fake engagement with her brother’s best friend, Matthew. They are forced to work through many obstacles that come undoubtedly comes with the fib, which adds humor, the way they get to their HEA is well deserved and provides a satisfying ending too. A cute, lighthearted romance that provides hope for those waiting to find “the one.” 3.5 stars

This was a good book that had me very intrigued at various points in the story, but I will admit that I did end up taking breaks throughout my read. I really loved Matthew as the MMC, but I feel like much was left unsaid about Josie and her history with love and engagements. I also didn’t always like how she handled things, with Matthew especially, but I think she redeemed herself in the end for me. I believe many who love the romance genre would enjoy this story, and I would love to read more from this author in the future, with this being the second book I have read from her thus far.

Thank you so much to Elena Armas, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the amazing opportunity to read and review this as an eARC!

~A.R.

The Fiancé Dilemma had all the makings of a swoony rom-com— a fake engagement, simmering tension, and the kind of banter Elena Armas is known for! I was both intrigued but confused by the premise (as I'm not sure why her fathers PR nightmare was her problem or why she was so willing to help him due to their lack of relationship) but yet thought there was potential!

There was plenty of forced proximity and slow-burn moments to keep romance readers intrigued. However, the pacing felt inconsistent, and some plot twists leaned more dramatic than believable. At times, the emotional development lagged behind the physical attraction, leaving certain scenes feeling a bit rushed or unearned. Supporting characters were charming but underused, and a few subplots could’ve used more resolution.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC and the chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**

I loved this book so much! It was the perfect mix of spice and fun! Definitely would read this author again!

This left me so bewildered

This plot is shaky at best! Who would care enough about this family and Josie's reputation that this elaborate scheme would be warranted? There was no reason for Josie and Matthew to go to the lengths that they did. They are a good match and relatively likeable, engaging characters, but I just could not take anything seriously. Everything was so exaggerated. The story was trying to establish such high stakes, but fell so short. Matthew and Josie, who could have just been perfectly acceptable characters, turned into such cheesy caricatures.

Summary:
Josie Moore has been engaged four times and broken the engagement each time. Her absentee father's identity has recently been publicly revealed; it turns out her father is a wealthy owner of a professional sports team and is very much considered a public figure. Her father wants to announce his retirement in a coveted magazine, accompanied by a fluffy article about his family. As it turns out, Josie is causing a bit of a PR issue, especially her uniquely rocky relationship history.

Matthew Flanagan is down on his luck. After his car gets suck in the mud as he is on the way to his best friend's place. He goes looking for somewhere to crash. Matthew and Josie's chance meeting (she's his best friend's recently discovered half-sister) somehow results in a fake engagement plot. Maybe the fifth time's the charm?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!