ARC Review-

A million stars for this book. I all but squealed with delight when I got the email saying I was approved for this ARC. This has been a highly anticipated read of mine. I have loved every Elena Armas book that I have read, but this one truly might be my new favorite. Matthew and Josie are everything. Their relationship, their banter, their slow burn, it was all perfect. I appreciated all the cameos of our beloved characters from The Long Game, including Sebastian the rooster, and was also immediately taken with the new cast of characters introduced. Grandpa Moe absolutely stole the show a number of times. I laughed, I swooned, I teared up. This book genuinely felt like a big hug. It was absolutely everything that I want out of a romcom and I cannot recommend it enough!

The Fiancé Dilemma, out July 30th, 2024

3.5 ⭐'s

urggh you guys i wanted to like this more than i did. the concept of a "runaway bride" and the man who changed her mind seemed so exciting but i feel like it just fell flat overall. i didn't feel the so-called "change" happen and honestly felt like i needed more explanation into why the FMC behaves this way in the first place.

overall i just left this book feeling like the two main characters were heading for a break-up and not staying together which is never a good feeling from a romance book lol.

special thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!

This was the fourth Elena Armas book I’ve read, and I must be honest—I was a little hesitant going into this book. The Long Game was not my favorite novel by her, so I worried about returning to Green Oaks and exploring more of that small town. And, unfortunately, I was right to worry about reading this book.

My quick impression: the chemistry was strong between Josie and Matthew, but the book lacked the depth to get the story off the ground.

I want to focus on the characters of this novel, since that is where the story execution faltered the most. Josie, our main character, is a quirky girl with a large amount of emotional baggage. I’ll admit it: Josie’s quirky voice made it difficult for me to read this book. The strange thing, though, is that Josie’s quirky voice wasn’t consistent throughout the novel. I want to say around the 30-40% mark, the quirkiness gave way, and the writing style was akin to Armas’ previous works.

The characterization development fell flat as well. As I was reading, I made numerous notes that the emotionality was missing from this story. Did Matthew and Josie have chemistry? Absolutely, but chemistry has always been something Armas has successfully communicated on page. But the story lacked emotionality, which made the romantic relationship fall flat. I couldn’t believe it when the “I love you’s” were exchanged because too much characterization had been omitted from the page.

What this novel needed was a backstory for both Josie and Matthew. Without that backstory, they were both beholden to the archetypes they were fulfilling (Josie: the quirky, small town dream girl; Matthew, the cinnamon roll, protective love interest). I simply wanted more for and from both characters. I wanted more reasoning why Josie ran from four engagements/weddings—and I wanted to dig into the emotional wounds those situations caused. I wanted to know more about Josie’s childhood and have her deal with the emotional turmoil of a rich father appearing and, essentially, blowing up her life for a PR stunt. And in the case of Matthew: I simply wanted to know him. We truly only saw the bare-bone pillars of his characterization. I wanted to know more about how he protected Josie when he was working at Page Six, and why he had dreamed of being a sportswriter. I wanted to see more of his relationships with his family and friends. Frankly, I am leaving this novel wanting more from Armas’ characters.

~*~*~SPOILERS AHEAD~*~*~

Outside of characterization, there was one plot point that I did support. I did enjoy that Matthew and Josie didn’t get married in the end. It felt correct for their relationship—and it was refreshing to see a romance that did not end in marriage. However, the ending didn’t feel earned. It, once again, comes back to Josie’s characterization. I wanted to see a reckoning or healing plotline for Josie. I wanted to see her grapple with the emotions of her four other failed engagements and how her sudden and difficult relationship with her father was affecting her relationship with Matthew. Did we see the beginning notes of that plot? Absolutely yes. But it was quickly brushed over and the story was wrapped up. If we had seen Josie’s healing journey on page, the called off wedding would have felt earned.

~*~*~END SPOILERS~*~*~

Overall, this was a fine romance novel. I don’t think it’s Elena Armas best work, nor do I believe the story was developed enough. If more page space had been given to characterization, it would have granted this novel the emotional throughline it is currently missing.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I haven’t loved this author’s books in the past so I’m very happy that I gave this one a shot because it was a winner! I really enjoyed it and found myself rooting for both members of the couple.

Unfortunate DNF for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this book. Unfortunately, I got about 54% in, and had no desires to pick it up. I decided to take a few day break and see if that helped, but as soon as I picked it back up and read another 2%, I knew there was no sense in my finishing this book. It wasn't that it was a bad book, I just found it very mundane and unexciting. There was nothing keeping me invested in this characters story, and knowing obviously how it would end (given that we all know how romance books end) and there being no reason to feel the need to stick around, I knew my rating wouldn't be any higher than a 2, and I promised myself that I wouldn't force myself to read things I am not enjoying.

In the grand scheme, I just didn't care about the characters. We basically had no backstory on our MMC, and he was bland and boring. The only "suspense" in the story was why our FMC was leaving men at alters, which is obviously a commitment and abandonment issues problem. Our MMC said the most basic and mundane things and our FMC would immediately swoon, even though we had no back story on them or why they even care about eachother at all. Just not a fun read for me personally.

I didn't love it. There were 3 or so spicy scenes that were particularly hot, and I saw glimpses of what Matthew's character could have been, but overall I felt like the story was forced and the characters weren't fully developed. I think maybe the author was trying to upend the typical fake fiance trope, but it came off with just repeated faking forcing themselves together with less authentic bonding until about 80% in. I appreciate the attempt to flip the script on fake fiance, but it fell flat and was hard for me to get through.

This was Elena at her best, it was truly like reading Runaway Bride but way more fun! Matthew is absolute perfection for Josie and I really liked how there was no third act breakup, just pure understanding of who she is and staying by her side. Josie was quirky funny goodness:) I loved their story, all the side characters from Long Game coming back- it’s just the perfect fake engagement romance book honestly.

I couldn't breathe a single bad word about this book if I tried. Honestly, every Elena Armas book I read somehow gets better and better. This one had me feeling all too giddy and excited over words on paper, but I totally don't mind.
The premise of this novel (spun off moderately from The Long Game) is wild, yes, silly and overdramatic, yes, but who says that's a problem in the slightest? I'm all for rom-coms like this: where despite the unrealistic tropes, a very real, complex, and optimistic relationship arc is presented between two people who have such a way with words and love. I honestly think this novel is the perfect depiction of what it means to portray the unbounded happiness and pure joy that comes from a happy, healthy, romantic relationship.
Everything in this novel is so fun, silly, sweet, and kind. This small town has always been a great setting, and the side characters that make up the lives of Matthew and Josie are a perfect ensemble. I love the goats, the pigs, all the little soccer kids, and Moe Poe. Everything this novel creates is just an experience of pure bliss as a reader. It's everything you want in a romance novel but more, because it really gets you to believe the love these characters have for each other. The idea of soulmates, destiny, hopeless romantics, etc are all portrayed so beautifully through this trope and premise. The execution of this is so special because without the writing skills Armas has and without the ability to plot well, this wouldn't be the amazing book it is. But luckily Armas has a level of genius dexterity when it comes to words and characters. I couldn't stop the smile on my face for all 300+ pages as I read their story, whether it was because of the heartfelt declarations the characters were making, or the funny pop culture references that had me silently screaming. I appreciate so much about this book and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to read it!
Rating: 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @atriabooks for an early copy of The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐.5/5
Release date: July 30th, 2024

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203572092-the-fianc-dilemma?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=0sXmDgZk45&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

The Fiance Dilemma is the sequel to The Long Game, but can be read as a standalone. It tells the story of Josie and Matthew’s fake engagement to fix a PR problem surrounding Josie and her very rich and influential father, Andrew, who has been absent for the majority of her life. Josie’s parentage and her long history of failed engagements are now the hot topic, and Andrew’s PR, Bobbie, has been tasked to put out the flames that are tarnishing his reputation.

I really wanted to love this book because it has such a good premise and has so much potential, but overall the story felt flat for me and somewhat all over the place. In the first half of the novel I feel like Josie was such a closed-off character, and probably because of her abandonment issues that I think weren’t really resolved towards the end. Matthew’s actions, on the other hand, were very romantic and sweet. He was very supportive of Josie and his actions though were quite confusing for me there wasn’t any clear indication throughout the story of when Josie and Matthew decided they weren’t pretending at all anymore (exclude the spicy sex scene from this narrative because I feel like the clarity of the status of their relationship should have been established regardless of how spicy their sex was). Matthew’s declaration that he has liked Josie for a while, and Josie’s breakdown while wedding dress shopping for her wedding to Matthew happened so suddenly and out of the blue – and no they didn’t feel like a plot twist.

There were a lot of cute scenes between Matthew and Josie here, but overall the story and romance felt flat and not exactly swoony for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.  

Slow burn, no third act break up AND no miscommunication!! Yes, please.

Matthew is a dream of an MMC. Josie is a hot mess but we love her for alll she does. Loved Grandpa Moe and getting to see more Cameron and Adalyn from The Long Game.

If you enjoyed Elena's backlist- you will definitely groove with The Fiance Dilemma!

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up because i didn’t think Elena could ever top TSLD but she just might have ????

Matthew must be protected at all costs. In reality to i ever feel that most women don’t deserve their male equivalent? No. I don’t think Josie deserves Matthew because NO ONE DOES. I absolutely wanted to take her by the shoulders and shake her because HOW DO YOU EVEN COME CLOSE TO FUMBLING THE BAG ????

Anyways thanks for listening to my rant and thanks to NetGalley and Elena’s team for the ARC because i simply can’t wait to discuss this at length when it comes out this summer and i recommend it to everyone i know. K thanks bye!

This was a good story but it seemed to kinda kinda jump around and you never felt fully in the story. But thats just how I felt. I would say that I would probably read this book again and buy it. It did have a good story line I wish it was in Dual POV because it was hard to tell what matthew was feeling.

The Long Game was such a great book so I was so excited to continue reading about Green Oak and its residents!

Josie (our FMC) is the Mayor of Green Oak, owner of Josie's coffee shop and sister to Miss Ada. Because of the high profile life of her estranged father, she becomes the focus of celebrity gossip. In order to help diffuse the situation and save her sister from the gossip, she decides to enter into a fake engagement with Matthew (Ada's best friend who has just oved to Green Oak).

What I loved:
* Josie was such a great character with multiple layers. She suffers from major daddy issues, she has no sense of who she really is in a relationship and she keeps breaking her engagements.  
* Matthew, he was such a good MMC
* Josie's growth and development through the book
*The residents of Green Oak provided moments of laughter and joy, especially little Maria.
*It was a slow burn that showed us their feelings more than just telling us.

What I didn't like:
*Not hearing Matthew's POV. I think that it would have really helped us see why HE chose to continue the fake engagement. We kinda got a little of it towards the end but I needed more from him.

Overall a great book and I would definitely recommend it!

Thanks NetGalley and Atria for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun read! Is it the best book I've ever read? No, but at the end of the day I had a lot of fun while reading it and once I fully bought into the premise and Matthew and Josie started to spend more time together I was fully in love.

The beginning of the book was a little rough. I was so confused why the fake engagement even had to happen, frustrated the Josie was in charge of correcting a PR issue that wasn't her fault, and some of the decisions and choices characters made were so unnecessary. All that said - and I think this is a bit true for all Elena Armas books in my opinion - you honestly have to fully give into the fact that there will be over-the-top ridiculous scenarios and our characters will do things that very few actual people would do. If you just sort of let this book happen to you and don't question anything, I think you will have fun.

I absolutely loved Matthew in this book and would have done anything for more of his POV. He was so wonderful and sweet and just gone for Josie in way that was heart-stopping. The way their friendship and relationship develops was great to see and how they supported each other was a highlight of the book.

Overall, if you want a fun, frothy, romcom this will be a great choice!

Delicious chemistry and high heat! This was thoroughly a romp with laugh-out-loud moments. Elena's fans will not be disappointed. I had a, uh, very good time.

Thank you to Atria and Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the Spanish love deception and I was so excited for this book. The romance was so sweet and the characters had great development throughout the book

Let it be known that The Long Game was one of my favorite reads last year. I was extremely excited for Josie’s story & was lucky enough to receive an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first 30% of the book was pure chaos, a bit hard to follow, and all over the place. But once it found its stride, it was un-put-down-able. I fell fast and hard for Matthew & loved how he loved Josie. Josie is just the cutest & very relatable.

I did think some of the descriptions were a little wordy at times but it worked, because Josie is one of those characters that has a lot to say. And thank goodness she does. I loved her character development throughout & I loved all the cameos from Ada & Cam <3

I thought the conflict and resolution were so nicely done. & PRAISE GOD FOR NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP OR MISCOMMUNICATION.

Overall, it was cute & I’m glad I read it. I absolutely adored these two but had a hard time following some of the chaotic inner thoughts. Which, could just be on me.

Disappointment is an understatement. I thought that this was going to be a 5 star read from the first chapter and I am heartbroken that this feeling dissipated.

The Fiance Dilemma follows Josie and Matthew, two fiances pretending to be engagement to handle a PR crisis. I thought that this set-up was cute, and I loved the initial conversations with Josie and Matthew. However, the further I read, the less I understood WHY both Josie and Matthew would agree to the fake engagement in the first place. Josie gained more out of the fake relationship, but she only really does it to handle her absentee father's PR issues, which is quite frankly NOT her problem. Matthew gained *actually nothing* from this partnership, he is just a simp. To truly root for their romantic development, I needed valid motivations for them to be in a fake relationship. Because of this, I found their chemistry lacking. And while Josie had a lot of depth to her character, Matthew was just a plethora of tropes thrown together to create a character with no real substance. The highlights of this book were the dynamics with Josie and her grandpa, as well as Josie and Adalyn's sisterhood. This book also had plenty of laugh out loud moments.

Unfortunately, The Fiance Dilemma just did not deliver on the romance. You cannot build a proper romantic relationship without proving why the two characters should be together in the first place. I wanted this to be my new favorite by Elena Armas, and while I will continue to try her new titles, this was such a letdown!

♾️/5

if i could give more than 5 stars for this book i absolutely would. Elena has absolutely done it again with this book and then some. When i tell you Matthew had me kicking my feet & giggling to the point i had heart palpitations i could not put this down. The growth you see in Josie is a beautiful thing and i absolutely adored this book and see it being in my top 5 for the year.

Thank you again NetGalley and Atria for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review ♡

Loved it, a bit over the top with the situation, but overall extremely enjoyable,
Some of the scenes feel a bit too much and the whole Pr thing for me felt a bit overdone. I did like matthew and Josie relationship and how it develops even if it was a bit fast. Overall fun read