I am so sad to be making this review because I really wanted to love this book. Fake dating is one of my all time favorite tropes so I had my hopes too high. I feel like I either love or feel meh about an Elena Armas book, and this one sadly is meh.

The flow of the story didn’t work for me. Chapters just ended abruptly talking about them kissing so I was like did they kiss or not? It was just odd, but this is a very slow burn which I enjoyed that.

Also Matthew didn’t have a personality to me until over half way through the book. I think it would have worked better if his POV was added earlier instead of just one chapter at the end.

To me this had The American Roommate Experience flaw where side characters are nonexistent. In TARE Rosie felt isolated and all the great side characters in The Spanish Love Deception disappeared and it was just her and Lucas. The Long Game has great side characters, and they were not utilized. Plus I was sad that Adalyn and Cameron were not in it much.

Sadly this one was just not it for me.

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

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I really enjoyed Ms. Armas' first book - the Spanish Love Deception, but this one left much to be desired. The main character is Josie, a small town major/small business owner/baker in North Carolina. She is beloved by her hometown and was raised by her mom in this small town until her passing around the college years. Josie spent her life not knowing who her father was and just recently discovered that he is a famous multimillionaire from Florida. Josie is a liability to this man, in that she has been engaged four times, but not actually married. Josie freezes when her father's fixer comes to see her and says that she is engaged to be married. When asked to whom she was engaged to, she picks a nearby man approaching. One she has never met in person, but knows because he is her sister's best friend, Matthew. Matthew is stunned, but plays along. This ridiculous charade continues and Josie is for some reason unable to find it within herself to say that she is not really engaged and to tell her father's fixer to go away. The fixer is trying to make her dad seem much better by throwing her a lavish wedding, no expenses spared. Predictably Matthew and Josie develop feelings for each other. I didn't really have a liking to this book because it all seems so forced and the character Josie is not someone that I can admire because she doesn't stand up for herself. I read half of this book before I realized it just was nonsense and not worth it at all. Incredibly disappointed.

I received this ARC for my honest opinion from the publisher. I had really hoped much more from Ms. Armas.

This is one of the most popular ARC's I have been approved for so far (thank you NetGalley and Atria books), and one I was most excited for. It was quirky and well paced, the spice was great (2-3/5 🌶). I loved all of Elena Armas' previous books and unfortunately this one is probably my least favorite of the four.. Insta-love is just not my favorite trope. I would still recommend this for a fun summer romance! I felt frustrated with Josie's character (although I do think the things that were frustrating about her made her realistic). I wish Matthew had a single flaw so he didn't seem so clearly a MMC written by a woman. And my (obvious) favorite character in the story would be Grandpa Moe.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it feels a little different from Elena Armas’ other books but not in a bad way. This book felt very cozy and sweet in a way that the other ones don’t quite capture the same vibe. That being said there is also spice and some light drama to look forward to. Although this is technically a sequel or companion novel I definitely think it can be read on its own, but you may miss a little characterization on Matthew’s side because we get to know him pretty well in The Long Game. This book felt like it could stand by itself, and as much as I love Cam and Adalyn, I’m glad they took a back seat in this one. They still appear but it didn’t feel overly distracting and I wasn’t begging to see them because Josie and Matthew consumed my thoughts. I really enjoyed this book and if you’ve had trouble getting into Elena Armas’ other books I’d definitely give this one a try, this book feels different than her other books so maybe this one is right for you.


Spoilers Ahead:
I loved the pacing on Josies and Matthews relationship. Their own personal hang ups and the push and pull was so much fun. I think Elena Armas did a really good job with the fake engagement and not making it super obvious that Matthew loved her early on. Some books make it way too obvious at the start so I think the pacing of their relationship was really good. Even though there’s nothing really truly stopping them from being together for real Josie’s previous relationships cause her to doubt her own judgement. I think Josie and Matthew compliment each other really well, I think some readers will have issues with Josie agreeing to things she shouldn’t or being a push over but I can definitely relate to wanting to take the path of least resistance. Matthew’s willingness to follow her lead and defend her every step of the way is honestly goals.

The podcast was a really good device to relay important information about Josie without it feeling like she’s rehashing her baggage in her own head or having weird conversations with people in town about the past. The podcast wasn’t overdone or used too much which I appreciated. Josie listening to them talk about her and make their theories and take bets contributed to her doubting herself. They were already talking about Josie and Matthew’s relationship failing as soon as it “started” to it makes sense why she was hesitant to fully jump into something real with him.

I really loved the progression of Josie and Matthew slowly admitting their attraction and feelings and eventually letting themselves be together. This book definitely kept me guessing, for a lot of the book I assumed they’d get together right before the wedding and just decide to take the jump but when Matthew called it off I was so surprised. I kind of wish they had an epilogue like 10 years in the future where they get married whether it’s a huge wedding or something simple at court house but I can appreciate that marriage is not the goal for everyone and its refreshing to see a slightly different ending to a romance book.

I was so lucky to receive this book as an ARC from NetGalley. I was so excited, and thrilled as Elena Armas is one of my favorite authors. This was a cute read. I’ve always liked the forced proximity troupe. I loved the banter between Josie and Matthew. I really felt for the characters especially Josie about her relationship with her father.

Plot makes no sense, very chaotic and I feel the author tried too hard to make the characters “quirky”.
Forced myself to get to 50% before I DNF hoping it would turn around but it didn’t, I just couldn't get into it and didn't care at all about the characters. This one just wasn’t for me.

Firstly, thank you, to Atria Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to ARC read The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas in exchange for an honest review.

This book is yet another reason to love Elena Armas and her characters. Elena Armas also did an incredible job of getting her readers to be fully immersed in this story!! We got to see a new side to Josie and learn more about the character we met in The Long Game. We also get to formally meet Matthew!

This book was filled with love, joy, and cute little farm animals. I am personally in love with little Pedro Pigscal. I mean who could not love a baby pig named after… do I even need to say? Set in small town Green Oak Josie finds herself JAM packed in a dilemma of her own making. Matthew who just happened to be going for a spontaneous stroll during a storm finds himself FALLING into Josie’s plan.

I laughed so much in this book! It was so wholesome that you can’t help but wish it was real life. I couldn’t tell you how many times I thought ‘I wish I could just live a simple life like this’. At least I get to live vicariously through Josie and Matthew!

Can they navigate this life through lies and deception or will reali-tea smack them down?

Getting to read this story and help spread the word about it is fantastic! I can’t wait for everyone else to meet and fall in love with these characters and animals.

The Fiance Dilemma by Elena Armas
If you are into:
Slow Burn Romance
Small Town
Fake dating/engagement
Grandpa Moe (because let's face it we all need more Grandpa Moe)

Elena crafts a touching and imaginative tale of love, loss, and self-discovery in this delightful read. Set in the quaint town of Green Oaks, Matthew and Josie's story unfolds in a community where everyone knows everyone else's business. Josie, with four failed engagements behind her, surprises everyone with her fifth engagement to her sister's best friend, Matthew. Elena skillfully portrays the chemistry between these characters, navigating through just the right mix of messy situations. Matthew's unwavering support for Josie is heartwarming, but the question remains: will Josie find her way to the altar this time, or is running her only option? I recommend picking up a copy today and joining the journey.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review!


First off, let me start this review of by saying I love Elena Armas’ writing style, her adorable book covers, and her relatable characters! The Fiancé Dilemma was one of one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, especially when book one in this series the Long Game was on my top favorite reads of 2023. Mrs Armas did not disappoint with The Fiancé Dilemma. However, even though I enjoyed this one overall, I had a real problem with the beginning.

The incident in question that kicks off the whole story is Josie being pressured to become a pawn to fix her father’s PR issues. This didn’t sit well for me. One because no person real or fictional should be put under that kind of pressure. Second Josie I love you but for the love of all that is holy have some back bone to say no. You’ve never met this man and all of sudden you are jumping through unachievable hoops for him. Also Bobbi is Uber snake witch. (Pardon the language but man it’s been a while since I’ve had character really rub me through the wrong way).

My only wish to make this book truly perfect would be to remove that beginning. But since I can’t do that, the only thing I can do is let it effect my star rating hence why I’m giving this a 4 Star instead of a 5 Star read. Because once we get to navigating Matthew and Josies fake engagement I was hook, line and sinker. I loved both of them, Josie's quirkiness had me giggling And Matthew overprotective nature had me swooning.

Overall loved the ending and how everything resolved. I highly recommend checking this book out when it releases in July. And I can’t wait to add a finished copy to my collection on release day!

This story was really fun, super cute and charming and just an overall enjoyable read. I'm thrilled to be able to read it as I spent an entire in the sun with these lovable characters. The writing is full great wit and banter, infused with humor and showcases excellent chemistry. The writing of Armas is engaging and her story telling is thoughtful and well structured. Josie and Matthews story is one you don't want to miss.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Elena Armas never disappoints. Truly can’t get over Josie and Matthew’s story! I devoured this book in one day. All of the invisible strings had me blushing and kicking my feet while I read.

Definitely my favorite from Elena Armas so far! I love the fake dating/engagement trope, and this book also dives into the developing friendship between the two so well, resulting in a fake engagement to friends to lovers (which I LOVE)! Josie and Matthew are both such loveable characters and I love revisiting the other townies from The Long Game. I thought that Josie's backstory (4 previous engagements) was a little too unrealistic at first, but it provided the perfect foundation for a funny rom-com. Overall, I loved it!

I love Elena Armas writing style, and I love how much you can see her growing with an author with each new book! The Fiancé Dilemma was the perfect example of that. I loved getting to see more of Matthew and Josie after being introduced to them in The Long Game! I think the humor in this book was definitely a stand out and made the story something special!

This was my first Elena Armas book, but it definitely won’t be my last. This book was beautiful and magical and oh so perfect. I can’t wait to attend the book event in Nashville and to read more books by Armas!

Slow burn, small town, rom-com
Another series where the second book is better than the first? Yes.

Matthew and his mouth HOT. He watched Bridgerton Hotter👓
Josie and Matthew meet in person = Fake fiancé
Funny awkward/nicknames
Love language? Physical touch
When you know you know

The Long Game was not my favorite but I was so happy to have gotten this ARC. Enjoyed this one a lot more. Will read anything Elena Arma’s writes.

-fake engagement, small town, best friend’s sister
-Josie Moore needs to help clean up her father’s pr image. In walks Matthew Flanagan who becomes the perfect candidate as her fake fiancé
-this story had so many layers and it developed and flowed so well 🐷🌅☕️
-their chemistry was so adorable and the instant attraction and compatibility!! I LOVE THEM YOUR HONOUR 🥹💕
-Matthew had me kicking my feet!! The bar is up in outer space I tell you 😮‍💨 when he calls her sweetheart >>>>
-thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this heart warming ARC 🩷

5⭐️

I haven’t enjoyed all of Elena Armas’ books, so I was pleasantly surprised by The Fiancé Dilemma. The two MCs had great chemistry. They were both likable characters, and I was rooting for them the whole time. The plot was a little silly at times. But if you go into it just for an enjoyable read, it’s a good time.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

Loved getting to be back in Green Oak with some of my favorite characters for Josie and Matthew’s story! They were both so sweet and loved their connection with each other. (I will say though, i thought from the first book Matthew was the GBF lol so what an interesting turn of events for me.)

I’m sure by the title you can guess that this is a fake fiancé trope. Basically this whole book I kept thinking how unrealistic and wild Matthew was for going along with the hoax, only to find out that he is the sweetest cutest man ever and i could scream eeeeeeep - that’s how I feel about him lol

I have no notes!!

Thank you for the electronic arc -eeeeeeep 🫶🏻

☕️Book Review ☕️
|| The Fiancé Dilemma ||
|| Author: Elena Armas ||
Format: ARC NetGalley ebook
Release Date: July 30, 2024
Read from: May 26, 2024 to May 29, 2024
2024 RG: 70/100

MCs: Josie Moore and Matthew Flanagan

Josie Moore has recently found out that she is the daughter of a multimillionaire. When her father’s PR lady shows up on her doorstep and sees an old engagement ring on her finger, she calls the first man she sees (quite literally) her fiancé. She realizes that she knows the man- her sister’s best friend. But will he decide to help her and go along with it?

Matthew Flanagan has just returned to Green Oak after having been fired from his job. His truck broke down in the mud during a rainstorm so he gets to walking. He was just going along when, at the end of someone’s driveway, some girl with a face mask and a dirty robe calls out to him acting like he’s her significant other. Only later does he realize that he knows her- his best friend’s sister. Will he decide to become her fifth fiancé to help her out of this PR mess?

Side note: Grandpa Moe >>>>

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

“It’s fine for life to bruise you and leave a mark. That only means you’re living, you know? It means you’re trying.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f contemporary romance
-fake engagement
-small town romance
-runaway bride vibes
-man in glasses
-slow burn
-phone sex

This was sweet and soft and filled with accepting the love you deserve, and also recognizing that you deserve to be loved for who you are. The sweetest slow burn, with small town hiking. This was giving 90's romcom vibes in the best way. I just adore Elena's writing.