I’m the first to admit I don’t love small town romance but this one had the elements yet wasn’t overwhelming. I think The Long Game had more of a small town romance vibe to it.

That being said, this book was such a delight. I really enjoyed Elena Arms first two books but The Long Game didn’t hit for me. So naturally I was apprehensive about reading this one. I’m so happy to say I enjoyed it though!

Josie was such a likeable main character which made the book incredible. I loved her positivity, confidence, and optimism. Matthew was your stereotypical perfect book boyfriend. I didn’t really understand why he went along with Josie’s insane plan so quickly until the end and even then I was skeptical.

I did love them though. They were a very adorable couple who were just a smidge unrealistic.

Very entertaining though and I think fans of Elena Arms will devour this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! This books comes out July 30, 2024.

See link below for posted review!

“ Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for this ARC! I ate this book up and immediately got the long game to read after (I know I’m doing it backwards)! I thought this was such a fun and easy romcom. Elena knows how to write and I’m here for all the grandpa moe content. I’m giving it 4.5 stars because of how ch 18 felt a tad unfinished at the end but that’s just me being picky. 👰‍♀️☕️☀️🐷🪻Off to read more Elena!”

The Finance Dilemma has an interesting storyline and great dialogue but something about the story didn't work for me. It felt incredibly rushed, yet really long. The fake engagement to real love came off very one sided though it was explained in the end that wasn't the case. Maybe if there were two POVs we would've understood there was a lot of pining that wasn't shown. It is a book worth picking up though and a lot of people will enjoy it. Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I found The Fiancé Dilemma to have cute moments, but overall it was frustrating and it struggled to keep my attention.

It may just be that Ms. Armas' writing style is simply not for me.

This book was cute and I had so much fun reading it! Probably my favorite from Elena Armas so far! I didn’t connect much with the first book in this duology so I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this one. I did enjoy seeing Adalyn and Cameron as supporting characters though!

Fake dating (or engagement in this case) isn’t usually my favorite trope, but I feel like it was done well here. Josie and Matthew were both such likable characters and I was excited to see how their story would unfold.

Also, how pretty is this cover?!

Thank you Atria & Net Galley for the advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review 💜

I want to start by saying thank you to NetGalley for letting me have an ARC of The Fiancé Dilemma! Elena Armas is always a go to author of mine and I always love reading her books! Josie and Matthew’s chemistry was amazing and so cute to watch unfold. The way Matthew was so supporting of Josie and there for anytime she needed and vice versa was so sweet and real. I loved this book so much I’ve already ordered a hard copy for my own library!

This has seriously got to be one of my new favorite romcoms - these characters were so perfect together. I could not stop reading and legitimately lost sleep over this book. Fair warning, I did not read the first book and did not realize they were connected, so I’ll be jumping into that one next. This was the epitome of fake dating with the pining, he falls first and hard, and adorable shenanigans. Some of my favorite scenes were the ladder and walking home from goat yoga. Nothing can top the SOS text, though. I was giggling throughout that interaction. Everything about this book is adorable and was everything I did not know I needed for a summer read. I definitely recommend it if you’ve enjoyed Elena’s books in the past or are a rom-com fan! I only wish there was an epilogue so I could see how the characters were doing after the events of the story and handling their personal challenges.

3.75 stars rounded up. This is an enjoyable follow-up to The Long Game, but can be read as a standalone (in my opinion).

This is purely a love story where he falls first, and it has no third-act breakup. It was great to experience Adalyn and Cam’s story while being immersed in Josie and Matthew’s.

I normally have more to say on books generally, but when I tell you I LOVED The Fiance Dilemma I am not exaggerating. From the introduction of both Josie and Matthew in The Long Game I was in love with both their characters and the tiny hints that Elena Armas gives that they would be book 2 had me screaming, laughing, crying. This book was my most anticipated for 2024 and it did not disappoint! My favorite part about this book was that the author managed to write a couple of really quirky characters without making it seem forced or faked. Their personalities are dynamic and their chemistry is sizzling. I love the small town settings, the wide cast of characters, and the overall vibe that the author gives in this world that makes it feel lived in and cozy. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves romance! I can't think of two characters who deserved their HEA than Josie and Matthew.

3.5 Stars -
This book took me until over 50% to really be committed to the plot. I enjoyed Josie in book 1, but felt like her story came from left field and honestly was a little unexplained. It felt had to connect to her, like there wasn’t a depth there and I kept waiting for the shoe to drop as to why Matthew just ended up in town and left his job.

By the time we hit 50%, the answers started rolling in but weren’t fully revealed until the last few chapters where they became more redeeming which is why I put this book at 3.5 stars. I am curious to see if this will remain a 2 book series or if there will be more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the ARC of this ebook, in exchange for my honest review

Josie & Matthew
• Fake engagement
• He falls first
• Slow burn romance

Josie and Matthew find themselves in a mess of a situation when they fake their engagement after Josie finds out about her long estranged father. There is only one problem, Josie is a chronic runaway bride. She has 4 previous, failed engagements.

Will Josie and Matthew make it to the altar? Or will history repeat itself?

This was my first Elena Armas book and I thought it was overall cute! I felt like the pacing was a little off?? And also Matthew kind of gave me the ick with how he talked to Josie in the spicy scenes. I found myself bored more often than not. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed it more had I read The Long Game first? I just felt like there was something missing from this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am officially done with Elena Armas books. One can only read so many heroines that feel so far from real people and heroes that all feel the same.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this earc in exchange for an honest review

I DESPERATELY needed a 5 star read, and Elena 1000% delivered that to me. A book has not made me this giddy in a long time. The couple in this book; Josie and Matthew, were just so cute! While my favourite book boyfriend by Elena will always be my king Aaron Blackford, Matthew is a very very very close second. Thanks Elena for another slow burn banger.

Thank you netgalley and Artria for a chance to read this eARC of this book.

Although I loved love loved Spanish Love Deception and this was one of my most anticipated reads for this year. I had an extremely hard time relating to this MC...in fact...she was insufferable at times. Her quirks was just too much and her reactions to every situation was always too big for the situtation. It is hard to believe that I am not reading a book about a women in her late teens/very early twenties with how impulsive her character was.

Regretfully, I DNF at about 43%. I just couldn't continue on with the the story.

I would also like to note that I didn't realize that this book was a second in a series and states it is a standalone, but I did not feel as this was the case. I felt like I started in the middle of the story. Perhaps I will read the first and feel the need to pick this one up.

hooked from page one!!! I looove Elena Armas's writing style and how she always jumps right into the main story line. I like that we get background and learn about the characters as the chapters go on!
I relate to the main girl in so many ways! From struggling to find love (I finally found mine) and just the clumsiness. I also love the MMC, he was thoughtful and caring. From the beginning I knew they were meant for each other!

The Fiancé Dilemma is the second book in the Long Games series, and while not my favorite Armas book, it is an enjoyable read. Matthew is by far the best part of the book, and possibly my favorite Armas character to date. He’s sweet, goofy, caring, funny, and seriously romantic. Matthew, while reluctant at first to engage in the fake dating scheme, jumps in full steam ahead pretty quickly. He stood up for Josie throughout the book and was intent on letting her decide her feelings at her own pace. The tension and friendship between the two really hooks you. Definitely recommend a read.

Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its release.
As someone who was not a fan of 'The Long Game', I wanted to give this author another chance, and I am so glad I did!
I loved this book. Elena Armas is known for a good slow burn, and she did not disappoint.
This title is fake dating, marriage of convenience at its finest.
Josie and Matt have amazing chemistry and Elena makes us work for their first kiss. The buildup is EVERYTHING!!
Josie is a runaway bride of sorts,and has been engaged 5 times. We never really find out what happened in the previous engagements, which was disappointing considering this was a major plot point.
Josie is quirky, smart, and talks so much. I absolutely loved her. I don't see how anyone wouldn't fall in love with her as a MFC.
She is a kind and genuine person, but I am unsure why Josie felt the need to get this raveled into a lie for the sake of her father's good name. Those daddy issues are running strong.

Other than wishing there was a bit more backstory here, I loved this one and would highly recommend!

Elena Armas is great at slow-burn. I was practically begging for the leads to just kiss already!

I loved the small-town vibes and now I want to visit Green Oak to pet goats and piggies.

The fake dating plot was fun, with real chemistry and witty banter between Josie and Matthew. It was a perfect summer read. I enjoy a male lead who believes in soulmates and happily ever afters. Both leads were easy to like and relate to.

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for the arc!

4 stars

I enjoyed this book and I loved the flirty banter between the MCs. I also liked this more than The Long Game. However, I felt some things were missing, particularly more information about the backstory of the 4 ex fiancées. And some things were mentioned but never expanded on(where was the senator on September 15th?!?). I also think the book could’ve been 5 stars if it had been dual POV because I would’ve LOVED to see the MMCs intense pining from his side, I think it would’ve made me kick my feet endlessly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down! It had me laughing and crying and falling for Matthew myself! I don’t normally reread books but this one I would over and over again!