This was a really cute rom com with a bit of spice!
I liked main characters and the side characters as well!
It was kind of interesting that Matthew just jumped in to help Josie without really thinking about it.
I guess it does make sense though at the end,when he explains why he did it and why he was there in the first place.
I felt that there wasn't a whole lot of depth to their lives. We never really got to figure out what Josies problems were.
Matthew's family really had no depth either.
It was just a fun romance.
I do feel like it dragged just a little, though. It didn't really need that end monologue, lol.
I did like how the conclusion was that you don't have to be legally married to be happy. The person you choose is what matters most.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Charming Fake Dating Romance with Heart

"The Fiance Dilemma," the second installment in the Green Oak series (though perfectly readable as a standalone), follows Josie, whose string of failed engagements threatens to derail her father's retirement announcement. To salvage her reputation, her absentee father enlists her in a fake
engagement with Matthew, a man seeking refuge from his own personal struggles.

What begins as a calculated arrangement unexpectedly blossoms into a genuine connection. While the "misunderstanding" trope is often overused, Armas masterfully avoids it, allowing for a slow burn romance that builds palpable tension and culminates in a satisfying and emotionally resonant conclusion.

Josie, though fiercely independent, can occasionally be frustrating with her inner monologue. However, her resilience and strength shine through. Matthew, initially shy, emerges as a complex and intriguing character, offering unwavering support to Josie. Their chemistry is undeniable, fueled by witty banter and a genuine affection that deepens over time.

Armas's writing style is captivating, blending complex prose with moments of humor and poignant introspection. The narrative seamlessly weaves together character development, plot progression, and a simmering romance, creating a truly immersive reading experience.

"The Fiance Dilemma" is a delightful addition to the romantic comedy genre. Fans of slow-burn romances and those who appreciate well-developed characters and engaging storylines will undoubtedly enjoy this charming and heartwarming tale.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #atriabooks #thefiancedilemma #elenaarmas

I have not gotten bored with a fake relationship trope. This was cute. I enjoyed the whole book. The slow burn was written well. Thank you to Atria Books for the arc.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

The Fiancé Dilemma is a charming, swoon-worthy read that captures the magic of the fake relationship trope! Elena Armas delivers a story packed with humor, emotional depth, and sizzling chemistry between the main characters. The banter was sharp and laugh-out-loud funny, while the tender moments added so much heart to the story.

The protagonist was relatable and well-rounded, and I loved watching the relationship between her and the love interest evolve. The slow burn was perfectly paced, making the payoff even more satisfying. Elena Armas has a way of pulling you into her characters’ world and making you believe in their journey.

My only critique is that some parts felt a bit predictable, but it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. This book is perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a touch of drama and a whole lot of charm. Definitely a must-read for Elena Armas fans!

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas Pages: 428
Genre: RomCom
4.5/5
3.5/5
CAWPILE: 61/70
Read Dates: 6/14/2024 through 07/18/2024
RELEASE DATE: July 30th, 2024!

Synopsis: Josie quite enjoys her quiet life in the town where she is the mayor. She's fun, she's goofy, and... she has 4 ex-fiance's? When scandals whirl through the rumor mill impacting her billionaire father's reputation, a PR agent is sent her way to "fix" the mess that is Josie. But, what she stumbles upon is Josie wearing yet another engagement ring. And in walks Matthew, Josie's sister's best friend. How perfect.

Review: Here's my starting disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All of my opinions, as always, are my own. will admit, it took me a little bit to get into this book. I absolutely adore Elena Armas and her work, but the more current lingo threw me off. I was NOT expecting a book character to use the phrase "it's giving" while talking about vibes. But, once was able to get past the fact that this book takes place in the most modern of times, it was smooth sailing.

Josie and Matt are an AMAZING couple, with real conversations, and real struggles. I truly enjoyed watching their love story unfold. All the best things to say once again for this author, the way she writes is amazing and will happily pick up her next release as soon as can! (No rush there, perfection takes time)

There's one trope that will always have me coming back for more, and that's a fake relationship/forced proximity. There's just something about two people thinking they're not cut out for each other and then finding exactly what they were looking for without meaning to. I think it stems from not having to put your best forward and just being exactly who you are and someone loving that about you. This was what I got out of this book, while there were many moments I just wanted to shake Josie I could understand where she was coming from. Matthew was such a breath of fresh air and a literal ball of sunshine. The slow burn really made it all the better and angsty. I truly loved this pair.

The Fiance Dilemma is very fast paced. And I like for a story to get to the point just as much as the next person, but I was starting to get whiplash. It was well written but honestly nothing new, I was a bit bored with it.

2.5 stars.

Oh how I wanted to love this. This was the cheesiest romance book I've read in a hot minute and I cannot take this level of cheese. The best way I could describe this is cheugy? Like sickly sweet innocence, a VERY unrealistic trope, and then the switch flipped with the sex? I'm confused lol it was just too much of a drastic change in tone that it was weird. I like Matthew, I do, but I forced myself to finish this.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/203572092

Another cute read from Armas. It’s a rom-com so you can guess what will happen, but it’s a fun, cute journey. You’re rooting all the way for Josie to find her happily ever after.

Super cute read! I have really enjoyed everything that I have read by this author.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I unfortunately Danced this, with no surprise, as this author's books have always confused me. I haven't like a single one, and though I keep trying because they seem popular, I can't understand why .

I’m on a roll in 2025! The Fiancé Dilemma completely charmed me. I love when the fake dating trope is done well and this was done well.

I fell in love with Matthew. Some authors can just write the perfect hero and Armas is one of them. Matthew is sweet and protective towards Josie. He loves her for exactly who she is.

Josie is charming and caring. She loves and cares for those close to her with all of her heart. I only wanted Josie to get her happily ever after.

Romance lovers - this is for you. 💜💛💜

Unfortunately, this one just didn’t hit the same as Elena’s previous books. It felt like Josie made all the wrong decisions, and poor Matthew is just dragged along for a hectic, non-sensical ride. The romance was nice, but felt unrealistic in the face of all the illogical and wild decision making going on throughout the story.

Honestly everything written by Elena Armas is amazing! The way this became my favorite book so quick

3.5/5 Stars

I started this book well before it released but had to put it down as it just wasn't hooking me. I finally got back to it when I was more in the mood and it was cute, but didn't win me over like Spanish Love Deception did. It wasn't my favorite of her books, but was worth a read if you're a fan of the author.

The book is a standard contemporary romance that fills the tropes and formula for a romance to a T, which made it predictable, but still enjoyable. It had plenty of funny moments and some heart to it as well, just didn't such me in enough to be something I'd recommend a lot. I think this wasn't a win for me because I struggled with connecting to the FMC. She was 'quirky' but came off as annoying to me a lot. I liked the MMC well enough though.

Overall, I enjoyed but wouldn't necessarily recommend to everyone.

If there's one thing about me, I love a good fake fiance romance and while this book was cute and enjoyable, it just didn't fully do it for me. I loved Matthew and how much of an absolute sweetheart he was, and I loved how Josie is such a cute sunshiney character, the book just felt very formulaic.

Elena you’ve outdone yourself once again. I had the honor of receiving this as an ARC and Josie and Matthew blew me away. They truly just fit so so so well together, which made the story flow with such ease. I laughed out loud, cried and kicked my feet giggling. Give me any fake engagement, second chances, and newfound family members trope. But don’t be fooled, Elena knows how to write the tropes best.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for 'The Fiancé Dilemma' back in summer, so lets ignore the fact that I'm only just getting to this review...

It pains me to say this, because it almost feels like giving up hope from here on out, but nothing by Elena Armas has hit the same since TSLD. This book had all the qualities that Armas has always included in her work—humour and wit, sweetness and spice, countless "..." moments—but, like the two novels preceding this one, I was underwhelmed.

The story of our main characters, Josie Moore and Matthew Flanagan, revolves around a handful of popular tropes (forced proximity, fake dating/marriage, small town), and maybe I would have enjoyed it more had things been executed differently. I liked Josie as a secondary character in 'The Long Game,' but as a protagonist I found her to be a bit bland. Or, it's also possible that the circumstances surrounding her character are what frustrated me most. Like, why was her having been engaged four times anyone's business? I get it's a small town, but surely basic social etiquette is universal. No one had any shame in discussing her personal life, and I didn't like how she let their opinions drive her actions.

As for Matthew, he was a decent MMC. Charming, patient, understanding, attentive...but something was missing. Idk. I just didn't feel any attachment. Maybe it was his cringe, unrealistic lines that put me off (i.e., "your glorious peaks"). God forbid anyone ever utter this, and any iterations of it, in my presence. I did feel bad for him at times though, like when Josie practically bullied him into going along with her ridiculous plan. She was selfish and only thinking about herself, and poor Matthew was dragged into the mess created by HER lie without a say. And that Bobbi woman didn't help the situation. She was INSUFFERABLE! What gave her the right to march into town and delegate herself wedding planner for a "couple" she didn't even know? To basically force Josie into having a relationship with her estranged father? This brings me to another point: why was a fake marriage even necessary? Her absentee father ruins his own career and SHE was expected to do damage control by getting married?! Tell me you're joking...

There was also never a discussion between Josie and Matthew regarding the wedding. The initial agreement was to not actually get married but stay friends; however as the wedding drew closer there seemed to be some mutual understanding that they would actually go through with the wedding. It was strange, because you'd think that with all their beating around the bush, they'd talk about it. Not to mention, what would have happened had Josie gone with the plan of leaving Matthew at the alter? Back to square one yet again, which surely would have caused more harm than good.

Anywho... I've got one last complaint. The podcast segments? So unnecessary. All the pop culture/random gen z lingo was overwhelming, and it was weird how the hosts would say things like "we're girl's girls" but then contradict themselves by making backhanded comments about Josie like "what is this, her fifth engagement." By the end I was over it. I couldn't feel the "love" and chemistry between Josie & Matthew as I don't remember any significant moments of them getting to know each other, but whatever. I also expected more of a reaction to people finding out that Josie and Matthew were suddenly engaged, but again, whatever.

This book wasn't terrible...it just wasn't for me.

This was light, cute, easy to read. Nothing special but enjoyable. Definitely cliche for the trope and very surface level conflict/ romance.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.