Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Josie and Matthew fake an engagement to address her father’s PR situation and in the midst of fake wedding planning and small town hijinks feelings shift and their relationship changes. The Fiancé Dilemma is a classic Elena Armas slow burn romance.

Slow burn fake fiance contemplating rom com single point of view (except the last chapter. From the cover I thought it was a why choose romance, but I wasn't disappointed at only one male main character. The mmc was a fantastic book boyfriend; a sexy golden retriever with just a little bit of bite (when protecting his female lead), very physically affectionate, and a dirty mouth. The plot was VERY rom com and sometimes a bit much (and the story a bit long) but overall a fun read. I enjoyed the characters and will definitely read The Long Game (the first book that stars the bffs) next. Even though these are standalone books I think I would've preferred reading that first.

Still processing my thoughts on this one. The Fiance Dilemma is a follow-up to The Long Game, so the characters are not new; however, unlike some series, if you haven't read the first book, it will be very difficult to get into this one.

This book portrays Josie as super flighty and irresponsible almost without really diving into the pain of her childhood - I think the why of this is because it was covered in the first book. Without that context, I think readers will find her a difficult character to empathize with.

I think that my biggest issues are that it felt like there were a lot of missing parts to this story. Ideas or topics that seemed relevant were glossed over and my only guess is because I've forgotten something that I read in the first book...or I'm just looking for answers t0 round out a plot.

Where do I even begin. I was alittle weary about reading this was I wasn’t a huge fan of the roommate agreement. However, after I read the long game I just couldn’t wait to read Mathew and Josie’s story .Let me tell you she did not disappoint in this book.
I couldn’t put this book down. Absolutely adored every second of it. Mathew and Josie are just the cutest and I love the chemistry with every interaction they have is to die for. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. I can’t wait to have all my friends read ❤️❤️
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Elena Armas for an opportunity to read an eARC of this amazing book.

Boy oh boy, when I found out this was Josie and Matthew's love story, I immediately began reading! I was thrilled to be back in Green Oak, with these characters.

We start out with Josie in her bathrobe, face mask on, and covered in strawberry jam. And oh yeah, also with a ring from a previous engagement stuck on her finger. She answers the door and begins being criticized by Bobbi Shark, her father's PR agent, for her four broken engagements, which is causing commotion on a popular podcast. After seeing the ring on Josie's finger, Bobbi realizes another engagement could be the solution to the PR crisis.

Matthew, who came into town for a breather after losing his job, just so happens to be in the right place at the right time. Josie sees him walking by her house, covered in mud after getting his car stuck. He doesn't even recognize her, after all, they'd only ever talked over FaceTime and in a group chat created by Adalyn. But Josie acts like Matthew is her fiancé, and Matthew, being the sweet guy that he is, plays along.

As it happens, the solution to the PR solution is not just another engagement, but a wedding. That will happen in under two months. Planned by Bobbi, funded by Josie's father, Andrew. With Josie and the totally-not-fake fiancé, Matthew, as the couple to be married.

Of course, we follow the pair as they go through wedding preparations, but it was even more beautiful to see Josie wrestle with her past and how she thinks her reputation has shaped her, and we get to see the transformation as she realizes that what other people think or say might not always be true. And of course, her faithful "fiancé" is by her side through it all, not letting her walk away from her own love story.

I love Matthew so much. He honestly could do no wrong in my eyes. Josie was a bit harder to like, but I grew to understand her and want the very best for her (which obviously was Matthew, duhh).

Elena Armas is basically an auto read for me, I adore the way her characters interact and the way that they grow. Not only in ther character or as people, but they also seem to grow on me as a reader. Thank you Elena, for yet another beautiful story ❤️

And thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas is a charming and heartwarming romance. With a mix of humor and drama, the author writes of fake engagements and second chances. The characters are relatable and well developed, and the chemistry between Josie and Matthew is sizzling! The story is engaging, with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you hooked until the very end.

I did enjoy book 2, Josie and Matthew’s story. However, there were some cringe moments lol. After finding out her dad is a millionaire public figure, Josie accidentally wrangles in Matthew (Adalyns bff) to pretend to be her fiance for a PR scheme. I feel they left off on a weird note and we didn’t get a final feel to Adalyn/Cam’s story either.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc! I was so excited to read Elena Armas’ new book since I’ve loved all her previous ones.

The fiancé dilemma was a fun, cute follow up in the long game series (ft. Matthew, yay)! Fake dating, friends to lovers, and more are covered in this book.

It was a little more insta-lovey than I thought, but I kept forgetting that we do get to know these characters in the previous book, so it makes more sense in that context. I loved Matthew’s POV at the end and wish we could’ve gotten it throughout — I feel like it would have made the love story make sense sooner. Overall, though, I enjoyed this read!

"The Fiancé Dilemma" by Elena Armas is a charming blend of heartwarming moments, tension-filled anticipation, and sizzling chemistry. While some may crave more depth, the story's emotional journey and character growth make for a satisfying and engaging read. Fans of Armas' previous works will find this a worthy addition to her repertoire, and newcomers will be drawn into a world of captivating storytelling and heartfelt emotions. Highly recommended for romance enthusiasts seeking a feel-good, emotionally resonant read.

this was such a cute and heartwarming book. the found family and soulmates trope had my heart feeling so happy. and leave it to Elena Armas to give us an amazing lead up filled with tension and angst for the spice.

Josie was adorable and I wanted to hug her forever. she was so relatable with her sweetness and how she rambled when she would get anxious. but Matthew definitely stole for show for me. he was protective and down BAADDD for her. the way he showed her what it was like to have a man who loved her and not the aspect of her was amazing. i just wish we had more from his pov because i needed to get inside that man’s head!

I was a big fan of The Spanish Love Deception and The American Roommate Experiment. The last two books fell a little flat for me. I did enjoy this one more then The Long Game but the story was all over the place. Josie and Matthew could have been great if there was a little more depth there. Honestly if it was dual pov and we could understand Matthew’s perspective earlier I might of loved it more. It was still an enjoyable read.

Where do I even start?? First of all, I LOVED the Spanish Love Deception, but was wary after reading The American Roommate Experiment because I didn't love it quite as much. But man oh man, did Elena pull out ALL the stops for this one!

Matthew Flanagan may be on of my favorite MMCs of all time. Give me a broody but emotionally intelligent simp all day every day. And while I had a harder time connecting with Josie, the storyline needed a little bit of *emotional damage* to really move it along. But the thing about it is, I love a plot that is going to give the "help me help myself" moment that ACTUALLY gives the healing that is needed to help the character grow. And lord help me, the spice. Sir, please come running to my rescue ANY day of the week.

This is what I call a "jalapeño margarita" book - the best balance of sweet and spicy, easily drinkable, something you're going to want to keep coming back to and will get you absolutely smashed if you're hoping for that!

This author cannot write a bad book!! I absolutely adored following the side characters from The Long Game in their own novel. It has to be in my top 3 favourite books written by Elena to date. Everything about this book was incredible, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these characters grow into these beautifully written and authentic people.

Thank you for this arc! It was a fun read. It was a little cheesy for ME but 3 stars. I would definitely recommend this to a friend though I do wish I read the first book before this one. I think it would of changed a bit for me

Elena Armas is a fantastic romantic comedy author, and this book is no exception! "The Fiance Dilemma" is the second book in her "The Long Game" series. It's been a while since I read that book, so it took me a minute to catch up on these characters again. However, I quickly fell in love with these characters and was rooting for them. The main female character, Josie, has become a national laughingstock as a result of leaving her grooms at the altar several times now. However, throw in her issues with a long-absent father and a fake engagement with her sister's best friend, and just maybe her luck is starting to change. Matthew, the main male character, is the perfect sarcastic yet sweet counterpart to Josie's disfunction, and he is exactly what she needs. Will this fake engagement end in a real trip down the aisle? Check out this book to find out!

I couldn't help but want the best for these characters and hope they got their happy ending. This was a fun read, and will be a delight for rom-com fans everywhere. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a cute romance with more than a passing nod to the old Julia Roberts/Richard Gere romcom, Runaway Bride.

Josie, mayor of a small town in North Carolina and owner of a coffee shop was raised by a single mother who died much too young. She never knew who her father was until after her mother died. It turns out, he is a household name and very wealthy. Once the press finds out, her past, including her bolting from 4 engagements, reflect poorly on the father she never knew.

Watching the fake relationship turn into something real and her relationship with her father become warmer is part of the book’s appeal. I did have problems with understanding Josie’s behavior. However, the romance is sweet and sexy and the small town where she lives is filled with amusing characters, so this novel is a diverting escape.

Let me first begin by saying that Elena’s book The Spanish Love Deception was one of the very first romance books I read and played a part in me becoming obsessed with the genre, which I will forever be grateful for. Unfortunately I have not connected to the books she has released following her debut, and The Fiancé Dilemma is just another one to add to that list. I think there was potential, but the story line seemed weak and for a book so long, not much happened in the long run. I was not blown away by either character but I did enjoy Matthew more than Josie. I wish Josie’s daddy issues were explored more rather than just painting her has the runaway bride 4 times over. The way the fake engagement came about was odd and didn’t get much better. I despised Bobbi to the point where I had to skim through every scene she was in (which was a lot). Andrew was no better. It seemed like Cam and Adalyn were barely in it which was disappointing because I did enjoy The Long Game.

Some random other random tidbits- the heroine in her follow up to TSLD was named Rosie, while this novel (follow up to TLG) was named Josie? I am not sure if we were supposed to be pronouncing it ‘Joe-C’, but where I am from Rosie and Josie rhyme. It seemed odd to have a characters name be SO close to another’s, both being second in a series. Also- as someone from Boston, I kind of cringed whenever Matthew’s “boston-ness” was played up. Additionally the title of this book should have been The Fiancé Farce and I will die on that hill. What dilemma even was there?

I do think there will be people out there who will love this! I would recommend to anyone if I think they may vibe with it.

ARC was provided by Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Atria, Netgalley, and Elena!

ARC provided by NetGalley 💚

If you were a big fan of the Spanish Love Deception, then I think you’ll really enjoy this! If you read the Long Game, you’ve already met the FMC of this one! Josie is a 4 time runaway bride. After finding out her father is a big name, a PR manager comes to do damage control. When Josie decides to pretend to be engaged again, Matthew and the whole small town gets roped in.

Matthew is a great hero! He’s obsessed with her but in the quietest ways. I really liked not having his POV for the majority of the book. It was another slow burner but Matthew made the story!

The Fiancée Dilemma might just be Elena De Armas best book yet. This fake fiancée best friend’s sister had me kicking my feet and giggling.

Matthew and Josie just make sense together and I found myself wanting a Matthew of my own. Glass and doesn’t take himself seriously? I’ll take one.

Returning to the Long Game universe was a treat, particularly as supporting characters Josie—Adalyn’s stepsister—and Matthew—Adalyn’s writer bestie—were given the spotlight in their own book, offering a deeper exploration of their romance.

Admittedly, this sequel isn't flawless. We're left wanting more insight into Josie's past and her tendency to flee commitments, and I wished for a glimpse into Matthew's perspective earlier in the story. Matthew, who charmed us in Long Game, remains supportive and endearing, with his quirky crush on Cameron reminiscent of a lovable Roy Kent. It would have been enriching to delve into his thoughts, understanding what makes him such an enchanting book boyfriend. Nevertheless, his caring nature and unwavering charm are evident from the start, never failing to captivate readers.

Josie, the sweet girl-next-door with her small-town allure, already had us smitten with her kindness and resilience. She may be a touch naive, but her strength shines through as she navigates life's challenges.

Both main characters captured my heart, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the appearances of Grandpa Mo/Maurice, a standout supporting character whose presence added depth to the story.

Another highlight was the undeniable chemistry between Josie and Matthew, igniting each page with passion and intensity.

Recalling the events of the first book, Josie's world is turned upside down upon discovering the identity of her father, Andrew, a wealthy sports mogul secretly supporting their small North Carolina town for years. The story kicks off with Josie struggling to remove her old engagement ring, resulting in a comical mishap involving strawberry jam and a visit from Bobbi Shark, a PR executive aiming to salvage her father's reputation by arranging Josie's fifth engagement.

Enter Matthew, covered in mud after getting his car stuck in her garden. Unaware of Josie's identity, he finds himself unwittingly thrust into the role of her fiancé. Despite having only interacted through Zoom calls and messages, Matthew agrees to play along, propelled by his innate kindness and shock from his car ordeal.

As Bobbi pushes for a rushed wedding to quell the PR storm, Josie and Matthew find themselves entangled in a web of lies, with the entire town rooting for their happiness. Amidst the chaos, two nosy podcasters delve into Josie's past relationships, while Andrew's unexpected involvement further complicates matters.

Caught in the whirlwind, Josie and Matthew's chemistry deepens, blurring the line between pretense and reality. Josie grapples with her growing feelings, fearing rejection or abandonment, while Matthew faces the looming deadline of his departure from town. Will they succumb to their feelings, or will Josie's fear of commitment drive her to flee once more?

Despite my minor qualms, I'm inclined to round up my rating to a solid 5 stars. The undeniable chemistry between Josie and Matthew, coupled with Armas' captivating storytelling, makes this a standout romance novel. Plus, the dynamic between Josie and Matthew surpasses that of Adalyn and Cameron, in my opinion.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with the opportunity to review this highly anticipated romance novel.