**Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC**

So, here's the thing - I loved Matthew, and I loved Josie in The Long Game, and I was so ready to love them in this book. It was just that the book fell a little flat. The concept is the typical fake dating/fake engagement but the spin on the book in the sense that the engagement was very much heading full speed towards permanent wedding was what set the book apart. The issue was that the actual character development wasn't really there and there was too much of the book focusing on really nothing of value. I feel that if Elena focused on Josie's trauma and issues, along with Matthew's issues through Josie's POV (since we don't get a POV from Matthew till the last chapter, and I can see why but I don't love that either), then it would've been a much more fulfilling book to read. It was also kind of hard to get into the book and keep up with it at times because Josie's inner thoughts would be a single paragraph that would take up a page. I need spaces between paragraphs...or you know, actually different paragraphs.

I still love the small-town vibes and the relationship progression, but I'm just sad that it wasn't as good as it could've been.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I’ve read all of Elena’s other books and was so excited to read this one. (Favorite was The Spanish Love Deception!!)

If you have enjoyed Elena’s other books (especially The Long Game) you will love this too!!

I was so sad when I didn’t connect with the FMC because I loved her in The Long Game. I think this was much more of a me problem than the book. I know so many other readers will connect and adore this book. It just wasn’t my cup of tea. I had trouble connecting with the couple from the start but did grow to enjoy their story 💙 I would give it 2.5 if half stars were an option.

Matthew Flannagan, the man that you are!

Gotta give credit where credit is due, Elena Armas cooked when writing Matthew's character. He is THE MAN.

He is def a good mmc, he has all the amazing qualities. Not only is he charming and sweet but he is also supportive and understanding. A rare species of a man if you ask me!

(If you like a smooth talker, who wears glasses, and has excellent taste... You need to read this book!)

This book was very early 2000's romcom vibes (27 dresses to be exact). I enjoy my fairshare of romantic cheesy comedy's. This book will make you giggle, swoon, and cheer for the main characters!

There were a couples things I wish were a little different in the book itself, like I really NEEDED this to be a dual-pov. I feel like I would have fallen even more deeply in love with Matthew if he would've gotten his own individual chapters.

I also feel given the slow burn that this book is, it would've been perfect to see when they both start falling for each other.

I liked Josie's character, I could relate to her on some aspects, being the flighty and commitment issues gals that we are. Although, I do understand how other readers could have a complex relationship with her given her character can come off as "too quirky."

I do have to admit that I was bummed we didn't get a scene with all of the exes, I thought given the cover we would see them all at some point in the book. That unfortunately does not occur, instead we only actually ever meet one of them.

I did end up enjoying the book, I think I might have enjoyed it even more than The Long Game itself!

Super excited for anyone interested in reading this book! I hope you all fall in love with Matthew in the way that I have because he is simply AMAZINGGGG.

Special thanks to Atria books and Netgalley for the E-ARC, so incredibly thankful!

I’ll admit the first few chapters were rocky. I think the premise of the fake engagement wasn’t as solid as I would’ve liked but Elena does not let me down when it comes to fake dating. Once the ball gets rolling this book takes off and every look, sigh and missed opportunity where you just KNOW there’s more between them makes the beginning all that much more worth it to get through.
MATTHEW MATTHEW MATTHEW!! I have never mourned that a fictional man isn’t real quite like Mathew. Truly I hate it so much.
Overall a big step up from The Long Game in my opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley I received an advanced electronic copy of the book to read and provide a review.

I so badly wanted to love this! I’ve enjoyed Elena’s other books but this fell flat. I couldn’t get on board with the whole premise and am still not entirely clear why we care about Andrew and his reputation. It’s the perfect example of “that’s a you problem.”

In this case, it’s likely me, not you, Elena. <3

Another fantastic read from Elena Armas! Loved the dynamic between the two main characters and how the reader pretty much got to watch them fall in love and go from fake engagement to something more. Definitely will recommend!

So I have read the spanish love deception and the american roommate experiment. I didnt read the first book in this series but I saw that it could be read as an interconnected standalone so I did that. Let me tell you I loved josie I wanted her to succeed in love and just find her person and i mean no spoilers so yeah woot woot i was rooting for her. I love a fake romance as well. basically i loved this book and i really hope it becomes a movie.

“Beautiful things shouldn’t be boxed. It eventually dims their light.”


The Fiancé Dilemma is the second book in the Long Game series and it follows the story of Josie Moore. In the last year, she got to meet her long lost billionaire father and found out she has a sister. She also has been engaged four times and left the grooms at the altar. Now she needs to find a fake fiancé in order to convince her father’s PR that her romantic life is not an issue. Her sister’s best friend, Matthew, accidentally stumbles at her house while she’s talking to the PR and Josie introduces him as her fiancé. Matthew decides to help Josie with the fake engagement and they have to plan their wedding in two months🤭🤭

I freaking love Josie because she’s so funny and very awkward at the same time. She’s the mayor of the city and also owns a small coffee shop. If anyone needs help in the town she’s the person to go to. Matthew is the opposite of Josie, he’s quiet, handsome, had a dirty mouth but at the same time very funny and wears glasses. He’s constantly helping Josie out when she keeps getting herself in funny and awkward situations. Matthew finally gets to know the real Josie and the small pieces that she hides from everyone else. Also, I kept giggling at all of his nicknames for her, and he finally chose the best one for Josie, Baby Blue, because of her eyes.

The beginning of the book was a little slow for me and it took me a little longer to read but then it got so good 🤭🤭 I highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you Net Galley and Elena Armas for providing me with an ARC.

[4/5 ★★★★☆]<b><i>“Roots grow anywhere there’s ground. Commitment and love are shown with actions. And I plan on doing that every fucking day of my life as long as I have her.”</i></b>

MY GOD, I was fascinated with this book, it was just the romance novel I needed. It's been so long since I've read Elena de Armas, but this book is making me reconsider things.

The story is your typical fake relationship trope, but what really hooked me were the characters and how all the situations they were involved in unfolded. Josie and Matthew have an excellent dynamic, it's a very entertaining back and forth, and the sexual tension IS THERE. Besides, they're super funny, I had a great time reading about them.

𓍢ִ໋ ˖ <i><b> Josie</b></i>, I have to say that at first I didn't quite like her, but as I kept reading and getting to know her better, she grew on me. There are certain things that didn't quite clear up with her though.

𓍢ִ໋ ˖ <i><b> Matthew</b></i>, I'm crazy about him, he's too perfect for me;), everything he did for Josie without questioning anything, the way he exudes charisma, he's super funny and HOT. I love him, I'm already smitten.

𓍢ִ໋ ˖ <i><b> Adalyn + Cam</b></i>, I guess it's because I haven't read their book, but the truth is, I wasn't very interested in them and I feel like they didn't contribute much to this story. What they reveal in the end was too obvious from the start and I feel like it dragged on so much that it became tiresome

In summary, an excellent read, charismatic characters, and a super cute and entertaining love story. Many thanks to NetGalley and AtriaBooks for the opportunity to read this book 💌

I received a copy of this for my honest review

Our FMC is a small town mayor and owner of a coffee shop. She also just recently found out who her father is and that she has a sister. But because her father is a well known business man, a daughter who has been engaged 4 times, but no marriages isn't the best PR look. So when he sends a PR to her to fix the problem, she panics and says that she is engaged again - to the man waking by her house. Our MMC is moving to this small town after losing his job, but knows.avout it because his best friend is our FMCs sister. He agrees to be her fake fiancee if she thinks it will help, but as they spend time together helps to build her confidence to say what she really wants and be happy with her life. They work to withstand the social media and podcasts that dissect her life for entertainment, and truly embrace each other.

Elena Armas knows how to write an absolutely perfect man and a story that will get you hooked from page one. She has never let me down, and I sincerely doubt that she ever will. I LOVE YOU MATTHEW!!!!!!!

If you love the fake dating (fake fiance) trope - you'll love it! It gives major Runaway Bride vibes as well.

Other tropes:
- Found family
- Small town
- He falls first
- Slow burn

This is book 2 and follows the Long Game - we get to see Cameron and Adalyn again and learn more about Josephine "Josie" - the mayor, coffee shop owner in Green Oak, North Carolina. Elena Armas knows how to make a hot book boyfriend. This book we get glasses wearing blondie, Matthew. He's a cinnamon roll but spicey.

I enjoyed the tension and spice - the only reason this wasn't a total 5 star for me is that I wasn't super in love with the fake fiance trop in this case - the PR issue and gossipy podcast annoyed me a bit. It works overall but I just didn't love it. Also, the ending (while good) - I kinda wish it played out slightly different.

I like Elena Armas' books and will always read her stuff! Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. 3.5 out of 5 spice.

WOW!!! Incredible. I easily finished this in a couple days because I was so caught up in the story. Elena really hit it out of the park with this one thats all I can say. This is also easily her spiciest book she's written and I loved every moment of it. No third act break up thank god. Honestly this whole book was a 5/5 stars and I cant wait for it to come out so I can make all my friends read it.

Just let me live in the town of Green Oak forever.

I loved this spin-off of The Long Game, and getting to revisit this small town and it's quirky residents. (And yes - we get some Cam & Adalyn appearances!) Josie and Matthew were so sweet together, and I'm just a sucker for a mmc who is protective and emotionally mature. (Shoutout to men who have been to therapy!) However there were times where I wanted to shake Josie, and suggest she find a therapist herself.

Grandpa Moe was my low key MVP - any scene he was in made me smile! Overall, it was a sweet fake engagement with a touch of he falls first - a magical combination. As long as Elena keeps writing, I'll keep reading her work!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed the Long Game and so I was excited to return to Green Oak and get to know Josie and Matthew more. However, I felt like something was missing from this one.

While I enjoy most romance tropes, the reason for doing the fake engagement didn't sit right with me or make a whole lot of sense. I understood that the whole PR thing and subsequently the engagement is (probably) supposed to be a part of Josie's growth, but I just didn't love it. Maybe the execution could have been better.

Ultimately, what I really didn't like was this feeling of missing so many important scenes between characters. A piece of information is dropped/ given or a moment that feels BIG happens but then the chapter ends, and the next chapter we're suddenly forward in time. I felt like there some of the smaller but still important moments were skipped over. This could contribute to Josie and Matthew feeling slightly unfinished.

I liked the idea of this plot and our two MCs but I think the execution didn't quite do it justice. I still enjoyed Armas' writing and I still look forward to what she'll write next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC.

3.5 stars! I liked a lot about this book. The fake engagement, the cameos from past characters and the MC. Mathew was perfect! Josie had some good moments but I didn't love how she treated Adalyn (Adalyn will always be my favorite) and constantly made excuses for Andrew. I do think she made up for it in the end. The ending was my favorite part and I genuinely rooted for both Mathew and Josie! Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I am a huge fan of Elena Armas and was so excited to read this book. It starts a lot slower than her previous books. However, about 1/3 of the way in it picked up and I loved the way it ended. Some twist and a very sweet way to tie up the story. Fans of Elena's books won't want to miss this story either.

Elena Armas is one of my favorite new authors. This is her 4th book, and it’s related to The Long Game, and it’s just as amazing. I was so happy reading about Josie and learning more about her. Matthew is magnificent and holy moly, this was the best slow burn ever. I was also smiling the whole time. This book just made me happy in so many ways.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

I’d anticipated this book since the second I finished The Long Game. The Fiancé Dilemma was genuine, funny, and a beautiful story. Thank you so much Net Galley for letting me read a copy early!!

So many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas!

Josie has been engaged four times and when a misunderstanding leads her father’s PR rep to believe she’s engaged again, Josie ends up entering into a fake engagement with her sister’s best friend, Matthew. I always love how Elena Armas drops us right into the action of her stories. She has such a talent for establishing her setup for each book immediately.

Josie and Matthew are officially one of my favorite pairings from Elena Armas!! The book is from Josie’s perspective but as a reader you can see so clearly the ways that Matthew learns and knows her so well. I thought the roughly last third of the book had multiple moments that are going to stick with me. There’s certainly Runaway Bride vibes but the journey and ending of this book make this story stand on its own.

I loved revisiting and getting updates on friends from The Long Game. Of course Cam and Adalyn I loved getting to see again. I loved the sister moments between Josie and Adalyn and then of course Matthew and Cam ❤️!