Thank you to the author and Netgalley for allowing me to have an ARC copy of this book in exchange for a review. Life unfortunately got busy and I wasn’t able to complete it until now.

I was a little nervous going into this book as I didn’t love the Long Game but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fake dating/engagement is definitely one of my favourite genres! I really enjoyed getting to know Josie and Matthew but I wish there was a hit of back story in regards to the other ex fiancés. I can’t wait to try other books from this author!

Tropes
Small town romance
Engagement of convenience
Fake dating
Sisters best friend

4⭐️ 2🌶️

The Fiancé Dilemma offers a fun take on the fake-dating trope, with plenty of lighthearted moments and romantic tension. While the characters are likable, their development feels a bit rushed, and some plot points are predictable. Still, it’s an entertaining read that delivers the feel-good vibes romance fans expect, even if it doesn’t fully stand out from the crowd. Armas's other books were stronger for me than this one!

I love the Fiancé Dilemma! It was cute. Love the MMC and how supportive he is. Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity.

This is one of the best rom coms that I read in 2024. I enjoy a good book with a good storyline that makes me live, laugh, love. A special thank you to Netgalley, Elena Armas, and Atria Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

"The Fiancé Dilemma" by Elena Armas is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy. The story follows Josie Moore, a small-town coffee shop owner with a string of failed engagements. When her father returns to the public eye, Josie's romantic history becomes a PR nightmare. In a panic, she pretends to be engaged to Matthew Flanagan, her half-sister's best friend. Their fake engagement soon blossoms into something real as they navigate their feelings and the expectations of their families and community.

The chemistry between Josie and Matthew is fantastic. Their banter is witty and their interactions are full of sparks. Armas does a great job of developing their relationship, making it feel authentic and believable. The supporting characters also add depth and humor to the story, and the small-town setting of Green Oak is vividly depicted.

Armas' writing style is engaging and easy to read. She has a knack for creating humorous situations and witty dialogue, but she also knows how to tug at the heartstrings. There were moments in the book that made me laugh out loud, and others that brought tears to my eyes.

Overall, "The Fiancé Dilemma" is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's a perfect blend of humor, romance, and heart. If you're a fan of romantic comedies, fake engagement tropes, or stories about finding love in unexpected places, this book is definitely for you. I highly recommend it!

I, unfortunately, DNF'ed this book...No hate, obviously. I just didn't really care for the characters and the storyline.

This book had me in my feels. Josie was really relatable and funny. She always just seemed to get into a spot of trouble. But Matthew, dear God, I'm just going to say it and hope I don't get flagged. Matthe is a pure panty melter.. Just who I'd like to break down near my house. Pardon me while I swoon..

How many subpar romance novels do I have to get through before I find a genuine 5-star read? The list continues, as this one did not make the pyramid.

Josie and Matthew were far too bland for me to read about. The premise gave them ample opportunity to make interesting and likable characters and instead... they were just boring. Armas tried to spice Matthew up by making him a bit bossy and overprotective, but it didn't seem believable to me. You mean to tell me that he fell in love that quickly without ever having met this girl before?? All just based off of a text from his best friend saying "I think I met the girl you're going to marry"??? Okay, sure.

I just found myself constantly looking at how much more I had to read, which is never a good sign on how enjoyable a book is. I also didn't realize that this was technically a second in a series, as it's not really touted as such. You don't necessarily need to read the first one to understand this, but it probably would have helped me feel even a tiny bit more for these characters.

My biggest complaint is we get almost no flashbacks to Josie and her previous fiancés. Sure, we're given a half-hearted explanation as to why all of them failed, but I feel like they could have been plotted out better.

This is a skip from me!

Matthew Flanagan the man that you are!!! I loved both main characters, as well as Grandpa Mo, who may be my favorite supporting character that Armas has written. I loved the slow burn, the angst, the tension, just everything. I loved the pacing, the bond between Matthew and Josie, I even loved the bitchy podcast hosts. I honestly don't have anything bad to say about this book.

Josie is living out her Verizon of the Runaway Bride in her small town. This wouldn't be a problem until her estranged, rich and famous father that she recently reconnected with mentioned her in an interview and now a gossip podcast is shining the spotlight on her past.

When her dad sends a PR professional, literally named Shark, to fix things, a miscommunication leads everyone to believe that Josie is now on on her fifth engagement! Only it's an engagement of convenience with her sister's best friend but no one knows except for the two of them. They have two rules: stay friends, and don't get married.

This one is for the girlies who love yearning, tension, and slow burns! 🔥 Josie can get in her head and Matthew is right there to... distract her 😏 He's a protective one and is determined to show her she is perfect the way she is and others are dumb for not truly seeing her.

Outside of the romance you have Josie trying to find out what her new role is now that she has her father in her life and she's continuing to build her relationship with her sister. The spotlights on her past relationships and the critiques of her "daddy issues" brings up a lot for her regarding her mother's passing and feelings of abandonment that are bubbling just under the surface.

The writing was easy to read and super relatable. The characters were funny, insightful, and authentic. This book will definitely be one that I recommend!

Thank you to Atria Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas!

This book was great & I love a good he falls first troupe! I actually liked that they didn't marry at the end of the book more than I thought I would.

I enjoyed the story however I had wish that we had had Michael’s POV instead of just having Josephine‘s. But I love the small town feel and wild atmosphere these two went through leading up to the wed ceremony. I enjoyed seeing cameos of the other characters from book one in this series! Overall I think this is amazing book with an interesting plot writing was good! Thank you for allowing me to read this Net-galley

I've only read The Spanish Love Deception, but I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read this early! Josie has had four failed engagements and when her famous father has decided to become a part of her life, her romantic past becomes part of a PR stunt. Matthew runs away to the small town his best friend calls home and runs in to Josie. This misunderstanding turns into a fake engagement arrangement, all for the PR stunt. I liked Josie and Matthew. Josie is a bit quirky and is definitely the sunshine character of the relationship. I did really like her character though and I liked that Matthew was the balance she needed. I love how he stands up for her as her father tries to take advantage her kind personality and tries to rehab his image as the absentee dad. I actually really loved the slow burn romance and that is not usually my favorite trope. The small town romance plot was also well done! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it was a quick romance read. I always look forward to the next Elena Armas and I can't wait to read more!

Elena Armas has done it again. While I still like the American Roommate Experiment more, everything I've read that she has written has been hilarious and romatic and lovely.

A book is bound to be good when it doesn’t fall victim to the dreaded third-act breakup or unnecessary miscommunication, and The Fiancé Dilemma delivers exactly that. The flow was seamless, the characters felt familiar yet refreshing, and, most importantly, it felt like Elena Armas was truly writing what she wanted.

Matthew might just be one of my new favorites—he’s the perfect balance of shy and deadly protective, with a wickedly sharp mouth. He made this book as enjoyable as it was. I love a male lead who is considerate, passionate, and actually cares. The scene where he tested different nicknames for Josie? Hilarious. The way he stood up for her in front of her dad and Bobby (her PR manager)? Perfection. Josie, on the other hand, left me conflicted. She made the book fun and bright, but her inner monologue occasionally drove me nuts. That’s the thing with quirky characters—sometimes they overdo it. But, overall, she was likable despite her vexing moments.

The romance was beautifully done! Armas excels at slow burn, and the tension, forced proximity, and emotional depth were all chef’s kiss. The fake dating arc was more than just a gimmick—it played a crucial role in the story and hit all the right notes. Their connection felt real, and I loved how they clung to each other in their darkest moments. As for the smut? It wasn’t the best, but it delivered when it mattered. And Matthew’s mouth—Armas did not disappoint in that department.

The plot itself was intriguing, with podcast scenes full of juicy drama and messy narrators. The fake dating aspect was woven seamlessly into the story, adding layers instead of feeling forced. Josie’s four failed engagements were brought up just enough to induce secondhand embarrassment but not overshadow the main plot. Green Oaks was another highlight—its cozy, small-town charm and strong sense of community made the setting feel alive. The familiar faces from previous books added a nostalgic touch, making it feel like revisiting old friends.

I can’t deny that Matthew-without-a-last-name worked his magic. And, as Armas herself wrote:
"Your expectations are not impossibly high. Never let anyone make you believe you're asking for too much."

what a messy messy woman - my favorite kind! I love the celeb dad angle and how chaotic this was. A quick fun read!

I read The Ling Game and was in love with this town and the people who live there already. When I heard that Matthew and Josie were getting a story I HAD to read it. I LOVED every moment of this story. My heart aches in parts and it soared in others. The connection these two had was amazing. I’ll definitely set this on my to read again list. Especially when I need a small town, fake Fiance romcom fix.

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas is the perfect blend of humor, heart, and a bit of chaos that kept me hooked from start to finish. As a fan of contemporary romance, I couldn’t get enough of this book—it has all the ingredients of a fun, feel-good read with a dash of unexpected twists.

The story revolves around the main character, who finds herself in a complicated situation involving an impromptu fake engagement. The premise was already intriguing, and Armas does a fantastic job of creating a story that’s both lighthearted and full of emotional depth. I loved how the characters’ relationship developed—there’s tension, humor, and real chemistry between them, making their interactions so enjoyable to read.

What I appreciated most about this book was the way Armas explored the dynamics between the characters. It’s not just a romance; it’s also about personal growth, self-discovery, and navigating complicated relationships. The fake engagement premise had me laughing, but as the story progressed, I was deeply invested in how the characters were dealing with their own insecurities and figuring out what they truly wanted.

Armas’ writing style is witty and engaging, which made this book so much fun to read. The pacing was great, with just the right balance of tension and lighthearted moments. I found myself both laughing out loud and getting emotionally invested in the characters’ journeys, which is always a sign of a well-rounded romance.

Overall, The Fiancé Dilemma is a delightful, feel-good read with the perfect mix of humor, romance, and emotional depth. If you’re looking for a lighthearted romance with a compelling story, charming characters, and a few unexpected surprises, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I DNF-ed this. Sorry I just couldn’t get through it. I was so bored. The characters were not interesting. I didn’t realize you really need to read the last book to understand this one.